Category Archives: MMO design

GW2: One step forward, two steps back for the genre

Posted on September 24, 2012 by SynCaine

Keen has a report card out for GW2, and while I think the grades are a bit high, I agree overall with his assessment. In short, GW2 is a good game, but a month in its pretty clear GW2 is … Continue reading →

Posted in Combat Systems, Guild Wars, MMO design, PvP, Rant, RMT, RvR | 65 Comments

Darkfall Unholy War: The what and the why

Posted on September 19, 2012 by SynCaine

It would seem the recent Darkfall: Unholy War (DF:UW) announcement has caused some confusion, so consider this my public service in attempting to clear some things up. Note that most of this is just personal speculation based on what AV … Continue reading →

Posted in beta, Combat Systems, Darkfall Online, MMO design, PvP | 5 Comments

GW2: Another voice of the WvW problems

Posted on September 18, 2012 by SynCaine

INQ co-leader Maggnus wrote a good post on the current WvW problems. I agree 100%.

Posted in Guild Wars, MMO design, PvP | 9 Comments

GW2: Broken Jack of Trades

Posted on September 17, 2012 by SynCaine

GW2 has a serious identity crisis. Is it an ultra-casual MMO that rewards everyone for everything? Is it an e-sport title for competitive 5v5 teams? Is it an updated DAoC focused on RvR? Is it a WoW clone, or the … Continue reading →

Posted in Combat Systems, crafting, Guild Wars, MMO design, PvP, Rant, RMT | 15 Comments

GW2: Colin Johanson understands raiding

Posted on September 17, 2012 by SynCaine

Our own internal testing teams and alpha test groups learned to beat them using a combination of player skill, synchronous builds, strong use of cross-profession combos, use of cooking/consumable buffs (these make a huge difference!) and well formed player tactics. … Continue reading →

Posted in Guild Wars, MMO design, Rant | 7 Comments

GW2: Dead on the inside

Posted on September 14, 2012 by SynCaine

Everything just kinda plays/unlocks itself. – kalex716 I think this describes why GW2 feels like an enjoyably meh experience to me right now. I like each piece of content, to varying degrees, but as soon as I close GW2 the … Continue reading →

Posted in Guild Wars, MMO design, Rant | 40 Comments

The MMO genre is a niche space, entry 25603

Posted on September 14, 2012 by SynCaine

“TSW was not buggier than, say, GW2. Nor did it lack things to do.” – tithian “Personally I found TSW to be sub-par in both combat and graphics, and far inferior to GW2 in game flow. In the beta the … Continue reading →

Posted in Darkfall Online, Guild Wars, MMO design, Ultima Online, World of Warcraft | 11 Comments

EVE: A POS to call my home

Posted on September 10, 2012 by SynCaine

Another Jester-lead post for today (GW2 thoughts are brewing, but I can’t quite place my finger on them just yet. Something-something themepark though), this time about the next EVE expansion, and expansions/patches in general. Jester is worried that much like … Continue reading →

Posted in crafting, Darkfall Online, EVE Online, Housing, MMO design, Ultima Online | 6 Comments

EVE: The highsec player does not exist

Posted on September 6, 2012 by SynCaine

I like this post by Jester about highsec refining and production, and it brings up an aspect of the game that I think many misunderstand: the highsec player. Or rather, that “the highsec player” does not exist as a single … Continue reading →

Posted in crafting, EVE Online, MMO design, PvP | 30 Comments

GW2: Review at the midpoint

Posted on September 5, 2012 by SynCaine

I hit level 41 last night on my Human Elementalist. In that time I’ve completed (all items checked) three zones, done all storyline quests up to my level, have two crafting skills to 130ish, ran the first instance in Story … Continue reading →

Posted in Combat Systems, Darkfall Online, Guild Wars, Inquisition Clan, MMO design, PvP, RvR, Warhammer Online | 21 Comments