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 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[WRUP: Addressing concerns regarding Massively One edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/06/15/wrup-addressing-concerns-regarding-massively-one-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/06/15/wrup-addressing-concerns-regarding-massively-one-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/06/15/wrup-addressing-concerns-regarding-massively-one-edition/#commentsFiled under: ,

WRUP Addressing concerns regarding Massively One edition
I understand that some of our readers are concerned about some of the details regarding Massively One, so let's clear the air. Yes, in order to use Massively One, you do need to connect to the internet at least once an hour or your house and pets will be set on fire. But you should be online all the time anyway, and it's not as if the infrastructure ever suffers problems you can't foresee. Besides, the connection requirement is only for a small amount of personal data to enable features you don't want and never asked for, like preventing you from owning things you buy.

For the record, this is not satire. Satire is subtle.

Moving along, it's time for this week's installment of WRUP, which can be found past the cut as usual. As always, we'd love to know what you'll be up to over the weekend, so feel free to leave your own plans down in the comment section.

Continue reading WRUP: Addressing concerns regarding Massively One edition

MassivelyWRUP: Addressing concerns regarding Massively One edition originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 15 Jun 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredmassively-metametaweekendweekend-gamingwhat-are-you-playingwrupSat, 15 Jun 2013 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WRUP: A public service announcement for the Saints Rowless edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/06/08/wrup-a-public-service-announcement-for-the-saints-rowless-editi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/06/08/wrup-a-public-service-announcement-for-the-saints-rowless-editi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/06/08/wrup-a-public-service-announcement-for-the-saints-rowless-editi/#commentsFiled under: ,

You've got two months to get this stuff together, people.
If you have somehow still not found the opportunity to play Saint's Row the Third up until now, you now literally have no excuse. The game is playable for free this weekend on Steam, and you can also purchase the game at an extremely steep discount. But this shouldn't be necessary, because everyone should already own a copy of this game.

I realize this may be seen as overenthusiastic praise, but please believe me when I say that I consider my own lack of interest in the title at launch a tremendous mistake on my part. If you think "it's just a sandbox Grand Theft Auto clone" and write it off, you are depriving yourself of something truly wonderful. Download and install it, you have nothing to lose.

So we now know what you're playing for the weekend, but what are we playing? Check that out in WRUP just past the cut. And then let us know what else you'll be up to in the comments.

Continue reading WRUP: A public service announcement for the Saints Rowless edition

MassivelyWRUP: A public service announcement for the Saints Rowless edition originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 08 Jun 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredmassively-metametaweekendweekend-gamingwhat-are-you-playingwrupSat, 08 Jun 2013 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WRUP: Things that are actually written by us edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/06/01/wrup-things-that-are-actually-written-by-us-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/06/01/wrup-things-that-are-actually-written-by-us-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/06/01/wrup-things-that-are-actually-written-by-us-edition/#commentsFiled under: ,

IN FIVE MONTHS
I'm not calling anyone a liar, but there's a pretty good way to tell if something is being written by the Massively staff. If an article shows up on the front page, yeah, one of us wrote that. If the article is supposedly a rough draft that got posted to a message board, well, odds are low. Especially if that draft is a barely disguised rant. We have a column for rants, it's called The Soapbox, and those aren't disguised in the slightest. Educational!

This feature sometimes serves as a thinly disguised rant in the intro, but mostly it's just good old-fashioned WRUP. Like mom used to make, if mom used to serve up rundowns of what the Massively staff will be doing over the weekend. Even if your mother just served you normal stuff, though, feel free to check out our plans past the break and let us know what you'll be up to in the comments.

Continue reading WRUP: Things that are actually written by us edition

MassivelyWRUP: Things that are actually written by us edition originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 01 Jun 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredmassively-metametaweekendweekend-gamingwhat-are-you-playingwrupSat, 01 Jun 2013 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WRUP: Visiting the Department of Inevitable Arguments edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/25/wrup-visiting-the-department-of-inevitable-arguments-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/25/wrup-visiting-the-department-of-inevitable-arguments-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/25/wrup-visiting-the-department-of-inevitable-arguments-edition/#commentsFiled under: ,

Leave a note saying you registered with the department about whose car was parked where and why it was necessary to ram the other car off the road.
The Department of Inevitable Arguments is there when life happens, you know it's going to happen, and more than anything you just want it to get on with the happening so you can go to lunch. Filing at the department saves time and reduces stress for all participants. Do you know you'll disagree with your friends about a movie or game? Did you eat the last doughnut like a jerk when someone else wanted that doughnut? Put in for the argument in advance and avoid the hassle of having an argument crop up in the middle of an otherwise uneventful evening of amateur machete fights.

All of our writers have already filed their gaming choices for your potential objection, but if you want to be sure about whether or not you object to what they play, just check out this week's WRUP. It tells you exactly what the staff is playing this week so you can argue about it in the comments. Or you can let us know what you'll be playing in the comments, same difference.

Continue reading WRUP: Visiting the Department of Inevitable Arguments edition

MassivelyWRUP: Visiting the Department of Inevitable Arguments edition originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 25 May 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredmassively-metametaweekendweekend-gamingwhat-are-you-playingwrupSat, 25 May 2013 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WRUP: Someone no longer likes us on Facebook edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/18/wrup-someone-no-longer-likes-us-on-facebook-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/18/wrup-someone-no-longer-likes-us-on-facebook-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/18/wrup-someone-no-longer-likes-us-on-facebook-edition/#commentsFiled under: ,

UUUUUUNNNNBREAK MY HEEEEEEAAAAART
It finally happened. Like fools, we ignored the dire warnings of what would happen if we kept posting stuff about games you don't like or articles you didn't agree with. The worst has finally come to pass -- someone no longer likes our Facebook page.

We've been in shock here at the office. I've been hitting the rum pretty hard even by my standards, Jef is sitting in an empty bathtub sobbing, and Bree has been playing "Unbreak my Heart" on loop for about seven hours. We'd plead for that reader to come back, but he'll never see it. He no longer likes us. It's really the worst insult you could deliver.

Despite the fact that this traumatic event has left us as broken shells, we somehow managed to pull ourselves together long enough to put together an installment of WRUP. Click on past the break to see what we're up to for the next couple of days other than staring at the number of likes on Facebook, and let us know what you'll be up to in the comments.

