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[Matt Firor on The Elder Scrolls Online's '100% solo' personal story]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/18/the-elder-scrolls-onlines-matt-firor-talks-100-solo-personal/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/18/the-elder-scrolls-onlines-matt-firor-talks-100-solo-personal/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/18/the-elder-scrolls-onlines-matt-firor-talks-100-solo-personal/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Screenshot -- The Elder Scrolls Online
Games in the Elder Scrolls series have always been about giving players the opportunity to become the game's hero, and it looks like The Elder Scrolls Online will be no different. The title's game director, Matt Firor, has announced that each character's main storyline in the game will be "100% solo."

Firor points back to the previous entries in the series, stating that "in The Elder Scrolls games, you're always the hero... The last thing you want to do is have the final confrontation with Mehrunes Dagon as he's stomping across the Imperial City, and you see like 15 guys behind you waiting to kill him." While it's a good point, we can't help but wonder what kind of an impact this design will have on the social aspect of the MMO, but at this point all we can do is wait and see. Firor's full interview over on Game Informer has plenty of extra information as well, so if you're jonesing for more details, just head on over and check it out for yourself.

MassivelyMatt Firor on The Elder Scrolls Online's '100% solo' personal story originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 18 May 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bethesdabethesda-softworksbethsoftdaggerfallelder-scrollselder-scrolls-onlinematt-firormorrowindoblivionpersonal-storypersonal-storylineplease-dont-suckpvpsandboxskyrimsolostorystorylinetamrieltestesothe-elder-scrollsthe-elder-scrolls-onlinethree-faction-pvpzenimaxzenimax-mediazenimax-onlinezenimax-online-studiosFri, 18 May 2012 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Choose My Adventure: Story time!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/02/choose-my-adventure-story-time/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/02/choose-my-adventure-story-time/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/02/choose-my-adventure-story-time/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

[Insert Final Fantasy victory theme here]
Welcome back, Choose My Adventurers! Last week I took you on a leisurely stroll through my beginning days in Final Fantasy XIV's Limsa Lominsa and asked you lovely folks to choose what I should do next. Wouldn't you know it, you told me to go and finish up the storyline. So that's exactly what I did! This week, however, by popular demand, I'm going to be doing less play-by-play re-enactment and giving more of my impressions on whether the game is... you know... good.

So strap yourselves in and head on past the cut and let's see what Eorzea had in store for me this week.

Continue reading Choose My Adventure: Story time!

MassivelyChoose My Adventure: Story time! originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 02 Nov 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>choose-my-adventurecinematicscmacutscenesfeaturedff14ffxivfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivlorepollpollsstorystorylinestorytellingWed, 02 Nov 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Archlord celebrates its second anniversary]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/19/archlord-celebrates-its-second-anniversary/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/19/archlord-celebrates-its-second-anniversary/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/19/archlord-celebrates-its-second-anniversary/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Archlord
If you haven't guessed by now, we here at Massively love MMO anniversaries. They're always great opportunities to celebrate a game's success and achievements, particularly in a field where it is so hard to get long-lasting titles off the ground. So we raise a glass to Archlord as it marks its second anniversary today.

To celebrate this achievement, Webzen has a few treats in store for its players. Starting off, all Archlord players will enjoy two weeks of double XP, double drops, and double charisma points. If double XP isn't fast enough for you, then you can pop over to the special training server, where characters can be leveled up extremely fast and then transferred back to regular servers if they reach level 40 or higher. This training server will be up for a month, and Webzen is planning to hand out special in-game items for those who take advantage of it.

Archlord has a new raid dungeon in the works for December called Battle Square, and is preparing a new chapter in its storyline that will go live at the same time.

[Source: Webzen press release]

MassivelyArchlord celebrates its second anniversary originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 19 Oct 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2nd-anniversaryanniversaryarchlordbattle-squaredouble-xpf2pfree-to-playin-game-celebrationin-game-eventraidsecond-anniversarystorylinetraining-serverwebzenWed, 19 Oct 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Mog Log: Proof of concept]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/23/the-mog-log-proof-of-concept/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/23/the-mog-log-proof-of-concept/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/23/the-mog-log-proof-of-concept/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Final Fantasy XIV's last major patch was back in March, when 1.16 brought out the first iteration of the game's quests. Sure, we've had updates since then, but even 1.17 didn't really have the appeal and the energy that you'd expect from a major patch. And 1.16 was something of a disappointment at the time -- not bad, but not nearly what the game needed. There was an awful lot missing there, stuff that seemed basic. I wasn't happy, in other words.

Well, here we are now, at 1.18. Any better?

In a word, yes. A lot of the stuff that needed to be fixed has been, and a lot of the improvements the game has needed have come through. I've unfortunately only had a little time to play around with the update, but what I've played has been pretty uniformly positive. Positive except for the notable issues that the game was having with the login server right after the patch, but who actually expects patch day to go smoothly? (Other than me, I mean.)

Continue reading The Mog Log: Proof of concept

MassivelyThe Mog Log: Proof of concept originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 23 Jul 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auto-attackbattle-mechanicscolumnfeaturedffff14ffxivffxiv-patch-1.18final-fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivgame-mechanicsgrand-companiesimprovementsinterfacelevelinglevelsloreopinionpatchpatchesskill-pointsskillssquaresquare-enixstorylinethe-mog-logupdatesSat, 23 Jul 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Perpetuum dev blog talks player influx, bug fixing, and new features]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/15/perpetuum-dev-blog-talks-player-infux-bug-fixing-and-new-featu/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/15/perpetuum-dev-blog-talks-player-infux-bug-fixing-and-new-featu/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/15/perpetuum-dev-blog-talks-player-infux-bug-fixing-and-new-featu/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Avatar Creations has come up with a new Perpetuum dev blog, and it looks like the little sandbox that could has turned a bit of a corner when it comes to server stability and accommodating its expanding community.

Avatar's Dev Calvin explains how the team had to allocate most of its resources to dealing with an influx of EVE Online refugees. The scramble was a successful one, but "the development plan for the first two weeks [of July] was ruined," he writes.

Going forward, Perpetuum players will be seeing the long-awaited storyline PvE missions in short order, as well as tweaks to beta outposts and a large helping of what Avatar calls "industrialist love." Calvin does point out that new features will be taking something of a backseat to bug fixes, though, so a little patience is in order. "The influx of players brought light to a lot of glitches, imbalances and dysfunctional mechanisms in the game, so instead of rushing forward and pushing out new features in the next few weeks, we are taking a step back and making everything that is available in the game better," he said.

MassivelyPerpetuum dev blog talks player influx, bug fixing, and new features originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 15 Jul 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>avataravatar-creationsbug-fixesdev-blogdev-calvindev-diaryindustrialist-lovemissionsperpetuumpvesandboxsci-fistorylinestoryline-missionsupdatesFri, 15 Jul 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Game Archaeologist jacks into The Matrix Online: Jamming with Ben 'Rarebit' Chamberlain]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/17/the-game-archaeologist-jacks-into-the-matrix-online-jamming-wit/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/17/the-game-archaeologist-jacks-into-the-matrix-online-jamming-wit/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/17/the-game-archaeologist-jacks-into-the-matrix-online-jamming-wit/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

When we started into The Matrix Online month last week on The Game Archaeologist, one of the comments caught my eye. Massively reader stealthrider wrote:
Please, please do a tribute to Rarebit. MxO was his baby, and no one took its death worse than he.

He did everything for that game, much of it single-handedly. Everything from playing the canon characters and co-writing the story to fixing hundreds of bugs and even creating a new zone from scratch. Not to mention developing and implementing the story missions, new items, the RP item vendors, and pretty much everything else in MxO's final couple of years. He even implemented and moderated a player-created minigame as part of the official story.

