Category Archives: Ultima Online

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

Old nightmares still haunt some people.

Posted on February 26, 2009 by SynCaine

Dear Lum, Some of us remember the torment that was pre-trammies UO for you. You got killed, ganked, decapitated, harassed, etc. People called you fat, and a picture of you ‘leaked’ out and was the source of entertainment for many. … Continue reading →

Posted in Darkfall Online, Rant, Ultima Online | 53 Comments

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

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

DarkFall anticipation +1

Posted on January 27, 2009 by SynCaine

I said I would not do it, but yet again I’m in “excited about an upcoming MMO” mode. This time around it’s Darkfall, and my interest has been raised by unexpected sources. As anyone with access to a gaming forum … Continue reading →

Posted in beta, Darkfall Online, EVE Online, MMO design, Ultima Online, World of Warcraft | 16 Comments

The endless sandbox vs the safe theme park.

Posted on January 14, 2009 by SynCaine

MMOs are designed without a ‘game over’ screen, and one of the major appeals of the genre is that the player, rather than the game, determines when you are done. No matter how much you loved Final Fantasy 7, at … Continue reading →

Posted in EVE Online, MMO design, Ultima Online, World of Warcraft | 31 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

MMOs go through an awkward teenager phase too.

Posted on November 24, 2008 by SynCaine

It dawned on me this weekend that MMO games suck for a while, and then find their spots and excel. Duh, I know, and it’s not exactly like this is the first time I’ve thought about this, but recent expansions … Continue reading →

Posted in EQ2, EVE Online, Lord of the Rings Online, MMO design, Ultima Online, Warhammer Online, World of Warcraft | 9 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