Continue reading WRUP: Someone no longer likes us on Facebook edition

MassivelyWRUP: Someone no longer likes us on Facebook edition originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 18 May 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredmassively-metametaweekendweekend-gamingwhat-are-you-playingwrupSat, 18 May 2013 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WRUP: Next week on Massively edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/11/wrup-next-week-on-massively-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/11/wrup-next-week-on-massively-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/11/wrup-next-week-on-massively-edition/#commentsFiled under: ,

Absolutely nothing will explode.
Next week on Massively, tensions run high as Bree races to prevent Justin from assembling the shards necessary to release The Matrix Online from its shutdown. Meanwhile, Eliot, Matt, and Lis continue their investigation into Allods Online by concluding that it is in fact a game. Shawn investigates the fact that every game in the world is now free-to-play and concludes it's the fault of space aliens from another dimension who are also ghosts. Terry O'Quinn guest stars.

We hope you enjoyed this week of Massively, and now it's time for WRUP because no one read the end credits before. Instead of telling you who did what, we've opted to just let you know what we'll be playing over the weekend. You can let us know what you'll be up to in the comments and tune in again next week for the exciting episode that we just explained to you, thereby obviating any need for you to sit down and watch it.

Continue reading WRUP: Next week on Massively edition

MassivelyWRUP: Next week on Massively edition originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 11 May 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredmassively-metametaweekendweekend-gamingwhat-are-you-playingwrupSat, 11 May 2013 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WRUP: A glance at Paragon City edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/04/wrup-a-glance-at-paragon-city-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/04/wrup-a-glance-at-paragon-city-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/04/wrup-a-glance-at-paragon-city-edition/#commentsFiled under: ,

I'd like to think that after it all ends things are still basically all right. That the world grows a bit smaller, that everyone is more aware of that shrinkage, but there's still a general sense of peace. From now to forever.
It's a lot quieter in City of Heroes these days without all the heroes around. A lot more boring. But it's all right, after a fashion. Bringing over the old Praetorian Police seemed like an iffy idea, but it's turned out to work well, and ultimately the two worlds have learned to work together. Sometimes there's a bit too much zeal involved, but old habits die hard, and everyone's keeping an eye open.

As for the heroes, no one knows quite where they went. Some people are guessing that they ascended to some deific plane of existence; others figured that they just left when they weren't needed. The favored theory is that they're needed elsewhere, that after the Praetorian invasion they found someplace in greater need of heroes. There's no memorial in the city, but that's because everyone still remembers.

Not every random WRUP opening needs to be funny. Don't worry, we saved some jokes for our weekend plans just past the break. Let us know what you'll be up to in the comments.

Continue reading WRUP: A glance at Paragon City edition

MassivelyWRUP: A glance at Paragon City edition originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 04 May 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredmassively-metametaweekendweekend-gamingwhat-are-you-playingwrupSat, 04 May 2013 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WRUP: A spectacular week edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/27/wrup-a-spectacular-week-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/27/wrup-a-spectacular-week-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/27/wrup-a-spectacular-week-edition/#commentsFiled under: ,

I'm not saying it was the Black Death, but it felt apropos.
Certain moments force you to re-evaluate certain life choices. Monday evening was one of those nights for me. Specifically, it forced me to re-evaluate the choice to ever eat anything other than saltines, as I was suffering from the most debilitating stomach virus I have ever experienced. You don't want to know the details; I will say that it was about 24 hours before I ate anything approaching food again, and that was a handful of crackers.

Given the pattern of the past couple weeks, I fully expect for everything I love to burst into flame over the course of the next several days. Right now, it's time to stop thinking about the week that's past and focus on WRUP, wherein all of the Massively staffers let you know what they'll be up to for the weekend. Check out the rundown past the break, and let us know your plans in the comments!

Continue reading WRUP: A spectacular week edition

MassivelyWRUP: A spectacular week edition originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 27 Apr 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredmassively-metametaweekendweekend-gamingwhat-are-you-playingwrupSat, 27 Apr 2013 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WRUP: Here, just have some kittens edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/20/wrup-here-just-have-some-kittens-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/20/wrup-here-just-have-some-kittens-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/20/wrup-here-just-have-some-kittens-edition/#commentsFiled under: ,

My cat isn't an Abyssinian, but that's because I go for rescues. Those aren't sorted by breed.
This week is not a week for my usual random nonsense. Instead, I'm just going to give you this photo of Abyssinian kittens thanks to the wonder of Wikimedia Commons. Why Abyssinian? Because they're particularly lovely cats. Just enjoy that for a moment you don't have to worry about all of the other insanity that's going on and you can just picture some gorgeous little bundles of mewling fur in your mind.

No punchline this week. Just have some kittens.

Of course, you might consider WRUP a punchline in and of itself, but that is also here, complete with the Massively staff's plans for the weekend. Like every week, you can feel free to let us know your weekend plans down in the comments, even if they don't include cuddling kittens. But kittens would be nice for everyone, I think. (My cat sits on my desk as I work and purrs at me; I would know.)

Continue reading WRUP: Here, just have some kittens edition

MassivelyWRUP: Here, just have some kittens edition originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 20 Apr 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredmassively-metametaweekendweekend-gamingwhat-are-you-playingwrupSat, 20 Apr 2013 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WRUP: Quiet, we are watching our stories edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/13/wrup-quiet-we-are-watching-our-stories-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/13/wrup-quiet-we-are-watching-our-stories-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/13/wrup-quiet-we-are-watching-our-stories-edition/#commentsFiled under: ,

This is how we watch our stories.
Keep it down, now. We here at the Massively offices are watching our stories. These stories are very important to us. They contain a large number of cast members, and it is vitally important that we keep up with each and every one of them. During our story time, we don't want to hear about how RIFT is shutting down or World of Warcraft is launching an expansion about narwhals or Camelot Unchained is actually just Super Mario World with a few new sprites. We're watching our stories.

If you're so bored you can just read this week's installment of WRUP, which contains all of the Massively staff's plans for the weekend. Well, the plans of those not too involved in watching our stories to reply. These are really important, you see. Here, just sit down and watch with us. Or read our plans past the break and let us know what you'll be up to in the comments -- that works too.

