Virtual World® is your one stop resource for all things virtual, in and around the MMO gaming and online 3D communities. In-depth virtual world and MMO game play reviews, discussion forums and the latest news from around the world. VirtualWorld.com

Virtual World News

Greg Zeschuk on leaving BioWare: 'You just get tired of it after a while'
January 29, 2013

Filed under: , , , , ,

Greg ZeschukWhen BioWare docs Greg Zeschuk and Ray Muzyka announced their departure from the gaming giant they founded last September, theories as to why ranged from fan negativity to Star Wars: The Old Republic's performance to simple burnout.

In a new interview with Polygon, Zeschuk says in his case it boiled down to a lack of passion. "I just wasn't as into it as I was originally," he said.

"Everything's a factor," Zeschuk continued. "There's nothing that's not a factor, but there's no single one thing. I think the best way I can describe is: Do the same thing for twenty years and it's very, very intense. It's very high pressure. It's very high stress. It's challenging. It's sometimes rewarding and sometimes it's not. And you just get tired of it after awhile. That is probably the easiest way to for me to describe it. Sometimes you just need to change things."

MassivelyGreg Zeschuk on leaving BioWare: 'You just get tired of it after a while' originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 29 Jan 2013 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

The Daily Grind: Do you like the idea of browser-based MMOs?
January 29, 2013

Filed under: , , ,

My biggest irritation with City of Steam's client was that I couldn't get a decent screenshot of the game.
City of Steam has struck me as a darn good game each time I've played it, but it gets an extra layer of surprise added on by the fact that it's entirely played in my browser. It would be good even if I had to download and install a client, but the browser-based nature of it means that it's lightweight enough for weaker computers such as my laptop; Anywhere I can get a connection, I can play the game.

Of course, the browser client also lacks certain frills, and there's a certain innate strangeness to having a game as part of the browser when we've grown accustomed to games as separate things. But it's not the only game to exist solely in a browser, and other games (such as Runes of Magic and Second Life) have experimented with browser-based clients in the past. So do you like the idea of browser-based games? Or is it just a vaguely interesting novelty as far as you're concerned?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Do you like the idea of browser-based MMOs? originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 29 Jan 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

    Massively Speaking Episode 234: Star Trek Online interview
    January 29, 2013

    Filed under: , , , , , , , ,

    Massively Speaking Episode 234 Star Trek Online interview
    It's a very special episode of Massively Speaking, where we learn about puberty and the dangers of drinking! Actually, Teri joins Justin to talk with Star Trek Online's Dan Stahl and Brandon Felczer about the third anniversary of this galactic game. Set phasers to "amused" as we set sail for the podcast frontier!

    Have a comment for the podcasters? Shoot an email to podcast@massively.com. We may just read your email on the air!

    Get the podcast:
    [RSS] Add Massively Speaking to your RSS aggregator.
    [MP3] Download the MP3 directly.
    [iTunes] Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes.
    [Stitcher] Follow the podcast on Stitcher Radio.
    Listen here on the page:



    Read below the cut for the full show notes.

    Continue reading Massively Speaking Episode 234: Star Trek Online interview

    MassivelyMassively Speaking Episode 234: Star Trek Online interview originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 29 Jan 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

    Permalink | Email this | Comments

      War Thunder enters open beta, new trailer released
      January 29, 2013

      Filed under: , , , , , ,

      War Thunder - B17 squadron
      Gaijin Entertainment has announced that its War Thunder World War II-based online flight sim has officially entered open beta. The title, formerly known as World of Planes, has been in development for over four years. The open beta comes almost a year to the day after Gaijin's announcement that the game had evolved "beyond pure aerial combat."

      Gaijin previously developed Birds of Prey, a console-based entry in the long-running Sturmovik series.

      The company has released an open beta teaser trailer that you can view after the cut. You can also join the beta test via the game's official website.

      Continue reading War Thunder enters open beta, new trailer released

      MassivelyWar Thunder enters open beta, new trailer released originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 29 Jan 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

      Permalink | Email this | Comments

      Wargaming.net buys Day 1 Studios, plans 'unannounced console title'
      January 29, 2013

      Filed under: , , ,

      Wargaming logo
      Wargaming.net has has acquired Chicago-based Day 1 Studios for $20 million. The latter firm will be rebranded as Wargaming West according to a blurb on its official website. The new studio will also "focus exclusively on the development of an unannounced console title," according to a Wargaming press release.

      Day 1 previously worked with Microsoft and Sony on a console port of the original F.E.A.R. shooter before going on to develop F.E.A.R. 3.

