Massively

Watch the new Diablo III TV commercial

Justin Olivetti — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Trailers, Video, Launches, Diablo III

"Evil is back," the screen proclaims -- and who are we to argue? Blizzard has released a brand-new 30-second spot for television to promote Diablo III's May 15th release, and it's a tight little package of demons, explosions, fire, and one properly terrified girl.

Blizzard's been ramping up the hype as its hack-and-slash RPG nears launch. It's released class spotlight videos on the classes of the game, including the Demon Hunter, the Barbarian, the Monk, and the Witch Doctor.

Check out the new TV spot after the break and let us know what you think!

Continue reading Watch the new Diablo III TV commercial

Watch the new Diablo III TV commercial originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 30 Apr 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Trion Worlds explains how Defiance will 'co-evolve' in two mediums

Justin Olivetti — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Sci-fi, Video, Interviews, Free-to-play, Post-Apocalyptic, Defiance

Wondering whether -- or if -- the joint venture of Syfy and Trion Worlds will work in tandem with Defiance? Then you may want to put aside a few minutes to watch the following video that attempts to explain how a TV show and an MMO will work together to create a blended experience for fans.

"In the past it's always been very difficult to connect television shows, which are always evolving, with video games, which are static," Trion Worlds CEO Lars Buttler states, going on to say that Trion has cracked that code. "In our unique setup, we can do things other people have never dared to try before."

Defiance the TV show and Defiance the MMO will, according to Buttler, "literally depend on each other and co-evolve."

It may not be heavy on specifics, but it's a fascinating watch nonetheless. Check it out after the jump!

Continue reading Trion Worlds explains how Defiance will 'co-evolve' in two mediums

Trion Worlds explains how Defiance will 'co-evolve' in two mediums originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 25 Apr 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Woman on dating gameshow plays WoW, host is amazed

Matt Daniel — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: World of Warcraft, Video, Culture, Miscellaneous

We gamer nerds are often stereotyped as socially awkward and romantically challenged, perhaps due to the fact that we all very obviously spend our entire lives in our mothers' basements drinking Mountain Dew and consuming obscene quantities of Cheetos (amirite gaiz?), but a recent contestant on the UK dating gameshow World Series of Dating (yes, that's actually a thing) leveraged his World of Warcraft fandom to his advantage, proving that we're not all unlovable mouthbreathers. But then, we're also not all cute English boys with fabulously styled hair, so take that with a grain of salt.

For those of you unfamiliar with the show's premise (like us), it's basically like this: A bunch of poor chumps go on a series of speed dates with four women who judge their performances at the end of the show, naming one of them the best dater. And we thought The Bachelor was insane. At any rate, the relevant clip can be seen after the cut. Go get 'em, tiger.

[Thanks to Roger for the tip!]

Continue reading Woman on dating gameshow plays WoW, host is amazed

Woman on dating gameshow plays WoW, host is amazed originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 09 Apr 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Defiance beefs up its TV cast with big-name stars

Justin Olivetti — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, MMO industry, New titles, Miscellaneous, Defiance

Next month the pilot for Syfy's Defiance will commence filming, and the station has announced several additional cast members joining lead star Grant Bowler in the sci-fi post-apocalyptic series. As the show and Trion World's upcoming MMO will share the same world and influence one another, it's quite possible that gamers could be running into virtual versions of these characters.

Four new actors have been announced for the show. The first is Julie Benz (Dexter, Angel), who will be playing Mayor Amanda Rosewater, a leader of a small mining town. Stephanie Leonidas (MirrorMask) is Irisa, an alien warrior who's adopted by the lead's character and raised as his bodyguard and daughter. Finally, Tony Curran (Gladiator, Blade II) and Jaime Murray (Warehouse 13, Dexter) are coming on as an alien husband-and-wife team fleeing the destruction of their home world.

[Source: Trion Worlds press release]

Defiance beefs up its TV cast with big-name stars originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 14 Mar 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Syfy announces star of the Defiance TV series

Matt Daniel — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 19:30:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, News items, Consoles, MMOFPS

By now, we're sure you're all familiar with Trion Worlds and Syfy's collaborative effort, Defiance, which aims to be the first MMO to directly interact with a running television series. Well, every TV show needs a star, and Defiance is no exception. In a press release today, Syfy announced that New Zealander Grant Bowler has agreed to play Defiance's starring role. North American audiences would best know Bowler from his role as Connor Owens on Ugly Betty or as -- we wish we could make this stuff up -- Cooter, "the leader of the werewolf biker gang in the HBO series True Blood."

In Defiance, Bowler will play the role of Jeb Nolan, "the law keeper in a bustling frontier boomtown that is one of the new world's few oases of civility and inclusion." Having lost both his wife and his child in the conflict with the aliens, Nolan became a lone wanderer, which eventually brought him to the town where he works to keep the peace. Hopefully this new addition to the cast indicates that the TV series -- and by extension, the MMO -- is beginning to gear up for production.

[Source: Syfy press release]

Syfy announces star of the Defiance TV series originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 17 Jan 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Them's fightin' words: RIFT commercial takes on WoW

Justin Olivetti — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Trailers, Video, MMO industry, RIFT

"We're not in Azeroth anymore," Trion Worlds' new TV commercial proclaims before a rift gobbles up the words. This 30-second spot for RIFT features a hero opening a rift with a jewel, a dragon roaring, an ogre on the warpath, and adventurers gearing up for the fight. The commercial ends with an invitation to pre-order the game.

