Ryzom
Latest
Rise and Shiny recap: Planet Calypso
Planet Calypso is another one of those titles that has a perplexing reputation. Granted, in the past I have actually slammed the game -- and I mean slammed it -- but for different reasons. Normally -- and I have seen this over the last week as I told people about the game -- people bring up that they have "heard" that the game is nothing but a gambler's paradise, filled with thieves, liars, and the addicted. Back then, I had an issue with the revamping of the game. I tried it on the day after release, bugs and all, and it was so unplayable that I couldn't move. Taking my own advice of looking back on games that we might have tossed aside, I can now say not only that the game has proved to be one of the most beautiful games I have played, but that the stereotype of the Planet Calypso player seems completely baseless. I looked, trust me, but all I found were nice people. Of course, I did only play it over six days or so.
One Shots: Friend or food
While Ryzom didn't take the top vote spot in the last Choose my Adventure vote, they did put in a very solid showing. We may yet wind up in the world of Atys in a future edition if they keep mobilizing their community! In the meantime, we have a screenshot from Ryzom that shows off an interesting mob from this unique world. Today's One Shots was sent in to us by Quisi, who writes in to explain: "What do we see here? I was digging for materials to craft some ammunition with a guildie when it started to rain. Then a Gubani (the cute creature) came over to check me out. Animals in Ryzom like to check out players before they decide if they want to eat us." Have you and your friends gotten a fun shot while you were playing together? If so, we would love to see it. All you have to do is email it to us here at oneshots@massively.com along with your name, the name of the game, and a quick description. (Guild and server are welcome too!) We'll post your screenshot out here for everyone to check out and give you the credit for sending it in. %Gallery-85937%
Storyboard: Demands
Hello, fellow roleplayers! I'm here to yell at all of you, myself included, as well as pretty much every single company producing MMOs at the moment. If possible, I'd also like the opportunity to yell at Gary Gygax for perpetuating certain modes of play far past the point that they were healthy for roleplaying games as a genre, but these days that just seems disrespectful. (Yelling at him about Lejendary Adventure should still be fair game.) What am I so whiny about? The fact that we're now more than a decade into the existence of MMOs as a genre, and yet the most successful games out there don't give the tiniest crap about roleplayers. And yes, you might say, that's their fault for being bad hosts -- but it's also our own fault. Because while the idea of trying to roleplay has been marginalized, we've been sitting by and nodding our heads and agreeing that yes, we're not doing anything important. So it's time for a rant.
Rise and Shiny recap: Alganon
We have all heard of the controversy surrounding Alganon. Essentially, it breaks down into a few basic points: it is a "WoW clone," and it is being run by Derek Smart, a say-it-like-you-mean-it development bad-boy. Many claim he looks for negative attention and enjoys arguing with players. To be blunt, I don't care what people think about Derek Smart. I have said it before: I actually believe that he reacts to negative attention the way other developers wish they could. I don't keep track of his battles, though; I keep track of what he has done in gaming. All I know is that before he was with Alganon, I did not enjoy the game. After he became involved, the game got better. Concerning the "WoW-clone" issue: If I had a gold piece for every time I've heard that, I could afford that incredible level 50 mount! (*snort*) If I took a moment to break down all games that have similarities to WoW, this article would be much, much longer than it needs to be. WoW was successful, and the industry takes cues from success. WoW took its own cues from other games before that. Still, does Alganon take more from WoW than, say, Lord of the Rings Online? Read on, and let's discuss it.
Free for All: Introducing my trade route
There isn't a game in existence that will perfectly match every type of player. I have found that even my favorite games of all time could do with some tweaking, which is not the fault of the developer. No game-maker can read our minds, and there will always be limits on technology that will hamper the MMO creative process. But let's not forget the tools that are provided by developers, even within simple games. In almost every game I play, I try to apply some section of the Immersion Rules, a set of guidelines I made a few years ago that dictate how I interact with the world and other players. It's not a rigid set, though, and I am always bending it to a particular game or style. Lately I've been determined to assign my characters, in all my games, some sort of job to make money with. It could be an adventurer, a collector, or in the case of Mabinogi, a trader. This week I wanted to show you how I do it, so that you might find some inspiration to assign your own character a task or two!
The Daily Grind: Too many games?
