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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 Firing Line: PlanetSide 2's Matt Higby on the MMOFPS revolution]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/26/the-firing-line-planetside-2s-matt-higby-on-the-mmofps-revolut/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/26/the-firing-line-planetside-2s-matt-higby-on-the-mmofps-revolut/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/26/the-firing-line-planetside-2s-matt-higby-on-the-mmofps-revolut/#commentsFiled under: Sci-fi, PlanetSide, Game mechanics, Interviews, MMO industry, New titles, PvP, News items, Free-to-play, MMOFPS, PlanetSide 2, Sandbox, The Firing Line

The Firing Line interviews PlanetSide 2's Matt Higby

Sony Online Entertainment has begun carpet-bombing media outlets with publicity relating to its upcoming PlanetSide 2 MMOFPS. The game has been in development for quite a while now, but up until very recently the devs have kept a low profile. Now the title's Twitter feed is exploding on a daily basis, awe-inspiring alpha gameplay videos are finding their way into the public eye, and interviews abound.

I managed to get creative director Matt Higby's attention for a few moments, and he's got some interesting things to say about PS2's upside. Would you believe that MMOFPS is about to become a new industry buzzword? Read on after the break.

Continue reading The Firing Line: PlanetSide 2's Matt Higby on the MMOFPS revolution

The Firing Line: PlanetSide 2's Matt Higby on the MMOFPS revolution originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 26 May 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>classic-mmofeaturedfiring-linefpsinterviewmatt-higbymatt-higby-interviewmmo-shootermmofpsopinionplanetsideplanetside-2planetside-2-interviewpsps1ps2pvpsci-fishootersoesonysony-online-entertainmenttflthe-firing-linethird-person-shootertpsSat, 26 May 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Firing Line: Epic SOE memories on PlanetSide's ninth anniversary]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/25/the-firing-line-epic-soe-memories-on-planetsides-ninth-anniver/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/25/the-firing-line-epic-soe-memories-on-planetsides-ninth-anniver/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/25/the-firing-line-epic-soe-memories-on-planetsides-ninth-anniver/#commentsFiled under: Sci-fi, Galleries, Screenshots, PlanetSide, Culture, Game mechanics, MMO industry, PvP, News items, Opinion, MMOFPS, PlanetSide 2, Sandbox, The Firing Line, Anniversary

The Firing Line - Epic SOE memories on PlanetSide's ninth anniversary

So PlanetSide is nine years old this week (nine!), and Sony Online Entertainment is journeying down memory lane to look back at its ground-breaking MMOFPS. The firm is of course hard at work on the sequel, but some of the devs have taken a time-out to share their favorite memories with us.

Though the word "epic" is overused in MMO discourse, it's a recurring theme here. Due to the size, scope, and sheer ambition on display in the original PlanetSide, it's actually appropriate too. While you're reminiscing with the devs, take a stroll through our side-by-side gallery that compares vehicles and equipment from the original PlanetSide with their counterparts in PlanetSide 2.

Gallery: PlanetSide vs. PlanetSide 2 comparisons

Continue reading The Firing Line: Epic SOE memories on PlanetSide's ninth anniversary

The Firing Line: Epic SOE memories on PlanetSide's ninth anniversary originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 25 May 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>andrew-rischclassic-mmodave-georgesonfeaturedfiring-linefpsmargaret-krohnmmo-shootermmofpsopinionplanetsideplanetside-2planetside-aftershockplanetside-dev-memoriesplanetside-epic-momentsplanetside-memoriespsps1ps2pvpsci-fishootersoesonysony-online-entertainmenttflthe-firing-linethird-person-shooterthom-terrazastpstramell-isaacFri, 25 May 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Firing Line: Hands-on with Heroes & Generals]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/25/the-firing-line-hands-on-with-heroes-and-generals/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/25/the-firing-line-hands-on-with-heroes-and-generals/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/25/the-firing-line-hands-on-with-heroes-and-generals/#commentsFiled under: Historical, Game mechanics, MMO industry, New titles, PvP, News items, War, Free-to-play, Browser, Hands-on, MMOFPS, Massively Hands-on, First Impressions, The Firing Line

The Firing Line - Hands on with Heroes & Generals

During the first 10 minutes of my time with Heroes & Generals, I killed once, died twice, and drove a tank, a jeep, a half-track, and a bicycle (not necessarily in that order). I also rode shotgun on said tank and said jeep, manning a nifty vehicle-mounted machine gun in the process.