This comes hot on the heels of RIFT's launch date announcement and signifies the next step up for Trion Worlds' marketing department. You can watch the new TV spot after the jump!

Continue reading Them's fightin' words: RIFT commercial takes on WoW

Them's fightin' words: RIFT commercial takes on WoW originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 04 Jan 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MMO Family: Screening "screen time"

Lisa Poisso — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Kids, MMO Family, Family

MMO Family is your resource for leveling a gaming-specced family ... From tips on balancing gaming with family life to finding age-appropriate niches for every family member, MMO Family offers you advice on MMO gaming of the family, by the family and for the family.

One of the first topics we tackled here at MMO Family is how to tell when kids have had enough gaming time. As parents who game, we should be in a unique position to appreciate, respect and guide our children's attraction to games. But in the crush of day-to-day living, it's all too easy to let a few extra gaming minutes slip into half an hour ... past an hour ... into the evening ... into a habit that's begun eating away at family balance.

Some families keep a rein on gaming overdoses by instituting strict limits on screen time. What's considered part of the screen time quota varies from family to family; TV time is the bottom line, with movies, internet use and gaming time lumped in or added on top according to each family's habits and needs. We talked to Dr. Kourosh Dini, author of Video Game Play and Addiction: A Guide for Parents (now available completely online) and himself a gamer, for some professional perspectives on how to keep things in balance.

Continue reading MMO Family: Screening "screen time"

MMO Family: Screening "screen time" originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 01 Jun 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New information about hybrid SyFy MMO and television show

Rubi Bayer — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Business models, MMO industry, New titles, News items

Back in June of 2008, we first heard about a neat little idea from SyFy -- then the Sci-Fi channel -- involving a combination MMO and television show. The project is still going strong as a collaboration between SyFy and Trion World Network, and now has the intriguing working title of One Earth.

One Earth has since received financial backing from Peacock Equity, a global fund from NBC Universal and GE dedicated to investing in digital media companies (among other ventures).

New video -- featuring Lars Buttler, CEO of Trion and President of SyFy David Howe -- delves deeper into the project. "...we are making this game now with a lot of support from every side," Buttler says. "we can, in this unique setup, do things that other people would never even dare before: create a video game world, a television show, they're based on the same universe, they take place at the same location in the future. They not only promote each other, they literally depend on each other and co-evolve."

For the full story and video, take a look here.

New information about hybrid SyFy MMO and television show originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 12 Jan 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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TurpsterVision - Weapon of Choice

Mark Turpin — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Video, Lord of the Rings Online, Expansions, Reviews, Opinion, Hands-on, Humor, TurpsterVision

TurpsterVision is back with vengeance now with four episodes every month focusing on one MMO at a time. This month, along with the rest of the Massively team, we are venturing deep into Middle Earth and exploring the depths of the Mines of Moria.

Hey folks, it's good to be back; MMOs just wouldn't be the same without TurpsterVision! Today we are taking a look at Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria's new Legendary Weapons. I've often wanted to have a sword glow blue and warn me when danger is near. To be honest I'd settle for an iPhone app that would do the same thing. But fortunately for me I don't have to settle for anything less than the real deal, albeit a virtual-real deal.

Moria not only granted us two new classes, which I'll be exploring one at a time over the next two weeks, but it also granted players the ability to gain Legendary weapons of old which they can level up alongside their character. But enough reading about it, this is TurpsterVision! Watch on after the break...

Continue reading TurpsterVision - Weapon of Choice

TurpsterVision - Weapon of Choice originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 19 Dec 2008 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aurora Feint: The Arena Pt2

Mark Turpin — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Screenshots, Interviews, Launches, MMO industry, Reviews, Mobile, Hands-on, Casual, Massively Interviews

Continue reading Aurora Feint: The Arena Pt2

Aurora Feint: The Arena Pt2 originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 26 Nov 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Understanding Aurora Feint: The Arena

Mark Turpin — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Screenshots, Interviews, Launches, MMO industry, New titles, Reviews, Mobile, Hands-on, Casual, Massively Interviews

I am no stranger to the iPhone and the addictive game that dominates said iPhone, Aurora Feint. When we had an email come along letting us know that a follow up was being released, I put my iPhone down and picked up a normal phone (it had buttons on it - it freaked me out!) and spoke with Danielle, Peter and Jason, the people behind the smash hit iPhone app Aurora Feint: The Arena, follow up to Aurora Feint: The Beginning, and asked a few questions about this platform defining MMO experience.

They hadn't slept in 36 hours but some how still managed to get through 30 minuets talking with me about their game and still remain incredibly passionate and excited about it's release. Their first title got twenty-four hundred reviews, four and a half stars on the Apple App Store and one million downloads. Their latest title has a lot to live up to.

Aurora Feint: The Arena is the iPhone/iPod Touch's first 'Asynchronous' Massively Multi-Player RPG. It's a bit of a mouthful, so lets break it down (Ed. Drop that beat T!). Being 'Asynchronous means that when dueling another player in Aurora Feint: The Arena they aren't playing you directly. Instead you compete through taking a trip down on to the summoning circle and rustling up yourself a Ghost.

