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[Guild Wars 2's character creator brings celebrities to Tyria]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/04/guild-wars-2s-character-creator-brings-celebrities-to-tyria/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/04/guild-wars-2s-character-creator-brings-celebrities-to-tyria/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/04/guild-wars-2s-character-creator-brings-celebrities-to-tyria/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Guild Wars 2
One of the things we failed to tell you about Guild Wars 2's character creator is just how flexible it can be in allowing players to fine-tune their avatar's face. For one particular beta tester, the tools provided seemed like the perfect opportunity to see if famous celebrities could be recreated. Lo and behold, they could.

In under three minutes, this player whisks us through pages of sliders, hairstyles, and facial details to create Guild Wars 2 lookalikes of Liam Neeson, Clint Eastwood, Megan Fox, and Scarlett Johansson. Apart from its value as amusement, the video highlights the range of looks and styles that the character creator can be coaxed into generating.

Check it out after the break and see just how uncanny these avatars ended up being compared to the real deal!

Continue reading Guild Wars 2's character creator brings celebrities to Tyria

MassivelyGuild Wars 2's character creator brings celebrities to Tyria originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 04 Apr 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetcelebcelebritiescelebscharacter-creationcharacter-creatorClint-Eastwoodfantasyguild-wars-2gw2Liam-NeesonlookalikesMegan-FoxncsoftScarlett-JohanssonvideoyoutubeWed, 04 Apr 2012 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Gaikai: Delivering instant MMOs to your browser]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/14/gaikai-delivering-instant-mmos-to-your-browser/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/14/gaikai-delivering-instant-mmos-to-your-browser/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/14/gaikai-delivering-instant-mmos-to-your-browser/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Gaikai
Imagine that you're reading up on an MMO on a site such as Massively (far-fetched, but stay with us on this). The words intrigue you and you think it might be worth checking out. You make a mental note to do so in the future -- to head over to the game's site, see if there's a trial, download it, set up an account, and give it a whirl -- but time gets away from you and none of that actually happens.

Now imagine that right after you read that article there was a single button or link. Clicking on it, a Java window opens up on top of your screen and tells you that you're now playing a trial of the game. There's no wait, no download, no lengthy form to fill out -- just click and play, right away. You go from interested to inside the game within mere seconds, your computer specs (mostly) aren't an issue, and your curiosity is immediately sated.

This isn't a far-fetched dream but the here-and-now reality. This is cloud-streaming MMOs brought to you by Gaikai. And it just might be the future of MMOs as we know it.

Continue reading Gaikai: Delivering instant MMOs to your browser

MassivelyGaikai: Delivering instant MMOs to your browser originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 14 Mar 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2moonsacclaimactivisionage-of-conanage-of-conan-unchainedaocaoc-unchainedbest-buyblizzardblizzard-entertainmentbrowser-mmochronicles-of-spellborncloudcloud-streamingconandave-perryddodnddungeons-and-dragonsdungeons-and-dragons-onlineeaea-originearthworm-jimf2pfamilyfantasyfree-to-playfuncomgaikaigaikai-inchyboriaipadkid-friendlykids-mmokingsislekingsisle-entertainmentlord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotrostreaming-mmothe-darknessturbineturbine-entertainmentunchainedwalmartwarcraftwbwizard101world-of-warcraftwowyoutubeWed, 14 Mar 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Firefall video contest can get you to PAX East on Red 5's dime]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/13/firefall-video-contest-can-get-you-to-pax-east-on-red-5s-dime/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/13/firefall-video-contest-can-get-you-to-pax-east-on-red-5s-dime/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/13/firefall-video-contest-can-get-you-to-pax-east-on-red-5s-dime/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Firefall
Firefall is looking for a few aspiring video editors to shower with fame and fortune (mostly the fortune). If you have the skills and talent to cut together a captivating trailer for Firefall, you could be on the receiving end of a juiced-up laptop or a posh trip to PAX East.

In the Firefall Battleframe Trailer Challenge, Red 5 Studios is rewarding creative editors with a good eye for taking raw Firefall gameplay footage and shaping it into an exciting commercial for the game. Entrants are instructed to post these on YouTube, as Red 5 will take into account the likes and views of each video when making its final decision.

Videos have to be submitted by March 16th, at which time Red 5 will select the best three trailers for luxurious prizes. The first place winner will get a trip for two to PAX East -- along with hotel accommodations and $500 spending money. Second place nets a spiffy Alienware M14x laptop, and third place will enjoy a Firefall-themed ASTRO gaming headset.

MassivelyFirefall video contest can get you to PAX East on Red 5's dime originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 13 Feb 2012 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alienwarealienware-laptopastroastro-headsetcontestf2pfirefallFirefall-Battleframe-Trailer-Challengefirefall-contestfree-to-playpax-eastpax-east-2012red-5red-5-studiosvideo-contestyoutubeMon, 13 Feb 2012 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Summoner's Guidebook: A community guide to League of Legends]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/09/the-summoners-guidebook-a-community-guide-to-league-of-legends/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/09/the-summoners-guidebook-a-community-guide-to-league-of-legends/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/09/the-summoners-guidebook-a-community-guide-to-league-of-legends/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Greetings, summoners, and welcome to the first installment of the Summoner's Guidebook! For a new player, the Guidebook is a one-stop-shop to gaining familiarity with the various elements of League of Legends. For the more advanced players, we'll also be covering ways to improve on weak areas of your play and how to deal with the toughest of matchups.

I was a new player once, and I remember being extremely daunted by the number of things I needed to learn to be competitive in LoL. Although the journey from newbie to expert was long and difficult, I learned a lot about common mistakes and how to reduce them. If you're looking to step up your game or if you're just getting into the League, the Summoner's Guidebook is the place for you to learn without being treated like you're a noob.

This week, we're going to cover the community resources available to you. There are a lot of websites dedicated to League of Legends, and it would be foolish to assume that this column is the only place to get advice on the game. If there's something I haven't covered yet or there's a topic I'm unfamiliar with, you can be sure that one of these places will have the info you're looking for. This article can't possibly cover all the League fansites on the internet (there are probably hundreds), but I can focus on the ones with the best information.

Continue reading The Summoner's Guidebook: A community guide to League of Legends

MassivelyThe Summoner's Guidebook: A community guide to League of Legends originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 09 Feb 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>counter-logic-gamingf2pfacebookfansitesfeaturedforumsfree-to-playguideleague-of-legendslolmobamobafireofficial-websiteriotriot-gamessummoners-guidebookteam-solo-midtribunalyoutubeThu, 09 Feb 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[May the score be with you: SWTOR releases one music track a day until launch [Updated]]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/01/may-the-score-be-with-you-swtor-releases-one-music-track-a-day/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/01/may-the-score-be-with-you-swtor-releases-one-music-track-a-day/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/01/may-the-score-be-with-you-swtor-releases-one-music-track-a-day/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

SWTOR
A long time ago in a boombox far, far away... your MP3 folder was growing dusty from disuse and laughable with its lack of coolness. The IMPERIAL COMPOSERS of BioWare stepped in to quash your pitiful musical rebellion by offering you a FREE soundtrack piece every day until launch. Also, the evil gangster JABBA THE HUTT is immune to Jedi mind tricks, FYI.

