I've got a wonderful article for you tonight in which a developer looks at MMOs and the problems they face from the perspective of a game maker, not a game player. Andrew is Karthias (a terrific writer and former Feral Druid blogger) and DDO is Dungeons and Dragons Online. DCUO is DC Universe Online. Read the comments here for more interesting discussion.
http://psychochild.org/?p=1012
Here's the article that the writer is reacting to.
http://biobreak.wordpress.com/2010/11/03/consoles-rule-pcs-drool/
Here is what Karthias says about the current state of MMOs.
http://systemicbabble.com/videogames/mmo-doldrums/
And here is Screaming Monkey's take on it all.
http://screammonkey.wordpress.com/2010/11/05/action-apples-and-rpg-oranges/
Interesting reads especially since I think Blizzard has console envy. I can see PCs and consoles becoming more and more alike in the Gold Rush that is the melding of television and Internet and gaming and downloaded content like movies.
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Copyright Solo MMO Player at http://solommo.blogspot.com
Showing posts with label Karthias. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Karthias. Show all posts
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Thursday, October 28, 2010
An Open Letter to Developers
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/columns/writersroom/8252-Open-Letter-to-People-Who-Make-Games
Amen. Thanks, Karthias.
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Copyright Solo MMO Player at http://solommo.blogspot.com
Amen. Thanks, Karthias.
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Copyright Solo MMO Player at http://solommo.blogspot.com
Saturday, September 25, 2010
A Game for While You Wait (Sacred 2)
Thanks to Karthias, the Solo MMO Player has found a game to play while waiting for Cataclysm. It's called Sacred 2 and is available on the PC, PS3 and xBox 360. (Note the the original PC version is said to be rather buggy.) Sacred 2 is a throwback game made in Germany, similar to Morrowind in the Elder Scroll series, but with the detailed character creation of WOW. If you think you are going to miss managing complex character elements when Blizzard streamlines it in Cataclysm, this game might be for you.
The quests are simplistic. You will be constantly battling multiple enemy NPCs that come at you in waves. There are six classes to choose from in the original game (and perhaps one more in the PC only expansion called Ice and Blood) but you won't be able to choose your sex, just customize hair color. For example, if you want to play a Seraphim (similar to WOW's Paladin class in some ways) you have to play as a female and run around in high heels and a mini-skirt until you buy or loot new gear.
The camera views can be awkward, and if you are not used to a bird's eye view, you won't enjoy playing offline co-op. There is PvP and online co-op available, but since this is an older game, there may not be many folks to play with. Mounts in this game are similar to pets in WOW and you can use mounted combat.
The game has touches of humor, especially in the graveyards. There is also an in-game heavy metal concert that seems to be embedded in one of the quests.
Sacred 2 can be downloaded from xBox Live or D2D, but apparently there is no manual available if you do this. When you start playing, you are going to be pretty confused at first. This is a complex game to master in some ways.
The most important online source of information is Sacred 2's wiki. However, it is not very useful for new players as there is no real explanation of the basics for beginners. If you want to search the forum postings you will have to sign up and create a login.
http://www.sacredwiki.org/index.php5/SacredWiki
I found some basic information and a list of the main and side quests here. This is a very big game with 200 levels spread across a wide landscape so you'll need some help keeping to the quests. If you don't like leveling, this is not the game for you.
http://guides.gamepressure.com/sacred2fallenangel/guide.asp?ID=7236
There is lots of gear in the game. This is a fairly complete list. The way the game handles large inventory is pretty good (if you play the xBox 360 version, make sure you get the Bank Imp download).
http://pctalk.info/Games/Sacred2/Wolfes.Lair/Sacred2FallenAngel/S2FAItems.html
This site lists the characters, their gods and the combat arts you can choose from.
http://www.bingegamer.net/2009/a-beginners-guide-to-sacred-2/
This site talks about skills and combat arts, and has a guide to some of the characters available.
http://www.brighthub.com/video-games/mmo/articles/15852.aspx
More basics including alchemy and some leveling information.
http://pctalk.info/Games/Sacred2/Wolfes.Lair/Sacred2FallenAngel/S2FAGameBasics.html
Here are some good tips.
