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Revealed: Star Trek Online ship classes and more customization
It's that time again! The latest issue of "Ask Cryptic" has found its way onto the internet. It includes answers from the development team to six Star Trek Online-related questions.Here's the critical information up front! The ships in the game are based off of canon ships such as the Enterprise and the Defiant. Ships will be divided into three categories: Cruisers, Escorts, and Science Vessels. Any player character will be able to train to use any ship, although his or her specialized crew and attributes will affect its performance. Starfleet and Klingon uniforms will be highly customizable, as will bridge officers (including name, race, appearance, and gender). Ground PvP will be in the game, and PvP instances probably will be too.Finally -- and perhaps best of all -- the article teases playable Horta and 3D chess games as planned-for post-launch content. But how can the Horta play 3D chess with no appendages? Oh, they don't necessarily mean they'll be playable at the same time. Okay. Or do they?
WoW Moviewatch: Why I hate escort quests.
Those mechanical chickens always look so helpless -- whenever I run across them I can't help but try to help them out. This inevitably leads to a scene much like the one Areallysmartcookie shows in the video above. And, yes, for many escort quests, that particular music selection would fit just perfectly. And in case once isn't enough, there's also a sequel. Previously on Moviewatch...
Getting to know escorts
No, not those escorts. Escort quests, which are ubiquitous in the Outlands. Escort quests used to be my least favorite of all kinds of quests. First you had to fight your way to some guy, usually under heavy guard. Then he would give a long explanation of why he was there. Then you would have to fight your way out, with this weak, inefficient little guy that you have to protect despite the fact that he keeps running out of his way to aggro things and then yells for help. Hordies will recognize the Barrens quest where you have to escort a pirate out of Northwatch Hold as one of the more aggravating of these quests. You walk this guy all the way to Ratchet while being attacked by soldiers, pirates, and probably some jerk naked level 60 Alliance who has decided today's the day to gank in Ratchet. And don't even start on the Razorfen Downs escort quest, which I've still never successfully completed. But in the Burning Crusade, escorts seem to be a little more sophisticated. This past week, I escorted an injured Mag'Har orc from a camp of Broken, and helped a cursed bird get revenge on some Arakkoa. A few things appear to have been fixed from the escort quests on Azeroth. First off, the escortee usually has the ability to defend him- or herself. One escort even healed himself, which made me very happy. Secondly, the escort doesn't run off and attack random things and then scream for your assistance. They have a set path, and will usually only attack what you attack or what attacks them. And finally, if the quest ends with you getting jumped by three angry elites, the quest text will actually suggest you bring more people, instead of leaving it as a nasty surprise. Have you noticed that escort quests are easier in Outlands, or are they still the same pain they've always been for you?
Virtual prostitutes make real cash
Sex sells in Second Life, as it does in real life, and this article by Computer Gaming World delves into the story of prostitution within Linden Labs' virtual world. While Second Life prides itself on being driven by user-created content, including user-driven entertainments at nightclubs and gaming plazas, it's no secret that cybersex is amongst the entertainments on offer for the discerning punter.According to the article, escorts can earn up to L$10,000 a week from a few hours' work -- approximately $30, although the exchange rate fluctuates. It's not something that a brand-new character would be able to pull off, though; an expensive wardrobe of realistic avatar clothing, skins and animations is an asset, as are gender verification and a location in which to practice. The industry supporting the sale of these items, and arrranging escort encounters, seems more profitable than actual on-the-street work.Does this render sex-based MMOs redundant? No; there's room in the market for more than the offerings from Second Life residents. But as the recent suspension of Spend the Night shows, creating an erotic MMOs isn't plain sailing; Second Life's exploration of the genre, with or without endorsement from its creators, is a useful first for any developers that wish to follow.[via /.]