This is true: As a special treat to its fans, BioWare is doling out one music track from its Star Wars: The Old Republic score every day, starting today and going until the December 20th launch. These tracks are available on both on the SWTOR Facebook page and official YouTube channel.

The first track is called The Mandalorian Blockade and is composed by Mark Griskey, Wilbert Roget II, Gordy Haab & Lennie Moore. Give it a listen after the jump!

[Update: It looks like music is not the only thing the BioWare folks have in store for you in the lead up until launch. Apparently, the team is doing at least one more round of beta testing starting tomorrow, so check your inboxes!]

Continue reading May the score be with you: SWTOR releases one music track a day until launch [Updated]

MassivelyMay the score be with you: SWTOR releases one music track a day until launch [Updated] originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 01 Dec 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowareea-biowarefacebookgiveawayGordy-HaabLennie-MooreMark-Griskeymusicmusic-previewmusic-trackscoresoundtrackstar-wars-the-old-republicswtortrackvideoWilbert-Roget-IIyoutubeThu, 01 Dec 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Lost Pages of Taborea: Test driving Magic Hub]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/12/lost-pages-of-taborea-test-driving-magic-hub/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/12/lost-pages-of-taborea-test-driving-magic-hub/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/12/lost-pages-of-taborea-test-driving-magic-hub/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Runes of Magic/Magic Hub image
I'm going to jump on this one before anyone else does. The company Overwolf developed a little application that provides MMO players with social networking, web, video and screenshot functionality without the need to alt+tab out of a game.

It's a lot like what Trion has built into RIFT, only in a third-party package, and Frogster partnered with Overwolf to provide a Runes of Magic-branded version called Magic Hub -- complete with RoM-specific buttons.

After some technical problems, I got Magic Hub to work and put it through its paces. There are other applications out there that provide a wide range of functionality for gamers, but since this one is customized for RoM, I thought I'd give my impressions.

Continue reading Lost Pages of Taborea: Test driving Magic Hub

MassivelyLost Pages of Taborea: Test driving Magic Hub originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 12 Sep 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>facebookfeaturedfrogsterfrogster-americafrogster-interactivegmailimpressionintegrated-webintegrationjeremy-strattonlost-pages-of-taboreamagic-hubmsn-messengeropinionoverlayoverwolfromrunes-of-magicrunewakerrunewaker-entertainmentscreenshotsskypesocial-networkingsteamthird-partythird-party-applicationstwittervideoyoutubeMon, 12 Sep 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Free for All: Going on a hot date with Lucent Heart]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/29/free-for-all-going-on-a-hot-date-with-lucent-heart/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/29/free-for-all-going-on-a-hot-date-with-lucent-heart/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/29/free-for-all-going-on-a-hot-date-with-lucent-heart/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Lucent Heart has really gotten under my skin. While my recent schedule has not allowed me as much time in the game as I would liked, I have been poking around the official site and Facebook page and sneaking in a few quests here and there. I really enjoyed chatting with the devs from Gamania during E3, and they asked whether I'd a personal tour of the game afterwards.

We were finally able to hang out for a while, and I captured a lot of it on video for your viewing pleasure. We decided to look at the Cupid system and a bit of a dungeon, but we could have gone on for a lot longer. The fact is that the game, like many of its foreign counterparts, simply packs more gameplay and new systems into every square inch of its design than many Western MMOs. With the Japanese version of Lucent Heart two years ahead of the U.S. version, more content is guaranteed.

Click past the cut to check out my hot date with Mark, Product Manager of Lucent Heart, and to hear a bit more about the game!

Continue reading Free for All: Going on a hot date with Lucent Heart

MassivelyFree for All: Going on a hot date with Lucent Heart originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 29 Jun 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beau-hindmandeveloper-interviewf2pfeaturedfree-to-playftpgamaniainterviewlucent-heartsocialvideoyoutubeWed, 29 Jun 2011 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Are social media connections in MMOs useless?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/18/the-daily-grind-are-social-media-connections-in-mmos-useless/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/18/the-daily-grind-are-social-media-connections-in-mmos-useless/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/18/the-daily-grind-are-social-media-connections-in-mmos-useless/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

I first started to notice it in Champions Online. Cryptic gave us the ability to broadcast our achievements in the game over Twitter: "CapnCrunch has reached level 10!" At the time, it felt like a silly idea that wouldn't catch on, but for some reason, it has. More and more we're seeing studios working hard to integrate popular social networks into their MMOs, and more and more I'm wondering... why?

RIFT has been big on doing this, implementing the ability not only to set your account to automatically tweet achievements ("Hey guys, I jumped off a bridge and didn't die!") but also to post them in Facebook. The game also allows you to record video and take screenshots to post online, which seems to me to be more useful but still probably not as captivating to a potential personal audience as one might hope.

So my question today concerns these social media connections in MMOs -- are they useless? Are they just a fad that few people use? Do the ones who do use them end up annoying their followers with a stream of spam messages? Or do people actually enjoy the ability to have their games tie in with their social networks and see how their friends are progressing?

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 social media connections in MMOs useless? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 18 May 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>achievementschampionschampions-onlinefacebookmyspaceopinionriftscreenshotssocial-mediasocial-networksocial-networkingsocial-networkstdgthe-daily-grindtumblrtweettweetstwittervideoyoutubeWed, 18 May 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[RIFT's Spoils of War update deploys]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/10/rifts-spoils-of-war-update-deploys/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/10/rifts-spoils-of-war-update-deploys/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/10/rifts-spoils-of-war-update-deploys/#commentsFiled under: , ,

It's a heady day for RIFTers as Trion Worlds has released the game's second major update. Titled Spoils of War, patch 1.2 includes several exciting additions to the game, most notably a Looking for Group tool, a cosmetic appearance system, and 10-man raid Slivers. The LFG interface will also offer daily dungeon quests with increased rewards as incentives to boost instance runs.

The full patch notes are up over on the RIFT forums, and they're a doozy to read (but one has to have some way to pass the time while the game updates, right?). In addition to the headlining features, there is a metric ton of changes, tweaks and sparkling gems to absorb. Spoils of War will make the game's expert dungeons more attractive to run, and players who love tinkering with RIFT's soul system should rejoice at the addition of a fifth role. Trion's also added a lot more love for social media with increased integration between the game and Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Tumblr.

There's really too much to cover in a few brief paragraphs, so after you read the patch notes, make sure to check out our larger coverage of this impressive update from a couple of weeks ago! If you haven't had a chance to get your hands on RIFT, Trion's also launched its seven-day free trial and Ascend-a-Friend programs for one and all.

