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Losing influence with SOE: EQ2 Flames admin "LFG" tells all
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/pc_games/SOE_and_EQ2_players_fallout'; He is an EverQuest 2 player that rose to power leading one of the largest fansite communities. He earned the esteemed "Community Influencer" rank that opened the gates to game designers and allowed him to forge ties with prominent SOE staff. With his connections it wasn't long before the site he administrates, EQ2 Flames, served as a clandestine outlet for EQ2 developers to post on. Behind the scenes "LFG" played a role working with inside sources to leak information that resulted in the EQ2 Test Server scandal. The forum also resulted in leak of the news (almost a month before it actually happened) that former Senior Producer, Scott Hartsman, was to part ways with Sony Online Entertainment. His actions wouldn't come without serious ramifications. Last week SOE terminated his "Influencer" membership, citing a lack of participation and misconduct as the reasoning behind their decision. In the destructive wake that followed an ugly entanglement by both SOE developers and EQ2 players has surfaced. Allegations of cheating, developer corruption, and other scuttlebutt permeate forum posts. This is a drama that pits community against community, developers against players, and more than likely developers against developers. It is a story that has shaken up a very large community and that has once placed SOE in a questionable spotlight. I contacted "LFG", the EQ2 Flames administrator, to help bring some clarity to it all.In the interview below several allegations involving SOE employees are levied. These along with other accusations on EQ2 Flames also raise other questions regarding SOE's internal policies. At the time of this posting SOE's community team had not yet responded with an official comment. When SOE does respond we will post it in full.
WoW Rookie: Forming a Group
In the last two weeks we've discussed where to go for an instance and what to do once you get there. Since dungeon runs usually require five members, this week we'll talk about how to find people to go with you. Remember that the typical instance group is made up of a tank, a healer, and three DPS members. It's not always easy to find people that match those requirements. Since there is a shortage of tanks, it's probably easiest for tank classes to find a group. That also means it's hardest if you are not a tank to find someone to play that role. The next most difficult is a healer. There's usually plenty of DPS to go around. It can take some time to make a group, but since dungeons provide excellent loot and good experience it's usually worthwhile to stick with it.
Breakfast Topic: I get by without a little help from my friends
Lane is facing a problem I face quite a bit in World of Warcraft, and I bet you have, too: she needs a group but doesn't have one. I don't care how many friends you have or how awesome your guild is, there are just going to be some times in game where you have a quest to do, or you have something that needs to be done, and you don't have four other people to do it with.So how do you get things done? Me, I usually just sit in LFG while grinding or doing something else, and then just hope I get a group together eventually. But my Hunter has had to run Ramparts for a long time, and no one's jumped up to take me, so I may start offering incentives soon. You'd think the incentive to get some loot and have a good time in a group would be enough, but no -- if you're trying to do a quest that's months old in game and happen to be on your own on a server, you're often times out of luck.So how do you get a group together when you don't have one? Do you ping the major cities and try to pull an expedition together? Do you just ignore the quest and go without? Or do you have to have a guild or friends on the same server to get certain things done? What do you do when you need a group, but just don't have one?
A message to those that ask me to group
Dear PUG Members,Recently you've asked me to group with you. This is cool, and I appreciate being wanted. It gives me that warm and fuzzy feeling inside. The same warm and fuzzy feeling you get after you've killed a million boars and are holding the Sword of a Thousand Truths. However, if you don't mind, could we go over a few dos and don'ts?Here's what you should do: Do ask nicely if I have time to join your group. Do look to see if I'm using the LFG tool. If I'm not, I probably don't want to group. Do offer me at least 100 gold to run you through the Stockades. The two gold you're putting forth does not make up for the time it's going to take me to run you through. Do talk in English or some other real language. I'll even accept Klingon. Leet speak is not a language. Do ask if everyone is ready before MDing the boss to me. Do use Omen or KTM. Do use something more than auto-attack. Here's what you should NOT do:
LFG releases teaser, promises feature length film
Here's some really interesting news from the guys who make the popular Looking For Group comic: a feature film is in the works. Sohmer, who runs Blind Ferret Entertainment (which is also working on projects for PvP and Ctrl-Alt-Delete), says that the company is going to make a "75-80 minute feature film" (animated, of course) starring the LFG gang.And the piece above is a "teaser" for the movie, tentatively titled "LFG: The Origin of Dick." (The character in the video above, if you haven't read the comic, is named Richard). No word on whether the whole movie will consist of songs, or song parodies, but the short is pretty well done, and so if that's any indication, the full-length movie will be a good time. Not to mention quite an achievement-- are there any other online comics that have gone on to support a feature film? I can't think of any.Of course, that's assuming the comic can actually support it. We'll find out when it releases-- Blind Ferret says they're targeting it for late 2008.
