WoW: Blizzard’s Epic Arms Race
It's one thing to talk about this problem and hear anecdotal stories from players. It's another thing entirely when you see hard evidence that proves conclusively that Blizzard is literally …
Author: Wolfshead
WoW: Heroism For Sale
The bizzare way that Blizzard seems to be giving everything away lately is a real cause for concern. It's like they are dismantling WoW one feature at a time in …
WoW: Stealth Changes to Naming Policy
Given that we have no server GM’s in WoW, I like to take time out of my busy play schedule to do unpaid volunteer customer service work for Blizzard. As paying …
Is World of Warcraft 2 in the Works?
About a week ago, I started pondering the question: is Blizzard working on WoW 2 yet? Sure enough, Tobold the resident Nostradamus of the MMO world just posted a thought provoking article on that very subject. …
WoW: Impressions of Sunwell Isle
Surely one of the long awaited features of the latest patch from Blizzard has been the introduction of the Sunwell Isle. This area just north of the Blood Elf capital of Silvermoon …
WoW: The Battle for the Future of Azeroth
Many people who play WoW these days simply ignore the official Blizzard forums. Unfortunately the forums are usually seething with bitterness and hostility. Too often those posters indulge in the “forum” meta game …
WoW: The Problem with Hero Classes
As the release of Blizzard’s World of Warcraft new expansion Wrath of the Lich King looms ever nearer, I’m starting to feel unease at the prospect of a hero class emerging from …
Are MMO’s in Danger of Becoming a Spectator Sport?
Don’t have time to play WoW? Not enough time to raid? Blizzard has never made it easier to feel connected to Azeroth without actually playing. Case in point: in …
Bushnell’s Theorem: Easy to Learn, Difficult to Master
Anyone who’s analyzed the success of Blizzard’s insanely popular World of Warcraft can not help but have heard the mantra: “easy to learn, hard to master”. Their designers have lovingly …
MMO Design Pitfalls
For years I have held the original creators of EverQuest in high esteem. I was always fascinated with the work of Brad McQuaid and Jeff Butler. Long had they been at the helm …
Blizzard Slaughters a Sacred Cow
Today Blizzard announced that previously restricted classes such as paladins and shamen would finally be allowed to be played by the opposite faction for the upcoming expansion The Burning Crusade. …
The EverQuest Paradox Revealed
Sometimes the best observations about life are made when one is away from the familiar -- be it people, jobs, hobbies or past-times. A recent autumn drive through the scenic …
A Class Balance Manifesto for Virtual Worlds
After playing traditional fantasy MMORPG's for over 6 years, I have come to believe that a class system is an important foundation for how we classify and organize the players …
Vanguard Forums: The Importance of Immersion
Immersion is very important to me. The suspension of disbelief is critical into buying into a virtual world. I’m a big fan of details, polish and the little things that …
The Day the Loot Stopped Dropping
What would happen if suddenly all the loot stopped dropping in your favorite MMORPG? Would there be widespread panic in the streets? Would your online world come to a grinding …
Vanguard Forums: Realism vs. Immersion
Realism is really just consistent, believable sets of laws and conditions that govern the particular virtual world that you are inhabiting. Let’s say you are playing a game that is …
The Voice of Technology
The seductive siren song of technological progress constantly beckons. Medicine, industry, commerce, and entertainment are all driven by the promises that scientific advancement brings. Many think that technology is advancing …
Paying it Forward in MMORPGs
Over the weekend, I finally watched a film that had been on my “to watch” list for the last few years: Pay It Forward. I had always shied away from …
Vanguard Forums: Why MMO’s Should Hire Real Fantasy Writers
I think Sigil is making a huge mistake if they are going to pattern their fantasy world after real world cultures. At least in Norrath in the original EQ the …
Vanguard Forums: Remember when we were just players?
Splendid post Darthmidget. I think you made an excellent summary of what makes a good MMORPG. Eventually most current WoW players will come to the same conclusion that you have …
Vanguard: On Religion and Deities in MMO’s
The role of religion in fantasy MMORPGs is one of the great untapped goldmines that can be used to augment character advancement and give context to the culture/lore of the …
Chasing the money changers from the temple
Although the news of SOE's decision to faciliate the sale and exchange of items, money and characters is a few weeks old I and <a href="http://www.grimwell.com/index.php?action=fullnews&id=279">others</a> who comment on the …
Should PVP be it’s own reward?
Recently Blizzard introduced the long-awaited Honor System into the <a href="http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/">World of Warcraft</a> MMORPG. The Honor System seems to be an attempt to motivate players into participating into an unending …