MassivelyRIFT's Spoils of War update deploys originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 10 May 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>10-man-raid10-person-raidappearance-systemcosmetic-outfitcosmetic-systemexpert-dungeonsfacebooklfglfg-interfacelfg-toollooking-for-grouppatch-1.2riftrift-planes-of-telararolerolessliverssoul-systemspoils-of-wartriontrion-worldstumblrtwitterupdate-1.2wardrobewardrobe-systemyoutubeTue, 10 May 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Enter at Your Own Rift: The little things]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/13/enter-at-your-own-rift-the-little-things/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/13/enter-at-your-own-rift-the-little-things/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/13/enter-at-your-own-rift-the-little-things/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

For me, it's all about the little things in life: the smell of a good cup of coffee, the enthusiastic hug of my two-year-old, an illicit pack of Lemonheads candy, or throwing punny tags into Massively articles. While big things are essential to have and get right, it's the little things I find that give life its unique flavor.

So when I enter MMORPGs, I'm always on the lookout for little things. Oh, sure, PvP and raiding and overarching epic stories are all well and good, but it's from the little things that the soul and flavor of a game emerges. I'm often far more delighted when I stumble upon a funny little Easter egg in a game than if I win that roll for a purple piece of armor.

Today I want to look at 10 little things in RIFT that I've come to appreciate and savor over the past month or so. Maybe these elements don't get all of the glory, and maybe they're even seen as superfluous to some, but without them the game would be far less to me. So while we rush between rifts and struggle with expert dungeons, I'd encourage all of us to take some time to reflect on all of the supporting cast of features that are just as important to the overall effort.

Continue reading Enter at Your Own Rift: The little things

MassivelyEnter at Your Own Rift: The little things originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 13 Apr 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>achievementachievementsartifactsdefianteaster-eggend-of-the-worldfeaturedguildiesguildshumorlemonheadsnon-combat-petpublic-groupingpvpraindrops-on-roses-and-whiskers-on-kittensriftrift-planes-of-telarascottysoundsound-editingtelaratriontrion-worldsvanity-petsvideo-recordingvoice-overwaypointsworld-of-warcraftyoutubeWed, 13 Apr 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[RIFT integrates video capture and uploading to YouTube]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/30/rift-integrates-video-capture-and-uploading-to-youtube/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/30/rift-integrates-video-capture-and-uploading-to-youtube/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/30/rift-integrates-video-capture-and-uploading-to-youtube/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Video may have killed the radio star, but interesting clips from MMOs become the stuff of viral legends. Now, thanks to Trion adding YouTube posting integration to RIFT, players no longer need to rely on an external video recording setup to capture their gaming action and send it out for complete strangers on the internet to watch. That's right, you too can share your finest moments of pwnage easily thanks to the integrated YouTube uploader. Meanwhile, the rest of us will be glad to hear that the RIFT uploader tool doesn't automatically add Linkin Park, Sleepytime Gorilla Museum, or any similarly metallic soundtrack to the clips. (We would note that it will capture all sounds on the computer, so if you're playing goofy music or sexytalking on VOIP, be warned!)

According to our very own Beau, who loves nothing more than to upload lots of video, RIFT's movie feature is extremely simple to use. All you'll need to do is to connect your YouTube account from inside your RIFT account settings, much like you currently do with Twitter. From there, hitting CTRL-Y will start the recording, and pressing CTRL-Y a second time will stop it. The video is encoded automatically, and a small button will appear in the corner of your screen when your video is ready to upload. Just click the button and off to YouTube it goes! Beau also noted that if you have Twitter connected to your account, RIFT will send out a tweet telling your Twitter friends that you've uploaded a new game video to YouTube. As such, you may want to hold off on using the new video feature during any "sick" days at home.

[Thanks, Chris!]

MassivelyRIFT integrates video capture and uploading to YouTube originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 30 Mar 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>easy-video-uploadingintegrationmoviesriftrift-planes-of-telaratriontrion-worldsvideoyoutubeWed, 30 Mar 2011 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What's your boss fight playlist?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/30/the-daily-grind-whats-your-boss-fight-playlist/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/30/the-daily-grind-whats-your-boss-fight-playlist/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/30/the-daily-grind-whats-your-boss-fight-playlist/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Many of us have admitted that sooner or later, no matter how good an MMO's score is, we turn it off due to sheer repetition and replace it with our own tunes. It's OK, I do it too. And when it comes to boss fights, it sometimes helps to have tunes queued up that are guaranteed to get your blood pumping and your fingers tappin'.

Me? I'm all about the epic '80s montage jams when I'm going toe-to-toe with the deadliest virtual villains in games. Give me You're the Best Around, Danger Zone and Love is a Battlefield, please, and pump up that bass. Montages solve everything.

So what about you? What do you queue up on your MP3 player when you're heading into the boss' sanctum? For today's bonus points, why not provide a link to the YouTube video version so we can all enjoy your no doubt excellent taste in music?

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's your boss fight playlist? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 30 Mar 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bossboss-fightboss-fight-playlistdanger-zonelove-is-a-battlefieldmp3mp3-playeropinionplaylisttdgthe-daily-grindyoure-the-best-aroundyoutubeWed, 30 Mar 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[World of StarCraft modders clash with Activision Blizzard]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/19/world-of-starcraft-modders-clash-with-activision-blizzard/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/19/world-of-starcraft-modders-clash-with-activision-blizzard/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/19/world-of-starcraft-modders-clash-with-activision-blizzard/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Last night, we brought you the news that a talented StarCraft II modder had begun developing a full MMO based in the StarCraft II engine. World of StarCraft, as the mod came to be known, used the game's open modding and map-editing tools to produce some pretty impressive MMO-style mechanics. But the project has not been officially endorsed by Activision or Blizzard Entertainment, who own the rights to the StarCraft intellectual property.

Given the huge popularity of both StarCraft and StarCraft II, an MMO based in that setting would be a sure bet to attract a lot of interest. There has even been speculation that Blizzard may be planning to develop an official StarCraft MMO in the near future -- a move that, after the rampant popularity of World of Warcraft, would seem like a no-brainer.

Today brings some bad news for fans of the World of StarCraft mod and its development, as Activision has finally taken notice. The alpha trailer released on YouTube has been removed at the request of Activision, the reason being cited as copyright and intellectual property violations. This may pertain to the use of StarCraft II material in a game trailer, the similarity of the name to World of Warcraft's, or something else entirely. Whatever the reason for it, it's clear that it won't be plain sailing for the development of this popular StarCraft II mod.

MassivelyWorld of StarCraft modders clash with Activision Blizzard originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 19 Jan 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ActivisionActivision-BlizzardBlizzardBlizzard-EntertainmentDMCAlegalmoddingmodding-communitystarcraftstarcraft-2starcraft-iitrailervideoYouTubeWed, 19 Jan 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Darkfall details expansion mob AI]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/21/darkfall-details-expansion-mob-ai/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/21/darkfall-details-expansion-mob-ai/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/21/darkfall-details-expansion-mob-ai/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

One of the things that makes Darkfall unique is its mob and NPC AI. Unlike traditional MMORPGs, the creatures in the world of Agon use the same skills that players use and also drop appropriate loot (for example, killing a goblin will likely net you his sword and armor, and boars don't drop coin).

With the upcoming free expansion, the developers at Aventurine are further tweaking the game's PvE elements by adding additional monster skills to specific creatures. Laenih, Aventurine's community liaison, has all the details in a new post on the game's official forums. "Some existing monsters as well as new ones have already received their own abilities which we'll leave for you to discover. Additionally there will be more strategic interaction between monsters that spawn together," he writes.

