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[The Game Archaeologist and the What Ifs: Middle-earth Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/21/the-game-archaeologist-and-the-what-ifs-middle-earth-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/21/the-game-archaeologist-and-the-what-ifs-middle-earth-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/21/the-game-archaeologist-and-the-what-ifs-middle-earth-online/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

I had so much fun walking down the halls of "What if?" last week that I thought I'd keep the streak going for the rest of the month (if you'll allow for some summertime indulgence). It's not that I necessarily wanted MMO history to turn out differently than it did, but it's always tantalizing to wonder what the field would look like with different games out there. Would they have proven more popular than our current crops? Would they have pushed the envelope of innovation?

Of course, it's easy to project greatness onto never-released titles, bemoaning that "if only MMO X had launched, we would've had the perfect game!" What ifs are interesting but should never be taken as absolute fact.

This week I wanted to look at a project that's related to an MMO near and dear to my heart. As most of you know, I'm somewhat of a Lord of the Rings Online nut here at Massively. Sure, the rest of the staff is upset that I smoke pipeweed inside and never wear shoes, but that's just how far I go to understand the game.

But even my LotRO isn't immune to a massive what if. Known to some but not to all, Turbine wasn't the first MMO studio to take a crack at Tolkien's license -- no, for that we have to travel back to 1998 and revisit Sierra On-Line. It was this company that had a brief but memorable run designing Middle-earth Online, aka "What if LotRO had permadeath?" It's a fascinating glimpse into an entirely different approach to the IP, and even though it died a fairly early death, it's important to be remembered. Frodo lives!

Continue reading The Game Archaeologist and the What Ifs: Middle-earth Online

MassivelyThe Game Archaeologist and the What Ifs: Middle-earth Online originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 21 Jun 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2-d3-dbalrogcraig-alexanderdaniel-jameselveseqeverquestfeaturedfourth-agefrodofrodo-livesi-hate-elvesisometricjoe-ludwigjrr-tolkienkings-questlord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromeomiddle-earth-onlinemonster-playpermadeathpkpkingplayer-killingpsychologypuzzle-piratessierrasierra-onlinespace-queststephen-nicholsthe-game-archaeologistthe-professorthe-realmthe-realm-onlinetolkienultima-onlineuovivendivivendi-universalTue, 21 Jun 2011 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Dungeon Runners shutting down in January]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/17/dungeon-runners-shutting-down-in-january/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/17/dungeon-runners-shutting-down-in-january/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/17/dungeon-runners-shutting-down-in-january/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


In the No-Surpise-to-Anyone category, we have news that NCsoft's Dungeon Runners will be closing its doors on January 1, 2010. We only say no surprise because of the fact that the game has been running on a handful of devs for quite a long time now, which is a shame, because Dungeon Runners is actually a fun little game.

Staying true to their wonderful sense of humor, Stephen Nichols, DR's Producer and Lead Programmer, released a statement yesterday detailing the closure. He certainly doesn't butter it up at all as he explains that the game just isn't turning a profit, regardless of their efforts over the last year. They're now down to a 3-man team, which is near impossible for any studio to use in maintaining a game.

Luckily, for those currently subscribed to the game, some treats are coming your way, including free City of Heroes Architect Edition and Guild Wars Chapter 1: Prophecies. So if you've never played Dungeon Runners before, you have a little over three months to jump in for free and check it out before the game shuts down for good.

MassivelyDungeon Runners shutting down in January originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 17 Sep 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingnewsclosuredrdungeon-runnersncsoftshutting-downstephen-nicholsThu, 17 Sep 2009 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Dungeon Runners new build and push for retail box sales]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/15/dungeon-runners-new-build-and-push-for-retail-box-sales/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/15/dungeon-runners-new-build-and-push-for-retail-box-sales/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/15/dungeon-runners-new-build-and-push-for-retail-box-sales/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Well, it's certainly no surprise that NCsoft is pushing the membership program for Dungeon Runners, and this newest build shows this all too well. But to be honest, we think it's about time. Dungeon Runners has been in operation for almost a year now (which will be celebrated next week) and it has been available as a free download with no subscription fees for this entire time. Their optional upgraded membership program has many perks, but has never been necessary.

Well, now with the upcoming retail box release (and Bling Gnome!), NCsoft is providing even more incentive to switch to a membership account. Check out their official patch notes for Build 121 to see some of these membership perks, and the loads of other improvements they've made to the game, including our all-time favorite ode to Stand By Me: the Barf-O-Rama skill!

MassivelyDungeon Runners new build and push for retail box sales originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 15 May 2008 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bling-gnomedr-build-121dungeon-runnersncsoftstephen-nicholsThu, 15 May 2008 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Dungeon Runners needs your ideas]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/23/dungeon-runners-needs-your-ideas/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/23/dungeon-runners-needs-your-ideas/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/23/dungeon-runners-needs-your-ideas/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


If you've ever played Dungeon Runners, you may have had some ideas on how to improve it. Actually, this is probably the case with any and all MMOs you've played. We can all conjure suggestions in our minds, but to actually have an organized place to share these suggestions is something we've needed for a long time.

So Stephen Nichols, the producer of Dungeon Runners, has established a new experimental collaboration system for players called IdeaRunners.com. It currently has two major sections to it: Possibly Usable Ideas and Potentially Not Stupid Ideas. In each of these, Stephen has been known to respond to suggestions directly, making it not just an idea dumpsite, but also somewhat interactive.

MassivelyDungeon Runners needs your ideas originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 23 Apr 2008 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dungeon-runnersidearunnersideasncsoftstephen-nicholssuggestionsWed, 23 Apr 2008 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Someone just blew Chunks]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/12/someone-just-blew-chunks/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/12/someone-just-blew-chunks/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/12/someone-just-blew-chunks/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Clean up on isle 5!

That's the same kind of irreverent humor laced throughout the extraordinarily fun (and free to play) Dungeon Runners. Last night more of this same type of hilarity was let loose onto the DR world with the release of Chunk 2. "Chunk" is the term NCsoft uses for their blocks of new DR content. Veeeeeery cute.

Chunk 2 drops a whole lot of stuffing and sweet potatoes onto players plates, including more bank space for paying members (a meager monthly fee of $4.95 gives players unlimited access), easier trade system, increased access to the prime loot, and balance refinements for both Player versus Environment (PvE) and Player versus Player (PvP). According to Stephen Nichols, the producer and lead programmer for Dungeon Runners, Chunk 2 opens a more content for non-members that they didn't have access to previously because of in-game advertising."

Whaaaaat? In-game advertising? Before you toss your cookies, remember this is a free to play game. And while a pittance of a monthly fee will open up the world, not everyone can or wants to fork out an extra Lincoln. The in-game adverts, which are visible only to non-members on loading screens and in a banner above the game window, help fund future development of this game and keeps it free for players. Free is good.

I'm a big fan of this game and gave the new content a brief whirl last night. Aside from access to new content like dungeons and more valuable bling, additional bank slots have been added. Non-members get one full page, while members get three. A new trade system has been implemented allowing players to trade stuff (except gold) through a much simpler interface. Rare item drops have been increased and stackable potions have been added for both members and non-members alike. The in-game adverts aren't a big deal, and as long as it keeps Dungeon Runners free... I can live with an ad here and there. I think you will too.

MassivelySomeone just blew Chunks originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 12 Dec 2007 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advertisingdungeon-runnersfree-to-playmmogncsoftnew-contentstephen-nicholstradeWed, 12 Dec 2007 11:30:00 EST