I marveled at the visuals, took way too many screenshots of my squadmates looking at the blow-away badass in-game map (it's the little things, amirite?), and generally had a helluva good time. Did I mention that all of this happened in a browser?

Continue reading The Firing Line: Hands-on with Heroes & Generals

The Firing Line: Hands-on with Heroes & Generals originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 25 May 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>browserbrowser-basedf2pfeaturedfiring-linefirst-impressionsfpsfree-to-playgeneralsheroesheroes-and-generalsheroes-and-generals-impressionsimpressionsjesper-kydmmo-shootermmofpsopinionpersistent-shooterpvpreto-motostrategytflthe-firing-linethird-person-shootertpsworld-war-2world-war-iiww2Fri, 25 May 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Firing Line: World of Warplanes producer talks matchmaking, progression]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/18/the-firing-line-world-of-warplanes-producer-talks-matchmaking/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/18/the-firing-line-world-of-warplanes-producer-talks-matchmaking/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/18/the-firing-line-world-of-warplanes-producer-talks-matchmaking/#commentsFiled under: Betas, Historical, Game mechanics, Interviews, MMO industry, New titles, News items, War, Free-to-play, Massively Interviews, World of Warplanes, The Firing Line

The Firing Line - World of Warplanes producer interview

Last week I talked a bit about a couple of flight sim shooters coming soon to a PC near you. One of them is World of Warplanes, the followup title to Wargaming.net's ubiquitous World of Tanks hit.

The World War II action MMO masters are slipping the surly bonds of earth with a new lobby-based battler that's currently flying through the early phases of its global alpha test. I had a few burning questions for the devs, including specifics on the matchmaking system, progression, and the possibility of historical scenarios. Producer Anton Sitnikau was gracious enough to answer those and more, so head past the break to see what he had to say.

Continue reading The Firing Line: World of Warplanes producer talks matchmaking, progression

The Firing Line: World of Warplanes producer talks matchmaking, progression originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 18 May 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anton-sitnikauexclusivef2pfeaturedfpsfree-to-playhistoricalinterviewinterviewsmassively-exclusivematchmakingmmofpsopinionplaneplanespvptflthe-firing-linethird-person-shootertpswarwargaming.netwargaming.net-matchmakingwarplanewarplanesworld-of-warplanesworld-of-warplanes-interviewworld-of-warplanes-matchmakingworld-of-warplanes-producer-interviewwowpwowp-interviewwowp-matchmakingFri, 18 May 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Firing Line: 16th century fragging edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/11/the-firing-line-16th-century-fragging-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/11/the-firing-line-16th-century-fragging-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/11/the-firing-line-16th-century-fragging-edition/#commentsFiled under: Betas, Fantasy, Sci-fi, Trailers, Video, Classes, Game mechanics, MMO industry, Patches, News items, Free-to-play, MMOFPS, Dev Diaries, The Firing Line

What do War Thunder, World of Warplanes, Leonardo da Vinci, and Tribes: Ascend have in common? Not a whole lot aside from their respective appearances in this week's edition of The Firing Line.

Won't you join me after the cut for a rundown on some recent and notable online shooter news? If you're feeling particularly ornery, you can point and laugh at the fact that I'm still not in the War Thunder beta.

Continue reading The Firing Line: 16th century fragging edition

The Firing Line: 16th century fragging edition originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 11 May 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ascendbrideachang-youchangyoudev-diarye-sportesportf2pfeaturedfiring-linefirst-person-shooterflight-simfpsfree-to-playgaijingaijin-entertainmenthi-rezhi-rez-studioshinterlands-maphuxleymmofpsopinionpvprenaissance-fpsrenaissance-heroesrenaissance-heroes-trailershootertartarustartarus-maptflthe-firing-linethird-person-shootertpstrailertribestribes-ascendtribes-dev-diarytribes-tartarusunreal-engine-3videowar-thunderwar-thunder-bomberswar-thunder-world-of-planesworld-of-planesFri, 11 May 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Why I Play: Global Agenda]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/09/why-i-play-global-agenda/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/09/why-i-play-global-agenda/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/09/why-i-play-global-agenda/#commentsFiled under: Sci-fi, PvP, PvE, Opinion, Free-to-play, MMOFPS, Global Agenda, Why I Play

Global Agenda screenshot

Among the Massively staff, I'm known as the obsessive competitor who plays every game in a hardcore fashion. It's no surprise that I gravitate toward high-skill, difficult games that test skill instead of the typical MMO grinds. But it should be a bit of a surprise that I don't really like competitive shooters. Shooters take a lot of the elements I really love about competition such as mindgames and positioning and marginalize them in favor of raw aiming and twitch reflexes. I'm fond of saying "You must be this tall to ride this ride" when it comes to shooters that are very twitch-based.

