iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

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Fusionx @rofldrg.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

What I wouldn't give for SE to use their current books arm to localize -all- the FF MMO books they've made.

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Felipe Pepe @felipepepe.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Reminder that if you like my dives into game history from a more global perspective and want more, you can check my collection of links & resources here: felipepepe.medium.com/my-little-ga... Has over 100 links to blogs, articles and videos from all over the world. Still WIP and messy, sorry lol

felipepepe.medium.com

My Little Game History Anthology

A personal collection of writings, references, bookmarks and sources for further reading

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Sasha's Retrobytes 🏳️‍⚧️ @sharkabytes.bsky.social · 15/09/2025

A living world, an ever-evolving Britannia - and my first MMORPG experience. Splash screen artwork to evoke your excitement at the medieval fantasy adventures that'll unfold - and a race to be the first to off Lord British. 📺: Ultima Online Public Beta (1.2.3), Origin Systems, June 1997

The installation splash screen with fantasy artwork of dragons, castles, and lizardmen, with warriors clashing on cliffs overlooking a city beneath a smoky sky.

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James Crosby @mmofolklorist.com · 27/07/2026

Haven't posted here in a while. BUT, it's for a good reason. My wife and I welcomed a healthy baby girl into the world last month. Naturally, I don't really have a lot of time for gaming/writing atm, but still inching along with my next book. Hoping to share some details before the end of the year.

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James Crosby @mmofolklorist.com · 20/05/2026

Just pledged - cannot wait to add this to my steadily growing library of MMO history books!

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Sasha's Retrobytes 🏳️‍⚧️ @sharkabytes.bsky.social · 04/04/2026

📖 Bytes of Game Ads 📺 Vana'diel awaited you on PlayStation 2, first in 2002 in Japan and then in 2004 for the North American rollout. It's kinda wild to think that FFXI, still in renewed active development, started off life as a PS2 MMORPG.

Fantasy... Adventure... Community. A magazine ad for FFXI, with three panels of graphic shots of fantasy landscapes, legioons of adventurers, and fearsome monmsters. Details of the 40GB HDD are shared that enable it to run on PS2.

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James Crosby @mmofolklorist.com · 14/03/2026

Congratulations to Richard Bartle, MUD pioneer and author of Designing Virtual Worlds, on his induction into the @ukieofficial.bsky.social UK Games Industry Hall of Fame earlier this month. ukie.org.uk/news/2026-in...

ukie.org.uk

2026 inductees to the UK Games Industry Hall of Fame announced - Ukie

Four Trailblazing Games Leaders Honoured in 2026 UK Games Industry Hall of Fame

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MinnMax @minnmax.com · 10/02/2026

We're saddened to learn Kevin Lydy passed away. He was the designer of the EverQuest logo and still working on the MMO 25 years after its launch. forums.everquest.com/index.php?th... Kevin was the focus of our MinnMax Spotlight from November 2024, a very sweet man. RIP. youtu.be/_18ZFndAzWU

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EverQuest @everquest.bsky.social · 10/02/2026

We are immensely grief stricken by the news of Kevin Lydy's recent passing. He was an integral part of EverQuest over the years. Our deepest condolences and sympathies go out to his family, friends, and the multitude of fans he made along his journey through life. Rest well dearest Adventurer.

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Forgotten Worlds @forgottenworlds.bsky.social · 26/12/2025

25 years ago Phantasy Star Online made the cover of Edge magazine’s Christmas issue… 👀 #Sega #PhantasyStar #Dreamcast ☀️🌴

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Nova Crystallis @novacrystallis.com · 25/12/2025

Dragon Quest X expansion "Lost Children in Space-Time" (Version 8.0) will release digital-only on June 25, 2026 for Windows, PlayStation 4|5, and Nintendo Switch 1|2.

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James Crosby @mmofolklorist.com · 23/12/2025

Before Medal of Honour and Call of Duty, Vince Zampella was a producer on Skies. Announced in 1997, Skies was Sega's attempt to break into the early MMORPG space. The game was slated for a 1999 release on PC and Dreamcast but was cancelled in late '98. youtu.be/5mFVoq-h90s?...

youtu.be

EP CLASSIC S2E10 - METAL GEAR SOLID / ZAMPELLA & WEST / CRASH 3 / UNREAL - Electric Playground

YouTube video by Electric Playground Network - EPN

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James Crosby @mmofolklorist.com · 20/12/2025

The Star Wars Galaxies Legends rogue server recently added an in-game mausoleum where you can view the avatars of players who've passed away. Similar ideas date back to the MUDs of yore, but this is one of the neatest implementations I've seen in a virtual world.

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James Crosby @mmofolklorist.com · 19/12/2025

Fabulous news! So happy to see this game thriving under Broadsword.

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Pie (7.56) @mooncatenjoyer.bsky.social · 19/12/2025

You were not meant for this world, yet you brought it joy. You had no name, yet you were loved by many. You were only Lv 1, yet your whimsy could not be measured. Your footsteps no longer dot the snow, yet they left their mark on us. Thank you, . And farewell.

