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 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Choose My Adventure: Framing my first foray in Darkfall]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/08/choose-my-adventure-framing-my-first-foray-in-darkfall/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/08/choose-my-adventure-framing-my-first-foray-in-darkfall/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/08/choose-my-adventure-framing-my-first-foray-in-darkfall/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Choose My Adventure Framing my first foray in Darkfall
Break time's over! Now it's time to roll up our sleeves and get back to work building our latest Choose My Adventure. The first order of business is to establish the framework for the rest of our Darkfall Unholy Wars (mis)adventures.

Of course, we can't just build willy-nilly; we need to follow a plan. And as with any major construction project, we couldn't really move forward until said plan was OKed by the planning commission. So while we waited for the foundation to set, we sought approval for which type of structure to base our continuing adventures on. And as is wont to happen with committees, there was trouble coming to a consensus; even though the proposed models were all pretty similar, disagreement arose as to which to pick.

However, after some debate (one proposal won by only one vote!), we finally got the go ahead: The final word was to build a Mahirim Deadeye. I'm on it, boss!

Gallery: Choose My Adventure: Darkfall Unholy Wars

Continue reading Choose My Adventure: Framing my first foray in Darkfall

MassivelyChoose My Adventure: Framing my first foray in Darkfall originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 08 May 2013 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agonaventurinecharacter-creationcharacter-customizationchoose-my-adventurechoose-my-adventure-darkfallchoose-my-adventure-mj-guthriecmadarkfalldarkfall-unholy-warsdffantasyfeaturedfirst-impressiongalleryhands-onopen-pvpopinionpollpollspvpreaders-choicesandboxscreenshotstutorialtutorialsunholy-warsvotevotingWed, 08 May 2013 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What things should MMOs explain to new players?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/08/the-daily-grind-what-things-should-mmos-explain-to-new-players/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/08/the-daily-grind-what-things-should-mmos-explain-to-new-players/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/08/the-daily-grind-what-things-should-mmos-explain-to-new-players/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Hi there! I'm the Dungeon Mechanics Robot! No, keep leveling, I'll wait.
Games do not like to explain the concept of roles to players. This is not to say that they don't expect players to take those roles, most frequently the standard trinity setup; rather, those roles are never explained in depth. There's no tutorial in Star Wars: The Old Republic explaining what a tank is or how you will want to play one. In a game like Guild Wars 2, which has a radically different role structure from every other game, you'd expect more explanation, but it offers even less.

This is a smaller part of a larger problem: Many MMOs are built with the assumption that the players are familiar with certain core conventions. So you get tutorials on movement but not on roles or character builds or group behavior or anything that you might need if you've never played an MMO before in your life. What do you think MMOs in general should explain to new players? What areas are lacking in resources for anyone getting into a game cold?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: What things should MMOs explain to new players? originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 08 Dec 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>conceptsdaily-grindexplanationsfresh-playerslearning-to-playnew-playersopiniontdgthe-daily-grindtutorialsSat, 08 Dec 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Online walks us through the remaking of a tutorial]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/07/30/eve-online-walks-us-through-the-remaking-of-a-tutorial/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/07/30/eve-online-walks-us-through-the-remaking-of-a-tutorial/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/07/30/eve-online-walks-us-through-the-remaking-of-a-tutorial/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

EVE Online walks us through the remaking of a tutorial
With EVE Online's inbound Inferno 1.2 patch comes a completely overhauled tutorial experience for the game. CCP Games was concerned by how many potential players failed to make it through the existing tutorial, and CCP Greyscale wrote a lengthy post detailing how a studio goes about retuning the beginner experience to retain customers.

This process is detailed in five steps. The first was to gather metrics and analyze them to see where problem areas lay. From there the team broke apart the current tutorial, reorganized it, and formed task forces to deal with each section. After making the changes, the team turned the new tutorial over to outside testers for evaluation and feedback. Finally, the improved tutorial will be implemented to (hopefully) greater effect.

CCP also listed many of the changes coming with this new tutorial. These changes include removing the voiceovers and adding right-click context menus, better visuals, highlighting text, and easier navigation between the tutorial steps.

