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[Jeff Skalski talks about WAR's past, present, and future]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/04/jeff-skalski-talks-about-wars-past-present-and-future/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/04/jeff-skalski-talks-about-wars-past-present-and-future/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/04/jeff-skalski-talks-about-wars-past-present-and-future/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

When it comes to birthday parties, most people would like to celebrate them one of two ways: Party-hearty or keep it calm and low-key. Warhammer Online will be celebrating its first birthday a bit differently. With all the MMO competition arriving this September, the game is in for a turbulent and possibly frightening experience. But according to a recent interview with Producer Jeff Skalski, Mythic plans to keep focused on their game instead of worrying about others.

"In the coming months, we plan to stay focused on our 1.3.2 and 1.3.3 goals and, more importantly, keep improving the elements in WAR-such as open RvR and our city end-game experience-that our competitors simply don't possess. Meanwhile, we will continue to address player concerns and introduce more polish across the board."

The extensive Warhammer Alliance interview covers a broad range of topics, including where WAR's been, where it's at now, and where it's going in the future. One of the things Skalski wishes they did better was to not launch with so many servers. Many players agree with this, but point out that they could have also corrected that mistake by consolidating the excess a lot sooner.

It will be interesting to see how the next month or two affects WAR. Be sure to read up on Mythic's strategy to mitigate the effects in this informative interview.

MassivelyJeff Skalski talks about WAR's past, present, and future originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 04 Sep 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>interviewjeff-skalskimythic-entertainmentrvrwarwar-patch-1.3.1warhammer-alliancewarhammer-onlineFri, 04 Sep 2009 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Snafzg returns to WAR (week two): Toiling in tier two]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/20/snafzg-returns-to-war-week-two-toiling-in-tier-two/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/20/snafzg-returns-to-war-week-two-toiling-in-tier-two/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/20/snafzg-returns-to-war-week-two-toiling-in-tier-two/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Welcome back to Snafzg returns to WAR, a five-part series detailing my one-month trip back into Warhammer Online. The goal is to comprehensively check out what has changed and/or stayed the same and see whether or not the game I was so excited about one year ago is worth resubscribing to. I'm going into this with an open mind. I hope you'll join me!

Since last week, I've reinstalled the game, downloaded a bunch of add-ons (thanks for all your suggestions), customized my user-interface, and logged into the Old World for the first substantial amount of time in several months. I ended up mostly playing my tier 2 Shaman on Iron Rock (named Snafzg) instead of my tier 4 Squig Herder on Phoenix Throne (also named Snafzg) for a number of reasons.

Continue reading Snafzg returns to WAR (week two): Toiling in tier two

MassivelySnafzg returns to WAR (week two): Toiling in tier two originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 20 Aug 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredimpressionsmythic-entertainmentpvervrsnafzgsnafzg-returns-to-warwarwar-patch-1.3.1warhammer-onlineThu, 20 Aug 2009 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WAR producer's letter details major 1.3.1 changes and lays out plan for near future]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/18/war-producers-details-major-1-3-1-changes-and-lays-out-plan-for/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/18/war-producers-details-major-1-3-1-changes-and-lays-out-plan-for/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/18/war-producers-details-major-1-3-1-changes-and-lays-out-plan-for/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


The newest Warhammer Online producer's letter starts off by detailing all the major changes coming with patch 1.3.1, including revamped city siege, open RvR enhancements, and social improvements. Basically, it's a lot of stuff we've heard about already. However, things get really interesting when Jeff Skalski starts talking about what is on the horizon for patch 1.3.2. There are some gems.

It sounds like Mythic is planning on uncoupling the fortresses from zone capture. This is a major RvR campaign design shift but the details are pretty vague at this stage. They will also be reworking the earlier tiers of the game in an effort to retain newbies and make alting more pleasurable. This could work quite nicely with the sidekick/buddy system they are working on as well. Finally, they're continuing to tweak crowd control and hint at a potential new Live Event tied to the "Daemon Moon." Maybe it will involve the Khorne Daemon Prince in the image above.

MassivelyWAR producer's letter details major 1.3.1 changes and lays out plan for near future originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 18 Aug 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>buddy-systemcity-siegecrowd-ontroldaemonfortress-siegejeff-skalskikhornemythic-entertainmentRvRsidekickwarwar-patch-1.3.1war-patch-1.3.2warhammer-onlineTue, 18 Aug 2009 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Major keep redesigns in Warhammer Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/17/major-keep-redesigns-in-warhammer-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/17/major-keep-redesigns-in-warhammer-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/17/major-keep-redesigns-in-warhammer-online/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


One of the biggest complaints Warhammer Online players have about RvR is the static nature of keep siege. Usually, attackers zerg the front door and once inside, zerg the main stairway leading up to the keep lord. This provides a slightly (read: very) annoying chokepoint and little room for strategy. To be fair, Mythic's reasoning for the initial design was that keeps are designed as defensive fortifications. Why wouldn't defenders want to funnel attackers into a single chokepoint? Unfortunately, it isn't very fun from a gameplay perspective.

