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[MMO Family: The state of the game (at school)]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/mmo-family-the-state-of-the-game-at-school/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/mmo-family-the-state-of-the-game-at-school/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/mmo-family-the-state-of-the-game-at-school/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

laptop learning
When you think of kids and video games, the question that always comes up is this: What are they getting out of playing them? Usually, MMOs, even MMOs aimed at kids, are big on fun but light on learning. So it was refreshing to see teacher Ben Bertoli launch a Kickstarter project to promote development of his personal project ClassRealm into what could be a potentially valuable tool in the classroom.

So why haven't we seen more educational MMOs, and why has there been a gap when it comes to technology at home vs. at school? In this week's MMO Family, we'll look a few issues with gaming and learning.

Continue reading MMO Family: The state of the game (at school)

MassivelyMMO Family: The state of the game (at school) originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 16 May 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ben-bertolicasualchildrenchildrens-mmosclassrealmfamilyfamily-friendlyfeaturedibookskaren-bryankid-friendlykidskids-gamesmmo-familyopinionschools-and-gamingschools-and-technologyteachingwhere-in-the-world-is-carmen-sandiegoWed, 16 May 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Guild Counsel: Teacher by day, guild leader by night]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/06/the-guild-counsel-teacher-by-day-guild-leader-by-night/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/06/the-guild-counsel-teacher-by-day-guild-leader-by-night/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/06/the-guild-counsel-teacher-by-day-guild-leader-by-night/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Last week, as I listed my guild leader New Year's resolutions, I made a passing reference to my background as a former teacher. This led to a great question by Massively reader Mike Azariah, who wrote: "I still do teach. Do you find that helping others (especially new players) starts to fall into a lesson?"

I've had discussions with other guild leaders in the past, and it always strikes me how often they talk about how the job of guild leader parallels, and often enhances, real-life occupations that involve leadership skills. This week's Guild Counsel will take a closer look at Mike's question of how much the job of teacher relates to guild leadership.

Continue reading The Guild Counsel: Teacher by day, guild leader by night

MassivelyThe Guild Counsel: Teacher by day, guild leader by night originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 06 Jan 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>EQ2EQIIeverquestEverQuest-2everquest-iifeaturedguild-counselguild-dramaguild-leadershipguild-managementguildsRaph-KosterteachingvanguardVanguard-Saga-of-HeroesThu, 06 Jan 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE University founder steps down]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/17/eve-university-founder-steps-down/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/17/eve-university-founder-steps-down/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/17/eve-university-founder-steps-down/#commentsFiled under: , ,


For every story of deception and betrayal in EVE Online that grabs the headlines, there are far more acts of altruism in the game's setting of New Eden. A fair amount of that goodwill is connected with EVE University [E-UNI], a corporation in the game that exists to help new players and has been doing so for nearly six years. When veteran player Morning Maniac established EVE University, he pioneered the concept of a corporation that teaches new players and exposes them to aspects of the game they would likely not experience on their own. Since its inception, EVE University has brought thousands of new players into the fold and shown them what's possible in the sandbox of New Eden. After a long tenure, however, Morning Maniac announced that he will step down as CEO of EVE University on February 1st.

He wrote: "Five years and 11 months ago I founded Eve University to create a place where new players could get together and be appreciated for who they were. Classes and doing things together were important but nothing was, and is, more important than the positive attitude towards new players."

Continue reading EVE University founder steps down

MassivelyEVE University founder steps down originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 17 Jan 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccp-gamese-unieveeve-onlineeve-universitykelduum-revaanmorning-maniacnew-edensci-fiteachingtraining-corpSun, 17 Jan 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Black Rabbits Academy teaches piracy in EVE Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/16/the-black-rabbits-academy-teaches-piracy-in-eve-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/16/the-black-rabbits-academy-teaches-piracy-in-eve-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/16/the-black-rabbits-academy-teaches-piracy-in-eve-online/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Among all the massively multiplayer online games on the market, EVE Online is perhaps the most complex game running, which is part of the title's appeal. The learning curve has, in the past, dissuaded some MMO gamers from really digging in to EVE, but that curve has been getting a bit less steep as the tutorial improves. The Apocrypha expansion's New Player Experience also aims to make those first weeks in New Eden easier. That said, the best resource available to new EVE players is the game's playerbase itself. It's always best to learn from others and when possible, with others. That's one of the unique things about EVE -- players form corporations for various purposes, one of which is to provide schools or academies where various facets of the game are taught by experienced players. Players can learn alongside others who share similar interests.

