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[Blood, guild emblems and more returning to EU TERA next week]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/09/blood-guild-emblems-and-more-returning-to-eu-tera-next-week/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/09/blood-guild-emblems-and-more-returning-to-eu-tera-next-week/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/09/blood-guild-emblems-and-more-returning-to-eu-tera-next-week/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Screenshot -- TERA
European TERA players, it's time to get your violence on. Frogster has announced that a patch coming to the game next week will herald the return of the blood detail slider, so you sadistic freaks can finally revel in the spilled blood of your enemies.

In addition, the patch is bringing back the guild emblem feature, which will allow players to once again upload their own unique icons to represent their guilds. The game's chat filter is also going to see some changes, which will hopefully stop the unnecessary censorship of certain words and phrases (and in some cases, linked item names) while ensuring that inappropriate language is properly censored. Eurogamer has further information, including a few words with Frogster's community manager Lucile Le Merle, so click on through to the full story for the full details.

MassivelyBlood, guild emblems and more returning to EU TERA next week originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 09 May 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bloodblood-detailblood-detail-sliderblueholebluehole-studiosemblemsen-masseen-masse-entertainmenteueuropeeuropeanfantasyguild-emblemguild-emblemspatchpatchesteratera-eutera-europeviolenceWed, 09 May 2012 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Frogster responds to community uproar over European TERA changes]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/24/frogster-responds-to-community-uproar-over-european-tera-changes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/24/frogster-responds-to-community-uproar-over-european-tera-changes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/24/frogster-responds-to-community-uproar-over-european-tera-changes/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Screenshot -- TERA
European TERA fans have been up in arms lately due to decisions on behalf of the game's European publisher, Frogster, to remove a notable amount of the game's mature content in hopes of receiving a PEGI 12 rating. Today, the game's lead community manager, Raven, took to the forums to explain the logic behind some of these decisions and to elaborate on what players can expect moving forward.

The post begins with an apology for the lack of transparency in the matter of removing the blood effect slider from the game without mention; it goes on to promise that "the gore slider will be back with the original three different graduations and blood will still be spread on the ground during combat," though it's important to note that the feature will be patched back in shortly after launch. Raven also clarifies the reasons behind some of the changes made to the childlike Elin, stating that the changes were made "not to comply with a demand from any official board, but because those characters in particular could have attracted to the game a population of unsavoury users, and it is part of [Frogster's] responsibility to protect [TERA's] younger audiences from them."

As far as the changes made to other character models (such as the reduction of female breast size and some changes that made certain pieces of armor less revealing) are concerned, Raven points out that those changes are present in all versions of the game, including the Korean version, so it's not a case of the game's being censored purely for Western audiences. To get the full details and put forth your tuppence on the matter, just head on over to the official TERA EU forums.

MassivelyFrogster responds to community uproar over European TERA changes originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 24 Apr 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bloodblueholebluehole-studioscensorcensorshipeueuropefantasyfrogstermature-contentteratera-eutera-europeviolenceTue, 24 Apr 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE dev diary crunches the numbers on New Eden violence]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/02/eve-dev-diary-crunches-the-numbers-on-new-eden-violence/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/02/eve-dev-diary-crunches-the-numbers-on-new-eden-violence/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/02/eve-dev-diary-crunches-the-numbers-on-new-eden-violence/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

EVE Online - Crucible nebula
Despite the fact that EVE Online has one of the most advanced virtual economies in the world (not to mention pretty graphics, interesting lore, and a great soundtrack), CCP's sandbox game is primarily about one thing and one thing only: blowing up spaceships.

Sure you can become a captain of industry, a respected (feared?) trader, or a profit-seeking miner, but at the end of the day, many EVE fans care little for the gameplay that exists outside of spaceship on spaceship violence. CCP's latest dev blog reflects this obsession, and CCP Diagoras presents a load of statistics culled from the end of 2007 to the present. Among the interesting (if esoteric) factoids: Something blows up in New Eden once every six seconds.

Head to the game's official website for more numbers.

MassivelyEVE dev diary crunches the numbers on New Eden violence originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 02 Dec 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-diagorasccp-gamesdev-blogesotericaeveeve-onlineexplosionsnumberssandboxsci-fiviolenceFri, 02 Dec 2011 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[End of Nations video features factions and explosions]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/20/end-of-nations-video-features-factions-and-explosions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/20/end-of-nations-video-features-factions-and-explosions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/20/end-of-nations-video-features-factions-and-explosions/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Trion Worlds is known primarily for its wildly successful RIFT MMORPG, but that will soon change thanks to an upcoming MMORTS called End of Nations. The title, developed by real-time strategy specialist Petroglyph (and published by Trion) is a two-faction romp through a future earth that has been decimated by war and is teetering on the brink of societal collapse.