Gallery: Aurora Feint 2 - The Arena

Check out the gallery above for some in-game action from the hit smash and join me below the break where you can read a little more on my thoughts of this new venture for MMOs.

Continue reading Understanding Aurora Feint: The Arena

Understanding Aurora Feint: The Arena originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 26 Nov 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Guild strikes a deal with Microsoft, becomes a timed Xbox Live exclusive

Samuel Axon — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Video, Culture, News items

The second season of the explosively popular online video series The Guild, which is a fictional story about the lives of a group of World of Warcraft players (and which was created by and stars Felicia Day, later of Doctor Horrible's Sing-a-Long Blog fame), will be distributed by Microsoft. Each episode will appear first on Xbox Live, and will only be available through the show's website four weeks later.

The entirety of Season One is now available on Xbox Live, according to Felicia Day's personal blog. The first episode of Season Two will start airing via the service tomorrow, November 25th. The show will remain free to viewers through all venues, and ad supported -- including product placement by Sprint. Microsoft will have its hands in the ad revenue, but will give Day free creative reign. Also, the second season will be shot in HD to accommodate the Xbox 360.

Looks like the scrappy underdog TV series about MMO players has hit the big time, and we're cheering Day on. Next stop: movie deal, right? Fortunately, Microsoft's contract promises that Day will be free to shop around outside of the company for movie and TV deals.

[Via Kotaku]

The Guild strikes a deal with Microsoft, becomes a timed Xbox Live exclusive originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 24 Nov 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Stargate Worlds interview with Cheyenne Mountain studio head

James Egan — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 15:30:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Business models, Game mechanics, Interviews, PvP, Stargate Worlds

GameZone recently spoke with Dan Elggren, studio head at Cheyenne Mountain Entertainment, about the upcoming title Stargate Worlds. The interview topics range from the challenges in moving the IP forward while remaining true to its origins, to the fact that sci-fi MMOs generally aren't as well-received as fantasy titles.

Elggren goes on to explain how Cheyenne Mountain has tried to merge the feature set and gameplay expected from an MMO with the more visceral feel of tactical shooter. A key aspect of their business model is that it's predicated on regular content updates. "We'll be adding new story, new levels, new archetypes and, obviously, new worlds about every three months post launch. This will be free content that we're giving away on an aggressive schedule," Elggren says. The interview also touches on Stargate Worlds having opt-in PvP at launch, which he states should later evolve into 'platoon-on-platoon large scale PvP events'. Check out the GameZone interview with Dan Elggren for more info from Cheyenne Mountain Entertainment on what we can expect from Stargate Worlds.

[Via Blue's News]

Stargate Worlds interview with Cheyenne Mountain studio head originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 24 Oct 2008 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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TurpsterVision: WAR, What is it good for?

Mark Turpin — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: Video, Reviews, Warhammer Online, Vendetta Online, Hands-on, Humor, TurpsterVision

I wont bore you all with words and phrases strung together to create some form of coherence, instead I will jump right back in! I am extremely proud to invite you once more to join in with the fun right here at Massively that is TurpsterVision! "Oi Git face! Wot'z dis? Da same game twice? Dis is an outrage! WAAGHH"

It is true folks, we are having a look at Warhammer Online once again here at TurpsterVision, but this time we are looking at the game as a whole and trying to answer that age old question of; is it actually fun to play?

Well if I told you here that would ruin all the fun, 'ow about you join me afta da break an' we'll see wot I make of a life at WAR...sorry, been playing Greenskins just a little bit too much recently.

Did you enjoy this? Make sure to check out our Warhammer guides: Massively's Character Creation Guide and our WoW Player's Guide to Warhammer. Plus, don't miss any of our ongoing coverage as Massively goes to WAR!

Continue reading TurpsterVision: WAR, What is it good for?

TurpsterVision: WAR, What is it good for? originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 14 Oct 2008 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Massively visits Stargate Worlds: The interview, part 2

Samuel Axon — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 16:30:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Interviews, New titles, Stargate Worlds

Our part two of our interview with Cheyenne Mountain's studio head Dan Elggren, creative director Chris Klug, art director Howard Lyon, VP of technology Demetrius Comes, and senior marketing manager Kevin Balentine, we talk about the team's plans to reach out to Stargate fans with little gaming experience and we learn about the classic Stargate characters and lore we'll see in the game.

Continue reading Massively visits Stargate Worlds: The interview, part 2

Massively visits Stargate Worlds: The interview, part 2 originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 10 Jul 2008 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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TurpsterVision : Oh and one more Ding!

Mark Turpin — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 17:30:00 EST

Filed under: World of Warcraft, Video, Raiding, Machinima, Roleplaying, Humor, TurpsterVision

Every Tuesday TurpsterVision is LIVE (kind of) right here on Massively! Take the 'T' from 'Tuesday' and the 'V' from 'LIVE', smash them together like its going out of fashion and you got yourself TV for TurpsterVision - the best video podcast LIVE right here on Massively!