Continue reading WRUP: Quiet, we are watching our stories edition

MassivelyWRUP: Quiet, we are watching our stories edition originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 13 Apr 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredmassively-metametaweekendweekend-gamingwhat-are-you-playingwrupSat, 13 Apr 2013 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WRUP: Is my face on fire edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/06/wrup-is-my-face-on-fire-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/06/wrup-is-my-face-on-fire-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/06/wrup-is-my-face-on-fire-edition/#commentsFiled under: ,

Like this, only 100% more of my face.
We've been friends a while, right? So I'm going to ask you something honestly, and I want you to answer me honestly. Is my face on fire? Right this moment, is my face wreathed in an infernal bouquet? Don't be worried about hurting my feelings; be worried that my face is burning. Or not.

I have to be honest. I can't tell myself. I mean, I see a bright light in the bathroom mirror, but that might just be a glare from the sunlight. My lips have been pretty chapped, but that's normal for this time of year. Also I smell burning hair, but you know me; my sense of smell is terrible. So really -- is my face on fire?

Oh, wait. Before you tell me about that, you should check out this week's installment of WRUP, all about what the Massively crew is up to over the weekend. And you should let us know what you'll be up to down in the comments. This face thing is probably fine; it can wait.

Continue reading WRUP: Is my face on fire edition

MassivelyWRUP: Is my face on fire edition originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 06 Apr 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredmassively-metametaweekendweekend-gamingwhat-are-you-playingwrupSat, 06 Apr 2013 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WRUP: Submarines are the ultimate fishing boats edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/30/wrup-submarines-are-the-ultimate-fishing-boats-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/30/wrup-submarines-are-the-ultimate-fishing-boats-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/30/wrup-submarines-are-the-ultimate-fishing-boats-edition/#commentsFiled under: ,

If you mention the Beatles in the comments, it's an obvious joke but we're cool. If you mention the Black Keys, I will be disappointed.
Look, a submarine is a terrible war vehicle. Submarines are underwater and boats are above the water. There's nothing to shoot at except for other submarines. And Captain Nemo, but he's usually busy with giant squid-related shenanigans. But there are a lot of fish under the water, and since fish are dumb they'll think the submarine is just another fish.

We should just be using all the submarines to catch all of the fish, and then we'll re-fish the oceans with all of the fish bones. Fish work like plants, right?

I'm going to be pretty busy getting the first underwater fishing company going, but you can entertain yourselves for the rest of the day by reading this week's WRUP, all about the Massively staff's plans for the weekend. Oh, and you can let us know what you'll be up to yourself down in the comments. Hopefully you'll be getting ready for delicious fish yanked straight out of the water in what I'm dubbing the Fishermarine.

Continue reading WRUP: Submarines are the ultimate fishing boats edition

MassivelyWRUP: Submarines are the ultimate fishing boats edition originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 30 Mar 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredmassively-metametaweekendweekend-gamingwhat-are-you-playingwrupSat, 30 Mar 2013 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WRUP: Hyena jinx edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/16/wrup-hyena-jinx-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/16/wrup-hyena-jinx-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/16/wrup-hyena-jinx-edition/#commentsFiled under: ,

It's not symbolic. It's aboyt hyenas.
Let's play a fun game I like to call hyena jinx! Are you excited? You're playing whether you want to or not. Here's how it works. You see those hyenas up there? They're going to follow you around and listen for you to say something. The sign that you've said the wrong thing by mistake will be one of the hyenas chewing your legs off while the other one wrecks your computer and car.

Oh, and I forgot to mention that the things you're supposed to avoid are almost indistinguishable from things that you can do at will. Have fun with the hyenas!

I will tell you that reading this week's installment of WRUP will not result in unpleasant hyena-related events. It'll just let you know what we on the Massively staff will be up to over the weekend. So go ahead and read that, and then let us know what you'll be up to down in the comments. Beware of potential hyena triggers.

Continue reading WRUP: Hyena jinx edition

MassivelyWRUP: Hyena jinx edition originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 16 Mar 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredmassively-metametaweekendweekend-gamingwhat-are-you-playingwrupSat, 16 Mar 2013 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WRUP: Pictures of bleach on the internet edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/09/wrup-pictures-of-bleach-on-the-internet-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/09/wrup-pictures-of-bleach-on-the-internet-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/09/wrup-pictures-of-bleach-on-the-internet-edition/#commentsFiled under: ,

The less said about the anime and manga the better.
This was a serious week for some of us. Or a serious Tuesday, anyway. One of our readers consequently asked for some brain bleach, like pictures of cats. This prompted a very serious discussion in the Massively virtual offices about whether we should be using cats or bleach for such purposes, and despite what you might think about people who work on the internet, bleach won by a single vote.

So enjoy your bleach, everyone. Your whites will never be whiter as this harsh chemical sears fabric into its brightest possible white. Do not mix it with ammonia in a closed room.

Of course, all of this is secondary to the main event, which is WRUP. It's just past the break, and while discussion of bleach and cats has been excised, all of the information about what we'll be doing over the weekend is still in place. You can also let us know what you'll be up to over the weekend down in the comments.

Continue reading WRUP: Pictures of bleach on the internet edition

MassivelyWRUP: Pictures of bleach on the internet edition originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 09 Mar 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredmassively-metametaweekendweekend-gamingwhat-are-you-playingwrupSat, 09 Mar 2013 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WRUP: My adventures with Seymour the Magical Plowing Horse part 37 edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/02/wrup-my-adventures-with-seymour-the-magical-plowing-horse-part/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/02/wrup-my-adventures-with-seymour-the-magical-plowing-horse-part/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/03/02/wrup-my-adventures-with-seymour-the-magical-plowing-horse-part/#commentsFiled under: ,

This seems less like an adventure and more like a plowing competition.
As mentioned in the previous 36 installments of this feature, I am deathly allergic to horses, a fact that Seymour found delightful as he split into several hundred copies and began plowing the field. I stood on an unplowed portion of the field in a suit and hat and contemplated how long it would take me to rid myself of this boring magical horse. When I was promised a magical horse, I was really expecting something more along the lines of Twilight Sparkle.

Please tune in next week for another exciting installment of my adventures with Seymour the Magical Plowing Horse. For now, it's time for a word from our sponsors about WRUP. Several words, in fact, contained in list form past the break. Words that describe what the Massively staff will be up to over the weekend. It's probably more interesting than this bizarre horse thing, so you should stick around for that.

