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EVE Evolved: Tough lessons in corp management
Back in November, we began the Massively Mob -- an EVE Online corporation designed to help our readers get into EVE despite the game's steep learning curve and harsh death penalty. The primary goal of the Mob was was to provide advice and assistance to new players as well as a financial safety net to help them overcome the game's notoriously steep learning curve. Free corp ships were available to help players try out the many things the game has to offer without that fear of losing a lot of belongings in one newbie mistake. Players flocked to the corp in droves, many just starting EVE or returning to give the game another shot. One member set up a forum, another a killboard, and a third provided a free teamspeak server. Members wrote helpful guides; the forums filled with ship fitting advice and mission fleets flew almost every night. Regular events and contests kept the corp alive with activity, and for a time everything was good. We started out with the best of intentions and set our sights on the very difficult task of being a large corporation that does a little bit of everything. It's been a bumpy road; the corp has lost its way several times and we've learned some very tough lessons. In this week's EVE Evolved, I dig up some tough personal truths and share my experiences of the difficult job of corporate management.
One Shots: The eve of a new dawn
With the demise of learning skills and Sansha popping up all over the place, new pilots are heading into EVE Online to enjoy all the fun and danger that this sci-fi sandbox offers. While many veterans have likely seen this statue in different spots around New Eden, there's still a moment of wonder for newer pilots when you first stumble across ruins for the first time. Today we share one such moment from a member of our very own EVE Online corp, who writes in: "Hey all. Dexs Riene here from the Massively Mob corp. Thought I'd send in this screenshot of me in front of this massive structure. This is a spot you visit while doing the Sisters of Eve epic arc story line. I was so impressed by the visuals that I just had to share it with you all." Have you found an interesting sight while out adventuring? Whether it's in space or on land, we're always curious what players think looks cool. So grab a picturesque screenshot and send it in to us here at oneshots@massively.com along with your name, the name of the game, and a description of what we're seeing. Please make sure the image is at least 1024px wide and has no visible UI elements. Your screenshot could wind up being the next one we choose to show off here on One Shots! %Gallery-85937%
EVE Evolved: Massively Mob Mission Mash
In last week's EVE Evolved, I released details of the brand-new Massively Mob corporation in EVE Online. Although the Massively Mob corp is a great place for readers to congregate, chat and play together, its primary purpose is to provide a financial safety net for new players. Anyone can join the corp and gain access to a stockpile of modules, skillbooks, implants and pre-insured ships that can be used to explore everything the game has to offer. The idea is to take the harsh fear of death and learning curve out of EVE for new players and so encourage them to try new things. To help with that, the Mob will be running regular themed event nights during which we explore different aspects of EVE's gameplay. Over the coming months, we plan to run events on mission-running, skirmish PvP, exploration and more. Once January hits and the Incursion expansion's final feature is released, we'll begin actively taking part in battling the Sansha menace. Each event will be geared toward showing newer players what they can expect from the game if they continue to play, and having a bit of a laugh while doing it. There will be prizes, medals and special mentions on Massively for older players who help organise these events or younger players who perform well in them. To take part, you don't even need to be a part of the Massively Mob corporation! With just over a hundred pilots signed up to the corp and more sure to come, there's no time like the present to kick off the first big event night. Skip past the cut to find out how you can get involved in the Massively Mission Mash, and leave us a comment if you have an idea for a future event.
The Daily Grind: Would you join a Massively Guild?
Guilds and groups spawning from website communities is nothing new, and here at Massively we've created a number of groups for our readers to join. To start with, there's the Massively Mob Steam group that readers can join to get updates on events. Long-time writer and Community Manager Rubi Bayer also runs the Massively Overpowered guild in Guild Wars and the OnedAwesome guild in Dungeons and Dragons Online. For our Choose My Adventure series, fans even set up groups for Fallen Earth and Lord of the Rings Online. Most recently, we started the Massively Mob corporation in EVE Online, a small group intent on giving newer EVE players a helping hand and older players a group to mentor. Almost 100 readers have joined so far, and a flood of players have been hanging out in the official "Massively" channel to lend a hand. A good guild or group can make an MMO much more enjoyable than going it alone. A Massively guild comes with the added advantage of playing with people who write guides and articles on your favourite MMO, not to mention the inevitable events and articles about the guild's in-game shenanigans. Some of the Massively crew have been considering starting more groups in popular MMOs, including a potential new Lord of the Rings Online kinship if there's enough interest. Would you like to see a Massively guild or group in your favourite MMO, and would you join one if it started up? 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!