He retired from game development in the months before MxO's shutdown. He was that dedicated to this game that he couldn't work on anything else afterward.

He's a god among developers, and he is as sorely missed as the game itself.
I think this sums up how many Matrix Online vets feel about Ben "Rarebit" Chamberlain. So instead of a mere tribute, we drove the MassivelyMobile over to Chamberlain's house (read: send a polite email request), and he graciously said he'd be glad to reminisce with us. So hit that jump to find out the last word on MxO from the dev who held it together!

Continue reading The Game Archaeologist jacks into The Matrix Online: Jamming with Ben 'Rarebit' Chamberlain

MassivelyThe Game Archaeologist jacks into The Matrix Online: Jamming with Ben 'Rarebit' Chamberlain originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 17 May 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aliens-versus-predator-2architectassassinben-chamberlainben-rarebit-chamberlainbluepillcinematicscommander-lockdevdeveloperfeaturedgrandmasterin-game-eventsinterviewkung-fulittle-nemolive-eventslive-events-teammatrixmatrix-onlinemissionsmonolithMonolith-ProductionsmorpheusmxooraclePaul-Chadwickrarebitredpillsoesony-online-entertainmentspystorystorylinethe-matrixthe-matrix-onlineWachowskiWinsor-McCayzionTue, 17 May 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Game Archaeologist jacks into The Matrix Online: The highlights]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/10/the-game-archaeologist-jacks-into-the-matrix-online-the-highlig/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/10/the-game-archaeologist-jacks-into-the-matrix-online-the-highlig/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/10/the-game-archaeologist-jacks-into-the-matrix-online-the-highlig/#commentsFiled under: , ,

It's not every year that a movie comes along that captures the pop culture zeitgeist so powerfully and so quickly as The Matrix did. I recall lugging a few college friends along to see this in 1999 -- having heard only a few sparse details about it beforehand -- and coming out of the theater feeling as if we we'd been electrified. The bold mix of science fiction, martial arts, philosophy, action, and leather ensembles became the smash hit of the year, and a franchise was born.

And while we had great hopes that this would be this generation's Star Wars, The Matrix ultimately proved to be a lightning-in-a-bottle phenomenon, impossible to recapture once unleashed. Sequels, animated shorts, video games, comic books -- none rose to the height of the original film, and eventually the franchise petered out.

During this period, an odd duck of an MMO was born: The Matrix Online. When you think about it, an online virtual world where people log in and fight against programs was a really short hop from the movie series. MxO, as it was abbreviated, was an audacious game with unique features, story-centric gameplay and a sci-fi bent in a field of fantasy competitors, and while it only lasted four years, it was enough to make a huge impression for its community.

So by popular demand, this month we're going to revisit the 1s and 0s of The Matrix Online to see just how deep the rabbit hole (and well-worn cliche) goes -- and what made this game stand out!

Continue reading The Game Archaeologist jacks into The Matrix Online: The highlights

MassivelyThe Game Archaeologist jacks into The Matrix Online: The highlights originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 10 May 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Ben-Chamberlinbluepilldaniel-myersfeaturedfranchisefree-firegamespotinterlockkung-fuleatherlive-events-teammachinesmatrixmatrix-onlinematrix-revolutionsmeleeMerovingianMonolithMonolith-ProductionsmorpheusmxooraclerarebitredpillsoeSony-Online-Entertainmentstar-warsstorylinethe-continuing-storythe-matrix-onlineubisoftWalruswarner-brosWarner-Bros-InteractivewbzionTue, 10 May 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Exclusive Dev Diary: Designing the task forces for City of Heroes Issue 20]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/31/exclusive-dev-diary-designing-the-task-forces-for-city-of-heroe/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/31/exclusive-dev-diary-designing-the-task-forces-for-city-of-heroe/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/31/exclusive-dev-diary-designing-the-task-forces-for-city-of-heroe/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

City of Heroes traditionally packs quite a lot into its large content patches, and Issue 20 looks to be no exception. Aside from the two new Incarnate Trials meant for endgame players, the update is going to see two new mid-level task forces added for players between levels 20-40. With one force for heroes and another for villains, everyone will have a chance to enjoy some new storytelling about the war against Praetoria outside of the earliest invasions.

But of course, new task forces don't just materialize out of thin air. It takes some hard work and a solid set of design principles to make them rewarding, something that Paragon Studios has been steadily improving since launch. John Hegner, Lead Mission Designer for City of Heroes, took the time to share with us what went into the construction of these new task forces and what they should mean for the player, so click on past the break for our exclusive developer diary on the design of the new content.

Continue reading Exclusive Dev Diary: Designing the task forces for City of Heroes Issue 20

MassivelyExclusive Dev Diary: Designing the task forces for City of Heroes Issue 20 originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 31 Mar 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backstorycity-of-heroescity-of-villainscohcoh-issue-20covcoxdev-diariesdev-diarydevelopmentfeaturedgroup-challengesgroup-contentincarnate-systemincarnatesissue-20john-hegnerlorencsoftnew-contentparagonparagon-studiospraetoriastorylinestrike-forcetask-forceThu, 31 Mar 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Final Fantasy XIV's patch 1.16 goes live with a new producer's letter]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/03/final-fantasy-xivs-patch-1-16-goes-live-with-a-new-producers-l/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/03/final-fantasy-xivs-patch-1-16-goes-live-with-a-new-producers-l/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/03/final-fantasy-xivs-patch-1-16-goes-live-with-a-new-producers-l/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

As we learned yesterday, patch 1.16 for Final Fantasy XIV has gone live today, bringing along a much-awaited infusion of new content and mechanics. The full patch notes are fairly meaty, with the new sidequests and several improvements to local levequests topping the bill. Players will also see slower gear deterioration for appropriate equipment, enlarged enemies with visible aggro warnings, new targeting modes, constant regeneration of MP while in passive mode, and a variety of general improvements.

If that's not enough, Naoki Yoshida has chimed in with another producer's letter, this one discussing the results of the second player poll. Players have responded positively to the questions, and Yoshida interprets the results in great detail, with the ultimate conclusion that small-scale PvE content is in the works for groups, while solo leveling and solo content remains high on player agendas. It's a busy day for Final Fantasy XIV's fans, but given the recent development pace, it doesn't look to be slowing.

MassivelyFinal Fantasy XIV's patch 1.16 goes live with a new producer's letter originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 03 Mar 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>balancecontentffff14ffxivffxiv-patch-1.16final-fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivlorenaoki-yoshidanew-contentnewspatchesquestssquaresquare-enixstorylineupdatesThu, 03 Mar 2011 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What NPCs stick in your memory?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/17/the-daily-grind-what-npcs-stick-in-your-memory/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/17/the-daily-grind-what-npcs-stick-in-your-memory/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/17/the-daily-grind-what-npcs-stick-in-your-memory/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

I'm not fond of a lot of the storytelling on display in the Prophecies campaign of Guild Wars, but I have to admit that, against all logic, I was happy when Gwen showed up again. I joked about her, I complained about her uselessness and her irritating habits, but the fact that she turned up alive again always tickled me on some level. When I think about the game, I think of her, and her trials and tribulations stuck with me long after Prince Rurik had all but vanished into memory.

