Massively Op

On this week’s episode, Bree and Justin talk about the future of Guild Wars 2, the newest classes for Black Desert and Elyon, sad layoffs at Gamigo, the latest weapon for New World, and chatter about what helps MMOs go the distance. It’s the Massively OP Podcast, an action-packed hour of news, tales, opinions, and gamer emails! And remember, if you’d like to send in your question to the show, use this link or call in to our voicemail at (734) 221-3973. Show notes: Intro Adventures in MMOs: LOTRO, DDO, GW2, City of Heroes News: Guild Wars 2 commits to a fourth expansion News: New World teases the blunderbuss while Amazon's head steps down News: Gamigo sees layoffs around RIFT and Trove News: Black Desert's Drakania class is on the way News: Elyon's got two classes, PvP flagging, and more coming Voicemail: What helps MMOs go the distance? Mailbag: Freelance pieces for the site Outro Other info: Podcast theme: "Black Powder" from New World Your show hosts: Justin and Bree Listen to Massively OP Podcast

Massively OP Podcast Episode 365: Free Middle-earth

On this week’s episode, Bree and Justin talk about Elite Dangerous dropping console development, World of Warcraft's confirmation of a new expansion, EVE Online's latest controversy, Guild Wars 2's turtle problem, and whether or not WoW will ever go free-to-play. It’s the Massively OP Podcast, an action-packed hour of news, tales, opinions, and gamer emails! And remember, if you’d like to send in your question to the show, use this link or call in to our voicemail at (734) 221-3973. Show notes: Intro Adventures in MMOs: WoW Classic, DDO, SWG, GW2 News: Elite Dangerous ends console development News: EVE Online players push back against pay-to-win ship News: Guild Wars 2's siege turtles play hard to get News: World of Warcraft to unveil expansion next month Voicemail: Should WoW become free-to-play? Mailbag: New World's MMO pedigree Outro Other info: Download Episode 364 (alt link) Podcast theme: "Anduin" from World of Warcraft Your show hosts: Justin and Bree Listen to Massively OP Podcast on iTunes, 

On this week’s episode, Bree, Colin, and Justin talk about the big Guild Wars 2: End of Dragons launch, how the Ukraine war is affecting MMOs, SWTOR's path forward, SOLO's free-to-play conversion, and whether it's time to pull the plug on New World... or not. It’s the Massively OP Podcast, an action-packed hour of news, tales, opinions, and gamer emails! And remember, if you’d like to send in your question to the show, use this link or call in to our voicemail at (734) 221-3973. Show notes: Intro Guild Wars 2: End of Dragons impressions News: How the Ukraine war is affecting MMOs News: SWTOR sort of admits it botched Legacy of the Sith's rollout News: Conan Chop Chop is here News: SOLO goes free-to-play Mailbag: When is it time to pull the plug on an MMO? Outro Other info: Podcast theme: "Jade Sea" from Guild Wars 2 Your show hosts: Justin, Colin, and Bree Listen to Massively OP Podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, Player FM, TuneIn, Google Play, iHeartRadio, Pocket Casts, Amazon, and Spotify Follow Massively

On this week’s episode, Bree and Justin talk about End of Dragons' launch, Black Desert's newest expansion, Dungeons and Dragons Online's freebies, World of Warcraft's Patch 9.2, Elder Scrolls Online achievement reduction, and how the elimination of faction restrictions changes MMOs. It’s the Massively OP Podcast, an action-packed hour of news, tales, opinions, and gamer emails! And remember, if you’d like to send in your question to the show, use this link or call in to our voicemail at (734) 221-3973. Show notes: Intro Adventures in MMOs: ESO, DDO, LOTRO, Guild Wars 2 News: Guild Wars 2: End of Dragons launches News: Black Desert announces Mountain of Eternal Winter expansion News: DDO unlocks classes and races, kicks of 16th anniversary News: World of Warcraft's Patch 9.2: Eternity's End comes out News: EverQuest II opens its level-agnostic server News: Some Elder Scrolls Online players not happy with account-wide achievements Voicemail: Easing of faction identity in MMOs Outro Other info: Podcast