You can get a glimpse of one of the new monster teams in the form of a video that showcases the Gorra Dar and Gorra Slaves. Check it out after the cut or on YouTube.

Continue reading Darkfall details expansion mob AI

MassivelyDarkfall details expansion mob AI originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 21 Jul 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agonaiaventurinedarkfallexpansiongorra-dargorra-slavemob-ainpc-aipvepve-expansionvideoyoutubeWed, 21 Jul 2010 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[TERA's David Noonan talks story, gameplay]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/16/teras-david-noonan-talks-story-gameplay/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/16/teras-david-noonan-talks-story-gameplay/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/16/teras-david-noonan-talks-story-gameplay/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

TERA was one of the big winners at this year's E3, and the action fantasy MMORPG continues to ride that wave with a set of newly released video interviews taped on the show floor. TheGameNet's Nadine Heimann interviews lead writer David Noonan, who drops a few interesting nuggets about TERA's gameplay and story.

For starters, Noonan clears up a question many fans have had regarding Westernization and the game's plot. Despite the fact that the majority of TERA's development is happening at Bluehole Studio in Seoul, South Korea, the game's quests will have a distinctly American flavor since Noonan spends one week out of every month traveling to the far east to collaborate directly with Bluehole's designers.

He also points out that the game's quests will feature upwards of two million words, and that players could play through the TERA's lengthy storyline twice without repeating any quest content.

Check out the full interview on YouTube, and don't forget to watch the shorter "personality" piece as well.

MassivelyTERA's David Noonan talks story, gameplay originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 16 Jul 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bluehole-studiodavid-newnane3-2010en-masseen-masse-entertainmentinterviewlorenadine-heimannstoryteratera-onlinethegamenetvideowesternizationyoutubeFri, 16 Jul 2010 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Behind the Mask: Taking a knife to a gun fight]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/10/behind-the-mask-taking-a-knife-to-a-gun-fight/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/10/behind-the-mask-taking-a-knife-to-a-gun-fight/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/10/behind-the-mask-taking-a-knife-to-a-gun-fight/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,


In the long history of MMORPGs, there have been two mighty class divisions vying for supremacy. The melee damage dealers, lead by the mighty rogue (and in the olden days, the monk) showed us that the raw speed and power of melee damage output was of dire importance. The ranged damage dealers, led by the mages and wizards, did not have the staying power of a rogue who might be subject to random AoE at close range. They had to rely on the incredible fury of their spells and the relative safety that distance brings in a battle.

In Champions Online, that division is magnified. Ranged and melee characters can select all the same defensive powers, meaning that melee characters must, by the very nature of close combat, expose themselves to more risk. The advent of superhuman mobility multiplies the divide even further -- while a ranged character can flee at incredible speeds, melee characters require special advantages to get in close and stay there.

The Super Power Pack came out a while ago and while I talked a lot about it in its early stages, I didn't get a chance to cover how the devs' final answer to these problems worked out or what the landscape of melee is today.

That's changing now.

Continue reading Behind the Mask: Taking a knife to a gun fight

MassivelyBehind the Mask: Taking a knife to a gun fight originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 10 Jun 2010 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>behind-the-maskchampions-onlinecocrypticcryptic-champions-onlinecryptic-cocryptic-studiosfeaturedmeleemelee-DPSsuper-power-packyoutubeThu, 10 Jun 2010 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[TERA class trailer available on YouTube]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/25/tera-class-trailer-available-on-youtube/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/25/tera-class-trailer-available-on-youtube/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/25/tera-class-trailer-available-on-youtube/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

We here at Massively are unabashedly looking forward to TERA, the forthcoming fantasy action MMORPG from Bluehole Studio and En Masse Entertainment. For those of you who were unable to attend this year's GDC10, En Masse has helpfully released the teaser trailer (that originally debuted at the conference way back in March) on YouTube.

The two-minute video focuses on the game's eight classes, and was created using in-game footage. Taking center stage are the Slayer, the Archer, the Lancer, the Warrior, the Sorcerer, the Berserker, the Priest and the Mystic, each featuring a few moments of gameplay footage interspersed with some brief concept art shots. Check out the trailer embedded after the cut or over on YouTube.

Continue reading TERA class trailer available on YouTube

MassivelyTERA class trailer available on YouTube originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 25 May 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BlueHolebluehole-studioclass-trailerclassesen-masseen-masse-entertainmentgdc-2010teratera-onlinetrailervideoyoutubeTue, 25 May 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: A community guide to EVE Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/02/eve-evolved-a-community-guide-to-eve-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/02/eve-evolved-a-community-guide-to-eve-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/02/eve-evolved-a-community-guide-to-eve-online/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Some time ago, Massively started up a whole slew of new weekly columns, each covering a specific MMO. Each week, they bring guides, editorials, interviews and community news in a similar way to what I've been doing with EVE Evolved over the past two years. Each of the new columns started with a definitive community guide showcasing handy links to useful websites, blogs and tools. This week it's my turn to give EVE Online the community guide treatment. This article will be updated periodically with new links as they make themselves known. If you have a useful EVE link you think would belong in the community guide, leave a comment with it.

Skip past the cut for a breakdown of some of EVE's most important community links.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: A community guide to EVE Online

MassivelyEVE Evolved: A community guide to EVE Online originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 02 May 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>app-storeApplicationappsccpccp-eveccp-gamescommunity-guideeveeve-ccpeve-community-guideeve-evolvedeve-mmorpgeve-onlineEVElopediafacebookfeaturedforumsguideguideskillboardpodcaststoolstwitterwikipediayoutubeSun, 02 May 2010 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[FFXIV gameplay footage explores cities, chocobos and emotes]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/31/ffxiv-gameplay-footage-explores-cities-chocobos-and-emotes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/31/ffxiv-gameplay-footage-explores-cities-chocobos-and-emotes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/31/ffxiv-gameplay-footage-explores-cities-chocobos-and-emotes/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

A lot of news has been coming out for Final Fantasy XIV lately, and we're quite happy to see it. Today we've got what appears to be (the first episode of what's sure to be recurring) in-game footage of players exploring one of Eorzea's cities on the game's official Japanese YouTube channel. There's a moment in the clip where the Japanese players speaking throughout are amazed to find a Chocobo and well, it's pretty entertaining to watch -- especially when the video gets to the part where it reveals that old Tarutaru emotes are fully intact. Panic!

We're also getting another tiny peek at the user interface for Final Fantasy XIV in the video. From what we can see here, Square Enix is keeping the memorable "Send/Receive" graphic, which blinks with a strange hypnotic rhythm. The mini-map and health/mana bars both look quite useful yet unobtrusive, too. Overall, everything about this game screams, "Final Fantasy XI, but newer and hopefully improved." We hope that proves to be wholly true in the coming months.