MassivelyEVE Online walks us through the remaking of a tutorial originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 30 Jul 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1.2beginner-experienceccpccp-gamesccp-greyscaledev-diaryeveeve-onlineinfernoinferno-1.2internet-spaceshipspatch-1.2sandboxsci-fispreadsheets-onlinetutorialtutorial-experiencetutorialsMon, 30 Jul 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Should games offer a midpoint between pre-made builds and completely free builds?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/07/29/the-daily-grind-should-games-offer-a-midpoint-between-pre-made/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/07/29/the-daily-grind-should-games-offer-a-midpoint-between-pre-made/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/07/29/the-daily-grind-should-games-offer-a-midpoint-between-pre-made/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Quick, pick a number! No time to explain what any of the numbers mean yet!
There are a lot of different ways you can put together a character in certain games. The Secret World offers players a huge number of different options by virtue of its skill wheel, RIFT gives players several souls to choose between, and Champions Online lets you cherry-pick from a huge pool of powers. Most of these games also offer you some pre-made builds to give you a sense of how the game is supposed to work, something to start you down the path of making your own build.

Unfortunately, as soon as you decide to step off the pre-made train, these games throw up their hands and declare that you're entirely on your own. There are no suggestions based on what you've picked thus far, it's either fully pre-made or fully freeform. Should these games offer something in the middle so that you can have some extra guidance if you want it? Or should they let you live or die by your decisions if you decide you want to go off the rails anyway?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Should games offer a midpoint between pre-made builds and completely free builds? originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 29 Jul 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>character-abilitiescharacter-tutorialsdaily-grindgame-guidesguidanceguideshelpin-game-guidanceopen-character-creationopinionskill-based-characterstdgthe-daily-grindtutorialsSun, 29 Jul 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: How would you improve tutorials?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/11/the-daily-grind-how-would-you-improve-tutorials/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/11/the-daily-grind-how-would-you-improve-tutorials/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/11/the-daily-grind-how-would-you-improve-tutorials/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Hellgate London
Yesterday on Massively Speaking we had a lively discussion about what we dislike in MMO tutorials (the popups, oh the popups!) and how we'd improve them. But we are just a few humble souls slaving over old-fashioned typewriters, while you are a legion of computer-savvy geeks who have timed the wild, wild web. So how would you improve tutorials?

Keep in mind that MMO tutorials can and should be aimed at two different demographics: those who have never played online RPGs before and those who are experienced genre vets who are giving this game a go. Introducing a newcomer to the genre in such a way that he or she is not scared off is trickier than you might suspect, especially in the era of Angry Birds accessibility. What could be done to ease new players into the games? How could tutorials better transmit the information that you truly need and skip the stuff that you don't?

Let's brainstorm today! No idea is too silly, except for the sixth, 20th, and 41st comments. Those are just wack.

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: How would you improve tutorials? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 11 Apr 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>angry-birdsbeginner-experiencebeginner-zonedaily-grindmassively-speakingnewbienewbie-experiencenewbie-zoneopiniontdgthe-daily-grindtutorialtutorialswhackWed, 11 Apr 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Repopulation gets a graphical upgrade]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/05/the-repopulation-gets-a-graphical-upgrade/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/05/the-repopulation-gets-a-graphical-upgrade/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/05/the-repopulation-gets-a-graphical-upgrade/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

The Repopulation - environment graphics upgrade
The Repopulation is getting a graphics makeover according to the latest developer update. Above & Beyond Technologies has updated its website with a look at what happened during the month of November, and at the top of the list is a "major revamp to the character models" as well as new building and environment models.

Other milestones include the implementation of the game's weather system (including rain, snow, dust storms, sand storms, and meteor showers) and various combat and crafting abilities. Work also continues on the game's "awakening" sequence and starter/tutorial areas, with the goal being a more polished newbie experience than that of your typical non-linear title.

The Repopulation is a three-faction sci-fi sandbox with toggle-enabled action combat and a substantial crafting system. The game is scheduled to begin beta testing in 2012.

MassivelyThe Repopulation gets a graphical upgrade originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 05 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abilitiesabove-and-beyondabove-and-beyond-technologiescraftinggame-mechanicsgraphics-upgradehero-enginemonthly-development-updaterepopulationsandboxsci-fistarter-areathe-repopulationtutorialsweatherweather-systemMon, 05 Dec 2011 12:00:00 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: , , , , , , , ,

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

MassivelyThe 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[The Perfect Ten: First impression turn-offs]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/17/the-perfect-ten-first-impression-turn-offs/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/17/the-perfect-ten-first-impression-turn-offs/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/17/the-perfect-ten-first-impression-turn-offs/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Perfect Ten
A year ago our very own Shawn "The Mittani" Schuster wrote a memorable Soapbox column around the idea that MMOs had an hour to grab his attention or else he was out the door. No, don't go read it now. You're reading this! Stay! Good reader.