http://www.co-optimus.com/article/1828/sacred-2-hints-and-tips-from-the-co-optimus-community.html
One of the big drawbacks to the game is you can't respec a character. Whatever you choose in the beginning is what you are stuck with throughout the game, so if you decide you aren't happy with your build, you have to start over from the beginning to create something different. Several folks have posted their builds to help newer players get started. These are just a few good ones I found while looking for game information, but there are many more if you do a little searching.
http://forum.teamxbox.com/showthread.php?t=619262
http://forum.sacred2.com/archive/index.php/t-65974.html
The Sacred 2 wiki has guides to all the characters that help you figure out the optimum build for you. In general the dyad is a ranged caster/healer, the high elf is a caster, the inquisitor is a caster/melee/summoner, the seraphim is a caster/melee/healer, the shadow warrior does summoning/melee, and the temple guardian is a hybrid ranged class.
http://www.sacredwiki.org/index.php5/Sacred_2:Character_Class
There's a YouTube Sacred 2 channel.
http://www.youtube.com/user/SacredWiki
This review for the PS3 version of the game makes good points about the game's good and bad points.
http://www.rpgfan.com/reviews/sacred2-ps3/index.html
See you in Ancaria!
***************************
Copyright Solo MMO Player at http://solommo.blogspot.com
The quests are simplistic. You will be constantly battling multiple enemy NPCs that come at you in waves. There are six classes to choose from in the original game (and perhaps one more in the PC only expansion called Ice and Blood) but you won't be able to choose your sex, just customize hair color. For example, if you want to play a Seraphim (similar to WOW's Paladin class in some ways) you have to play as a female and run around in high heels and a mini-skirt until you buy or loot new gear.
The camera views can be awkward, and if you are not used to a bird's eye view, you won't enjoy playing offline co-op. There is PvP and online co-op available, but since this is an older game, there may not be many folks to play with. Mounts in this game are similar to pets in WOW and you can use mounted combat.
The game has touches of humor, especially in the graveyards. There is also an in-game heavy metal concert that seems to be embedded in one of the quests.
Sacred 2 can be downloaded from xBox Live or D2D, but apparently there is no manual available if you do this. When you start playing, you are going to be pretty confused at first. This is a complex game to master in some ways.
The most important online source of information is Sacred 2's wiki. However, it is not very useful for new players as there is no real explanation of the basics for beginners. If you want to search the forum postings you will have to sign up and create a login.
http://www.sacredwiki.org/index.php5/SacredWiki
I found some basic information and a list of the main and side quests here. This is a very big game with 200 levels spread across a wide landscape so you'll need some help keeping to the quests. If you don't like leveling, this is not the game for you.
http://guides.gamepressure.com/sacred2fallenangel/guide.asp?ID=7236
There is lots of gear in the game. This is a fairly complete list. The way the game handles large inventory is pretty good (if you play the xBox 360 version, make sure you get the Bank Imp download).
http://pctalk.info/Games/Sacred2/Wolfes.Lair/Sacred2FallenAngel/S2FAItems.html
This site lists the characters, their gods and the combat arts you can choose from.
http://www.bingegamer.net/2009/a-beginners-guide-to-sacred-2/
This site talks about skills and combat arts, and has a guide to some of the characters available.
http://www.brighthub.com/video-games/mmo/articles/15852.aspx
More basics including alchemy and some leveling information.
http://pctalk.info/Games/Sacred2/Wolfes.Lair/Sacred2FallenAngel/S2FAGameBasics.html
Here are some good tips.
http://www.co-optimus.com/article/1828/sacred-2-hints-and-tips-from-the-co-optimus-community.html
One of the big drawbacks to the game is you can't respec a character. Whatever you choose in the beginning is what you are stuck with throughout the game, so if you decide you aren't happy with your build, you have to start over from the beginning to create something different. Several folks have posted their builds to help newer players get started. These are just a few good ones I found while looking for game information, but there are many more if you do a little searching.
http://forum.teamxbox.com/showthread.php?t=619262
http://forum.sacred2.com/archive/index.php/t-65974.html
The Sacred 2 wiki has guides to all the characters that help you figure out the optimum build for you. In general the dyad is a ranged caster/healer, the high elf is a caster, the inquisitor is a caster/melee/summoner, the seraphim is a caster/melee/healer, the shadow warrior does summoning/melee, and the temple guardian is a hybrid ranged class.
http://www.sacredwiki.org/index.php5/Sacred_2:Character_Class
There's a YouTube Sacred 2 channel.
http://www.youtube.com/user/SacredWiki
This review for the PS3 version of the game makes good points about the game's good and bad points.
http://www.rpgfan.com/reviews/sacred2-ps3/index.html
See you in Ancaria!
