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[Not So Massively: MOBAs, shooters, and dungeon crawlers]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/26/not-so-massively-mobas-shooters-and-dungeon-crawlers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/26/not-so-massively-mobas-shooters-and-dungeon-crawlers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/26/not-so-massively-mobas-shooters-and-dungeon-crawlers/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Not So Massively title image
This week's Torchlight II developer update visits the game's animation department, and Path of Exile reset all beta players' passive skills this week following the launch of patch 0.9.7. Blacklight: Retribution revealed some impressive usage statistics from its first few weeks of open beta, and Firefall showed off its impressive Mourningstar and Typhon costumes at gaming convention SXSW.

In the world of MOBAs, League of Legends released its new champion Lulu this week and published her official champion spotlight video. Dota 2 added classic hero Lycan and introduced a new private rating system to help players track which heroes they're good at playing. Finally, Wrath of Heroes has entered open beta and is already selling items in its cash shop.

Continue reading Not So Massively: MOBAs, shooters, and dungeon crawlers

MassivelyNot So Massively: MOBAs, shooters, and dungeon crawlers originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 26 Mar 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>action-mmobiowareblacklightblacklight-retributioncolin-turnercompetitive-gamingdiablodotae-sporte-sportseaelectronic-artsesportesportsf2pfantasyfeaturedfpsfree-to-playgrinding-geargrinding-gear-gamesleague-of-legendslollululycanmatt-danielmatt-leffertsmmofpsmobaMourningstarmythicmythic-entertainmentnewsnot-so-massivelynsmpath-of-exileperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentpoepvppwered-5-studiosriotriot-gamesround-uproundupsupportsxswsxsw-2012typhonvalvevideowarhammerwarhammer-wrath-of-heroeswohwrath-of-heroesyordlezombie-studiosMon, 26 Mar 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Behind the Mask: Throwing stones at their glass houses]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/26/behind-the-mask-throwing-stones-at-their-glass-houses/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/26/behind-the-mask-throwing-stones-at-their-glass-houses/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/26/behind-the-mask-throwing-stones-at-their-glass-houses/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

This week on Behind the Mask, we're going to take an in-depth look at Champions Online's new Earth powerset. It took me quite a while to review Wind, and Earth is relatively new. Why the time disparity?

The real answer is that I looked at Wind long before last week, but I didn't really find anything fun or exciting at a first look. Earth is a lot different. Earth has a lot of potential for combining powers between the set; it can Stagger enemies and then exploit that Stagger for damage or bonus effects. Because a lot of the Earth tricks eat your Stagger stacks, you have to choose between keeping Stagger on your targets for the debuff or eating it for the bonus power effects. On top of that, it has the first viable Brick archetype heal, making the Mountain the second reliable Archetype tank. Earth is a lot of fun.

Continue reading Behind the Mask: Throwing stones at their glass houses

MassivelyBehind the Mask: Throwing stones at their glass houses originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>by-your-powers-combinedchampions-onlinecocrypticcryptic-champions-onlinecryptic-cocryptic-studiosearthearth-powersearth-powersetf2pfeaturedfree-to-playhealingperfect-world-entertainmentpwesupporttankingThu, 26 Jan 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New War of the Immortals video reveals Enchantress class]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/22/new-war-of-the-immortals-video-reveals-enchantress-class/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/22/new-war-of-the-immortals-video-reveals-enchantress-class/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/22/new-war-of-the-immortals-video-reveals-enchantress-class/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

War of the Immortals - Enchantress
There's a new War of the Immortals class video that's worth a look if you're into free-to-play fantasy MMOs, support mechanics, and scantily clad avatars. Perfect World Entertainment is highlighting WoI's Enchantress class, and the archetype seems pretty familiar in terms of utility.

The Enchantress uses a harpsichord to strengthen her allies and weaken her foes, and the instrument also serves as a weapon "which can be lethal if you fall under her spell," according to the WoI website.

Players who choose the Enchantress are also privy to a unique fox mount, and you can get a look at that -- as well as how the class plays -- in the video after the break.

