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MV Guide: December 12-18, 2011
MV Guide is a weekly rundown of the MMO gaming events planned on Massively TV. Every week, the Massively staff logs in to play various MMOs live and in person, and we'd love for you to drop by the channel and visit. We have a combination of regular weekly games and new surprises, so you'll find a variety of titles to take a look at. During our streamed events, you can participate in the live chat, ask questions to learn about the game, and simply spend some time with Massively staff and readers. (Of course, streaming is subject to the whims of outside forces like server-side gremlins once in a while.) You'll notice a hefty lineup, some new faces, and some special events in this week's MV Guide. Joining us will be some brand-new members of the MV TV livestream team, so make sure you stop in while they're live and give them a welcome! Follow along after the jump to see what's on this week's schedule.
Google's Native Client focuses on apps and games, brings Bastion to the browser (video)
In case you missed it, Google's Native Client launched at the end of the summer, promising to ease cross-OS deployment by letting developers run x86 code natively in Chrome. Early adopters have had a few months to tinker with Google's new trick, and now the outfit is eager to show off their best work. Supergiant Games, for instance, has ported Bastion to the Native Client, opening up the Xbox Live hit to Mac, Linux and Chrome OS users. Google's Christian Stefansen says Native Client makes porting existing code bases written C, C++ or C# easy, citing Spacetime Studio's Star Legends -- an MMO with over half a million lines of code -- as an example of a large project that was ported in as little as two weeks. Google touts application middleware ports (such as Unity, Moai, Mono, fmod and more) and easy distribution to the Chrome Web Store as a major boon to developers, and encourages interested studios to check out its new Native Client site to help them get started. Interested? Hit up the links below, or simply skip past the break to hear Mr. Stefansen's spiel for yourself.
Rise and Shiny recap: Fantasy Online
This week I decided to check out Fantasy Online, an extremely indie browser-based MMORPG by Pixelated Games. I've had my eye on it for a while but hadn't yet taken a chance on it. I liked the 8bit style of the game, but to be honest there are so many 8bit stylings going on right now (could it be more hip?) that it sort of all blends together into one pixelated mess. I have a buddy who makes 8bit music, t-shirts have featured 8bit designs for a while, and entire generations of gamers who never played the original games that the style is based on are diving head-first into the world of primitive graphics. Let's just say it's very popular. What are the advantages of making a game that looks like it came from 1985? Someone once pointed out to me that an indie developer might have an easier time making a game that doesn't require state-of-the-art graphics. Good point. 8bit is sort of instant indie cred, as well. Just ask Notch of Minecraft fame. Fantasy Online is more than just 8bit graphics, though, so allow me to fill you in on the details. Click past the cut!
Spacetime announces industry-first cross-platform implementation
If you've ever wondered about the feasibility of cross-platform MMOs, Spacetime Studios is here to tell you that it's a reality. The company announced an industry first earlier today when it removed the barriers between players who use different devices and operating systems. The company's Pocket Legends and Star Legends mobile MMOs share a single global server, and access to said server is now open to users of desktops, laptops, smartphones, and tablets. "There have always been technical walls between players on different platforms," said CEO Gary Gattis. "Now, people are free to play on the device they choose with anyone, anywhere, anytime, whether they are at home or on-the-go." [Source: Spacetime press release]
The Perfect Ten: Best starter MMOs
I think it's tremendously easy for experienced MMO players to completely forget what it was like getting started in this genre. It's natural to assume that everyone around you cut their teeth on the same games and in the same ways you did, even though this is completely ridiculous when you give it any real thought. The truth is that MMOs are often very intimidating to the newcomer, and a bad first impression can push a player away for life. You have to contend with a typically busy user interface, you have to master keys and mouse buttons all over the place, you have to learn the lingo, you have to pick up skills on how to survive, and you have to do all of this almost all at once or risk feeling completely lost. This is why many MMO studios place such a priority on an excellent, welcoming tutorial experience. I can relate to the newbie because my first MMO was Anarchy Online. I've never felt so out of my depth than when I played that back in 2002, and I don't think I ever quite understood it all before I left. My second MMO, City of Heroes, was far more friendly to my newbish soul, and it was smooth sailing from there on out. For today's Perfect Ten, I want to highlight MMOs that I feel would be the best for a completely new player to experience. These are titles that combine a welcoming beginner journey, intuitive controls, a helpful community, and enough similarities with other video games to help the transition.