Guildwatch: How casual is casual?
Do you consider your guild to be a casual one? If so, how often do you raid? Today in Guildwatch, we've got news of a guild that considers themselves casual, but has downed 3 bosses in Serpentshrine, and raids three nights a week, four hours a raid. Is that casual or hardcore? What is casual raiding, exactly? And have you ever heard of a guild that's working through Black Temple while only raiding once a week? Is that even possible?Along with all those questions, we've got your weekly dose of guild drama, downed, and recruiting notices, as we do every week on Tuesday (and feel free to send us your own for next week, at wowguildwatch@gmail.com). Hit the link to check out this week's GW!
EU Warcraft Weekly posts 100th issue
EU Forums MVP Schwick has posted episode number 100 of his Warcraft Weekly forum feature, and it's a humdinger. It's got lots of tidbits from around the forums, including Blue posts, the best of fan posting, and even a brand new comic based on forum comings and goings called Forum Life (there's quite a few in-jokes in the first one, but hopefully subsequent comics will be a little more about the forums, and a little less about the people running them).And in his "Specials" post, Schwick's got interviews aplenty-- he was able to talk to the devs (he doesn't get much out of them, but Elekk and Hawkstrider PvP mounts are on the way, and both a Shaman totem UI and more weather effects are being planned), and also got to chat with three of the best WoW comics artists out there-- the guys from LFG, Dark Legacy (who just hit a hundred of their own), and Chidori from The Flaming Ruby.Excellent job as always, Schwick, and grats on number 100.
Horde looking for (and finding) fewer groups?
Distraction on the WoW LJ posts about something I've noticed while sitting in the LFG channel over the last few days on my server as well: Alliance are having a nice big party in the LFG channel, while Horde seem kind of lonely in it.Why does it seem like Alliance run more PUGs than Horde do? It seems to happen on every server that I've been on, and it can't just be a population thing-- even Horde heavy servers (of which there aren't many) seem to have more PUGs rolling on the Alliance side. Could it be that Alliance players are more social, or just more likely to be unguilded?And another thing I've noticed (and while Distraction doesn't mention it obviously, you can see it in his script) is that Horde seem to be less responsive to pleas for help in terms of LFG as well. Not only is it less common for a group to be LFG on Horde side, it seems, but it's less common for anyone LFG to find the help they need. I watched one guy Hordeside look for a Botanica group member for about 2 hours over the weekend, and when I finally joined up, the group frll apart anyway. Has that been your experience? And if so, why could that possibly be?
