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[Miracle fundraising finish for Gridiron Heroes' Kickstarter drive]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/09/miracle-fundraising-finish-for-gridiron-heroes-kickstarter-driv/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/09/miracle-fundraising-finish-for-gridiron-heroes-kickstarter-driv/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/09/miracle-fundraising-finish-for-gridiron-heroes-kickstarter-driv/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Sports MMOs haven't gotten off the ground as of yet, and whether their lack of mainstream success is due to design challenges or some other factor, they remain obscure oddities for the most part.

Somewhat less obscure is Tecmo's 1980s Nintendo series based on the National Football League. The aptly named Tecmo Bowl was a mainstay on Nintendo's first 8-bit console, and now a group of fans have helped assure that Gridiron Heroes, a new Facebook game inspired by the classic series, will in fact be made.

Kotaku reports on the last-minute miracle finish to the project's Kickstarter drive, with the development team collecting $7,613 (measured against a goal of $7,500).

MassivelyMiracle fundraising finish for Gridiron Heroes' Kickstarter drive originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 09 Mar 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>american-football-mmocasualf2pfacebookfacebook-gamesfootball-mmofree-to-playgridiron-heroeskickstartermmo-industrysports-mmotecmotecmo-bowltecmo-mmoFri, 09 Mar 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fourth season begins for 2 Out Rally baseball MMO]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/17/fourth-season-begins-for-2-out-rally-baseball-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/17/fourth-season-begins-for-2-out-rally-baseball-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/17/fourth-season-begins-for-2-out-rally-baseball-mmo/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Despite the scorn that sports MMOs receive in some quarters, there are a few of them out there. One of those rare beasts is 2 Out Rally, a free-to-play baseball sim that gives players the opportunity to micro-manage a team of major leaguers as both a top-ranked talent scout and a team owner. Gameplay involves creating, training, and developing ballplayers, as well as negotiating with other 2 Out Rally gamers to fill out your roster.

2 Out Rally's fourth season begins Friday, February 18th, and brings with it an increase in team ownership opportunities as well as higher levels of challenge. Season four will continue with a tradition established in season three by allowing players to write for The Scoop, the league's fictional newspaper that adds a layer of immersion and atmosphere to the game.

You can learn more about the game, and start planning your pursuit of the pennant, at the 2 Out Rally website.

MassivelyFourth season begins for 2 Out Rally baseball MMO originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2-out-rallybaseballbaseball-mmof2pfree-to-playmajor-leaguemanagermicro-managepress-releasescoutsseason-4season-foursports-mmothe-scooptwo-out-rallyThu, 17 Feb 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Funcom receives grant to create extreme sports MMO]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/04/funcom-receives-grant-to-create-extreme-sports-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/04/funcom-receives-grant-to-create-extreme-sports-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/04/funcom-receives-grant-to-create-extreme-sports-mmo/#commentsFiled under: , ,

In between navigating the sometimes-choppy waters of Age of Conan and working toward the launch of The Secret World, Funcom is having a busy year, but it looks like they are adding one more project to the pile as well.

Funcom has been given a grant worth NOK 1.5 million -- $262,000 US -- in order to create a new extreme sports MMO. Funcom's Director of Communications Erling Ellingsen says "Yes, I can confirm that Funcom is working on a new project called Board with the World. This will be a free-to-play social MMO focusing on the world of extreme sports. [...] First and foremost we will be focusing on snowboarding, with the possibility of adding different sports later. We also want this to be a social world rich with different types of media content and pop-cultural elements such as music, video and even fashion. It is definitely exciting, and we look forward to revealing more on this later."

Work on the project is expected to begin in January 2010, and we can expect more details as it progresses.

MassivelyFuncom receives grant to create extreme sports MMO originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>erling-ellingsenextreme-sportsfuncomgrantnew-titlessports-mmoWed, 04 Nov 2009 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Empire of Sports]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/31/the-empire-of-sports/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/31/the-empire-of-sports/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/31/the-empire-of-sports/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Playing as or battling against elves, dwarfs, monsters and aliens comprise the heart and soul of virtually every MMO on the market. So what would you say to a massive online game based around - not one, but many - sports? Being a sports fanatic, I'm sweating at the very thought of such a bold idea. A few weeks ago The Empire of Sports launched their closed beta. And what is this sporting MMO all about?

Players create a fully customizable character to interact, train, compete and attend events in several different spots disciplines including football, basketball, tennis, skiing, bobsleigh, and a series of training/fitness games. Additional single and team sports will be added as the community evolves. According to the website, these are not mini-games, but full blown sports games that feature unique controls giving players a different experience each time. Players will live and train within virtual city centers (which look like Olympic villages) that include all the facilities and services a world class athlete would ever need. Once you're ready you can test your skills against thousands of other players in order to build a virtual sports star existence.

Based on the screen shots EoS reminds me a lot of Epyx old Winter Games and Summer Games released during the mid-1980's. Good times. I can't wait to give this intriguing MMO concept a spin! The Empire is accepting beta applications, so if any of this sounds intriguing, shoot on over to their website and join the fun.

MassivelyThe Empire of Sports originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 31 Dec 2007 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Empire-of-SportsEpyxSports-mmoSummer-GamesWinter-GamesMon, 31 Dec 2007 14:30:00 EST