Category Archives: RvR

Camelot Unchained: Concerns based on MJ’s history

Posted on April 9, 2013 by SynCaine

As previously mentioned, the Camelot Unchained kickstarter is up and running, but as of now I’ve not contributed due to a few concerns that I want to cover today. First and foremost, the total removal of PvE raises some doubts. … Continue reading →

Posted in Camelot Unchained, Dark Age of Camelot, MMO design, PvP, Rant, RvR | 41 Comments

WAR’s RvR or GW2’s WvW?

Posted on November 9, 2012 by SynCaine

Better PvP experience: WAR’s RvR near release, or GW2’s WvW? Instinctively I wanted to say GW2, because lulz WAR, but I spent a hell of a lot more time in WAR’s RvR than I did in GW2’s WvW. The same … Continue reading →

Posted in Guild Wars, RvR, Warhammer Online | 19 Comments

GW2: One step forward, two steps back for the genre

Posted on September 24, 2012 by SynCaine

Keen has a report card out for GW2, and while I think the grades are a bit high, I agree overall with his assessment. In short, GW2 is a good game, but a month in its pretty clear GW2 is … Continue reading →

Posted in Combat Systems, Guild Wars, MMO design, PvP, Rant, RMT, RvR | 65 Comments

GW2: Review at the midpoint

Posted on September 5, 2012 by SynCaine

I hit level 41 last night on my Human Elementalist. In that time I’ve completed (all items checked) three zones, done all storyline quests up to my level, have two crafting skills to 130ish, ran the first instance in Story … Continue reading →

Posted in Combat Systems, Darkfall Online, Guild Wars, Inquisition Clan, MMO design, PvP, RvR, Warhammer Online | 21 Comments

GW2: The game Mythic tried to make

Posted on April 30, 2012 by SynCaine

Let me get this out of the way first; GW2 is worth the $60. If it had a sub I’d feel differently, but as it does not, what GW2 does is worth the $60. All of the below is based … Continue reading →

Posted in beta, Combat Systems, Darkfall Online, Guild Wars, MMO design, PvP, RvR, Warhammer Online, World of Warcraft | 22 Comments

PvP Hotspots

Posted on October 15, 2010 by SynCaine

If you build it, they will come. With sharp objects. And the intent to murder. That’s how PvP in MMOs works, yet so many attempts to create PvP hotspots fail. Too often the approach is to design something that is … Continue reading →

Posted in Combat Systems, Dark Age of Camelot, Darkfall Online, EVE Online, MMO design, PvP, RvR, Ultima Online, Warhammer Online, World of Warcraft | 16 Comments

Two years of WAR = …

Posted on September 7, 2010 by SynCaine

1) Has any game in MMO history redesigned more core systems then WAR? Amazing to think what could have been added these last two years if Mythic could stop ‘fixing’ things every patch. 2) Adding a third, PLAYABLE faction would … Continue reading →

Posted in MMO design, Patch Notes, Rant, RvR, Warhammer Online | 10 Comments

Creeping death: A return to WoW or WAR?

Posted on April 14, 2010 by SynCaine

At some point later this year I’m either going to return to Warhammer Online or World of Warcraft, mainly because I’d like to casually play an MMO with my fiancé again, and also to prevent any kind of burnout I … Continue reading →

Posted in Allods Online, Combat Systems, Darkfall Online, MMO design, Patch Notes, Rant, RvR, Site update, Warhammer Online, World of Warcraft | 37 Comments

PvP Systems: FFA vs Faction

Posted on March 26, 2010 by SynCaine

Coppertopper previously asked my opinion on FFA PvP versus set faction PvP, and today seems like a good day to throw out my opinions on the topic and also see what everyone else thinks. Examples of FFA PvP include Ultima … Continue reading →

Posted in Aion, Asheron's Call, Combat Systems, Dark Age of Camelot, Darkfall Online, EVE Online, MMO design, PvP, RvR, Ultima Online, Warhammer Online, World of Warcraft | 11 Comments

What is Realm Pride?

Posted on January 8, 2010 by SynCaine

In the land of MMO PvP setups, we know for sure that one style, freeform PvP, works. We also know that another style, pre-set PvP, has worked, but has also has a history of failure. The one major example of … Continue reading →

Posted in Aion, Asheron's Call, Combat Systems, Dark Age of Camelot, Darkfall Online, EVE Online, MMO design, PvP, RvR, Ultima Online, Warhammer Online, World of Warcraft | 28 Comments