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[The Daily Grind: What do you actually think is going on at the studio?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/26/the-daily-grind-what-do-you-actually-think-is-going-on-at-the-s/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/26/the-daily-grind-what-do-you-actually-think-is-going-on-at-the-s/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/26/the-daily-grind-what-do-you-actually-think-is-going-on-at-the-s/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Whether we're playing a game developed by one of NCsoft's many studios or something developed in-house by Turbine, most of us have never been inside the company that actually makes our games of choice. On the rare occasion that we have, it's usually been for a special event rather than an actual work day. And while you know that the team behind Star Trek Online is hard at work, even if you've worked in programming before, part of you has to wonder what goes on behind closed doors.

So while you're off at your job, doing whatever it is that you do, what do you imagine is happening at the development studio? Do you think it's probably more fun than your job? Less? Do you picture a team hard at work or one slacking off and only putting in a token effort at development? Or do you think that the entire thing is a mockery, that there's just one guy coming by on weekends to turn on the content machine for the next major patch? (Please note that there's no such thing as a content machine.)

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

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: What do you actually think is going on at the studio? originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 26 Mar 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>comedicculturedevelopmenthumormetaopinionsillytdgthe-daily-grindworkSat, 26 Mar 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Would you want to work in the industry?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/19/the-daily-grind-would-you-want-to-work-in-the-industry/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/19/the-daily-grind-would-you-want-to-work-in-the-industry/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/19/the-daily-grind-would-you-want-to-work-in-the-industry/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Working in the business of making games is the dream of many gamers -- it's a field we love, with a whole lot of obvious perks and the chance at making a permanent impact on the field. Of course, once you dig a little deeper it becomes clear that making games isn't necessarily a fun ride. The field is full of contentious personalities, greedy publishers, "fans" who frequently heckle your every step, and a high profit margin expected with little turnaround time. And let's not forget the very real possibility of having the rug yanked out from under you midway through development.

Still, none of this stops people from being attracted to the field, and those in the thick of it generally wouldn't trade it away even if they had the option. For all the downsides, the rewards are... well... any time you see a game go live that you're proud to have worked on and all of the fans who genuinely like your work. So what about you? Do you want to take part in the up-and-down ride of the game industry, or would you rather just enjoy the end result?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Would you want to work in the industry? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 19 Mar 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>developmentemploymentfansindustryindustry-jobsopinionpersonalitiesprofitspublisherstdgthe-daily-grindworkFri, 19 Mar 2010 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Anti-Aliased: What it's like to sit in the staff chair]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/07/anti-aliased-what-its-like-to-sit-in-the-staff-chair/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/07/anti-aliased-what-its-like-to-sit-in-the-staff-chair/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/07/anti-aliased-what-its-like-to-sit-in-the-staff-chair/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

So I drove the Aion community up a wall again. I seem to do that a lot when I talk about the game. AionSource was a little miffed at the "disappointment" award the staff and readers gave them, and decided to rip into me. So, in an effort of good faith, I dropped by the flame thread and tried to lighten things up while explaining my position on the game and how it isn't all doom and gloom.

Well, after having 9 pages of people not reading what I was writing and electing to call me a nyerking nyerk, I bowed out with a new column topic on my mind: my job. If there was any common theme in all of the screaming, it was how I sucked at my job because I said Aion had a grind, I sucked at my job because I was only level 17 in Aion, everyone on that fansite could do a better job at my job than I could, and I was the reason mainstream reviews were going downhill. (Awesome.)

Amazingly enough, I too thought pretty much those exact same things before I got a job here. But writing here for two years has been one heck of an experience, and maybe today I can give you some insight to the things I see on the staff side of the fence.

Continue reading Anti-Aliased: What it's like to sit in the staff chair

MassivelyAnti-Aliased: What it's like to sit in the staff chair originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 07 Jan 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aionanti-aliasedawardeditorfungame-journalismgamingjobmassively-staffmmosncsoftopinionopinion-columnreviewstaffworkwritingThu, 07 Jan 2010 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What is your MMO time worth?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/08/the-daily-grind-what-is-your-mmo-time-worth/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/08/the-daily-grind-what-is-your-mmo-time-worth/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/08/the-daily-grind-what-is-your-mmo-time-worth/#commentsFiled under: ,

Tobold wrote an interesting blog post the other day about the value of time and gaming. In an earlier post, he mentioned that he had spent over 4,579 hours playing World of Warcraft since release. In another, he proclaimed his intentions to spend $100 on Free Realms in its first week. For some reason, his readers reacted more strongly to the FR post than the WoW one.

The reaction seems a bit strange when you consider what Tobold must have spent on his WoW subscription over the years. It's even stranger still when you consider what he could have earned or accomplished if even half those hours were spent on some kind of side job or other "productive" activity. On a purely entertainment level, he's probably getting a pretty good deal in both WoW and FR based on the money he pay to play and you can't work all the time if you want a healthy lifestyle.