WoW Moviewatch: With a little help from Wowhead
This may be the first time I've seen a video about a WoW web site. Wowhead is a site I'm very fond of personally, for reasons that I think this video makes clear: how else are you supposed to know where your SWORD is? The animated short is by the people behind the "Looking for Group" comic, and I must say I'm pretty impressed with the animation quality. Take that, rat!Previously on WoW Moviewatch
LFG channel will have to wait
Lots of players logged on yesterday after the patch expecting to share their Chuck Norris jokes look for groups in a chat channel as promised, but it looks like the LFG channel Blizzard said was coming back isn't actually arriving until the next content patch, 2.1.0.Drysc also reminds us that the LFG channel isn't returning worldwide-- it'll only be available for those using the LFG tool. So while we haven't actually used it yet, that means you'll have to flag yourself as LFG, and then you'll get access to the channel.But what hasn't been answered yet is whether you'll get access to a worldwide channel, or just the channel for your instance. It seems like just talking to people LFG for, say, Hellfire Ramparts is pretty pointless-- we can see their names up there on the screen and we can tell them anything we want. So that points to a worldwide LFG channel. But that then lends itself to the kind of stuff that made Blizzard ditch the channel in the first place, not to mention that it seems likely that tons of people who aren't actually LFG will sit flagged for LFG, just to listen in on the channel.The problem here is that the best thing the LFG channel had going for it was the fact that it was an open area for players to listen in on LFG requests-- I could sit on my alt and listen for groups for my main, or on my main I could hear about a group, and then head to a dungeon that I had never planned to go to. I fail to see, however, how implementing the channel in the LFG tool, either local or worldwide, opens itself back up to that kind of ad hoc group forming. I guess we won't know until we get a chance to use it.
LFG channel to return
Wow, this is honestly surprising to me. After having stated in no uncertain terms that the LFG channel would not be coming back, Blizz apparently changed their mind. From Drysc: We're making many improvements to the Looking For Group tool, most of which are still in production and can't yet be discussed. Player suggestions and feedback are playing a large part in the changes we're making and we want to emphasize that we are indeed making improvements. The change we can talk about right now is indeed the return of the looking for group channel in the next major content patch. With it comes a rather significant requirement, and that is that you will have to be in the LFG system set to looking for a group or looking for more to see and use the channel. The global LFG channel will only be viewable and available for use to players while they are in the LFG system. We hope to see the combination of the LFG tool coupled with the ease of use of a global channel help to improve the LFG tool and players use of the tool. Again we're making other improvements based on feedback and suggestions which we'll be able to discuss in the near future.In my opinion, this is actually a really good move. It gives the people who want the channel back what they want, but at the same time it forces more people into the LFG system. In my opinion, the biggest problem with the current LFG system is that not enough people use it, and this should remedy that. What do you guys think?[Thanks, Kyle]
Using the LFG tool
Is the reason that the game's built-in LFG tool is little-used really lack of knowledge on the part of the users? While we know Blizzard is planning some changes to the tool (hopefully for the better), right now it's still all we have for finding groups . And Mairek of Medivh has posted some tips on the official forums to help us all make better use of the tool, and maybe even get some good groups in the process. If you are looking for a group to go to an instance, make sure you click off the Auto-Join option. This will guarantee that you have control over the groups you will join or the classes that join your group. Comment box: this is a great field where you can let people know what you currently need or have for a certain quest or dungeon. Ex. if you are a warrior and you prefer to DPS to tanking, then include this information in the box. Searching for members is easy: go to the LFM tab and select the dungeon/quest that you are looking for more members. You will get a list of everyone that has that dungeon/quest selected. When you mouse over the character's name, you will get a small window that will display the character's information, commentaries, dungeons/quests they are LFG, and a list of group members if they are grouped. This allows you to carefully select the groups that you want to join and the classes that you want to add. When inviting other people, send them a whisper first saying that you want to join or invite them to the dungeon/quest that they are LFG. It is rather annoying just getting an invite out of the blue and not knowing what it is for. This sounds like a good start -- though it still doesn't solve the issue of people not using it. Have tips of your own? Let us know in the comments.
Blue Notes: LFG changes, Warlock pets to despawn on flight
It's no secret that a lot of people are unhappy with the new LFG system. Personally, I always use it, although I haven't had much luck with it. Usually I'll flag myself as LFG for some group quest and do a solo quest while waiting. After this, if I still don't have a group (as is usually the case), I go ahead and ask about it in General. Anyway, apparently the LFG tool is going to get better, and the old global LFG channel is not making a come-back. From Neth: While you haven't seen changes as of yet, we are working on some improvements that we would like to implement. I just can't tell you any more details about that as of this point in time however. You won't be seeing the old LFG channel reappear. By the way, did you know you can use /lfg and /lfm to call up the respective interface panes? True story, and useful for people like me who like to hide about as much UI as possible.