Welcome back, it's been two weeks too long - though I blame that on the fact that its been time to party! Forgetting that, today is a special post, its a game close to my heart, and it isn't a review. It's World of Warcraft folks; there is no need to review it, what do you want me to say? Honestly, it's THE World of Warcraft, there aren't any imitations that even come close, well, maybe one. So I won't bore you with a 5 minute long video reviewing what we already know, instead I have made a 9 minute long video showing off my mad PvP/PvE skills in my recent DINGSTRAVAGANZA! (An event which saw my Shadow Priest finally tip the scales and join the big boys at level 70)

It is also a friendly plug/invitation letting you all know that I will be at the World Wide Invitational this weekend in Paris and if any of you guys are out there then I urge you to come seek me and my camera out and share the love!

Continue reading TurpsterVision : Oh and one more Ding!

TurpsterVision : Oh and one more Ding! originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 24 Jun 2008 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Can an MMO/TV hybrid succeed?

Michael Zenke — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Business models, Culture

This past weekend Massively's big-sister site Joystiq took an editorial look at the SCI FI channel MMO/TV hybrid recently announced by Trion. Here at the site we discussed the initial announcement, and even did an interview with Trion's Jon Van Caneghem all about the ambitious project. Though they've now announced the game will be an alternate reality science fiction setting, a number of questions remain. Joystiq's Counting Rupees column isn't so much interested in what the game/show might be as it is the very question: can such a thing work?

Columnists Jeff Engel and Geoff Brooks take a look at the history of game/television crossovers, going all the way back to the days of the Super Mario Bros. Super Show and Captain N. They posit what the nitty-gritty of this venture might entail, and eventually come the conclusion many gamers likely have: this is probably not going to work. Says Engel, "More likely, the in-game situations will only alter slight things within the TV universe, but this would probably drastically undercut a major reason why people would want to play and watch the show in the first place ... the remaining attraction of the game and show would be to simply see if you can get your avatar on to TV, and it's questionable whether that could actually sustain interest."

Can an MMO/TV hybrid succeed? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 16 Jun 2008 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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TurpsterVision: Saturday Night Fever

Mark Turpin — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Video, PlanetSide, PvP, Reviews, Opinion, TurpsterVision

Every Wednesday think, "That's a day late again, I hope he isn't making a habit of this" and take the "T" for Turpster and take the "a" in "day", capitalise it, remove the little bit in the middle, turn it upside down and you get a "V". Put the two together and you'll have TV for TurpsterVision -- the best Internet video podcast on Massively! (Never mind that business about it being the only video podcast on Massively...)

It might be a day or so late but at least it's here! Thanks for stopping by once again to the internet's favourite almost-every-weekly MMO review show. This week gives you a little taster where you can see the game that you WILL be playing this Saturday (14th June - 6pm EST) and a slight indication of how much you are going to get owned in the face by my mad team killing skills!

If that little teaser doesn't tempt you to join us after the break then lets just pretend that there are some leaked spoilers and exclusive news - there isn't, but I wont tell if you don't.

Continue reading TurpsterVision: Saturday Night Fever

TurpsterVision: Saturday Night Fever originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 11 Jun 2008 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Empyrean Age details revealed in EVE developer chat

James Egan — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, EVE Online, Events, real-world, Expansions, Game mechanics

MMORPG.com invited a few of the EVE Online staff from CCP Games to participate in a live developer chat this past Sunday. MMORPG.com was kind enough to provide a complete log of the chat, which was hosted by their own Community Manager, Laura 'Taera' Genender. Among the EVE Online devs present were CCP Greyscale (game designer/factional warfare), CCP Ginger (ISD manager/storyline), t0nyG (lead writer), and CCP Wrangler (community manager).

The developer chat was primarily focused on the changes that The Empyrean Age and its factional warfare will bring, but the CCP staff addressed a number of other issues and concerns as well:

Continue reading Empyrean Age details revealed in EVE developer chat

Empyrean Age details revealed in EVE developer chat originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 03 Jun 2008 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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TurpsterVision: An MM-No?

Mark Turpin — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 19:30:00 EST

Filed under: Video, Reviews, Opinion, Exteel, Free-to-play, TurpsterVision

I've made my name here at Massively reviewing MMOs; it's what I do. This week brought to my attention that not all the games here at Massively are as massive as you might believe - no I haven't gone and reviewed a game where you play as a tiny ant fighting other tiny ants...on a grain of sand. Though I must admit that it sounds like a totally awesome idea! It would rock, so consider it copyrighted. Instead, using my patented Random Augmented Nuclear Dart Yaw machine, or the R.A.N.D.Y Machine for short, I have managed to select a game that I don't think quite belongs here.

Continue reading TurpsterVision: An MM-No?

TurpsterVision: An MM-No? originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 03 Jun 2008 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sci Fi Channel creating hybrid TV series and MMO

James Egan — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 09:30:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Business models, News items, Virtual worlds

The Sci Fi Channel plans to air a TV series that simultaneously plays out as a massively multiplayer online game, the Los Angeles Times reports. This pairing of television writers with game designers will allow fans of the series to influence its story arc through their own actions in the virtual space. David Howe, president of the Sci Fi Channel, said, "This is the Holy Grail for us, without a doubt... this is groundbreaking, and I don't say that lightly."

