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[The Perfect Ten: Pirates ahoy!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/22/the-perfect-ten-pirates-ahoy/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/22/the-perfect-ten-pirates-ahoy/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/22/the-perfect-ten-pirates-ahoy/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Perfect Ten: Pirates
Fantasy pirates: Love 'em or hate 'em, they're deeply ingrained in geek culture to the point that they're almost impossible to dislodge. This past Monday was International Talk Like a Pirate Day, when everyone's inner pirate was encouraged to "Arr!" heartily, look for treasure in long-forgotten places, and embrace the fashion style of bandanas and eyepatches.

It seemed like a perfect week, therefore, to look at piratey life in MMOs. From entire games to mere outfits and from the token pirate union that has a chapter in each game to delusional madmen, this list aims to sate the swagger of keyboard swashbucklers. It's a testament to the pirate phenomenon that most developers can't help but include a buccaneer or two, even if the setting isn't always asking for it -- a phenomenon even the U.S. Navy has accepted.

Hit the jump to start, and sail straight on 'til morning!

Continue reading The Perfect Ten: Pirates ahoy!

MassivelyThe Perfect Ten: Pirates ahoy! originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 22 Sep 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ahoyblizzardcity-of-heroescity-of-villainscohcookiecovddodeadminesdisneydungeons-and-dragons-onlineeveeve-onlinefeaturedfree-realmsghost-piratesgooniesinternational-talk-like-a-pirate-dayirestone-inletjohnny-deppjolly-rogerlong-dronglord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromr-smiteperfect-10perfect-tenpiratepiratespirates-in-spacepirates-of-the-burning-seapirates-of-the-caribbean-onlinepirates-plunderplunderravenfellrunes-of-magicscallywagsscooby-dootalk-like-a-pirate-daythe-gooniesthe-perfect-10the-perfect-tenturbineus-navywarwarhammer-onlineWorld-of-WarcraftwowyaaryarThu, 22 Sep 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Road to Mordor: A year in Middle-earth]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/31/the-road-to-mordor-a-year-in-middle-earth/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/31/the-road-to-mordor-a-year-in-middle-earth/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/31/the-road-to-mordor-a-year-in-middle-earth/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

What a difference a year makes, eh? One year ago, and you didn't have to put up with me yammering at you every Friday like a hyperactive badger with a personality disorder. One year ago, and we weren't free-to-play-anything, Turbine was its own company, the festivals were nowhere near as cool as they are today, and shrews freely roamed the land without fear of reprisal.

So in my last Road to Mordor (of the year, stop rejoicing over there!), I thought it'd be great to look back at the wild rollercoaster that was 2010 in Lord of the Rings Online. I also thought I'd get an easy column out of all this, but that was before I had to read through 1,337 posts and my eyeballs began to lose pressure.

January

Stuff happened. Let's move on.

Continue reading The Road to Mordor: A year in Middle-earth

MassivelyThe Road to Mordor: A year in Middle-earth originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 31 Dec 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anniversarybilboclosed-betacodemasterscontestcraftingddodungeons-and-dragons-onlinee3end-of-the-year-2010enedwaithexpansioneyeball-pressuref2pfall-festivalfree-to-playfrostbluff-theatrehaunted-burrowisengardisengard-private-preview-programjeff-jungejeffrey-steefelkate-paizlord-of-the-rings-onlinelore-masterlotrolotterieslotterylua-scriptingmoddingmodsoath-of-the-rangerspaxpax-2010pax-primeqareputation-mountsrise-of-isengardrune-keepersapienceshrew-stompingshrewssiege-of-mirkwoodspring-festivalsteed-of-nightsummer-festivalsyp-is-so-dreamytalk-like-a-pirate-daythe-road-to-mordorthird-anniversaryturbineturbine-entertainmentvaultvolume-iii-book-1wardrobewarner-broswbwinter-homeyule-festivalFri, 31 Dec 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[One Shots: Did you get your piratin' in?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/20/one-shots-did-you-get-your-piratin-in/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/20/one-shots-did-you-get-your-piratin-in/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/20/one-shots-did-you-get-your-piratin-in/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Ye might have been too busy with yer chores to note, but yesterday was Talk Like a Pirate Day, mateys! While many different MMOs had events going on to mark the occasion, Aion decided to take its normally graphically pretty avatars and make them look rather rum-soaked, if not deliciously deranged. This image from yesterday's celebration comes to us from Qaz, who writes in to give us some more background on this piratical image: "This is a screenshot from Aion taken after eating 'Pirate Form Candy,' which all players received free for Talk Like a Pirate Day. This was taken in the Ishaglen zone."

