Author Archives: SynCaine

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About SynCaine

Former hardcore raider turned casual gamer.

DF:UW – Sacrificing the game at the altar of false choice

Posted on May 13, 2014 by SynCaine

I’ve hinted at this before, but now AV has made their plans for revamping the ‘class’ system in DF:UW public, and rather than post this to the limited audience of Forumfall, I’d rather it get more exposure here on this … Continue reading →

Posted in Combat Systems, Darkfall Online, EVE Online, MMO design | 9 Comments

EVE: Player control vs game restrictions

Posted on May 12, 2014 by SynCaine

Quick follow up to yesterday’s post. First, getting over the social hurdle in EVE (getting into a Corp) is not harder than in other MMOs. A new character won’t get into a top-tier raiding guild, just like a new pilot … Continue reading →

Posted in EVE Online, MMO design | 15 Comments

EVE: Day one lessons not learned for 11 years

Posted on May 9, 2014 by SynCaine

There are easily dozens of “How to make an MMO” design lessons in this combat report from TAGN, but clearly the biggest one is that in EVE, a new player is able to not only see advanced content, but meaningfully … Continue reading →

Posted in EVE Online, MMO design | 22 Comments

Clash of Clans – Clan Wars make you care

Posted on May 7, 2014 by SynCaine

Quick update on Clash of Clans, which I’m still really enjoying. Clan Wars were recently added, and so far they have been great. They take the core gameplay of attacking another player’s village with your troops, and add more weight … Continue reading →

Posted in iPhone | 2 Comments

ESO: Turn right, always turn right

Posted on May 5, 2014 by SynCaine

This image, showing just how often ESO uses the same layout for dungeons, is a great illustration of why what worked well in Skyrim doesn’t work as well in ESO. It’s almost part of the IP that you reuse stuff … Continue reading →

Posted in The Elder Scrolls Online | 12 Comments

Eador: True multiplayer has finally arrived!

Posted on May 1, 2014 by SynCaine

Almost a year ago I wrote about Eador: Masters of the Broken World, praising the game overall but noting the lack of full multiplayer. Well a year later that critical option has finally been added, and I’m pretty excited to … Continue reading →

Posted in Eador | 7 Comments

DF:UW – Fear and fun in Agon

Posted on April 30, 2014 by SynCaine

Following the development of Darkfall is far more stressful than actually playing it for me. I have issues, most likely stemming from having more than one MMO I enjoyed crapped on by the developers. Whether it was Tammel in UO, … Continue reading →

Posted in Darkfall Online, MMO design | 9 Comments

AcheAge: Getting through the themepark to get to the sandbox

Posted on April 28, 2014 by SynCaine

Keen’s ArcheAge post today reiterates one of the ‘core values’ I think any virtual world must have; at no point should I be ‘done’ with an area. I think the whole concept of moving through zones is distinctively ‘not virtual … Continue reading →

Posted in ArcheAge, MMO design | 30 Comments

EVE: I’m going to put this next to my “History of WoW Empires” book

Posted on April 25, 2014 by SynCaine

Via TAGN, Kickstater (already funded) for a history of EVE Empires book. Easiest $25 I’ve spent in a while.   #EVE

Posted in EVE Online, Mass Media | 2 Comments

ESO: State of the game, state of the MMO

Posted on April 23, 2014 by SynCaine

Since Bethesda releases a State of the Game today, I might as well post mine now as well. Overall I really like the game. I don’t know if I’d call it a great MMO, but as just a game overall … Continue reading →

Posted in Darkfall Online, The Elder Scrolls Online | 10 Comments