Category Archives: World of Warcraft

MMO Basics: Making the ‘work’ parts enjoyable.

Posted on June 1, 2010 by SynCaine

Over the weekend in DarkFall I purchased a large amount of iron ingots and q1 hearts to finally get my bloodcrafting skill to 60+, which allows me to make bloodcrafted plate chests and helms. Now in addition to the skill … Continue reading →

Posted in Combat Systems, Darkfall Online, Fallout 3, MMO design, SW:TOR, World of Warcraft | 11 Comments

Character progression: Why SW:TOR is DOA

Posted on May 25, 2010 by SynCaine

The style and impact of character progression is an issue that every MMO must consider, and it’s an issue that far too often is misunderstood by many players (and devs for that matter). The concept of ‘the grind’ is heavily … Continue reading →

Posted in Darkfall Online, EVE Online, MMO design, SW:TOR, Uncategorized, World of Warcraft | 14 Comments

Why all but 330k people should hate EVE

Posted on May 14, 2010 by SynCaine

I’m starting to really hate EVE Online. I’m starting to hate it because it makes all other MMOs look like crude kids toys, like silly side activities you dabble in before getting back to the ‘real’ game. It makes events … Continue reading →

Posted in Asheron's Call, Combat Systems, crafting, Darkfall Online, EVE Online, Guild Wars, MMO design, Rant, RMT, Site update, Ultima Online, Uncategorized, World of Warcraft | 36 Comments

You say polish, I say rehash

Posted on May 11, 2010 by SynCaine

The Blizzard model has generally been to take a successful product, apply a Games Workshop IP to it, and release basically the same game with a new coat of paint and a high level of polish, one that will run … Continue reading →

Posted in Combat Systems, Console Gaming, Diablo 3, MMO design, Random, Rant, Uncategorized, World of Warcraft | 36 Comments

Why raiders hate to see the word ‘accessible’

Posted on May 5, 2010 by SynCaine

First I’d like to thank Ravious over at KTR for being an ass and posting a great review of The Guild Leaders Handbook. I’m also reading that book at the moment and more or less agree with what he has … Continue reading →

Posted in MMO design, Patch Notes, Random, Rant, Uncategorized, World of Warcraft | 20 Comments

WoW: Not only is it full of griefers, but everyone is a racist

Posted on May 4, 2010 by SynCaine

A lot of people are always telling me to try World of Warcraft for it’s amazing 1-80 leveling journey and great economic activity. Finally I’ve caved in and decided to give it a shot, and here is what I’ve found … Continue reading →

Posted in EVE Online, Rant, Uncategorized, World of Warcraft | 21 Comments

Ignorance in the sandbox

Posted on May 3, 2010 by SynCaine

WoW player and iconic carebear Tobold’s recent attempt to ‘get’ EVE (or as is clear to anyone reading between the lines, and pointed out countless times in comments, simple experience it on a surface level in order to bash it … Continue reading →

Posted in Darkfall Online, EVE Online, MMO design, PvP, Rant, Ultima Online, Uncategorized, World of Warcraft | 41 Comments

Today’s reason to hate the French

Posted on April 29, 2010 by SynCaine

Well this is rather sad news. While I don’t personally care much for the Halo franchise, Marathon and especially Myth were two franchises that were head and shoulders above the rest of gaming in their respective genres (FPS and RTS), … Continue reading →

Posted in Bungie Studios, Mass Media, Rant, Uncategorized, World of Warcraft | 9 Comments

The future of DarkFall.

Posted on April 26, 2010 by SynCaine

During my week of vacation Aventurine was busy on the forums making posts about upcoming changes to DarkFall, along with a new initiative to drive more developer-player interaction as related to the design of the game. They also gave more … Continue reading →

Posted in Combat Systems, crafting, Darkfall Online, DoTA, MMO design, Patch Notes, PvP, Random, World of Warcraft | 10 Comments

PLEX vs Cash Shops, plus the e-peen pony

Posted on April 16, 2010 by SynCaine

To finish off a week of EVE-related posting, let’s talk about PLEX vs Cash Shops and how I believe they are two extremely different pieces of an MMO. As a side bonus this should also cover the e-peen pony that … Continue reading →

Posted in Allods Online, Atlantica Online, Darkfall Online, EVE Online, MMO design, Patch Notes, PvP, Rant, RMT, World of Warcraft | 7 Comments