Massively OP Podcast

On this week's episode of the Massively OP Podcast, Bree and Justin talk about World of Warcraft's next patch, Bitcraft Online's EA launch, the sale of EVE Online's CCP, more server news for LOTRO and DDO, Palia's upcoming roadmap, Dune Awakening's PvE endgame course correction, and Chrono Odyssey's beta.

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.

Show notes:

• Intro
• Adventures in MMOs: WoW, LOTRO, Palia
• News: World of Warcraft previews Update 11.2: Ghosts of K'aresh
• News: Bitcraft Online launches into early access
• News: CCP and EVE Online are up for sale
• News: LOTRO and DDO update on server closures (and openings)
• News: Palia's future roadmap
• News: Dune Awakening attempts to course-correct
• News: Chrono Odyssey's beta
• Outro

Other info:

• Podcast theme: "Time Rifts" from World of Warcraft
• Your show hosts: Justin and Bree
• Listen to Massively OP Podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, Player FM, TuneIn, iHeartRadio, Pocket Casts, Amazon, and Spotify
• Follow Massively Overpowered: Website, Twitter, Facebook, Twitch
• If you're having problems seeing or using the web player, please check your flashblock or scriptblock setting.

On this week's theme episode of the Massively OP Podcast, Bree and Justin talk all about character progression in MMOs! Trust us, there are far more types of progression than you might first assume -- and we're going to try to cover as many of them as we can in an hour. Plus. Plus about fifteen.

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.

Show notes:

• Intro
• What is character progression?
• Why is progression important?
• The broad categories of progression
• Horizontal vs vertical progression
• Story as progression
• Offline progression
• Rebirth progression
• Progression you can lock
• Crafting XP progression
• PvP progression
• Collaborative progression
• Reward tracks and mastery system
• Gearscore
• Money/collections
• Dungeon progression
• Outro

Other info:

• Podcast theme: "Irontoe 2006" from EverQuest II
• Your show hosts: Justin and Bree
• Listen to Massively OP Podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, Player FM, TuneIn, iHeartRadio, Pocket Casts, Amazon, and Spotify
• Follow Massively Overpowered: Website, Twitter, Facebook, Twitch
• If you're having problems seeing or using the web player, please check your flashblock or scriptblock setting.

On this week's episode of the Massively OP Podcast, Bree and Justin talk about Dune Awakening's head start rollout, the Nintendo Switch 2 launch, Summer Game Fest 2025 news, New World's hardcore server, Chrono Odyssey's scope, and how MMOs might better handle raids and storytelling.

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.

Show notes:

• Intro
• Adventures in MMOs: WoW, LOTRO, Palia
• News: Nintendo Switch 2 launches and Summer Game Fest 2025
• News: Do the Dune Awakening head start
• News: New World gets totally hardcore with its new server
• News: Getting a handle on Chrono Odyssey
• Mailbag: Raids and storytelling
• Outro

Other info:

• Podcast theme: "Chapaa Chase" from Palia
• Your show hosts: Justin and Bree
• Listen to Massively OP Podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, Player FM, TuneIn, iHeartRadio, Pocket Casts, Amazon, and Spotify
• Follow Massively Overpowered: Website, Twitter, Facebook, Twitch
• If you're having problems seeing or using the web player, please check your flashblock or scriptblock setting.

On this week's episode of the Massively OP Podcast, Bree and Justin talk about Dune Awakening's launch prep, Elder Scrolls Online's totally-not-an-expansion, Guild Wars 2's last expansion zone, Pandaria Classic's timing, New World's new director, City of Heroes Homecoming's latest patch, and low-effort MMO revivals.

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.

Show notes:

• Intro
• Adventures in MMOs: WoW, LOTRO, Palia
• News: Dune Awakening gears up for launch
• News: Elder Scrolls Online welcomes Seasons of the Worm Cult
• News: Guild Wars 2 puts out its final Janthir Wilds zone
• News: WoW Classic dates Pandaria Classic
• News: New World gets a new director
• News: City of Heroes Homecoming tests its next content update
• Mailbag: Are low-effort MMO revivals worth it?
• Outro

Other info:

• Podcast theme: "Life-Fire" from Guild Wars 2
• Your show hosts: Justin and Bree
• Listen to Massively OP Podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, Player FM, TuneIn, iHeartRadio, Pocket Casts, Amazon, and Spotify
• Follow Massively Overpowered: Website, Twitter, Facebook, Twitch
• If you're having problems seeing or using the web player, please check your flashblock or scriptblock setting.

On this week's episode of the Massively OP Podcast, Bree and Justin talk about Chrono Odyssey's upcoming beta, Blue Protocol's second chance, Fractured Online's departure, a new Defiance race, a rogue-lite RPG launch, and whether AI should be involved with 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.

Show notes:

• Intro
• Adventures in MMOs: WoW, LOTRO, Palia
• News: Chrono Odyssey ramps up to a June beta
• News: We're going to get Blue Protocol after all, sort of
• News: Fractured Online goes offline until 2026
• News: Defiance adds back in the Castithian race
• News: Lynked: Banner of the Spark and Wildgate releases
• Mailbag: Should MMOs use AI in any way?
• Outro

Other info:

• Podcast theme: "Eyes in the Garden" from Istaria
• Your show hosts: Justin and Bree
• Listen to Massively OP Podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, Player FM, TuneIn, iHeartRadio, Pocket Casts, Amazon, and Spotify
• Follow Massively Overpowered: Website, Twitter, Facebook, Twitch
• If you're having problems seeing or using the web player, please check your flashblock or scriptblock setting.