Continue reading WRUP: My adventures with Seymour the Magical Plowing Horse part 37 edition

MassivelyWRUP: My adventures with Seymour the Magical Plowing Horse part 37 edition originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 02 Mar 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredmassively-metametaweekendweekend-gamingwhat-are-you-playingwrupSat, 02 Mar 2013 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WRUP: The stupid benchmark game edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/23/wrup-the-stupid-benchmark-game-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/23/wrup-the-stupid-benchmark-game-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/23/wrup-the-stupid-benchmark-game-edition/#commentsFiled under: ,

In hindsight, I shouldn't have tweeted about it.
Final Fantasy XIV released its benchmark this week. To celebrate, I've been playing the benchmark. Specifically, I've been tweaking settings to see how high I can get the score to go without sacrificing any major visual quality. This is stupid at face value, but it's especially stupid when you consider that I ran the benchmark at maximum resolution and settings and got a score that told me, "You're good; you can run the game like this just fine."

In other words, I have turned a test program into a crude facsimile of a game in which I see how I can game the test. I say this without pride.

Most of us at the Massively offices will be playing actual games rather than whatever stupid nonsense this is, so this week's WRUP is still relevant. Check out our plans past the break, and let us know what you'll be doing down in the comments!

Continue reading WRUP: The stupid benchmark game edition

MassivelyWRUP: The stupid benchmark game edition originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 23 Feb 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredmassively-metametaweekendweekend-gamingwhat-are-you-playingwrupSat, 23 Feb 2013 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WRUP: Ahh bees edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/16/wrup-ahh-bees-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/16/wrup-ahh-bees-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/16/wrup-ahh-bees-edition/#commentsFiled under: ,

So I found out this week that Bree is afraid of bees.
Ahh! Ahh, bees! Bees, bees, bees! Get away from there! Bees are over there! Lots of bees! Oh, jeez, bees! How many bees are there? There are lots of bees. I'm scared of bees. Don't let the bees get me! Where did these bees come from! Bees to the left, bees to the right, here I am stuck in the middle, which is slowly filling with bees. I specifically would request no bees if there was a place for that. Bees! Ahh!

Bees.

Ahh! WRUP! Wait. Wait, that wasn't scary. It's not scary at all. It's just the weekend plans of the Massively staff compiled in list format just past the break. WRUP cannot swarm, nor will it produce delicious honey and pollinate flowers. WRUP is nothing like bees. So enjoy this week's installment, and thank whatever deity you believe in that you're not here surrounded by bees. I'd almost forgotten about the bees. Ahh!

Continue reading WRUP: Ahh bees edition

MassivelyWRUP: Ahh bees edition originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 16 Feb 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredmassively-metametaweekendweekend-gamingwhat-are-you-playingwrupSat, 16 Feb 2013 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WRUP: Things I am no longer allowed to do in work chat edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/09/wrup-things-i-am-no-longer-allowed-to-do-in-work-chat-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/09/wrup-things-i-am-no-longer-allowed-to-do-in-work-chat-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/09/wrup-things-i-am-no-longer-allowed-to-do-in-work-chat-edition/#commentsFiled under: ,

I am absolutely not allowed to talk about Transformers. Because it would never stop. Shattered Glass is right off the table.
I consider myself to be a professional worker as long as I'm not around my co-workers. As a result, there are certain things that I am no longer allowed to do in the Massively work chat. For example, I am not allowed to make a horrible pun and then immediately play a sound effect from Won't Get Fooled Again. I am not allowed to change the room's title to "Flapjack And His Orchestra." I am not allowed to speak in all caps while talking like what people in 2010 thought street pimps from 1992 sounded like.

I am also not allowed to post pictures of my cat attacking My Little Pony figures, make references to Mr. Show, or insist that I be addressed as the master of cheese wheels. A new ban has been added to prevent me from discussing cabinet-making in an obscene manner, but that was really only half my fault.

What I am allowed to do is introduce WRUP, which I'm doing right now. Check out our plans past the break, and let us know what you'll be up to in the comments!

Continue reading WRUP: Things I am no longer allowed to do in work chat edition

MassivelyWRUP: Things I am no longer allowed to do in work chat edition originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 09 Feb 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredmassively-metametathigh-slidersweekendweekend-gamingwhat-are-you-playingwrupSat, 09 Feb 2013 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WRUP: The strange purgatory of Final Fantasy XIV edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/02/wrup-the-strange-purgatory-of-final-fantasy-xiv-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/02/wrup-the-strange-purgatory-of-final-fantasy-xiv-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/02/wrup-the-strange-purgatory-of-final-fantasy-xiv-edition/#commentsFiled under: ,

In my mind, we are fighting for Eorzea again.
Lately I've been thinking about Final Fantasy XIV. All right, that's not really unusual, but it hasn't been in my usual capacity of thinking about the game's future. No, I've been thinking that it's been too long since I played the game, that I should log in and level Lancer or Culinarian a bit -- that sort of thing. It's missing a game that's gone, except it's not gone, it's just on pause for the moment.

Needless to say, I'm happy that it's February and I'll be getting a chance to jump into the beta soon. You know I'll be rocking a Highlander lady.

I realize that some of you may have no idea what in the world half of those terms referred to, so to assuage you, here's a new installment of WRUP, complete with the usual Massively weekend plans. And you can even leave your weekend plans in the comments, too! It's a miracle of science.

Continue reading WRUP: The strange purgatory of Final Fantasy XIV edition

MassivelyWRUP: The strange purgatory of Final Fantasy XIV edition originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 02 Feb 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredmassively-metametaweekendweekend-gamingwhat-are-you-playingwrupSat, 02 Feb 2013 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WRUP: Not another post about Sagrada Familia edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/26/wrup-not-another-post-about-sagrada-familia-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/26/wrup-not-another-post-about-sagrada-familia-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/26/wrup-not-another-post-about-sagrada-familia-edition/#commentsFiled under: ,

Yeah, let's not talk about it, it's not like it matters.
Contrary to what you might think, this post really isn't about Sagrada Familia. It's more about the fact that I decided to foolishly purchase a Nanoblocks set attempting to replicate the sight of this massive structure. This was revealed to be an intensely poor decision after about five seconds, for reasons including but not limited to a lack of stability, a poor choice of colors, and decisions about assembly that require a level of manual dexterity that even I don't naturally possess.