Today, Trion and Petroglyph have released a three-minute trailer for the game that touches on the lore behind the opposing player factions. The clip also features more explosions than your average Michael Bay film, but we'll get to that in a minute. The Liberation Front and the Shadow Revolution factions are mortal enemies who share a common goal: the destruction of the tyrannical Order of Nations. Said destruction involves a lot of things blowing up, and despite the fact that the video features a few talking heads pontificating on factional lore, the focus is on gameplay-related mayhem.

Helicopters, tanks, and even closing title screens are liable to burst into flaming fireballs at any moment, and fans of gratuitous military violence will no doubt want to click past the cut to check out the full trailer.

Continue reading End of Nations video features factions and explosions

MassivelyEnd of Nations video features factions and explosions originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 20 Jul 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>end-of-nationsexplosionsloremmortspetroglyphPetroglyph-Gamesreal-time-strategyrtstrailertriontrion-world-networktrion-worldsvideoviolenceWed, 20 Jul 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Soapbox: A violent scene]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/14/the-soapbox-a-violent-scene/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/14/the-soapbox-a-violent-scene/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/14/the-soapbox-a-violent-scene/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Disclaimer: The Soapbox column is entirely the opinion of this week's writer and does not necessarily reflect the views of Massively as a whole. If you're afraid of opinions other than your own, you might want to skip this column.

When Star Trek Online was first released, it had more than its fair share of critics, and one of the chief complaints was the fact that the game seemed to focus largely upon combat. Sure, Star Trek had always featured combat, but it had also featured negotiation and diplomacy and unknowable phenomena alongside human drama. The idea that the entire universe could be pared down to ships and ground teams firing disruptor beams at one another didn't sit well with a sizable portion of the fanbase.

Of course, Star Trek Online is hardly the only culprit. MMOs have always had a heavy focus on combat as far back as Ultima Online -- the PvP that people look back on with fond memories wasn't a game of cards, after all. Sometimes it can seem as if we have a sea of games with nothing to them except fighting and killing things, without any other meaningful interactions with the world. In a genre that offers us such a wonderful tool for social interaction, why are our games so violent?

As it turns out, for a lot of very good reasons.

Continue reading The Soapbox: A violent scene

MassivelyThe Soapbox: A violent scene originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 14 Jun 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>columnscombatcultureescapismfeaturedimpulsesnon-combat-activitiesopinionsoapboxsocial-activitiessocial-interactionsthe-sopaboxviolenceviolent-gamesTue, 14 Jun 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Would you like more exploration options?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/13/the-daily-grind-would-you-like-more-exploration-options/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/13/the-daily-grind-would-you-like-more-exploration-options/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/13/the-daily-grind-would-you-like-more-exploration-options/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Let's not mince words -- when you hear about a new location in any MMOs, you know it's being added so you can go in and kill its inhabitants. There's nothing inherently wrong with that, especially seeing as every new level brings MMO characters new ways to dice, filet, and otherwise demolish said inhabitants. But as many players have noted, it would be nice if there were occasionally other options, such as the puzzles and traps that Dungeons and Dragons Online places in some of its adventures.

So would you like to see more exploration options in MMOs? Would you enjoy the chance to have a new location where you had to puzzle your way past traps and not draw your sword (or gun or electrical magic or whatever)? How about exploring a landscape without certain knowledge about what was on the other side? Or do you feel that's a thing of the past and so long as answers and guides are freely available online that exploration can't quite be replicated?

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

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Would you like more exploration options? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 13 Jun 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>areasexplorationexploringgame-mechanicsopinionpuzzlestdgthe-daily-grindtrapsviolencezonesMon, 13 Jun 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Would you try an MMO with "realistic" combat?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/19/the-daily-grind-would-you-try-an-mmo-with-realistic-combat/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/19/the-daily-grind-would-you-try-an-mmo-with-realistic-combat/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/19/the-daily-grind-would-you-try-an-mmo-with-realistic-combat/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Combat has become the bread and butter of MMORPGs. Whether we're talking about the latest AAA themepark implementation, a newfangled (and purportedly) skill-based approach, or the various flavors of indie sandbox, combat is generally all that the majority of MMO devs and players really care about.