Massively OP Podcast Episode 361: A disturbance in the Force

On this week’s episode, Bree and Justin talk about Lost Ark's massive launch, how a franchise auction might impact LOTRO, a date for World of Warcraft 9.2, the fate of TitanReach, love for Conan Chop Chop, and a rant about zones we hate. It’s the Massively OP Podcast, an action-packed hour of news, tales, opinions, and gamer emails! And remember, if you’d like to send in your question to the show, use this link or call in to our voicemail at (734) 221-3973.   Show notes: Intro Adventures in MMOs: WoW Classic, Lost Ark, LOTRO News: Lost Ark releases to staggering numbers News: Conan Chop Chop plans a March 1st launch News: Lord of the Rings franchise rights are up for sale News: World of Warcraft Patch 9.2 squeezes into February News: TitanReach is officially dead. Again. Mailbag: Zones we hate Outro Other info: Podcast theme: "Romantic Weapon" from Lost Ark Your show hosts: Justin and Bree Listen to Massively OP Podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, Player FM, TuneIn, Google Play, iHeartRadio, Pocket Casts, Ama

On this week’s episode, Bree, Chris, and Justin talk about Guild Wars 2's expansion launch date, World of Warcraft's new approach to cross-faction play, Blizzard's continued downward slide, Star Citizen's roadmap tantrum, a rollback for Mortal Online 2, and Lost Ark's launch week. It’s the Massively OP Podcast, an action-packed hour of news, tales, opinions, and gamer emails! And remember, if you’d like to send in your question to the show, use this link or call in to our voicemail at (734) 221-3973. Show notes: Intro Adventures in MMOs: WoW Classic, SWG, Zenith, Monster Hunter, LOTRO News: Guild Wars 2: End of Dragons gets a launch date News: World of Warcraft announces cross-faction play, kills boosting rings News: Blizzard's numbers are down by two million users News: Star Citizen doesn't want to post its roadmap any more News: Mortal Online 2 enacts a 24-hour rollback while New World merges servers News: Lost Ark gets ready for launch Mailbag: Will SSG and Daybreak remain separate? Outro Other inf

Massively OP Podcast Episode 358: High Isle thing, you make my heart sing

On this week’s episode, Bree and Justin talk about Microsoft's $69B takeover of Activision Blizzard, the EverQuest franchise roadmaps, Nightingale's non-MMO status, Guild Wars 2's End of Dragon features, and whether streamers help or hurt MMOs. It’s the Massively OP Podcast, an action-packed hour of news, tales, opinions, and gamer emails! And remember, if you’d like to send in your question to the show, use this link or call in to our voicemail at (734) 221-3973. Show notes: Intro Adventures in MMOs: LOTRO, ESO News: Microsoft buys out Activision Blizzard Mailbag: What will change with this sale? News: EverQuest and EverQuest II roadmaps News: Nightingale isn't an MMO, sadly News: Looking at some End of Dragons features News: Riot's Runeterra MMO commits to the concept of group gameplay (Eliot's piece) Mailbag: Video game streamers Outro Other info: Podcast theme: "Dragon Trainer Tristana" from League of Legends Your show hosts: Justin and Bree Listen to Massively OP Podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, Pla

On this week’s roundtable episode, Bree, Colin, and Justin talk about Elder Scrolls Online's expansion teaser, Lost Ark's gameplay video, ArcheAge's handling under Kakao, Elyon's new class, Doctor Who appearing in EVE Online, and whether it's a good idea to bring back Landmark. It’s the Massively OP Podcast, an action-packed hour of news, tales, opinions, and gamer emails! And remember, if you’d like to send in your question to the show, use this link or call in to our voicemail at (734) 221-3973. Show notes: Intro Adventures in MMOs: LOTRO, ESO, Guild Wars 2 News: Elder Scrolls Online teases this year's theme News: Getting ready for Lost Ark with a new gameplay video News: Kakao's ArcheAge delays fresh start server progression News: Elyon server merges and new class News: EVE Online and... Doctor Who? News: Guild Wars 2 tries to restructure WvW again Mailbag: Choice and balance in game design Mailbag: Why not bring back Landmark? Outro Other info: Podcast theme: "Character Creation" from Landmark Yo

