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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.
Final Fantasy XIV development for Xbox 360 currently paused
Once again, an MMORPG has been cut down by Xbox Live's online policies. Considering Final Fantasy XI was one of the few massively multiplayer games to arrive on the system, we had high hopes for its spiritual successor, Final Fantasy XIV. Unfortunately, Square Enix's talks with Microsoft apparently weren't too fruitful, as producer Hiromichi Tanaka explained to VG247 that Microsoft's strict policies for the online platform are blocking the developer from proceeding with FFXIV's 360 port. However, Tanaka did note that development on the 360 version wasn't completely canceled, but rather, on pause. Of course, the PC version of Final Fantasy XIV is due out on September 30, and the PS3 version's slated for next March -- if Square Enix and Microsoft can't come to an agreement soon, we're not sure how much of a demand there's going to be to get this bad boy back on track.
World of Warcraft: Cataclysm special edition detailed
Hey, you're already paying $14.99 a month to have access to the expansive, quest-strewn lands of World of Warcraft -- why not shell out a few extra bucks to claim the collector's edition of the MMO's upcoming expansion, Cataclysm? The premium, $79.99 version of the add-on, which will only be available in retail stores, just had its contents revealed by Blizzard. The bundle includes a 176-page art book, a DVD featuring developer commentary and a quick background of the Warcraft universe, a CD of the expansion's soundtrack, a mouse pad, a starter deck and a few bonus cards for the World of Warcraft TCG, and -- the item which will force die-hard WoW players to spring for the special edition -- a "Lil' Deathwing" in-game pet. The expansion is still sans-release date, but the presser announcing this collector's edition promises that information will be divulged "in the months ahead."
The Old Republic's advanced Jedi Knight classes revealed
When it comes down to it, the two specializations for Star Wars: The Old Republic's Jedi Knight class really determine what kind of a person you are in real life. For instance, are you an introspective, thoughtful so-and-so who prefers to hang near the back of a crowd, supporting your friends with encouraging words, ala the Guardian? Or do you like wildly flailing two lightsabers, like the Sentinel? Well, which is it? Compassion, or two lightsabers? Check out the game's official site for more details on these two advanced classes, and check out the trailer after the jump to see what kind of hardships (and Sandships) the Jedi Knight will have to face in The Old Republic.
Guild Wars 2 trailer explains the MMO Manifesto
Rarely do we ever associate the word "Manifesto" with anything positive -- but this recent trailer/dev diary for Guild Wars 2, which uses the ominous M-word as its moniker, fills us with something close to unbridled joy. Check out what NCSoft and ArenaNet are doing differently in the video below.
Waging WAR: A healer's advice for melee-DPS
Waging WAR starts the month of August with a look at archetypes in Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning and the way they work together in RvR and scenarios. Although Greg's rules apply to pretty much any class-based, group-based, PvP-centric game, he prefers to think of them as particular to WAR, since there's a bunch of game-specific slang in there that he's too lazy to change. Having a role to play is integral to the massively multiplayer online experience, but when the term "roleplay" comes up, it usually means something very specific and closely related to dramatic acting. Taken in a broader sense, it means that we choose our roles when we project the most imaginative aspect of our psychic selves and ask the question "who (or what) do I want to be?" Thus, our vicarious adventures begin. For the purposes of social gaming, it should come as no surprise that those classes usually fit another staple in the MMO universe -- the role trinity of tanker, healer, and damager. While the bond between the healer and tanker is obvious, the unspoken pact between healer and damager is just as sacred and yet all too easily forgotten. For those who were unaware such a promise existed, it goes something like, "I, the healer, promise to keep you alive so you can kill stuff in the face (better)." However, in many cases, the damaging character is delegated an expendable role, compared to the tank's priority or the healer's own survival. These are exceptions that the melee-damager is usually aware of and even comfortable with. But today I'm not here to challenge those roles like I normally would when talking about damage-healer hybrids. As a specialized healer, I've defined a few, easy-to-remember rules that I believe every melee-damage player should follow in group situations (PUG or premade – there is little difference when it comes to these rules). Solo play is an entirely different realm and beyond the scope of this column; I want to focus on the special synergy between healer and melee-damager, and to dispense advice to those brave, wayward souls in their never-ending quest to face blades as they bring their own to bear. I'll bestow these tidbits of wisdom after the break.
