Category Archives: MMO design

Lowering expectations across the board

Posted on January 25, 2012 by SynCaine

To say that the SW:TOR launch has been mediocre would be an understatement, and if you want to go so far as to call it a disaster, considering the amount of resources BioWare had, I wouldn’t argue the point. And … Continue reading →

Posted in Inquisition Clan, MMO design, Rift, SW:TOR | 50 Comments

Medical License Revoked

Posted on January 19, 2012 by SynCaine

People are lucky I’m too lazy to find my own “told you so” quotes about stuff. You know, stuff like “EA might shut down thanks to SW:TOR”. Because, um… EA might shut down thanks to SW:TOR. This is the best … Continue reading →

Posted in Mass Media, MMO design, Rant, SW:TOR | 25 Comments

Rebuilding the genre on SW:TOR’s ashes

Posted on January 18, 2012 by SynCaine

I get the feeling that people misunderstand me when I say that I hope SW:TOR is the death of the AAA themepark MMO. I’m not saying the genre would be better if people did not spend 300m to make an … Continue reading →

Posted in Age of Conan, Darkfall Online, EQ2, EVE Online, Lord of the Rings Online, MMO design, Rant, Rift, SW:TOR, Ultima Online, Warhammer Online, World of Warcraft | 48 Comments

You should return those glasses to their rightful owner

Posted on January 17, 2012 by SynCaine

Syp over at Biobreak has a post talking about the pre-2003 MMO market and todays, and how you can’t pay him enough to go back to that time. First I find this odd, as looking at his About page, I’m … Continue reading →

Posted in Asheron's Call, Atlantica Online, EQ2, Housing, MMO design, Random, Rant, Rift, RMT, SW:TOR, Ultima Online, World of Warcraft | 82 Comments

Expectations

Posted on January 17, 2012 by SynCaine

Quick item I found interesting from the CCP/CSM meeting notes: EVE New Player Experience according to CCP =  The first six months. SW:TOR entire player/pillar experience: One month. Both games use the same business model.

Posted in EVE Online, MMO design, SW:TOR | 5 Comments

I’m kind of a big deal

Posted on January 16, 2012 by SynCaine

I often state that I’m kind of a big deal. I usually say it in jest, but for this post I’m being serious. I’m kind of a big deal. Some facts (since those are trending of late). At last count … Continue reading →

Posted in Darkfall Online, EVE Online, Inquisition Clan, MMO design, Rant | 23 Comments

Fact not opinion

Posted on January 13, 2012 by SynCaine

The only fact that exists about WoW right now related to its success and failure is that it went from a game that was rapidly growing to one that is rapidly shrinking. Every comment or theory behind the ‘why’ is … Continue reading →

Posted in Mass Media, MMO design, Rant, Site update | 17 Comments

Seems a loaded failtrain has pulled into the station

Posted on January 12, 2012 by SynCaine

A lot of great stuff floating around today. First is this comment from Rammstein, responding to Azuriel yesterday, related to his and Blizzard’s claim that Cata failed because it was too hard: Anything that Chilton says to the New York … Continue reading →

Posted in Darkfall Online, EQ2, EVE Online, League of Legends, MMO design, Random, Rant, Rift, SW:TOR, Warhammer Online, World of Warcraft | 42 Comments

Getting back to the source

Posted on January 11, 2012 by SynCaine

Jester has a post up about how Sovereignty works in EVE, and how the game might benefit from borrowing some ideas from Perpetuum in that area. A good read as always, and it brings up a larger point: competition amongst … Continue reading →

Posted in Age of Conan, Asheron's Call, beta, EQ2, EVE Online, Guild Wars, MMO design, Rant, Rift, SW:TOR, Ultima Online, Warhammer Online, World of Warcraft | 45 Comments

EVE: The most positive negative thing you will see all day

Posted on January 6, 2012 by SynCaine

This is why the EVE economy works. 57 billion ISK destroyed in one fight. 57 billion ISK of ships and fittings ‘crafters’ get to produce and sell. Neg-sum PvP sure is a huge positive eh? Some other notes: 491 vs … Continue reading →

Posted in crafting, EVE Online, Mass Media, MMO design, PvP | 32 Comments