Category Archives: MMO design

Souls > Trinity

Posted on March 22, 2011 by SynCaine

If everyone can be a tank/healer/dps, do you still have a holy trinity? Games with skill systems, rather than class systems, don’t have the holy trinity problem. You don’t stop a fleet action in EVE because your tank is afk, … Continue reading →

Posted in Combat Systems, Darkfall Online, EVE Online, MMO design, Rift, Ultima Online, World of Warcraft | 21 Comments

The real Rift review

Posted on March 21, 2011 by SynCaine

I did not want to do a formal review of Rift until I hit 50, but seeing as this continues to get more and more out of hand, a character at 42 will have to do. So this review is … Continue reading →

Posted in Combat Systems, crafting, Inquisition Clan, MMO design, PvP, Rift | 31 Comments

PAX thoughts: Future of MMOs panel

Posted on March 18, 2011 by SynCaine

My favorite panel from PAX was a MMORPG.com-hosted discussion attended by a number of high-profile MMO devs (Massively has the breakdown). It was a good, open talk on various MMO topics, and while some PR-speak was uttered, overall the devs … Continue reading →

Posted in Guild Wars, Mass Media, MMO design, Rift, SW:TOR, Ultima Online, World of Warcraft | 4 Comments

I sense a Rift in your guild

Posted on March 17, 2011 by SynCaine

It seems the self-sacrifice that EuroGamer made for the good of our community is being forgotten, and it’s getting embarrassing. It’s been just over two years since the infamous “5 minute MMO review”, and yet here we are today, with … Continue reading →

Posted in beta, Blogroll, EQ2, EVE Online, Guild Wars, Mass Media, MMO design, Rant, Rift, Warhammer Online, World of Warcraft | 26 Comments

I’m new here, want to hear my awesome idea?

Posted on March 16, 2011 by SynCaine

I’m sure you have seen this a few times, a new blogger is all hyped up and ready to change the world, and they enthusiastically posts about things that have not only been covered hundreds of times, but items that … Continue reading →

Posted in Mass Media, MMO design, Rant, SW:TOR | 16 Comments

PAX thoughts: Guild Wars 2

Posted on March 14, 2011 by SynCaine

Brain overloaded with stuff to write after PAX, making it difficult to write anything. Good problem and all that. Expect a little more activity here over the next few days. First, I’ll just clarify that the post below is not … Continue reading →

Posted in Combat Systems, Darkfall Online, Guild Wars, Mass Media, MMO design, Rift, Warhammer Online, World of Warcraft | 36 Comments

Rift: Quick glance at world PvP

Posted on March 10, 2011 by SynCaine

After two zones of relative peace, level 30 brings me into the first shared zone of the game, and as I’m playing on a PvP server, this has some interesting dynamics to it. This won’t be a complete review of … Continue reading →

Posted in MMO design, PvP, Rift | 3 Comments

Rift: Souls of goodness

Posted on March 8, 2011 by SynCaine

Yesterday I pointed out that no single feature of Rift really stands out enough to singularly sell the game, but that does not mean there are not systems within the game that either bring something new or interesting to the … Continue reading →

Posted in Combat Systems, MMO design, PvP, Rift | 12 Comments

Rift: And I don’t wear jerseys I’m 30 plus

Posted on March 7, 2011 by SynCaine

It’s hard to describe Rift in a few sentences. I mean, if I say it’s like WoW but better that’s pretty subjective (read: correct) and depends on what you are looking for. If you are looking to pay $15 a … Continue reading →

Posted in Inquisition Clan, MMO design, Rift | 23 Comments

Quick F2P commentary

Posted on March 7, 2011 by SynCaine

An update post on Rift is on its way, but I found this post over at Terra Nova very interesting, especially considering Rift is a sub-based MMO in what seems like a sea of F2P games. I’m not holding my … Continue reading →

Posted in MMO design, RMT | 1 Comment