Massively http://massively.joystiq.com Massively http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Massively http://massively.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Captain's Log: The lower decks]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/23/captains-log-the-lower-decks/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/23/captains-log-the-lower-decks/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/23/captains-log-the-lower-decks/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Captain's Log, Stardate 64977.3...

Spock, Riker, Kira, Worf, Chakotay, and T'Pol. What do they all have in common? They are the notable men and women who served under their Captains as First Officer. Joret, Sito, Alyssa, Taurik, Sam and Geniveve. What do they all have in common? No one knows who the heck they are. In the world of Star Trek, these "unknowns" are the members of the lower decks, people whose work goes unnoticed, whose accomplishments are unacknowledged, and who are often killed off at the end of the episode when you finally do get to know them.

While the ships in Star Trek Online currently seem to be manned only by the Captain, his or her Bridge Officers (BOff), and some random crewmen walking around the ship, this is about to change. In the next couple months, get ready to welcome new members to your ship's lower decks. The Duty Officer (DOff) system will be adding a new form of gameplay to STO and give players even more ways to level characters and become immersed in the universe surrounding them. While there are a ton of random pieces of information about it floating out there, I think that Captain's Log is the perfect place to put it all together and give you a more concise picture of how it will work.

Ensign, warp 10! It's time to attend your new favorite class, DOffs 101...

Continue reading Captain's Log: The lower decks

MassivelyCaptain's Log: The lower decks originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 23 Jun 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>assignmentsBOboffbreenchakotayclasscommendationcrypticcryptic-star-trekcryptic-studiosdefaridepartment-headsDOdoffduty-officerduty-officer-systemengineeringfeaturefeaturedfirst-officerforumsHereticholodeckkiraklingonklingonslivestreamrarityrikersciencespeciesspockst-onlinestar-trek-mmostar-trek-onlinestotacticaltcgtpoltrading-card-gametrek-onlineworfThu, 23 Jun 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Game Archaeologist and the dragon of the deep dungeon]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/21/the-game-archaeologist-and-the-dragon-of-the-deep-dungeon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/21/the-game-archaeologist-and-the-dragon-of-the-deep-dungeon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/21/the-game-archaeologist-and-the-dragon-of-the-deep-dungeon/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

The Game Archaeologist is a lazy adventurer-slash-professor who dons his trademark cap for a weekly expedition through some of the most famous MMOs of the past few decades. Each month, he chooses a different title in order to examine its highlights, talk with its developers, and invite its fans to share their experiences.

Part of the holy mission of the Game Archaeologist is to ferret out the roots of history that ultimately led to MMORPGs as we know them today. Another part of the mission is to root out ferrets, as my claw-scarred arms can attest. Some of that history is fairly recent, but today we're going to travel back -- way back -- to a time before many of you were born. Including me, as a matter of fact.

The year is 1974. The world is hip-deep in the throes of shag carpeting, driftwood furniture and the strains of Grand Funk Railroad. It truly seemed like nothing would ever be cool or non-earth-toned again. At this, the lowest moment in all of history, game designers Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson took the concept of miniature wargaming, merged it with a fantasy motif, and sold it under the name Dungeons & Dragons. Geeks everywhere had a reason to rejoice, and through this roleplaying game the foundations for MMOs were laid.

Let's take a brief survey through D&D, giving special emphasis to how this great-granddaddy of RPGs passed down a legacy that we enjoy in our modern online titles. Also, there will be popcorn.

Continue reading The Game Archaeologist and the dragon of the deep dungeon

MassivelyThe Game Archaeologist and the dragon of the deep dungeon originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 21 Dec 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>4th-editionbandicootcharacter-sheetscs-lewiscyberpunkdave-arnesondndDungeons-and-Dragonsdungeons-and-dragons-onlinee.t.etfantasygary-gygaxgenregiant-spidersHello-Kittyhello-kitty-onlinehorrorjack-vancejrr-tolkienkirklord-of-the-ringslovecraftmichael-moorcockpen-and-paperrobert-e-howardroleplaying-gamerpgspace-elfspockstar-treksteampunkthe-game-archaeologistwesternxpTue, 21 Dec 2010 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Perfect Ten: The sadistic shopper's list for Black Friday and Cyber Monday]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/25/the-perfect-ten-the-sadistic-shoppers-list-for-black-friday-an/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/25/the-perfect-ten-the-sadistic-shoppers-list-for-black-friday-an/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/25/the-perfect-ten-the-sadistic-shoppers-list-for-black-friday-an/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

With the holiday shopping season upon us, gamers are hot for great deals and cheap entertainment. As my wife's logic goes, if something is 80% off, you buy it, even if you didn't really want it in the first place. It's the principle of the thing, an automatic 80% dose of smug satisfaction at being a savvy shopper!