MassivelyFFXIV gameplay footage explores cities, chocobos and emotes originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 31 Mar 2010 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chocobocityemoteseorzeaffxivfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-xifinal-fantasy-xivin-game-footagejapanjapanesesquare-enixtarutarutraileruiuser-interfacevideoxbox-360youtubeWed, 31 Mar 2010 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[ArenaNet releases fourth Guild Wars 2 concept art video]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/26/arenanet-releases-fourth-guild-wars-2-concept-art-video/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/26/arenanet-releases-fourth-guild-wars-2-concept-art-video/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/26/arenanet-releases-fourth-guild-wars-2-concept-art-video/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

The final Guild Wars 2 concept art slideshow is finally out, and ArenaNet finished up with a bang. Monsters, armor/clothing, and landscapes were the theme of this video, with the camera panning across some truly breathtaking locations both above and below the sea and enough creature images to qualify as a bestiary. While the last video seemed to focus more on details, this one contains plenty of long, sweeping views that give us an overall view of areas that are becoming very familiar to us. The distinct look and feel of each of the five races has become more apparent with each round of art released, and it's fairly easy to identify what we're looking at in that respect.

While we know the focus is mainly on the art, we'd be amiss in not giving a nod to those who added the music and sound effects. These added a dimension to each slideshow that became very apparent during the brief technical difficulties of the second video. We -- and the Guild Wars community -- say thanks to the amazing talent behind the art, animations, video, and music given in these four slideshows.

Follow along after the jump to see for yourself. As with the last slideshow, it couldn't hurt to watch all the way to the end. Just in case.

Continue reading ArenaNet releases fourth Guild Wars 2 concept art video

MassivelyArenaNet releases fourth Guild Wars 2 concept art video originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 26 Mar 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arenanetconcept-artdaniel-dociudaniel-dociu-gdcguild-warsGuild-Wars-2youtubeFri, 26 Mar 2010 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Help develop Tyrannis on the EVE test server]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/17/help-develop-tyrannis-on-the-eve-test-server/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/17/help-develop-tyrannis-on-the-eve-test-server/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/17/help-develop-tyrannis-on-the-eve-test-server/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

EVE Online's Tyrannis expansion is due for release in a few months and players are looking forward to the new planetary interaction mechanic. Although the core ideas for the expansion have been settled on, many of the game mechanics have not been fully fleshed out. In an effort to get players involved, CCP have begun releasing early prototypes of the planetary interaction feature on the EVE test server Singularity. It's important to keep in mind that nothing on the test server is final. As a studio that makes heavy use of agile development strategies, CCP will use feedback from players on the test server to incrementally refine the design.

Dierdra Val, director of EVE University, has been on the test server to bring the EVE community details of CCP's current designs. They've released a video showing the process of installing structures on a planet and setting up factory links. So far, planetary interaction seems very similar to the moon mining and reacting industry but it's definitely a much more active process. While moon mining operations produce an endless supply of moon minerals at a steady rate, planet-based material deposits will vary in total size and yield per cycle. The materials produced on planets are also different than those produced by existing industrial operations.

Skip past the cut to watch EVE University's test-server planetary interaction tutorial or set up a test server client and try it out for yourself.

Continue reading Help develop Tyrannis on the EVE test server

MassivelyHelp develop Tyrannis on the EVE test server originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 17 Mar 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-eveccp-gamesdierdra-vaaleveeve-ccpeve-mmorpgeve-onlineeve-unieve-universityfeedbackplanetary interbredplanetary-interactionPlanetaryInterbredsingularitytesttest-servertyrannisvideoyoutubeWed, 17 Mar 2010 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[NetEase starts road back to operating World of Warcraft]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/18/netease-starts-road-back-to-operating-world-of-warcraft/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/18/netease-starts-road-back-to-operating-world-of-warcraft/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/02/18/netease-starts-road-back-to-operating-world-of-warcraft/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

It's time for World of Warcraft players in mainland China to break out the party hats and streamers, because things are finally... well, they're not entirely back on track, but they're at least a blessed sight closer to being back on track. Digital East Asia is reporting that NetEase has finally obtained the license to operate World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade in China after a struggle spanning an insane amount of time.

On the down side, yes, that does appear to be the last expansion, rather than the present one. On the up side, it means that the seemingly interminable bickering between government agencies has finally been sorted out, and players can finally get back to the business of enjoying the game. No word, however, on what this may or may not mean for Wrath of the Lich King, which has allegedly run afoul of Chinese censors.

The entire fiasco may be clearing, but it may have far-reaching consequences even beyond the MMO arena. A recent Chinese fan video has been making the rounds and getting mentions in the Wall Street Journal for its summary and satire of the entire mess, with some rather sharp critiques of censorship and the government's actions in the affair. This post contains background and links to subtitled versions of the video on YouTube, which might prove interesting to those who've been following the madness since the beginning.

MassivelyNetEase starts road back to operating World of Warcraft originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 18 Feb 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EVE Online players who were fortunate enough to attend Fanfest in 2009 kept raving about a collection of animated video backgrounds that were running on screens during panels and presentations. Players were so taken with these that they'd been pressing CCP Games to make them available for download. CCP delivered on their promise this week, making these sweeping tours of the Gallente, Caldari, Amarr, and Minmatar space station interiors available for download in HD.

Once you see them, you'll probably understand why the EVE Fanfest attendees have been wanting them ever since. Those are some fairly hefty file sizes though, so for a quick look you can also see all four of the hangars and a nice selection of each race's ships in HD on YouTube. Stick with us past the jump for a look within an Amarr hangar which shows off the theocratic race's golden fleet.

Continue reading EVE's animated hangar backgrounds available as high-def downloads

MassivelyEVE's animated hangar backgrounds available as high-def downloads originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 19 Jan 2010 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amarrcaldariccpccp-gameseveeve-fanfesteve-onlinegallentehdhigh-defminmatarvideoyoutubeTue, 19 Jan 2010 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Video conveys scale of EVE Online ships]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/15/video-conveys-scale-of-eve-online-ships/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/15/video-conveys-scale-of-eve-online-ships/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/15/video-conveys-scale-of-eve-online-ships/#commentsFiled under: , ,


One of the common gripes we seem to hear about EVE Online is that some gamers can't get used to the idea of a ship being their avatar. In truth, whatever ship you're flying isn't really intended to be your avatar. You're the pilot floating in a fluid-filled capsule within, your mind interfaced with the vessel you're flying and supported by a (generally doomed) crew. The whole capsuleer thing is a major aspect of the game's lore; when you pilot your ship, it's supposed to be an extension of your body and senses in many respects. Maybe that's a bit of a roleplay leap of faith but it seems to work for most players. Still, the fact remains that any time you're seeing a ship in the game you're not seeing an actual human avatar anywhere in or around it. (At least not until Incarna brings avatars into EVE Online.) This means that a sense of the enormity of these ships is, unfortunately, lost. That is, until now.

Our friend hi7ch from the Biomassed blog pointed us in the direction of some video footage captured in Garry's Mod, showing the scale of various EVE ships in relation to the sizes of people and high rises. Even the tiniest frigates in the game are actually quite large, as YouTube user TakeBackTheWorld shows us. If you'd like to check this out we've got a video embed for you after the jump.

