Massively http://www.massively.com Massively http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif Massively http://www.massively.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[Captain's Log: STO's Caitian Carriers and Klingon Kitties]]>http://www.massively.com/2012/05/21/captain-s-log-sto-s-caitian-carriers-and-klingon-kitties/http://www.massively.com/2012/05/21/captain-s-log-sto-s-caitian-carriers-and-klingon-kitties/http://www.massively.com/2012/05/21/captain-s-log-sto-s-caitian-carriers-and-klingon-kitties/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

STO
Lately I've beginning to wonder whether the wait for Star Trek Online's Season Six has been as interminable for other players as it seems to have been for me. Although the past several weeks have been busy in the real-life side of things, those distractions really haven't been all that good at harboring my frustration about the wait for the new stuff as I would have liked.

Season Six is being readied for a move to STO's test server, Tribble, in the next couple of weeks, according to the most recent Ask Cryptic as answered by the game's Executive Producer, Dan Stahl. The new patch will contain fleet starbases and a new fleet advancement system but not much else in the way of story-based content.

That's not unexpected, however, as not one of the previous Season releases really ever contained story-based content; they've merely been game-technology pushes, and I understand that Season Six will be no different.

However a couple of things have come out to the game in the past few weeks that have ruffled some hard-core Trek-fan feathers: Caitian Carriers and Ferasans.

Continue reading Captain's Log: STO's Caitian Carriers and Klingon Kitties

MassivelyCaptain's Log: STO's Caitian Carriers and Klingon Kitties originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 21 May 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>caitiancanoncanonitecaptains-logCBScbs-studioscrypticcryptic-studiosdan-stahldaniel-stahlf2pfeaturedferasanfree-to-playian-richardsloreopinionperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentpweracessci-fishipsstar-trekstar-trek-mmostar-trek-onlinestoMon, 21 May 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wings Over Atreia: Touring Tiamaranta]]>http://www.massively.com/2012/05/21/wings-over-atreia-touring-tiamaranta/http://www.massively.com/2012/05/21/wings-over-atreia-touring-tiamaranta/http://www.massively.com/2012/05/21/wings-over-atreia-touring-tiamaranta/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Wings Over Atreia
If the eeriness of the truce between the Elyos and the Asmodians in Aion's new land of Sarpan wigs you out and makes you long for a good old-fashioned tussle, you can always head on over to Tiamaranta. Although the entire zone is not open for PvP, all four corners and the center are cordoned off for your opponent-bashing pleasure. In fact, Tiamaranta's Eye is often hopping as both sides contest mobs and try to land one of the bosses.

But even if you aren't in the mood for a bloody round of patty-cake, there is plenty of PvE and exploring to be had in this ecologically diverse land with a variety of new mobs to see (and dispatch) and new tasks to accomplish. Not able to make the trip yourself right now? Join Wings over Atreia's guided tour and get a taste of Tiamaranta.

Gallery: Aion: Ascension

Continue reading Wings Over Atreia: Touring Tiamaranta

MassivelyWings Over Atreia: Touring Tiamaranta originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 21 May 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aionascensionf2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playguideguidesHearts-of-TiamatncsoftopinionpvepvpsiegesiegesTiamarantaTiamarantas-Eyetourwings-over-atreiaMon, 21 May 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Leaderboard: Permadeath vs. no permadeath]]>http://www.massively.com/2012/05/21/leaderboard-permadeath-vs-no-permadeath/http://www.massively.com/2012/05/21/leaderboard-permadeath-vs-no-permadeath/http://www.massively.com/2012/05/21/leaderboard-permadeath-vs-no-permadeath/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Permadeath
Permadeath is one of those game mechanics that seems destined to forever be nibbling away at the fringe of the MMO genre than invited to the cool kids' table. Many players find themselves aghast at the notion of losing all their hard-earned progress with one untimely demise, and it seems like game developers agree with them: Very few MMOs have any sort of permadeath option.

