MMO Updates

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• Stick and Rudder: The best bits of Star Citizen's Thanksgiving livestream
• The Thank Tank: What are you most thankful for in the MMO genre?
• The Daily Grind: Does your Thanksgiving include any time for MMOs?
• The Stream Team: In pursuit of SWTOR's Ultimate Comms
• WoW movie release date moved to March 2016
• Choose My Adventure: Neverwinter wonderland
• NCsoft adds content to Blade & Soul Korea, continues to ignore the West
• Trion Worlds overhauls RIFT's Iron Pine Peak
• CIG releases Star Citizen livestream vids, tops $33 million
• Elite: Dangerous dev diary takes you inside the cockpit (and the art department)
• Free for All: MMORPGs for your new console
• Neverwinter details its upcoming Collections System
• Elder Scrolls Online shows off heavy armor styles
• Ghostcrawler says farewell to Blizzard [Updated]
• Star Wars: The Old Republic explores the design of starfighting stages
• MMO Family: Study shows no link between video games and mental health issues in children

Stick and Rudder: The best bits of Star Citizen's Thanksgiving livestream Posted: 28 Nov 2013 09:00 AM PST Filed under: Sci-Fi, Video, Business Models, Game Mechanics, MMO Industry, New Titles, News Items, Sandbox, Crowdfunding, Stick and Rudder, Star Citizen, Buy-to-Play Cloud Imperium hosted another lengthy Star Citizen livestream this week, and if you missed it, well, so did nearly everyone else who has a nine-to-five job. This particular shindig was some 20 hours shorter than the last one, but there were nonetheless plenty of interesting details to digest. If you want a blow-by-blow summary -- and you don't share my aversion to Reddit -- here you go. If you want my personal highlights, click past the cut. Continue reading Stick and Rudder: The best bits of Star Citizen's Thanksgiving livestream Stick and Rudder: The best bits of Star Citizen's Thanksgiving livestream originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 28 Nov 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments

The Thank Tank: What are you most thankful for in the MMO genre? Posted: 28 Nov 2013 07:00 AM PST Filed under: Culture, Opinion, Miscellaneous, The Think Tank Today is Thanksgiving Day in the USA. so it's only natural that we ask a thanks-related question for this week's Think Tank. As much as we, as a fanbase, like to be critical of our favorite genre, it's important to take some time to be thankful for what it is to us. So I asked the Massively team members what they're thankful for in MMOs. Grab a turkey leg dipped in cranberry sauce and stuffing (go ahead and double-dip; Uncle Leon won't mind) and follow along after the cut for our thoughts. Continue reading The Thank Tank: What are you most thankful for in the MMO genre? The Thank Tank: What are you most thankful for in the MMO genre? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 28 Nov 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments

The Daily Grind: Does your Thanksgiving include any time for MMOs? Posted: 28 Nov 2013 05:00 AM PST Filed under: Culture, MMO Industry, The Daily Grind Today is Thanksgiving in the States. And I'm not here right now. As you read this post, I'm off work and very likely stuffing my face with turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, and because of reasons, key lime pie. What about you, Massively readers? Are you celebrating Thanksgiving today, and if so, will you find a little time for MMOs or is it all about the food and the family? 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: Does your Thanksgiving include any time for MMOs? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 28 Nov 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments

The Stream Team: In pursuit of SWTOR's Ultimate Comms Posted: 27 Nov 2013 06:00 PM PST Filed under: Sci-Fi, Endgame, PvE, Opinion, Free-to-Play, Massively Meta, Hands-On, Star Wars: The Old Republic, Livestream, Dungeons, The Stream Team, MMORPG When your raid team hits a brick wall, sometimes you have to take a step or two backward. In the next couple of hours, the Nefarious Intent raid team will show you how to quickly earn Ultimate Comms in Star Wars: The Old Republic. Join Massively's Larry Everett at 9:00 p.m. EST as his guild takes on multiple raids in just two hours. Game: Star Wars: The Old Republic Host: Larry Everett Date: Wednesday, November 27th, 2013 Time: 9:00 p.m. EST Enjoy our Steam Team video below. Continue reading The Stream Team: In pursuit of SWTOR's Ultimate Comms The Stream Team: In pursuit of SWTOR's Ultimate Comms originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 27 Nov 2013 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments

