Category Archives: World of Warcraft

How important are levels in our MMOs?

Posted on November 5, 2008 by SynCaine

I want to talk today about the idea of levels in MMOs, and whether their time has come and gone. Many people argue Warhammer Online would be a far superior game without levels, and we have seen similar arguments made … Continue reading →

Posted in EQ2, EVE Online, MMO design, Ultima Online, Warhammer Online, World of Warcraft | 31 Comments

The bored WoW player wave comes and goes, leaving empty servers behind

Posted on October 31, 2008 by SynCaine

With WAR’s recent server transfers, the natural first reaction would be that since so many players are jumping ship, WAR is dying and needs to consolidate. It’s generally the statement we make whenever we hear an MMO is merging servers, … Continue reading →

Posted in Age of Conan, Lord of the Rings Online, MMO design, Pirates of the Burning Sea, Ultima Online, Warhammer Online, World of Warcraft | 25 Comments

17 is the new 13.

Posted on October 29, 2008 by SynCaine

I can’t wait for November, and I don’t mean the 13th. On November 17th (right around the time you run out of unique WotLK content) Mythic is bringing us Heavy Metal, Warhammer Online’s next live event. It’s a bit crazy … Continue reading →

Posted in MMO design, Patch Notes, Warhammer Online, World of Warcraft | 6 Comments

Remove 2/3rd of the content in WAR, and we might actually have a game.

Posted on October 27, 2008 by SynCaine

Warhammer Online has just too much content. I think back to pre-release, and the announcement that Mythic had cut 4 cities, and the player outcry of “oh now we will just be repeating the same city all the time, boring”. … Continue reading →

Posted in MMO design, Rant, RvR, Warhammer Online, World of Warcraft | 31 Comments

Stating the obvious, but this time it’s official.

Posted on October 21, 2008 by SynCaine

Not to toot my own horn but…. Beep Beep. Self pat on the back asshattery aside, it’s a good interview and sheds some light on Mythic’s stance with WAR and it’s future. (for the lazy, the pat on the back … Continue reading →

Posted in Mass Media, MMO design, PvP, Rant, RvR, Warhammer Online, World of Warcraft | 2 Comments

2008 sure looks a lot like 2004 in MMO land.

Posted on October 20, 2008 by SynCaine

If you were given a budget of $500 million, a proven veteran dev team, a stable and established engine, 4+ years, and the worlds largest feedback group; what kind of MMO could you make? Would your list of highlights include … Continue reading →

Posted in Age of Conan, Combat Systems, Dark Age of Camelot, EQ2, EVE Online, Housing, MMO design, PvP, Rant, RvR, Warhammer Online, World of Warcraft | 27 Comments

Mythic and Blizzard go at it. Round one review!

Posted on October 17, 2008 by SynCaine

To borrow a quote: “Shit just got real” Seems it did not take long for the gloves to come off, and for Mythic and Blizzard to go at it. Lum has a good collection of the relevant quotes (like him, … Continue reading →

Posted in beta, Combat Systems, Mass Media, MMO design, PvP, Rant, RvR, Warhammer Online, World of Warcraft | 23 Comments

Significantly insignificant interview with Blizzard

Posted on October 16, 2008 by SynCaine

Gamesindusty.biz has an interview with Paul Sams of Blizzard that’s worth checking out. Not for any factual reason, but because of the entertainment it provides. In true Blizzard fashion, Sams does his best to avoid any actual mention of an … Continue reading →

Posted in MMO design, Random, Warhammer Online, World of Warcraft | 5 Comments

Phoenix Gate and RvR ogranization; good times.

Posted on October 15, 2008 by SynCaine

Phoenix Gate (PG) is an interesting scenario in Warhammer Online. On the one hand, it’s very Warsong Gulch-like in that it’s basically a game of capture the flag, with the two flags being on opposite ends of the map. It’s … Continue reading →

Posted in MMO design, RvR, Warhammer Online, World of Warcraft | 17 Comments

My thoughts on BlizCon? Pay only $3 and find out below!

Posted on October 14, 2008 by SynCaine

BlizCon has come and gone, leaving behind a whirlwind of… microtransactions? Yes, it would seem the company raking in the cash with WoW intends to go the way of the asian and charge you a few cents/dollars for useless crap, … Continue reading →

Posted in Random, World of Warcraft | 5 Comments