However, this most-severest-of-severe death penalties does persist. Some players elect to form guilds and meta-groups to pursue a permadeath lifestyle in their games. A few upcoming titles, such as Salem and Wizardry Online, have permadeath as a core mechanic. Even the recently released Diablo III has a "hardcore" permadeath mode for the brave at heart.

The question we put before you today is yet another nibble that may never be noticed by the mainstream, but it's important to consider: Is permadeath worth including in MMO design, even as an optional mechanic or server, or should this brand of death penalty kick the bucket once and for all? Vote after the jump!

Continue reading Leaderboard: Permadeath vs. no permadeath

MassivelyLeaderboard: Permadeath vs. no permadeath originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 21 May 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>action-rpgbattle-royalbattlenetblizzardblizzard-entertainmentbrowserbrowser-basedcash-shopd3ddodiablodiablo-2diablo-3diablo-iidiablo-iiidnddungeons-and-dragonsdungeons-and-dragons-onlinef2pfantasyfree-to-playgothic-fantasyhistoricalleaderboardmultiplayernew-englandone-on-oneone-vs-oneonline-multiplayeropinionparadoxparadox-interactivepermadeathpermanent-deathpollpollsroguelikerpgsalemsandboxturbineturbine-entertainmentversusvotevotesvotingvswizardry-onlineMon, 21 May 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Anvil of Crom: Downgrading an Age of Conan account to F2P]]>http://www.massively.com/2012/05/21/the-anvil-of-crom-downgrading-an-age-of-conan-account-to-f2p/http://www.massively.com/2012/05/21/the-anvil-of-crom-downgrading-an-age-of-conan-account-to-f2p/http://www.massively.com/2012/05/21/the-anvil-of-crom-downgrading-an-age-of-conan-account-to-f2p/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

The Anvil of Crom - Comparing Age of Conan's free and premium services
As I mentioned last time, I'm currently test-driving the EU servers. As such, my Age of Conan subscription fee is spoken for, and my US server characters are now relegated to free-to-play status. Since I'm still deciding on an EU main (I just rerolled after getting a PoM to 22), I figured I'd use this week's column to take a quick look at my veteran account through the eyes of a free-to-play customer.

When AoC Unchained debuted last summer, I read the account services matrix like everyone else, but to be frank, I didn't pay it much attention because I'd always been a subscriber. In the back of my mind, I figured that anyone who's halfway serious about Age of Conan would want to sub up, and my experiences this weekend have only reinforced that notion.

Continue reading The Anvil of Crom: Downgrading an Age of Conan account to F2P

MassivelyThe Anvil of Crom: Downgrading an Age of Conan account to F2P originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 21 May 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aaa-f2paccount-downgradeage-of-conanage-of-conan-account-downgradeage-of-conan-extended-trialage-of-conan-f2p-matrixage-of-conan-free-vs-premiumage-of-conan-unchainedanvil-of-cromaocaoc-account-downgradeaoc-advanced-ridingaoc-downgradeaoc-mountsaoc-unchainedaoc-veteran-rewardsbusiness-modelsconandowngradef2pf2p-conversionsf2p-matrixf2tfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playfree-to-tryfreemiumfreemium-conversionfuncomgodslayerhyboriakhitaikhitai-f2popinionrise-of-the-godslayerthe-anvil-of-cromtrialunchainedMon, 21 May 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Do you wait for MMO cash-shop sales?]]>http://www.massively.com/2012/05/21/the-daily-grind-do-you-wait-for-mmo-cash-shop-sales/http://www.massively.com/2012/05/21/the-daily-grind-do-you-wait-for-mmo-cash-shop-sales/http://www.massively.com/2012/05/21/the-daily-grind-do-you-wait-for-mmo-cash-shop-sales/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Paragon Market, CoH
When Lord of the Rings Online first went free-to-play, Turbine put quest zones on sale for a song, and I missed it. There's never been as good a sale since, and I regret being slow on the draw. So I vowed to start watching sales across the F2P games I frequent very carefully. Sparklepony for 10 bucks? Woot. City of Heroes character slots 50% off? Heck yes. It's become a game in and of itself, and sometimes I admit that I plunk down a little money for a sale on something in a game I've drifted away from, knowing I'll use it later (like Guild Wars' storage panels, which I delayed buying for several years until they were half off).