***************************
Copyright Solo MMO Player at http://solommo.blogspot.com
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Blizzard and The Law: A Series
I'm going to consolidate all the WOW Insider columns about legal issues and WOW here. Search on "law" or "legal" to find this summary. I've also added other articles about WOW and the Law that aren't part of the series.
The new legal column at WOW Insider has started with this article about "the magic circle" which is the world of games and play separate from the real world and in which players consent to what happens as long as it doesn't violate game rules.
http://www.wow.com/2010/02/01/the-lawbringer-wow-and-the-magic-circle/
The new legal column at WOW Insider has started with this article about "the magic circle" which is the world of games and play separate from the real world and in which players consent to what happens as long as it doesn't violate game rules.
http://www.wow.com/2010/02/01/the-lawbringer-wow-and-the-magic-circle/
The WOW Insider legal columnist looks at privacy and how it works in WOW. It isn't as straightforward as you would think.
http://www.wow.com/2010/02/08/the-lawbringer-contracts-and-the-achievement-tracker/
http://www.wow.com/2010/02/08/the-lawbringer-contracts-and-the-achievement-tracker/
The WOW Insider legal column takes a look at the issues around banning players, mostly the contract between Blizzard and WOW players.
http://www.wow.com/2010/02/15/the-lawbringer--contracts-and-player-bans/
Is is possible to get Blizzard to modify your game play provisions? Maybe.
http://www.wow.com/2010/02/22/the-lawbringer-unconscionability/
European Law and Contracts
http://www.wow.com/2010/03/01/the-lawbringer-know-your-legal-lore/
More on the same topic
http://www.wow.com/2010/03/09/the-lawbringer-euro-ver-my-head-contract-law-edition/
Blizzard and the Gold Selling Ban (from the legal aspect)
http://www.wow.com/2010/03/16/the-lawbringer-legal-gold-sales-not-a-blizzards-chance-in-hel/
Gold Sellers and Contract Law
http://www.wow.com/2010/03/22/the-lawbringer-interfering-with-gold-farmers/
Why Gold Selling is a Crime
http://www.wow.com/2010/04/05/the-lawbringer-gold-sellers-are-criminals/
Copyright Law and WOW
http://www.wow.com/2010/04/26/the-lawbringer-copyrights-and-wow/
http://www.wow.com/2010/05/17/the-lawbringer-scope-of-copyrights/
Purchasing Versus Licensing Software and Why This Debate Matters
http://www.wow.com/2010/05/24/the-lawbringer-purchase-vs-license-cage-match/
End Use License Agreements
http://www.wow.com/2010/05/31/the-lawbringer-license-v-purchase-sgt-joe-friday-edition/
A history of MDY versus Blizzard which is really about the Glider bot program that MDY offered to get around Blizzard's scanner Warden programs. Although Blizzard won on most counts, this is still under appeal.
http://www.wow.com/2010/06/07/the-lawbringer-the-history-of-blizzard-and-mdy-glider/
Questions from the above MDY vs. Blizzard case with answers-
http://www.wow.com/2010/06/14/the-lawbringer-mdy-v-blizzard-q-and-a/
Another milestone in the MDY vs. Blizzard case. (This site is all about video games and the law so explore further if this is a topic of interest.)