Continue reading New War of the Immortals video reveals Enchantress class

MassivelyNew War of the Immortals video reveals Enchantress class originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 22 Nov 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>buffingclassclassesdebuffingenchantressf2pfox-mountfree-to-playgame-mechanicsperfect-world-entertainmentpwesupporttrailervideowar-of-the-immortalswoiTue, 22 Nov 2011 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Glyph Wakfu's Feca class a break, it rocks]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/21/glyph-wakfus-feca-class-a-break-it-rocks/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/21/glyph-wakfus-feca-class-a-break-it-rocks/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/21/glyph-wakfus-feca-class-a-break-it-rocks/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Wakfu
With the nation of Sufokia on the horizon for Wakfu, it's easy for players to think, "They can't possibly top this!" But they can. Oh yes, they can. With the update will also come the newest class to the game, the Feca.

Feca disciples utilize a mixture of protective shields and glyphs to protect themselves and lay down elemental law on enemies. They may not top the damage charts, but their durable nature and flexible spellcasting system allows Feca to fit in anywhere that's needed.

Feca glyphs take a little bit of preparation to get going, but once they're up and running, they provide helpful area effects. Feca's water abilities focus on support, the fire branch is all about offense, and the earth branch is defensive in nature.

It seems as though the Feca are geared toward jack-of-all-trades players, so if that fits the bill for you, you may be interested in reading more on this class in the latest Wakfu dev diary.

MassivelyGlyph Wakfu's Feca class a break, it rocks originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 21 Oct 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aoeclassclassesf2pfecafeca-not-fecalfeca-not-femafree-to-playglyphnew-classsesquare-enixsquenixsufokiasupportwakfuFri, 21 Oct 2011 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Eden Eternal turns the spotlight on the Cleric]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/09/eden-eternal-turns-the-spotlight-on-the-cleric/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/09/eden-eternal-turns-the-spotlight-on-the-cleric/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/09/eden-eternal-turns-the-spotlight-on-the-cleric/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Despite being deep in the beta process -- or perhaps because of it -- Eden Eternal has emerged to highlight another one of its 15 classes: the Cleric. Master of buffing and heals, the Cleric promises to be a welcome addition to any team (not to mention a very solo-capable class).

Clerics are unlocked at level 5 and are the first characters to be capable of healing and supporting others. The class has access to seven Cleric-only skills as well as five skills available to all support classes. And while Clerics -- like all classes in the game -- can wield any weapon, they do the best when equipped with a mace.

You can check out the class trailer for the Cleric after the jump, and make sure to check out our first impressions of Eden Eternal if you haven't done so already!

Continue reading Eden Eternal turns the spotlight on the Cleric

MassivelyEden Eternal turns the spotlight on the Cleric originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 09 Jun 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aeria-gamesbetabuffsclassclassesclericeden-eternalf2pfree-to-playhealersupportThu, 09 Jun 2011 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Spotlight: An interview with GM Guard]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/29/eve-spotlight-an-interview-with-gm-guard/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/29/eve-spotlight-an-interview-with-gm-guard/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/29/eve-spotlight-an-interview-with-gm-guard/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

EVE Spotlight is a new bi-weekly feature in which we interview prominent members of EVE Online's player community or development team. Twice each month, we'll be shining the spotlight on a player or developer who has a significant impact on EVE to highlight the efforts of EVE's most influential people.

It's an inherent part of MMO development that certain employees must take on a very visible role in the game's online community. This is especially true in EVE Online as developers are encouraged to communicate with players through the forum and write detailed devblogs on what they're working on. In that sense, GM Guard needs very little introduction. Along with GM Grimmi and others, Guard has been a very public face for GMs in the community for as long as I can remember. While Guard has made huge contributions to EVE behind the scenes as a lead GM, he's probably most well-known for his role in CCP's internal band Permaband. He has now moved on from the GM team to become EVE's new Community Developer.

The role of GMs in any MMO is pivotal, and yet they so often come under fire from players who don't get the response they're hoping for or who have to wait too long for an answer. Many EVE players are also unaware of the procedures for escalating petitions, reporting exploits, contacting internal affairs or other important activities. In this EVE Spotlight, we got together with former Lead GM Guard to pick his brains on these topics, find out a little about CCP's support division, and ask about Permaband's next song.