This method had definitely ensured that I save money on stuff I would have bought at full price had I lacked the patience and planning to play the cash-shop sale game. What about you guys? Do you wait for MMO cash-shop sales for the stuff you want to buy, even if that means you must wait to have the latest and greatest power set or inventory slot? Or do you just let your whims dictate your purchases?

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: Do you wait for MMO cash-shop sales? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 21 May 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brianna-royce-tdgcash-shopcash-shop-salecity-of-heroescohdaily-grindguild-warslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotroopinionpatiencepatience-is-a-virtuetdgthe-daily-grindMon, 21 May 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Evolved: Preparing for the Inferno expansion]]>http://www.massively.com/2012/05/20/eve-evolved-preparing-for-the-inferno-expansion/http://www.massively.com/2012/05/20/eve-evolved-preparing-for-the-inferno-expansion/http://www.massively.com/2012/05/20/eve-evolved-preparing-for-the-inferno-expansion/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

EVE Evolved title image
The Inferno expansion is set to launch on Tuesday May 22nd, promising a complete revamp of EVE Online's war declaration system and a whole host of new modules. If you're in a wardec corp, you'll need to make a few adjustments to the way you operate when the patch goes live. The minimum war fee will increase to 50 million ISK even if you're declaring war on a small corporation, making very small corps less-appealing targets. The fee increases based on the number of members in the target corp, but it doesn't start increasing until around the 130-member mark. If you want to get your money's worth, you'll be best off picking a target corp with 100-150 members or selecting very high-value small targets.

Be very wary of wardeccing large alliances after the patch. While the previous war system swung in favour of the attacker, the new system has gone to the opposite extreme. Large corps and alliances are now significantly more costly and dangerous to declare war on, especially as the defender can now call mercenaries into the war at any time. Players have complained that the increasing war costs could be abused by getting all alliance members to add alts to the corp, but this would be a logistical nightmare to apply in practice and would increase fees by only a few hundred million ISK. If alt padding becomes a problem, CCP will undoubtedly step in and revise the fee structure.

In this week's EVE Evolved, I look at the new modules and gameplay changes coming in Tuesday's Inferno expansion and give some tips on preparing for the patch.

Continue reading EVE Evolved: Preparing for the Inferno expansion

MassivelyEVE Evolved: Preparing for the Inferno expansion originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 20 May 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ancillaryarchaeologybhaalgornblobblobbingblueprintblueprintsccpccp-gamesdominixeveeve-evolvedeve-onlineexpansionexplorationfeaturedfleetganghackinginfernolabsmagnetometricmagsheathneutraliserpvpradarresearchsandboxsci-fishield-boostershield-tankingtanktankingtech-1tech-2wormholeSun, 20 May 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rise and Shiny: BatMUD]]>http://www.massively.com/2012/05/20/rise-and-shiny-batmud/http://www.massively.com/2012/05/20/rise-and-shiny-batmud/http://www.massively.com/2012/05/20/rise-and-shiny-batmud/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

BatMUD UI screenshot
Here I am making myself crazy once again. Why? Why do I insist on visiting games that I know will provoke issues both physical and mental? I guess it's because lately I have been fascinated with MUDs, or multi-user-dungeons. They are better described as text-based MMOs or choose-your-own-adventure books written with thousands of other players. It's a fascinating concept, especially when you consider how dissimilar it is to today's modern, easy-to-play offerings. The ancient design of the MUD now feels fresh, so much so that I have decided to dedicate a future article about the possibility of MUDs' viability in today's three-dimensional world.

