Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.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/<![CDATA[Report: PC remains 'most lucrative platform,' worth $11b]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/25/report-pc-remains-most-lucrative-platform-worth-11b/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/25/report-pc-remains-most-lucrative-platform-worth-11b/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/25/report-pc-remains-most-lucrative-platform-worth-11b/#comments
Considering the PC gaming industry started out the year with 10 million World of Warcraft subscribers under its belt, is anyone shocked to find out that the PC has been called the "most lucrative platform" of 2008? In a study paid for by the PC Gaming Alliance -- a "non-profit industry alliance" made up of members of various companies, including Activision and Microsoft -- PC gaming in 2008 apparently brought in over $11 billion in revenue.

The study itself was conducted by DFC Intelligence, a market research company specializing in the game industry, and reached some interesting conclusions. According to the study, expanded broadband penetration and adoption of digital download services (like Steam by Valve) lead the way for the PC gaming market's growth in 2008, as well as "the growing presence of game cards at major retailers like 7-Eleven." Unsurprisingly, the study also found that MMOGs are "the leading products for both revenue and profits," citing WoW as 9% (or $1 billion) of the entire PC gaming market's revenues last year.

We'll take this report, compounded by the NPD report that retails sales of PC games in 2008 dropped by 14 percent, as solid evidence that PC gamers are the first to take major steps towards exclusively downloadable games.

[Via Edge]

JoystiqReport: PC remains 'most lucrative platform,' worth $11b originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 25 Mar 2009 17:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisiondfc-intelligencemmognpdpcpc-gaming-alliancesteamvalveworld-of-warcraftwowWed, 25 Mar 2009 17:46:00 EST<![CDATA[LGJ: Virtual Taxation]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/23/lgj-virtual-taxation/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/23/lgj-virtual-taxation/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/23/lgj-virtual-taxation/#commentsFiled under:

Each week Mark Methenitis contributes Law of the Game on Joystiq ("LGJ"), a column on legal issues as they relate to video games:
It seems around this time every year, with W2s and 1099s filling mailboxes, that someone thinks it's a good idea to bring up the idea of taxing the virtual world. The irony really is that most of these discussions are far from complete and often only address one potential viewpoint that could be taken.

The latest commentary comes from the Washington Post (via GamePolitics) with further follow up on New World Notes based on a recent publication by the IRS. Their basic contention is that the essential difference in the Terms of Service between the Second Life model and the more traditional MMO model (i.e. World of Warcraft, Ultima Online, Everquest) would mean different tax treatment. I don't think it's nearly so cut and dry.

Continue reading LGJ: Virtual Taxation

JoystiqLGJ: Virtual Taxation originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 23 Jan 2009 16:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>irslawlaw-of-the-gamemmommo-industrymmogmmorpgtaxtaxesFri, 23 Jan 2009 16:50:00 EST<![CDATA[How the MMOs celebrate holidays]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/25/how-the-mmos-celebrate-holidays/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/25/how-the-mmos-celebrate-holidays/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/25/how-the-mmos-celebrate-holidays/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The holiday season isn't just relegated to the real world. Robert "Sabrehawk" Cox of the WarCry Network has a new article up detailing how many of the popular MMOs celebrate the season. Anarchy Online, World of Warcraft, the EverQuest series and a handful of others are there. For those handful of players still involved in Star Wars Galaxies, there's always Wookie Life Day.

One MMO missing for Cox's list is Guild Wars, and our sister site Massively has the information on their Wintersday celebration.

[Via Massively]

JoystiqHow the MMOs celebrate holidays originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 25 Dec 2007 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>christmasholidaysmassivelymmommogTue, 25 Dec 2007 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Edge: Animal Crossing Wii an MMO]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/24/edge-animal-crossing-wii-an-mmo/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/24/edge-animal-crossing-wii-an-mmo/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/24/edge-animal-crossing-wii-an-mmo/#commentsFiled under:

It's not a big secret that Animal Crossing will eventually resurface on the Wii -- Nintendo bigwigs have discussed the game openly before now -- but in what form?

A "Japanese source" that tipped off UK magazine Edge reckons it could be as a social networking MMO, and that we'll all (presumably) be able to travel freely to one another's towns in numbers, nabbing alien fruit and hooking rare furniture from Nookingtons; you would have to be extraordinarily angry with the world to resist such a prospect.

This is strictly a rumor for now, but Edge's solid past record on such matters makes it a tantalizing one. It also makes perfect sense, really, particularly as some of the core concepts of Animal Crossing -- community, trading, communication, and so forth -- are what MMOs are all about.

One does wonder, though: is the Wii ready for such a game? Animal Crossing: Wild World on the DS is notoriously temperamental when handling network play, and so far the Wii's own online capabilities haven't dazzled. We shall, as they say, see.

JoystiqEdge: Animal Crossing Wii an MMO originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 24 Oct 2007 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Animal-CrossingMMOMMOGWed, 24 Oct 2007 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Age of Conan's last delay wasn't so 'final']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/10/age-of-conans-last-delay-wasnt-so-final/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/10/age-of-conans-last-delay-wasnt-so-final/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/10/age-of-conans-last-delay-wasnt-so-final/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Remember when Funcom promised in January that their delay of Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures to October was guaranteed as the "final launch date" for the MMO? Well, they totally lied. Age of Conan has been delayed again until next March. This time around they aren't silly enough to say it's the "final" time. Funcom CEO Trond Arne Aas said, "We believe that the new release date is in the best interest of the gamers, our company and our owners."

