Massively http://massively.joystiq.com Massively http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Massively http://massively.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Should new expansions include old expansions?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/19/the-daily-grind-should-new-expansions-include-old-expansions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/19/the-daily-grind-should-new-expansions-include-old-expansions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/19/the-daily-grind-should-new-expansions-include-old-expansions/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

World of Warcraft
When Cataclysm launched, a friend of mine who hadn't played since the days of Vanilla World of Warcraft wanted to join in the fun, but when he saw the cost of catching up -- nearly full box prices for The Burning Crusade and Wrath of the Lich King, on top of Cataclysm itself -- he balked and decided to stick with cheaper games. Blizzard's policy on charging for full expansions long after they were new always did seem weird to me, since I grew up on Ultima Online and EverQuest, whose earlier expansions usually came bundled for free along with the newest one. Why keep barriers to entry (or re-entry) unnecessarily high?

So I'm happy to see recent sales on WoW's earlier expansions and a free Cataclysm for returning players via the new scroll of resurrection deal, but I can't help but wonder whether it's too late. How many of you have skipped over a game because of the cost of "catching up"? Do you think new expansions should always include the previous ones gratis?

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: Should new expansions include old expansions? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 19 Mar 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionblizzardblizzard-entertainmentbrianna-royce-tdgcataclysmdaily-grindeqeverquestexpansionexpansionsfantasyopiniontbctdgthe-burning-crusadethe-daily-grindUltima-Onlineuovanilla-wowwarcraftworld-of-warcraftwotlkwowwrathWrath-of-the-Lich-KingMon, 19 Mar 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Are heirloom items bad for MMOs?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/20/the-daily-grind-are-heirloom-items-bad-for-mmos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/20/the-daily-grind-are-heirloom-items-bad-for-mmos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/20/the-daily-grind-are-heirloom-items-bad-for-mmos/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

I may have chosen this image because it provided me the opportunity to make a 'you have a dead bird on your head' joke in the alt text
In its Wrath of the Lich King expansion, World of Warcraft introduced a new class of items: the heirloom. Heirlooms can be transferred between all of the characters on your account, even your alts belonging to "enemy" factions. While a cloth-bedecked caster can't exactly wear the heavy platemail of his older Paladin brother, the hand-me-downs are pretty useful for twinking if you plan it out a bit.

The trouble is that heirlooms effectively level up with the player, so an alt who has a truckload of heirlooms has no need to take part in the player market. Why would he need to buy a crafted staff from a Weaponsmith? He's got one that he can use for 80 (85, now) levels. And in that case, why bother crafting as a lowbie Weaponsmith at all?

What do you think -- do the conveniences of heirloom items outweigh their negative impact on MMO economies?

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: Are heirloom items bad for MMOs? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 20 Feb 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>altaltsbind-on-accountBlizzardBlizzard-Entertainmentbrianna-royce-tdgcraftingdaily-grindeconomyheirloomheirloomsopinionplayer-economytdgthe-daily-grindtwinkWorld-of-WarcraftwotlkwowwrathWrath-of-the-Lich-KingMon, 20 Feb 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[A look back at a cataclysmic year for World of Warcraft]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/23/a-look-back-at-a-cataclysmic-year-for-world-of-warcraft/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/23/a-look-back-at-a-cataclysmic-year-for-world-of-warcraft/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/23/a-look-back-at-a-cataclysmic-year-for-world-of-warcraft/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

The Year of the Dragon Who Perches On Stuff While Dripping Lava.
It's been a big year for World of Warcraft, especially considering that the MMO behemoth is currently hitting its seventh year of operation. Considering its nigh-ubiquitous nature in the MMO sphere, it's hard to imagine that there was a time without it. And this past year of the game almost perfectly synchronizes with the latest expansion, Cataclysm, an expansion that was bound and determined to head back to the old and re-work everything up to new standards.

So how did that work out? What's been happening with the game over the past year? Let's pick up in December because that's when the story really begins, a story that involves a dragon smashing huge chunks of both continents to pieces. The result was a complete revamp of the game's lower-level areas, the addition of several new high-level areas, and a redesign of the way the game handled progression. It kicked off a war against primal forces and Old Gods for players, and that's without even getting in to the mechanical shifts.

Continue reading A look back at a cataclysmic year for World of Warcraft

MassivelyA look back at a cataclysmic year for World of Warcraft originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 23 Nov 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activision-blizzardanniversaryblizzardblizzard-entertainmentcataclysmexpansionsfeaturedmists-of-pandariamopopinionretrospectivetbcthe-burning-crusadeworld-of-warcraftwotlkwowwow-cataclysmwrathWrath-of-the-Lich-KingWed, 23 Nov 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Explore Faxion Online's seven deadly sins]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/11/explore-faxion-onlines-seven-deadly-sins/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/11/explore-faxion-onlines-seven-deadly-sins/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/11/explore-faxion-onlines-seven-deadly-sins/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Does the angel on your right shoulder take a lot of union-approved time off, so much so that you end up listening to the devil on your left shoulder more often than not? Then Faxion Online has a temptation that's right up your alley -- seven sinful zones, each revolving around one of the classic seven deadly sins.

Taking heavenly and hellish themes with a strong dose of humor, Faxion Online's world becomes a literal battleground for the soul. By taking each of the deadly sins and turning them into a zone to be fought over and conquered, Faxion has created a unique twist on the genre. If the forces of heaven take over a zone, it turns nicer, and if the forces of evil are triumphant, then there will be hell to pay.

UTV True Games' Frank Lucero says that the PvP over these areas will keep players transfixed: "These zones offer all of the competitive combat play that players desire including PVP, innovative territory control and an ability ranking system that will keep players engaged in the timeless struggle of good vs. evil."

Hit the jump to read up on Faxion's themed zones and see for yourself what your sins have wrought!