I have found some good and some very bad over the last several weeks. I've also stumbled across brand-new versions of the migraines that often bother me when I concentrate way, way too hard on PC text. I have to admit that my issues do not seem that common, but it is important to look at a game from all angles, even from the angle of someone who has specific issues. BatMUD has tested my patience over the last few weeks and several hours. It's also shown me some wonderful adventure and sparked my imagination.

Continue reading Rise and Shiny: BatMUD

MassivelyRise and Shiny: BatMUD originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 20 May 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BatMUDbeau-hindmanf2pfeaturedfree-to-playhands-onlivestreammassively-tvmudmulti-user-dungeonrise-and-shinystreamthreshold-rpgtwitchtwitch-tvvideoSun, 20 May 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: How important is surprise to you?]]>http://www.massively.com/2012/05/20/the-daily-grind-how-important-is-surprise-to-you/http://www.massively.com/2012/05/20/the-daily-grind-how-important-is-surprise-to-you/http://www.massively.com/2012/05/20/the-daily-grind-how-important-is-surprise-to-you/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Of course, the fifth time you see the sea serpent it doesn't really shock you.
For some players, MMOs are all about discovery. The game is at its most fun when you're just exploring the world, figuring out what you need to do as best you can. But to other players, wandering around without a clue isn't as fun as knowing what to do and enjoying that actual accomplishment.

Of course, surprises come in both big and small varieties. No matter how well you might know Star Wars: The Old Republic's quests, for example, you might avoid looking up all of the datacrons and thus get a pleasant surprise when you find one. Or maybe you don't like knowing about the bosses you'll fight in a dungeon until you get into the fight.

We all like discovering things, but what we like to discover varies. So what about you? How important is having surprises in a game for you? Do you like to walk in with as little foreknowledge as possible, or do you like to have a pretty good map in your head before you start playing?

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: How important is surprise to you? originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 20 May 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>culturedaily-grinddiscoveryexplorationexplorersopinionsurprisesurprisestdgthe-daily-grindSun, 20 May 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Mog Log: A decade of Final Fantasy XI]]>http://www.massively.com/2012/05/19/the-mog-log-a-decade-of-final-fantasy-xi/http://www.massively.com/2012/05/19/the-mog-log-a-decade-of-final-fantasy-xi/http://www.massively.com/2012/05/19/the-mog-log-a-decade-of-final-fantasy-xi/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

The Mog Log header by A. Fienemann
Generally speaking, when I celebrate anniversaries, I celebrate the point when the game actually came out in a language that I could play it. This is relevant in the case of Final Fantasy XI, since the game took a year and a half to reach the shores of America (also known as "the place I live"). I learned my lesson about trying to learn a language just to muddle through a game back with Final Fantasy III.

However, when one of our eagle-eyed readers pointed out to me the milestone that the game had hit, that made an impact because even if I couldn't understand any of the game's text back when it launched, a decade is a long time for continuous operation of anything. So rather than talking about the Legacy campaign as I'd planned, I think I'd rather talk about the legacy of Final Fantasy XI this week, including where the game has gone from its state at launch. You know, when a Black Mage could make the entire world bow and you still got attacked when riding a chocobo.

Continue reading The Mog Log: A decade of Final Fantasy XI

MassivelyThe Mog Log: A decade of Final Fantasy XI originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 19 May 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anniversaryconsoleconsolesdecadedesigndevelopmentfantasyfeaturedffff11ffxifinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-11final-fantasy-xilaunch-anniversarymog-logopinionretrospectivesquaresquare-enixsquenixthe-mog-logSat, 19 May 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Tattered Notebook: Peeling back the layers of time]]>http://www.massively.com/2012/05/19/the-tattered-notebook-peeling-back-the-layers-of-time/http://www.massively.com/2012/05/19/the-tattered-notebook-peeling-back-the-layers-of-time/http://www.massively.com/2012/05/19/the-tattered-notebook-peeling-back-the-layers-of-time/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

EQII flying
I was watching Shrek with my kids the other day, and one of my favorite scenes is Shrek's stroll with Donkey when they first meet. Shrek tries to explain how Ogres are like onions and how both have layers. When you think about it, EverQuest II is also like an onion because it has layer after layer of content and features that have stacked up over the years. In fact, some players have argued that there's almost too much to do, particularly at the lower levels.

