Category Archives: MMO design

Users and profit in the MMO space.

Posted on March 6, 2009 by SynCaine

Both Raph Koster and Tobold have posts up about a games user base and profitability. If this at all interests you, check both links out. The overall theme of the discussion is similar to my feelings about the iPhone app … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantica Online, iPhone, Lord of the Rings Online, MMO design, Random, World of Warcraft | 4 Comments

Wolves and Sheep

Posted on March 3, 2009 by SynCaine

With the release of Darkfall, the terms ‘wolves’ and ‘sheep’ have been thrown around frequently on forums and blogs. I figured this might be a good time to dig a bit deeper and try to find out just who really … Continue reading →

Posted in Darkfall Online, DoTA, EVE Online, Mass Media, MMO design, PvP, Ultima Online, Warhammer Online, World of Warcraft | 25 Comments

The highs and lows of RvR, a worthwhile tradeoff

Posted on February 23, 2009 by SynCaine

WAR RvR is one frustrating bastard, and I’m not talking about city PQs, scenarios, or why the layout of T4 zones sucks/rocks. It’s frustrating because when everything aligns and you get the right (not even) number of Destruction and Order … Continue reading →

Posted in EQ2, Lord of the Rings Online, MMO design, RvR, Warhammer Online, World of Warcraft | 16 Comments

Shocker, MMO questing sucks.

Posted on February 23, 2009 by SynCaine

Having gone back (again) to TES Oblivion, its once again painful how bad questing is in MMOs. When you compare the best quests from your favorite MMO, and you look at some of the better quests in a game like … Continue reading →

Posted in MMO design, Rant | 28 Comments

Aldorf must burn: Destructions first city siege on Monolith.

Posted on February 18, 2009 by SynCaine

Monolith saw its first siege of Aldorf last night, and I’m happy to report members of Casualties played a key roll. The unplanned nature of the event, and how smooth the execution was towards the end really encouraged everyone on … Continue reading →

Posted in MMO design, RvR, Warhammer Online | 1 Comment

Long list of SOE hate.

Posted on February 17, 2009 by SynCaine

Can someone explain to me why some people think SOE is going to push the MMO genre forward? I keep hearing about how SOE is the company that is going to finally get us out of the WoW-too rut the … Continue reading →

Posted in Console Gaming, EQ2, MMO design, Pirates of the Burning Sea, Ultima Online, Vanguard | 29 Comments

The next Bliz MMO, bye bye raiding, and a WAR 1.2 observation.

Posted on February 13, 2009 by SynCaine

How much of a debate is there over what the next MMO from Blizzard will be? Originally Starcraft was a solid guess, but since StarCraft 2 will take 3+ years to be fully released, you can’t really launch an MMO … Continue reading →

Posted in MMO design, Patch Notes, Random, Warhammer Online, World of Warcraft | 11 Comments

Why the ward system in Warhammer Online is great.

Posted on February 10, 2009 by SynCaine

Mythic announced the ward system in Warhammer Online sometime before launch, and unanimously the system was viewed as a gear check/block for the PvE content. You can only kill the king with 6 wards from the highest set, have fun … Continue reading →

Posted in MMO design, RvR, Warhammer Online | 21 Comments

Storms, tourist, and failure: The MMO market

Posted on February 6, 2009 by SynCaine

2009 is not 2004, yet after reading this post over at TAGN, it sure seems that way. Let’s define the environment WoW launched in first, because John’s recount seems to have forgotten a few minor details. 1) EQ2 launched just … Continue reading →

Posted in Asheron's Call, Console Gaming, Dark Age of Camelot, EQ2, Lord of the Rings Online, MMO design, Rant, Ultima Online, Warhammer Online, World of Warcraft | 49 Comments

MMO growth after release in the post-WoW market

Posted on February 5, 2009 by SynCaine

Whenever you debate a topic concerning MMOs, it’s a safe bet someone is going to bring up EVE and show you a counter-example to whatever you are trying to say. Impact PvP does not work: EVE. Complex economies are impossible … Continue reading →

Posted in Dark Age of Camelot, DDO, EQ2, EVE Online, Lord of the Rings Online, MMO design, Ultima Online, Warhammer Online, World of Warcraft | 19 Comments