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[Star Wars: The Old Republic answers questions on companions and modifications]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/11/star-wars-the-old-republic-answers-questions-on-companions-and/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/11/star-wars-the-old-republic-answers-questions-on-companions-and/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/11/star-wars-the-old-republic-answers-questions-on-companions-and/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Could you guys be droids instead? I'd rather have droids.
Companions are one of the main features of Star Wars: The Old Republic, but they're also sometimes very limiting. Depending on your class and spec, you can find yourself with only one or two companions with useful abilities. But that's partly by design; according to the latest community Q&A, the distinctiveness of companions is both a result of their abilities and their personalities. The team has no plans for making companions more interchangeable, at least for the moment.

If you were hoping for better news, don't fret, as the other answers are a fair bit more positive. The technical hurdles preventing some classes from having a modifiable offhand are being looked into, and the answers also delve into the details of adding a new augment slot to existing modifiable items. There's also a discussion of the different rates of gear acquisition for players on the PvE and PvP progress tracks, along with a variety of other answers for players of several stripes.

MassivelyStar Wars: The Old Republic answers questions on companions and modifications originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 11 May 2012 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarecommunity-q-and-aeaelectronic-artsgame-mechanicslucasartsmodifiable-itemsmodificationsnewspatchesq-and-aquestions-and-answerssci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicsubsubscription-feeswtorsystemsthe-old-republictorupdatesFri, 11 May 2012 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[TERA gives players a guide to guilds]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/03/tera-gives-players-a-guide-to-guilds/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/03/tera-gives-players-a-guide-to-guilds/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/03/tera-gives-players-a-guide-to-guilds/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

If these players were in a guild, they'd be having at least 30% more fun right now.
Maybe TERA is your first MMO, maybe you want to learn about what TERA offers its guilds, or maybe you just want to see guilds defined as something other than small-scale drama generators for once. There are a lot of reasons you might want to look at TERA's new guide to guilds in the game, but whatever your motivation, the guide will provide you with all the answers you need to start guilding away with ease.

The main benefit to being in a guild in TERA are the guild quests; available all across the game, each guild quest provides players with Catharnac Awards that can be used to improve the guild's level and buy special items from vendors. You also need to be part of a level 3 guild to run for public office, which is all the more reason for politically minded players to make friends. But don't take our word for it -- after all, there's a guide to tell you all of this in detail.

MassivelyTERA gives players a guide to guilds originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 03 May 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blueholebluehole-studioscultureen-masseen-masse-entertainmentfantasygame-mechanicsgame-systemsguideguidesguildguild-benefitsguild-questsguildsnewssystemsteraThu, 03 May 2012 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Online streamlines the process of figuring out who's crippling your ship]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/18/eve-online-streamlines-the-process-of-figuring-out-whos-crippli/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/18/eve-online-streamlines-the-process-of-figuring-out-whos-crippli/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/18/eve-online-streamlines-the-process-of-figuring-out-whos-crippli/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Still arguably a bit less than visceral combat.
If you're playing EVE Online, you are going to lose a ship sooner or later. It's as inevitable as the tides. Sometimes you'll be outnumbered and outgunned, and while that can be frustrating, there's no real shame in it. But when you're having your ship locked in place by an attacker you can't see and you don't actually know what's happening, that is a different matter. It's particularly infuriating, and it's something that the game's next update is aiming to fix.

Starting with the next patch, the new Effects Bar will show a quick overview of all the effects currently in place on your ship as well as the source of same. So if there are two people attacking you, an icon will pop up, and you'll be able to target and counterattack appropriately rather than fumble through more clumsy interface methods. If the blog entry explaining the system isn't clear enough for you, check out the short preview video just past the break.

Continue reading EVE Online streamlines the process of figuring out who's crippling your ship

MassivelyEVE Online streamlines the process of figuring out who's crippling your ship originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 18 Apr 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The image is somewhat apt.
Disclaimer: The Soapbox column is entirely the opinion of this week's writer and does not necessarily reflect the views of Massively as a whole. If you're afraid of opinions other than your own, you might want to skip this column.

I was in high school when I discovered a love for simplified tabletop games. I'd long been fond of the absurdly detailed and baroque structure that you could find in Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, going so far as to purchase all of the various little add-ons that allowed you to reinvent the game systems in dizzying density. And I can pinpoint the moment when I decided that all of that was for the birds.

Specifically, it was the moment when I sat there with Skills & Powers open to one page, the Player's Handbook open to another, and the Complete Psionics Handbook open to yet another. It was when I stared at three separate passages and realized that I was on the second hour of making a character that resembled nothing so much as a math project. On that day, I understood intuitively why designers would look at the whole thing and advocate sweeping the mess away altogether -- just like what many, many MMOs do as they grow long in the tooth.

Continue reading The Soapbox: Mechanical buildup

MassivelyThe Soapbox: Mechanical buildup originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 30 Mar 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>designeditorialfeaturedgame-mechanicsgame-systemsmechanical-cruftmechanicsop-edopinionrantrantssoapboxsystemsthe-soapboxFri, 30 Mar 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[A Mild-Mannered Reporter: Digital Enhancements]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/21/a-mild-mannered-reporter-digital-enhancements/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/21/a-mild-mannered-reporter-digital-enhancements/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/21/a-mild-mannered-reporter-digital-enhancements/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Illustration by A. Fienemann
Last week, I covered the raw basics of Enhancements in City of Heroes. This was a good place to start, but it also glossed over everything but the basics. It's telling that glossing over everything but the basics still involves stuff that's as bogglingly complicated as diversification, but then, there's a reason I decided to do these columns in the first place. But with all the basics out of the way, what more could there be to cover?

Lots, as it happens, because last week didn't touch upon dual Enhancements or Inventions, both of which cover the same ground and take into account the specifics of Enhancement Diversification and so forth. So for those of you wondering why I didn't talk about IOs, those still trying to get a handle on the system, or those just morbidly curious about how the game works, it's time to start in with the enhancements that broke the entire system in half more or less the second they were introduced: Inventions.