After several hours of work, the completed project sits on my desk, a reminder that the next time I'm curious about this sort of thing I should just try assembling some LEGO blocks with a set of tweezers.

But the mistakes of the week can be overridden by the glories of the weekend, and this week's WRUP is just past the cut. Check out our weekend plans and let us know what you'll be up to over the next two days in the comments.

Continue reading WRUP: Not another post about Sagrada Familia edition

MassivelyWRUP: Not another post about Sagrada Familia edition originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 26 Jan 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredmassively-metametaweekendweekend-gamingwhat-are-you-playingwrupSat, 26 Jan 2013 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WRUP: A week off edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/19/wrup-a-week-off-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/19/wrup-a-week-off-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/19/wrup-a-week-off-edition/#commentsFiled under: ,

I have had several weeks off from Final Fantasy XIV. I don't have much of a choice.
My birthday this year is on Sunday. To celebrate the fact that I am one step closer to feeling the icy hand of death crawling along my spine, I took a week off to stare in mute horror at the trainwreck that I have made of my life over the past 30 years. This will be accomplished largely by completely avoiding introspection and combining sleep, video games, and hard liquor in the proper portions. Also some presents.

But enough about my whatever, it's time for WRUP! As always, the Massively staff is out and about playing all manner of video games, and you can find out what games we're playing just past the cut. So take a look and let us know what you'll be up to down in the comments! Especially if you will also be staring in mute horror at something -- possibly your attempts to construct a birdhouse.

Continue reading WRUP: A week off edition

MassivelyWRUP: A week off edition originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 19 Jan 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredmassively-metametaweekendweekend-gamingwhat-are-you-playingwrupSat, 19 Jan 2013 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WRUP: Zelda Syndrome edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/12/wrup-zelda-syndrome-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/12/wrup-zelda-syndrome-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/12/wrup-zelda-syndrome-edition/#commentsFiled under: ,

He's supposed to be attacking here, but it looks to me like War is doing a merry jig.
One of the games that motivated me to buy the Humble THQ Bundle was Darksiders, which I had heard described as basically Legend of Zelda with ultraviolence and Joe Mad. It delivers what it promises, but as a result, I'm in the late game and fighting hard against my Zelda Syndrome.

Zelda Syndrome is a condition wherein a player stops playing an action-adventure title after the majority of the game is done, usually with all of the really annoying bosses already dead. All that's left is a dungeon or two and the final boss, but for some reason sufferers simply lose interest and go back to playing something else. I've fought against it with every single Legend of Zelda game and several points related. There is no known treatment.

While I raise awareness of this horrible syndrome, you can entertain yourself with this week's installment of WRUP, which outlines the games that the Massively staff will be playing this weekend. You can also let us know what you're playing down in the comments. After doing so, please consider giving money to researchers addressing Zelda Syndrome by purchasing a related title -- possibly Okami.

Continue reading WRUP: Zelda Syndrome edition

MassivelyWRUP: Zelda Syndrome edition originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 12 Jan 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredmassively-metametaweekendweekend-gamingwhat-are-you-playingwrupSat, 12 Jan 2013 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WRUP: Open PvP edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/05/wrup-open-pvp-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/05/wrup-open-pvp-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/05/wrup-open-pvp-edition/#commentsFiled under: ,

In the future, people will still be shooting at one another. That's apparently a constant.
Open PvP was first introduced to the world by senior rock engineer Thag, who realized that he could communicate his displeasure with cavemate Thog's activities through more direct means. Over the past several thousand years, the ruleset has been updated and expanded many times, with new rules banning the use of certain abilities outside of designated warzones. These days, for much of the civilized world, PvP is instanced; to enter an instance, queue up at your local military recruitment office.

With that out of the way, let's get to this week's WRUP, yes? This features no PvP, instead focusing exclusively on what the Massively staff will be up to over the weekend. Check out our plans in the list past the break, and let us know what you'll be up to in the comments. Or just punch your monitor in displeasure. That's like PvP, although having to replace your monitor afterwards will be an unfortunate consequence.

Continue reading WRUP: Open PvP edition

MassivelyWRUP: Open PvP edition originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 05 Jan 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredmassively-metametaweekendweekend-gamingwhat-are-you-playingwrupSat, 05 Jan 2013 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WRUP: Will you marry me, vicious leopard living outside of my house edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/29/wrup-will-you-marry-me-vicious-leopard-living-outside-of-my-ho/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/29/wrup-will-you-marry-me-vicious-leopard-living-outside-of-my-ho/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/29/wrup-will-you-marry-me-vicious-leopard-living-outside-of-my-ho/#commentsFiled under: ,

This was originally going to be a cougar, because the word cougar is inherently hilarious, but that sort of has a double meaning.
Leopard, we've had a really strange relationship. I can remember how it started like it was yesterday, mostly because it was. You escaped from the zoo, I tried to get to my car, you nearly gnawed my leg off... at the time, I didn't think anything of it aside from "I need someone to help me; there is a leopard in my yard." But now, as I see you pacing the front lawn licking your chops at the thought of devouring me, I realize that we're meant to be together as a man and a savage jungle cat looking to consume that man for sustenance.

So, vicious leopard living outside of my house: Will you marry me? Roar once for yes and twice for yes two times.

This week's installment of WRUP is past the cut, complete with our plans for the weekend and the opportunity for you to sound off on your plans in the comments. Be sure to tune in for next week's installment, in which I recover from multiple leopard-induced lacerations and ask to spend some time away from the murderous cat-beast.

Continue reading WRUP: Will you marry me, vicious leopard living outside of my house edition

MassivelyWRUP: Will you marry me, vicious leopard living outside of my house edition originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 29 Dec 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredmassively-metametaweekendweekend-gamingwhat-are-you-playingwrupSat, 29 Dec 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WRUP: An open letter to Mr. Claus edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/22/wrup-an-open-letter-to-mr-claus-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/22/wrup-an-open-letter-to-mr-claus-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/22/wrup-an-open-letter-to-mr-claus-edition/#commentsFiled under: ,

Trying to strongarm Santa probably doesn't help my case to be on the nice list.
Dear Mr. Claus (I think it'd be disrespectful to use just your first name, you barely know me), I have been truly awful this year. I could have been worse, probably, but I don't get any awards this time around for good behavior. However, as I hurtle toward my next birthday, I am also at an age where I do not realistically require your services to acquire goods. Pretty much anything I really want I can buy for myself.