Global Agenda is a different beast than other shooters, though. The competitive shooter market is saturated with class-based shooters whose emphasis is more on teamwork than on aiming, and Global Agenda really takes it to eleven. Aiming is still important, but it's hardly the most important skill in the game, and every class has a way of minimizing the need for aiming skill. In fact, most of the more effective builds in GA don't require aiming. The emphasis in GA is on teamwork, mobility, and good decision-making. Even though it's a shooter, I find it really easy to spend far too much of my time playing it. It's just great fun.

Continue reading Why I Play: Global Agenda

Why I Play: Global Agenda originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 09 May 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>competitioncompetitive-gamingcompetitive-shootereditorialf2pfeaturedfpsfree-to-playgaglobal agendahi-rezhi-rez-studiosjetpacksjetpacks-are-awesomemassively-metametammofpsnostalgiaop-edopinionsci-fishooterspy-fithird-person-shootertpswho-doesnt-like-flyingwhy-i-playWed, 09 May 2012 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Firing Line: Hands-on with Firefall's beta]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/04/the-firing-line-hands-on-with-firefalls-beta/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/04/the-firing-line-hands-on-with-firefalls-beta/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/04/the-firing-line-hands-on-with-firefalls-beta/#commentsFiled under: Betas, Sci-fi, Game mechanics, MMO industry, New titles, Opinion, Free-to-play, Hands-on, MMOFPS, First Impressions, The Firing Line, Firefall

The Firing Line - Hands on with Firefall's beta

I'm dying on the beautiful beach outside Firefall's starter town. As I lay bleeding from a hundred holes and generally making a mess of my shiny new bumble bee-colored battleframe, my avatar collapses to the sand and says the funniest thing I've heard in a while.

"Grandpa!"

This is delivered in his best rural Georgia twang, and it lessens the sting of my latest newbie move. The whole scene is Firefall in a nutshell: It's fun, frustrating, and funny all at once.

Continue reading The Firing Line: Hands-on with Firefall's beta

The Firing Line: Hands-on with Firefall's beta originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 04 May 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f2pfeaturedfirefallfirefall-betafirefall-first-impressionsfirefall-hands-onfirefall-impressionsfiring-linefirst-person-shooterfpsfree-to-playimpressionsis-firefall-an-mmommo-shootermmofpsopinionpvpred-5red-5-studiossci-fishootertflthe-firing-linethird-person-shootertpswarFri, 04 May 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Firing Line: Five reasons to love Tribes: Ascend]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/27/the-firing-line-five-reasons-to-love-tribes-ascend/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/27/the-firing-line-five-reasons-to-love-tribes-ascend/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/27/the-firing-line-five-reasons-to-love-tribes-ascend/#commentsFiled under: Historical, Sci-fi, Business models, Game mechanics, MMO industry, PvP, Opinion, War, Free-to-play, DUST 514, World of Warplanes, The Firing Line

The Firing Line - Five reasons to love Tribes: Ascend

Oh, Tribes: Ascend, if only you were an MMO.

Actually, wait a minute. When I think on it, if Hi-Rez Studios' new free-to-play sci-fi shooter were an MMO, I probably wouldn't like it as much. There's something to be said for frequent updates and instant gameplay gratification, and Tribes provides those things (and more) in spades.

