Category Archives: Lord of the Rings Online

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

The bored WoW player wave comes and goes, leaving empty servers behind

Posted on October 31, 2008 by SynCaine

With WAR’s recent server transfers, the natural first reaction would be that since so many players are jumping ship, WAR is dying and needs to consolidate. It’s generally the statement we make whenever we hear an MMO is merging servers, … Continue reading →

Posted in Age of Conan, Lord of the Rings Online, MMO design, Pirates of the Burning Sea, Ultima Online, Warhammer Online, World of Warcraft | 25 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

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!

Reverse WoW-thinking.

Posted on August 6, 2008 by SynCaine

Working on Book 3 in LoTRO last night reminded me why MMOs are as great as they are. When you get a group of people together, and everything goes well, the experience is far greater than anything a single player … Continue reading →

Posted in Lord of the Rings Online, MMO design, Warhammer Online, World of Warcraft | 5 Comments