Our time with the game has been fine, but a ten minute demo doesn't give enough of an answer to how this game will avoid the MMO trap of making players not realize they are "waging a war against the mind-numbing effects of repetition." Obviously the developers think they need more time and publisher Eidos seems to be on board with that idea. Funcom now has until next March to announce another delay.

JoystiqAge of Conan's last delay wasn't so 'final' originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 10 Aug 2007 09:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Age of ConanAgeOfConanBetaConanEidosFuncomHyborian AdventuresHyborianAdventuresMMOGMMORPGPCFri, 10 Aug 2007 09:25:00 EST<![CDATA[NetDevil to revive sci-fi MMO as Jumpgate Evolution]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/30/netdevil-to-revive-sci-fi-mmo-as-jumpgate-evolution/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/30/netdevil-to-revive-sci-fi-mmo-as-jumpgate-evolution/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/30/netdevil-to-revive-sci-fi-mmo-as-jumpgate-evolution/#commentsFiled under: , ,


NetDevil, the folks behind the LEGO MMO, recently announced it will bring "substantial updates" to the company's 2001 space combat MMOG, Jumpgate: The Reconstruction Initiative. The game is to receive a complete graphics overhaul as well as new, more intelligent AI, more weapons, advanced social aspects such as player-owned stations, and a fully controllable economy. Beta registration has opened, so if you're ready for some sexy-looking sci-fi shooting action, Jumpgate Evolution could be your fix.

Gallery: Jumpgate Evolution

JoystiqNetDevil to revive sci-fi MMO as Jumpgate Evolution originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 30 Jun 2007 07:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>actionindependentindiemmommogPCscifishooterSat, 30 Jun 2007 07:30:00 EST<![CDATA[RPG devs adapt or die, here comes the MMORPG]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/30/rpg-devs-adapt-or-die-here-comes-the-mmorpg/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/30/rpg-devs-adapt-or-die-here-comes-the-mmorpg/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/30/rpg-devs-adapt-or-die-here-comes-the-mmorpg/#commentsFiled under: ,


Obsidian Entertainment CEO Feargus Urquhart has some strong words for single-player RPG developers. With the rise of MMORPGs such as World of Warcraft and Everquest, old-style role playing games need to re-think their strategy or face extinction. "It used to be fine to make an RPG that was just wandering around and hacking things up with the player having very little effect on the world around them", explains Urquhart, "Why play that game now if you could just play a MMO?"

The key is to define what single-player RPGs offer over the online experience and bring that into sharp focus. Dungeon hacking is a thing of the past, now players want as much control over their character and surroundings as possible. But what does solo role playing offer that the online experience doesn't? Is there still a demand for epic single-player RPGs in the world, or are we moving to a strict MMORPG diet?

JoystiqRPG devs adapt or die, here comes the MMORPG originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 30 May 2007 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>mmommogmmorpgobsidianroleplayingrpgWed, 30 May 2007 12:45:00 EST<![CDATA[User-created WMDs do massive damage in Second Life beta test]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/28/user-created-wmds-do-massage-damage-in-second-life-beta-test/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/28/user-created-wmds-do-massage-damage-in-second-life-beta-test/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/28/user-created-wmds-do-massage-damage-in-second-life-beta-test/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Virtual world pioneer Randy Farmer loves to mess around with MMO games. As a beta tester for Second Life, Farmer was responsible for one of the first legendary events in the game: the Jessie Massacre. Out of curiosity, he created a weapon of mass destruction and unleashed it on a community of former WWII gamers. The resulting mayhem made him the target of more than a few nasty looks, but to the rest of the community he was thought of as a hero.

Using the SL creation tools, Farmer constructed tiny, almost invisible objects and programmed them to explode into dozens of fragments, flying out at maximum velocity and doing loads of damage. Afterwards the fragments teleport themselves to a random location and start the carnage again. The only way to stop them was for Farmer to shout "STOP!".

As you can guess, chaos ensued when the WMD was unleashed in the town of Jessie. Farmer quickly decided his completely scientific beta testing experiment was a success and went to disarm the grenades. Then he ran into a small problem: he couldn't find the little invisible buggers. With help from Linden labs he managed to remove the bombs, but the legend of the Jesse Massacre lives on.

[Via GameSetWatch]

JoystiqUser-created WMDs do massive damage in Second Life beta test originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 28 May 2007 09:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hackingmmogPCsecondlifevirtualworldsviruswmdMon, 28 May 2007 09:16:00 EST<![CDATA[Floating speech bubbles lets you ignore people in a whole new way]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/24/floating-speech-bubbles-to-make-talking-obsolete/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/24/floating-speech-bubbles-to-make-talking-obsolete/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/24/floating-speech-bubbles-to-make-talking-obsolete/#commentsFiled under: ,

Communication in online worlds such as Second Life relies on two things: text input, and personal speech bubbles. To engage in a conversation, simply move near another player and their bubble becomes visible. Aram Bartholl decided to re-create this spatially-sensitive text chat in real life with Speech Bubble, a performance art event that took place in Berlin.