Continue reading The Firing Line: Five reasons to love Tribes: Ascend

The Firing Line: Five reasons to love Tribes: Ascend originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 27 Apr 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ascendccpccp-gamesconsolecustom-serverscustom-sharddustdust-514e-sportesporteveeve-onlinef2pfeaturedfiring-linefirst-person-shooterfpsfree-to-playhi-rezhi-rez-studioshistoricalmmofpsopinionplaneplanesplaystationplaystation-3private-serverprivate-serversprivate-shardsps3pvpraid-and-pillageshootertanktankstflthe-firing-linethird-person-shootertpstribestribes-ascendtribes-ascend-raid-and-pillagetribes-clan-servertribes-custom-servertribes-mmotribes-private-servertribes-raid-and-pillagetribes-universewarwargaming.netwarplanewarplanesworld-of-tanksworld-of-warplaneswotwowpFri, 27 Apr 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Firing Line: World of Tanks first-anniversary retrospective]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/20/the-firing-line-world-of-tanks-first-anniversary-retrospective/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/20/the-firing-line-world-of-tanks-first-anniversary-retrospective/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/20/the-firing-line-world-of-tanks-first-anniversary-retrospective/#commentsFiled under: Historical, Business models, Game mechanics, MMO industry, Patches, PvP, Opinion, War, Free-to-play, World of Tanks, The Firing Line, Anniversary

The Firing Line - World of Tanks anniversary retrospective

We've been hearing about World of Tanks for so long that it seems crazy to think the title is just now celebrating its first anniversary. Sure enough, though, Wargaming.net's lobby-based multiplayer title is barely a year old. Well, OK. It's almost two years old if you count its summer 2010 beta release, which we won't since the title up there says first anniversary.

Anyhow, what's even scarier than the passage of time is the fact that World of Tanks (and the company behind it) is showing no signs of slowing down.

Continue reading The Firing Line: World of Tanks first-anniversary retrospective

The Firing Line: World of Tanks first-anniversary retrospective originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 20 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f2pfeaturedfiring-linefirst-anniversaryfpsfree-to-playhistoricalmmofpsopinionpvptanktankstflthe-firing-linethird-person-shootertpswarwargaming.networld-of-tanksworld-of-tanks-anniversaryworld-of-tanks-first-birthdayworld-of-tanks-retrospectivewotwot-anniversaryFri, 20 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Firing Line: Firefall, Defiance, John Romero, and more]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/13/the-firing-line-firefall-defiance-john-romero-and-more/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/13/the-firing-line-firefall-defiance-john-romero-and-more/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/13/the-firing-line-firefall-defiance-john-romero-and-more/#commentsFiled under: Betas, Sci-fi, Video, Events, real-world, Game mechanics, MMO industry, New titles, PvP, News items, Free-to-play, MMOFPS, DUST 514, The Firing Line, Defiance

The Firing Line - Shooter news roundup

Dude, there was a ton of big shooter news this week!

I mean, this isn't terribly unusual, particularly since the genre is expanding at a rapid rate, but when I've got to cut interesting items out of this column for length reasons, you know it's been an eventful few days.

Join me after the break for a recap on everything from Firefall to Defiance to John Romero and beyond.

Continue reading The Firing Line: Firefall, Defiance, John Romero, and more

The Firing Line: Firefall, Defiance, John Romero, and more originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 13 Apr 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-gamesconconsoleconventioncounter-strike-online-2cso2defiancedefiance-trailerdustdust-514eveeve-onlineexpof2pfeaturedfirefallfirefall-cinematicfirefall-opening-cinematicfiring-linefirst-person-shooterfpsfree-to-playhalldor-fannarjohn-romerommo-shootermmofpsnews-roundupopinionpaxpax-2012pax-eastpax-east-2012penny-arcade-expoplaystationplaystation-3ps3pvpred-5red-5-studiosroundupsci-fishootershooter-news-roundupshooter-rounduptflthe-firing-linethird-person-shootertpstriontrion-worldswarFri, 13 Apr 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Firing Line: Can you hate EVE and love DUST?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/06/the-firing-line-can-you-hate-eve-and-love-dust/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/06/the-firing-line-can-you-hate-eve-and-love-dust/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/06/the-firing-line-can-you-hate-eve-and-love-dust/#commentsFiled under: Sci-fi, EVE Online, Game mechanics, MMO industry, New titles, Opinion, Free-to-play, DUST 514, Sandbox, The Firing Line

The Firing Line - Can you hate EVE and love DUST?

Hoo boy, CCP and EVE Online.

Wait, what? Isn't this Massively's shooter column? Well, yes, yes it is, and if you weren't already aware, CCP has made a shooter called DUST 514 set in the EVE universe. I bring this up for two reasons. One, I'm really looking forward to the game (as I might have mentioned last time). Two, CCP has taken some lumps in the PR department over the past couple of weeks primarily because of its annual alcohol-fueled sausage-fest.

