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 2015 AOL, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Employee reviews blast Carbine Studios management]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/11/03/employee-reviews-blast-carbine-studios-management/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/11/03/employee-reviews-blast-carbine-studios-management/http://massively.joystiq.com/2014/11/03/employee-reviews-blast-carbine-studios-management/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

On the plus side, we'll give you an extra hour in the employee ball pit.
Whenever you hear of a studio laying off 60 people, you have to think things aren't going well. Sometimes it's a matter of bad luck and circumstance, but sometimes it's a case of bad management and poor decisions. Current and former employees of Carbine Studios attribute it to the latter, with the company holding a 41% rating on Glassdoor.com as reported by The Escapist. The reviews uniformly emphasize that WildStar is an excellent game, but they also point out universal flaws with management, decision-making, and communication.

Several employee reviews characterize the studio as a "boy's club" with only the top decision-makers given leeway. There are also criticisms of the studio's overall implementation of strategies and willingness to adapt. As the reviews come from both present and former employees, the negativity speaks to some underlying problems at the studio and certainly does little to alleviate the sense of general anxiety for players regarding the state of the game.

MassivelyEmployee reviews blast Carbine Studios management originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 03 Nov 2014 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>approvalcarbinecarbine-studioscorporateemployeeslayoffsmmo-industryncsoftnewsnews-itemsratingratingssandparksci-fantasysci-fistudioswildstarwsMon, 03 Nov 2014 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: BioWare San Francisco shuts down]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/04/bioware-san-francisco-shuts-down-mmos-remain-completely-unaffec/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/04/bioware-san-francisco-shuts-down-mmos-remain-completely-unaffec/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/04/bioware-san-francisco-shuts-down-mmos-remain-completely-unaffec/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

DAL was a pretty keen little game, honestly. You can download it and play it offline.
According to GamesRadar's unnamed sources, BioWare San Francisco has reportedly been shut down as of today, resulting in the layoffs of 25-30 employees associated with the studio.

The studio formerly known as EA2D was responsible for the Dragon Age Legends Facebook game and the browser-based Mirror's Edge 2D. While it was focused on developing mobile and social games, Electronic Arts found that handling development in the area was too expensive and has shut down operations.

Our condolences to all those affected by this shutdown.

MassivelyRumor: BioWare San Francisco shuts down originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 04 Mar 2013 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarebusinessbusiness-newselectronic-artsfacebookgaming-industrymmo-industrymobile-gamesrumorrumorssocial-gamesstudiosMon, 04 Mar 2013 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Captain's Log: To boldly go where... Perfect World has never gone before?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/02/captains-log-to-boldly-go-where-perfect-world-has-never-gon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/02/captains-log-to-boldly-go-where-perfect-world-has-never-gon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/02/captains-log-to-boldly-go-where-perfect-world-has-never-gon/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Captain's Log, Stardate 64918.1...

Hello, computer (and players)! Isn't it amazing how the MMO gaming world works? One week you might be ecstatic about the planned updates for your favorite game, and the next week you are wondering if that same game is even going to last another day. Like many other Star Trek Online players, I was in this boat just last week. When Atari announced that it was going to be divesting interest in Cryptic, many players initially went into panic mode. But as I stated in my entry last week, I strongly felt that things were going to turn out just fine, possibly for the better -- and they definitely have.

Earlier this week, Perfect World Entertainment announced that it would acquire a 100% equity stake from Atari, with Cryptic Studios remaining as the sole shareholder. Made famous for its free-to-play games, including Perfect World International, Pocketpet Journey West, and Forsaken World, Perfect World has the potential to help STO continue to grow. While the new owners are very excited at the opportunity to utilize the engine Cryptic is famous for, they are also excited at the fact that Champions Online uses the free-to-play business model. Oh dear -- here we go again.

Ensign, warp 10! Everything is going to be OK and here's why...

Continue reading Captain's Log: To boldly go where... Perfect World has never gone before?

MassivelyCaptain's Log: To boldly go where... Perfect World has never gone before? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 02 Jun 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acquisitionataricrypticcryptic-star-trekcryptic-studiosdan stahldan-stahlDanielStahlDanStahldiscontinueddstahlElliot Tanelliot-tanElliotTanfeaturedfor-saleforsaken-worldfree-to-playlifetime-subscriptionLiveStreamLiveStreamingopinionPerfect Worldperfect-world-entertainmentPerfectWorldpocket petsPocketPetspvppwerumorst-onlinestar-trek-mmostar-trek-onlinestoStudiosThe Quantum CafeTheQuantumCafetrek-onlineThu, 02 Jun 2011 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Captain's Log: The breakup]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/26/captains-log-the-breakup/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/26/captains-log-the-breakup/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/26/captains-log-the-breakup/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Captain's Log, Stardate 64903.4...

Hello, computer (and players)! When most relationships come to an end, the dumpee can often feel a sense of abandonment. As Star Trek Online players, we are currently feeling something similar after the announcement that Atari is "parting" ways with Cryptic. As we noted last week, Atari announced during its May earnings report that Cryptic is a now "discontinued operation," which leaves us pondering what will become of the game we are so passionate about.

In an attempt to counter the rumors flying on the internet, I spoke with Cryptic's PR team and can confirm that that there is no official press release yet and there are no comments that have been or can be made by Cryptic. So all the rumors out there about what is going on are currently just that... rumors. All we know right now is that Atari is planning on putting Cryptic Studios up for sale. With that said, and rumors aside, I would like to share some of my thoughts, explore the feelings of the playerbase, clear up some misconceptions, and explain why this could actually be the best thing to happen to STO.

Ensign, warp 10! There is no looking back now...

Continue reading Captain's Log: The breakup

MassivelyCaptain's Log: The breakup originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 26 May 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atariclosed-betacrypticcryptic-star-trekcryptic-studiosdiscontinuedenjinfeaturedfor-salelifetime-subscriptionLiveStreamLiveStreamingopinionrumorst-onlinestar-trek-mmostar-trek-onlinestoStudiostrek-onlinetroiThu, 26 May 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Blizzard, NCsoft talent form developer En Masse Entertainment]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/24/blizzard-ncsoft-talent-form-developer-en-masse-entertainment/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/24/blizzard-ncsoft-talent-form-developer-en-masse-entertainment/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/24/blizzard-ncsoft-talent-form-developer-en-masse-entertainment/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The MMO industry, despite some setbacks over the past year or so, has been growing at a steady rate for some time and doesn't show much sign of slowing. It's hard to argue that two of the most influential companies in that success have been Blizzard Entertainment and NCsoft, with the former keeping a stable of several successful games and the latter running a game well-known enough to not need a mention. So when staffers from both companies join up to form a new development studio, it's worth paying some attention to what the company is doing.

En Masse Entertainment, as reported by our sister site Joystiq, has just announced their formation as a company. Their staff includes talent from the aforementioned studios as well as Microsoft, ArenaNet, and Electronic Arts. According to the official press release, their first project is bringing the Korean MMORPG TERA to western audiences -- which might sound like another free-to-play game coming over until you note both the stunning visuals and the fact that it's slated to be a subscription model "like other triple-A titles." We'll be keeping a close eye on the new studio -- it could be a combination that produces some interesting results.

MassivelyBlizzard, NCsoft talent form developer En Masse Entertainment originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 24 Feb 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arenanetblizzardblizzard-entertainmenteaelectronic-artsen-masse-entertainmentmicrosoftncsoftstudiosteraWed, 24 Feb 2010 20:00:00 EST