Continue reading EVE Spotlight: An interview with GM Guard

MassivelyEVE Spotlight: An interview with GM Guard originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 29 Apr 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-eveccp-gamesccp-guardescalationeveeve-ccpeve-mmorpgeve-onlineeve-spotlightfeaturedgm-guardhtfuinternal-affairsinterviewnsfwpermabandpetitionsupportvideoFri, 29 Apr 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Enter at Your Own Rift: Looking for groups]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/27/enter-at-your-own-rift-looking-for-groups/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/27/enter-at-your-own-rift-looking-for-groups/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/27/enter-at-your-own-rift-looking-for-groups/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Like some of you, I feel that RIFT's Update 1.2 can't get here soon enough. A good content update, in my opinion, has a little something for everyone, and in talking with Trion Worlds last week, I definitely got that feeling from this patch. The team is catering to endgame players with Slivers, build-enthusiasts with a fifth role, rift-runners with new types of dynamic events, and people who aren't content to merely spam my Twitter feed with accomplishments but must now do so from inside Facebook as well.

I'd be lying if I said I'm not planning on spending huge amounts of time assembling dashing and fashionable outfits for my characters once the wardrobe is in the game, too. I'm all about outfits in Lord of the Rings Online, so it's great to see RIFT bring this type of system into the game (unlike some other stubborn studios, which shall remain nameless). Players like to feel powerful while looking incredible, and this outfit system will hopefully allay some of the complaints of similar-looking toons.

Above all this in Update 1.2 towers one of the biggest changes to the game yet: the Looking for Group (LFG) tool. Designed to assemble teams of players to tackle dungeons and group quests, the LFG tool will certainly change how we play RIFT. Will it be a good change or bad? That's the $1,000,000 question, which I will tackle after these brief messages, by which I mean, "after the jump."

Continue reading Enter at Your Own Rift: Looking for groups

MassivelyEnter at Your Own Rift: Looking for groups originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 27 Apr 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>archonbarddpsdungeon-finderdungeonsdynamic-contententer-at-your-own-riftfacebookfeaturedhealerinstanceslfdlfglooking-for-dungeonlooking-for-grouplord-of-the-rings-onlinelotropros-and-conspvpriftrift-planes-of-telarariftssliverssupporttanktriontrion-worldstwitterwardrobewarfrontsworld-of-warcraftwowWed, 27 Apr 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[A Mild-Mannered Reporter: In the case of Controllers]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/13/a-mild-mannered-reporter-in-the-case-of-controllers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/13/a-mild-mannered-reporter-in-the-case-of-controllers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/13/a-mild-mannered-reporter-in-the-case-of-controllers/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Every game has certain classes that seem unique. I don't mean to suggest that the rest of City of Heroes isn't unique, but when the game launched, the Controller was definitely in a league by itself. Time has shown that the Mastermind's personal army makes the archetype a bit more uncommon than a class focusing on holds and control elements, but the Controller was pretty unique stuff when the game launched almost seven years ago. Or at least, it was to me. Other audience members may feel differently.

These days, with the trinity in most games having supplanted any unique roles, it's even more odd to think of "support" as a party role to be filled. But we're not here to talk about the gradual erosion of what was once a far more robust party structure; we're here to talk about Controllers. They're one of the original heroic archetypes, and they're also a very odd class from a design perspective, with a lot of offensive abilities but very little direct punch. So whether you are new to City of Heroes or just have never played with a hold set before, click on past the break for a look at what makes the archetype tick.

Continue reading A Mild-Mannered Reporter: In the case of Controllers

MassivelyA Mild-Mannered Reporter: In the case of Controllers originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 13 Apr 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a-mild-mannered-reporterarchetypesbuffscity-of-heroescity-of-villainsclassclassescohcolumncontrollerscovcoxdebuffsfeaturedncsoftopinionparagonparagon-studiossupportWed, 13 Apr 2011 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Trion unveils new RIFT Rogue trailer]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/13/trion-unveils-new-rift-rogue-trailer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/13/trion-unveils-new-rift-rogue-trailer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/13/trion-unveils-new-rift-rogue-trailer/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

It's been a while since we've seen a class video from Trion, but today the drought is over thanks to the spiffy new RIFT Rogue trailer. The two-minute clip mixes in-game footage with title screens showing the various permutations of the Rogue's soul system, giving would-be rascals a cursory glance at RIFT's take on one of the fantasy genre's most beloved archetypes.

