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The Guild Counsel: Teacher by day, guild leader by night
Last week, as I listed my guild leader New Year's resolutions, I made a passing reference to my background as a former teacher. This led to a great question by Massively reader Mike Azariah, who wrote: "I still do teach. Do you find that helping others (especially new players) starts to fall into a lesson?" I've had discussions with other guild leaders in the past, and it always strikes me how often they talk about how the job of guild leader parallels, and often enhances, real-life occupations that involve leadership skills. This week's Guild Counsel will take a closer look at Mike's question of how much the job of teacher relates to guild leadership.
One Shots: Our top 10 of 2010
It's been a crazy, busy year here at Massively. While there weren't nearly as many Western MMOs that came out this year compared to some other years, One Shots had an excellent year, with some truly first-rate images submitted by our fantastic readers! As such, I wanted to take a moment to run down some of the top picks in terms of MMO images that we've received in 2010. First up, we have this ridiculously awesome image that reminds us of the potential that the All Points Bulletin character creator had. While we never did find out just how long it took Crabtree and his friends to create their 1970s-era Trek group, we do know that this particular screenshot got a lot of positive comments from readers and was one of the ones we heard about the most. Hopefully with GamersFirst rebooting the game as APB Reloaded, we'll once again see creative entries like the above image coming in to One Shots! Curious as to the other nine in our top 10 for 2010? Join me after the break!
One Shots: Not as quiet as it seems
While all seems relatively peaceful in this image, anyone who has played Vanguard knows that the lush landscapes aren't nearly as quiet as they seem. Lurking amidst the trees are spiders, monsters, and more, all too ready to pounce on the unsuspecting traveler. Still, from on high, it certainly does look placid enough. Today's lovely One Shots from Vanguard comes to us courtesy of Yvonne W., who writes in with a short note: "While exploring Telon, I came across this beautiful landscape at sunset." One Shots is in need of some of your best screenshots! So while you're out gaming, why not take one for us? All you have to do once you have a great screenshot is to email it to us here at oneshots@massively.com along with your name, the name of the game, and a description of what we're seeing. We'll post it out here for everyone to enjoy and give you the credit for sending it in. Couldn't be easier! %Gallery-85937%
The top indie and free-to-play stories of 2010
I have to admit to feeling slightly amazed when I read that someone thought of 2010 as a bad year for MMORPG fans. Then, when I think about it, I realize that he was talking about the year in "AAA" subscription gaming -- something almost alien to me. I just don't get turned on by huge-budget subscription games like I did seven or eight years ago. Well, it might be better to say that I am always suspicious of big-budget gaming. Gaming is a lot like movies, and look at how bad most blockbusters are. They are often silly, over-the-top, special-effects-laden bores. If those movies were the only ones I watched, I might be a little depressed about Hollywood as well. If you pay attention only to what the major publishers are pushing out, you are simply going to have a narrow view of MMO gaming. You will miss too much. The year 2010 offered more than any year before it, and 2011 will top that. Thanks to mobile technologies and the always-dropping price of computers, you will find that smaller or unknown games have much more of a chance of grabbing a gamer's eye than ever before. So, what were some of the high and low points in free-to-play and indie gaming this year? Click past the cut and let's take a look!
Direct2Drive offers last minute shopping deals
Still stressing over what to get the gamer on your Christmas shopping list? Never fear, as IGN's Direct2Drive digital download service has come to the rescue with a few last minute holiday deals. While the sale (which lasts until 10:00 a.m. PST on December 27th) covers games from all genres, there are a couple of particularly noteworthy MMORPG steals. All SOE titles (excluding DC Universe Online) are 50% off -- including all of EverQuest II's expansions. You can also take advantage of the Choose Your Savings promotion through the end of the year by spending preset amounts and using the associated promo codes when placing your order: spend $49.95, save 25% with code BAHHUMBUG spend $29.95, save 15% with code SCROOGED spend $19.95, save 10% with code GRINCH
Community Detective Issue #15: 2010's best (and worst) case files
Hi kids, it's your friendly neighborhood Community Detective and I'm back with the final issue of 2010. Next year looks to be an exciting and somewhat scary time for MMORPG communities and customer service. Not only are we staring down the barrel of four new hugely anticipated AAA titles (RIFT, TERA, Guild Wars 2, and The Old Republic), but there are also quite a few existing games that I've yet to visit in an official capacity, as well as a couple that have undergone drastic changes and merit another review (the F2P conversion in Lord of the Rings Online and sweeping server merges in Aion and EverQuest II, for example). Prior to moving forward, however, it's always fun to take a look back (particularly at this time of year). Join me after the cut for a year-end recap of 2010's most memorable case studies.