In an MMO with any sort of story, some NPCs are going to stand out to different people. Even beyond the signature characters of a game's box art, incidental figures wind up getting embedded in the consciousness of players. Maybe it's one of the recurring heroes in the City of Heroes tip missions, or perhaps it's one of the more amusing mission NPCs in Star Trek Online. Whatever the reason, what NPCs stick in your mind regardless of their importance or lack thereof?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: What NPCs stick in your memory? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>city-of-heroescity-of-villainscohcovcoxcultureguild-warsgwmajor-npcsmemoryminor-npcsnpcnpcsopinionrecollectionsignature-charactersstar-trek-onlinestostorystorylinetdgthe-daily-grindThu, 17 Feb 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Final Fantasy XI previews the end of Wings of the Goddess]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/12/final-fantasy-xi-previews-the-end-of-wings-of-the-goddess/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/12/final-fantasy-xi-previews-the-end-of-wings-of-the-goddess/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/12/final-fantasy-xi-previews-the-end-of-wings-of-the-goddess/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

The December version update is kicking off the end of many things for Final Fantasy XI -- the end of the year, the end of the level cap from the last update, and perhaps most notably the end of Wings of the Goddess. After a very long and drawn-out storyline and series of missions, it's time for players to finish up their adventures in the past. But as can be expected, it's not going to be quite as simple as walking up to the Spitewardens and politely asking them to pack up shop.

After a series of defeats, challenges, and the usual confusion regarding any time-travel storyline, it seems the final movement begins in Grauberg with a rather flustered Cait Sith and moves on to the Walk of Echoes. It's time to face off against the Spitewardens and Lillith, the main villains of the expansion's arc, if adventurers want to maintain any hope of a future controlled by the free people of Vana'diel instead of the beastmen. While the preview only gives us a small taste of what's coming, Final Fantasy XI players had best steel themselves in advance -- this promises to end with a bang.

MassivelyFinal Fantasy XI previews the end of Wings of the Goddess originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 12 Nov 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>december-version-updateexpansionexpansion-storylineffff11ffxifinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-ximissionmission-conclusionmissionsspitewardenssquaresquare-enixstory-arcstorylinewalk-of-echoeswings-of-the-goddesswotgFri, 12 Nov 2010 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: The living storyline]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/31/eve-evolved-the-living-storyline/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/31/eve-evolved-the-living-storyline/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/31/eve-evolved-the-living-storyline/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

When EVE Online launched over seven years ago, it was a small game with a niche place in the MMO world. Sci-fi fans were drawn from across the world to the potential offered by the fledgling universe of New Eden. As a small independent studio, CCP Games made up for its lack of funds with an incredible creativity and a willingness to work closely with players. Much of the early development was focused on working with players, from updates to the user interface to balance issues and ideas for new ships and modules.

In 2004, CCP began involving players directly in the game's evolving storyline through massive storyline events. I have fond memories of the time the Serpentis pirate corporation hijacked and stole a Federation Navy titan, an event orchestrated as much for the enjoyment of players as for showcasing the new titan class of ship CCP had been working on. Another particularly memorable storyline arc was the Crielere event, in which players assisted NPCs with research into mysterious new Guristas prototype cloaking devices. These events formed part of EVE Online's living storyline, affecting the game on a fundamental level through the introduction of new ships and items.

In this week's EVE Evolved, I look back at the history of EVE's storyline and forward to what the future might hold.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: The living storyline

MassivelyEVE Evolved: The living storyline originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 31 Oct 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-eveccp-gameseveeve-ccpeve-evolvedeve-mmorpgeve-onlineeventsfeaturedincursionloremmo-industrypvestorystorylineSun, 31 Oct 2010 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Final Fantasy XIV discusses companions and crafting]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/02/final-fantasy-xiv-discusses-companions-and-crafting/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/02/final-fantasy-xiv-discusses-companions-and-crafting/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/02/final-fantasy-xiv-discusses-companions-and-crafting/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

One of the more frequent complaints about the nature of Final Fantasy XIV is that the game doesn't go out of its way to be accessible. If anything, it revels in a solid veil of mystery and encouragement for players to experiment. That doesn't sit well with everyone, however, which is no doubt why Square-Enix is making a conscious effort to expand the resources on the official player site as a basic reference. The most recent update has seen some common questions about crafting answered, as well as a brief guide to choosing a path companion.

Path companions are an element of the game introduced at the start of the fifth main story quest, giving you an NPC who accompanies you on the missions. There are a multitude of different personalities, determined by race and gender, with the short guide provided explaining how each choice affects the outcome. The brief rundown on crafting is also illuminating, as it highlights certain heretofore unknown elements of the system -- such as a character's elemental affinity helping to determine what sort of crystals and shards come from gathering. Final Fantasy XIV players are encouraged to check both pieces.

MassivelyFinal Fantasy XIV discusses companions and crafting originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 02 Oct 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>companioncraftingffff14ffxivfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivlodestonenpcofficial-faqpath-companionplayer-sitesquaresquare-enixstorystory-arcstory-questsstorylinesythensisthe-lodestoneSat, 02 Oct 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[What scares me about Final Fantasy XIV]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/21/what-scares-me-about-final-fantasy-xiv/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/21/what-scares-me-about-final-fantasy-xiv/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/21/what-scares-me-about-final-fantasy-xiv/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

I am not the biggest Final Fantasy fan. But that's more because I lack for time, not because I lack interest. I played FFXI, but only until level 18 or so, and even then I would only return once in a while. The game was punishing to a solo player even with the recent changes that gave more opportunity to level. There was something ever-alluring about the world, however -- something complex and deep, and I knew that, if I could just become more powerful, it would show itself to me. Skip to the present and to the FFXIV beta.

For the record, I try everything. I am not just a "free-to-play" guy -- quite the opposite. For most of my time in blogging and podcasting, I have maintained subscription games like FFXI. So, when the opportunity finally came to try the "new" version, I jumped at it. I'll be honest, it feels a lot like FFXI but with a nice twist. It's friendlier, more accessible, yet it still retains that uniqueness that attracted me to FFXI.

There is one thing I'm a bit scared of, though.

Continue reading What scares me about Final Fantasy XIV

MassivelyWhat scares me about Final Fantasy XIV originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 21 Sep 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beau-hindmanbetafeaturedFF11ff14ffxiffxivFinal-FantasyFinal-Fantasy-11final-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xifinal-fantasy-xivlaunchesopinionpreviewSOESony-Online-EntertainmentsquareSquare-EnixstorystorylineTue, 21 Sep 2010 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The coming conclusion for Final Fantasy XI's Wings of the Goddess]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/19/the-coming-conclusion-for-final-fantasy-xis-wings-of-the-goddes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/19/the-coming-conclusion-for-final-fantasy-xis-wings-of-the-goddes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/19/the-coming-conclusion-for-final-fantasy-xis-wings-of-the-goddes/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Time travel storylines are one of the most complicated things that can be done in any sort of fiction, even more so in MMOs. But Final Fantasy XI has been working hard at keeping the story of Wings of the Goddess personal and engaging, and players have responded positively to the experience as a whole. Still, all good things come to an end, and the expansion storyline will be coming to a close with the September version update.

The small preview of the upcoming conclusion hints at what might be around the corner for the adventurers who have braved the time-ruining antics of the Spitewardens and Atomos. Lilith's appearance marks further wrinkles in the already-convoluted timestream, with the possibility of her future inching ever closer for all of Vana'diel. If you've been following the story from the beginning, it promises to be a very emotional finale, and Final Fantasy XI players will be able to enjoy it starting next month.

MassivelyThe coming conclusion for Final Fantasy XI's Wings of the Goddess originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 19 Aug 2010 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>expansionffff11ffxifinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-ximissionsseptember-version-updatesqaure-enixsquarestorystorylinetime-travelwings-of-the-goddesswotgThu, 19 Aug 2010 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Burning Life author talks EVE novels, chronicles]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/09/burning-life-author-talks-eve-novels-chronicles/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/09/burning-life-author-talks-eve-novels-chronicles/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/09/burning-life-author-talks-eve-novels-chronicles/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

French fansite EVE Mondes Persistants features an interesting interview with author Hjalti Danielsson, otherwise known as CCP Abraxas. Danielsson, a seven year veteran of the Icelandic development team, is perhaps better known as the pen behind the EVE universe tie-in novel The Burning Life, as well as a number of the short story chronicles on the game's official website.

