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The Daily Grind: Which MMO studio is the most innovative?
Everyone loves to scream for "more innovation!" at any given opportunity, but this is often done with blinders on to the studios that actually are trying to push MMOs forward -- even if in small and important measures. While studios are risk-adverse by nature and common sense, they've also learned the hard way that clinging too much to the familiar can drive away more players than not. So innovation, like it or not, is the path to survival in an increasingly competitive field. Today I'd love it if we took the blinders off and gave credit where it's due. Which MMO studio is the most innovative? Is it SOE, with its initiatives like the Player Studio and SOEmotes? Would you give ArenaNet the hat tip for creating a new breed of MMO? Or perhaps Blizzard for... OK, I can't finish that sentence. What say you? 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!
SOE Live 2012: Building your business and selling homes with Player Studio
We've all had that moment. In your mind's eye, you see the perfect item; whether you are a decorator or adventurer, you've imagined that one item that would look perfect in your EverQuest II house or on your EverQuest character. But alas, since you aren't on the development team, your awesome idea could not be realized. That was then; this is now. With the new Player Studio announced last month, that idea can not only come to fruition but net you some cold hard cash as well. So how does one transition from imaginer to bustling entrepreneur? Devs hosted a panel at SOE Live 2012 that discussed the steps of getting an item from your mind's eye out into the Marketplace for others to buy and enjoy. But what if instead of imagining new items, you take existing items and create incredible displays that are the envy of others? Devs announced a feature that will allow decorators to fully furnish a home, bundle it up, and offer it for sale via the Marketplace as well. After the informative panel, I caught up with Producer Holly Longdale and director of of the EQ franchise Dave Georgeson to uncover even more details about the opportunities available with Player Studio.
SOE community webcast focuses on Player Studio
User-generated content is an awesome way to breathe life into games (and cash into your wallet, if you don't mind stretching that metaphor to the breaking point). Sony Online Entertainment's Player Studio has been generating interest since its introduction as a way for EverQuest, EverQuest II, Free Realms, and (eventually) Vanguard players to create and sell their own in-game items. In response to that interest, SOE's most recent community webcast focuses the spotlight on the Player Studio, with input from Director of Artistic Development Joe Shoopack, Sr. Manager of E-Commerce Rick Reynolds, and Global Community Relations Director Linda Carlson. Together, they talk players through the idea of the Player Studio and its origins in the wealth of fanart and persistent excitement about the games involved, what sort of effort will go into making items, and the magical journey that a submission undertakes before it emerges as a full-fledged, purchasable asset. While some of the initial item possibilities are still being nailed down, players can expect to be able to submit housing items, weapons, and shields for EQ, cloaks and housing items for EQII, and similar items for the other games. Skip below the cut to let the pros speak for themselves.
The Tattered Notebook: Why Player Studio is actually a return to EQ's roots
Talk about a busy week for the EverQuest franchise! In a one-two punch, SOE announced new expansions for EverQuest and EverQuest II and unveiled Player Studio, a new tool that will allow players to create and sell their own items on the marketplace. I went from "what shall I write about this week" to "where do I begin?!" The expansions deserve attention in their own right, plus they're still a ways off from being released, so in this week's column, I'd like to look at Player Studio with an eye on EQ's past. In the history of the franchise, user-generated content has been around for a long time, as has open-ended gameplay. Both seem to be making a return to EQ and EQII, and I'll say it's long overdue.
EverQuest gets its 19th expansion: Rain of Fear
Not to be outdone by the news of EverQuest II's new expansion and SOE's Player Studio, faithful ol' EverQuest is muscling its way back into the spotlight with its 19th expansion, titled Rain of Fear. Rain of Fear picks up the story from House of Thule, where nasty shards of power are falling from the sky and becoming ripe for the taking. Players will hop across the world to gather these shards and prevent their use by evil forces. Of course, if you're more into numbers than story, you'll be interested to hear that the expansion will raise the level cap to an even 100, add nine zones, 13 raids, 110 quests, and 1800 new spells. SOE also plans to institute an aggro meter, new collection and hunter tasks, fun titles, and an autonomous brokering system to boost the player economy. As with EverQuest II: Chains of Eternity, Rain of Fear is slated for a November release. Players who attend SOE Live this year will get a free copy of both expansions.
Create (and sell) your own in-game items with SOE's Player Studio
EverQuest II's new expansion reared its head earlier today, as did the latest content drop for the original EverQuest. Sony Online Entertainment didn't stop there, though. The firm has unveiled something called SOE Player Studio, which is a new endeavor designed to give creative customers a way to develop their own in-game items. While user-generated content has been a staple in SOE titles for many years, Player Studio is different because it's built on a for-profit foundation. Players may "download sample geometry for actual in-game objects and through the use of third party art tools, learn how to develop, design and personalize items of their own." After an item passes the SOE approval process, it can be purchased by other players in the SOE Marketplace. Player content authors will then receive 40 percent of the net amount that SOE receives from the sale. The service will initially cover both EQ and EQII. SOE's website says Player Studio is coming soon for both Vanguard and Free Realms. [Source: SOE press release]
