Updated Links Page

I've updated my previously way-out-of-date Links page. If you notice anything missing or any links broken, please feel free to comment here.

The Numbers Game

In a recent thread over at Grimwell Online, Morgan posted a link to the updated MMOGchart, SirBruce's ongoing effort to track the number of subscriptions in as many MMOGs for which he can get numbers.

I have a lot of respect for this effort, particularly as it is one of the mainstays of the genre now, having been around for so long. However, I have long questioned the value of the comparisons made within his program, and decided now was a good a time as any to discuss it.

Continue reading The Numbers Game…

Bloggers as Journalists?

Here's an interesting bit of news just off the wire:

California state Appeals Court declines to expose bloggers who report insider knowledge about Apple

Continue reading Bloggers as Journalists?…

No DirectX10 for WinXP?

As reported today by Gamasutra, sources reference a recent event in London, and statements by ATI Technologies chief Richard Huddy, as strong indictors that Microsoft will not be releasing DirectX 10 APIs for Windows XP. Continue reading No DirectX10 for WinXP?…

Darniaq 2.0

A bit over two years ago, I launched Darniaq.com. While I've been discussing MMOs for years, I never had my own blog. So as others have done before me, I decided to use phpNews for the front page and phpBB for forums on the back end. The front page featured an open-comments system where anyone could have their say, and I offered the forums to friends who wanted to discuss their gaming in a more private, registration- and permission-required, setting. This worked well for awhile, but I kept running into issues with the Comments. phpNews offers some control over Comments, but only after they're posted. Further, the only way to manage Comments was to find the article to which they are attached. This wasn't an issue until more people actually started reading this blog, and cross-linking elsewhere. That was when the spambots showed up. Continue reading Darniaq 2.0…

Where is the massive?

Every year the same conversations come up: where's the innovation? People far and wide descend on E3 like a pack of creativity-starved wolves, looking for a spark of invention, a moment of newness, anything that isn't just some derivative game experience with "next generation" graphics.

No more poignant is this search than within the massive online game genre. I credit this interest to the sheer amount of required investment of time. People spend years playing these games, at a time when even the most beloved and hyped titles are merely rated "Game of the Month".

But after a string of derivative titles hitting the mainstream, they want to know: where's the innovation (as I have)?

Meanwhile, I want to know: where's the massive?

Continue reading Where is the massive?…

Trouble in Telon (Vanguard)

Both over at Grimwell Online and F13, one of the many conversations involves Vanguard. The conversation at GO was started by Heartless posting some "leaked" info an anonymous beta tester posted in his comments thread. 

Basically, all is not well on Telon. While I am not surprised, the discussion at GO has mostly involved the reaction of both the old and new Vanguard Forum posting community to the state of the game and it's relevance to the ever changing conditions of the genre.

Continue reading Trouble in Telon (Vanguard)…

Forced enjoyment

Yesterday a topic was started to discuss, yet again, someone getting bored with MMOs. While it started as Geldonyetich cancelling his CoH subscription, it quickly evolved into a discussion about the genre, where innovation lies and the unnecessariness of extending the life of a subscription when one is bored in the game. I've often found it fascinating the people feel bad about leaving MMOs, and the genre in general. Back in the early days, I sort of understood it though. MMOs were a close-knit community. For some, they encompassed an entire social circle. Leaving one MMO for another caused riots, and leaving the genre for good was such a hurtful thing to do, people didn't talk about it. But we're way beyond that point now. It's time to face the facts. Continue reading Forced enjoyment…

Character Accountability Idea

Inspired by Zonk's post about Tobold's blog on the quality of grouping, I'm reminded of the many discussions about player accountability over the years.

Some feel open PvP is the only way to really keep people in line. Others want the Hand of God in the form of personal Game Masters that can be called upon to dispense justice. Still others want to be in charge themselves.

I prefer a more moderate approach.

Edit: I've since read Richard Bartle's idea (which he further defines at Lum's place), and see Tide is developing one as well. It's good to see activity in this area.

Continue reading Character Accountability Idea…

Nth Chances

Every year features new entrants into the MMO space. While last year was dominated by Blizzard, we also saw the debut of some newbies ArenaNet (GuildWars), Monolith (Matrix Online) and Planetwide Games (Ryl), among others.

There's also been a long list of expansions for specific titles, from relative newcomers like Everquest 2, maturing titles like City of Heros and genre veterans like Dark Age of Camelot and the venerable Everquest 1 itself. This mix of old and new feeds the very breadth that almost ensures there's an MMORPG for every gamer. But this also shows that almost every game has a fair chance at a second (or Nth) chance. Continue reading Nth Chances…