Category Archives: Combat Systems

Just another DarkFall weekend

Posted on May 24, 2010 by SynCaine

For a ‘dead’ PvP area, Ruby sure does see a lot of action. From getting attacked while farming, attacking others already farming, and solo and group raids on Ghana, it’s tough to go for an extended amount of time without … Continue reading →

Posted in Combat Systems, Darkfall Online, PvP, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Dragons, scarabs, and how to get the most out of DF PvE

Posted on May 19, 2010 by SynCaine

Two DarkFall PvE comments for today, the first about the Fire Dragon and the second about solo vs group farming. Blood, living out of Ghana, has easy access to the Ruby Fire Dragon and downs him often. So often in … Continue reading →

Posted in Combat Systems, Darkfall Online, MMO design, Uncategorized | 17 Comments

Why all but 330k people should hate EVE

Posted on May 14, 2010 by SynCaine

I’m starting to really hate EVE Online. I’m starting to hate it because it makes all other MMOs look like crude kids toys, like silly side activities you dabble in before getting back to the ‘real’ game. It makes events … Continue reading →

Posted in Asheron's Call, Combat Systems, crafting, Darkfall Online, EVE Online, Guild Wars, MMO design, Rant, RMT, Site update, Ultima Online, Uncategorized, World of Warcraft | 36 Comments

You say polish, I say rehash

Posted on May 11, 2010 by SynCaine

The Blizzard model has generally been to take a successful product, apply a Games Workshop IP to it, and release basically the same game with a new coat of paint and a high level of polish, one that will run … Continue reading →

Posted in Combat Systems, Console Gaming, Diablo 3, MMO design, Random, Rant, Uncategorized, World of Warcraft | 36 Comments

Perma-death to all Darkfriends!

Posted on April 29, 2010 by SynCaine

Since 1997 and Ultima Online the concept of perma-death in an MMO has always interested me. I think a large part of it has to do with a core appeal of MMOs themselves; the fact that everything ‘counts’ and you … Continue reading →

Posted in Combat Systems, EVE Online, MMO design, Perma-death, PvP, Random | 29 Comments

The future of DarkFall.

Posted on April 26, 2010 by SynCaine

During my week of vacation Aventurine was busy on the forums making posts about upcoming changes to DarkFall, along with a new initiative to drive more developer-player interaction as related to the design of the game. They also gave more … Continue reading →

Posted in Combat Systems, crafting, Darkfall Online, DoTA, MMO design, Patch Notes, PvP, Random, World of Warcraft | 10 Comments

Creeping death: A return to WoW or WAR?

Posted on April 14, 2010 by SynCaine

At some point later this year I’m either going to return to Warhammer Online or World of Warcraft, mainly because I’d like to casually play an MMO with my fiancé again, and also to prevent any kind of burnout I … Continue reading →

Posted in Allods Online, Combat Systems, Darkfall Online, MMO design, Patch Notes, Rant, RvR, Site update, Warhammer Online, World of Warcraft | 37 Comments

PvP Hotspots

Posted on April 8, 2010 by SynCaine

The term “PvP Hotspot” is used often when describing some of the additions Aventurine has made to DarkFall since the games launch, and all too often I’m seeing players misinterpret what the design intent is behind these additions, and just … Continue reading →

Posted in Combat Systems, Darkfall Online, Housing, MMO design, PvP, World of Warcraft | 7 Comments

DarkFall: The shift to group PvE and it’s PvP impact

Posted on April 5, 2010 by SynCaine

Now that I’ve had a little bit of time with the new patch in DarkFall, I can safely say the PvE changes are a definite step in the right direction for the game. It ultimately comes down to group PvE … Continue reading →

Posted in Combat Systems, Darkfall Online, MMO design, Patch Notes, PvP | 12 Comments

DarkFall Patch: Group PvE now a real option?

Posted on April 2, 2010 by SynCaine

Ah DarkFall patch day, where the servers go down for longer than expected (can it really be unexpected when it happens every… single… time…?), the average ForumFall post is even more whiney, and while no one really knows how the … Continue reading →

Posted in Combat Systems, crafting, Darkfall Online, MMO design, Patch Notes, PvP | 11 Comments