| On the Combat System |
07/03/08 |
Atlantica Online
|
The developers of Atlantica Online have provided us with this exclusive developer journal discussing the unique combat system in their upcoming MMORPG. Atlantica breaks with MMORPG tradition to bring players a turn-based combat system that the developers hope will set their game apart from other MMOs. |
Guest Writer |
| Dev Paper - Boomrocker Mechanaught |
06/24/08 |
Exteel
|
While it doesn't quite meet our requirements for listing, NCsoft's Exteel is certainly an idea that is appealing to MMO gamers. In this developer paper, the game's devs give tips and strategies for The Boomrocker Mechanaught, weapon highlights and the Defrosted Summit Battle Map. |
Guest Writer |
| Walking the Plank: Ship Outfitting is a Balancing Act |
06/12/08 |
Pirates of the Burning Sea
|
The most recent Devlog from the folks at Pirates of the Burning Sea looks at the art of item balancing, and some of the changes that will be made in version 1.5 of the game. |
Guest Writer |
| Seven Year Anniversary Dev Journal |
06/09/08 |
Battleground Europe: WWII Online
|
Celebrations for the astonishing seven year anniversary of Battleground Europe: World War II Online began on Friday. Today, we present a dev journal that is designed to both introduce new players to the game and talk a little bit about the events of the last seven years. |
Guest Writer |
| Soloing in Champions Online |
06/09/08 |
Champions Online
|
Cryptic Studios has published a dev diary which details the level of solo content in Champions Online, revealing that the game will not only be solo friendly, but will also feature end game content specifically designed for the solo player. |
Guest Writer |
| The Weapons of War |
06/04/08 |
Battleground Europe: WWII Online
|
The folks over at Battleground Europe are celebrating their astounding seven year anniversary and have been kind enough to provide us with this developer journal talking about what go into creating a new armored vehicle for their game. |
Guest Writer |
| Letter From the Director: Roadmap for the Future |
06/03/08 |
Age of Conan
|
The Age of Conan website has been updated with this letter from Age of Conan Game Director Gaute Godager. In the letter, Godager lays out plans for the game in the near future. |
Guest Writer |
| Dev Paper - Trooper Mechanaught |
06/03/08 |
Exteel
|
While it doesn't quite meet our requirements for listing, NCsoft's Exteel is certainly an idea that is appealing to MMO gamers. In this developer paper, the game's devs give tips and strategies for Trooper Mechanaught, a weapons overview and the "last stand" battle mode. |
Guest Writer |
| Ambush Gameplay |
05/30/08 |
Pirates of the Burning Sea
|
Kevin "Isildur" Maginn, Lead Designer for Pirates of the Burning Sea, has written a devlog explaining the original concept of ambush gameplay, or in other words, a gang of pirates sneaking up on a merchant vessel on the high sea. In the devlog he describes how the original design concept failed in practice, degenerating into what can more accurately be described ganking, and their current efforts to reduce the occurrence of ganking. |
Guest Writer |
| Mini-Game Design in Stargate Worlds |
05/27/08 |
Stargate Worlds
|
Steve Williams of Firesky, the company creating the MMORPG Stargate Worlds, writes this dev log on the game's official page which highlights mini-games in the upcoming MMO. |
Guest Writer |
| Stretching the Genre: Creating Cimerora |
05/21/08 |
City of Heroes
|
With the release of Issue 12: the Midnight Hour for City of Heroes and Villains, NCsoft has prepared a non-exclusive dev journal by Senior Art Lead, Ken Morse, which looks at the process behind creating the new Greek and Roman inspired area of Cimerora. |
Guest Writer |
| Magma Caverns - Michael Hutchison |
05/20/08 |
Tabula Rasa
|
NCsoft has been kind enough to supply us with a pair of developer diaries discussing the rework of Magma Caverns. In this first diary, Lead World Designer Michael Hutchison gives us his take. |
Guest Writer |
| Reawakening Developer Journal |
05/12/08 |
Dreamlords: The Reawakening
|
When Dreamlords announced that they would be returning with Dreamlords: The Reawakening, MMORPG.com wanted to get the behind-the-scenese dirt. Dreamlords: The Reawakening Lead Designer Iona Rosin gives us her thoughts on the upcoming game. |
Guest Writer |
| Building a Guild City |
05/12/08 |
Age of Conan
|
The folks at Age of Conan have provided us with this new developer journal on the guild cities system. |
Guest Writer |
| Moving Beyond the Wall |
05/06/08 |
Stargate Worlds
|
