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WRUP: How we play and how we work
It's time for another weekend, which means it's time for us to tell you what we're planning to play. We're a wild and crazy bunch like that. But this week, we're going a little further. Reader Jenny is an aspiring writer, and was curious how the intrepid WoW Insider staff gets our work done. "What do you work on? I use Microsoft Word on a PC but I want to know how the professionals do it." How can we pass up a request like that? Adam Holisky (@adamholisky) This week I haven't played much WoW, but this weekend I'll be diving back into dailies and LFR. Probably will hit up my Monk for a couple hours each day as well. I do my work on a Mac Performa 200, running System 7. I don't have the QuickTime extension installed, but I do use HyperCard a bit for most of my record keeping. I've got a really nice stack that works a lot like Wowhead going. It's pretty cool.
WRUP: Front row at the zamboni championships edition
Yes, it's Massively's anniversary, and... wait, what? Darn it, that header was supposed to read "Front row at the Massively anniversary celebration and zamboni championships." Well, at least we can... oh, wait, apparently the zamboni drivers already started. They weren't supposed to go on until after we'd done our thing for the anniversary. I mean, I'd say something to them, but they've already started. Driving a zamboni is hard work. I think. I've never actually driven a zamboni. Maybe if we're really nice to them they'll let us play around on the zambonis afterwards. Only we shouldn't say it like that, because then they'll think that we think zambonis are just toys. That's insulting to them and us. Look, let's just move on to WRUP for the moment. There we can all talk about our favorite memories from Massively's five years, and also discuss what we here at the Massively staff will be playing over the weekend. Once the zambonis are done, we can do the full anniversary thing. What does a zamboni championship actually entail, anyway?
WRUP: Turn into a duck edition
Those of you who read my bizarre introductions to articles have done very well. You have learned almost all of what I have to teach you. Now, as your final test, you have to turn into a duck. Just... you know, go over into the corner and turn into a duck. Then you will be ready to learn the secret of making electric guitar sounds with nothing more than a drinking glass and a nasal congestion problem. Wait, that's not what you were here for? Oh. You probably were just looking for WRUP, which is where the Massively staff talks about what they're planning for the weekend. Also, this week we talk about our most hated zones. Yeah, that's much more interesting to those of you not interested in the duck thing, you can just jump on past the break and share your weekend plans in the comments. The rest of you, though, had better be making with the duck transformations pronto.
WRUP: You don't like that, that's dumb edition
Oh, reading a book? What are you reading? No, you're not reading that. That's dumb. It's a stupid book because I don't like it, and if I don't like it, it's not cool. Since you're also cool, you must not like it. Here, read this instead. It's super awesome and I like it. What do you mean I gave you the first book and told you it was awesome and you should read it? You're probably just delusional because you were reading something I think is dumb. That must be it. Look, let's just read WRUP. That's pretty cool if you like seeing what the Massively staff is up to over the weekend and whether or not we like using premade builds in games. Plus, then you can let the staff know what you'll be up to over the weekend in the comments. You can like that. At least until I don't like it any more.
WRUP: Context edition
You are a primate that, due to several freak mutations, has developed an overly large brain capable of handling abstract thought. You live on a ball of dirt and water that hurtles through an empty and uncaring void with only a thin layer of breathable gas to prevent your complete and utter annihilation. Every single action you undertake is the result of having a brain capable of abstract thinking that is still governed by the basic instincts that were relevant when your ancestors were foraging for grubs. It's important to put everything into context, so there you go. Now that that's out of the way, we hope you enjoy this week's installment of WRUP! It's the Massively staff's rundown of our weekend plans. We also discuss how much gaming time we get on average, which seems to be a pretty solid average. Take a look past the jump, and let us know what your plans are down in the comments. Keeping context in mind, of course.
