Sharing predictions, and looking forwards

This is the time of year where everyone traditionally makes some predictions for the next year, so that we all can laugh at how wrong they were in 12 months time. Here’s a few links to bloggers who are putting their necks on the line: Scott Jennings column in mmorpg.net. 2010 in review. Keen’s predictions [...]

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Who is the most important person in your group?

One of the great things about well designed team games is that every single member of the team can feel important. They each have a part to play. If they play their part particularly well, they can see it make a difference to the team. And that’s good because, for self-esteem, everyone likes to feel [...]

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In memory of absent friends

Towards the end of the year, it’s normal for us to look back over the last 12 months and take stock. What has changed? What goals have we met? Have we made any new friends? Lost any old ones? Learned anything new? Had major life changes? Anything unexpected that we coped with well … or [...]

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The growing rift in WoW between hybrids and non-hybrids

The ideal with character classes in MMOs is that there should be a wide enough choice that every player can find one that they like, and then use that character to pursue all of the in-game goals which appeal to them. They might involve different mechanics, different lore, a different look and feel, different levels [...]

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Looking for that magic compass

Which instance should I go to next, magic compass? There are lots of different types of quests available in quest-based games. Quests where you have to kill things, quests to collect things, sightseeing or exploring quests, dungeon quests, holiday quests, daily quests, pvp quests; and that’s just a short example. Designers use quests to encourage [...]

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Goodwill to all PUGs

Happy Christmas, blogoverse! Hey, even as a non-believer I can get behind the notion of a season of goodwill and peace to all men. I just wanted to share a couple of positive stories to wind up for the holidays on an upnote. Firstly, massive props to the tank in my random group who nailed [...]

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How MMOs infect single player games, and other syphilitic themes

This was inspired by Tam’s syphilis meme, where he bravely offered to suggest personalised topics to all comers. So with no more ado, my topic is: How do you think playing WoW influences our attitude to and engagement in other games? Before I start on the lists, one comment. I wrote a few posts about [...]

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Thought of the Day: Fighting for Control of a Group

While the vast majority of groups I have found using the dungeon tool have been great, the annoying minority stress me out far more when tanking than in any other role. This is because in annoying groups, lots of players are fighting for control. In relaxed groups, people offer leadership or guidance if needed but [...]

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Pink Pigtail Inn’s List of 2009 (WoW Version)

Larisa started a tradition back in 2008 of taking nominations for the most memorable gaming content and moments of the year. Well, it’s that time of year again, and the 2009 version is being worked on even as I speak. This is a cleaned up and (slightly) expanded version of what I posted in comments [...]

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Free Trials, Open Betas, Welcome Back Weekends — Do they tempt you?

MMOs are difficult games to pin down; they’re constantly changing and growing, being streamlined, including temporary holiday events, and adding new content and rewards. A game that failed to grab you at launch may be exactly what you are looking for in six months time. But it is a difficult task to tempt a player [...]

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