If you've got celebration screenshots from your favorite MMO, we'd love to see them! Just email them in to us here at oneshots@massively.com along with your name, the name of the game, and a description of what we're seeing. Please make sure your image is at least 1024 pixels wide and has as few UI elements as is possible. We'll post it out here and give you the credit for sending it in!

Gallery: One Shots: Gallery II

MassivelyOne Shots: Did you get your piratin' in? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 20 Sep 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aionaion-the-tower-of-eternityholidaysncsoftone-shotspirates of the caribbeanPiratesOfTheCaribbeanQazscreenshotscreenshotstalk-like-a-pirate-dayMon, 20 Sep 2010 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Flameseeker Chronicles: Tis the season to party in Guild Wars]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/20/flameseeker-chronicles-tis-the-season-to-party-in-guild-wars/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/20/flameseeker-chronicles-tis-the-season-to-party-in-guild-wars/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/20/flameseeker-chronicles-tis-the-season-to-party-in-guild-wars/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Yarrr! Yesterday was Talk-Like-a-Pirate Day, and as always ArenaNet stepped up to the plate with a fun event. The Talk Like a Pirate event arrived last Friday, along with a mysterious poem that may or may not mean anything. At any rate, it's keeping a lot of fans busy trying to figure it out.

This event heralds the start of what I call the Guild Wars party season. The pirate event is followed shortly thereafter by the Halloween event, then the Thanksgiving event, then Wintersday. In between are various community events as players and guilds throw parties to celebrate various holidays and milestones, and it's generally a few straight months of reveling.

Each type of event -- both community-created and developer-created -- has its own ups, downs, and quirks. Follow along as I take a look at what they are.

Continue reading Flameseeker Chronicles: Tis the season to party in Guild Wars

MassivelyFlameseeker Chronicles: Tis the season to party in Guild Wars originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 20 Sep 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetcommunity-eventseventsfeaturedflameseeker-chroniclesguild-warsgwhalloweenholidayholidaysmassively-overpoweredmvopncsoftspecial-treats-weekendtalk-like-a-pirate-daywintersdayMon, 20 Sep 2010 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Turbine celebrates Talk Like a Pirate Day in DDO and LotRO]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/16/turbine-celebrates-talk-like-a-pirate-day-in-ddo-and-lotro/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/16/turbine-celebrates-talk-like-a-pirate-day-in-ddo-and-lotro/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/16/turbine-celebrates-talk-like-a-pirate-day-in-ddo-and-lotro/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Talk Like a Pirate Day is coming on the 19th, and Turbine is getting into the spirit of things with pirate-themed sales in both Dungeons and Dragons Online and Lord of the Rings Online.

LotRO fans can stock up on pirate eyepatches, hats, and outfits, all brand-new items in the store.

DDO players might find themselves on an unexpected shopping spree. Anything that could possibly be considered a pirate-themed item is 30% off beginning tomorrow. Two adventure packs, pirate grog, headgear, pirate weapons, and much more are all marked down, so you'll certainly want to browse through and see what you want to stock up on.

LotRO players can find the item list in the forum, while DDO players can find their list on the DDO Store page.

MassivelyTurbine celebrates Talk Like a Pirate Day in DDO and LotRO originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 16 Sep 2010 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ddoddo-storeDungeons-and-Dragonsdungeons-and-dragons-onlinef2pfree-to-playftplord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotrolotro-storesaletalk-like-a-pirate-dayturbineYARRRThu, 16 Sep 2010 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Grog and drunken sailors arrive in Guild Wars for Talk Like a Pirate event]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/15/grog-and-drunken-sailors-arrive-in-guild-wars-for-talk-like-a-pi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/15/grog-and-drunken-sailors-arrive-in-guild-wars-for-talk-like-a-pi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/15/grog-and-drunken-sailors-arrive-in-guild-wars-for-talk-like-a-pi/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Ahoy there, Cap'n Tightpants!

No, you haven't wandered into a Firefly revival, that's just one of the nonsensical phrases your Guild Wars character will spout while under the influence of pirate grog. If you're (un)lucky enough to have post-processing effects turned on, you'll get an eye-spraining visual effect too, as seen above.