WRUP: It's like there's this Panda thing happening
Welcome to WRUP, where we tell you what our intrepid staff is playing each weekend. We lead it off with whatever witty commentary comes to mind... or we blather on about something. Either way, we lead off every week with about 100 words before you get to the important stuff: the staff's Twitter handles. Once upon a time, we got a nice mixture of different games each weekend. You'd ask the staff "WRUP?" and they'd answered with consoles, PC games, and even some physical outdoor activities. Now, there's this whole Panda and baby theme running throughout the staff. Clearly, if you work at WoW Insider, you're going to end up pregnant or a panda. P is involved no matter what you do. For added bonus, we asked what the best thing about MoP was so far. That image comprise's most of Joe's answer. Adam Holisky (@adamholisky) Dungeon running for our first raid next Tuesday. Can't wait! Also pet battles... my god they're fun. The best part has to be the overall experience. I've never felt like there's too much to do in WoW before, but now, there is just an absolute ton at end game to enjoy. Allison Robert (@AllisonRobert) I'm probably going to be playing Clean the Basement more than anything else this weekend, but any WoW play time is likely to be devoted to gearing my druid for, and in, heroics. Spare time is likely to be spent on archaeology or rep grinds. Best part of MoP? There are so many good things -- my farm, pet battles, the sheer beauty of the world -- but if I had to boil it down to something, it's the opportunity not to be a hero for a bit. Sometimes it's really nice to just slow down and help someone with their vegetable patch or love life.
WRUP: This prom date is going nowhere edition
After half an hour, I am disappointed at the progress that has been made on this prom date, and I've identified several key issues. The first issue is that I am nearly 30 and neither of us is attending high school. Second, you are apparently high on mescaline. Third and most importantly, this is not a high school prom but a boating enthusiast convention in the middle of Nevada. I probably should have noticed that when the tickets mentioned as much. For now, we can shuffle back and forth awkwardly to slow music in the center of the boating convention while everyone else looks at WRUP. That contains a full list of the Massively staffers' weekend plans as well as what character creation options they would like to see in MMOs. The readers may also leave their weekend plans in the comments afterwards. That should be fun for everyone not stuck on a horrible prom date.
WRUP: Not now, I have a headache edition
Wait, is it the weekend already? I need to do a WRUP for the week? Not now. I have a headache right now; this is a terrible time. Look, I understand that things need to happen, but this is a really bad headache. Can it wait for just a few days? A few hours? I don't know how long I'm going to have this headache. You don't have some ibuprofen I could cage off you? Better yet, some Excedrin? I hate having a headache. All right, all right, I'll just focus on WRUP. This week's installment is about whether or not the F2P switch of basically every game in the world gives you added financial headaches compared to the old style of subscription games. Oh, and it covers what we'll be playing over the weekend. So check out our plans past the break, and let us know what you'll be up to in the comments.
WRUP: Yet another lazy glued-to-a-handrail kind of afternoon
Every week, just at the start of the weekend, we catch up with the WoW Insider staff and ask them, "What are you playing this week?" -- otherwise known as: WRUP. Join us to see what we're up to in and out of game, and catch us in the comments to let us know what you're playing, too! Yawn -- oh, hi. Welcome to a lazy What aRe yoU Playing on a lazy late summer (super early fall?) afternoon. We're just hanging out here, looking all awesome. Also, someone glued us to a handrail, and it's kind of unpleasant. Anyway, you all know the drill. Let us know what you're playing this weekend, and we'll return the favor. Got a great game you want us to all know about? Maybe you've got a hot new chicken recipe? Or you found a great new way home from work on Thursday? You can share all that too, we're not picky. After all, those who are glued to handrails can't really be beggars. This week, we have a question for you guys (and for our columnists): This is our last weekend without Mists of Pandaria. How are you spending it?
