http://massively.joystiq.com Massively http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://massively.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Massively/~3/fR_XaxHNNh8/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/25/the-mog-log-final-fantasy-xiv-beta-phase-1-and-2-crafting/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/25/the-mog-log-final-fantasy-xiv-beta-phase-1-and-2-crafting/#comments<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/betas/" rel="tag">Betas</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/fantasy/" rel="tag">Fantasy</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/classes/" rel="tag">Classes</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/game-mechanics/" rel="tag">Game Mechanics</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/opinion/" rel="tag">Opinion</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/consoles/" rel="tag">Consoles</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/final-fantasy-xiv/" rel="tag">Final Fantasy XIV</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/the-mog-log/" rel="tag">The Mog Log</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/crafting/" rel="tag">Crafting</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/25/the-mog-log-final-fantasy-xiv-beta-phase-1-and-2-crafting/"><img alt="I knew I'd either time this perfectly or be just shy. Let's see which it is." data-src-height="310" data-src-width="530" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/moglogheadernew-1369172727.jpg" /></a></div> The thing about <a href="http://www.finalfantasyxiv.com"><em>Final Fantasy XIV</em></a>'s crafting is that it's always been an odd mixture of wonderful and terrible, much like the game as a whole. You had crazily interconnected crafts that could be frustrating to level, the simple difficulty of trying to find the items you need, and a minigame that made mass production maddeningly slow. But you also had a real sense of personal craftsmanship, and the complex interplay between quality, durability, and progress meant that your successes or failures were truly your own.<br /> <br /> None of these elements has been removed from the beta phases, but each has been streamlined and largely improved. The test phases allowed us to explore the two crafting classes based in Gridania, Carpenter and Leatherworker, and so I got to really dive into the heart of working with wood and dead animal hides. It was a lot more fun than that summary might imply.<p><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/25/the-mog-log-final-fantasy-xiv-beta-phase-1-and-2-crafting/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>The Mog Log: Final Fantasy XIV beta phase 1 and 2 - crafting</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/25/the-mog-log-final-fantasy-xiv-beta-phase-1-and-2-crafting/">The Mog Log: Final Fantasy XIV beta phase 1 and 2 - crafting</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Sat, 25 May 2013 16:00:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/25/the-mog-log-final-fantasy-xiv-beta-phase-1-and-2-crafting/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20578769/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/25/the-mog-log-final-fantasy-xiv-beta-phase-1-and-2-crafting/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><p><ul></ul></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Massively/~4/fR_XaxHNNh8" height="1" width="1"/>betabetasclassesconsoleconsolescraftingcraftsfantasyfeaturedffff14ffxivfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivgame-mechanicsmog-logopinionplayer-craftingsquaresquare-enixsquenixtestingthe-mog-logSat, 25 May 2013 16:00:00 ESThttp://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/25/the-mog-log-final-fantasy-xiv-beta-phase-1-and-2-crafting/http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Massively/~3/JR4DxWctc6U/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/25/the-road-to-mordor-the-adventures-of-floid-and-dewitt-in-lotro/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/25/the-road-to-mordor-the-adventures-of-floid-and-dewitt-in-lotro/#comments<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/fantasy/" rel="tag">Fantasy</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/lord-of-the-rings-online/" rel="tag">Lord of the Rings Online</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/free-to-play/" rel="tag">Free-to-Play</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/humor/" rel="tag">Humor</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/the-road-to-mordor/" rel="tag">The Road to Mordor</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/guides/" rel="tag">Guides</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/25/the-road-to-mordor-the-adventures-of-floid-and-dewitt-in-lotro"><img alt="The Road to Mordor The Adventures of Floid &amp; Dewitt" data-src-height="348" data-src-width="530" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/floid1.jpg" /></a></div> It's important to get this straight right away: Floid is the horse and Dewitt is the human. And no, I'm not giving you the principle cast of a Saturday morning cartoon; this is one of the more interesting Easter eggs that inhabit <a href="http://www.lotro.com"><em>Lord of the Rings Online</em></a>.<br /> <br /> Floid the Mighty Steed and Dewitt the Explorer are an adventuring duo in the process of touring all of Middle-earth. Their journeys take them to out-of-the-way places, but if you stumble upon them<a href="http://lotro-wiki.com/index.php/The_Adventures_of_Floid_and_Dewitt"> you'll be given a deed</a> to find the pair in seven different locales. Do so and you'll earn the incredible, the awe-inspiring, the magnificent... title of "the Wanderer." OK, it's just a title, but it's a title and a "Where's Waldo?" hunt for two oddballs. I'll take some time off of plowing through Update 11 to do this, yes sir!<br /> <br /> While I've been aware of Floid and Dewitt over the years, I have never taken the time to hunt them down and finish the deed. Well, that ends this week. Come with me as I search high and low until all is revealed!<p><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/25/the-road-to-mordor-the-adventures-of-floid-and-dewitt-in-lotro/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>The Road to Mordor: The Adventures of Floid &amp; Dewitt in LotRO</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/25/the-road-to-mordor-the-adventures-of-floid-and-dewitt-in-lotro/">The Road to Mordor: The Adventures of Floid &amp; Dewitt in LotRO</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Sat, 25 May 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/25/the-road-to-mordor-the-adventures-of-floid-and-dewitt-in-lotro/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20548581/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/25/the-road-to-mordor-the-adventures-of-floid-and-dewitt-in-lotro/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><p><ul></ul></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Massively/~4/JR4DxWctc6U" height="1" width="1"/>dewittf2pfantasyfeaturedfloidfree-to-playguidelord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotroopinionroad-to-mordorthe-road-to-mordorturbineturbine-entertainmentSat, 25 May 2013 12:00:00 ESThttp://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/25/the-road-to-mordor-the-adventures-of-floid-and-dewitt-in-lotro/http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Massively/~3/XQJtJ81y_R0/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/25/wrup-visiting-the-department-of-inevitable-arguments-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/25/wrup-visiting-the-department-of-inevitable-arguments-edition/#comments<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/massively-meta/" rel="tag">Massively Meta</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/misc/" rel="tag">Miscellaneous</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/25/wrup-visiting-the-department-of-inevitable-arguments-edition/"><img alt="Leave a note saying you registered with the department about whose car was parked where and why it was necessary to ram the other car off the road." data-src-height="307" data-src-width="530" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/wrup-epl-524.jpg" /></a></div> The Department of Inevitable Arguments is there when life happens, you know it's going to happen, and more than anything you just want it to get on with the happening so you can go to lunch. Filing at the department saves time and reduces stress for all participants. Do you know you'll disagree with your friends about a movie or game? Did you eat the last doughnut like a jerk when someone else wanted that doughnut? Put in for the argument in advance and avoid the hassle of having an argument crop up in the middle of an otherwise uneventful evening of amateur machete fights.<br /> <br /> All of our writers have already filed their gaming choices for your potential objection, but if you want to be sure about whether or not you object to what they play, just check out this week's <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/WRUP/">WRUP</a>. It tells you exactly what the staff is playing this week so you can argue about it in the comments. Or you can let us know what you'll be playing in the comments, same difference.<p><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/25/wrup-visiting-the-department-of-inevitable-arguments-edition/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>WRUP: Visiting the Department of Inevitable Arguments edition</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/25/wrup-visiting-the-department-of-inevitable-arguments-edition/">WRUP: Visiting the Department of Inevitable Arguments edition</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Sat, 25 May 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/25/wrup-visiting-the-department-of-inevitable-arguments-edition/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20583667/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/25/wrup-visiting-the-department-of-inevitable-arguments-edition/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><p><ul></ul></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Massively/~4/XQJtJ81y_R0" height="1" width="1"/>featuredmassively-metametaweekendweekend-gamingwhat-are-you-playingwrupSat, 25 May 2013 10:00:00 ESThttp://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/25/wrup-visiting-the-department-of-inevitable-arguments-edition/http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Massively/~3/Hkj54jTaFzA/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/25/the-daily-grind-should-big-guilds-have-a-mechanical-advantage-o/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/25/the-daily-grind-should-big-guilds-have-a-mechanical-advantage-o/#comments<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/game-mechanics/" rel="tag">Game Mechanics</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/guilds/" rel="tag">Guilds</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/opinion/" rel="tag">Opinion</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/the-daily-grind/" rel="tag">The Daily Grind</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/misc/" rel="tag">Miscellaneous</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/25/the-daily-grind-should-big-guilds-have-a-mechanical-advantage-o/"><img alt="Defeating The Infernal One with the power of pure, unadulterated rock." data-src-height="318" data-src-width="530" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/swtor-guilds-epl-524.jpg" /></a></div> No matter how hard you try, you cannot defeat large-group endgame bosses with an awesome guitar solo. Big guilds offer you the people needed to tackle this sort of content. In some games, though, big guilds get even more. <a href="http://www.wowinsider.com"><em>World of Warcraft</em></a> guilds level faster with more people, and <em><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/Star-Wars-The-Old-Republic/">Star Wars: The Old Republic</a></em> will be adding a bonus to guilds based on their overall sizes (although you'll easily get the bonus so long as no original members of the guild have left). In some places, size matters.<br /> <br /> Should it matter? Organizing and maintaining a guild with 50 members is a lot more work than one with 15 members, so mechanical bonuses certainly give some incentive. Those bonuses also lead to guilds wanting to be bigger without necessarily getting any better; more live bodies, no matter the quality. And bigger guilds can already have advantages over smaller guilds. So should big guilds have a mechanical advantage over smaller ones? Or should the size be its own reward?<br /> <br /> <img align="left" alt="" border="0" hspace="0" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.massively.com/media/2010/09/coffee.jpg" style="padding-right: 10px;" vspace="0" /><em>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 <a href="http://www.massively.com/category/the-daily-grind/">Daily Grind</a>!</em><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/25/the-daily-grind-should-big-guilds-have-a-mechanical-advantage-o/">The Daily Grind: Should big guilds have a mechanical advantage over smaller ones?</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Sat, 25 May 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/25/the-daily-grind-should-big-guilds-have-a-mechanical-advantage-o/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20583610/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/25/the-daily-grind-should-big-guilds-have-a-mechanical-advantage-o/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><p><ul></ul></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Massively/~4/Hkj54jTaFzA" height="1" width="1"/>bonusesdaily-grindgame-mechanicsgroup-sizeguild-bonusesguild-sizeguildsopinionother-peopleother-playerstdgthe-daily-grindSat, 25 May 2013 08:00:00 ESThttp://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/25/the-daily-grind-should-big-guilds-have-a-mechanical-advantage-o/http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Massively/~3/J7EBz2H_k4g/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/pirate101-sets-sail-for-marleybone/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/pirate101-sets-sail-for-marleybone/#comments<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/fantasy/" rel="tag">Fantasy</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/patches/" rel="tag">Patches</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/news-items/" rel="tag">News Items</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/free-to-play/" rel="tag">Free-to-Play</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/kids/" rel="tag">Kids</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/family/" rel="tag">Family</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/pirate101/" rel="tag">Pirate101</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/pirate101-sets-sail-for-marleybone/"><img alt="The game is 78% sharks by volume." data-src-height="343" data-src-width="530" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/pirate101-expands-epl-524-1369434680.jpg" /></a></div> One of the bonuses of having <em><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/Pirate101/">Pirate101</a></em> set in the same world as <em><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/Wizard101/">Wizard101</a></em> is that the former can benefit from some of the latter's layout. <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/KingsIsle/">KingsIsle</a> has <a href="https://www.pirate101.com/free_game/news/press_releases/marleybone">launched a big expansion for the game</a> that includes some old favorites for veteran players, starting by sending pirate captains to the familiar land of Marleybone. Players will be investigating a war zone they helped inadvertently create while working up through another 15 levels of experience.<br /> <br /> The update also adds the new region of Aquila, a new Bazaar system for players to trade goods, and a new tutorial to help players get accustomed to the game. There are also new bosses and transport systems to give players more to do while they sail across the oceans. Last but not least, new companions are scattered through the added regions, and old companions are learning some new tricks. <em>Pirate101</em> players can log in and start <a href="https://www.pirate101.com/free_game/update_notes/may23">enjoying the update immediately</a>.<p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/pirate101-sets-sail-for-marleybone/">Pirate101 sets sail for Marleybone</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Fri, 24 May 2013 21:00:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/pirate101-sets-sail-for-marleybone/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20583644/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/pirate101-sets-sail-for-marleybone/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><p><ul><li>Source: <a href="https://www.pirate101.com/free_game/news/press_releases/marleybone" target="_blank">Update announcement</a><!--//-->, <a href="https://www.pirate101.com/free_game/update_notes/may23" target="_blank">Update notes</a><!