Wings Over Atreia: All I want for Solorius is...
While admittedly they don't include two front teeth, there are definitely some things I would be thrilled to see in my virtual stocking this holiday season from the developers of Aion. At this time of year, you almost can't help but look ahead and dream about what things would make it a better world. Don't believe me? Name me one other time when you hear "peace on earth" more -- not counting a beauty pageant! But our desires for a better world need not be confined just to that real one we inhabit when our computers are shut off; in fact, wishing for a better Atreia (though peace among Daevas may be counter-productive) is right in the holiday spirit! I am not looking for any "I win" or easy button -- just a few things that will make for a better and brighter Atreia, some things that will put more fun into my time in Aion. I'm making my list and checking it twice. After all, 'tis the season of miracles, right? Sleigh ride past the break to take a peek at part of my Christmas... er, I mean Solorius... wish list!
One Shots: Magic hour
While Vanguard's Telon is normally a land teeming with magic and heroic deeds, there's a bit of special magic that comes around at this time of year. As we noted before, the Festival of Gloriann is already going on, offering players lots of wintry magical fun. Aside from gifts and a general feeling of cheer, there's also the ability to take a certain famous reindeer with a shiny nose out for a ride! This image comes to us from regular Massively reader, Stuxatte, who explains the festive fun in today's One Shots: "Just as the sun was setting, the hills around Veskal's Exchange were bathed in a warm light, and I decided to take Rudolph the Reindeer up for a better view." Have you captured a festive screenshot in your favorite MMO? If so, why not send it in! You can think of it as a virtual present to One Shots. Email your image to us here at oneshots@massively.com along with your name, the name of the game, and a description of what we're seeing. We'll post it out here and give you the credit for sending it in. %Gallery-85937%
'Tis the season for gifts and goodies in Vanguard
Tell us the truth, gentle reader: Have you been a good little boy or girl this year? And have you dutifully paid your monthly subscription to SOE? If you said "Yes!" on both counts, then Vanguard invites you to party it up with the Festival of Gloriann. The major cities have been dressed up in their wintry finest, and gifts have been sprinkled around for all to find. If you really want to get into the festival, you can learn more about Atnas Claws, meet Randolf the flying reindeer (and perhaps get a lift), and beat up on freaky-looking snowmen. Any similarities to real-world copyrights is just a coincidence. There are also special housing decorations and fun costumes to enjoy. The Festival of Gloriann is currently lighting up Vanguard, so check it out and give Atnas a high-five for us!
The Guild Counsel: Time to pack your bags?
With the arrival of beta for games like Rift and Star Wars: The Old Republic, and several big games due to launch next year, it's inevitable that some guilds will choose to leave their current game for the green pastures of a newer one. But moving a guild from one game to another can be as challenging as a real-life move. Sure, you might not need to deal with trucks and heavy-handed movers, but you certainly have a lot of baggage to handle! Thanks to some terrific questions sent in by Starseeker, I take a look at the difficult task of moving your guild to a new game. Read on to learn how to transition as smoothly as possible and start your guild off on the right foot in your new surroundings.
Free for All: Revisiting the rules of immersion
Years ago, I found myself wanting something more out of my gaming. I never was a "typical" player; I never achieved max level or defeated the greatest enemies. After some thought, I realized that I played the same as I lived: always curious, needing to explore, willing to step into someone else's story, or wanting to create my own. I needed games to mean more than just a stat-sheet or a weekly raid schedule. I needed to feel more connected to this activity that was taking up so much of my time. Otherwise, it was just a job. At the time, I was very much into Vanguard. I still am, but my schedule has left me without enough time to play as much as I'd like. I loved how the world of Telon sucked you in with its massive landscapes and endless waters. Yes, the game has many issues, and yes, the community does as well. I wasn't going to let that stop me from writing up a series of rules -- more like guidelines -- that would almost force myself to slow down, to connect to the character I was playing, and to have fun. I've decided to re-examine and update the rules, especially because I could use them now more than ever. We'll start by breaking down the original set.
