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 Daily Grind: What aesthetic should we see more often?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/20/the-daily-grind-what-aesthetic-should-we-see-more-often/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/20/the-daily-grind-what-aesthetic-should-we-see-more-often/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/20/the-daily-grind-what-aesthetic-should-we-see-more-often/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Possibly showing our skewed priorities, most of the Massively staff launched into paroxysms of cooing at the unveiling of City of Heroes' Steampunk Pack. It's an aesthetic that's sadly underused within the MMO space -- we have a few hundred games that feature a vaguely European fantasy world but a decided lack of games with thick smoke, oil, and clockwork machinery. But steampunk isn't the only design aesthetic and general setting getting short shrift within the games we adore.

The modern "art deco" aesthetic of the 1950s. The lush jungle setting of South America during the reign of the Aztec and Mayan peoples. The bleak iron and hard edges of Soviet Russia. We've all got settings that we think would be a bit more interesting than yet another game with French castles and full-plate knights, so today we ask -- what would you like to see more frequently?

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: What aesthetic should we see more often? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 20 May 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artart-designart-directiondesignopinionsteampunktdgthe-daily-grindthemesvisualsFri, 20 May 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[E3 2009: Bill Roper on character themes and customization in Champions Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/05/e3-2009-bill-roper-on-character-themes-and-customization-in-cha/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/05/e3-2009-bill-roper-on-character-themes-and-customization-in-cha/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/05/e3-2009-bill-roper-on-character-themes-and-customization-in-cha/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


The superhero MMO genre has been ruled by one game and one game alone for the past five years: City of Heroes. NCsoft's title being quite literally the only game in town for superhero fans is about to change, with competitors like DC Universe Online and Champions Online on the way. We have a good idea of what to expect with DCUO given the recognizable characters the game incorporates, but what of Champions Online which is based upon the Champions pen and paper RPG?

We've wondered what Cryptic Studios will do to differentiate Champions Online from the competition; Massively had a chance to sit down with Bill Roper, the game's executive producer, to discuss that question at E3 2009.

Gallery: Champions Online Main Gallery

Continue reading E3 2009: Bill Roper on character themes and customization in Champions Online

MassivelyE3 2009: Bill Roper on character themes and customization in Champions Online originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 05 Jun 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acrobaticsbill-roperchampions-onlinecryptic-studioscustomizatione3-2009executive-producerfeaturedmassively-event-coveragemassively-interviewspower-replacesuper-heroteleportthemethemesFri, 05 Jun 2009 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Listen to exclusive Stargate Worlds audio content]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/21/listen-to-exclusive-stargate-worlds-audio-content/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/21/listen-to-exclusive-stargate-worlds-audio-content/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/21/listen-to-exclusive-stargate-worlds-audio-content/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Music can be a really important part of MMOs, if the developer decides that they want it to be. In some games you'll almost immediately turn the audio down to zero and resume listening to your own stuff, but other games like Age of Conan have a musical score that demands to be heard. It is clear that Cheyenne Mountain Entertainment is aiming for the latter with Stargate Worlds, and they have offered followers of the game a chance to listen to some short clips at their community forums.

You'll need to be a registered forum user to be able to listen, but if you take the plunge you can download two short clips, composed by SGW sound designer Nick LaMartina. They are both fairly epic and atmospheric, and leave you wanting to hear more. If you do check them out, you can use the links in the article to leave feedback for each piece in the forums.

MassivelyListen to exclusive Stargate Worlds audio content originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 21 Jun 2008 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audiocheyenne-mountaincheyenne-mountain-entertainmentcomposermusicnick-lamartinasgwsound-designerstargate-worldsthemesSat, 21 Jun 2008 18:30:00 EST