--//--></li></ul></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Massively/~4/J7EBz2H_k4g" height="1" width="1"/>f2pfamilyfantasyfree-to-playkid-friendlykids-mmokingsislekingsisle-entertainmentlevel-caplevelinglevelsmajor-patchmajor-updatenew-areaspatchpiratepirate101piratestutorialupdateFri, 24 May 2013 21:00:00 ESThttp://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/pirate101-sets-sail-for-marleybone/http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Massively/~3/xBrkGLwTQSQ/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/betawatch-may-18-24-2013/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/betawatch-may-18-24-2013/#comments<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/betas/" rel="tag">Betas</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/mmo-industry/" rel="tag">MMO Industry</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/news-items/" rel="tag">News Items</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/betawatch/" rel="tag">Betawatch</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/misc/" rel="tag">Miscellaneous</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/betawatch-may-18-24-2013/"><img alt="Space troopers always look space trooper-y." data-src-height="291" data-src-width="530" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/betawatch-epl-524.jpg" /></a></div> This has been quite the week if you're interested in hearing about what's going on behind the curtain. <em><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/Destiny/">Destiny</a></em> offered everyone <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/watch-destinys-law-of-the-jungle-trailer/">a new trailer</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/WildStar/">WildStar</a> gave us <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/massively-surveys-wildstars-scientist-and-settler-paths-the-es/">plenty of information to chew on</a>, <em><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/The-Elder-Scrolls-Online/">The Elder Scrolls Online</a></em> talked <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/elder-scrolls-online-elaborates-on-crafting-and-exploration/">crafting</a>, and <em><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/Final-Fantasy-XIV/">Final Fantasy XIV</a></em> announced <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/final-fantasy-xivs-relaunch-set-for-august-27/">a definite date for its relaunch</a> with a new video. Tons of stuff behind the scenes.<br /> <br /> Meanwhile, <em><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/Eldevin/">Eldevin</a></em> quietly moved into its second phase of closed beta. Oh, and <em><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/Neverwinter/">Neverwinter</a></em>'s economy <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/neverwinter-days-the-great-economic-collapse-of-2013/">completely collapsed</a>, which is either bad for the beta or bad for the game's launch depending on how you see the game's current state.<br /> <br /> How do we see it? Well, you can take a look at our testing list for an idea. In fact, you might want to take a look at the list anyway just to see what's out there. If you notice something erroneous on there, feel free to let us know so we can take a look ourselves.<p><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/betawatch-may-18-24-2013/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Betawatch: May 18 - 24, 2013</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/betawatch-may-18-24-2013/">Betawatch: May 18 - 24, 2013</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Fri, 24 May 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/betawatch-may-18-24-2013/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20583410/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/betawatch-may-18-24-2013/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><p><ul></ul></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Massively/~4/xBrkGLwTQSQ" height="1" width="1"/>alphaalphasbetabeta-testbeta-testingbetasbetawatchclosed-betadestinyeldevinfeaturedfinal-fantasy-xivgame-testinglaunchlaunchesmassively-metaneverwinteropen-betarounduptestingthe-elder-scrolls-onlinewildstarFri, 24 May 2013 20:00:00 ESThttp://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/betawatch-may-18-24-2013/http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Massively/~3/7blzGE1YpGY/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/hall-conquers-everest-talks-dayzs-ownership-and-loss/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/hall-conquers-everest-talks-dayzs-ownership-and-loss/#comments<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/horror/" rel="tag">Horror</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/culture/" rel="tag">Culture</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/game-mechanics/" rel="tag">Game Mechanics</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/interviews/" rel="tag">Interviews</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/mmo-industry/" rel="tag">MMO Industry</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/news-items/" rel="tag">News Items</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/sandbox/" rel="tag">Sandbox</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/hall-conquers-everest-talks-dayzs-ownership-and-loss/"><img alt="Dean Hall on top of Mt. Everest" data-src-height="317" data-src-width="530" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/blcgv5ucaaaoxf9.jpg" /></a></div> <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/dean-hall">Dean Hall</a> has officially made it to the top of the world. The <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/dayz"><em>DayZ</em></a> creator watched the sun rise from the summit of Mt. Everest on May 21st, according to a tweet released <a href="http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/193008/The_guy_who_created_DayZ_made_it_to_the_top_of_Mt_Everest.php">earlier today</a>.<br /> <br /> Gamasutra recently asked Hall about his <em>Arma</em> zombie mod's <a href="http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/192941/dean_hall_discusses_dayzs_.php">phenomenal success</a>, and he pointed to the design's ability to trigger psychological responses to both ownership and loss. "I think the big thing was that it was this finely-crafted mix of permadeath -- which gave you a sense of value, because you could lose something -- and ownership," Hall explained. "Because it's persistent, it means that it's going to be there tomorrow. I think those two things mixed together meant that you had these really valuable stories that came from it."<p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/hall-conquers-everest-talks-dayzs-ownership-and-loss/">Hall conquers Everest, talks DayZ's ownership and loss</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Fri, 24 May 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/hall-conquers-everest-talks-dayzs-ownership-and-loss/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20583446/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/hall-conquers-everest-talks-dayzs-ownership-and-loss/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><p><ul><li>Source: <a href="http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/192941/dean_hall_discusses_dayzs_.php" target="_blank">Gamasutra</a><!--//--></li></ul></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Massively/~4/7blzGE1YpGY" height="1" width="1"/>dayzdean-halldean-hall-everestdean-hall-interviewhorrorinterviewrocketsandboxFri, 24 May 2013 19:00:00 ESThttp://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/hall-conquers-everest-talks-dayzs-ownership-and-loss/http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Massively/~3/qPR_JPdU4bc/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/face-of-mankind-releases-development-documentary/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/face-of-mankind-releases-development-documentary/#comments<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/betas/" rel="tag">Betas</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/sci-fi/" rel="tag">Sci-Fi</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/video/" rel="tag">Video</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/mmofps/" rel="tag">MMOFPS</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/crowdfunding/" rel="tag">Crowdfunding</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/face-of-mankind-releases-development-documentary/"><img alt="Face of Mankind releases development documentary" data-src-height="296" data-src-width="530" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/face.jpg" /></a></div> The scrappy little <a href="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/nexeon/face-of-mankind-fall-of-the-dominion">Kickstarter</a> sandbox, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/face-of-mankind/"><em>Face of Mankind</em></a>, sees its journey from conception to completion as an odyssey worth sharing. That's why the team has put together a talking head documentary video that chronicles the game's development since 2001.<br /> <br /> The video itself is long on developer and player anecdotes, although it is short on actual in-game footage (this is probably not surprising considering that the team <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/14/face-of-mankind-releases-from-scratch-engine-tech-demo/">is rebuilding the engine from scratch</a>). If you have 15 minutes and want to see how an indie MMO is made, check out the documentary after the jump!<p><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/face-of-mankind-releases-development-documentary/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Face of Mankind releases development documentary</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/face-of-mankind-releases-development-documentary/">Face of Mankind releases development documentary</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Fri, 24 May 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/face-of-mankind-releases-development-documentary/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20583323/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/face-of-mankind-releases-development-documentary/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><p><ul></ul></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Massively/~4/qPR_JPdU4bc" height="1" width="1"/>crowdfundingdocumentaryengineface-of-mankindkickstartermarko-diekmannnexeon-technologiessci-fitech-demovideoFri, 24 May 2013 18:00:00 ESThttp://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/face-of-mankind-releases-development-documentary/http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Massively/~3/NgZl2TSG9mA/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/lots-of-new-content-coming-to-swtor-this-summer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/lots-of-new-content-coming-to-swtor-this-summer/#comments<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/sci-fi/" rel="tag">Sci-Fi</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/game-mechanics/" rel="tag">Game Mechanics</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/mmo-industry/" rel="tag">MMO Industry</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/patches/" rel="tag">Patches</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/news-items/" rel="tag">News Items</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/free-to-play/" rel="tag">Free-to-Play</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/star-wars-the-old-republic/" rel="tag">Star Wars: The Old Republic</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/dungeons/" rel="tag">Dungeons</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/lots-of-new-content-coming-to-swtor-this-summer/"><img alt="This happened in a SWTOR flashpoint" data-src-height="298" data-src-width="530" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/cadamimu.jpg" /></a></div> <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/star-wars-the-old-republic"><em>Star Wars: The Old Republic</em></a> senior producer <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/bruce-maclean">Bruce Maclean</a> has posted a summer development roadmap on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/bioware">BioWare's</a> official game forums. The update outlines the 2.2 and 2.3 patches, with the former tentatively scheduled for June 11th and the latter penciled in for August 6th.<br /> <br /> The first patch will feature additional guild XP bonuses based on membership numbers (up to a maximum 10% boost), the ability for crafters to make underworld gear, and Nightmare Mode for Terror From Beyond (along with new gear drops).<br /> <br /> The second patch will feature "significant graphical upgrades," a new daily area, a new recurring event, and new flashpoints.<p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/lots-of-new-content-coming-to-swtor-this-summer/">Lots of new content coming to SWTOR this summer</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Fri, 24 May 2013 17:00:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/lots-of-new-content-coming-to-swtor-this-summer/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20583398/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/lots-of-new-content-coming-to-swtor-this-summer/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><p><ul><li>Source: <a href="http://www.swtor.com/community/showthread.php?p=6349186#edit6349186" target="_blank">Announcement</a><!--//--></li><li>Via: <a href="http://www.darthhater.com/articles/feature/24392-swtor-summer-road-map" target="_blank">Darth Hater</a><!--//--></via></ul></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Massively/~4/NgZl2TSG9mA" height="1" width="1"/>biowarebruce-macleaneaelectronic-artsf2pfree-to-playlucasartssci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorswtor-2.2swtor-2.3swtor-new-flashpointsthe-old-republictorFri, 24 May 2013 17:00:00 ESThttp://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/lots-of-new-content-coming-to-swtor-this-summer/http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Massively/~3/dnQrebxHDVs/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/marvel-heroes-chronicles-of-doom-dives-into-episode-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/marvel-heroes-chronicles-of-doom-dives-into-episode-2/#comments<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/betas/" rel="tag">Betas</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/super-hero/" rel="tag">Super-hero</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/video/" rel="tag">Video</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/lore/" rel="tag">Lore</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/free-to-play/" rel="tag">Free-to-Play</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/marvel-heroes/" rel="tag">Marvel Heroes</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/marvel-heroes-chronicles-of-doom-dives-into-episode-2/"><img alt="Marvel Heroes' Chronicles of Doom dives into episode 2" data-src-height="297" data-src-width="530" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/doom.jpg" /></a></div> Were you hanging on the edge of your seat <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/marvel-heroes-rolls-out-first-episode-of-chronicles-of-doom-mo/">after watching the first episode</a> of <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/marvel-heroes/"><em>Marvel Heroes'</em></a> Chronicles of Doom last week? Hope you haven't fallen to your doo...mise because the second installment is now available.<br /> <br /> The episode tracks the sinister Victor von Doom as he makes a devil's deal with Dorammu to gain power and YouTube likes. The Chronicles of Doom is a four-part motion comic series written by Marvel's <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/Brian-Michael-Bendis/">Brian Michael Bendis</a>, and it can be seen as the prequel to the game itself.<br /> <br /> Watch episode 2 after the jump!<p><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/marvel-heroes-chronicles-of-doom-dives-into-episode-2/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Marvel Heroes' Chronicles of Doom dives into episode 2</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/marvel-heroes-chronicles-of-doom-dives-into-episode-2/">Marvel Heroes' Chronicles of Doom dives into episode 2</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Fri, 24 May 2013 16:00:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/marvel-heroes-chronicles-of-doom-dives-into-episode-2/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20583271/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/marvel-heroes-chronicles-of-doom-dives-into-episode-2/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><p><ul></ul></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Massively/~4/dnQrebxHDVs" height="1" width="1"/>actionaction-mmobrian-michael-bendischronicles-of-doomepisode-2f2pfree-to-playgazilliongazillion-entertainmentmarvelmarvel-heroesmarvel-universemarvel-universe-onlinemuosecret-identitysuperherosuperheroestrailervideoFri, 24 May 2013 16:00:00 ESThttp://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/marvel-heroes-chronicles-of-doom-dives-into-episode-2/http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Massively/~3/9q--2cqRtkM/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/rift-removes-currency-boosting-effects-for-raids/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/rift-removes-currency-boosting-effects-for-raids/#comments<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/betas/" rel="tag">Betas</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/fantasy/" rel="tag">Fantasy</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/free-to-play/" rel="tag">Free-to-Play</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/rift/" rel="tag">RIFT</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/rift-removes-currency-boosting-effects-for-raids/"><img alt="RIFT removes currency boosting effects for raids" data-src-height="297" data-src-width="530" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/gate.jpg" /></a></div> <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/trion-worlds">Trion Worlds</a> Lead Game Designer <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/Bill-Fisher/">Bill Fisher</a> has announced that <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/rift"><em>RIFT</em></a> won't be allowing raiders to use item store tokens to boost ultra-rare currency gains.<br /> <br /> In a forum thread titled <a href="http://forums.riftgame.com/public-test-shard/359646-rift-officially-paytowin-30.html#post4257710"><em>RIFT </em>is officially pay-to-win</a>, Fisher addressed the concern over the upcoming item shop's impact in the raiding game. The specific beef was with item store tokens <a href="http://rift.junkiesnation.com/2013/05/24/dev-tracker-f2p-token-boosts-and-boa-items/">that offered a substantial boost to all currency gained</a> in the game over a period of time. Trion has since nerfed the token's potency (from 100% currency bonus to 80%) as well as removed the ability to gain extra Frozen Eclipse Stones from it.