Elizabeth Harper
Articles by Elizabeth Harper
Cataclysm Beta: Updates to archaeology and inscription
It's not on the beta servers yet -- which means the facts are still sketchy -- but there's information from a new beta (build 12857) up on MMO-Champion that includes a number of new items for archaeology and inscription. Archaeology item descriptions offer intriguing hints of things that may be, without any solid details on the items. Some examples: Bone Gaming Dice Dwarves love gold and dwarves love drinking, so gaming seemed like a natural fit for both. These dice appear to have been carved from sheep bones. What might be dried blood is still visible on the 5 pip. Cloak Clasp with Antlers This clasp is fashioned of lacquered wood carved to resemble stag antlers. On the reverse is engraved the name "Pyramond" in Darnassian. Fossilized Hatchling When you finished assembling this tiny skeleton through some eldritch magic, the little critter sprang back to life. He's a pretty good pet. Since he's a skeleton he doesn't eat much. Wooden Whistle A small whistle carved from oak. It might have been used to summon a pet or mount or possibly used as a child's toy. It appears to have been chewed on by an animal or young dwarf. While there are just as many nondescript inscription items listed, some have more detail: Cataclysm Reclamation: Blacksmithing Allows you to rewrite blacksmithing plans from once-lost recipe fragments. Cataclysm Reclamation: Enchanting Allows you to rewrite blacksmithing plans from once-lost recipe fragments. Cataclysm Reclamation: Jewelcrafting Allows you to rewrite jewelcrafting plans from once-lost recipe fragments. Cataclysm Reclamation: Leatherworking Allows you to rewrite leatherworking plans from once-lost recipe fragments. Cataclysm Reclamation: Tailoring Allows you to rewrite tailoring plans from once-lost recipe fragments. Felfire Inscription Permanently adds 130 Intellect and 25 haste rating to shoulder armor.Can only be applied to your own armor, and doing so will cause it to become soulbound. Inscription of the Earth Prince Permanently adds 195 Stamina and 25 dodge rating to shoulder armor.Can only be applied to your own armor, and doing so will cause it to become soulbound. Lionsmane Inscription Permanently adds 130 Strength and 25 critical strike rating to shoulder armor.Can only be applied to your own armor, and doing so will cause it to become soulbound. Swiftsteel Inscription Permanently adds 130 Agility and 25 mastery rating to shoulder armor.Can only be applied to your own armor, and doing so will cause it to become soulbound. Check out the full list of updated profession items at MMO-Champion.
Breakfast Topic: Tired of Cataclysm
Cataclysm doesn't even have a release date yet (though Blizzard insists it's coming out in 2010), but I'm already getting tired of it. Live servers seem like ghost towns and the blogosphere is Cataclysm-obsessed (ourselves included). It's hard not to get excited about new content, but wherever you turn it's talk of the beta, discussion of changes that may never go live and above all, anticipation. But I just want to be able to play World of Warcraft again. Can't we all just shut up about Cataclysm for long enough to run instances? Do raids? Group quests? Anything? Please? So sound off, readers -- are you, too, tired of the endless hype around WoW's next expansion? Do you miss being able to play World of Warcraft?
Guest Post: The death of in-game interaction
This article has been brought to you by Seed, the Aol guest writer program that brings your words to WoW.com. WoW's evolution has changed the course of both MMO game design and the landscape of the MMO player base in dramatic ways. By exploring the road most traveled, WoW has led the way from the roots of tabletop pen-and-paper RPGs and early MMO tabletop simulations into MMOs as virtual RPG themeparks. Despite WoW's fantastic success on many fronts, in its evolution toward catering to the most common, casual style of play, it's removed much of the human interaction that made early MMO experiences special. Today's WoW is slick, seamless and streamlined. There is nothing one player can achieve that another player cannot also relatively easily achieve. Yet while players in today's WoW maintain that this thinly clad, egalitarian experience is "best," in reality, what we see is a continuous striving for distinction free from the confines of the game design itself. The ever-present GearScore sniff test has streamlined the need for player interaction to the point that interaction is barely needed at all. In fact, it might be this very streamlining that has caused this MMO behemoth to slide away from the real magic of the early MMOs, to become a sanitized gaming experience that only barely acknowledges its need for virtual face-to-face gameplay. I miss the real interaction with my fellow players that speaks to the oldest traditions of what spawned MMOs: tabletop RPGs. I want player interactions to drive the game experience, from raiding to crafting to questing. The biggest villains and heroes of an MMO should be players, not pre-scripted heroes and playerless cut scenes. The next big MMO, I hope, can make this happen.