Breakfast Topic: Looking for...
In the time it takes you to read this post, another hundred players will have posted on the official forums about the shiny new looking for group interface that rolled out with the 2.0 pre-BC patch (on the 9th of January). Blizzard told us to give the new LFG tool a chance -- after all, the system can't work if no one utilizes it -- but nearly a month later the steady stream of complaints hasn't stopped. At this point, are you still willing to give Blizzard's LFG system a chance, or have you resorted (like so many others have) to searching for groups over whatever channels are available to you?
Leveling with two is twice as nice
Relmstein had some great tips about how to tackle the Burning Crusade this week, but his second to last one might be the best: To get a new character up and running, find a leveling buddy. Many of us are heading back to lowbieland (or heading up to 70) after we install the expansion (Horde needs Pallies and Alliance needs Shaman!), and as many of us know, especially after grinding our way up to 60, maybe even more than once: nothing makes those levels go away faster than someone to level with.So my advice is to find a buddy, start early, and work together often. A great team of two can tackle almost anything in Azeroth, but make sure to organize yourself-- both of you will need to level up certain skills (first aid!), but there's a few professions that complement each other very well-- blacksmithing and engineering or jewelcrafting, for instance. Group quests can sometimes be tough with two, but if your classes complement each other and you're both experienced, it makes things easier for everyone.Now, if you already have someone and need ideas for classes, we've got you covered. For actually finding someone in the first place, the LFG system has grown on me a little bit-- if you're in a zone and looking for help, it's easy to throw up your LFG flag, and it usually grabs a few whispers. Guildies are always good-- I know a few guilds (including mine) are going to be leveling up together, at least to 70. It's too bad, though, that there isn't a service somewhere for just hooking up people for leveling. Oh, what the heck, let's start one here-- if you're starting a new toon (or continuing an old one) for the Burning Crusade and you need a leveling buddy, put your name, server, and faction in the comments here, or just drop a whisper to the people who have already posted. To Outland!
Breakfast Topic: Looking for group!
Do you remember the mass chaos that occurred with the global looking for group channel went in? As I recall, it was a little crazy. The line was quickly overrun by random spam which drove many players from the line and lead a number of people back to old habits -- like typing /who priest 58-60 and whispering down the list. Many protested the flawed system and asked for it to be removed. And now that it's gone, replaced by a sleeker interface? There's a number of players that can't stand the thing and demand the global LFG channel be reinstated. So if the old system wasn't right, and the new system isn't right, what's the best way to go about looking for a group? What do you think Blizzard should have implemented?
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New LFG system
So...it has been a couple of days, and I still don't know if I like the new LFG system. Now don't get me wrong, I appreciate that Blizzard is giving the idea a shot, but I still have some problems with it. I think some of my problems stem from the feeling (correctly or not) that I have "lost control" of the situation. Instead of occasionally throwing up my "DM LF2M" message in a channel, I am sitting there waiting, with no response. As you'd imagine, the forum folks have some complaints. Some of the more common gripes: The system counts paladins, druids and warriors as tanks, and shamans, paladins, priests and druids as healers. Now this system would work OK if you end up with a rogue, hunter, druid, shammy and mage, provided everyone is specced for their task. But if the druid is a moonkin and the shammy is dual wielding? That could be a problem. You can't look for more than three instances at a time. If someone is a new level 60, and would happily hit Dire Maul, Scholo, Strat or LBRS, they can't let this preference be known. Not enough people are using it. I know it has only been online for a couple days, but I have run into this problem myself. Some forum folks are claiming that the system itself is too difficult for people to use, which is keeping players away, but it seems pretty straightforward to me. The level restrictions seem a tad off. For example, some players were complaining about a level 40 being able to LFG for Mara. The lack of support for things like PVP raids. When you are on an alt, you can't search for groups for your main. You can't find people looking for Scholo if you are on your level 33. I don't agree with all of these complaints, and some of them seem downright petty, but those are the most common I have seen. Now, granted, a lot of these problems could be solved by shooting someone a tell, but I am getting the impression that a lot of players were expecting the new LFG to be an all-in-one solution, which it isn't. With the way people are using LFG now, it is functioning more like a transportable meeting stone, which is fine, but I guess some people were expecting a lot more. What do you guys think? Have you made use of the channel? Any suggestions on improvements?