On this week's episode of the Massively OP Podcast, Bree, Chris, and Justin talk about Equinox Homecoming's early access, Dune Awakening's open beta weekend, Neverwinter's new patch, the end of Cryptic MMO forums, Pax Dei's layoffs, SWTOR's update preview, and the emulators we won't discuss about on the site.

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.

Show notes:

• Intro
• Adventures in MMOs: ESO, Palia, Lost Skies, Tower Unites
• Early thoughts on Equinox Homecoming's early access
• News: Dune Awakening runs a big open beta test
• News: Neverwinter delivers Red Harvest module and Ex-Cryptic MMO forums shut down
• News: Pax Dei lays off a good chunk of staff
• News: SWTOR talks up Update 7.7 -- but no story yet
• Mailbag: Why don't we talk about all MMO emulators?
• Outro

Other info:

• Podcast theme: "How to Build Your Ranch" from Star Stable
• Your show hosts: Justin, Chris, and Bree
• Listen to Massively OP Podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, Player FM, TuneIn, iHeartRadio, Pocket Casts, Amazon, and Spotify
• Follow Massively Overpowered: Website, Twitter, Facebook, Twitch
• If you're having problems seeing or using the web player, please check your flashblock or scriptblock setting.

On this week's episode of the Massively OP Podcast, Bree and Justin talk about EVE Online's upcoming expansion, the return of Camelot Unchained, WoW's next patch, Embers Adrift landing on Steam, and a Daily Grind Blitz!

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.

Show notes:

• Intro
• Adventures in MMOs: ESO, WoW Classic, LOTRO, The Sims 4
• News: EVE Online talks about this month's Legion expansion
• News: Camelot Unchained resurfaces
• News: World of Warcraft gets ready for Patch 11.1.7
• News: Embers Adrift hits Steam
• Daily Grind Blitz!
• Outro

Other info:

• Podcast theme: "Fanfest 2013" from EVE Online
• Your show hosts: Justin and Bree
• Listen to Massively OP Podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, Player FM, TuneIn, iHeartRadio, Pocket Casts, Amazon, and Spotify
• Follow Massively Overpowered: Website, Twitter, Facebook, Twitch
• If you're having problems seeing or using the web player, please check your flashblock or scriptblock setting.

On this week's episode of the Massively OP Podcast, Bree and Justin talk about Equinox Homecoming's early access surprise, Dune Awakening's NDA-free beta, LOTRO's anniversary, World of Warcraft's wonky patch, New World's spring plans, and putting developers on pedestals.

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.

Show notes:

• Intro
• Adventures in MMOs: LOTRO, WoW Classic, ESO
• News: Equinox Homecoming's early access kicks off May 8
• News: Dune Awakening gears up for a big beta next month
• News: LOTRO's Update 44 arrives with the anniversary
• News: World of Warcraft's Update 11.1.5 is kind of a disaster
• News: New World blips back to life with update plans
• Mailbag: How should we honor developers?
• Outro

Other info:

• Download Episode 516
• Podcast theme: "The Angle of Mitheithel" from Lord of the Rings Online
• Your show hosts: Justin and Bree
• Listen to Massively OP Podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, Player FM, TuneIn, iHeartRadio, Pocket Casts, Amazon, and Spotify
• Follow Massively Overpowered: Website, Twitter, Facebook, Twitch
• If you're having problems seeing or using the web player, please check your flashblock or scriptblock setting.

On this week's episode of the Massively OP Podcast, Bree and Justin talk about Dune Awakening's delay, Palia's big zone announcement, what's going on with Classic MapleStory, the messy Defiance relaunch, LOTRO compensation, and the future evolution of 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.

Show notes:

• Intro
• Adventures in MMOs: LOTRO, WoW, WoW Classic, Guild Wars
• News: Defiance gets a relaunch -- but it's rough one so far
• News: Dune Awakening pushes its launch back to June
• News: Palia announces Elderwood zone expansion
• News: Classic MapleStory is coming later this year
• Mailbag: What does the future of MMO evolution hold in store?
• Outro

Other info:

• Podcast theme: "Aqua Road East Sea" from MapleStory
• Your show hosts: Justin and Bree
• Listen to Massively OP Podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, Player FM, TuneIn, iHeartRadio, Pocket Casts, Amazon, and Spotify
• Follow Massively Overpowered: Website, Twitter, Facebook, Twitch
• If you're having problems seeing or using the web player, please check your flashblock or scriptblock setting.

On this week's episode of the Massively OP Podcast, Bree and Justin talk about Elder Scrolls Online's new seasonal format, Guild Wars' 20th anniversary, LOTRO's recent activity, Defiance's relaunch, and how to build your perfect MMO sequel.

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.

Show notes:

• Intro
• Adventures in MMOs: LOTRO, WoW, Diablo III
• News: Elder Scrolls Online trades chapters for seasons
• News: Guild Wars stirs for its 20th anniversary
• News: LOTRO adds a new server, tests Update 44, plans tropic island
• News: Defiance is relaunching this Friday
• Mailbag: How can studios make a great MMO sequel?
• Outro

Other info:

• Podcast theme: "A White Stallion Rampant" from Elder Scrolls Online
• Your show hosts: Justin and Bree
• Listen to Massively OP Podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, Player FM, TuneIn, iHeartRadio, Pocket Casts, Amazon, and Spotify
• Follow Massively Overpowered: Website, Twitter, Facebook, Twitch
• If you're having problems seeing or using the web player, please check your flashblock or scriptblock setting.