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[Captain's Log: What's your (energy) type?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/29/captains-log-whats-your-energy-type/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/29/captains-log-whats-your-energy-type/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/29/captains-log-whats-your-energy-type/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Star Trek Online screenshot
Captain's Log, Stardate 65244.9...

Hello, computer (and players)! Happy birthday to me, happy birthday to me, happy birthday dear meeeeeee, happy birthday to me. Sorry, I couldn't resist. Yes, today is my birthday, and the best present I could receive is being able to share this week's Captain's Log with you all. As we get closer and closer to the F2P re-launch of Star Trek Online, I expect that there will be new captains tuning into this column each week, so to help support our new comrades in between the weeks that feature an influx of breaking news and developments, I am going to be taking some time to educate everyone on a few of the game's mechanics.

When I first started playing STO, I often found myself wondering about many of the choices available to my different characters. From armor to shields, deflectors to engines, and kits to weapons, there is an endless array of options that we can decide to play with and use. One of the most frequently asked questions I get from new players is, "What is the best energy type to use for my ship's weapons?" In the past, when I really did not know much, I would choose my type by the color it emitted. I now know that "pretty" does not equal "power." While each type has its own special bonuses, it's up to you to decide which to use and why. Here's to hoping I can aid in that decision.

Ensign, warp 10! Let's take a look at the spectrum of colors and their abilities...

Continue reading Captain's Log: What's your (energy) type?

MassivelyCaptain's Log: What's your (energy) type? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 29 Sep 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>antiprotonarmorbirthdaycaptains-logcrypticcryptic-star-trekcryptic-studiosdeflectorsdisruptorenginesF2Pfeaturedfree-to-playkitslivestreamperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentphaserplasmapolaronprocpweshieldsspecst-onlinestar-trek-mmostar-trek-onlinestosubsystemstertryontrek-onlineTribbleweaponsThu, 29 Sep 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Latest Ask Cryptic for Star Trek Online focuses on combat balance]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/22/latest-ask-cryptic-for-star-trek-online-focuses-on-combat-balanc/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/22/latest-ask-cryptic-for-star-trek-online-focuses-on-combat-balanc/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/22/latest-ask-cryptic-for-star-trek-online-focuses-on-combat-balanc/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Ask Cryptic is a regular Q&A between the developers working on Star Trek Online (and Champions Online) and the game community that's formed around the upcoming title(s). This week's Ask Cryptic for Star Trek Online focuses on ship combat, particularly how the damage inflicted upon your vessel affects its performance. Essentially, you'll be able to go all out in combat right up until your demise. That said, focused attacks on your specific subsystems can take them out, and losing crew members will weaken your skills in tasks that the injured or deceased personnel handled.

The Cryptic Studios devs also clarify that solo players will be able to acquire the same ships as those involved in high level group play, although soloists will likely find they're not able to get through some higher level content. Endgame rewards are meant to be a guild-level pursuit, but Cryptic stresses that the best ships will be available to anyone, regardless of play style.

Continue reading Latest Ask Cryptic for Star Trek Online focuses on combat balance

MassivelyLatest Ask Cryptic for Star Trek Online focuses on combat balance originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 22 Jul 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ask-crypticcanoncombatcryptic-studiosfederationgame-mechanicsguildsklingonpvepvpsci-fiship-combatsolostar-trekstar-trek-onlinestosubsystemsWed, 22 Jul 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Online video shows off design evolution of Tech III ships]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/25/eve-online-video-shows-off-design-evolution-of-tech-iii-ships/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/25/eve-online-video-shows-off-design-evolution-of-tech-iii-ships/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/25/eve-online-video-shows-off-design-evolution-of-tech-iii-ships/#commentsFiled under: , ,


The CCP Games art team is behind the latest EVE Online dev blog, one that focuses on the game's newest ship class, the Tech III 'strategic cruisers', as well as the EVE's updated effects. Tech III has brought modular ship designs to the sci-fi title, introducing a new level of flexibility and complexity to the game. EVE developer CCP jBot writes that the hundreds of potential configurations available when the Apocrypha expansion launched has expanded into the thousands (4096 to be precise) with the introduction of the fourth Tech III subsystem.

The versatility of strategic cruisers impressive but presently, as with anything new in EVE, their extreme costs make them a rarity in the game until prices reach something resembling equilibrium. Still, even ISK-challenged capsuleers dare to dream; CCP Games has put together a video that shows off the evolution of Tech III from the design sketches to blockout models, and right through paintovers to the the finished art assets. We've got it embedded for you below, best viewed in fullscreen HD.

Continue reading EVE Online video shows off design evolution of Tech III ships

MassivelyEVE Online video shows off design evolution of Tech III ships originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 25 Apr 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EVE Online developers CCP Games have launched a new site for the sci-fi game's Apocrypha expansion, slated for a March 10th launch. The site has a teaser trailer, screenshots, wallpapers, and concept art related to Apocrypha.

In addition, there are brief video presentations from three key developers involved with the expansion: Lead Game Designer Noah Ward (CCP Hammerhead), Associate Producer Arend Stührmann (CCP Whisper), and Senior Producer Torfi Frans Olaffson (CCP Torfifrans). Their presentations range from discussion of Tech III to how wormhole exploration and the New Player Experience will add something fresh to the game:

Continue reading EVE Online launches Apocrypha expansion site

MassivelyEVE Online launches Apocrypha expansion site originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 24 Feb 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apocryphaarend-stuhrmannbreakingccp-gamesccp-hammerheadccp-torfifransccp-whispereveeve-onlineexpansionsexplorationexplorersgame-mechanicsnew-edennew-player-experiencenoah-wardpreviewsprofessionsracessci-fiskillpointsstrategic-cruiserssubsystemstech-3tech-iiitorfi-frans-olafssontrue-explorationwormhole-explorationTue, 24 Feb 2009 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Online developer explains major new feature: Tech III]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/12/eve-online-developer-explains-major-new-feature-tech-iii/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/12/eve-online-developer-explains-major-new-feature-tech-iii/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/12/eve-online-developer-explains-major-new-feature-tech-iii/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


The dev blog many EVE Online players have been waiting for was published today. Tech III ships have been the subject of a great deal of excitement and no small amount of trepidation from the game's players. EVE developer CCP Nozh introduces the playerbase to "the dark delights of Tech 3 ships" in his dev blog "Strategic Cruisers: A New Breed." This moniker "Strategic Cruisers" is a fitting one, as they certainly are a new breed of ship, and one that requires some explanation.

Nozh writes, "The elation of happening upon a unique fit, some fresh and clever setup, has always been a very appealing aspect of EVE. One of our primary goals for the Tech 3 ships was to bring this customization to a whole new level. The new ships are a fundamental departure from the tried and tested, offering such unparalleled customization that discussing them on the same terms as previous ships belies their true extent -- we're talking full-fledged, independent systems within the system. A little bit scary, really."

Continue reading EVE Online developer explains major new feature: Tech III

MassivelyEVE Online developer explains major new feature: Tech III originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 12 Feb 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apocryphabreakingccpccp-gamesccp-nozhcruiserscustomizationdefensivedev-blogelectronicengineeringeveeve-onlineexpansionslokinew-featuresoffensivepropulsionsci-fisingularitystrategic-cruiserssubsystemstech-3tech-iiitest-serverThu, 12 Feb 2009 17:00:00 EST