MMO Updates

MMO Updates


Free for All: What my Raptr stats say about my gaming style

Posted: 19 Feb 2014 09:00 AM PST

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Raptr stats screenshot
I've had a love/hate relationship with Raptr, the free game tracking service and social network. I used it much of the time when it first came out but then fell out of love with it when it stopped detecting many of the indie and browser-based MMOs that I played. I picked it up again recently and have been attempting to keep it going any time I game. I like being able to communicate with people through the network, but I mainly enjoy looking over my stats as a gamer to see just how flighty I can be.

The system isn't perfect, of course. Either I need to set the app to start when my PC does, or I just need to get better at remembering to start it when I begin a gaming session. And even though I play many, many different types of games and MMOs, the network still doesn't automatically recognize many of the smaller titles I like to play.

So even though there are some gaps in my wall, I thought it'd be interesting to look at the info there to see just how much gaming I am doing.

Continue reading Free for All: What my Raptr stats say about my gaming style

MassivelyFree for All: What my Raptr stats say about my gaming style originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 19 Feb 2014 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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    Latest EverQuest patch implements controvertial changes to AAs, skills

    Posted: 19 Feb 2014 08:30 AM PST

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    Change is rarely easy, but EverQuest's most recent patch comes with controversial changes that some community members are less than thrilled about while others herald as long overdue. After receiving feedback on the proposed changes to Alternate Advancement points and abilities (namely that Gold members would be granted a huge portion of AAs and classes would no longer be able to fight 100+ mobs at a single time with specific skills), SOE made some adjustments. Specifically, Gold level members must now opt-in to receive the AA grant that will give everything up to the most recent four expansions (with the exception of Spell Casting Subtlety and Tradeskill Mastery AAs, which must be earned as normal). Other AA changes include the conversion of Leadership AAs to standard abilities.

    On top of that, a number of spells and abilities now have limits to prevent players from fighting mass swarms of mobs, and Heroic Adventures will no longer lock, allowing players to be added to them at any time. The patch, which went live yesterday, also included a change that only affected the Firiona Vie server. The XP potions that players farmed and sold will no longer be a source of income; although all current potions already in game will remain tradable for now, all future ones will be non-tradable.

    MassivelyLatest EverQuest patch implements controvertial changes to AAs, skills originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 19 Feb 2014 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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    MMO Family: First impressions of Ganz's Amazing World

    Posted: 19 Feb 2014 08:00 AM PST

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    WebKinz is one of the oldest kid-friendly MMOs around, and it still boasts a healthy community, long after other running titles have closed their doors. But Ganz Studio recently launched a new MMO that takes the WebKinz spirit and plants it in a colorful 3-D world. Amazing World combines cuteness with adventure and adds a more modern look and feel.

    But is Amazing World really that amazing? In this week's MMO Family, we'll take a look and give some first impressions!

    Continue reading MMO Family: First impressions of Ganz's Amazing World

    MassivelyMMO Family: First impressions of Ganz's Amazing World originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 19 Feb 2014 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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      PvP plans change for WoW's Warlords of Draenor

      Posted: 19 Feb 2014 07:00 AM PST

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      After listening to the World of Warcraft community's concerns about the previously announced PvP arena plans, Blizzard has scrapped its original Trial of the Gladiator idea for Warlords of Draenor. Instead, the expansion will feature a return of Skirmishes and the addition of War Games. Skirmishes will be for unranked arena battles of 2v2 and 3v3 that players can queue for either as a team or solo; defeating the other team will net the victors Honor and another bonus (such as gold, more Honor, or Conquest points).

      While Skirmishes are meant to be more relaxed, the War Games are all about the competition. Utilizing a new Spectator Invite System, match organizers can invite two teams (who will all be wearing Tournament Mode gear to promote equal footing) to battle it out in front of a live audience -- all members of the organizers party will be able to watch the match.

      MassivelyPvP plans change for WoW's Warlords of Draenor originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 19 Feb 2014 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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      Leaderboard: What's your preferred Elder Scrolls Online faction?

      Posted: 19 Feb 2014 06:00 AM PST

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      Elder Scrolls Online
      ZeniMax partially dropped the NDA for Elder Scrolls Online, and while we can't really talk about stuff past level 15, we can talk about factions. There are three of them: The Ebonheart Pact, the Aldmeri Dominion, and the Daggerfall Covenant.