It's strange, then, that even with such a laser focus on one particular aspect of gaming, the lion's share of the implementations are largely the same. Sure, there's variation in terms of skill naming and other superficial details, but at the end of the day, MMO combat boils down to long, drawn-out slug-fests to see whose numbers are the best. This bears no resemblance to real combat, which, due to various factors, often happens in the blink of an eye (and often results in victors with "inferior" skills or equipment). In MMO terms, one shots -- or even mildly quick victories -- are often labeled "overpowered," "unbalanced," and "unfair."

I've often wondered why that is, and why a genre that obsesses over efficiency and violence as much as ours does neglects to try a more realistic approach. Fast, one- or two-hit combat is not without precedent in gaming. Bushido Blade springs to mind as just one example, and every time I roll an MMO assassin that is unable to actually assassinate anyone, I'm reminded of the shortcomings of massively multiplayer combat. What about you, dear reader? Would you play an MMO with quasi-realistic combat, or are you married to the current paradigm?

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

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Would you try an MMO with "realistic" combat? originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 19 Mar 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>assassins-that-cant-assassinatebushido-bladebut-its-not-funcombatfungame-discussiongame-mechanicsgamer-discussionineffectualmechanicsmmo-discussionmmo-hot-topicsmmo-issuesmmo-topicsmmorpg-discussionmmorpg-hot-topicsmmorpg-topicsopinionrealismrealistic-combattdgthe-daily-grindultraviolenceviolenceSat, 19 Mar 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Vindictus gives characters a moment around the campfire]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/04/vindictus-gives-characters-a-moment-around-the-campfire/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/04/vindictus-gives-characters-a-moment-around-the-campfire/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/04/vindictus-gives-characters-a-moment-around-the-campfire/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

The focus that Nexon has pushed with Vindictus has been one of non-stop, no-holds-barred action. While that's not a bad thing in any sense, it does lead one to wonder if there will be anything but the non-stop slaughter to deal with. As it turns out, there will be a feature in the game not just allowing players a brief rest, but actually encouraging one -- the campfire. Long known as a place where adventurers can congregate and rest, campfires can be built mid-dungeon and provide not just a chance to stop and chat, but also offer vital services.

Obtained from an NPC early in the game, campfire kits and books allow players to put a campfire together, giving them small buffs that increase the longer they sit by the fire. The fire improves attack, defense, and health regeneration, with greater bonuses coming the longer you enjoy its warming presence. It also offers a more subtle benefit to players by allowing the repair of any damaged items. Although you can only assemble one per dungeon and gain no protection while sitting at the fire, it seems that Vindictus has built in a mechanic to encourage the party to sit down and chat for a minute or two before resuming the charnel-house slaughter.

Gallery: Vindictus campfire preview

MassivelyVindictus gives characters a moment around the campfire originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 04 Oct 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>buffscampfirecampingcamping-mechanicsdungeondungeonsfiregame-mechanicsnexonnexon-usapausepausing-gameplayregenerationrepairsrestslow-buffssocialsocial-mechanicsstacking-buffsvindictusviolenceMon, 04 Oct 2010 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Newest class revealed for Mythos encourages others to give blood]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/29/newest-class-revealed-for-mythos-encourages-others-to-give-blood/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/29/newest-class-revealed-for-mythos-encourages-others-to-give-blood/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/29/newest-class-revealed-for-mythos-encourages-others-to-give-blood/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Mythos, the upcoming Diablo-style action MMO, has not shown its first three classes to be subtle creatures. The first two revealed, the pyromancer and the gadgeteer, both showed their aptitudes for wide-scale destruction. However, the newest class reveal is even more direct -- the bloodletter. It's both a class name and description of what the class specializes in doing. This class is a master of blood and causing grievous bodily harm to everything within range, and it seems quite well-suited to doing just that.

As with other classes, the bloodletter has three different specializations available. The crimsonate gouges opponents and derives sustenance from their injuries, the red hand uses a necromantic control of blood to summon minions and turn corpses into weapons, and the martialist discards pseudo-mystical abilities in favor of brutal expertise with weaponry. Take a look at the full class page for preview screenshots as well as short movies demonstrating the class capabilities, all fine demonstrations of what to expect from what may be the most direct class in Mythos.