<br /> <br /> Fisher explained that he decided to remove the token effect because he felt it was crossing the line of what is and is not acceptable from a cash shop. "I don't want you to have the perception that to take part in that section of the game you are going to be forced into buying something," Fisher wrote. "<em>RIFT </em>doesn't win the race by trying to be exploitative of any given group -- yes, it has to make money to continue getting updates, and I know everyone out there understands that."<p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/rift-removes-currency-boosting-effects-for-raids/">RIFT removes currency-boosting effects for raids</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Fri, 24 May 2013 15:00:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/rift-removes-currency-boosting-effects-for-raids/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20583296/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/rift-removes-currency-boosting-effects-for-raids/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><p><ul><li>Source: <a href="http://forums.riftgame.com/public-test-shard/359646-rift-officially-paytowin-30.html#post4257710" target="_blank">RIFT forum</a><!--//--></li><li>Via: <a href="http://rift.junkiesnation.com/2013/05/24/dev-tracker-f2p-token-boosts-and-boa-items/" target="_blank">RIFT Junkies</a><!--//--></via></ul></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Massively/~4/9q--2cqRtkM" height="1" width="1"/>bill-fisherconquestcurrency-boostersfantasypvpraidraidersraidingriftrift-literift-planes-of-telararvrthree-faction-pvpthree-way-pvptriontrion-worldsFri, 24 May 2013 15:00:00 ESThttp://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/rift-removes-currency-boosting-effects-for-raids/http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Massively/~3/Gp0-iecAbDY/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/mmobility-why-a-tablet-version-of-runescape-is-so-important/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/mmobility-why-a-tablet-version-of-runescape-is-so-important/#comments<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/betas/" rel="tag">Betas</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/fantasy/" rel="tag">Fantasy</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/screenshots/" rel="tag">Screenshots</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/runescape/" rel="tag">RuneScape</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/free-to-play/" rel="tag">Free-to-Play</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/browser/" rel="tag">Browser</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/casual/" rel="tag">Casual</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/dev-diaries/" rel="tag">Dev Diaries</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/mmobility/" rel="tag">MMObility</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/sandbox/" rel="tag">Sandbox</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/mmobility-why-a-tablet-version-of-runescape-is-so-important/"><img alt="RuneScape 3 screenshot" data-src-height="250" data-src-width="530" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/rs1small.jpg" style="margin: 4px; border-width: 0px; border-style: solid;" /></a></div> If you have heard the news about <a href="http://www.runescape.com/"><em>RuneScape 3</em></a>, you fall into one of two camps. You're either really excited and cannot wait for this new version of one of your favorite games or you really don't see what the fuss is all about. It's possible there is a third category for those who are interested but have played the game only once or twice. I easily fall into the first category, and I think the announcement of <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/RuneScape-3/"><em>RuneScape 3</em></a> isn't important because it represents a new version of a long-running and very successful browser-based title; it's important because it will represent a massive shift in mobile technology and in how people perceive MMO gaming on a mobile device.<br /> <br /> So many people seem to think that tablet or smartphone gaming is different from gaming on any other device. It is different in the way we <em>interact</em> with the game, in the way that we actually hold the tablet or touch the screen, but the device itself is just a smaller version of the ever-familiar PC, the personal computer. <em>RuneScape 3</em> could prove that a tablet or smartphone is just as good as any other delivery system -- and in many ways, it might be superior.<p><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/mmobility-why-a-tablet-version-of-runescape-is-so-important/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>MMObility: Why a tablet version of RuneScape is so important</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/mmobility-why-a-tablet-version-of-runescape-is-so-important/">MMObility: Why a tablet version of RuneScape is so important</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Fri, 24 May 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/mmobility-why-a-tablet-version-of-runescape-is-so-important/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20580550/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/mmobility-why-a-tablet-version-of-runescape-is-so-important/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><p><ul></ul></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Massively/~4/Gp0-iecAbDY" height="1" width="1"/>androidbeau-hindmanbrowserbrowser-basedfeaturedIOSjagexmmobilitymobilemobile-gamingmobile-mmoopinionphonerunescaperunescape-3smartphonetablettabletsFri, 24 May 2013 14:00:00 ESThttp://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/mmobility-why-a-tablet-version-of-runescape-is-so-important/http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Massively/~3/Dk3pKjHeklc/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/tamriel-infinium-elder-scrolls-elves-are-supposed-to-be-ugly/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/tamriel-infinium-elder-scrolls-elves-are-supposed-to-be-ugly/#comments<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/fantasy/" rel="tag">Fantasy</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/lore/" rel="tag">Lore</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/new-titles/" rel="tag">New Titles</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/opinion/" rel="tag">Opinion</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/races/" rel="tag">Races</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/the-elder-scrolls-online/" rel="tag">The Elder Scrolls Online</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/mmorpg/" rel="tag">MMORPG</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/tamriel-infinium/" rel="tag">Tamriel Infinium</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Tamriel Infinium Elder Scrolls Elves are supposed to be ugly" data-src-height="350" data-src-width="530" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/tamriel-infinium-elves-ugly.jpg" style="margin:4px" /></div> I don't know if you noticed this, but in the fully rendered trailer for <a href="http://theelderscrollsonline.com"><em>The Elder Scrolls Online</em></a>, the Aldmeri Dominion elves looked nice. In traditional fantasy lore like Lord of the Rings, elves are some of the most beautiful creatures in the universe. However, I've always seen the Elder Scrolls elves as somewhat <em>alien</em> -- like the grey-men kind of aliens. In fact, the dark elves with their ashy skin really looked like grey men, especially if they were bald. Yet that particular MMO trailer presented a different kind of elf.<br /> <br /> Of course, that's just a CGI trailer, and CGI trailers rarely represent what we will see in the game. I can accept that. But more and more screenshots have popped up and more in-game videos have appeared on different websites, and in each of them, it appears to me that the elves -- the "<a href="http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Mer">mer</a>" -- have received a makeover. And it's not just the elves; even the Argonians and Khajiit look different. I suspect there's a reason for this.<p><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/tamriel-infinium-elder-scrolls-elves-are-supposed-to-be-ugly/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Tamriel Infinium: Elder Scrolls elves are supposed to be ugly</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/tamriel-infinium-elder-scrolls-elves-are-supposed-to-be-ugly/">Tamriel Infinium: Elder Scrolls elves are supposed to be ugly</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Fri, 24 May 2013 13:00:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/tamriel-infinium-elder-scrolls-elves-are-supposed-to-be-ugly/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20581496/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/tamriel-infinium-elder-scrolls-elves-are-supposed-to-be-ugly/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><p><ul></ul></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Massively/~4/Dk3pKjHeklc" height="1" width="1"/>artbethesdabethesda-softworksbethsoftbump-mappingcharacter-modelscolumnelder-scrollselder-scrolls-onlineesofeaturedgame-enginehero-enginepaul-sagetamrieltamriel-infiniumtesothe-elder-scrollsthe-elder-scrolls-onlinezenimaxzenimax-onlinezenimax-online-studiosFri, 24 May 2013 13:00:00 ESThttp://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/tamriel-infinium-elder-scrolls-elves-are-supposed-to-be-ugly/http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Massively/~3/YQjd3JlNykc/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/some-assembly-required-tug-interview-reveals-the-true-nature-o/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/some-assembly-required-tug-interview-reveals-the-true-nature-o/#comments<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/fantasy/" rel="tag">Fantasy</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/interviews/" rel="tag">Interviews</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/mmo-industry/" rel="tag">MMO Industry</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/new-titles/" rel="tag">New Titles</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/news-items/" rel="tag">News Items</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/sandbox/" rel="tag">Sandbox</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/crowdfunding/" rel="tag">Crowdfunding</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/player-generated-content/" rel="tag">Player-Generated Content</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/some-assembly-required-tug-interview-reveals-the-true-nature-o/"><img alt="Some Assembly Required TUG interview reveals the true nature of Soylent Green" data-src-height="330" data-src-width="530" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/sar-brain-header-fixed.jpg" style="margin: 4px;" /></a></div> Much ado has certainly been made lately about doing something "new and different" in games. Just take a look at all the options coming through <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/kickstarter/">Kickstarter</a> lately; even more contenders have thrown their hats into the ring since our <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/01/some-assembly-required-kick-start-ing-the-sandbox-genre-into-hi/">roundup last February</a>. But in a large number of these cases, the new ideas are coming from developers within the gaming industry. So what would happen if a game were developed from outside the industry?<br /> <br /> Enter <em><a href="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/nerdkingdom/tug-1">TUG</a></em>. Formally known as <em><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/tug">The Untitled Game</a></em>, the game is the brainchild of <a href="http://nerdkingdom.com/">Nerd Kingdom</a>, a group hailing from the world of academia that happens to have intersected with gaming. Self-described as "a collaboration of video game developers, academic scientists, modders, and gamers," this group wants to move beyond just improving the way games are made "to show[ing] that such games can make us better as individuals and as a society."<br /> <br /> I was able to catch up with one of the founders of Nerd Kingdom, Scientist and Researcher of Stuffs <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/Peter-Salinas/">Peter Salinas</a>, to talk about the game. We touched on everything from player design input to features (like player books and companions) to making an engine available for others to use. Oh, and of course, Soylent Green.<p><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/some-assembly-required-tug-interview-reveals-the-true-nature-o/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Some Assembly Required: TUG interview reveals the true nature of Soylent Green</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/some-assembly-required-tug-interview-reveals-the-true-nature-o/">Some Assembly Required: TUG interview reveals the true nature of Soylent Green</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Fri, 24 May 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/some-assembly-required-tug-interview-reveals-the-true-nature-o/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20579694/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/some-assembly-required-tug-interview-reveals-the-true-nature-o/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><p><ul></ul></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Massively/~4/YQjd3JlNykc" height="1" width="1"/>featuredfeaturesgame-mechanicsinterviewinterviewsKickstartermassively-exclusivemassively-exclusive-interviewNerd-KingdomopinionPeter-Salinaspgcplayer-contentplayer-generated-contentsandboxsarsome-assembly-requiredSoylent-GreenThe-Untitled-GameTUGFri, 24 May 2013 12:00:00 ESThttp://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/some-assembly-required-tug-interview-reveals-the-true-nature-o/http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Massively/~3/mB0BTAehLRg/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/neverwinter-state-of-the-game-announces-public-test-shard-raid/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/neverwinter-state-of-the-game-announces-public-test-shard-raid/#comments<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/betas/" rel="tag">Betas</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/fantasy/" rel="tag">Fantasy</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/bugs/" rel="tag">Bugs</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/mmo-industry/" rel="tag">MMO Industry</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/new-titles/" rel="tag">New Titles</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/news-items/" rel="tag">News Items</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/free-to-play/" rel="tag">Free-to-Play</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/dev-diaries/" rel="tag">Dev Diaries</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/neverwinter/" rel="tag">Neverwinter</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/neverwinter-state-of-the-game-announces-public-test-shard-raid/"><img alt="Neverwinter State of the Game announces public test shard, raid content" data-src-height="298" data-src-width="530" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/09f31d3761af2788f09b06f6f659f7231369347856.jpg" style="margin: 4px;" /></a></div> While still <em>technically </em>beta, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/neverwinter"><em>Neverwinter</em></a> joined the rank and file of MMOverse three weeks ago with a <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/30/neverwinters-open-beta-soft-launches-today/">soft launch</a>. Since then, the game has experienced its share of issues, bugs, and <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/08/neverwinter-counters-foundry-exploit-by-nerfing-xp-rate/">exploits</a>. To address those, as well as give players a heads-up on what's incoming, Lead Producer <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/andy-velasquez/">Andy Velasquez</a> shared the fantasy game's first <a href="http://nw.perfectworld.com/news/?p=896631">State of the Game address</a>.<br /> <br /> Velasquez jumped right into discussing the bugs and exploits that have affected the game since open beta started and outlined the fixes that were implemented to squash them. He went on to talk about the top issues that the team was working on currently and then reveal what players can expect to see in the next few weeks. A Public Test Shard is coming to <em>Neverwinter</em> (to hopefully catch bugs and exploits before going live), as is new endgame raid PvE/PvP content called Gauntlgrym. Other new content includes updates in the <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/13/neverwinter-dev-blog-delves-into-the-foundry/">Foundry</a> and new companions, zones, mounts, mechanics, Paragon Paths, and a new "ranged" class.<p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/neverwinter-state-of-the-game-announces-public-test-shard-raid/">Neverwinter State of the Game announces public test shard, raid content</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Fri, 24 May 2013 11:00:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/neverwinter-state-of-the-game-announces-public-test-shard-raid/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20582829/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/neverwinter-state-of-the-game-announces-public-test-shard-raid/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><p><ul><li>Source: <a href="http://nw.perfectworld.com/news/?p=896631" target="_blank">State of the Game address</a><!