The large and dedicated player communities attached to various titles in the MMO space are appealing to the Sci Fi Channel. "Bundling a World of Warcraft player community with a series and an on-line social community is something the Sci Fi Channel has tried to puzzle out for several years," according to the Los Angeles Times. The Sci Fi Channel's desire to tap into the MMO market led them to work with Trion World Network, a California-based game company with some major investors standing behind it. The hope is that together, they will achieve a first in interactive entertainment: create a hybrid television series and online game, where players affect or even determine the direction of the show. If successful, this will stand as a milestone in the history of both television and games.

Continue reading Sci Fi Channel creating hybrid TV series and MMO

Sci Fi Channel creating hybrid TV series and MMO originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 02 Jun 2008 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EVE Online targets Battlestar Galactica fans

James Egan — Sat, 31 May 2008 16:30:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, EVE Online, Events, real-world, News items

EVE Online has made first contact with a whole new group of sci-fi fans, through some carefully chosen TV advertising. EVE's first TV ads were shown during the most recent Battlestar Galactica episode on the SciFi network. If CCP Games wanted to target the viewers who would be the most receptive to checking out EVE, they didn't go wrong by choosing Galactica fans. The TV ads were an unexpected move, and came as a big surprise to many EVE players. Ethic at Kill Ten Rats said: "My jaw hit the floor while watching the latest episode of Battlestar Galactica on SciFi tonight. There, before my eyes, was a commercial for EVE Online. Amazing. Nice work CCP!"

High visibility TV adverts for an MMO had previously been something only associated with Night Elf mohawks, Shatner, and a company with some rather deep pockets. EVE Online dev CCP Wrangler made a full announcement about the company's leap into prime time advertising.

Continue reading EVE Online targets Battlestar Galactica fans

EVE Online targets Battlestar Galactica fans originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 31 May 2008 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MMO episodes to mimic TV shows

James Egan — Thu, 29 May 2008 15:30:00 EST

Filed under: Business models, MMO industry, News items

Massively's recent ION Game Conference coverage featured an article on developing MMO's as if they were TV shows. This idea was introduced by FireSky's Joseph Ybarra, Senior VP of Strategic Operations. FireSky hopes to run with the concept of dishing up MMO content updates in episodes, with predictable development cycles of roughly six weeks. This marriage between MMO and TV production could also lead to developing 'pilot games,' which makes sense from a company perspective. After all, it involves smaller budgets and entails less risk. The developer can expend a small amount (by standard game development budgets) and gauge player interest. If that title proves to be popular, future iterations of the game could be developed with larger budgets, building upon the storyline of the previous episodes.

Do you think that gamers would have more of a say in what the creators do with these stories than they do with TV shows, since an episodic MMO is an interactive medium? Would this be a welcome change in the MMO industry, as opposed to waiting for a few years for that next game?

MMO episodes to mimic TV shows originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 29 May 2008 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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TurpsterVision: I am a real Barbarian

Mark Turpin — Tue, 20 May 2008 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Video, Age of Conan, Launches, Reviews, Opinion, Hands-on, Humor, TurpsterVision

Every Tuesday think "T" for Turpster and take the "a" in "day", capitalise it, remove the little bit in the middle, turn it upside down and you get a "V". Put the two together and you'll have TV for TurpsterVision -- the best Internet video podcast on Massively! (Never mind that business about it being the only video podcast on Massively...)

It is a well known fact that Turpamania is running wild, but before Turpamania there was Hulkamania; arguably not as widespread and with as many Turpamaniacs, but our lesson has to begin somewhere. You see, Age of Conan was released today, and with that it conjures up images of the greatest barbarian of all time, Hulk Hogan - don't pretend like you don't remember all the words to his song, "I am a real Barbarian".

Anyway, I digress: AoC has been billed as one of the four horsemen to herald the end of Blizzard's evil tyranny over the MMO market, but can any game, or any group of games, really topple the giant that is World of Warcraft? No, of course not, but that doesn't mean that they aren't great fun!

Continue reading TurpsterVision: I am a real Barbarian

TurpsterVision: I am a real Barbarian originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 20 May 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ION 08: MMOs and the television content model (SGW)

Barb Dybwad — Wed, 14 May 2008 22:00:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Business models, Events, real-world, MMO industry, Stargate Worlds, Massively Event Coverage

Joseph Ybarra, SVP of strategic operations at Firesky, the publishing subsidiary of Cheyenne Mountain Entertainment, presented a session today at ION 08 about the Stargate Worlds production model that borrows heavily from Hollywood and TV models. The goal for SGW is to approach content updates for the game more like a production cycle for television, in which an episode takes a predictable amount of time to complete (14-16 weeks in the case of Stargate Atlantis).

After some background on Firesky and CME, Ybarra showed the Stargate Worlds trailer and launched into a discussion of the strategy with SGW. The idea is to adopt a movie model for the development phase and a TV model for the post-launch "live" phase. They chose to use the BigWorld middleware platform and Unreal Engine technologies in an effort to use proven tools: "don't reinvent the wheel." This allows them to both minimize risk and focus on the content.

Continue reading ION 08: MMOs and the television content model (SGW)

ION 08: MMOs and the television content model (SGW) originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 14 May 2008 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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TurpsterVision: Why do we fall, sir?