Continue reading A Mild-Mannered Reporter: Digital Enhancements

MassivelyA Mild-Mannered Reporter: Digital Enhancements originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 21 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a-mild-mannered-reportercity-of-heroescity-of-villainscohcovcoxcraftingenhancementsf2pfeaturedfree-to-playfreedomgame-mechanicsinventionsmechanicsmild-mannered-reporterncsoftopinionparagonparagon-studiossuperherosuperheroessystemsWed, 21 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Online talks about bringing ship trees to ship shape]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/06/eve-online-talks-about-bringing-ship-trees-to-ship-shape/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/06/eve-online-talks-about-bringing-ship-trees-to-ship-shape/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/06/eve-online-talks-about-bringing-ship-trees-to-ship-shape/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Because you can never have enough internet spaceships, right?
Every MMO has to face an issue of complexity creep, and EVE Online is no exception. The current trees for ship progression and skill advancement are the result of numerous patches, additions, and alterations to a core system that's left an enormous mess behind. As a result, the whole system is in need of an overhaul, one that the most recent development blog discusses in detail.

The first changes involve cleaning up and streamlining the progression system so that ships such as Destroyers and Battlecruisers are a part of the standard path rather than unusual deviations. There's also a removal of some of the more labyrinthine requirements for tech 2 ships. The other major focus is a removal of the current system of ship tiers, with the developers trying to specialize ships based on roles and make each hull useful in its own fashion. EVE Online players are going to be seeing a big upheaval in the way that ships work in the future, so it's probably a good idea to get a feel for where the changes are arriving sooner rather than later.

MassivelyEVE Online talks about bringing ship trees to ship shape originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 06 Mar 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>balanceccpccp-gameseveeve-onlineeve-shipsgame-mechanicsgame-systemsinternet-spaceshipsmechanical-balancemechanicssandboxsci-fiship-tiersshipsspreadsheets-onlinesystemsTue, 06 Mar 2012 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Choose My Adventure: Ballad of a teenage Zorai]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/29/choose-my-adventure-ballad-of-a-teenage-zorai/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/29/choose-my-adventure-ballad-of-a-teenage-zorai/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/29/choose-my-adventure-ballad-of-a-teenage-zorai/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

I did get some great screenshots out of Ryzom, I have to say.
Last week, the unthinkable happened. Or at least the unprecedented. Yes, after a dozen or so columns under my belt for Choose My Adventure, one of the "joke" choices finally won a poll. Either everyone thought that the paradise city was actually a thing in Ryzom or the impassioned pleas in the comments the week before had done the trick.

For those of you under the misapprehension that this was, in fact, an actual thing, I apologize for the not particularly elaborate act of deception.

My question to myself, at this point, was what I actually had to do at this point. Did this mean that I had to search through every city in the game to find a paradise, only to discover at the end that paradise had metaphorically been at home the whole time? Was I already in the paradise city, judging by the fact that some people would call the jungle a virtual paradise? The girls were pretty, the grass was green, and by almost any metric you cared to use, Corlede was as close to home as she was getting.

But no, I knew what I had to do. Something I had known since I started playing. I went home.

Continue reading Choose My Adventure: Ballad of a teenage Zorai

MassivelyChoose My Adventure: Ballad of a teenage Zorai originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 29 Feb 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>choose-my-adventurecmacolumncolumnscriticismculturedesigndesign-decisionsf2pfeaturedfree-to-playgame-mechanicsgame-systemsmechanicsopinionparallelspollpollsryzomsystemsthe-saga-of-ryzomwinch-gatewinch-gate-property-limitedWed, 29 Feb 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Champions Online rolling out Role and Stat changes]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/24/champions-online-rolling-out-role-and-stat-changes-stat/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/24/champions-online-rolling-out-role-and-stat-changes-stat/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/24/champions-online-rolling-out-role-and-stat-changes-stat/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Balance isn't a stat. It's just a good idea.
Like many MMOs, Champions Online is at its heart a game of numbers. Your character type focuses on certain stats, and you want to make those stats go higher. But sometimes the way those stats work together is a bit less than intuitive in the live game, hence some recent changes to Super Stats and regular stats on the test servers. The biggest change assigns one primary and two secondary, rather than two Super Stats, to players, which alleviates the current problems with Super Stats (certain pairs of Super Stats work poorly together and are poorly represented in itemization).

Individual stats have also seen some tweaks: Strength is no longer hard-capped for melee damage, Presence has had its threat component removed and a soft-cap introduced, Ego is now solely a ranged stat, and Dexterity has seen improvements to its critical benefits. Roles are also being balanced differently, giving more consistent stat benefits that are more in line with what players in a given role will actually need to do. It's a pretty sweeping set of changes, but the end goal is to give Champions Online players a more straightforward numbers game to play.

MassivelyChampions Online rolling out Role and Stat changes originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 24 Feb 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abilitiesbalancebalance-changeschampions-onlinecharacter-buildscocrypticcryptic-studiosf2pfree-to-playgame-mechanicsgame-systemsmechanicsnewsperfect-world-entertainmentpwestatisticsstatssystemstestFri, 24 Feb 2012 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Pathfinder Online promises to let players stumble into adventure]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/01/pathfinder-online-promises-to-let-players-stumble-into-adventure/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/01/pathfinder-online-promises-to-let-players-stumble-into-adventure/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/01/pathfinder-online-promises-to-let-players-stumble-into-adventure/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

I'm not sure where the judicial branch comes in, but I'm thinking it should be on here.
Pathfinder Online is still too early in the development process to do much more than talk about principles, but said principles are certainly of interest to fans. The most recent development blog about the project discusses that game's PvE arm, which is meant to be an important part of the game without being the sole driving force. Instead of the game being driven by players going, gathering quests, and then going out to kill monsters, the development team hopes to create an environment where players go out to do something and then find themselves in the midst of a quest.

Four basic types of interconnection are outlined, ranging from wandering monsters to potential beasts attracted by overharvesting an area. (Cut down too much wood in an area and wood-dwelling creatures my start attacking lumberjacks... or some nasty flying monsters might decide the cleared area would make for an excellent nest.) It's certainly an interesting set of principles going into design, making the entry well worth a read for sandbox enthusiasts.

MassivelyPathfinder Online promises to let players stumble into adventure originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 01 Feb 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>designdevelopmentdevelopment-bloggoblinworksmonster-encounterspaizopaizo-publishingpathfinderpathfinder-onlinepreviewpvepve-encountersquestssandboxsystemsWed, 01 Feb 2012 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[A WoW player's guide to The Old Republic]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/20/a-wow-players-guide-to-the-old-republic/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/20/a-wow-players-guide-to-the-old-republic/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/20/a-wow-players-guide-to-the-old-republic/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Not pictured: looking up from this point on the map to see several docked battlecruisers. It's unexpectedly impressive.
Whether you're a longtime World of Warcraft player or someone who's just recently tried the game and fallen in love with it, you're probably aware that there are other MMORPGs out there. Recently, the game that's been getting the most press is Star Wars: The Old Republic. And if you've sat down and tried it out as a veteran on World of Warcraft, you probably had some idea of what was going on when you started playing, with the only initial speedbump being the lack of an auto-attack feature.

