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[Travis Baldree talks Torchlight MMO]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/30/travis-baldree-talks-torchlight-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/30/travis-baldree-talks-torchlight-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/30/travis-baldree-talks-torchlight-mmo/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Runic Games and Torchlight designer Travis Baldree open up about their Torchlight MMORPG in the new issue of PC Gamer that hits newsstands this week. The hit single-player game will serve as inspiration for a solo-able massively multiplayer title.

"Our vision is to have an MMO that plays as close to single player as we can get it. It will have the same focus on relatively fast action: carving your way through hordes of monsters with a large number of hugely devastating skills. The game has to be solo-able, but players will have to have skills that make them useful in a party and make them work together," Baldree says.

The title will also feature a microtransaction payment model, which, ironically enough, its creator despises. "I will never, ever buy a microtransaction item," Baldtree states. "I'm that kind of player. And the game has to be enjoyable for me, too. We don't want our monetisation stuff to offer ways to skip the game because the game is boring."

Check out the teaser announcement on PC Gamer's website.

MassivelyTravis Baldree talks Torchlight MMO originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 30 Jun 2010 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f2pfree-to-playmicrotransactionspc-gamerrunic-gamestorchlighttravis-baldreeWed, 30 Jun 2010 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[PAX 2009: Runic Games announces Torchlight launch for October 27]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/04/pax-2009-runic-games-announces-torchlight-launch-for-october-27/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/04/pax-2009-runic-games-announces-torchlight-launch-for-october-27/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/04/pax-2009-runic-games-announces-torchlight-launch-for-october-27/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Runic Games announced at the Penny Arcade Expo today that Torchlight is slated for an October 27th launch, with Perfect World as the game's publisher. Torchlight will be a fully downloadable game, sold at $19.99. Massively had a look at Torchlight at E3 2009 and noted the game is influenced by titles like Diablo and Fate, which should come as little surprise given that the Runic Games is headed up by CEO Max Schaefer (co-designer of Diablo) and President Travis Baldree (designer of Fate).

Runic Games now has a "Meet the NPCs of Torchlight" page up on the game's official site and will be giving fans an early peek at the game at PAX 2009. For the rest of us who can't be there, they'll also be on Twitter with updates from the expo.

MassivelyPAX 2009: Runic Games announces Torchlight launch for October 27 originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 04 Sep 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fantasylaunchesmax-schaefermmo-industrynew-titlespax-2009perfect-worldrunic-gamestorchlighttravis-baldreeFri, 04 Sep 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ex-Mythos devs discuss upcoming MMO project at Runic Games]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/28/ex-mythos-devs-discuss-upcoming-mmo-project-at-runic-games/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/28/ex-mythos-devs-discuss-upcoming-mmo-project-at-runic-games/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/28/ex-mythos-devs-discuss-upcoming-mmo-project-at-runic-games/#commentsFiled under: , ,


A few of us on the Massively staff were gutted when Mythos became a casualty of the Flagship Studios closure. We later learned that some of the former Mythos devs had formed a new studio called Runic Games; just the other day we picked up on a partnership between Runic Games and Perfect World to release a new title called Torchlight. Aside from this, we'd heard precious little about what's in the works at Runic Games, but an interview we've come across sheds some more light on what the former Mythos devs have been up to.

Travis Baldree from Runic Games discusses how they're building Torchlight as an MMO, although its first incarnation will be a single player title, one that actively supports modders. The interview also discusses the story and art of Torchlight, as well as its music, programming, and the toolsets which will be made available to players. In fact, Runic Games' Greg Brown says, "Hopefully, nearly everything I've been working on will be usable by players who want to modify the game." If you were interested by what you saw of Mythos and want to know what those devs have in store for gamers with Torchlight, you'll want to give the interview a read at the Runic Insider site.

MassivelyEx-Mythos devs discuss upcoming MMO project at Runic Games originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 28 Apr 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fantasyflagship-studiosgreg-brownmythosnew-titlesperfect-worldrunic-gamesrunic-insidertravis-baldreeTue, 28 Apr 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[From the ashes of Mythos, Runic Games is born]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/10/from-the-ashes-of-mythos-runic-games-is-born/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/10/from-the-ashes-of-mythos-runic-games-is-born/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/10/from-the-ashes-of-mythos-runic-games-is-born/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The fate of the former Flagship Studios staff is something a number of our readers have been wondering about, particularly after the confusion and drama surrounding the Hellgate: London and Mythos IPs. The writers at Massively have been curious about this as well, until now. We've gotten word from Joystiq that former Flagship Studios Seattle staff -- specifically, the Mythos team -- have formed a new company called Runic Games.

Max Schaefer and Travis Baldree are at the helm of Runic Games, and have stated that their forthcoming projects will be announced in the coming days. There are no further details at this time, but Runic Games now has a site where the announcement of their resurrection is posted. Massively extends its congratulations on making a quick comeback, and here's hoping Runic Games will bring some of that Mythos magic to their new projects.

MassivelyFrom the ashes of Mythos, Runic Games is born originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 10 Aug 2008 13:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingbusiness-modelsflagship-studioshellgate-londonindustryipjoystiqmax-schaefermmo-industrymythosrunic-gamestravis-baldreeSun, 10 Aug 2008 13:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Mythos is dead but its memory lives on]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/21/mythos-is-dead-but-its-memory-lives-on/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/21/mythos-is-dead-but-its-memory-lives-on/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/21/mythos-is-dead-but-its-memory-lives-on/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

The announcement blared last Friday. The Mythos beta would shutdown and placed on hiatus that very night. It didn't leave much time to say goodbye, the suddenness left many unable to attend but Massively was present in your stead.

