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The Game Archaeologist and the Girdle of Anarchy: A chat with Colin Cragg
When I declared September to be "Anarchy Online month" I had no idea how far it would go. I mean, sure, I expected an outpouring of fond memories from players and perhaps a statue erected in my honor, but for the UN to pass a resolution for a worldwide celebration of Funcom's brainchild is quite above and beyond. So really, it's been a wild ride thus far. That's what we game archaeologists prepared for when we attended MMO U (go Fightin' N00bs!) and dusted off old copies of Neverwinter Nights. Be flexible, be enthusiastic, and always be ready for an older title to sweep you off your feet -- these are the sage words of my instructors. Because of this, I didn't find myself tongue-tied when Anarchy Online's Colin Cragg agreed to an interview. I might have blushed and stared at my feet so that I wouldn't become lost in his wizened, sage eyes, but I marched forward nonetheless. So what did AO's head honcho have to say about working on a mature MMO? Click the link and wonder no longer!
The Game Archaeologist and the Girdle of Anarchy: Your stories
I have to admit that I have a particular soft spot for Anarchy Online. It was, for better and worse, my first MMO -- on launch day, no less. That experience terrified me so much that I became convinced my machine could never run an online game, and so it wasn't until Shadowlands released that I returned to Rubi-Ka for another go. Fortunately, that time things went more smoothly, and I cut my teeth on that content. Sure, it was mostly over my head, and I'm pretty sure I gimped my character by level 3, but the otherworldly atmosphere and giddy newness of MMOs in general more than made up for it. After last week's brief overview of the many years of Anarchy Online's operation, vets poured out of the grid to share their own screenshots and stories. It may not be the hip new thing these days -- more like, it needs a hip replacement -- but to hear these players tell it, AO isn't as washed up as you may think. Read on for sordid tales that would make any of the Game Archaeologist's own adventures look like a dip in the kiddie pool!
Anarchy Online celebrates its 9th birthday with a giant duck
Quick -- make a wish, Anarchy Online, and blow out those birthday candles so we can have some of that early-2000s cake! Might be a little old-fashioned with sharp polygons, but plenty of people are still lining up for a slice of its moist gameplay. Tortured metaphor aside, a MMO once renowned for the worst launch of all time is now a year shy of its decade anniversary. Anarchy Online was a bit of a maverick when it launched in 2001, a sci-fi MMO muscling in on fantasy's turf. By all accounts, Funcom's first MMO is still strutting strong, particularly after offering a free-to-play option a few years back and prepping a visual overhaul. Funcom has a good deal planned for Anarchy Online's ninth birthday, including several in-game events and special items. A groovy new bike, a cardboard hat, a giant walking mech and a new "super-secret" building will be available later this week. It's also the third birthday Mr. Squeaky, NipponTech's corporate mascot, and as the website reminds us, "Mr. Squeaky makes for happy fun times!" There's also a huge party for all inhabitants of Rubi-Ka, where Funcom will be throwing tons of presents to the crowd. Partygoers can catch the action at the ICC Headquarters in Andromeda on June 26th. It starts at 15:00 GMT on Atlantean, and moves over to Rimor at 21:00 GMT. Be there or be a really square duck!
