editorial
Vague Patch Notes: Returning MMO players need tutorials too
One of the nice things about Final Fantasy XIV is that it is explicitly designed by someone who thinks that it's not just reasonable but expected...
The Soapbox: Single-player open worlds will never equal those of MMORPGs
These days it seems like sprawling open worlds are becoming an ever more popular choice for single-player games, from the newer Assassin's Creed titles...
Vague Patch Notes: The taxonomy of liars in the MMO development space
We have talked before in this column about lies and the lying liars who tell them. Those rotten, rotten liars. But the other day,...
The Soapbox: #DayOffTwitch illustrates how good intentions break under bad planning
Those of you reading this probably know me as someone who wears one of three hats here at MOP: a news writer, the Choose...
Massively on the Go: Everything we learned from Pokemon Go’s post-backlash Task Force
While Niantic already reverted its Pokemon GOÂ gym and PokeStop nerf in late August, the company said that more changes would be announced on September...
Vague Patch Notes: MMOs are useless, and that’s completely fine
When you play an MMO, you are developing a skill. That skill is playing that MMO. It's not a skill with a great deal...
Massively on the Go: Monster Hunter Stories 2’s biggest problem is too much Pokemon
Since its demo, I've seen people both on social media and other game sites comparing Monster Hunter Stories 2 with the Pokemon series, often praising the former...
Massively on the Go: Tricks abound in Pokemon Go for September and Season of Mischief
And you thought Christmas was bad! We're getting ready for Halloween already in Pokemon Go, and not just for the monthly events. The new...
Vague Patch Notes: Why the depth of an MMORPG’s world matters
The world doesn't need first impressions from me when it comes to Elyon. Why not? Well, for one thing, basically anything and everything I would have...
First impressions: Elyon is a boring world with compelling gameplay and customization systems
I’m going to be perfectly honest, I went in to Elyon with some pretty low expectations. Watching it be transmuted from Ascent: Infinite Realm,...
Pokemon Go’s New Zealand rollbacks show Niantic is more concerned with local law than actual safety
Good news: New Zealanders have had their Pokemon Go PokeStop and Gym radius restored to 80 meters, exactly what the community has been asking...
Pokemon Unite gets mobile release date, Sword and Shield to remain competitive center
Today's Pokemon Presents wasn't the most exciting for fans of multiplayer online gaming, but there were a few kernels of information for us nonetheless....
Opinion: Free Guy is a great watch – particularly for MMO fans
I don't wind up writing a whole lot of movie reviews. This isn't because I don't watch a lot of movies or don't think...
The Soapbox: World of Warships’ aggressive monetization incited a mass-exodus of content creators
Gaming monetization has been a topic of intense conversation ever since box copies of software diminished in favor of persistent online experiences. Subscription services...
Vague Patch Notes: The lesson hidden in the Astellia shutdown
A couple years ago, an MMO launched named Astellia. It was fine. It wasn't bad. It wasn't good. It was just fine. It was...
Massively on the Go: Niantic’s response to Pokemon Go’s community is painfully deficient
Well, the timing of my last Pokemon Go article on the release of the ill-timed spin/interaction nerf was interesting in that it coincided with what felt...
Massively on the Go: Niantic ditching Pokemon Go’s COVID benefits was a dangerous mistake
Recently I was forced into isolation since an untrustworthy family member hid COVID symptoms from the household and our vaccinated guests who were going...
Vague Patch Notes: Blizzard may live on, but it will never be Blizzard again
If you want to chart the moment when Blizzard stopped being Blizzard, you got a really nice data point when J. Allen Brack stepped...
The Soapbox: Pokemon Unite’s monetization is gross and threatens a competent game
By now, you've probably seen several articles about the poor monetization in Pokemon Unite, often based on Reddit posts or streamer hot takes. Most talk...
Massively on the Go: Pokemon Unite is genuinely fun – for new and casual MOBA players
When Pokemon Unite was first announced, I had severe doubts I'd even give it a shot. I know I'm the local Pokemon guy, but there are many games in the...