Just like in MMO games, players type out their thoughts and attach them to bubbles that magically float above their head. And by magic, we mean they're carried by a hapless slave person tailing them at all times. The result: an intriguing performance that either makes you re-think the impact of instant messaging, IRC, and SMS on society, or forces you to become completely apathetic to the guy standing next you who has a birthday tomorrow.

Check out a video of the event after the jump.

[Via Videoludica]

Continue reading Floating speech bubbles lets you ignore people in a whole new way

JoystiqFloating speech bubbles lets you ignore people in a whole new way originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 24 May 2007 13:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artculturemmommogThu, 24 May 2007 13:09:00 EST<![CDATA[Former WoW and EverQuest programmers working on sci-fi MMOG]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/01/former-wow-and-everquest-programmers-working-on-sci-fi-mmog/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/01/former-wow-and-everquest-programmers-working-on-sci-fi-mmog/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/01/former-wow-and-everquest-programmers-working-on-sci-fi-mmog/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Colony Studios, a new development studio comprised of former World of Warcraft and EverQuest staff, recently announced a new space-themed MMOG in the works. Instead of throwing yet another MMOG on the market, Colony is centering the game around a dynamic, living world that will allow players to log on and react to a constantly changing world. The game's history is provided, but the players are the driving force behind current events. The game will also feature a "unique approach" to warfare, PvP combat, character advancement, and territory control, although exactly what that means is anyone's guess at this point.

Colony's aim is to "not be afraid to take chances outside the normal MMO design", and with experience on their side, they could be on the fast-track to MMO fame. They could also be on the fast-track to "here's a load of hype, hope you guys get excited enough to pay attention to what turns out to be a mediocre game".

IGN's RPG Vault has a full interview with Colony CEO Mike Wallis, who we assure you isn't Mike Wallace.

JoystiqFormer WoW and EverQuest programmers working on sci-fi MMOG originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 01 May 2007 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>colonystudiosinterviewmmommogmmorpgonlinepcrpgscifiTue, 01 May 2007 08:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Indie MMOG conference to be offered online]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/05/indie-mmo-conference-to-be-offered-online/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/05/indie-mmo-conference-to-be-offered-online/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/05/indie-mmo-conference-to-be-offered-online/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Can an independent studio build and maintain a successful MMOG? That's the question the first annual Indie MMO Game Development Conference wants to explore. Scheduled for April 14-15 in Minnesota (home of the world's most delicious butter), everyone from indie development studios to programmers working from their mom's basement are invited to attend. Keynote speakers, game pitch-a-thons, design, business and legal discussions, and other standard conference-fare are all part of the experience.

Founder Jonathon Stevens wanted to try something a little different with this conference. Instead of forcing visitors to choose a few of the many events to attend, the entire IMGD conference will be broadcast online via video feed. Indie studios can save the travel cash for game development costs, such as buying Jolt cola by the case.

[Via Internode Games Network]

JoystiqIndie MMOG conference to be offered online originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 05 Apr 2007 16:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>conferenceimgdindependentindiemmommogmmorpgThu, 05 Apr 2007 16:23:00 EST<![CDATA['Whirled' casual MMOG from Puzzle Pirates studio]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/09/whirled-casual-mmog-from-puzzle-pirates-studio/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/09/whirled-casual-mmog-from-puzzle-pirates-studio/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/09/whirled-casual-mmog-from-puzzle-pirates-studio/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

A new MMOG is in the works from Puzzle Pirates creator Three Rings. The web-based virtual environment of Whirled will favor player-created content and social interaction over character development and time-consuming quests for the Magical Boots of Running +5. A Flash-based interface will allow for easy creation of items, furniture, avatars, and even complex multiplayer games.

Three Rings is to casual MMO games as Blizzard Entertainment is to life-dominating MMO games. Puzzle Pirates and Bang! Howdy are two of the most well-known indie MMOGs out there. If Whirled builds on the success, Three Rings executives will be lounging in private yachts right next to the Blizzard folk.

[Via GameDaily]

Joystiq'Whirled' casual MMOG from Puzzle Pirates studio originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 09 Mar 2007 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>independentindiemmogmultiplayerPCwhirledFri, 09 Mar 2007 10:58:00 EST<![CDATA[LEGO MMO in the works by indie dev NetDevil]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/05/lego-mmo-in-the-works-by-indie-dev-netdevil/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/05/lego-mmo-in-the-works-by-indie-dev-netdevil/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/05/lego-mmo-in-the-works-by-indie-dev-netdevil/#commentsFiled under: ,

Independent game developer NetDevil (Auto Assault) announced today a partnership with The LEGO Group to develop a MMOG based on the colorful little building blocks. Few details apart from the brief announcement were given, but a representative from LEGO told Gamasutra the game would merge social interaction with physical play. A virtual community where you can build things with LEGO blocks? Yes, please.

The game will likely be aimed at children, but that won't stop us kids who have jobs from giving it a try. After all, everybody loves LEGOs.

[Thanks, Phillip]

JoystiqLEGO MMO in the works by indie dev NetDevil originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 05 Mar 2007 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>independentindielegommogmmorpgnetdevilonlineMon, 05 Mar 2007 17:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Age of Conan MMO delayed for the "final" time]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/26/age-of-conan-mmo-delayed-for-the-final-time/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/26/age-of-conan-mmo-delayed-for-the-final-time/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/26/age-of-conan-mmo-delayed-for-the-final-time/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

bored...Developer Funcom dropped in on the official Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures forums to bring news of further delay. Bad news first: the PC version has been pushed back to October 30, 2007. And now the good news: Funcom promises this is the "final launch date." Specific details regarding this latest delay were not disclosed.