Because of RIFT's build-your-own-class mechanics, Rogues in the world of Telara stand out from their contemporaries due to a good bit of versatility. The trailer shows us three incarnations of the class: a death-dealer, a sniper, and a support specialist. In addition to those roles, you may even see a RIFT Rogue playing a lute, teleporting, or possibly tanking a mob. Check out the clip after the cut for more details.

Continue reading Trion unveils new RIFT Rogue trailer

MassivelyTrion unveils new RIFT Rogue trailer originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 13 Apr 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ascendedbackstabbersclassesdeath-dealerfantasygame-mechanicsriftrift-planes-of-telararogueroguesrolessnipersoul-systemsoulssupporttelaratrailertrailerstriontrion-worldtrion-world-networktrion-worldsvideoWed, 13 Apr 2011 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[A Mild-Mannered Reporter: In the case of Defenders]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/16/a-mild-mannered-reporter-in-the-case-of-defenders/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/16/a-mild-mannered-reporter-in-the-case-of-defenders/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/16/a-mild-mannered-reporter-in-the-case-of-defenders/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

So last week, my column went live on the same day that Paragon Studios assuaged pretty much every concern my article raised. I should be annoyed, I suppose -- these columns do not spring Athena-like from my forehead, after all -- but considering what the producer's letter means for City of Heroes, I can't be anything but happy. It shows that the problems that I can think of are getting brought up and addressed by the development team as well, and that means that there's a security buffer in place so that things never get bad.

And that segue leads us naturally into the next archetype up for discussion: Defenders. Probably the hardest archetype to cleanly fit to any pre-existing heroes, Defenders are still a vital part of the game and a lot of fun to play besides. They're the logical counterpart to the Tanker side of the equation. Whether you're new to City of Heroes as a whole or just new to the very idea of playing a Defender, click on past the break to take a look inside the most party-oriented archetype in the game (barring Kheldians, I suppose).

Continue reading A Mild-Mannered Reporter: In the case of Defenders

MassivelyA Mild-Mannered Reporter: In the case of Defenders originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 16 Feb 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mages in RIFT are not particularly nice people. Admittedly, that's not speaking to their character so much as the souls available to them, but between the corpse-raising Necromancers, entropy-spreading Warlocks, and strength-leeching Archons, the precedent has been set. And today's reveal of the Dominator isn't going to change that image, even though it's a soul quite likely to make a number of new friends. But those friends may or may not be willing companions.

A mind is a terrible thing to waste, even if you have little to no intention of letting your opponent use it. That's the Dominator philosophy in a nutshell, with a number of abilities designed to confuse, terrify, and control opponents. Although physically fragile, the Dominator will hopefully be in a position where none of his opponents are still coherent enough to take advantage of physical weakness. Take a look at more lore and ability details on RIFT's latest soul past the break, and check back tomorrow for our last soul reveal.

Gallery: RIFT: Core Gallery

Continue reading Exclusive: A look at RIFT's Dominator

MassivelyExclusive: A look at RIFT's Dominator originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 20 Jan 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>classclass-previewclass-previewsclassescontroldominationdominatorexclusivemagemassively-exclusivemind-controlnew-classnew-soulsriftrift-planes-of-telarasoulsoul-systemsoulssupporttriontrion-worldsThu, 20 Jan 2011 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[A Mild-Mannered Reporter: The replacements]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/11/a-mild-mannered-reporter-the-replacements/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/11/a-mild-mannered-reporter-the-replacements/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/11/a-mild-mannered-reporter-the-replacements/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Hey, guys, did you know that Going Rogue is launching in less than a week? That's crazy. It feels especially strange to me, since this was an expansion that had barely been announced when I started here, and has since become pretty personally important. But we're not here to talk about my vague feelings about the impending launch, we're here to talk about its larger implications for City of Heroes -- namely, the obvious systemic changes that might well be coming when the expansion goes live.