--//--></li></ul></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Massively/~4/mB0BTAehLRg" height="1" width="1"/>action-mmoAndy-Velasquezcrypticcryptic-studiosdev-blogdndf2pfantasyFoundryfree-to-playneverwinternew-contentopen-betaperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentpublic-test-serverpublic-test-shardpweraid-contentraidssoft-lunchstate-fo-the-gameFri, 24 May 2013 11:00:00 ESThttp://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/neverwinter-state-of-the-game-announces-public-test-shard-raid/http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Massively/~3/FolSmEfbfPU/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/storyboard-as-stupid-does/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/storyboard-as-stupid-does/#comments<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/culture/" rel="tag">Culture</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/opinion/" rel="tag">Opinion</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/roleplaying/" rel="tag">Roleplaying</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/storyboard/" rel="tag">Storyboard</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/misc/" rel="tag">Miscellaneous</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/storyboard-as-stupid-does/"><img alt="Ironically, I felt too dumb to write this column effectively." data-src-height="301" data-src-width="530" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/storyboard-157-epl-522.jpg" /></a></div> Playing a stupid character is oddly frustrating because it's incredibly difficult to do.<br /> <br /> This should not be the case. This should, in fact, be the <em>opposite</em> of the case. Playing someone with the mental alacrity of a ball of twine should be much easier than your brilliant wizard. But when you try to play a dumb character, it's easy for that character to wind up slipping into periods of pointless stupidity without acting like any of the nitwits you've actually dealt with over the course of your life.<br /> <br /> Intelligence is a hard thing to quantify at the best of times, but some of our characters are meant to be just plain slow. I've played a few, and it's always a challenge to make the character feel like a person instead of a caricature. So here are some tips for making your big dummy feel appropriately oafish and endearing instead of just being a strawman.<p><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/storyboard-as-stupid-does/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Storyboard: As stupid does</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/storyboard-as-stupid-does/">Storyboard: As stupid does</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Fri, 24 May 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/storyboard-as-stupid-does/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20580046/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/storyboard-as-stupid-does/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><p><ul></ul></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Massively/~4/FolSmEfbfPU" height="1" width="1"/>airheadsbad-choicesdimdopesdumbdummiesfeaturedmoronsnimrodsnincompoopsnitwitsopinionroleplayroleplayersroleplayingrpstorystoryboardstupiditytwitsFri, 24 May 2013 10:00:00 ESThttp://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/storyboard-as-stupid-does/http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Massively/~3/v-4TDTicbLE/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/guild-wars-2-mixes-up-its-wvw-matchups/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/guild-wars-2-mixes-up-its-wvw-matchups/#comments<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/fantasy/" rel="tag">Fantasy</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/game-mechanics/" rel="tag">Game Mechanics</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/pvp/" rel="tag">PvP</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/news-items/" rel="tag">News Items</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/guild-wars-2/" rel="tag">Guild Wars 2</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/buy-to-play/" rel="tag">Buy-to-Play</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/guild-wars-2-mixes-up-its-wvw-matchups/"><img alt="Invaders from another very similar dimension." data-src-height="298" data-src-width="530" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/gw2-wvwchange-epl-523-1369365936.jpg" /></a></div> There's a problem in the <em><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/Guild-Wars-2/">Guild Wars 2</a></em> World vs. World matching system, and it's a subtle one that's almost invisible until you look closer. Because of the way ratings are calculated and how the matchups happen, the net result for each server is always being matched up against the same servers. No matter how well you perform, you wind up locked into a certain tier without any hope of changes. It's a problem that the development team is both aware of and <a href="https://www.guildwars2.com/en/news/big-changes-coming-to-wvw-matchups/">is moving to address</a>.<br /> <br /> The short version of how things will work is that servers will be matched up semi-randomly, with ratings taken into account to assure that the spread between opponents isn't too severe. More math beneath the surface takes into account both the current rating of a given world and its overall deviation, producing a "real" rating that will facilitate fair matches. Take a look at <a href="https://www.guildwars2.com/en/news/big-changes-coming-to-wvw-matchups/">the official blog</a> for all the hard details.<p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/guild-wars-2-mixes-up-its-wvw-matchups/">Guild Wars 2 mixes up its WvW matchups</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Fri, 24 May 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/guild-wars-2-mixes-up-its-wvw-matchups/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20582558/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/guild-wars-2-mixes-up-its-wvw-matchups/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><p><ul><li>Source: <a href="https://www.guildwars2.com/en/news/big-changes-coming-to-wvw-matchups/" target="_blank">Big changes coming to WvW matchups</a><!--//--></li></ul></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Massively/~4/v-4TDTicbLE" height="1" width="1"/>anetarenanetbuy-to-playdevelopment-blogfantasyguild-wars-2gw2matchesmatchmakingncsoftpvpranking-systemwvwFri, 24 May 2013 09:00:00 ESThttp://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/guild-wars-2-mixes-up-its-wvw-matchups/http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Massively/~3/HVy25Pf3chQ/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/the-daily-grind-would-you-re-buy-a-game-for-bonuses/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/the-daily-grind-would-you-re-buy-a-game-for-bonuses/#comments<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/culture/" rel="tag">Culture</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/mmo-industry/" rel="tag">MMO Industry</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/opinion/" rel="tag">Opinion</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/the-daily-grind/" rel="tag">The Daily Grind</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/misc/" rel="tag">Miscellaneous</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/the-daily-grind-would-you-re-buy-a-game-for-bonuses/"><img alt="And take my money." data-src-height="285" data-src-width="530" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/ffxiv-rebuy-epl-523.jpg" /></a></div> So <em><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/Final-Fantasy-XIV/">Final Fantasy XIV</a></em> has <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/final-fantasy-xivs-relaunch-set-for-august-27/">announced its relaunch date</a>, along with another collector's edition for people to buy. I'd like to point out here that I still have the original collector's edition sitting on a shelf in my office, and it has been stated clearly that all of the digital gewgaws for the collector's edition will be awarded to people with the old version. Yet I still have to fight the urge to buy another CE anyway, because there's an art book and other physical trinkets.<br /> <br /> MMOs especially are games that you should never need to re-purchase. But sometimes you can find a game packaging something nice in with another purchase, and it almost becomes <em>worth</em> it to have another copy despite not needing a second account. So would you re-buy a game for new bonuses, either in-game or just bonus trinkets? Or does the very idea seem ridiculous to you?<br /> <br /> <img align="left" alt="" border="0" hspace="0" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.massively.com/media/2010/09/coffee.jpg" style="padding-right: 10px;" vspace="0" /><em>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 <a href="http://www.massively.com/category/the-daily-grind/">Daily Grind</a>!</em><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/the-daily-grind-would-you-re-buy-a-game-for-bonuses/">The Daily Grind: Would you re-buy a game for bonuses?</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Fri, 24 May 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/the-daily-grind-would-you-re-buy-a-game-for-bonuses/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20582235/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/the-daily-grind-would-you-re-buy-a-game-for-bonuses/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><p><ul></ul></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Massively/~4/HVy25Pf3chQ" height="1" width="1"/>bonus-itemsbonusesbuying-things-you-owncollectors-editiondaily-grindin-game-itemsopinionpurchasere-buyre-purchasespending-moneytdgthe-daily-grindtrinketsFri, 24 May 2013 08:00:00 ESThttp://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/the-daily-grind-would-you-re-buy-a-game-for-bonuses/http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Massively/~3/YgJTRskLYhs/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/the-summoners-guidebook-why-you-shouldnt-always-buy-deathcap/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/the-summoners-guidebook-why-you-shouldnt-always-buy-deathcap/#comments<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/opinion/" rel="tag">Opinion</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/free-to-play/" rel="tag">Free-to-Play</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/guides/" rel="tag">Guides</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/moba/" rel="tag">MOBA</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/league-of-legends/" rel="tag">League of Legends</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/the-summoners-guidebook/" rel="tag">The Summoner's Guidebook</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/the-summoners-guidebook-why-you-shouldnt-always-buy-deathcap/"><img alt="The Summoner's Guidebook Why you shouldn't always buy Deathcap on LoL casters" data-src-height="338" data-src-width="530" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/lol-classicdia.jpg" /></a></div> Once upon a time (OK, a few weeks ago), I was playing an ARAM as Diana. I had a fairly bad score (I'm passive and don't chase kills), and we lost. One of my teammates blamed me, claiming my item build was awful. It was largely because I didn't build Rabadon's Deathcap.<br /> <br /> Deathcap is one of the perennial caster items in <a href="http://leagueoflegends.com"><em>League of Legends</em></a>. Not only does it give an enormous amount of ability power, but it also increases all of your ability power (including what it grants) by a whopping 30%. This seems so ridiculously powerful! Even though it's expensive, 30% increase in AP is such a huge boost to damage that it can't be beaten.<br /> <br /> Is this really the case, though? In Summoner's Rift, I completely agree that Deathcap is a great item. In Twisted Treeline, Wooglet's Witchcap (the replacement item for Deathcap) is also incredible. However, in Dominion and ARAM, the fast-paced action and frequent conflicts change the nature of the wizard hats considerably.<p><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/the-summoners-guidebook-why-you-shouldnt-always-buy-deathcap/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>The Summoner's Guidebook: Why you shouldn't always buy Deathcap on LoL casters</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/the-summoners-guidebook-why-you-shouldnt-always-buy-deathcap/">The Summoner's Guidebook: Why you shouldn't always buy Deathcap on LoL casters</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Thu, 23 May 2013 21:00:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/the-summoners-guidebook-why-you-shouldnt-always-buy-deathcap/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20579783/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/the-summoners-guidebook-why-you-shouldnt-always-buy-deathcap/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><p><ul></ul></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Massively/~4/YgJTRskLYhs" height="1" width="1"/>deathcapdianaf2pfeaturedfree-to-playglass-cannonglass-cannon-mageleagueleague-of-legendsliandrys-tormentlolmobaopinionrabadons-deathcapriotriot-gamessummoners-guidebooktankmagetanky-magethe-summoners-guidebookThu, 23 May 2013 21:00:00 ESThttp://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/the-summoners-guidebook-why-you-shouldnt-always-buy-deathcap/http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Massively/~3/B7YOLsBYd1Q/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/champions-forum-malvanun-alert-now-live/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/champions-forum-malvanun-alert-now-live/#comments<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/super-hero/" rel="tag">Super-hero</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/game-mechanics/" rel="tag">Game Mechanics</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/mmo-industry/" rel="tag">MMO Industry</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/patches/" rel="tag">Patches</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/news-items/" rel="tag">News Items</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/pve/" rel="tag">PvE</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/free-to-play/" rel="tag">Free-to-Play</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/champions-online/" rel="tag">Champions Online</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/dungeons/" rel="tag">Dungeons</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/champions-forum-malvanum-alert-now-live/"><img alt="Champions' Forum Malvanun alert now live" data-src-height="202" data-src-width="530" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/f955f2c047c388d54d33f4c5302696bf1369267021.jpg" style="margin:4px" /></a></div> Have you ever wanted to battle for galactic glory on the moon? Now you can thanks to <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/champions-online"><em>Champions Online's</em></a> Forum Malvanum alert. The new content just went live, and <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/cryptic">Cryptic</a> says that player heroes will need to "defeat some of the the most dangerous monsters and gladiators from around the universe" in order to become champions of the <a href="http://co.perfectworld.com/news/?p=895811">Lunar Games</a>.<br /> <br /> "The Lunar Games include ten rounds of enemies, with some variation in each run," according to Cryptic's announcement post. "Heroes who complete the first five rounds are guaranteed a prize as worthy competitors. More rewards will be granted by Tateklys for defeating the time-limited sixth through tenth rounds, including a climactic final fight with Firewing himself, reigning champion of the Games. Rewards include costume pieces, resources and more."<br /> <br /> [Thanks Matixzun!]<p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/champions-forum-malvanun-alert-now-live/">Champions' Forum Malvanum alert now live</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Thu, 23 May 2013 20:30:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/champions-forum-malvanun-alert-now-live/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20582299/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/champions-forum-malvanun-alert-now-live/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><p><ul><li>Source: <a href="http://co.perfectworld.com/news/?p=895811" target="_blank">Announcement</a><!--//--></li></ul></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Massively/~4/B7YOLsBYd1Q" height="1" width="1"/>alertchampionschampions-alertchampions-onlinechampions-raidchampscocrypticcryptic-studiosf2pfirewingforum-malvanumfree-to-playlunar-gamesperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentpvepwesuperherosuperheroesThu, 23 May 2013 20:30:00 ESThttp://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/champions-forum-malvanun-alert-now-live/http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Massively/~3/9t6QXoB1nMY/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/bioware-responds-to-swtor-legacy-system-exploits-and-bans/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/bioware-responds-to-swtor-legacy-system-exploits-and-bans/#comments<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/sci-fi/" rel="tag">Sci-Fi</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/game-mechanics/" rel="tag">Game Mechanics</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/mmo-industry/" rel="tag">MMO Industry</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/news-items/" rel="tag">News Items</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/free-to-play/" rel="tag">Free-to-Play</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/star-wars-the-old-republic/" rel="tag">Star Wars: The Old Republic</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/bioware-responds-to-swtor-legacy-system-exploits-and-bans/"><img alt="SWTOR - Innocent smuggler" data-src-height="298" data-src-width="530" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/itsnotmyfault.jpg" /></a></div> <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/bioware">BioWare</a> has followed up on the recent Legacy system/crystal banning <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/bioware-actively-investigating-recent-bannings/">brouhaha</a> that resulted in the temporary banning of some players from <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/star-wars-the-old-republic"><em>Star Wars: The Old Republic</em></a>. Community manager <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/eric-musco">Eric Musco</a> says that less than 150 people were incorrectly flagged, and if you're one of those folks you should have already received a message from customer service.