Free Realms takes to the seas
by Eliot Lefebvre 
Mar 18th 2010 at 10:00AM
Filed under: Game mechanics, Previews, Free-to-play, Casual, Free Realms
mini-games posts
What happened to Gatheryn?
by Seraphina Brennan Jan 7th 2010 at 3:00PM
Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Forums, MMO industry, News items, Free-to-play, Rumors, Gatheryn
The website is still up and running, but the closed beta signup page has vanished, the download game link is broken, and the game's servers are down for the count. Players are asking for assistance or information on what's going on with the game on the beta forums, but things are very, very silent.
The current forum rumor (must have forum access to read link) is that Mindfuse Games has run out of funding and is shutting down the game, but that rumor has been posted by a forum account that only has one post and does not possess a developer tag, making the rumor extremely unverified.
We have contacted Mindfuse Games for comment, but have yet to receive a response.
[Thanks for the tip, Torsten!]
Gatheryn casual games update brings minigame pavilion and location-based puzzles
by James Egan Jul 7th 2009 at 8:00PM
Filed under: Betas, MMO industry, News items, Casual, Gatheryn
The MMO industry seems to be stepping away from pure fantasy titles, and some new projects are taking a rather different approach to what we expect from massively multiplayer online games. Gatheryn from MindFuse is one such title, that blends steampunk and mini-games into an MMO that's a departure from the norm. Gatheryn is already a decidedly casual MMO, but that hasn't stopped the creators from identifying what works and running with it. In this case, they've opted to add more mini-games to Gatheryn's existing beta content.
Gatheryn's Casual Games Update, which went live today, brings two new features to the steampunk-themed MMO. The Minigame Pavilion is a carnival where players can try out Gatheryn's numerous minigames, right off the bat, and without needing to pay silver to try them out. MindFuse has also introduced Word Safari, which they describe as "a series of location-based puzzles where players find special objects and match words according to their specific role and location in Elymia." This sounds like fun, and in some respects is like an exploration game as players learn more about the various areas to be found in Gatheryn. If this seems like your type of game, you can register for the Gatheryn beta over on their signup page.
E3 2009: New classes, prestige classes and more coming to Free Realms
by Krystalle Voecks Jun 8th 2009 at 4:00PM
Filed under: Game mechanics, New titles, Endgame, News items, Casual, Free Realms
Along with this interesting development, they are adding in some new jobs to the game, like the Pro Racing class - and perhaps a new class to go with the Soccer game (Soccer player? Footballer?) since SOE has let us know that they are finally bringing those fenced-off soccer fields into play. Added to these new tidbits will be further expansion on the backstory of Free Realms, which will explain a bit more about the lands and inhabitants of this crazy fun casual MMO, as well as opening up more story-driven quests for players. Sounds like a bunch of exciting news coming in the next few months! We can't wait.
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Massively was on the ground in Los Angeles last week and covering all the latest E3 MMO news coming from the convention. Check out our breaking coverage (or all the Joystiq network E3 reporting) and keep your eye on Massively's front page for the latest developments. |
The Daily Grind: Do you know of any player-created MMO mini-games?
by Brooke Pilley May 30th 2009 at 8:00AM
Filed under: Aion, Game mechanics, The Daily Grind
Given all the recent excitement surrounding Aion, we've been paying a lot closer attention to NCsoft's new title lately. Today, we stumbled across an interesting developer blog post highlighting an in-game mini-game called Aion Spirit Soccer. This would probably be unremarkable if the developers had created it, but they didn't; the players did.The rules for Spirit Soccer are pretty simple. Each team consists of four forwards and a goalie. The ball is actually a neutral player who completely gives up control of his avatar. Both teams try to score on each other by using non-combat "Fear" spells and "Trap" abilities to move the "ball" toward and through two defined goal posts. After the predetermined amount of time is up, the game is over.
You can watch a video of Aion Spirit Soccer after the cut. This is another great example of how player created content can enhance MMOs. Do you know of any other player created MMO mini-games?
