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Hyperspace Beacon: The SWTOR F2P experiment, Coruscant
I was asked last week why I chose The Ebon Hawk as the server on which to run my Star Wars: The Old Republic free-to-play experiment, especially since it's my home server. Some people believed that the experiment would be flawed because I would have many people to call on to help me out in different areas. This is only partially true. I do have some people to call on if I absolutely need it, but remember that I play on the Imperial side normally; this test character is Republic-side. My guildies and friends do not play Republic characters on a regular basis. And I have already said that I will not take gifts from other characters. The only thing that they can offer me is a partner for leveling, and currently, no one that I know is the same level as my Smuggler. I won't catch up to any of them until I hit level 35.
GDC Online 2011: KingsIsle's Sara Jensen Schubert talks RPG math
I'm sure many of us have wondered how game developers decide upon item stats, experience amounts, damage per second, and all of the other numbers that we come across in our favorite games. Actually, it might sound more like, "Why the heck is my uber sword of uberness only doing X amount of damage?!" At GDC Online this week, Sara Jensen Schubert gave a rare glimpse into the math behind MMORPGs. She has worked on games like Shadowbane and DC Universe Online and is now a lead designer at KingsIsle Entertainment. Her background and focus is a traditional RPG viewpoint, and she builds from there to go through the process of designing and building stats, character attributes, experience rewards, the leveling curve, and itemization. While her talk is aimed at those in the industry, it offers a unique perspective into what goes into those stats behind our gear and why it takes us so long to level up. Read on for highlights from the presentation.
Lost Pages of Taborea: Elaborating on XP gain and leveling alts
This week I want to elaborate on experience gain, the honor party, and other ways of leveling alts. I received some great feedback from last week's article that suggests to me an interest in a much wider discussion of power-leveling. But before I get to that, let's clear up XP gain in Runes of Magic. Most MMOs that I know of -- including RoM -- dish out XP based on the character's level and the level of the mob being slain. If your character is the same level as the mob, the game will give you an adequate amount of XP as a reward. If the mob is higher, you'll get even more experience, but you'll get less XP as you out-level a mob. If you've played any MMO, you're probably aware of this. In RoM, you'll stop collecting XP from mobs 10 levels lower than you. Naturally, fighting mobs slightly higher than you can be more efficient. You can continue to fight increasingly higher-level mobs, but at some point, there's just no way you'll be able to survive, which is why you may want to get a higher-level player to take you just about anywhere in RoM to power-level you. When a high-level player starts towing you around, though, the XP you gain will be based directly on the amount of XP that player would get from any mob he kills. Read on to see more about this and alternative ways of power-leveling.
Wrath experience needed to level reduced by 20%
Blizzard has just announced that the leveling experience from 71 to 80 has just gotten a bit quicker -- 20 percent quicker, to be exact. As with The Burning Crusade and Wrath of the Lich King, Cataclysm will reduce the amount of experience needed to progress through the previous expansion's content by 20 percent. Good news for all of you who were dreading the slog through Northrend one more time on your new patch 4.0.3a race/class combos! 4.0.3a: What is in it, what is not. Good thread, Sammew. Aside from content, also included in the upcoming patch are several class balance changes and bug fixes. Due to several talent revisions for select classes, druids, paladins, priests, and shaman will have their talent trees reset. Experience required to gain levels 71 through 80 is being reduced by 20%. You'll also get the Cataclysm introductory cinematic and new login screen. source World of Warcraft: Cataclysm will destroy Azeroth as we know it; nothing will be the same! In WoW Insider's Guide to Cataclysm, you can find out everything you need to know about WoW's third expansion (available Dec. 7, 2010), from brand new races to revamped quests and zones. Visit our Cataclysm news category for the most recent posts having to do with the Cataclysm expansion.
Sunday Morning Funnies: So long
Comic news: Slash AFK posted the following on last week's list: Slash AFK will be updating (starting this Monday, Nov. 1) seven days per week for two weeks with a BlizzCon comic series I'm doing based off our trip. So that's ... /does hard math ... 14 days straight of one comic per day, plus a HUGE special comic on the 14th? What have I gotten myself into? o_o We look forward to seeing what you come up with!