GDC Online 2011: Spacetime Studios talks Star Legends
Spacetime Studios is quickly establishing itself as a leading name in the mobile MMO market. Its two titles, Pocket Legends and Star Legends, have proven extremely popular choices for players who want to get their MMO fix on the go, and this week at GDC Online, our own Beau Hindman got to have a chat with the games' creators about what's on the horizon. The big news is Star Legends' upcoming Google Chrome release. That's right, the truly hardcore Star Legends players will soon be able to play from the comfort of their home computers. With the upcoming release of Chrome 15, the title will be available in the browser's app store. But what if you've got a bunch of phone-exclusive friends without whom your game experience just wouldn't be complete? Not to worry! PC and mobile players will inhabit the same server, so you don't have to leave your friends behind for the comfort of your mouse and keyboard. What else is coming for the mobile title? Head past the cut for the full scoop.
MMObility: The rise of the browser
Over the last week I have been obsessing over Glitch, the new browser-based MMORPG brought to us by Tiny Speck. I will go into details of why in my Rise and Shiny column, but for now, let's just say that I think it is one of the greatest things I have come across in a long time. For the record, I was talking about Glitch before it was popular (that hipster cred should get my a free pair of glasses in Glitch!) and was excited about starting this column because of games like Glitch. In short, I knew that the browser market was huge, and I knew it was only going to grow bigger. Yes, I know what you're thinking, and yes I am claiming that we are starting to see the end of the heavy-duty client and demand for expensive hardware and upgrades. It's a big prediction, but click past the cut and let me explain.
MMObility: What makes a good mobile game to me
Over the time I have been exploring mobile gaming, especially since I have been writing this column, I've discovered exactly what I like and dislike about the genre. Mobile MMOs are the tiniest niche within the greater world of MMOs. Some would say that MMOs are even a tiny corner of gaming in general. While I don't quite agree, I would say that explaining my column to random game shop employees or curious friends is quite the challenge. "You write about games... on your phone?" "Yes, massively multiplayer games." "Huh?" Luckily there are many new ones that offer a much more robust gaming experience. I can proudly show people examples of games like Order and Chaos Online, Star Legends or Illyriad. Of course, I sift through many poor examples before I get to the good ones. So let's take this opportunity to discuss what I think makes for a good game. Click past the cut and feel free to add your ideas in the comments section!
Apple releases Star Legends: The Blackstar Chronicles to the app store
It's been a long time winding its way through the Apple approving process, but Star Legends: The Blackstar Chronicles is now available for iOS devices. The game, which is free with optional microtransaction purchases, is a universal app, so it will play on the iPod Touch, iPhone and iPad. Apple users have had to wait significantly longer to get their hands on Star Legends than Android players, as the Android version was released much earlier this month. Spacetime Studios promises gamers that a "majority" of the content of the game is completely free-to-play, and characters can reach the level cap without having to pay a dime. If you're interested in our impressions of this sci-fi blastathon, check out our Rise and Shiny Recap of Star Legends! %Gallery-23010%
Sci-fi MMO Star Legends launches on the Android OS
Spacetime Studios, creator of the mobile MMO Pocket Legends, stepped into the science fiction realm with the launch of its latest MMO Star Legends: The Blackstar Chronicles. Feeding off the frenzy of the mobile platform, Star Legends debuted on the Android OS first and can be downloaded at the Android Market or VCAST. Chief Vision Officer Cinco Barnes commented on why the publisher chose to launch on Android first in a recent press release: "When we launched Pocket Legends on Android we were blown away by the response from the community. Android has since become the leading revenue driver and our primary focus. It is so easy to publish apps on their Market that it became a no-brainer for us to flip the standard mobile game strategy on its head and launch on Android before any other OS." Star Legends boasts hours of gameplay -- via wi-fi, Edge, 3G, or 4G connections on Android 2.0 and above mobile devices -- with three customizable classes, character progression, guilds, and chat. These items, Spacetime says, are usually reserved for PC MMOs. Screenshots of this innovative game are displayed below, and the brief trailer for the game is tucked behind the break! %Gallery-23010%
Rise and Shiny recap: Star Legends: The Blackstar Chronicles
Spacetime Studios, makers of the current heavyweight champion of the mobile world Pocket Legends, has expanded its lineup by adding Star Legends: The Blackstar Chronicles. I was more excited about this title than almost any other that was announced this year -- and for good reason. Pocket Legends proved that a real mobile MMO complete with a persistent world, real-time chat and multiplayer interaction is possible. Over this last year the developers have added on a lot of new options and kept the game moving forward. If their new game was going to follow the same patch as Pocket Legends, then more power to Spacetime. At the same time, would they be able to overcome or improve some of the basic issues that comes with mobile gaming? And what exactly was the goal of making a second mobile MMO if a lot of your core design would remain the same... and a lot of your players would as well? Click past the cut and I'll tell you what I found this week!