      Nords, Dunmer, and Argonian players will belong to Ebonheart. Altmer, Bosmer, and Khajiit fall under the Aldmeri banner, while Bretons, Redguards, and Orcs will be sporting Daggerfall colors. So, how about it, Leaderboard readers? Which Elder Scrolls Online faction will you be playing?

      Ever wish that you could put to rest a long-standing MMO debate once and for all? Then welcome to the battle royal of Massively's Leaderboard, where two sides enter the pit o' judgment -- and only one leaves. Vote to make your opinion known, and see whether your choice tops the Leaderboard!

      Continue reading Leaderboard: What's your preferred Elder Scrolls Online faction?

      MassivelyLeaderboard: What's your preferred Elder Scrolls Online faction? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 19 Feb 2014 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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        The Daily Grind: How can survival sandboxes keep the challenge fresh?

        Posted: 19 Feb 2014 05:00 AM PST

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        Fallen Earth
        Shawn and I have had several conversations about the conundrum present in Fallen Earth. Namely, that the first part of the game is really exciting because you get that cool feeling of scrounging for survival and clawing your way out of the wasteland -- but then this turns into a different game when "survival" makes way for "laser tag with high-tech gear in PvP zones."

        It's made me wonder how MMOs that are being built with a survival sandbox angle are planning to keep that sense of challenge and building yourself up fresh. I think that there's a point in these games where you have accumulated and built enough to keep yourself comfortable unless the game deliberately removes that attained protection or keeps escalating the danger past the point of lunacy.

        So this is our thinking exercise for the day: How can survival sandboxes keep the challenge fresh for players?

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

        MassivelyThe Daily Grind: How can survival sandboxes keep the challenge fresh? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 19 Feb 2014 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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          Salem prepares for full wipe

          Posted: 18 Feb 2014 05:00 PM PST

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          Salem
          The end of the world is nigh for Salem and it's rankling more than a few players' sensibilities.

          Earlier this month, the developers announced that they will be conducting a full wipe of Salem in an upcoming patch. This will reset the map and delete all characters in order to condense the population onto a single server. Currently the game is running on multiple servers, which the devs deem as "overestablished."

          Players are upset that the sandbox MMO is being wiped in light of the team previously promising that it wouldn't do such a thing. Seatribe is sympathetic but resolute: "We did not arrive at this decision lightly. We have considered all our options and for various reasons found them wanting."

          The good news is that the patch will add in plenty of new features and tweaks, including a rework of the gluttony system, improvements to character proficiencies, and the implementation of a new map generator. Every item that characters purchased from the store beforehand will be restored to them once the patch goes live.

          [Thanks to Nine for the tip!]

          MassivelySalem prepares for full wipe originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 18 Feb 2014 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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          The Stream Team: Rockin' it out in Free Realms

          Posted: 18 Feb 2014 04:00 PM PST

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          The Stream Team: Rockin' it out in Free Realms
          Massively's Larry Everett and his son Zach want to get some time into Free Realms before it shuts down. Join them at 7:00 p.m. EST as they tour their favorite places and play their favorite minigames in SOE's kid-focused MMORPG. Hop in the game with them if you'd like; maybe they can get a full demolition derby team together!

          Game: Free Realms
          Host: Larry Everett
          Date: Tuesday, February 18th, 2014
          Time: 7:00 p.m. EST

          Enjoy our Stream Team video below.

          Continue reading The Stream Team: Rockin' it out in Free Realms

          MassivelyThe Stream Team: Rockin' it out in Free Realms originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 18 Feb 2014 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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            Star Citizen's hangar module gets a functionality patch

            Posted: 18 Feb 2014 03:30 PM PST

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            Star Citizen Cutlass cockpit
            If you haven't peeked at your Star Citizen hangar in the last couple of weeks, today would be an ideal time to do so. Why's that? Well, because Cloud Imperium has patched the hangar module to include a number of bug fixes and a tad bit of new functionality.

            Cutlass and Freelancer owners will be glad to know their ships have been updated, and everyone else will be glad to know that their holotables now display ammo and their firing range targets will now move. The full list of patch notes is available on the Star Citizen website, as is the hangar client download provided that you're a backer.

