Author Archives: SynCaine

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About SynCaine

Former hardcore raider turned casual gamer.

Options of terror

Regardless of the game, if I don’t have a sense of where I should go next, I get anxious. I need to think about why this is. It’s not that I don’t enjoy an open world or freedom. I think … Continue reading

Posted in Darkfall Online, MMO design, World of Warcraft | 20 Comments

Darkfall: The only option

To continue the blog merger, I’ll pick up where I left off on the reset topic and how it applies to Darkfall. It’s true that a character reset would cut millions of players from WoW, or thousands off games like … Continue reading

Posted in Combat Systems, crafting, Darkfall Online, Housing, MMO design | 8 Comments

Global Agenda: Looking ahead to the next update

While I have not been posting much about Global Agenda, I and a few others have been playing it somewhat frequently of late, and having a good time (InqClan if you want to join us). GA is one of those … Continue reading

Posted in Global Agenda, Patch Notes, PvP | 6 Comments

League of Legends lets you see how much cash you have spent

The latest League of Legends update lets you see your purchase history, both real cash and IP spending. From a quick survey on the Inquisition forum, it’s pretty clear Riot going F2P has earned them a whole hell of a … Continue reading

Posted in League of Legends, RMT | 22 Comments

Lore and Gameplay

Lore should justify gameplay, rather than gameplay justifying lore. In other words, if my MMO setting does not use magic, but a level designer creates something pretty awesome that requires a hint of magic (floating platforms), you don’t scrap the … Continue reading

Posted in MMO design, Mount and Blade: Warband, World of Warcraft | 8 Comments

Videogames, coming to a bar near you

Interesting article from the Wall Street Journal about watching SC2 matches in a sports bar. As gamers age, and as gaming continues to eat into music, movies, and TV, I think mainstream acceptance of gaming as an eSport is inevitable. … Continue reading

Posted in League of Legends, Mass Media | 10 Comments

Just another post gushing about FFT

I’ve been playing Final Fantasy Tactics like a madman since picking it up (Aria loves the super-loud sound effects, just ask her), and I just don’t get how a game from 1997 can STILL be the greatest TBS title of … Continue reading

Posted in iPhone | 10 Comments

Sad mummy = happy results

1498. Silver. Winning. As previously reported, my quest for Silver ranking for Season One hit a little snag after getting to 1494, just one ELO point below the cutoff. After dropping to 1440ish, last night I finally won the game … Continue reading

Posted in League of Legends | 12 Comments

The more-of-the-same train just keeps on rolling

Watching this video of the upcoming MMO Wildstar told me all I needed to know about the game (pass), but I find it interesting that what I see as “yet another WoW-clone” others see it as, well, here is one … Continue reading

Posted in Combat Systems, MMO design, Rant, Rift, SW:TOR, World of Warcraft | 14 Comments

Fantasy Football: Need a few players

We currently have 6 teams signed up for our 12 team league. Some quick math tells me I need 6 more people. Comment here (with a valid email) or shoot me an email if you are interested.

Posted in Uncategorized | 6 Comments