MassivelyNewest class revealed for Mythos encourages others to give blood originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 29 Sep 2010 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bloodbloodletterclassclassesdiablof2pfree-to-playfrogsterfrogster-interactivehack-and-slashhanbitsoftmythosviolenceWed, 29 Sep 2010 22:30:00 EST<![CDATA[DCUO releases new brawling screens]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/30/dcuo-releases-new-brawling-screens/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/30/dcuo-releases-new-brawling-screens/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/30/dcuo-releases-new-brawling-screens/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

November 2nd is fast approaching, and you closet-superheroes are no doubt dusting off your tights, underoos and power armor in preparation for Sony Online Entertainment's DC Universe Online. The comic-inspired MMORPG will take would-be crime-fighters from Metropolis to Gotham City, and whether you've got a PC or a Playstation 3, you'll find a home as well as plenty of competition on Sony's servers. Speaking of competition, CVG has released a set of new screenshots from the game that focus on everyone's favorite MMO pastime: violence!

Whether you're itching to spec out a beefy brawler who pancakes opponents with his fists and feet, or a lithe ranged attacker who fills up on POWs, WHAMs, and KRAKs from a distance, DCUO looks to satiate your hunger for action. Check out our gallery below for a little bit of the old ultra-violence.

Gallery: DCUO Brawling

MassivelyDCUO releases new brawling screens originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 30 Aug 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>batmanbrawlbrawlersbrawlingdc-comicsdc-universedc-universe-onlinedcuoim-batmanmeleemelee-combatsoesonySony-Online-Entertainmentultra-violenceviolenceMon, 30 Aug 2010 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO Family: Video game violence provokes aggression in some kids but not others]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/15/mmo-family-video-game-violence-provokes-aggression-in-some-kids/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/15/mmo-family-video-game-violence-provokes-aggression-in-some-kids/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/15/mmo-family-video-game-violence-provokes-aggression-in-some-kids/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

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.

Sensible parents have long recognized that the way kids react to video game violence varies according to their personalities. A recent post at Bitmob illustrated one parent's recognition of the innocence with which his four-year-old son approached an opportunity to play Grand Theft Auto. "I understand not every kid is like mine, so I wouldn't recommend that every parent allow their child to play Grand Theft Auto," he wrote. "But I would recommend that you listen and pay attention to your little ones to determine what they are capable of handling and what they are not ready for yet."

Now, new research tells us how to determine exactly that. A report in the June issue of Review of General Psychology has pinpointed the factors that determine why violent video games provoke hostile behavior in some teens but not in others.

Continue reading MMO Family: Video game violence provokes aggression in some kids but not others

MassivelyMMO Family: Video game violence provokes aggression in some kids but not others originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 15 Jun 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aggressionchildchild-friendlychildrenfamilyfamily-friendlyfamily-gamingfeaturedgrand-theft-autointernetkid-friendlykidsparentsresearchvideo-games-liveviolenceviolentTue, 15 Jun 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Anvil of Crom: Family unfriendly]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/25/the-anvil-of-crom-family-unfriendly/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/25/the-anvil-of-crom-family-unfriendly/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/25/the-anvil-of-crom-family-unfriendly/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

There's been a lot of lip service paid to family friendly MMORPGs over the last couple of years, and deservedly so. Games like Free Realms, Mabinogi, and Toon Town Online have all done well for themselves by realizing that the first generation of gamers are all grown up and busy popping out future button mashers of their own. Free-to-play doesn't have the market cornered on family friendliness either, as pay-to-play titles like City of Heroes, World of Warcraft, and (I'm betting) the upcoming Star Wars: The Old Republic are or will be hugely popular with kids and their parents due to a lack of objectionable content.

Isn't it refreshing then, when a game like Funcom's Age of Conan comes along and completely turns its nose up at all the political correctness? Even though that's a bit of a rhetorical question, I'll answer it for you. Yes, yes it is, extremely refreshing. Hit the jump to find out why.

Continue reading The Anvil of Crom: Family unfriendly

MassivelyThe Anvil of Crom: Family unfriendly originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 25 Apr 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We've been reporting more and more lately on MMO censorship and legislation abroad, most recently with the troubles World of Warcraft faces in China. The latest news that we've come across comes to us from Germany where the Minister for Social Affairs in Lower Saxony, Mechtchild Ross-Luttman, wants to restrict sales of violent video games to minors in general, imposing fines of up to €50,000 for those caught selling these titles. She also wants to give MMO titles like World of Warcraft an "adults only" rating. This reaction to violence in video games comes in the wake of the tragic school shootings which occurred recently in Germany.