Mark Turpin — Wed, 07 May 2008 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Video, Second Life, Hands-on, Humor, TurpsterVision

Every Wednesday think "That is a day late!" and take the "T" from "That" for Turpster and take the "a" in "day", capitalise it, remove the little bit in the middle, turn it upside down and you get a "V". Put the two together and you'll have TV for TurpsterVision -- the best Internet video podcast on Massively! (Never mind that business about it being the only video podcast on Massively...)

In answer to the title of this week's episode, apparently it isn't so that we might better learn to pick ourselves up, it's because it is crazy fun! (Ed: Simple things Turpster, simple things.)

After last week's trouncing I decided I would have to find a friendlier bunch of gamers to have a laugh with and try to have an insight on what playing their game is like. What I found surprised me. I wasn't expecting to see what I saw, the love and affection that these people give out, to complete strangers half the time, of all different shapes and cup sizes, it really warms the heart.

Sure they get a lot of grief from gamers, mostly for it being a game, or for the amount of adults-only content continually poked at by the media. But I am not here to judge, I am here to review (Ed: Turpster, judge is a synonym for review.) On with the video! (Ed: Turpster, who is Ed? Aren't you just typing in brackets completely off topic?)

Continue reading TurpsterVision: Why do we fall, sir?

TurpsterVision: Why do we fall, sir? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 07 May 2008 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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TurpsterVision: Return of the King

Mark Turpin — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Video, EverQuest II, Opinion, Humor, TurpsterVision

Howdy folks, it's great to be home. Sorry for my prolonged absence. I would love to tell you why I wasn't able to produce the internet's favorite 'funny' over the past 3 weeks, but unfortunately if I told you I would have to kill you -- and I am far too busy "killin' mofo's" in GTA 4 to have time to kill you all as well!

So down to business, review time, and let me just state that I don't like giving bad reviews -- not because they can upset fans or developers, but because it means I've had a bad time reviewing the game in the first place. EverQuest was the granddaddy of them all before World of Warcraft came along. EverQuest II had a lot to live up to, and for this mild-mannered video blogger, it just couldn't quite manage it. WoW was released shortly after and this probably stopped EQ2 ever becoming fun for me; I like having people to play with.

Check out the video, make your own mind up about the game, you are all far more intelligent than me, so I will trust your opinions and past experiences over my ever so limited (but ever so painful) trial of the game.

Continue reading TurpsterVision: Return of the King

TurpsterVision: Return of the King originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 29 Apr 2008 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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TurpsterVision: Goodnight Sweet Prince

Mark Turpin — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Video, Reviews, Hands-on, Virtual worlds, Humor, TurpsterVision

Every Tuesday you used to think "T" for Turpster and you took the "a" in "day", capitalized it, removed the little bit in the middle, turned it upside down and you got a "V". When you put the two together you had TV for TurpsterVision -- the best Internet video podcast on Massively! (Never mind that business about it being canceled by Massively...)

Good day brave adventures! I use the term "Good" in the loosest sense possible, for today is far from it. Today sees the single brightest flame on the interwebs extinguished. Unfortunately due to an on going libel suit from the makers of RuneScape I am unable to comment further, though I have managed to negotiate a time to express my thanks to you all and ask you to read on after the break to read how I truly feel about the situation.

Continue reading TurpsterVision: Goodnight Sweet Prince

TurpsterVision: Goodnight Sweet Prince originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 01 Apr 2008 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Daily Grind: MMO TV?

William Dobson — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: MMO industry, PvP, PvE, Opinion, The Daily Grind

Have a read of this article, which features comments from the host of the short-lived videogame TV series Thumb Bandits, Iain Lee. He said that the format of his program did not work, and that the people running it didn't understand games enough to show them in a way that interests the target audience. On the other hand, he mentions the alternate way of covering games -- which is to view them as a sport and show off the elite end of competitive play in tournaments and the like -- as being skewed too much to the fanatics to garner much mainstream attention.

Looking at it from an MMO perspective, what sort of TV program would you be more inclined to watch, one that goes over industry-wide news, or one that shows the hardcore doing what they do best? This could be player-versus-player competition, or even the odd high-end raid encounter. Importantly, would it need to be game-specific for you to want to watch it, or if the show switched it up between a number of games which might be unfamiliar to you, would that still be good viewing? Or, is TV just not the format for this at all, with all the quality internet programming out there?

The Daily Grind: MMO TV? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 19 Mar 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Worlds of Fantasy Through the Looking Glass on BBC Four: currently available on iPlayer

Eloise Pasteur — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 18:30:00 EST

Filed under: World of Warcraft, Video, Lord of the Rings Online

Worlds of fantasy is a series that has run on BBC Four for several weeks. This week's show deals with books, films and "video games" including various clips from MMOGs. It is currently available to UK residents on iPlayer. A quick search on youtube shows previous episodes have made it onto the site, but this programme is not yet there.