So here's the deal. First option, you don't bring me presents for being bad and I continue being awful next year, because you no longer provide me with any incentive. Second option, you bring me gifts anyway and I consider being better next year. It's not blackmail, it's just a superior bargaining position.

Oh, and if you want, there's the final pre-holiday WRUP just past the break. You can find out what all of the Massively staffers are up to, which might tip the scales into the "naughty" or "nice" category for the year. And you can let us know what you'll be up to in the comments, whether or not it involves making lists and checking them repeatedly.

Continue reading WRUP: An open letter to Mr. Claus edition

MassivelyWRUP: An open letter to Mr. Claus edition originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 22 Dec 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredmassively-metametaweekendweekend-gamingwhat-are-you-playingwrupSat, 22 Dec 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WRUP: Humble Bundle edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/15/wrup-humble-bundle-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/15/wrup-humble-bundle-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/15/wrup-humble-bundle-edition/#commentsFiled under: ,

I also got four games I didn't care about essentially for free. So that was cool.
The Humble Bundle is really cool, but I've never bought it before this year. Somehow, getting a pile of indie games for a smaller payment felt like I was directly ripping someone off. When I saw that THQ did the bundle routine this year, though, I jumped on it. I figured that if I paid the price for the one game I wanted but didn't have when there's one extra game in there I'm curious about, that's fair, right?

Except then they added another game that I had wanted. And it turns out that the two games I did want are both excellent. So now I feel like I legally robbed someone. My ethics are strange.

Fortunately for you, if you missed out on the bundle, you won't have any ethical quandries to sort out. You can just revel in the fact that it's time for another installment of WRUP, with all of our Massively weekend plans just past the break. And you can let us know what you'll be up to for the weekend in the comments!

Continue reading WRUP: Humble Bundle edition

MassivelyWRUP: Humble Bundle edition originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 15 Dec 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredmassively-metametaweekendweekend-gamingwhat-are-you-playingwrupSat, 15 Dec 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WRUP: Fine points of bear worship edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/08/wrup-fine-points-of-bear-worship-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/08/wrup-fine-points-of-bear-worship-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/08/wrup-fine-points-of-bear-worship-edition/#commentsFiled under: ,

Ms. Lady and I have devoted a great deal of thought to bears ever since her druid shifted into one.
Anyone who has met me in person knows that I have a vested interest in bears. As a result, I have to say that anyone in a game or out of it worshipping a bear as a fierce and deadly warrior clearly has not grasped what bears represent. Yes, they certainly can be killing machines, but more often they're enormous snurfling piles of fur and fat looking for something sweet. Understand that if the bear is your god, your god's primary interest is finding a beehive and then falling asleep for a week.

Not to say this isn't cool. But it's not quite the proud anchor you want for a warrior culture.

Much like a beehive, the weekend contains the sweet honey of free time for many of us, and that's why it's time for another installment of WRUP. Check on past the break to see what the Massively staff has planned for the weekend, and let us know in the comments what you'll be up to for the next two days!

Continue reading WRUP: Fine points of bear worship edition

MassivelyWRUP: Fine points of bear worship edition originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 08 Dec 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredmassively-metametaweekendweekend-gamingwhat-are-you-playingwrupSat, 08 Dec 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WRUP: Valor edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/01/wrup-valor-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/01/wrup-valor-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/01/wrup-valor-edition/#commentsFiled under: ,

We are heroes. Always.
Some fights cannot be won. Some battles are doomed to failure from the first salvo. But even when no hope for victory remains, you must stand fast. You must raise your head and refuse to bow. You must be a testament to the meaning and the values that you embody, no matter how desperately you wish to give in. If you fail, you fail with your head held high, with dignity and your ideals in place.

This is valor. Don't let anyone tell you differently.

On a happier note, it's the weekend, and that means it's time for another installment of WRUP. That means a full rundown of our staff plans over the weekend, what games we'll be playing along with our usual meandering about the rationale behind those games. You know, as we do. Check out our plans past the break, and let us know what you're going to be up to down in the comments.

Continue reading WRUP: Valor edition

MassivelyWRUP: Valor edition originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 01 Dec 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>massively-metametaweekendweekend-gamingwhat-are-you-playingwrupSat, 01 Dec 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WRUP: Maybe the zombies are on to something edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/11/24/wrup-maybe-the-zombies-are-on-to-something-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/11/24/wrup-maybe-the-zombies-are-on-to-something-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/11/24/wrup-maybe-the-zombies-are-on-to-something-edition/#commentsFiled under: ,

My brother asked me what the tastiest part of a brain would be as I wrote this. I never thought about it before. Now I am.
Look, I'm not a zombie. I've never really considered myself zombie-curious, either. But now I look at diagrams of brains, and I have to wonder what it is that zombies see that I don't. Maybe there's something to the whole brain-eating thing? They seem happy enough. Sure, they're mindlessly shambling toward living flesh and trying to devour it, but really, am I all that much better for most of the day? I just shamble toward my computer.

They've got a much more active lifestyle, is what I'm getting at. Maybe it's a brain thing.

Leaving everyone to chew on that for a while, it's time for this week's installment of WRUP, in which the Massively staff relates their weekend plans. Also, today we find out what everyone on staff is thankful for outside of the continued non-existence of a zombie apocalypse. So find our answers past the cut, and let us know what you're up to in the comments.

Continue reading WRUP: Maybe the zombies are on to something edition

MassivelyWRUP: Maybe the zombies are on to something edition originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 24 Nov 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredmassively-metametaweekendweekend-gamingwhat-are-you-playingwrupSat, 24 Nov 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WRUP: In honor of Javier Placeholder edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/11/17/wrup-in-honor-of-javier-placeholder-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/11/17/wrup-in-honor-of-javier-placeholder-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/11/17/wrup-in-honor-of-javier-placeholder-edition/#commentsFiled under: ,

Javier Placeholder is eternal until the person who was supposed to be here can be bothered to arrive.
Javier Placeholder was born when the randomize button in City of Heroes failed to generate my new hero but succeeded in generating a stand-in. After filling in for someone who was scheduled to be the victim of a freak nuclear accident, Javier Placeholder was supposed to develop fantastic powers, but instead he got some storm-related powers or something until the kinks of his real powers could be worked out. He's not the hero we need, nor is he the hero we deserve, but he is a hero who will definitely show up until the main guy can get over here.

