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 Guild Counsel: To vent or not to vent]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/31/the-guild-counsel-to-vent-or-not-to-vent/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/31/the-guild-counsel-to-vent-or-not-to-vent/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/31/the-guild-counsel-to-vent-or-not-to-vent/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

As we've looked at the ins and outs of managing a guild, one issue that's often overlooked is whether to vent or not to vent. No, not the Minus 50 DKP type of vent -- I'm talking about Ventrilo and voice chat in general. Ten years ago, guild leaders didn't have to worry about this, because the choice was between typing text or hosting a LAN party. But today, with the rise of voice chat clients like Ventrilo and in-game voice services like Vivox, the culture has changed quite a bit.

In this week's Guild Counsel, we'll take a look at the benefits of type vs. voice chat, and we'll look at what role each plays in guild management. Whether you sleep with your headset on or cling to your keyboard, read on for a look at why both have their merits.

Continue reading The Guild Counsel: To vent or not to vent

MassivelyThe Guild Counsel: To vent or not to vent originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 31 Mar 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredguild-chatguild-counselguild-managementmumblesleeperteamspeaktextventrilovivoxvoicevoice-chatThu, 31 Mar 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Alter-Ego: Working together is hard to do]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/29/alter-ego-working-together-is-hard-to-do/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/29/alter-ego-working-together-is-hard-to-do/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/29/alter-ego-working-together-is-hard-to-do/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Wake me up when chat is working.
The news earlier this week that DC Universe Online is now Sony Online Entertainment's best-selling game probably won't come as much of a surprise to anyone who has actually played it. There's an enormous amount of fun to be had in running through the game, and the storylines are incredibly well thought-out. However, for all that I personally love the game, there is one thing that I and many other people I've talked to find to be incredibly lacking, and in this case, it's something so integral to the MMOG experience as to essentially make or break parts of the game.

Essentially, what point is there to an MMO in which you can't really reliably interact with the other people you're playing with? It's also rather eye-opening just how much your enjoyment of a game like this can be impacted when you can't effectively talk to other people. As such, this week I'll look at several crucial problems with the DC Universe Online chat interface, as well as things that can be done to improve the overall experience.

Continue reading Alter-Ego: Working together is hard to do

MassivelyAlter-Ego: Working together is hard to do originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 29 Jan 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alter-egochatchat-problemscontrollerdc-comicsdc-universedc-universe-onlinedcuoissuesmmogmmorpgmmospgmumbleopinionrantskypesocial-interactionsocial-systemssoeSony-Online-Entertainmentteamspeakventrilovoice-chatvoipwhere-is-my-massively-multiplayerSat, 29 Jan 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WRUP: War is actually good for a remarkable number of things edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/29/wrup-war-is-actually-good-for-a-remarkable-number-of-things-edi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/29/wrup-war-is-actually-good-for-a-remarkable-number-of-things-edi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/29/wrup-war-is-actually-good-for-a-remarkable-number-of-things-edi/#commentsFiled under: ,

War kind of gets a bad rap, what with the whole causing widespread meaningless slaughter. But let's face it, despite what Edwin Starr may have said, war is actually good for a wide variety of things. For example, widespread slaughter? War is totally good at that. And if countless MMOs have proven anything, it's that war is a great way to provide quest objectives, assuming that you get to respawn if you lose. Also, there are snazzy uniforms and big explosions. It's basically good for the same things as Michael Bay's cinematography.

If this has you all excited, I'm sorry to say that this week's WRUP does not feature Massively or any of its staff members going to war, not counting Bree's war on "they" as a gender-neutral singular pronoun. It does, however, feature the staff explaining what we'll be doing over the weekend and what we like in terms of voice chat. So click on past the break to see what we'll be up to, and let us know what you'll be doing in the comments.

Continue reading WRUP: War is actually good for a remarkable number of things edition

MassivelyWRUP: War is actually good for a remarkable number of things edition originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 29 Jan 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chatmassively-metamumbleteamspeakventriloVivoxweekendweekend-gamingwhat-are-you-playingwrupSat, 29 Jan 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Are you a chat Luddite?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/25/the-daily-grind-are-you-a-chat-luddite/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/25/the-daily-grind-are-you-a-chat-luddite/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/25/the-daily-grind-are-you-a-chat-luddite/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

So DC Universe Online's voice chat is broken, according to many of the commenters on this and other MMO-centric websites. Ironically, even if the game had no voice chat at all, it would be less broken than the abject disaster that serves as the superhero title's text chat interface.