You want to learn the ropes of the game? You can join EVE University and take part in their organized classes or listen to speakers on various topics in New Eden. Want to learn how to kick ass in PvP? Take a class at Agony Unleashed and they'll turn you into a killer in no time. But EVE University and the other training-focused corps tend to focus on the more 'legitimate' aspects of the game. But what if you want a training course that lets you learn about and become part of New Eden's criminal society? There are options.

Continue reading The Black Rabbits Academy teaches piracy in EVE Online

MassivelyThe Black Rabbits Academy teaches piracy in EVE Online originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 16 Apr 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>academiesacademyagony-unleashedapocryphaeve-onlineeve-universityh-lecterinterstellar-correspondentsisdisd-deacon-yorknew-edennew-player-experiencenpeoutlawspiracypiratespvp-schoolteachingthe-black-rabbits-academythe-guristas-associatesveto-corpThu, 16 Apr 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE University celebrates fifth anniversary]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/23/eve-university-celebrates-fifth-anniversary/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/23/eve-university-celebrates-fifth-anniversary/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/23/eve-university-celebrates-fifth-anniversary/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Anyone who's played EVE Online for any length of time is likely to concede that it can be a complex game. While the developers have taken steps to better guide new players into EVE's setting of New Eden through the New Player Experience and the EVE Careers Guide, it's really the playerbase itself that can be the greatest asset to a new pilot. There are several player corporations (guilds) in EVE Online that can help show new players the ropes. Perhaps the real pioneer in training corps in the game is EVE University who have celebrated their fifth anniversary this month.

Darian Reymont from EVE Uni writes an excellent description of what the institution is and what it offers to the playerbase, found at the EVE University homepage: "A unique concept in the universe of EVE, the University was - and remains to this day - one of the few truly altruistic organisations in New Eden, supplying free education in all facets of EVE life to any and all who seek it. From humble beginnings as a place where experienced capsuleers could share their wisdom and experience with a handful of new pilots, the University has grown into a mammoth undertaking. Regularly scheduled lessons, supported by weeks of recorded lesson content and thousands of instructive forum posts alongside hundreds of millions of ISK spent every week provide students with the most comprehensive education that can be found anywhere in New Eden."

Continue reading EVE University celebrates fifth anniversary

MassivelyEVE University celebrates fifth anniversary originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 23 Mar 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anniversarycalden-sorccp-gamesdarian-reymonteveeve-careers-guideeve-onlineeve-unieve-universityhelpinstructionnew-edennew-player-experienceprofessionssci-fiteachingtraining-corpMon, 23 Mar 2009 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Skirmish warfare coming to Pirates of the Burning Sea]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/20/skirmish-warfare-coming-to-pirates-of-the-burning-sea/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/20/skirmish-warfare-coming-to-pirates-of-the-burning-sea/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/20/skirmish-warfare-coming-to-pirates-of-the-burning-sea/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


The Flying Lab Software developers working on Pirates of the Burning Sea have done a lot of writing about the avatar combat changes of late, but it's clear that they're still aiming to improve ship-based PvP on the high seas. Pirates of the Burning Sea is going to get a major new feature as of patch 1.4: skirmish warfare, which is essentially a PvP environment where players can experiment risk free with various setups and tactics.

The latest developer log on PotBS is "Enter the Skirmish", which breaks down what this new feature is and what it will offer players: "PvP action is the hottest part of our game, but the difficulty of 'swimming with the sharks' in the open sea has made for a significant barrier to entry. Skirmish gives players the change to learn how to PvP without facing all the dangers involved with conquest. Societies and veterans can use the skirmish system to teach newer players the ropes in a risk-free environment, which means more people who'll be prepared for port conquest and open sea PvP."

For more on this upcoming feature, you'll want to read the "Enter the Skirmish" developer log on the Pirates of the Burning Sea website.

