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[MMOs may be on the horizon for OnLive]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/23/mmos-may-be-on-the-horizon-for-onlive/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/23/mmos-may-be-on-the-horizon-for-onlive/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/23/mmos-may-be-on-the-horizon-for-onlive/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Onlive title image
The OnLive gaming platform officially launched in the US last year, bringing a new on-demand gaming service to homes with broadband internet connections. OnLive hosts and renders games on a computing cloud and delivers the resulting video feed over the internet. The potentially revolutionary system lets people play high-end games on low-end computers, but has a minimum bandwidth requirement of 2Mbit.

OnLive celebrated its UK release this week during Eurogamer Expo in London, and we were on the floor to ask the OnLive staff some questions about the service. Representatives were able to confirm that there are plans to bring MMOs to the OnLive service in the future but no solid deals had been made. The only thing keeping MMOs out of the game catalogue is the fact that no deals have been signed with MMO publishers.

OnLive representatives stated that it would be unlikely to see Activision-Blizzard's games like World of Warcraft on OnLive, but that Star Wars: The Old Republic and other MMOs could eventually be licensed to both the PC client and the home console. Talks are already underway with Electronic Arts, which released its first game on the system this week to coincide with the UK launch. When asked about latency issues, staff explained that the service already supports a large number of multiplayer titles with similar connectivity requirements to MMOs and latency is not a problem in those games.

MassivelyMMOs may be on the horizon for OnLive originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 23 Sep 2011 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eurogamereurogamer-expoEurogamer-Expo-2011newsonliveonlive-ukstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorukunited-kingdomFri, 23 Sep 2011 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wizard101 goes anti-disco in the June producer's letter]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/20/wizard101-goes-anti-disco-in-the-june-producers-letter/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/20/wizard101-goes-anti-disco-in-the-june-producers-letter/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/20/wizard101-goes-anti-disco-in-the-june-producers-letter/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

The community at Wizard101 is still riding high on the recent Wintertusk world expansion, and according to the June producer's letter, KingsIsle wants to keep the good times rolling.

Apart from relaying a few testimonials about the recent expansion, the producer's letter is all about the Benjam-- er, Crowns. Leah Ruben spotlights a couple of promotional sales from the company, including a Dragon's Hoard booster pack that has the potential to deliver rare goodies, and a GameStop card that unleashes a genie (among other things) in your Wizard101 world.

Ruben says that a recent graphical issue known as "discoing" on older machines is now fixed. "While sometimes it's fun to dance the disco with flashing colors and lights," she jokes, "it's a bit distracting when you're trying to adventure through the new worlds."

Finally, Ruben says that the UK version of the game has added a German language version for those who perfer to play in their native tongue. Assuming that you're German and not Swedish. Or Kenyan. Or... well, you get the point. You can read the full producer's letter over at Wizard101.

MassivelyWizard101 goes anti-disco in the June producer's letter originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 20 Jun 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>booster-packdiscodiscoingdragons-hoardgamestopgeniegermankenyankingsislekingsisle-entertainmentlanguageLeah-Rubenproducers-letterpromotionsswedishukunited-kingdomversionversionswintertuskwizard101Mon, 20 Jun 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SWTOR tours London! OK, maybe not tours -- more like shows up [Updated]]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/29/swtor-tours-london-ok-maybe-not-tours-more-like-shows-up/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/29/swtor-tours-london-ok-maybe-not-tours-more-like-shows-up/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/29/swtor-tours-london-ok-maybe-not-tours-more-like-shows-up/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Stephen Reid, the Community Manager for Star Wars: The Old Republic, tweeted last night and today, teasing the citizens of the United Kingdom that something special was coming their way. Rumours abound on the official forums as to what would be revealed. Then today, at 1:08 p.m. EDT (5:08 GMT), the secret was unveiled: Fans of Star Wars: The Old Republic will be able to play the yet-to-be-released MMO for one day only on April 5th.

Now, you're wondering how you can take part in this amazing event. Send your name as it appears on a photo ID, your name on the official forums, your age (you must be over 18 to attend), and which session you would like to attend (7 p.m. or 9 p.m. GMT) to bwacommunitysupport@bioware.com. The event is invite-only; if you get in, you will receive an invite by March 31st. Be sure to include every piece of information BioWare asked for or you will not be eligible for an invite.