Blizzard cracking down on in-game World of Warcraft sex roleplay
In what many telecommunications scholars and sociologists are tentatively referring to as "the saddest forum post in the history of all mankind," Blizzard recently informed World of Warcraft players on the Moon Guard server that moderators would now be patrolling the server for ... erotic role-playing. Particularly in one in-game town, Goldshire, which appears to be a non-stop, Bacchanalian festival of delights of the virtual flesh and oh man, that's the creepiest thing we've ever typed. Blizzard customer service reps will now "regularly" keep an eye on the town's public chat channels, privately punishing players who violate the game's harassment policies. We can't wait to hear about some of the super awkward /Tells this enforcement will lead to. "Dear Razorbladez, please stop trying to have cybersex with that level 2 Paladin. That is very, very gross."
Dire Wolf Digital is building a Lego Universe trading-card game
Dire Wolf Digital and NetDevil have signed an agreement that will see the creation of a LEGO Universe trading-card game, due in 2011. (The Lego Universe MMO is set to launch on October 26.) What makes this deal interesting is the potential to create products outside of just the TCG. The agreement gives Dire Wolf Digital "a license to produce physical TCG products as well as digital products for PC, Mac and mobile devices." This could portend the TCG will come to digital spaces or it could simply refer to additional products outside of the card game -- as soon as we know something, we'll be sure to pass it along. Head past the break for the full press release.%Gallery-98015%
Free Realms offering lifetime memberships for $30
Listen here, you Free Realms freeloader, you. If you've been thinking about throwing some money at Sony Online Entertainment's MMO to get the full experience the game has to offer, you can now get a lifetime membership to the game for a one-time lump sum of $30.
Final Fantasy XIV's XVIII different classes revealed
The full list of Final Fantasy XIV's peculiar, discipline-based classes was recently outed by Famitsu (as translated by fansite FFXIV Core). If your idea of an MMO class roster boils down to Wizards, Warriors, Rogues, etc., you're probably going to be perplexed by the game's profession-centric composition. Don't get too bogged down in thought, though -- you'll be able to switch between these jobs at will once the game drops for the PC in September. For a full breakdown of class distribution between the combat-focused Disciples of War, the wizardly Disciples of Magic, the gathering-adept Disciples of the Land and the crafty Disciples of Hand, just click past the jump.
BioWare confirms space combat for Star Wars: The Old Republic
BioWare's community managers have confirmed that The Old Republic will allow players to engage in space combat, which -- well of course it will. What did you think, that BioWare would announce during E3 that players would have their own spaceships for housing purposes, and that those spaceships would stay permanently on the ground? Are we to believe that the world of Star Wars: The Old Republic is just one big trailer park, with people living out of their dormant A-Wings and TIE fighters, soft mounds of Space-Skoal tucked into their alien oral cavities? Fan site Mos Eisley Radio reported the rumor of space combat first during Comic-Con, which BioWare quickly confirmed in a forum thread. Originally, the announcement was to come when community members had reached a certain social networking outreach goal -- which they didn't. Don't worry, though: Even if BioWare had decided to withhold that info as a punishment for their failure to adequately spread the word, we could have told everyone that, yes, spaceships fly. Details are slim now, but BioWare says further info on the mechanics of space combat will surface in the October issue of PC Gamer magazine.
Star Trek Online: Season Two to revive some 'Ancient Enemies'
We weren't exactly sure what qualified as an "Ancient Enemy" in the Star Trek universe -- haven't most of them been around since, like, the 60s, anyway? The debut trailer for the second season of content updates (which carries the "Ancient Enemies" subtitle) for Star Trek Online reveals the true identity of these time-tested foes: Big, scaly dudes with tusks. Oh, and floating, demonic torsos. Oh, and floating, demonic torsos that can fly around in space without a ship. So, in short, not only are these enemies older than the game's traditional fare, but they're jumpsuit-spoilingly scarier as well. You can catch a glimpse of these second season baddies in the trailer posted after the jump.
Lego Universe trailers rebuild our capacity to love
If you feel like dedicating around 10 minutes of your day to media from NetDevil's upcoming MMO Lego Universe, you'll find everything you need here. Check out a ton of screens in the following gallery, or watch videos featuring in-game pets, factions and the "partners" who helped create the game.
New Mythos concept art shows signs of life
It's been some time since we've seen proof of the existence of Frogster and Hanbitsoft's European relaunch of Flagship's canned action-MMORPG, Mythos. Today, the new developer revealed the game does indeed have a pulse, as evidenced by a handful of recently released concept art renders.
Dungeons and Dragons Online also going free-to-play in Europe
Turbine has announced that the free-to-play version of its die-casting MMO, Dungeons & Dragons Online: Eberron Unlimited, will launch in Europe on August 20. Turbine will take the reins from Codemasters Online for its European operations, and explained to Eurogamer that the two parties are working together "to facilitate a smooth transition" to its globally-oriented business model. Potential players will be able to download the game client and play for free through DDO's official website. Players living in the UK who have been playing on U.S. servers will be able to transfer their characters to local servers shortly after the game launches. German and French-language servers are expected to enter beta later this year. Rôle d'initiative!