<br /> <br /> "If you have not had your suspension reversed and you feel this was in error, please contact accountdisputes@swtor.com and they will be able to look into the issue further," Musco writes.<br /> <br /> [Thanks Olorunsegun Adewumi!]<p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/bioware-responds-to-swtor-legacy-system-exploits-and-bans/">BioWare responds to SWTOR Legacy system exploits and bans</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Thu, 23 May 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/bioware-responds-to-swtor-legacy-system-exploits-and-bans/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20582358/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/bioware-responds-to-swtor-legacy-system-exploits-and-bans/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><p><ul><li>Source: <a href="http://www.swtor.com/community/showthread.php?p=6346136#edit6346136" target="_blank">SWTOR forums</a><!--//--></li></ul></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Massively/~4/9t6QXoB1nMY" height="1" width="1"/>biowareeaelectronic-artsexploitsf2pfree-to-playits-not-my-faultlegacylucasartssci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorswtor-exploitthe-old-republictorThu, 23 May 2013 20:00:00 ESThttp://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/bioware-responds-to-swtor-legacy-system-exploits-and-bans/http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Massively/~3/CiBGSab8tB8/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/ken-hartsook-discusses-ultima-forever-from-behind-the-scenes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/ken-hartsook-discusses-ultima-forever-from-behind-the-scenes/#comments<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/fantasy/" rel="tag">Fantasy</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/video/" rel="tag">Video</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/game-mechanics/" rel="tag">Game Mechanics</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/previews/" rel="tag">Previews</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/news-items/" rel="tag">News Items</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/mobile/" rel="tag">Mobile</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/ken-hartsook-discusses-ultima-forever-from-behind-the-scenes/"><img alt="It's already better than Ultima Occasionally, Ultima Every Once In A While, and Ultima Biweekly." data-src-height="298" data-src-width="530" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/ultimaforever-video-epl-523.jpg" /></a></div> Looking forward to having some nostalgic adventures with <em><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/Ultima-Forever/">Ultima Forever</a></em> when it releases this summer? Then you might enjoy a trip behind the scenes of development with <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/Ken-Hartsook/">Ken Hartsook</a>, a software engineer working on the title at <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/Mythic/">Mythic</a>. Hartsook is the subject of a new video detailing some of the programming challenges associated with bringing <em>Ultima Forever</em> to the iOS family of devices as well as his favorite parts of the game as it approaches launch.<br /> <br /> According to Hartsook, one of the biggest challenges was finding a control scheme that worked for tablets and smartphones, which meant deviating substantially from classic control models. He also discusses the tilesets in the game and his experience playing a Fighter in the test version of the game. So if your iPad is ready and waiting for a chance to take the jump into Britannia, check out the full interview just past the break.<p><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/ken-hartsook-discusses-ultima-forever-from-behind-the-scenes/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Ken Hartsook discusses Ultima Forever from behind the scenes</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/ken-hartsook-discusses-ultima-forever-from-behind-the-scenes/">Ken Hartsook discusses Ultima Forever from behind the scenes</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Thu, 23 May 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/ken-hartsook-discusses-ultima-forever-from-behind-the-scenes/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20582032/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/ken-hartsook-discusses-ultima-forever-from-behind-the-scenes/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><p><ul><li>Source: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7tIDGqh6FM" target="_blank">YouTube</a><!--//--></li></ul></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Massively/~4/CiBGSab8tB8" height="1" width="1"/>behind-the-scenesdevelopmenteaelectronic-artsken-hartsookmobilemythicmythic-entertainmenttabletsufultima-forevervideovideosThu, 23 May 2013 19:00:00 ESThttp://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/ken-hartsook-discusses-ultima-forever-from-behind-the-scenes/http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Massively/~3/j9XYqO3XsPU/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/plastic-wax-studios-targets-mmo-and-mobile-cinematics/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/plastic-wax-studios-targets-mmo-and-mobile-cinematics/#comments<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/fantasy/" rel="tag">Fantasy</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/trailers/" rel="tag">Trailers</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/video/" rel="tag">Video</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/mmo-industry/" rel="tag">MMO Industry</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/free-to-play/" rel="tag">Free-to-Play</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/neverwinter/" rel="tag">Neverwinter</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/plastic-wax-studios-targets-mmo-and-mobile-cinematics/"><img alt="Plastic Wax Studios targets MMO and mobile cinematics" data-src-height="226" data-src-width="530" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/nevertrailer.jpg" /></a></div> If you found yourself impressed when you watched the four-minute cinematic opening for <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/neverwinter/"><em>Neverwinter</em></a>, then address all kudos and praise to <a href="http://www.plasticwax.com/">Plastic Wax Studios</a>. The company has previously focused on console titles, although it recently stated that it is branching out to provide cinematics for MMOs and mobile titles as well.<br /> <br /> Executive Vice President <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/dane-maddams">Dane Maddams</a> touts the studio's high fidelity and skill when it comes to these trailers: "We aimed to really push technology and art to compelling and cutting edge realism with our recent release of the Director's Cut cinematic for <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/perfect-world/">Perfect World's</a> <em>Neverwinter</em>. The cinematics were carefully designed to enhance the story in a never seen before narrative and build anticipation for the title to new heights."<br /> <br /> If you haven't watched the <em>Neverwinter </em>cinematic yet, you can do so after the jump.<br /> <br /> [Source: Plastic Wax Studios press release]<p><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/plastic-wax-studios-targets-mmo-and-mobile-cinematics/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Plastic Wax Studios targets MMO and mobile cinematics</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/plastic-wax-studios-targets-mmo-and-mobile-cinematics/">Plastic Wax Studios targets MMO and mobile cinematics</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Thu, 23 May 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/plastic-wax-studios-targets-mmo-and-mobile-cinematics/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20581733/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/plastic-wax-studios-targets-mmo-and-mobile-cinematics/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><p><ul></ul></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Massively/~4/j9XYqO3XsPU" height="1" width="1"/>action-mmocgicinematiccrypticcryptic-studiosDane-Maddamsdndf2pfantasyfree-to-playneverwinterperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentplastic-wax-studiospwetrailervideoThu, 23 May 2013 18:00:00 ESThttp://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/plastic-wax-studios-targets-mmo-and-mobile-cinematics/http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Massively/~3/jF8S5ylj5zE/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/black-sheep-online-gameplay-detailed-in-new-vids/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/black-sheep-online-gameplay-detailed-in-new-vids/#comments<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/fantasy/" rel="tag">Fantasy</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/game-mechanics/" rel="tag">Game Mechanics</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/mmo-industry/" rel="tag">MMO Industry</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/new-titles/" rel="tag">New Titles</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/news-items/" rel="tag">News Items</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/black-sheep-online-gameplay-detailed-in-new-vids/"><img alt="Black Sheep Online screenshot" data-src-height="281" data-src-width="530" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/bs2.jpg" /></a></div> <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/neowiz">Neowiz</a> is probably best known to western MMO fans as the publisher behind <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/bless"><em>BLESS</em></a>, one of those gorgeous big-budget Korean imports that seems to land on our shores once or twice per year. The firm is working on another title called <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/black-sheep-online"><em>Black Sheep Online</em></a>, though, and if the gameplay vids and screenshots on display at <a href="http://steparu.com/previews/mmo-rpg-previews/1225-project-black-sheep-preview">Steparu.com</a> are any indication, the new title might be worth watching.<br /> <br /> The game allows for different limb-focused hit boxes (so targeting arms and legs is a viable strategy), and it also features destructible environments including breakable dungeon walls. Steparu reports that <em>Black Sheep</em> boasts action-style combat and some sort of grappling system. You can check out a gameplay video after the cut, then head to Steparu.com for the full report.<p><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/black-sheep-online-gameplay-detailed-in-new-vids/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Black Sheep Online gameplay detailed in new vids</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/black-sheep-online-gameplay-detailed-in-new-vids/">Black Sheep Online gameplay detailed in new vids</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Thu, 23 May 2013 17:00:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/black-sheep-online-gameplay-detailed-in-new-vids/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20581897/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/black-sheep-online-gameplay-detailed-in-new-vids/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><p><ul><li>Source: <a href="http://steparu.com/previews/mmo-rpg-previews/1225-project-black-sheep-preview" target="_blank">Steparu</a><!--//--></li></ul></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Massively/~4/jF8S5ylj5zE" height="1" width="1"/>actionaction-combatblack-sheepblack-sheep-onlinedestructible-environmentsfantasyhit-boxesneowizThu, 23 May 2013 17:00:00 ESThttp://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/black-sheep-online-gameplay-detailed-in-new-vids/http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Massively/~3/mqrhkPNxfGI/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/the-guild-counsel-managing-the-peaks-of-success/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/the-guild-counsel-managing-the-peaks-of-success/#comments<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/guilds/" rel="tag">Guilds</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/opinion/" rel="tag">Opinion</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/the-guild-counsel/" rel="tag">The Guild Counsel</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/misc/" rel="tag">Miscellaneous</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/the-guild-counsel-managing-the-peaks-of-success/"><img alt="The Guild Counsel Managing the peaks of success" data-src-height="349" data-src-width="530" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2012/03/swtor-leader.jpg" /></a></div> I'm a Red Sox fan, and if there's ever a team that can exemplify the ups and downs of running a guild, it's the Red Sox. This was supposed to be a rebuilding year for the team, and yet they're near the top of the standings, only a game and a half behind the Team that Shall Not be Named. Managing a guild is also very often about handling the peaks and valleys of day to day life. It's as if the whole guild were manic depressive: You need to downplay the peaks and minimize the valleys.<br /> <br /> We've looked at the valleys quite a bit in this column because valleys represent a more urgent problem, but in this week's <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/the-guild-counsel/">Guild Counsel</a>, let's look at how to handle the peaks.<p><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/the-guild-counsel-managing-the-peaks-of-success/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>The Guild Counsel: Managing the peaks of success</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/the-guild-counsel-managing-the-peaks-of-success/">The Guild Counsel: Managing the peaks of success</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Thu, 23 May 2013 16:00:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/the-guild-counsel-managing-the-peaks-of-success/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20579896/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/the-guild-counsel-managing-the-peaks-of-success/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><p><ul></ul></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Massively/~4/mqrhkPNxfGI" height="1" width="1"/>advicefeaturedguildguild-adviceguild-counselguild-leadershipguild-managementguild-moraleguild-victoriesguildsleadershipmanaging-guild-successopinionthe-guild-counselThu, 23 May 2013 16:00:00 ESThttp://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/the-guild-counsel-managing-the-peaks-of-success/http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Massively/~3/_WnjMQzakHY/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/ragnarok-online-2-releases-in-europe/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/ragnarok-online-2-releases-in-europe/#comments<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/fantasy/" rel="tag">Fantasy</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/launches/" rel="tag">Launches</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/free-to-play/" rel="tag">Free-to-Play</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/promotions/" rel="tag">Promotions</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/ragnarok-online-2-releases-in-europe/"><img alt="Ragnarok Online 2 releases in Europe" data-src-height="281" data-src-width="530" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/rag2.jpg" /></a></div> <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/ragnarok-online-2/"><em>Ragnarok Online 2: Legend of the Second</em></a> has been given the keys to Europe, as <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/gravity/">Gravity Europe </a>announced that the free-to-play title is now available to play across the continent. The game comes with a new English translation, and promises to be "easier to dive into" than the original <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/ragnarok-online"><em>Ragnarok Online</em></a>.<br /> <br /> Gravity Managing Director <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/yves-blehaut">Yves Bl&eacute;haut</a> said of the launch, "For us, <em>Ragnarok Online 2</em> represents a major step in the life of a brand with as high a profile as <em>Ragnarok</em>. First and foremost, hosting so many players on two continents simultaneously represents a technical challenge for both us and our American partner, and it's also a major editorial step as two versions of <em>Ragnarok </em>will coexist: <em>RO1</em> for purists, and one more accessible to the general public, <em>RO2</em>."<br /> <br /> <em>Ragnarok Online 2</em> has been rolling out worldwide over the past few months. Gravity Europe is offering two different goodie packs through "specialized media" to promote the launch.