http://www.gamerlaw.co.uk/2010/12/thoughts-on-wow-glider-appeal.html
Battle.net has a new Terms of Use Agreement (Patch 3.3.5)
http://www.wow.com/2010/06/21/the-lawbringer-new-battle-net-tou/
Why Blizzard won't Sell Gold (note that this is a stand-in columnist while the regular legal writer takes the bar exams)
http://www.wow.com/2010/06/29/the-lawbringer-why-youll-never-buy-gold-from-blizzard/
Rookies' Guide to the End User License Agreement (EULA)
http://www.wow.com/2010/08/11/the-lawbringer-a-rookies-guide-to-the-eula/
Part Two of Rookies' Guide to EULA
http://www.wow.com/2010/08/17/the-lawbringer-rookies-guide-to-the-eula-part-2/
Lawsuits Over Game Addiction
http://www.wow.com/2010/08/27/the-lawbringer-this-mmo-is-too-addictive-im-suing/
Rookie's Guide to Terms of Use (TOU)
http://www.wow.com/2010/09/02/the-lawbringer-a-rookies-guide-to-the-tou/
Fan Fiction (and Fair Use, Parody and Critique)
http://wow.joystiq.com/2010/09/17/the-lawbringer-the-trouble-with-fan-fiction/
Ways to Get Into Trouble with WOW in Trade Chat
http://wow.joystiq.com/2010/10/01/the-lawbringer-5-ways-trade-chat-can-get-you-in-trouble/
Machinima
http://wow.joystiq.com/2010/10/08/the-lawbringer-blizzard-and-machinima/
Real Money Transactions (eBay)
http://wow.joystiq.com/2010/10/15/the-lawbringer-real-money-transactions-and-some-ebay-history/
Karthias Talks Terms of Use
http://systemicbabble.com/society-politics/terms-of-use-legal-blackmail/
Matthew Discusses Blizzard's Starcraft 2 Hacker Lawsuit
http://wow.joystiq.com/2010/10/24/the-lawbringer-buying-precedent/
Three WOW Criminals
http://wow.joystiq.com/2010/10/29/the-lawbringer-consequences-2010/
About the California case trying to limit sales of violet video games.
http://wow.joystiq.com/2010/11/12/the-lawbringer-schwarzenegger-v-ema/
The WOW Insider article says that this is the definitive article on the California case.
http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/6191/video_game_regulation_and_the_.php
Self-Regulation in the Video Game Industry
http://wow.joystiq.com/2010/11/19/the-lawbringer-self-regulation-and-the-video-game-industry/
Account Security
http://wow.joystiq.com/2010/12/03/the-lawbringer-account-security-and-you/
Dangers of Addons That Auto Update (More Account Security)
http://wow.joystiq.com/2010/12/10/the-lawbringer-the-dangers-of-addon-auto-updaters/
***************************
Copyright Solo MMO Player at http://solommo.blogspot.com
http://www.wow.com/2010/02/15/the-lawbringer--contracts-and-player-bans/
Is is possible to get Blizzard to modify your game play provisions? Maybe.
http://www.wow.com/2010/02/22/the-lawbringer-unconscionability/
European Law and Contracts
http://www.wow.com/2010/03/01/the-lawbringer-know-your-legal-lore/
More on the same topic
http://www.wow.com/2010/03/09/the-lawbringer-euro-ver-my-head-contract-law-edition/
Blizzard and the Gold Selling Ban (from the legal aspect)
http://www.wow.com/2010/03/16/the-lawbringer-legal-gold-sales-not-a-blizzards-chance-in-hel/
Gold Sellers and Contract Law
http://www.wow.com/2010/03/22/the-lawbringer-interfering-with-gold-farmers/
Why Gold Selling is a Crime
http://www.wow.com/2010/04/05/the-lawbringer-gold-sellers-are-criminals/
Copyright Law and WOW
http://www.wow.com/2010/04/26/the-lawbringer-copyrights-and-wow/
http://www.wow.com/2010/05/17/the-lawbringer-scope-of-copyrights/
Purchasing Versus Licensing Software and Why This Debate Matters
http://www.wow.com/2010/05/24/the-lawbringer-purchase-vs-license-cage-match/
End Use License Agreements
http://www.wow.com/2010/05/31/the-lawbringer-license-v-purchase-sgt-joe-friday-edition/
A history of MDY versus Blizzard which is really about the Glider bot program that MDY offered to get around Blizzard's scanner Warden programs. Although Blizzard won on most counts, this is still under appeal.