Now, some of you are doubtlessly going to point out that we're not even getting our first Incarnate slot, the expansion isn't changing any part of the system, and so forth and so on. But you forget that there is an interesting change to the system coming that we all know about: the fact that archetypes will no longer be allegiance-locked. That's right -- whether you're in City of Heroes or City of Villains, you'll no longer be limited to five different archetypes. And considering the fact that the archetypes are roughly analogous on both sides now, this might have just a bit of an impact.

Continue reading A Mild-Mannered Reporter: The replacements

MassivelyA Mild-Mannered Reporter: The replacements originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 11 Aug 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>archetypebalancecity-of-heroescity-of-heroes-going-roguecity-of-villainsclassclassescohcontrolcovcoxdpsexpansionexpansionsfeaturedgoing-roguegrgroupinggroupshybrid-classeshybridsncsoftopinionparagonparagon-studiospartiespartyingplaystyleportmanteauspowersetssupporttankingteamsWed, 11 Aug 2010 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Realtime Worlds restructuring to provide "total support" for APB]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/07/realtime-worlds-restructuring-to-provide-total-support-for-apb/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/07/realtime-worlds-restructuring-to-provide-total-support-for-apb/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/07/realtime-worlds-restructuring-to-provide-total-support-for-apb/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

APB's Dave Jones said he expected mediocre reviews from the media immediately after launch. Be that as it may, the Realtime Worlds team obviously feels that the game is a success, according to today's press release.

The press release announced that the APB staff will increase, and Realtime Worlds will actually be pulling resources from an unnamed second project as well in order to give full support to APB. This will mean 24/7 live support, more content updates, and generally a more active future for the game.

CEO Gary Dale explained that the decision is a reflection of the game's successful launch and Realtime's expectation of continued success in the future: "APB experienced a very smooth launch for an online dedicated game along with a great reception from consumers and we're immensely proud of the game the team has produced. We now have to focus our efforts and resources on running APB as a 24/7 online live operation, creating new content and services for the future and ensuring the best possible experience for the players." Check out the press release for all the details.

MassivelyRealtime Worlds restructuring to provide "total support" for APB originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 07 Jul 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>all-points-bulletinapbdave-jonesgary-dalepress-releaseRealtime-WorldssupportWed, 07 Jul 2010 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fallen Earth companion app released on Blackberry]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/28/fallen-earth-companion-app-released-on-blackberry/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/28/fallen-earth-companion-app-released-on-blackberry/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/28/fallen-earth-companion-app-released-on-blackberry/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Fallen Earth has been pushing its mobile app with quite a bit of vigor ever since it was released on both the iPhone and the Droid a few weeks ago. And it's with good cause -- the app allows for players to take care of a number of more tedious play elements while on the go, freeing up in-game time for more exciting endeavors. While the functionality of the software hasn't been expanded, the user base certainly has, as the mobile companion is now available for Blackberry phones and devices as well.

Available via Blackberry App World for $2.99, the ported release offers all the functionality of the original Fallen Earth application. That means players can browse the auction house, check in on the world map, keep track of crafting, and interact with both friends and clan members. For a full picture of the features, players are encouraged to check out the official release and FAQ for the prior versions, which apply equally for the latest release. Whether you're wandering as much as your favorite clone or just want to browse auctions at work, the expanded potential user base is a good thing for the game's players.

MassivelyFallen Earth companion app released on Blackberry originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 28 Jun 2010 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auction-houseblackberrychatcraftingdroidfallen-earthfallen-earth-llcfefeaturesicarusicarus-studiosiphonemobilemobile-appmobile-functionsnew-releasessupportsupport-appsMon, 28 Jun 2010 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Billing issues hitting Warhammer Online and Dark Age of Camelot]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/08/billing-issues-hitting-warhammer-online-and-dark-age-of-camelot/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/08/billing-issues-hitting-warhammer-online-and-dark-age-of-camelot/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/08/billing-issues-hitting-warhammer-online-and-dark-age-of-camelot/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Even when everything's going just fine, monthly billing in an MMO brings up the problems of players feeling entitled to quite a bit of free content and getting rather annoyed if it's not forthcoming. It also raises questions of how badly you really want to play the game in question. Luckily for most games, the rebilling cycle for subscriptions is automatic and requires no conscious attention from fans... at least, unless something goes wrong. And unfortunately for Warhammer Online and Dark Age of Camelot subscribers, something did indeed go wrong. Players are being billed more than once for their subscriptions.

