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[The Daily Grind: Does livestreaming make you more or less inclined to play an MMO?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/19/the-daily-grind-does-livestreaming-make-you-more-or-less-inclin/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/19/the-daily-grind-does-livestreaming-make-you-more-or-less-inclin/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/19/the-daily-grind-does-livestreaming-make-you-more-or-less-inclin/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Livestreaming and video game, er, videos, are all the rage these days. Whether it's through YouTube channels filled with game "playthroughs" or Massively's own livestreaming endeavor, technology advances have made it possible to experience your favorite games without actually playing (or purchasing) them.

While this can be a boon to folks who never have enough time to play all the interesting games coming out, it can also take away from the experience a little bit by relegating a form of participatory entertainment into something more akin to the passive experience you get via viewing films or television.

From a business perspective, widespread adoption of livestreaming could conceivably affect game sales, especially as the video quality gets better and gamers grow into real-life responsibilities that eat away at their free time. Today's Daily Grind is all about enjoying video games vicariously. Does livestreaming make you more or less inclined to invest time and money into gaming?

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: Does livestreaming make you more or less inclined to play an MMO? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 19 Jan 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>game-discussiongamer-discussionlivestreamingmmo-discussionmmo-hot-topicsmmo-issuesmmo-topicsmmorpg-discussionmmorpg-hot-topicsmmorpg-topicsmvopinionplaying-vicariouslytdgthe-daily-grindvideovideo-game-videoswalkthrough-videoswalkthroughsWed, 19 Jan 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Age of Conan video walks players through new Tarantia Commons zone]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/26/age-of-conan-video-walks-players-through-new-tarantia-commons-zo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/26/age-of-conan-video-walks-players-through-new-tarantia-commons-zo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/26/age-of-conan-video-walks-players-through-new-tarantia-commons-zo/#commentsFiled under: , ,


This has been a really big week for Age of Conan. They released Update 5, "Gangs of Tarantia", which has introduced new zones and content, but more than that, completely reworked some of Age of Conan's existing game mechanics. The amount of written content that Funcom has put together on these changes is substantial -- in fact we linked to all of it in our post on Update 5 earlier this week. Funcom can write all they want about the new changes to the game, but when it comes down to it, actually seeing these places they've described may have a stronger impact. With that in mind, Funcom released a video tour of the Tarantia Commons zone today, narrated by game director Craig Morrison.

Tarantia Commons is what he describes as "the urban underbelly" of the capital city of Tarantia, a place Morrison says is "wracked by gang warfare and civil unrest." In other words, there's always a lot going on in Tarantia Commons and the video walkthrough shows this, revealing how players will choose which side to take in riots -- either aid the city guards or stick it to the man with fellow rioters. The riots then trigger other events. Specific quests become available and certain bosses spawn, depending upon the general state of chaos in the streets of Tarantia Commons.

There are two warring gangs in the new gameplay area, The Wharf Rats who exist at ground level in the streets of Tarantia Commons, and The Crows whose area of influence shows off a different aspect of the game: rooftops. Interacting with The Crows above Tarantia Commons gives a different perspective on the city, with some impressive views of the zone. Of course there's content on the outskirts of Tarantia Commons for players to experience as well, including a leper colony where NPCs will lash out at you, intentionally trying to infect you with disease. As an added bonus, or spoiler depending upon your point of view, the walkthrough also shows off a boss encounter and the tactics he'll employ against players.

If you're on the fence about returning to Age of Conan to see the new content, this Tarantia Commons walkthrough might just be the tipping point. We've got a video embed for you after the jump:

Continue reading Age of Conan video walks players through new Tarantia Commons zone

MassivelyAge of Conan video walks players through new Tarantia Commons zone originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 26 Jun 2009 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanaoccraig-morrisonfantasyfuncomgangs-of-tarantiariotstarantia-commonsthe-crowsthe-wharf-ratsupdate-5videowalkthroughwalkthroughsFri, 26 Jun 2009 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Patch 2.3 on WoW Insider]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/13/patch-2-3-on-wow-insider/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/13/patch-2-3-on-wow-insider/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/13/patch-2-3-on-wow-insider/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Did you hear that? A sound like thousands of voices crying out in joy? It was patch 2.3-- the first content patch in a long time is coming to World of Warcraft today.

If you're a WoW player, you're probably already straining at the bit to get the chance to play Zul'Aman, put stuff into your guild's bank, or get your Engineering up and build that new flying machine. Fortunately, our sister site WoW Insider, the mavens of all things Azeroth, has you covered. We've posted a huge guide to everything patch 2.3 over there, and you can find even more on WoW Insider's tag page for patch 2.3. No Hunter dead zone? New UI improvements? Wondering what Blizzard did to the old pre-60 instances? It's all there for your perusing pleasure while you're waiting for the realms to come back from maintenance this morning.

The world (of Warcraft) will never be the same. Now if only they could figure out a way to make those Shamans happy...

MassivelyPatch 2.3 on WoW Insider originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 13 Nov 2007 07:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blizzardguideshow-tospatch-2.3walkthroughsworld-of-warcraftwow-insiderzul-amanTue, 13 Nov 2007 07:29:00 EST