Category Archives: Combat Systems

DIKU defined, the old formula for an MMO.

Posted on January 12, 2009 by SynCaine

Raph Koster has an amazing write-up of what defines a DIKU mud, and how some of the bigger MMOs (EQ, WoW) are direct descendents. My first limited experience with an MMO was Neverwinter Nights on AOL, and my first true … Continue reading →

Posted in Asheron's Call, Combat Systems, Darkfall Online, EVE Online, MMO design, PvP, Ultima Online, Warhammer Online, World of Warcraft | 3 Comments

WAR 1.06 patch quick thoughts.

Posted on December 2, 2008 by SynCaine

The 1.06 patch notes are out, enjoy the novel. For anyone who tried the patch on test, you know what an improvement 1.06 brings to the combat. Hopefully the transition to live does not affect this. Odder things have happened… … Continue reading →

Posted in Combat Systems, Patch Notes, RvR, Warhammer Online | Comments Off on WAR 1.06 patch quick thoughts.

Epic siege battle, PQ madness, and all the goodness that is WAR.

Posted on November 7, 2008 by SynCaine

Logged in last night at around 6pm with Aria, hoping to get some Dark Elf chapter 11 quests done, and perhaps have some better luck with PQs. The night before we had two full groups, but ran into a bugged … Continue reading →

Posted in Combat Systems, MMO design, RvR, Warhammer Online | 7 Comments

2008 sure looks a lot like 2004 in MMO land.

Posted on October 20, 2008 by SynCaine

If you were given a budget of $500 million, a proven veteran dev team, a stable and established engine, 4+ years, and the worlds largest feedback group; what kind of MMO could you make? Would your list of highlights include … Continue reading →

Posted in Age of Conan, Combat Systems, Dark Age of Camelot, EQ2, EVE Online, Housing, MMO design, PvP, Rant, RvR, Warhammer Online, World of Warcraft | 27 Comments

Mythic and Blizzard go at it. Round one review!

Posted on October 17, 2008 by SynCaine

To borrow a quote: “Shit just got real” Seems it did not take long for the gloves to come off, and for Mythic and Blizzard to go at it. Lum has a good collection of the relevant quotes (like him, … Continue reading →

Posted in beta, Combat Systems, Mass Media, MMO design, PvP, Rant, RvR, Warhammer Online, World of Warcraft | 23 Comments

Mythic employee Tobold talks WAR

Posted on September 10, 2008 by SynCaine

Tobold, Mr. I’m kind of a big deal official media source and Mythic shill blogger, has an opinion piece about WAR. He is wrong, of course, but what do we expect from a total sellout. (insert random Darkfall comment, followed … Continue reading →

Posted in beta, Combat Systems, EVE Online, Mass Media, MMO design, PvP, Ultima Online, Warhammer Online, World of Warcraft | 3 Comments

“Dude, that game is so 2004”, and other WAR comments.

Posted on September 8, 2008 by SynCaine

Reading some of the early Open Beta feedback, one thing struck me as a bit curious, and I wanted to write about it here in the hopes that someone can explain it to me. Why is 2008 so different from … Continue reading →

Posted in Age of Conan, beta, Combat Systems, Dark Age of Camelot, EQ2, MMO design, PvP, Ultima Online, Warhammer Online, World of Warcraft | 21 Comments

Not WoW burnout, MMO burnout.

Posted on August 26, 2008 by SynCaine

Darren has released Shut Up. We’re Talking #32, and the podcast focuses on Warhammer Online and the recent back and forth debate about the game and its place in MMO land. It’s a great show and well worth a listen. … Continue reading →

Posted in Combat Systems, Console Gaming, Dark Age of Camelot, MMO design, Podcast, Warhammer Online, World of Warcraft | 21 Comments

Understanding what makes PvP tick.

Posted on April 28, 2008 by SynCaine

Watching people react to all the new info about AoC’s PvP model has been rather entertaining, while also frustrating and somewhat surprising. PvP seems to be an idea that most people ‘think’ they love in an MMO, but when you … Continue reading →

Posted in Age of Conan, Combat Systems, EVE Online, MMO design, PvP, Ultima Online, Warhammer Online, World of Warcraft | 12 Comments

Camping for a beta spot… no thanks.

Posted on April 25, 2008 by SynCaine

Open beta does not mean what it use to in the MMO world. Back in the day, open beta for an MMO was not a big deal, and for the most part was quite similar to the most recent closed … Continue reading →

Posted in Age of Conan, Combat Systems, MMO design, Pirates of the Burning Sea, PvP, Warhammer Online, World of Warcraft | 15 Comments