Continue reading Explore Faxion Online's seven deadly sins

MassivelyExplore Faxion Online's seven deadly sins originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 11 Jan 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>angelenvyfaxionfaxion-onlinefrank-lucerogluttonygreedheavenhelllimbolustpridepvpseven-deadly-sinssinslothUTVutv-true-gameswrathzoneTue, 11 Jan 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Which of the deadly sins have you committed in MMOs lately?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/24/the-daily-grind-which-of-the-deadly-sins-have-you-committed-in/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/24/the-daily-grind-which-of-the-deadly-sins-have-you-committed-in/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/24/the-daily-grind-which-of-the-deadly-sins-have-you-committed-in/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


You know the seven deadly sins, right? The "Devil's Most Wanted" that pop up in Morgan Freeman movies from time to time? If nothing else, the seven deadly sins are an instructional list of words like "sloth" that nobody uses on a daily basis.

Since we tend to take our real-world failings into virtual space, it stands to reason that our bad habits follow as well. So which of the seven deadly sins have you committed in MMOs as of late? Let's run down the list:

  • Wrath: Have you wigged out on your guild, engaged in nerd rage, or cussed out your PUG?
  • Greed: Are you never satisfied with your wealth and gear, but always need more, more, more?
  • Pride: Do people know you as "that player who's always waving around his or her e-peen"?
  • Lust: If there's a naked elf dancing on a mailbox, do you stop to look -- and take screenshots?
  • Sloth: Are you too lazy to get off your butt and finish that major project in game that you've been putting off?
  • Envy: Do you constantly find yourself on edge because other players have the cool uber-loot that you lack?
  • Gluttony: Have you played a little too much -- OK, way too much -- when you know you have other things to be doing?
Confess, my child. Confess and clear your virtual soul!

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: Which of the deadly sins have you committed in MMOs lately? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 24 Nov 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cultureenvygluttonygreedlustmorgan-freemanopinionpridesevenseven-deadly-sinsslothtdgthe-daily-grindwrathWed, 24 Nov 2010 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Next World of Warcraft patch announced: Call of the Crusade]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/24/next-world-of-warcraft-patch-announced-call-of-the-crusade/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/24/next-world-of-warcraft-patch-announced-call-of-the-crusade/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/24/next-world-of-warcraft-patch-announced-call-of-the-crusade/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Blizzard has announced that the next major content patch in the works for World of Warcraft is Patch 3.2: Call of the Crusade. Patch 3.2 will expand upon the features of Wrath of the Lich King, and Blizzard lists a few highlights:

  • The Argent Tournament expands: With the help of Azeroth's heroes, the Argent Crusade will finish the Argent Coliseum just in time to call for all brave citizens to prepare for battle with the Lich King. New dailies, rewards, and more will be available at the Argent Tournament grounds to lure adventurers into the coliseum.
  • Crusader's Coliseum: In order to prepare for a siege on Icecrown Citadel, players will be called by the Argent Crusade to test their mettle in the Coliseum. 5-player, 10-player, and 25-player challenges await inside.
  • New Battleground: Isle of Conquest, a new large-scale siege Battleground, will be open. The Horde and Alliance will battle head-to-head for control of strategic resources to lay siege to the keeps of their opponents.
  • New Arena Season: Season 7 will officially start, paving the way for all-new items and challenges.

The full details of Call of the Crusade, as they stand right now, can be found in the public test realm patch notes. We'll keep you informed when more details of World of Warcraft's Patch 3.2 are released.

[Via VG247]
One of Azeroth's millions of citizens? Check out our ongoing coverage of the World of Warcraft, and be sure to touch base with our sister site WoW Insider for all your Lich King needs!

MassivelyNext World of Warcraft patch announced: Call of the Crusade originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 24 May 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blizzardcall-of-the-crusadefantasypatch-3.2patchesworld-of-warcraftwotlkwowwrathwrath-of-the-lich-kingSun, 24 May 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The9 is out, NetEase is in for Chinese World of Warcraft operator]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/16/the9-is-out-netease-is-in-for-chinese-world-of-warcraft-operato/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/16/the9-is-out-netease-is-in-for-chinese-world-of-warcraft-operato/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/16/the9-is-out-netease-is-in-for-chinese-world-of-warcraft-operato/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


Yesterday, we reported the rumor that it looked like Chinese World of Warcraft operator The9 might be losing the licensing rights to a competitor, and today we can confirm that rumor to be 100% true. Rival company NetEase has purchased the rights to operate World of Warcraft in China, starting once The9's current contract is up with Blizzard on June 8th.

NetEase is already the operator of Battle.net in China, supporting Warcraft III and the to-be-released Starcraft II. They have been operating with Blizzard since last August, when they acquired all of the rights to the other Blizzard games. This acquisition only brings NetEase and Blizzard closer together in their business arrangement.

What is still up in the air, however, is the fate of Wrath of the Lich King. DoNews, a Chinese news site, has reported that Wrath has been licensed by NetEase, although no formal announcement has yet been made.

[Via JLM Pacific Epoch]

MassivelyThe9 is out, NetEase is in for Chinese World of Warcraft operator originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 16 Apr 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battle.netblizzardlegallicensingneteasepatch-3.0rightsstarcraft-2starcraft-iithe9transitionwarcraft-3warcraft-iiiworld-of-warcraftwotlkwrathwrath-of-the-lich-kingThu, 16 Apr 2009 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[China's The9 faces bankruptcy if Wrath expansion not approved by government]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/13/chinas-the9-faces-bankruptcy-if-wrath-expansion-not-approved-by/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/13/chinas-the9-faces-bankruptcy-if-wrath-expansion-not-approved-by/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/13/chinas-the9-faces-bankruptcy-if-wrath-expansion-not-approved-by/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


We reported the other day on the issues that The9 is having with getting the Wrath of the Lich King expansion released in China. The government is unwilling to approve the World of Warcraft expansion, citing 'health' and decency concerns about the game's content. The9 is the licensed operator of World of Warcraft in China, and the company paid a significant amount in licensing fees to Blizzard Entertainment in April of 2008 to secure the rights to operate Wrath, according to Shanghai-based JLM Pacific Epoch.

Although the Chinese regulatory body, the General Administration of Press and Publication (GAPP), is chiefly concerned with removing "unhealthy" content from the game, their stance could prove disastrous for The9. If GAPP doesn't green light the Wrath of the Lich King expansion in China, The9 will not be able to recoup their losses and may face bankruptcy.
One of Azeroth's millions of citizens? Check out our ongoing coverage of the World of Warcraft, and be sure to touch base with our sister site WoW Insider for all your Lich King needs!