Continue reading Video conveys scale of EVE Online ships

MassivelyVideo conveys scale of EVE Online ships originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 15 Jan 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biomassedccpccp-gameseveeve-onlinegarrys-modhi7chincarnascalesci-fishipsvideoyoutubeFri, 15 Jan 2010 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Avatars blue, Second Life concurrency and transactions rise]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/14/avatars-blue-second-life-concurrency-and-transactions-rise/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/14/avatars-blue-second-life-concurrency-and-transactions-rise/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/14/avatars-blue-second-life-concurrency-and-transactions-rise/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


The Second Life user-concurrency and user-to-user transaction figures took a bit of an unexpected jump this week, rising sharply after a year of relatively little motion. Through 2009, user-concurrency has been on a slight, though not terribly significant decline, while user-to-user transactions remained flat and rather unexciting.

The sudden rise coincided with an advertising campaign by Linden Lab, where James Cameron's Avatar and Second Life were rather strongly linked in a series of banner advertisements run on YouTube and as a part of Linden Lab's affiliate program.

Continue reading Avatars blue, Second Life concurrency and transactions rise

MassivelyAvatars blue, Second Life concurrency and transactions rise originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 14 Jan 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advertisingaffiliate-marketingbusiness-modelseconomyjames-cameronjames-camerons-avatarlinden-labroleplayingstatisticsworld-metricsyoutubeThu, 14 Jan 2010 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively's interview with Linden Lab's Catherine Smith, in Amsterdam]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/03/massively-s-interview-with-linden-lab-s-catherine-smith-in-amst/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/03/massively-s-interview-with-linden-lab-s-catherine-smith-in-amst/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/03/massively-s-interview-with-linden-lab-s-catherine-smith-in-amst/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

You might recall that, back in September, Linden Lab CEO Mark Kingdon and the Lab's director of Marketing and Communications Catherine Smith took a trip to Amsterdam, where it was revealed that they were seeking space for a new marketing headquarters for Linden Lab.

Well, the new office isn't open yet - that's coming in January - but Ms Smith has already relocated to Amsterdam, which actually made her a bit easier to catch up with for a talk about the new digs and new initiatives.

Continue reading Massively's interview with Linden Lab's Catherine Smith, in Amsterdam

MassivelyMassively's interview with Linden Lab's Catherine Smith, in Amsterdam originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 03 Jan 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>affiliate-marketingamsterdamcatherine-lindencatherine-smithedelman-preuropefeaturedinterviewsjobsjordaankatrin-lindenlinden-labm-lindenmark-kingdonmmo-industrymoooipenny-arcadesecond-lifevirtual-worldsyoutubeSun, 03 Jan 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fan contest offers chance to win a copy of Global Agenda]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/29/fan-contest-offers-chance-to-win-a-copy-of-global-agenda/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/29/fan-contest-offers-chance-to-win-a-copy-of-global-agenda/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/29/fan-contest-offers-chance-to-win-a-copy-of-global-agenda/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Hi-Rez Studios recently announced the February 1st launch date of Global Agenda, and fans who have been waiting for this news are anxious to get their hands on a copy. Xeros from the Gaming Agenda Conglomerate podcast is willing to help out with his Global Agenda New Year's Giveaway. He's giving away one copy of Global Agenda via Steam, in exchange for a few small tasks.

First, subscribe to his YouTube channel. Then head over to the forums on Cybernetic Punks and post in the contest thread, indicating your interest and giving your YouTube name. Once Xeros confirms that you're subscribed to his channel, you're entered in the drawing.

It's not just a random drawing, however. You can increase chances by currying favor with Xeros. Follow him on Twitter, show some posting activity on the Cyber Punks forum, and you have a bigger shot at winning, according to the Youtube video .

So get to registering, and good luck!

MassivelyFan contest offers chance to win a copy of Global Agenda originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 29 Dec 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>contestcyber-punkscybernetic-punksgaming-agenda-conglomerategiveawayglobal-agendahi-rezhi-rez-studiostwitteryoutubeTue, 29 Dec 2009 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New Blade and Soul movie from NCsoft]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/30/new-blade-and-soul-movie-from-ncsoft/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/30/new-blade-and-soul-movie-from-ncsoft/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/30/new-blade-and-soul-movie-from-ncsoft/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


NCsoft has been working on Blade and Soul, an upcoming title directed at their extensive Korean player base, for a while now. The game has been mostly under the radar until recently. NCsoft released a teaser trailer, and our own Seraphina Brennan took a closer look at it as well.

The newest Blade and Soul news to come out is an eleven minute movie that combines some pretty stunning game footage with a first look at some new information. The movie reveals four classes -- BladeMaster, Kung-Fu Master, Force Master, and Destroyer -- and provides a dynamic, exciting look at how they fight, interact, and move, as well as giving a strong feel for how the class works. The rest of the video follows suit, showing off four races as well as the world that the game is set in.

Follow along after the jump to see for yourself.

Continue reading New Blade and Soul movie from NCsoft

MassivelyNew Blade and Soul movie from NCsoft originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 30 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blade-and-soulblade-and-soul-moviemoviesncsoftyoutubeMon, 30 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Runes of Magic celebrates 10,000 Facebook fans]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/09/runes-of-magic-celebrates-10-000-facebook-fans/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/09/runes-of-magic-celebrates-10-000-facebook-fans/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/09/runes-of-magic-celebrates-10-000-facebook-fans/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Some people will jump on any good reason to celebrate, and we love them for it -- especially when "party" equals "giveaway". Runes of Magic is celebrating a milestone: 10,000 fans on their Facebook page.

They're celebrating by sending fans on a scavenger hunt. Runes of Magic wants you to take a look around their social networking sites: Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube, and find four gold coins that they've hidden. The coins spell out a word when put together. Find the word, head over to the contest page to enter it, and you've got a chance at winning. Ten people will be drawn from the pool of correct entries, with the first prize winner receiving a Leadtek Winfast GeForce GTX 275 graphics card. RoM t-shirts and mugs are up for grabs for nine more people.

To see the list of sites to visit, check the list on the official site, and good luck!

MassivelyRunes of Magic celebrates 10,000 Facebook fans originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>contestfacebookfrogstergiveawayromrunes-of-magictwitteryoutubeMon, 09 Nov 2009 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[DDO releases Gianthold adventure pack video]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/23/ddo-releases-gianthold-adventure-pack-video/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/23/ddo-releases-gianthold-adventure-pack-video/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/23/ddo-releases-gianthold-adventure-pack-video/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Since Turbine switched Dungeons and Dragons Online to a free-to-play model, the game has enjoyed a huge surge in popularity. They're keeping up nicely with the large new player base, offering over 20 adventure packs for all different levels in addition to the main game content.

Earlier this week DDO released a video of one of the newest adventure packs, Ruins of Gianthold. "The Stormreaver plots to destroy Stormreach and fulfill an ancient prophecy! Earn the trust of the Gianthold army and confront the Stormreaver and his dragon lieutenants."

This one is a bit more advanced than some others, designed for level 13-14 players, and contains a generous amount of content: 10 adventures, 45 quests and a raid. Like the other adventure packs, you can find it in the DDO Store. Follow along after the jump for a look at the video, or check it out on Turbine's official YouTube channel.