Sunday Morning Funnies: Plushie lovin', out loud
Random expressions of love can be dangerous; that's the lesson for the week. Stay tuned next week for the debut of the Sunday Morning Funnies gallery guide, packed with all of the custom artwork I could squeeze out of your favorite comic artists! LFG: #375 and #376. AFR: My hovercraft is full of eels anal. Tales from the Crossroads: What a Long, Strange Trip it's Gonna Be! Daily Quests: Too Hot to Handle. DLC: Once on a Time. Fourth Wall: Reality Impaired. Also: The Dangers of Receiving a Beta Key. The first one isn't specifically about WoW, but it applies. Drunken Pirates Guild: The Highlord's Speech. Torment of the Week: Solstia's Interrogation. Slash AFK: Ew. Also: Love Fur Real and Random LFG Saga. Coffin Comcis: Zoinks. Beyond the Tree: Once Smitten... Twice Awry. NPC: Cutting Losses. Also: Happy Happy Critter Party and Bullet Hole Riddled Target. The Warcraft Hero in: The Best Plan Ever. Experience Points: Out of Your Element. Guilded Age. Teh Gladiators: For Hoofrich! Click "next" for part two! Optional filler (or, you could say, 'bonus material'): Complex Actions: Work in Progress.
Sunday Morning Funnies: It's ooey and it's gooey!
It's Sunday! Again. Where do the summer days go? Here is a list of the comics that I am still waiting to hear from regarding the gallery guide project outlined last week: Daily Quests: Tree Huggers Away From Reality: Five Holy Priests Like This LFG #373 and #374 Dark Legacy Comics: Acronym Teh Gladiators: Dent in ze Door (and click next for part two!) Equinox and the Passage of Time (if it will be continuing immediately) (Probably) Emily at Complex Actions Tales From the Crossroads: Born to Be Wild! I included their latest updates so that I don't have to list them twice!
Sunday Morning Funnies: Huff huff bing!
This week's list is long, so I'll get straight to the point! Note: If you're the artist of one of the comics on this list, please pass through the break for a special, clearly super secret club message. Out of World #21 (this missed the deadline last week). GU Comics: Dammit Greg. Also, Dammit Greg II and Dammit Greg III. Fourth Wall: This Happens a Lot More than it Should. [Thanks Coffinshaker!] Drunken Pirates Guild. I've linked the first one so you guys can catch up. [Thanks BladedDingo!] Torment of the Week: Unlikely. Also: Azarizotza's Interrogation. Coffin Comics: Goblin TV Commercial. Daily Quests: Insert Title Here. Travels with Tenthunders: Interview with Grief Chicken. LFG #371 and #372. Beyond the Tree: Captain on Deck. Also: Window of Opportunity. AFR: All Out of Character. Byron, the Tauren Rogue. Fail Druid! NPC: Night Bandit. Also: No Hugs for Holo's and Idle Chatter. Slash AFK: OP Troll. Also: Stanky. Tales from the Crossroads: Once Smitten Twice Wry. The Warcraft Hero in: First-Day Mage. Teh Gladiators: For Hoofrich! Click next for part 2. Dark Legacy Comics: Minty Scrambled Eggs. Guilded Age. Complex Actions: I Bet Chuck Norris Would Approve! Also, Ode to Gearing. Equinox vs. Marvah. Cru the Dwarf: Fruition. Also: Fever for the Flavor of Dissention. K's Grab Bag: Why Did They Even Make This a Pet? World of Warcraft, eh?: Making Progress. This week, I have devoted a special section to comic artists who chose to comment on the Real ID fiasco through their art. GU Comics: Jimmy McAlister. Penny Arcade: The Grim Curriculum. Nerf NOW!!: ID, Please. [Thanks for the tip, Cyclone Duke!] Ctrl+Alt+Del: Keep it Secret, Keep it Safe. Edit: A Troll by Any Other Name. [Thanks Blurgarian!] Slash AFK: Too Fast. (This isn't about the forums, but it is about Real ID). Experience Points: This ID Just Got Real.
