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[GDC09: Massively previews Earthrise]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/29/gdc09-massively-previews-earthrise/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/29/gdc09-massively-previews-earthrise/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/29/gdc09-massively-previews-earthrise/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


The futuristic game Earthrise is one of the upcoming sci-fi massively multiplayer games that we can see on the horizon. It's the first MMO developed by Sofia-based Masthead Studios and features the post-apocalyptic setting of a world divided between utopian idealism and revolution. Massively had a chance to sit down with Masthead Studios CEO Atanas Atanasov at the Game Developers Conference 2009 where he gave us a walkthrough of Earthrise, shedding some light on what this new title may bring to the MMO world.

Gallery: Earthrise

Continue reading GDC09: Massively previews Earthrise

MassivelyGDC09: Massively previews Earthrise originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 29 Mar 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atanas-atanasovbattle-ratingbulgariacontinomacraftingdesignearthriseenterrafeaturedfull-lootinggdcgdc-2009guildsjoystiqfeatureslootingloremanufacturingmassively-event-coveragemassively-interviewsmasthead-studiosnew-titlesnoiroffline-advancementopen-pvppost-apocalypticpreviewspvpsandboxsci-fiskillpointsskillssofiastancestancestacticsSun, 29 Mar 2009 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[AoC opens the door for more hands-on combat]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/22/aoc-opens-the-door-for-more-hands-on-combat/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/22/aoc-opens-the-door-for-more-hands-on-combat/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/22/aoc-opens-the-door-for-more-hands-on-combat/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

As seen here and here, the combat in Age of Conan is something we've not seen in an MMO before, and it's to Funcom's credit that they're trying to bring combat closer to something approximating the choices an actual fighter might have to make during a battle. If this approach proves successful (and it's likely to please at least a portion of its audience), it's possible we could see other MMOs take up the challenge of refining an active-combat methodology themselves.

I'd like to see a combat system with some depth applied to the martial arts MMO genre, where a warrior's style actually does matter -- a lower, more grounded stance versus a higher, more mobile one; the option of attacking different locations on an opponent's body; a succession of keypresses to activate special chi-based abilities; a workable, skill-based blocking set of actions. Much better than simply firing off a macro, such a system would truly test a player's mettle, leading to a deeper appreciation of the complexities of real-time combat. Here's looking to the future: may it bring us innovation!

MassivelyAoC opens the door for more hands-on combat originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 22 Jan 2008 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanblockingchicombatfuncomkeypressesmartial-artsstanceTue, 22 Jan 2008 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Details of Book 12 lovin' for Champions]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/02/details-of-book-12-lovin-for-champions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/02/details-of-book-12-lovin-for-champions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/02/details-of-book-12-lovin-for-champions/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Turbine representative Graalx2 visited the The Lord of the Rings Online's official forums and revealed the beneficial changes players of the Champion class can expect in Book 12. The Champion is one of the most popular classes in LotRO, but its players have been crying out for some patch lovin' for a while now. We only recently learned that their cries were not in vain, but now we have specifics!

Champions commonly requested a new, intermediary stance -- a compromise between the DPS-crazy but defenseless Fervour stance and uninspiring default one -- and now they're going to get it. The new stance will include the combo point bonuses of Fervour but not the straight-up damage bonus, and will merely penalize Parry and Evade rather than disabling them entirely.

Graalx2 lists some other changes in the post as well -- upgrades to existing legendary skills, the conditional ability to use Sudden Defense while in Fervour stance, and more. Read the post for yourself for details. Also, he elaborates on the Legendary skill upgrades deeper into the thread.

[Via Curse]

MassivelyDetails of Book 12 lovin' for Champions originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 02 Nov 2007 22:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>book-12breakingchampiondpsevadefervourforumsgraalx2legendary-skillslegendary-traitslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotroparrystanceturbineFri, 02 Nov 2007 22:15:00 EST