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BioWare talks Warhammer Online's forthcoming expansions

Kyle Horner — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Expansions, Warhammer Online, News items

In a recent GDC 2010 interview with UGO, BioWare's Dr. Ray Muzyka said of Warhammer Online, "Right now it's [a] really profitable business unit within my group." Muzyka went on to say they've actually seen more people come into the game since enacting the free-to-play model on the game's earlier levels, and that he personally felt they were working.

In fact, by the sounds of it, Warhammer Online is due for some interesting announcements in the future. Another of Muzyka's comments on the title was, "We have new content planned and all kinds of cool expansions for it." We don't know how much more clear cut a message can be than that. And hey, it's good news! We're looking forward to our playable Skaven and Lizardmen, Mythic and BioWare.

BioWare talks Warhammer Online's forthcoming expansions originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 19 Mar 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The women of Global Agenda: Wait a minute, full body armor?

Rubi Bayer — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, New titles, Global Agenda

Former Massively columnist Tracey John recently took a close look at the female characters in Global Agenda, the upcoming sci-fi offering from Hi-Rez Studios. Her story at Techland explored the reasoning behind Global Agenda's relatively unusual decision to move away from scantily-clad females and go the full body armor route.

Lead character artist Sean McBride had plenty to say on the decision, pointing out that when you add guns to the mix, it doesn't make a lot of sense to have characters running around with vital body parts such as the heart completely exposed. "It's a little easier in fantasy games as it could be explained away with magic, or her ability to finesse around the other characters."

He also points out that to the ladies of Global Agenda, beauty is in function, not necessarily form: "To them, true beauty lies in the perfectly timed explosive, the inevitable satisfaction of a poisoned blade, or the immaculately precise sniper shot."

Check out the full story, as well as some exclusive screenshots, here.

The women of Global Agenda: Wait a minute, full body armor? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 07 Jan 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Get acquainted with Fallen Earth

Kyle Horner — Sun, 10 May 2009 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fallen Earth, Interviews, New titles, News items

Jessica Orr -- product manager on Fallen Earth -- was recently interviewed by Tracey John over at MTV Multiplayer. Brand new game information wasn't the focus, and instead the interview covers everything a new person should know about the upcoming post-apocalyptic third/first person MMORPG. Still it's a good interview for anyone interested in the game.

One other thing the interview addresses is the increasing count of shooter MMOs and Jessica's thoughts on competing in a market where this genre is quickly becoming popular. Her answer is exactly our opinion on the game thus far, that it fills a specific niche currently not found elsewhere: post-apocalyptic, classless, FPS/RPG hybrid. We'd also mention its open sandbox design and non-futuristic focus, as in you won't find laser beams and plasma rifles at higher levels.

What's even better is that, as she says, the Fallen Earth team looks to be doing everything they can to make the most of their position.

Get acquainted with Fallen Earth originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 10 May 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MTV Multiplayer speaks with MMO devs looking to attract shooter fans

Kyle Horner — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: New titles, News items, MMOFPS

Undoubtedly, the developers of games like All Points Bulletin, The Agency, CrimeCraft and Earthrise would like shooter fans to give their game a try. And with so many of these titles on the way, it can be a little difficult to know which one may be for you. So, MTV Multiplayer's Tracey John went out and got each developer's take on why they think shooter fans should look into their respective games.

Not all of these games take the same shooter mentality approach, but that's a good thing. Variety is of course the spice of life, especially when those things involve itchy digital trigger fingers. You can be sure we'll be bringing you even more information in the future so you can decide which of these games is for you.

MTV Multiplayer speaks with MMO devs looking to attract shooter fans originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 23 Apr 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EVE Online developer Noah Ward on player drama in the sandbox

James Egan — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, EVE Online, Culture, Events, in-game, Game mechanics, Guilds, Interviews, MMO industry

There's been no shortage of player-driven drama in EVE Online over the past few months. The things players can do within the game is a testament to EVE's sandbox design, but also to the developers who allow the players accomplish whatever their devious little hearts desire. It's true that most who play the game don't embezzle virtual currency from player-run banks, engage in spycraft or turn double agent, much less publicly assassinate another player during a PvP tournament, but all players in the game benefit from the risk these activities inject into the game. It all becomes part of the game's setting and ultimately makes New Eden a gritter place.