MassivelyChina's The9 faces bankruptcy if Wrath expansion not approved by government originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 13 Mar 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>asiabusiness-modelscensorshipchinaexpansionsfantasygappjlm-pacific-epochlicensed-operatormmo-industryoperatorregulationregulatory-bodyshanghaithe9world-of-warcraftwotlkwowwrathwrath-of-the-lich-kingFri, 13 Mar 2009 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Other hero classes were considered for World of Warcraft expansion]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/30/other-hero-classes-were-considered-for-world-of-warcraft-expansi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/30/other-hero-classes-were-considered-for-world-of-warcraft-expansi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/30/other-hero-classes-were-considered-for-world-of-warcraft-expansi/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


The latest official podcast of World of Warcraft, BlizzCast Episode 7, features Lead Game Designer Jeff Kaplan and Production Director J. Allen Brack doing a wrap-up of the Wrath of the Lich King expansion. They talk about a wide range of topics in the context of Wrath, but one thing that stands out is Brack's mention of hero classes, and the difficulty in narrowing down to one hero class for release from a pool of 29 hero classes that were complete.

Kaplan added, "I think the class choice was super hard and eventually we had it down to three front runners which was pretty cool. We were talking for awhile about a Necromancer. He would be kind of a range caster, do a lot of corpse explode, that sort of thing. Things we ended up incorporating into the Death Knight. We also had a cool idea for a Rune Master. That was going to be more of a melee type. Think Rogue or Monk-type character, but Death Knight ultimately fit."

Check out BlizzCast Episode 7 for more about World of Warcraft from the game's creators themselves, as well as some hints about massive raid zones on the way and discussion of the game's lore.

[Via Eurogamer]
One of Azeroth's millions of citizens? Check out our ongoing coverage of the World of Warcraft, and be sure to touch base with our sister site WoW Insider for all your Lich King needs!

MassivelyOther hero classes were considered for World of Warcraft expansion originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 30 Jan 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blizzardblizzcastclassesdungeonsexpansionsfantasygame-mechanicsinterviewsj-allen-brackjeff-kaplanlorepodcastsworld-of-warcraftwowwrathwrath-of-the-lich-kingFri, 30 Jan 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Patch 3.0.8 lands on World of Warcraft servers]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/20/patch-3-0-8-lands-on-world-of-warcraft-servers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/20/patch-3-0-8-lands-on-world-of-warcraft-servers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/20/patch-3-0-8-lands-on-world-of-warcraft-servers/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


It's finally here, the first post-Wrath patch-of-important-things for World of Warcraft. And by "important things" we mean changes like allowing players to create a Death Knight on any server, so long as they have a level 55+ character on at least one server. There are also a bevy of class changes, as well as a pretty nifty launcher update that's added plenty of utility plus style. Overall, the 3.0.8 patch was quite beefy -- now we just have to sit tight for the eventual Icecrown patch to slam onto our harddrives.

If you really want to get the low-down on all changes both big and small, WoW Insider's got you covered. And if you're an Arcane Mage, then count yourself lucky as Blizzard saw fit to give out candies this go-around.
One of Azeroth's millions of citizens? Check out our ongoing coverage of the World of Warcraft, and be sure to touch base with our sister site WoW Insider for all your Lich King needs!

MassivelyPatch 3.0.8 lands on World of Warcraft servers originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 20 Jan 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activision-blizzardarcaneblizzarddeath-knightslaunchermagepatch-3.0.8world-of-warcraftwotlkwowwrathwrath-of-the-lich-kingTue, 20 Jan 2009 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Behind the Curtain: On the edge]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/17/behind-the-curtain-on-the-edge/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/17/behind-the-curtain-on-the-edge/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/17/behind-the-curtain-on-the-edge/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

So, I finally hit level 80 with my Warrior.

What should I be doing now? Hitting up Icecrown, working on getting those last few pieces of gear to hit the defence cap, then working on reputation, clear some Heroic runs for more gear. And maybe have some fun, chaotic Naxxramas runs with my guild where we lay bets on who can die in the most spectacular fashion.

If, that is, I can get my dates right and sign up for the correct evenings.

What am I doing instead? Farming Stratholme for the near-mythical undead mount of one Baron Rivendare.

Continue reading Behind the Curtain: On the edge

MassivelyBehind the Curtain: On the edge originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 17 Jan 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>behind-the-curtainbrick-wallchokingclass-responsibilityclass-roleelitist-jerksend-gamefeaturedpressure-to-performprocratinationresponsibilitiestankingtankspotworld-of-warcraftwowwrathwrath-of-the-lich-kingSat, 17 Jan 2009 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMORPG readers choose Lord of the Rings Online as best MMO of 2008]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/17/mmorpg-readers-choose-lord-of-the-rings-online-as-best-mmo-of-20/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/17/mmorpg-readers-choose-lord-of-the-rings-online-as-best-mmo-of-20/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/17/mmorpg-readers-choose-lord-of-the-rings-online-as-best-mmo-of-20/#commentsFiled under: , ,


'Tis the season for giving awards, and the readers of MMORPG.com have bestowed two honors upon Lord of the Rings Online and one upon Turbine itself, putting LotRO and Turbine over CCP, Blizzard, and Mythic Entertainment.

LotRO was named MMO of the year, while The Mines of Moria were awarded the best expansion of the year award, beating out Wrath of the Lich King for the top spot. Also, the readers named Turbine as their favorite MMO studio of the year -- all high praise indeed.

The final results in the voting for best expansion and favorite studio weren't even close -- giving Turbine a landslide victory over Blizzard in both cases. In the best expansion category Moria won with 48% of the vote over Wrath's 25%, and for the favorite studio category Turbine achieved 46% of the vote compared to Blizzard's 14%.

Turbine has released a press statement which thanks the many fans and players of LotRO, as well as the readers of MMORPG.com. For the full release, check it out at the LotRO main website.