Continue reading DDO releases Gianthold adventure pack video

MassivelyDDO releases Gianthold adventure pack video originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 23 Oct 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventure-packddodungeons-and-dragons-onlinef2pturbineyoutubeFri, 23 Oct 2009 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Lord of the Rings Online releases Siege of Mirkwood trailer]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/15/lord-of-the-rings-online-releases-siege-of-mirkwood-trailer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/15/lord-of-the-rings-online-releases-siege-of-mirkwood-trailer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/15/lord-of-the-rings-online-releases-siege-of-mirkwood-trailer/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

With the launch of the Lord of the Rings Online expansion Siege of Mirkwood just over six weeks away, we're seeing more and more news to pique our interest. European players were given some great pre-order deals just yesterday, we learned of an exciting new instance, screenshots have been released, and now we've got a trailer! Turbine released the first video trailer today, offering up a little over two minutes of beautiful footage and a compelling enough backstory to get even those unfamiliar with the game interested.

Take a look at the trailer after the jump. Galadriel laments the loss of Greenwood, telling a story of the great forest and it's ruin at the hands of Sauron. "Greenwood is no more. Now we face a land dread and suffering: the black forest of Mirkwood." Her tale segues into a montage of battle clips showing an assortment of creatures that have presumably invaded Mirkwood, and ends with an invitation to "Answer the call of war!"

Yes thank you, we think we will. In fact, we can't wait.

Continue reading Lord of the Rings Online releases Siege of Mirkwood trailer

MassivelyLord of the Rings Online releases Siege of Mirkwood trailer originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 15 Oct 2009 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>expansionlord-of-the-rings-onlinelotrosiege-of-mirkwoodturbinevideoyoutubeThu, 15 Oct 2009 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Turbine reveals DDO and LotRO YouTube channels]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/06/turbine-reveals-ddo-and-lotro-youtube-channels/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/06/turbine-reveals-ddo-and-lotro-youtube-channels/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/06/turbine-reveals-ddo-and-lotro-youtube-channels/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Turbine announced today that they have set up dedicated Youtube channels for Dungeons and Dragons Online and Lord of the Rings Online. They added something special for fans on the Lord of the Rings Online channel and uploaded the videos from LotRO's "Beyond the Shadows: Making of the Game" in HQ.

This is a treat for LotRO fans, as the Beyond the Shadows DVD was only available by purchasing the special edition of The Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar in 2007. The video series begins with Executive Producer Jeffrey Steefel giving an overview of the game's intro cinematic, and continues with five more videos discussing creation and design of everything from monsters to weapons and armor.

The Dungeons and Dragons Online channel doesn't disappoint either, offering up community videos and information on some available adventure packs. Both channels look to be off to a great start, and with Turbine taking the time to split them from the official Turbine channel, it should be worth clicking the subscribe button.

MassivelyTurbine reveals DDO and LotRO YouTube channels originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 06 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ddoddo-unlimitedlord of the ringslord-of-the-rings-onlineLordOfTheRingslotroturbineyoutubeTue, 06 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Star Wars: The Old Republic video compiles all in-game footage to date]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/25/star-wars-the-old-republic-video-compiles-all-in-game-footage-t/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/25/star-wars-the-old-republic-video-compiles-all-in-game-footage-t/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/25/star-wars-the-old-republic-video-compiles-all-in-game-footage-t/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


It's probably not much an exaggeration to say that Star Wars: The Old Republic is one of the most hotly anticipated MMOs slated for release in the not-too-distant future. (At least if our traffic related to The Old Republic is any indication.) While the E3 2009 trailer was absolutely stunning the real question is, what will the actual game look like? An impressive trailer means very little if a game doesn't meet expectations.

We've seen bits and pieces of SWTOR gameplay over the past few months, but the guys over at Wandering Goblin came across a compilation of pretty much all of the released in-game footage to date. A fan named "xxHIMxx" compiled it all, and is definitely worth a look for anyone interested in the game, showing off some of the scenery and combat mechanics to be found in Star Wars: The Old Republic. We've got a video embed for you after the jump:

Continue reading Star Wars: The Old Republic video compiles all in-game footage to date

MassivelyStar Wars: The Old Republic video compiles all in-game footage to date originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 25 Jun 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>sci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republicvideovideoswandering-goblinyoutubeThu, 25 Jun 2009 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fox Mulder gets all up in your Second Life]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/18/fox-mulder-gets-all-up-in-your-second-life/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/18/fox-mulder-gets-all-up-in-your-second-life/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/18/fox-mulder-gets-all-up-in-your-second-life/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Realizing the vast amounts of time honest to goodness citizens spend on social media sites and in virtual worlds, the FBI has decided to jump aboard the Web 2.0 train to aid in their never-ending search for terrorists, fugitives, missing children, and new potential recruits.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation now has a presence on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, iPhone, and Second Life. They even have widgets you can embed almost anywhere to show your support. If staring at billboards plastered with America's most wanted and assorted recruitment ads is your idea of fun, you might check them out.

This isn't just a lame PR attempt, though it may seem that way at first glance. The FBI is truly interested in reaching out to individuals who may be able to help them with their mission, "To protect and defend the United States against terrorist and foreign intelligence threats, to uphold and enforce the criminal laws of the United States, and to provide leadership and criminal justice services to federal, state, municipal, and international agencies and partners."

MassivelyFox Mulder gets all up in your Second Life originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 18 May 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crimecyber-crimefacebookfbifederal-bureau-of-investigationfugitivesiphonelinden-labsecond-lifeterroriststwitterweb-2.0youtubeMon, 18 May 2009 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Second Life pwns Gordon Freeman, Warhammer Online, others]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/07/second-life-pwns-gordon-freeman-warhammer-online-others/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/07/second-life-pwns-gordon-freeman-warhammer-online-others/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/07/second-life-pwns-gordon-freeman-warhammer-online-others/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


Wagner James Au at New World Notes is carrying some surprising data from ratings giant, Nielsen Media Research. From actual measurements of usage across over 180,000 homes in the USA, Linden Lab's Second Life (paradoxically measured under the 'PC games' category) rates the number two most played title, just behind World of Warcraft.

Forget Warhammer Online, or EVE Online, they don't even make the top ten. World of Warcraft and Second Life beat out Gordon Freeman (Half Life 2), Civilization IV and StarCraft. As for actual weekly usage, Second Life is top of the pops at an average of 760 minutes per user per week. World of Warcraft earns the top spot with 653 minutes per user per week, but has a whole lot more users.

How about Google's YouTube, the 800 pound gorilla and market leader of online video? Just 47 minutes per week (figure from C|net).

Facebook? 84 minutes per week. Myspace, just 10.5 minutes per week (figures from ITProPortal).

This data is measured from actual homes, as we mentioned. Almost 200,000 of them, so it isn't just data that's centric to the hardcore gamer. This is a random sampling of ordinary people.

Are you a part of the most widely-known collaborative virtual environment or keeping a close eye on it? Massively's Second Life coverage keeps you in the loop.