Sunday Morning Funnies: Spring in your step
It's Spring time! The flowers are blooming, the pollen is making me sneeze, and the plant monsters are extra green. It must be May. Beyond the Tree: Goblin Engineering. Tales From the Crossroad: Out of the Frying Pan.... Experience Points: Buyer's Remorse. Equinox and the Balloons. Coffin Comics: /Tweet Zomg! Daily Quests: Educating the Youth. LFG #351 and #352. Byron, the Tauren Rogue. Slash AFK: Marshmellow Kitties. Also: Boomchicken and Bank Franchise. Teh Gladiators: Enter the Gorgeous Ones. The Warcraft Hero in: A Very Serious Comic. Dark Legacy Comics: Medical Bills. Complex Actions: Natural Disasters. The latest from Guilded Age. K's Grab Bag: Babies are Tasty, too. AFR: Truth in Advertising. Cru the Dwarf: No Mere Warlock. NPC: Outed.
Sunday Morning Funnies: Shlorp
Happy holiday weekend - and Noblegarden, of course. This week's selection is pretty varied, although there are no newcomers this week. Only you can change this. Send us tips! Also, let everyone know if I missed an updated comic in the comments section. It happens. Thanks to everyone who posted various comic archives last week for the perusal of those who hadn't heard of them. For next week's challenge: What percentage of the comics listed will be about Noblegarden? Guess. Predict the future. Challenge #2: I'll add a second one, since the first one is pretty... well, based in nothing. Whose artwork really struck you this week, and why?
Sunday Morning Funnies: We're long
This week's list is huge. Massive. You have to click through the break to even see it! But I warn you: before you do, you might want to make some preparations. Cancel whatever you have scheduled today. Make a pot of coffee. Do some stretches; long bouts of sitting are unhealthy. Feed the cats. Let the dog out. Seriously, this list is big. It's unruly! P.S. I tried to get you guys a good Long Cat picture but I failed you all. Maybe next time? Yes. Next time. In a related note, I have a distaste for the new way to search through the icanhascheezburger site. Ready? Set. Go!
Rumor: Modern Warfare 2 hack attacks your XP
Many Modern Warfare 2 players still debate the game's best piece of weaponry. Fortunately, hackers have settled this timeless dispute once and for all: It is, of course, the gun that hurtles your opponent back in time, back to the days when he or she was a lowly, classless Private. Okay, there's apparently a new homebrewed glitch which accomplishes this feat, not a gun -- but it would be awesome if there was. We're envisioning the Infanto Ray which Borf used in Space Ace to turn awesome-Dexter into pantywaist-Dexter. Yes, according to a few incensed forum posters, hackers have allegedly found a way to augment the amount of experience rewarded for killing them. Instead of the usual 50- or 100-point increments we usually see, these dubious players can punish their murderers with negative five million points, dropping their hard-earned rank back to level 1. Check out a NSFW video after the break to see this horrific new exercise (which appears to only be happening on Xbox Live) in motion. We've contacted the folks at Infinity Ward to find out what they're doing to crack down on these total Borfs. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]
Sunday Morning Funnies: Why is my juice warm
Juice really shouldn't be warm; but doesn't M just look so happy? It almost makes it okay, although that's primarily because it's not my juice. The Scout Report: #88, Scout is back to being Scout! Well, sort of. #89, and I'm trying not to imagine the sprocket party too. NPC: Breaking News. This totally ruins our next April Fools Day! Sensibilities. I'm jealous of your turkey pet, for I was tragically unable to participate. Special. Teh Gladiators: T-t-t-eee? Dark Legacy Comics: Crappy Table. Da!ly Quests: Revenge is Sweet. LFG #309 and #310. Dungeons and Draenei: 2012 WoW. Beyond the Tree: Ghould Rush. I like the pun - and I love ghouls. So adorable. Battlemasters: Old Flames. Such a Womanizer! WoW eh: Need More Rage. Love this one! Well, I love them every week. Cru the Dwarf: Turkey Filler 2009. I have to say, that as far as filler goes, this is pretty premium, and got me laughing. Experience Points: Easier. NoObz: Seventh Commandment. Newish Fail Druid! The Adventures of Disgraph T. Dwarf: They See Me Rulin' They Hatin'. But what about the silly hair Dan? GU Comics: Aces Over Threes. This one has Yoda and WoW. Other than that, it's a surprise! Or wait. Not telling you about Yoda might have been a better surprise.