So where do you find this wonderful stuff? Luckily for you, ArenaNet is about to kick off its annual Talk Like a Pirate event and acquiring grog is as easy as killing a level two grawl. PvE enemies throughout the world will be dropping grog beginning at noon PDT Friday, and you'll find that the NPCs in Lion's Arch and Kamadan are joining the festivities as well. They've got a swashbuckling new look, and if you take a moment to chat with them, you'll find some interesting dialogue as well.

If you need a place to store all the extra grog, ArenaNet's got you covered. A surprise update today introduced a sale in the NCsoft store, and extra Xunlai storage tabs are now half-price. The tabs are marked at $4.99 rather than their usual $9.99, and it's listed as a limited-time offer, so hurry and get your grog storage tab!

The Talk Like a Pirate event lasts through Tuesday the 21st, and the storage pane sale ends the 19th.

MassivelyGrog and drunken sailors arrive in Guild Wars for Talk Like a Pirate event originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 15 Sep 2010 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetarrrrdrunkguild-warsgwin-game-eventncsoftpiratesTalk-Like-A-Piratetalk-like-a-pirate-dayWed, 15 Sep 2010 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[One Shots: Sounds fishy to us]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/12/one-shots-sounds-fishy-to-us/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/12/one-shots-sounds-fishy-to-us/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/12/one-shots-sounds-fishy-to-us/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


While the time has come and gone for "Talk Like a Pirate Day" we figure just about any day is a good one for pirates and silly fish tales about the big ones you've caught. Today we have a piratey shot from Liam B. who sent this in after being turned into a pirate in World of Warcraft on September 19th. He writes: Hey, I captured this after finding out that you could become a pirate for the day in World of Warcraft. This is at Stormwind Harbor and the one thing that keeps on running through my head is - "Yarrgh, caught her I did. Had t' use a deckhand as bait, and she was this big!"

Calling all MMO players! We need your screenshots for One Shots. If you've seen anything fun (holiday events are awesome) imposing, interesting, or silly, we want to hear from you. If you haven't, gather up your group of friends and go have some fun, then send some screens of that in. All MMOs from large-budget to tiny indie games; from East to West are welcome. Send them to us here at oneshots AT massively DOT com along with your name/server/game and a quick description of what we're seeing. Reader submissions keep One Shots running, so send some in today!

MassivelyOne Shots: Sounds fishy to us originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 12 Oct 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blizzardfish-taleliam-bone-shotspiratescreenshotscreenshotstalk-like-a-pirate-dayworld-of-warcraftwowMon, 12 Oct 2009 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WRUP: Game like a pirate edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/19/wrup-game-like-a-pirate-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/19/wrup-game-like-a-pirate-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/19/wrup-game-like-a-pirate-edition/#commentsFiled under:


Happy Talk Like a Pirate Day ye scalawags! We couldn't resist marking the date for all the landlubbers out there, as any day involving booty and rum is right up there in our books. We'd also note that if you hurry up, you can pick up a copy of LucasArts & Telltale Games' Tales of Monkey Island today for free until midnight Pacific tonight. Sure, it's not an MMO, but it's good, free pirate fun that we thought you might enjoy. If you'd prefer to stick with MMOs, though, there are lots of pirate options from Pirates of the Burning Sea and Pirates of the Caribbean Online, to one of our personal favorites for casual fun - Puzzle Pirates!

As far as the motley crew here aboard the SS Massively, it looks like we've got a hearty mix of gaming going on this week. From old-school gaming to new titles like Champions Online, Aion, and Fallen Earth, we're all over the place. For all the rum-soaked details - and to join in the fun - join us behind the break for this week's edition of What aRe yoU Playing!