In the interview, he talks about everything from the challenge of lengthy prose, to future EVE novels, to the makeup of CCP's storytelling staff.

"I belong to EVE's content department and the storyline effort is actually a collaboration between content writers working on in-game missions and fiction and content writers like myself that deal more with the fiction behind the game unattached to the client. We all work as one unit to decide EVE's NPC storyline, work on the EVE Chronicles, and so on; and the Storyline Board, which sits on top of all those efforts, is staffed with people from multiple disciplines," Danielsson says.

View the full interview at EVE Mondes Persistants.

MassivelyBurning Life author talks EVE novels, chronicles originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 09 Jul 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpCCP-Gameseveeve-chronicleseve-noveleve-onlinestorylinethe-burning-lifeFri, 09 Jul 2010 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[A Mild-Mannered Reporter: Does whatever a spider can (VEAT levels 20-50)]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/16/a-mild-mannered-reporter-does-whatever-a-spider-can-veat-level/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/16/a-mild-mannered-reporter-does-whatever-a-spider-can-veat-level/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/16/a-mild-mannered-reporter-does-whatever-a-spider-can-veat-level/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Welcome back to our conclusion of A Mild-Mannered Reporter's guide to spiders! After last week's long discussion of the various builds possible for the villainous epic archetypes, we're back to blast through to the end of the unique leveling missions. And it's a pretty interesting string, although like much content in City of Heroes it starts to slow down a bit as you get higher in levels. But it also has the nice story interplay of the best content available on the Rogue Isles, the constant back-and-forth as untrustworthy people stab each other in the back.

For players or readers coming in late, we left off at the conclusion of the level 20 arc, where you delivered the Eye of Chronos to Fortunata Hamilton. She tells you that the process of seeing whether or not you truly are a Destined One will take time... which is true if you turn the mission in before level 20, but otherwise it apparently takes two seconds. Of course, there's a good reason for that.

Continue reading A Mild-Mannered Reporter: Does whatever a spider can (VEAT levels 20-50)

MassivelyA Mild-Mannered Reporter: Does whatever a spider can (VEAT levels 20-50) originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 16 Jun 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arachnosarachnos-soldiersarchetypesbackstorycity-of-heroescity-of-villainscohcovcoxepic-archetypesfeaturedloremissionsparagonparagon-studiosquestsspidersstorylineveatveatsWed, 16 Jun 2010 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Storyboard: Back me up, backstory]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/11/storyboard-back-me-up-backstory/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/11/storyboard-back-me-up-backstory/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/11/storyboard-back-me-up-backstory/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Welcome back for another edition of Storyboard, where after a couple of weeks in which we laid down ground rules we're ready to start in on the fine details. So it only makes sense to start at a point filled with fine details and yet often searingly inconvenient: backstory. Because we all know how beneficial backstory can be, how it can add depth and meaning and rich interaction to even the most innocent and trivial incident. A quest about killing boars can dredge up memories of hunting with a lost father, making one of the most obnoxious holdovers in MMO quests into something interesting.

And yet it's a double-edged sword. Because not only is backstory time-consuming to come up with, much of it requires either events that can't be supported in the game's engine or work on details that never come up during actual play. So we're left with something that's a huge benefit, but also such a huge inconvenience that the occasional benefit is outweighed by the massive amount of work required beforehand. How can you work character backstory and get the benefits without the negatives?

Continue reading Storyboard: Back me up, backstory

MassivelyStoryboard: Back me up, backstory originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 11 Jun 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backstorycharactercity-of-heroescohdeveloping-charactersfeaturedfictionloreopinionquestingroleplayingstorylineFri, 11 Jun 2010 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Final Fantasy XI posts previews of the nation quest conclusions]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/20/final-fantasy-xi-posts-previews-of-the-nation-quest-conclusions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/20/final-fantasy-xi-posts-previews-of-the-nation-quest-conclusions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/20/final-fantasy-xi-posts-previews-of-the-nation-quest-conclusions/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

It's a truism of any good story: all good things must come to an end. And it's certainly true of the overarching story for the last Final Fantasy XI expansion, Wings of the Goddess, which is finally approaching a conclusion after two and a half years. The upcoming June version update won't conclude the overarching mission storyline, but it will draw the nation-specific quests to a finale. Square-Enix has given the players a brief peek at what's awaiting them in these final movements of a story that quite literally stretches across a huge span of time.

The San d'Orian story forces the nation's forces deeper into enemy territory, investigating rumors of a resurrected Count Aurchiat. Citizens of Bastok, meanwhile, will pursue the would-be assassin Klara Bester straight to Castle Zvhal itself... where Zeid's past is waiting to confront him. And as Windurst nears its final victory against the Yagudo, their final push brings out the true cost that the war has exacted on its people. It's the last hurrah for these stories, and the strength of storytelling is one of the greatest assets within Final Fantasy XI, so players are encouraged to look at the coming ending.

MassivelyFinal Fantasy XI posts previews of the nation quest conclusions originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 20 May 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>conclusionsendingendingsffff11ffxifinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-xijune-version-updatelorenation-questspreviewpreviewssquaresquare-enixstorystorylinewings-of-the-goddesswotgThu, 20 May 2010 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Lunia releases Chapter 7 and doubles their affection]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/09/lunia-releases-chapter-7-and-doubles-their-affection/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/09/lunia-releases-chapter-7-and-doubles-their-affection/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/09/lunia-releases-chapter-7-and-doubles-their-affection/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

It's always a little frustrating to have to wait for installments of a story you're enjoying, but at the same time it makes it that much more satisfying when each part comes out. Fans of Lunia have plenty of reason to be satisfied, as Chapter 7 of the heavily anime-influenced and cel-shaded title has just been released. And if that weren't enough reason to be happy, players are being given the opportunity for increased experience via the new Double the Love event running through June 23rd.

The chapter update adds ten new stages to the game, as well as a new level for raid stages and a new set of equipment for players. It also continues the game's central plotline, with level 60 and up players continuing to search for a way of reviving the princess Eir. Players can experience both the Double the Love event and the full update on Lunia right now, so if you're a current or former player, take a look at the patch notes to see what's changed.

MassivelyLunia releases Chapter 7 and doubles their affection originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 09 May 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chapter-7chapter-seveneventsijjiijji.comin-game-eventslunialunia-onlinepromotionsspecial-eventsstorystorylineupdatesSun, 09 May 2010 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively's hands-on look at Rift: Planes of Telara]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/26/massivelys-hands-on-look-at-rift-planes-of-telara/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/26/massivelys-hands-on-look-at-rift-planes-of-telara/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/26/massivelys-hands-on-look-at-rift-planes-of-telara/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

While Trion was happy to announce the name change for Heroes of Telara to Rift: Planes of Telara, we were stoked to be able to get our hands on the game for the first time and really see it in motion. We've heard all this talk about delivering dynamic content, high quality "HD content," a deep back story, and an evolving world. But, could Trion deliver all of the hype they were promising?

Well, if the titular rifts are any indication of how the rest of the game will progress, then this game seems to be in good hands. Join us as we pilot a cleric through the dangers of Telara, take on a rift from the Plane of Life, and learn just what makes Telara tick.