I concur with his point that while MMOs may ask us to experience them for the long haul, first impressions still count. And if those impressions aren't favorable right out the gate, it's not likely that we will be around for hour two, no matter how good it is.

I know what you're thinking right now: "What is this itching, burning sensation between my toes?" It's Athlete's Foot, and you need to get on that ASAP. You're also thinking, "But Justin, whose opinions I respect, admire, and use to teach my children, what drives you away from MMOs when you give them a try?" Again, it's an itching, burning sensation between my toes.

No, not really. It's more complicated than that -- so complicated, in fact, that it requires a 10-point presentation on what turns me off when an MMO is making a first impression. Imagine that!

Continue reading The Perfect Ten: First impression turn-offs

MassivelyThe Perfect Ten: First impression turn-offs originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 17 Nov 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>athletes-footbad-impressionseqeverquestfallen-earthfeaturedfirst-impressionsgold-sellergold-sellinggold-spamlistlistsperfect-10perfect-tenplaystationpopupsstar-wars-galaxiesswgtabula-rasathe-mittanithe-perfect-10the-perfect-tentutorialtutorialsvomitworld-of-warcraftwowxbox-liveThu, 17 Nov 2011 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: The new player experience, part 2]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/13/eve-evolved-the-new-player-experience-part-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/13/eve-evolved-the-new-player-experience-part-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/13/eve-evolved-the-new-player-experience-part-2/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

EVE Evolved title image
Two weeks ago, I began an experiment to look into EVE Online's new player experience from the perspective of someone who has never played the game before. I convinced my friend Kajatta to try the game for the first time, with his only prior knowledge being the same stories, videos and screenshots that anyone will have seen before signing up to give the game a shot. In the first part of this investigation into the new player experience, Kajatta delivered a harsh first impression of the user interface and character creation.

A common story I've heard when I'm talking to current EVE players is that many didn't really get into the game the first time they played. As happened to Kajatta, some found adapting to the UI and control scheme a jarring experience and were put off as a result. It was usually the second time they played EVE that seemed to make the game stick, whether that was restarting a new character immediately or giving the game a second try up to a year later.

Could it be that EVE is most likely to appeal to new players the second time they play it? To put this theory to the test, this week Kajatta took a fresh second stab at EVE Online and played through all the career agent content. But has his first attempt provide the equipment necessary to scale EVE's famous learning cliff, or did the UI and control scheme prove as impenetrable a barrier as ever?

In this week's EVE Evolved, Kajatta delivers his verdict on whether EVE is better the second time around and delves into the Cash Flow For Capsuleers combat missions.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: The new player experience, part 2

MassivelyEVE Evolved: The new player experience, part 2 originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 13 Nov 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auracash-flow-for-capsuleersccpccp-eveccp-gameseveeve-ccpeve-evolvedeve-mmorpgeve-onlinefeaturedfrigategallerykajattamissionmission-runningmissionsnew-playernew-player-experiencenew-playersscreenshotscreenshotstutorialtutorialsSun, 13 Nov 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Repopulation update talks tutorials, testing]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/03/the-repopulation-update-talks-tutorials-testing/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/03/the-repopulation-update-talks-tutorials-testing/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/03/the-repopulation-update-talks-tutorials-testing/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

The Repopulation - scary mob critters
Development on The Repopulation is moving right along, and Above & Beyond Technologies has updated fans with a lengthy October recap.

The lion's share of the work during the past month went towards preparing the sci-fi sandbox for testing, and the news blurb mentions a new tutorial system that focuses on repeatable training scenarios. While many sandbox MMOs have simply thrown players into the middle of the action and expected them to figure out complex systems as they go, The Repopulation looks to be placing a premium on educating new users before turning them loose.

Also on the testing front, the devs are targeting "early 2012" for beta, and the exact date will depend on how quickly the team can develop content and stockpile enough of it "to keep players busy during the initial months." Finally, there are quite a few patch-note-style updates in this month's recap, and you can find the full post on the official Repopulation website.

