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[World of Darkness creative director talks design and the MMO mainstream]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/24/world-of-darkness-creative-director-talks-design-and-the-mmo-mai/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/24/world-of-darkness-creative-director-talks-design-and-the-mmo-mai/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/24/world-of-darkness-creative-director-talks-design-and-the-mmo-mai/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

World of Darkness - Masquerade rose
A new interview at Gamasutra posits that CCP is gunning for mainstream success with its upcoming World of Darkness MMO. The EVE Online developer has cornered what's left of the hardcore sandbox market, so now it's looking to marry EVE's emergent gameplay with more familiar MMO staples. "The way to drag people in will be traditional themepark-style PvE play. Once players get into the setting, they'll see the appeal of the sandbox play," says WoD creative director Reynir Hardarson.

Despite the concessions to mainstream accessibility, EVE's influence on World of Darkness will be more than superficial. "The live-action roleplayers of the Vampire the Masquerade tabletop game play this way," Hardarson explains. "It's really about politics and power plays."

Why don't more MMO developers try their hand at sandbox mechanics? Hardarson says designing for emergent play is difficult because you can't test it. It's worth it, though, because MMOs that hand-hold and limit players to a linear path miss the point. "I'm not a five-year-old. If I want to go in the cave and I want to die, that's my problem," Hardarson says.

MassivelyWorld of Darkness creative director talks design and the MMO mainstream originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 24 Apr 2012 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accessibilityccpccp-gamesemergent-designemergent-gameplayfantasygothichorrorinterviewmainstreammmo-mainstreamplayer-contentplayer-generated-contentreynir-hardarsonsandboxsupernaturaluser-generated-contentvampirevampireswhite-wolfwodworld-of-darknessTue, 24 Apr 2012 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The MMO Report: Big news edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/12/the-mmo-report-big-news-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/12/the-mmo-report-big-news-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/12/the-mmo-report-big-news-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

This is madness. Just madness.
The MMO Report has some big news this week, and no, it's not about the fact that it's secretly carrying your baby. Nor is it even tied to all of the various big news that the show has this week, and there is quite a bit of that. Obviously, there's the new patch for Star Wars: The Old Republic, and there's also the first in-game footage of both World of Darkness and Defiance, but those aren't the big reveal in the news.

So what is it? Well, while we'd normally promise that there's going to be a new episode next week from G4 and Massively, this week it's not quite so clear-cut. The show is going on a brief hiatus for reasons that we'll allow the show itself to explain. So hop on past the break for more MMO news, and tune in when the hiatus ends for another episode. You can keep checking back here forlornly, however. We won't hold it against you.

Continue reading The MMO Report: Big news edition

MassivelyThe MMO Report: Big news edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 12 Apr 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>casey-schreinerdefiancehiatushumormmo-reportnewsopinionroundupstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-mmo-reportupdatesvideovideoswodworld-of-darknessThu, 12 Apr 2012 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The MMO Report: Shut up about Mass Effect edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/05/the-mmo-report-shut-up-about-mass-effect-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/05/the-mmo-report-shut-up-about-mass-effect-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/05/the-mmo-report-shut-up-about-mass-effect-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

MMO Report
This week on The MMO Report, Casey tells everyone to stop whining about Mass Effect 3's ending, laments the loss of the "online" part of Warhammer 40K: Dark Millennium Online, touches on the World of Darkness keynote, and outlines The Secret World's preorder plans. He also reveals the identity of one of TERA's key voice actors: Michael Hogan (of Battlestar Galactica fame), who will play Samael in the final game. Finally, he pulls one measly letter from the mailbag and debates which class he represents in TERA.

Enjoy the full MMO Report after the cut!