<br /> <br /> [Source: Gravity Europe press release]<p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/ragnarok-online-2-releases-in-europe/">Ragnarok Online 2 releases in Europe</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Thu, 23 May 2013 15:00:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/ragnarok-online-2-releases-in-europe/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20581693/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/ragnarok-online-2-releases-in-europe/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><p><ul></ul></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Massively/~4/_WnjMQzakHY" height="1" width="1"/>asiasoftasiasoft-onlineeuropef2pfantasyfree-to-playfreemiumgravitygravity-europelaunchlaunchesmicrotransactionpromotionragnarok-2ragnarok-onlineragnarok-online-2ragnarok-online-2-legends-of-the-secondragnarok-online-iiro2Yves-BlehautThu, 23 May 2013 15:00:00 ESThttp://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/ragnarok-online-2-releases-in-europe/http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Massively/~3/cA-zkY6BqPw/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/watch-destinys-law-of-the-jungle-trailer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/watch-destinys-law-of-the-jungle-trailer/#comments<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/betas/" rel="tag">Betas</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/sci-fi/" rel="tag">Sci-Fi</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/trailers/" rel="tag">Trailers</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/video/" rel="tag">Video</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/mmofps/" rel="tag">MMOFPS</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/destiny/" rel="tag">Destiny</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/watch-destinys-law-of-the-jungle-trailer/"><img alt="Watch Destiny's law of the jungle trailer" data-src-height="291" data-src-width="530" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/destiny.jpg" /></a></div> We hope you like metaphors because <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/bungie">Bungie</a> is bringing a whopper of one to you through the magic of a <em><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/destiny/">Destiny</a></em> official trailer. The trailer is framed by a father reading to his son <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Law_of_the_Jungle">The Law of the Jungle</a> at bedtime, mentioning wolves and packs in such a way that we totally aren't thinking of The Hangover whatsoever.<br /> <br /> Of course, there's a bit of the game setting in there too, with masked, cloaked soldiers pulling out big guns and showing the enemy the business. The trailer concludes by stating that there will be a worldwide gameplay reveal for <em>Destiny </em>at <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/e3-2013">E3</a> on June 10th.<br /> <br /> Check out the savage trailer after the jump and let us know what jungle animal guides you in space!<p><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/watch-destinys-law-of-the-jungle-trailer/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Watch Destiny's law of the jungle trailer</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/watch-destinys-law-of-the-jungle-trailer/">Watch Destiny's law of the jungle trailer</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Thu, 23 May 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/watch-destinys-law-of-the-jungle-trailer/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20581664/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/watch-destinys-law-of-the-jungle-trailer/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><p><ul><li>Via: <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/destiny/" target="_blank">Joystiq</a><!--//--></via></ul></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Massively/~4/cA-zkY6BqPw" height="1" width="1"/>bungieconsoledestinye3e3-2013law-of-the-junglesci-fishooterthe-hangoverthe-law-of-the-jungletrailervideoThu, 23 May 2013 14:00:00 ESThttp://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/watch-destinys-law-of-the-jungle-trailer/http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Massively/~3/PyrNMlzPaUA/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/defiance-demands-your-attention-during-memorial-day-weekend/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/defiance-demands-your-attention-during-memorial-day-weekend/#comments<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/sci-fi/" rel="tag">Sci-Fi</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/events-real-world/" rel="tag">Events (Real-World)</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/mmo-industry/" rel="tag">MMO Industry</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/news-items/" rel="tag">News Items</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/defiance/" rel="tag">Defiance</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/buy-to-play/" rel="tag">Buy-to-Play</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/defiance-demands-your-attention-during-memorial-day-weekend/"><img alt="Defiance" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/04/defiancemonitors.jpg" /></a></div> In spite of <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/trion-reportedly-undergoing-massive-layoffs/">its recent layoffs</a> (or maybe because of them), <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/Trion-Worlds/">Trion Worlds</a> is plunging ahead with its <em><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/Defiance/">Defiance</a></em> promotions. Not only will <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/Syfy/">Syfy</a> be showing a six-episode Defiance-the-show marathon and recap special on Monday (that's May 27th from 4 to 11 p.m.), but <em>Defiance</em>-the-game will be on sale on Steam and available freely from today through Sunday to brand-new players. Players will also nab a second crack at the game's early episodic content, which starred the series' lead characters. Quoth the press release, <blockquote class="bq-standard">Gamers who have yet to explore the open world shooter can try it on PC for free on Steam from May 23rd at <s>10:00 a.m. PDT [1:00 p.m. EDT] </s>to May 26th <s>at 1:00 p.m. PDT [4:00 p.m. EDT]</s>. [See below for update on times.] Steam is also offering a weekend long sale on <em>Defiance</em> for those whose thirst for alien technology and open world action isn't satisfied by the trial. Both the Standard Edition and Digital Deluxe Edition will be 30% off. In addition, Steam will also be running a sale on "Bits," the in-game currency for <em>Defiance</em>, during which customers will get more "Bits" for their money.</blockquote> The studio notes that other retailers will feature independent sales but did not specifically say which ones.<br /> <br /> [Source: Trion press release]<br /> <br /> [Update #1: Readers are reporting that the free weekend on Steam is still not active. The times quoted here are exactly what the press release said, and they have come and gone. We've contacted Trion for clarification and will keep you posted when we actually know more.]<br /> [Update #2: Trion's PR says it's aware of the problem on Steam and is trying to get to the bottom of it now.]<br /> [Update #3: Trion says the new go-live time is now 4 p.m. PDT (7 p.m. EDT) Thursday.]<br /> [Update #4: Happy Friday, peeps. Trion has just posted an <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/defiance-demands-your-attention-during-memorial-day-weekend/">official page for the Steam promotion</a> complete with details on how to get signed up as a freebie player for the weekend.]<p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/defiance-demands-your-attention-during-memorial-day-weekend/">Defiance demands your attention during Memorial Day weekend [Updated]</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Thu, 23 May 2013 13:30:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/defiance-demands-your-attention-during-memorial-day-weekend/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20581652/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/defiance-demands-your-attention-during-memorial-day-weekend/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><p><ul><li>Source: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.defiance.com/">Official Defiance site</a><!--//--></li></ul></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Massively/~4/PyrNMlzPaUA" height="1" width="1"/>arkark-hunterarkfalldealdealsdefiancemmo-shooterpromotionpvprewindsci-fishootersteamsyfythird-person-shootertpstransmedia-synergytriontrion-worldstvxboxThu, 23 May 2013 13:30:00 ESThttp://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/defiance-demands-your-attention-during-memorial-day-weekend/http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Massively/~3/V8h1d0qpO8Y/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/ask-massively-the-irony-of-media-and-betas/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/ask-massively-the-irony-of-media-and-betas/#comments<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/betas/" rel="tag">Betas</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/business-models/" rel="tag">Business Models</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/events-real-world/" rel="tag">Events (Real-World)</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/mmo-industry/" rel="tag">MMO Industry</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/opinion/" rel="tag">Opinion</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/massively-meta/" rel="tag">Massively Meta</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/ask-massively/" rel="tag">Ask Massively</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/misc/" rel="tag">Miscellaneous</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/ask-massively-the-irony-of-media-and-betas/"><img alt="PRESS HAT" data-src-height="350" data-src-width="530" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/presshat.jpg" /></a></div> It's a running joke on Massively that some readers believe our lives are glamorous and that we sleep in beds made out of free video game swag. The truth is that video game bloggers are working in this field because they love the job. At least that's how it is around here. Or maybe writing in our pajamas is too posh to pass up. But people still believe we are loaded with perks just because we get to wear fancy hats that say "PRESS." Just kidding. There are no hats.<br /> <br /> Here's a recent example from a reader named <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/10/tamriel-infinium-stepping-into-the-world-of-the-elder-scrolls-o/?hubRefSrc=permalink#lf_comment=73295590">Will6</a>: <blockquote class="bq-standard">Lucky you, getting to test drive the game. Everyone knows the press get instant invites because they are a free way [for studios] to advertise their game and get the word out.</blockquote> It's time for "everyone" to be disabused of that notion.<p><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/ask-massively-the-irony-of-media-and-betas/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Ask Massively: The irony of media and betas</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/ask-massively-the-irony-of-media-and-betas/">Ask Massively: The irony of media and betas</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Thu, 23 May 2013 13:00:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/ask-massively-the-irony-of-media-and-betas/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20578353/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/ask-massively-the-irony-of-media-and-betas/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><p><ul></ul></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Massively/~4/V8h1d0qpO8Y" height="1" width="1"/>adviceadvice-columnalphaask-massivelybest-testingbetabrianna-royce-ask-massivelyfeaturedhumorimpressionsmassively-metamediametaopinionperkspresstestingThu, 23 May 2013 13:00:00 ESThttp://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/ask-massively-the-irony-of-media-and-betas/http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Massively/~3/ox1yOh3EFpU/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/shazam-gives-infinite-crisis-lineup-a-jolt/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/shazam-gives-infinite-crisis-lineup-a-jolt/#comments<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/betas/" rel="tag">Betas</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/super-hero/" rel="tag">Super-hero</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/trailers/" rel="tag">Trailers</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/video/" rel="tag">Video</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/classes/" rel="tag">Classes</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/game-mechanics/" rel="tag">Game Mechanics</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/new-titles/" rel="tag">New Titles</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/news-items/" rel="tag">News Items</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/free-to-play/" rel="tag">Free-to-Play</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/moba/" rel="tag">MOBA</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/infinite-crisis/" rel="tag">Infinite Crisis</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/shazam-gives-infinite-crisis-lineup-a-jolt/"><img alt="Shazam gives Infinite Crisis lineup a jolt" data-src-height="320" data-src-width="530" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/shazam.jpg" style="margin: 4px;" /></a></div> Even as a mere mortal, Billy Batson stood up to injustice. And now, thanks to the powers granted him by the ancient wizard Shazam, Billy can turn into a mighty lightning-infused warrior to fight against injustice, evil... and whatever opponents happen to queue against him! Joining the pool of available champions in <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/turbine">Turbine's</a> upcoming MOBA <em><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/infinite-crisis">Infinite Crisis</a></em>, the superhero formerly known as Captain Marvel (name officially changed to Shazam in 2010) hails from the Prime Universe and brings the power of lightning front-and-center as a melee enforcer.<br /> <br /> Want to catch of glimpse of Shazam's powers and abilities like Speed of Mercury, Power of Zeus, Lightning Field, and Mystic Power/Defense? Then watch the champion reveal video after the break.<br /> <br /> [Source: Turbine press release]<p><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/shazam-gives-infinite-crisis-lineup-a-jolt/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Shazam gives Infinite Crisis lineup a jolt</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/shazam-gives-infinite-crisis-lineup-a-jolt/">Shazam gives Infinite Crisis lineup a jolt</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Thu, 23 May 2013 12:30:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/shazam-gives-infinite-crisis-lineup-a-jolt/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20581426/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/shazam-gives-infinite-crisis-lineup-a-jolt/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><p><ul></ul></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Massively/~4/ox1yOh3EFpU" height="1" width="1"/>betadc-comicsInfinite-Crisisinfinite-Crisis-videomeleeMOBAnew-championShazamTurbinevideoThu, 23 May 2013 12:30:00 ESThttp://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/shazam-gives-infinite-crisis-lineup-a-jolt/http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Massively/~3/n7SDyysJV6I/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/neverwinter-days-the-great-economic-collapse-of-2013/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/neverwinter-days-the-great-economic-collapse-of-2013/#comments<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/betas/" rel="tag">Betas</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/fantasy/" rel="tag">Fantasy</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/bugs/" rel="tag">Bugs</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/economy/" rel="tag">Economy</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/opinion/" rel="tag">Opinion</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/free-to-play/" rel="tag">Free-to-Play</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/neverwinter/" rel="tag">Neverwinter</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/neverwinter-days/" rel="tag">Neverwinter Days</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/neverwinter-days-the-great-economic-collapse-of-2013/"><img alt="Neverwinter Days The great economic collapse of 2013" data-src-height="277" data-src-width="530" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/never1-1369252124.jpg" /></a></div> So funny story: In planning out in advance what I wanted to talk about in this biweekly <a href="http://nw.perfectworld.com"><em>Neverwinter</em></a> column, I had selected something that recently caught my eye about the game and made me happy. That something was the<em> </em><a href="https://gateway.playneverwinter.com/"><em>Neverwinter</em> Gateway</a>, a web portal that allows out-of-game players the ability to fiddle with their character sheets, auctions, professions, guilds, and mail. I thought -- and I still do -- that this was a nifty service that deserved a day in the sun.<br /> <br /> As I was getting set to write that column, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/neverwinter/"><em>Neverwinter's</em></a> economy exploded and then imploded over the course of a weekend, thanks to a nasty exploit that involved, yup, the Gateway. Suddenly my topic had to shift from "isn't this a neat tool?" to "check out what the tools are doing with this tool." Seeing the economy effectively destroyed in a matter of hours and how <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/cryptic-studios/">Cryptic Studios</a> dealt with this PR nightmare might be old news at this point, but it's definitely worthy of reflection, analysis, and speculation as to how trust can be rebuilt in this fledgling title.<br /> <br /> Let's get cracking -- we have a lot of ground to cover!