WRUP: StarCraft 2 edition
Every week, just at the start of the weekend, we catch up with the WoW.com staff 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! I have to admit it: I'm just not into all of the StarCraft 2 hype. It's a bit awkward since practically everyone I know -- and a lot of the WoW.com staff -- seems to be excited about SC2 above all else. So I'm attempting to turn things around, at least for the duration of this post, with this week's WRUP. In addition to asking what everyone's playing this weekend, I've asked for everyone's thoughts on the ongoing Cataclysm beta test. Well, it might have taken their minds off SC2 for a minute, at least ... Everyone's answers -- and your chance to add your own -- after the break.
WRUP: Our bucket list
Every week, just at the start of the weekend, we catch up with the WoW.com staff 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! Cataclysm hasn't arrived yet, and in the meanwhile, the WoW.com team is musing over what they need to get done before it does. And for once, there's something we (mostly) agree on: before Cataclysm comes, take a tour of the Plaguelands. Do the quests and run the dungeons, because there are some fantastic stories there that we'll never see again. But for what everyone's playing this weekend -- and the occasional non-Plagueland suggestions for your pre-Cataclysm to-do list, read on.
The Daily Quest: It's all about the gear
Here at WoW.com, we're on a Daily Quest (which we try to do every day, honest) to bring you interesting, informative and entertaining WoW-related links from around the blogosphere. Remember running Scholomance a hundred times just to try to get that last piece of Dreadmist? And no one ever wanting to bother killing Jandice because she was optional and annoying? (It's true: I'm speaking from personal experience.) Times and loot tables may have changed, but we're still a bit gear-obsessed. So, for today's quest, here's what's been going 'round the blogosphere about gear. Blessing of Fish talks about why our gear is special. Larísa at the Pink Pigtail Inn is on the hunt for a decent cloak. Relevart's Druid Reliquary talks about epic gear feeling epic. Cynwise points out an important question from the recent dev chat: will we be able to wear a monocle with our top hat? Is there a story out there we ought to link or a blog we should be following? Just leave us a comment, and you may see it here tomorrow! Be sure to check out our WoW Resources Guide for more WoW-related sites.
The Daily Quest: RP edition
Here at WoW.com, we're on a Daily Quest (which we try to do every day, honest) to bring you interesting, informative and entertaining WoW-related links from around the blogosphere. While we're all skulking about waiting for our servers to come up -- or skulking about on Shadow Council waiting for tonight's RP event -- it seems as good a time as any to talk about pretending to be people we aren't in places we aren't. (Secret: I'm not actually a troll shaman. But do keep it quiet.) Some oldies but goodies from Too Many Annas, covering being left out of RP and the many places RP can go. The Lazy Sniper talks about choosing names for characters. It may not be WoW-centric, but the latest issue of The Escapist is all about roleplaying. Is there a story out there we ought to link or a blog we should be following? Just leave us a comment, and you may see it here tomorrow! Be sure to check out our WoW Resources Guide for more WoW-related sites.
WRUP: Cake or pie edition
Every week, just at the start of the weekend, we catch up with the WoW.com staff 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! This week in addition to the eternal question of what everyone is playing this weekend, we've asked the staff the almost-as-eternal question of cake or pie or death? It's been a battle royale in The Queue this week with Anne declaring her love for pie and Adam followed up with a cake versus pie poll in which cake maintains a solid lead. So today, we ask our writers. Their thoughts on the best bakery confections along with what they're playing for the weekend after the break.
Cataclysm Beta: Shaman talent analysis
If you weren't aware that a new Cataclysm beta build went live this week with updated talent trees for all classes ... well ... surprise! Though we can certainly expect more changes as the beta progresses (read: don't panic), this is our first look at Blizzard's new talent philosophy, coming to a server near you with Cataclysm. Now enough of my rambling on and let's get to the talents: Matt Sampson, Rich Maloy and Joe Perez provide analysis for the changes of each shaman tree. [ Elemental ] [ Enhancement ] [ Restoration ]
WRUP: Drama dodgers edition
Every week, just at the start of the weekend, we catch up with the WoW.com staff 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! There's been a hot-topic issue or two this week, and for today's WRUP we're going to skip the drama and ask everyone a simple question that has no wrong answers: %Poll-49324% Answers from the team -- and what they're playing this weekend -- after the break.