While the game is enjoyable enough in most respects, I scratch my head as to how a development firm with SOE's considerable expertise could scrimp on something as vital as in-game text chat. The cynic in me says that it's because the PS3 version takes priority, but whatever the reason, DCUO's social tools (at least on the PC) are in dire need of someone who cares.

That brings up an interesting point regarding voice chat vs. text chat. While third-party programs such as Mumble and Ventrilo have been the norm for "serious" MMO guilds for years now, it's only recently that games have started incorporating voice chat (and players have started expecting it). Sure, voice can be vital for raids, PvP, and challenging endgame content, but is it really necessary (or desirable) for most of the things we do on our way to the level cap? Today's Daily Grind is all about your stance in the voice vs. text chat debate. Are you a chat Luddite? Do you refuse to play a game without voice chat? Inquiring Massively minds want to know.

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Are you a chat Luddite? originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 25 Jan 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brokenchatcommunicationcommunitydcDC Comicsdc-universe-onlineDcComicsdcuogame-discussiongamer-discussiongroupingmmo-discussionmmo-hot-topicsmmo-issuesmmo-topicsmmorpg-discussionmmorpg-hot-topicsmmorpg-topicsmumblesocialsocial-toolssoeSony-Online-Entertainmenttdgteamspeaktext-chatthe-daily-grindventrilovoice-chatTue, 25 Jan 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Push to blurt]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/10/the-daily-grind-push-to-blurt/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/10/the-daily-grind-push-to-blurt/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/10/the-daily-grind-push-to-blurt/#commentsFiled under: ,

Voice chat in games -- XBox Live, Vent, TS or whatever poison you prefer -- is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it offers near-instantaneous communication between players, frees up the need to type out conversations, and adds tone and personality to unseen players. On the other hand, the phrase "speaking without thinking" comes to mind.

In the Massively offices, we were sharing tales of some of the odder Vent outbursts in our history. These included Rubi using her Mom Voice to break up a fight between her kids while not realizing she was accidentally chewing out her entire raid, a guy who was annoyed that his girlfriend went into labor in the middle of a heated play session, and the ever-popular "Holy crap, some idiot just drove their car through the side of my house!"

We've all been there on both sides of disturbing, bizarre, hilarious or just plain weird Vent outbursts -- and we want to hear yours today! When were you the sender or receiver of some crazy Vent outburst that stunned the voice chat room into silence... or sent them to the floor laughing? What string of unfortunate words have you ever heard blurted from a guildie?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Push to blurt originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 10 May 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blurtopinionrubi-super-momtdgteamspeakthe-daily-grindtsventventrilovoice-chatxbox-liveMon, 10 May 2010 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Vivox to offer cross-platform browser plugin for game VOIP]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/20/look-out-vent-and-teamspeak-vivox-to-offer-cross-platform-brows/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/20/look-out-vent-and-teamspeak-vivox-to-offer-cross-platform-brows/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/20/look-out-vent-and-teamspeak-vivox-to-offer-cross-platform-brows/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Vivox, already firmly entrenched as the in-game voice over IP option for EVE Online, several of SOE's games, and Second Life, is now upping the ante by announcing that they intend to take their service cross-platform - and potentially cross-game, if the developers allow it. If they manage to do that, it means you could play EverQuest II and still hang out and talk smack with your friends flying through space in EVE Online, or checking out the latest in Second Life. Not only are those options interesting, but in releasing it as a browser plugin, they open up the option for guilds to potentially use it on their own sites; allowing people not logged in to still talk to those playing. Depending on cost and scalability, this could potentially take a bite out of the market Ventrilo and TeamSpeak are in, as we'd bet 99.9% of gamers already have browsers on their machines, and many run them while gaming anyway.

Add to that Vivox's plan to allow users to eventually call in to the chat from cell phones (late to the raid - call ahead) and you can see where this is definitely an interesting development to those playing MMOs. They'll be discussing the specifics at GDC, so hopefully we'll get more details on just how this will happen, if players will have to (or be able to) host their own servers, and the potential roll-out dates for this new service.