Age of Conan is currently in closed beta. Funcom is expected to announce details about open beta in the near future. An Xbox 360 version will be released sometime following Age of Conan's debut on PC.

JoystiqAge of Conan MMO delayed for the "final" time originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 26 Jan 2007 10:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Age of ConanAgeOfConanBetaConanEidosFuncomHyborian AdventuresHyborianAdventuresMMOGMMORPGPCXbox-360Fri, 26 Jan 2007 10:19:00 EST<![CDATA[New art from CrimeCraft MMO for 360]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/04/new-art-from-crimecraft-mmo-for-360/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/04/new-art-from-crimecraft-mmo-for-360/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/04/new-art-from-crimecraft-mmo-for-360/#commentsFiled under:

Our friends at Xboxygen clued us in on some new artwork for CrimeCraft, an MMO from Vogster. The game is set in a sprawling urban environment in which characters participate in the commerce, politics, and cri-, er, economics of the city. The game promises to allow players to own real estate, run shops or warehouses, and fight with other clans over territory. Players will also be given a choice between different character types like crooked cops, shady criminals, or boring law-abiding citizens. Finally, CrimeCraft utilizes the Unreal Engine 3.

We were surprised that this is the first we'd heard of the game, so we did a little digging. The game's developer, Vogster, is based in the Ukraine, and it looks like this is their first game (they're still looking for a programmer, if you're interested). The game also has an official website, though right now it's just a splash page.

We're definitely intrigued by CrimeCraft. Only yesterday readers mentioned that they wanted an MMO that wasn't set in the typical fantasy realm. Rest assured, we'll keep you posted on the latest news (and don't forget to send us tips if you find it first). Don't hold your breath, though. The game was announced in September of last year, so it's possible CrimeCraft won't see the light of day until 2008.

JoystiqNew art from CrimeCraft MMO for 360 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 04 Jan 2007 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crimecraftmassively multiplayer online gameMassivelyMultiplayerOnlineGamemmommogvogsterThu, 04 Jan 2007 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Keeping track of virtual world history]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/02/keeping-track-of-virtual-world-history/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/02/keeping-track-of-virtual-world-history/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/02/keeping-track-of-virtual-world-history/#commentsFiled under:

MMOG players are well aware of the virtual lands they play in because there is typically a rich history established, but after that there is no record of how the players influence the world once the "game" started. Gamers are naturally, due to programming, always at the mercy of plot lines created by developers; however, even when a major plot line is fulfilled, there is no history that it ever happened. Narratively it's like the government being in control of the press and you only hear what they want you to hear. A TerraNova writer poses the possibility of a student asking to write a history of events in Ultima Online, he says, "The textual sources are going to be extremely difficult to recover in a thorough way because there are both too many and too few; a lot of the rest will only be knowable through oral historical work, or through questioning people through email."

Players in World of Warcraft over the last year dealt with opening the Gates of Ahn'Qiraj and a new Scourge Invasion, but players have no place in-game to find out what happened during these times. There is no newspaper, no town crier , nobody who publicly tracked in-game what guilds and players helped the war effort. For new players or those wanting to look back there is no history in the World of Warcraft after players entered and the game started. It would be nice to see embedded journalists in the game like there is in Second Life, tracking the history of various servers with access to Blizzard's statistical information. These journalists would be able to report and help create a history to online worlds. Of course, it wouldn't be a free press because the company would manage what data could be released, but at least there would be narrative of what players have accomplished.

JoystiqKeeping track of virtual world history originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 02 Dec 2006 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>mmogvirtual historyVirtualHistorySat, 02 Dec 2006 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Shakespeare: The MMOG]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/20/shakespeare-the-mmog/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/20/shakespeare-the-mmog/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/20/shakespeare-the-mmog/#commentsFiled under: ,

As Civilization is to history, Arden: The World of Shakespeare will be to the Bard of Avon. CNET reports that Associate Professor of Telecommunications at Indiana University, Edward Castranova, is receiving a $240,000 grant to develop an MMOG around Shakespeare's plays.

Unlike World of Warcraft or EverQuest, the academic Arden will be not-for-profit. No word yet on how the ambitious project will sustain itself financially beyond the grant.

The game will be built around the play Richard III, because of all the conflict during the 16th century War of the Roses. There is no real explanation on how all the other plays will be incorporated into the world. If they can figure how to make one cohesive Shakespearean world, the game might be worth a try and a great educational tool. As long as there is a translator into modern language for those who avoided Shakespeare because of his pesky "smrt" 16th century English.

JoystiqShakespeare: The MMOG originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 20 Oct 2006 18:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ardenindiana universitymmogPCshakespeareFri, 20 Oct 2006 18:23:00 EST<![CDATA[Cybering night elves is cheating, but will you stop?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/02/cybering-night-elves-is-cheating-but-will-you-stop/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/02/cybering-night-elves-is-cheating-but-will-you-stop/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/02/cybering-night-elves-is-cheating-but-will-you-stop/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Any gamer who's been playing massively multiplayer online games for a while has come across (?!) a couple of wood elves entwined in passionate embrace in an abandoned treehouse in Kelethin or has stumbled upon a pair of night elves deep in some abandoned mine grinding out more than just a few quests.