Gallery: RIFT: Core Gallery

Continue reading Massively's hands-on look at Rift: Planes of Telara

MassivelyMassively's hands-on look at Rift: Planes of Telara originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 26 Apr 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backstoryclericdynamicfeaturedhands-onheroes-of-telarainquisitorloreriftrift-planes-of-telarariftingriftsstorylinetriontrion-world-networktrion-worldsMon, 26 Apr 2010 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[New EVE Online novel "The Burning Life" released]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/28/new-eve-online-novel-the-burning-life-released/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/28/new-eve-online-novel-the-burning-life-released/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/28/new-eve-online-novel-the-burning-life-released/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Storyline is an important part of any MMO and EVE Online is no exception. New Eden is steeped in story-telling, from the regularly released fictional chronicles to the countless blogs, battle reports and dramatic events recorded by players. EVE is a game that lends itself very well to creating immersive stories, videos and other creative efforts. Back in June of 2008, CCP commissioned author Tony Gonzales to write a novel set in the EVE universe. The novel, titled "Empyrean Age," came at the same time as the expansion of the same name and gave some background story for faction warfare. June 2009 brought the announcement that CCP's own fiction-writer Hjalti Daníelsson had begun work on a second EVE novel entitled "EVE: The Burning Life." Hjalti is better known as CCP Abraxis, the pen behind most of the EVE chronicles and the current driving force behind the game's storyline.

Continue reading New EVE Online novel "The Burning Life" released

MassivelyNew EVE Online novel "The Burning Life" released originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 28 Mar 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AmarrCaldariccpccp-abraxasccp-eveccp-gamesdevblogeveeve-ccpeve-mmorpgeve-onlineeve-the-burning-lifeGallentehjalti-danielssonloreMinmatarnovelNovelizationpiratepirate-factionspiratesstorystorylinethe-burning-lifeSun, 28 Mar 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[City of Heroes: Going Rogue takes a look underground]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/20/city-of-heroes-going-rogue-takes-a-look-underground/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/20/city-of-heroes-going-rogue-takes-a-look-underground/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/20/city-of-heroes-going-rogue-takes-a-look-underground/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

There are four months to go before the release of the second City of Heroes expansion, but the development team has been doing a lot of work to keep Going Rogue on everyone's mind. The announcement of Issue 17 certainly did quite a bit in that direction, as did the early release of Dual Pistols for prepurchasing customers. Now we've been given the first major update to the site since the biography of Tyrant, and it's a meaty one. Information and screenshots have been posted for both Calvin Scott, the leader of the Resistance, and the tunnel-dwelling nightmares known as Ghouls.

Calvin Scott's biography may be of interest to many players because it gives us something that the community had wondered about -- a heroic Mastermind, leading the Resistance troops against Praetoria's fascist regime. Ghouls, on the other hand, are at once more straightforward and more unsettling, crazed undead that lurk beneath Praetoria and threaten to devour anyone who strays into their territory. The black-and-white world of City of Heroes is getting many more shades of gray in the upcoming expansion, and both of these lore tidbits hint at just how blurred the lines will get come July.

MassivelyCity of Heroes: Going Rogue takes a look underground originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 20 Mar 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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'Allo again, lovelies. Last week has been a week of danger and intrigue as I battled through Nektulos Forest and worked on getting my unique Shadowknight armor. During all of this, though, I thought to myself -- how can I apply any of these experiences to my notebook entry for this coming week?

Then of course, it hit me. Why not just explain what I've been doing to get through the areas in a short amount of time? A few tips and tricks for playing the level game? Sure, I've been up and down with grouping and preparations for Sentinel's Fate, but many players are always intimidated when entering a game and "being behind."

Well, don't worry about being behind. You're not entering the game late at all when it comes to EverQuest II, especially thanks to the recent additions to the game in Sentinel's Fate. Interested in catching up and experiencing some great content? Then click on through after the break!

Also, I'm still looking for questions anyone has on EverQuest II, so I can answer them in an upcoming Tattered Notebook. Ask me anything, from EverQuest II questions, guild leadership and raiding questions, and even questions on my Dark Elven heritage. Send them over to seraphina@massively.com, and she'll be sure to forward them on through the Norrathian Express mail to me.

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: No one is left behind

MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: No one is left behind originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 02 Mar 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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So, besides the Mel Brooks reference in the title, what do I have in store for you this time? Well, in short, I have an idea. Nay, I have an inspiration. Plus, I have a story to boot, so it's really a two for one deal this week in my column. You better read fast, for this deal won't last long!

The one thing that many MMORPGs completely miss is making the player character feel triumphant and heroic. When making the conversion from roleplaying game to online roleplaying game, we frequently miss out on the one thing that makes pen and paper RPGs so unique: a history.

This week in Anti-Aliased, I really want to cover the concept of history as it pertains to MMORPGs, and make the appeal that more MMOs need to invest in a persistent storyline in addition to the standard canned quests that we already utilize in every game under the sun.

Continue reading Anti-Aliased: History of the world, part one

MassivelyAnti-Aliased: History of the world, part one originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 26 Feb 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>actinganti-aliasedcommunityeventfeaturedheroismhistoryimprovisational-actinglive-eventsopinionplotlineroleplayingspeechstorylinetriumphantFri, 26 Feb 2010 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[R.A. Salvatore discusses storytelling and revenge in MMOs]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/17/r-a-salvatore-discusses-storytelling-and-revenge-in-mmos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/17/r-a-salvatore-discusses-storytelling-and-revenge-in-mmos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/17/r-a-salvatore-discusses-storytelling-and-revenge-in-mmos/#commentsFiled under: ,

Rerollz was lucky enough to spend some time with author R.A. Salvatore yesterday, and get his insights on a fundamental part of MMO gaming: telling the story.

Salvatore brings a valuable perspective to the table as a fantasy writer who dabbles in MMOs as a player -- he can approach the subject with knowledge of what appeals to players and what constitutes good writing. A rundown of games he's enjoyed shows his preferred genre -- predictably -- to be fantasy, but the ideas he has sit well in any game. The interview is an interesting look at what appeals to the writer in-game from general mechanics (chat bubbles vs. voiceover) to general storytelling style.

In the end, Salvatore tells us a tale of his own: a tale of villainy, revenge, friendship, and ninja-looting. Read the full interview here, and enjoy!

[Thanks Ryan!]

MassivelyR.A. Salvatore discusses storytelling and revenge in MMOs originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 17 Feb 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>interviewr.a.-salvatorererollzstorylineWed, 17 Feb 2010 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Changes and improvements to Epic Mission Arcs in EVE Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/26/changes-and-improvements-to-epic-mission-arcs-in-eve-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/26/changes-and-improvements-to-epic-mission-arcs-in-eve-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/26/changes-and-improvements-to-epic-mission-arcs-in-eve-online/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

When EVE Online players think of what's changed in the game with the recent Dominion expansion release, the game's PvE content may not be the first thing that comes to mind. (Although Dominion introduced Epic Mission Arcs -- branching storylines -- for both the Guristas and Angel Cartel pirate factions.) The Atlanta-based content team at CCP Games has put a lot of work into Epic Mission Arcs for this expansion, though, which is the subject of the latest EVE dev blog. Developer CCP Big Dumb Object walks readers through the changes in game mechanics with the Epic Arcs and gives a breakdown of their adjusted rewards (plus the introduction of faction standings rewards), while paying homage to Led Zeppelin throughout the blog.

New mission content is also beginning to reflect how player actions in factional warfare affect the game's setting, specifically the Caldari militia's overwhelming victory over the Gallente. CCP Big Dumb Object mentions two new Gallente storyline missions, adding that "each mission stems from the past year's Faction Warfare results, Heth's resultant sale of key Gallente systems to the Caldari megacorps, and the Federation's reaction."