MassivelyMMORPG readers choose Lord of the Rings Online as best MMO of 2008 originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 17 Jan 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Class balance is always a touchy subject, depending on the class a person plays. But WoWRIOT has put together an impressive look a class balance in a post-WotLK World of Warcraft. After looking through much of the post, we're pretty impressed with its accuracy and overall take on current class balance, especially as it pertains to arena and PvP.

Normally, those who actually play the game are much more interested in these kinds of balance overviews. However, the article contains an extensive look at Death Knights and everything about where their place in the game is right now. So for anybody who's been curious as to what's going on with the first new class in World of Warcraft, we'd say the article is definitely worth a look. For everyone who does play the game, it's probably a good idea to at least check out your class (or classes) if only to see why you should or shouldn't be upset with Blizzard.
One of Azeroth's millions of citizens? Check out our ongoing coverage of the World of Warcraft, and be sure to touch base with our sister site WoW Insider for all your Lich King needs!

MassivelyClass balance in a post-WotLK World of Warcraft originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arenablizzardclass-balancedeath-knightpvptankingworld-of-warcraftwotlkwowwowriotwrathwrath-of-the-lich-kingTue, 06 Jan 2009 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[World of Warcraft claims 11.5 million souls of the faithful]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/23/world-of-warcraft-claims-11-5-million-souls-of-the-faithful/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/23/world-of-warcraft-claims-11-5-million-souls-of-the-faithful/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/23/world-of-warcraft-claims-11-5-million-souls-of-the-faithful/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


The Blizzard Overlord sits upon his World of Warcraft throne, in the grand chamber atop his black tower, the tallest and most ominous structure in all the land. He closes his eyes, projecting his senses outwards, as his gaze sweeps over the conquered MMO world. All he can see before him -- stretching past the horizon -- is his. But still, he feels his influence expanding beyond those present borders, claiming yet more of the territory of his rivals, as his senses return to his surroundings. He reaches out into the air before him, envisioning the entire MMO world within his grasp, held delicately in the palm of his hand. He envisions its millions of quests, scores of guilds, and oceans of gold. The Overlord makes a fist, savoring the thought of absolute control. Yes, there's been a shift in power, and the arrival of his minion by his side confirms it.

Blizzard Overlord: My power grows... I can feel it! It surges through me! *smashes table needlessly* Minion! What has changed?

Minion: Sir, millions more have come into our grasp through the Wrath of the Lich King expansion. World of Warcraft reigns supreme, my lord.

Blizzard Overlord: How many? How many more souls have I claimed?

Minion: Gamesindustry.biz reports that 11.5 million subscribers have been claimed by World of Warcraft, boosted by over 4 million copies of Wrath of the Lich King sold to date.

Blizzard Overlord: 2.8 million copies of Wrath sold in one day. ONE DAY! And now this. I am unassailable... the world is truly mine.

Minion: It is indeed, my lord. The World of Warcraft Battle Chests continue to sell as well, as confirmed by GameStop. Our sales exceed even last year's performance.

The Blizzard Overlord laughs maniacally, heady with the newfound power flowing into him. Waves of energy ripple outwards, felt throughout the MMO world, as the Blizzard Overlord continues his ascension to godhood.
One of Azeroth's millions of citizens? Check out our ongoing coverage of the World of Warcraft, and be sure to touch base with our sister site WoW Insider for all your Lich King needs!

MassivelyWorld of Warcraft claims 11.5 million souls of the faithful originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 23 Dec 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It's been a good year for the second expansion to World of Warcraft, but things just got even better. Edge Magazine has tossed up it's top 30 of 2008 and Wrath of the Lick King placed at number sixteen. The expansion is the only MMO on the list, which is saying a lot in a year when Warhammer Online and Mines of Moria came out, impressing many players.

The placement is attributed to Blizzard's re-imagining of what's possible in Azeroth through new quests and zones, as well as the addition of the Death Knight class. We've got to agree with them there, which is why Massively awarded Wrath with the best expansion of 2008.
One of Azeroth's millions of citizens? Check out our ongoing coverage of the World of Warcraft, and be sure to touch base with our sister site WoW Insider for all your Lich King needs!

MassivelyWrath of the Lich King ranks in Edge's top games for 2008 originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 17 Dec 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activision-blizzardazerothblizzarddeath-knightedgewotlkwrathwrath-of-the-lich-kingWed, 17 Dec 2008 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Digital Continuum: Microtransaction stigma]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/13/the-digital-continuum-microtransaction-stigma/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/13/the-digital-continuum-microtransaction-stigma/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/13/the-digital-continuum-microtransaction-stigma/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


There's been a lot of news about microtransactions this week, and because of that I felt it was as good a time as any to discuss the topic. Are they good or bad, useful or useless and are they really the future of the MMO industry? The subject of business models is certainly a hot issue, with some players abhorring the idea of microtransactions while others refuse to pay a standard monthly subscription for any sort of game. All of this amounts to a good deal to discuss, so let's get started.

Continue reading The Digital Continuum: Microtransaction stigma

MassivelyThe Digital Continuum: Microtransaction stigma originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 13 Dec 2008 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Death Knight is a pretty fun class, but anyone who's been playing one since launch knows it's a bit lacking in the tanking department at times. And for a class that wears only plate armor and has talent builds that focus on either giving damage or taking damage, it's kind of important to be able to take a few hits. So when the new Death Knight changes hit the public test realms, WoW Insider was all over it.

Overall it looks like each of the three talent trees have been tweaked to fall in line with what they're supposed to offer a player. Blood gives good singular-target damage, while healing the Death Knight, Frost is all about tanking and taunting and Unholy is a blend of support and area of effect damage spells. So, in other words, it looks as though Blizzard is making mostly positive changes here. We'll be curious to see if anything is changed as it's tested out by players, because well, that is the point of testing out an upcoming patch after all.
One of Azeroth's millions of citizens? Check out our ongoing coverage of the World of Warcraft, and be sure to touch base with our sister site WoW Insider for all your Lich King needs!

MassivelyAnalyzing the upcoming changes to Death Knights in World of Warcraft originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 13 Dec 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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There has been a flood of co-op games this year, and they've been really popular. People love to play with one another. Everything from Red Alert 3 to LittleBigPlanet shipped with some form of online co-op, people are eating up the co-op experience. And why shouldn't they? It's a whole heaping ton of fun. But of course, the biggest selling co-op experience this year has likely been Wrath of the Lich King.

