outside-the-box
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An insider's account of galactic warfare in EVE Online
Prolific games journalist Jim Rossignol is an avid EVE Online player, who has made regular contributions to Eurogamer focused on this particular sci-fi MMO. His latest piece, "EVE Online: Battle Reports", is a brief account of how his PvP-focused corp (EVE's version of a guild) fared in a conflict against some steep odds. His aim is to explain a bit about how the game works while telling his story, hopefully holding appeal for those who don't play the game as well as those who do. "Because of the open structure of the game world, player-versus-player battles happen in all kinds of contexts and situations, and the sheer number of variables means they can make for a great story," Rossignol writes.
SocioTown enters open beta
SocioTown? Seriously, didn't anyone in the marketing department realize the potential implications of an ironic name like that? Despite the fact that SocioTown is not a new title by Rockstar Games, as the name would suggest, it is still creating a buzz. Who knows, maybe the out-of-context name will be a bonus for the game's sales. Heck, it worked for the Wii.So besides the name, how is this new browser-based social-networking MMO any different from the others currently working their way through open beta? According to the website, SocioTown is "the biggest and most sophisticated browser-based 3D virtual world to date". Your friend network is automatically based on who you talk to the most, which is an interesting feature. You can even perform your own music within the game, to be rated by the other players in real time. If they love it, you're on the fast track to rehab, but if they hate it, you could end up with a temporary music ban! Now we just need one of those in real life.
Cinemassively: SocioTown gameplay
Yesterday, Outside the Box released a gameplay footage video of their virtual world, SocioTown, which recently entered open beta. Described as a cross between The Sims and Animal Crossing, players are able to experience this social space right from their browser. As a member, you can socialize, level up, play games with other players, take missions, own an apartment, and even get a job!Being a machinimator, this blogger was interested in the cinematic abilities of Sociotown, so we put it to the test. While the camera isn't as easy to manipulate as is Second Life, you can use the up and down arrow keys to change your views from front to back, or use the left and right arrow keys to move the camera horizontally in increments. However, it doesn't look like you can turn off the user interface. For a closer look at the gameplay, check out the high quality version of the video![Thanks, Chris!]If you have machinima or movie suggestions from any MMO, please send them to machinima AT massively DOT com, along with any information you might have about them.
Super Smash Bros. Brawl has voice chat ... it's called Xbox Live, PSN, Skype, etc.
The sound of human silence is deafening a mere 48 hours into the online Super Smash Bros. Brawl experience. With some vigorous testing, we've discovered five simple ways to bring the mysteries of voice chat to the Wii. Harnessing the power of other consoles, or a com-pu-ter, the joy of sharing voice while playing online with someone hundreds or thousands of miles away can be experienced by many. Don't forget to check out our list of Brawl friend codes if you need some online buds. Xbox Live: Or as we've come to know it -- Brawl LIVE®. Just set up private chat and off you go. Got more than one friend? Go into a Halo 3 lobby (you do have Halo 3, right?). PSN: Start up a new chat under the "friends" section of the XMB. Invite all the friends you want and wait for them to join. Works and sounds exceptional! USB and Bluetooth compatible. Skype: Set up a conference call. TeamSpeak or Ventrilo: Guilds, clans and other computer types know these services. Perfect for guildies brawling together. Nintendo DS: Use Metroid Prime Hunters or Pokémon Diamond or Pearl. Warning: More inane codes required to pull this option off. There are also homebrew options. Of course, if none of these options are viable, might we suggest using a classic: The phone.