For some, cybersex and MMOGs just go together -- virtual trysts seem a natural extension of living in a fantasy world.

But be warned: you're flirting with danger. if you've got a real-world partner it's cheating, according to psychologist Dr. Janet Hall, who specializes in relationship counseling. "As soon as secret, intimate, emotional or physical information is shared, it's cheating," she told The Age.

JoystiqCybering night elves is cheating, but will you stop? originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 02 Oct 2006 10:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cybersexeqmmommogmmorpgworld of warcraftwowMon, 02 Oct 2006 10:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Try Guild Wars expansion free ... again]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/12/try-guild-wars-expansion-free-again/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/12/try-guild-wars-expansion-free-again/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/12/try-guild-wars-expansion-free-again/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The next expansion in the Guild Wars series, Nightfall, is just around the corner -- but for anyone who can't wait until October, NCsoft are running an open preview event on September 22-24. During that weekend, Nightfall will be free to play for just about anyone, regardless of whether you have Guild Wars already.

The previous expansion, Factions, had a very successful preview event, so it's no surprise the idea's being repeated. It makes sense for NCsoft to capitalise on Guild Wars' free nature by, well, making it even freer -- if only for a short while. Those of us already resigned to paying monthly for MMOs may find it a nice change to try a new one without cost, but as every hour spent on a free game is one that we have already paid for on another MMO, it's hard to drag us away.

JoystiqTry Guild Wars expansion free ... again originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 12 Sep 2006 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arenanetdemofreeguild warsGuildWarsmmommogmmorpgncsoftPCpreviewrpgTue, 12 Sep 2006 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The biggest game phenom in 20+ years: World of Warcraft [update 1]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/05/the-biggest-video-game-phenom-in-over-20-years-world-of-warcraf/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/05/the-biggest-video-game-phenom-in-over-20-years-world-of-warcraf/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/05/the-biggest-video-game-phenom-in-over-20-years-world-of-warcraf/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Today's New York Times examines the success of World of Warcraft from a global perspective, concluding that "World of Warcraft has become the first truly global video-game hit since Pac-Man in the early 1980's."

In addition to the new angle, this piece provides a nice benchmark for mainstream media coverage of MMOGs. Just a few years ago, media were wont to "report" on the gameplay habits of Everquest and Asheron's Call players with a sensational "watch these people ruin their lives playing games!" tone that just wasn't fair. Often, introversion, depression, and suicidal tendencies were ascribed to people who choose to play games for hours at a time. The Times's coverage is much more balanced, finally allowing an eloquent gamer (Jason Pinsky) the opportunity to defend his hobby:

"I play this game six nights a week from 8 p.m. to midnight.... most people watch TV at least that much, and television is a totally mindless experience."

Word.

[Update 1: fixed a clumsy headline and formatting in body of post.]

JoystiqThe biggest game phenom in 20+ years: World of Warcraft [update 1] originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 05 Sep 2006 09:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blizzardMacmmommogmmorpgNew-York-TimesPCturbineworld of warcraftwowTue, 05 Sep 2006 09:37:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO neophyte designs MMO by himself]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/17/mmo-neophyte-designs-mmo-by-himself/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/17/mmo-neophyte-designs-mmo-by-himself/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/17/mmo-neophyte-designs-mmo-by-himself/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Gavan H. Woolery isn't letting his inexperience with massively-multiplayer games stop him from designing one. The 24-year old computer programmer from California recently made public Genesis, a game that aims to be the "first truly dynamic massively-multiplayer online game." Woolery spent the last two years designing Genesis on his own, despite his admission that he has "never played a MMOG in my life."

Though the game is still a work in progress, a video demo shows some impressively powerful yet intuitive world-creation tools being used. Creation is the focus of the game, in which characters will have "the power to create or destroy any aspect of your environment." Users will supply all the content in Project Genesis (a la Second Life) and users' actions will supposedly "reshape living conditions, political structures, economies, ecosystems, and all other aspects of the world," (a la Spore).

A bit ambitious for one lone programmer? Perhaps. But since going public, Woolery says he's received support from hundreds of interested parties willing to help with the project. Whether or not it all comes together as planned, it's definitely something to keep an eye on.

[Via Clickable Culture]

JoystiqMMO neophyte designs MMO by himself originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 17 Aug 2006 13:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>genesisMMOMMOGMMORPGPCThu, 17 Aug 2006 13:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Kicking up a storm: The Escapist on Blizzard]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/07/kicking-up-a-storm-the-escapist-on-blizzard/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/07/kicking-up-a-storm-the-escapist-on-blizzard/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/07/kicking-up-a-storm-the-escapist-on-blizzard/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

This week's Escapist is fascinating as ever, dealing with the behemoth that is Blizzard Entertainment. While the pieces looking at the rise of Blizzard and its company culture are interesting enough, the real gem is the World of Warcraft article.

Of course, no mention of Blizzard would be complete without WoW these days. However, the game's dominance of the MMO genre means that, as the folks at Terra Nova noticed, no discussion of MMOs is really complete without WoW:

For better or worse, WoW is the face of the massive genre. In a very small part of the galaxy, it's a gravity well bending light that passes anywhere near it. When discussing PvP, questing, guilds or class balance, commentators now have a lingua franca: the common tongue of World of Warcraft.