I have always loved the fact that EverQuest II has been willing to try out new ideas over the years, and some of them have been remarkably successful. But there are a few that have gotten lost in the shuffle, while others have ended up directly conflicting with later additions of content. In this week's Tattered Notebook, we'll peel back the onion and look at the lost and conflicting layers of EQII.

Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: Peeling back the layers of time

MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: Peeling back the layers of time originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 19 May 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battlegroundseqeq-2eq-iieq2eqiiEQII-arenasEQII-creaturesEQII-dungeon-finderEQII-lfgEQII-mentoringeverquesteverquest-2everquest-iif2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playkaren-bryanlevel-agnosticopinionscryingsoesonysony-online-entertainmenttattered-notebookthe-tattered-notebookSat, 19 May 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Road to Mordor: Five ways LotRO should be streamlined]]>http://www.massively.com/2012/05/19/the-road-to-mordor-five-ways-lotro-should-be-streamlined/http://www.massively.com/2012/05/19/the-road-to-mordor-five-ways-lotro-should-be-streamlined/http://www.massively.com/2012/05/19/the-road-to-mordor-five-ways-lotro-should-be-streamlined/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

LotRO
You would think that growth and expansion is nothing but a good thing for MMOs -- after all, those are the hallmarks of the genre. But as these games get bigger, issues emerge as the developers add new zones, features, and systems. In short, maturing MMOs gravitate toward complexity, and this can have an adverse effect on the game as a whole.

The problem is that there is eventually too much a brand-new player has to absorb and master, not to mention the hassle of rolling alts and having to navigate all of that content once more. If developers don't stay on top of the situation, then the game starts to lose overall cohesion and becomes a befuddling mess.

With three expansions and numerous updates under its belt, Lord of the Rings Online is venturing deep into this territory. I have friends who are leveling up for the first time and finding themselves overwhelmed with everything that needs doing as well as all the systems that are not clearly explained. So today I want to play backseat developer and talk about five ways that LotRO should be streamlined for the good of all players, old and new.

Continue reading The Road to Mordor: Five ways LotRO should be streamlined

MassivelyThe Road to Mordor: Five ways LotRO should be streamlined originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 19 May 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>action-rpgactivisionbattlenetblizzardblizzard-entertainmentcash-shopd3deed-logsdeedsdiablodiablo-2diablo-3diablo-iidiablo-iiievendimf2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playgothic-fantasylegendary-itemslegendary-traitlegendary-traitslilord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelorebooklotromoriamultiplayeronline-multiplayeropinionrevampreworkroad-to-mordorroguelikerpgstatsstreamlinethe-road-to-mordorturbineturbine-entertainmentvirtue-systemvirtueswarcraftwikiworld-of-warcraftwowSat, 19 May 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: How much character customization is too much?]]>http://www.massively.com/2012/05/19/the-daily-grind-how-much-character-customization-is-too-much/http://www.massively.com/2012/05/19/the-daily-grind-how-much-character-customization-is-too-much/http://www.massively.com/2012/05/19/the-daily-grind-how-much-character-customization-is-too-much/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Spirit Tales
Forty million. That's how many fashion combinations Spirit Tales is boasting. Forget, for a moment, whether you are a fan of Anime-inspired MMOs and cutesy fare and consider that staggering number on its merits.

I don't think players are really confused by a mind-numbing array of options. Heck, some of us live for cosmetic gear and could never get enough. But each one of these character tidbits was designed and modeled and textured and coded in by someone, and while we know that game development resources aren't wholly fungible, it's still true that money spent on pigtails and lollipop weapons and hats that look like snakes is money not spent on other features like housing and combat -- features more likely to be used by far more players than bunny ears.

How much character customization is too much?