But there's more to the game than combat and more things that might trip you up in the long run. So Eliot Lefebvre and Matt Daniel are here to help you out with a massive guide to coming into TOR when you're accustomed to the environment of WoW. Take a skip past the break to find out almost everything you'll need to know when converting from the world of Azeroth to the galaxy of Star Wars: The Old Republic.

Continue reading A WoW player's guide to The Old Republic

MassivelyA WoW player's guide to The Old Republic originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 20 Jan 2012 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alignmentbattlegroundsbiowarebioware-eabioware-mythicclassescraftcraftingcrew-skillsea-biowarefeaturedgame-mechanicsguideinstanced-pvpmechanical-guidesopinionpvppvp-rewardspvp-systemssocialsocial-pointsspacespace-combatstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorsystemsthe-old-republictorwarzonesworld-of-warcraftwowwow-player-guideFri, 20 Jan 2012 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Blizzard continuing to make big mechanical changes to Diablo III]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/19/blizzard-continuing-to-make-big-mechanical-changes-to-diablo-iii/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/19/blizzard-continuing-to-make-big-mechanical-changes-to-diablo-iii/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/19/blizzard-continuing-to-make-big-mechanical-changes-to-diablo-iii/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

In the next patch, perhaps these will all be bunnies.
While there's still no release date set for Diablo III, it seems the release may be further off than some players were guessing, judging by the latest round of sweeping system overhauls. A new post by game director Jay Wilson goes over several major changes being made to the game, starting with the fact that Scrolls of Identify are gone. You have a short casting time to identify and item and that's it, with no need to carry around a separate item.

The latest changes also remove the Mystic artisan, the Cauldron of Jordan, and the Nephalem Cube. The latter two were removed due to the inclusion of a Town Portal button, making trips back and forth far easier, while the Mystic artisan lacked a sufficiently defined role amidst other item modifications. There's also a major stat overhaul, which reduces the core attributes to Strength, Dexterity, Intellect, and Vitality. They're far-reaching changes, and only time will tell how much their impact might slow the game's release as the team tests the altered systems.

MassivelyBlizzard continuing to make big mechanical changes to Diablo III originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 19 Jan 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activision-blizzardblizzardblizzard-entertainmentdiablodiablo-3diablo-iiigame-testinggame-updatesjay-wilsonnewssystem-changessystem-overhaulssystemstestingThu, 19 Jan 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Mog Log: Forward impressions of patch 1.20]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/17/the-mog-log-forward-impressions-of-patch-1-20/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/17/the-mog-log-forward-impressions-of-patch-1-20/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/17/the-mog-log-forward-impressions-of-patch-1-20/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

The Mog Log header by A. Fienemann
As I write this, patch 1.20 is not actually live just yet. All I have to go on is a monster list of patch notes and the various previews we've been given thus far. Of course, by the time you're reading this, the patch will have released, and I have no doubt that some people will have played through everything it has to offer a couple of times over. So I'm working at a bit of a disadvantage.

In some ways I'm actually not in that terrible a spot. The last two patches have done great things for Final Fantasy XIV, and the patch notes are long enough that I can at least make some reasonable guesses about how things will play out. So I'm going to do precisely that, with the obvious caveat that I might be punching at the wind. Long story short: I'm confident about this patch; only a few bits irritate me.

Continue reading The Mog Log: Forward impressions of patch 1.20

MassivelyThe Mog Log: Forward impressions of patch 1.20 originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 17 Dec 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abilitiesachievementsarmoury-systemclass-abilitiesclassescolumnfeaturedffff14ffxivffxiv-patch-1.20final-fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivgame-mechanicsgrand-companiesopinionopinionspatchpatchessquare-enixsystemsthe-mog-logSat, 17 Dec 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Lord of the Rings Online overhauling currencies into a single standard]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/09/lord-of-the-rings-online-overhauling-currencies-into-a-single-st/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/09/lord-of-the-rings-online-overhauling-currencies-into-a-single-st/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/09/lord-of-the-rings-online-overhauling-currencies-into-a-single-st/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Goats never worry about currencies. Goats have it figured out, man.
The great thing about token-based currencies, such as those found in Lord of the Rings Online, is that they allow players to acquire rewards based on steady progress rather than on the whims of a random drop. The awful thing is that you can wind up with huge vaults covered in several dozen different currency types, which is also found in Lord of the Rings Online. Fortunately, as the newest developer diary outlines, the currency is being consolidated down and shifted to a very straightforward system with just three reward types: Marks, Medallions, and Seals.

Marks are being used in a manner functionally similar to Skirmish Marks at the moment, while Medallions take the place of higher-end dungeon content and Seals are the best of the best. Players will have most of their currencies automatically converted based on the currency type, although Superior Fourth Marks will need to be manually exchanged for Medallions or Seals at the player's discretion. Players will ultimately have an easier time getting the rewards they need in a straightforward fashion with this update, and that's to the benefit of everyone.

MassivelyLord of the Rings Online overhauling currencies into a single standard originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 09 Dec 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The guy looking through the binoculars is my self-insertion character.
The problem with providing systems for roleplayers is that pretty much every system developers try hits snags. Case in point: Star Wars: The Old Republic's Legacy system.

For those of you who haven't yet heard about the system, please let us know how you're getting the site in 1980s Siberia. But I'll gloss over anyway: The core element of the system is that when you hit a certain point with a character, you pick a surname to unlock as your "Legacy" for all characters on that server. As you advance with more characters, you gain more benefits from the Legacy and so on and so forth. What we're really concerned with is the surname part because that's the part that matters to roleplayers.

Being able to make a character's overall tree a tangible thing is a powerful element. It allows you to actually play a family, or at the very least, a linked coalition of characters. Unfortunately, while the idea works well, the problem is that surnames are so important that I almost wish that the system had a different way of tying the elements together.

Continue reading Storyboard: Family legacy

MassivelyStoryboard: Family legacy originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 02 Dec 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>columnfeaturedgame-mechanicslegacylegacy-systemopinionroleplayingrpstar-wars-the-old-republicstoryboardswtorsystemsthe-old-republictorFri, 02 Dec 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Dragon Nest launches Theater of War update for PvP]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/15/dragon-nest-launches-theater-of-war-update-for-pvp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/15/dragon-nest-launches-theater-of-war-update-for-pvp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/15/dragon-nest-launches-theater-of-war-update-for-pvp/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Not included is the Benny Hill PvP model. Not intentionally, anyway.
At a glance, it might seem like PvP doesn't require as many updates as PvE -- after all, player conflict is providing most of the actual challenge, so updates are mostly just providing players new ways to take part in combat with one another. The newest Dragon Nest update, Theater of War, is all about precisely that, giving players new combat modes and match sizes to ensure that player combat stays lively.