Sunday Morning Funnies: It's not about you
Happy Pilgrim's Bounty! Before you rush off in excitement to check out the new holiday, why not spend a few minutes reading through some of your favorite WoW-related webcomics? Battlemasters: A Small Party. Cru the Dwarf: We'll Meet Again. Dark Legacy Comics: Profit! Experience Points: AFK. NoObz: Sixth Commandment. Teh Gladiators: Such Tuneful Words, Like Penguin Squak! NPC: Podfans. Also, Stream Fright and Oh the Humanity. I love his last response! Daily Quests: All's Fair in Love and Warcraft. LFG #305 and #306. Dungeons and Draenei: RP Servers. Beyond the Tree: Descent. Complex Actions: Cutting Out the Middle Man. Slash AFK: Turkey Fun. Check out this WoW-themed comic from FoxTrot.
Sunday Morning Funnies: Dark Lord of Profits
Aside from the usual laughs and story developments, this week's hot topic seems to be the new virtual pets for real money feature from the Blizzard store. There is also some amazing artwork this week, so read on! Battlemasters: Pulling Rank. This marks the end of the Prologue. Dark Legacy Comics: YARRRRR! Daily Quests: It's Better Not To Ask. World of Warcraft, eh?: A Little Birdie Told Me. I absolutely adore the artwork in this one! I always enjoy the artwork, but this one is amazing! NPC: Introducing... - I love the first frame in particular. Keyboard Chloe - I like her ideas. Kitty Tips. Teh Gladiators: This is... The Barrens? NoObz: Fourth Commandment. Beyond the Tree: Acquired Taste. The Adventures of Disgraph T. Dwarf: Tiny Fists Of Panda Fury. All I can say is - awesome. LFG #301 and #302. GU Comics: Oh, Is THAT All? Dungeons and Draenei: Public Test Realm 3.3. Experience Points: Followers. The Scout Report #87.
Sunday Morning Funnies: Hoot hoot!
I have such a big list for you today that you might even have to take a break halfway through! Enjoy: Battlemasters: Hell Hath No Fury... This comic is becoming a fast favorite, and it isn't just because of the hot draenei lady. If you have Facebook, why not hop over and become a fan? There's some cool behind-the-artwork stuff. Dark Legacy Comics: Drawing Keydar. He's on holidays again, but it's amusing filler nonetheless. Cru the Dwarf: Chapter 6 cover art! Daily Quests: An Exercise in Self Restraint. The Scout Report: Just when you thought you'd heard the last from the Sprocket party! World of Warcraft, eh?: How Does That Even Work? Hilarious! NPC: Boobroobnoob. The title alone has me laughing. ManUp. I'm sure he'll get used to it! NPC: Booby Baiters. I love how it was going to work, too. Check out the latest from Teh Gladiators. The Adventures of Disgraph T. Dwarf: Let's All Go To The Movies! I especially dig the second panel. NoObz: First Commandment. Experience Points: I Can Do This!. Also, The Same But Different. Alas, we have lost guildies to Aion. Your Nerd is Showing. Fail druid as Boomkin. If he were a Fail druid in real life, he might not always do so poorly. Beyond the Tree: Her Guiding Light. I love the highlights in the fourth panel. Check out the latest from LFG.
Sunday Morning Funnies: Mohawked
Welcome to another Sunday Morning Funnies, er, Shortlist Edition. It may not be as long, but the love is still there. As always, post your tips and links in the comments section, and try not to cry. Your other favorite web comics will update soon! Dark Legacy Comics: Imprisonment. Check out the latest from LFG. Teh Gladiators: "Too Soon, You Have Awakened Me Too Soon!" The Scout Report #77. There's irony in Ironforge, so watch out! Noobs: Ninja Looters. Beyond the Tree: A Bridge Too West. NPC: Side of Quinoa. NPC: Mohawked. I love the cats' expressions in the last panel! I chose not to use any of the artwork for the main image even though it relates to the title because I didn't want to ruin the fun. Experience Points: Always Read the Bottle. This is a good lesson all around kids. The latest Kuo.
