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[PotBS 1.4 patch survey results and what players can expect in 1.5]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/23/potbs-1-4-patch-survey-results-and-what-players-can-expect-in-1/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/23/potbs-1-4-patch-survey-results-and-what-players-can-expect-in-1/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/23/potbs-1-4-patch-survey-results-and-what-players-can-expect-in-1/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Flying Lab Software makers of Pirates of the Burning Sea listen to their players, the developers really do! A player survey went live shortly after the1.4 patch, and after a few weeks of data-mining the feedback FLS is responding in a big way. In this latest dev-log by Joe Ludwig, Producer for PotBS, 55% polled in the survey said they prefer to focus their playing time on PvP, 58% from that group said that most of that time is spent on missions or economic activities. Developer logs show that players are repeating high level missions to afford ships and outfitting for PvP gameplay.

To address this "time-sink" an insurance system will be added in the 1.5 patch. This means players will receive 90% of the minimum production cost and permanent outfitting when losing their ship. The other deterrent to keep players from PvP is the itemization gap. Starting in 1.5 all permanent outfitting is player-craftable, including green items and will also undergo balance changes. With these two barriers alleviated PvP will become more accessible to a broader audience.

Continue reading PotBS 1.4 patch survey results and what players can expect in 1.5

MassivelyPotBS 1.4 patch survey results and what players can expect in 1.5 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 23 Jun 2008 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>flsflying-lab-softwareinsurancejoe-ludwigpiratespirates-of-the-burning-seapotbspotbs-build-1.5potbs-patch-1.4potbs-patch-1.5pvepvpunrestMon, 23 Jun 2008 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Raiding LU 44 Preview: Do You Feel the Hate?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/04/raiding-lu-44-preview-do-you-feel-the-hate/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/04/raiding-lu-44-preview-do-you-feel-the-hate/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/04/raiding-lu-44-preview-do-you-feel-the-hate/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Coming this Tuesday, April 8th, along with the rest of EQ2's Live Update 44 is the Shard of Hate. It follows last year's Shard of Fear and Estate of Unrest free, nostalgia-drenched content updates. Unlike those other two, though, the Shard of Hate is a raid zone. EQ2 lead designer Akil "Lyndro" Hooper was kind enough to take some time out of his day to show us around the spite-filled roads and alleys of this small, deadly fragment of Innoruuk's demesne.

You'll find the portal to the Shard of Hate in the dark elf section of Nektulos Forest -- go all the way east, then head north. You may see the Avatar of Hate lurking nearby, but he'll let you in. It's safe to zone in, but don't move around much; patrols come close to the zone in.

Who rules the Shard of Hate? --->>>>

Gallery: EverQuest II: Shard of Hate Walkthrough

The Shard of Freeport?Dreadlord D`SomniKpul D`Vngur Maestro of RancorBraaaaaainssss!Grvside apts 4 sale/rent

MassivelyRaiding LU 44 Preview: Do You Feel the Hate? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 04 Apr 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>akil-hoopereqeq2eq2-gu-44eqiiestate-of-unresteverquesteverquest-2everquest-iifeaturedhands-oninnoruukjoystiqfeatureslive-updatelive-update-44lu44lyndromaestroplane-of-hatepohshard-of-fearshard-of-hatesoeunrestFri, 04 Apr 2008 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PotBS updated to build 1.1.69.0]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/25/potbs-updated-to-build-1-1-69-0/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/25/potbs-updated-to-build-1-1-69-0/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/25/potbs-updated-to-build-1-1-69-0/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


We're all getting excited about the features planned for Pirates of the Burning Sea's build 1.2, but lower your sails for just a moment, because build 1.1.69.0 has now gone live. This patch contains some of the fixes that FLS wanted to get in before 1.2 is released, due to their nature.

Some of the bigger changes were to do with port contention. Now, when a port is in Pirate PvP or higher, you will no longer be able to do unrest turn-ins. Also, PvP kills were generating too much unrest, and this has been lowered to the intended amount. There are also some new missions that teach each race how to use their Claim Prize/Capture Ship/Scavenge skills. Full notes for 1.1.69.0 can be found after the break.

Continue reading PotBS updated to build 1.1.69.0

MassivelyPotBS updated to build 1.1.69.0 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 25 Feb 2008 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1.1.69.0build-1.1.69.0capture-shipclaim-prizeflsflying-labport-contentionpotbsscavengeunrestMon, 25 Feb 2008 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Port contention turn-ins in PotBS to be scaled down]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/20/port-contention-turn-ins-in-potbs-to-be-scaled-down/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/20/port-contention-turn-ins-in-potbs-to-be-scaled-down/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/20/port-contention-turn-ins-in-potbs-to-be-scaled-down/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Until now in Pirates of the Burning Sea, some clever folks have been able to cause a totally peaceful port to instantly become scheduled for a port battle, by saving up their contention turn-ins en masse and across characters, and handing them in all at once. Over at the official PotBS site, Isildur has drawn attention to the issue and said that changes are coming to prevent this from occurring in the future.

