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MMObility: Fourteen MMOs that you can play anywhere
I thought it'd be fun to make a list of go-anywhere MMOs this week. It's not really hard to find portable MMOs that run on laptops or netbooks. The real issue is locating MMOs that can be played on your desktop while you're at work (while the boss isn't looking, of course!), then on your phone at lunch, and then on your laptop while you sit in bed later that night. The technology to make constantly accessible MMOs is there, namely in the form of HTML5. Adobe recently announced that not only is it moving away from Flash for mobile devices, but it is also specifically targeting Android Jelly Bean. There is a new wave of web technologies coming that will hopefully, once and for all, put an end to the need for special lists like this one. Not all of my choices are HTML5-based, but I tried to keep all of them open for all devices. If you notice any oddities while playing them on a certain device, let me know in the comments section so I can note it. I get a lot of requests for lists like this, so I want to keep things tight. In the meanwhile, enjoy the list. There are others out there, but I wanted to pick out some that give pretty much the same result across whichever device you use.
Free for All: Looking for the near-perfect MUD-like browser MMO
I need your help. If you are a reader, then I need you to open your memory boxes and take a look around at the bottom. Shuffle around where all the remnants of favorite past MMOs settle and see if you can find me something. If you are a developer who is reading this, then you might indeed have some special insight into my issue. I need a game. A special game. It must fit a certain mold that is very particularly fitted to my very specific needs and wants. It's a tall order, to say the least. Now, I understand how to use Google. At least once a week I am asked something along the lines of "Where do you find these weird games you cover?" I am always tempted to link the questioner to Google and walk away, but generally I tell him it is a combination of different efforts: some searching, some tipping from readers, and more than a smidge of good luck. Also understand that I have a lot of good titles keeping me busy, but I tend to become sort of obsessed with little projects along the way. So what do I need this week? I need a semi-graphical, browser-based MUD-like MMO that features great customization for characters, text, and interface, that's what.
MMObility: Fifty games for the mobile lifestyle
I like lists. Lists help keep my candy-coated brain functioning. I see so many games, devices, and developers that I need to write things down periodically or become lost. Not so long ago I made a list of 25 games for your shiny new laptop, but I wanted to update it with other devices as well. I'd like to clarify the devices I have, though, especially since it was brought to my attention that a lot of players use laptops as their primary gaming machines. When I refer to a laptop, it is far from a gaming machine and could not run games like EverQuest II or Age of Conan. So here are some stats: I have an HTC Inspire, an iPhone 3GS, an iPad, a Phenom Triple-core PC desktop with an Nvidia 9800 card, six gigs of ram and onboard sound. My laptop is an HP G62 with an AMD Athlon II P340 dual core processor, three gigs of ram and an AMD graphics chip built in. I also have a more powerful gaming PC, but that is often referred to as "the wife's machine" around here, and it is so packed with her items that I rarely touch it. So most of these games can be run on their native devices, and if they are meant for PC, probably on netbooks as well. When I'm playing on netbooks, resolution is often the major issue. Some games just will not fit on the tiny screens without some slight modding. Anyway, click past the cut to see the list. The first 11 are my favorites, the ones that I play often, if not every day. The rest are in no particular order, so keep that in mind as well. Remember that this year is going to be an incredible one for mobile, thanks to the new games I found at E3. So this list will change!
Free for All: Twenty-five free MMOs for that shiny new laptop
So there you are, reading a column from your favorite Massively writer on your shiny new laptop. You might be stuck with your parents and family because of the snow, or you might simply want to find a new MMORPG to play on the device. Perhaps you broke down and bought that cute pink netbook at Target, and now you need something to do with it besides reading your favorite writer of all time? Don't worry, because I've taken the time to compile and test 25 MMOs that will work wonderfully on your new toy! Yes, there are real MMOs out there that are not dependent on the latest graphics card or six gigs of ram. These are fully realized worlds, complete with chat windows and socializing. I will make a note if the game might have some difficulty on the oldest of hardware -- or the least powerful -- so keep an eye out for that. Otherwise, download away! For the record, this is my new toy. I got it for work, but you know the first thing I had to do was try out gaming on it. Click past the cut to see the list!
Domain of Heroes donates half of proceeds to help ugliest orc
What do you do when one of the most vocal and active members of your community falls on hard times? You help him out by raising money. It seems as though Ugs, the "Ugliest Orc" (we're not sure what he had to go through to get that title), has become ill. We all know how a single trip to the E.R. can set you back a house or two, so his bills are piling up. The issues have put a stress on his life that many of us have never known, even forcing him to tell the baby orcs that there will be no Christmas! Other players heard about his plight and suggested an "Ugs Appreciation Day" to raise funds, similar to an event we covered in the past. They discussed it on the forums, and the date was set to the 21st of November. The creator of the game then upped the amount to 50% of all in-game profits going to the ugly one! The game features a robust text-based system that can run in any browser and features 30 races, 27 classes and tons of skills. Sign up if it sounds interesting, donate on that special day by purchasing in-game wishes and other items, or go to the shop and stock up on other goods. Good luck, Ugs!
Indie MMO donates 5% of all in-game purchases to charity
A browser-based RMT MMORPG is giving players a chance to become real life heroes through charity. Domain of Heroes is announcing their integrated charity system feature that donates 5% of all in-game purchases to the cause of a player's choice.Players have already donated over $500 to Child's Play and Women In Games International since the system was launched. Child's Play supplies toys and games to over 60 hospitals around the world, while WIGI promotes the inclusion and advancement of women in the games industry."It's a great way for players to have a direct influence on where their donation dollars go, while raising awareness for game-related charities in general," said Aaron Murray, Technical Director and Founder of Tandem Games. "Both Child's Play and WIGI are very excited to see this level of ongoing commitment from a company. We hope other companies will follow suit and share their revenue with deserving charities."Domain of Heroes claims to be the MMO for working people and is accessible from almost any browser on almost any platform without the need for plugins (e.g., Flash, Java appletc, etc.). You can choose from 3 factions, 30 races, 27 classes, and learn over 150 skills. An MMO with that many options that you can play almost anywhere? I don't think we'd ever get any work done!