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: How much character customization is too much? originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 19 May 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brianna-royce-tdgcharacter-customizationcosmetic-gearcustomizationdaily-grindfungibilityopinionresource-allocationsnakes-on-a-hatspirit-talestdgthe-daily-grindSat, 19 May 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMObility: An exclusive look at the Runespan in RuneScape]]>http://www.massively.com/2012/05/18/mmobility-an-exclusive-look-at-the-runespan-in-runescape/http://www.massively.com/2012/05/18/mmobility-an-exclusive-look-at-the-runespan-in-runescape/http://www.massively.com/2012/05/18/mmobility-an-exclusive-look-at-the-runespan-in-runescape/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

RuneScape screenshot
Jagex, developer of the ever-popular browser-based game RuneScape, is known for its rapid development schedule. Heck, I fully expect that this article will be outdated by the time I finish its rough draft. Players of the Jagex flagship MMO can log in to find new items, places to explore, and quests to do almost weekly. I tend to poke my nose into the game several times a week, so I know that a more casual player has endless amounts of content to run through. I might level up my construction skill and then switch to something completely different. I just recently spent an afternoon playing with just the new bonfire skill.

Of course, those pesky developers are at it again: giving me more content to go through even though my highest skills hover around only the level 40 mark. This time it's the Runespan, a brand-new area that helps players level runecrafting by offering them a one-stop shop that is more casual and non-competitive than the normal runecraft experience.

I got the chance to call up some of the lead developers on the phone and ask not only about the Runespan but about the new FPS improvements, so be sure to check that out!

Continue reading MMObility: An exclusive look at the Runespan in RuneScape

MassivelyMMObility: An exclusive look at the Runespan in RuneScape originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 18 May 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beau-hindmanbrowserbrowser-basedclassic-mmof2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playinterviewinterviewsjagexjagex-games-studiommobilitymobilemobile-gamingmobile-mmoopinionphonepreviewpreviewsrsrunescapesandboxsmartphonethe-runespanFri, 18 May 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Storyboard: The second anniversary of Storyboard]]>http://www.massively.com/2012/05/18/storyboard-the-second-anniversary-of-storyboard/http://www.massively.com/2012/05/18/storyboard-the-second-anniversary-of-storyboard/http://www.massively.com/2012/05/18/storyboard-the-second-anniversary-of-storyboard/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Yes, I plan to have something bizarre for this every anniversary.
Last year, I had planned to change up the focus of Storyboard a little. The "high and wide" format had been working, but I was worried that the column just wouldn't have legs if I didn't start going for more focused and narrow applications. So I spent several months working on just the right way to do more game-specific columns in here.

You don't remember them, of course, because none of them was ever posted. Those several months of work did not produce a single viable column.

At the capstone of the second year of Storyboard, I'm forced to basically eat crow about one of my major plans for the last year because it turns out that not only did it not work but it didn't need to work in the first place. I managed to fill up another year of columns just fine without going into great detail about one game over another, and as it turns out, I'm a lot happier with this year as a whole anyway.

Continue reading Storyboard: The second anniversary of Storyboard

MassivelyStoryboard: The second anniversary of Storyboard originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 18 May 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anniversarycolumncolumnsfeaturedlooking-backopinionretrospectiveroleplayroleplayersroleplayingrpstorystoryboardFri, 18 May 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Some Assembly Required: I saw the wilds of Salem (and lived to tell about it)]]>http://www.massively.com/2012/05/18/some-assembly-required-i-saw-the-wilds-of-salem-and-lived-to-t/http://www.massively.com/2012/05/18/some-assembly-required-i-saw-the-wilds-of-salem-and-lived-to-t/http://www.massively.com/2012/05/18/some-assembly-required-i-saw-the-wilds-of-salem-and-lived-to-t/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Some Assembly Required - Salem dev tour
I spent an hour romping through the woods of Salem last Friday with Seatribe head honcho Bjorn Johannessen. The tiny indie company (current dev population: two) is hard at work on its followup to Haven and Hearth, an acquired taste of a sandbox game notable for its no-holds barred approach that includes permadeath and the ability to summon (and kill) criminal characters -- even while their lulz-loving puppet-masters are offline.