This is a topic of discussion over at MTV Multiplayer this week. EVE Online's lead game designer Noah Ward (aka CCP Hammerhead) sat down with MTV Multiplayer's Tracey John, to discuss some of the potential within the EVE sandbox. The interview focuses on CCP Games' hands-off approach to what the players are doing in the game. As long as players aren't spouting racial epithets or making real-life threats against one another, EVE's gamers can basically do whatever they choose on an individual or collective level.

Continue reading EVE Online developer Noah Ward on player drama in the sandbox

EVE Online developer Noah Ward on player drama in the sandbox originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 04 Mar 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cryptic's Bill Roper: Don't count Warhammer Online out just yet

Kyle Horner — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Interviews, MMO industry, Warhammer Online, News items

MTV Multiplayer's ever-interviewing Tracey John managed to speak with Bill Roper at length concerning his thoughts on Warhammer Online and the trials it and other like-minded online games are facing. "I know many games out there that would love to have 300,000 subscribers." said Roper in regards to the recently revealed subscriber count. And we'd have to agree with him there, it certainly is a number that several smaller-budget titles would love to have.

When questioned on the recent Mythic layoffs and future prospects of the game, Roper said, "I think Warhammer's got a lot of awesome stuff about it, obviously the Mythic guys are great." However, there was much more he had to say on the topic of Warhammer Online, including Cryptic's own take on dealing with the tough economy that all developers and publishers are currently facing -- which is to make sure their games come with financially reasonable system requirements.

Cryptic's Bill Roper: Don't count Warhammer Online out just yet originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 20 Feb 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LEGO Universe eventually hitting consoles

Kyle Horner — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: New titles, News items, Consoles, LEGO Universe

Just yesterday, MTV Multiplayer's Tracey John spoke with LEGO Universe's project lead Mark Hansen about several topics. His most curious response was to the inquiring of a possible console version of the up-and-coming click 'em together MMO, wherein he basically said yes -- albeit with a caveat. That little "but" is that a console version would exist sometime in the game's future and probably not at the launch date. And considering that launch day just got a little further away, we could be waiting a while.

And while putting something like LEGO Universe on a console sounds like the perfect idea, it seems like we'll just have to build our giant space pirate ships complete with castle tower and damsel in distress on our PCs first, and our Xbox's and PlayStation's second.

LEGO Universe eventually hitting consoles originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 18 Feb 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Star Trek Online not getting that quirky Captain Kirk smirk

Kyle Horner — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, New titles, News items, Star Trek Online

Alas, in case any dear readers were holding out hope for some kind of time traveling Captain Kirk appearance in Star Trek Online, we're here to inform you that it probably isn't going to happen. MTV Multiplayer's Tracey John sat down with STO's executive producer Craig Zinkievich last weekend at NYCC and got the goods on both Shatner's absence from the game, as well as some intriguing cross-platform information.

So yes, no Kirk. However, it seems like Cryptic is not against the idea of dropping console and PC players into the same server. While no revelations were given about which (both?) console would see the game, apparently both Sony and Microsoft are excited at the prospect. ZInkievich stressed that ultimately their choice will have a lot to do with how certification for patches is handled.

It's certainly a touchy subject, but Final Fantasy XI seems to have handled itself well on the Xbox 360. If we had to throw down a guess, it would be that we're likely to see the game his Microsoft's console at the very least. But until Cryptic makes an announcement, everyone will just have to assume they'll be boldly clicking, etc, etc.

Star Trek Online not getting that quirky Captain Kirk smirk originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 13 Feb 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DC Universe Online and its appeal to female gamers

James Egan — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Super-hero, Game mechanics, Interviews, DC Universe Online

The days when comic books and video games were predominantly male pastimes are thankfully fading into memory, and the growing number of women gamers in the MMO space drives this point home. But are these games "female-friendly?" According to MTV Multiplayer, we may see Sony Online Entertainment reach out to women with DC Universe Online.

Tracey John recently interviewed DCUO creative director Jens Andersen and senior producer Wes Yanagi about what the upcoming title may have to offer women beyond some of the in-your-face combat we've been seeing lately in the DCUO footage. Andersen says DC Universe Online won't just be about clobbering the hell out of your opponents. Rather healing, buffing, and support in the game are designed to be far more engaging, not simply stats shown in the interface. Andersen believes that these elements of gameplay, combined with extensive character customization will draw more women to the super-hero title.

Continue reading DC Universe Online and its appeal to female gamers

DC Universe Online and its appeal to female gamers originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 11 Feb 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Issues with DC Universe Online cross-play not entirely technical, also cultural

Kyle Horner — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: Interviews, New titles, News items, DC Universe Online

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!

Issues 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.

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