Continue reading WRUP: Game like a pirate edition

MassivelyWRUP: Game like a pirate edition originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 19 Sep 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>talk-like-a-pirate-daywhat-are-you-playingwrupyarrSat, 19 Sep 2009 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Free Realms hosts Pirate Party and doubles the dubloons, mateys]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/18/free-realms-hosts-pirate-party-and-doubles-the-dubloons-mateys/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/18/free-realms-hosts-pirate-party-and-doubles-the-dubloons-mateys/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/18/free-realms-hosts-pirate-party-and-doubles-the-dubloons-mateys/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Yarr, mateys! If ye be not knowin' what tomorrow is, then ye obviously must be a bunch o' scalawags. Fer, ye see, tomorrow is Talk Like a Pirate Day, don'chaknow? In order to celebrate th' day o' piracy properly in Free Realms, ye need to be haulin' yer keel to the Pirate Invasion Party this evenin' in the cove just south of th' Seaside warpstone. Th' pirate booty-shakin' fun will begin today (Friday, Sept. 18) at 4PM Pacific, with th' timber-shiverin' goin' on until 6pm Pacific. There be dancin', trivia, an' other merriment planned at th' party, too, for those brave souls willing to wander near Davey Jones' locker!

As if that weren`t enough for ye, this weekend be also th' time when Sony Online Entertainment be offerin' double th' value fer any Station Cash cards ye redeem. So that means if ye pop by an' pick up one o' th' 1000 Station Cash cards fer $10 (which will also net ye a pretty nifty red buccanneer dog hat in th' mix) ye`ll land $20 worth o' Station Cash fer use in Free Realms, EverQuest, or EverQuest II. Pirate fun and double yer dubloons in the Station store? Now that's enough to make any freebootin' privateer dance a jig - without a noose 'round their necks, even.

MassivelyFree Realms hosts Pirate Party and doubles the dubloons, mateys originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 18 Sep 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eqeq2eqiieverquesteverquest-2everquest-iifrfree-realmsin-game-eventpartypiratesoesony-online-entertainmentstation-cashtalk-like-a-pirate-dayyarrFri, 18 Sep 2009 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Pirates of the Burning Sea's Kevin Maginn answers questions at GameSpot]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/11/pirates-of-the-burning-seas-kevin-maginn-answers-questions-at-g/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/11/pirates-of-the-burning-seas-kevin-maginn-answers-questions-at-g/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/11/pirates-of-the-burning-seas-kevin-maginn-answers-questions-at-g/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

GameSpot UK recently had an interview with Pirates of the Burning Sea lead designer Kevin Maginn, in which they fired off a series of questions that looked to flesh out the game's concept for anyone not yet familiar with it. As well as name-dropping the guys from Talk Like a Pirate Day, some of Maginn's answers reveal a lot of the reasoning behind some of the important design choices that make the game what it is today.

One of these is the mainly solo-oriented mission structure in PotBS. In this case, it comes down to what Maginn himself preferred to have in an MMO -- he said that he enjoys group content, but wanted to have the ability to log on and achieve things on his own without needing to sink time into group setup. This brought about the system we see in PotBS now, with most missions aimed at a single player, but there are a few group missions that are much more elaborate than a regular quest and are repeatable, to satiate group cravings on a permanent basis.

Maginn also says that, apart from updates on a roughly monthly basis, a major content update should hit every few months. One aspect of the game not mentioned in the interview is the interesting economy and crafting system, surely one of the game's big selling points. Check out the rest of the interview at GameSpot.

MassivelyPirates of the Burning Sea's Kevin Maginn answers questions at GameSpot originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 11 Feb 2008 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>flsflying-labisildurkevin-maginnmajor-content-updatemissionspotbstalk-like-a-pirate-dayupdatesMon, 11 Feb 2008 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Arr! Pirate quests be back in Lord of the Rings Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/06/arr-pirate-quests-be-back-in-lord-of-the-rings-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/06/arr-pirate-quests-be-back-in-lord-of-the-rings-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/06/arr-pirate-quests-be-back-in-lord-of-the-rings-online/#commentsFiled under: , ,

It could be said that a lot of us here at Massively have a certain affinity for talking and dressing like pirates when given the chance. With this knowledge, you probably think the news that Book 12 reintroduces quests from "Talk Like a Pirate Day" is very exciting for some of us -- well, it is!

This news comes at the perfect time, considering the new outfit appearance slots will let you look like a pirate while keeping your equipment stats. So any Lord of the Rings Online players looking to obtain some flashy pirate gear can head on over to the Brandywine Bridge and chat up the stranded mariners. Then, you can look like a pirate whenever you feel like it!

MassivelyArr! Pirate quests be back in Lord of the Rings Online originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 06 Feb 2008 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>book-12lord-of-the-rings-onlinelotropiratestalk-like-a-pirate-dayturbineWed, 06 Feb 2008 19:30:00 EST