We're curious; when it comes to gaming, what is your time worth? Do you take too much, too little, or a balanced amount of downtime for gaming and why?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: What is your MMO time worth? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 08 May 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>balancegamingplaytimetoboldvalueworkFri, 08 May 2009 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Player vs. Everything: Putting raiding on your resume]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/12/player-vs-everything-putting-raiding-on-your-resume/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/12/player-vs-everything-putting-raiding-on-your-resume/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/12/player-vs-everything-putting-raiding-on-your-resume/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Ten years ago, the idea of putting something like being an officer in a hardcore raiding guild on your resume would have been laughable. When trying to sell yourself to a prospective employer, you want to put your best foot forward. The last thing you'd want them to know is that you spend upwards of 20 hours per week frittering your time away on something as silly as a videogame. Businesses want employees who are punctual, intelligent, analytical, and driven -- problem solvers and team players. What's funny, however, is that those are exactly the same qualities which a guild looks for in its raiders. Good luck trying to explain that to a non-gamer, though.

Fortunately, gaming is slowly becoming a mainstream activity. As the generation of gamers that pioneered the online gaming craze begin to climb into their 30s and 40s, a younger generation of gamers is just starting to graduate from college and enter the mainstream workforce for the first time. Unlike their older peers, these young men and women face a business world where their boss is as likely to enjoy playing World of Warcraft in his free time as golf. For the first time, it's possible that your hiring manager might actually view your dedication to your guild as a reason to hire you, rather than a reason to dismiss you. Does that mean that it's time to start putting your MMOG experience on your resume?

Continue reading Player vs. Everything: Putting raiding on your resume

MassivelyPlayer vs. Everything: Putting raiding on your resume originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 12 May 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businessfeaturedinterviewjobjobsplayer-vs-everythingraidraidingraidsresumeresumesskillsworkworld-of-warcraftMon, 12 May 2008 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Now Hiring: NCsoft needs you!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/22/now-hiring-ncsoft-needs-you/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/22/now-hiring-ncsoft-needs-you/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/22/now-hiring-ncsoft-needs-you/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

You can play the heck out of an MMO, you know this already, but have you ever thought about working on one? If you've already dismissed this idea because you're not a programmer or you couldn't draw a stick figure to save your life, don't worry! Game companies need a variety of talent these days, so you might just find something that fits your qualifications.

Most game developer websites have a spot somewhere near the bottom in tiny two point type advertising the fact that they're hiring. Others post on job boards, or even major forums for their respective games. Recently, NCsoft took a slightly more aggressive approach by planting their help-wanted sign right on their front page. Others have done this recently as well, including Blizzard. Don't be afraid to check out the job listings on your favorite MMO's website for the possibility to get yourself started on the track to developing games, too.

MassivelyNow Hiring: NCsoft needs you! originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 22 Apr 2008 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blizzarddeveloperdevelopmentncsoftnet-devilnow-hiringsoeturbineworkTue, 22 Apr 2008 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Online Skill Monitor widget monitors your skills]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/08/eve-online-skill-monitor-widget-monitors-your-skills/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/08/eve-online-skill-monitor-widget-monitors-your-skills/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/08/eve-online-skill-monitor-widget-monitors-your-skills/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

We've posted before about EVEMon, a program that you absolutely must use if you're playing EVE Online, but here's another cool dohickey for tracking your EVE character out-of-game. Corp Teacher on the forums posts about the EVE Yahoo! Widget, a slick little widget that shows all the important stats for your character, including where your skill training is at, and how long you've got left. It doesn't have nearly as much functionality as EVEMon, obviously, but if you want to watch your SP rise at work where applications aren't allowed, but widgets are, it's perfect.

And though it used to ask for your name and password (a security risk if there ever was one), it now works through EVE's API key program, so you don't have to worry about giving an untrusted program all your personal info. According to the changelog, it hasn't been updated too recently, but if you're looking for a low-footprint way to track your SP, and figure out whether Tranquility is up or down (so you can pine for the vastness of space while trapped in your tiny cubicle at work), here it is.

MassivelyEVE Online Skill Monitor widget monitors your skills originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 08 Jan 2008 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applicationsdownloadeve-onlineevemonmonitorskill-pointstrainingwidgetsworkyahooTue, 08 Jan 2008 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Run your company like an online game]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/07/run-your-company-like-an-online-game/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/07/run-your-company-like-an-online-game/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/07/run-your-company-like-an-online-game/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Do business culture and the principles of online gaming belong together?

Two entrepreneurs in Palo Alto think so. Inspired by Second Life and World of Warcraft, they theorized that principles used in the management of online game communities could be used to manage businesses. They formed a company called Seriosity and its maiden voyage is a product called Attent. It's their first gaming-inspired product, but they want to launch more in the future. Learn more about it after the jump.

Continue reading Run your company like an online game

MassivelyRun your company like an online game originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 07 Nov 2007 21:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>attentbusinesscorporateculturee-mailofficesecond-lifeseriosityworkworld-of-warcraftWed, 07 Nov 2007 21:50:00 EST