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WoW Insider is back, HKO Insider canceled
Apparently HKO Insider hasn't worked out as well as we originally thought it would. After a day full of covering Hello Kitty Online, readers have sent us an overwhelming message: they love WoW Insider, and World of Warcraft is the game we all want to see covered.So you get your wish: starting right now, WoW Insider has returned, and HKO Insider is no more. And none too soon -- our writers, especially Rossi, who would rather wrestle a tiger than write about the Flower Kingdom, were planning a revolt if we didn't change the site format back. And our poll this afternoon pretty conclusively showed what you all felt about the changeover.So we're changing things back. From now on, we'll stay WoW Insider, and be your number one source for news and views about World of Warcraft and the upcoming Wrath of the Lich King expansion. From classes to professions to strategy and community news, we'll only cover World of Warcraft all day every day, from level 1 to 80 and beyond.Unless, that is, they create a Spongebob MMO anytime soon...
Finding out your HKO Marriage Index
Hello Kitty Online features great opportunities to learn more about yourself and explore your personality through exciting online quizzes. You make a lot of choices as you go about your daily life, but did you know that your decisions can reflect your attitude and perspective towards love? Take some time to think about your favorite kind of shoes. Your choices are high-heeled/leather shoes, cloth shoes, track shoes, or slippers. Then answer the quiz question, it'll reveal a lot about your future! Find out what your choice in shoes means about when you're going to get married after the break. I always want to know more about myself, so I just had to take the quiz. %Poll-12028%
Forum post of the day: Rude emails
Alyse posted on the Hello Kitty Online official Staff Lounge forum that she's having a bad time with another player who's sending mean, nasty emails. Alyse had posted a video application for the Beta Test that other player left a rude comment about. They started exchanging emails and the other player has gotten totally out of line. She's completely missing the super-positive spirit of the game. Alyse doesn't know what to do. She said "Then in the last e-mail she sent me she used full-fledged profanity at me. I refuse to curse when I'm upset and I find it very trashy to do so. I was completely offended by her e-mail so I chose to completely stop trying to reason with her and I deleted it." Tohomiko_K said that she sent an email to Alyse. I sure hope it's a nice one. All I have to say to Alyse is, "you go girl!" She's really smart for deleting the last email and I'm really proud of her for not sinking to the cursing level. How would you respond to someone sending you rude messages in Hello Kitty Online?
Addon Spotlight: Making the leap to HKO
As you are all aware, we are changing direction around here, so it has come time for Addon Spotlight to sail into uncharted waters. Unfortunately, I have been unable to find much of an addon community for Hello Kitty Online, so things may be a bit rough in the coming months, as developers start filling those little User Interface needs. I wanted to point out that this can be seen as an opportunity for new and exciting things. We've got a fresh start, folks, with all the world of Sanrio in front of us. Many of you addon users may be wondering what mods we can expect in Hello Kitty Online. I am thinking we will see some savvy WoW addon developers releasing HKO-compatible versions of their addons in the future. I can't imagine any MMORPG without an Auctioneer-like addon. You can expect to see things like Outfitter, FuBar & Titan Panel, an Ace-like system and an entire library of compilations. Once beta-testing ends, and we see a release of Hello Kitty Online, sites similar to Curse Gaming, WoWInterface and WoWUI are bound to show up. With all these exciting weeks ahead of us, you can count on us at HKO Insider to provide all the latest HKO news, and yours truly will bring you all the best addons and mods.As with addons, macros are still somewhat mysterious, but I promise you'll know more as I learn more about scripting in our new world. Come back after the catnap and I'll give you something to get you by until the full release of HKO.
HKO: Dream Studio
I'm really excited that we'll be posting about Hello Kitty Online. I took some time to check out their fantastic Dream Studio. Dream Studio is a great resource for displaying your graphical talent to the Hello Kitty Online readers. There are many really fun videos in the Dream Studio, and everyone is welcome to share their creations. It's free to join the Hello Kitty Online community at Sanriotown. I found this video for XO-Man. This movie is a part of a series of Hello Kitty and Friends Adventures videos. I think XO-Man is the best super hero ever! He has all of the characteristics I look for in a super hero. He's brave, cute, and strong. Most importantly he wears a cape and he's got a plan. I love the part where he knocks back all of the big, mean alligators in the video. I love that he's totally looking out for the little guy. XO-man, you're my hero! Animal-Lover showed multiple talents in the following video. Not only can she make a super pretty video, but she can bake beautiful Kawaii Kupcakes too. She describes her video as "Cute and lovley cupcakes that I have baked all by myself." Check out all the amazing talent over at Dream Studio!