MassivelyVivox to offer cross-platform browser plugin for game VOIP originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 20 Mar 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>browsercross-platformpluginteamspeakventrilovivoxvoice-over-ipvoipFri, 20 Mar 2009 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Issues with DC Universe Online cross-play not entirely technical, also cultural]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/06/issues-with-dc-universe-online-cross-play-not-entirely-technical/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/06/issues-with-dc-universe-online-cross-play-not-entirely-technical/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/06/issues-with-dc-universe-online-cross-play-not-entirely-technical/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Will cross-platform play be a part of DC Universe Online come launch day? In light of a recent interview between Tracey John of MTV Multiplayer and DCUO devs Wes Yanagi and Jens Andersen, it's not looking too good.

While the official answer was more of a "We'll see." the overall direction of the two developers' response to the cross-play question was to punctuate the social discrepancies between PC MMO players and console users. They cited the PC MMO ritual of getting to know someone in text chat before speaking via TeamSpeak or Ventrilo, then followed that with the console experience: Microphones, matchmaking and lots of subsequent smacktalking. A fair point.

Although, on the other hand, Playstation 3's don't come with a standard headset like Xbox 360's. In fact, many users seem to have been adjusting just fine to text in the recently launched Home service -- although there seems to be plenty of griefing. So while console and PC MMO players may not blend well as is, the PS3 is a bit of an anomaly when it comes to communique in the first place. So who knows?
Did you enjoy this? We've donned our capes and tights to explore SOE's DC Universe Online in-depth. Come explore more of Metropolis and Gotham with your friends at Massively!

MassivelyIssues with DC Universe Online cross-play not entirely technical, also cultural originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 06 Feb 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dc-comicsdc-universe-onlinedcuoheadsetjens-andersenmtv-multiplayerpcplaystation-3ps3socialsoesony-online-entertainmentteamspeaktracey-johnventrilovoice-chatwes-yanagixbox-360Fri, 06 Feb 2009 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Do you use integrated voice chat?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/06/the-daily-grind-do-you-use-integrated-voice-chat/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/06/the-daily-grind-do-you-use-integrated-voice-chat/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/06/the-daily-grind-do-you-use-integrated-voice-chat/#commentsFiled under: ,

Integrated voice chat is becoming a default feature of many newer MMOs, and it's even been retrofitted into our older games, like EverQuest II and World of Warcraft. It's like power steering on a new car; you almost can't remember a time before it was standard. Games like Dungeons and Dragons Online were among the first to offer the feature, while others soon followed suit.

Personally, I find myself sticking with programs like Ventrilo or TeamSpeak to run my voice chat. Even in Lord of the Rings Online, I find myself turning off the IVC to use TeamSpeak with my kinship. So the important question here is: What do you prefer? Does integrated voice chat cause your game to lag, or any other performance problems? Do you just prefer Vent or TS (or Skype, or Xfire, etc) because you're used to it from before it became integrated? Let us know!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Do you use integrated voice chat? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 06 Feb 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audiointegrated-voice-chatskypeteamspeakthe-daily-grindventrilovoice-chatxfireFri, 06 Feb 2009 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE's spies and metagamers]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/12/eves-spies-and-metagamers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/12/eves-spies-and-metagamers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/12/eves-spies-and-metagamers/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,


EVE Online is one of the few MMOs where players in guilds (corporations and alliances) have some valid concerns about spies from rival groups infiltrating their ranks. The concept of being a spy or saboteur is a profession of sorts that arose in the game. There aren't any game mechanics that necessarily enable spying or make it into a viable profession, nor are there any rules that prohibit most of these activities.

Wes from EVE Tribune recently wrote a piece called "Metagaming", dealing with how espionage can impact rival corporations and alliances in EVE. Wes asks, "Why is everyone so paranoid about spies and metagaming?" then goes on to explain how espionage in EVE works, categorizing spies by their modus operandi:

Continue reading EVE's spies and metagamers

MassivelyEVE's spies and metagamers originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 12 Oct 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alliancesccpccp-gamescorporationscultureespionageeveeve-onlineeve-tribuneforumsgame-mechanicsguildsintelintelligencemetagamemetagamingmolesparanoiapoliticspvpsabotagesaboteurspiesspyspyingteamspeakwesSun, 12 Oct 2008 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: In-game or private VOIP?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/02/the-daily-grind-in-game-or-private-voip/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/02/the-daily-grind-in-game-or-private-voip/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/02/the-daily-grind-in-game-or-private-voip/#commentsFiled under: , ,

One of the best things for many gamers who play in team settings (in PvP, in raids, etc.) is voice over IP (VOIP) software. Need to give out raid instructions? No longer do you need to waste time typing things out or boring people with long macros full of information. Now you can toss on a headset and away you go. Of course, you have your pick -- games like EVE Online, Dungeons & Dragons Online, and even World of Warcraft have introduced VOIP. However, the interesting thing we keep finding is how few people actually use it.