Continue reading The MMO Report: Shut up about Mass Effect edition

MassivelyThe MMO Report: Shut up about Mass Effect edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 05 Apr 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blueholebluehole-studioscasey-schreinerccpccp-gamesdark-millenniumdark-millennium-onlinedmoen-masseen-masse-entertainmentfactionfantasyfuncomgothichorrorhumormass-effect-3me3michael-hoganmmo-reportmythologynewsopinionroundupsamaelsci-fantasysci-fisecret-worldskill-basedsupernaturalterathe-mmo-reportthe-secret-worldtswvampirevampiresvideovideosvigilvigil-gamesvoice-actorvoice-overwar40kwar40k-dmowarhammerwarhammer-40000-dark-millennium-onlinewarhammer-40kwarhammer-40k-dark-millennium-onlinewhite-wolfwodworld-of-darknessThu, 05 Apr 2012 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively Speaking Episode 194: Bookah bookah!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/27/massively-speaking-episode-194-bookah-bookah/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/27/massively-speaking-episode-194-bookah-bookah/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/27/massively-speaking-episode-194-bookah-bookah/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Vanguard
Massively Speaking Episode 194 welcomes aboard resident Star Trek Online expert Terilynn Shull to talk about Tribbles and bits and why Star Trek doesn't have more "The Fly" incidents involving the transporter and local flora or fauna. Captain Archer would have been vastly improved by beaming him into a badger.

Have a comment for the podcasters? Shoot an email to podcast@massively.com. We may just read your email on the air!

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Read below the cut for the full show notes.

Continue reading Massively Speaking Episode 194: Bookah bookah!

MassivelyMassively Speaking Episode 194: Bookah bookah! originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 27 Mar 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetbrantbrianna-royceccpccp-gamesend-of-nationseonf2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playfrogsterfrogster-americafrogster-interactivegothicguild-wars-2gw2horrorhumorjustin-olivettimassively-speakingmmortsncsoftopinionpetroglyphpetroglyph-gamespodcastpodcastingpodcastsromrtsrunes-of-magicrunewakerrunewaker-entertainmentsandboxsci-fisoesonysony-online-entertainmentsupernaturaltaboreatelontriontrion-worldsvampirevampiresvanguardvanguard-saga-of-heroesvgwarwhite-wolfwodworld-of-darknessTue, 27 Mar 2012 13:00:00 ESTMassively Speaking Episode 194Massively.com Staff01:05:44podcasts<![CDATA[World of Darkness presented at EVE Fanfest 2012]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/24/world-of-darkness-presented-at-eve-fanfest-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/24/world-of-darkness-presented-at-eve-fanfest-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/24/world-of-darkness-presented-at-eve-fanfest-2012/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

World of Darkness title image
Ever since CCP Games merged with White Wolf, it has been developing the World of Darkness MMO. The game is nowhere near complete, and fans worried that last year's heavy layoffs at the Atlanta office had slowed the game's production. We haven't heard much about World of Darkness since then, but today at the EVE Online Fanfest, a few new details were revealed. Attendees were shown some early in-game footage of a city and given a mix of information we already knew and snippets of new information.

CCP wants to draw in the largely female World of Darkness fanbase. The game will have a focus on fashion, and CCP will control the theme of that fashion rather than letting players design their own clothes. The game will be based in the Vampire: The Masquerade universe, with an initial focus on vampires before the introduction of the other factions. Vampires will use human blood as a currency; it will be the resource they'll compete over, making human cities the central locations they will inhabit. When mages and other character types are released, they will compete for different resources.

The game will have a single-shard world, with sandbox territorial warfare for control of cities mirroring EVE Online's nullsec warfare. Developers investigated using real cities for the game but found that "real cities were generally boring." Presenters told fans that the team will "be using stylised versions, but they will be named after real cities." Each city will be lorded over by a player prince, who will under rare circumstances be potentially subjected to permadeath. The world's original vampire clans will be available on release, and CCP confirmed that it won't be using vampire generations as a form of leveling system but instead will be doing something different with it.

MassivelyWorld of Darkness presented at EVE Fanfest 2012 originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 24 Mar 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GDC 2012 is now in full swing, and today we had the chance to sit down with CCP's Hilmar Petursson, Halldor Fannar, and David Reid to chat about the studio's upcoming FPS title, DUST 514. When asked about the studio's primary goal with DUST 514, the team had a simple reply: Make the best AAA free-to-play shooter possible. But is it coming to the PC?

While many EVE Online players aren't thrilled with DUST 514's PlayStation 3 exclusivity, there may be hope for a PC release yet. And while the devs weren't ready to make any official statements on the spot, a bit of wink-nudging indicates that a PC release may still be in the cards. As the devs note, mouse and keyboard controls are already supported in the PS3 version of the title. "I wonder why we did that," Hilmar joked during the interview.