On this week’s roundtable episode, Bree, Tyler, MJ, and Justin catch up with the big news from the holidays, recap the MOP 2021 awards, and give our State of the Site report for 2022! It’s the Massively OP Podcast, an action-packed hour of news, tales, opinions, and gamer emails! And remember, if you’d like to send in your question to the show, use this link or call in to our voicemail at (734) 221-3973. Show notes: Intro Adventures in MMOs: New World, Astroneer, Guild Wars 2, Star Trek Online, Albion Online, Star Wars Galaxies, SWTOR, LOTRO, ESO Massively OP Awards roundup Catch Up News: Takeovers and acquisitions for Cryptic and PWE, Magic Online, Fractured, Legends of Aria, and Crowfall Catch Up News: Book of Travels sees big layoffs State of the Site 2022 Outro Other info: Podcast theme: "Youngtree Forest" from Vanguard Your show hosts: Justin, Tyler, MJ, and Bree Listen to Massively OP Podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, Player FM, TuneIn, Google Play, iHeartRadio, Pocket Casts, Amazon, and Spotify Fol

In the final show of the year, Bree and Justin whip through a second round of thoughtful, creative, and occasionally bonkers mail from the Massively OP Podcast listeners. From New World's faceplanting to stress-free MMOs to the controversies around datamining, there are a whole lot of questions that demand answers! It’s the Massively OP Podcast, an action-packed hour of news, tales, opinions, and gamer emails! And remember, if you’d like to send in your question to the show, use this link or call in to our voicemail at (734) 221-3973. Show notes: Intro Mailbag: Did Amazon deserve some dirt on its face for hubris? Mailbag: What are some of the most nostalgic MMO music tracks? Mailbag: Looking for stress-free MMOs Mailbag: Huge player events Mailbag: Left wanting from the flood of 2021 releases Mailbag: How should MMO studios handle battle passes? Mailbag: Changing MMOs for older gamers Mailbag: What can MMO studios do about datamining? Mailbag: How MMOs can empower community kindness Outro Other info: Podc

To wrap up the year, Bree and Justin give the news a break and instead dive into the depths of the MOP Podcast mailbag to tackle all sorts of terrific questions from our listeners! There are so many questions, in fact, that this is only the first part -- we'll have to finish it up next week! It’s the Massively OP Podcast, an action-packed hour of news, tales, opinions, and gamer emails! And remember, if you’d like to send in your question to the show, use this link or call in to our voicemail at (734) 221-3973. Show notes: Intro Mailbag: Gear decay in PvE Mailbag: Should MMOs include racism in stories? Mailbag: Why MMO music is actually so vital for our memories Mailbag: Why do some countries get worse support and business models? Mailbag: Losing the sense of "world" in MMOs Mailbag: Stereotypical vs. non-stereotypical races Outro Other info: Podcast theme: "Firelight" from New World Your show hosts: Justin and Bree Listen to Massively OP Podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, Player FM, TuneIn, Google Play, iHeartR

On this week’s show, Bree and Justin talk about SWTOR's delay, Lost Ark's launch date, the delightful surprise of Nightingale, a new Warhammer MMO, Crowfall's possible closure, and if MMOs are smart to go for big expansions these days. It’s the Massively OP Podcast, an action-packed hour of news, tales, opinions, and gamer emails! And remember, if you’d like to send in your question to the show, use this link or call in to our voicemail at (734) 221-3973. Show notes: Intro Adventures in MMOs: LOTRO, Elder Scrolls Online, SWTOR, SWG News: SWTOR delays Legacy of the Sith (plus voicemail) News: Game Awards -- Lost Ark gets a date, Nightingale announced News: Strike and union movement grows at Blizzard News: A new Warhammer MMO appears News: Is Crowfall in really bad trouble? Mailbag: Should MMOs go big or go small with expansions? Outro Other info: Podcast theme: "Mek-Sha, The Waypoint" from SWTOR Your show hosts: Justin and Bree Listen to Massively OP Podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, Player FM, TuneIn, Googl