MassivelyThe Repopulation update talks tutorials, testing originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 03 Nov 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>above-and-beyondabove-and-beyond-technologiesbetacontentdevelopment-updaterepopulationsandboxsci-fitestingthe-repopulationtutorialsThu, 03 Nov 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[A Mild-Mannered Reporter: Begin again again]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/12/a-mild-mannered-reporter-begin-again-again/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/12/a-mild-mannered-reporter-begin-again-again/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/12/a-mild-mannered-reporter-begin-again-again/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

A Mild-Mannered Reporter header by A. Fienemann
If you like playing a few hundred different characters, City of Heroes definitely supports your terminal fear of the endgame. Unfortunately for me and my dreams of seeing that endgame with any reliability, I do indeed like playing dozens upon dozens of characters, meaning that my character select screen is an array of dozens of characters in carefully crafted outfits, many of which characters are not yet eligible for capes. It's one of those habits that I would dearly like to break, and so I'd eschewed making a new character despite the promise of a new starter experience for heroes and villains alike.

Unfortunately, I am also a recidivist. When I talked about the latest update, more than a few commenters called me out, rightly, on the fact that I hadn't really played through much of the new content that the issue had to offer. So I decided that now was the time. I was going to make myself two new characters -- one hero, one villain -- and I was going to see what the new experience was like. And I was going to do so while smoking because it seemed somehow appropriate.

Continue reading A Mild-Mannered Reporter: Begin again again

MassivelyA Mild-Mannered Reporter: Begin again again originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 12 Oct 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a-mild-mannered-reportercity-of-heroescity-of-heroes-freedomcity-of-villainscohcolumncolumnscovcoxf2pfeaturedfree-to-playmmrncsoftopinionparagonparagon-studiosstarterstarter-zonestutorialsupdatesWed, 12 Oct 2011 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Picaroon polishing beta 'questorials']]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/15/picaroon-polishing-beta-questorials/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/15/picaroon-polishing-beta-questorials/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/15/picaroon-polishing-beta-questorials/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Picaroon's beta phase is sailing merrily along, and Nice Technology is talking up a few of the MMORTS's features in a new press release. The newbie experience is fresh on the minds of beta testers and developers, and Nice producer Toby Simpson says that the company has come up with "questorials" that are organized into mission groups to effectively communicate the game's basics while avoiding the dreaded need for players to spend time reading a manual.

"We know that documentation is the very last thing that anyone reads," Simpson explains, noting that Nice has recently added PvE pirate battle questorials to introduce the game's combat.

Picaroon's beta is also gearing up to release new content in the form of a new building called the Technology Centre. In a nutshell, the Centre offers new strategies for defending islands (courtesy of an orbital laser cannon satellite) as well as a new game mode called persistent Picaroon. Head to the official website for more details.

MassivelyPicaroon polishing beta 'questorials' originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 15 Apr 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betaf2pfantasyfree-to-playlaser-cannonmmortsnaval-combatnicenice-technologyorbital-satellitepicaroonquestorialsrtsstrategytechnology-centretoby-simpsontutorialsFri, 15 Apr 2011 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[CCP releases EVE Online planetary interaction video tutorial]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/05/ccp-releases-eve-online-planetary-interaction-video-tutorial/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/05/ccp-releases-eve-online-planetary-interaction-video-tutorial/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/05/ccp-releases-eve-online-planetary-interaction-video-tutorial/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

EVE Online's learning curve is somewhat notorious (if not downright legendary) and may even be part of the reason the game's hardcore fans are so hardcore. There is truly nothing like it in the MMO space (and not much in gaming period aside from Elite and the X series). Getting into the ebb and flow of New Eden is challenging even for seasoned video game vets, and that was before CCP added a new wrinkle in the form of planetary interaction.

Luckily, the Icelandic development firm is also producing some spiffy video tutorials to help capsuleers wrap their brains around everything from scanning to harvesting resources from planets. A new planetary interaction video covers the basics including required modules, skills, and the successful manipulation of the new interface additions, all of it presented with in-game footage and voiceover narration. Check it after the cut or via CCP's YouTube portal.