The show contains material from Terry Prachett, Michael Moorcock, Guillermo del Toro, Neil Gaiman, China Miéville and others as well as material about Tolkein amongst many others. It looks at the development of fantasy books into RPGs (with some painful 70's hairdos as college students are playing table-top AD&D). Around 37 minutes in, it jumps to World of Warcraft, then LoRTO at about 42 minutes in. Being BBC Four there is a lot talk about the cultural significance, the psychology of gaming and the like, but if you enjoy reading fantasy books and watching fantasy films as well as playing your MMOGs you will probably enjoy this hour of television when you get the chance to see it.

Worlds of Fantasy Through the Looking Glass on BBC Four: currently available on iPlayer originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 14 Mar 2008 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Back to the Second Life Lost island

Mike Schramm — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 21:30:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Culture, Fan art, Events, in-game, Crafting, Second Life, Player Housing, Virtual worlds

Reader Campetin was nice enough to send along some new movies of the Lost island recreated in Second Life. For some reason, we MMO fans are also big Lost fans -- maybe it has something to do with something that compels us to wander around places we don't understand (those 815ers should just raid the black smoke!), but whatever it is, a few folks in Second Life liked the show enough to completely recreate the island in a sim. This is actually the second iteration of the island, as the first was lost (how ironic), but this second one promises to be even busier: you can watch orientation films, chat with fans, or even push the button. But we need the rest of the island on there, if only so we can find out what the hell is up with that freaky statue.

Back to the Second Life Lost island originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 10 Mar 2008 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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TurpsterVision: An Episode of Great Impotence

Mark Turpin — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Video, City of Heroes, Humor, TurpsterVision

Every Tuesday think "T" for Turpster and take the "a" in "day", capitalise it, remove the little bit in the middle, turn it upside down and you get a "V". Put the two together and you'll have TV for TurpsterVision -- the best Internet video podcast on Massively! (Never mind that business about it being the only video podcast on Massively...)

It's that time of the week again folks! For some people out there they have been going through withdraw symptoms since my absence on this week's WoW Insider Show. Have no fear, for Super Turpster is here! I have tried to make it up to you guys, even though my schedule is whooping my butt. Thanks to all the folks from last week who voted Bard, you all win a "Turpster-Patented-Internet-High-Five".

I find it very tough in this job to ever be fair to an MMO; I only get a week to play it and produce the review. It's always tough to get a sense of how fantastic it is past the starting zone. That in mind, I do urge all of you out there to try every MMO you can get your hands on. There is so much more out there than just World of Warcraft (Blasphemy I hear you scream!) Then again on Massively I feel like I am preaching to the choir!

Enjoy the show this week; it was a close shave getting it up in time...in more ways than one! (Join us after the break to find out if Turpster is really allowed to make such horrid innuendo.)

Continue reading TurpsterVision: An Episode of Great Impotence

TurpsterVision: An Episode of Great Impotence originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 04 Mar 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Crazykinux, Bitter Old Noob plan new EVE podcast

Mike Schramm — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts, EVE Online, Culture, Humor

Our good friend Crazykinux reveals that along with Bitter Old Noob and fellow EVE player Aldresech, they're plotting a brand new EVE podcast. Normally, this isn't really news (podcasts are a dime a dozen, and in fact, we'll put a Massively podcast together eventually, I guarantee), but considering that Crazy and BON are such experts on the game, and that they really seem to be putting the brain to the pedal on this one (they're talking "segments" and "content"), we can already tell it'll be a good listen.

They are also looking for a name, however, so if you've got a suggestion, roll on over to BON's post and suggest your own. Without having heard it, it's hard to come up with a name, and though "Transversal Velocity" seems to be winning, I'll nudge them that "TV" is already taken. "The Drone Bay" is a good one, too, but I admire "PODcast," if only for its simplicity. Can't wait to hear it.

Crazykinux, Bitter Old Noob plan new EVE podcast originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 20 Feb 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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TurpsterVision: London is HELL!

Mark Turpin — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: Reviews, Hellgate: London, Hands-on, Humor, TurpsterVision

Every Tuesday think "T" for Turpster and take the "a" in "day", capitalize it, remove the little bit in the middle, turn it upside down and you get a "V". Put the two together and you'll have TV for TurpsterVision -- the best Internet video podcast on Massively! (Never mind that business about it being the only video podcast on Massively...)

Welcome back to TurpsterVision! I'm lovin' it that you could join me for my second show; not a lot of people realize this but the video below is a live stream to my camera and I have to act out the episode multiple times a day for you, the lucky viewers. This week I have decided that it is finally time to find out which is truly the best MMO out on the market. If you want to find out, join us after the break to see what you should be playing!

Continue reading TurpsterVision: London is HELL!

TurpsterVision: London is HELL! originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 19 Feb 2008 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Can't play your MMOs over the holidays? Watch 'em instead!

Chris Chester — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 16:03:00 EST

Filed under: Video, Culture

One of the unfortunate side effects of the holidays is that many of us have to leave our rigs behind us as we make the often lengthy journeys from our gaming hovels to visit family and friends. In a lot of cases, we're lucky if our relatives have broadband, let alone the kind of computer that could run our taste in MMOs. So unless you've got a pretty kick-ass laptop, you're almost assuredly out of luck when it comes to satiating your gaming urges.