On this week’s show, Bree and Justin talk about FFXIV: Endwalker's launch, World of Warcraft's next big content update, the latest on the Dune MMO, why New World is disappointing endgamers, quest logging systems, and a look at the decline of looter shooters. It’s the Massively OP Podcast, an action-packed hour of news, tales, opinions, and gamer emails! And remember, if you’d like to send in your question to the show, use this link or call in to our voicemail at (734) 221-3973. Show notes: Intro Adventures in MMOs: LOTRO, Elder Scrolls Online, Hearthstone News: FFXIV: Endwalker is finally here News: World of Warcraft starts testing Patch 9.2 News: That Dune MMO is still happening News: New World is making no endgamers happy Quickies: Wizard101 unveils Lemuria zone, Lineage 2M launches, ArcheAge starts its new life under Kakao Mailbag: Is the looter shooter fad dying? Mailbag: What kind of quest logging system do we prefer? Outro Other info: Podcast theme: "Old Sharlayan" from FFXIV Your show hosts: J

On this week’s show, Bree and Justin talk about Daybreak's as-of-yet-unannounced Marvel MMO, LOTRO's odd future, the Month of Expansions, RIFT's mysterious update, and New World's rookie mistakes. It’s the Massively OP Podcast, an action-packed hour of news, tales, opinions, and gamer emails! And remember, if you’d like to send in your question to the show, use this link or call in to our voicemail at (734) 221-3973. Show notes: Intro Adventures in MMOs: Star Wars Galaxies, LOTRO, Fallen Earth, Guild Wars 2 News: Breaking down EG7's investor report about LOTRO, DCUO, and the Marvel MMO News: EverQuest: Terror of Luclin and EverQuest II: Visions of Vetrovia launching soon News: What's Gamigo doing with RIFT? Quickie: DDO spins up a new permadeath run, Star Citizen hits $400M, Elite: Dangerous underperformed with Odyssey Mailbag: Why is New World making so many rookie mistakes? Mailbag: Left wanting after 2021 launches Outro Other info: Podcast theme: "The Scarlet Desert" from EverQuest Your show host

On this week’s bonus show, Eliot joins Justin to talk about Final Fantasy XIV's upcoming Endwalker, including an overview of the expansion, a look at its new jobs, mysteries we'd like cleared up, and speculation about what's coming next for the MMO. It’s the Massively OP Podcast, an action-packed hour of news, tales, opinions, and gamer emails! And remember, if you’d like to send in your question to the show, use this link or call in to our voicemail at (734) 221-3973. Show notes: Intro Overview of Endwalker Why is Endwalker significant for FFXIV? What jobs and features look appealing? What do we not know about Endwalker? What do we want in it? Is FFXIV still enjoying the WoW fallout boost? What's going on with rebalancing old content? Where is the game going next? What should players do to prep for the expansion? What's your favorite character? Outro Other info: Podcast theme: "Dungeon Boss Theme" from FFXIV Your show hosts: Justin and Eliot Listen to Massively OP Podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, Player FM, T

On this week’s show, Bree and Justin talk about Bobby Kotick's part in the Blizzard Scandal, ArcheAge's new ownership, New World's first content update, expansions for LOTRO and SWTOR, should we be doing all of the side quests, and why spears are underutilized MMO weapons. Includes a sponsored segment for Albion Online but our opinions are our own. It’s the Massively OP Podcast, an action-packed hour of news, tales, opinions, and gamer emails! And remember, if you’d like to send in your question to the show, use this link or call in to our voicemail at (734) 221-3973. Show notes: Intro News: Blizzard Scandal escalates with accusations against Bobby Kotick News: ArcheAge transfers to Kakao, now with a sub Sponsored Segment: Albion Online News: New World brings in the Void Gauntlet News: LOTRO releases Fate of Gundabad News: SWTOR's Legacy of the Sith coming on December 14 Voicemail: Spears and New World Voicemail: Should we do all of the side quests? Outro Other info: Podcast theme: "A Mother's Guidan