Let's face it, our beloved MMOs are pretty much the thesis of co-op gaming. Granted, you can solo in World of Warcraft if you like, but the core experience of that game is playing with other people -- be they friend, family or complete stranger.

Traditional games and MMOs share a lot in common, but they ultimately sit and different ends of the co-op experience spectrum. There is almost certainly a sweet spot somewhere in the middle and I posit that Blizzard has been able to come the closest to it, but there's more ground to be made. In fact, there's one game in particular that could push the itself further towards co-op than any MMO before it: Star Wars: The Old Republic.

Continue reading The Digital Continuum: Blurring the line between co-op and MMO

MassivelyThe Digital Continuum: Blurring the line between co-op and MMO originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 06 Dec 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We weren't kidding when we said Wrath of the Lich King would be the biggest MMO expansion the industry has ever seen. This is reaffirmed in a recent article at Ars Technica written by Ben Kuchera, who writes, "This isn't a game as much as it's a juggernaut of money-making power..." Kuchera sources info from Massively's sister site WoW Insider, who got their hands on a leaked internal email from EB Games detailing just how significant Wrath has been, from a business standpoint at GameStop. Kuchera breaks down a few of the highlights:

  • The week of the game's launch was the biggest sales week of the year.
  • It was also the biggest sales week ever, outside of the previous year's Christmas sales.
  • The Wrath launch was the biggest launch in GameStop's history.
  • Wrath of the Lich King set a new record for presales.
  • Wrath day-one sales exceed that of any game they've ever sold.
See Kuchera's piece over at ArsTechnica for more on the record-breaking World of Warcraft expansion, and Mike Schramm's article at WoW Insider about Wrath of the Lich King's retail success.
One of Azeroth's millions of citizens? Check out our ongoing coverage of the World of Warcraft, and be sure to touch base with our sister site WoW Insider for all your Lich King needs!

MassivelyWrath of the Lich King breaks all previous records at GameStop originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 02 Dec 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Warhammer Online is out, Wrath of the Lich King is out and Mines of Moria has also been released into the wild. Each of these games cover a wide range of features and fantasy settings, and World of Warcraft pretty much has the fantasy MMO archetype covered mostly on its own. So until someone figures out "WoW 2.0" -- something that's got all the good parts, but much less of the bad -- should any new fantasy game bother at this point?

We think Guild Wars 2 is probably safe because it'll be without a monthly subscription, which is usually a big barrier to entry for a lot of possible players. Beyond that though, have Blizzard, Turbine and Mythic completely monetized the fantasy genre to its fullest potential for the time being or is there room for another title in the next year or two?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Has the fantasy genre been addressed? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 01 Dec 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Standing in the tiny store, I found myself at a crossroads. I'd put a lot of thought into this, but now that the decision was starting back at me, it seemed much more daunting. The question kept repeating in my head, "Do I buy Wrath, or Moria?" The financially devoid part of my brain enthusiastically yelled, "Both!" while the logical part reminded me that my time was already stretched fairly thin and that trying to dive into two new expansions would probably not be a wise move.

Decisions, decisions.

Continue reading The Digital Continuum: Moria or Wrath?

MassivelyThe Digital Continuum: Moria or Wrath? originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 29 Nov 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The guys 'n gals over at WoW Insider have been kind enough to put together a handy guide to all the Wrath of the Lich King 5-man instances in gallery-form. So, for those of you who've already filled up on turkey or some form of meat substitute (tofurky, anyone?) and are already looking to delve into Wrath, this may be the perfect thing to help you along the way! If not, well then we're happy you've already hit 80 -- just don't brag about it to us, because we're sensitive about our addictive-resiliant personalities.

Actually, we're just sensitive to our need to subscribe to -- and play -- three or more MMOs at a time, which is why we're loving this efficiency-boosting guide.

Gallery: Wrath of the Lich King Dungeons

Dungeons of WrathUtgarde KeepThe NexusAzjol-NerubAhn'kahet: The Old Kingdom
One of Azeroth's millions of citizens? Check out our ongoing coverage of the World of Warcraft, and be sure to touch base with our sister site WoW Insider for all your Lich King needs!

MassivelyWoW Insider's handy-dandy Wrath of the Lich King instance guide originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 27 Nov 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Richard Bartle, co-creator of the first multi-user dungeon MUD, has expressed his displeasure with Blizzard over a Wrath of the Lich King quest -- titled, "The Art of Persuasion" -- that involves the torture of a character for information. "I'm not at all happy with this. I was expecting for there to be some way to tell the guy who gave you the quest that no, actually I don't want to torture a prisoner, but there didn't seem to be any way to do that." said Bartle on his feelings about the quest. He also said that a player must complete this quest in order to proceed into an instance called Nexus, but those we've spoken to have told us the quest is merely part of a chain that can be completed in the instance.

We mostly feel disappointed in Blizzard, because they've missed an opportunity to make something thought provoking. Players are simply given one option with no real consequence instead of pointing out the cruelty of torture or letting a player decide whether or not to do it and find another way to complete the quest. Beyond even that, this quest does kind of break the lore aspect of being a good guy (Alliance) or a misunderstood good guy (Horde) when you're doing exceptionally evil things.

[via IncGamers]
One of Azeroth's millions of citizens? Check out our ongoing coverage of the World of Warcraft, and be sure to touch base with our sister site WoW Insider for all your Lich King needs!

MassivelyBartle calls Blizzard out on torture quest in Wrath of the Lich King originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 25 Nov 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Virtual economies are a fascination for us, and EVE Online isn't the only game with people who spend much of their time playing the markets, of course -- World of Warcraft is rife with opportunities for rampant capitalism. Case in point: gold-making advice blog The WoW Economist reports that some materials used by the Enchanting profession are selling for outrageously high prices at the auction house post-Wrath of the Lich King launch -- an excellent time for money-minded players to cash in.

