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[Wizard101 fansite owner hired to be Pirate101's community manager]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/09/wizard101-fansite-owner-hired-to-be-pirate101s-community-manage/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/09/wizard101-fansite-owner-hired-to-be-pirate101s-community-manage/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/09/wizard101-fansite-owner-hired-to-be-pirate101s-community-manage/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

The Friendly Necromancer logo
Tom Purdue, admired owner and operator of The Friendly Necromancer blog and Wizard101 fansite, has announced today that he will be KingsIsle Entertainment's new community manager for the upcoming Pirate101 MMO.

As that transition from fan to employee is always a fascinating transformation, we recognize that it's not an easy decision. Massively itself has raised a handful of MMO community managers, so this news is particularly of interest to us. For that reason, we tracked Tom down and asked him some questions about his new role at KingsIsle. Follow along below for the complete interview.

Continue reading Wizard101 fansite owner hired to be Pirate101's community manager

MassivelyWizard101 fansite owner hired to be Pirate101's community manager originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 09 May 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>community-managerdream-come-truef2pfamilyfansitefantasyfree-to-playinterviewinterviewskid-friendlykids-mmokingsislekingsisle-entertainmentpirate101the-friendly-necromancertom-purduetransitionwizard101Wed, 09 May 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Gods & Heroes crucifies subs and slashes box prices]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/13/gods-and-heroes-crucifies-subs-and-slashes-box-prices/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/13/gods-and-heroes-crucifies-subs-and-slashes-box-prices/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/13/gods-and-heroes-crucifies-subs-and-slashes-box-prices/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Gods & Heroes
Two business models entered Gods & Heroes' colosseum, but only one walked out alive. The crowds cheered their approval, and for a moment their bloodlust was sated. Subscriptions in the game would be no more.

Today, Heatwave Interactive announced that the subscription model wasn't working out for the underperforming Gods & Heroes: Rome Rising (perhaps it did not sell enough fancy helmets) and as of today subs are a thing of the past. Instead, players can enjoy the game without a fee while the team works on creating a true free-to-play plan.

In addition to making gameplay completely free, Heatwave has cleaved the price of the client in twain, reducing the cost to $9.99 for those who have yet to get it. If you've previously purchased the game, whether you were currently subbed to it or not, your account is now flagged for unlimited free play.

MassivelyGods & Heroes crucifies subs and slashes box prices originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 13 Jan 2012 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>business-modelcolosseumdealf2pfree-to-playgods-and-heroesheatwaveheatwave-interactivepromotionsubsubssubscriptiontransitionFri, 13 Jan 2012 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[NCsoft answers questions on Aion's F2P transition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/14/ncsoft-answers-questions-on-aions-f2p-transition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/14/ncsoft-answers-questions-on-aions-f2p-transition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/14/ncsoft-answers-questions-on-aions-f2p-transition/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Screenshot -- Aion
NCsoft announced earlier today that it has partnered up with Gameforge to transition Aion Europe to a F2P model. Now Gamespot UK has a new question-and-answer session with NCsoft that explains a bit about the reasons behind the transition. For instance, what can players expect when Aion goes F2P, considering it already had a cash shop to begin with? In the F2P version, the shop will be accessible from inside the game itself, allowing players to make purchases on the fly instead of exiting the game to do so.
Gamespot also asks the company's opinion on the ongoing F2P-vs.-subscription war. The company believes that "more and more games will directly launch into a free-to-play business model in the future," but for now it's also "shown that transitioning to free-to-play has become a valid option to extend a game's life cycle." For the full Q&A, head click on over to Gamespot UK.