The new updates adds a 3v3 option to ladder matches, allowing smaller and more close-knit groups the option to take part in serious competition. There's also the addition of a free-for-all match type, with players able to take on everyone for supremacy. And then there's the new Protect Mode, challenging both sides to keep one player designated as the Captain alive while slaughtering the other side's similarly important Captain. Take a look at the trailer for the update just past the cut to give you an idea of what the modes will look like in play -- it's not new dungeons, but if you're fond of facing off against other players, it's even better.

Continue reading Dragon Nest launches Theater of War update for PvP

MassivelyDragon Nest launches Theater of War update for PvP originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 15 Nov 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>action-mmodragon-nestf2pfree-to-playgame-mechanicsladder-systemmatch-sizesnexonnexon-usapvppvp-modespvp-updatesranked-matchessystemstrailertrailersvideovideosTue, 15 Nov 2011 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[A Mild-Mannered Reporter: Choose your side or don't]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/26/a-mild-mannered-reporter-choose-your-side-or-dont/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/26/a-mild-mannered-reporter-choose-your-side-or-dont/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/26/a-mild-mannered-reporter-choose-your-side-or-dont/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

A Mild-Mannered Reporter header image by A. Fienemann
Do you remember Going Rogue? Of course you do, even if it's had some of its thunder retroactively stolen by City of Heroes Freedom. And of course you remember that one of its big selling points -- its only selling point at launch for existing characters, arguably -- was that you could swap between the alignments of the game. Villains could become Heroes, go back to being Villains, hang out as a Rogue for a while, and so on. It seemed like the sort of thing that would be a real game changer.

Well, it's been more than a year since we first started seeing the groups swap sides, and surprisingly enough -- or not -- the much bigger change was in the business model alteration and the ensuing changes to the game environment. Not that I'm complaining, mind you, but it brings to mind a question: Has there really been any long-term effect of the alignment system? If you aren't roleplaying the swap, does being one faction or the other even matter in the long run?

Continue reading A Mild-Mannered Reporter: Choose your side or don't

MassivelyA Mild-Mannered Reporter: Choose your side or don't originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 26 Oct 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alingmentcity-of-heroescity-of-heroes-freedomcity-of-heroes-going-roguecity-of-villainscohcoh-going-roguecovcoxfeaturedgame-mechanicsgoing-roguencsoftopinionparagonparagon-studiossystemsWed, 26 Oct 2011 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Some Assembly Required: How to screw up your sandbox]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/30/some-assembly-required-how-to-screw-up-your-sandbox/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/30/some-assembly-required-how-to-screw-up-your-sandbox/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/30/some-assembly-required-how-to-screw-up-your-sandbox/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Some Assembly Required - architectural blueprints
Between bouts of Global Agenda, Age of Conan, and a stack of single-player games, I've been taking my own advice lately and looking for a new sandbox. The end of Star Wars Galaxies is forcing my hand, and I figured I'd better start now if I don't want to be stuck with nothing to play on December 16th.

While there is a veritable ton of different sandboxes to choose from, I must admit to being a bit frustrated with nearly all of them. If it's not one thing, it's another, and most are such glaring deficiencies that I can't help but wonder what was going through the minds of the development teams during the construction process. Join me after the cut for a few things you should consider if you're making an MMORPG sandbox.

Continue reading Some Assembly Required: How to screw up your sandbox

MassivelySome Assembly Required: How to screw up your sandbox originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 30 Sep 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bind-on-equipbind-on-pickupboebopcraftingcross-faction-chatcross-faction-communicationdesignfacepalmfeaturedffa-pvpgame-designgame-mechanicsgame-systemshow-to-screw-up-your-sandboxitem-decaylocal-bankinglocal-banksmmo-industrymmo-item-decaynanny-stateopinionpvpsandboxsandbox-designsandbox-mechanicssandbox-pvpsandparkschadenfreudescrewed-up-sandboxessome-assembly-requiredsystemstradeskillingtradeskillsFri, 30 Sep 2011 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Materia system detailed for Final Fantasy XIV]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/26/materia-system-detailed-for-final-fantasy-xiv/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/26/materia-system-detailed-for-final-fantasy-xiv/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/26/materia-system-detailed-for-final-fantasy-xiv/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

The preview does not specify if smallclothes can be turned into materia. I find the concept horrifying.
Characters always wind up acquiring old and beloved pieces of equipment, ranging from a valuable dropped weapon to just a particularly nicely itemized ring. But with time, equipment grows obsolete or just no longer serves your needs. Normally, that means a trip to the nearest vendor, but Final Fantasy XIV is introducing a new system that turns your old gear into boosts for your new gear. The Materia system is coming with patch 1.19, and a detailed preview has been added to the official site.

When the patch goes live, all equipment will have a "Spiritbond" value that rises from zero to 100% as you make use of the item. Once the value is at 100%, the item can be converted to materia that is subsequently attached to a new item, giving enhanced values to the new item. The system makes full use of combat, gathering, and crafting professions, and from the looks of the overview it will enable all three to make some significant gains in power.

MassivelyMateria system detailed for Final Fantasy XIV originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 26 Aug 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>enchantmentsequipmentequipment-improvementffff14ffxivffxiv-patch-1.19final-fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivgame-mechanicsitem-enchantmentsitem-enhancementsmaterianew-systemsnewspreviewssquaresquare-enixsystemsFri, 26 Aug 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Final Fantasy XIV opening up the Grand Companies]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/15/final-fantasy-xiv-opening-up-the-grand-companies/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/15/final-fantasy-xiv-opening-up-the-grand-companies/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/15/final-fantasy-xiv-opening-up-the-grand-companies/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

They've been previewed on the main page, they've been hinted at in quest texts, but the Grand Companies of Final Fantasy XIV haven't been seen in the game -- at least, not until now. Along with all of the mechanical shifts, patch 1.18 is also bringing the long-awaited organizations into play, offering players new opportunities for adventure and advancement. A new official preview has placed the process for joining the Companies and adventuring with them in the spotlight, giving a clearer picture of what can be expected from the upcoming patch.