Continue reading GDC 2012: CCP talks DUST 514 PC possibilities and World of Darkness development

MassivelyGDC 2012: CCP talks DUST 514 PC possibilities and World of Darkness development originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 07 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-gamesconconferenceconsoleconventiondavid-reiddustdust-514eveeve-onlinefpsgame-developers-conferencegame-developers-conference-2012gdcgdc-2012halldor-fannarhilmar-peturssoninternet-spaceshipsinterviewmmofpsplaystationplaystation-3ps3sandboxsci-fishooterspreadsheets-onlinewodworld-of-darknessWed, 07 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Interview confirms World of Darkness dev team, predicts DUST 514 sales]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/03/interview-confirms-world-of-darkness-dev-team-predicts-dust-514/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/03/interview-confirms-world-of-darkness-dev-team-predicts-dust-514/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/03/interview-confirms-world-of-darkness-dev-team-predicts-dust-514/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

EVE Online title image
When CCP Games laid off 20% of its worldwide staff back in October of last year, the World of Darkness dev team bore the brunt of the cuts while DUST 514 continued on course for its launch later this year. In an interview over at TenTonHammer today, CCP's new Chief Marketing Officer, David Reid, joined CEO Hilmar Petursson to discuss the development of both games. Hilmar reveals that a team of 60 developers are currently working on WoD, and that DUST 514 will be playable at this year's EVE Online fanfest event in March.

Despite acknowledging that the entire PlayStation Network comprises a total of 60 million users, Reid asserts that DUST will bring "tens of millions of people that play shooters on PSN into the New Eden universe," going on to make the bold statement that "EVE could be the biggest game in the world at the end of 2012" as a result. Reid also claims that "EVE Online is the only game in the West that has shown consecutive growth year after year," a statement that's sure to upset RuneScape developer Jagex and others. The statement also comes with a slightly bitter note as this year EVE may have lost its record of continual subscription growth during the summer drama.

MassivelyInterview confirms World of Darkness dev team, predicts DUST 514 sales originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-gamescmoconsoledavid-reiddustdust-514eveeve-onlinef2pfantasyfpsfree-to-playgothichilmar-peturssonhorrorinterviewjagexjagex-games-studiomillionsmmofpsplaystationplaystation-3PlayStation-Networkps3psnrsrunescapesalessandboxsci-fishootersupernaturalvampirevampireswhite-wolfwodworld-of-darknessFri, 03 Feb 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Chris McDonough talks about the development of the World of Darkness]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/17/chris-mcdonough-talks-about-the-development-of-the-world-of-dark/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/17/chris-mcdonough-talks-about-the-development-of-the-world-of-dark/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/17/chris-mcdonough-talks-about-the-development-of-the-world-of-dark/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Personally, I was hoping for the first game to be Hunter: The Reckoning. Just for shock value.
With layoffs having hit CCP, there's been a lot of apprehension about whether or not World of Darkness would continue in development or suffer a quiet death. But a recent interview with Senior Producer Chris McDonough makes it clear that the title is still very much in development and very much following in the footsteps of its older brother, EVE Online. Both games will share the single-shard setup, and McDonough states that several technologies developed for World of Darkness have been incorporated into EVE Online (something many players suspected about player avatars from the beginning).

McDonough also talks in depth about turning the game into an MMO, claiming that a pen-and-paper game naturally translates into an MMO better than other properties because of the lack of iconic characters who players wish to play. The challenge, of course, is bringing over some of the feel of a tabletop setting into an online environment, with McDonough explaining that several of the computer games such as Vampire: The Masquerade -- Bloodlines have been used as a point of common reference. Click past the break to see the full interview.

Continue reading Chris McDonough talks about the development of the World of Darkness

MassivelyChris McDonough talks about the development of the World of Darkness originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 17 Jan 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adaptationccpccp-gameschris-mcdonoughdesigneveeve-onlineinterviewvampirevampire-the-masqueradevampiresvideovideo-interviewvideosvtmwodworld-of-darknessTue, 17 Jan 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[This Week in MMO: MechWarrior edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/03/this-week-in-mmo-mechwarrior-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/03/this-week-in-mmo-mechwarrior-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/03/this-week-in-mmo-mechwarrior-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

TWIMMO
In this week's TWIMMO, Mike B aka Fony, Josh Allen, and Mike Schaffnit join host Gary Gannon for Gamebreaker.TV's weekly chat about recent MMO stories. They kick things off by pondering how a video stuffed with anti-gay slurs slipped by Blizzard Entertainment (and a lot of the folks in the live crowd, as well) at BlizzCon. They also gush like fanboys about the newly announced F2P MechWarrior Online MMO before spending some airtime on PlanetSide 2, World of Darkness, and RuneScape.