EVE Evolved: Joining the Massively Mob
At the end of last week's article on preparing for EVE Online's Incursion expansion, I mentioned that part of our expansion preparation here at Massively would involve opening a Massively corporation in the game. This is something I've always wanted to do but haven't had the time to properly launch. I've been running the Pillowsoft corporation in EVE for the past six years or so, during which time the corp has been involved in almost every major game expansion. In two and a half years of the EVE Evolved column, I've had countless readers ask to join my corporation and have had to turn them all down. With Incursion rapidly approaching and Pillowsoft's latest wormhole expedition coming to an end, we now have the perfect opportunity to start a proper Massively corporation. In addition to providing financial help and some solid guidance to newer EVE players, the corp will be running frequent contests and event nights for any readers who want to participate. If you don't want to leave your current corporation but still want to hang out with other Massively readers and take part in our contests and events, don't worry. We also have an option just for you! In this week's EVE Evolved, I introduce the EVE Online Massively Mob and explain how you can get involved.
Reminder: Attend our Global Agenda Halloween event this Thursday at 7 PM
Did you forget about our Halloween event in Global Agenda? You forgot, didn't you? Tsk, tsk. Well, good thing this post is here to remind you! This Thursday, please take out your level 30 characters and join us in Global Agenda for a frightfully fun Halloween raid mission with the developers! All you need to do to participate is log on between the hours of 7:00 p.m. EST and 9:00 p.m. EST and queue a level 30 character up for a raid. Raids are starting when you see the red flashing lights in Dome City go off! The Global Agenda developers, Hi-Rez Studios, will be queuing up for raids as well, so you might just run into a few of them while you play! If you're still not high enough level but want to try out the raid, don't forget about the new microtransaction boosts. They could get you the experience you need! If you're not in a raid, then join the Massively.com editors in City Chat as we tease you all with Global Agenda trivia! Winners of the Global Agenda trivia contest will win the raid instance's Halloween swag -- so if you're a lower level player, you can always try to get some flair by answering some questions about the game! Either way, we invite you to come have a great night with us in Global Agenda, so don't miss out!
Massively Mob Halloween event: Global Agenda's Oasis Checkpoint... Of Doom!
Happy Halloween Mobsters! It's another Massively.com community event, and this time we're getting spooky! The team at Hi-Rez Studios has put together a brand new Halloween-themed raid, and you're invited to come along and raid with the developers! Next Thursday, October 28th, join us in Global Agenda from 7:00 p.m. EDT to 9:00 p.m. EDT to lay the smack down on some ghostly robots inside the game's level 30 raid queue. In celebration of Halloween, all of the level 30 raid queues will be converted over to run the brand new raid mission: "The Oasis Checkpoint... Of Doom!" During our two-hour-long event, the staff of Hi-Rez will be jumping into the raid queue to play as well, so you might get the chance to play with one of the Global Agenda developers! Not level 30? No worries! You have plenty of time to level up before Thursday, or you could use a Global Agenda boost to double your experience while you play. (Use boost to get through?) Plus, while you're waiting for the raid to pop, Massively.com editors will be in Dome City, holding a Global Agenda-themed trivia contest. Ten lucky contest winners will get Halloween head flair for their character, so you can celebrate Halloween all the time! So be sure to join us next Thursday, and keep an eye out for a post on Tuesday where we'll break down the entire schedule of events!