As previously noted, there will be a company in each of the three city-states, but players are not required to join the company corresponding to their home state. Rather, characters past rank 22 will be presented with a mission, and success will give the opportunity to join the company. There will also be a new part of the UI added to track a character's standing with the Company of choice. The full preview should help get Final Fantasy XIV players excited for the patch, due to release late next week.

MassivelyFinal Fantasy XIV opening up the Grand Companies originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 15 Jul 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ffff14ffxivffxiv-patch-1.18final-fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivgame-mechanicsgame-previewsgrand-companiesnewspatch-previewspatchespreviewssquaresquare-enixsystemsupdatesFri, 15 Jul 2011 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Anvil of Crom: Can AoC Unrated keep up with the Joneses?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/26/the-anvil-of-crom-can-aoc-unrated-keep-up-with-the-joneses/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/26/the-anvil-of-crom-can-aoc-unrated-keep-up-with-the-joneses/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/26/the-anvil-of-crom-can-aoc-unrated-keep-up-with-the-joneses/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Sooooo, City of Heroes and LEGO Universe caught the free-to-play bug this week. Fallen Earth did so the week before. What does this have to do with Age of Conan? Quite a lot, if you think about it, and that's what I'm given to doing every week around this time as I sit down to hum a few bars relating to Funcom's Hyboria.

In case you've forgotten (and it's easy to do thanks to the rash of announcements lately), Age of Conan is gearing up for its own version of freemium MMORPG madness. At this point it's anyone's guess as to when the big day will actually roll around, though, and the longer Funcom waits, the more it concerns me.

Continue reading The Anvil of Crom: Can AoC Unrated keep up with the Joneses?

MassivelyThe Anvil of Crom: Can AoC Unrated keep up with the Joneses? originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 26 Jun 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanage-of-conan-unratedanvil-of-cromaocaoc-unratedf2pf2p-conversionsfantasyfeature-listfeaturedfeaturesfree-to-playgame-mechanicsgame-systemsgameplayhurry-up-alreadyhyborianon-combatnon-combat-gameplayopinionsystemsthe-anvil-of-cromtimelinessSun, 26 Jun 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Lost Pages of Taborea: Comparing RIFT's looting and multi-class systems to Runes of Magic's]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/20/lost-pages-of-taborea-comparing-rifts-looting-and-multi-class/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/20/lost-pages-of-taborea-comparing-rifts-looting-and-multi-class/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/20/lost-pages-of-taborea-comparing-rifts-looting-and-multi-class/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Sometimes I feel like I'm playing the best MMO that no one's ever heard of. Lately, all I see are new games on the horizon that promise new flexible class systems, better functionality in old standard mechanics, improved pet systems, and so on. Every time I read these press releases, announcements, or blogs, I lean back, tilt my head a bit and say, "Interesting. But Runes of Magic already does that." It's why I have a lot of faith -- even if I disagree from time to time -- in Runewaker. The company has made all these great systems that are exactly what newer games are promising, and players are stoked about it. It really has me wanting to embark on a series comparing systems between RoM and other MMOs.

RIFT has bulk-looting and class combining that I want to compare with similar features in RoM for this week's Lost Pages of Taborea. I'm tired of feeling like I'm playing an MMO no one's heard of, even if it isn't true -- RoM is very popular and it keeps growing at a fast pace. But dagnabbit, sometimes I want to tell everyone RoM did it before the other guy gets all the credit. Let's look at RoM's dual-class and pet systems to compare looting and multi-classes between these two games.

Continue reading Lost Pages of Taborea: Comparing RIFT's looting and multi-class systems to Runes of Magic's

MassivelyLost Pages of Taborea: Comparing RIFT's looting and multi-class systems to Runes of Magic's originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 20 Jun 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auto-lootbulk-lootingclassclass-combinationsclassescombining-classesduel-classfeaturedfrogsterfrogster-americafrogster-interactivejeremy-strattonlost-pages-of-taboreammo-featuresmulti-classmulti-lootmulti-lootingpet-lootingriftrolesromrunes-of-magicrunewakerrunewaker-entertainmentsoulsoul-treestatisticsstatssystemsMon, 20 Jun 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Dawn a bit further off for Mortal Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/19/the-dawn-a-bit-further-off-for-mortal-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/19/the-dawn-a-bit-further-off-for-mortal-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/19/the-dawn-a-bit-further-off-for-mortal-online/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

When Mortal Online first announced its far-reaching expansion, Dawn, it was a little hard to believe. (The day the news first came out didn't help matters, certainly, as it was announced on April 1st.) But it's a very real thing, and players of the game have no doubt been hotly anticipating its release. Unfortunately, as it turns out, the release date of Dawn has now been pushed back to the end of the month at the earliest and the beginning of June at the latest.

So what's behind the delay? The newsletter explains that there was a server issue which required some reworking, with the caveat that the required updates have ensured Dawn will be even better. Mortal Online players can assuage the wait at least a bit by reading the extensive article by Black Opal detailing several of the expansion's features, including explanations of the new gathering system, Task system, and new styles for housing and buildings.

MassivelyThe Dawn a bit further off for Mortal Online originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 19 May 2011 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>black-opaldawndelayexpansiongame-mechanicsgame-systemsmomortal-onlinemortal-online-dawnnewsrelease-delaystar-vaultsystem-updatessystemsThu, 19 May 2011 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Mog Log: Starting fresh in Final Fantasy XIV]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/30/the-mog-log-starting-fresh-in-final-fantasy-xiv/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/30/the-mog-log-starting-fresh-in-final-fantasy-xiv/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/30/the-mog-log-starting-fresh-in-final-fantasy-xiv/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

You've just started Final Fantasy XIV. You have your introductory storyline quests designed to give you an idea of where the various guilds are and what's going on within the city, and then you're essentially left to twist in the wind. And now you've happened upon the immortal and entirely reasonable question -- what in the world am I supposed to do now?

In a way, Final Fantasy XI had an easier time here. It barely pretended it was going to give you a structure, instead opting for "here, go give this coupon to that guy and get out of my sight." You were better prepared to start making up what you would do as you went along. Plus, no matter what, you could step out the front door of the city and start killing bees, or rabbits, or whatever the heck you're supposed to do in Windurst.

Still, the games share elements of the same structure (or non-structure, to be more accurate), and so there are some lessons to be taken from starting up in Final Fantasy XI, as I've learned from helping to coach someone just getting started in Final Fantasy XIV of late. Whether you're new to the game or starting fresh on your return, let's look at where you go after the initial quests have worn off.