You know, sometimes I long for the old days when it comes to MMORPGs. Not necessarily because the games were better (though in some ways they were), but mainly because there were fewer of them competing for my time. As the genre has exploded in popularity, it seems like there's an interesting title launching every other week, or worse yet, an old favorite decides to inject some spiffy new feature, expansion, or update into the mix and dare me to return and check it out. Just in the last couple of weeks, you have Age of Conan's first expansion, EVE's Tyrannis, the mammoth Everquest II content update known as Halas Reborn, Aion's long-awaited 1.9 patch hitting the PTS server (with live to follow next week), and ongoing betas including Xsyon and All Points Bulletin. Keep in mind that list doesn't include older MMOs tempting me with their siren songs as I peruse news feeds, colleague's columns, and the internet in general. I'm looking at you Vanguard, Ryzom, and City of Heroes. Finally, you have sprawling single-player epics like Red Dead Redemption just begging to eat up weeks of free time if you let them. What about you, Massively readers? How do you deal with the glut of interesting games that seemingly never goes away?
Ryzom patch adds new boss, occupations
Yumeroh, Community Liaison for the science-fantasy MMORPG known as Ryzom, writes in to tell us about the upcoming 1.9.0 content patch. The game, which recently made headlines when the developers decided to make the source code and art assets freely available under the open source GNU Affero General Public License, continues to update and expand the commercial client as a service to existing customers. The new content patch will introduce a marauder boss called Dante the Teaser, as well as a new game mechanic called Occupations. Occupations bring a bit of structure to the game's traditional sandbox skill-building system, and were designed to further roleplay opportunities, introduce new player goals, and allow for progression via regenerative items. Players will need to perform collection and processing tasks specific to each of the new occupations (examples of which include Butcher, Magnetic Cartographer, and Florist) in order to obtain and progress with the new regenerative items. The items then act as temporary stat boosters when consumed. You can check out all the details on the official forums.
Free for All: just slap "free" on it
I will admit it. I am just as guilty as anyone else, even though we are all coming from a well-meaning place. We see our favorite game seemingly going south, and pass judgment that nothing will save it. Or, we simply don't want to see a good game go to waste so we come up with the same solution almost every time. The idea is one part daydream, one part hopeful nostalgia and several parts unrealistically easy. I can list the games that I have wished this on, for no other reason but for the fact that they are or were good games, and I want them to be frozen in time or want them to be there for me whenever I can make the time. Games like Ryzom, Vanguard, Tabula Rasa or The Matrix Online. How many hours have we spent writing up forum posts or dreaming up ways to implement this idea: just slap free on it, and the game will be fine.
The Daily Grind: What game would you like to see go open source?
For a game long known for its emphasis on player-created content, mods, and even skills, the big Ryzom announcement perhaps should have been expected. But the revelation that the game was going into the murky waters of open source, albeit with a few omissions such as height maps and sound files, is a far-reaching one for almost any game not wholly built around user generation (a la Second Life). And it naturally leads to the question: what other games would be nice to have access to from the source code up. It opens a huge number of doors, everything from private servers to full-on rewrites of the game as a single-player experience. For knowledgable coders, it turns every single patch and design decision into something that can be modified by the players. The breadth of options is almost overwhelming. Of course, Ryzom is a niche title with a strong emphasis on these kinds of innovations, so in a way it's to be expected. But it's the closest we've seen to a mainstream game going this route -- so what would you like to see? An older game that could benefit from the publicity? A newer game you feel could be improved? Or a sadly-cancelled game whose source code could be used as a resurrection?
Ryzom is now open source
The people behind Ryzom have been hinting for days that something big was on the way, leaving players speculating about what it could be. There were a lot of guesses flying around out there, but it's safe to say nobody saw this coming: Ryzom is now open source. The introduction of Ryzom Core came this morning, which means that all source code and artistic assets are out there for the world. That's right, you can now create your very own Atys with Ryzom's blessing and completely free of charge. The game itself is still up and running -- this is an addition rather than a replacement, so Ryzom fans can rest assured that their game isn't going anywhere. This development is certain to leave many wondering how this works, what it means, and of course why the decision was made. The Ryzom team handled as much of that as they could preemptively, setting up a FAQ covering quite a bit of ground. The Free Software Foundation got in on the act as well by further explaining what this means and how it all works.