Publisher Paradox bills Salem as "the crafting MMO," and boy it's not kidding. Over the course of this particular dev tour, I saw crazy amounts of tradeskill functionality, all kinds of cool world-building stuff, and ultimately, more than enough reasons to spend time with the game when it launches later this year.

Continue reading Some Assembly Required: I saw the wilds of Salem (and lived to tell about it)

MassivelySome Assembly Required: I saw the wilds of Salem (and lived to tell about it) originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 18 May 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Bjorn-Johannessenbodily-humorscraftingf2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playgame-mechanicshistoricalhumorsmetagamenew-englandopinionparadoxparadox-interactivepermadeathpgcplayer-contentplayer-created-contentplayer-generated-contentsalemsalem-skillssandboxsarseatribeskill-basedsome-assembly-requiredtradeskillinguser-generated-contentFri, 18 May 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What is the unofficial soundtrack to your favorite MMO?]]>http://www.massively.com/2012/05/18/the-daily-grind-what-is-the-unofficial-soundtrack-to-your-favor/http://www.massively.com/2012/05/18/the-daily-grind-what-is-the-unofficial-soundtrack-to-your-favor/http://www.massively.com/2012/05/18/the-daily-grind-what-is-the-unofficial-soundtrack-to-your-favor/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Testament
Official soundtracks are great; don't get me wrong. But sometimes I like to just throw on some of my own music to better mimic my mood at the time of playing. There are still albums from the late '80s that remind me of Wasteland or Pool of Radiance every time I listen to them -- almost 25 years later!

As talented as our favorite game theme composers are, we don't always want to listen to the default soundtrack every time. So what gets you through your game of choice? Do you enjoy some metal? Classical? Country? Oldies? Dubstep... or whatever the kids listen to these days? Let us know!

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 is the unofficial soundtrack to your favorite MMO? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 18 May 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>daily-grindmusicopinionsoundtrackstdgtestamentthe-daily-grindthemeFri, 18 May 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Guild Counsel: Surviving the dreaded plateau]]>http://www.massively.com/2012/05/17/the-guild-counsel-surviving-the-deaded-plateau/http://www.massively.com/2012/05/17/the-guild-counsel-surviving-the-deaded-plateau/http://www.massively.com/2012/05/17/the-guild-counsel-surviving-the-deaded-plateau/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Vanguard
One of the challenges of running a guild is avoiding the emotional peaks and valleys that tend to come up. In fact, one of the scariest times for a guild is when it's just accomplished something big because once the cheers stop, there's a void left and people begin to wonder what's next. It's not uncommon for a guild that's just hit an amazing goal to lose some members shortly after, and in some cases, it can actually lead to a guild withering and drying up because there's a letdown and apathy sets in.

How do you survive the dreaded plateau? Let's look at a few ways in this week's Guild Counsel!

Continue reading The Guild Counsel: Surviving the dreaded plateau

MassivelyThe Guild Counsel: Surviving the dreaded plateau originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 17 May 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advicefeaturedguildguild-adviceguild-counselguild-leadershipguild-managementguild-moraleguild-partyguildskaren-bryanleadershipmmo-plateausopinionthe-guild-counselThu, 17 May 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ask Massively: Overwhelming changes edition]]>http://www.massively.com/2012/05/17/ask-massively-overwhelming-changes-edition/http://www.massively.com/2012/05/17/ask-massively-overwhelming-changes-edition/http://www.massively.com/2012/05/17/ask-massively-overwhelming-changes-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

This would actually have been pretty useful in DS9.
I have to be honest, the Caitian Carrier for Star Trek Online kind of makes me want to give the game a shot again. I liked it when I played it before, but I just had no time to play it on top of everything else. But then I think about all the work I'd need to do just to get caught up to normal, and... yeah, that's about the point when my gumption evaporates. Still, though. Carrier.