Writer John Murphy points out that Infinite Dust and Greater Cosmic Essences are selling for 150g and 250g per stack, respectively, and that he made 2,300g in one Sunday afternoon taking advantage of the situation. The recommendation: disenchant, sell now! Level up Enchanting later! There are always these oddly destabilizing surges after expansions in these games, so it's good to know how to exploit them to the max. Go forth and become filthy rich, guys and gals!

MassivelyWoW Enchanting mats are selling high, opportunists -- to the auction house! originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 24 Nov 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GameTrailers put together a three-part series of Warcraft retrospective videos in the days leading up to the launch of World of Warcraft's Wrath of the Lich King expansion, and WoW was the focus of the third and final episode. In over 20 minutes, the video looks at the early MMOs and influences that led to the creation of WoW, the project's beginnings in discussions between Blizzard guys while they were playing EverQuest, and of course, the game itself.

In addition to listing the distinct features that made WoW successful, the restrospective provides an overview of its post-launch history, up through The Burning Crusade's launch. Everything from Onyxia raids to the ever-changing PvP Honor system is covered. If you're a hardcore WoW addict, little of it will be new information, but if you're just getting started or a casual user, you'll probably learn a thing or two. See the vid embedded after the break.

[Via WoW Insider]

Continue reading World of Warcraft's birth and development chronicled by video retrospective

MassivelyWorld of Warcraft's birth and development chronicled by video retrospective originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 20 Nov 2008 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Blizzard is apparently a marketing genius, because the most recent World of Warcraft commercials are new high watermarks. Of course the're all about Wrath of the Lich King, and of course they feature famous people pretending they play WoW. But they're also something else: completely awesome. We've got Ozzy Osbourne arguing with Arthas over who's the real Prince of Darkness and then we've got The Sopranos actor Steve Van Zandt opining about being pulled back into the game.

Love 'em or hate 'em, these commercials are pure brilliance for their humor and ability to convey the social acceptance -- or "coolness", if you will -- of tapping away at your mouse and keyboard all night long. Of course, if Blizzard really wants to impress us, they'd get Neil Patrick Harris. Nobody pimps a product like NPH. Find both videos after the break.

Continue reading Ozzy Osbourne and Steve Van Zandt pop some culture in newest WoW commercials

MassivelyOzzy Osbourne and Steve Van Zandt pop some culture in newest WoW commercials originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 20 Nov 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acitivision-blizzardarthasblizzardbreakingneil-patrick-harrisnphozzy-osbourneprince-of-darknesssteve-van-sandtworld-of-warcraftwotlkwowwrathwrath-of-the-lich-kingThu, 20 Nov 2008 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: How much content should an expansion have?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/20/the-daily-grind-how-much-content-should-an-expansion-have/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/20/the-daily-grind-how-much-content-should-an-expansion-have/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/20/the-daily-grind-how-much-content-should-an-expansion-have/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Everyone's got an expansion out right now -- EverQuest II has The Shadow Odyssey, The Lord of the Rings Online has Mines of Moria, World of Warcraft has Wrath of the Lich King, EVE Online has Quantum Rise -- there's no end to it, but then that's the point, isn't it?

Well, you'd think that, anyway. Word on the street is that there are already Death Knights at level 80, and all the raid content in Wrath has been completed. One player reached level 80 in only 27 hours. Over a year of development for one week of content? Are MMO players just too damned hardcore, or did Blizzard aim too low? How much content should you be getting for $30 or $40 and your continued subscription, anyway?

There are some folks out there who (to continue using WoW as an example) are still hacking through The Burning Crusade's content, or even the classic stuff. How do you think a balance can be struck between those folks, and the crews who have already bested all the Wrath content?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: How much content should an expansion have? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 20 Nov 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blizzardccpdiscussioneq2eveeve-onlineeverquest-2everquest-iiexpansionexpansionslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromines-of-moriamomopinionquantum-risesoetdgthe-daily-grindthe-shadow-odysseyturbineworld-of-warcraftwotlkwowwrathwrath-of-the-lich-kingThu, 20 Nov 2008 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[And the first World of Warcraft player to reach level 80 is...]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/14/and-the-first-world-of-warcraft-player-to-reach-level-80-is/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/14/and-the-first-world-of-warcraft-player-to-reach-level-80-is/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/14/and-the-first-world-of-warcraft-player-to-reach-level-80-is/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Nymh, Human Warlock of the EU server Drek'thar (and the real-world country of France) became the first World of Warcraft player to reach level 80 by working with an out-of-group Priest to spam area-of-effect attacks against rapidly-spawning mid-70s mobs, inspired by the technique of another World of Warcraft Warlock player named Jynxx, who eloquently explained the concept in a video (Note: probably won't make much sense if you're not a WoW addict already).

Time from 70 to 80: 27 hours.

Nymh did a lot of research and trial-and-error exploration of options in the Wrath of the Lich King beta test in order to be ready for the gauntlet after the EU launch, which of course came a little bit before the North American one. We'll note that the first-to-level-70-after-launch trophy went to another French player last year. Vive la France, no?

[Via WoW Insider]

MassivelyAnd the first World of Warcraft player to reach level 80 is... originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 14 Nov 2008 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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With Wrath of the Lich King imminent, we thought it would be a good idea to take a short look at just what has made and continues to make World of Warcraft so different than many other MMOs and whether or not it still retains that oh-so-different sheen. After four years of being pretty much the biggest dog in the yard, does World of Warcraft still bring new ideas to the table? Click below to find out what we think.

Continue reading A look at World of Warcraft's unique characteristics

MassivelyA look at World of Warcraft's unique characteristics originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 14 Nov 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Alright, boys and girls, you've had a day to play around with your Death Knights. Sure, it's a bit early to make any definitive judgments, but what are your first impressions? We've been hearing glowing (wink) reviews of the Death Knight starting experience from our colleagues, and we'd tell you what we think, but eh, we're too busy playing right now.

For those of you who actually have to, y'know, work this morning -- that is to say, for whom work doesn't include include playing World of Warcraft (you poor souls) -- go ahead and sneak in your impressions when your boss isn't looking. Unless you took a few personal days for the launch, in which case you're surely lost to the ice wastes for now, and we'll see you in a few days when you return for pizza and other supplies.