            MassivelyStar Citizen's hangar module gets a functionality patch originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 18 Feb 2014 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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            Jukebox Heroes: Allods Online's soundtrack

            Posted: 18 Feb 2014 03:00 PM PST

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            Allods Online
            I'm particularly excited about this week's journey through MMO music because we're going to touch on one of those scores that doesn't get nearly enough of the respect it should. Like Runes of Magic's excellent OST, Allods Online's music is largely overlooked because the game itself isn't treated as a "serious" or "original" title. But one shouldn't be so quick to throw out the soundtrack with the bathwater (that is both messy and noisy!); Allods Online has several top-notch tracks that should be recognized no matter what you may think of the game.

            Composers Mark Morgan (Fallout, Planescape: Torment) and Vladislav Isaev (Prime World) collaborated on the large project. "The music in Allods Online combines lots of different elements and styles," they said in a 2009 interview. "These range from dark ambient and ethnic music, symphonies and rock music, as well as various industrial noises. Some tracks in the game retain a Russian melody spirit combined with high a quality production and its own unique sound."

            I think it's the Russian flair that sets this apart from being yet another fantasy soundtrack. Anything different and yet still catchy is welcome at my dinner table. Let's partake, shall we?

            Continue reading Jukebox Heroes: Allods Online's soundtrack

            MassivelyJukebox Heroes: Allods Online's soundtrack originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 18 Feb 2014 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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              RuneScape gets a bank-robbing minigame

              Posted: 18 Feb 2014 02:30 PM PST

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              RuneScape
              Jagex has added a new bank-robbing minigame called Heist to its long-running RuneScape MMO. "Players form two teams and are pitted against each other in a contest of espionage, deception, and grand larceny," the firm explains.

              While the setup is pretty simple, Jagex says that the Heist minigame requires skill to master. "The best robbers will be able to mimic the island's citizens to fool the guards," the company says, "while the most successful guards will be the ones who can spot suspicious behaviour a mile off.

              Start your adventures in bankrobbing by climbing the airship ladder north Falador, and hit up the RuneScape home page for further details.

              MassivelyRuneScape gets a bank-robbing minigame originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 18 Feb 2014 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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              Epic Space Online presents space without borders

              Posted: 18 Feb 2014 02:00 PM PST

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              Epic Space Online
              Let us introduce you to Epic Space Online, an MMO so epic, it says so right in the title. This indie game was developed by the Alpha Company and is currently available, although it's trying to get voted into the Steam Greenlight program for wider recognition and distribution.

              Epic Space Online takes place in a single shared, procedurally generated universe without any borders. Players can vie over territory, mine ore, deploy stations, make ships, trade goods, and even command giant carriers staffed by other players. The devs have promised weekly updates and features to keep things lively.

              You can check out the trailer after the break.

              Continue reading Epic Space Online presents space without borders

              MassivelyEpic Space Online presents space without borders originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 18 Feb 2014 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                French MMO Therian Saga launches English open beta

                Posted: 18 Feb 2014 01:30 PM PST

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                Therian Saga
                Therian Saga has proven to be a modest hit in the French-speaking communities of Canada and Europe, amassing 50,000 players for the free-to-play sandbox title since summer 2013, and now it has opened its doors to the English-speaking community as well.

                Developer Virtys announced today that Therian Saga has begun the English open beta, inviting in a new wave of players to see how the studio has been taking cues from the community with the game's development. Therian Saga is an open-world sandbox that prides itself on an elaborate crafting system, interdependant guilds, a deep story, and heroes that keep on going even when you log out.

                The developers have put together a welcome video for its English-speaking community, explaining what makes Therian Saga special. Unfortunately it was lost in an avalanche and will never be... oh, we're just kidding. It's after the break!

                [Source: Virtys press release]

                Continue reading French MMO Therian Saga launches English open beta

                MassivelyFrench MMO Therian Saga launches English open beta originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 18 Feb 2014 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                  New sandbox pseudo-MMO Windborne hits Steam Early Access

                  Posted: 18 Feb 2014 01:00 PM PST

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                  Screenshot -- Windborne
                  It may not technically be an MMO, but we thought that Hidden Path Entertainment's "social sandbox creation" game, Windborne, might pique your interest. The game, which is now available via Steam's Early Access program, allows players to explore "an infinite number of islands, each full of wonder and surprise," on which they (and their friends) can utilize "a wide variety of building materials, furnishings, and artifacts" in order to build new civilizations and alter the world as they see fit. They can also befriend and trade with the island natives, creatures called the Jin, and the current build also boasts a "basic quest system," which gives players a "guided tour" of the game to help them gain their footing in this new world.

