Category Archives: beta

The good times will return

Posted on October 18, 2012 by SynCaine

As we draw closer to the release of DF:UW (which, considering AV just made DF1 free, indicates it might actually happen on Nov 20th?), the launch brings up an interesting question that has often been alluded to on blogs and … Continue reading →

Posted in beta, Darkfall Online, EVE Online, Guild Wars, Inquisition Clan, MMO design, PvP, World of Warcraft | 6 Comments

DF:UW – Totally fresh

Posted on September 19, 2012 by SynCaine

Let’s assume AV does not hold any kind of beta for DF:UW. This would mean that everyone would be blind on day one of go-live in terms of locations, tactics, builds, and just general game info. The mass confusion and … Continue reading →

Posted in beta, Darkfall Online | 8 Comments

Darkfall Unholy War: The what and the why

Posted on September 19, 2012 by SynCaine

It would seem the recent Darkfall: Unholy War (DF:UW) announcement has caused some confusion, so consider this my public service in attempting to clear some things up. Note that most of this is just personal speculation based on what AV … Continue reading →

Posted in beta, Combat Systems, Darkfall Online, MMO design, PvP | 5 Comments

The death of Guild Wars 2

Posted on August 24, 2012 by SynCaine

Tonight Guild Wars 2: The Dream dies, to be replaced by Guild Wars 2: The Reality, and for many the best MMO ever will cease to exist. Fear not, the cycle of life in MMO land will go on, and the next … Continue reading →

Posted in beta, Guild Wars, Mass Media, MMO design, Warhammer Online | 65 Comments

Day-one mastery

Posted on June 29, 2012 by SynCaine

Keen has a nice post about why he is finding current-day MMOs lacking, especially in immersion. I think what Keen writes is something many (most?) MMO players feel, whether they actually know it or not. A major issue with MMOs … Continue reading →

Posted in Asheron's Call, beta, EQ2, EVE Online, Guild Wars, Inquisition Clan, MMO design, Ultima Online, World of Warcraft | 10 Comments

Bucket of rage

Posted on June 20, 2012 by SynCaine

Random ranting incoming: One ‘awesome’ feature does not an MMO make. “TESO is a copy/paste puddle of fail, but feature X looks interesting”. A cute gimmick feature can make an iPhone game worth the buck and download. It won’t get people … Continue reading →

Posted in Asheron's Call, beta, Combat Systems, Dark Age of Camelot, Darkfall Online, EVE Online, Guild Wars, Lord of the Rings Online, MMO design, Random, Rant, SW:TOR, The Elder Scrolls Online, Ultima Online, Warhammer Online, World of Warcraft | 25 Comments

The early bashing of TESO, and what it might mean

Posted on June 18, 2012 by SynCaine

I find the defensive nature of the Elder Scroll MMO devs interesting. The game is not close to release, no one has seen it in action, let alone played it, yet already ‘fans’ are objecting and raising complaints, and the … Continue reading →

Posted in beta, MMO design, Random, SW:TOR, The Elder Scrolls Online, World of Warcraft | 22 Comments

GW2: The game Mythic tried to make

Posted on April 30, 2012 by SynCaine

Let me get this out of the way first; GW2 is worth the $60. If it had a sub I’d feel differently, but as it does not, what GW2 does is worth the $60. All of the below is based … Continue reading →

Posted in beta, Combat Systems, Darkfall Online, Guild Wars, MMO design, PvP, RvR, Warhammer Online, World of Warcraft | 22 Comments

Three amazing games and everyones favorite mistake

Posted on April 16, 2012 by SynCaine

In shocking news no one saw coming, SW:TOR is doing really well. Someone should start a “is it 6 months yet?” meme. That would be cute. Hey at least the game is free now, how very FFXIV of EAWare. Speaking … Continue reading →

Posted in beta, Combat Systems, EVE Online, Inquisition Clan, Mass Media, Random, SW:TOR | 18 Comments

EVE: Fanfest, Dust bombing

Posted on March 22, 2012 by SynCaine

Watched some of the EVE Fanfest stream. CCP showed off Dust orbital bombardment from within EVE, which was a bit unexpected. I’m still trying to figure out how the pacing is all going to work out. I mean by the … Continue reading →

Posted in beta, Console Gaming, EVE Online, Inquisition Clan, Mass Media | 3 Comments