One Shots: There is unrest in the forest
One of the fun things about getting to write Choose My Adventure is being able to run around with Massively readers who jump in to check out the MMO in question too. While my journey in Vanguard won't actually begin until early tomorrow morning (you have voted in this round, yes?), one of our regular One Shots contributors, Joshua P., decided to get an early start. He reports back with this picturesque image from the starting area and a quick note: "Since Vanguard was picked as the CMA, I decided I would try it out. This game is beautiful, and I'm only playing on the medium graphics settings. The experience on the trial island has been great, and blood mages are a really fun class!" Are you part of our Massively Mob? Do you run around with Beau for Rise and Shiny? Why not take a picture of your adventures with the group and send it in to us here at oneshots@massively.com! We're always looking for great screenshots. Be sure to include your name, the name of the game, and a description of what we're seeing. We'll post it out here and give you the credit for sending it in. %Gallery-85937%
One Shots: Way more silliness to come, we're sure
What's got this Global Agenda player looking spooked? Well, perhaps it's the scheduled invasion of the Massively Mob tonight? It could be the knowledge that devs will be playing along with our readers -- and devs generally tend to have nifty weapons. Maybe it's that guy with the glowy, colorful gear in the background, who is clearly labeled as a threat. We can't be sure, but we do know one thing for certain -- that goofy bag mask is pretty funny to look at! This One Shots comes to us from reader Canucck, who writes in: "[Here's a picture of the] new 'diplomat flair' being given out to specific players by Hi-Rez for being helpful. 'Scared Bag is Scared' is the item's description in game." Have you gotten an interesting reward in your favorite game that you'd like to show off? One Shots is all about the player's-eye-view of MMOs, so whether it's a silly mask or new goodies gained from raiding, we welcome your images. All you have to do if you'd like to take part is to email your images to us here at oneshots@massively.com along with your name, the name of the game, and a description of what we're seeing. We'll post it out here for everyone to check out and give you the credit. %Gallery-85937%
Cross guns with Hi-Rez Studios in Global Agenda tonight, and here's how!
Tonight's the big night for all of you Global Agenda players in our readership! Twelve members of Hi-Rez Studios will be stepping into the game tonight, ready for some PvE and PvP action! As we promised you on Monday, we have the full instructions on how you can participate in this event! All you need is a copy or free trial of Global Agenda installed on your machine, and a copy of Steam. Once you've got that done, make sure to join the Massively Mob, our Steam Community group, and friend either Octal Black, ducttapedrummer or Netgoth. If you're chosen to participate in tonight's event, you will be IMed by either Beau Hindman (ducttapedrummer), myself (Octal Black), or Krystalle Voecks (Netgoth) via Steam Messenger. You can also keep up with what's going on in the event by joining our Steam Community chat room and keeping an eye out for GM messages in-game. From there you'll be paired up with a Hi-Rez Studios developer, and your party will venture off into the wonderful lands of the Sonoran Desert and Commonwealth Prime to lay waste to everything before you! Good luck, and we hope to see you tonight!
Play with the devs: Storm the dungeons and firefights of Global Agenda with Hi-Rez Studios
You asked for it, and we're doing it -- we're going back to Global Agenda! But this time we're not going into the game by ourselves. No, no, we're bringing out the big guns this time. We're bringing the creators, Hi-Rez Studios, along for the ride! So come join us this Wednesday, August 25th, at 7:00 p.m. EDT, to run some missions with some of the developers from Hi-Rez! All you need is a copy of Global Agenda (which can be grabbed from Steam) and a membership in our Steam Community, the Massively Mob (which is as cheap as free). Don't have a copy of the game, but still want to participate? Well lucky for you, as the game's free trial program just came back online! Why not give the game a whirl as you play alongside the creators? More information on our in-game meeting place and how we'll set things up will be available Wednesday morning here on Massively. Just keep an eye on our Steam Community, or Twitter page, or our front page for the full details!
Secure the streets of APB with Massively, win our in-game "Bandwagon Van" and t-shirts!
San Paro is a tough place. It's infested with crime, and we need your help to clean it up! (Or, at the very least, cause some havoc in the name of justice.) That's right everyone, we're organizing an in-game play session to celebrate the launch of APB! Tomorrow night (Thursday, to be exact) you can join us in-game and help us take on the criminals of San Paro as an Enforcer. Or, if you don't wish to do some good for the city, you can attempt to work against us as Criminals. The choice is entirely up to you! Plus, we have lots of goodies to give away, including in-game Massively.com t-shirts for you guys to wear and a chance to win the Massively.com "Bandwagon," an in-game soccer-mom van with some kick. Need details? Follow along after the break for all the juicy information.
[Updated] Reminder: Come play Battle of the Immortals tonight!
What are you doing tonight? Playing some other MMO? Are you playing that MMO with the developers? No? Then you should come on over to party with Massively, as we host a play night of Battle of the Immortals with Perfect World Entertainment! Join us on Battle of the Immortals, Poseidon Server, Realm 8, at 7 PM EST in Atlantis (116,189) for a run of the level 20 instance, Knight's Jail! If you don't have a Battle of the Immortals account, just grab one over at the game's official website and start leveling up! Level 20 only takes an hour or two of playtime, so you'll be ready to join us in no time at all! Plus, a few players were gracious enough to offer us their invitation keys, so you can get awesome armor right away at level 1! Just input 5100107G090807088004511S3fcfb2 (Thanks Zsazsa!) or 8000168G020408001002501S1fb1fe (Thanks Talanx!) into the top most field of the game's character creation screen. Need more information? Want to know who to look for and important stuff like that? Just check here for the answers to all of your burning questions. See you all tonight! [Update: More information on how to join our Massively guild is after the break! Make sure to read this over!]