      [Source: Wargaming.net press release]

      MassivelyWargaming.net buys Day 1 Studios, plans 'unannounced console title' originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 29 Jan 2013 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

      Permalink | Email this | Comments

        Guild Wars 2 dev diaries discuss new rewards, achievement system, dungeon changes
        January 29, 2013

        Filed under: , , , ,

        Guild Wars dev diaries discuss new rewards, achievement system, and other changes
        Two new dev diaries outline a few changes coming to Guild Wars 2, including a new reward currency and updates to the achievement system. Players earn the new reward currency -- the laurel -- each day that they complete their daily achievement category and again when the monthly achievement is completed. Rewards such as unique minis and WvW blueprints can then be purchased. The achievement system itself is getting a new tracking UI and daily achievements.

        Dungeon mechanics are also getting tweaked. In phase one of the changes, the "res-rushing" mechanic (resurrecting at a waypoint immediately and running back to the fight) is being abolished. Waypoints can no longer be used in dungeons except when the party wipes or has withdrawn from the fight. In phase two, the devs will be making changes to the enemies and bosses within the dungeons.

        MassivelyGuild Wars 2 dev diaries discuss new rewards, achievement system, dungeon changes originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 29 Jan 2013 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

        Permalink | Email this | Comments

        Funcom wants to feature your music in The Secret World
        January 29, 2013

        Filed under: , , , , , , , ,

        Contest could land your music in The Secret World
        From suspenseful music to creepy background noises to the crackling of tunes on a radio, sound is a key element in the ambiance of The Secret World. And now, players have the chance to add their own music to the atmosphere of the game thanks to a new competition. Folks can get together with friends or record a piece solo and submit it for consideration to be included in TSW.

        Entries to this music contest will be accepted from today until February 19th, 2013. All submissions must be the entrant's own composition or sent with the consent of the creator. Simon Poole, Funcom's audio director, will evaluate all submissions and choose the winners. For full details on how to submit your musical piece, check out the official guidelines.

        MassivelyFuncom wants to feature your music in The Secret World originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 29 Jan 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

        Permalink | Email this | Comments

        Jukebox Heroes: Star Trek Online's soundtrack
        January 29, 2013

        Filed under: , , , , ,

        Jukebox Heroes Star Trek Online's score
        As a franchise, Star Trek is replete with terrific (and iconic) music. Star Trek VI remains one of my all-time favorite film scores, and who can listen to the opening notes of The Next Generation without being able to whistle and/or hum the whole thing? Of course, Star Trek has a lot of bad and forgettable music as well, which is probably par for a combined work of hundreds upon hundreds of hours of television and cinema.

        I had high hopes for Star Trek Online's score upon first logging into the game, and the opening theme certainly did not disappoint. Kevin Manthei (Champions Online, City of Villains) delivers a stirring title track that is also one of my favorites, although the remainder of the score is much more lopsided. Some of it is so generic and harsh on the ears that I ended up turning off the soundtrack when I played STO. That's a shame because there are several equally excellent tracks deserving of a listen.

        So today we're going to the stars. I hope you packed your undies and a warm sweater.

        Continue reading Jukebox Heroes: Star Trek Online's soundtrack

        MassivelyJukebox Heroes: Star Trek Online's soundtrack originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 29 Jan 2013 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

        Permalink | Email this | Comments

          Flameseeker Chronicles: The open world and you
          January 29, 2013

          Filed under: , , , , ,

          Flameseeker Chronicles The open world at 80
          When we're discussing endgame and the long haul in Guild Wars 2, it can be really easy to talk about dungeons and instanced stuff and WvW and other things that can kind of cause you to forget the open world. The open world is cool! Just like there are people who haven't left sPvP and haven't left WvW, there are other people who are totally happy exploring every nook and cranny of the wide world. I dislike the idea of the world being neglected as soon as one turns 80, because I'm pretty darn sure that it's nearly impossible to really see all there is to see before 80.

          This whole discussion comes with the caveat that we probably disagree about what endgame is. We'll talk about things that can be done in Guild Wars 2, which means they might be part of your endgame, if they are things you haven't done and things that you enjoy. Some of them will help you progress along some arbitrary track; others most likely will not. They can be done post-80, for sure, but by and large the open world is full of things that can be done just about any time, depending on your sense of style.

          Continue reading Flameseeker Chronicles: The open world and you

          MassivelyFlameseeker Chronicles: The open world and you originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 29 Jan 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

          Permalink | Email this | Comments

            DCUO's Home Turf launches today
            January 29, 2013

            Filed under: , , , , , ,

            DCUO's Home Turf launches today
            SOE's sixth DLC pack for DC Universe Online has launched today, bringing with it a customizable base system that allows players to build their own lair. Appropriately named Home Turf, this content update bring a housing system that players have been anticipating since launch.

            Lairs are much more than housing, though. The Lair's Mainframe allows players to unlock and access new combat abilities, and level 30-or-higher players can duel it out with Lair PvP battles.

            Be sure to check out all the details in the latest DLC patch notes on the DCUO forums and skip past the cut for the Home Turf launch trailer.

            Continue reading DCUO's Home Turf launches today

            MassivelyDCUO's Home Turf launches today originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 29 Jan 2013 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

            Permalink | Email this | Comments