WRUP: Let's do the crafting edition

See, it works like this. You have a bunch of copper, so you decide to start crafting something that needs copper, so you take up blacksmithing. But then you find out that a blacksmith will also need wood, so you take up carpentry. Once you've made a bunch of wood, you find out that you can use that wood in a bunch of leatherworking recipes. And so before you know it you're some demented super-crafter trying to craft everything out of everything. Also, Samuel.

In other news, it's time for this week's installment of WRUP, in which the Massively staff members discuss what they'll be up to for the weekend and whether or not they stay subscribed to a game to support it after we're no longer playing it. Click on past the break for our weekend plans, and let us know what you'll be up to down in the comments!

@Beau_Hindman: I can honestly say at this point that I have no idea what I will be playing, except for War of Dragons for Rise and Shiny. Other than that, I planned on playing Ultima Online for the livestream next week, but EA or Origin or whatever it is calling itself now is so frustrating to deal with. I literally have spent hours on hold and with customer service reps, none of which knows anything about my old UO account. For the record, I resubbed and played it recently. I tried to log in with my old login and it takes me to a site that does not even recognize the game. I felt silly.

I do not generally sub to games, as I think it's an outdated and silly way to pay for gaming. Even then, if I like a game I might stay subbed just in case I want to jump back in. That touches on the weakness of the subscription option, though -- the fact that you cannot even have basic access without paying a fee. That's why freemium or free-to-play has taken over.

@bfelczer: This weekend I am planning on playing Star Trek Online and Magic: The Gathering Online. In STO I will be checking out the latest updates to the Tribble test server -- there were some interesting things implemented, including the Dilithium to C-Store point exchange. This will allow players who don't have the real-life funds to buy C-Store points to obtain them via auctioning off in-game Dilithium. In MTGO, I am going to practice for my Sunday livestream against some of my friends. I am hoping to find success in a new Black/Blue combo deck.

@nbrianna: World of Warcraft and City of Heroes for me. (Modding my UI counts as playing, right?)

I don't think I've ever stayed subbed to support a game, but I have bought stuff from cash shops to support games -- CoH and Guild Wars in particular. I've subbed in order to keep a house or vendor, though, and I hate that feeling of obligation.

On Saturday I'm going to be leveling a bit in Final Fantasy XIV and shooting things in Metal Gear Solid 4, which I only recently actually bought. (Yes, I know, but my PS3 was a late acquisition.) Sunday, I'm going to be out of the house and into the Big Apple to see The Book of Mormon, which will be the first time I've actually seen a Broadway show. Should be fun!

As a general rule, if I've stopped playing a game, it's no longer a game that I really wish to support. There are times when I've kept a subscription going for a bit longer just to see if I get the urge to jump back into the game, but by and large I leave for a reason.

@Sypster: Jef's been guilting me to go back to EverQuest II, but we'll see if I can rise above peer pressure to stick with my current library of Lord of the Rings Online and Knights of the Old Republic II. I'm insanely antsy for a new big game to launch, so next month can't get here fast enough.

I wouldn't subscribe to a game after I quit -- that's just a waste of money. I mean, I know Massively pays us in solid gold SUVs weekly and I have the bling to toss around, but Mama Syp told me to be frugal. Plus, why would I put $15 toward a game I'm not playing when I could give it to a charity?

@mackeypb: This weekend I'm going to be playing more Champions Online and League of Legends, now that I've finished my move and have internet again. Yay internet! Even a few days without is torture for me.

I generally don't stay subbed if I quit an MMO. There are a lot of games I support (EQII, EVE Online) that I don't sub, but I can still support them by saying good things. It's a bit too costly for me to sub a bunch of games just for the principle of it, but I sort of understand the idea of staying subbed while you take a break. Some months you just log in to socialize, check the AH and maybe do a little bit ingame, and other months you're playing 10 hours a day. I can get behind that mentality a little more than staying subbed after I've quit.

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!