I'm not going to rehash cyber-bully scandals today, but since e-thug players will undoubtedly have some sort of DUST presence, and since DUST shares certain unforgiving gameplay tenets with its sister title, should those of you who love sandbox shooters but hate EVE Online even bother with the game?

Continue reading The Firing Line: Can you hate EVE and love DUST?

The Firing Line: Can you hate EVE and love DUST? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 06 Apr 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-gamesconsolecyber-bullydustdust-514eveeve-fanfest-2012eve-onlinefeaturedfiring-linefpsinternet-spaceshipsmittanimittani-cyber-bullymmofpsopinionplaystationplaystation-3ps3pvpsandboxsci-fishootersociopaths-in-spacetflthe-firing-linethe-mittanithird-person-shootertpsFri, 06 Apr 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Firing Line: DUST 514 newsplosion edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/30/the-firing-line-dust-514-newsplosion-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/30/the-firing-line-dust-514-newsplosion-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/30/the-firing-line-dust-514-newsplosion-edition/#commentsFiled under: Betas, Sci-fi, Video, EVE Online, Economy, Events, real-world, Game mechanics, MMO industry, New titles, PvP, News items, PvE, Opinion, Free-to-play, DUST 514, Sandbox, The Firing Line

The Firing Line - DUST 514 Fanfest 2012 highlights

Oh man, this back and forth between PlanetSide 2 and DUST 514 is going to be the death of me. I feel like I'm cheating on one game every time I get excited about the other, but I just can't help it since both titles are drawing a bead on my personal sweet spot.

This week's Firing Line is all DUST all the time, thanks to the massive info dump at last weekend's Fanfest 2012 event. I didn't get to go to Iceland for the hands-on, unfortunately, but I did log into PlayStation Home for the keynote livestream (which is archived after the cut in case you missed it).

And I'll go ahead and beg your forgiveness for my fanboy breathlessness in advance this week. I've been an EVE Online player for a number of years now, so I'm already enamored of both the DUST universe and CCP's propensity for sandbox mechanics. What I didn't know prior to Fanfest, though, was just how deep the rabbit hole's going to go.

Continue reading The Firing Line: DUST 514 newsplosion edition

The Firing Line: DUST 514 newsplosion edition originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 30 Mar 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-fanfest-2012ccp-gamesconsoledustdust-514eveeve-fanfest-2012eve-onlinefanfestfanfest-2012featuredfiring-linefpsgame-mechanicsinternet-spaceshipsmmofpsopinionplaystationplaystation-3ps3pvpsandboxsci-fishooterspreadsheets-onlinetflthe-firing-linethird-person-shootertpsFri, 30 Mar 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Firing Line: A couple of PlanetSide 2 concerns]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/23/the-firing-line-a-couple-of-planetside-2-concerns/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/23/the-firing-line-a-couple-of-planetside-2-concerns/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/23/the-firing-line-a-couple-of-planetside-2-concerns/#commentsFiled under: Sci-fi, PlanetSide, Game mechanics, MMO industry, New titles, PvP, Opinion, Free-to-play, MMOFPS, PlanetSide 2, Sandbox

The Firing Line - A couple of PlanetSide 2 concerns

Now that the glow of PlanetSide 2's GDC demo reveal is a couple of weeks back in the rear-view mirror, I've had time to digest it all and adjust my expectations of the game accordingly. Nothing I saw from Matt Higby and company dampened my enthusiasm for Sony Online Entertainment's MMOFPS opus, but a few things I didn't see are niggling at the back of my mind.

Don't get me wrong -- PS2 is still at the top of my most-anticipated MMO list, but there are a few points of contention that could relegate it to the status of fun diversion instead of zomg-must-play-every-day title.