MMO pacifism: Expanding combat alternative systems
by Brooke Pilley May 28th 2009 at 7:00PM
Filed under: PvP, PvE, Opinion
Murder. Death. Kill. These words are synonymous with most MMORPGs (oh, and 1993's Demolition Man too, but let's not go there). There have been a number of systems introduced to the genre since its birth, but combat (PvE and PvP) has always been at the forefront. One blogger wants that to change.Syp of BioBreak has been playing a lot of LOTRO lately and he's starting to feel like Turbine are a bunch of nature-haters forcing players into the roll of exterminator extraordinaire. "It's not just 'kill 10 rats,' it's 'kill 10 of every freakin' last thing that ever walked, crawled, slithered or flew over the earth, just because'." This got him wondering about what the alternatives were. If done well, what activities would he choose over combat?
He came up with a fairly extensive list of established features that could use some buffing up in his opinion, including: crafting, mini-games, puzzles, trading card games, vehicle action, achievements, and diplomacy/politics. Head on over to read his thoughts.
The Daily Grind: What game mechanic do you dislike?
by Lesley Smith May 20th 2009 at 8:00AM
Filed under: World of Warcraft, Fantasy, Sci-fi, Age of Conan, EVE Online, Game mechanics, Free-to-play, The Daily Grind, Free Realms
No MMO is perfect, although some cut it pretty close (I'll leave it up to you to decide which). Regardless of which game you play, whether it's WoW, EVE, City of Heroes, AoC or even a fremium like Free Realms, there will always be something about the game that not everyone will like. For me it's mainly little things: the minigames in Free Realms, the vehicle interface in WoW. But sometimes, it's mechanics like this which can make or break a game and help a player decide whether they should continue past the 7/10/14-day trial and actually pay good money for a game.
For some it's an ability or a particular boss, for others it's something not in game that probably should be. I want to know what game mechanics -- which are in your game of choice -- you really don't like and why. Speak up, readers, and drop your thoughts in the box below.
For some it's an ability or a particular boss, for others it's something not in game that probably should be. I want to know what game mechanics -- which are in your game of choice -- you really don't like and why. Speak up, readers, and drop your thoughts in the box below.
Free Realms video preview focuses on character creation and gameplay
by James Egan Mar 19th 2009 at 12:00PM
Filed under: Fantasy, Video, Interviews, Previews, Professions, Quests, Free Realms
There are so many massively multiplayer online titles on the horizon that it would be hard to pick a staff favorite among the Massively writers, but one game that consistently draws 'oohs' and 'aahs' from us is Free Realms from Sony Online Entertainment. We're not alone in wanting to know more about the game. Adam Sessler from G4's X-Play recently got some screen time with Free Realms associate art director Sebastian Strzalkowski.
Strzalkowski walks the viewer through character creation, which is done via the Free Realms website before the game itself actually launches. As the interview progresses, he mentions that a storyline runs through the game's quests, but players aren't locked into following along with it. A wide variety of mini-games will be on offer, as the accompanying footage shows off. SOE's hope is that the mix of various types of activities in the game (plus pets and social networking) will hold appeal for its younger target audience as well as the parents of those gamers. We've got the video embed of X-Play's Hands On: Free Realms Game Preview after the jump.
Free Realms video blog hits on game's unique features
by James Egan Feb 4th 2009 at 5:00PM
Filed under: Fantasy, Video, Classes, Game mechanics, MMO industry, New titles, Professions, Free-to-play, Free Realms, Kids
Free Realms is one of those rare massively multiplayer online games that seems to hold appeal for both children and adults, despite its target group of teens and tweens. Sony Online Entertainment released a video blog from CES 2009 specifically about the game, with SOE President John Smedley and Creative Director Laralyn McWilliams. They explain a bit about what the game is, and some of what makes the title unique.
The video blog is interspersed with footage from Free Realms, highlighting its combat-optional design philosophy. This should provide gamers with a variety of options -- including pets and mini-games -- allowing them to play however they choose.
All Points Bulletin newsletter updates fans on game features
by James Egan Nov 10th 2008 at 7:00PM
Filed under: News items, All Points Bulletin, Crime
Judging from the response we've seen from some our readers in the past, All Points Bulletin from Realtime Worlds is a hotly-anticipated MMO. And why wouldn't it be? APB may very well be a refreshing change from the tried-and-true marriage of fantasy and massively multiplayer games, and is one of the first urban crime MMOs we can see on the horizon.
The most recent All Points Bulletin newsletter addresses some of the input from APB's growing fan community on the types of weapons available, mini-games, and leisure activities they feel should be in the game. Realtime Worlds confirms that a few of the player-suggested features will, in fact, be present in the title.