One Shots: The midnight march of the Bodoc
With an announcement coming from the Ryzom team in just a few days (according to their developer blog), there are a lot of current and previous players that are curious as to just what could be in store. Will we see the game getting new funding? Perhaps a change in the model? An expansion? Something else altogether? We'll have to wait and see. In the meantime, we have today's gorgeous Ryzom One Shots from regular contributor, Steven K., who spins us another imaginative tale of his recent adventures: "The autumn nights are lengthening, and the oncoming chill of winter must be on the minds of these herbivores as they migrate to warmer climes. Most simply pass me by, making sure to keep close to the Bodoc in front of them, so as not to become easy prey for the ever-opportunistic Gingo. Still, every once in a while, curiosity must get the best of one of these beasts, as it will stop near me as if to say, 'Come now! Don't just stand there. There's delicious grass on the other side of the bridge.' " Are you adventuring in a faraway world that deserves some eyes? If you'd like to tell us of your adventures, all you have to do is to snap a screenshot and email it to us here at oneshots AT massively DOT com along with your name, the name of the game, and a description of what we're seeing in the image. Your tale could be the next one spotlighted out here on One Shots! %Gallery-85937%
One Shots: Your skill has increased by 1
For all of the people who clamor that there isn't nearly enough realism in MMOs, we'd like to dedicate today's One Shots to you. Even if this is purely a tale, there are certain aspects of life that we'd prefer being able to skip in our MMOs. With that said, today we have a funny report in from the lands of Ryzom, sent in by Steven K. who loves nothing more than to show us some of the more umm... diverse... aspects of this world. "Buy a Mektoub, see the world!! You've heard the sales pitch. I know I have. And I grew tired of having to traipse all around the Witherings on foot, especially in these poor excuses for boots." "So I spent nearly every last dapper I had on this beast. Seems ol' Vao Pa-Sang conveniently left out a few important details of ownership. For starters, these behemoths eat more than a starved Gingo, and unlike Gingos, they drop dead in a hurry if you don't keep 'em fed. Of course, the end result (pardon the play on words), is that I get to spend about every 500 meters cleaning up...if you know what I mean." We love to see funny moments in your MMO gaming. All you have to do to share them is to email them to us here at oneshots AT massively DOT com along with your name, the name of the game, and a brief description. Please make sure they are at least 1024px wide, and have little to no visible UI elements. It might just be the next one we showcase here on Massively! %Gallery-85937%
Ryzom brings eggs and bunny ears to Atys
Over the years, we have seen Ryzom have its ups and downs. Despite setbacks in the past, the community still remains very strong, supportive and the game is finally receiving a lot of the love that it always should have. New patches, added community web applications, roleplay information stored and organized; all signs that the game is not going anywhere anytime soon. The graphics are still beautiful, the sandbox style gameplay unique and the weather and animal AI systems are something you literally will not find in any other MMORPG. And now the game has a recurring celebration that kicks off this Easter weekend! Complete with an egg hunt, riddles to be solved, great prizes and even a race of epically cute proportions, this event brings joy to the old and wonder to the new. If you haven't played yet and want to try your hand at surviving Atys, get yourself a 21 day trial.
One Shots: A strange escort
While Ryzom may not have the largest game population out there, they do have a passionate group of players who enjoy all the unique and interesting things that the world of Atys has to offer them. Today, we have another interesting tale sent in to us by Steven K. who likes to keep us up to date on his adventures in Ryzom. He writes in: "I was out hunting with a few guildmates, when we stumbled across these odd creatures. Totally docile herbivores, trying to eke out an existence amongst the nasty Kitin that continue to terrorize the local grazing population. The most peculiar thing was that they surrounded me, as if to guard me, and continued to do so for the entire afternoon. I made the decision at that point to not hunt these creatures, regardless of the potential benefit their hides and bones might bring me." Are you spending time in a game we may not see that often? Would you like to tell people about your adventures? Why not take a few minutes, grab a screenshot, and send it in to us here at oneshots AT massively DOT com! Make sure you include your name and the name of the game along with your screenshot and story. Also please ensure your image is at least 1024px wide and has no visible UI elements. Your story may be featured next here on One Shots. %Gallery-85937%
One Shots: Just when you thought the snows were over
