Category Archives: PvP

What playing way too much DarkFall gets you.

Posted on March 23, 2009 by SynCaine

Things change quickly in DarkFall, on both a personal scale and on the grand political scale. With the game still in its infancy, everyone is scrambling to establish and maintain alliances, and guilds that were allies just hours ago are … Continue reading →

Posted in Combat Systems, Darkfall Online, PvP | 14 Comments

The best PK death ever, thanks DarkFall.

Posted on March 16, 2009 by SynCaine

I’m not really going to talk about the tech issues DarkFall is having, as it’s rather simple. Too many people online, the game never kicks people, lag is bad, queue queue, and all that. It’s an MMO, and in exchange … Continue reading →

Posted in Darkfall Online, MMO design, PvP | 18 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

DIKU defined, the old formula for an MMO.

Posted on January 12, 2009 by SynCaine

Raph Koster has an amazing write-up of what defines a DIKU mud, and how some of the bigger MMOs (EQ, WoW) are direct descendents. My first limited experience with an MMO was Neverwinter Nights on AOL, and my first true … Continue reading →

Posted in Asheron's Call, Combat Systems, Darkfall Online, EVE Online, MMO design, PvP, Ultima Online, Warhammer Online, World of Warcraft | 3 Comments

Bashing some 40s: the role of scenarios in WAR.

Posted on January 6, 2009 by SynCaine

With the holiday season over, things are getting back to normal with WAR, specifically meaning more CoW members are back online. While overall WAR is a great MMO, it’s very average when played solo for extended periods of time, so … Continue reading →

Posted in Dark Age of Camelot, MMO design, PvP, RvR, Warhammer Online | 9 Comments

PvP in Atlantica Online, and it’s RMT taint.

Posted on January 5, 2009 by SynCaine

Now that the blogging break is over (ie: back at work), it’s time to catch up on some reading and start posting regularly here. It’s amazing what a few days of inactivity does for your page views. While the past … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantica Online, MMO design, PvP, RMT | 41 Comments

Darkfall, clearly eating babies, news at 11.

Posted on December 3, 2008 by SynCaine

First things first, this is a ‘kettle calling the pot black’ type of post. I know, but that’s the joy of running a one man, type whatever blog. Feel free to skip the post if this somehow raises your blood … Continue reading →

Posted in Darkfall Online, MMO design, PvP, Rant, World of Warcraft | 27 Comments

Tales from the MMO bandwagon

Posted on November 18, 2008 by SynCaine

MMOG Nation today has a post with some pre and post WAR launch reactions, which as expected go from unrealistic hype to ‘worst game eva’ faster than Usain Bolt. It’s entertaining to watch, but nothing new for an MMO launch. … Continue reading →

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

Old game review; Warcraft 3 and Defense of the Ancients.

Posted on November 11, 2008 by SynCaine

Zubon from Kill Ten Rats asks bloggers to review older games, in part for nostalgia, and also to see if we can learn any design lessons from them. I’m going to cheat and review Defense of the Ancients, which is … Continue reading →

Posted in DoTA, PvP | 3 Comments

Stating the obvious, but this time it’s official.

Posted on October 21, 2008 by SynCaine

Not to toot my own horn but…. Beep Beep. Self pat on the back asshattery aside, it’s a good interview and sheds some light on Mythic’s stance with WAR and it’s future. (for the lazy, the pat on the back … Continue reading →

Posted in Mass Media, MMO design, PvP, Rant, RvR, Warhammer Online, World of Warcraft | 2 Comments