For those lucky enough to be in a household with cable, we may have stumbled on a bit of gaming methadone to help calm the shakes. G4 recently aired a special on the "MMO Phenomena," which covers World of Warcraft, Tabula Rasa, Age of Conan, The Agency, God & Heroes, Second Life, and more. Nobody on-staff has seen the program yet, so we can't really vouch for it's quality, but it's better than nothing, and it should be on a fairly regular rotation. Keep an eye out!

Can't play your MMOs over the holidays? Watch 'em instead! originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 21 Dec 2007 16:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Second Life users support the WGA strike

Eliah Hecht — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 19:36:00 EST

Filed under: Real life, Screenshots, Events, in-game, Second Life

As you may be aware, the Writer's Guild of America, the folks who write our TV and movies, have been on strike for the past month-plus over (among other things) getting paid a cut of revenues for internet play of episodes. Check out our own TV Squad and the excellent Deadline Hollywood Daily for more on this important strike. But what is TV news doing on your Massively? Some inventive Second Life residents have found a way to show their support for the WGA without trekking to LA or New York, where the picket lines are: they held their own hour-long virtual picket on NBC 1, NBC Universal's main Second Life presence.

While this probably won't catch the same kind of media attention or get the network's notice the same way the physical picket lines have been, it's still a great way for people who can't easily get to LA or NY to show their support for the scribes. The organizers of this event say "Expect this to be a regular weekend event. All are welcome!", so consider stopping by next weekend if this is an issue you care about, and stop by the original LiveJournal post for more pictures.

Second Life users support the WGA strike originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 09 Dec 2007 19:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SGW builder describes the challenges of making an MMO

Samuel Axon — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 14:29:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Interviews, New titles, Stargate Worlds, News items

French Stargate SG-1/Atlantis fan site Stargate Fusion landed an interview with Stargate Worlds world builder Josh Kurtz. The interview understandably represents a Stargate SG-1 fan's interests more than it does those of a gamer, but presumably if you're interested in SGW at this early point in development you're already a fan of the franchise to begin with.

Kurtz talked about the relationship the SGW team has with the producers of the TV series and about the rules the team follows to make sure they stay faithful to the source material. He also described the challenges of making an MMO, saying "the MMO market is a dangerous place because to be honest the exploration of how to build one and what will make a good one has only just begun."

He's confident (of course) that the team at Cheyenne Mountain Entertainment is going to be able to rise up to the occasion and produce a top tier game.

[Via WarCry]

SGW builder describes the challenges of making an MMO originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 21 Nov 2007 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Explore Richard Garriott's secret dungeons

Samuel Axon — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Video, Culture, News items, Tabula Rasa, Ultima Online

Ever wanted to own a medieval-esque castle with secret passages and a dungeon? Produce one of the most significant gaming franchises in history and that dream could become a reality.

The HGTV show Secret Spaces was guided by gaming industry eccentric Richard Garriott, aka Lord/General British, through Garriott's Austin home. Garriott became extravagantly wealthy through his Ultima series of computer games, and has spent some of his money building a house/castle hybrid called "Britannia Manor." The manor is full of secret passageways, hidden rooms, and strange artifacts.

We have the YouTube video here for you. Unfortunately, they didn't show where he keeps his Sputnik satellite.

[Via Joystiq]

Explore Richard Garriott's secret dungeons originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 21 Nov 2007 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mr. T and William Shatner appear in WoW commercials [Updated]

Samuel Axon — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 14:57:00 EST

Filed under: World of Warcraft, Fantasy, Video, Culture, MMO industry, News items

William Shatner and Mr. T are appearing in two new World of Warcraft TV commercials. All Blizzard needs is the Hoff and it'll have the holy trinity of cheese!

This is without a doubt one of the most awesome things we've yet reported. Mr. T talks about his "Night Elf Mohawk." William Shatner players a Shaman and wears a goofy looking robe. It's exactly as funny as you'd expect, and it will be broadcast nationally soon. Blizzard announced that Verne Troyer -- aka "Minime" -- will be recording a commercial as well.

World of Warcraft players have already been littering guild chat with "I pity the fool who specs survival on his Hunter!" and taking screenshots of their characters screaming "KHAAAAAAN!" at the sky. So it goes without saying that these commercials will probably go over quite well.

[EDIT: We have the videos here for your viewing pleasure! Shatner is above, and Mr. T is just behind the jump.]

Continue reading Mr. T and William Shatner appear in WoW commercials [Updated]

Mr. T and William Shatner appear in WoW commercials [Updated] originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 20 Nov 2007 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Office's Dwight takes to Second Life, hilarity ensues

Chris Chester — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 18:10:00 EST

Filed under: Real life, Culture, Events, real-world, Second Life

As fans of NBC's hit 'The Office' are probably well aware, last Thursday's episode "The Ad" gave a fair bit of screen time to Second Life. Games don't usually get a terribly fair treatment in popular media, as writers tend to perpetuate popular stereotypes about players as unsociable, unhealthy, or both for the sake of making an easy joke.

And while we have to concede that The Office's take on Second Life did focus on the escapism for which many people play the game, the punchlines were in all the right places. (See: Dwight's Second Life character playing an MMO within the MMO, to help escape further.) Check out the full episode on NBC's website, it's a good one.

The Office's Dwight takes to Second Life, hilarity ensues originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 29 Oct 2007 18:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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