In other and far more relevant news, it's time for this week's installment of Ask Massively, which talks about the cycle of game announcement and subsequent disappointment. (Apropos of the recent beta weekends for The Secret World, naturally.) If you've got a question you would like to see answered in a future installment of the column, send it to ask@massively.com or leave it in the comments below. Questions may be edited slightly for clarity and/or brevity.

Continue reading Ask Massively: Overwhelming changes edition

MassivelyAsk Massively: Overwhelming changes edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 17 May 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adviceadvice-columnask-massivelybeta-eventsbeta-testsbeta-weekendsfeaturedhands-onhumormassively-metametaopinionreleasereleasestestsThu, 17 May 2012 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Summoner's Guidebook: Putting together a good team composition]]>http://www.massively.com/2012/05/17/the-summoners-guidebook-putting-together-a-good-team-compositi/http://www.massively.com/2012/05/17/the-summoners-guidebook-putting-together-a-good-team-compositi/http://www.massively.com/2012/05/17/the-summoners-guidebook-putting-together-a-good-team-compositi/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Pro League of Legends team Dignitas
Although it would be nice to win all our games on the merits of skill alone, a lot of matches of League of Legends are won or lost at the character select screen. While individual champion balance is always in flux, the synergies between champions matters far more.

This week in the Summoner's Guidebook, I'll give you some advice on picking characters that complement your team's strengths. Remember that a champion is only as good as you can play him or her, and a better champion doesn't ensure victory -- it just makes victory more likely. This is League of Legends, though, and we should take every advantage we can get.

Continue reading The Summoner's Guidebook: Putting together a good team composition

MassivelyThe Summoner's Guidebook: Putting together a good team composition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 17 May 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>attack-speed-buffsbuffscrowd-controlsdignitasf2pfeaturedfree-to-playget-over-here-and-help-the-teamleagueleague-of-legendslolmobaopinionriotriot-gamesskillshotskillshotsslowssnaresstop-chasing-killsstunssummoners-guidebookteam-compositionteam-compositionsteam-playerteam-playingthe-summoners-guidebookThu, 17 May 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Perfect Ten: The truth about lockboxes]]>http://www.massively.com/2012/05/17/the-perfect-ten-the-truth-about-lockboxes/http://www.massively.com/2012/05/17/the-perfect-ten-the-truth-about-lockboxes/http://www.massively.com/2012/05/17/the-perfect-ten-the-truth-about-lockboxes/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Perfect Ten
Call them lockboxes, lootboxes, super packs, gift packs, treasure boxes, mystic chests, or Chupacabra's lunchpails, but these virtual boxes of mystery, fame, and fortune are all the rage in MMOs these days. Few studios have resisted the siren's call of such easy money, much to the dismay of many-a-gamer.

The idea is that a game will dish out to players free locked treasure boxes that require purchased keys to open. The allure of the box's mystery prize is often too strong to resist, especially when there's the possibility of a huge reward inside. The result too often is strong buyer's remorse and studio glee.

There's been a lot of conversation around lockboxes here on Massively, so I wanted to dedicate this week's Perfect Ten to dissecting the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth of these items for you.

Continue reading The Perfect Ten: The truth about lockboxes

MassivelyThe Perfect Ten: The truth about lockboxes originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 17 May 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetcasinoChupacabracity-of-heroescity-of-villainscohcovcoxcrypticcryptic-studiosf2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playfreedomgamblinggift-packsguild-wars-2gw2humorlockboxlockboxeslootboxlootboxeslord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromystic-boxmystic-chestncsoftoddsopinionp10paragonparagon-studiosperfect-10perfect-tenperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentpwereal-money-tradingrmtroundupsci-fistar-trekstar-trek-mmostar-trek-onlinestosuper-packsuper-packssuperherosuperheroesthe-perfect-10the-perfect-tentop-10top-10-listtop-tentop-ten-listtreasure-boxesturbineturbine-entertainmentThu, 17 May 2012 12:00:00 EST