New LFG interface announced
We saw some leaked screenshots not too long ago, but now we have official news of an interesting new LFG interface. And, if we're lucky, players might actually use it. Via this new interface panel, you can select what sort of things you might be wanting to group for, and other players can use the same interface to find folks interested in grouping for the same activities. Tobold also gives some information on this system in the first of his Burning Crusade journal entries, in which he notes that most players still seem to shout out for players via the old LFG line. Hopefully by the time the expansion is released, we'll see a whole slew of players making use of this feature.
New LFG system coming in the expansion
This is probably old news if you've been paying extremely close attention to Burning Crusade news (closer attention than me-- which is really, really close): there's going to be an all new LFG system in place when the expansion hits. Now, this is the first I've heard of it, but Tseric has confirmed it (with exactly zero information at all) on the forums.Which is music to my ears because the current system, err, how shall I put this? It sucks kodo balls. There's so much spam in the LFG channel, you'd think it's the canned meats aisle at the supermarket, and all that garbage is doubled with a second group of people shouting for the first group to "stop spamming LFG." It's impossible to find a group, because if you accept anyone who will join any group, you get a bunch of classes that won't play well together. And as far as I know, priests at 60 don't even watch the LFG channel-- either you have to know someone or have a guildie heal for you (don't worry, I'm working my priest up there as we speak).So a new LFG system would be, at the very least, extremely welcome. Tseric will only say that it is "robust" and that it is "not just a revamped chat channel." Apparently Blizzard will go through it in-depth at a later date. At the very least, I'm expecting it to be somewhat like Dark Age's system, where you can flag yourself as LFG and browse others with the same interests (Experience, Questing, Dungeons). At best, it might be some kind of smart meeting stone system, that pairs players of like levels, preferences, gear, and even guilds as quickly as possible. Like almost everything else with the expansion, it seems we'll just have to wait and see.
Did You Hear Steve Irwin Died?
Boy, MBAzeroth hit the nail on the head with this one. Raise your hand if you heard about the sad death of the Crocodile Hunter from the LFG or the Trade channel. I must have heard about five or six of these conversations this weekend (and even I threw a "no way" in the /raid chat when I first heard about it)."[3. Trade][Rokusha]: died from stingray barb tot he hbeart [3. Trade][Ampersand]: so sad [3. Trade][Gunor]: YEAH [3. Trade][Bigjim]: thats what he gets for f'n with animals. [3. Trade][Carnivera]: the stingray rolled a crit with its barb "20" [3. Trade][Aborted]: that was a 62 elite Stingray tho [3. Trade][Halfmoo]: Probably named as well. [3. Trade][Clownshoes]: I can't beleave that happen by a sting ray [3. Trade][Halfmoo]: Only a named stingray could bring down my man steve. [3. Trade][Crilogan]: and it was a named raid boss [3. Trade][Carnivera]: yep."What is it about WoW players that attracts us to this story? Maybe it's just because everyone was online playing when this happened over the holiday weekend, but nobody was talking about the VMAs or even the Lamont victory when that stuff happened last month. For some reason, when it comes to this culture, it's Steve Irwin and Chuck Norris that piques our interest.And for the record, RIP Steve. No matter how much you guys joke about it, the man was an icon, raised awareness of wildlife and conservation issues all over the world, and he left behind a wife and two children that (I remember seeing on one of his shows at one point) he loved very much.
