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[Massively Exclusive Interview: MindFuse's Isa Anne Stamos on Gatheryn]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/30/massively-exclusive-interview-mindfuses-isa-anne-stamos-on-gat/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/30/massively-exclusive-interview-mindfuses-isa-anne-stamos-on-gat/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/30/massively-exclusive-interview-mindfuses-isa-anne-stamos-on-gat/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


With the oversaturation of fantasy in the MMO genre, we've been patiently waiting to get our hands on the steampunk victorian coolness of Gatheryn. An indie title currently under development by Mindfuse, Gatheryn seems to be part virtual world and part mini-game laden MMO, much like Free Realms. Considering how wildly popular Free Realms has become in a short period, many eyes are now turning to Gatheryn to see if the combination of casual minigames in a fun, unique MMO/VW setting can strike gold again. Massively's very own Managing Editor, Shawn Schuster sat down recently with Isa Anne Stamos, Game Studio Director for MindFuse, to find out some more about the future of this retro-feel title.

Massively: We first took a look at Gatheryn at GDC earlier this year, and liked what we saw so far. Can you describe some of the major feature changes or updates to the game since then?

Isa Anne Stamos, MindFuse: Generally, we've been focusing on building out the early stages of the Gatheryn experience - adjusting the layout of the city, adding variations to character customization, and creating a deep casual gaming experience that players can enjoy the minute they enter Gatheryn. Specifically, we just added a Player Health feature that measures your avatar's fatigue and gives us some creative options for healing items and quests. We're also filling in a lot of the quests and minigames - we've probably added a few since you saw us at GDC. We're also working hard to build up the community tools because we rely heavily on them to communicate with our beta users - they're crucial to getting player feedback in these early stages of development.

Continue reading Massively Exclusive Interview: MindFuse's Isa Anne Stamos on Gatheryn

MassivelyMassively Exclusive Interview: MindFuse's Isa Anne Stamos on Gatheryn originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 30 Jun 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredgatheryninterviewinterviewsmassively-exclusive-interviewsmindfusemindfuse-gamesminigamesmmosci-fisteampunkvictorianvirtual-worldTue, 30 Jun 2009 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Dusktreaders MMO is not put on hold afterall]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/03/dusktreaders-mmo-is-not-put-on-hold-afterall/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/03/dusktreaders-mmo-is-not-put-on-hold-afterall/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/03/dusktreaders-mmo-is-not-put-on-hold-afterall/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Yesterday, we reported on an interview with Dusktreaders lead developer Erik Hyrkas and the VirginWorlds MMO news site regarding the upcoming MMO being put on hold for a "lighter" version on the iPhone. After being contacted by Mr. Hyrkas, we've learned that there may have been some misunderstandings, and the Dusktreaders MMO is actually alive and kicking.

"The main Dusktreaders MMO is not on hold, and in terms of art generation, it's actually at full steam." Hyrkas said in a follow-up email. "Most of the art for the mobile edition either existed and was just slimmed down or if it was created, it was created at a level of quality that was useful for the MMO and then stripped down for the mobile edition. It is probably fair to say that the coding aspects of the MMO have slowed down, since I'm one of the principle developers -- however, much of the code is already in place and we've just been world building recently. The development side isn't the bottleneck for the moment on the MMO -- though it could be before we're done and has been a few times in the past."

We thank Mr. Hyrkas for the clarification and look forward to more news on the game in the future.

MassivelyDusktreaders MMO is not put on hold afterall originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 03 Jan 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dusktreaderserik-hyrkasgothicgranite-gamessteampunkvictorianSat, 03 Jan 2009 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Gathryn incorporates new engine technology]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/03/gathryn-incorporates-new-engine-technology/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/03/gathryn-incorporates-new-engine-technology/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/03/gathryn-incorporates-new-engine-technology/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


The World of Gatheryn, an MMO which, despite its name, is not about mining nodes and chopping wood, has just announced its implementation of the Simultronics HeroEngine for this upcoming Victorian-age MMO.

In a statement by Joseph Walters, Lead Designer and Chief Executive Officer of MindFuse Games, we get an explanation of why these "off-site" engines are becoming so popular for smaller MMO developers like MindFuse, "The engine enables our team to spend time creating the experience instead of recreating the already-proven type of server side MMOG technology that Simutronics has built so effectively."

Be sure to check out more information on the Gatheryn MMO, as well as what this Simultronics HeroEngine has to offer.

MassivelyGathryn incorporates new engine technology originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 03 Dec 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gatherynheroenginemindfusemindfuse-gamessimultronicssteampunkvictorianWed, 03 Dec 2008 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MindFuse's The World of Gatheryn detailed, kinda dated]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/30/mindfuses-the-world-of-gatheryn-detailed-kinda-dated/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/30/mindfuses-the-world-of-gatheryn-detailed-kinda-dated/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/30/mindfuses-the-world-of-gatheryn-detailed-kinda-dated/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


MindFuse Games, which a couple of weeks ago announced it had raised $1 million in funding for a Victorian-themed MMO, sent out a press release yesterday officially announcing and providing details about the game, which is called The World of Gatheryn. Gatheryn is not merely Victorian, as we originally reported -- there are steampunk elements too.

The focus seems casual, although the graphics are quite strapping for an independent game. MindFuse promises character customization, apartments, and puzzles, while specifically singling out violent conflict as a no-go. It seems to be a mostly laid back, friendly, social affair, but aimed at grown ups rather than pre-teens, in contrast to a lot of other casual titles.

When we say the game has been pseudo-dated, it's a bit of a stretch: the press release says it'll be released in 2009. When in 2009? Your guess is as good as ours, but we'll bet it's not soon.

MassivelyMindFuse's The World of Gatheryn detailed, kinda dated originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 30 Oct 2008 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>announcementapartmentscasualcustomizationgatherynmindfusepuzzlepuzzlessteampunkvictorianworld-of-gatherynThu, 30 Oct 2008 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[MindFuse gets $1M in funding for a Victorian MMO]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/09/mindfuse-gets-1m-in-funding-for-a-victorian-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/09/mindfuse-gets-1m-in-funding-for-a-victorian-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/09/mindfuse-gets-1m-in-funding-for-a-victorian-mmo/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


For all of you Elf and lightning bolt haters out there, MindFuse may have found a solution to your MMO blues. As was recently announced, the game developer has secured $1 million USD in convertible note funding from Keiretsu Forum angel investors for an MMO project they're currently working on. What project is that, you might ask? According to the MindFuse website, they're developing a Victorian-themed MMO entitled The World of Gatheryn.

The game is described as "a massive multi-player world of adventure, mystery and romance." It's said to include interactive games and puzzles, with "new adventures appearing with each successful solution." So is this what we've been waiting for? It's not high fantasy. It's not cheesy sci-fi. Can a Victorian Age MMO work for those looking for something different? Take a tour through the website and check out the gorgeous screenshots, gameplay explanation and storyline entry for yourself, and let us know what you think.

MassivelyMindFuse gets $1M in funding for a Victorian MMO originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 09 Oct 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>keiretsumindfusemindfuse-gamesthe-world-of-gatherynvictorianThu, 09 Oct 2008 10:00:00 EST