One Shots: No airbags at 125 kph

So here's what I'm always wondering: Why do all science fiction worlds and technology look far, far more dangerous than anything we have in the present? Star Wars is horrible in this regard. Lightsabers should be lopping off users' appendages left and right, even if they have the so-called "Force." Walkways without handrails over bottomless pits are commonplace in space stations. And their trash compactors are full of metal-devouring monsters, whereas mine has but the faint odor of eggshells.

Anyway, reader Joe's picture of his jaunt accross Tatooine in Star Wars: The Old Republic on a speeder made me muse about the safety issues of operating what is essentially a rocket-powered flying motorcycle in the middle of a canyon of jagged rock. Ain't no airbag on that thing that's going to save you when you dink into a wall, my friend.

Safety issues are but the start of our journey through this week in player-submitted MMO screenshots!

I don't want to spoil this next picture with any cheesy jokes; I actually think it's a remarkably tender and well-shot picture of a man and his gigantic chicken-car in Final Fantasy XIV.

"Humphrey and I been through a lot on our adventures," reader Dukeun Neon writes. "No matter what, he has my back and I got his."

So he rides your back sometimes? You both take turns? Or do you feed him bird seed at night to assauge your guilt of his eternal servitude? Aw... never mind me. It's a great pic.

Is your immersion ruined to see a giant Massively logo sailing right at you in ArcheAge? Then you might want to avert your eyes before you see what's coming below. Too late! Your curiosity got the best of you and you already peeked! Now you know that you're playing a game and you can't see past the 1s and 0s to the fun any more!

Reader Connor took this picture with one of our own: "Here I am doing trade runs with MJ and the Massively Minions in our clipper, with a custom crest for that extra flair of course! Can't wait for our fishing ship."

Our final picture is from one of our MMO cousins, Neverwinter Nights 2. Oh... hold on! Wait a second, I think... yup. It's time for a tacky plug for one of my other columns! Thank you for your patronage.

"During a recent revisit and playthrough of Neverwinter Nights 2, I was struck by this potrait," reader DC said. "Am I looking at some anonymous owner of the 'porntashe' or the actor Terence Stamp (Superman II)?"

The screenshot challenge of the week is to tail and photodocument the activities of another player. Take a few minutes to observe how someone else games and let us know if he or she does anything interesting or crazy! No, we're not asking you to become a permanent stalker; why do you ask?

Want to be featured in a future edition of One Shots? Send your favorite MMO screenshots to oneshots@massively.com, and don't forget to include your name, the name of the game, and a description of the scene. Large, colorful, UI-free shots that tell a story and really show off the game make for the best images. Look ma, we brought back One Shots!