WRUP: Explaining Gangam Style to the next generation edition
I can't speak to the rest of the US, but I know that here in Connecticut, radio stations are playing Gangnam Style with regularity. This means that a Korean song parodying specific parts of South Korean culture is now a hit based solely on its own merits, even without the amazingly creative video and despite many of the listeners not understanding the first thing about the song's subject matter or lyrics. Every time I try to figure out how to explain all of this to future generations, I come up blank mostly because I don't entirely believe it myself. Fortunately for my attempts to explain pop culture to my eventual descendents, WRUP is not concerned with music. It's entirely concerned with what the Massively staff will be up to over the weekend, and this week we're also declaring whether or not we think there are too many MMOs on the market. So check on past the break to see what we'll be up to, and let us know your plans down in the comments!
WRUP: Regime change edition
Regular readers of the site know that the upper management is being shifted around here at Massively, meaning that Brianna Royce will now be in charge. While we'll always miss Shawn Schuster's unmistakable voice and work on the site, the change will likely seem invisible to most readers. I, for one, would like to welcome our new overlord, for whom I have nothing but respect and admiration. By complete coincidence, this week's header image happens to be of her favorite animal. Also, I may have sent a number of gift baskets of fruit to her house. And I'm sure we can all agree that earlier instances of tomfoolery should not be taken into account when she now considers that she has complete power over me. Moving on from the welcoming of overlords, it's time for this week's installment of WRUP, featuring the Massively staff explaining our plans for the weekend as well as whether or not a graphical upgrade would bring us back to our first MMOs. Check out our plans past the break, and let us know what you'll be up to in the comments!
WRUP: I love sprouts edition
When I was a kid, Brussels sprouts were one of those foods that no one is supposed to actually like. I was told that they tasted bitter and nasty and were best avoided except as an implement of torture. Then I finally tasted them and found them to be some of the most wonderful things ever. Seriously, they're my favorite vegetable option in the world. If you're not going to eat those, I will. What does that have to do with this week's installment of WRUP? Absolutely nothing. It never does. WRUP is about what the Massively staff is up to this weekend and whether or not we see MMOs as disposable entertainment. So regardless of whether you like the delicious taste of sprouts, you can check out our plans after the break and let us know what you'll be up to for the next two days in the comments.
WRUP: I wish I didn't have to know how to quit you edition
I don't even know where to start with the big news from Friday. A game that's formed a huge portion of my professional career over the past three years is leaving, and... I don't know how to react to that. I know you usually expect WRUP headers to have some nonsense about cats forming an international coalition, but right now I just don't have it in me. The maudlin train stops there, I promise. You can tune in next week for what will doubtlessly be more of the same. Right now, it's time to talk about what the Massively staff will be up to over the weekend. We're also sharing our impressions of that game that launched on Tuesday. You might have heard about it here or there. So jump on past the break to see our plans for the weekend and let us know what you'll be up to in the comments.
WRUP: This weekend, you can sleep edition
Yes, it's true! This weekend you can take part in the activity that's sweeping the nation: falling into an unconscious state for several hours and then recovering! You can sleep in a bed, on a couch, or possibly even on a hammock. So see what all the buzz is about and give sleep a try! You'll be glad you did. Also I guess some game or another is launching early for certain players or something. You could do that, too. If you don't feel like sleeping. As will be revealed in this week's installment of WRUP, the Massively crew is not a big fan of sleeping. We are fans of video games, though, so we talk about what games we'll be playing for the weekend after the cut. And we talk about our favorite business models for video games. You get the idea. Let us know what you'll be up to down in the comments!
WRUP: There might not be 50 ways to leave your lover after all edition
It always bothered me that the song referenced in the title (and if you haven't heard it, take a listen) doesn't list a full 50 ways to leave your lover, not to mention the fact that pretty much all it does list is just the act of departing. After wracking my brain, I found the highest number I could get to was 25 ways to leave my lover, and that included the genuine possibility that I acquired superpowers and had to travel to a secret dimension to fight the ur-demon Zalgamorn. Are there 50 ways to read WRUP? Probably not. But there are at least 50 things we could all be doing over the weekend, and until you jump past the break, you'll have no way of knowing. We also talk about whether or not we really want innovation in our games, and as always, we've left you plenty of room in the comments to tell us what you'll be up to. Also whether or not you can come up with lover-leaving method number 26.