http://www.wow.com/2010/06/07/the-lawbringer-the-history-of-blizzard-and-mdy-glider/
Questions from the above MDY vs. Blizzard case with answers-
http://www.wow.com/2010/06/14/the-lawbringer-mdy-v-blizzard-q-and-a/
Another milestone in the MDY vs. Blizzard case. (This site is all about video games and the law so explore further if this is a topic of interest.)
http://www.gamerlaw.co.uk/2010/12/thoughts-on-wow-glider-appeal.html
Battle.net has a new Terms of Use Agreement (Patch 3.3.5)
http://www.wow.com/2010/06/21/the-lawbringer-new-battle-net-tou/
Why Blizzard won't Sell Gold (note that this is a stand-in columnist while the regular legal writer takes the bar exams)
http://www.wow.com/2010/06/29/the-lawbringer-why-youll-never-buy-gold-from-blizzard/
Rookies' Guide to the End User License Agreement (EULA)
http://www.wow.com/2010/08/11/the-lawbringer-a-rookies-guide-to-the-eula/
Part Two of Rookies' Guide to EULA
http://www.wow.com/2010/08/17/the-lawbringer-rookies-guide-to-the-eula-part-2/
Lawsuits Over Game Addiction
http://www.wow.com/2010/08/27/the-lawbringer-this-mmo-is-too-addictive-im-suing/
Rookie's Guide to Terms of Use (TOU)
http://www.wow.com/2010/09/02/the-lawbringer-a-rookies-guide-to-the-tou/
Fan Fiction (and Fair Use, Parody and Critique)
http://wow.joystiq.com/2010/09/17/the-lawbringer-the-trouble-with-fan-fiction/
Ways to Get Into Trouble with WOW in Trade Chat
http://wow.joystiq.com/2010/10/01/the-lawbringer-5-ways-trade-chat-can-get-you-in-trouble/
Machinima
http://wow.joystiq.com/2010/10/08/the-lawbringer-blizzard-and-machinima/
Real Money Transactions (eBay)
http://wow.joystiq.com/2010/10/15/the-lawbringer-real-money-transactions-and-some-ebay-history/
Karthias Talks Terms of Use
http://systemicbabble.com/society-politics/terms-of-use-legal-blackmail/
Matthew Discusses Blizzard's Starcraft 2 Hacker Lawsuit
http://wow.joystiq.com/2010/10/24/the-lawbringer-buying-precedent/
Three WOW Criminals
http://wow.joystiq.com/2010/10/29/the-lawbringer-consequences-2010/
About the California case trying to limit sales of violet video games.
http://wow.joystiq.com/2010/11/12/the-lawbringer-schwarzenegger-v-ema/
The WOW Insider article says that this is the definitive article on the California case.
http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/6191/video_game_regulation_and_the_.php
Self-Regulation in the Video Game Industry
http://wow.joystiq.com/2010/11/19/the-lawbringer-self-regulation-and-the-video-game-industry/
Account Security
http://wow.joystiq.com/2010/12/03/the-lawbringer-account-security-and-you/
Dangers of Addons That Auto Update (More Account Security)
http://wow.joystiq.com/2010/12/10/the-lawbringer-the-dangers-of-addon-auto-updaters/
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Copyright Solo MMO Player at http://solommo.blogspot.com
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
What I Want for Christmas (Piloting Ulduar's Demolisher)
Karthias explains how to pilot a demolisher, which is one of the vehicles in Ulduar. (Sounds like the perfect commuter vehicle to me.)
http://teethandclaws.blogspot.com/2009/04/how-to-pilot-demolisher.html
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http://teethandclaws.blogspot.com/2009/04/how-to-pilot-demolisher.html
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Thursday, June 25, 2009
Karthias Speaks: Raid Mechanics
Andrew at Of Teeth and Claw analyzes the mechanics of raid encounters, using WOW as an example.
http://teethandclaws.blogspot.com/2009/06/anatomy-of-raid-encounter.html
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http://teethandclaws.blogspot.com/2009/06/anatomy-of-raid-encounter.html
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