The customer service team at Mythic Entertainment was quick to explain that they were aware of the issue and working with their vendor to resolve it. Unfortunately, the official solution requires a call and a fair bit of time spent confirming and reversing the charges, rather than being a straight refund behind the scenes. As the game's studio is hosting several of Warhammer Online's blogging pundits, it could hardly have come at a worse time. Warhammer Online and Dark Age of Camelot players are advised to read the official statement and check the charges on your account very carefully.

MassivelyBilling issues hitting Warhammer Online and Dark Age of Camelot originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 08 Apr 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>billingbilling-issuescustomer-servicedaocdark-age-of-camelotea-gamesea-mythicea-warhammerea-warhammer-onlineelectronic-artsmythicmythic-eamythic-entertainmentsupportwarwar-eawarhammerwarhammer-eawarhammer-onlinewarhammer-online-eaThu, 08 Apr 2010 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[How do you support players that don't trust your support?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/30/how-do-you-support-players-that-dont-trust-your-support/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/30/how-do-you-support-players-that-dont-trust-your-support/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/30/how-do-you-support-players-that-dont-trust-your-support/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


Let's face facts -- people don't like admitting that they don't know something or need help. They'd rather hammer at the problem until they solve it themselves, or they'd rather ask a trusted friend for help. Kids are super guilty of this, as they'd rather not tell an adult when they can't do something themselves.

So how do you work with kids when you're the support staff of their favorite game?

Steve Wilson, customer service manager of FusionFall, decided to do some digging with support groups to find what they could do better in their customer support. What did he find out? Simplicity is key -- something that goes way beyond just the 8 to 13-year-old demographic.

Customers don't want to be railroaded through a knowledgebase, nor sent to be put on hold with phone support. They'd rather perform a quick in-game chat to have their problems solved.

He also found out that players would rather consult with other players than a member of a support team, which is why why FusionFall puts such a strong emphasis on their community forums and the support section. Players can ask questions of their fellow players while a support agent can chime into the threads when necessary. It maximizes the agent's time, and it allows the player to feel comfortable. A win-win all around!

[Via Parature]

MassivelyHow do you support players that don't trust your support? originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccrcustomer-supportfusionfallhelpknowledgebasephone-supportquestionssupportTue, 30 Jun 2009 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[CCP Games drops Linux client support for EVE Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/09/ccp-games-drops-linux-client-support-for-eve-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/09/ccp-games-drops-linux-client-support-for-eve-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/09/ccp-games-drops-linux-client-support-for-eve-online/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

One of the nicer aspect to EVE Online, in terms of accessibility, is that you can play it across the trinity of operating systems: Windows, Mac, and Linux. The latter two have been made possible through the CCP Games partnership with TransGaming Technologies, via their Cider and Cedega technology, respectively. Unfortunately, while the Mac client has attracted (and retained) a number of users, the same cannot be said for the EVE Linux client. We received word from affected players over the weekend that CCP is dropping support for the Linux client, but it's official as of this morning.

CCP Whisper stated, "I am sorry to announce that from the 10th of March onwards CCP will no longer be officially supporting the Linux operating system. The low amount of users of the Linux client did not justify the degree of additional complexity having three operating systems imposes on our development and release schedules." He states that he and CCP Games are fully aware of the disappointment this will cause but the resources the company has devoted to Linux support could be put to better use elsewhere, in ways that benefit more players.

