Monthly Archives: June 2009

Why do we still force alts to re-grind, and what about the new guy?

Posted on June 17, 2009 by SynCaine

Starting with the genre’s second major title, EQ1, the solution to raising the level cap without increasing the gap new players must cross to join their friends has been to reduce the time it takes to go from 1 to … Continue reading →

Posted in EQ2, EVE Online, Lord of the Rings Online, MMO design, Warhammer Online, World of Warcraft | 43 Comments

The wait for NA-1…

Posted on June 15, 2009 by SynCaine

…unbearable. This is worse than waiting for a beta to go live, because at least in beta everyone is playing like its beta and you know it does not count/matter. This is worse because half the population is in “I … Continue reading →

Posted in Darkfall Online, Rant | 4 Comments

The Sims 3: Taking some notes from the MMO genre.

Posted on June 15, 2009 by SynCaine

I know I’ve already done an extensive, professional game journalist Sims 3 review here, but despite my high Eurogamer standards back then, I’ve got a few more things to say about the game and how it relates to the MMO … Continue reading →

Posted in The Sims 3 | 6 Comments

Why your MMO is dying, and EVE is still growing

Posted on June 11, 2009 by SynCaine

EVE Online has a mile-long list of unique features that set it apart from all other MMOs, including being the only MMO with a constant and ever-increasing player base. WoW grew faster and bigger than any MMO before or after … Continue reading →

Posted in Darkfall Online, EVE Online, MMO design, PvP, Ultima Online, World of Warcraft | 34 Comments

Subscription vs RMT: Who will save the poor noobs with no time to play?

Posted on June 10, 2009 by SynCaine

It seems it’s been too long since everyone’s second favorite topic (hardcore vs casual being #1), RMT, has been discussed. Tobold has two posts about it and recently DDO went F2P. As readers here know, I’m not a huge fan … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantica Online, Darkfall Online, DDO, MMO design, Rant, Ultima Online, Warhammer Online, World of Warcraft | 14 Comments

The lost DarkFall EuroGamer review is found!

Posted on June 9, 2009 by SynCaine

Beau from Spouse Agro found the missing 8.5 hours of the EuroGamer review, and for great justice has posted it. For anyone looking for a good breakdown of what DarkFall is all about, especially from the perspective of someone who … Continue reading →

Posted in Darkfall Online, EVE Online, Mass Media, MMO design, PvP | 8 Comments

DarkFall update, in which PvP happens.

Posted on June 8, 2009 by SynCaine

The last patch for DarkFall fixed my memory crash and resolved the sound = lag issue, the two things really putting a damper on my enjoyment of the game from the tech side. This, combined with the “We are moving, … Continue reading →

Posted in Darkfall Online, PvP | 1 Comment

Sims 3 Review (EG style)

Posted on June 5, 2009 by SynCaine

The Sims 3: Fun game. 9/10.

Posted in Mass Media, Random | 10 Comments

WAR: The casual PvP MMO

Posted on June 4, 2009 by SynCaine

Playing WAR again after having played DarkFall is changing my mind about what WAR might be all about. Pre-release, WAR was being positioned as a great RvR game with a lot of great ideas. (ToK, PQs, Scenarios) While I think … Continue reading →

Posted in Asheron's Call, Combat Systems, Dark Age of Camelot, Darkfall Online, MMO design, PvP, RvR, Ultima Online, Warhammer Online, World of Warcraft | 23 Comments

Another amazing FreeRealms record!

Posted on June 3, 2009 by SynCaine

“First” concert record for Free Realms. The string of amazing press releases continues, which is at least a good source of entertainment thanks to Free Realms. And just like DarkFall is the place for all those basement-dwelling sociopaths, at least … Continue reading →

Posted in Darkfall Online, FreeRealms, Mass Media, Random, Rant, Site update | 1 Comment