Continue reading Changes and improvements to Epic Mission Arcs in EVE Online

MassivelyChanges and improvements to Epic Mission Arcs in EVE Online originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 26 Dec 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>caldariccpccp-big-dumb-objectccp-gamescontent-teamdominionepic-mission-arcseveeve-onlineexpansionsgallentegame-mechanicshethmission-runningmissionspvesci-fistorylinetibus-hethSat, 26 Dec 2009 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[APB video podcast introduces the criminals of San Paro]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/14/apb-video-podcast-introduces-the-criminals-of-san-paro/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/14/apb-video-podcast-introduces-the-criminals-of-san-paro/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/14/apb-video-podcast-introduces-the-criminals-of-san-paro/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


All Points Bulletin is definitely on the radar for a number of fans of urban crime games seeking a deeper multiplayer environment. While many of us would enjoy a perpetual cascade of felonies (or arrests), Realtime Worlds wants players to have a sense of San Paro as a fleshed out urban setting where they can create their own stories. Realtime Worlds Lead Creative Designer Stephen Hewitt (aka 'KitKat') discusses the stories that will run throughout All Points Bulletin in the latest video podcast and introduces viewers to the criminal organizations players will tangle with at some point.

We get a look at the G-Kings gang, who are essentially punks clawing their way up the criminal hierarchy of San Paro. Hewitt also gives us a glimpse at the Blood Roses, an organization comprised of trust fund club kids dipping their toes into a life of crime just for the thrills. Stick with us after the jump for the latest All Points Bulletin video podcast, The Organizations of San Paro.

Continue reading APB video podcast introduces the criminals of San Paro

MassivelyAPB video podcast introduces the criminals of San Paro originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 14 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Black Prophecy is one of the new crop of sci-fi MMOs we hope to see enter the market in the coming years. The title is in development at Reakktor Media in Germany, and last we heard is currently seeking a publisher for the ship-based game. While we've seen early footage of gameplay and a fair number of screenshots showing off the vibrant space backdrops of Black Prophecy, we've heard comparatively little about the game's lore of late. The Black Prophecy story was written by sci-fi author Michael Marrak and there's great deal of material produced for the game, 700 pages of manuscript material altogether. In his words, "300 pages are about missions, while the rest contains the timelines, story background, research and templates for the game design."

It looks like Reakktor Media is releasing some of this material now, as they've launched a new site devoted solely to the game's lore: Stellarvox Veritas. The site is still a bit light on content right now, but they'll be adding more Black Prophecy lore updates to the site moving forward, focused on the major events in the story's timeline.

MassivelyBlack Prophecy launches new site, delves into game's lore originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 20 Sep 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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There are so many reasons we love to play MMOs, but for most of us, repetition isn't one of them. Although EVE Online differs from most other MMOs on the market in a number of ways, it still has some of those PvE pitfalls that have long been part of massively multiplayer online games -- specifically, repetitive missions (quests). As with any game where there are only so many quests that NPCs can give out, a mission runner in EVE will play through the same stories multiple times.

Granted, many players who run Level 4s all week are doing so for the ISK, not to enjoy the story. There are only so many times you can rescue The Damsel or blow up another Zor before you've stopped paying attention to the story that's presumably taking place around you. Although this issue of quest repetition in MMOs certainly isn't limited to EVE Online, the developers at CCP Games want to address this problem in their game, and their solution to creating more engaging PvE content is the Epic Mission Arc.

Continue reading Epic Mission Arcs in EVE Online add new dimensions to game's PvE

MassivelyEpic Mission Arcs in EVE Online add new dimensions to game's PvE originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 25 Aug 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backstorycapsuleerccp-jasonitisdev-blogdev-blogsepic-mission-arcepic-mission-arcseve-onlineloremission-runnersmission-runningmissionsnew-edenpvequestsstorylineTue, 25 Aug 2009 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[What you missed in The Matrix Online pt. 2]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/03/what-you-missed-in-the-matrix-online-pt-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/03/what-you-missed-in-the-matrix-online-pt-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/03/what-you-missed-in-the-matrix-online-pt-2/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Hiding in plain sight

After the vampires and lupines were quelled, a new issue of the Sentinel and a concurrent game update brought new images into the Matrix. Colorful billboards advertising bug spray began appearing all over the city, confusing some and intriguing others. The first visual puzzle of The Matrix had been covertly unleashed on players.

The solution wasn't hard, but far from obvious. The second page of the new in-game newspaper, The Sentinel, showed a colorful "terrorist alert level chart." While it was an obvious mockery of everyone's favorite homeland security poster, astute players saw that the same colors were being used on the in-game billboards. Each billboard contained a number somewhere in it's slogan, such as "Blue brand pesticide kills bugs four times faster than the competition!" These numbers, along with their corresponding colors and the terrorist alert level chart were the keys.

Players took the numbers and re-arranged the terrorist alert level in that order. If the blue billboard had the number four on it, then it went fourth in the order. If red had one, then it went first in the order and so forth. As the chart was re-arranged, the first letters of the "alert" status began to spell out a word. Definite, Elevated, Likely, Possible, Huge, Imminent -- DELPHI. The final part of the puzzle was a small poster that had appeared in certain clubs, advertising an extermination service that could be contacted by e-mailing an address at Monolith Entertainment, the game's current developer.

Players e-mailed the address, asking to consult The Oracle of Delphi. Wishes were soon granted as Seraph appeared in-game to not only fight players who solved the puzzle, but also wisk them away to meet with the Oracle herself. Other players got to consult the Oracle via their real life e-mail, creating an alternate reality game of sorts with The Matrix. Either way, the event made one thing clear: The Assassin was made entirely of blowflies and could be destroyed with specially designed killcodes -- bug spray.

And that was just the beginning...

This entire article has simply focused on two of the first events in The Matrix Online's storyline. Every bit of it was unrepeatable and lead to some amazingly memorable moments in the game. The type of moments that stay with you forever.

Very few, if any, games are able to accomplish this phenomenon. Who cares if you kill Yogg-Saron? Who cares if you defeat the Witch King of Angmar? Other players are going to eventually do that in droves because the content is repeatable.

But the Matrix was able to wrap everybody up into an evolving storyline, philosophy, and sense of community. Players worked together and fought one another on more levels than just PvP and PvE. They formed bonds with characters who didn't even exist while forming bonds with others around them that were willing to believe in the same things they did. They roleplayed willingly in order to keep the story going beyond what the developers had planned.

All of this was amazing, and I can only hope to see another game take the same ideas and drive them to a level beyond what that Matrix could offer. These were amazing ideas, but just too far ahead of their time.

MassivelyWhat you missed in The Matrix Online pt. 2 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 03 Aug 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>characterseventsin-game-eventmonolithmorpheusmxopuzzlessoesony-online-entertainmentstorylinethe-matrix-onlineMon, 03 Aug 2009 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[What you missed in The Matrix Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/03/what-you-missed-in-the-matrix-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/03/what-you-missed-in-the-matrix-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/03/what-you-missed-in-the-matrix-online/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Yes, The Matrix Online sucked. Its gameplay was an abhorrent pile of repetitive garbage that offered no real direction other than doing storyline-less missions until you hit 50, in which there was no endgame. The combat was interesting, as it offered scripted camera shots for insane kung-fu flips and hits, but it wasn't enough to "save" the game. I hear you.

But if you think the above paragraph is all The Matrix Online had to offer, then you are sadly mistaken. You missed out on storyline events, PvPvE, amazing roleplayers, writers, and graphic artists. You missed out on philosophy, politics, memorable characters, and puzzles. You actually missed out on the bulk of what The Matrix Online had to offer, all of which makes the game's passing more painful.

MxO wasn't World of Warcraft, and it certainly had enough dark spots in the game design. But the game and its developers brought a very different style of play to the MMO scene -- one that should be commemorated with a few looks back on some of the best events the game had to offer.