Continue reading CCP releases EVE Online planetary interaction video tutorial

MassivelyCCP releases EVE Online planetary interaction video tutorial originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 05 Apr 2011 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-gamescommand-centerseveeve-onlinegameplaymmo-industrynew-edenplanetary-interactionsandboxsci-fitutorialtutorialsvideoTue, 05 Apr 2011 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[CCP releases first video tutorial for exploration in EVE Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/18/ccp-releases-first-video-tutorial-for-exploration-in-eve-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/18/ccp-releases-first-video-tutorial-for-exploration-in-eve-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/18/ccp-releases-first-video-tutorial-for-exploration-in-eve-online/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


Exploration is one of the more rewarding mini-professions a player can have in EVE Online. With the right skills you can scan down all types of hidden content, such as harvestable gas clouds, hidden asteroid belts, and combat encounters that take advantage of an explorer's skills like Archaeology and Hacking. The new exploration system that became part of EVE with the Apocrypha expansion last winter also made it possible for players to discover wormholes leading to uncharted space. However, exploration is also something a number of new players feel daunted by. (Truth be told though, the drag and drop system of manually guiding probes on a map and adjusting scan ranges is *far* easier than what many of the older players will remember from exploration pre-Apocrypha.)

EVE Online currently has four different exploration tutorials in-game to help players get a handle on the profession, but sometimes it's easier to just sit back and watch how it's done. CCP has now released a video tutorial for exploration that teaches players how to scan down the hidden content. The EVE Online: Scanning Guide Tutorial is a tag team effort from EVE TV's CCP Charlie who goes through the steps while Stevie SG narrates. They show the viewer how it's possible to find a wormhole in just a few minutes. The video tutorial coincides with the free Zephyr exploration ship that players are receiving as a holiday gift from CCP Games. Stay with us after the jump for a video embed of the official Scanning Guide Tutorial for EVE Online.

Continue reading CCP releases first video tutorial for exploration in EVE Online

MassivelyCCP releases first video tutorial for exploration in EVE Online originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 18 Dec 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apocryphaarchaeologyccpccp-charlieccp-gamesdeadspace-complexeveeve-onlineexplorationladarmagnetometricmini-professionsplexesprofessionsradarscanningsci-fistevie-sgtutorialsvideowormholesFri, 18 Dec 2009 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Character creation in Earthrise an open system]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/15/character-creation-in-earthrise-an-open-system/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/15/character-creation-in-earthrise-an-open-system/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/15/character-creation-in-earthrise-an-open-system/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


The latest Earthrise Question of the Week from the Masthead Studios developers -- "The Blank Slate" -- gives us another glimpse at the underlying game mechanics of this post-apocalyptic MMO. When you begin as a newly cloned character, reborn in a sense, all knowledge and skills gained in your life before the apocalypse are gone. (On the bright side, you're one of the old world's elite chosen to carry on humanity's legacy.) In this respect, you are essentially a blank slate and must quickly learn how to survive in a radically changed society through initiation training.

These initial training missions let a new player get a feel for their options in Earthrise, checking out the various skills available to them. Initiation training is a time when players can determine what they like, what they don't, and how they'd like their character to develop over time. This approach means that Earthrise's character creation system will be a relatively open system, emphasizing freedom for players.

Continue reading Character creation in Earthrise an open system

MassivelyCharacter creation in Earthrise an open system originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 15 Dec 2009 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EVE Online can be a daunting game to get a handle on. Still, the New Player Experience (NPE) that greets rookies today is far better than the early tutorials that some of us at Massively, and no doubt a number of our readers, experienced 'back in the day'. There are many careers and mini-professions a player can choose to pursue in EVE, but conveying this in the NPE -- and guiding these new players towards these playstyles -- remains a challenge for CCP Games. This is the focus of the latest dev blog by EVE Online developer CCP Soundwave.

He explains how player feedback has made those first weeks of gameplay a much smoother learning experience for the game's rookies. However, he notes that they're continuing to improve the NPE for the next expansion. To that end, CCP is seeking input from the players on these questions:

Continue reading EVE Online devs seek your input on improving the New Player Experience

MassivelyEVE Online devs seek your input on improving the New Player Experience originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 15 Jul 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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There are few MMOs on the market today that can seem as intimidating to a new player as EVE Online. Some of this comes from the infamous things people have heard about the game, tales of deception and betrayal, but there is a fair amount of complexity to EVE as well and no shortage of digital villains prowling New Eden's thousands of solar systems injecting risk into the game.

The first days and weeks of gameplay experienced by many pilots has led to more than a few descriptions of the experience as an initiation of sorts, conjuring up images of hazings, an analogy that actually holds true in many respects. Anyone who sticks with the game learns through trial and error that the setting of New Eden, by design, can be quite harsh. Even if you're not into PvP, it pervades EVE Online; at the very least players who are to succeed in the game must ultimately learn to adapt and evade the more malevolent players, if not defend themselves from attackers directly.