Continue reading The Firing Line: A couple of PlanetSide 2 concerns

The Firing Line: A couple of PlanetSide 2 concerns originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 23 Mar 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>classic-mmodesignfeaturedfiring-linefpsgame-mechanicsimmersionmatt-higbymmo-shootermmofpsopinionplanetsideplanetside-2psps1ps2pvpsandboxsci-fishootersoesonysony-online-entertainmenttflthe-firing-linethird-person-shootertpsFri, 23 Mar 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Firing Line Exclusive: Tribes Ascend utility pack giveaway]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/19/the-firing-line-exclusive-tribes-ascend-utility-pack-giveaway/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/19/the-firing-line-exclusive-tribes-ascend-utility-pack-giveaway/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/19/the-firing-line-exclusive-tribes-ascend-utility-pack-giveaway/#commentsFiled under: Sci-fi, Classes, Game mechanics, MMO industry, PvP, Free-to-play, MMOFPS, Giveaways, The Firing Line

The Firing Line: Tribes Ascend Soldier utility pack giveaway

Like Tribes: Ascend? Like the Soldier class? If you answered yes to those questions, Massively and The Firing Line have an exclusive giveaway that you're going to love. We've teamed up with Hi-Rez Studios to bring you the Soldier utility pack, which is an upgrade item that grants an additional grenade slot and additional health (don't worry, balance fans; your Soldier avatar will sacrifice a bit of his energy pool when the pack is equipped).

How can I get my hands on this fine item, you ask?

It's as easy as clicking on the giveaway button after the break. After you've secured your code, boot up your Tribes client and select "extras" from the in-game menu followed by "redeem promotion." Enter your code in the box and then click over to your Soldier class to swap out your new pack!

Continue reading The Firing Line Exclusive: Tribes Ascend utility pack giveaway

The Firing Line Exclusive: Tribes Ascend utility pack giveaway originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 19 Mar 2012 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ascende-sportesportf2pfeaturedfiring-linefirst-person-shooterfpsfree-to-playgiveawayhi-rezhi-rez-studiosonline-shooteropinionpvpsci-fishootersoldier-giveawaysoldier-packtflthe-firing-linethird-person-shootertpstribestribes-ascendtribes-giveawaytribes-soldier-utility-packtribes-universeutility-pack-giveawayMon, 19 Mar 2012 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Firing Line: Blacklight release, Defiance, and (hopefully) a DUST livestream]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/16/the-firing-line-blacklight-release-defiance-and-hopefully-a/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/16/the-firing-line-blacklight-release-defiance-and-hopefully-a/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/16/the-firing-line-blacklight-release-defiance-and-hopefully-a/#commentsFiled under: Sci-fi, Game mechanics, MMO industry, News items, Opinion, Free-to-play, MMOFPS, DUST 514, The Firing Line, Defiance

The Firing Line - news roundup edition

Welcome back to The Firing Line, shooter fans. I'm still recovering from Sony Online Entertainment's PlanetSide 2 demo last week (as well as CCP's reveals regarding DUST 514 gameplay footage and impending beta dates).

Life goes on, though, and there are plenty of interesting tidbits to talk about with regard to our favorite genre. Won't you join me after the break for a recap?

Continue reading The Firing Line: Blacklight release, Defiance, and (hopefully) a DUST livestream

The Firing Line: Blacklight release, Defiance, and (hopefully) a DUST livestream originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 16 Mar 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blacklightblacklight-retributiondefiancedustdust-514eveeve-fanfest-2012eve-onlinef2pfanfest-2012fanfest-2012-dustfanfest-livestreamfeaturedfiring-linefpsfree-to-playmmo-shootermmofpsnew-edenonline-shooteropinionperfect-world-entertainmentpvppweroundupshootershooter-roundupsyfysyfy-channelsyfy-defiancetflthe-firing-linethird-person-shootertpstriontrion-defianceFri, 16 Mar 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[GDC 2012: The Firing Line's PlanetSide 2 and DUST 514 redux]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/09/the-firing-line-more-on-planetside-2-and-dust-514-from-gdc/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/09/the-firing-line-more-on-planetside-2-and-dust-514-from-gdc/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/09/the-firing-line-more-on-planetside-2-and-dust-514-from-gdc/#commentsFiled under: Sci-fi, Events, real-world, Interviews, MMO industry, New titles, Opinion, Free-to-play, MMOFPS, DUST 514, PlanetSide 2, Sandbox, The Firing Line

The Firing Line - GDC 2012 header

This week I was fortunate enough to chat up the developers on the two biggest MMOFPS titles of the year. Exactly what year that is remains to be seen, and after hearing Sony Online Entertainment use the word "alpha" quite a lot, I suspect that PlanetSide 2 may slip into 2013. And that's not a bad thing at all, by the way.