Blizzard announces new Molten Core console version
The conversion of WoW Insider to HKO Insider has thus far been an unprecedented success, but that said, some news is so amazing, so massively genre defining, that we have to report it regardless of any harm to ourselves or accusations of breaking the site format. The Bard class was one such announcement, and this is another. Ladies and Gentlemen, Molten Core: The Console Version. This, to say the least, is a major step forward for Blizzard. With everything from the ground-breaking Aggro Every Bears technology that is sure to revolutionize the Skinning tradeskill when they bring it to the main WoW game, to the amazing 8 direction movement system, this game should easily boost the Atari 2600 past lesser consoles such as the Wii and the PS3. Be sure to check out the official website, especially the concept art. It's amazing how Blizzard has realized it in full stunning 2D glory. I'm already planning to reserve my Collector's Edition copy, because those cellophane TV overlays sound hella sweet. We're sure the news on this amazing game will only keep coming, so stay tuned to HKO Insider for all your HKO and WoW:MC news!
What do you think of HKO Insider?
We're a good part of the way through our first day here at HKO Insider, so we figured now might be a good time to get some feedback from the community about what you think of the new focus of our site. Do you miss the green forests of Ashenvale or are you sold on Sanriotown? Is class QQing sounding pretty good to you right about now or are you krazy for Keroppi?Our overlords at AOL directed us this morning to switch focus to a more popular MMO (since Wrath of the Lich King doesn't even have a release date yet), and some of our readers (and, frankly, writers) are a little uncomfortable with the change. But what do you think?%Poll-11998%Choose your opinion in the poll above (and post a comment below, if you like), and let us know what you think about the changeover to cover Hello Kitty Online 24/7 instead of our usual World of Warcraft coverage.
HKO and WoW vanity pet comparison
I am very fond of collecting vanity pets in WoW. The Sprite Darter Hatchling is possible my favorite, though Mr. Wiggles is pretty cool too. While some of the pets do have some interesting animations, like the Mini Diablo and his flame breath, the only vanity pet that would actually do anything was the Battle Bot Clockwork Rocket Bot. And that got nerfed. Vanity pets in HKO will be a bit more useful. It seems that not only will they follow you around, but some will also be extra bag space. I can't tell you how much I wish my WoW pets would carry stuff for me. Sanrio hints that they will have other uses as well.How will you get pets in Hello Kitty Online? Some monsters will drop "pet cards" which will allow you to have that monster as your pet. Also, there will be a way to acquire some Sanrio characters as your pets. This may require a lot of reputation or perhaps an extended quest chain or both, judging from the use of "eventually" by Sanrio.And you can also have other players as pets! Kinda. But that's another story.Which Sanrio character would you want most as a pet? Do you wish you could have a Ragnaros pet carry your bags around? I know I do.
Maintenance extended for some realms to 12:00 Pacific
Okay, I have no idea who Hello Kitty is. I barely know what Sanrio is because I have nieces. Anyway, for those of us who intent to keep playing World of Warcraft (seriously, Hello Kitty Online? I have to start reading the memos Mike sends out) most of the realms are still down and maintenance is being extended to 12:00 pm Pacific. Like many, I've been haunting the realm status forums since 11 Pacific waiting for news, and I hope Malfurion or Norgannon come up soon.In the meantime I've been reading about a new console version of Molten Core coming out (sounds so sweet, and no downtimes!) and considering whether or not I'll reroll Bard for the expansion. I think not; I'm a warrior till I die, but the "Metal" tree does intrigue me.I have no idea if I'll be making that many more posts here, because I am so not even trying to write the "How to tank with hugs" column.Editor's Note: We apologize for letting this non-HKO post get through. Blogger Matthew Rossi is being dealt with accordingly.
Raid Rx: Raiding in Sanrio
Raid Rx is designed to encapsulate and cure the shock and horror that is 25-man raid healing. Ok, so it's mostly horror... Anyways, if you're a big fan of X-TREME Whack-A-Mole (or are being forced into it against your will) this is the column for you. As you can see above, Kevin is just about done with the second floor of his farm house! I realize a number of you are most likely new to the Hello Kitty Online (HKO) world. While the package may seem sickly sweet to those transferring over from playing Undead, the belf in me seems to be able to accept that everyone must wear a bow. I raid in pink and purple, after all. I've also come to appreciate the impact this game is going to have on the raiding community at large. And that's what I want to share with you today. Join me after the break for details around how raiding in HKO is an improvement in the right direction for MMORPG raiding!
