Category Archives: Rift

The blogs reflect the genre

Posted on July 10, 2013 by SynCaine

This post about blogging over at TAGN, along with the comments, is worth reading, even if you are only vaguely interested in the topic of MMO blogs. As the posts-per-day rate here has slowed over the last two months, it’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Blogroll, Camelot Unchained, Darkfall Online, DDO, EQ2, EVE Online, Guild Wars, Kickstarter, Lord of the Rings Online, MMO design, Rift, SW:TOR, Ultima Online, Warhammer Online, World of Warcraft | 19 Comments

The choices you can make

Posted on June 25, 2013 by SynCaine

Over at KTR, thanks to a RSS trigger from TAGN, the topic of groups has been brought up. I’m generally a “pro groups” person, but playing DF:UW has reminded me why and how most MMOs get the basics wrong. In … Continue reading →

Posted in Combat Systems, Darkfall Online, MMO design, PvP, Rift, World of Warcraft | 3 Comments

Themepark goes F2P, take infinity

Posted on May 15, 2013 by SynCaine

Some quick thoughts on the Rift F2P thing, since a few people have asked. First, it’s not surprising. Scott Hartsman leaving Trion was basically the “Rift is going F2P” announcement. Second, not surprising given what Rift is. It’s an above-average … Continue reading →

Posted in Dark Age of Camelot, Darkfall Online, EVE Online, Guild Wars, Lord of the Rings Online, MMO design, Rift, RMT, World of Warcraft | 24 Comments

7 minutes in heaven, a month of hell

Posted on January 16, 2013 by SynCaine

One point that I don’t think I made clear enough in my post about UO’s combat was that the slower pace and simplicity leads to longer retention, and so today I want to expand on that a bit (in horribly … Continue reading →

Posted in Combat Systems, EQ2, EVE Online, Guild Wars, MMO design, Rant, Rift, Ultima Online | 30 Comments

The best MMO content = the best MMO content

Posted on November 26, 2012 by SynCaine

The measure of success when it comes to MMO content is surprisingly simple IMO (the longer the content holds your attention, the better), yet rarely mentioned much less accounted for directly. Both players and developers talk endlessly about many aspects … Continue reading →

Posted in EVE Online, Guild Wars, MMO design, Rift, SW:TOR, World of Warcraft | 34 Comments

The first rule of MMO club: You must continue to attend MMO club

Posted on November 19, 2012 by SynCaine

Some good comments from my last two posts, so thanks to everyone who contributed. Amazing what writing a less-than-clear post or two does. (File that under blogger pro-tips kids). Rather than try to re-explain what I was trying to get … Continue reading →

Posted in Guild Wars, MMO design, Rift, SW:TOR | 35 Comments

How to look senile (FBW Thursday edition)

Posted on November 15, 2012 by SynCaine

Former MMO blogger Tobold is having a rough year. First his EVE prediction is set to be confirmed as idiotic in just over a month, the industry has nothing for him to play and banished him back to the tabletop, … Continue reading →

Posted in Age of Conan, Aion, Blogroll, Darkfall Online, EVE Online, Guild Wars, Lord of the Rings Online, Rant, Rift, SW:TOR, World of Warcraft | 10 Comments

Bernie Madoff was a great investor. Used the wrong payment model.

Posted on November 8, 2012 by SynCaine

“I think there will definitely be failures within the next 12 to 24 months. Many who are entering the market right now are doing it as almost a money-grab. But subscription is dead. [Star Wars:] The Old Republic was the … Continue reading →

Posted in Combat Systems, DDO, EVE Online, League of Legends, Lord of the Rings Online, Mass Media, MMO design, Random, Rant, Rift, RMT, SW:TOR, Warhammer Online, World of Warcraft | 23 Comments

Save the F2P children

Posted on October 25, 2012 by SynCaine

I think I’m slowly transitioning from hating F2P players to feeling sorry for them, somewhat similar to my changing views of WoW and its players. When WoW really mattered and every dev team was trying to clone it, I felt … Continue reading →

Posted in MMO design, Random, Rant, Rift, RMT, SW:TOR, World of Warcraft | 25 Comments

Rift: Storm Legion – Who put this sand in here?

Posted on October 22, 2012 by SynCaine

James, a community manager from Trion recently reached out to me and asked if I’d be interesting in taking Rift’s upcoming expansion Storm Legion for a guided tour. While I’m not currently playing Rift, and my reasons why are well … Continue reading →

Posted in beta, crafting, Housing, Mass Media, MMO design, Rift | 13 Comments