<p><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/neverwinter-days-the-great-economic-collapse-of-2013/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Neverwinter Days: The great economic collapse of 2013</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/neverwinter-days-the-great-economic-collapse-of-2013/">Neverwinter Days: The great economic collapse of 2013</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Thu, 23 May 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/neverwinter-days-the-great-economic-collapse-of-2013/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20570109/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/neverwinter-days-the-great-economic-collapse-of-2013/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><p><ul></ul></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Massively/~4/n7SDyysJV6I" height="1" width="1"/>astral-diamondsbugcrypticcryptic-studiosdnddungeons-and-dragonseconomic-collapseeconomic-meltdowneconomyexploitexploitersexploitsf2pfantasyfeaturedfoundryfree-to-playgatewayneverwinterneverwinter-daysneverwinter-gatewayneverwinter-nightsopinionperfect-worldperfect-world-entertainmentPGCplayer-generated-contentpwethe-foundryThu, 23 May 2013 12:00:00 ESThttp://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/neverwinter-days-the-great-economic-collapse-of-2013/http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Massively/~3/Z8uuqfajXXU/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/final-fantasy-xivs-relaunch-set-for-august-27/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/final-fantasy-xivs-relaunch-set-for-august-27/#comments<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/betas/" rel="tag">Betas</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/fantasy/" rel="tag">Fantasy</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/trailers/" rel="tag">Trailers</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/video/" rel="tag">Video</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/news-items/" rel="tag">News Items</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/final-fantasy-xiv/" rel="tag">Final Fantasy XIV</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/final-fantasy-xivs-relaunch-set-for-august-27/"><img alt="Final Fantasy XIV's relaunch set for August 27" data-src-height="257" data-src-width="530" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/ce.jpg" style="margin:4px" /></a></div> <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/Square-Enix/">Square Enix</a> has announced today that <em><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/Final-Fantasy-XIV/">Final Fantasy XIV</a></em>: <em><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/A-Realm-Reborn/">A Realm Reborn</a></em> is set for release on August 27, 2013 on both PC and PS3.<br /> <br /> According to <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/10/final-fantasy-xiv-coming-this-summer-next-beta-phase-starting-i/">previous reports</a>, the third phase of the relaunched game's beta will begin some time next month. This phase will be the first time <em>A Realm Reborn</em> will be open to PS3 players during this beta.<br /> <br /> Click past the jump for complete details on pre-order bonuses and the Collector's Edition box contents as well as the new video.<br /> <br /> [Source: Square Enix press release]<p><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/final-fantasy-xivs-relaunch-set-for-august-27/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Final Fantasy XIV's relaunch set for August 27th [Updated with video]</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/final-fantasy-xivs-relaunch-set-for-august-27/">Final Fantasy XIV's relaunch set for August 27th [Updated with video]</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Thu, 23 May 2013 11:30:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/final-fantasy-xivs-relaunch-set-for-august-27/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20581436/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/final-fantasy-xivs-relaunch-set-for-august-27/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><p><ul></ul></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Massively/~4/Z8uuqfajXXU" height="1" width="1"/>a-realm-reborncollectors-editionconsoleconsolesfantasyffff14ffxivfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivpre-orderpreordersquaresquare-enixtrailertrailersvideovideosThu, 23 May 2013 11:30:00 ESThttp://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/final-fantasy-xivs-relaunch-set-for-august-27/http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Massively/~3/3BwwivTIXAg/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/bioware-actively-investigating-recent-bannings/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/bioware-actively-investigating-recent-bannings/#comments<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/sci-fi/" rel="tag">Sci-Fi</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/mmo-industry/" rel="tag">MMO Industry</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/news-items/" rel="tag">News Items</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/free-to-play/" rel="tag">Free-to-Play</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/star-wars-the-old-republic/" rel="tag">Star Wars: The Old Republic</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/bioware-actively-investigating-recent-bannings/"><img alt="BioWare 'actively investigating' recent bannings" data-src-height="320" data-src-width="530" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/torbans.jpg" /></a></div> If you follow <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/star-wars-the-old-republic"><em>Star Wars: The Old Republic</em></a> at all (and judging by the response to our tip line, you do!), you've heard the hullabaloo involving crystals and account bans going on right now. It appears some players have found they can bypass the fee necessary to unlock crystals account-wide in the Collection UI by spawning multiple crystals and using the Legacy system to trade those crystals to alts. As a result, a number of accounts have received temporary bans for exploiting. However, a number of players also claim they were caught in the cross-fire just for having a large number of legitimate crystals in their inventory, not realizing that was considered an exploit.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/bioware/">BioWare</a> has <a href="http://www.swtor.com/community/showthread.php?p=6341299#post6341299">issued a statement</a> that it is aware of the situation and is actively investigating and that more information will be posted when it is available. In regard to the deleted and locked threads involving the issue, BioWare also reminded players that posts discussing exploits or action taken against accounts is not permitted on the forums.<br /> <br /> [Thanks to all who sent in tips!]<p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/bioware-actively-investigating-recent-bannings/">BioWare 'actively investigating' recent SWTOR bannings</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Thu, 23 May 2013 11:00:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/bioware-actively-investigating-recent-bannings/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20581333/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/bioware-actively-investigating-recent-bannings/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><p><ul><li>Source: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.reddit.com/r/swtor/comments/1eum40/suspensions_over_cartel_color_crystals_going_out/">Reddit crystal bans thread</a><!--//-->, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.swtor.com/community/showthread.php?p=6341299#post6341299">BioWare response</a><!--//--></li></ul></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Massively/~4/3BwwivTIXAg" height="1" width="1"/>bansbiowareCollections-UIeaelectronic-artsexploitingexploitsf2pfree-to-playlucasartssci-fistar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republictorThu, 23 May 2013 11:00:00 ESThttp://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/bioware-actively-investigating-recent-bannings/http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Massively/~3/2w0Q5-flzHg/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/lost-continent-an-archeage-community-guide/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/lost-continent-an-archeage-community-guide/#comments<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/fantasy/" rel="tag">Fantasy</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/mmo-industry/" rel="tag">MMO Industry</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/new-titles/" rel="tag">New Titles</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/opinion/" rel="tag">Opinion</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/archeage/" rel="tag">ArcheAge</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/sandbox/" rel="tag">Sandbox</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/lost-continent/" rel="tag">Lost Continent</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/lost-continent-an-archeage-community-guide/"><img alt="Lost Continent - ArcheAge Adventures: Community guide" data-src-height="315" data-src-width="530" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/04/header-1366643846.jpg" /></a></div> Is it me, or has <a href="http://www.archeage.com/en"><em>ArcheAge</em></a> been a long time coming? I don't think it's me because it was <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/12/archeage-closed-beta-announced/">three years</a> and thousands of posts ago that Massively introduced <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/archeage"><em>ArcheAge</em></a> to western gamers. Heck, it was six years ago that <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/jake-song">Jake Song</a> and company started building <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/xl-games">XLGAMES</a>' upcoming sandpark.<br /> <br /> And it's been two years -- <em>two years!</em> -- since I first got my hands on the game's seemingly endless <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/31/massively-exclusive-the-sweet-and-sour-of-archeages-third-clos/">closed beta</a>. Now, though, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. <a href="http://www.trionworlds.com">Trion</a> recently and famously <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/01/24/trion-to-publish-archeage-in-the-west/">signed on to publish <em>ArcheAge</em> in the West</a>, and despite the silence following the announcement, I'm still optimistic about a beta before the end of the year.<br /> <br /> Even if it that doesn't happen, we've still got plenty to talk about, which is why I'm taking the wraps off Massively's newest game-specific column. Join me after the cut for the traditional first-issue community roundup.<p><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/lost-continent-an-archeage-community-guide/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Lost Continent: An ArcheAge community guide</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/lost-continent-an-archeage-community-guide/">Lost Continent: An ArcheAge community guide</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Thu, 23 May 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/lost-continent-an-archeage-community-guide/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20546831/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/lost-continent-an-archeage-community-guide/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><p><ul></ul></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Massively/~4/2w0Q5-flzHg" height="1" width="1"/>aaarche-agearcheagearcheage-community-guidearcheage-fansitearcheage-fansitesarcheage-guidecolumnfantasyfeaturedjake-songkorealost-continentlost-continent-guidespvpsandboxsandparktriontrion-worldsxl-gamesxlgamesThu, 23 May 2013 10:00:00 ESThttp://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/lost-continent-an-archeage-community-guide/http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Massively/~3/WX_S3A6zLs0/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/the-perfect-ten-movies-for-the-mmo-fan/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/the-perfect-ten-movies-for-the-mmo-fan/#comments<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/culture/" rel="tag">Culture</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/opinion/" rel="tag">Opinion</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/humor/" rel="tag">Humor</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/perfect-ten/" rel="tag">Perfect Ten</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/misc/" rel="tag">Miscellaneous</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/the-perfect-ten-movies-for-the-mmo-fan/"><img alt="The Perfect Ten Movies for the MMO fan" data-src-height="293" data-src-width="530" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/tron.jpg" /></a></div> You love movies? Sure, who doesn't? I certainly do; <a href="http://mutantreviewers.wordpress.com/">I've been reviewing them with friends since 1997</a>. I'm always fascinated by how many out-of-the-way gems there are that go overlooked by the mainstream audience, and I love how films tie into our daily experiences in unexpected ways.<br /> <br /> MMOs haven't quite gotten popular enough to spawn their own sub-genre of films, apart from <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/the-fellows-hip-rise-of-the-gamers/">the odd fan project</a> or the long-rumored <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/wow-movie/"><em>World of Warcraft</em> flick</a>. That doesn't mean that we're lacking good movie role models for our hobby, however. I think that there are plenty of films that are perfectly suited for the MMO fan, even if they've never been thought of as such.<br /> <br /> So here are 10 films that speak to us as gamers. To make things interesting, I excluded any movie that shares the same IP as an MMO. Read this list and let me know what you would pick!<p><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/the-perfect-ten-movies-for-the-mmo-fan/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>The Perfect Ten: Movies for the MMO fan</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/the-perfect-ten-movies-for-the-mmo-fan/">The Perfect Ten: Movies for the MMO fan</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Thu, 23 May 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/the-perfect-ten-movies-for-the-mmo-fan/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20565306/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/the-perfect-ten-movies-for-the-mmo-fan/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><p><ul></ul></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Massively/~4/WX_S3A6zLs0" height="1" width="1"/>cinemafeaturedfilmfilmsflickflickshumormoviemoviesopinionp10perfect-10perfect-tenroundupscott-pilgrimthe-perfect-10the-perfect-tentop-10top-10-listtop-tentop-ten-listThu, 23 May 2013 09:00:00 ESThttp://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/the-perfect-ten-movies-for-the-mmo-fan/http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Massively/~3/jLbwM0d1-yI/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/the-daily-grind-would-you-like-appropriate-movie-tie-in-content/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/the-daily-grind-would-you-like-appropriate-movie-tie-in-content/#comments<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/super-hero/" rel="tag">Super-hero</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/culture/" rel="tag">Culture</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/mmo-industry/" rel="tag">MMO Industry</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/opinion/" rel="tag">Opinion</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/free-to-play/" rel="tag">Free-to-Play</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/dc-universe-online/" rel="tag">DC Universe Online</a></p><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/the-daily-grind-would-you-like-appropriate-movie-tie-in-content/"><img alt="Superman arrested" data-src-height="284" data-src-width="225" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/558571large.jpg" style="float: left; padding-right: 10px;" /></a>I don't know if <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/soe">SOE</a> has any plans to capitalize on the wave of Superman hype sweeping the nerdosphere on account of Zack Snyder's upcoming Man of Steel film. The firm's <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/dc-universe-online"><em>DC Universe Online</em></a> title features the big blue boy scout rather prominently, of course, and the timing seems right if there aren't a bunch of legal stumbling blocks.<br /> <br /> SOE has done movie tie-ins with an MMO before, way back in 2005 when its <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/rage-of-the-wookiees"><em>Rage of the Wookiees </em></a>expansion added a bunch of Episode III-themed content to <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/star-wars-galaxies"><em>Star Wars Galaxies</em></a>. Last summer, though, the firm didn't really acknowledge Christopher Nolan's final Batman film in <em>DCUO</em>, so it may not be in the cards for Supes either.<br /> <br /> Regardless of what actually happens, would you like to see appropriate movie tie-in content in certain MMOs? Or do you prefer to keep the properties separate?<br /> <br /> <img align="left" alt="" border="0" hspace="0" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.massively.com/media/2010/09/coffee.jpg" style="padding-right: 10px;" vspace="0" /><em>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 <a href="http://www.massively.com/category/the-daily-grind/">Daily Grind</a>!</em><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/the-daily-grind-would-you-like-appropriate-movie-tie-in-content/">The Daily Grind: Would you like appropriate movie tie-in content in your MMOs?