Nick LaMertina, a Sound Designer for Cheyenne Mountain Entertainment's Stargate Worlds has written a fantastic blog post over at the game's officil site. We have asked for permission to re-publish it here at MMORPG.com as it serves as a grreat example of a developer struggling to do the best job possible on a project and also of an artist struggling to ply his trade in the games industry. |
Guest Writer |
| Issue 12: The Midnight Hour and Me |
04/30/08 |
City of Heroes
|
City of Heroes Senior Designer Joe Morrissey writes this developer journal telling us about the Midnight Squad, a group of heroes that has appeared in past lore, but makes their first appearance in Issue 12. |
Guest Writer |
| What’s So Cool about Hellbound |
04/23/08 |
Lineage 2
|
The Lineage II North American Dev Team has provided us with this new developer diary entitled, "What’s So Cool about Hellbound and the 4th Anniversary Edition". |
Guest Writer |
| The Orc Defiler |
04/18/08 |
Lord of the Rings Online
|
The folks at Turbine have added a new dev journal to their official website. This one talks about the Orc Defiler, the new Monster Play class coming in Book 13. |
Guest Writer |
| Hellbound Pet System Enhancements |
04/17/08 |
Lineage 2
|
The good folks over at Lineage II have provided us with this dev diary concerning the pet system enhancements that are coming with the Hellbound expansion due later this month. |
Guest Writer |
| Group Combat Missions |
04/14/08 |
Pirates of the Burning Sea
|
The folks from Flying Lab Software have released a new Dev Journal on their official site talking about Group Combat Missions. |
Guest Writer |
| Better Together: Grouping Improvements in Book 13 |
04/14/08 |
Lord of the Rings Online
|
Book 13: Doom of the Last-king, the upcoming free content expansion for Lord of the Rings Online: The Shadows of Angmar, will feature a number of big changes and improvements to the way players find and assemble their fellowships, and Turbine has provided this non-exclusive dev journal which describes those changes. |
Guest Writer |
| Book 13: Welcome to Forochel! (or…How to Make a Region Without Trees) |
04/11/08 |
Lord of the Rings Online
|
Turbine has posted this great (and interesting) dev journal about designing Forochel from a World Builder's perspective. In MMO production, World Builders are the ones who populate the world withe verything from hills to rivers to buildings to deserts. |
Guest Writer |
| Hellbound’s Steel Citadel |
04/07/08 |
Lineage 2
|
NCsoft recently prepared this non-exclusive dev journal which provides an overview of the Steel Citadel in Lineage II: The Chaotic Throne – The Kamael: Hellbound. Inside the dangerous Steel Citadel, players will need to take advantage of the new level 85 level cap to battle against the epic boss Beleth. |
Guest Writer |
| The Sound of Shorath Mesa |
04/04/08 |
The Chronicles of Spellborn
|
The Chronicles of Spellborn developer Matthew Florianz has penned this new developers journal on The Sound of Shorath Mesa, giving us a look at the way that ambient sound is offered in TCoS. |
Guest Writer |
| Mekhi Mechanaught, Territory Control and Weapons |
04/03/08 |
Exteel
|
The folks from NCsoft have sent along this developer paper on the Mekhi Mechanagught, Weapon Highlights and Capture the Flag. While the robot battle game doesn't meet our criteria for listing, it certainly shares a number of traits with MMORPGs, including a persistent character. |
Guest Writer |
| Crafting the Content of Forochel |
04/03/08 |
Lord of the Rings Online
|
The official Lord of the Rings Online website has a new developer journal concerning some of the elements of the upcoming Book 13, including solo info and info on the new area known as Forochel. |
Guest Writer |
| Combat for Beginners |
03/26/08 |
The Chronicles of Spellborn
|
The folks over at The Chronicles of Spellborn have released this great new Game Design Journal that focuses in on just what it is you, as a beginner, need to know about TCoS's unique combat system.
|
Guest Writer |
| Dev Diary #4 |
03/25/08 |
Face of Mankind: Rebirth
|
Face of Mankind's Marko Dieckmann pens this new Dev Diary that outlines the general concept of their game in terms of both features and gameplay.
|
Guest Writer |
| Non-Exclusive Dev Blog: A Day in the Life of Jack Emmert |
03/25/08 |
Champions Online
|
Jack Emmert of Cryptic Studios has written a dev blog where he describes a day in the life of the Chief Creative Officer of Champions Online. |
Guest Writer |
| CoS Introduction - Part Two |
03/21/08 |
Citadel of Sorcery
|
Yesterday, the folks from MMO Magic presented the basics behind their upcoming MMORPG, Citadel of Sorcery. Today, they go into more detail about their plans for: PvP, Combat, Rces, Classes and more.