One Shots: Two-for-one
It's becoming a fairly regular thing to hear from readers who take part in Massively Mob MMO group nights. We had a few readers who sent in screenshots this week, but rather than give you static shots of Guild Wars characters as with the last two weeks, this time we're going to show off a lovely image of fireworks captured by Mikey (aka Ocholivis). We also got a report back from Blah, as well. Thus, we're going to mix it up and use the lovely Guild Wars screenshot from Mikey with Blah's description of the evening's shenanigans -- a two-for-one treat! "This time around we were up and ready to move on from the pre-searing area. Rubi reminded us that Simon and Garfunkel would forever be associated with cleavage. "Eyes up here, mister!" was her response to one of the guild members checking her out. We had a special surprise in realizing that one of our members in the vent server, Dusty, was actually Vork from The Guild (not really, but we're pretty much running with that anyway). So the guild finally moved on to post, and were greeted by members of TTYN. They handed out plenty of free weapons, materials, cash, and seasonal potions to anyone willing to take them. They insisted it was just to clear out their storage, but it was obviously their good nature. Oh, also, we have a cape now. It looks like a hamburger, but it's not..." Are you part of the Massively Mob? If you'd like to give us your perspective on the events of the evening, then why not grab a screenshot and send it in. All you have to do is email your image to us here at oneshots AT massively DOT com along with your name, the name of the game, and your tale of shenanigans. It could wind up on One Shots! %Gallery-85937%
Community Q&A: Send your questions in for the Fallen Earth devs!
Well hey there Massively community! I hope you guys have enjoyed our Fallen Earth giveaway and corresponding in-game event, but we're not done with Fallen Earth yet! We have received a chance to visit the secret Fallen Earth headquarters and we'd like you guys to throw some questions our way for the dev team! We're going to be videotaping all of the studio's secrets and transmitting them back to you guys, but we're also going to throw your questions at the development team while they're on video. So if there's anything you ever wanted to know about the wasteland, or any questions you wanted to ask about the team's upcoming plans or patch schedule, then be sure to drop your questions off in the comments section of this post! We'll pick the best of the bunch and ask them during our video tour in two weeks, so be on the lookout for the upcoming post!
One Shots: Wait for me!
While we've long been in the community among you as gamers, recently we've been branching out more. Between our shiny new community page, our IRC chatroom, and more recently game nights with the Massively mob, there are more ways for the community to have fun than ever before! As a case in point, we have today's interesting Guild Wars screenshot from the other night which comes to us from Blah? He gives us his thoughts on it: "I'm sending in this screenshot of Guild Wars that I took on the first night of the Massively.com get together. I was running around in the Catacombs, lost as usual. I made my way down this particular hallway, and was suddenly struck with composure in regard to the emotional effect games try to have on us." "To the casual observer, this is just a simple screeenshot of a dark corridor that leads from one point to the other. To me, however, it's a reminder of the menacing presence of the unknown. The nature of this world that I pretend to be in tells me that around every corner, danger waits to take me screaming through the darkness, turn me into a figure their own, and curse me from the light that I side with." Why not join the fun and send in your own screenshots to be featured here on One Shots -- or catch up with us in-game? We can always use more images to pick from. Just email them to us here at oneshots AT massively DOT com along with your name, the game it's from, and whatever other information you'd like to give us. We'll post it for everyone to enjoy and give you the credit. %Gallery-85937%
Mob Scene: Global Agenda, Thursday, 8 PM
Are you guys up for some explosions and laser beams? Well, we can guarantee you that we are! This week we're hosting a community playdate, and what better way to kick off our new line of events than with an action-packed, team-based game? Tomorrow night at 8 PM, we invite you, the Massively.com community, to jump in and play Global Agenda with us. Plus, we're also unveiling our newest community feature -- The Massively Mob! If you're a Steam user who enjoys grouping up, or if you're looking for a few new players to take on some co-op and MMO challenges, we encourage you to join us on the Steam Community. Not only will we be hosting our own official events (which you can follow through our events RSS feed), but you can kick back and play some impromptu games with the many other readers of Massively.com! Need full details on what's going on? No worries! Jump after the break to get the full briefing.