Sunday Morning Funnies: Bow chicka wow wow
It's the last weekend in August, and the summer is slipping away. To soothe you, here's your regularly scheduled dose of WoW-related comic goodness. Well, except for the chicken. That's just a wee bit traumatizing. Dark Legacy Comics: Kabobs. That'd Be Sweet. GU Comics: You Have a Choice. LFG. NoObz: Supply and Demand. Teh Gladiators. The Scout Report #73 and #74. Noobs: Tauren Paladin. Beyond the Tree: The Price Steak. Experience Points: Vincent reflects on a great BlizzCon 2009. Vincent has a zombie (no wait that's Ozzy!). Steve plays with the iPhone. NPC: I'd Rather Be Hiking. NPC: Imprisonable Offense. NPC: Sunset. World of Warcraft, eh?: Nice One, Elune. World of Warcraft, eh?: The Bold and the Beautiful.
Sunday Morning Funnies: Scared straight
This week's list has quite a few new listings, with one that I am particularly excited about. Without further ado: Noobs has posted part two of Gold Issues. On Scout Report, we find out the word that is actually worse than "kittens." While the ensuing squabble become unintelligible, we do learn a bit about their mother. Cru: Holy Brown-Nosing. Dark Legacy Comics: Bill #307A. I know they come right out and say it, but I still think that ending is lame. Experience Points: Vincent has a nightmare. Vincent packs for BlizzCon. His costume plans are not going so well, however. LFG proves that you should stay in school to be awesome. NPC: Driving. I love his facial expression in that one. I've also never seen anyone this excited about doing Dailies. NPC: Sorry. Well I suppose it kind of was her fault. Check out the latest from Teh Gladiators. GU Comics: Given the Choice. GU Comics: My Frustration. Patches are a cruel mistress, my friend. NoObz: Profiling. The Adventures of Disgraph T. Dwarf: The Instance Portal Shuffle. Oh my! Check out the latest from Kuo. Beyond the Tree: All Going South. The Battlemasters: Into the Fray. This is the first entry from a new comic that I'm really loving. The artwork is awesome, and the coloring, especially on the bear in the second entry, The Oil Refinery, blows me away. Read below it to learn about the contest for a custom forum signature! To learn more about the duo behind it (including our very own Zach Yonzon!), check out their About page. I decided to link you to a rather NSFW selection of comics this week, ala Supermegatopia, By Way of Booty Bay. I don't think that they go in any particular order, but it's a good page to bookmark and visit when you have some time. Here's another comic, new to the list but certainly not particularly far in, Nitropie. I'll have more to say about it next week when I can figure out how to make my browser navigate it properly.
Skill-based MMOs: Passive vs. active gain
There are two main progression models in MMOs: Level-based and skill-based. In level-based MMOs, you kill things and complete tasks to earn experience. This experience leads to new levels and the new levels generally lead to newer and more powerful skills. In skill-based MMOs, it isn't you who "levels up," but your skills. The more you use a particular skill (e.g., swimming, shield-blocking, axe-slashing, etc.) the better that skill becomes. At a basic level, both models are just different interpretations of the "experience point" system.While traditional, level-based MMOs don't usually allow you to earn XP while logged off, some skill-based systems do. EVE Online, for example, has a passive skill-leveling system, where players choose a queue of various skills that level up in real-time whether they are logged in or out. On the other hand, Darkfall uses an active skill-leveling system. The more you slash with a one-handed sword, the better your skill with one-handed swords becomes. If you switch to a two-handed hammer, you won't be as good until you start using it more.Syncaine has started an interesting discussion on his blog about the pros and cons of passive versus active skill gain in MMOs. While the original article favours one over the other, the comments really show both sides of the argument.