Continue reading The Mog Log: Starting fresh in Final Fantasy XIV

MassivelyThe Mog Log: Starting fresh in Final Fantasy XIV originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 30 Apr 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>columncontentfeaturedffff14ffxivffxiv-patch-1.17afinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivguildleveslevequestsmechanicsopinionsandboxsquaresquare-enixstartingsystemsthe-mog-logSat, 30 Apr 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[A new kingdom awaits in Vindictus patch 1.23]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/24/a-new-kingdom-awaits-in-vindictus-patch-1-23/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/24/a-new-kingdom-awaits-in-vindictus-patch-1-23/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/24/a-new-kingdom-awaits-in-vindictus-patch-1-23/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

There's more to Vindictus than just hacking and slashing everything into a bloody red mist, and with the game's latest update, that statement is more true than ever. Patch 1.23 has just arrived, bringing with it a variety of new content for the free-to-play action title, starting with the brand-new kingdom of Rocheste. Players at level 22 or higher will be able to travel to the new area filled with new vendors and quest NPCs as well as enjoy the start of the brand-new Expertise system for crafting items.

But maybe you're not too concerned about all of that fluff and want to cut things to ribbons. The update is catering to you as well with the level cap bump to 70 and the addition of two new transformations for your character. Along with an increased AP cap, new armors, and a new dueling system, there's plenty of opportunity for Vindictus veterans to enjoy the game's signature gameplay. Take a look at the full patch notes and get ready to enjoy all of the new additions, along with several upcoming events for the game.

MassivelyA new kingdom awaits in Vindictus patch 1.23 originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 24 Mar 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f2pfree-to-playlevel-caplevel-increasemajor-updatesmechanicsnew-mechanicsnew-systemsnewsnexonnexon-usapatchpatchessystemsupdatesvindictusvindictus-patch-1.23Thu, 24 Mar 2011 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Soapbox: You don't know what you're hungry for]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/21/the-soapbox-you-dont-know-what-youre-hungry-for/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/21/the-soapbox-you-dont-know-what-youre-hungry-for/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/21/the-soapbox-you-dont-know-what-youre-hungry-for/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Disclaimer: The Soapbox column is entirely the opinion of this week's writer and does not necessarily reflect the views of Massively as a whole. If you're afraid of opinions other than your own, you might want to skip this column.

If there's one thing that binds almost every player together, regardless of game or anything else, it's the fact that we're a bunch of demanding little snots. Seriously, we want pretty much everything in place at the moment a game launches, to the point that we begin hollering bloody murder if even a scrap of a game is considered missing. And it doesn't matter what sort of player we are, either. Whether you're a hardcore endgame enthusiast or an altoholic in love with low-level PvP, you want the game tuned, and you want everything in its right place.

The funny thing is that in our demands for what we want, sometimes we never stop to ask why we want something in the first place. And it cuts both ways. Sometimes we think that something is an absolute necessity when it isn't really needed... and sometimes something that never even pops into our heads is an important element to what makes a game fun.

Continue reading The Soapbox: You don't know what you're hungry for

MassivelyThe Soapbox: You don't know what you're hungry for originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 21 Dec 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adding-featuresadding-systemscity-of-heroescity-of-villainscohcovcoxdevelopmentneeded-featuresneeded-systemsopinionremoving-featuressystemsthe-soapboxultima-onlineuouseful-featureswarwarhammer-onlineworld-of-warcraftwowTue, 21 Dec 2010 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[A Mild-Mannered Reporter: All the news that's fit from PAX]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/08/a-mild-mannered-reporter-all-the-news-thats-fit-from-pax/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/08/a-mild-mannered-reporter-all-the-news-thats-fit-from-pax/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/08/a-mild-mannered-reporter-all-the-news-thats-fit-from-pax/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

The revelations at PAX East were pretty darn big for City of Heroes, but they had a big advantage over PAX Prime. At the time we sat down in Boston, Going Rogue was months away, and we knew almost nothing about what it would bring us. This time around, it's been out for a couple of weeks, and most of the fancy pieces of knowledge are pretty well established. It would be hard, if not impossible, for the development team to hit us with the same one-two punch.

I wouldn't argue that the team quite managed that -- there's no comparison to revealing two new power sets, the endgame system, and video demonstrations of much-awaited sets -- but Paragon Studios sure did manage to drop quite a bomb on us. As I've done frequently in the past, we're going to take this point by point, with a full collection of neat pieces of news that leave me wondering just how much interesting stuff is yet to come from the development team.

Continue reading A Mild-Mannered Reporter: All the news that's fit from PAX

MassivelyA Mild-Mannered Reporter: All the news that's fit from PAX originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 08 Sep 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>city-of-heroescity-of-heroes-going-roguecity-of-villainscohcontentcovcoxdevelopmentdevelopment-teamendgameendgame-mechanicsfeaturedgame-mechanicsgoing-roguegrincarnateincarnate-systemissue-19issue-20matt-millermelissa-bianconcsoftnews-analysisopinionparagonparagon-studiospax-2010positronsystemsupcoming-patcheswar-witchWed, 08 Sep 2010 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[First Impressions: City of Heroes Going Rogue]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/17/first-impressions-city-of-heroes-going-rogue/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/17/first-impressions-city-of-heroes-going-rogue/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/17/first-impressions-city-of-heroes-going-rogue/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

To hear the team talk about it, Going Rogue isn't simply an expansion for City of Heroes but a full-on reboot of the game in general. It's hard to see how, on some level; outside of the new powersets and a new starting area, not much is visibly being added with the expansion. But sitting down and playing through the starting area and the game's opening suddenly feels like an entirely different experience. It's not a new game -- but it feels like a leap forward from where the game had been just a few days before.

I didn't get nearly as much time with the Going Rogue beta as I would have liked, and I'll be the first to admit that I'm biased when it comes to City of Heroes. But even with those standards set, I was impressed right away with how the game has been revamped from the start -- and what these revamps mean for the game as a whole and moving forward. Click on past the cut for the first impressions of the latest expansion, which launches today. (Coincidental, yes?)