When on the hunt for a MMO to play that isn't "just another WoW clone", then, bear in mind that many people are looking at what clearly works for inspiration. We will certainly see games with strange and innovative MMO gameplay, but will they attract the numbers necessary to survive?

JoystiqKicking up a storm: The Escapist on Blizzard originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 07 Jun 2006 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blizzardcultureescapistjournalismMacmmogmmorpgPCworld of warcraftWorldOfWarcraftwowWed, 07 Jun 2006 08:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Prof debunks MindArk hype; causes CEO tantrum]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/30/prof-debunks-mindark-hype-machine-ceo-throws-fit/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/30/prof-debunks-mindark-hype-machine-ceo-throws-fit/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/30/prof-debunks-mindark-hype-machine-ceo-throws-fit/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Not sure how we missed this bit of juicy drama, so forgive us for the weeks-old nature of this post in advance, please. A chronological format works best:

  • MindArk creates major media buzz with its announcement that they would allow players to draw money out of their Project Entropia accounts with a new debit card. We admit, it sounded novel, so we published our own uncritical account of the news.
  • Wharton Professor and Terra Nova blogger Dan Hunter took a step back to ask whether the big news was really as fantastic as MindArk made it out to be. He analysed the deal then concluded, "Hey, guess what? This new frontier in virtual currency is...wait for it...a co-branded debit card." He went on to state that previous MindArk press releases, upon further analysis, appear to be "nothing but bullshit."
  • MindArk's CEO throws a fit, sending a nasty email to one of Hunter's bosses at Wharton, accusing Hunter of "spreading slander."
  • Hunter blogs it. Awesome.

As Terra Nova commenter Peter wrote, "Someone should have told [MindArk CEO] Welter his god-mode is limited to [Project Entropia] alone...."

See also: Aleks Krotoski's take, Daniel Terdiman's summary.

JoystiqProf debunks MindArk hype; causes CEO tantrum originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 30 May 2006 04:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dan huntermindarkmmommogmmogsmmorpgPCproject entropiawhartonTue, 30 May 2006 04:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Hands on with Soul of the Ultimate Nation]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/10/hands-on-with-soul-of-the-ultimate-nation/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/10/hands-on-with-soul-of-the-ultimate-nation/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/10/hands-on-with-soul-of-the-ultimate-nation/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Korean MMO company Webzen is launching an attack on the Western world with Huxley, but the company isn't confining itself to the MMOFPS genre. Soul of the Ultimate Nation is a fantasy-themed MMO with a distinctive Eastern style that will be launched in North America during 2007 (it's currently in open beta in Korea).

Fantasy MMOs are ten a penny these days, so we asked Webzen representatives what makes SUN different. They are banking on its graphical style to win fans, and also its competitive nature -- players enter into 'competitive hunting' with others, rather than co-operating as in many other MMOs. The game also features voice chat amongst adventuring parties and guilds.

Continue reading Hands on with Soul of the Ultimate Nation

JoystiqHands on with Soul of the Ultimate Nation originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 10 May 2006 21:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3e32006mmommogmmorpgPCsoul of the ultimate nationSoulOfTheUltimateNationsunwebzenWed, 10 May 2006 21:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Splitsville for Microsoft and Sigil after "varying visions"]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/06/splitsvillemsftsigil/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/06/splitsvillemsftsigil/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/06/splitsvillemsftsigil/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Sigil Games Online, developers of upcoming MMORPG Vanguard: Saga of Heroes, announced today that they'd be co-publishing the game with Sony Online Entertainment after "it became clear that [Microsoft Games Studios] and Sigil had varying visions and direction for the title's development," according to Brad McQuaid, CEO of Sigil Games Online, as quoted in a company press release on the break-up.

It's rare that a game in beta switches publishers. We have no inside information, but a little digging makes it clear that something's not quite right fresh in Denmark. At least one high-profile game designer recently quit, and Sigil's CEO has been defending the game from legions of WoW Fanboys doubters that have been questioning whether it'll ever be commercially viable.

The surest sign that the game may be in choppy waters is the fact that McQuaid's now doing business with SOE after his high-profile departure from the same company in the fall of 2001. According to MMOG-community gossip circulating at the time, this departure was also the result of diverging creative visions between McQuaid and Sony on the evolution of Everquest, the successful MMORPG that McQuaid co-founded and designed.

Smart observers suggest that the culprit behind all of the churn und drama is the tremendous success of World of Warcraft. To wit: how will Vanguard fare against WoW and the other bajillion MMOGs slated for release? For reaction to this announcement from MMORPG insiders, check the FoH forums, where the unruly mob is being characteristically brutal. Even the President of Sony Online Entertainment is trolled into doing some damage control.

JoystiqSplitsville for Microsoft and Sigil after "varying visions" originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 06 May 2006 00:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hardcoremmommogmmorpgPCsoesony online entertainmentvanguardworld of warcraftwowSat, 06 May 2006 00:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Penalty for being the worst raid leader ever? 50 DKP MINUS! [update 1]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/05/penalty-for-being-the-worst-raid-leader-ever-50-dkp-minus/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/05/penalty-for-being-the-worst-raid-leader-ever-50-dkp-minus/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/05/penalty-for-being-the-worst-raid-leader-ever-50-dkp-minus/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


In the NSFW video that follows, a raid leader flips out ninja-style as his team of 40 raiders fails to kill the dragon known to World of Warcraft players as Onyxia. For those who've never raided Onyxia, you need to know that this multi-phase fight is laden with traps and tricks, and usually takes hours upon hours of failed attempts before a group finally downs her for the first time. An experienced raid team can finish the encounter in 20 minutes.