Miah standing in a snowy tundra with her hand to her chest, looking over the mountains. A vision of the famous nameless antelope doe is in the sky beyond the mountain range.

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James Crosby @mmofolklorist.com · 17/12/2025

I'm trying to find a (reasonably priced) copy of this book - physical or digital. It was featured in Wired and Edge mags back in 1999, but I can't find any copies knocking about on Amazon or eBay. Seems to be a few library copies in Australia but that's all I've been able to turn up. Please share!

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Guild Wars @guildwars2.com · 08/12/2025

🎬 Premiering Wed at 7 PM PT: The Making of Guild Wars: Celebrating 25 Years of ArenaNet! Go behind the scenes of the franchise, the people who built it, & the community that calls Tyria home. Register to get notified when it goes live: www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpm2...

youtube.com

The Making of Guild Wars: Celebrating 25 Years of ArenaNet

YouTube video by Guild Wars 2

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James Crosby @mmofolklorist.com · 26/11/2025

Properly heartbreaking stuff. Especially considering quite a few of these were close to prime time.

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Retro Video Game Ads @retrovgads.codevanessa.com · 05/11/2025

Magazine advertising for Everquest by 989 Studios & Sony Computer Entertainment in the issue #7 of PC Accelerator, in March 1999

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James Crosby @mmofolklorist.com · 02/11/2025

Always find it super interesting how MMO servers can organically develop communities with their own personalities.

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Felipe Pepe @felipepepe.bsky.social · 30/10/2025

So, today I'm announcing a new book project... and doing a call for papers: crpgbook.wordpress.com/2025/10/31/t... It's an anthology of video game history outside the usual US perspective - an accessible & exciting panorama of different realities - and I'll pay 300 USD per article. Please share :)

crpgbook.wordpress.com

The Video Game History Expansion Pack – Pitch your story

Today I’m putting my money where my mouth is and launching a new project — a book focused on game history outside of the usual North American perspectives.

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MassivelyOP @massivelyop.bsky.social · 29/10/2025

From crime sims to horse girl games, here are 10 MMOs that took a gaming theme and turned it into a full-fledged MMO:

massivelyop.com

Perfect Ten: MMOs that adapted specific video game genres

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James Crosby @mmofolklorist.com · 28/10/2025

Shocked and saddened by the New World news. Cruel. Shameful. Completely unnecessary. Wishing the best for the passionate, talented people who just lost their jobs.

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James Crosby @mmofolklorist.com · 26/10/2025

Huge thanks to @thevideogamelibrary.org and the good folks at CRC Press for sorting me out with a copy of this very big and very essential book. Even if you've read Bartle's original edition of Designing Virtual Worlds, you need to check out this expanded Second Edition. Eagerly awaiting Vol. 2...

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MassivelyOP @massivelyop.bsky.social · 24/10/2025

Halloween festivities across the MMO world, 2025 edition - we're rounding up all the MMO Halloween events we can find (and adding as we go!)

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MassivelyOP @massivelyop.bsky.social · 22/10/2025

Perfect Ten: The best MMOs for the year-round Halloween season

massivelyop.com

Perfect Ten: The best MMOs for the year-round Halloween season

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MassivelyOP @massivelyop.bsky.social · 16/10/2025

From WoW killers that never materialized to waiting on MMOs that still haven't launched, here are 10 things that haven't changed about the MMORPG genre since 2015

massivelyop.com

Perfect Ten: 10 things that haven’t changed about the MMORPG genre since 2015

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Burrito Babe @ootwb.bsky.social · 29/09/2025

There is a new LEGENDARY Museum in @swglegends.bsky.social #SWG #SWGLegends

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MassivelyOP @massivelyop.bsky.social · 26/09/2025

Xfire – that is, Xf1re – is back to serve up some nostalgia to the old-school gaming social community

massivelyop.com

Xfire – that is, Xf1re – is back to serve up some nostalgia to the old-school gaming social community

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Shenmue Dojo @shenmuedojo.com · 18/09/2025

Here's a very old screenshot from Shenmue Online. Though there's a lot that remains unknown about the unreleased MMO, the locations and setting scream Shenmue to us. Maybe one day we'll learn more about this strange chapter of Shenmue's history! #ThrowbackThursday #SEGA #LetsGetShenmue4

A screenshot from Shenmue Online. A woman stands in the centre of the image and wears an orange vest and blue trousers. In the background are Chinese archways, hedges, buildings and phone wires, as well as a blue sky.

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MassivelyOP @massivelyop.bsky.social · 08/08/2025

Face of Mankind rogue server Empire Rising begins its open beta tomorrow

massivelyop.com

Face of Mankind rogue server Empire Rising begins its open beta tomorrow

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James Crosby @mmofolklorist.com · 06/08/2025

The third Digimon MMO just got an update adding an official English translation. This YouTuber speculates that a global version of the game might be imminent. Doesn't sound unreasonable given the current hype surrounding the IP (Time Stranger, Beatbreak, Alysion). www.youtube.com/watch?v=kA48...

youtube.com

Digimon Super Rumble in 2025 - Now English Translated

YouTube video by Gaming Hardcore

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James Crosby @mmofolklorist.com · 01/08/2025

My blog has been quiet for quite a few months now, but I've been secretly busy. I'll be announcing my new book at the end of August. mmofolklorist.com/2025/08/01/a...

mmofolklorist.com

A short update — August 2025

Next MMO Folklorist book to be announced later this month.

