Author Archives: SynCaine

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About SynCaine

Former hardcore raider turned casual gamer.

EVE: Perspective

Posted on August 23, 2012 by SynCaine

My bro just wrecked his old car. It was worth less than this internet spaceship. – bt Talking about this loss. The statement made me smile and reminded me that not everything in MMO land is F2P garbage or content … Continue reading →

Posted in EVE Online, PvP | 8 Comments

GW2: Server = Jade Quarry

Posted on August 21, 2012 by SynCaine

Inquisition will be playing on Jade Quarry, so if you have been following this blog and are considering playing with us, make that your home server. A lot of factors went into the decision, but overall we feel that server … Continue reading →

Posted in Guild Wars, Inquisition Clan | 8 Comments

EVE: Wormhole space, and how it can be used

Posted on August 20, 2012 by SynCaine

Having now experience wormhole (WH) space from a C1 to a C6, I’d like to talk a bit about the design behind them, and how players have adapted. Out of all MMO content, I think WH space in EVE is … Continue reading →

Posted in EVE Online, MMO design, PvP | 18 Comments

GW2: Server selection metagame

Posted on August 16, 2012 by SynCaine

The amount of meta-gaming going on right now around GW2 server selection is pretty interesting. More on this post go-live, but if WvW is at all a concern to you, choose wisely (or read this blog).

Posted in Guild Wars, Inquisition Clan, PvP | 11 Comments

I’m starting a GW2 meme today #hashtag

Posted on August 15, 2012 by SynCaine

21 / (1.1m / 2) = 26,190. 21 is the number of US servers for GW2 as of today. 1.1m is the rumored/reported/whatever number of pre-orders for GW2 right now (or something). 2 because EU will have its own servers. … Continue reading →

Posted in Guild Wars, Rant | 35 Comments

How much would you pay for your niche?

Posted on August 15, 2012 by SynCaine

Shadowrun succeeded in its Kickstarter initiative. Congrats to them. 6000+ backers is a solid amount. $500k+ raised is like… one mission in Tortanic. Good stuff. Can I ask who the 27 people are that gave more than $1,000? Those have … Continue reading →

Posted in MMO design, Random | 10 Comments

GW2: Retention fails

Posted on August 14, 2012 by SynCaine

My retention post about GW2 had some interesting if not unsurprising responses. Perhaps the MOST surprising (but not really) part was how varied the ‘why’ explanations were. The easiest justification was that GW2 will have fluff to ‘grind’, and since … Continue reading →

Posted in Combat Systems, Guild Wars, MMO design | 55 Comments

Time to act like a true five year old!

Posted on August 13, 2012 by SynCaine

I’ve been blogging here for half a decade. Yikes. And having just finished re-reading my 2011 write-up post, things today are not all that different from last year (which mostly sucks). DF2.0 is still not out or even close (no … Continue reading →

Posted in Blogroll, Site update | 15 Comments

Fantasy Football time!

Posted on August 13, 2012 by SynCaine

Its Fantasy Football time again. If you would like to play in the league I’ve been running for the last few years, just drop me an email (syncaine at yahoo) and I’ll send you an invite. It’s not a super-serious … Continue reading →

Posted in Site update | Comments Off on Fantasy Football time!

GW2: Retention issue?

Posted on August 10, 2012 by SynCaine

There has been some expressed concern over GW2’s long-term appeal. I think the concern is somewhat valid. With no item chase, no long-term leveling progression, and no real ‘point’ beyond moving your server up in the standings (which will only … Continue reading →

Posted in Guild Wars, MMO design | 30 Comments