WRUP: Post 3.3.5 edition
Every week, just at the start of the weekend, we catch up with the WoW.com staff 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! This week is all about stalking our co-workers Real ID. We knew what Real ID was before the patch hit, of course, but who among us could have been prepared for the flood of email it would bring to our virtual doorsteps? I do hope Blizzard is still working to improve their Real ID feature, but in the meanwhile, remember that you don't have to use it if you don't want to. Though anyone opting out isn't going to see me around after Diablo 3 is released ... But on to the subject at hand: keep reading for a round-up of what the WoW.com staff is up to this weekend, in game and otherwise. A smattering of them even answered this week's bonus question and tell us about their favorite patch feature.
The Daily Quest: Burning out
Here at WoW.com, we're on a Daily Quest (which we try to do every day, honest) to bring you interesting, informative and entertaining WoW-related links from around the blogosphere. Is there a story out there we ought to link or a blog we should be following? Just leave us a comment and you may see it here tomorrow! Take a look at the links below, and be sure to check out our WoW Resources Guide for more WoW-related sites. It seems to happen to everyone at some point or another: the game's no longer as exciting as it used to be, and your logins become sporadic and finally vanish entirely. At WoW.com we love World of Warcraft as much as anyone -- but once in a while, everyone needs a break. Even from their favorite game. Today, a few posts on the subject of burnout. Achtung Panzercow discusses the dreaded b-word. Since this blog post has been gathering dust in my "links to use in The Daily Quest" list for a while and Panzercow is still blogging about WoW, it can only be assumed that burnout has come and gone. Or perhaps come and gone and come and gone. Or perhaps... well, you get the idea. Mana Obscura talks about battling burnout. Moar HPS! talks about trying to stay interested. Any tips on escaping WoW burnout to share with us? Leave 'em in the comments!
The Daily Quest: The Midsummer Fire Festival
Here at WoW.com, we're on a Daily Quest (which we try to do every day, honest) to bring you interesting, informative and entertaining WoW-related links from around the blogosphere. Is there a story out there we ought to link or a blog we should be following? Just leave us a comment and you may see it here tomorrow! Take a look at the links below, and be sure to check out our WoW Resources Guide for more WoW-related sites. Whether pandering to our pyromaniac tendencies or not, who doesn't enjoy a good world event? And if you really don't enjoy world events, well, my apologies -- though I dare say a lot of players find them a fun diversion from the daily grind. Regardless, if you're interested in checking out this year's Fire Festival, we've got you covered. WoW.com has a guide to the achievements and a video guide to killing Ahune. Wowhead has a comprehensive guide to the festival. WoWWiki gives you a rundown on the event's history as well as the quests and rewards. The Lazy Sniper walks you through achievements, quests, and flames. Don't want to go it alone? <It came from the Blog> is doing doing a fire festival run this Saturday, the 26th. Has the Ice Stone melted? Almost Evil directs us to this helpful answer.
E3 2010: Wrap-up
E3 (the Electronic Entertainment Expo for those not in the know) is a constant barrage of light, sound and color -- so much so that it is hard to shape an accurate description for it in mundane words. You simply have to be there; to see and experience the thing for yourself. But since not everyone could be with us at E3 last week, I'll do my best to give you a sense of the event. And even though World of Warcraft didn't make an appearance at this year's expo, I feel safe in saying that E3 had some gaming goodness for everyone. Check out our galleries from the show floor and join us after the break for the details on the past week's announcements. Gallery: E3 2010: The Gallery %Gallery-95600%
WRUP: Welcoming another weekend
Every week, just at the start of the weekend, we catch up with the WoW.com staff 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! The weekend has arrived! With the pre-Cataclysm doldrums in full swing, we seem to have a lot of people out of WoW this week. Though I suspect recent releases like Alan Wake and Red Dead Redemption would lure us away regardless of what WoW had to offer. (Though ideally we'd have one game that combined all three.) But throughout Azeroth, there are still dungeons to be raided, achievements to be gotten, alts to be leveled. Join us after the jump to see what the WoW.com team is playing this weekend -- and let us know what you're playing this weekend
The Daily Quest: Rookie edition
Here at WoW.com, we're on a Daily Quest (which we try to do every day, honest) to bring you interesting, informative and entertaining WoW-related links from around the blogosphere. Is there a story out there we ought to link or a blog we should be following? Just leave us a comment and you may see it here tomorrow! Take a look at the links below, and be sure to check out our WoW Resources Guide for more WoW-related sites. It's Thursday which the WoW.com calendar says is WoW Rookie day -- which seems as good a day as any to look at some content geared towards players who are still learning the ropes. The Hunter's Mark offers advice to those rare players who are hitting level 80 for the first time. Looking for More has advice on getting started as a tank as well as a whole Tanking 101 series. Tree Bark Jacket walks you through what to do if you're thinking of turning druid in Cataclysm. WoWWiki's wealth of resources can be found rounded up in a convenient newbie guide format.