|
Guest Writer |
| An Introduction to CoS: Part One |
03/20/08 |
Citadel of Sorcery
|
The team at MMO Magic has provided us witha great Developer Journal that gives us all an idea of what their game is all about. Today, we provide you with Part One of this journal, the introduction that will whet your apetite for Part Two, where the devs go into more detail about their plans.
|
Guest Writer |
| Art Journal: Shorath Mesa |
03/13/08 |
The Chronicles of Spellborn
|
The folks at The Chronicles of Spellborn have released this new Art Journal focusing on the Shorath Mesa area of the game.
|
Guest Writer |
| Episode 2 Information |
03/11/08 |
Cabal Online
|
The folks from Games Masters, the company behind the European version of Cabal Online, have sent over this developer journal with detailed information on the changes that came as a part of the Episode 2 update.
|
Guest Writer |
| Non-Exclusive Devlog - Introducing Bey's Retreat |
02/26/08 |
Pirates of the Burning Sea
|
Flying Lab Software has published a new devlog which introduces players to Bey's Retreat, a near impenetrable fortress used by the Corsairs of the Main, and a large group mission in Pirates of the Burning Sea. |
Guest Writer |
| Non-Exclusive Dev Journal: Ship Tuning |
02/22/08 |
Pirates of the Burning Sea
|
The folks at Flying Lab Software have been churning out dev logs all week in advance of the release of the 1.2 patch for Pirates of the Burning Sea. Today we present a recent dev log which goes into detail about the fine tuning of specific ships, and ships in general. |
Guest Writer |
| PvP: Conflicts and Considerations |
02/13/08 |
Jumpgate Evolution
|
NetDevil Programmer Steve "Istvan" Hartmeyer stops by once more to talk about the upcoming MMORPG, Jumpgate Evolution. In this new developer journal Hartmeyer talks about PvP in the sci-fi game.
|
Guest Writer |
| State of the Game: February 2008 |
02/13/08 |
Age of Conan
|
Age of Conan Game Director Gaute Godager recently wrote an article describing the current state of the game of AoC. He elaborates on his role in the game's development, and he describes the reasons behind the recently announced release date push back, the melding of certain classes, and other changes that have occurred throughout Age of Conan's development. We're pleased to present the entire article here. |
Guest Writer |
| User Interface: Accessible Functionality |
01/30/08 |
Jumpgate Evolution
|
Today, NetDevil's Steve "Istvan" Hartmeyer submoits this new developer journal looking at the user interface in the upcoming Jumpgate Evolution.
|
Guest Writer |
| Designing Fault Lever |
01/25/08 |
Tabula Rasa
|
Tabula Rasa world builder David Vargo guides us through the design process and philosophy behind the Fault Lever instance in Tabula Rasa. |
Guest Writer |
| Official Conan Blog Updated |
01/22/08 |
Age of Conan
|
Jason Stone, better known as Athelan, has updated his official Age of Conan Blog with info and his opinion of the delay. |
Guest Writer |
| The Outfit System and Barbershops |
01/21/08 |
Lord of the Rings Online
|
Turbine has released a new internal Dev Journal on the Outfit System and the Barbershops that will be introduced in the upcoming free update, Book 12.
|
Guest Writer |
| AI System: Nuts & Bolts |
01/16/08 |
Jumpgate Evolution
|
Steve Hartmeyer, a programmer on NetDevil's upcoming Jumpgate Evolution, files this Dev Journal on the game's AI system.
|
Guest Writer |
| Flight Dynamics |
01/09/08 |
Jumpgate Evolution
|
In this new Developer Journal, NetDevil Programmer Steve "Istvan" Hartmeyer talks about flight in their upcoming MMORPG, Jumpgate Evolution.
|
Guest Writer |
| Response to Feedback |
12/12/07 |
Pirates of the Burning Sea
|
Flying Lab Software's Rick Saada takes the time to respond to some of the feedback that the team has received here on our MMORPG.com forums. Remember, sometimes, the devs are listening!
|
Guest Writer |
| Wrap-Up |
12/11/07 |
Jumpgate Evolution
|
For the last four weeks, we have presented a developer journal from Hermann Peterscheck, the Producer of NetDevil's Jumpgate Evolution. In this final installment, Peterscheck talk about creating a space action game.
|
Guest Writer |
| Accessibility |
12/03/07 |
Jumpgate Evolution
|
The team from NetDevil's upcoming sci-fi MMORPG Jumpgate Evolution have provided us with this new edition of our dev journal series. This week's contribution uses a quote from Einstein to talk about accessibility in video games in general, and designing a sequel to a classic game.