All the origin worlds and classes will be open for play at this event, and spots are first come, first serve. Hyperdrive over to the official forums now for more information!

[Update: According to Senior CM Stephen Reid, "tickets were gone about 40 minutes before you posted that story."]

MassivelySWTOR tours London! OK, maybe not tours -- more like shows up [Updated] originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 29 Mar 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BioWareEAElectronic-Artseventhands-oninvite-onlylondonLucasArtsplay-swtorStar-Warsstar-wars-the-old-republicStephen-Reidswtorthe-old-republictorUKUnited-KingdomTue, 29 Mar 2011 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Code of Everand browser MMO teaches kids about traffic safety]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/19/code-of-everand-browser-mmo-teaches-kids-about-traffic-safety/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/19/code-of-everand-browser-mmo-teaches-kids-about-traffic-safety/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/19/code-of-everand-browser-mmo-teaches-kids-about-traffic-safety/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


The United Kingdom's Department for Transport has launched a free browser MMO, Code of Everand, that teaches traffic safety to children. It does so through a fantasy theme with direct parallels to real world dangers -- streets are Spirit Channels, glowing energy streams populated with many dangerous beasts. The Spirit Channels crisscross the map of Everand and make travel perilous. That's where the players come in as Pathfinders, explorers trained in the techniques that allow for safe passage across the Spirit Channels. Pathfinders learn important safety lessons along the way in their journey to discover the secrets of Everand.

Code of Everand was developed for the UK Department for Transport by NYC-based firm Area/Code over the course of two years, reports Game Set Watch. Area/Code has a long track record of creating cross-media games for advertising and media firms, television networks, and even major consumer brands. According to Area/Code's site, they've taken innovative approaches to games in the past -- "online games that respond to broadcast TV in real time, simulated characters and virtual worlds that occupy real-world geography" and "game events driven by real-world data". Interesting concepts. If you like the idea of games used as an effective educational tool, you can see the animated trailer for Code of Everand after the jump.

Continue reading Code of Everand browser MMO teaches kids about traffic safety

MassivelyCode of Everand browser MMO teaches kids about traffic safety originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>areacodebrowserchildrencode-of-everanddepartment-for-transporteducationaledutainmentf2pfree-to-playgamesetwatchkidsmmo-industrynew-titlesnycpathfindersreal-lifesafetyspirit-channelsunited-kingdomThu, 19 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[UK game tax policies has Realtime Worlds considering move to Ireland]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/28/uk-game-tax-policies-has-realtime-worlds-considering-move-to-ire/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/28/uk-game-tax-policies-has-realtime-worlds-considering-move-to-ire/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/28/uk-game-tax-policies-has-realtime-worlds-considering-move-to-ire/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Realtime Worlds is becoming synonymous with Scotland's game development with their upcoming title All Points Bulletin, but there are reports the company may consider relocating to Ireland. As one of Scotland's most prominent development studios, Realtime Worlds is keenly aware that as the computer games industry grows the UK lags behind other countries in terms of tax incentives. (Edge Online has an excellent overview of the situation which details how UK firms pay tax on R&D while countries like Canada and France provide rebates for game developers.) The situation as it affects Realtime Worlds and other Dundee-based companies is that if corporate tax breaks aren't possible in Scotland, they may need to head to greener pastures. Even moreso if such pastures include a 5-year tax holiday, which was mentioned at last weekend's Global Irish Economic Forum in Dublin.

Herald Scotland quotes Colin Macdonald, Realtime Worlds Studio Manager, as saying,"If the package on offer in Ireland was attractive we'd have to give it serious consideration. [...] Dundee is a great place to be based, one of the main hubs for computer games in Britain, but at the end of the day we've got to look after our bottom line."