MassivelyNCsoft answers questions on Aion's F2P transition originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 14 Dec 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aionaion-euaion-europeeueuropef2pf2p-vs-subf2p-vs-subscriptionfree-to-playgameforgeindustrymmo-industryncsofttransitionWed, 14 Dec 2011 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[DC Universe Online boasts 1000% playerbase growth]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/07/dc-universe-online-boasts-1000-playerbase-growth/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/07/dc-universe-online-boasts-1000-playerbase-growth/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/07/dc-universe-online-boasts-1000-playerbase-growth/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Screenshot -- DC Universe Online
DC Universe Online has been free-to-play for just under a week now, but SOE is already reporting huge spikes in player population. SOE president John Smedley has been tweeting constantly since the transition, with the most recent tweet announcing that population is up 1000% from its pre-F2P numbers.

It's not all sunshine and butterflies over in DCUO-land, however. Players have been experiencing a number of issues with the F2P transition, such as astoundingly long server queues, endless loading screens, and other gameplay-inhibiting problems. Smedley says that the team is "on it," though.

If you want to be part of the game's booming playerbase, just head on over to the game's official site (or download the game on Steam) and jump on in.

MassivelyDC Universe Online boasts 1000% playerbase growth originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 07 Nov 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>boostdc-comicsdc-universe-onlinedcuof2pfree-to-playgrowthjohn-smedleyplayer-baseplayerspopulationpopulation-growthsoesony-online-entertainmenttransitionMon, 07 Nov 2011 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[DCUO's free-to-play rollout has begun]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/01/dcuos-free-to-play-rollout-has-begun/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/01/dcuos-free-to-play-rollout-has-begun/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/01/dcuos-free-to-play-rollout-has-begun/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

DCUO
Last week, Sony Online Entertainment chose November 1st for the arrival of free-to-play in Gotham City, and that day is upon us. According to the DC Universe Online Facebook page, the F2P rollout has begun; consequently, the game is currently down for maintenance "and will be for some time." Says DCUO's RadarX:
It's incredible to see all this excitement surrounding Free to Play! We are still in the process of transitioning our systems and appreciate everyone's patience. We will have more information for you soon and a brand new website full of information about DCUO Free to Play.
PC players who want to get a jump on the download can do so through the SOE launcher. We'll keep you posted when the revamp of the game and site is live!

[Thanks to Eric for the tip!]

MassivelyDCUO's free-to-play rollout has begun originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 01 Nov 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>business-modelconversiondcdc-universedc-universe-onlinedcuof2pfacebookfree-to-playlaunchradarxsoesony-online-entertainmenttransitionTue, 01 Nov 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Preparing for the apocalypse (again): GamersFirst on Fallen Earth's F2P shift]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/06/preparing-for-the-apocalypse-again-gamersfirst-on-fallen-eart/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/06/preparing-for-the-apocalypse-again-gamersfirst-on-fallen-eart/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/06/preparing-for-the-apocalypse-again-gamersfirst-on-fallen-eart/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Fallen Earth
Today was my last day in Fallen Earth. My subscription ran out, so I was cut off from everything: glorious crafting, expansive exploration, black humor, and gas mask fashionware. Fortunately, my adventures will resume on October 12th, when Fallen Earth officially makes its transition to a hybrid free-to-play/subscription model.

Like many current players and potential clones, we are understandably curious about the implications and (pardon the pun) fallout from such a fundamental shift in the business model. Will F2P be the savior of this niche game? What's being done to prepare for the change? To answer these questions and more, we talked to Joseph Willmon, an associate game director for GamersFirst.

Massively: How are you preparing your servers for the added influx of free-to-play tourists?

Joseph Willmon: We're still wrapping up some of the final stages of settling the Fallen Earth servers into their new homes at GamersFirst, so soon they'll be as optimized as we want them to be. We're lucky in that Fallen Earth was designed from the ground up to support lots of people playing -- we'd have to blow all estimates out of the water really quickly in order for population to be an issue, which wouldn't be such a bad problem to have!

