editorial
GDC Summer 2020: Pokemon Go’s Niantic offers augmented reality design advice
I was really looking forward to Niantic's AR Game Design 101 panel at GDC Summer 2020 this week because for all my criticisms of...
GDC Summer 2020: What online gaming can (and should) learn from social media’s trainwrecks
The circle is now complete: Social media has mastered skills MMOs and online games haven't, not that social media was paying much attention to...
GDC Summer 2020: Immersive multiplayer storytelling with Disney’s Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge
Prior to this whole virus thing, one thing that I was enjoying about MMOs was how they (along with ideas taken from social media)...
GDC Summer 2020: How Niantic adapted Pokemon Go gameplay in the time of COVID-19
GDC Summer 2020 is running all this week, and I'm, well, at home. But much like Pokemon Go, the convention adapted, and while I've...
The Soapbox: Powercreep in MMOs sucks – so how do we solve it?
We all love multiplayer, persistent world online games, don’t we? Players stay for the familiarity, nostalgia, and potential for years of enjoyment. Studios love...
Vague Patch Notes: No Man’s Sky is the real reboot success story
Whenever an MMO of any type has a launch that resembles the Nedelin catastrophe, people start talking about what the studio should do to...
The Soapbox: Where does WoW need to go beyond Shadowlands?
This expansion hype cycle, I've heard more about how to customize your character and less about raids than any other WoW expansion in recent memory, and I can't see that as anything other than good.
Vague Patch Notes: New World delays to add the game into the game
All right. Someone has to ask it, and it doesn't need to be me but it's still going to be me because I feel...
Vague Patch Notes: Don’t alter MMO systems for people who never liked them to begin with
Here's a concept that just would not leave my mind thanks to World of Warcraft, but it's not a bad thing. But in order...
Working As Intended: Decorating MMORPG houses in SWG Legends and beyond
I've been mulling over how to do a piece about MMO housing for a while now, spurred on by colleagues and readers who've said...
Vague Patch Notes: Trying to salvage MMOs from bad launches
So I'm glad that Crucible got a "pull back to beta" instead of a complete shutdown. I'm surprised but still happy because that's more...
Massively on the Go: Fun ideas for online play in Animal Crossing New Horizons
I love sandbox gameplay. I'm pretty sure a lot of you readers do too, which is probably why a good deal of us have...
The Soapbox: PvP MMOs desperately need PvE-style feedback loops
As I settled into my captain's chair for my evening visit to World of Warships the other night, I had an interesting experience. In...
The Soapbox: The world of Gloomhaven is primed to be an MMO
Anyone familiar with modern board games will immediately recognize and likely have a positive opinion on Gloomhaven. It is an absolute juggernaut in the...
Vague Patch Notes: MOBAs, battle royales, and shallow genre pools in the online gaming space
This past week, Nintendo announced Pokemon Unite, and then I had to go to see a doctor because I rolled my eyes so far...
Massively on the Go: Exploring Pokemon Sword and Shield’s Isle of Armor expansion
I knew from the website shown at the initial announcement that Pokemon Sword and Shield's first expansion, The Isle of Armor, would be more of...
The Soapbox: No, forced grouping in MMOs isn’t ‘social’
Thinking back to high school, I'm awash in memories of the many deep, meaningful relationships that spawned as a result of being forced to...
Vague Patch Notes: Have we ever really had an MMO sequel?
In the wake of Justin's recent column on whether or not MMO sequels are a good idea, MOP reader Bobfish had an interesting question...
The Soapbox: Yes, here
This guest Soapbox was commissioned through MassivelyOP's original Kickstarter back in 2015; the writer has chosen to remain anonymous. The opinions in guest Soapboxes...
Vague Patch Notes: BlizzCon’s cancellation might just be for the best
After a lot of time spent expecting this particular announcement, yesterday it was finally confirmed that there will be no BlizzCon 2020. This is...