Category Archives: EVE Online

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

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

MMO natural selection, and what it means to your game.

Posted on November 19, 2008 by SynCaine

In the most recent SUWT podcast (always good stuff btw), the crew got off on a tangent when talking about the cultural differences between players of EVE Online and WoW. EVE players embrace scams, trickery, underhandedness, and generally resent any … Continue reading →

Posted in Console Gaming, EVE Online, MMO design, Podcast, Rant, Warhammer Online, World of Warcraft | 27 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

When to borrow, and when to ignore.

Posted on October 8, 2008 by SynCaine

While yesterdays post was done more for humor than anything else, the reaction has brought up an important point I would like to talk about here today. The overall idea that ‘borrowing’ ideas from other MMOs can only be a … Continue reading →

Posted in EVE Online, Lord of the Rings Online, MMO design, PvP, RvR, Warhammer Online, World of Warcraft | 17 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

Taking a no doubt short break from EVE.

Posted on September 2, 2008 by SynCaine

I’ve long been a fan of EVE Online, and constantly cite it as an example on how to fix whatever current issue is brought up in MMO gaming, so it’s somewhat surprising that I’ve decided not to renew my two … Continue reading →

Posted in EVE Online | 7 Comments

Listen to me ramble!

Posted on August 23, 2008 by SynCaine

Adam is back after… well a LONG time away, and has put together another quality podcast. Adam, Luper, and myself talk about a bunch of MMO goodness. Copy/paste incoming. Adam’s back with another show!  In this episode, Adam, Luper from … Continue reading →

Posted in Age of Conan, DDO, EVE Online, Lord of the Rings Online, MMO design, Pirates of the Burning Sea, Podcast, Random, Vanguard, Warhammer Online, World of Warcraft | Comments Off on Listen to me ramble!