Category Archives: MMO design

Idea for binding another game to an MMO

Posted on September 2, 2009 by SynCaine

With CCP announcing Dusk 514, a shooter-based MMO that will interact with EVE Online, Tobold ask’s what other MMOs would work well with a secondary product attached to them. My initial thought was to have player-controlled mobs facing off against … Continue reading →

Posted in Combat Systems, DDO, Dungeons and Dragons Online, EVE Online, MMO design, Random, World of Warcraft | 6 Comments

When it comes to open beta, timing is key.

Posted on August 28, 2009 by SynCaine

Out of all the open beta discussions that I’ve seen (is it a free trial, should it be given a pass because it’s a beta, etc), I’ve yet to see anyone mention that timing of an open beta could play … Continue reading →

Posted in Age of Conan, Aion, beta, Blood Bowl, Darkfall Online, MMO design, Warhammer Online | 9 Comments

Speaking of expansions that sounds good…

Posted on August 25, 2009 by SynCaine

Not all State of the Game posts are created equal. Even in the cesspool that is ForumFall (and I mean that in a good way, its entertaining stuff) this updates was well received, and for good reason. The way to … Continue reading →

Posted in Combat Systems, crafting, Darkfall Online, Housing, MMO design, Patch Notes, PvP, Warhammer Online, World of Warcraft | 24 Comments

WoW: Cataclysm, analysis with less snark.

Posted on August 24, 2009 by SynCaine

Leaving the fun and games behind for a minute, it’s time for some ‘serious business’ talk about WoW’s next expansion, and what it really will bring. I’m not talking about the finer details or even the bullet-point list of additions, … Continue reading →

Posted in Aion, Combat Systems, Darkfall Online, Dungeons and Dragons Online, MMO design, Patch Notes, Warhammer Online, World of Warcraft | 39 Comments

World of Warcraft: Cataclysm – The single greatest expansion of all time?

Posted on August 21, 2009 by SynCaine

Readers might have picked up on the fact that I’m at times a bit tough on Blizzard and how they have been updating WoW. Sure I’m not the biggest fan of easymode everything, cookies for everyone, and the glacial pace … Continue reading →

Posted in Combat Systems, crafting, EQ2, MMO design, Patch Notes, Rant, Warhammer Online, World of Warcraft | 60 Comments

Warhammer Online: After almost a year, does Mythic finally get it?

Posted on August 18, 2009 by SynCaine

I’ll fully admit I might be too close to this to see it clearly, but with that said, I’ve noticed a pattern in Mythic’s approach to patching Warhammer Online, one that might be applicable to other MMOs as well. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Age of Conan, Dark Age of Camelot, EVE Online, Lord of the Rings Online, Mass Media, MMO design, Patch Notes, RvR, Warhammer Online, World of Warcraft | 16 Comments

Repeating the same mistake: Why EVE’s skill system is the way to go

Posted on August 12, 2009 by SynCaine

If you have a skill based (as opposed to XP/level based) character development system, is there any reason NOT to use EVE’s real-time progression? How many of DarkFall’s “it’s a huge grind” problems would be resolved if you gained skills … Continue reading →

Posted in Darkfall Online, EVE Online, MMO design, Ultima Online | 61 Comments

Warhammer Online 1.3.1 patch: Will it fix Tier 4?

Posted on August 10, 2009 by SynCaine

As frequent readers here know, I’ve been playing Warhammer Online casually for the last few months now, alongside DarkFall and Blood Bowl. While I originally pegged WAR as my ‘full time’ MMO at release, the games issues with population and … Continue reading →

Posted in MMO design, Patch Notes, RvR, The Casualties Guild, Warhammer Online | 5 Comments

Warhammer Online vs DarkFall: Combat

Posted on August 6, 2009 by SynCaine

Expanding a bit on yesterdays post about combat, I think it will be worthwhile to compare what I currently do in Warhammer Online versus what combat looks like when I play DarkFall. In a somewhat odd twist, most of my … Continue reading →

Posted in Combat Systems, Darkfall Online, MMO design, RvR, Warhammer Online | 10 Comments

When the combat system in 1997 was better than what we have today, you know we have a problem.

Posted on August 5, 2009 by SynCaine

Now that his resurrection is complete, Tobold has started a multi-part series of posts talking about why we play MMOs, with today’s topic being gameplay. In most MMOs today, gameplay generally means combat, and so the type of combat system … Continue reading →

Posted in Combat Systems, Darkfall Online, Lord of the Rings Online, MMO design, PvP, Ultima Online, Warhammer Online, World of Warcraft | 19 Comments