Continue reading Preparing for the apocalypse (again): GamersFirst on Fallen Earth's F2P shift

MassivelyPreparing for the apocalypse (again): GamersFirst on Fallen Earth's F2P shift originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 06 Oct 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>all-points-bulletinapbcross-promotionf2pfallen-earthfefeaturedfree-to-playgamersfirstgmhazmatinterviewjoe-willmonjoseph-willmonlive-eventspvpsandboxscavengersubscriptiontransitionveteranveteran-rewardswardrobeworld-eventsThu, 06 Oct 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wasteland Diaries: I got skills]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/05/wasteland-diaries-i-got-skills/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/05/wasteland-diaries-i-got-skills/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/05/wasteland-diaries-i-got-skills/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Sector 4, a new skill and abilities system and a new... well, a new everything has come to Fallen Earth. Even the forums will be migrating over to GamersFirst's little piece of cyberspace. While the transition hasn't gone completely smoothly, it could have been a lot worse. I don't know why they decided to do all this stuff at once, but it went well, considering how major an undertaking it probably was. The skills and abilities (also known as the "combat system") didn't fare too well with the wastelanders, and the devs have promised some fixes. With everything going on right now, I don't think we'll see them any time soon, though I may be wrong.

One thing is for sure: The new combat system is here to stay. Many of us would like to see them scrap it, go back to the old system and just patch up its imperfections (it was so close). But, I have been told emphatically that it's here to stay. So, instead of dwelling on the what-ifs, I'd like to take a look at all of the new skills and mutations, since they are definitely permanent -- although they may be changing a little bit in the coming days while this brand-new system is tested and balanced.

Mostly what we have now is what we are going be using. Some of them are the same, but by and large, this new system is an entirely different animal. You may recognize some of the names, but most of the abilities (actually, I think all of them) function differently. After the cut, we will take a look at every skill and their associated abilities in the game.

Continue reading Wasteland Diaries: I got skills

MassivelyWasteland Diaries: I got skills originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 05 Aug 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abilitiesf2pf2p-modelfallen-earthfallen-earth-llcfeaturedgamersfirsticarus-studiosnew-combat-systemnew-skillssector-4skillsstatisticstransitionFri, 05 Aug 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Nexon takes Atlantica Online under its wing]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/09/nexon-takes-atlantica-online-under-its-wing/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/09/nexon-takes-atlantica-online-under-its-wing/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/09/nexon-takes-atlantica-online-under-its-wing/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Like a kid moving back into his parents' house, Atlantica Online is coming back home to Nexon. Nexon-owned NDoors both developed and operated the turn-based MMO, but Nexon has decided to take over the publishing and servicing duties directly as of March 22nd.

While Atlantica Online will continue to run as normal, this move does signify a few changes for the game. Nexon has promised that it will improve gameplay, make the servers run more efficiently, and ensure new content for the playerbase. Atlantica Online will also start using Nexon's NX Cash for in-game currency and will convert current Gcoins into NX Cash at the rate of 100:1,000. Atlantica Online has already removed the stamina system from the game, allowing gamers to play as long as they like without restrictions.

The transition between NDoors and Nexon will take the better part of a month to make sure that everything moves over smoothly. Until April 19th, players will be able to use their NDoors accounts to log into the game, after which it will be necessary to make the switch to a Nexon account. By moving early, players will get a grab bag of goodies for their diligence.

Atlantica Online has posted a rather extensive FAQ about this transition for all interested parties.

MassivelyNexon takes Atlantica Online under its wing originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 09 Mar 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atlantica-onlinegcoinsndoorsndoors-interactivenexonnx-cashoperationserversstamina-systemtransitionturn-basedWed, 09 Mar 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Update on the Warhammer Online transition for European players]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/06/update-on-the-warhammer-online-transition-for-european-players/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/06/update-on-the-warhammer-online-transition-for-european-players/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/06/update-on-the-warhammer-online-transition-for-european-players/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

If you've been enjoying Warhammer Online over in Europe, it's been impossible to miss all of the information about Mythic Entertainment taking over the game's operation. Much as it did with the Dark Age of Camelot transition earlier this year, Mythic is replacing GOA as the direct operator. The team behind the game has been trying to keep the process of transition as transparent as possible, and the result has been that it appears to be clear sailing for the switched operators, according to the most recent announcement.