Hit the break for the full show!

Continue reading This Week in MMO: MechWarrior edition

MassivelyThis Week in MMO: MechWarrior edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 03 Nov 2011 19:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BlizzardBlizzard-Entertainmentblizzconblizzcon-2011bottersbottingccpccp-gamesdc-universe-onlinedcuogamebreakergamebreaker-tvgamebreakertvgary-gannonjagexlayoffsmechwarriormechwarrior-mmomechwarrior-onlinepiranha-gamesplanetside-2runescapesoeSony-Online-Entertainmentthis-week-in-mmotwimmovideovideocastvideoswodworld-of-darknessThu, 03 Nov 2011 19:45:00 EST<![CDATA[World of Darkness' Chris McDonough calms fan concerns]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/28/world-of-darkness-michael-mcdonough-calms-fan-concerns/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/28/world-of-darkness-michael-mcdonough-calms-fan-concerns/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/28/world-of-darkness-michael-mcdonough-calms-fan-concerns/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

World of Darkness
A number of World of Darkness fans were concerned after a recent CCP CEO interview in which it was said that the World of Darkness MMO was going to be scaled back. The game's Senior Producer, Chris McDonough, stopped by the World of Darkness News forums to respond to the concerns.

In essence, he states that CCP was "staffed up as if [they] would be able to be production-ready at this point and [they] simply are not." However, players shouldn't be too concerned, because the only content that is being scaled back in World of Darkness is "redundant content that's expensive to make." For McDonough's full response, head on over to World of Darkness News.

MassivelyWorld of Darkness' Chris McDonough calms fan concerns originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 28 Oct 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpchris-mcdonoughscale-backscaled-backwhite-wolfwodworld-of-darknessFri, 28 Oct 2011 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: The human casualties]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/23/eve-evolved-the-human-casualties/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/23/eve-evolved-the-human-casualties/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/23/eve-evolved-the-human-casualties/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

EVE Evolved title image
This time last year, EVE Online developer CCP Games was an untouchable powerhouse in the games industry. In addition to servicing around 350,000 EVE subscribers, the company was also developing the World of Darkness MMO and the full scale MMOFPS DUST 514 set on the planets of EVE. Everything seemed to be going fine, but with the release of Incarna at the end of June, CCP faced the biggest crisis in the company's history. Due to a series of missteps and internal leaks that has come to be collectively known as Monoclegate, player confidence in CCP plummeted to record low.

Following the CEO's recent letter of apology promising a refocusing of development on in-space EVE features, news of highly requested features due for inclusion in EVE has gone a long way toward restoring confidence in CCP as a developer. With the return of ship spinning earlier this week and news of updates from hybrid turret rebalancing and implants being added to killmails to the release of the player-designed Tornado battlecruiser, the process of refocusing on EVE is well underway. Unfortunately, the good news of upcoming gameplay updates has been marred by the sobering reality that over 20% of CCP's worldwide staff have been laid off as part of the refocusing effort.

In this week's EVE Evolved, I look at the human casualties of the recent EVE drama and speak to an insider at CCP about what's going on within the company. Unless quotes or facts in this article are specifically attributed to this insider, they are my own views and opinions based on publicly available information.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: The human casualties

MassivelyEVE Evolved: The human casualties originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 23 Oct 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-eveccp-gamesdeveloperdevelopersdevelopmentdust-514eveeve-ccpeve-evolvedeve-mmorpgeve-onlinefeaturedhilmarhilmar-peturssonhilmar-veigar-peturssoninsiderjobjob-lossjobsmmo-industrymonocle-gatemonoclegateopinionwodworld-of-darknessSun, 23 Oct 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Video interview with Chris McDonough reveals more details on World of Darkness]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/28/video-interview-with-chris-mcdonough-reveals-more-details-on-wor/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/28/video-interview-with-chris-mcdonough-reveals-more-details-on-wor/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/28/video-interview-with-chris-mcdonough-reveals-more-details-on-wor/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

So I'll be able to create a fifth-gen Brujah Anarch with Celerity 7 if I scan my character sheet, right?
There are a lot of gamers pretty interested in World of Darkness, and it's not hard to see why. The game is based in lore that's still hugely influential in the arena of tabletop gaming, and it's hard to imagine a developer better suited to labyrinthine political dramas than CCP. Machinima.com had a chance to chat with Chris McDonough during the recent Grand Masquerade, where McDonough revealed a few more tidbits about what the game would incorporate and how it would cater to existing fans of the property.