MassivelySecond Life pwns Gordon Freeman, Warhammer Online, others originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 07 May 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingcivilization-iveve-onlinefacebookgordon-freemanhalf-life-2hamlet-aumyspacenew-world-notesnielsen-gamesstarcraftwagner-james-auwarhammer-onlineworld-of-warcraftyoutubeThu, 07 May 2009 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Global Agenda announces fan video contest]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/15/global-agenda-announces-fan-video-contest/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/15/global-agenda-announces-fan-video-contest/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/15/global-agenda-announces-fan-video-contest/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,


As Hi-Rez Studios prepares for Global Agenda's launch later this year, they've recently announced a video contest where fans can create their own promotional videos and win valuable prizes. This contest, which runs from now until May 10th, is supplemented by their Fan Video Kit, providing would-be directors with all the assets they'd need to create the best promotional video.

This contest will be done in conjunction with Hi-Rez Studios' YouTube channel, as all video submissions must be on YouTube. Winners will be judged on several different categories, including Most Humorous, Best Representation of the Game, Best 30-second Commercial, Best Produced and Most Viral. The "Overall Best" winner will receive a $200 Amazon gift certificate, and all winners will receive a special mention on the website and an upcoming press release. If you think you've got what it takes to make the best Global Agenda promotional video, head on over to their forums to read the complete rules. Also be sure to watch the team's promotional video -- for this promotional video contest -- just after the cut below.

Continue reading Global Agenda announces fan video contest

MassivelyGlobal Agenda announces fan video contest originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 15 Apr 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>contestfan-videoglobal-agendahi-rez-studiosvideoyoutubeWed, 15 Apr 2009 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Earthrise video footage a peek at PvP combat]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/11/earthrise-video-footage-a-peek-at-pvp-combat/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/11/earthrise-video-footage-a-peek-at-pvp-combat/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/11/earthrise-video-footage-a-peek-at-pvp-combat/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Masthead Studios now has a YouTube page for their upcoming title Earthrise. The first video they've put up is very short, but we thought our readers might be interested to know it's there, in any case. "Earthrise Dynamic Targeting" is a quick (and annotated) look at PvP in Earthrise.

The footage shows a character geared towards close combat engaging another close combat opponent, as well as a second equipped for ranged attacks. We see that although Earthrise combatants see their character and surroundings in third person, players manually target their opponents with crosshairs. As the video annotations mention, the game is in early closed beta and what is shown in this footage is still rough. Masthead Studios expects to roll out improvements over time, including improved animations and graphics as well as UI changes. If you're interested in seeing more of Earthrise, we've got the video embed for you below the cut.

Continue reading Earthrise video footage a peek at PvP combat

MassivelyEarthrise video footage a peek at PvP combat originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 11 Apr 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atanas-atansovearthrisemasthead-studiospost-apocalypticpvpsci-fivideovideosyoutubeSat, 11 Apr 2009 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Black Prophecy cinematic trailer reveals ancient Restorer race]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/30/black-prophecy-cinematic-trailer-reveals-ancient-restorer-race/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/30/black-prophecy-cinematic-trailer-reveals-ancient-restorer-race/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/30/black-prophecy-cinematic-trailer-reveals-ancient-restorer-race/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


Among the upcoming sci-fi MMO releases we're curious about is Black Prophecy, a title in development at Reakktor Media in Germany. Black Prophecy's backdrop is a far future setting where conflict rages between humanity's two evolutionary offshoots; the biologically-superior Genides wage war against the technologically-superior Tyi. Each opposed faction threatens to wipe out the existence of their rival, but both the Genides and Tyi now face a greater common threat, the ancient Restorer alien race.

Reakktor released a cinematic trailer for Black Prophecy today that shows off aggressive fleet battles and new ship designs, while giving us a closer look at the Restorers. We've got a YouTube embed of the Black Prophecy cinematic trailer for you below, best viewed in fullscreen HD:

Gallery: Black Prophecy

Continue reading Black Prophecy cinematic trailer reveals ancient Restorer race

MassivelyBlack Prophecy cinematic trailer reveals ancient Restorer race originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 30 Mar 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>black-prophecyfuturefuturisticgenidesgermanyhannoverlorenew-titlesracesreakktor-mediarestorersci-fispacetrailerstyivideoyoutubeMon, 30 Mar 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Video tutorial explains EVE Online's new exploration system]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/13/video-tutorial-explains-eve-onlines-new-exploration-system/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/13/video-tutorial-explains-eve-onlines-new-exploration-system/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/13/video-tutorial-explains-eve-onlines-new-exploration-system/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


The latest expansion for EVE Online is Apocrypha, which has added numerous exploration-intensive elements to the sci-fi game. Apocrypha brought drag-and-drop to the exploration system, making the discovery of hidden encounters (and now wormholes) a more visual process than the old system. However, for those players who are accustomed to the old methods of exploration, Apocrypha's revamped system can take some getting used to. EVE Online developer CCP Greyscale posted a dev blog earlier in the week which is a visual tutorial explaining how to find all that hidden content in the game. It's pretty much essential reading for any would-be explorers in New Eden.

We also came across a player-created video tutorial showing how it's done, by Espoir from TridentGuild. The video covers everything from exploration probe placement to how to focus in on the signatures you discover. We've got the YouTube embed of the Apocrypha exploration tutorial for you below the cut:

Continue reading Video tutorial explains EVE Online's new exploration system

MassivelyVideo tutorial explains EVE Online's new exploration system originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 13 Mar 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apocryphaccp-greyscaledev-blogeve-onlineexpansionsexplorationexplorergame-mechanicsnew-edensci-fitips-and-trickstridentguildvideovideo-tutorialsyoutubeFri, 13 Mar 2009 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Online Apocrypha expansion trailer kicks off storyline events]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/07/eve-online-apocrypha-expansion-trailer-kicks-off-storyline-event/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/07/eve-online-apocrypha-expansion-trailer-kicks-off-storyline-event/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/07/eve-online-apocrypha-expansion-trailer-kicks-off-storyline-event/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


CCP Games just dropped the trailer for EVE Online's Apocrypha expansion, which sets the tone for the storyline players will soon experience. The trailer depicts a cataclysmic event which creates rifts in space-time throughout the New Eden galaxy, affecting all of the races.

We see fleets of ships investigating the anomalies and take their first journeys through wormholes, emerging in unknown space. There, the explorers find bizarre structures whose design is unknown to New Eden's races. These space stations house the technology behind Tech III, advanced modular ship designs, but seizing technology potentially thousands of years beyond that of the capsuleers awakens long-dormant defenses: the drones of the ancient Sleeper race.

We've got the YouTube embed of the Apocrypha trailer in HD for you below the cut.

Continue reading EVE Online Apocrypha expansion trailer kicks off storyline events

MassivelyEVE Online Apocrypha expansion trailer kicks off storyline events originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 07 Mar 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apocryphabreakingccp-gameseveeve-onlineexpansionsexplorationlorenew-edenracessci-fisleepersstorylinetech-3tech-iiithe-sleeperstrailertrailersvideowormhole-explorationwormholesyoutubeSat, 07 Mar 2009 18:00:00 EST