Although the original timeline called for the transition to run until July 7th, it appears that the change has been completed, with all existing accounts transferred over with the suffix "_EUR." (So "Facemasher" would be "Facemasher_EUR" to log in.) While the team doesn't anticipate any problems, it's continuing to improve French and German customer service bases. As such, the team is asking for players to submit English requests when possible during the transition period. Warhammer Online players should be pleased at the smoothness of the transition, but are still advised to keep their eyes open on the off chance something went strange.

MassivelyUpdate on the Warhammer Online transition for European players originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 06 Jul 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>change-in-managementdaocdark-age-of-camelotea-gamesea-mythicea-warhammerea-warhammer-onlineelectronic-artseuropeeuropean-transitiongoamanagement-changemythicmythic-eamythic-entertainmenttransitionwarwar-eawar-europewarhammerwarhammer-eawarhammer-onlinewarhammer-online-eawarhammer-online-europeTue, 06 Jul 2010 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The9 is out, NetEase is in for Chinese World of Warcraft operator]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/16/the9-is-out-netease-is-in-for-chinese-world-of-warcraft-operato/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/16/the9-is-out-netease-is-in-for-chinese-world-of-warcraft-operato/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/16/the9-is-out-netease-is-in-for-chinese-world-of-warcraft-operato/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


Yesterday, we reported the rumor that it looked like Chinese World of Warcraft operator The9 might be losing the licensing rights to a competitor, and today we can confirm that rumor to be 100% true. Rival company NetEase has purchased the rights to operate World of Warcraft in China, starting once The9's current contract is up with Blizzard on June 8th.

NetEase is already the operator of Battle.net in China, supporting Warcraft III and the to-be-released Starcraft II. They have been operating with Blizzard since last August, when they acquired all of the rights to the other Blizzard games. This acquisition only brings NetEase and Blizzard closer together in their business arrangement.

What is still up in the air, however, is the fate of Wrath of the Lich King. DoNews, a Chinese news site, has reported that Wrath has been licensed by NetEase, although no formal announcement has yet been made.

[Via JLM Pacific Epoch]

MassivelyThe9 is out, NetEase is in for Chinese World of Warcraft operator originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 16 Apr 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battle.netblizzardlegallicensingneteasepatch-3.0rightsstarcraft-2starcraft-iithe9transitionwarcraft-3warcraft-iiiworld-of-warcraftwotlkwrathwrath-of-the-lich-kingThu, 16 Apr 2009 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Migrating your flock to a new MMO]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/30/migrating-your-flock-to-a-new-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/30/migrating-your-flock-to-a-new-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/30/migrating-your-flock-to-a-new-mmo/#commentsFiled under: ,


When the temperature starts to drop and the food supply starts to dwindle, it's a common sight to see flocks of Canada Geese airborne and flying en masse to a warmer more hospitable climate. The analogy holds for online gaming as well. When you've run the same content over and over again and the once-lush graphical terrain of your virtual world starts to lose its luster, it can be an indicator that it's time for you and your flock to spread your wings and look for a new online world to call your own. After all, once you've assembled all the elements of a finely-honed grinding machine in the form of your circle of online friends, why re-invent the wheel? It's often best for you to all uproot at the same time and move together.

Our friend Relmstein has written an excellent article on the subject of how to migrate your circle of friends from one MMO to another. As the author points out, there are a number of MMO titles coming along soon that are going to cause shifts in server population throughout the MMO galaxy. Instead of starting over from scratch why not take your friends with you? Check out Relmstein's article and learn some of the secrets of how to make a successful MMO transition.

MassivelyMigrating your flock to a new MMO originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 30 Apr 2008 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>new gamesNewGamestransitionWed, 30 Apr 2008 17:30:00 EST