MassivelySkirmish warfare coming to Pirates of the Burning Sea originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 20 Feb 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>combatfantasyflying-lab-softwaregame-mechanicslearningpatchespiratespirates-of-the-burning-seapotbspvpriskskirmish-warfareteachingFri, 20 Feb 2009 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Raiding: Learning by fear and humiliation]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/26/raiding-learning-by-fear-and-humiliation/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/26/raiding-learning-by-fear-and-humiliation/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/26/raiding-learning-by-fear-and-humiliation/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

You may have never thought of it, but each and every day of the week, America's teachers walk into a 25 man raid and attempt to take them to new heights. Raids and learning actually do have more in common than one would initially believe.

Alex Golub, an assistant professor of anthropology at the University of Hawaii, recently wrote about his guild's experiences with the Prince of the Blood Elves of World of Warcraft, Kael'thas Sunstrider, and their battles in Tempest Keep. After inviting a new raid leader from another guild that did take down Kael'thas, Mr. Golub found out that his guild wasn't too happy with a new person pointing out their mistakes during the battle.

Through this experience, Mr. Golub found many connections between both raiding antd teaching, such as the necessary perseverance of the students to get to the goal and the necessary link between both the teacher and the students.

Our sister site, WoW Insider, covered the piece as well and gave us their own thoughts. Also, if you're interested, you can read all of Mr. Golub's thoughts over at Inside Higher Ed.

MassivelyRaiding: Learning by fear and humiliation originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 26 Nov 2008 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blizzardgolubkaelthaskaelthas-sunstriderraidingteachingworld-of-warcraftwowWed, 26 Nov 2008 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE University explains benefits of cooperative mining]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/24/eve-university-explains-benefits-of-cooperative-mining/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/24/eve-university-explains-benefits-of-cooperative-mining/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/24/eve-university-explains-benefits-of-cooperative-mining/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Dee Carson is a Director at EVE University, a corporation in EVE Online devoted to showing newer players the ropes of the game. Budding industry-types in EVE (as well as players interested in other professions) will want to refer to Carson's recent post at the Miner with Fangs blog -- he's made his 'EVE University Co-Operative Mining Guide' available as a pdf, and is definitely worth a read.

The guide walks a newer player through all aspects of mining in groups, from the skills required to the different ship choices and their relative merits. Most importantly, he lays out why players should mine cooperatively rather than it simply being a solo pursuit, namely that it's more profitable and adds a social dynamic to the activity. Of course there's safety in numbers, particularly when you've got a good mix of the different professions in EVE represented in the operation -- an ideal operation being comprised of miners, haulers, salvagers and 'top cover' damage dealers. Given that the guide was originally intended for EVE University students, the terminology and information imparted in the guide are accessible to most any pilot in the game, regardless of their familiarity with the industry side of EVE Online. It serves as an excellent introduction to the mining profession, and a stepping stone to more advanced guides like Halada's 'The Complete Mining Guide'. You can find the link to EVE University's guide in Carson's post over at Miner with Fangs.

MassivelyEVE University explains benefits of cooperative mining originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 24 Oct 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>0.0ccpccp-gamesdamage-dealerdee-carsoneveeve-onlineeve-universitygame-mechanicsguidesguildshaladahaulerhighseclowsecminerminer-with-fangsminingmining-guidenullsecprofessionspvesalvagersci-fiteachingtips-and-tricksFri, 24 Oct 2008 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Richard Bartle laments poor state of game education in the UK]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/16/richard-bartle-laments-poor-state-of-game-education-in-the-uk/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/16/richard-bartle-laments-poor-state-of-game-education-in-the-uk/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/16/richard-bartle-laments-poor-state-of-game-education-in-the-uk/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Richard Bartle -- the man who co-invented MUDs at the University of Essex in 1978 -- described the poor state of game-related academic study and education when speaking at the Edinburgh Interactive Festival a few days ago.

Bartle made a distinction between games-focused training (the acquisition of skills by instruction) and games-focused education (the development of understanding through learning). He said that the United Kingdom's colleges are short on education, even though training is available at some universities.

He noted that symptoms of this problem are already apparent: the academic community, such as it is, has been unable to agree (or even engage in cohesive discourse) about the reasons men and women often play as characters of a different sex than their own in MMOs.