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: How you likin' that Death Knight? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 14 Nov 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blizzarddeath-knightdiscussionexpansionopiniontdgthe-daily-grindworld-of-warcraftwotlkwowwrathwrath-of-the-lich-kingFri, 14 Nov 2008 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wrath of the Lich King 101]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/13/wow-insiders-wrath-101-roundup/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/13/wow-insiders-wrath-101-roundup/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/13/wow-insiders-wrath-101-roundup/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


The much-anticipated Wrath of the Lich King expansion has arrived for World of Warcraft, and may well be one of the most popular expansions we've ever seen in the MMO industry. That said, WoW players may find themselves a bit overwhelmed by their unfamiliar surroundings. Fortunately, our friends over at our sister site WoW Insider have been tearing into WotLK, and put together a series of guides called "Wrath 101." The WoW Insider guides will give you an in-depth look at the Wrath expansion's geography, and help you to find your way around. We've rounded up the entire guide series and assembled them for you here. Enjoy, and keep watching Massively for our ongoing news and features focusing on the Wrath of the Lich King expansion.
Wrath 101: How to get to Northrend and where to go once you're there
How do I get to Northrend? For Alliance, head to the northernmost dock at Stormwind Harbor to get to Borean Tundra or take the boat out of Menethil Harbor in the Wetlands to be dropped off in Howling Fjord.
Wrath 101: Level 70 PvP gear
If you were looking forward to getting gear upgrades through Honor at Level 70 when Wrath of the Lich King finally arrives in a few days, you probably shouldn't hold your breath. I know I advised doing a lot of PvP, but I meant that you should be keeping all that Honor for Level 80 rewards.
Wrath 101: Getting from Borean Tundra to Howling Fjord and vice versa
One of the questions frequently asked is which zone will you be leveling in first? A large majority of players will pick Borean Tundra or Howling Fjord. Why not both?
Wrath 101: Alliance flight paths in Howling Fjord, Borean Tundra, and Dragonblight
We'll all be storming the (figurative) gates of Northrend, in one of two zones: Borean Tundra and Howling Fjord. The zones are pretty large, but fortunately, they're replete with flight paths.
Wrath 101: Horde flight paths in Howling Fjord, Borean Tundra, and Dragonblight
Previously, we covered the Alliance flight paths of the first three zones in Northrend. Now it's the Horde's turn.

Continue reading Wrath of the Lich King 101

MassivelyWrath of the Lich King 101 originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 13 Nov 2008 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Some of the Massively team is excited about the latest World of Warcraft expansion, Wrath of the Lich King... so much so that they've apparently come down sick and aren't working today. That's going around. Fortunately a few of us here survived this rash of contagion, that clearly has nothing to do with WoW, and are here to bring you news and views related to WotLK. To that end, we've collected some of our best stories related to Wrath of the Lich King all in one place. And if you're one of our readers who had to call in sick today due to illness, we're hoping you get well soon.
Unboxing the Wrath of the Lich King Collector's Edition
It can't have escaped your notice that the release of Wrath of the Lich King is upon us, and if it has let me be among the first to welcome you to Planet Earth. Here at Massively, we have a metric tonne of Wrath-related content lined up for you, starting with a look inside the Collector's Edition box.
Anti-Aliased: Mourning Frostmourne
The word on everyone's lips this month is "Arthas" as we're approaching the release of the Wrath of the Lich King, the second expansion pack for World of Warcraft. Ok, so now that the boring introductory sentence is out of the way, let's talk about what is on everyone's minds -- Frostmourne.
Lich King begins assault on Azeroth, starting with Orgrimmar
World of Warcraft players are experiencing a world event leading up to the launch of Wrath of the Lich King. No, it's not another invasion of flesh-craving zombies -- but it's just as cool.
A WoW burnout's guide to Wrath of the Lich King
Does Wrath of the Lich King, the second World of Warcraft expansion, have enough new, interesting and worthwhile content to give longtime burnout players a reason to come back again? What about players who've recently hung up their Azerothian hat?
Anti-Aliased: Killing the auctioneers is a perfect reason to go to Northrend
Going to Northrend has always been something that bugged me. It's a land that's literally a boat trip away, and no one's set foot on it or even mentioned it since Arthas went bonkers and started living up there.

Continue reading Massively's Wrath of the Lich King roundup

MassivelyMassively's Wrath of the Lich King roundup originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 13 Nov 2008 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blizzardexpansionsfantasylaunchesmmo-industrysick-dayworld-of-warcraftwowwrathwrath-of-the-lich-kingThu, 13 Nov 2008 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Unboxing the Wrath of the Lich King Collector's Edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/13/unboxing-the-wrath-of-the-lich-king-collectors-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/13/unboxing-the-wrath-of-the-lich-king-collectors-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/13/unboxing-the-wrath-of-the-lich-king-collectors-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

It can't have escaped your notice that the release of Wrath of the Lich King is upon us, and if it has let me be among the first to welcome you to Planet Earth. Here at Massively, we have a metric tonne of Wrath-related content lined up for you, starting with a look inside the Collector's Edition box. We've spoken about the CE before, but this is the first chance we've had a chance to lay hands on it.

I won't go into the details of how we got our grubby mitts on it early, but it may involve some obscene and blasphemous rituals conducted in honour of the Great Old Ones. Or a pre-order, take your pick.

Read through our Unboxing the Wrath of the Lich King Collector's Edition Gallery, enjoy a good look at the contents. We'll even peek inside the Art book, the two March of the Legion TCG starter decks and the Instruction Manual if you're lucky.

Gallery: World of Warcraft: WOTLK

MassivelyUnboxing the Wrath of the Lich King Collector's Edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 13 Nov 2008 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>collectors-editionfeaturedunboxingworld-of-warcraftwowwrathwrath-of-the-lich-kingThu, 13 Nov 2008 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Europe's WoW players already storming Wrath's Northrend]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/12/europes-wow-players-already-storming-wraths-northrend/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/12/europes-wow-players-already-storming-wraths-northrend/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/12/europes-wow-players-already-storming-wraths-northrend/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

We've just gotten word from our sister site WoW Insider that some players in Europe have already gained access to the Wrath of the Lich King expansion for World of Warcraft -- they're currently in Northrend and also creating Death Knights. WoW Insider speculates that these lucky WoW players must have had copies of the game and upgraded accounts ready to go, in order to jump in so quickly.