HKO Arena Maps revealed: Happy Fun Cafe and Strawberry Smile Garden
New Arena maps have been announced for Hello Kitty Online Island Adventure's Arena system, which was created to cater particularly to the cutesy-anime-loving PvP players. In a statement released to the public, Sanrio corporation said that it was "taking its lead from a more popular MMORPG which has started to design its game around Arenas." Sanrio notes that the increasing popularity of Arenas indicate that this is the direction that MMOs will be taking for the future, and they believe that building an Arena system for Hello Kitty Online will make the game future-proof. However, Sanrio is quick to note that their Arena system is superior by sheer virtue of the options available in each map, which requires more strategy than the other MMORPG. The first two maps revealed are called the Happy Fun Café and Strawberry Smile Garden maps, each having its unique features and strategic advantages. The Happy Fun Cafe map features a bar/counter at the center of the map which can be used to abuse line-of-sight spells and abilities. Players may also interact with the pastry and refreshments on the counter in order to use them as weapons or consumables. Sanrio believes that this kind of innovative map system will push the envelope of Arena play.Learn more about the second map, Strawberry Smile Garden, after the jump.
The best of WoW Insider: March 26-31, 2008
Seeing as patch 2.4 is out and complete, and there are no new content patches in sight for World of Warcraft (we don't even know a release date for Wrath of the Lich King yet), WoW Insider has been asked by our corporate overlords to change over to HKO Insider, exclusively covering news and views about another très populaire MMO, Hello Kitty Online. Our writers aren't real thrilled about it, but it's true -- we'll now be covering Pochacco instead of Paladins.Here's a look back at the past (and last) week of WoW Insider. WoW was fun while it lasted, now onward to to Flower Kingdom! News Patch 2.4: The unofficial patch notesCovering all the changes that we didn't know about before the patch dropped. Sunwell Phase 2 daily quest walkthroughsEverything you need to know about working through the second phase of the latest world event. Exclusive Interview: Nihilum, the Sunwell, and the future of high-end raidingOne of the game's biggest guilds speaks to WoW Insider about what's next for raiders. Magister's Terrace and the meatshield: Drops to look forWhat's good for tanks in the Terrace. Size matters: Tauren shrinkageEvery patch comes with bugs, and patch 2.4 is no exception at all. Features Your addons vs. Patch 2.4How to wrangle your WTF folder after the patch's release. Guildwatch: She fulfilled my everyone fantasyOur weekly look at guild drama and guild news from around the realms has a tale of sordid debauchery. Insider Trader: Guide to farming clothNeed some textiles fast? Our professions column has you covered. Get it? "Covered"? Forum Post of the Day: The death of PvP guilds"Fair and balanced gameplay? The horror..." He said, She said: Does Blizzard support homosexual stereotyping?Our new column about gender in game chats about whether the Blood Elves are supposed to be effeminate, and if so, why.
Pleasing Pet Perspectives: A look at the fun Best Pet Friend class!
Every Tuesday, Pleasing Pet Perspectives explores issues affecting Best Pet Friends in Hello Kitty Online and those who group with them. This week John Patricelli, sometimes known as the Big Bear Butt Blogger, opens the new column with a look at the already announced Best Pet Friend class character options, and then discusses some of the benefits to both playing with and grouping with one. You've seen them before. Wherever Hello Kitty goes, you can be sure not too far away is her pet, Charmmy, carrying the silver key that will open her jewelry box. In Hello Kitty Online, I bet you can already tell that one of the classes I am most excited about is the new Best Pet Friend class. This class will allow you to choose to play a character whose play style closely resembles that of a traditional Rogue from games such as World of Warcraft, but when grouped in a party, you will provide powerful buffs that will benefit everyone, making those tough monster battles go that much smoother. Follow along after the jump to talk more about the advantages to both soloing and party play with your new Best Pet Friend!
Happy Birthday Badtz-Maru!
Today is Badtz-Maru's birthday! The ringleader of the XO clan was born on Oahu Island in Hawaii. Though he remains in the first grade, his dream is to be the boss of everything.While Bad Badtz-Maru could be a villain in Hello Kitty Online, it looks like he will instead be a Country Leader and quest giver. I am not sure if you will be able to join the XO clan, but you may be able to gain faction with it, depending upon how faction and reputation are implemented.I am personally hoping for a roleplay aspect that is sorely lacking from WoW: that of being able to choose a side by actions instead of during character creation. By choosing to complete quests for Badtz-Maru and his friends, you may end up not being able to complete quests for Hello Kitty and My Melody. There is a small scale version of this when choosing Centaurs to befriend in Desolace, but it does not affect how any of the major NPCs react to you.Regardless of his role in HKO, he is one year older today, so Happy Birthday Badtz-Maru! May you realize your dreams in the Flower Kingdom and beyond!