As McDonough puts it, the overall goal is to bring some of the feel of the game's many LARP activities into the MMO space, with the focus on player and character interplay in a sandbox environment. The full interview also discusses the spread of the overall property, why the team decided to focus on vampires initially, and more about what players can expect from the game world. View the full interview after the break.

[Thanks to Pilgrim for the tip!]

Continue reading Video interview with Chris McDonough reveals more details on World of Darkness

MassivelyVideo interview with Chris McDonough reveals more details on World of Darkness originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 28 Sep 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backstoryccpccp-gameschris-mcdonoughinterviewlarploretabletoptabletop-gamingvideovideo-interviewvideoswodworld-of-darknessWed, 28 Sep 2011 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[This Week In MMO: Rated M for mature edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/22/this-week-in-mmo-rated-m-for-mature-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/22/this-week-in-mmo-rated-m-for-mature-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/22/this-week-in-mmo-rated-m-for-mature-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

TWIMMO: World of Darkness
It's another Thursday, and another week for Gamebreaker.TV's This Week in MMO. What's in store for this installment? Massively's very own Editor-in-Chief Shawn Schuster and Community Manager Rubi Bayer join regular host Gary Gannon in "mature" discussion about MMOs.

First up, Gary, Shawn, and Rubi run through the topic of the mature rating in MMOs such as CCP's World of Darkness. Then our intrepid hosts guide us through the magical and technological starting zone for the Asura in Guild Wars 2. Also, saving Metropolis just became cheaper -- free, in fact! Shawn and Rubi discuss DC Universe Online's entry to the free-to-play market. Where is the future of MMO-subscription models going? Freemium? When Shawn spoke to SOE President John Smedley, Smed certainly favored it.

Moving on to another action-based game, Rubi reveals TERA's PR speak within its endgame Q&A statements, and Shawn admits that the small raid size in The Secret World isn't quite big enough for him.

Catch all that and more in the full Gamebreaker.TV video after the break!

Continue reading This Week In MMO: Rated M for mature edition

MassivelyThis Week In MMO: Rated M for mature edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 22 Sep 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetAsurablue-hole-studiosccpDCdc-universe-onlineEAElectronic-Artsen-masse-entertainmentendgamef2pfree-to-playfreemiumftpFuncomgamebreaker-tvgary-gannonGuild-Wars-2GW2humanjohn-smedleync-softncsoftRaid-Sizeraidsrubi-bayershawn-schusterSOESonySony-Online-Entertainmentstarting-zoneterathe-secret-worldTSWVampireWarner-BrosWODworld-of-darknessThu, 22 Sep 2011 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[CCP and White Wolf celebrating Vampire's 20th anniversary with new rulebook, fan gala]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/17/ccp-and-white-wolf-celebrating-vampires-20th-anniversary-with-n/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/17/ccp-and-white-wolf-celebrating-vampires-20th-anniversary-with-n/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/17/ccp-and-white-wolf-celebrating-vampires-20th-anniversary-with-n/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Vampire: The Masquerade is gearing up to celebrate its 20th birthday (20 years!?), and while two decades may be a drop in the proverbial bucket to your average vampire, it's quite a chunk of time for mere mortals. White Wolf (which MMO aficionados probably know as a subsidiary of CCP) is celebrating the milestone with a limited-run anniversary edition of the RPG's core rulebook.

The tome is available via pre-order and will set you back a hefty $99.99. The book's release will coincide with The Grand Masquerade 2011, a fan event scheduled for September 15th to 18th in New Orleans that will feature, among other things, "the next look at the future of the World of Darkness MMO."

