Where Cataclysm Is Taking Us

Today I've found several articles that unintentionally talk about where Blizzard is taking players with Cataclysm.  First, let me quote The Noisy Rogue's description of the bulk of in-game behavior:  "The point is that this game is full of teenage boys with no social repercussions for their in-game behavior. What is there to work out here? It’s going to be a free for all. It is a free for all. This doesn’t excuse it, but you are trying to swim against the tide if you think that you are going to change this."  The article itself is a reaction to postings about sexism in-game that have been floating around the Blog-o-sphere over the last 2-3 weeks.  If you are interested in this topic, read the Comments.  (If you have noticed a lot of guys in their 20s and 30s inside WOW acting like the teenagers described above, please join me in banging my head against the desk.)
http://thenoisyrogue.wordpress.com/2010/08/26/my-brain-implodes/

Next up is Skeleton Jack's rambling rant about Blizzard and WOW. Among all the paragraphs he makes some good points:  how difficult it is to find a guild that is a good fit, how Blizzard's primary focus now is on what they can change in the game to milk more cash from the players, how this means raids can be run successfully by folks who have no idea what they are doing, new raid content is the same old stuff, that leveling is not enjoyed by anyone, and how Blizzard is revamping WOW for a new generation of players.  (See the first paragraph above.)
http://www.skeletonjack.com/2010/08/29/unbiased-honesty-skeleton-jacks-thoughts/

Perhaps I am wrong in thinking that Cataclysm is a cheap way to release reworked code that has been made easier with a few new races to appeal to the kiddies in order to keep the money flowing into Activision's pockets.  Perhaps not.

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Copyright Solo MMO Player at http://solommo.blogspot.com

The Role of Women in WOW (and Games in General)

In the way these things seem to happen on the Internet, I've found three interesting articles about sexism and the role of women in WOW.  The first article I found via a posting on 1UP.  It explains why Activision doesn't create games starring female characters.
http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/29719/InDepth_No_Female_Heroes_At_Activision.php

Simultaneously The MMO Melting Pot asks why there is sexism in WOW, and...
http://www.mmomeltingpot.com/2010/08/the-mental-shaman-sexism-in-wow-whats-the-problem/#respond

....links to this article exploring the problem in depth.
http://mentalshaman.com/2010/08/04/i-dont-see-your-problem-sexism-world-of-warcraft-and-geekery/

Here's the direct link to the statistical analysis of female characters in WOW mentioned above.
http://paperclipchains.livejournal.com/101267.html

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Copyright Solo MMO Player at http://solommo.blogspot.com

Activision Lawsuit and Downloads

Activision has been much criticized for the cost and skimpy content in its Call of Duty series downloads.  However, the Call of Duty map packs have been downloaded more than 20 million times.  They cost $15 each currently.  You can do the math yourselves, but at that rate, skimpy content at high prices will continue to flow.
http://kotaku.com/5602915/call-of-duty-map-packs-downloaded-over-20-million-times

In other Activision news, Kotick has lost a sexual harassment and sexual discrimination lawsuit and the appeal which seems to involve a dispute over what he owed a lawyer in the case for representing him.   Details here.  Note that he wasn't the one doing the harassing but did not prevent it.  Instead he fired the complainant.  Many thanks to Kotaku for leading me to the LA Times story.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2010/08/activision-ceo-kotick-loses-battle-with-top-hollywood-litigator.html

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Copyright Solo MMO Player at http://solommo.blogspot.com

Guildwatch the Sexist Edition

This week's Guildwatch is full of charity fundraisers and a guild member with a broken femur and hip in an accident in his basement calling for help via Vent since he couldn't make it to the telephone.  Very dull, though praiseworthy.

However, one guild applicant who did well in the audition raid and in his application to Pitch Black was turned down, then turned on the guild and called them names, including "little girls."  Sexist statement of the week.  I'll have to introduce him to the little girls I know so they can peck his eyes out.
http://www.wow.com/2009/12/02/guildwatch-you-guys-raid-like-little-girls/

As always there is plenty of recruiting and downing of instances but not on the Solo MMO Player's realm.

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Copyright Solo MMO Player at http://solommo.blogspot.com