With a recent patch offering some much appreciated code updates (including Win7 support) Ryzom is still rolling along, thanks to its devoted player-base. However, it would appear that much like the waves of winter in the Northern hemisphere, Atys is experiencing snowfalls that keep coming back as well. Our Ryzom regular, Steven K., writes in to explain this wintry shot: Having my fill of another snowfall this morning, and not in the mood to brush the snow off the roof of my small home in Yrkanis, I went searching for some inspiration. I found it sitting in an unlikely spot. So I quickly plopped down my easel, and my bum, and scribbled this painting out before the sun melted the snowflakes off the overhanging trees. One Shots is all about you -- so we need you to send in your screenshots. All you have to do is email them to us here at oneshots AT massively DOT com along with your name, the name of the game, and a quick description. We'll post them out here on Massively and give you the credit. How cool is that! %Gallery-85937%
One Shots: A lonely sunset
The lovely world of Atys may not be a place that many have walked, but thankfully we have excellent readers who send us notes from Ryzom on occasion. Any game that has fans dedicated enough to raise money in an attempt to buy it rather than see it shut down, certainly has something going for it! Today's lovely Ryzom One Shots comes to us from Steven K. who writes in: Just a league or so Northeast of Pyr, tired and exhausted from hunting, I found a shaded locale from which to rest. Nearby, a Capryni grazed is solitude. I wonder if he, like myself, longed for the days where many more Homins populated Atys and helped protect the Capryni from the constant harassment of Gingos and Goari. If you're playing a game we don't see here often -- or perhaps have never seen here -- we definitely want to hear from you! There are tons of great MMOs out there that don't get nearly enough love, but we need you to send your screens in for them. Just email them to oneshots AT massively DOT com along with your name, the name of the game, and a description. Yours could very well be the next one we feature. %Gallery-85937% %Gallery-9798%
Ryzom launches 1.7 patch
Ryzom might be a five-year-old game, but despite the few hiccups it went through, it remains an attractive and diverse game with a number of features still not widely found in the genre. Having celebrated its anniversary earlier this year, the game continues to roll along at a steady clip, exemplified by the newly-released patch 1.7. The patch's title, The Kitin's Lair, alludes to one of its central elements: a new zone, the first part of the aforementioned lair. Kitins are one of the game's central adversaries, and so the patch's warning to avoid entering the lair alone is no doubt well-advised. That's hardly the only feature in the latest patch, however -- the game has also added an overhauled mail system, in-game forums for roleplaying and guilds, and the ability to enter viewable character biographies built in to the game's engine. The game has also adjusted the level display system, now using numbers to indicate the target's level only when it is close to that of the player. The addition of official Windows 7 support makes Ryzom more accessible, so the game's players would do well to take note of what the patch brings, and those of you who've never heard of the game may want to give it a fresh look.
One Shots: And the moon looks down
While they say that life is tough on Atys, it certainly is very eye-catching as well. This alien science-fantasy shot from within the world of Ryzom shows off both terrain and something strange in the skies. It almost resembles an eye to us. That said, we'll let Vendayn explain the scene: I'm Vendayn, otherwise known as Vendeyn in Ryzom. The visuals continually impress me in the game. The planet can be considered one giant plant. Here you see the planet with a ring around it, with the planet's roots going overhead. [There is also] a peaceful view of an island. We love to see MMOs from small to large, but we need you to send in screenshots of your adventures! Try as we might, we just haven't perfected that time machine so we can play everything we want to. If you'd like to help us out (with the screenshots - unless you have a functional time machine, in which case we'd take one of those too) send your images to us here at oneshots AT massively DOT com. Be sure to add in your name, the name of the game, and a quick description. We'll post it up here and give you the love. %Gallery-9798%(Of course, if you send a functional time machine, we'll meet you last week and buy you a round.)
Ryzom deploys patch 1.6, extends web applications system
Ryzom has moved forward with their interactive web application goals, and with their newest patch players will be able to check mail both in-game and out of game.While Patch 1.6 cleans up a few bugs, adds a few more tattoos to the game, and tweaks the GM's event creation tools, it also opens up the Ryzom player developers project even further. Beginning with the mail and notes applications, players will be able to log into the game's website to send/read their e-mail as well as review their in-game notes as long as they retrieve their API key.
The Daily Grind: What's your favorite indie MMO?
There's never enough credit given to the indie MMO developers. These are the teams that usually put it all on the line with the hope of making a darn good MMO for people to play in. They don't have the budgets that the big teams do, and sometimes they don't have the graphics, but what they always have is the soul and innovation to put out their title.So today's Daily Grind is dedicated to the independent teams out there. And, in honor of them, we ask you what your favorite indie MMO is. You've got lots of choices, from Love to Face of Mankind to Neocron to Fallen Earth to Ryzom to Istaria to Darkfall to A Tale in the Desert to many others. We could keep going, but you'd probably get bored of us naming off all of these games.So tell us of your favorite indie MMO! For good measure, tell us some stories about your indie MMO of choice! Go go go!
