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Rumor: SOE to launch casual browser MMO for Clone Wars
We're chalking this one up as a rumor for now, but word has it that Sony Online Entertainment is developing another Star Wars MMO property, a casual browser game specifically based on the Clone Wars IP. The info comes from Ten Ton Hammer's Cody Bye, who writes: "Ten Ton Hammer has learned from an inside source that Sony Online Entertainment has once again partnered with LucasArts to do another Star Wars MMO. While we have not yet learned the title of the upcoming game, it sounds like SOE is planning to use the browser-based Free Realms engine to power the game, and the game's setting will be the Clone Wars." Massively has not heard anything yet to corroborate this as fact, but let's face it -- this was just too juicy to ignore. If we hear more on this while we're at PAX and Dragon*Con, we'll be sure to let you know. [Via Shacknews]
Xfire free to play vs subscription MMO debate today
If you were a follower of the Xfire Debate Club before you'll be glad to hear that they're starting the Debate Club back up again, as of today. That's right, at 5pm EST / 2pm PST (22:00 GMT) today, you can join a group of MMO journalists, developers, and other industry insiders as we debate the ins and outs of free to play vs subscription models.Some of the many points that will undoubtedly come up over the course of the Xfire debate are: Free sounds good, but what are the trade-offs? Does quality or quantity matter more? Is one business model more sustainable than the other? With Free 2 Play games becoming such a driving force, where do you see MMOs going in general? I'll be there to speak as part of the Massively team, but we'll be fielding some questions from those who show up to participate as well. Among the other guests are Cody Bye from Ten Ton Hammer, Randall Price from ArenaNet, Arend Stührmann from CCP, Christian Wehrlin from Games Masters, Josh Sell from Aeria Games, Adam Mersky from Turbine, Fred White from YNK Interactive, and Tony Colafrancesco from MMO Life as special guest moderator. With such a great group of panelists to debate this with, it should prove to be an interesting and lively discussion. So be sure to grab a copy of the Xfire client if you haven't already, and come by to discuss the future of MMOs with us!
Initial impressions of EVE Online
Cody Bye over at Ten Ton Hammer is a man of his word. He recently announced that he'd be exploring EVE Online and writing about the experience. Well only a few days later, he's posted a follow-up editorial: "EVE Online Impressions - Riding the Unicycle." Sorry but there are no actual unicycles in EVE, it's just his reference to how the game takes some adjusting to before one can really feel comfortable flying in New Eden. The piece is geared towards players who are already well-versed in more standard MMORPG game mechanics and UI, and explains some of the differences between EVE and most other titles in terms of character creation. Bye also touches on advancement in EVE, and the importance of patience and slow deliberation in planning your career (as well as succeeding in the game). It's a nice, easy introduction to the title, so if EVE Online is a game you've been interested in but haven't quite found the motivation to start a trial, you might want to check out Ten Ton Hammer's recurring editorial on the sci-fi MMO.
Ten Ton Hammer takes a closer look at EVE Online
Ten Ton Hammer's Managing Editor, Cody 'Micajah' Bye writes about EVE Online in his latest editorial, 'The Temptations of a Unique MMOG.' The piece -- the first of many to come -- is an exploration of a game where that standard MMO skillset, employed in virtually all of the industry's dominant fantasy titles, no longer applies. Bye cites a few aspects of EVE that drew him to the game: depth, no level caps, no class restrictions, skills not determined by grinding time, and open gameplay. He also notes that EVE is becoming a game where players can (slowly) begin to change the rules and systems of the world. In these respects, EVE is largely free of many of the limitations found in other MMOs. However, he notes what many people on the outside looking in lament: EVE can be a very complex game.
