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: Best MMO theme songs (part one)]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/12/the-perfect-ten-best-mmo-theme-songs-part-one/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/12/the-perfect-ten-best-mmo-theme-songs-part-one/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/12/the-perfect-ten-best-mmo-theme-songs-part-one/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Perfect Ten
As I've well established both here on Massively and elsewhere, I'm somewhat of a nut for video game music. Whereas others might collect vintage hair metal tracks or the latest Justin Bieber opus, I'm always digging through obscure (and not-so-obscure) official soundtracks to games like Wipeout and Kirby. Video game scores can be right up there with the best that the film industry puts out, and the fact that they tie into personal experiences that we've played through can lend them sentimental weight.

So for the next two Perfect Tens, I scoured all the MMO theme songs that I could get ahold of in an attempt to formulate a list of the very best. It was originally slated to be just one list, but after an hour or so of listening to tracks and having friends and fellow staffers weigh in on the subject, I knew it was impossible to keep it there.

Two important things to note for this list. First, I wanted to keep to just the title/login screen tracks so that I wouldn't be working on this for the next 2.5 years. Second, unlike most past Perfect Tens where there's no significance to the order of the list, in this case we're going to have a genuine countdown to the best MMO theme song of all time. And I expect to take no flak about it, do you hear me? Good. Let's begin.

Continue reading The Perfect Ten: Best MMO theme songs (part one)

MassivelyThe Perfect Ten: Best MMO theme songs (part one) originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 12 Jan 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanbiowareblade-and-souldarkfalldarkfall-onlinefeaturedffxifinal-fantasy-xiharry-potterlistmabinogimusicNobuo-Uematsuperfect-10perfect-tenpiratespirates-of-the-burning-searunescapescorestar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-perfect-10the-perfect-tenthemetheme-musictitle-musictop-10top-20transformerstwilightwizard101wurm-onlineThu, 12 Jan 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Game Developer's top 20 publishers list has many MMO connections]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/02/game-developers-top-20-publishers-list-has-many-mmo-connections/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/02/game-developers-top-20-publishers-list-has-many-mmo-connections/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/02/game-developers-top-20-publishers-list-has-many-mmo-connections/#commentsFiled under:


Game Developer Magazine's Top 20 Publishers For 2008 is a fascinating look at the best of the games industry. Every year the CMP site collates its numerous survey responses into a whole, given readers a sense of which companies are truly the best of the lot. The positions of the companies are weighted carefully based on first-hand feedback from survey participants. The companies on the list, the article says, "seems to have been influenced somewhat by which companies could adapt with the times, and capitalize on the so-called 'emerging markets' of casual and online games." The MMO industry is well-represented on the list, with several major players cracking that top 20. Here they are:
  • 2. Electronic Arts - Publisher and owner of EA Mythic and BioWare, the company already plays host to two big-name MMOs. Their adoption of casual and online titles, without a doubt, keeps them nailed near the top of this list.
  • 10. Square Enix - The FFXI developer has been on the list for quite some time; strong console and handheld offerings will likely ensure it stays there.
  • 12. Vivendi Games - Blizzard, as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vivendi, likely had just a little bit to do with the company's place on this list. In fact, feedback on the company basically indicated that Vivendi had little to offer outside of World of Warcraft prior to the merger - a moot point now.
  • 15. NCSoft - The only all-MMO company on the list, here's hoping they stay on the list; user feedback was indicative of the big changes and transitions at the company.
  • 18. Codemasters - Primarly known for non-MMOs, this EU company acts as the 'across the pond' publisher for a number of US MMOs.
It's worth noting that Activision and Vivendi are listed as seperate entities for the purposes of this list. To be sure, Activision/Blizzard will almost certainly be near the top of this list come 2009. Read on through to the Gamastura site for full analysis of these mighty game makers.

MassivelyGame Developer's top 20 publishers list has many MMO connections originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 02 Oct 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blizzardcodemasterseaelectronic-artsgamasutrancsoftsquare-enixtop-20top-publishersThu, 02 Oct 2008 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The top 20 most influential people in the MMO industry]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/29/the-top-20-most-influential-people-in-the-mmo-industry/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/29/the-top-20-most-influential-people-in-the-mmo-industry/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/29/the-top-20-most-influential-people-in-the-mmo-industry/#commentsFiled under: , ,


If you've ever searched the web for a comprehensive list of the biggest and the best in the MMO industry, Beckett Massive Online Gamer magazine has done it for you in a recent article entitled "Top 20 Influential People in Massively Multiplayer Video Games of 2007". The top half of this list should reveal no surprises for you, including such industry celebs as John Smedley, Scott Hartsman, Raph Koster and number one on the list: Rob Pardo. But the bottom half of the list may contain a few names you don't yet recognize. Interestingly enough, NCsoft makes an appearance four times on this list with James Phinney of ArenaNet, Richard Garriott and Starr Long of Destination Games and Jess LeBow of Carbine Studios.

This list highlights the most talented people in the industry and how they've influenced the future of MMOs, as determined by Beckett. You can find more details on each of their stories in the printed issue itself (Issue #13 for July-August) which hit newsstands on May 28th.

MassivelyThe top 20 most influential people in the MMO industry originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 29 May 2008 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acclaimareaearenanetbeckettblizzardcarbineccpcryptic-studiosea-mythiclinden-labncsoftnexon-americasoesquare-enixsulaketop-20turbinevivoxThu, 29 May 2008 09:30:00 EST