Not every deal should be pursued, however. Although most video games are playable for years and decades after release, not so with MMOs that have had their service shuttered. It's recently come to my attention that even though these games are completely unplayable -- rendered nothing more than a few cents' worth of a DVD and cardboard packaging -- online retailers haven't kept up with the times and keep these products on the virtual shelves long past their expiration dates.

That's not to say you should avoid these products at all cost, because studies show that a large percentage of Massively readers have a sick and twisted sense of humor. What would make a better gift this Christmas than a multi-million-dollar-budget MMO that died a horrible death years before?

So don't be the typical gifter who settles for a Blu-ray player or an iPod -- give a package of misery, disillusionment and broken dreams! Hit the jump for 10 items that absolutely belong in your shopping cart if you wish to be feared!

Continue reading The Perfect Ten: The sadistic shopper's list for Black Friday and Cyber Monday

MassivelyThe Perfect Ten: The sadistic shopper's list for Black Friday and Cyber Monday originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 25 Nov 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>all-points-bulletinamazonapbasherons-call-2auto-assaultbill-roperblack-fridayblu-raybostonbox-artchristmascircuits-of-timeclock-craftcyber-mondayearth-and-beyondfeaturedflagshipflagshippedflux-capacitorfuryguamhellgate-londonhubbleipodkrystallematrix-onlinemxonasancsoftnerd-rageperfect-10perfect-tenrf-onlinerichard-gariottrichard-gariotts-tabula-rasa-limited-collectors-editionshadowbaneshoppingsoespocktabula-rasathe-matrix-onlinethe-perfect-10the-perfect-tentime-traveltimecardturbineturbine-entertainmentThu, 25 Nov 2010 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Spock!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/22/spock/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/22/spock/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/22/spock/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


We recently showed you a video of Zachary Quinto -- Spock Reloaded, if you will -- doing voice work for Star Trek Online. Quinto won't be reprising his role as the famous Vulcan though, and will instead guide new players through the tutorial as an Emergency Medical Hologram. Now we've come across footage of Leonard Nimoy lending his voice as well for Cryptic's massively multiplayer take on the Star Trek IP. He'll be providing the narration that brings players up to date with events in Star Trek Online's setting.

Stick with us past the jump for footage of Leonard Nimoy (and clips from the game) in a behind-the-scenes video for Star Trek Online.

Continue reading Spock!

MassivelySpock! originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 22 Dec 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>behind-the-scenescrypticcryptic-studiosleonard-nimoynarrationnarratornew-titlespointy-earssci-fispockstar-trekstar-trek-onlinestovideovoice-overvulcanzachary-quintoTue, 22 Dec 2009 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Digital Continuum: Federation stands for 'fighting']]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/23/the-digital-continuum-federation-stands-for-fighting/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/23/the-digital-continuum-federation-stands-for-fighting/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/23/the-digital-continuum-federation-stands-for-fighting/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

A new fragrance is out, and it smells exactly like the old one. It's the gentle waft of something I'm quite familiar with: Star Trek fandom. Let me preface this by saying I've been a fan of Star Trek ever since I saw an episode of The Next Generation back when my parents used to tape it every week so we could watch it as a family. So when I declare that people griping about Star Trek Online's emphasis on combat aren't true Trek fans, I know the amount of weight that statement carries.

And you know what? They really aren't true fans.

