Category Archives: EQ2

The highs and lows of RvR, a worthwhile tradeoff

Posted on February 23, 2009 by SynCaine

WAR RvR is one frustrating bastard, and I’m not talking about city PQs, scenarios, or why the layout of T4 zones sucks/rocks. It’s frustrating because when everything aligns and you get the right (not even) number of Destruction and Order … Continue reading →

Posted in EQ2, Lord of the Rings Online, MMO design, RvR, Warhammer Online, World of Warcraft | 16 Comments

Long list of SOE hate.

Posted on February 17, 2009 by SynCaine

Can someone explain to me why some people think SOE is going to push the MMO genre forward? I keep hearing about how SOE is the company that is going to finally get us out of the WoW-too rut the … Continue reading →

Posted in Console Gaming, EQ2, MMO design, Pirates of the Burning Sea, Ultima Online, Vanguard | 29 Comments

Storms, tourist, and failure: The MMO market

Posted on February 6, 2009 by SynCaine

2009 is not 2004, yet after reading this post over at TAGN, it sure seems that way. Let’s define the environment WoW launched in first, because John’s recount seems to have forgotten a few minor details. 1) EQ2 launched just … Continue reading →

Posted in Asheron's Call, Console Gaming, Dark Age of Camelot, EQ2, Lord of the Rings Online, MMO design, Rant, Ultima Online, Warhammer Online, World of Warcraft | 49 Comments

MMO growth after release in the post-WoW market

Posted on February 5, 2009 by SynCaine

Whenever you debate a topic concerning MMOs, it’s a safe bet someone is going to bring up EVE and show you a counter-example to whatever you are trying to say. Impact PvP does not work: EVE. Complex economies are impossible … Continue reading →

Posted in Dark Age of Camelot, DDO, EQ2, EVE Online, Lord of the Rings Online, MMO design, Ultima Online, Warhammer Online, World of Warcraft | 19 Comments

300k, has Mythic pulled a Failcom and Flagshipped WAR?

Posted on February 4, 2009 by SynCaine

Remember back in the summer of 2008 we were all making WAR subscriber predictions, and we figured they would be in the range of 1-100 million, depending on how high your fanboy rating was? Everyone reasoned that if WoW can … Continue reading →

Posted in Age of Conan, Dark Age of Camelot, EQ2, EVE Online, Lord of the Rings Online, Warhammer Online, World of Warcraft | 29 Comments

2009 Predictions

Posted on January 2, 2009 by SynCaine

I thought I did a 2008 predictions post, but I guess not, so welcome to the first annual “throw darts at the board” Official 2009 MMO predictions. WoW: All players will burn through WotLK faster than they did TBC, increasing the … Continue reading →

Posted in Age of Conan, EQ2, EVE Online, Lord of the Rings Online, RMT, Site update, Warhammer Online, World of Warcraft | 17 Comments

MMOs go through an awkward teenager phase too.

Posted on November 24, 2008 by SynCaine

It dawned on me this weekend that MMO games suck for a while, and then find their spots and excel. Duh, I know, and it’s not exactly like this is the first time I’ve thought about this, but recent expansions … Continue reading →

Posted in EQ2, EVE Online, Lord of the Rings Online, MMO design, Ultima Online, Warhammer Online, World of Warcraft | 9 Comments

Tales from the MMO bandwagon

Posted on November 18, 2008 by SynCaine

MMOG Nation today has a post with some pre and post WAR launch reactions, which as expected go from unrealistic hype to ‘worst game eva’ faster than Usain Bolt. It’s entertaining to watch, but nothing new for an MMO launch. … Continue reading →

Posted in EQ2, Lord of the Rings Online, MMO design, PvP, Rant, Ultima Online, Warhammer Online, World of Warcraft | 16 Comments

How important are levels in our MMOs?

Posted on November 5, 2008 by SynCaine

I want to talk today about the idea of levels in MMOs, and whether their time has come and gone. Many people argue Warhammer Online would be a far superior game without levels, and we have seen similar arguments made … Continue reading →

Posted in EQ2, EVE Online, MMO design, Ultima Online, Warhammer Online, World of Warcraft | 31 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