In unrelated news, welcome to this week's WRUP, wherein the Massively staff discusses our weekend plans as well as whether or not we think players expect too much out of free-to-play games. Check our plans past the break, and let us know what you'll be up to in the comments.

Continue reading WRUP: In honor of Javier Placeholder edition

MassivelyWRUP: In honor of Javier Placeholder edition originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 17 Nov 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredmassively-metametaweekendweekend-gamingwhat-are-you-playingwrupSat, 17 Nov 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WRUP: Partial disaster edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/11/10/wrup-partial-disaster-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/11/10/wrup-partial-disaster-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/11/10/wrup-partial-disaster-edition/#commentsFiled under: ,

This is a shoddy and half-finished disaster.
I'm always amused when something is called a complete disaster. It seems unnecessary to me. If something is a disaster, by definition, that's pretty much all that needs to be said. You don't have partial disasters running around. Localized disasters, sure, but they're still disasters. It's not a proper disaster otherwise.

As a result, I think we really need some more incomplete disasters. You know, a disaster that gets up to good, solid disaster levels and then just sort of loses interest partway through. Maybe a hurricane that just gives up and sits five miles off of the coast until it dissipates. I harbor no illusions about removing the concept of a complete disaster, but I'd like some contrast.

This installment of WRUP is not a disaster, complete or incomplete. It's actually a column in which the Massively staff members explains their weekend plans, and this week it's also a spot for us to sound off about one-time events. You can also let us know what you're up to in the comments, although you can't let us know whether your plans were a disaster until after the fact.

Continue reading WRUP: Partial disaster edition

MassivelyWRUP: Partial disaster edition originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 10 Nov 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>massively-metametaweekendweekend-gamingwhat-are-you-playingwrupSat, 10 Nov 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WRUP: Front row at the zamboni championships edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/11/03/wrup-front-row-at-the-zamboni-championships-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/11/03/wrup-front-row-at-the-zamboni-championships-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/11/03/wrup-front-row-at-the-zamboni-championships-edition/#commentsFiled under: ,

Girls like a man with his own zamboni. Until they find out he doesn't have an ice rink.
Yes, it's Massively's anniversary, and... wait, what? Darn it, that header was supposed to read "Front row at the Massively anniversary celebration and zamboni championships." Well, at least we can... oh, wait, apparently the zamboni drivers already started. They weren't supposed to go on until after we'd done our thing for the anniversary.

I mean, I'd say something to them, but they've already started. Driving a zamboni is hard work. I think. I've never actually driven a zamboni. Maybe if we're really nice to them they'll let us play around on the zambonis afterwards. Only we shouldn't say it like that, because then they'll think that we think zambonis are just toys. That's insulting to them and us.

Look, let's just move on to WRUP for the moment. There we can all talk about our favorite memories from Massively's five years, and also discuss what we here at the Massively staff will be playing over the weekend. Once the zambonis are done, we can do the full anniversary thing. What does a zamboni championship actually entail, anyway?

Continue reading WRUP: Front row at the zamboni championships edition

MassivelyWRUP: Front row at the zamboni championships edition originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 03 Nov 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>massively-metametaweekendweekend-gamingwhat-are-you-playingwrupSat, 03 Nov 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WRUP: Turn into a duck edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/27/wrup-turn-into-a-duck-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/27/wrup-turn-into-a-duck-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/27/wrup-turn-into-a-duck-edition/#commentsFiled under: ,

Lots of things can turn into ducks if they try hard enough. Ducklings, for instance.
Those of you who read my bizarre introductions to articles have done very well. You have learned almost all of what I have to teach you. Now, as your final test, you have to turn into a duck. Just... you know, go over into the corner and turn into a duck. Then you will be ready to learn the secret of making electric guitar sounds with nothing more than a drinking glass and a nasal congestion problem.

Wait, that's not what you were here for? Oh. You probably were just looking for WRUP, which is where the Massively staff talks about what they're planning for the weekend. Also, this week we talk about our most hated zones. Yeah, that's much more interesting to those of you not interested in the duck thing, you can just jump on past the break and share your weekend plans in the comments. The rest of you, though, had better be making with the duck transformations pronto.

Continue reading WRUP: Turn into a duck edition

MassivelyWRUP: Turn into a duck edition originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 27 Oct 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>massively-metaweekendweekend-gamingwhat-are-you-playingwrupSat, 27 Oct 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WRUP: You don't like that, that's dumb edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/20/wrup-you-dont-like-that-thats-dumb-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/20/wrup-you-dont-like-that-thats-dumb-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/20/wrup-you-dont-like-that-thats-dumb-edition/#commentsFiled under: ,

To be fair, if the book in question is Ethan Frome, you probably shouldn't like it.
Oh, reading a book? What are you reading? No, you're not reading that. That's dumb. It's a stupid book because I don't like it, and if I don't like it, it's not cool. Since you're also cool, you must not like it. Here, read this instead. It's super awesome and I like it.

What do you mean I gave you the first book and told you it was awesome and you should read it? You're probably just delusional because you were reading something I think is dumb. That must be it.

Look, let's just read WRUP. That's pretty cool if you like seeing what the Massively staff is up to over the weekend and whether or not we like using premade builds in games. Plus, then you can let the staff know what you'll be up to over the weekend in the comments. You can like that. At least until I don't like it any more.

Continue reading WRUP: You don't like that, that's dumb edition

MassivelyWRUP: You don't like that, that's dumb edition originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 20 Oct 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredmassively-metametaweekendweekend-gamingwhat-are-you-playingwrupSat, 20 Oct 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WRUP: Context edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/13/wrup-context-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/13/wrup-context-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/13/wrup-context-edition/#commentsFiled under: ,

Pictured: local context. (You need to zoom out much further for full context.)
You are a primate that, due to several freak mutations, has developed an overly large brain capable of handling abstract thought. You live on a ball of dirt and water that hurtles through an empty and uncaring void with only a thin layer of breathable gas to prevent your complete and utter annihilation. Every single action you undertake is the result of having a brain capable of abstract thinking that is still governed by the basic instincts that were relevant when your ancestors were foraging for grubs.

It's important to put everything into context, so there you go.

Now that that's out of the way, we hope you enjoy this week's installment of WRUP! It's the Massively staff's rundown of our weekend plans. We also discuss how much gaming time we get on average, which seems to be a pretty solid average. Take a look past the jump, and let us know what your plans are down in the comments. Keeping context in mind, of course.