                  Windborne's Steam page also outlines a number of features planned for the game's future development, such as the ability for players to help "guide the Jin to civilization" by protecting and defending them. Future updates will also add "millions of ruins filled with puzzles and treasure," dragons that can be tamed, bred, and ridden as mounts, and combat and quest systems. One last planned feature that should appeal to MMO fans is the implementation of systems to allow players to see the islands of other players surrounding their own and visit neighboring islands where they can trade, build, and generally interact with the islands' owners. If that sounds up your alley, Windborne is currently available on Steam Early Access for $29.99 US, though the game is on sale for $23.99 until February 24th. To read (and watch) more about the game or pick it up for yourself, check out Windborne's Steam page at the link below.

                  MassivelyNew sandbox pseudo-MMO Windborne hits Steam Early Access originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 18 Feb 2014 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                  Neverwinter to penalize PvP cowards, launches in Brazil

                  Posted: 18 Feb 2014 12:30 PM PST

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                  Neverwinter
                  Neverwinter's upcoming PvP patch is shaping up to be significant, as Cryptic Studios has said that it will add in a matchmaking system and penalize players who leave early.

                  The matchmaking system will lump players together for domination matches based on their skill ratings. What's a skill rating? It's a fancy number that rises and lowers based on your wins and losses in comparison to others' rating. You better stick it out when you do queue up, however, because the game will block you from queuing up for any group content for a set amount of time.

                  In other Neverwinter news, the game has launched in Brazil, fully localized for Portuguese. Perfect World has partnered with UOL BoaCompra to handle the local support, payment, and marketing for the title.

                  MassivelyNeverwinter to penalize PvP cowards, launches in Brazil originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 18 Feb 2014 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                  The Stream Team: Helping Mr. Alltalks in FFXIV's Brayflox's Longstop

                  Posted: 18 Feb 2014 12:00 PM PST

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                  Final Fantasy XIV's seventh full dungeon takes place within the beautiful, overgrown forest of Raincatcher Gully where Brayflox Alltalks, a small goblin, isn't doing so well with the local fauna. Join Massively's Jasmine live at 3:00 p.m. EST as she helps Brayflox not get his face entirely eaten by digital wildlife.

                  Game: Final Fantasy XIV
                  Host: Jasmine Hruschak
                  Date: Tuesday, February 18th, 2014
                  Time: 3:00 p.m. EST

                  Enjoy our Stream Team video below.

                  Continue reading The Stream Team: Helping Mr. Alltalks in FFXIV's Brayflox's Longstop

                  MassivelyThe Stream Team: Helping Mr. Alltalks in FFXIV's Brayflox's Longstop originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 18 Feb 2014 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                    World of Warcraft instant level 90 boost price revealed at $60 US

                    Posted: 18 Feb 2014 11:30 AM PST

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                    Screenshot -- World of Warcraft shop
                    There's a new addition to World of Warcraft's in-game shop today, and it happens to be the much-discussed boost that instantly takes a single character to level 90. The $60 US price tag, discovered by our sleuthy sister site WoW Insider, may come as good news or bad news to you, depending on your outlook. On the one hand, if you view the journey from 1 to 90 as a sacred rite of passage that should be held valuable, it appears that Blizzard values it at about the price of a brand-new video game. Not exactly chump change. On the other hand, if you were hoping to assemble a legion of 90s overnight, you're going to need some deep pockets.

                    As WoW Insider notes, it's likely that the boost isn't intended to be available in the shop just yet since the Warlords of Draenor pre-order (which will grant the same instant-level-90 to those who purchase it) isn't available yet, and the WoW Insider staff member who discovered it only managed to do so between server restarts during today's maintenance. I suppose we'll find out whether or not it was intentional when the servers come back up later today. At any rate, there's no reason to think the price will be changed regardless of whether or not it's already available for purchase, so if you're in the market for some instant level 90 characters, start saving up now.