|
Guest Writer |
| How Dungeon Runners Redefines Skills and Classes in the Free-To-Play MMO Game Genre |
11/20/07 |
Dungeon Runners
|
As a companion to our Dungeon Runners Interview, the folks at NCsoft have also provided us with this Developer Diary giving us the development team's opinion on "How Dungeon Runners Redefines Skills and Classes in the Free-To-Play MMO Game Genre".
|
Guest Writer |
| AI |
11/19/07 |
Jumpgate Evolution
|
In this Developer Journal, Herman Peterscheck, the Lead Producer of the upcoming MMORPG, Jumpgate Evolution, takes the time to talk to us about AI for the space-based game.
|
Guest Writer |
| Non-Exclusive Dev Diary: The Caves of Donn |
10/18/07 |
Tabula Rasa
|
Tabula Rasa Mission Designer Rebekah Tran has penned a dev diary detailing the Caves of Don, one of the first instance maps that players will be able to explore after entering the Wilderness Area. |
Guest Writer |
| Dungeons to Run In |
10/15/07 |
Dungeon Runners
|
Today, the Dungeon Runners Dev Team has provided us with a new developer journal about the use of dungeons in, well, Dungeon Runners.
|
Guest Writer |
| Non-Exclusive Dev Diary: Control Points |
10/12/07 |
Tabula Rasa
|
Tabula Rasa Producer Starr Long has penned a developer diary describing control points, a game mechanic intended to simulate the back and forth of war by creating a dynamic battlefield. |
Guest Writer |
| Issue 11 - Standing Apart in a Crowd: Weapon Customization |
10/11/07 |
City of Heroes
|
Last week, we brought you an interview with Matt "Positron" Miller about the upcoming Issue 11 update from City of Heroes / Villains. Today, the folks behind the game have provided us with the story behind the new weapon customization that will make an appearance in Issue 11.
|
Guest Writer |
| Torcastra Prison Dev Diary and Video |
10/08/07 |
Tabula Rasa
|
NCsoft has provided us with this non exclusive dev diary written by Mission Designer Rebekah Tran. Also included was video of the area with the same name, Torcastra Prison. |
Guest Writer |
| Steve "Istvan" Hartmeyer Dev Journal |
08/15/07 |
Jumpgate Evolution
|
Why did NetDevil choose to create a new, updated Jumpgate? How did the project come together. These are two of the questions that Jumpgate: Evolution Developer, Steve "Istvan" Hartmeyer answers in this new MMORPG.com Dev Log.
|
Guest Writer |
| Non-Exclusive Issue 10 Dev Diary |
07/08/07 |
City of Heroes
|
NCsoft has released this new developer diary talking about the upcoming Issue 10: Invasion that will see the game's storyline advanced.
|
Guest Writer |
| What's So Great About Dungeon Runners? |
06/21/07 |
Dungeon Runners
|
When talking about the subject of this developer journal, MMORPG.com asked the Dungeon Runners Development Team one simple question: What's so great about Dungeon Runners? As you can see, the development team has a very enthusiastic take on the answer.
|
Guest Writer |
| Adam Carpenter, Lead Designer |
05/25/07 |
Fury
|
Adam Carpenter, the Lead Designer for Auran Games' upcoming PvP MMORPG Fury, gives us this Developer Journal to bring us up to speed on the game.
|
Guest Writer |
| Producer’s Blog: Mission Tuning & Fixing |
05/08/07 |
Pirates of the Burning Sea
|
Pirates of the Burning Sea Producer, John Scott Tynes, delivers yet another new Developer Journal to MMORPG.com. This time, John gives us a look at a Producer's Blog entry that was previously only available to players in the game's beta, now made public for everyone!
|
Guest Writer |
| Jon-Enee Merriex Dev Journal |
05/04/07 |
Sword of the New World
|
Jon-Enee Merriex, a Game Master for K2 Network's Sword of the New World, stops by to give us this developer journal highlighting the game's "Multi-Character Control" feature.
|
Guest Writer |
| Dev Profile Q&A: Haluk Diriker |
05/03/07 |
Age of Conan
|
The folks over at Funcom's Age of Conan have provided us with a new Developer Profile Q&A. This time around, AI Designer Haluk Diriker answers our questions as we get to know the folks behind their highly anticipated game.
|
Guest Writer |
| Chris Nengerman Developer Journal |
04/05/07 |
The Chronicles of Spellborn
|
Today, we kick off a multi-week series of features from the folks over at The Chronicles of Spellborn. This first developer journal is from Chris Nengerman who is the Lead Game Designer for The Chronicles of Spellborn.