Continue reading WRUP: Context edition

MassivelyWRUP: Context edition originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 13 Oct 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>massively-metametaweekendweekend-gamingwhat-are-you-playingwrupSat, 13 Oct 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WRUP: This prom date is going nowhere edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/06/wrup-this-prom-date-is-going-nowhere-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/06/wrup-this-prom-date-is-going-nowhere-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/10/06/wrup-this-prom-date-is-going-nowhere-edition/#commentsFiled under: ,

Apparently the word 'prom' means other things in other languages. I actually find this advantageous.
After half an hour, I am disappointed at the progress that has been made on this prom date, and I've identified several key issues. The first issue is that I am nearly 30 and neither of us is attending high school. Second, you are apparently high on mescaline. Third and most importantly, this is not a high school prom but a boating enthusiast convention in the middle of Nevada. I probably should have noticed that when the tickets mentioned as much.

For now, we can shuffle back and forth awkwardly to slow music in the center of the boating convention while everyone else looks at WRUP. That contains a full list of the Massively staffers' weekend plans as well as what character creation options they would like to see in MMOs. The readers may also leave their weekend plans in the comments afterwards. That should be fun for everyone not stuck on a horrible prom date.

Continue reading WRUP: This prom date is going nowhere edition

MassivelyWRUP: This prom date is going nowhere edition originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 06 Oct 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>massively-metaweekendweekend-gamingwhat-are-you-playingwrupSat, 06 Oct 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WRUP: Not now, I have a headache edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/29/wrup-not-now-i-have-a-headache-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/29/wrup-not-now-i-have-a-headache-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/29/wrup-not-now-i-have-a-headache-edition/#commentsFiled under: ,

This store looked like trouble from the start. Why did I shop there?
Wait, is it the weekend already? I need to do a WRUP for the week? Not now. I have a headache right now; this is a terrible time. Look, I understand that things need to happen, but this is a really bad headache. Can it wait for just a few days? A few hours? I don't know how long I'm going to have this headache.

You don't have some ibuprofen I could cage off you? Better yet, some Excedrin? I hate having a headache.

All right, all right, I'll just focus on WRUP. This week's installment is about whether or not the F2P switch of basically every game in the world gives you added financial headaches compared to the old style of subscription games. Oh, and it covers what we'll be playing over the weekend. So check out our plans past the break, and let us know what you'll be up to in the comments.

Continue reading WRUP: Not now, I have a headache edition

MassivelyWRUP: Not now, I have a headache edition originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 29 Sep 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>massively-metaweekendweekend-gamingwhat-are-you-playingwrupSat, 29 Sep 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WRUP: Explaining Gangam Style to the next generation edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/22/wrup-explaining-gangam-style-to-the-next-generation-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/22/wrup-explaining-gangam-style-to-the-next-generation-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/22/wrup-explaining-gangam-style-to-the-next-generation-edition/#commentsFiled under: ,

This whole thing is pretty universally brilliant, though.
I can't speak to the rest of the US, but I know that here in Connecticut, radio stations are playing Gangnam Style with regularity. This means that a Korean song parodying specific parts of South Korean culture is now a hit based solely on its own merits, even without the amazingly creative video and despite many of the listeners not understanding the first thing about the song's subject matter or lyrics.

Every time I try to figure out how to explain all of this to future generations, I come up blank mostly because I don't entirely believe it myself.

Fortunately for my attempts to explain pop culture to my eventual descendents, WRUP is not concerned with music. It's entirely concerned with what the Massively staff will be up to over the weekend, and this week we're also declaring whether or not we think there are too many MMOs on the market. So check on past the break to see what we'll be up to, and let us know your plans down in the comments!

Continue reading WRUP: Explaining Gangam Style to the next generation edition

MassivelyWRUP: Explaining Gangam Style to the next generation edition originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 22 Sep 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>massively-metaweekendweekend-gamingwhat-are-you-playingwrupSat, 22 Sep 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WRUP: Regime change edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/15/wrup-regime-change-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/15/wrup-regime-change-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/15/wrup-regime-change-edition/#commentsFiled under: ,

He sits in the corner and blocks.
Regular readers of the site know that the upper management is being shifted around here at Massively, meaning that Brianna Royce will now be in charge. While we'll always miss Shawn Schuster's unmistakable voice and work on the site, the change will likely seem invisible to most readers.

I, for one, would like to welcome our new overlord, for whom I have nothing but respect and admiration. By complete coincidence, this week's header image happens to be of her favorite animal. Also, I may have sent a number of gift baskets of fruit to her house. And I'm sure we can all agree that earlier instances of tomfoolery should not be taken into account when she now considers that she has complete power over me.

Moving on from the welcoming of overlords, it's time for this week's installment of WRUP, featuring the Massively staff explaining our plans for the weekend as well as whether or not a graphical upgrade would bring us back to our first MMOs. Check out our plans past the break, and let us know what you'll be up to in the comments!

Continue reading WRUP: Regime change edition

MassivelyWRUP: Regime change edition originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 15 Sep 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>massively-metaweekendweekend-gamingwhat-are-you-playingwrupSat, 15 Sep 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WRUP: I love sprouts edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/08/wrup-i-love-sprouts-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/08/wrup-i-love-sprouts-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/09/08/wrup-i-love-sprouts-edition/#commentsFiled under: ,

Aw, yeah. That's the stuff.
When I was a kid, Brussels sprouts were one of those foods that no one is supposed to actually like. I was told that they tasted bitter and nasty and were best avoided except as an implement of torture. Then I finally tasted them and found them to be some of the most wonderful things ever. Seriously, they're my favorite vegetable option in the world. If you're not going to eat those, I will.

What does that have to do with this week's installment of WRUP? Absolutely nothing. It never does. WRUP is about what the Massively staff is up to this weekend and whether or not we see MMOs as disposable entertainment. So regardless of whether you like the delicious taste of sprouts, you can check out our plans after the break and let us know what you'll be up to for the next two days in the comments.

Continue reading WRUP: I love sprouts edition

MassivelyWRUP: I love sprouts edition originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 08 Sep 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>massively-metaweekendweekend-gamingwhat-are-you-playingwrupSat, 08 Sep 2012 10:00:00 EST