                    [Thanks to WoW Insider for the image!]

                    MassivelyWorld of Warcraft instant level 90 boost price revealed at $60 US originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 18 Feb 2014 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                    Hyperspace Beacon: The SWTOR Sith beliefs

                    Posted: 18 Feb 2014 11:00 AM PST

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                    Hyperspace Beacon: The SWTOR Sith beliefs
                    Peace is a lie; there is only passion.
                    Through passion, I gain strength.
                    Through strength, I gain power.
                    Through power, I gain victory.
                    Through victory, my chains are broken.
                    The Force shall free me.


                    Although this statement is considered the Sith Code, the guide by which all Sith live their lives, it's more a counter to the Jedi Code than anything. Because the first Sith Lords as we know them in Star Wars: The Old Republic were former Jedi, it only makes sense that they would create a code intended to be the antithesis of the Jedi's central theme. Not all Sith follow the Sith code, but most believe in its credence.

                    If the Sith Code isn't central to the Sith beliefs, what is? That's the interesting thing: There doesn't seem to be a central theme other than to be the opposite of the Jedi. Some Sith believe in an Empire. Some Sith believe there can be only two. Yet the Sith existed long before there was a Sith Code. Before there was a Sith Order, there was the Sith Empire on Ziost and Korriban, and that is where the SWTOR Sith come from. That is where my Sith characters come from. I don't believe I have all the philosophical answers, and clearly, my way is not the only way to roleplay a Sith, but perhaps I can give you a launchpad to start your own storylines.

                    Continue reading Hyperspace Beacon: The SWTOR Sith beliefs

                    MassivelyHyperspace Beacon: The SWTOR Sith beliefs originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 18 Feb 2014 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                      Elder Scrolls Online answers more pre-order and Imperial Edition questions

                      Posted: 18 Feb 2014 10:30 AM PST

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                      Elder Scrolls Online answers more PvP and pre-order questions
                      Those of you who hang on every word flowing from the Elder Scrolls Online developers will be happy to know there's a new Ask Us Anything on the official ESO website. What does it address this round? Pre-orders and CE edition queries! By default, players will have eight characters with which to explore every facet of the game. But if you want to play with a friend through his faction's zones, you will also need to pre-order, even though you want to play a Khajiit and he's a Nord. In order for both of you to gain the bonus from the rings of Mara, which link you and a friend in the eternal bonds of XP gain, only one player must own the Imperial Edition. And lastly, all the pre-order and Imperial Edition bonuses will be available on launch day, April 4th, but the ability to play any race in any faction will be available as soon as early access starts.

                      Don't forget to redeem those three- and five-day pre-order codes from the retailers! (If you ordered directly from the official website, you don't need to do anything else.)

                      MassivelyElder Scrolls Online answers more pre-order and Imperial Edition questions originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 18 Feb 2014 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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                      The Soapbox: My hypersexualization conundrum

                      Posted: 18 Feb 2014 10:00 AM PST

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                      Final Fantasy XIV
                      Every now and then here at Massively, we receive an email that isn't super nice. I know this may come as a shock to many of you -- the internet is, after all, a place of tolerance and constructive debate -- but sometimes the Massively inbox is no place any sane person would want to be. One reader recently took the opportunity to offer some choice thoughts on Massively staffers. And amidst the jumble of insults and generalizations, the reader levied the ever-powerful "hypocrisy" charge at us for claiming to care about hypersexualized designs of female characters in MMOs while simultaneously playing as those very hypersexualized characters. How could we possibly purport to care about the presentation of women in games if we're all running around in chainmail bikinis?

                      Generally speaking, I prefer to not have my habits and behavior challenged via ad hominem attacks and false comparisons. But I have to admit that this one particular charge piqued my curiosity. Why is it that the majority of my characters are female? Am I, as a person who looks down on hypersexualized designs in games, committing an act of hypocrisy every time I create a female character?

                      Let's sort it out. And before we begin, remember that the Soapbox, like most of our editorials, is just one person's opinion and doesn't represent the thoughts of Massively as a whole.

                      Continue reading The Soapbox: My hypersexualization conundrum

                      MassivelyThe Soapbox: My hypersexualization conundrum originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 18 Feb 2014 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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