</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Thu, 23 May 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/the-daily-grind-would-you-like-appropriate-movie-tie-in-content/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20580243/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/the-daily-grind-would-you-like-appropriate-movie-tie-in-content/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><p><ul></ul></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Massively/~4/jLbwM0d1-yI" height="1" width="1"/>consoleconsolesdaily-grinddc-universedc-universe-onlinedcuof2pfree-to-playman-of-steelopinionplaystation-3playstation3ps3soesony-online-entertainmentsuperherosuperheroessupermantdgthe-daily-grindThu, 23 May 2013 08:00:00 ESThttp://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/23/the-daily-grind-would-you-like-appropriate-movie-tie-in-content/http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Massively/~3/Jc-I1bpXKY8/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/free-for-all-an-interview-with-thresholdrpgs-michael-hartman/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/free-for-all-an-interview-with-thresholdrpgs-michael-hartman/#comments<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/fantasy/" rel="tag">Fantasy</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/video/" rel="tag">Video</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/business-models/" rel="tag">Business Models</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/game-mechanics/" rel="tag">Game Mechanics</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/interviews/" rel="tag">Interviews</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/browser/" rel="tag">Browser</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/free-for-all/" rel="tag">Free for All</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/livestream/" rel="tag">Livestream</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/misc/" rel="tag">Miscellaneous</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/sandbox/" rel="tag">Sandbox</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/crowdfunding/" rel="tag">Crowdfunding</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/free-for-all-an-interview-with-thresholdrpgs-michael-hartman/"><img alt="ThresholdRPG screenshot" data-src-height="332" data-src-width="530" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/fullscreen-capture-5222013-101110-am.bmp.jpg" style="margin: 4px; border-width: 0px; border-style: solid;" /></a></div> The last time I explored <a href="http://www.thresholdrpg.com"><em>ThresholdRPG</em></a>, I had a blast. It was one of a batch of MUDs that I used to re-introduce myself to the ancient gaming genre, and I <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/27/rise-and-shiny-threshold-rpg/">enjoyed its simplicity and friendly community</a>. MUDs can seem to be very similar to each other, so in order to enjoy them, you must be able to pick out the finer details that separate them. In <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/Threshold-RPG"><em>ThresholdRPG</em></a>, I particularly enjoyed fishing, roleplay, customization, and a free-to-play model that was years ahead of its time when first released 17 years ago.<br /> <br /> The game can be a bit <em>odd</em>, like any MUD. During <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/MUD-May/">MUD May</a> I've discovered just how confusing many of these titles can be, but I have also grown to enjoy solving the "mystery" of each game's particular set of code-words that unlock actions. <em>ThresholdRPG</em> is like other MUDs and introduces players to basic commands, but once out in the world a player is on her own. The good news is that an out-of-character help chat is always available and sits right on top of the standard roleplay-enforced chat. That juxtaposition of both channels actually helps immerse me in the game, allowing me to see literally where and when I can use out-of-character speech.<br /> <br /> I asked <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/michael-hartman/">Michael Hartman</a>, president and CEO of <a href="http://www.frogdice.com">Frogdice</a>, to talk about MUD development and branching out into other styles of gaming.<p><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/free-for-all-an-interview-with-thresholdrpgs-michael-hartman/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Free for All: An interview with ThresholdRPG's Michael Hartman</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/free-for-all-an-interview-with-thresholdrpgs-michael-hartman/">Free for All: An interview with ThresholdRPG's Michael Hartman</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Wed, 22 May 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/free-for-all-an-interview-with-thresholdrpgs-michael-hartman/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20577854/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/free-for-all-an-interview-with-thresholdrpgs-michael-hartman/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><p><ul></ul></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Massively/~4/Jc-I1bpXKY8" height="1" width="1"/>achaeabeau-hindmanf2pfeaturedffafree-for-allfree-to-playfreemiuminterviewmichael-hartmanmudMUD-MayMUDsopinionthresholdrpgvelvet-ropeWed, 22 May 2013 20:00:00 ESThttp://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/free-for-all-an-interview-with-thresholdrpgs-michael-hartman/http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Massively/~3/LIY_ITlbMZ4/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/choose-my-adventure-building-on-the-clan-experience-in-darkfall/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/choose-my-adventure-building-on-the-clan-experience-in-darkfall/#comments<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/fantasy/" rel="tag">Fantasy</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/polls/" rel="tag">Polls</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/darkfall/" rel="tag">Darkfall</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/guilds/" rel="tag">Guilds</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/pvp/" rel="tag">PvP</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/choose-my-adventure/" rel="tag">Choose My Adventure</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/sandbox/" rel="tag">Sandbox</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/choose-my-adventure-building-on-the-clan-experience-in-darkfall/"><img alt="Choose My Adventure Building on the clan experience in Darkfall" data-src-height="320" data-src-width="530" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/clan-header.jpg" style="margin: 4px;" /></a></div> Boy, MJ's Misadventureland is really coming along! Hiring a few more hands sure has sped things up; you wouldn't even recognize the project now compared to even just one week ago. But isn't that the whole point of <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/choose-my-adventure">Choose My Adventure</a> -- to watch the adventure that you're building develop and unfold? Well, that and to snicker at your Massively guinea pigs... we know.<br /> <br /> Having gone into this particular <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/choose-my-adventure-mj-guthrie/">adventure</a> knowing that <a href="http://www.darkfallonline.com/"><em>Darkfall Unholy Wars</em></a> was not a game meant for the solo soul, I knew that it was only a matter of time before I found myself in a clan to experience more of the heart of the game, which just so happens to be clan warfare. And trust me, the clan wasted no time throwing me into the thick of things once you put me in one.<br /> <br /> Although I do think starting off solo was important to get the real experience <em><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/darkfall">Darkfall</a></em> any new player would (after all, most find a clan after first logging in), this week really has shown me a whole new game. I'd just scratched the surface before, the skin if you will, and now I've peered into the heart and seen the seedy underbelly as well.<div class="postgallery"><p><strong>Gallery: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/photos/choose-my-adventure-darkfall-unholy-wars/">Choose My Adventure: Darkfall Unholy Wars</a></strong></p><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/photos/choose-my-adventure-darkfall-unholy-wars/#5900570"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/c2-1369194572_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/photos/choose-my-adventure-darkfall-unholy-wars/#5900571"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/c3-1369194573_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/photos/choose-my-adventure-darkfall-unholy-wars/#5900569"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/c1-1369194571_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/photos/choose-my-adventure-darkfall-unholy-wars/#5900572"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/c4-1369194574_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/photos/choose-my-adventure-darkfall-unholy-wars/#5900575"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/c7_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><p><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/choose-my-adventure-building-on-the-clan-experience-in-darkfall/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Choose My Adventure: Building on the clan experience in Darkfall</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/choose-my-adventure-building-on-the-clan-experience-in-darkfall/">Choose My Adventure: Building on the clan experience in Darkfall</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Wed, 22 May 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/choose-my-adventure-building-on-the-clan-experience-in-darkfall/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20578177/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/choose-my-adventure-building-on-the-clan-experience-in-darkfall/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><p><ul></ul></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Massively/~4/LIY_ITlbMZ4" height="1" width="1"/>agonaventurinechoose-my-adventurechoose-my-adventure-darkfallchoose-my-adventure-mj-guthrieclanscmadarkfalldarkfall-unholy-warsdffantasyfeaturedguildshands-onopen-pvpopinionpollpollspvpreaders-choicesandboxsiegessiegingunholy-warsvotevotingWed, 22 May 2013 19:00:00 ESThttp://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/choose-my-adventure-building-on-the-clan-experience-in-darkfall/http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Massively/~3/KK5UrdYPSE4/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/38-studios-vs-state-of-rhode-island-court-case-begins/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/38-studios-vs-state-of-rhode-island-court-case-begins/#comments<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/mmo-industry/" rel="tag">MMO Industry</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/news-items/" rel="tag">News Items</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/legal/" rel="tag">Legal</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/misc/" rel="tag">Miscellaneous</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/38-studios-vs-state-of-rhode-island-court-case-begins/"><img alt="Whoever wins, this whole thing was a pretty substantial loss." data-src-height="301" data-src-width="530" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/38studios-court-epl-522.jpg" /></a></div> We'll never see <em><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/Project-Copernicus/">Project Copernicus</a></em> come to light, and for some people that's the last that needs to be said about <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/38-Studios/">38 Studios</a>. For the state of Rhode Island, however, there's quite a bit more at stake, with the state alleging that 38 Studios tried to hide its financial condition and essentially defrauded the taxpayers of Rhode Island. <a href="http://news.providencejournal.com/breaking-news/2013/05/lawyers-begin-arguments-in-38-studios-lawsuit.html">Opening arguments have been heard today for the case</a>, with the 14 individual defendants seeking to have the case dismissed as completely spurious.<br /> <br /> When 38 Studios folded, that left Rhode Island in the hole for a $75 million loan. The lawsuit is seeking restitution from <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/Curt-Schilling/">Curt Schilling</a> and 13 other individuals, including former members of the Rhode Island Economic Development Corp that originally supported the loan. According to the EDC's lawyers, substantial evidence exists that this loan was based upon intentional misdirection on the part of upper management, although the defense claims these allegations are ridiculous. At this point, <a href="http://news.providencejournal.com/breaking-news/2013/05/lawyers-begin-arguments-in-38-studios-lawsuit.html">it's up to the courts who's in the right</a>.<p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/38-studios-vs-state-of-rhode-island-court-case-begins/">38 Studios vs. State of Rhode Island court case begins</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Wed, 22 May 2013 18:30:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/38-studios-vs-state-of-rhode-island-court-case-begins/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20580419/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/38-studios-vs-state-of-rhode-island-court-case-begins/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><p><ul><li>Source: <a href="http://news.providencejournal.com/breaking-news/2013/05/lawyers-begin-arguments-in-38-studios-lawsuit.html" target="_blank">Providence Journal</a><!--//--></li><li>Via: <a href="http://www.gamespot.com//news/38-studios-court-case-begins-6408743" target="_blank">Gamespot</a><!--//--></via></ul></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Massively/~4/KK5UrdYPSE4" height="1" width="1"/>38-studiosamalurcopernicuscourtcourt-battlecurt-schillinglawslawsuitlegalproject-copernicusrhode-islandWed, 22 May 2013 18:30:00 ESThttp://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/38-studios-vs-state-of-rhode-island-court-case-begins/http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Massively/~3/JjUT66Uj338/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/new-video-details-the-website-changes-for-runescape-3/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/new-video-details-the-website-changes-for-runescape-3/#comments<p>Filed under: <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/betas/" rel="tag">Betas</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/fantasy/" rel="tag">Fantasy</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/previews/" rel="tag">Previews</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/news-items/" rel="tag">News Items</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/runescape/" rel="tag">RuneScape</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/free-to-play/" rel="tag">Free-to-Play</a>, <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/browser/" rel="tag">Browser</a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/new-video-details-the-website-changes-for-runescape-3/"><img alt="I believe this man is named Scores. Hi, Scores." data-src-height="298" data-src-width="530" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/massively.joystiq.com/media/2013/05/runescape-newsite-epl-522.jpg" /></a></div> What's in a website? Quite a lot when your game is based in a browser client, as it happens. With <em><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/category/RuneScape/">RuneScape 3</a></em> around the corner, the team at <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/tag/Jagex/">Jagex</a> is hard at work putting together a new and improved website, and a new video from the development team shows off just what players can expect. Which is quite a lot.<br /> <br /> For example, one of the centerpieces of the revised design is a series of six buttons front-and-center on the page. The trick is that three of the buttons can be customized by you, allowing you to immediately jump to the most useful parts of the page for your particular playstyle. The team is also revamping the high score pages to incorporate weekly high scores, meaning that newer players can still have a shot at the top. There will even be rewards for people who do well in a given interval. For more details, check out the full video past the break.<p><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/new-video-details-the-website-changes-for-runescape-3/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>New video details the website changes for RuneScape 3</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com"><img src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Massively" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/new-video-details-the-website-changes-for-runescape-3/">New video details the website changes for RuneScape 3</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://massively.joystiq.com">Massively</a> on Wed, 22 May 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/new-video-details-the-website-changes-for-runescape-3/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/forward/20580043/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/new-video-details-the-website-changes-for-runescape-3/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><p><ul><li>Source: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qj3eZos5zgo&amp;feature=player_embedded&amp;list=PL05126FA13EDBEB7E" target="_blank">YouTube</a><!--//--></li></ul></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Massively/~4/JjUT66Uj338" height="1" width="1"/>browserbrowser-basedclassic-mmof2pfantasyfree-to-playjagexjagex-games-studiorsrunescaperunescape-3sandboxvideovideoswebsitewebsite-improvementsWed, 22 May 2013 18:00:00 ESThttp://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/22/new-video-details-the-website-changes-for-runescape-3/