Xenome: Episode 1 is a fully immersive post-apocalyptic RPG on your iPhone
As I kid I burned up an entire summer playing Wasteland on my Apple II. I spent countless hours playing Fallout many years later. Xenome is clearly inspired by these two games, and promises to chew up yet more of my time. You play a lone wanderer in the desert, searching for something and having a few nasty encounters with mutated animals and people along the way. Xenome: Episode 1 is also the first sliver in a much larger story, with an MMORPG to follow after other episodes (which will be single-player RPGs) have been released. I had become pretty jaded with iPhone games in general, and words like "immersive" are trotted out so often I rarely believe the claims. But the first thing that struck me about Xenome's in-game world was the large, open landscape. There is a fantastic sense of scale in the game, with beat up old buildings jutting out of the desert landscape, looming over your character. You can go anywhere and do nearly anything, although your character is quite weak at first. The graphics are as good as you can get on the iPhone whilst providing ample geometry, although the game isn't yet tuned for Retina displays. This didn't matter so much to me, however, as the overall polish of the game is impeccable. The 3rd-person camera, for example, floats perfectly. It's clear Nine Pound Studios spent a lot of time on the artwork, music, sounds and in-game graphics because they're as good as anything I've experienced in mobile gaming. %Gallery-97174%
Closed Final Fantasy 14 beta starts this weekend
The closed beta for Final Fantasy XIV begins this Saturday, July 10. If you've been invited to test drive the MMORPG, there should be an email waiting in your inbox. It'll point you to the official forums, where you'll have to log in and find a link to download the client. Think of it as a multi-tiered quest. The final version of Final Fantasy 14 will hit retail on September 30 in regular and more expensive "early access" versions. %Gallery-93383%
Red 5 still planning on making their MMO [Updated]
You have to give Red 5 Studios credit for tenacity, if nothing else. When they initially announced their connection with Intel via licensing the Offset Engine, the plan was to use Red 5's upcoming fantasy MMO, codenamed Project Offset, to showcase Intel's high-end Larrabee processors. However, last month, Intel decided to scrap their plans for the Offset Engine, and redirect the Larrabee processor towards more business-type uses. Meanwhile, despite Red 5 having financial difficulties requiring a layoff of staff, they're continuing on. This is all thanks, in large part, to China's The9, who have stepped in to give them a $20 million infusion of cash in exchange for a majority stake in their company. While some startup studios might fold after a series of large setbacks like this, word is that development on Project Offset continues, according to a story on Gamasutra. Only now, it's running on a "highly modified" version of the original Intel Offset Engine, giving this graphics intensive first-person MMO life. While details are still thin as ever beyond the game being a fantasy title, we hope that this newest partnership with The9 coupled with the recent infusion of cash helps their studio get back on track. [Update: We've received word from Red 5 that they have no relationship to the canceled Project Offset, but they are still using a highly modified Offset Engine to continue their work on their own game.]
Final Fantasy 14 launches Sept. 30 on PC, March 2011 on PS3
Square Enix has announced that Final Fantasy XIV will be launched on Windows PCs worldwide on September 30 -- well, provided you've obtained the game, installed it and then clicked on the launch shortcut. This step comes after you've made a choice between two different versions of the anticipated MMORPG: a standard edition, which will retail for $49.99, and a $74.99 Collector's Edition. The latter edition will enable early access to the game on September 22nd ("subject to initial server capacity," Square Enix warns) and will include a making-of DVD, a Final Fantasy XIV-branded security token, an art book, special cover art by Yoshitaka Amano, a "fully-personalized Right of Passage Certificate" and a stat-boosting Onion Helm item for pre-orders (Standard Edition pre-orders get ze "Garlond Goggles," they do nothing in real life). Both versions offer 30 days of gameplay upon purchase, with one playable character and one non-playable character playing the undignified role of item retainer. Should you choose to continue exploring the world of Eorzea, Eorfee will be $12.99 per month. Oh, and just a reminder that PS3 is one of several consoles that won't be able to play Final Fantasy XIV in 2010 -- since Square Enix confirmed that Final Fantasy XIV will only arrive on Sony's system in "early" March 2011. Pricing for that version will be announced at a later time. %Gallery-64870%
The Daily Grind: MMOre haiku for you
Just the other day We had a post about tanks It featured haiku That post was so fun We wanted to share the love With everyone here So today we have MMO haiku madness for all the games here Kudos or bitching On MMOs, in haiku Should be amusing