GameCulture reports: "The proposals come on the heels of a survey by the Kriminologischen Forschuginstituts Nidersachsen (the criminal research institute of Lower Saxony), which reported that 14,000 9th graders in Germany are addicted to videogames, particularly World of Warcraft and first-person shooters."

Continue reading German Social Affairs Minister wants WoW classified 'Adults Only'

MassivelyGerman Social Affairs Minister wants WoW classified 'Adults Only' originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 18 Mar 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>addictionbreakingcensorshipgameculturegermanylegallegislationlower-saxonymechtchild-ross-luttmanministerminister-for-social-affairsshootingssven-petkeviolenceviolent-crimeworld-of-warcraftwowWed, 18 Mar 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Anti-Aliased: Age of Con-troversy-an]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/27/anti-aliased-age-of-con-troversy-an/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/27/anti-aliased-age-of-con-troversy-an/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/27/anti-aliased-age-of-con-troversy-an/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


I'm going to hijack my own column this week to cover a topic that I believe is worth spending some space on - Age of Conan and the buzz of negative media attention it has been getting. Age of Conan's controversy spans almost all aspects of the game, from fatalities, to nudity, to even such odd things like race selection.

Now, I've written a few of these articles. I enjoy controversy as the next person and I'm always interested in seeing the opposite viewpoint. It wasn't until I started getting some very, very nice hate mail in my inbox that I began to wonder if anyone understood my own viewpoint on the matter. So, this column is dedicated to other people's opinions, my opinions, controversies and, of course, Age of Conan.

Continue reading Anti-Aliased: Age of Con-troversy-an

MassivelyAnti-Aliased: Age of Con-troversy-an originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 27 May 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conancontroversyESRBfantasyfeaturedfuncommaturemature-contentnudityparentingparentsviolenceTue, 27 May 2008 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Is there a place for diplomacy in an MMO?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/06/the-daily-grind-is-there-a-place-for-diplomacy-in-an-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/06/the-daily-grind-is-there-a-place-for-diplomacy-in-an-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/06/the-daily-grind-is-there-a-place-for-diplomacy-in-an-mmo/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

'Violence is the first refuge of the incompetent', wrote Isaac Asimov, and to a certain extent, that's true. But in an industry that caters to these primal impulses -- and thriving off of them, as well -- is there room for the non-violent path? Certainly, the violent response is more fun than talking it out, at least in an urge overkill kind of way, but surely that's just a matter of implementation.

If we truly want to simulate any sort of real-life experience in our games, the full range of social interactions ought to have a place, including politics. And it's one thing to try to reason with an AI, but if you can create a lasting peace with another human player, you have something to be proud of. But is it necessary, or would diplomacy in a combat-oriented game merely detract from the experience?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Is there a place for diplomacy in an MMO? originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 06 Apr 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>diplomacyisaac-asimovpoliticssocial-interactiontdgthe-daily-grindurge-overkillviolenceSun, 06 Apr 2008 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Study finds game violence soothes the savage breast]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/02/study-finds-game-violence-soothes-the-savage-breast/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/02/study-finds-game-violence-soothes-the-savage-breast/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/02/study-finds-game-violence-soothes-the-savage-breast/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Middlesex University has released their finding on a study conducted to explore the effects of game violence on players. At the British Psychological Society's Annual Conference in Dublin, the study claims that playing WoW actually helps players relax, rather than fuels anger or violent tendencies.

"There were actually higher levels of relaxation before and after playing the game as opposed to experiencing anger but this did very much depend on personality type," said researcher Jane Barnett, though the referring article does not elucidate what those types might be. However, with a sample size of 292 World of Warcraft players between the ages of 12 and 83, out of the millions of subscribers the game can boast, this would hardly seem to be a properly-evaluated submission. But it's little steps like these that help abolish long-held assumptions and biases, so we're all for it. Science, FTW!