Gallery: First Impressions: City of Heroes Going Rogue gallery

Continue reading First Impressions: City of Heroes Going Rogue

MassivelyFirst Impressions: City of Heroes Going Rogue originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 17 Aug 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>character-creationcinematicscity-of-heroescity-of-heroes-going-roguecity-of-villainscohcovcoxexpansionfeaturedfirst-impressionsgame-mechanicsgoing-roguegrhands-onncsoftnew-charactersnew-expansionnew-playersopinionparagonparagon-studiospraetoriastarting-outsystemsTue, 17 Aug 2010 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Mog Log: Layers upon layers of questions]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/31/the-mog-log-layers-upon-layers-of-questions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/31/the-mog-log-layers-upon-layers-of-questions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/31/the-mog-log-layers-upon-layers-of-questions/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

There's a lot coming down the pipeline for fans of both Final Fantasy XIV and Final Fantasy XI. And there are a lot of questions to be asked, even though not all of them quite mirror those of your beloved author. (Those questions are generally shouted at the sky, insinuating it can hear me and that it needs to give me a beta key.) But while I'm not busy staring at a harsh, uncaring sky, I can certainly offer you a fair number of answers.

hatri1181 asks:
"I scored really low on the benchmark, but my system beats the living hell out of the min specs. Does that make any sense to anyone else?"

Yes. The benchmark isn't totally accurate, as many people were screaming as soon as it was released, and it features several odd points. Points such as being sponsored by one of two major GPU manufacturers, and highlighting the most congested areas of gameplay with no options to turn settings down, only up -- the sort of things that have resulted in people being fully capable of running the benchmark and having scores telling them they could not.

Continue reading The Mog Log: Layers upon layers of questions

MassivelyThe Mog Log: Layers upon layers of questions originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 31 Jul 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>benchmarkbenchmark-applicationconsolesfeaturedffff11ff14ffxiffxivfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xifinal-fantasy-xivfree-trialfree-trialsopinionpartyparty-formingparty-mechanicspcquest-auto-complete-9000squaresquare-enixsystem-requirementssystemstrialsverisimilitudeSat, 31 Jul 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Monato Esprit switches to a traditional free-to-play model]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/06/monato-esprit-switches-to-a-traditional-free-to-play-model/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/06/monato-esprit-switches-to-a-traditional-free-to-play-model/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/06/monato-esprit-switches-to-a-traditional-free-to-play-model/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Although we're not yet finished with 2010, it seems to have developed a pattern of games going free-to-play. Add Monato Espirit to that list, as the game has recently moved from its own rather unique model for payments to a more traditional setup. Conversions of the sort usually come with mixed excitement and trepidation from the community, but it looks as if the response has been fairly uniform in its positivity, as the game's prior model was at once more open and more restrictive.

Under the old model, the game used purchasable MetaTix as its main currency -- it eschewed NPC vendors and gold drops in favor of tradable MetaTix to fuel the economy. The changed experience offers a far more traditional setup with in-game money and an in-game cash shop to facilitate microtransactions. While new business models are always interesting, it would appear this one wasn't tremendously beloved by Monato Espirit's players, meaning that the game's shift has been welcomed with open arms.

[Thanks to Alex for the tip! ]

MassivelyMonato Esprit switches to a traditional free-to-play model originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 06 Jul 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businessbusiness-modelschangeseconomyf2pfree-to-playin-game-economymicrotransactionsmonato-espiritmonoto-espiritnpc-vendorsreality-gapsystemsupdatesTue, 06 Jul 2010 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[A translated look at Final Fantasy XIV's Guildleve system]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/14/a-translated-look-at-final-fantasy-xivs-guildleve-system/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/14/a-translated-look-at-final-fantasy-xivs-guildleve-system/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/14/a-translated-look-at-final-fantasy-xivs-guildleve-system/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

With the coming of a little show known as E3 -- you may have heard of it -- fans of several upcoming titles are hoping for new information. Final Fantasy XIV players are no exception, but as has slowly been the case ever since the testing began, little bits of information are becoming more readily available to players. FFXIVCore has recently translated a piece from 4Gamer, taking an in-depth look at one of the central features of the game, the Guildleve. The main source of quests in the game, the system promises to be somewhere between Final Fantasy XI's Fields of Valor and the timed battlefields.

Once a Guildleve is accepted by a character, they're directed to an Aetheryte crystal to begin the quest. Touching the crystal fully restores HP and MP, as well as starting a time limit and making the targets of your quest visible. A given battle can be tuned based on party size, desired difficulty, and party level, giving players a variety of options for playstyle. The full translation has more screenshots and specifics on the core of Final Fantasy XIV's questing system, and fans are encouraged to take a look in anticipation of this week's news from E3.

MassivelyA translated look at Final Fantasy XIV's Guildleve system originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 14 Jun 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>difficulty-scaleffff11ff14ffxiffxivfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xifinal-fantasy-xivgame-mechanicsgame-systemsguildleveguildleveslevelingquestingquestsscalingsquaresquare-enixsystemstranslationsMon, 14 Jun 2010 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Translated interviews offer more insight into Final Fantasy XIV's world and playstyle]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/01/translated-interviews-offer-more-insight-into-final-fantasy-xiv/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/01/translated-interviews-offer-more-insight-into-final-fantasy-xiv/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/01/translated-interviews-offer-more-insight-into-final-fantasy-xiv/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

We're just coming off of a holiday weekend here in the US, and Japan had their own recent stretch of holidays, so news on Final Fantasy XIV has been a little bit slower of late. But a recent group of interviews in the June 11th issue of Dengeki have been translated thanks to the team over at FFXIVCore, and they cover topics from materials of armor to the game's not-always-praised battle system. The first part of the interview talks testing and systems with Hiromichi Tanaka and Nobuai Komoto, while the second part discusses visuals and worldbuilding with planner Kenichi Iwao.

Tanaka and Komoto confirm that the next phase of testing is set to begin soon, as well as dropping the news that the next test will likely feature an almost totally redesigned battle system. It's even hinted that players were never meant to experience the current system, that it was there almost as a placeholder. By contrast, Iwao discusses the lore and visual aspects of the game, talking about how items will be made from different materials, and how players who want to play a male Mito'qe shouldn't give up hope just yet. All Final Fantasy XIV fans are encouraged to read both interviews, since there's a lot of information available in both -- just the thing for the post-holiday doldrums.

MassivelyTranslated interviews offer more insight into Final Fantasy XIV's world and playstyle originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 01 Jun 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alpha-testbattlebattle-systembetabeta-testingcombat-systemcraftingffff14ffxivfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivgameplayhiromichi-tanakakenichi-iwaomaterialsnobuai-komotosquaresquare-enixsystemstestingworldworldbuildingTue, 01 Jun 2010 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Mog Log: A million little topics]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/15/the-mog-log-a-million-little-topics/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/15/the-mog-log-a-million-little-topics/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/15/the-mog-log-a-million-little-topics/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

I promise you, this column is not an almost wholly fictional account of events that happened while my character was addicted to mithkabobs. (I just like working references in, if you haven't noticed.) No, this week is something a bit different for the column, since we're going to eschew our usual rambling manifesto style about Final Fantasy XI and Final Fantasy XIV. Instead, we're going to be taking it piece by piece in the smaller scope.

