Virtual World News
Filed under: Culture, Opinion, The Daily Grind, Miscellaneous
Regular groups -- if you can pull them off and stick with them -- can offer a singular experience in which friends bond over a continuous shared journey, one in which they become a fully functional team from the onset. Plus, being part of one means that no content is too big or too small, and one never need worry about having to troll the LFG channel or dungeon finders for strangers.
So I'm curious: How many of you have been a part of a regular MMO group? How do you make it work, and what did you take away from it?
Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!
The Daily Grind: Have you ever been a part of a regular group? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Filed under: Sci-fi, EVE Online, Business models, MMO industry, News items, Sandbox
The website reports that EVE's revenue features a compound annual growth rate of 53 percent, and the title has also generated $300 million in total revenue since its 2003 launch. Interestingly, the article avoids all mention of 2011's Monoclegate brouhaha and the resulting player protests that led CCP to refocus its development plans. It also paints a rosy picture of New Eden's future, and CCP head honcho Hilmar Petursson says an IPO is a possibility.
"We want to be ready for an IPO from a policy standpoint," he explains. "We're quite a substantial company, so we're thinking, OK, what is the next step?"
CCP touts EVE growth, considers IPO originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
- Source: TechCrunch
Filed under: Fantasy, Galleries, Screenshots, Trailers, Video, Classes, Patches, Free-to-play
Perhaps they should check out the new Ranger class, which excels at ranged damage with a bow, artillery gun, or eagle (don't scoff -- a face-full of eagle will ruin anyone's day). If Rangers aren't your bag, then there's an increased level cap to 65, PvP improvements such as a 3v3 matchmaking system, and new high-level areas and dungeons to explore.
Eden Eternal just added the Samurai class to the game last month. You can get a peek at all of this update goodness in the gallery and video below!
[Source: Aeria Games press release]
Continue reading Eden Eternal calls forth the Ranger
Eden Eternal calls forth the Ranger originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Filed under: Fantasy, Polls, Ryzom, Opinion, Free-to-play, Choose My Adventure, Sandbox
And so it was that Corlede obeyed the will of the people and headed off for the Zorai city. Once there, I set about the important business of getting Corlede outfitted, taking some advice, and assembling a team to plant an idea inside the head of a talking lion meant to represent a well-known religious figure. Or something like that.
Continue reading Choose My Adventure: Mainland in black
Choose My Adventure: Mainland in black originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Filed under: MMO industry, Opinion, Kids, MMO Family, Family, Miscellaneous
Kid-friendly MMOs are a relatively new segment of the MMO industry, but it often feels like they're just grown-up MMOs with kid-friendly graphics. Sometimes, the games are even stripped of the grown-up features in an attempt to make them easier, but that often results in a less than compelling game. Here's a quest; do it. Here's a creature; zap it. Here's a pet; hug it. Here are some clothes and decorative items; buy them. I may sound a bit jaded, but that's only because I think kid-friendly MMOs can be so much better than they currently are.
To do that, we have to step back and examine how kids play, and studios must concentrate game design around that. In this week's MMO Family, I'll be looking at three areas of kids' play and exploring why games should look to Magic Markers, Jackpot, and Chutes and Ladders for inspiration.
Continue reading MMO Family: What kids MMOs can learn from markers, Jackpot, and Chutes and Ladders
MMO Family: What kids MMOs can learn from markers, Jackpot, and Chutes and Ladders originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Filed under: Fantasy, Video, EverQuest II, MMO industry, News items, Free-to-play
Senior character artist Steve Merghart describes Lumpy as "low to the ground and stocky," and the video clip shows us everything from initial concept sketches to the various stages of poly modeling, painting, and animation that make up the finished product. Have a look-see after the cut.
[Source: SOE press release]
Continue reading Go behind the scenes with EverQuest II's Lumpy the dragon
Go behind the scenes with EverQuest II's Lumpy the dragon originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, News items, Guild Wars 2
To add to the excitement, ArenaNet has just announced that they've opened a page for beta signups! This is music to the ears of fans who have been waiting for a chance to get into the world of Guild Wars 2. The signup is only open for 48 hours, so act now to get in line -- it closes at at 18:00 GMT on Friday February 24th.
So what are you waiting for? There's a beta signup just waiting for your name to be on it!
[Source: NCsoft press release]
ArenaNet announces 48-hour beta signup for Guild Wars 2 originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 13:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Filed under: Business models, Opinion, Second Life, Free-to-play, Browser, Casual, Virtual worlds, Free for All, Miscellaneous, Sandbox
We also must note that the term "free-to-play" is almost like the term "rock-and-roll." It is a general term that can be broken into many sub-genres. In other words, don't be so uptight about the literal meaning of the word. If you are not sure, check out the game in question.
Continue reading Free for All: Comparing the payment models of Second Life and Pocket Legends
Free for All: Comparing the payment models of Second Life and Pocket Legends originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Filed under: Horror, Sci-fi, Fallen Earth, Opinion, Free-to-play, Post-Apocalyptic, Why I Play
It clicked hard.
Since that time, I've been an ardent fan of Fallen Earth, using it as Exhibit A whenever people complain that all MMOs are too much alike and boring. Well, here you go, I say. An MMO in a contemporary setting that also happens to embrace apocalyptic themes. An MMO that revels in dark humor and edgy themes. An MMO where 95% of the gear in the game can be crafted and used by you. An MMO with free-form character growth and -- this is important -- motorcycles. An MMO with a world that's genuinely fun to explore (and might I add, huge).
It's not perfect, it's not my main MMO squeeze, but it is a title I've carried a torch for since my first days in the wasteland. I've got no shortage of words when it comes to this game, especially if there's a chance that my verbosity will get you to take a closer look at Fallen Earth (which is easier than ever since its free-to-play conversion).
Continue reading Why I Play: Fallen Earth
Why I Play: Fallen Earth originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Video, PvE, Guild Wars 2, Flameseeker Chronicles, Guides, Crafting
Continue reading Flameseeker Chronicles Extra: Guild Wars 2 crafting explained
Flameseeker Chronicles Extra: Guild Wars 2 crafting explained originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.