However, for the rest of us, there's been official word from Blizzard on when Wrath becomes playable. Syndri, a Blizzard Poster on the official World of Warcraft forums, states: "The Wrath of the Lich King will be revealed on all North American realms -- including Oceanic realms -- at 9pm PST." So there you go. As for the rest of us, we're just hoping that the server issues are fully resolved and that everything else goes smoothly with what is likely the biggest midnight launch in MMO history.
One of Azeroth's millions of citizens? Check out our ongoing coverage of the World of Warcraft, and be sure to touch base with our sister site WoW Insider for all your Lich King needs!

MassivelyEurope's WoW players already storming Wrath's Northrend originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 12 Nov 2008 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingdeath-knightexpansionsfantasymmo-industrynorthrendworld-of-warcraftwowwrathwrath-of-the-lich-kingWed, 12 Nov 2008 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[X-Play delves into Wrath of the Lich King]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/12/x-play-delves-into-wrath-of-the-lich-king/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/12/x-play-delves-into-wrath-of-the-lich-king/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/12/x-play-delves-into-wrath-of-the-lich-king/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


X-Play took a look at the upcoming Wrath of the Lich King expansion for World of Warcraft and while no new ground was covered on the information front, they did get a look at one of the final battles in the Death Knight starting quest line. Of course, if you're trying to avoid any sort of spoilers concerning the Death Knight or generally anything WotLK-related, you may not want to risk taking a look at the segment.

Worry not though, because as we said there ain't much meat on them bones. One thing the segment does point out is that this expansion is yet again aimed solely on high-level content. The subject isn't new by any means, but it did serve to remind us that old-world content could really use some love from Blizzard once in a while. You can find the video after the break.

Continue reading X-Play delves into Wrath of the Lich King

MassivelyX-Play delves into Wrath of the Lich King originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 12 Nov 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It happened with The Burning Crusade -- players had spent months raiding at level 60 to get the very best gear, and when TBC came out, people were getting green drops with better stats than the best raid drops after only a couple of levels. A lot of hardcore players were annoyed, while some just accepted it as the natural motion of things.

We've got at least three big expansions coming up in the next few weeks -- Wrath of the Lich King for World of Warcraft, Mines of Moria for The Lord of the Rings Online, and The Shadow Odyssey for EverQuest II. With the level caps going up in WoW and LotRO, we're expecting a similar situation to what we saw with TBC. How do you feel about this? Can it be avoided, should it? Maybe it's good to level the playing field now and then. Let us know!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Do expansions cheapen all that hard work? originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 11 Nov 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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World of Warcraft players are experiencing a world event leading up to the launch of Wrath of the Lich King. No, it's not another invasion of flesh-craving zombies -- but it's just as cool. You see, the Lich King is currently launching attacks on Orgrimmar via Frostwyrms and Aboms. The event restarts every 20 minutes and is specifically located in the Valley of Honor. We're unsure how many servers the event has begun on, so if you run into yours and find it peaceful and serene don't feel discouraged as you may only need to wait a little bit before the frost bolts start raining down.

Gallery: Orgrimmar is under attack!

One of Azeroth's millions of citizens? Check out our ongoing coverage of the World of Warcraft, and be sure to touch base with our sister site WoW Insider for all your Lich King needs!

MassivelyLich King begins assault on Azeroth, starting with Orgrimmar originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 10 Nov 2008 20:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Seriously, don't get me startedThis was the point where things got interesting for me. One lasting memory of the event I have is a one-line message I saw in the Trade channel while in Ironforge. It read simply, "Stay out of Stormwind, it's infected." I did the only thing a sane person would do in that situation and hopped on the first Gryphon to Stormwind. It was like a dream come true. Zombies were thronging the streets, attacking anyone they could get their hands on, vomiting on those they couldn't, and blowing themselves up when all else failed. Nowhere was safe. I could barely see the floor of the Auction House for all the skeletons there; the Bank was similarly decorated and my FPS dropped sharply from the shimmery green glow the infection gave off.

Continue reading Behind the Curtain: More apocalypse please pt. 2

MassivelyBehind the Curtain: More apocalypse please pt. 2 originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 09 Nov 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Don't get me started on this guy...So let's be clear here - I loves me some zombies. A childhood brush with Ray Harryhausen means that I still get chills when I think abut armoured skeletons eviscerating hapless Argonauts. Later encounters, first with ridiculously over-wrought Victorian Gothic Horror literature, and later with the genius of one Mr. Romero sealed my fate.

Regardless of the source, my love affair with the Undead has been long-standing. And no, I don't mean that kind of love affair. Freak. After I finished reading The Zombie Survival Guide for the first time, I carried it in my bag for a month afterwards. Not because I thought Zombie might be real, but because the book was awesome. And don't get me started on World War Z - Massively is not the place for a 3000-word Max Brooks love-fest.

Continue reading Behind the Curtain: More apocalypse please

MassivelyBehind the Curtain: More apocalypse please originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 09 Nov 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Today the 3.0.3 patch for World of Warcraft has dropped! Of course, our brethren over at WOW Insider are all over it. Within the sacred patch contains a laundry list of tweaks, changes and bug fixes. Just about every class is touched on here, so there's plenty to look through. Inscription is also given plenty of attention with lots of little tweaks. Achievement addicts will be happy to know that the "Hallowed Be thy Name" achievement is now much easier to obtain with this patch as well. Most of the bug fixes seem to be class related, but there are a couple of stability fixes in there so hopefully servers will be as smooth as possible for the Wrath of the Lich King launch day.

You can find the full list of patch notes after the break.

Continue reading World of Warcraft 3.0.3 patch notes

MassivelyWorld of Warcraft 3.0.3 patch notes originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 04 Nov 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3.0.3activision-blizzardblizzardpatchpatch-noteswarcraftworld-of-warcraftwotlkwowwrathwrath-of-the-lich-kingTue, 04 Nov 2008 12:00:00 EST