Author Archives: SynCaine

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About SynCaine

Former hardcore raider turned casual gamer.

Quick F2P commentary

Posted on March 7, 2011 by SynCaine

An update post on Rift is on its way, but I found this post over at Terra Nova very interesting, especially considering Rift is a sub-based MMO in what seems like a sea of F2P games. I’m not holding my … Continue reading →

Posted in MMO design, RMT | 1 Comment

Wheel of Time: Finally up to speed

Posted on March 4, 2011 by SynCaine

For the first time ever, I’ve actually caught up with the Wheel of Time series, a series I first started reading way back in highschool. It took three restarts, but finally I’ve read all 13 books that have been released … Continue reading →

Posted in Random, Site update | 16 Comments

The cult of MMO; Why it’s good to be a fanboi.

Posted on March 3, 2011 by SynCaine

MMO success has been the topic of a few blogs, mostly inspired by Rift’s successful launch and predictions of what will happen next. Will it WAR or will it WoW? Readers here will know I’m leaning more toward WoW than … Continue reading →

Posted in Darkfall Online, EVE Online, MMO design, Rant, Rift, Ultima Online, Warhammer Online, World of Warcraft | 4 Comments

Insider story of Darkfall’s development

Posted on March 3, 2011 by SynCaine

Pretty interesting read. While I’m at another lull in my activity with Darkfall, it’s still the MMO I keep my eye on more than anything else, I still log in once a week or so to catch up on activity, … Continue reading →

Posted in beta, Darkfall Online, MMO design | 4 Comments

Fact not Opinion

Posted on March 2, 2011 by SynCaine

Right now choosing between LOTRO and Rift is like choosing to get a root canal or bang a supermodel. And LOTRO is free even. –Julian from KTR. (Bonus points to anyone who can identify the title reference)

Posted in Lord of the Rings Online, Rift | 6 Comments

Rift Launch + Realm of the Fae

Posted on March 1, 2011 by SynCaine

To echo what TAGN said today (and to cross-link for maximum blog traffic whoring), Rift does officially launch today, even though it might as well have launched last week. It would also be sadly humorous if Trion overestimates the demand … Continue reading →

Posted in Combat Systems, MMO design, Rift | 9 Comments

Rift: MMO 3.0

Posted on February 28, 2011 by SynCaine

Let’s call UO/EQ/AC the first generation of MMOs (sorry MUDs), where both the devs and the players were total noobs, and the ‘hey this is new’ factor was off the charts. If you dialed in during the late 90s, you … Continue reading →

Posted in Darkfall Online, EQ2, MMO design, Rift, Ultima Online, Warhammer Online, World of Warcraft | 26 Comments

Already over the EG threshhold with Rift

Posted on February 25, 2011 by SynCaine

Thanks to my VIP account, I was able to skip the queues all the peasants were in today, and I’m currently just under level 29. Population is a bit low in my area, but I guess that’s to be expected. … Continue reading →

Posted in Inquisition Clan, Mass Media, Rift | 8 Comments

If you’re surprised by the Rift queues…

Posted on February 24, 2011 by SynCaine

Go back to WoW. Edit: But first make sure to go to the Rift forums and complain about it. Your tears sustain me at work, and the stuff being posted is 100% pure gold.

Posted in Rant, Rift | 16 Comments

Not all themeparks are created equally

Posted on February 24, 2011 by SynCaine

Going to comment on something Tobold wrote today, related to Rift launching and how themeparks are similar. Here is the piece I want to focus on: But I do know that Rift is not completely unlike World of Warcraft. It … Continue reading →

Posted in Asheron's Call, beta, Darkfall Online, MMO design, PvP, Rift, World of Warcraft | 8 Comments