"Farewell friends, farewell Mythos" echoed throughout the Stonehill Market. Players congregated and crowded the area to praise Mythos and say their goodbyes. "I don't know what game to play next," cried several others. It's the people behind the characters that matter, the emotions are real, honest, and believable. The death of any MMOG is always a disheartening experience but it also brings cause to celebrate and forge a lasting adventure into a lifetime memory.

Several appreciative and ever thankful Mythos developers were of course present. Lead Developer, Travis Baldree spawned a cataclysmic event for the players to partake in that lasted well into the night. Mythos players joked that it took a crashed server to defeat them as they settled in for the fireworks. Mythos CM, Tiggs made her presence felt by continually talking and laughing with the community. As the final seconds approached the world quaked, and before Mythos collapsed offline the lasting words ringed out: "You will be remembered." It was a very fitting tribute and gracious sentiment indeed. It was a good nine months, and we hope to see Mythos back again one day.

Gallery: Mythos

MassivelyMythos is dead but its memory lives on originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 21 Jul 2008 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betasbreakingcloseclosingclosureend-of-mythosflagship-studiosgallerymythosmythos-betasmythos-closesmythos-endmythos-gallerymythos-hiatustiggstravis-baldreeMon, 21 Jul 2008 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Future of Mythos beta uncertain ]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/16/lead-dev-travis-baldree-updates-mythos-community-and-uncertainty/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/16/lead-dev-travis-baldree-updates-mythos-community-and-uncertainty/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/16/lead-dev-travis-baldree-updates-mythos-community-and-uncertainty/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Mythos beta testers are experiencing a rollercoaster of emotions as they await official word on what will happen to Mythos. The bad news struck Friday, July 11th. It was confirmed that the ranks were culled as layoffs (over 30 confirmed at VE3D's count) occurred at Flagship Studios, developers of Hellgate: London and Mythos. Staff at PingO, an online services subsidiary felt the impact too. To help shed some new light there is a response from Travis Baldree, Lead developer on Mythos.

In a post entitled, "A Fond Farewell" Baldree espouses gratitude to the Mythos beta community, the close relationship between employees, and does not disclose any specific details on the future of Mythos. Baldree is also unsure of how long Mythos in its current beta form will remain operational, but claims he will inform the community when possible. While Baldree did hint at reopening beta testing in the future, the question regarding on who owns the intellectual property and rights is probably going to be decided in a legal battle. Other developers that worked on Mythos also posted their farewells and appreciation to the beta community in the same thread. (We have copied Baldree's post after the jump in case the forums shutdown.)

[Via Warcry]

Continue reading Future of Mythos beta uncertain

MassivelyFuture of Mythos beta uncertain originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 16 Jul 2008 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betasbreakingfarewellflagshipflagship-studioshellgate-londonmythosnew-titlestravis-baldreeWed, 16 Jul 2008 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Interview with Mythos' Travis Baldree]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/19/interview-with-mythos-travis-baldree/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/19/interview-with-mythos-travis-baldree/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/19/interview-with-mythos-travis-baldree/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

While we wait for Mythos to enter open beta so we can all play in the action-MMO inspired by Diablo II's fast, furious and inviting gameplay, we were thrilled to read this interview with Mythos' Project Director, Travis Baldree. This is one of the guys with his arms elbow-deep in the code. If you've been following Mythos' sometimes-funny, sometimes-frustrating struggles toward release on Travis' "Almost-a-Blog", then you already know that Mythos is a game that definitely proves the old canard that change is the only thing you can depend upon.

Read about the most unbalanced crafted item ever made, consignment houses, new classes and races, and when Open Beta might start ("Soon". Oops. Spoiler!)

[WarCry]

MassivelyInterview with Mythos' Travis Baldree originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 19 Jun 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betabusiness-modelscasualclassescraftingeconomyfantasyfree-to-playinterviewlaunchmythosnew-titlestravis-baldreeThu, 19 Jun 2008 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Mythos crew addresses the issue of bird-men]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/22/mythos-crew-addresses-the-issue-of-bird-men/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/22/mythos-crew-addresses-the-issue-of-bird-men/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/22/mythos-crew-addresses-the-issue-of-bird-men/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

At this stage of the game, it really feels like we've culled absolutely every bit of information that Flagship Studios has to give about their upcoming dungeon crawler Mythos. We've already found out about the in-game mall, email system, group content, mini-games, the class differentiation, and what color sherbet Max Schaefer prefers on a particularly hot day.

As it turns out however, there's always more minutiae to mull over! In the latest interview, the Flagship boys are asked about a bunch of things that you likely didn't even think to ask in the first place. What's going to be done about farmers, griefers, and spawn campers? (Something) How awesome will crafting be? (So awesome!) Will there be a bird race? (Like Big Bird? Maybe...) And as to the elusive question of whether and when the open beta is going to start, they still wouldn't give a solid answer. While that disappoints a little bit, at least their release date isn't set in mud, because we all know what that meant.

MassivelyMythos crew addresses the issue of bird-men originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 22 Apr 2008 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>birdscraftingflagship-studiosinterviewmax-schaefermythosracesrelease-datetravis-baldreetthTue, 22 Apr 2008 13:30:00 EST