CCP's DUST 514, on the other hand, is surely coming in 2012. The devs will be doling out some long-awaited hands-on time with EVE's precocious little brother at Fanfest in a couple of weeks, and while DUST and PS2 share similar core gameplay, their target audiences (and the general feeling I get from each game) are completely different.

Continue reading GDC 2012: The Firing Line's PlanetSide 2 and DUST 514 redux

GDC 2012: The Firing Line's PlanetSide 2 and DUST 514 redux originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 09 Mar 2012 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-gamesconconferenceconventiondavid-reiddustdust-514dust-eve-integrationdust-playstationeveeve-onlinef2pfeaturedfpsfree-to-playgame-developers-conferencegame-developers-conference-2012game-mechanicsgdcgdc-2012hilmar-peturssoninterviewmatt-higbymmofpsmobilenew-edenopinionplanetside-2playstation-3ps2ps3pvpsandboxtflthe-firing-linethird-person-shootertpstramell-isaacvitaFri, 09 Mar 2012 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[GDC 2012: The Firing Line talks release dates with Tribes Ascend's Todd Harris]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/09/gdc-2012-the-firing-line-talks-release-dates-with-tribes-ascend/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/09/gdc-2012-the-firing-line-talks-release-dates-with-tribes-ascend/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/09/gdc-2012-the-firing-line-talks-release-dates-with-tribes-ascend/#commentsFiled under: Betas, Sci-fi, Trailers, Video, Events, real-world, Game mechanics, Interviews, Launches, MMO industry, New titles, PvP, News items, Free-to-play, MMOFPS, Global Agenda, The Firing Line

The Firing Line - GDC 2012 Hi-Rez Interview, Tribes release date

It's been a crazy week at GDC, and though I've already gotten the skinny on both PlanetSide 2 and DUST 514, there's more on the way when it comes to online shooter news. Yesterday morning I headed over to the Hi-Rez Studios booth on the main show floor, where COO Todd Harris had some exciting news to share with fans of the firm's Tribes: Ascend title.

The free-to-play shooter will officially launch on April 12th, and Hi-Rez has also released a new parody trailer that pays homage to Dead Island and shows off the perils of the dreaded "llama capture" (if you're a Tribes newb, just know that speed equals survival when it comes to flag-grabs).

Join me after the cut for some Tribes-related chit-chat as well news of new content on the way for Global Agenda.

Continue reading GDC 2012: The Firing Line talks release dates with Tribes Ascend's Todd Harris

GDC 2012: The Firing Line talks release dates with Tribes Ascend's Todd Harris originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 09 Mar 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>conconferenceconventiondead-islande-sporte-sportsexclusivef2pfeaturedfiring-linefpsfree-to-playgagame-developers-conferencegame-developers-conference-2012gdcgdc-2012global agendahi-rezhi-rez-studiosinterviewmmofpsonline-shootersci-fishooterspy-fithe-firing-linethe-firing-line-extrathe-firing-line-interviewsthird-person-shootertpstribestribes-ascendtribes-dead-islandtribes-release-datetribes-videovideoFri, 09 Mar 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Firing Line: Getting into Global Agenda]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/02/the-firing-line-getting-into-global-agenda/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/02/the-firing-line-getting-into-global-agenda/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/02/the-firing-line-getting-into-global-agenda/#commentsFiled under: Sci-fi, Classes, Game mechanics, MMO industry, PvP, Opinion, Free-to-play, Global Agenda, The Firing Line

The Firing Line - header with various shooter avatars

OK, so you've heard about this whole Global Agenda thing, and you've talked yourself into giving it a shot. It's completely free-to-play from start to finish these days, and the Unreal graphics, sci-fi setting, and strange mixture of hyper-competitive PvP and ultra-accessible PvE have always held a certain appeal.

You're not sure, but you think it's kind of an MMO, given that it has persistent territory control, lots of quests, and plenty of progression-based gameplay. Maybe you're a pro skillz baller, or maybe the extent of your shooter knowledge is which end of the gun gets pointed at the bad guys.

Either way, you'll likely have a good time in Hi-Rez's spy-fi action title, and you'll have an even better time if you understand a few key points about the game prior to diving in.

