Are we always going to be a day late and ....

Premiere Issue of MASSIVE Magazine On Newsstands

Early reviews sing its praises; MMO fans finally have a magazine to call their own


Fort Lauderdale, FL.—Sept. 29, 2006— Online gamers nationwide rejoiced today as MASSIVE Magazine’s premiere issue arrived on newsstands across the country. MASSIVE Magazine, produced by the same team responsible for the acclaimed Computer Games Magazine and published by the media division of theglobe.com, is the next big thing in gaming. MASSIVE is the only print publication dedicated solely to massively multiplayer online (MMO) games.

The premiere issue of MASSIVE includes a 30-page feature on “What’s Next” for the MMOs of today and tomorrow. Other articles cover such topics as: why you’d want to hire a Chinese gold farmer and what it’s like to run a guild with hundreds (or more) members. Each newsstand copy of MASSIVE includes a free DVD with five playable trial versions from SOE, including EverQuest II, EverQuest, Planetside, Star Wars Galaxies, and The Matrix Online, plus a VIP code that lets readers access the beta of Gods & Heroes.

Judging by the early reviews, MASSIVE is already a success. “I was pretty blown away by MASSIVE, and I never read magazines cover to cover,” writes reader Chris Zachos. “The minute I got a chance, I subscribed. I can't wait for the next issue. I love how smart your writers are (I got a lot of chuckles). I think you guys really have tapped an emerging market and I wish you all the luck!”

MASSIVE Magazine has an aggressive distribution plan and is available along with Computer Games Magazine at all major retailers, including Barnes & Noble and Books-A-Million. The magazine will also be distributed in a digital version. For more information about MASSIVE Magazine, please visit http://www.massive-magazine.com .



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One has to ask oneself why NcSoft did not include Lineage 2 stuff on this. It would only seem resonable that if they want a greater userbase, they have to tell users that Lineage 2 is out there. This magazine seems to be the perfect venue for reaching the people that play these games, but yet, there is no "free trial" included.
I, for one, am at a loss with NcSoft laying off people, loosing players and all and all, getting their butts handed to them by other companies, are not agressivly persuing these advertising opportunties. I would hope, since I don't have a copy in my hand yet, that they at least have a 4 page spread with all of their games and hopefully some paid news reporting on the game itself now that we are on C5 !!!

Come on Korea, lets start kicking butt and get yourselves back in the lead.

Please see this post (http://boards.lineage2.com/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=general&Number=720159&body prev=#Post720159) -- Adam's recent interview with Lineage Radio touched on some of your concerns. Thank you!

I guess I find this reply and thread a bit sugar coated. The last three computer game magazines, and for that matter, over the last two years, the lack of a trace or mention of Lineage 2 is distrubing to the force.

We all want this game to get better (and not the little day to day bugs). Towards that end, it is obvious that more needs to be done in the "get the word out" area. While I can and do write to these magazines about our game, it has been for nothing.

I see how this works in our magazines. It is the editors that need to be contacted and to be enguaged. That doesn't happen from our end (the users). NcSoft could pay for a review and then taylor that review so the article shows how awsome this game is. As it sits, this game is hard to really get into in the first month or two of playing. Only after a good period of time, and with the help of friends and aggressors within the game, does anyone realize just how increadable this game is.

I think the box thing is a good idea, but parents and more to the point, the people the parents are buying for need to know about Lineage 2. Word of mouth is not going to get this game over that next threshold.

Along with this, is the feeling that Korea still domintates the focus of the game and where is is going. You can see that by reading between the lines in the interviews. But, the money and profit for the game will only come from new players and new markets. Korea has capped out and they are moving on. You can see even NcSoft has admitted that they didn't expect the fall off, especially after the success and the number of retained players they saw in Lineage 1 over the years.

Bottom line, I really, really like this game, the players and what NcSoft has done. What I do not like is the lack of _In Your Face_ advertising done to date by NcSoft.

Small point, but why can't I get a nice, for work, polo shirt with NcSoft logo and Lineage II logo on it? I can't wear that tee-shirt in here.... Just as an example. There seems to be a disconnect with growing here in the NA market and what NcSoft is willing to do. Maybe they know already that investment in advertising is not the best. But I do know this much. I found out about Lineage 1 thru a magazine disk lo those many, many years ago. A free month or two along with the disk shrink wrapped in the magazine. Then I see this article, and the oldest name and largest name is not on that premear disk.

Oh, congrats on the bot bans!