WRUP: Do not throw meat edition
I understand all the cool kids are doing it these days, but you really shouldn't throw meat. You should definitely cook and eat meat; it's delicious and has protein and stuff. But it's not a good projectile. Throwing raw meat makes everyone unhappy, it ruins the meat, and it also ruins every single event under the sun. Think about it -- have you ever been at a wedding and thought that the one thing missing from the proceedings was a raw chicken hurled at the bride's head? Just don't throw meat. None of the Massively staff is throwing meat this weekend. If you'd like to know what we are doing this weekend, well, that's what WRUP is here for in the first place. Well, this week it's also about venting our minor irritations with games, but the big thing is what we'll be doing over the weekend. And after you've read our plans, you can feel free to share yours in the comments below.
WRUP: Nightmare glitch edition
For this week's installment of WRUP, please enjoy a header that is the result of a glitch that suddenly gives you a nightmare in the middle of the day. It's pretty bad here, and it's even worse when you're sitting down and playing and then oh hello horrible skin-mask. I was playing RIFT at the time, but once I had stopped staring, I felt compelled to double-check that we hadn't wandered into Silent Hill by mistake. Where was I? Oh, right. WRUP. This week the Massively staff has mostly been scared to death by that screenshot, but those of us not weeping in terror talked about our plans for the weekend as well as our pick for the next game hopping on the free-to-play bandwagon. So check out our responses after the break, let us know what you'll be up to in the comments, and then... man, that's really going to be watching you the whole time, huh? Horrorshow.
WRUP: Sorry about failing to save your fantasy world edition
To the many, many residents of video game worlds that I have completely failed to save: I'm really sorry. You have to understand that there are a lot of games out there, and sometimes saving you just isn't worth it. I've had Mass Effect games to play, and really, that's a lot more worlds to save. Also, in some cases, I didn't have a lot of choice about saving you -- looking at Final Fantasy VI here. I hope this won't damage our working relationship if I come crawling back for a sequel. If it does, well, I'll just not save you again. To our Massively readers: This week's installment of WRUP is just past the cut; in it, the Massively staffers explain what they'll be doing over the weekend as well as whether or not they're sick of raid progression. Read our plans, and then let us know what you'll be up to down in the comments below. Also, if anyone from Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn asks about me, I'm not here.
WRUP: Everything peaked when I was first exposed to it edition
Using the extremely scientific process of what I'm pretty sure is true, I've determined that the apex of everything coincides precisely with the first time I was exposed to something new. That means that the best video games were the ones I played when I was first exposed to the idea, the best music was the music I listened to when I first cared about music, and the best time to be on the internet was when I first started using the internet. If anyone needs me, I'll be listening to Dire Straits while talking about Dig Dug on a GeoCities guestbook. I guess I can finish up this week's WRUP first, though. That's just the Massively staff explaining what we'll be up to over the weekend as well as discussing whether or not we feel that the term "MMO" is being diluted in such a way as to harm the genre. Jump on past the break to see what we'll be up to, and let us know your plans in the comments!
Weekend App Store sales: Crescent Moon, EA, King of Fighters, more
There's no holiday this weekend, but there are some great app sales floating around. Here's some to look out for. Steam is wrapping up its annual summer sale soon, and while most of the offerings are PC only (which you can still play by Boot Camping over to Windows) there are a few titles in there that are Mac-compatible as well. Crescent Moon Games is having a big sale, featuring titles like Paper Monsters and Pocket RPG at rock-bottom prices. EA is having a big sale as well, featuring lots of its "winningest" titles for just 99 cents. Burnout Crash and FIFA are both included, among others. SNK's King of Fighters -i- is just 99 cents. The wild-looking Tentacle Wars HD is only 99 cents to celebrate the iPhone launch. Ubisoft's MotoHeroz (both standard and HD versions) is free again. Containment: The Zombie Puzzler is also just a buck. So it's not exactly a huge weekend of sales, but there are more than a few good games in there to pick up if you haven't yet.