MassivelyStudy finds game violence soothes the savage breast originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 02 Apr 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>angerbritish-psychological-societymiddlesex-universitysample-sizesciencestudyviolenceworld-of-warcraftWed, 02 Apr 2008 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Virtual gang violence turns real in Russia]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/17/virtual-gang-violence-turns-real-in-russia/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/17/virtual-gang-violence-turns-real-in-russia/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/17/virtual-gang-violence-turns-real-in-russia/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Russian news outlet Russia Today is reporting that a clash between two Russian clans bled into the real world, and led to the brutal beating and murder of a young man from Ufa, Bashkortostan, Russia. The two clans, Coo-clocks and Platanium, were reportedly engaged in a bitter in-game struggle that developed to the point where the two groups agreed to go toe-to-toe. The victim's sister was quoted as saying, "I think they have confused the game and reality. And after we buried him on December 31, they continued to threaten us"

It's not clear from Russia Today's account exactly what game the two groups were playing, though they did include a Lineage 2 screenshot. Regardless, it seems clear from the details we have that any link between the violent acts and the games that the two groups were playing is circumstantial at best. That the two groups agreed ahead of time to engage in a fight away from the game speaks to their character. Game or no, these young men were bound to get themselves into trouble. It's unfortunate that their conflict led to the death of a young man, but blame in this case doesn't have anywhere to go but to the participants.

[Via PCWorld]

MassivelyVirtual gang violence turns real in Russia originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 17 Jan 2008 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingclancoo-clocksgangsmurderpcworldrussiarussia-todayviolenceThu, 17 Jan 2008 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Gaming takes it in the shorts again from yet another ill-informed politician]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/27/gaming-takes-it-in-the-shorts-again-from-yet-another-ill-informe/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/27/gaming-takes-it-in-the-shorts-again-from-yet-another-ill-informe/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/27/gaming-takes-it-in-the-shorts-again-from-yet-another-ill-informe/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Filefront's Gaming Today is reporting on a story that recently appeared on Madison, Wisconsin's WISC-TV. It looks as though video games are once again bearing the brunt of society's ills. This time state Senator Jon Erpenbach wants to add an extra sales tax to electronics and video games. Why? You wouldn't guess the answer even if I gave you 1,000 tries and a page full of hints.

Senator Erpenbach thinks the money raised from such a [absurd] tax will help cover costs to move some 30,000 (you read that right) 17-year-olds, who are currently treated as adults when convicted of non-violent crimes, back into the juvenile system. Excuse me? Why are video games being targeted for this exactly? Erpenbach says the tax isn't to dissuade gamers though. His reasoning? "The idea being that this is kind of a kids-kids thing, in other words, if we're going to do this for kids maybe this would be a good way to go about it."

And this guy is state Senator? I'm getting increasingly angry at what amounts to blind shots in the dark aimed at the video game industry. I hope you are too. Sooner or later we're going to have to fight back against the stupidity running rampant through this country as people try to lay blame on someone or something other than themselves. For the whole illogical blow by blow, check out the entire report on Gaming Today.

MassivelyGaming takes it in the shorts again from yet another ill-informed politician originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 27 Dec 2007 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>juvenilespoliticsSenator-Jon-Erpenbachtaxvideo-gamesviolenceWisconsinThu, 27 Dec 2007 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Teenager burns peer, blames WoW; WoW incredibly not sued]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/21/teenager-burns-peer-blames-wow-wow-incredibly-not-sued/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/21/teenager-burns-peer-blames-wow-wow-incredibly-not-sued/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/21/teenager-burns-peer-blames-wow-wow-incredibly-not-sued/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

According to the Beijing News, a teenager was recently hospitalized by another, who set him on fire with gasoline, claiming later to have 'transformed into a Fire Mage' a la World of Warcraft. The author of the referring article has it right: had this occurred in America, Blizzard would have been sued by the victim's parents. Apparently the legal mechanisms for doing this are not (yet) in place in China, so this did not occur.

This is an old, old topic, but since it's come up, I'll throw my 2 cp in. I've always thought it odd that whenever something like this occurs (which is all too frequently), parents and the media are so quick to demonize videogames, yet this behavior has been around since the dawn of mankind itself. Violence in movies is so much more pervasive and visceral than anything you could possibly see in a game, yet movie scenes are very rarely cited as the source of antisocial behavior.

Continue reading Teenager burns peer, blames WoW; WoW incredibly not sued

MassivelyTeenager burns peer, blames WoW; WoW incredibly not sued originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 21 Dec 2007 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>behaviorblamebreakingchinafire-magepongspace-warviolenceworld-of-warcraftFri, 21 Dec 2007 10:30:00 EST