Continue reading What you missed in The Matrix Online

MassivelyWhat you missed in The Matrix Online originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 03 Aug 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>characterseventfeaturedin-game-eventjoystiqfeaturesmonolith-entertainmentmorpheusmxopuzzlessoesony-online-entertainmentstorylinethe-matrix-onlineMon, 03 Aug 2009 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Online novel The Burning Life to focus on pirate factions]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/28/eve-online-novel-the-burning-life-to-focus-on-pirate-factions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/28/eve-online-novel-the-burning-life-to-focus-on-pirate-factions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/28/eve-online-novel-the-burning-life-to-focus-on-pirate-factions/#commentsFiled under: , ,


For many players, EVE Online is a game where the developers provide the galactic setting of New Eden but it's them, the playerbase, who makes their own stories. They join together or band against their rivals in alliance warfare, drug cartels, pirate organizations, and industrial powerhouses. The complex interplay of involvements that allow the game's players to establish and destroy invariably triggers cascades of drama. This is the point of the sandbox design of the game, what you do in New Eden affects other players on some level.

For some players, EVE is just about their interactions with one another and the fiction underpinning of the game is of marginal concern. While not all players choose to immerse themselves in the game's backstory, the setting is actually quite rich -- built on roughly six years' worth of lore fleshed out in the Chronicles, short stories that provide snapshots of the various levels of activity in New Eden.

Continue reading EVE Online novel The Burning Life to focus on pirate factions

MassivelyEVE Online novel The Burning Life to focus on pirate factions originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 28 Jul 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backstoryccp-abraxasdev-blogdev-blogsempyrean-ageeve-onlinefictionhjalti-danielssonlorenew-edennovelizationnovelspirate-factionssandboxsci-fisettingstorylinethe-burning-lifethe-empyrean-agetony-gonzalesTue, 28 Jul 2009 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[DC Universe Online creators talk about S.T.A.R. Labs and game storylines]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/23/dc-universe-online-creators-talk-about-s-t-a-r-labs-and-game-st/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/23/dc-universe-online-creators-talk-about-s-t-a-r-labs-and-game-st/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/23/dc-universe-online-creators-talk-about-s-t-a-r-labs-and-game-st/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Comic-Con International is underway in San Diego, and we're already hearing some news about the superhero MMO genre. The latest info about DC Universe Online comes from a Wired article by Frank Rose which focuses on S.T.A.R. Labs, the futuristic glass and steel location familiar to anyone who grew up reading DC comic books or watched the Superman animated TV series.

S.T.A.R. Labs, short for Scientific and Technical Advanced Research Laboratories, will be a hub of storyline activity in the MMO. It's fitting, as this is a place where great scientific advances are made, but also a place where things can go horribly wrong. This means it's perfect neutral ground to be incorporated into DC Universe Online, and the location will tie in with the respective storylines of the game's heroes and villains.

Continue reading DC Universe Online creators talk about S.T.A.R. Labs and game storylines

MassivelyDC Universe Online creators talk about S.T.A.R. Labs and game storylines originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 23 Jul 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>comic-bookscomic-concomic-con-2009dc-comicsdc-universe-onlinedcuofrank-rosegamelifegeoff-johnsjim-leeloremarv-wolfmannew-titlesstar-labsstorylinestorytellingsuper-herosuper-heroeswiredThu, 23 Jul 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fallen Earth's Lee Hammock on integrating story with the post-apocalyptic MMO]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/29/fallen-earths-lee-hammock-on-integrating-story-with-the-post-ap/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/29/fallen-earths-lee-hammock-on-integrating-story-with-the-post-ap/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/29/fallen-earths-lee-hammock-on-integrating-story-with-the-post-ap/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


A post-apocalyptic setting can open up fantastic opportunities for storytelling. After all, it's the end of society as we know it. All our institutions are gone, our belief systems either torn away or seriously challenged. That resulting vacuum would no doubt be filled by new outlooks on the world and on life triggered by the apocalypse -- in rare cases optimistic, but more often utterly deranged. Then again, some survivors might seek to rectify the mistakes made by too many generations before the burn or plague wiped out humanity, and aim to rebuild a better world. There are so many possibilities, and these are some of the avenues that will be explored in the upcoming post-apocalyptic MMO Fallen Earth. Of course, this presents some real challenges for the game designers as well -- what is the best way to integrate these themes into the gameplay experience?

Storytelling in Fallen Earth is the focus of a recent interview with lead designer Lee Hammock, who spoke with The MMO Gamer's Steven Crews about where story and gameplay will meet in the upcoming title.

Continue reading Fallen Earth's Lee Hammock on integrating story with the post-apocalyptic MMO

MassivelyFallen Earth's Lee Hammock on integrating story with the post-apocalyptic MMO originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 29 Jun 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backstoryfallen-earthgame-mechanicsinterviewslee-hammocklorequestssci-fisteven-crewsstorylinestorytellingthe-mmo-gamerMon, 29 Jun 2009 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Free Realms adds guild support and new quests with today's update]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/22/free-realms-adds-guild-support-and-new-quests-with-todays-updat/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/22/free-realms-adds-guild-support-and-new-quests-with-todays-updat/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/22/free-realms-adds-guild-support-and-new-quests-with-todays-updat/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,


Today's a good day for you, if you're a Free Realms wanderer. Rejoice as the new update brings guild support, new animations, and some brand new quest lines straight to you!

The big addition for the update is obviously the guilds. Finally you can invite people and form guilds, as well as have a chat channel all to yourself. Past that, however, is the addition of six new quests which lead into a larger storyline. What do the content creators of Free Realms have up their sleeves? Well, you just need to complete the quests and find out for yourself.

For the full notes on today's patch, jump on over to the Free Realms update page and check it out. It's not that long, but we're sure pretty much everyone is focusing on the addition of guilds anyway.

MassivelyFree Realms adds guild support and new quests with today's update originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 22 Jun 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animationsencountersfree-realmsfree-to-playguildspatchpetsquestsstorylineupdateMon, 22 Jun 2009 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Anti-Aliased: My first 30 levels with AFK... er... Jade Dynasty pt. 2]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/12/anti-aliased-my-first-30-levels-with-afk-er-jade-pt2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/12/anti-aliased-my-first-30-levels-with-afk-er-jade-pt2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/12/anti-aliased-my-first-30-levels-with-afk-er-jade-pt2/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,


So that's why it's called AFK Dynasty...

When I finally found a new area to level in as my awesome level 30 self, I actually found that the quests had surprisingly become more tedious. Now it was kill 30 of a monster, or collect 10 to 15 of an item that would only drop once every 7 monsters. This is when I began to make crazy use of the invigorate feature, where I'd press the "kill stuff" button and my character would go off killing whatever she pleased.

Was I worried about dying? Pfft, no! Using my wonderous cash shop gold I got a health and mana battery! These two items carried 700,000 HP and 700,000 SP inside of them, and would use enough of their charges to bring my character back up to full HP and SP when I dropped below 10% in a category. I had absolutely nothing to fear now all because my character was basically on a potion IV drip. Everything in my path was easily slaughtered, and I didn't have to be present for any of it.

It scared me.

Is this what an MMO is?

Other games try to hide it with cutscenes, story, diversions, and other tactics. Jade Dynasty is the full, unabashed version of what a MMO is -- grindy grindy grind. But when the game becomes so advanced that it can play itself, then I need to ask an important question What the heck is the point?

"Jade Dynasty is the full, unabashed version of what a MMO is -- grindy grindy grind."
A better designer than I once said, "Making video games for a living comes down to one cold, hard truth -- you're making pushing buttons fun. Your job is making an extremely mundane task into an experience with impact." The fact that a game like Jade Dynasty exists is a scary proposition for our industry as a whole. It means we're walking the path of making timesinks, not games. It's like one of those old addages -- "How can we have fun playing a game when we're not playing the game?"