The Daily Quest: Lulz are the best medicine
Here at WoW.com, we're on a Daily Quest (which we try to do every day, honest) to bring you interesting, informative and entertaining WoW-related links from around the blogosphere. Is there a story out there we ought to link or a blog we should be following? Just leave us a comment and you may see it here tomorrow! Take a look at the links below, and be sure to check out our WoW Resources Guide for more WoW-related sites. It's midnight on a Tuesday and, for many of us, servers are still offline. The woe! The agony! The never-ending boredom! So what's the cure? I propose a steady diet of interesting WoW blogs (back issues of The Daily Quest and the forums on Blog Azeroth are a great place to find them) -- today we'll specifically look at a selection from the lighter side of the blogosphere. They do say laughter is the best medicine, and when you're trying to treat boredom, that's probably right. (And before you have a chance to comment -- yes, some of these links are old. I know! But we haven't linked them before and I happen to think they're rather good.) 4 Haelz shows off some low-tech raiding gear. (Which reminds me more than a little of Fyreuni's Emergency Kindergarten. It must be the crayons.) Cannot be Tamed thinks up some great new Tree Form cooldowns. I Like Bubbles always entertains with Flowchart Friday. Recent flowcharts include How To Disc Gunship and Are You Going to Die on This Pull? Too Many Annas covers the differing species of healers and has previously covered the differing species of tanks. Still in need of a good laugh? You might try some lolcats or loldogs -- or share your favorite downtime lulz in the comments.
WRUP: Wedding bells edition
Every week, just at the start of the weekend, we catch up with the WoW.com staff 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! I'll just let Chase launch us off with what he's playing and his favorite in-game reference: Chase Christian (@madsushi): I actually won't be playing anything this weekend; my wedding is on Sunday and I'd like to keep it that way. My favorite in-game reference is definitely the LOST hatch in Sholazar. All of our weekends seem pretty dull by comparison, and the rest of this week's WRUP is mostly a chain of variously formatted grats of the sort you expect whenever someone dings. However, I think Matthew Rossi said it most eloquently: Hey, grats to Chase! For a dirty rogue and a stinky paladin you're all right. Best of luck to you both. But, no, seriously, all of WoW.com sends their best wishes to Chase and his soon-to-be spouse. Despite the fact that most of us have terribly boring weekend plans in comparison, you're welcome to read on for what the rest of the team is playing this weekend -- and what our favorite in-game references are. And as always, we look forward to hearing what you're up to in the comments.
The Daily Quest: Catawhatysm?
Here at WoW.com, we're on a Daily Quest (which we try to do every day, honest) to bring you interesting, informative and entertaining WoW-related links from around the blogosphere. Is there a story out there we ought to link or a blog we should be following? Just leave us a comment and you may see it here tomorrow! Take a look at the links below, and be sure to check out our WoW Resources Guide for more WoW-related sites. Waiting for Cataclysm? I'm pretty sure all of us are right now -- a bit bored, a dash disillusioned and hoping beyond hope that the expansion is the answer to all of our gaming woes. But without a release date to keep us company on these cold nights, all we can do is wait. Well, that and blog about it. I Sheep Things has a Cataclysm wish list that includes bats, bandages and banks. The Pink Pigtail Inn thinks it's time to shake things up and make our own Cataclysm. The Hunter's Mark takes a look at the history of dungeons and what we can expect to see in Cataclysm. Marks-365 tackles the Blog Azeroth shared topic on what needs to go in Cataclysm. Bible of Dreams chimes in on another Blog Azeroth shared topic with five ways to get ready for Cataclysm. Horde of One (which I've just discovered via Bible of Dreams) also offers some advice on prepping for Cataclysm (with, of course, plenty of others talking about it on Blog Azeroth).
WRUP: Hoopy frood edition
Towel Day may not have fallen on a Friday, but in this week's WRUP we're celebrating belatedly and ensuring that all of the writing staff are hoopy froods who know where their towels are. For those of you with no idea what I'm talking about, you can get a start by listening to the infamous Douglas Adams speak at UCSB in the video above. It has nothing to remotely to do with WoW, but as geeks, I suspect most of us owe him a debt of gratitude. For those of you who have no idea what I'm talking about and don't want to know what I'm talking about, catch us after the break to see what the team is playing this weekend and some entirely unrelated talk about towels. As always, you're welcome to join in on the comments.