L3@rn1ng 1337 Sp3ak
With the pending release of Hello Kitty Online, we are all going to need to become proficient in leet speak. This is the language of nerds and basement gamers everywhere (Ed: Because no one in WoW ever talks like this, right?). So in hopes that we'll be able to better understand all those cute little muffins of joy, let's immerse ourselves in some leet speak for the rest of the post.It is also rumored that Rosetta Stone will be releasing a Leet Speak module soon. Stay tuned to HKO Insider for a review of that in the near future.Th3 pr1m@ry th1ng 2 r3m3mb3r ab0ut 1337 sp3@k is th@t u n33d 2 abr3vi@t3 3v3ryth1ng @s mch @s p0ss1ble. U sh0uld a1s0 n3v3r ty93 0u7 7h3 w0rd "you", i7 sh0uld alwayz b u!!!!11lol!!!111An0th3r th1ng t0 r3m3mb3r 1s n3v3r typ3 0ut a c0m9l373 w0rd 1n r3@1 1@ngu@g3 un13ss y0u abs0lut3ly hav3 t0. Us3 b@d gr@mer and sp3ling wh3n 3vr p0sibl3. U sh0uld n3v3r juzt typ3 "lol" n3m0@r. I7's alwyz LOLOL!L!!!!!111!!!!! S33? Dat iz sexi k3wl!!! Y@!!!!S0 h0w iz ur l337 593@%? Iz it uberz?
Insider Trader: Crafting speculation in the Flower Kingdom
Insider Trader is your inside line on making, selling, buying and using player-made products.To celebrate the kick-off of HKO-Insider, Insider Trader will be doing a bonus column this week! As the closed beta has only just been put in the works, there are understandably few details floating around.Currently, we have confirmed at least the following professions: Mining. Gathering fruit from the wild. Tailoring. Furniture-crafting. Farming. Cooking. House-building. This week we will speculate on what we might see, and compose a wishlist for what we would like to see. Join us on Friday as we resume our normal schedule and delve deeper into the concept of mining as a profession, building on today's overview as well as player feedback.
Reminder: get your free, um, gem stickers
Listen, our corporate overlords have forced us to write about Hello Kitty Online starting today, but there's something you should know about another game that rhymes with "Mold of Forcraft," so we're going to try to sneak this news under the radar.We just wanted to remind you that the Consortium -- wait, I mean the Sanriotown Town Council is offering their free bag of, errr, gem stickers today to anyone with Friendly or higher reputation. It's a new month today, so stop by Gezhe of Aeris Landing -- um, I mean Cinnamoroll of Cafe Cinammon -- and claim your free gem... stickers. Man, this sucks.Whoops, I mean we all love Hello Kitty Online and can't wait to keep playing and writing about it. Please kill me.
Kuromi vs. My Melody - Is Sanrio dedicated to real PvP?
As Sanrio continues to build Hello Kitty Online into the amazing MMO we all know it can be, I sincerely hope they don't forget one of the most important aspects of any MMO: PvP. While it's true that purely PvP focused games such as Fury and Shadowbane often end up struggling, the fact remains that the segment of the MMO playing market that insists on being able to match their skills against their fellow players is too big to ignore. But how do you properly implement PvP into the world of HKO without betraying the rich tapestry of lore and creating compelling reasons to PvP? Let's look at the latest PvP rumors after the break.
HKO Moviewatch: You can with Hello Kitty Online
When I was told about the new change to the site, I wasn't sure what to think. However, after some research, I discovered that HKO machinimators are so much more talented than their WoW counterparts, save for Shepiwot, of course.In the video that Sanrio Digital made to show off their upcoming MMO, it's obvious that you can literally do almost anything. I can't say enough about this machinima. From the cinematic quality to the music, it's perfect in every way. I can hardly wait to try my hand at some in-world footage!(WoW Moviewatch fans, if you're out there, send machinima to machinima AT wowinsider DOT com and help me convince them that they've made the wrong choice. Oh no! They're coming for me!)Previously on the feature previously known as WoW Moviewatch ...
Kitty security announcement
Earlier this week, Abby, a Sanrio Community Manager, took the opportunity to remind us all that we should be careful about sending our personal information out via e-mail. Furthermore, any e-mails sent to addresses you never gave to the Sanrio community should be considered dangerous. If the e-mail is from "onlinegame(at)hellokitty.com" then you can consider it safe, and if necessary, divulge certain personal information. As always, be wise; it's not just your account information, but your identity, that is at stake when it comes to scams. If you are not on the master list, you should not be receiving e-mails about beta testing at all. Although Abby promises that all information that you send them will be kept private, it is important to note that if your e-mail address ever appears in print it will appear partially, so that you will never be hounded by spambots. As much of a fan as I am, I'd like to keep my inbox free of "Keroppi enlargement" advertisements, thanks (we've all been there).Have you received any curious or suspicious e-mails purporting to be official? If so, remember to click "report as phishing scam" with your e-mail service provider.