Continue reading The Digital Continuum: Federation stands for 'fighting'

MassivelyThe Digital Continuum: Federation stands for 'fighting' originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atariborgcaptain-kirkcaptain-picardcryptic-studioscyrpticfeaturedgene-roddenberryjames-t-kirkjean-luc-picardkirkopinionpicardqroddenberryspockstar-trekstar-trek-onlinestothe-digital-continuumthe-next-generationthe-qtngMon, 23 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Star Trek Online lore: 2379 to 2384]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/03/star-trek-online-lore-2379-to-2384/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/03/star-trek-online-lore-2379-to-2384/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/03/star-trek-online-lore-2379-to-2384/#commentsFiled under:

It's rare for an MMO to bring with it a history as rich and generational as Star Trek. The Trek universe is as deep and rich with lore as Lord of the Rings or Star Wars, and just like both those titles the lore has been passed down from parent to child over generations now. This leaves any game which attempts to encapsulate that lore in a precarious situation of both having to remain close to the canon, yet leaving enough creative room for the player to feel like they're making a true difference in the universe.

And while we have yet to see if Star Trek Online lives up to the second part of that criteria, we can take a look at how they are moving the lore forward and dealing with the canocial events of past Trek incarnations. The main conduit for this lesson in lore has been through the sporadic postings of The Path to 2409 on the official STO website. However, there's a lot of information there and it's quite easy to get lost in it all.

So, let's take a look at the Star Trek Online timeline Cryptic has released thus far. To begin with, we'll go over the years 2379 through 2384.

Continue reading Star Trek Online lore: 2379 to 2384

MassivelyStar Trek Online lore: 2379 to 2384 originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alternate-timelinebajorcardassiancrypticcryptic-studiosfeaturedfederationjj-abramsklingonremanromulanspockstar-trekstar-trek-moviestar-trek-onlinestar-trek-timelinestark-trek-moviestosto-featuredsto-timelinetimelinevulcanTue, 03 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Star Trek Online timeline update covers the year 2382]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/08/star-trek-online-timeline-update-covers-the-year-2382/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/08/star-trek-online-timeline-update-covers-the-year-2382/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/08/star-trek-online-timeline-update-covers-the-year-2382/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Cryptic has updated the Star Trek Online timeline that leads up to when the game takes place. Just to refresh everyone's memory, Star Trek Online is set in the year 2409, which is thirty years after the events of Star Trek: Nemesis. The newest update on the official website covers the events of the year 2382, or 27 years prior to the game.

The biggest part of this updates deals with the Romulans (biological cousins to the Vulcans) who are heading down a path to civil war, as political in-fighting continues to grow. Meanwhile the Unification movement, represented by Ambassador Spock, once again attempts to push their agenda by seeking the support of the Federation Council. Ultimately though, the Federation declines to support the movement to unify the two races, as the Vulcan members of the council aren't too keen on such an uncertain and essentially illogical idea.

Gallery: Star Trek Online Gallery

Continue reading Star Trek Online timeline update covers the year 2382

MassivelyStar Trek Online timeline update covers the year 2382 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 08 Dec 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2k-gamescryptic-studiosfederationfederation-councilklingon-empireklingonsloreromulansspockstar-trekstar-trek-onlinestarfleetstotimelinevulcansMon, 08 Dec 2008 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[STO combat and character questions answered in latest Ask Cryptic]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/28/sto-combat-and-character-questions-answered-in-latest-ask-crypti/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/28/sto-combat-and-character-questions-answered-in-latest-ask-crypti/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/28/sto-combat-and-character-questions-answered-in-latest-ask-crypti/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Combat is the main topic this time around in the latest Ask Cryptic for Star Trek Online. The first question pertains to melee combat and just how it'll work. Surprisingly, it looks as though melee combat will actually be more than a simple aside to back-and-forth phaser fire. Cryptic says that Klingons will make use of bat'leth and the Federation will use lirpa -- that historically memorable staff-like weapon Spock and Kirk used to battle it out. It still remains slightly unclear whether or not players from opposite factions will be able to effectively use melee weaponry.

As for question number two -- and probably the second-most important -- a forum poster asked Cryptic whether ship combat would be point-and-click like EVE Online or more tactical like traditional Star Trek battles. Thankfully, the answer was that yes, players can expect to have full control over their ship in order to hide their weaker points while attacking the structurally unsound targets of their enemies' shields and hull.

Continue reading STO combat and character questions answered in latest Ask Cryptic

MassivelySTO combat and character questions answered in latest Ask Cryptic originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 28 Oct 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bat-lethbatlethcrypticcryptic-studiosfederationkirkklingonklingonslirpaspockstar-fleetstar-trekstar-trek-onlineTue, 28 Oct 2008 11:00:00 EST