WRUP: Free of context edition
We here at WRUP pride ourselves on having header images and subjects that would do the Dadaist movement proud, but sometimes you just don't have anything sufficiently random to use. So today, we present to you a screenshot of a fat glowing moogle next to an armored catgirl in the rain, taken while playing Final Fantasy XIV. Go ahead and try to put together a set of circumstances in which that makes sense. It probably did in context.
The rest of this post will provide no actual context for the above picture. Instead, it will be wholly concerned with the planned leisure activities of the Massively crew, along with our deep dark secret regrets that we've accrued over the years. At least, our regrets about gaming. So jump on past the cut for a context-free explanation of what we'll be up to during the weekend, and feel free to let us know your own plans in the comment field.
Beau Hindman (@Beau_Hindman): I'll be playing more RuneScape for Rise and Shiny (it's going to be played for a long time) along with building some more in the Wurm Online village. I am also researching games for a list of 20 neat little free-to-play games for people to try, as well as writing a few articles.
My biggest MMO regret? I have absolutely zero. Every game I have played or explored has given me some sort of experience, and I have met so many people that I would never have before. This hobby (and job) has literally made me a more well-rounded person!
Brianna Royce (@nbrianna): I'm lagging behind my guildies in World of Warcraft, so I hope to get some Cataclysm leveling in again this weekend!
My biggest regret is not appreciating Ultima Online and Star Wars Galaxies more during their first years. I played the heck out of them from launch, but sandbox MMOs have this way of tripping you up in the details so you don't notice how amazing the whole experience really was until you -- and the other pioneers -- have moved on. You can't ever recapture that feeling.
Eliot Lefebvre: There's a ton to do in Final Fantasy XIV, I've got mission architect missions to run in City of Heroes, and I've got several characters to level in World of Warcraft. On top of that, it's Ms. Lady's birthday weekend, so we're going to be celebrating for most of the weekend. The holidays start early.
If there's one overarching regret I have, it's relating back to my first MMO, Final Fantasy XI. I railed against how unfriendly the game was to solo players, but that meant I spent far more time than I should have bemoaning what the game wasn't instead of appreciating what it was. Since then, I've really tried to learn and let games be what they want to be rather than trying to force them to fill a specific niche.
Greg Waller: WoW and Warhammer Online for me. And I'm going to see Tron2 on Saturday night.
My biggest MMO regret is probably having to leave my most recent guild. I'll leave the details for another time.
Jef Reahard: Darkfall and Darkfall for me, with a tiny helping of Age of Conan raiding (my first, yikes). Biggest MMO regret? Eh, not sure I have one tbh. Maybe coming to the MMO party a little late and missing the first year of Ultima Online.
Jeremy Stratton (@Jeremy_Stratton): My semester is over and I have MMOADD. I will be jumping around between many games including Vanguard: Saga of Heroes, Runes of Magic, Perpetuum, Lord of the Rings Online, World of Warcraft and Alganon -- if time allows. My biggest regret is not getting the Amani Warbear in WoW /sniff.
Justin Olivetti (@Sypster): Let's see... betas, Lord of the Rings Online's Yule Festival (gotta stomp all over the poor!) and possibly a re-entry into Star Trek Online. I miss blasting Klingons. KHAAAANNNNstantinople!
As for regrets, I frequently wish that I'd be able to step on my altoholic nature when I first start a game until I get a character to the level cap. So many MMOs come and go where I really would've liked to seen the high-level content, but I usually lack the discipline to get a toon up there.
Karen Bryan (@JayeRnH): I'll be playing EverQuest II and bracing myself for the upcoming server merge. I'll also be playing the game that shall not be named.
As far as regrets, I'm hating myself for admiring the new Gnomish armor on EverQuest II's marketplace. How is it that Gnomes created the coolest looking armor in the game?!
Krystalle Voecks (@Krystalle): I'm playing "clean the house before everyone shows up for the holidays." Not exactly the most gripping thing, but it has to be done. Outside of that, I'll be spending time in EVE Online and DC Universe Online. Oh, and that other beta thing going on this weekend that we're not supposed to say we're playing.
As for regrets: that I don't have more hours in the day to game! There are always MMOs I wish I could spend more time in.
Lisa Poisso (@emused): More leveling for my WoW Worgen is in the cards. As for regrets, I wish I'd stayed with original EverQuest longer than I did. During my periodic, nostalgic visits, I find that the players there seem to get so much enjoyment out of the game world and community still. It's so hard to go back, though, after sampling the faster pace and fresh mechanics and graphics of newer games.
Patrick Mackey: More Champions! Actually this is kind of a big deal, since I've been moving and stuff lately and haven't had much time. I'm also totally hyped since Cosmic Break is in prerelease beta. Loli mecha action, go!
My biggest regret in an MMO is probably not getting into RP until a couple of years ago. It seemed like a decent fit, since I've enjoyed PnP since I was a kid, but I never really put two and two together (it always seemed really awkward to me). Now that I'm more into it, it just seems natural.
At the start of every weekend, we catch up with the Massively staff members and ask them, "What are you playing this week?" (Otherwise known as: WRUP!) Join us to see what we're up to in and out of game -- and catch us in the comments to let us know what you're playing, too!