Fanfest details emerge on EVE's Walking in Stations expansion
by James Egan Nov 7th 2008 at 4:30PM
Filed under: Sci-fi, EVE Online, Expansions, MMO industry, News items, Races, Roleplaying
In further news coming from EVE Fanfest 2008, CCP Games has given a press-only presentation detailing the upcoming Walking in Stations expansion for EVE Online. While this is an aspect of the game that's so far been a divisive issue among EVE players, the expansion will allow players to step out of their ships and interact as highly detailed avatars in ship station interiors and captain's quarters aboard their own ships (presumably while docked in a station hangar). Walking in Stations is a project that's drawn on the talents of "special effects artists from the world of television and movies into the video game medium, a number of whom have been brought on to the team at CCP," writes Jon Wood of MMORPG.com, reporting from Reykjavik.
New details surface about EVE's 'Walking in Stations' expansion
by James Egan Sep 8th 2008 at 10:00AM
Filed under: Sci-fi, EVE Online, Culture, Economy, Expansions, Game mechanics, Interviews, Previews, News items, Races
Ambulation, or 'Walking in Stations' as it now seems to be known, is a hotly anticipated feature coming to EVE Online. It represents the first effort by CCP Games to add a more interactive dimension to the game, where players will finally be able to step out of their ships to socialize, play games, and ... modify one another's bodies? Apparently so.
While some information about Walking in Stations is already known, EVE Stratics recently turned up more details. Trish "Seridove" Bennon and Michael "Solace" Lutes recently got some face time at PAX 2008 with CCP Games devs Jeremy Albert (Associate Producer) and Noah Ward (Lead Game Designer, aka CCP Hammerhead) who talked about aspects of the expansion.
The Daily Grind: What do you play while you play?
by Michael Zenke Jul 13th 2008 at 8:00AM
Filed under: Opinion, The Daily Grind
Let's face it ... sometimes MMOs have their 'slow moments'. Whether it's crafting, lengthy travel times, crafting materials gathering, crafting, endless grind sessions for rep or XP, waiting for guildies at an instance, or crafting, your average MMO player will experience a boring moment or two over the course of their gaming career. If you're anything like the bloggers around here, you'll have eventually realized that you can play two games at once if you put your mind to it. Casual games like the offerings of PopCap or PlayFirst can make the time go past oh-so-much faster. Some titles, like EverQuest, EverQuest 2, and soon Star Wars Galaxies, have their own TCG games embedded within the MMO itself.So what do you play while you play? Are you a Bejeweled fan, maybe a Diner Dash aficionado? Give us your mini-game best shots in the comments!
Massively visits Stargate Worlds: The interview
by Samuel Axon Jul 10th 2008 at 4:30PM
Filed under: Sci-fi, Game mechanics, Interviews, New titles, Stargate Worlds, Massively Interviews
During our visit to Cheyenne Mountain Entertainment's Arizona studio, we got to sit down with five of the top minds on the Stargate Worlds team -- studio head Dan Elggren, creative director Chris Klug, art director Howard Lyon, VP of technology Demetrius Comes, and senior marketing manager Kevin Balentine. This exclusive, in-depth, and conversational interview is overflowing with information about everything in the game, including TV series tie-ins and cameos, episodic content, combat, graphics, mini-games, and much, much more. This meaty interview is an essential read for any Stargate or MMO fan. We've split it up into four parts for easy reading. Enjoy!
Hello Kitty Online to feature character creation and ... farms
by Chris Chester Mar 5th 2008 at 4:30PM
Filed under: Fantasy, Trailers, Video, Game mechanics, New titles, Hello Kitty Online
I have to apologize in advance to any stalwart fans of the Hello Kitty franchise who are anxiously anticipating Hello Kitty Online with baited breath. Perhaps it is a sad commentary on the inherent cynicism and snarkiness of your modern blogger, but I have serious doubts about whether or not you will ever see a post about HKO here on Massively without some at least a touch of sarcasm or irony. Fault us for our taste if you will, but never doubt or honesty!
Having said that, this official trailer for Hello Kitty Online demonstrates such innovative new features as character creation, personalized avatars (which is different than character creation, in some way that eludes me), virtual community, farms, in-game items, houses, and mini-games including fan favorites like Rock-Paper-Scissor! In this respect, the game appears less interested in re-inventing the wheel, than in ensuring it is super cute and perhaps slightly creepy. As the game moves into beta in the near future, look for more impressions and news to surface.
[Via ZergWatch]