See, there are topics that are worth talking about here that fit into an entire column (usually between 1000-1500 words). Then there are topics that aren't worth talking about in quite that much depth, but still worth bringing up in brief. And not all of them fall under the aegis of forum talks or question-and-answer sessions, either. So today, we're going to be hitting a few smaller points in rapid succession. You don't have to read it, but then you'll miss the fascinating deconstruction of nihilism in the middle. Also there's a button you can click on for free money. Your call.

Continue reading The Mog Log: A million little topics

MassivelyThe Mog Log: A million little topics originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 15 May 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abilitiesassortedbetafeaturedffff11ff14ffxiffxivfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xifinal-fantasy-xivgroup-playguildsideasmerit-pointsnumberspvpskillsstatssystemstestingSat, 15 May 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[A Mild-Mannered Reporter: Six (years) in the city]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/28/a-mild-mannered-reporter-six-years-in-the-city/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/28/a-mild-mannered-reporter-six-years-in-the-city/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/28/a-mild-mannered-reporter-six-years-in-the-city/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

It's strange to think that City of Heroes is older than my car. But that's only the tip of the iceberg, as the game is six years old as of today and still running strong. Oh, sure, there are some signs of aging here and there, some parts that don't fit quite as well as they did back when it launched... but the game holds up pretty darn well. And that's astonishing, considering that it launched a full year before the game that generally gets the credit for starting new paradigms of MMO design.

Of course, you can go further back and point out that a lot of the "innovations" that The Game Which Shall Not Be Named included were present beforehand, and you'd be correct. But after the EverQuest era of game design, City of Heroes stood as a vanguard of a new design philosophy. It was a game with unparalleled customization at the time, a game that put forth the idea that you could be just as cool at Level 1 as you could at max level. So how have things changed? How far have we come in the years? There's almost too much to cover to go over everything... but we can hit the big points.

Continue reading A Mild-Mannered Reporter: Six (years) in the city

MassivelyA Mild-Mannered Reporter: Six (years) in the city originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 28 Apr 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anniversarycity-of-heroescity-of-villainscohcovcoxdinosaursexpansionsfeaturedgame-changesgoing-roguemission-architectparagonparagon-cohparagon-studioespatchesretrospectivesystemsupdatesWed, 28 Apr 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Camon Hero reveals card production and dismantling with new action shots]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/14/camon-hero-reveals-card-production-and-dismantling-with-new-acti/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/14/camon-hero-reveals-card-production-and-dismantling-with-new-acti/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/14/camon-hero-reveals-card-production-and-dismantling-with-new-acti/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

It's almost cliche to say that a game has a unique art style these days, but Camon Hero is something of a special case. A card-based game with a setting and art style inspired by that odd pedigree, it may be the only place you can see things like a knight in armor fighting musketeers, angels, and flying gingerbread men. But there's more to the game than just the breadth of setting -- the game has just disclosed some details of the system whereby a character can break down unwanted cards or create new ones, thereby expanding their capabilities.

Almost everything can be dismantled, from equipment to random items to cards. Dismantling produces both Arc Stones, used for summoning monsters and upgrading equipment, and possible bonus items. In addition, players can find recipes for new cards on the field, which can be assembled in town from various items. Since cards define a character's capabilities, dismantling and re-assembling are likely to be integral elements to gameplay. Check out the gallery below for several new shots of Camon Hero in action, and keep your eyes open for more news as the game moves through closed beta.

Gallery: Camon Hero April Preview shots

MassivelyCamon Hero reveals card production and dismantling with new action shots originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 14 Apr 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abilitiescamon-herocardscraftingcreatingdismantlingf2pfree-to-playgalleriesgame-mechanicsgame-systemsorkasystemsuforiaWed, 14 Apr 2010 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What features would you like to see combined?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/22/the-daily-grind-what-features-would-you-like-to-see-combined/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/22/the-daily-grind-what-features-would-you-like-to-see-combined/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/22/the-daily-grind-what-features-would-you-like-to-see-combined/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Some things don't go well together. Like peanut butter and soap, or open PvP in a neutral quest hub, or melee attacks for a spellcaster. On the other hand, there are some things that seem as if they'd go together so perfectly that it's a wonder it hasn't already been put into place. Final Fantasy XI's multiple jobs paired with the unique nature of Warhammer Online's classes, for instance. Or the skill-based approach of Guild Wars in a classless game such as Fallen Earth. Or Sword of the New World's multi-character system combined with, well, more or less anything.

When you've played enough games, you start seeing how systems could be stapled together to produce something very different in the end, and possibly even something better than either system individually. What systems would you like to see combined? Would you want them to be in a current game, a new game, or in a sadly-deceased game that would have been uncommonly excellent with the two things put together? Or would you not even look at systems, and just like to port the engine of one game (such as the gameplay of City of Heroes) into a totally different setting?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: What features would you like to see combined? originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 22 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>city-of-heroescohcombinefallen-earthffxifinal-fantasy-xigame-mechanicsguild-warsgwsword-of-the-new-worldsystemsystemstdgthe-daily-grindwarwarhammer-onlineSun, 22 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[A look behind the systems of Champions Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/05/a-look-behind-the-systems-of-champions-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/05/a-look-behind-the-systems-of-champions-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/05/a-look-behind-the-systems-of-champions-online/#commentsFiled under: , ,

If you're good with numbers or would like to obtain some understanding of Champions Online's various systems, then this new systems dev blog is right up your alley. There's plenty of math happening here, so when you start to feel confused don't worry so much -- you're not alone.

Actually, the basics of what systems designer Brian Urbanek discusses aren't too convoluted. At least, the part where he explains the percentages of what influences a character's power isn't too bad. As it turns out, equipment makes up for 42.5% of your overall power, while talents take up 15%, "base" is 2.5% and super stats fill the rest at 40%. What that essentially means, is that your leveling choices in super stats and talents (which effect stats as well) make up a large part of where your character excels. This is all shortly followed by equipment, but creates a slightly bigger focus on how you design your superhero.

Soon Brian will be discussing combat, which is sure to be a hot topic within the Champions Online community. Until then, we're going to re-read this first entry in the hope that someday we can grok it.

MassivelyA look behind the systems of Champions Online originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ataribrian-urbanekchampionschampions-onlinecombatcrypticcryptic-studiosdev-bloglevelsmathsuper-statsuper-statssystemstalentsThu, 05 Nov 2009 09:00:00 EST