While EVE will likely never be as easy to get a handle on as some other MMOs out there -- the game's depth and complexity actually being a major draw for its subscribers -- CCP Games has taken steps to better ease new players into New Eden with the New Player Experience (NPE) which was part of the Apocrypha expansion launch. But is EVE's New Player Experience, which does not separate rookie pilots into a safe zone to learn the ropes, the right way to introduce players to the game? This is the focus of a WarCry article by Steven Croop titled "Aura is Aura by Any Other Name".

Continue reading An angle on EVE's New Player Experience and the game's harsh realities

MassivelyAn angle on EVE's New Player Experience and the game's harsh realities originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 27 May 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Playing over someone's shoulder is always an interesting experience. You get to learn from what they do and interpret their experience from an outside perspective. But what's really interesting is not what the experienced player does -- rather it's what the inexperienced player does.

Psychochild just tackled this very topic over on his blog as he watched his better half get addicted to playing Lord of the Rings Online. While she avoided the temptations of Meridian 59 and World of Warcraft, Psychochild notes that it was a familiar setting that got her into the game.

Continue reading Learning from the newbies

MassivelyLearning from the newbies originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 21 Jan 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Continue reading PAX08: Hermann Peterscheck interviewed on all things Jumpgate Evolution, page four

MassivelyPAX08: Hermann Peterscheck interviewed on all things Jumpgate Evolution, page four originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 02 Sep 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hermann-peterscheckjgejumpgatejumpgate-evolutionnetdevilsci-fishipsspacespace-shipstutorialsTue, 02 Sep 2008 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Have Clone, Will Travel: Ambulation in the EVE tutorial]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/07/have-clone-will-travel-ambulation-in-the-eve-tutorial/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/07/have-clone-will-travel-ambulation-in-the-eve-tutorial/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/07/have-clone-will-travel-ambulation-in-the-eve-tutorial/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

EVE Online is like no other MMORPG. In this sci-fi virtual world you are your ship, and the ship is you.

Indeed, despite the fact that a great amount of time is spent creating a specific look for their avatars, many new players are surprised to see all their efforts being wasted, once they realize that their avatar ends up being nothing but a small head shot. This is one of the major differences between EVE Online and the rest of the MMORPGs. You are not your avatar. But that is about to change.

Most MMORPG players enjoy associating themselves with their characters, but for the last 5 years, EVE capsuleers have never seen theirs, nor have they had a chance to control its movements. This deficiency has been recognized by CCP, the developers behind EVE. After looking into the matter, they came to the conclusion that it was hard for their players to emotionally identify themselves with a spaceship, especially the female minority (about 20%).

Ambulation is CCP's answer.

Continue reading Have Clone, Will Travel: Ambulation in the EVE tutorial

MassivelyHave Clone, Will Travel: Ambulation in the EVE tutorial originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 07 May 2008 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ambulationavatarccpeveeve-onlinefeaturedgame-additionsimmersioninteractionnew-edennew-playerspatchesroleplayingrumortutorialtutorialsWed, 07 May 2008 07:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Cinemassively: Getting started with voice chat in Second Life]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/26/cinemassively-getting-started-with-voice-chat-in-second-life/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/26/cinemassively-getting-started-with-voice-chat-in-second-life/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/26/cinemassively-getting-started-with-voice-chat-in-second-life/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Torley Linden is a tutorial-making machine! Her how-to's are great for the starting resident of Second Life, but might also teach the older enthusiast a thing or two. If you need instruction on a specific subject, there's actually a video tutorial wiki page.

Yesterday, Torley did a whole series of them on voice chat. The video above is on getting started, but she also has videos on who's speaking, etiquette, improving your hearing, private calls, speech gestures, and disabling it for yourself and your land. These clips are in easy to digest lengths of just under one minute to almost four, depending on the complexity of the problem!

MassivelyCinemassively: Getting started with voice chat in Second Life originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 26 Mar 2008 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If you're as prim-challenged as me, but want to give your SL friends something for Christmas, then this is the tutorial for you. Torley Linden has made an extremely informative video on how to make gift boxes in Second Life, add contents, send them, and how to receive them. If you have some time, I'd strongly suggest checking out her other tutorials, involving how to set permissions, fill out your profile, get texture info, and much, much more!

If you're interested in making instructional movies yourself, the tool that Torley used is called Camtasia Studio 5. You can identify the style by their zoom ring, which focuses in automatically where the action is going on in the video.

MassivelyCinemassively: How to make a gift box originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 20 Dec 2007 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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