WoW movie release date moved to March 2016 Posted: 27 Nov 2013 05:00 PM PST Filed under: World of Warcraft, Fantasy, Culture, MMO Industry, New Titles, Subscription The World of Warcraft movie has been delayed until 2016 according to a Blizzard tweet and a press release from Legendary Pictures. WoW Insider first reported on the tweet, which mentions the film's release day moving from December 18, 2015 to March 11, 2016. Filming is scheduled to start in January, 2014, with Moon and Source Code auteur Duncan Jones in the director's chair. WoW movie release date moved to March 2016 originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 27 Nov 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments WoW Insider

Choose My Adventure: Neverwinter wonderland Posted: 27 Nov 2013 04:00 PM PST Filed under: Fantasy, PvE, Opinion, Free-to-Play, Massively Meta, Hands-On, Choose My Adventure, Neverwinter, Player-Generated Content When I think about what separates a good Neverwinter Foundry mission from a great Foundry mission, I have to say that it's the ambiance. Ambiance ranges from sounds to lighting to special effects. I could create the best mission ever, write the best story, but if I don't create the best ambiance for the quest, my design could fall flat. What are some of the best ways to create ambiance? Which ones should I put into this Choose My Adventure? In my limited time in the Neverwinter Foundry, I have barely been able to scratch the surface of everything that the design tool has to offer. Of course, decorations such as a dining table in a dining room add to the atmosphere of the setting, but so does the sun shining through the window or the NPCs clapping in the next room. Today, I need your assistance in choosing the different types of ambiance for different parts of our adventure. Continue reading Choose My Adventure: Neverwinter wonderland Choose My Adventure: Neverwinter wonderland originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 27 Nov 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments

NCsoft adds content to Blade & Soul Korea, continues to ignore the West Posted: 27 Nov 2013 03:00 PM PST Filed under: Fantasy, Trailers, Video, Game Mechanics, MMO Industry, Patches, News Items, Free-to-Play, Blade & Soul, Dungeons Blade & Soul Korea is getting some new content, and yes, we know it sucks that the game still hasn't shown up in the West. Maybe if we keep posting about it, and maybe if you keep commenting on it, it will. It's worth a shot, right? Anyhow, Steparu reports on a new endgame dungeon and some spiffy new black leather outfits. We've embedded a trailer after the break, but you should click through to the source link for all the details. Continue reading NCsoft adds content to Blade & Soul Korea, continues to ignore the West NCsoft adds content to Blade & Soul Korea, continues to ignore the West originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 27 Nov 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Steparu

Trion Worlds overhauls RIFT's Iron Pine Peak Posted: 27 Nov 2013 02:30 PM PST Filed under: Fantasy, Expansions, Patches, News Items, PvE, Free-to-Play, RIFT, Dev Diaries, MMORPG Mid-level RIFT players have a new place to adventure after the game's 2.5 update; Iron Pine Peak has been completely redesigned. According to Trion Worlds, the zone has been rebuilt from the ground up with the challenges inside being tweaked to accommodate players from levels 27-35 instead of 40-48. The questing content has been reworked, with main story arcs being marked more clearly and providing greater rewards. Additionally, kill quests have been converted to Carnage quests and paths through each set of quests have been streamlined to reduce repetition. Trion explained that the zone's level requirements were reduced so that RIFT players would encounter the Storm Legion storyline earlier in their RIFT careers, and so that give mid-level players more freedom in how and where they level. Trion originally planned to rework Iron Pine Peak before RIFT's initial launch but put the plan on the backburner due to the risk of changing so many things so close to release. Trion Worlds overhauls RIFT's Iron Pine Peak originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 27 Nov 2013 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments The Great Iron Pine Peak Makeover