This morning we thought we'd do something of an unscientific poll amongst the readers just to see where the unofficial Massively reader thoughts lie on this. Some of us are figuring it will be against public in-game VOIP, others are warning them that it's generally cheaper than running a server, so they may be in for a surprise. You let us know -- do you use public VOIP, or private servers? If you don't use the in-game systems, why? If you hate private servers, what turned you off from them?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: In-game or private VOIP? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 02 Jun 2008 08:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>communicationddodungeons-and-dragons-onlineeveeve-onlineheadsetspvpraidingskypetdgteam-based-gamingteamspeakthe-daily-grindventrilovoipworld-of-warcraftwowMon, 02 Jun 2008 08:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Rogue Signal: The unwritten communication rules of EVE PvP]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/04/rogue-signal-the-unwritten-communication-rules-of-eve-pvp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/04/rogue-signal-the-unwritten-communication-rules-of-eve-pvp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/04/rogue-signal-the-unwritten-communication-rules-of-eve-pvp/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Perhaps more than any other MMO, EVE Online's gameplay relies very heavily on communication between players. I have recently returned to World of Warcraft and gotten a character into Outlands. 62 levels after coming back, it still grates on me a bit that very few people utilize voice chat for both PvE and PvP content. Sure, WoW's in-game voice codec is terrible, but it certainly beats having nothing. I have come to realize that players coming from the opposite perspective are sometimes surprised and occasionally uncomfortable with the mentality of EVE players when it comes to text and voice communication. This guide aims to instruct a new player in the ways of communication in EVE.

Text communication is perhaps the easiest to grasp for a new player. The key difference between text chat in EVE and text chat in many other games is the sheer volume of available channels. By default, every player is in the channel for their local chat, their corporation, and their alliance (if applicable). In addition, there is an uncountable number of channels out there that you could be chatting in.

Continue reading Rogue Signal: The unwritten communication rules of EVE PvP

MassivelyRogue Signal: The unwritten communication rules of EVE PvP originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 04 May 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpcommseveeve-onlinefeaturedguidepvepvpteamspeakventrilovivoxvoice-commsvoice-communicationSun, 04 May 2008 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The sounds of Tabula Rasa's war]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/14/the-sounds-of-tabula-rasas-war/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/14/the-sounds-of-tabula-rasas-war/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/14/the-sounds-of-tabula-rasas-war/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


If you're like me (sorry) you don't usually listen to the in-game music, sounds and other audio oddities that go on in your favorite MMO. You're either TeamSpeak-ing to your guild mates about the current mission, ranting to your friends about why there' so much lag, or listening to the Rock Band of the hour - full blast. Whatever you're treating your ears to the painstaking hours of audio worked on by the development team usually goes unheard.

The gang at Tabula Rasa is doing something to change that. The TR official website now has a very cool feature that let's players download actual audio files from the game - including base announcements (which are often LOL hilarious) and battle cries.

So far they have five main files you can download (each contain multiple sound bites):
  • Barks (2.3 MB - zipped MP3s)
  • Base Announcements (1.3 MB - zipped MP3s)
  • Funny Base Announcements (3.4 MB - zipped MP3s)
  • Friendly Battlecries (18.9 MB - zipped MP3s)
  • Hostile Battlecries (3.5 MB - zipped MP3s)
If you're clever enough (if I can do it you can do it!) I imagine these audio clips can be used in a myriad of fun ways (i.e., ring tones, computer shut down/start up sounds, etc.). Download them and find out!

MassivelyThe sounds of Tabula Rasa's war originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 14 Jan 2008 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audio-filesbreakingdestination-gamesncsoftofficial-websiterichard-garriottsounds-of-wartabula-rasateamspeaktrMon, 14 Jan 2008 17:30:00 EST