MassivelyRichard Bartle laments poor state of game education in the UK originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 16 Aug 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>academiaacademicsclassescollegecollegesedinburgh-interactive-festivaleducationinstructionlearningmudrichard-bartlestudyteachingtrainingukunited-kingdomuniversitiesuniversitySat, 16 Aug 2008 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Behind the Curtain: Taught to Play?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/24/behind-the-curtain-taught-to-play/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/24/behind-the-curtain-taught-to-play/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/24/behind-the-curtain-taught-to-play/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

On the first episode of Massively Speaking, Krystalle mentioned that she joined the EVE University in EVE Online. For those of you not in 'the know', EVE University is a neutral training guild - or corporation - which takes new players, trains them in how the game works, then sends them on their way. It's a laudable endeavour, and one which I have, sadly, yet to see in World of Warcraft.

In the past couple of weeks, I've had a fantastic group with a Priest whose idea of efficient Healing was to stand right next me (the Tank) on the front line and spam Prayer of Healing over and over, then screaming at me for not Taunting mobs off him, and another with a Rogue who (I presume) had a broken space bar which made him jump constantly, ignored the marks I set over mobs and thought it was a bright idea to chain-pull mobs regardless of the group's health and mana status.

Now, I'm a nice enough guy, so I tried to explain to these players what they were doing wrong, and asked them politely to change their ways for the good of the group. The Priest simply called me an idiot while the Rogue just ignored me completely.

Still, I started to wonder about how people learn, not just how to play games, but how to behave in games. I know I wrote a while back about various resources of in-game knowledge, but let's face it, simply handing someone a manual - virtual or otherwise - and telling them to start reading isn't normally the right way to go about things.

Continue reading Behind the Curtain: Taught to Play?

MassivelyBehind the Curtain: Taught to Play? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 24 Apr 2008 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>behind-the-curtainblizzardblizzard-entertainmenteveeve-onlineeve-universityfeaturedteachingtrainingThu, 24 Apr 2008 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[NASA to launch MMO?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/17/nasa-to-launch-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/17/nasa-to-launch-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/17/nasa-to-launch-mmo/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

With six (that I can think of off the top of my head) MMOs releasing this year (and probably twice that number in development), why not another? MMORPG.com is reporting on a press release from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration that the space agency is investigating the idea of creating their own heavenly MMO.

The Learning Technologies (LT) arm of NASA was created to support education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (something they call "STEM") through innovative technologies. MMOs definitely fall into that "innovative technologies" category, and NASA know it. Not wanting to get left behind, LT is looking at developing an educational MMO that lets players accurately simulate science experiments, practice repairing high-end NASA equipment, experience microgravity... basically live the life of an astronaut. Most kids list "astronaut" as one of the things they want to be when they grow up, so being able to virtually live out that dream is nothing short of amazing.

While this may not appeal to every gamer, some of the comments made in the press release regarding MMOs might, primarily: "The power of games as educational tools is rapidly gaining recognition." About time someone recognizes that! What's more, they go on to say that MMOs (or "synthetic environments" as NASA calls them) are the perfect "hands-on" tools to teach complex subjects, and help develop strategic thinking, interpretative analysis, problem solving, plan formulation and execution, team-building and cooperation, and adaptation to rapid change. In short, they can edumacate people.

Perhaps the understanding that NASA (a federally funded entity mind you) has about MMOs will help change how the rest of our government views gaming. And maybe the space explorers will finally take us where no gamer has gone before... true legitimacy.

MassivelyNASA to launch MMO? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 17 Jan 2008 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>astronauteducationLearning-TechnologiesMMORPG.comNASANational-Aeronautics-and-Space-Administrationspacespace-travelsynthetic-environmentsteachingThu, 17 Jan 2008 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Griefers can add value to a class]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/03/g/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/03/g/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/03/g/#commentsFiled under: , ,

teaching in SLKoin 6 News is carrying an article by Elizabeth Weiss McGolerick about griefing in educational settings in Second Life. The article may surprise some - it quite carefully points out that you get the equivalent to griefers in real classes, where you exclude them from class and usually you exclude them from your Second Life classes too, or move the class since that is simple where the land owner has neglected to give you rights to exclude others.

The piece discusses turning the situation into something teachable, the fact that no physical harm can be done, and goes on to discuss, accurately, the "Big 6" ways to get banned from Second Life. In the interests of disclosure, I work with 2 of the teachers interviewed through Literature Alive!

(Via SLReports)

MassivelyGriefers can add value to a class originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 03 Nov 2007 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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