WRUP: Obscure Transformer toys edition

Apparently, Japan is getting a whole bunch of Transformers next year based off of guys that are beyond obscure. They're giving Enemy and Stripes toys, and you'd have to be insanely familiar with the franchise to know who those two characters are. So where's my Xaaron? Impactor? Dare I even ask for Flame? There's a whole pantheon of characters with big roles in stories and no toys for years. Don't laugh, we finally got a Straxus, there is hope.

Now that I'm done with the usual lead-in that no one cares about, it's time for the part that everyone cares about — this week's edition of WRUP! Join us past the cut when the Massively staff shares what we'll be doing for the weekend, as well as our thoughts about making a character concept and checking it twice. And when you're done reading our plans, let us know yours in the comments!

@Beau_Hindman: I'll be playing some MagicDuel until Saturday morning when I switch to playing games for 24 hours for charity. I am not sure exactly when and which games I'll play, but it'll be a doozy. It is every year.

I'm still taking donations!

I tend to have my characters figured out ahead of time. I like to play simple ones, basic everyday types who must survive using mostly their wits.

@bfelczer: I am definitely planning to be spending a majority of my time checking out the latest update to Star Trek Online's Tribble test server — there are some new ship updates out, more STF changes, and some major adjustments to the economy. For the STFs, I am looking forward to teaming up with fleet mates to continue providing feedback on how they can become even better.

For character concepts, I typically do not pre-plan them. There are a few names that I will always use for my toons, but I like to create their concepts as the game progresses. I will spend some time making them look awesome, but that's about it.

@nyphur: This weekend I will be planning to help a new friend tear down and liquidate his starbases in EVE Online and donate the ISK to needy people, whether he wants to or not. I'll also be playing some more of the Path of Exile beta and may log some more time in RIFT to check out the Guardian starter area.

I don't spend a lot of time on character background or concepts, but that's mainly because when you're just starting out it's hard to invest that much in a character when you don't know what the game is like. I do spend a ridiculous amount of time on character customization and looks though, both during creation and afterward with coordinating gear.

@nbrianna: Not much play time for me this weekend, but what I've got will be spent in City of Heroes and Glitch!

My character concept effort depends on the game. If I'm planning to RP or play for a long time, I usually put in a lot of effort, character backstories, elaborate costumes, the works. If it's a game with lots of alts, I try plan a bunch of characters all at once so that I don't duplicate classes or races. But for most games that I think will only be a passing fancy? Pick a cool name and let's get moving!

Still enjoying the hell out of Final Fantasy XIV's latest patch, still slowly making my way through Xenogears... I think it's time to mix up my gaming schedule a bit, but nothing has been singing to me of late other than those games. Perhaps I'll cast my net a bit further afield if I have some downtime.

It probably comes as no real surprise that Massively's roleplaying column writer spends a lot of time on character concepts, going so far as to have an entire stock of characters that I can pull from if I need to adapt something quickly. Character creation, for me, is an elaborate and meticulous process. I actually have a notebook filled with concepts that are ready to go, needing only a little extra work to fit them into game lore and systems.

@Jeremy_Stratton: I'll be playing some Runes of Magic, of course. I'm also still hunting down various new and old MMOs to try, for possible livestreams. I spent a lot of time on my Priest/Rogue character concept. It was all an attempt to find something different, but fun. I spent hours and days comparing elite skills between character combos. I compared it through all the levels, possible endgame gear and how it would play at level cap. It's definitely not a min/max route, though. My P/R will always be weaker than most other classes, no matter what I do(unless you count upgrading beyond what other players are able to do or afford). It's been such a fun class since the day I started, and I haven't grown bored with it yet.

@Sypster: My weekend plans are somewhat benign, as I'll probably split my attention between casually leveling in Fallen Earth, casually grinding out Hall of Monument points in Guild Wars, and casually exploring Dunland in Lord of the Rings Online.

I honestly don't spend much time on character concepts prior to rolling a new toon, but I'm always open to that character developing over the course of play. Superhero MMOs, of course, lend themselves much more toward "concept" characters, but even then I wouldn't spend more than a minute or so coming up with one.

Little Aion here, little EverQuest II there... hopefully a little sleep thrown into the mix! Had a really busy week so barely any gaming at all and looking forward to actually getting into one.

Hmm, concepts. For my first MMORPG ever, I spent an inordinate time on actual character creation, but other than the fact I was a dancer, I went in with very little character concept. I logged in and from that moment my back story was only "she was on a shuttle to Coronet to begin learning dance with a single name written on paper in her pocket and no other memories." Then my friend (the name), actually slowly introduced me to my history and such — so really the development of my character was totally organic in game. It was amazing. I love watching characters grow and develop during and because of the game, instead of the characters forcing their stories on the game.

Since then, I have to have a definite feel for and connection with whatever character I play or I'm really not invested in the game and lose interest. It doesn't have to be elaborate stories or precise details, but no passion for my toon means no passion for a game.

@mackeypb: I'm beginning the "pack stuff up to move" game, but I'm also playing some Champions Online and Path of Exile. I'm also playing The Last Remnant, which isn't an MMO but it sure plays like one.

I focus heavily on gameplay elements on my characters, and don't ever roll an alt if it doesn't explore some part of the game space I haven't already. After that's out of the way, I spend a fair bit of time conceptualizing my character while I'm building up my character in theoryspace (meaning build planners and so on). By the time I actually roll the character, I usually have a pretty refined backstory and personality for my character. I absolutely refuse to complete a character without something respectable in the info page.

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!