Category Archives: MMO design

Pathfinder Online: Everything but the game is looking awesome!

Posted on July 16, 2014 by SynCaine

I was recently talking to a friend about Pathfinder Online, with the gist of the conversation being that I love everything about the game on paper, from the design docs to what the devs have said, but actually seeing it … Continue reading →

Posted in beta, Combat Systems, crafting, EVE Online, MMO design, Pathfinder Online | 12 Comments

Please exit to your left, the ride has now ended

Posted on July 10, 2014 by SynCaine

So this post happened, along with 40+ comments. Give it all a read. Easy multiple choice question time: When you run out of ‘stuff to do’ in a game, what do you normally do? A: Keep playing/paying for the lulz … Continue reading →

Posted in League of Legends, MMO design, Rant, World of Warcraft | 24 Comments

Darkfall: Unholy Wars going F2P and other problems sink it

Posted on June 20, 2014 by SynCaine

Darkfall and I have had an interesting history (the fact that I heard about the first game from Tobold entertains me to this day), and unfortunately I think this post marks the final chapter. The game is going in multiple … Continue reading →

Posted in Darkfall Online, MMO design, RMT | 45 Comments

Big boy toys

Posted on June 12, 2014 by SynCaine

It wasn’t THAT long ago when video games were considered a kid’s toy. Now when someone asks me when I’m going to stop playing ‘games’, I tell them hopefully the afterlife has solid broadband. Given the above, it makes sense … Continue reading →

Posted in MMO design, Random, RMT, Star Citizen | 3 Comments

Could Kickstarter have made World of Darkness possible?

Posted on June 6, 2014 by SynCaine

This World of Darkness article is sort of a good read. I say sort of because how many times have we read an MMO story about managers asking for one unconnected feature after another, code being reworked, and a game … Continue reading →

Posted in Kickstarter, MMO design, Random | 13 Comments

Double cheese weekends

Posted on June 4, 2014 by SynCaine

Quick one for today, which I think is going to build towards a more substantial post: is anyone else highly bothered by an MMO doing “double XP/loot/whatever” weekends? I think I’m primarily bothered by it because such events bring “this … Continue reading →

Posted in Darkfall Online, MMO design, Random | 10 Comments

A fresh start, or a kick out the door?

Posted on May 29, 2014 by SynCaine

When do you wipe an MMO? That question has been floating around Darkfall for a few days now, sparked by the massive dupe-fest that required a 5 day rollback, but grounded in the fact that the game has had major … Continue reading →

Posted in Darkfall Online, MMO design | 8 Comments

ESO: If you have played one zone, you have played them all

Posted on May 14, 2014 by SynCaine

If you have played one ESO zone, you have played them all. I think the above is the best way to sum up my feelings as of right now for ESO. It’s so simple, and yet I’m having trouble fully … Continue reading →

Posted in MMO design, Rift, The Elder Scrolls Online | 30 Comments

DF:UW – Sacrificing the game at the altar of false choice

Posted on May 13, 2014 by SynCaine

I’ve hinted at this before, but now AV has made their plans for revamping the ‘class’ system in DF:UW public, and rather than post this to the limited audience of Forumfall, I’d rather it get more exposure here on this … Continue reading →

Posted in Combat Systems, Darkfall Online, EVE Online, MMO design | 9 Comments

EVE: Player control vs game restrictions

Posted on May 12, 2014 by SynCaine

Quick follow up to yesterday’s post. First, getting over the social hurdle in EVE (getting into a Corp) is not harder than in other MMOs. A new character won’t get into a top-tier raiding guild, just like a new pilot … Continue reading →

Posted in EVE Online, MMO design | 15 Comments