All that is about to change with the new keep designs coming to WAR in patch 1.3.1. The most significant change is that all keeps are getting a bigger footprint and will feature a second set of stairs leading up to the keep lord. They are also making a number of structural tweaks (e.g., more space near the oil pad). Interestingly, it sounds like some of the keep will have their locations moved within the RvR lakes too. Pairing these new changes with the keep upgrade systems and guild claiming bonuses introduced back in April should make sieging a lot more fun and strategic than when the game first launched.

MassivelyMajor keep redesigns in Warhammer Online originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 17 Aug 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dev-diarykeep-siegekeepsmythic-entertainmentredesignRvRwarwar-patch-1.3.1warhammer-onlineMon, 17 Aug 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Warhammer Online 1.3.1 pre patch now available]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/13/warhammer-online-1-3-1-pre-patch-now-available/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/13/warhammer-online-1-3-1-pre-patch-now-available/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/13/warhammer-online-1-3-1-pre-patch-now-available/#commentsFiled under: , ,


North American and Oceanic Warhammer Online players can now download the 1.3.1 patch early, which is always recommended if you want to play on actual patch day. If that sounds like something you'd like to do, simply download the 750 MB patch file now and install it. After that, you can play as you normally would until game update 1.3.1 hits, at which point the file will be automatically activated.

According to Mythic, the GOA team is planning to launch this early next week. So don't feel too left out European players, it's only seven extra days away. Also, if you're looking for the low-down on the 1.3.1 patch you can find all the notes quite easily. It should be interesting to see how the new capital city invasion changes work out.

We hope to hear great things from Warhammer Online players with this patch. You'll certainly be hearing much more about it from Massively's own Snafzg, who's heading back into the fray starting this week!

MassivelyWarhammer Online 1.3.1 pre patch now available originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 13 Aug 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>city-invasionmythicmythic-entertainmentsnafzgsnafzg-returns-to-warwarwar-patch-1.3.1warhammer-onlineThu, 13 Aug 2009 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[A Wild Hunt leads to Warhammer's one year anniversary]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/10/a-wild-hunt-leads-to-warhammers-one-year-anniversary/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/10/a-wild-hunt-leads-to-warhammers-one-year-anniversary/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/10/a-wild-hunt-leads-to-warhammers-one-year-anniversary/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


What happens when you don't appease a god in the Warhammer Online universe? They get angry -- very, very angry. And then they smash things. Unfortunately, it appears as though the High Elves have been too focused on the RvR campaign to properly honour Kurnous with their annual sacred hunt and it has greatly displeased the God of the Hunt and Lord of the Beasts. His retaliation sets the stage for a new Live Event called Wild Hunt, which releases August 31, 2009 and leads into the game's first anniversary.

Mythic just released Grab Bag no. 21, which is full of Hunty goodness. Players will be granted special access to a new dungeon called Hunter's Vale for one week. This dungeon is accessed from RvR areas and is not warded, which puts the tier 4 version on par with Bastion Stair. Each tier will get its own version and lower level players will even be bolstered once inside so they can contribute.

A lot of effort goes into the game's monthly Live Events and they seem to be quite a hit with players. Some of the events will be annual, like the Wild Hunt and Night of Murder and some of them will be unique and introduce game-changing content to the world (e.g., Rise of the Tomb Kings and Bitter Rivals). It doesn't appear as though Mythic will be letting up any time soon.

MassivelyA Wild Hunt leads to Warhammer's one year anniversary originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 10 Aug 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dungeonshigh-elveshunters-valekurnouslive-eventsmythic-entertainmentwarwar-patch-1.3.1warhammer-onlinewild-huntMon, 10 Aug 2009 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[City siege improvements featured in WAR 1.3.1 patch]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/09/city-siege-improvements-featured-in-war-1-3-1-patch/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/09/city-siege-improvements-featured-in-war-1-3-1-patch/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/09/city-siege-improvements-featured-in-war-1-3-1-patch/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

It's no secret that Warhammer Online's tier four endgame and city siege specifically are a bit lackluster. Mythic has admitted this by ranking it third place in their list of five key goals for the game's improvement. Well, just over a month after announcing endgame improvement as one of their top priorities, the studio is testing out new city siege mechanics and they sound quite interesting.

One of the biggest issues players currently have with city siege is that it features way too much PvE and not enough PvP (or in WAR's case, RvR). Patch 1.3.1 is introducing several improvements in this area. Sieged cities now have three states: Contested, captured, and rebuilding. Attackers and defenders will be present and battling it out in each state and the contested state public quests will benefit from a new design. Warlord encounters are now instanced and balanced for 24 players, allowing multiple groups to participate. Finally, there will be a number of siege UI improvements allowing you to keep better track of your realm's progress.

Nearly every area of the game is being touched in some way by the 1.31 patch. Take a look at the comprehensive patch notes on the Warhammer Herald to observe their true breadth and feel free to give them a try on the public test server.

MassivelyCity siege improvements featured in WAR 1.3.1 patch originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 09 Aug 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>city-siegemythic-entertainmentpatch-notespublic-questsRvRwarwar-patch-1.3.1warhammer-onlineSun, 09 Aug 2009 10:00:00 EST