Continue reading The Firing Line: Getting into Global Agenda

The Firing Line: Getting into Global Agenda originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 02 Dec 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>classescombat-ratingfeaturedfiring-lineglobal-agendahi-rezhi-rez-studiosmercmerc-pvpmicrosoft-trueskillmmo-shootermmotpsopinionplayer-skillpvpsci-fishooterskillskill-basedskillsspy-fithe-firing-linethird-person-shootertpstrueskilltutorialsFri, 02 Dec 2011 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Global Agenda's new F2P model a resounding success]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/04/global-agendas-new-f2p-model-a-resounding-success/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/04/global-agendas-new-f2p-model-a-resounding-success/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/04/global-agendas-new-f2p-model-a-resounding-success/#commentsFiled under: Sci-fi, Business models, Interviews, MMO industry, News items, Free-to-play, Global Agenda

The business model saga of Global Agenda is an interesting one, and PC Gamer recently sat down with Hi-Rez COO Todd Harris to chat about it. In a brief interview, Harris mentions his observations on free-to-play and the future of gaming as well as Global Agenda's resounding success since going to a full-featured F2P model.

"We have many, many more people creating accounts every day, many more people playing concurrently, our revenues are higher than they ever have been before which means we can develop content and put it into the game faster than ever before," he explained.

It wasn't always so, as Harris also admits to a bit of F2P bias in a previous life. With Global Agenda flying high under its new model, though, it's unlikely that Hi-Rez will be looking back. "I do think [F2P is] clearly the direction of gaming," Harris says.

Global Agenda's new F2P model a resounding success originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 04 Jul 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>business-modelsf2pfree-to-playglobal-agendahi-rezhi-rez-studiosmmo-industrymmotpssci-fithird-person-shootertodd-harristpsMon, 04 Jul 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Deep Black Online coming to PC this summer]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/28/deep-black-online-coming-to-consoles-and-pc-this-summer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/28/deep-black-online-coming-to-consoles-and-pc-this-summer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/28/deep-black-online-coming-to-consoles-and-pc-this-summer/#commentsFiled under: Sci-fi, MMO industry, New titles, News items, Free-to-play

It's not every day that we get to tell you about a new MMOTPS (that's third-person shooter, if you're wondering), so without further delay: Hey guys, check out this new MMOTPS! It's called Deep Black, though we're wondering why it's not called Deep Blue since much of the action apparently takes place underwater and in the air via various forms of jetpack. Don't worry, land-lubbers, there's plenty of action on terra firma as well.

The title is being developed by Biart Studio, a Russian outfit headquartered in the Moscow equivalent of Silicon Valley, and the game will feature "fully customizable [character] appearance, more than 30 types of sci-fi weapons, and three game modes at launch," according to a Biart press release. The game is a F2P instanced shooter featuring eight to 24 players, and it's coming to a PC near you in the near future.

You can check out our sister site's Deep Black reveal from last summer, and you'll also want to head to the game's official website to learn more.

Deep Black Online coming to PC this summer originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 28 Jun 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biartdeep-blackf2pfree-to-playjetpackjetpacksmmotpspress-releasesci-fishooterthird-person-shootertpsunderwaterTue, 28 Jun 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[First Impressions: Global Agenda]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/05/first-impressions-global-agenda/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/05/first-impressions-global-agenda/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/05/first-impressions-global-agenda/#commentsFiled under: Sci-fi, Game mechanics, MMORTS, Global Agenda, Massively Hands-on, First Impressions

Global Agenda. This game has been successful in causing quite a stir on our website. It seems almost every single story we do on the game anymore turns into the inevitable "this isn't an MMO" debate. We've even tried to give the MMORTS part of it more of a perspective in past articles, but that's neither here nor there. This article isn't about the game or if it's an MMO -- it's about how this game plays.

So, is Global Agenda a worthy investment for the MMOer? Is it a worthy investiment for the FPS nut? Can a game that's a hybrid of so many genres work as well as its creators say it works? Those are all excellent questions and they're also questions that we're going to answer today.

Gallery: Global Agenda Gameplay Gallery

Continue reading First Impressions: Global Agenda

First Impressions: Global Agenda originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 05 Feb 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>actionassaultcombatfeaturedfirst-impressionsgame-mechanicsglobal-agendaglobal-agenda-conquesthi-rez-studioshybridmedicmmortsreconroboticsstrategytpsFri, 05 Feb 2010 18:00:00 EST