Category Archives: Rift

Is faster always better?

Posted on May 4, 2011 by SynCaine

Currently in Rift to zone into a dungeon one member of the group has to actually travel to the portal. Is this meaningful travel? Is it nice that only one person has to do it or a pain just for … Continue reading →

Posted in MMO design, Rift, World of Warcraft | 31 Comments

Back to Azeroth?

Posted on May 3, 2011 by SynCaine

With the upcoming addition of the Looking for Group tool, we’re also in the process of tuning our Expert Dungeons to be completable with one appropriately geared healer per group, instead of frequently requiring a second full healer on top … Continue reading →

Posted in Patch Notes, Rant, Rift, World of Warcraft | 51 Comments

Fun Builds: Not that fun in end-game content

Posted on May 3, 2011 by SynCaine

A guildmate who shall remain nameless (Obmar) recently discovered that he had not upgraded his dps-based skills in Rift since, oh, level 5. In essence, he was gimping his damage output by a solid 50% or more. This was noticeable … Continue reading →

Posted in Inquisition Clan, MMO design, Rift, World of Warcraft | 16 Comments

Rift on Sale, one day only

Posted on April 30, 2011 by SynCaine

At Direct2Drive, $30. In totally unrelated news, Inquisition is still looking for a few more to fill out the roster. Sunrest RP-PvP server, Guardians.

Posted in Rift | 1 Comment

SOE: Because someone has to make Blizzard look good

Posted on April 27, 2011 by SynCaine

I’m not one to kick someone when they are down… but this is pretty hilarious. Let me rephrase what SOE was trying to say: Dear not-really-valued money-source, Due to our technical incompetence, we kinda gave the internet your personal info, … Continue reading →

Posted in EQ2, FreeRealms, Mass Media, Rant, Rift, RMT | 17 Comments

Rift: 1.2 Update and World Events

Posted on April 26, 2011 by SynCaine

The upcoming 1.2 update to Rift is pretty substantial, and considering what 1.1 brought just a month ago, Trion is keeping to a brisk pace for updates. Part of me wants to cheer, the other part sits here, nods, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Asheron's Call, MMO design, Patch Notes, Rift, World of Warcraft | 4 Comments

The real reason for the tank shortage

Posted on April 25, 2011 by SynCaine

Let me start off by saying I enjoy playing the tank more than any other role in a themepark. I enjoy the challenge, I find the gameplay more entertaining, and well, I’m not a droolcup so playing DPS would be … Continue reading →

Posted in Combat Systems, Darkfall Online, MMO design, Rant, Rift | 14 Comments

Expansion vs Replacement content

Posted on April 21, 2011 by SynCaine

Prompted by the reminder that I massively ragequit Darkfall (account status: active), and reading this post on the Aventurine blog, reminded me of yet another reason why sandbox > themepark: over time a sandbox should get more/better content, while over … Continue reading →

Posted in Darkfall Online, MMO design, Patch Notes, Rant, Rift | 24 Comments

Rift: All aboard the fail train

Posted on April 21, 2011 by SynCaine

Back to back ‘make it to the last boss, fail at 1am’ tier two runs, yay… Yes, I’m mad. Bro. On the bright side I did pick up one of the better shields in the game for 60p last night, … Continue reading →

Posted in Inquisition Clan, MMO design, Patch Notes, Rift | 7 Comments

Gear sucks

Posted on April 20, 2011 by SynCaine

Permanent gear is a massive design flaw in an MMO. Keep that in mind while reading. Inquisition on Sunrest has been running tier one experts for a bit now, and our general core is geared-up enough to start hitting up … Continue reading →

Posted in Inquisition Clan, MMO design, Rant, Rift | 32 Comments