Continue reading UK game tax policies has Realtime Worlds considering move to Ireland

MassivelyUK game tax policies has Realtime Worlds considering move to Ireland originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 28 Sep 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>all-points-bulletinapbcolin-macdonalddublindundeeeconomyedge-onlineherald-scotlandirelandmmo-industryrealtime-worldsscotlandtaxesunited-kingdomMon, 28 Sep 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Namco Bandai to distribute Cities XL in United Kingdom]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/08/namco-bandai-to-distribute-cities-xl-in-united-kingdom/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/08/namco-bandai-to-distribute-cities-xl-in-united-kingdom/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/07/08/namco-bandai-to-distribute-cities-xl-in-united-kingdom/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Fresh off their merger and complete with a new-ish name, Namco Bandai has announced a UK publishing deal for urban management MMO Cities XL. More specifically, the publisher is set to distribute the Monte Cristo developed title in the UK, Italy, Nordic countries, Iberica, New Zealand and Australia. Distribution elsewhere will be handled by Monte Cristo themselves.

If you're looking for more information on Cities XL, we've got a detailed hands-on preview written by our very own Shawn Schuster. Plus, we're still offering the opportunity to win a shiny beta key so you can try the game out for yourself. It's a good time to be both an MMO and city builder fan, which is strange to write but feels oh-so-good.

MassivelyNamco Bandai to distribute Cities XL in United Kingdom originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 08 Jul 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australiabetacities-xlgamesindustry.bizhands-onibericaitalymonte-cristonamco-bandainew-zealandnordicpublishingukunited-kingdomWed, 08 Jul 2009 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Champions Online has no server shards]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/06/champions-online-has-no-server-shards/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/06/champions-online-has-no-server-shards/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/06/champions-online-has-no-server-shards/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Nearly every MMO on the market has them: server shards. Whether they're named after game characters or places they all present the same problem -- limiting a player's options. Whenever a new MMO comes out, friends must discuss and agree upon which server to choose and it's not always the smoothest discussion. Enter Champions Online, who is going the way of Guild Wars: No servers, but instead a large list of all the current instances of the particular zone you're attempting to enter.

Suddenly, the other reasoning behind the new naming system tied into player's account names becomes clear. It's nice to know -- via the same Dev Diary -- that the game UI will auto-complete names based on accounts you've spoken with prior. We're going to need all the help we can get there, considering the thousands upon thousands of players we could potentially be IMing in-game.

Continue reading Champions Online has no server shards

MassivelyChampions Online has no server shards originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 06 May 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ataribreakingchampionschampions-onlinecrypticcryptic-studiosdev-diaryserverserversshardingunited-kingdomusaWed, 06 May 2009 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Linden Lab reportedly seeking EU data center]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/07/linden-lab-reportedly-seeking-eu-data-center/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/07/linden-lab-reportedly-seeking-eu-data-center/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/07/linden-lab-reportedly-seeking-eu-data-center/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Word has come down to us that Linden Lab is in negotiations with a number of hosting and colocation firms to set up a new Second Life data-center in the United Kingdom. Linden Lab's requirements for such a facility are quite steep, and the information comes from one firm who was contacted, but whose infrastructure was unable to accommodate the Lab's initial requirements.

The implications of Linden Lab establishing a fourth data-center in the UK are interesting. It would be the first outside of the USA, and provide significantly faster access for EU residents to assets and simulators (aka regions) that were hosted at the facility. By the same token, grid stability tends to be compromised when any pair of the Lab's data-centers are unable to communicate with each-other, and an additional facility would seem to double the potential risk of such troubles.

Continue reading Linden Lab reportedly seeking EU data center

MassivelyLinden Lab reportedly seeking EU data center originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 07 Apr 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brightonlinden-labmmo-industryoptussecond-lifesingteltelstraunited-kingdomvirtual-worldsTue, 07 Apr 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[4,000 copies of Age of Conan stolen in biggest, most pointless MMO heist ever]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/05/thieves-steal-4-000-copies-of-age-of-conan-in-biggest-most-poin/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/05/thieves-steal-4-000-copies-of-age-of-conan-in-biggest-most-poin/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/05/thieves-steal-4-000-copies-of-age-of-conan-in-biggest-most-poin/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Thieves in the United Kingdom city of Bradford stole 4,000 retail copies of Age of Conan from the back of a truck late at night on Tuesday the 28th of October. The original source, Telegraph & Argus, claims that it was an Xbox 360 version of the game, but we're going to keep our sanity caps on and presume that was an error.