CIG releases Star Citizen livestream vids, tops $33 million Posted: 27 Nov 2013 02:00 PM PST Filed under: Sci-Fi, Video, Business Models, Game Mechanics, MMO Industry, New Titles, News Items, Dev Diaries, Sandbox, Crowdfunding, Star Citizen If you missed yesterday's four-hour Star Citizen livestream, you missed several new behind-the-scenes videos that are definitely worth a look. We got to see footage of the Avenger with its new texturing and PBR effects, a peek inside SC's orchestral recording sessions with composer Pedro Camacho and audio director Martin Galway, and a look at the game's HUD and UI development hosted by all of the principle developers, including Iron Man 3 design veteran John Likens. Finally, we got a quick look at the new hangar-based weapons test rig that will be playable by the end of the year as well as a second look at the Foundry 42 video released last week. Oh yeah, and the game topped $33 million in crowdfunding, too, prompting yet another letter from the chairman. We've embedded all the videos for you after the cut. Continue reading CIG releases Star Citizen livestream vids, tops $33 million CIG releases Star Citizen livestream vids, tops $33 million originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 27 Nov 2013 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments $33 million

Elite: Dangerous dev diary takes you inside the cockpit (and the art department) Posted: 27 Nov 2013 01:30 PM PST Filed under: Sci-Fi, Video, Game Mechanics, MMO Industry, New Titles, News Items, Dev Diaries, Sandbox, Elite: Dangerous, Buy-to-Play Got seven minutes to spare? Love internet spaceships? Then the latest Elite: Dangerous video dev diary is tailor-made for your viewing pleasure. Art director Chris Gregory does the voice-over honors, and he's got a lot to say about taking game assets from the concept stage to the building stage. He also explains how the dev team added animations to its static designs and came up with the previously released capital ship video, which helped both artists and game designers to get a clearer picture of their concepts in action. Gregory also shows off Elite's virtual cockpit functionality, complete with jostling cockpits and fluid, natural camera movements that suggest those of a real pilot. See for yourself after the cut. [Thanks tipsters!] Continue reading Elite: Dangerous dev diary takes you inside the cockpit (and the art department) Elite: Dangerous dev diary takes you inside the cockpit (and the art department) originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 27 Nov 2013 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments YouTube

Free for All: MMORPGs for your new console Posted: 27 Nov 2013 01:00 PM PST Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Super-hero, EVE Online, Launches, New Titles, Previews, PvP, News Items, PvE, Free-to-Play, Consoles, Casual, Virtual Worlds, MMOFPS, Free Realms, Rumors, Warhammer 40k, Kids, DC Universe Online, Final Fantasy XIV, DUST 514, World of Tanks, Free for All, Family, EverQuest Next, PlanetSide 2, Sandbox, Diablo III, Defiance, The Elder Scrolls Online, Destiny, Player-Generated Content, Subscription, Buy-to-Play Consoles and MMOs do not have the stand-offish relationship that they used to have. In fact, there are so many different MMOs to choose from on consoles that it's seriously tempting to pick up one of the new ones -- the Xbox One or PlayStation 4 -- even though I wasn't planning on it for a long, long time. I enjoy using a controller with MMOs so much that I plan on covering the subject more in the future. So let's get to the list of MMOs that are currently on consoles or that will be coming out on consoles in the near(ish) future. Massively's own Mike Foster put together a fantastic list last summer, but I thought I would update and pass it on. After all, the new consoles are officially here... so be sure to reference the list when you need a new MMO to play on your shiny new console! Continue reading Free for All: MMORPGs for your new console Free for All: MMORPGs for your new console originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 27 Nov 2013 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments

Neverwinter details its upcoming Collections System Posted: 27 Nov 2013 12:30 PM PST Filed under: Fantasy, Classes, Game Mechanics, Patches, Free-to-Play, Dungeons, Neverwinter So let's say you're one of those players who really, really enjoys keeping track of every single aspect of your adventuring from loot types to dungeons conquered. Well, in an upcoming Neverwinter patch called Module 2: Shadowmantle, you'll have the chance to complete all the things. The new system will not only keep track of the loot you have but also point out the loot that you are missing! It will tell you the zone rewards, companions and artifacts you need as well. Good luck finding sleep after this goes live. Don't worry, you won't have to have each of these items in your backpack in order for them to count. Once you obtain an item, it will unlock in the Collection, and completed armor sets will be rewarded with a title. It all comes together in a new interface that will actually tell you where to find all of the missing items. The patch will also contain Artifacts, the Dread Ring Campaign, new Paragon Paths, a new adventure zone and the new Hunter Ranger class (finally!). Neverwinter details its upcoming Collections System originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 27 Nov 2013 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Neverwinter official announcement, More Coverage