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Ben Griggs @bgriggs.bsky.social · 26/07/2025

#LOTRO Weatherstock, baby! It's been a long time. Hey, who invited the Nazgul?

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Nick Calandra @nickjcal.bsky.social · 23/07/2025

Getting close to wrapping up our filming week for the 20th Anniversary Guild Wars Documentary we’ve been commissioned for via @lostandfound.media. I’m always fascinated by just the breadth of history that successful MMO’s bring to the table.

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James Crosby @mmofolklorist.com · 22/07/2025

In light of the Hellraiser reception, can someone please give Gun Interactive permission to repurpose their tone-perfect Texas Chain Saw Massacre assets into a singleplayer title now?

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James Crosby @mmofolklorist.com · 22/07/2025

Can't believe my favourite horror franchise is getting a game adaptation that looks *that* good. I am so ready for @hellraisergame.bsky.social to give me terrible, terrible nightmares.

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James Crosby @mmofolklorist.com · 22/07/2025

Snapshots of a different time. A website called 'Jedi Business', which specialised in the sale of Jedi characters in Star Wars Galaxies. Looks like they had pivoted hard into selling credits by the end of 2005 😬

A post from the rec.games.computer.ultima.online Usenet newsgroup.

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Sasha's Retrobytes 🏳️‍⚧️ @sharkabytes.bsky.social · 21/07/2025

Digging into a Russian CD-ROM full of bootleg and cracked games from the late 90s and early 2000s, and found a juicy bit of SEGA action with... PHANTASY STAR ONLINE. This appears to be an eng-translated, offline and online version of the PC port of PSO that was released in Japan only in 2001. 🧵

The main autorun menu in Windows 98 for the 'Games that are like anime' CD-ROM that was put out by a company known for their bootleg releases of Sega games, Triada.

The character select screen with all the races and classes to choose from with illustrated panels for each of them.

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James Crosby @mmofolklorist.com · 20/07/2025

Big refresh to my list of rogue servers for dead MMOs. Only a couple of new games added, but lots of updated links and new servers for the 68(!) games on there. mmofolklorist.com/2022/07/25/t...

mmofolklorist.com

The Complete List Of Rogue Servers For Dead MMOs

Every private server, emulator, and volunteer project that’s bringing your favourite MMO back to life.

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James Crosby @mmofolklorist.com · 18/07/2025

This is a well-measured take. The industry is clearly shifting, and, even as someone who loves live service games, it's hard to argue that it will probably be for the better.

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Nick Calandra @nickjcal.bsky.social · 15/07/2025

In addition, I'm very excited to share today that we've been commissioned by ArenaNet to film a documentary in celebration of Guild Wars' 20th Anniversary. My team and I leave this weekend to get that filmed via our work for hire arm, @lostandfound.media!

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David L. Craddock - Author/Filmmaker @davidlcraddock.bsky.social · 12/07/2025

I'm thrilled to share that Better Together, my @shacknews.com #longread about the making of @everquest.bsky.social 🧝‍♀️ is now a book 📖! You can read it: 💻 For free at Shacknews: www.shacknews.com/article/1104... 📚 In hardcover, paperback, or on Kindle: www.amazon.com/Better-Toget... Enjoy!

Cover artwork for Better Together: Stories of EverQuest. The cover shows a small boy at his computer immersed in the game—so immersed that characters and scenery have bled out of the screen to surround him.

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James Crosby @mmofolklorist.com · 09/07/2025

This is a straight truth bomb. Bartle's 'Designing Virtual Worlds' and 'Postmortems' by @raphkoster.bsky.social are the perfect place to start but there are heaps of great books out there. ... and there's one more set to be announced next month 🤫

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Burrito Babe @ootwb.bsky.social · 09/07/2025

Corellia is a certain vibe in #SWG

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Sasha's Retrobytes 🏳️‍⚧️ @sharkabytes.bsky.social · 07/07/2025

"Light... Darkness... Internet... A New World..." A promotional video for the beta of Phantasy Star Online for Dreamcast: coming to the NET in 2000! Such amazing hype. I played some PSO at the time on a friend's DC, but EverQuest was my jam then. #VideoBytes

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MassivelyOP @massivelyop.bsky.social · 03/07/2025

Thirteen years ago today, The Secret World launched. Twelve years ago today, it began its first anniversary event, and MOP's Tyler experienced one of the most unique and memorable moments of his MMO career: the Joelzilla incident... @duneawakening.com @funcom.com

massivelyop.com

Why I Play: The Secret World’s Joelzilla Incident is why I play MMOs

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