You couldn't really call this tactic an exploit -- it's more just a smart use of the mechanics available in the game -- but it's obviously not how Flying Lab Software intended for the whole process to go down. The plan was to make the contention process a bit more steady so that the home nation could have a chance to defend and bring the unrest back down again, and possibly save a full-scale port battle from occurring, while also giving the traders a bigger role in defending their business interests. The first steps to prevent the current insta-port-battles should be introduced with build 1.2.

MassivelyPort contention turn-ins in PotBS to be scaled down originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 20 Feb 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>build-1.2contentionflsflying-labisildurport-battlepotbssoesony-online-entertainmentunrestWed, 20 Feb 2008 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SOE caught red-handed: EQ2 Player / Dev relationship breached ethical boundaries]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/16/soe-caught-red-handed-eq2-player-dev-relationship-breached-et/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/16/soe-caught-red-handed-eq2-player-dev-relationship-breached-et/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/16/soe-caught-red-handed-eq2-player-dev-relationship-breached-et/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Several days ago Massively reported that EQ2 Flames administrator broke the story on a scandal that regards numerous members from Unhallowed Triad, a guild on EQ2's Test server that was transferred to Unrest, a Live server through an inside connection at SOE. Character transfers from the Test server to a Live one is not allowed and against current SOE transfer policy; albeit, the EULA has a clause that SOE may change this policy at any time. However, the case is made that a Player / Dev affiliation has led to corruption, leaving many infuriated players with lots of unanswered questions as seen in these two threadnaughts. To recap for those not following this closely or wanting to sift through 100+ pages on the forums:

  • SOE employee(s) abused their power breaking various codes of ethics (confirmed & guilty)
  • Numerous Test players accuse Unhallowed Triad with a history of exploitation and getting away with it in due part to their SOE connection (rumors)
  • Someone at SOE made the call to transfer Test characters to a Live server breaking policy (confirmed & guilty)
  • Not only were characters transferred to Unrest, but items as well. Unhallowed Triad's Guild level was also inflated to 60. (confirmed & guilty)
  • Many Unhallowed Triad guild members admitted to transferring off test in Assassin's chat (confirmed)
  • Several Unhallowed Triad guild members were transferred unknowingly (more than likely)
  • Legitimately leveled characters belonging to several Unhallowed Triad members were transferred over from other servers or already leveled on the Unrest server (confirmed)
  • Unhallowed Triad guild tag no longer exists but there other guild tag Unholy Trinity exists and their Guild level stands at 30 (confirmed)
  • All players on the Test server have not been given the same opportunity to transfer to a Live server
The evidence found via EQ2 Players alone is overwhelming. So much so that it's impossible to sweep all the allegations under-the-rug. Initially, SOE was quick to react as both Alan "Brenlo" Crosby, Director of Global Community Relations and Bruce "Froech" Ferguson, EQ2's new Senior Producer admitted to SOE's involvement. Well, rather that someone at SOE made the call to override the policy, but in a good natured manner to reward certain players for their hard work on the Test server. Not a smart choice of words or tone given EQ2 players warranted concerns. In any case, Ferguson claims the transferred characters will be removed. Since their initial statements and response there has been no further word from a SOE representative on this matter.

Continue reading SOE caught red-handed: EQ2 Player / Dev relationship breached ethical boundaries

MassivelySOE caught red-handed: EQ2 Player / Dev relationship breached ethical boundaries originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 16 Dec 2007 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brenlocharacter-transfereq2eq2flameseqiiethical-conducteulaeverquest-2exploitsfroechgrimwelllive-serverplayer-developer-relationshipscandalsoesony-online-entertainmenttest-serverunhallowed-triadunholy-trinityunrestSun, 16 Dec 2007 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: Entire guild Unhallowed Triad moved from EQ2 Test Server to live]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/13/rumor-entire-guild-unhallowed-triad-moved-from-eq2-test-server/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/13/rumor-entire-guild-unhallowed-triad-moved-from-eq2-test-server/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/13/rumor-entire-guild-unhallowed-triad-moved-from-eq2-test-server/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


A thread on popular forums EQ2Flames is asserting that a guild from the EverQuest II Test Server, Unhallowed Triad, has been moved over to the live server Unrest. This is something that SOE had said would never happen, due to the doubled experience gain on Test making it unfair on live players. The poster also claims that there was a GM account in the guild that assisted them in killing things that they could not take down on their own, in order to obtain some of the best gear in the game.

Continue reading Rumor: Entire guild Unhallowed Triad moved from EQ2 Test Server to live

MassivelyRumor: Entire guild Unhallowed Triad moved from EQ2 Test Server to live originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 13 Dec 2007 20:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingeq2eq2flameseqiigrimwelllivelive-serverrumorscandalsoesony-online-entertainmenttesttest-serverunhallowed-triadunrestThu, 13 Dec 2007 20:05:00 EST