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The week in Massively features
Every week we take a bit of time to reflect. To look back on the last week's worth of content on Massively.com, and applaud the hard work of Massively bloggers. Read on below as we highlight the best original content posted to the site. You might want to shout at your monitor, or you might be thrilled by an upcoming game you've never heard of. You might laugh at us, or you might find a new favorite blogger. Either way, you'll find something you won't regret reading this week in Massively features. Checking in on Free Realms, just months away from Beta!Join us as we talk about their Diablo-style combat, their deep pet system, the role of innovation in 'kiddie' games, and a bit about their extensive collections system. We'll even get a sense of when Beta for this novel project will begin! Read on through below the cut for the full details. Massively interviews Champions Online's lead designerMassively recently had the chance to speak with Champions Online's intrepid lead designer, Randy Mosiondz. Topics included are the game's unique brand of action-combat (and how it differs from other games), a substantial achievement system, new mission structure and even what new and exciting travel powers would be featured come launch time. Anti-Aliased: The Darkfall propheciesDarkfall. Everyone talks about it. Our mailboxes get flooded with requests about it. Comments regarding the game are both frothingly energetic and intensely angry. Just writing a piece about it can get a writer wacked. Checking in with Warhammer OnlineIt's been a while since Warhammer Online was released and in that time we've seen a lot of crazy stuff happen. Namely, Wrath of the Lich King launched, became the fastest selling PC game of all time and rocketed World of Warcraft into an even high number of subscriptions. Massively's EVE Online new player guideIn the past few months, the column has been aimed at informing new and prospective players about the varied world of New Eden and giving them the helping hand they deserve in getting started. In this handy wrap-up (or should I say warp-up?) article, I've collected all of the articles aimed at new and prospective players into a set of handy clickable image links.
This week in Massively features
Behind the Curtain: Too much emotionSpinning off from the recent Bartle discussion, Craig takes a good look at our emotional investment in MMOs. Why do we react like we do - or do we not react as the case may be? The Digital Continuum: Moria or Wrath?Wrath or Moria? What choice did you make? Kyle discusses some of his thoughts on two of the tasty Western MMO offerings that have landed this fall. Ask Massively: Requiem for a Clean SlateResponding to a reader's question about "why?" Kevin discusses some of the ups and downs, ins and outs of Garriott's last MMO, Tabula Rasa, and the community surrounding it. Massively Speaking Podcast Episode 33Massively Speaking Episode 33 visits the world of EverQuest 2 this time around as Michael and Shawn sit down with Bruce Ferguson and Paul Melina from the Everquest 2 development team. They also touch a bit on the recent news of Tabula Rasa's closing and on how badly Mines of Moria has sucked them both in.
The week in Massively features (E3 Edition)
E308: DC Universe Online roundupSony Entertainment Online revealed a metric ton of new information on their upcoming superhero MMO DC Universe Online at E3 this week, and Massively was on hand to pick the spicy brainmeats of Creative Director Chris Cao, SOE-Austin VP of development John Blakely, and famed DC artist and Executive Creative Director for the project, Jim Lee. The Digital Continuum: Five KOTOR MMO Jedi counter-measuresWith the less-than-grandiose announcement that Electronic Arts, BioWare and Lucas Arts are working together on a KOTOR MMO, I've found myself pondering the game that until now was nothing but a rumor. Granted, I already thought about the game quite a lot even before it was the now more official affair. E308: Membership and microtransactions in Free RealmsWe know that SOE's upcoming title Free Realms will be free to play, but that begs the question of how SOE might profit from the title. (Especially considering that Lead Designer Laralyn McWilliams stressed that Free Realms is just as important to SOE as the other titles being shown off at E3, The Agency and DC Universe Online. E308: Erling Ellingsen talks patch timeframes for Age of ConanEarlier today we sat with Age of Conan product manager Erling Ellingsen. Due to the development cycle Conan is in right now, Ellingsen didn't really have anything in particular to show us - but he did have some things to tell us. E308: SOE President John Smedley talks Free Realms, possible sequelsYesterday at Sony Online Entertainment's E3 headquarters, the Massively team got to see and hear the latest details on SOE's trifecta of new titles: The Agency, DC Universe Online, and Free Realms. There will be in-depth coverage of these games across the site during the rest of the day. To kick off, and to give you some perspective on what these games mean for the company, we sat down to talk with SOE's CEO John Smedley.
The week in Massively features (Conan launch edition)
Age of Conan vs. Schwarzenegger's ConanWith most great movies, the videogame version will fall drastically short of expectations. Here we are, looking the official retail launch of Age of Conan right in the eyes, and we have to ask ourselves: will Age of Conan deliver on the promise of this 80's cinema staple? A World of Warcraft player's guide to Age of ConanJoin us on a brief tour through the world of Hyboria, to touch on some of the similarities and differences that join and separate Azeroth with Conan's world. We'll talk about mounts , crafting, PvP, combat, and several other gameplay elements. Join us on this cross-world expedition, and keep your pith helmets on MMOGology: Age of Conan, PC vs 360Unlike most other MMOGs, Age of Conan won't be solely available on the PC. Gamers have the unique option of playing AoC on Xbox 360 and possibly on PS3. I'll discuss AoC's system requirements and the pros and cons of both platforms after the break. Unboxing the Age of Conan Collector's EditionThere's a big difference between knowing about the leather map or the art book, and seeing them firsthand, though. Today, in keeping with our Age of Conan launch-day coverage, we'll peel back the cover on this Massive chunk of MMO memorabilia. Check out the full gallery of unboxing screenshots here at Massively.com. TurpsterVision: I am a real BarbarianAoC has been billed as one of the four horsemen to herald the end of Blizzard's evil tyranny over the MMO market, but can any game, or any group of games, really topple the giant that is World of Warcraft? No, of course not, but that doesn't mean that they aren't great fun!