|
Guest Writer |
| Interlude Dev Journal |
03/12/07 |
Lineage 2
|
Tim Tan, the Associate Producer for NCsfot's Lineage II: The Chaotic Throne, lets us in on the newest free update to the game, Interlude.
|
Guest Writer |
| Invention System |
03/05/07 |
City of Heroes
|
Matt Miller, the Lead Designer for City of Heroes / City of Villains drops by to give us an exclusive developer journal about the game's Invention System. |
Guest Writer |
| The Dumbest Quest in the World |
02/21/07 |
Dreamlords: The Reawakening
|
Jon Selin from Dreamlords returns with another Developer Journal. This time, he tells us all about The Dumbest Quest in the World.
|
Guest Writer |
| Being a Lead Designer |
02/09/07 |
Dreamlords: The Reawakening
|
Jon Selin writes a great developer journal letting us in on the highs and lows of being the lead designer for an MMORPG. In this case, Dreamlords.
|
Guest Writer |
| Life with Beta |
01/10/07 |
Pirates of the Burning Sea
|
Pirates of the Burning Sea Producer, John Scott Tynes, describes his "Life with Beta" in this newest developer journal. |
Guest Writer |
| So You Want to be an MMO Developer: Part IV |
01/08/07 |
Vanguard: Saga of Heroes
|
Nick Parkinson, the Community Manager for Sigil's Vanguard: Saga of Heroes, returns to write the last in his four part series of articles that highlight their team and at the same time answer the question: "So You Want to be an MMO Developer?" |
Guest Writer |
| The Ins and Outs of Community Management |
01/03/07 |
RF Online
|
Codemasters Online Gaming's Kyle Rowley, the Community Manager for RF Online, pens this Developer Journal about a day in the life of a Community Manager. |
Guest Writer |
| So You Want to be an MMO Developer: Part III |
01/02/07 |
Vanguard: Saga of Heroes
|
Nick Parkinson, the Community Manager for Sigil's Vanguard: Saga of Heroes, returns to write the third in his four part series of articles that highlight their team and at the same time answer the question: "So You Want to be an MMO Developer?" |
Guest Writer |
| So You Want to be an MMO Developer: Part Two |
12/19/06 |
Vanguard: Saga of Heroes
|
Sigil's Nick Parkinson returns this week to continue his four part answer to the question: So You Want to be an MMO Developer? |
Guest Writer |
| So You Want to be an MMO Developer? |
12/11/06 |
Vanguard: Saga of Heroes
|
Nick Parkinson, the Community Manager for Sigil's Vanguard: Saga of Heroes, pens the first of four articles that highlight their team and at the same time answer the question: "So You Want to be an MMO Developer?" |
Guest Writer |
| Creating the Veteran Rewards Program |
11/29/06 |
City of Heroes
|
The Lead Designer of City of Heroes talks about how they built the Veteran Rewards program. |
Guest Writer |
| Combat |
11/22/06 |
9Dragons
|
This latest developer journal looks at the most basic system of them all: combat. |
Guest Writer |
| Halloween Event |
11/08/06 |
Pirates of the Burning Sea
|
John Scott Tynes looks back at what the team did for Halloween. The brief journal includes some exclusive screenshots. |
Guest Writer |
| Items in 9Dragons |
11/02/06 |
9Dragons
|
Ken Johnston pens the latest developer journal from Acclaim's 9Dragons. |
Guest Writer |
| Young v. Old: Dev Debate |
10/26/06 |
Vanguard: Saga of Heroes
|
Sigil veteran developer Ryan Elam and young gun Derek McDevitt kick off a new series of debates between a young developer and a new one. The first article shows the contrast. |
Guest Writer |
| Skills of Martial Artists |
10/04/06 |
9Dragons
|
Ken Johnston pens a new developer journal that examines the skills of martial artists in the upcoming MMO 9Dragons from Acclaim. |
Guest Writer |
| Not Just Another Spawn Camp |
10/03/06 |
Pirates of the Burning Sea
|
John Scott Tynes, the Producer of Pirates of the Burning Sea, talks about the idea of spawns in this MMO from FlyingLab. |
Guest Writer |
| FlyingLabs At AGC |
09/20/06 |
Pirates of the Burning Sea
|
Our monthly dev journal has them giving their take on AGC. |
Guest Writer |
| PvP Combat in C5 |
09/15/06 |
Lineage 2
|
L2 talks about changes to PvP. |
Guest Writer |
| ToonFest Diary |
09/01/06 |
Toontown Online
|
We couldn't make it to Toonfest, so Greg Wiatroski, the Lead Developer on Toontown, reported back for us. |
Guest Writer |
| Return of the Gods, Part II |
08/31/06 |
|