The video that you're about to see captures the frustration of the Onyxia experience, showing just how emotional things can get when total party wipe follows total party wipe.

It also highlights the hilarity that results when people with very little management experience are given the opportunity to lead a large group of people. Some soar, some flop. Our protagonist in the following video flops like a pancake.

Click here to watch. Turn the sound down (or put on some headphones), because the raid leader loves to drop the F-bomb.


[Update 1: Fixed autoplay issue.]

JoystiqPenalty for being the worst raid leader ever? 50 DKP MINUS! [update 1] originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 05 May 2006 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>leadershipMacmmommogmmorpgonyxiaPCraidsworld of warcraftwowXbox-360Fri, 05 May 2006 11:28:00 EST<![CDATA[MMOs: the near and distant future [Update 1]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/01/whats-next-for-mmos/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/01/whats-next-for-mmos/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/01/whats-next-for-mmos/#commentsFiled under: ,

Academic blog Terra Nova is asking a big and important question -- what does the future of massively multiplayer games hold? Arguing that current games like World of Warcraft are the best the current-gen has to offer, what's around the corner for next-gen MMOs?

A few buzzwords that are floating around the comments thread: middleware; user-created content; no grinding; item-based revenue; user-hosted MMOs; dynamically-changing worlds; non-high-fantasy-themed games; customisation; co-operative control of vehicles; massive-scale MMOs; celebrities; console platforms.

That's a lot of theorising, and a lot of potential for new MMOs. Whether new games get personal with localised, user-hosted mini-worlds, or create their own celebrities with ingame content creation that ties into a large-scale international world, there are some exciting possibilities around the corner.

[Update: reinserted mysterious vanishing end-of-post.]

JoystiqMMOs: the near and distant future [Update 1] originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 01 May 2006 23:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>academicdevelopmenteconomicsmmommogmmorpgnext generationNextGenerationonlineterra novaTerraNovatheoryMon, 01 May 2006 23:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Interview with Space Cowboy Online producer Jason Park]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/01/interview-with-space-cowboy-online-producer-jason-park/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/01/interview-with-space-cowboy-online-producer-jason-park/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/01/interview-with-space-cowboy-online-producer-jason-park/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Jason Park, producer for the "action-based MMO space shooter" Space Cowboy Online, agreed to a brief email interview. We asked him some tough questions about the game, and he shot from the hip, like a true cowboy.

Jason also agreed to monitor this post and respond to any reader questions that might pop up over the next 48 hours (from the time-stamp on the post).

Continue reading Interview with Space Cowboy Online producer Jason Park

JoystiqInterview with Space Cowboy Online producer Jason Park originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 01 May 2006 22:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>MacmmommofpsmmogmmorpgPCMon, 01 May 2006 22:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Gamer feels cheated by FFXI's sneaky hidden fees [update 1]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/22/gamer-feels-cheated-by-ffxis-sneaky-hidden-fees/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/22/gamer-feels-cheated-by-ffxis-sneaky-hidden-fees/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/22/gamer-feels-cheated-by-ffxis-sneaky-hidden-fees/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Davis Freeberg wrote to Joystiq to let us know that he feels ripped off by the lack of disclosure about the fees required to play Final Fantasy XI for the Xbox 360.

Though experienced PC MMOG players and other hardcore gamers know that games of this type typically include monthly fees, Freeberg appears to be more typical of console gamers. He expected to be able to buy the game, pop it in, and start playing. Instead, he was required to spend hours installing the game and registering for a separate online service before he was told that the game would cost $12.95 per month plus an additional $1.00 per month per character (beyond the first) he created.

Deceitful marketing or clumsy mistake? Click "continue" below to see what we found.

Continue reading Gamer feels cheated by FFXI's sneaky hidden fees [update 1]

JoystiqGamer feels cheated by FFXI's sneaky hidden fees [update 1] originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 22 Apr 2006 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazon.comffxifinal fantasyMacmmogmmorpgPCPS2rpgtarget.comwalmart.comXbox-360Sat, 22 Apr 2006 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MMO subscriber charts show what's hot]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/19/mmo-subscriber-charts-show-whats-hot/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/19/mmo-subscriber-charts-show-whats-hot/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/04/19/mmo-subscriber-charts-show-whats-hot/#commentsFiled under: ,


Bruce Sterling Woodcock of MMOGChart has been tracking the subscriber numbers for a variety of different MMOs for years; version 19.0 of his data was released about a week ago, providing numbers up to January 2006 in a long-awaited update. The chart's coverage isn't perfect; geographic information would be especially useful, but is near impossible to find, and the site explains the accuracy behind the data (there are differences between active subscribers, cumulative subscribers and boxes sold). However, it's interesting to see what this snapshot of the current MMO world is like.