Continue reading CCP Games drops Linux client support for EVE Online

MassivelyCCP Games drops Linux client support for EVE Online originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 09 Feb 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arend-stuhrmannccpccp-gamesccp-whispercedegaciderdevdev-blogeveeve-onlinelinuxmacsupporttransgamingtransgaming-technologiesMon, 09 Feb 2009 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[E308: A glimpse into The Agency's guilds and classes]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/21/e308-a-glimpse-into-the-agencys-guilds-and-classes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/21/e308-a-glimpse-into-the-agencys-guilds-and-classes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/21/e308-a-glimpse-into-the-agencys-guilds-and-classes/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

In our recent talk with Matt Wilson at E3, we were given a lot of really illuminating information about classes and guilds in the upcoming SOE title, The Agency. It would seem that the Agency crew is doing a very good job of listening to many of the frustrations of MMOG players, while taking the time to study popular games like Team Fortress 2. If you've been wondering about the different classes and abilities, as well as social structure in this upcoming MMOFPS, then you'll be interested to hear what's in the works.

Massively: What are the classes or archetypal roles in The Agency?

Matt Wilson: Our four primary classes are basically Combat, which is the ability to have weapons and have high defenses. Stealth, which is more of a high-DPS, sniper rifles and other things that you take into battle, [Undercover] Stealth which is very important, which is sneaking around and distractions. And finally, there's the Support classes like your Medics and Field Techs. Field Techs are about defense, turrets, other cool things like that. Medics are more about supporting the team, being able to support med stations while you're out in the field, heals, that kind of thing. Those are the general archetypes. Then we have specialties that fall out of those, allowing players to specialize further in each class.

Continue reading E308: A glimpse into The Agency's guilds and classes

MassivelyE308: A glimpse into The Agency's guilds and classes originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 21 Jul 2008 13:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agencyclassclassescombate3-2008e308featuredguildsjoint-agenciesmatt-wilsonrolesoesony-online-entertainmentstealthsupportteam-fortress-2TF2the-agencyundercoverMon, 21 Jul 2008 13:15:00 EST<![CDATA[CCP Games outlines GM hierarchy in EVE Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/20/ccp-games-outlines-gm-hierarchy-in-eve-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/20/ccp-games-outlines-gm-hierarchy-in-eve-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/20/ccp-games-outlines-gm-hierarchy-in-eve-online/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


The latest EVE Online dev blog comes from GM Zhainius, who writes about customer support at CCP Games. Over the 5 years EVE Online has been running, the GM staff has answered millions of petitions in addition to writing articles and guides. But their work is typically in the background; it's the devs that really get the attention. GM Zhainius felt like writing to clarify the inner workings of CCP Games in terms of customer support, and to give players a clearer picture of what happens when they file a petition.

GM Zhainius dispels rumors that Game Masters at CCP are volunteers. They're all paid employees, some of whom have been doing their job for years. He also cites a low turnover among CCP's GM staff; in fact, a number of them have been with EVE before the game even launched. The GMs work from four locations worldwide: Reykjavik, Atlanta, Düsseldorf, and Shanghai. He lays out the company's entire customer support structure and the groups or 'cells' the support team is divided into. The EVE dev blog is an interesting look behind-the-scenes into how CCP customer support is handled, and whether or not you're a satisfied customer, it's always good to know that at least someone is reading those ship reimbursement petitions.

MassivelyCCP Games outlines GM hierarchy in EVE Online originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 20 Jun 2008 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atlantaccpccp-gamescustomer-supportdevdev-blogdusseldorfeveeve-onlinegmgm-zhainiuspetitionreykjaviksci-fishanghaisupportvolunteersFri, 20 Jun 2008 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Age of Conan's Jorgen Tharaldsen addresses game issues]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/04/age-of-conans-jorgen-tharaldsen-addresses-game-issues/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/04/age-of-conans-jorgen-tharaldsen-addresses-game-issues/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/04/age-of-conans-jorgen-tharaldsen-addresses-game-issues/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Jon Wood from MMORPG.com recently interviewed Funcom's Product Director Jorgen Tharaldsen about some of the issues affecting gameplay in Age of Conan. The interview was primarily focused on customer service issues, and hopefully provides a good indicator as to how things are improving in AoC. Some of the key issues that Tharaldsen addressed include:

  • Customer support frustrations expressed by players.
  • Inability to log in to the game's official forums.
  • Funcom's actions taken against exploiters.
  • Poor game performance despite meeting required system specs.
  • Server downtimes during peak hours.
  • Limitations on number of players in certain instances.
  • Increasing the number of GM's to handle the petition backlog.
Check out the interview over at MMORPG.com, where's there's quite a string of comments from the readers. Do you think Funcom is handling customer service issues properly (given that AoC had such a recent launch), or are they dropping the ball?