MassivelyCCP and White Wolf celebrating Vampire's 20th anniversary with new rulebook, fan gala originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 17 Jun 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>20th-anniversaryccpccp-gameseventsgrand-masqueradehorrormmo-industryreal-world-eventsrulebookthe-grand-masqueradevampirevampire-the-masqueradewhite-wolfwhite-wolf-publishingwodworld-of-darknessworld-of-darkness-onlinezomg-world-of-darknessFri, 17 Jun 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ask Massively: The best part is where attractive hipsters have fun outside edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/02/ask-massively-the-best-part-is-where-attractive-hipsters-have-f/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/02/ask-massively-the-best-part-is-where-attractive-hipsters-have-f/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/02/ask-massively-the-best-part-is-where-attractive-hipsters-have-f/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Music videos are a tricky business. Sometimes a rather neat song will have a correspondingly neat video. Sometimes the video consists of just the band standing in place and singing the song, which is technically reasonable but kind of defeats the purpose of having a video. And sometimes the video is just a bunch of hipsters running around and committing periodic acts of vandalism. So you can understand why MTV has essentially stopped showing anything that might be construed as a music video, although it's debatable whether the current lineup is any better.

In a Python-esque segue, it's time for something completely different: Ask Massively. This week's edition features a question about EVE Online and the fate of Cryptic Studios, albeit not in the same question, as that would be a bit of conceptual whiplash. As always, if you'd like to have your question answered in a future edition, send a message along to ask@massively.com or leave your question in the comment field.

Continue reading Ask Massively: The best part is where attractive hipsters have fun outside edition

MassivelyAsk Massively: The best part is where attractive hipsters have fun outside edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 02 Jun 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ask-massivelyatariccpccp-gameschampions-onlinecocrypticcryptic-studioseveeve-onlinefeaturedopinionstar-trek-onlinestowodworld-of-darknessThu, 02 Jun 2011 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Level 3 to offer streaming of EVE Online Fanfest]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/10/level-3-to-offer-streaming-of-eve-online-fanfest/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/10/level-3-to-offer-streaming-of-eve-online-fanfest/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/10/level-3-to-offer-streaming-of-eve-online-fanfest/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Are you bummed that your budget won't allow for a trip to Reykjavik for the EVE Online Fanfest this year? Perhaps you're still new to New Eden and aren't sure what kind of stuff goes on at the party on top of the world? Well, in either case, CCP and Level 3 have you covered. According to a press release from earlier this morning, Level 3 -- already known for offering live-streaming of the EVE Online Alliance tournaments -- will be offering its services to allow fans at home to check out some of the myriad Fanfest events. The press release was followed by a blog post on the official EVE Online site that offers up even more details on the event streams.

For those who have one spare PLEX lying around (or the equivalent cash), a high-definition stream of the events will be available for purchase. As if the HD-streaming deal weren't sweet enough, all players who opt to purchase the higher-end stream will be granted a special Quafe t-shirt similar to the ones that attendees of Fanfest will receive, only this particular version will be for their characters' in-game use when Incarna rolls out. However, if spending money on the Fanfest stream isn't for you, you can still check out the weekend's panels and events via the lower-definition EVE TV stream that will be available on the main Fanfest site starting on March 25th and running until the evening of March 26th. Check out the EVE Online streaming blog post for all the details!

MassivelyLevel 3 to offer streaming of EVE Online Fanfest originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 10 Mar 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-gamesd514dust-514eveeve-onlineeventsfanfestlevel-3livestreamingparty-at-the-top-of-the-worldstreamingvideowodwodoworld-of-darknessworld-of-darkness-onlineThu, 10 Mar 2011 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Ask Massively: It's all the fault of this ocelot edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/21/ask-massively-its-all-the-fault-of-this-ocelot-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/21/ask-massively-its-all-the-fault-of-this-ocelot-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/21/ask-massively-its-all-the-fault-of-this-ocelot-edition/#commentsFiled under: , ,

I think it's time that we got a new scapegoat. We have things that we're angry about, and since we are no longer allowed to be angry at World of Warcraft due to reasons, our new target shall be... this ocelot. The one pictured above, just sitting on some rocks like he or she owns the place. (I cannot differentiate from faces whether an ocelot is male or female.) So to heck with you, ocelot! Yeah, you know what you did. Don't think we're fooled by your looking cute.

Now that we've gotten that out of the way, we can make it through the rest of Ask Massively in peace. We will be free to contemplate this week's questions, which cover the upcoming World of Darkness along with reviews and a terrible personal secret. Or just a funny one. Either way, click on past the cut, and send in your questions for next week to ask@massively.com, or just leave them in the comment field. If your question is not answered next week, well, ocelot again.