Elder Scrolls Online shows off heavy armor styles Posted: 27 Nov 2013 12:00 PM PST Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, News Items, Races, The Elder Scrolls Online, Subscription, MMORPG In The Elder Scrolls Online, the aesthetics of armor and weapons that you find are determined not only by the item's stats and materials but by the race that designed it. ZeniMax Online today showed off three variations on heavy armor design, each one built to highlight the aesthetic tastes of each designing race. On display are new concept designs for Argonian, Orcish, and Kajiit armors, respectively. These join the previously seen Redguard, Wood Elf, and Dark Elf armor designs, as well as the High Elf, Nord, and Breton designs. ZeniMax noted that players will be able to craft weapons and armor in each racial style. Check out the full image after the break. Continue reading Elder Scrolls Online shows off heavy armor styles Elder Scrolls Online shows off heavy armor styles originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 27 Nov 2013 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Heavy Armor Styles

Ghostcrawler says farewell to Blizzard [Updated] Posted: 27 Nov 2013 11:45 AM PST Filed under: World of Warcraft, Fantasy, MMO Industry, Miscellaneous, Subscription, MMORPG Greg "Ghostcrawler" Street, lead systems designer for World of Warcraft, has announced that he is leaving Blizzard Entertainment. Street, who has been with Blizzard for over six years, is one of the most visible World of Warcraft developers, participating often in forum threads and working to improve communications between WoW's players and its design team. Street didn't give details as to where he might be headed but did explain that he was pursuing a "great opportunity for something new and exciting." [Update: Street has now posted his formal farewell over on the official forums.] Ghostcrawler says farewell to Blizzard [Updated] originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 27 Nov 2013 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments WoW Insider

Star Wars: The Old Republic explores the design of starfighting stages Posted: 27 Nov 2013 11:00 AM PST Filed under: Sci-Fi, Expansions, Previews, News Items, Free-to-Play, Star Wars: The Old Republic It might seem as if designing a stage for Star Wars: The Old Republic's upcoming expansion is pretty easy. After all, Galactic Starfighter doesn't ask for much -- just throw some stuff in a field and let ships shoot at each other, right? According to a new development blog by designer Chris Schmidt, it's not nearly that easy, starting with the rather obvious assertion that just flying around in a blank arena would be boring. Stages need to replicate the feel of a pitched battle, and that means careful design. Schmidt explains that each level starts off with brainstorming about the environment, followed by a 2-D mockup to give a rough estimation of where various points of interest will be located on the final map. From there it's up to the art and modeling teams to fill in a rough layout with interesting visual elements and things to fly around for interesting gameplay. Take a look at the full blog for a deeper picture at what it takes to design these elaborate dogfighting arenas. Star Wars: The Old Republic explores the design of starfighting stages originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 27 Nov 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments Developing a Level for Galactic Starfighter

MMO Family: Study shows no link between video games and mental health issues in children Posted: 27 Nov 2013 10:00 AM PST Filed under: Culture, Kids, MMO Family, Family, Miscellaneous We've long heard concerns that video games might be responsible for bringing about antisocial behavior and even violence. But there's some good news for gaming fans. Recently, researchers from the University of Glasgow released findings that video games had no effect on children's psychological development. The study included thousands of families over the past decade, tracking children's TV and video game playtime from nine months to seven years of age. Let's take a peek at some of the more notable results and what they mean for the young generation of gamers. Continue reading MMO Family: Study shows no link between video games and mental health issues in children MMO Family: Study shows no link between video games and mental health issues in children originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 27 Nov 2013 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments

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