MassivelyAge of Conan's Jorgen Tharaldsen addresses game issues originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 04 Jun 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanaoccustomer-supportdowntimeexploitexploitsfantasyforumsfuncomgminstanceinstancesinterviewjon-woodjorgen-tharaldsenmmorpgpeakserver-downtimesupportWed, 04 Jun 2008 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Guild Wars support just got a whole lot more comprehensive]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/31/guild-wars-support-just-got-a-whole-lot-more-comprehensive/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/31/guild-wars-support-just-got-a-whole-lot-more-comprehensive/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/31/guild-wars-support-just-got-a-whole-lot-more-comprehensive/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Aside from the normal bug fixes in this most recent game update to Guild Wars, we get introduced to the new "Test My Computer" option. This feature appears on the login screen where you can click the link, launching a diagnostic test that measures a few helpful specifications of your machine including adapter settings, network connections, server connectivity and DirectX diagnostics. Completing this test will open a text file containing the results you'll need to help diagnose connection and playability problems you may be having with the game. This aids the support team in resolving your support problems more quickly.

In addition, a few miscellaneous changes to the game with this update include some minor crafting tweaks. The sale value of the Tempered Glass Vials have now been adjusted to match their crafting cost of 20 gold. Also, the elusive Clay Bricks have been removed from all material crafter inventories. Previously, these items were impossible to craft, because of the fact that one of the crafting components, the Brick of Mud had no known source. Maybe we'll see their return in Guild Wars 2?

MassivelyGuild Wars support just got a whole lot more comprehensive originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 31 May 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arena.netarenanetguild-warssupportupdateSat, 31 May 2008 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Support: the unsung heroes of the MMO industry]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/16/support-the-unsung-heroes-of-your-favorite-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/16/support-the-unsung-heroes-of-your-favorite-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/16/support-the-unsung-heroes-of-your-favorite-mmo/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

At first glance, you'd think that designers, writers, and producers would be the people on any given development team that have the biggest potential effects on the experience of the player. After all, they're the ones who we're always trying to track down for interviews, and they're the faces we see at events and conventions. The truth of the matter, as many have realized over time, is that it's really a good support team that keeps players coming back and paying those subscription fees month after month. After all, MMOs are more services than they are products, so it's the quality of that service that really generates loyalty.

In the latest Dev Corner, John Erskine, NCsoft's Director for Studio Services, gives a rundown of the role support teams have played in the operation of Tabula Rasa. Though Tabula Rasa has taken some knocks for its lack of financial success, players keep coming back. Could it be because of the rave reviews players have given the support team? It's definitely not out of the question.

MassivelySupport: the unsung heroes of the MMO industry originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 16 Apr 2008 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dev-cornerjohn-erskinencsoftstudio-servicessupporttabula-rasatrWed, 16 Apr 2008 10:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Become a professional MetaPlace guru]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/15/become-a-professional-metaplace-guru/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/15/become-a-professional-metaplace-guru/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/15/become-a-professional-metaplace-guru/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Want to work for Raph Koster?

If you have some object-oriented programming experience and a "familiarity with game and user-interface design," you may apply for a job as a Content Designer at Areae. If hired, you'll provide the MetaPlace community with game content as well as support and documentation for the MetaPlace toolset. Plus, you'll get to be one of Master Koster's Padawan learners.

For those who are unfamiliar with Koster or MetaPlace, Koster was the lead designer of Ultima Online and Star Wars Galaxies. He also worked on some other SOE projects, and wrote the book A Theory of Fun for Game Design. Now, he's helming the Areae project MetaPlace, which is a platform on which users can create their own online games and virtual worlds.

[Via Raph Koster]

MassivelyBecome a professional MetaPlace guru originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 15 Jan 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>areaecontent-designerhiringjob-listingsjobsmetaplaceraph-kostersupporttoolsetTue, 15 Jan 2008 15:00:00 EST