Continue reading Ask Massively: It's all the fault of this ocelot edition

MassivelyAsk Massively: It's all the fault of this ocelot edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 21 Oct 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>administrativeask-massivelyccpfabricated-americansfeaturedmassively-metaq-and-aquestions-and-answersreviewswodworld-of-darknessThu, 21 Oct 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New EVE character creation videos prove CCP can make pretty humans too]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/08/new-eve-character-creation-videos-prove-ccp-can-make-pretty-huma/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/08/new-eve-character-creation-videos-prove-ccp-can-make-pretty-huma/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/08/new-eve-character-creation-videos-prove-ccp-can-make-pretty-huma/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

While some may not care for the sandbox play and politics of EVE Online, we often hear from people about how graphically gorgeous they think the game is. Well, with the new character creator that's been released to the Singularity test server, CCP is showing that it's ready to rock a whole new way -- Incarna! These two videos preview the shiny new creator in testing, showing off a Caldari Achura female and a Minmatar Brutor male character. We'd also note that CCP has made it clear that the character creator is a work in progress and as such is missing some options currently.

Of course, we'd be lying if we didn't point out that this character creator preview video also makes us squee for CCP's other title under development: World of Darkness. The character creator for that game will have to be able to balance the ethereal beauty of the Toreador clan with the twistedly horrific looks of the Nosferatu clan all in one -- and we'd say this one shows the promise of having that kind of power. Check out the full videos after the break!

[Thanks, CrazyKinux!]

Continue reading New EVE character creation videos prove CCP can make pretty humans too

MassivelyNew EVE character creation videos prove CCP can make pretty humans too originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 08 Oct 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-gamescharacter-creatoreveeve-onlineincarnasingularitySiSitest-servertestingwodworld-of-darknessworld-of-darkness-onlineFri, 08 Oct 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Week in Review: These vampires do not sparkle]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/03/week-in-review-these-vampires-do-not-sparkle/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/03/week-in-review-these-vampires-do-not-sparkle/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/03/week-in-review-these-vampires-do-not-sparkle/#commentsFiled under: ,


At the end of every week, we round up the best and most popular news stories, exclusive features, and insightful columns published on the site and then present them all in one convenient place. Miss a big story last week? Curious about what's going on next door at our sister site, WoW Insider? Don't worry -- we've got you covered.

Vampires have dominated the landscape this week as we -- along with our readers -- have been captivated by a fan video of the World of Darkness trailer shown at The Grand Masquerade in New Orleans last weekend. Based on White Wolf's Vampire: The Masquerade IP, the upcoming game has had you chattering all week. Will it be as hardcore as CCP's other big game, EVE? Will there be permadeath? Even our podcasters couldn't resist the chance to speculate a little bit about how a dark and political vampire setting might be just what the MMO genre needs.

Jump past the break for a look at this week's other top stories!

Continue reading Week in Review: These vampires do not sparkle

MassivelyWeek in Review: These vampires do not sparkle originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 03 Oct 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpmassively-metametaroundupsparkly-vampirestop-storiesweek-in-reviewwodworld-of-darknesswow-insiderSun, 03 Oct 2010 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[CCP to take the mask off of World of Darkness at The Grand Masquerade]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/14/ccp-to-take-the-mask-off-of-world-of-darkness-at-the-grand-masqu/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/14/ccp-to-take-the-mask-off-of-world-of-darkness-at-the-grand-masqu/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/14/ccp-to-take-the-mask-off-of-world-of-darkness-at-the-grand-masqu/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

We've been biting our nails waiting for CCP to fully unwrap its promised World of Darkness MMO, but so far the company is playing its dark cards close to the chest. However, if you happen to be in New Orleans later this month, you may be among the first to pry substantial information from the slavering jaws of the developers.

Last month, CCP community developer Shane DeFreest strongly hinted that the upcoming White Wolf convention, The Grand Masquerade, would be the company's first big step to show the game to the anxious public. The convention website has since posted a list of event panels for the weekend, which includes a session entitled "Tell the World of Darkness Development team what you want to see in the MMO" as well as several other MMO-specific panels.

The Grand Masquerade will run from September 23-26, 2010, at the Roosevelt Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New Orleans. As the future of the World of Darkness is revealed, Massively will be sure to bring you the news. Just... not until we make our own dark pacts first.

[Thanks Cliff!]

