As the MMP game market continues to grow, new challenges and technology hurdles constantly emerge. Massively Multiplayer Game Development 2 is an all new volume in this successful series written to address the challenges faced by the entire MMP development team, not just the programmers. The articles include a wealth of unique knowledge acquired through the experiences of some of the online game industry?s best and brightest developers. These developers have worked on the most successful and anticipated MMP games, such as EverQuest, Ultima Online, The Sims Online, Second Life, Asheron?s Call, Star Wars Galaxies, and more. Programmers will find a wide array of technical tips and techniques throughout the collection, while designers and producers will find numerous articles filled with readable, informative insights to successful MMP design, along with time and costsaving production methods. Most of the articles are self-contained so they can be read in any order.! There is also a companion Web site that will be updated frequently with development news and commentary from the biggest names in online game development. This collection will provide the entire team with ready-to-use techniques and innovative methods for solving all of your MMP challenges. Key Features: * Includes ALL NEW articles on cutting-edge programming techniques, design tools, and production methods * Provides insight from industry pros who have worked on the most successful MMP games, including EverQuest, Ultima Online, The Sims Online, and more * Provides a companion Web site that will be updated frequently with development news and commentary from the biggest names in online game development SECTION HIGHLIGHTS: * MMP DESIGN TECHNIQUES: Virtual Worlds: Why People Play, Balancing Gameplay, User- Creation in Online Games, Guild Management Tools for a Successful MMP Game, Alternatives to the Character Grind, Telling Stories in Online Games * MMP ENGINEERING TECHNIQUES: Automated Testing for Online Games, Animated Procedural Skies, Time and Event Synchronization across an MMP Server Farm, Anti-Cheat Mechanisms for MMP Games, Optimization Techniques for Rendering Massive Quantities of Mesh Deformed Characters in Real-Time * MMP PRODUCTION TECHNIQUES: Large Scale Project Management, Managing and Growing an MMOG as a Service, Community Management: Do?s and Don?ts from Those Who?ve Done ?Em, Techniques for Providing Online Support for Massively Multiplayer Games, Asian Game Markets and Game Development