The Anvil of Crom: All I want for Christmas
Buuurrrp. Ah. Begging your pardon, but you know how it goes this time of year, leftovers and all that. Seeing as how this is a Thanksgiving holiday weekend here in the States -- and the annual Christmas shopping orgy has begun -- it seems an appropriate time to indulge in a bit of list-making with regard to Age of Conan. I don't normally do lists here at The Anvil of Crom, as many seem to be the game journalist's equivalent of the oh-crap-I've-got-a-deadline-but-no-topic safety net. Occasionally, though, they serve a real purpose. In my case that purpose is bitching politely talking about what I'd like to see Funcom add to its AoC recipe. So, in honor of the pilgrims and their pilfering of North America (or the cold turkey sandwich you're no doubt stealing from your fridge at this very moment), I present to you three things Age of Conan should pillage from other MMORPGs. Join me after the cut for the rundown.
The Guild Counsel: A closer look at guild management
Ask an MMO player what he thinks of when you say the word "guild." The common image is that it's militaristic -- a highly structured organization with draconian by-laws, a rigorous recruitment process, and high demands. It can be, but today's guilds have evolved into many different forms, and in some cases, have a different name entirely (clans, corporations, etc.). Some guilds are more like a sports team, to which the guild leader is more of a motivational coach. There are set expectations, but members have a bit more room to freestyle. Still other guilds are similar to a book club, in which players gather to share their common appreciation for an MMO but aren't required to sweat blood for their guild. There are some basic minimal expectations (don't be a ninja raider), but you don't always have to do what the pack does. About nine months ago, I again jump-started my guild-themed podcast, called A View From the Top. It's a podcast that's focused on guild leadership and social networks in MMOs. Originally, my co-host and I focused on interviews with guild leaders, community managers, and game developers. But over time, we've found that what people really wanted was advice on guild issues. For the bulk of the past 10 years, I've been leading guilds in EverQuest, Vanguard, and EverQuest II. I've also gotten to know guild leaders in several other MMOs through the podcast and hear their stories of guild management. What I've learned is that no matter what the MMO, there are common issues that every guild deals with. Some issues are so big, that if not handled well, they can lead to guilds disbanding and players leaving the game entirely. Unfortunately, because MMOs tend to encourage competition among guilds, there really aren't any central hubs for guild leaders to get together and counsel each other on how to deal with some very difficult issues. I hope that this column will serve as a spot to seek advice about guild management and look at the variety of guilds across MMOs. Given all that, where should we begin?
One Shots: Straight flowing on a boat on the deep blue sea
When it comes to canvassing the lands of Vanguard, our occasional One Shots contributor, Vendayn (also known as TheExplorer here on Massively) has been sending in images of Telon for some time. Today, we have a sunny shot of one of the starting areas to check out, along with a brief note explaining how he wound up in this picturesque area. Here's what he had to say: "Hello, Vendayn here. I go by Isasis Wraithmire in Vanguard, on Telon. This is my first city I visited after leaving the trial island. I was taken aback by the size of this city, which is also a prime trading spot for ships and merchants. A perfect place for taking pictures." Are you playing a game we don't see often? If so, we'd love to get a screenshot from you! Email those images to us here at oneshots@massively.com along with your name, the name of the game, and a description of what we're seeing. We'll post it out here for everyone to enjoy and give you the credit. Couldn't be easier! %Gallery-85937%
Choose My Adventure: Farewell, Vanguard
It's been an interesting six weeks in Vanguard, but the time has come to wind down and leave the lands of Telon behind. From massive landscapes to odd bugs, it has been a varied adventure. For the final week I'd wanted to tackle one of the larger in-game dungeons as opposed to the mini-dungeons that Orin and I had been taking on, but sadly that wasn't to be. Despite attempting to look around in the LFG tool and sending requests over continent chat, I wound up spending the remaining time soloing or checking out things like player housing. Curious about my final thoughts on this MMO? Join me after the break as I look over the last six weeks and give my impressions on the adventure you chose for me! %Gallery-104309%
Choose My Adventure: Holiday? What holiday?