MassivelyCCP to take the mask off of World of Darkness at The Grand Masquerade originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 14 Sep 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpconventionevent-panelsgrand-masqueradenew-orleansroosevelt-waldorf-astoria-hotelshane-defreestthe-grand-masqueradewodworld-of-darknessworld-of-darkness-onlineTue, 14 Sep 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[[Rumor] World of Darkness MMO may emerge from the shadows soon]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/04/rumor-world-of-darkness-mmo-may-emerge-from-the-shadows-soon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/04/rumor-world-of-darkness-mmo-may-emerge-from-the-shadows-soon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/04/rumor-world-of-darkness-mmo-may-emerge-from-the-shadows-soon/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

What's that just out of sight... that darkness that flits maddeningly at the very edge of vision? Well, if you're a fan of the long-running World of Darkness series, that unsettling presence that makes your blood run cold could be a vampire, werewolf, or perhaps the rarest monster of all -- CCP's World of Darkness MMO. While we know the game has been under development for some time, trying to find out anything more about it from CCP employees is about as pointless as attempting to convince Marilyn Manson that khakis are the new black.

Well, according to some, a recent interview with Shane DeFreest, Community Developer on World of Darkness, offers a nugget of hope that many MMO fiends have been looking for. According to the post on Flames Rising, DeFreest notes that the upcoming White Wolf convention in September will play host to something important: "The big news that I can't really give to (sic) many details on is that we've got something really big we want to show our fans first. Friday at sundown is where we give everyone the first look at the future of the World of Darkness. If you have been a fan of our games for two months or two decades you won't want to miss what we have to say."

Now as to whether this reveal will be the long awaited World of Darkness MMO, or if people are seeing monsters where there is only smoke and mirrors, we can't say. In the meantime, we'll have to content ourselves with rolling dice and dreaming of a murderously delicious future.

[Thanks, Option!]

Massively[Rumor] World of Darkness MMO may emerge from the shadows soon originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 04 Aug 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingccpCCP-Gamesmmorumorthe-grand-masqueradevampirewerewolfwodworld-of-darknessworld-of-darkness-onlineWed, 04 Aug 2010 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMOrigins: The play's the thing]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/13/mmorigins-the-plays-the-thing/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/13/mmorigins-the-plays-the-thing/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/13/mmorigins-the-plays-the-thing/#commentsFiled under: ,


When it comes to my roots in MMOs, I actually have to start fairly early on with my general introduction to tech geekery. Growing up in my house was a somewhat strange affair. You see, back when computers used to take up entire rooms and ran on giant reels of tape -- later plastic key cards and paper tapes -- my father was working with them. Being part of our household meant one was essentially living with a highly technical mind that worked on and loved things like supercomputers. I experienced ideas and machines that many in the world hadn't, save in movies or on TV. It also meant that there were some pretty strange technical odds and ends floating around our home.

Continue reading MMOrigins: The play's the thing

MassivelyMMOrigins: The play's the thing originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 13 Nov 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cosplayfeaturedlarplive-action-role-playingmmommoriginsmmorpgmmospgopinionrole-playrole-playingvampire-the-masqueradevtmwodworld-of-darknessFri, 13 Nov 2009 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[World of Darkness Online to launch in 2010?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/19/world-of-darkness-online-to-launch-in-2010/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/19/world-of-darkness-online-to-launch-in-2010/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/19/world-of-darkness-online-to-launch-in-2010/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Horror hasn't been a widely explored genre in massively multiplayer online games thus far, but there seems to be a shift in focus in the industry away from fantasy titles. Darren over at The Common Sense Gamer came across an interesting bit of information regarding World of Darkness -- the next massively multiplayer online game from CCP Games, creators of EVE Online. Horror fans eager to find details about the upcoming title turned up a business document (dated July 2008) from CCP Games that states World of Darkness is scheduled to launch in 2010.

Darren also makes a good point in his post -- there are a number of people who like the idea of EVE, but haven't been able to get immersed in the game. Given that the World of Darkness setting already has earned quite a number of RPG fans over the years, it seems the title is in a position to have a decent-sized following right off the bat. Or, at the very least, is likely to garner a number of people willing to try it out.

Continue reading World of Darkness Online to launch in 2010?

MassivelyWorld of Darkness Online to launch in 2010? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 19 Jan 2009 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-gameshorrormmo-industrynew-titlesthe-common-sense-gamerwhite-wolfwodworld-of-darknessMon, 19 Jan 2009 14:30:00 EST