I sound like a broken record, but this is a very strong reason why I preach about the necessity of storyline and impact in a game. While gameplay is very, very important, any repetitive activity will become boring unless it is spiced up with enough change to keep it engaging. We use to have a strong grasp of making worlds with engaging content. That grasp, however, has diminished since the dawn of the EverQuest and the rise of "kill X to level" quests.

How do I know that we've lost our path regarding storyline? Well because Bioware is touting storyline as a new feature in The Old Republic. When we've gotten to the point that storyline is a "on-the-box" feature for a game, then we've done something horribly wrong in our designing.

Our original designs focused on the adventure in the world, not the quick grind sessions to max level and the repetition of raids. I wish we could re-find those designs.

My final note to you all for this week: if you want to play a game of numbers without playing the game, I have a recommendation for you. It's a "game" that runs on anyone's computer thanks to low graphical requirements and provides all of the same action and features that Jade Dynasty provides. It's called Progress Quest, it's equivolent to Jade Dynasty, and it's 100% free. Try it, you'll love it.
Colin Brennan is the weekly writer of Anti-Aliased who is totally level 45 in Jade Dynasty by only playing it for an hour. When he's not writing here for Massively, he's rambling on his personal blog, The Experience Curve. If you want to message him, send him an e-mail at colin.brennan AT weblogsinc DOT com. You can also follow him on Twitter through Massively, or through his personal feed.

MassivelyAnti-Aliased: My first 30 levels with AFK... er... Jade Dynasty pt. 2 originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 12 Jun 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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So I learned a few things since last week. One, writing an opinion column on how much I like Final Fantasy XIV can push people into a frothing internet rage, and two, people apparently forgot that I write an opinion column.

Therefore, because my column may induce emotional states similar to some drugs, I've been asked by the FDA to include a legible warning prior to each of my column topics.

The FDA would like me to tell you that reading Anti-Aliased can, in rare cases, cause extreme emotional upset, eye strain, monitor punching syndrome, a feeling of discomfort around Mithra, itchyness, nausea, resurrection sickness, paralysis of the eyelids, and carpal tunnel syndrome. You should stop reading Anti-Aliased and consult with a World of Warcraft priest should you develop any one of these symptoms while reading.

With that legalese out of the way, let's talk about Jade Dynasty -- dubbed by the illustrious James Egan as AFK Dynasty as it's the one MMO where you pay microtransactions to not play it. Yes, you heard me, it's more beneficial to not play Jade Dynasty than it is to play Jade Dynasty. EVE players, there is finally a game that puts your skill training system to shame.

Continue reading Anti-Aliased: My first 30 levels with AFK... er... Jade Dynasty

MassivelyAnti-Aliased: My first 30 levels with AFK... er... Jade Dynasty originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 12 Jun 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>afk-dynastyafk-gaminganti-aliasedbottingcontentengaging-contentfeaturedglidergrindgrindingjade-dyanstyjoystiqfeatureslevel-grindperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentprogress-queststorylineFri, 12 Jun 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New EVE Online novel "The Burning Life" is on the way]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/04/new-eve-online-novel-the-burning-life-is-on-the-way/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/04/new-eve-online-novel-the-burning-life-is-on-the-way/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/04/new-eve-online-novel-the-burning-life-is-on-the-way/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

There may be big things on the horizon for the lore of EVE Online with the forthcoming release of a second novel for the game, "The Burning Life". The sci-fi novel is written by Hjalti Daníelsson (aka CCP Abraxas) who has written many of the EVE Chronicles -- short, gritty tales that show readers the various facets of life in New Eden.

The Chronicles have been a way of driving the game's lore forward for years, so we're wondering what to expect from The Burning Life. Could it possibly be tied in with the new directions that CCP Games wants to take with EVE's lore?

At this point we don't know have much information about the novel, or whether it will be tied in with an upcoming expansion as the Empyrean Age novel by Tony Gonzales was in 2008.

There are paperback release dates listed for 2009 in North America (Tor) and 2010 in Europe (Gollancz).

[Via Ga'len]

MassivelyNew EVE Online novel "The Burning Life" is on the way originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 04 Jun 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backstoryccp-abraxasccp-gamesempyrean-ageeveeve-onlinegollanczhjalti-danielssonlorenew-edennovelnovelsstorylinethe-burning-lifetony-gonzalestortor-booksThu, 04 Jun 2009 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Anti-Aliased: So long, and thanks for all the woah pt. 2]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/29/anti-aliased-so-long-and-thanks-for-all-the-woah-pt-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/29/anti-aliased-so-long-and-thanks-for-all-the-woah-pt-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/29/anti-aliased-so-long-and-thanks-for-all-the-woah-pt-2/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,


My personal favorite moment? Past attending a few of the Merovingian's parties (being a faction leader in the organization certainly qualifies you for the guest list), it had to have been investigating into the street magician, Cryptos. Cryptos appeared in the Mega City with a bang, placing "Cryptos coffins" all over the city as he popped out of them at certain intervals to speak riddles to players. As I attended one of the coffins for its speech, the clacking of heels turned my attention over my shoulder, my camera falling onto Niobe walking down the street towards me.

She commented that she was surprised that I actually found my way down a street without falling over in a drunken stupor, while I smirked and laughed. Soon afterwards, a whole vanguard of Zionist players showed up, backing up Niobe with guns -- lots of guns.

"Give me one good reason I shouldn't kill you right here, *Lady* Return." She mocked. That would be when I pulled out the three best words in the Merovingian organization arsenal.

"You owe me. I helped you in the church at the funeral. You cannot neglect your debt, Niobe," I replied with a strong smile. She acted taken aback and motioned to the others behind her. The players all lowered their guns and shot me angry looks, to which I shrugged happily and laughed.

In no other game could social combat be as effective as physical combat. You didn't always have to shoot your way out of a situation if you knew the right people... or just paid enough of them.

An MMO not all about combat? Lies!

Certainly the combat of MxO was awesome. You had great martial arts combat, you had insane wire-fu moves, and you even had bullet time. (It would basically slow down on your screen just long enough to show you some great action, then it would speed up again to match up with the action that had gone on while you were slowed down.)

But some of the real charm of the game came in the fact that puzzles were hidden inside of it. Billboards, the newspaper, and even specially constructed events started by a simple forum post or a simple tell from a character lead into stories told in live action.

The game had elements of collaborative puzzle solving, social tension started by organizational warfare, and a driving sense of community that no other game that I've played since has come close to having. People were there to really interact with the world, not just hit level 50 and grind their faces on endgame.

Hopes for the future

It's sad to see this game go, but I have the strong personal opinion that this game did not die because it embraced different styles of gameplay. It died because it stopped embracing them.

What MxO was offering players no other game offered. If there had been more polish to the static content and the developers would have stayed on their path of dynamic storytelling, I think this game would certainly would have continued on with a loyal fanbase because it would have offered gameplay that no other mainstream MMO to date has embraced.

And, with any luck, perhaps we'll see another attempt at this universe in the future. Look at what we have with two Star Wars MMOs coming out. The potential is still there for a great Matrix Online game.

With all of this though, thank you developers for all of your work, and thank you Sony Online Entertainment for keeping it up as long as you did. While I may not agree with all of the decisions surrounding the game, the effort was still there to keep the game alive for as long as it was.

Everything that has a beginning has an end.
Colin Brennan is the weekly writer of Anti-Aliased who hates aimless hate. When he's not writing here for Massively, he's rambling on his personal blog, The Experience Curve. If you want to message him, send him an e-mail at colin.brennan AT weblogsinc DOT com. You can also follow him on Twitter through Massively, or through his personal feed.

MassivelyAnti-Aliased: So long, and thanks for all the woah pt. 2 originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 29 May 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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