It's the time of year in Vanguard when all manner of Halloween hijinks are going on. With that said, I probably wouldn't have known about it at all, had I not logged into the game and saw other players in strange shapeshifted forms. Looking at the official site yielded no splashy separate news post announcing the arrival of the celebration; there was only a link to a forum thread in which a player had asked someone at SOE to flip the switch for the event and the ensuing discussion. Anyone who wasn't playing the game likely would have completely missed out on knowing an event even existed. That said, this week was its own mix of deviltry and dilemma, as well as another example of just how great this small player community is. Curious as to what happened and what I observed as a relative newcomer to the lands of Vanguard? Join me beyond the break as I wrap up this week's adventure! %Gallery-104309%
Free for All: Everything I know I learned from Iris Online
OK, so the title is a little overly dramatic, and I should clarify. I meant to say: Everything I know about how I currently feel about the different types of MMOs coalesced once I downloaded and played Iris Online. I will admit to being extra-excited at first, since I had a great conversation with Tara from gPotato about the game, but my excitement has carried through so far. Iris Online comes from the same people that published Flyff and Rappelz all those years ago, so I was eager to see how similar games have evolved since that time. After all, everything in the industry has changed since even a few years ago, so why would imported "grinders" be any different? I would have to spend some time revisiting old games and downloading new ones. I had no idea that playing Iris would set off a chain reaction of realizations that I previously thought I already had. The game simply lit the spark under my foot and set me off on an even deeper exploration of this classically styled type of game.
Choose My Adventure: Off to the mainland
It's time for Vanguard maniacs, and we're zany to the max... (ahem). OK, so it's week four of the Vanguard edition of Choose My Adventure, but this week I did get a chance to see more of the game's veteran community than I'd previously experienced in the noob Isle. Indeed, it seemed like no matter what time of day I logged in, someone was in chat looking for people to group up and take on a dungeon. From what I've learned through talking to Orin, a great majority of the dungeons in Vanguard are open-world, offering challenges for both groups and solo adventurers. Indeed, teamed up in a pair, we seemed to be able to level anything in the 10-14 level range in pretty short order, which was good fun. However, before I get too far ahead of myself, I'm going to take you back to the beginning of this week's adventures in Telon. Join me after the break for all the juicy details -- as well as for this week's vote! %Gallery-104309%
One Shots: Something old, something new
There are two reasons I love writing Choose My Adventure as much as I love One Shots. The first is that I get a chance to check out games I either haven't played in a while or perhaps haven't really ever played. The second is that it gives me the opportunity to run along with Massively readers! While I haven't had a chance to group up with Joshua P. as yet, he's decided to check out Vanguard as well! He writes in to tell us more about his experience: "Well continuing on with my adventures in Telon, I decided to make a druid. Let me be the first to tell you that Ms. Sviesa Solare is not someone you want angry at you. With the power of nature at her fingertips, she will be on you with the fury of a hurricane. Though this is just one of the quests on the Isle of Dawn, and her pitiful lightning spells and poisons are only good for slaying a few Hobgoblins right now... Thanks again Massively, for making me reconsider Vanguard!" We love to hear about the games you're playing. If you'd like to show off a moment of your MMO day, grab a screenshot and email it in to us here at oneshots@massively.com along with your name, the name of the game, and a description of what we're seeing. We'll post it out here for everyone to enjoy and give you the credit! %Gallery-85937%
Choose My Adventure: Voted off the island
OK, so that title is something of a misnomer, but it does carry through based on the vote from last week. Overwhelmingly, people wanted to hear about adventuring, so I'm glad to report I had a rich week of questing and dealing with the threats found on the starting island in Vanguard. I'm actually poised to leave the Isle of Dawn, but due to the number of comments recommending I finish out the diplomacy and crafting lines, I'm going to spend the time before the vote closes this week to get those out of the way. After all, one doesn't want to start out behind the curve when hitting the mainland. Curious as to how this week's adventure fared based on the voted desire for adventure? In the mood to watch me fly around uncontrollably on what must be the most annoying elevator ever? Or are you just all about the vote? Well join me after the break as I recount the trials and tribulations I experienced and outline my trip to the Temple of Ancestors! %Gallery-104309%