MV Guide: July 11 - 17, 2011
MV Guide is a weekly rundown of the MMO gaming events planned on Massively's Livestream channel. Every week, the Massively staff logs in to play various MMOs live and in person, and we'd love for you to drop by the channel and visit. We have a combination of regular weekly games and new surprises, so you'll find a variety of games to take a look at. During Livestream events, you can participate in the live chat to learn about the game, ask questions, and spend some time with Massively staff and readers. (Of course, Livestream events are subject to the whims of outside forces like server-side gremlins once in a while.) Follow along after the jump to see what's scheduled for this week!
Star Legends launches beta on Verizon's V CAST
If you're a mobile gamer who also happens to be a Verizon user, it seems that you're in luck. Spacetime Studios -- maker of the immensely popular Pocket Legends -- announced today that its new mobile MMO, Star Legends: The Blackstar Chronicles has begun beta testing exclusively on Verizon's V CAST. Fear not, because we have a spiffy trailer to help players get their space-legs. The game takes place in the far-off 41st century, and puts players in the space-faring shoes of one of three classes: Commando, Engineer, or Operative. Players then "quest for adventure, fame and fortune," but it won't be simple, as "players must battle harsh, alien environments, monstrous, unthinking aliens, and the greed and ambition of their rivals." Star Legends is free-to-play with microtransactions. If it sounds like your idea of a good time -- and if you have an Android phone on the Verizon network -- you can give the game a go on Verizon's V CAST, or check out more information at the official site. And don't forget to check out the trailer past the cut! %Gallery-23010%
MMObility: Just how mobile was E3?
E3 is a massive, loud conglomeration of lights, people, and stress. I spent most of my time there walking from one end to another, trying to find a certain booth or meeting room. Luckily for me, I am in pretty good shape and felt just fine the entire time, despite the fact that I had little to eat, and worse yet, little water. At home I drink water non-stop... no soda, no coffee. Still, it was a blast. Working like that really makes a tiny reporter like yours truly feel wonderful. Conversations with developers can be very, very interesting if games are what you love. And there were games. A ton of games. A bunch. A lot. Even then, I knew the feeling that was coming over me, the familiar feeling of stumbling into a toy store or comic shop to look for goodies. I was in hog heaven but needed to find my particular fix. I needed indie, tiny or strange games. Games that ran on a toaster but worked well, browser games that would impress me, or phone games that would continue to destroy the idea that immersive, fun gameplay cannot be done on a portable device. Did I find what I was looking for? Oh, hell yes I did. Click past the cut and I will tell you all about it.
E3 2011: Spacetime Studios on the Legends franchise
Blackstar has a new name to capitalize on the Legends brand -- it's now known as Star Legends: The Blackstar Chronicles. At this year's E3, we caught up with Spacetime Studios' Fernando Blanco to see how the revived project (as well as the company's hit Pocket Legends) is coming along. Star Legends is only a month away from launch, and Spacetime hopes that the Pocket Legends fever will spread to its sci-fi brother. The name's been changed to communicate the studio's intent to provide an ongoing story rather than a one-shot experience. The game will launch with the first 20 levels of content, but Spacetime has grand plans to expand this much further. Blanco gave us some of the backstory to the game: In the far future, humans are exploring the cosmos and have stumbled upon a resource-rich area. Corporations, as they are wont to do, have swooped in to exert their dominance but have come across hostile aliens in the process. War breaks out, invasions start popping up all over the place, and you're called in to clean up the mess -- and make a quick buck in the process. Hit the jump to hear more about Star Legends' classes and gameplay!