Police are trying to track down the thieves, but we're thinking it ought to be pretty easy to find them if they actually try to play the game themselves, seeing as how they'll need to register with a credit card number and other personal information to do so. We're guessing the thieves didn't realize that when they stole the boxes, eh? No good can come of this for anyone!

[Via CVG]
Warhammer Online Coverage Having fun in Conan's homeland? Make sure to check out all of our previous Age of Conan coverage, and stick with Massively for more news from the Hyborian Age!

Massively4,000 copies of Age of Conan stolen in biggest, most pointless MMO heist ever originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 05 Nov 2008 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanaocbradfordcrimecriminalsfuncomhumorpoliceretailstolenstupid-criminalstheftthievesukunited-kingdomWed, 05 Nov 2008 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Richard Bartle laments poor state of game education in the UK]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/16/richard-bartle-laments-poor-state-of-game-education-in-the-uk/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/16/richard-bartle-laments-poor-state-of-game-education-in-the-uk/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/16/richard-bartle-laments-poor-state-of-game-education-in-the-uk/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Richard Bartle -- the man who co-invented MUDs at the University of Essex in 1978 -- described the poor state of game-related academic study and education when speaking at the Edinburgh Interactive Festival a few days ago.

Bartle made a distinction between games-focused training (the acquisition of skills by instruction) and games-focused education (the development of understanding through learning). He said that the United Kingdom's colleges are short on education, even though training is available at some universities.

He noted that symptoms of this problem are already apparent: the academic community, such as it is, has been unable to agree (or even engage in cohesive discourse) about the reasons men and women often play as characters of a different sex than their own in MMOs.

MassivelyRichard Bartle laments poor state of game education in the UK originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 16 Aug 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>academiaacademicsclassescollegecollegesedinburgh-interactive-festivaleducationinstructionlearningmudrichard-bartlestudyteachingtrainingukunited-kingdomuniversitiesuniversitySat, 16 Aug 2008 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Brits may see another WAR delay]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/26/brits-may-see-another-war-delay/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/26/brits-may-see-another-war-delay/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/26/brits-may-see-another-war-delay/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Don't worry too much, there's just a slight probability -- nothing too serious! We just thought you may want to know that due to government-proposed changes to the age rating system for videogames, there's a slight chance that Warhammer Online could see a delay in the UK. However, what's more likely to happen is the game will have to jump through one or two more hoops, so to speak. So this is actually something that's more a pain for Electronic Arts than anyone looking forward to playing Warhammer Online later this year.

Still, being ever-watchful of some of our more anticipated MMOs means that we're keeping this worry on a backburner somewhere in our brains. Somehow we imagine that if anything were to delay EA Mythic's Waaagh-filled MMO, it would be something unexpected like a ratings system change. After all, seeing as how WAR is aiming for a teen-and-up demographic the Byron Review could come into play here.

MassivelyBrits may see another WAR delay originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 26 Jun 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>byron-reportbyron-reviewea-mythicelectronic-artsukunited-kingdomwarwarhammer-onlineThu, 26 Jun 2008 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The London School of Journalism]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/28/the-london-school-of-journalism/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/28/the-london-school-of-journalism/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/28/the-london-school-of-journalism/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

The London School of Journalism is taking their budding journos in-world. This great British institution has joined a long list of educational institutions and set up a college in Second Life, where they plan to offer free lectures on writing and journalism and industry issues to anyone who's interested.

The school's director says the mixed-medium of sound, text and the ability to see avatars' faces will enhance their teachings. 'We've already had an enormous response on Second Life, with between 500 and 1,000 people visiting our area each day,' LSJ director Michael Winckworth told industry blog www.Journalism.co.uk

Unfortunately he displayed some less-than-investigative journalistic skills by also saying 'I know of no-one else on Second Life offering open lectures,' despite the veritable plethora of same. But we all have our off days.

Continue reading The London School of Journalism

MassivelyThe London School of Journalism originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 28 Apr 2008 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>academiccultureindego-haxlondon-school-of-journalismmichael-winckworthmorgue-mcmillansecond-lifesecond-life-placesunited-kingdomvirtual-worldsMon, 28 Apr 2008 11:30:00 EST