It’s not something I think I’ve mentioned here before, but Viva Pinata is one of my very favorite games. I pretty much entirely love my Xbox 360; there are so many games on the console that are in my personal AAA category, but the gameplay in VivaP is easily one of the most unique and enjoyable.

For me it comes down to a combination of elements: the zen focus you can gain from playing, and the collectible nature of the animals themselves. The imaginative, unique visuals help a lot too. :)

What does this have to do with Massive games? Well, we’re always talking about how we want something other than standard fantasy … Viva Pinata has several element that speak to the MMO player, but give them a twist we haven’t often seen in other online titles.

Read more

And gets it pretty well right. 

One of the most powerful brands to come out of Sony Online Entertainment is the Scott Hartsman brand. This brand has so much equity that when news broke that Vanguard development was moving to SOE, there were many calls for Scott to take control of it. Similar scenes occurred when Scott announced his departure from SOE and people decried that this would result in the end of EverQuest II’s period of steady improvements. Not a team. Not multiple people. A single person. The Scott Hartsman brand. 

I know that I, personally, have more interest in playing a game when people that I respect are running the damn thing. That’s one of the reasons I : Like WoW, am looking forward to Lum’s seekrit project, am looking forward to the combat in Damion’s seekrit game KOTORO, and have not dismissed Metaplace out of hand.  

Christmas is mostly about family and giving and all that stuff, but when it comes down to it we all have our eyes open for loot. It’s the time of year when we hope that the wrapped presents under the tree are exactly what we want. When miracles might just come true. Last year I sat down and worked out my list for Santa, and I think it would be a shame if I didn’t do the same this year. Here’s what I want for my 2008 year in MMOGs:

• Something on the Firefly MMOG … anything!
• To find out what some of those new MMOG startups are doing, and (of course) more Metaplace news.
• A late-in-the-year launch of Lich King. I’ve still got lots of stuff to do before then.
• The dedication to keep playing EQ2 until my fellow adventurers tire of Norrath. I’d really like to get to the Kunark content at some point, too.
• A spectacular launch for Warhammer Online and a Beta invite early in the new year. (Please, Mythic? I promise to play nice.)
• Further success for my newest gig: Massively!
• A successful (first annual) Worlds in Motion Summit.
• Even *more* acceptance of MMOGs by mainstream society. I’ve gotten my Toyota commercial and Mr. T’s night elf mohawk already. Top that.
• I’m still waiting for the second episode of Illegal Danish, and now I’m waiting on MMOvie also. I could use some more of Snacky’s Journal, too.
• Announcements for the new games from Square/Enix and Blizzard … and for the love of all that is holy, just cop to KOTORO, BioWare!
• A sense of what Guild Wars 2 will bring us; 2007 made me a huge fan of Arena.net’s original.
• The dedication to keep the RSS feed smoking here on MMOG Nation.

Smed says that the whole Zapak thing is crazy talk. Thought you’d like to know.

It’s got a bunch of people inside SOE emailing me asking me what’s going on. This story is 100% false. We aren’t for sale and never have been. Nothing like this has ever been discussed with the Zapak guys. The truth is we were talking to them about distribution rights to one of our games. And we have no idea how this story got started.

Leigh has noted over at the Worlds in Motion site that I’ll be playing a moderator role at GDC this year. The Worlds in Motion Summit is going to include a discussion on Virtual Socioeconomics, and I’ll be arbitrating the name-calling and ISK-throwing. 

Many online worlds and multiplayer games have developed their own thriving economies and complex indices, just from the in-game purchase, sale and trade of virtual items. This panel will convene executives and economists from some of the biggest, and we’re pleased to present Dr. Eyjólfur Guðmundsson, Ph.D, in-world economist for EVE Online, Gaia Online CEO Craig Sherman, and John Bates, director of business development for Entropia Universe. Each representing a different approach to the topic, the panelists will discuss the importance of virtual economics to the fabric of online interaction, and the way the virtual goods and commerce add both concrete and abstract value to the play experience. Additionally, we welcome Slashdot editor and MMOGNation.com writer Michael Zenke as panel moderator, as his strong background in online worlds guarantees an interesting and informed discussion. 

  

Many thanks to Ryan Shwayder for his generosity in tapping MMOG Nation as best player blog for this year. It’s been a really challenging year for me, in a number of ways. Even though it’s not a nod from the committee or a big cash prize (hah) it’s incredibly appreciated. :) Here’s his nice blurb about the site:

Best MMO Player Blog: This Gnomey goes to the best MMO blog written by someone who is not a game developer, which a majority of those in contention for any of these awards can be categorized as. The competition was stiff, but after much deliberation with myself, I have determined the winner this year: MMOG Nation! Congraluations go to Michael Zenke, who managed to hold my attention more than any other player, despite dedicating so much effort to the weekly massive update for most of the year.

This is especially appreciated given how sparse my posting has been of late. The new PC should be here today or tomorrow … look for a self-congratulatory post soon, followed by a return to cheerful posting.Thanks for the nice Christmas gift, Ryan.

Update: And, of course, many thanks to Angus for keeping things in perspective.

Like the rest of the ’sphere, I find the F13 discussion about the ‘top ten’ Massives fascinating. So head on over there and participate … just make sure to read the rules so you can get counted (and not mocked).Here are my ten:

1. World of Warcraft
2. Guild Wars
3. Star Wars Galaxies
4. EverQuest II
5. City of Heroes/Villains
6. Puzzle Pirate 
7. Final Fantasy XI 
8. A Tale in the Desert
9. Dungeons and Dragons Online 
10. EverQuest