The graph above shows the largest MMOs, those with over 120,000 subscribers. The green line leaping towards infinity is World of Warcraft -- the yellow and red curves, declining slowly, are Lineage and Lineage II respectively. Many of the others stop in 2005, so it's hard to get an accurate up-to-date picture, but the light blue line representing Runescape seems to be finally taking off, cresting the 500,000 barrier -- an impressive feat for a game started by a couple of students.

Continue reading MMO subscriber charts show what's hot

JoystiqMMO subscriber charts show what's hot originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 19 Apr 2006 13:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>mmommo sizesmmogmmog chartMmogChartmmorpgMmoSizesplayer baseplayer demographicPlayerBasePlayerDemographicstatisticssubscriber baseSubscriberBaseWed, 19 Apr 2006 13:57:00 EST<![CDATA[You'll kry when Krowbar kwits]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/09/i-kried-when-krowbar-kwit/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/09/i-kried-when-krowbar-kwit/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/09/i-kried-when-krowbar-kwit/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

We are getting close to hitting our quota of maudlin MMORPG music vids for the day. You did watch the Drakedog suicide vid, right?

This very special flash video from the wayback machine will mean the most to those of you who played (and by "played" we mean "dedicated your life to raiding in") end-game Everquest, but it should also be familiar to anyone who's joined a guild in a MMOG and has experienced the requisite drama that comes with the guild structure. This video's so friggin' over the top with the melodrama that it's downright hilarious, if you understand the context.

Yes, that's a 1.0 cleric epic you spied there. The truly leet can name the purple armor, too.

Thanks for hosting, Flowers of Happiness!

JoystiqYou'll kry when Krowbar kwits originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 09 Mar 2006 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>everquestfunnyhumorMacmmommogmmorpgPCThu, 09 Mar 2006 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[DICE: Garriotts predict MMO industry's future]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/02/09/dice-garriotts-predict-mmo-industrys-future/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/02/09/dice-garriotts-predict-mmo-industrys-future/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/02/09/dice-garriotts-predict-mmo-industrys-future/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Brothers Robert and Richard Garriott outlined their visions of the MMO industry's future at DICE today. Richard, aka Lord British, sees a shake-up on the cards: he predicts that within three to five years, many of the startups will drop out of the market, leaving only five companies playing the MMO game.

It's an interesting vision to have, and presumably the Garriotts are hoping that NCsoft will be one of the five. However, with the recent growth of some niche MMOs, it seems there is a place for smaller companies and startups; as players become bored of the more popular titles, they may seek out similar experiences elsewhere, boosting the popularity of titles that may not have the international resources of Sony Online Entertainment or NCsoft.

JoystiqDICE: Garriotts predict MMO industry's future originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 09 Feb 2006 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dicefuturegarriotsmmogncsoftPCpredictionsThu, 09 Feb 2006 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Virtual worlds' selective reflections of reality]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/02/09/virtual-worlds-selective-reflections-of-reality/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/02/09/virtual-worlds-selective-reflections-of-reality/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/02/09/virtual-worlds-selective-reflections-of-reality/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The announcement of Valentine's Day events for both City of Heroes and World of Warcraft comes hot on the heels of a debate around virtual identity sparked off by a LGBT-friendly guild. The creation of in-game events that reflect popular world holidays is increasingly fashionable; it seems no week goes by without some new festival being celebrated in WoW's capital cities.

However, by first stamping out discussions of sexuality, and then opening up the floodgates by theming an event around love, what are Blizzard thinking? Will players be able to flirt with same-sex NPCs or will they be instantly banned for even venturing a hug? We hope that there will be some procedures in place to help stop harassment, as it can be difficult to throw off determined admirers at the best of times.

As for those gamers who prefer their MMOs with a dash of escapism, it seems to be a dying trend, especially amongst popular Western games.

[Image from the Alter Ego project]

JoystiqVirtual worlds' selective reflections of reality originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 09 Feb 2006 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>contenteventsmmogmmorpgsPCvirtual worldsVirtualWorldsThu, 09 Feb 2006 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively multiplayer games branch out]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/01/25/massively-multiplayer-games-branch-out/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/01/25/massively-multiplayer-games-branch-out/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/01/25/massively-multiplayer-games-branch-out/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

There may be some exciting-looking original games coming to a platform near you this year, but what about that clichéd of genres, the massively multiplayer game? When you think of MMOs, three things spring to mind: elves, dwarves and monthly subscriptions, and the success of World of Warcraft hasn't helped defeat any of these stereotypes.

Today's Wall Street Journal features a piece looking at MMOs that are venturing into non-traditional waters, focusing on two examples in particular. Firstly, NCsoft's upcoming title Auto Assault manages to shatter almost every MMO cliché--it's set in a post-apocalyptic world and most combat takes place in heavily armoured vehicles with big guns attached. No cloth-wearing spellcasters in sight.

Secondly, Sony Online Entertainment will be testing out new revenue models later this year with a free-to-play title that uses micropayments to attract customers' cash. Not much information has been released by SOE on this strategy, but games like Anarchy Online have seen increased users since becoming free to play.

Continue reading Massively multiplayer games branch out

JoystiqMassively multiplayer games branch out originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 25 Jan 2006 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auto assaultAutoAssaultmassively multiplayerMassivelyMultiplayermmogPCsonywall street journalWallStreetJournalworld of warcraftWorldOfWarcraftWed, 25 Jan 2006 19:00:00 EST