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The Daily Grind: What was the best MMO expansion of all time?
Whether or not the expansion model is here to stay or on the way out in the industry is a topic for another time. Instead, I want to talk about the best expansion of all time. AOL's Neverwinter Nights supposedly had an expansion in 1992, but the modern age of expansions didn't get going until 1998's Ultima Online: The Second Age. Since then we've seen scores of add-ons to our favorite MMOs. In 2012, we had nine major expansions enter the field (and we're not even counting content updates). A great expansion significantly improves upon the game that came before. Perhaps it adds a wealth of new content, is just superbly done, or introduces a beloved feature to the game. For you, it could be the expansion in which you fell in love with a certain MMO. Don't hold back here; if there ever was a time to step up and be bold, now is it. Let's fight it out in the comments over the best expansion that was, is, and ever will be! Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!
The Game Archaeologist and the Ultima Prize: The Players
Wow! The response to last week's inaugural Game Archaeologist column was phenomenal -- guess we're not the only ones who find MMO history and trips down nostalgia lane captivating stuff! Thanks to everyone who commented, sent in e-mails and (heh HEH) volunteered to be interviewed. Speaking of which, this week we move past the facts of the matter to the experiences. The Game Archaeologist scoured the globe, mostly between coffee breaks, to find some of the most passionate and learned players of Ultima Online. In the second part of our Ultima Online exploration, we injected a tiny bead of Hobi frog toxin into their systems, freeing their tongues to tell the truth and their limbs to jerk uncontrollably. Just what do Ultima old guard chat about at the club on the weekends? We extracted the full scoop from Ultima vets Adam "Ferrel" Trzonkowski, Brandon Crowe, "Professor" B.J. Keeton, Jon Craig and JD DMichael. Read on!
