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Around Azeroth: Escape to the house of mummies
What's worse than having to run down a tunnel while being chased by a huge boulder? As Tavion of <Of Blood and Bone> on Grizzly Hills recently learned, running up stairs while being chased by an angry giant is infinitely more difficult. "Capped this as I was attemtping to make it out of VoA before getting killed," she wrote. "During a particularly painful PuG 10-Man, the tanks went down almost instantly (stacking stamina does not = tank gear, by the way) and the healers were down seconds later. As I saw it, my best option was just to get the heck out while the fury warrior tried to tank, buying me enough time to make it up the stairs. I was the last one alive and he got me only a few feet from the door." Do you have any unusual, beautiful or interesting World of Warcraft images that are just collecting dust in your screenshots folder? We'd love to see them on Around Azeroth! Sharing your screenshot is as simple as e-mailing aroundazeroth@gmail.com with a copy of your shot and a brief explanation of the scene. You could be featured here next! Remember to include your player name, server and/or guild if you want it mentioned. Please include the word "Azeroth" in your post so it does not get swept into the spam bin. We strongly prefer full screen shots without the UI showing -- use alt-Z to remove it. Please, no more battleground scoreboards, gold seller ads with dead gnomes, or pictures of the Ninja Turtles in Dalaran.%Gallery-1816%
Around Azeroth: Death march of the penguins
Rhorle of <The Stonecutters> on Hydraxis decided to congratulate a Druid friend on his new child by snapping a series of bear parenting screenshots. In this shot, the big daddy polar bear is attempting to teach baby bear how to hunt, although the cub seems to lack a certain killer instinct, and the penguins don't seem particularly afraid of the ursine menace. Very nice present for your friend, Rhorle! Do you have any unusual, beautiful or interesting World of Warcraft images that are just collecting dust in your screenshots folder? We'd love to see them on Around Azeroth! Sharing your screenshot is as simple as e-mailing aroundazeroth@gmail.com with a copy of your shot and a brief explanation of the scene. You could be featured here next! Remember to include your player name, server and/or guild if you want it mentioned. Please include the word "Azeroth" in your post so it does not get swept into the spam bin. We strongly prefer full screen shots without the UI showing -- use alt-Z to remove it. Please, no more battleground scoreboards, gold seller ads with dead gnomes, or pictures of the Ninja Turtles in Dalaran.%Gallery-1816%
Around Azeroth: This must be the place
A young night elf contemplates the difficult tasks that lie ahead in Westfall. Judging by the blurriness around the edges, she may have fortified her courage with a bit of moonshine. Isn't level 13 below the drinking age in Azeroth? At least she isn't using that crystal meth that the Saldean family's been cooking up in their barn. Do you have any unusual, beautiful or interesting World of Warcraft images that are just collecting dust in your screenshots folder? We'd love to see them on Around Azeroth! Sharing your screenshot is as simple as e-mailing aroundazeroth@gmail.com with a copy of your shot and a brief explanation of the scene. You could be featured here next! Remember to include your player name, server and/or guild if you want it mentioned. Please include the word "Azeroth" in your post so it does not get swept into the spam bin. We strongly prefer full screen shots without the UI showing -- use alt-Z to remove it. Please, no more battleground scoreboards, gold seller ads with dead gnomes, or pictures of the Ninja Turtles in Dalaran.%Gallery-1816%
Around Azeroth: A farewell to the big red worgen
Kassiopeia of <Saga> on Steamwheedle Cartel-EU not only stole my Fallout 3 character name, she also sent in this nice tribute to the gone-but-not-forgotten worgen pet. "Entitled Big Red Ki...Worgen, I'm sure Daniel would have quite the story to post about this," she wrote. "With all the worgens turned puppies again, we can still visit our humanoid companion in Utgarde Pinnacle. I enjoyed the taming, the worgen on my side, perfect fishing partner, but now that it's over, I'll happily look at the screenshots and look forward to an eventual playable worgen race. Thank you WoW.com, for broadcasting the worgen tame, and sending hunters like me on a great little expedition!" Do you have any unusual, beautiful or interesting World of Warcraft images that are just collecting dust in your screenshots folder? We'd love to see them on Around Azeroth! Sharing your screenshot is as simple as e-mailing aroundazeroth@gmail.com with a copy of your shot and a brief explanation of the scene. You could be featured here next! Remember to include your player name, server and/or guild if you want it mentioned. Please include the word "Azeroth" in your post so it does not get swept into the spam bin. We strongly prefer full screen shots without the UI showing -- use alt-Z to remove it. Please, no more battleground scoreboards, gold seller ads with dead gnomes, or pictures of the Ninja Turtles in Dalaran.%Gallery-1816%
Around Azeroth: À l'orange
Bagarà of <Ronin> on Kor'gall-EU sent in this colorful pic of the Gymer quest in Zul'Drak. According to my middle school art teacher, contrasting color sets are supposed to evoke emotion in the viewer. Specifically, he said that blue and orange make a person feel hungry, which is why that combination is used in many fast food restaurants. I don't know if that's true or not, but this picture makes me less hungry and more concerned that the University of Florida will again dominate in football this year.Do you have any unusual, beautiful or interesting World of Warcraft images that are just collecting dust in your screenshots folder? We'd love to see them on Around Azeroth! Sharing your screenshot is as simple as e-mailing aroundazeroth@gmail.com with a copy of your shot and a brief explanation of the scene. You could be featured here next! Remember to include your player name, server and/or guild if you want it mentioned. Please include the word "Azeroth" in your post so it does not get swept into the spam bin. We strongly prefer full screen shots without the UI showing -- use alt-Z to remove it. Please, no more battleground scoreboards, gold seller ads with dead gnomes, or pictures of the Ninja Turtles in Dalaran.%Gallery-1816%
Redefining MMOs: Player developers!
A few weeks ago, we at Massively started the weekly "Redefining MMOs" series, a collection of articles examining how the MMO genre has been redefined during the current generation of games and where it's headed in the next. So far, we've looked at the terminology we use to refer to MMOs, how the art of storytelling has changed over the years, and the rise of the "massively singleplayer" online game. In this week's article, I examine what happens when players are given the reigns of an MMO or have a hand in part of its development. If you have something important to say on the topic, feel free to post a comment on page 3 or even write your own "Redefining MMOs" blog post and leave a comment with the URL. Traditionally, all content for an MMO is designed by the game's development studio and players have no direct influence on its creation. The idea of handing the reigns of an MMO to its players is considered heresy and we shudder to think of what horrible quests and areas players would construct if given a chance. But is our aversion justified or is it something developers should strive to overcome? Certainly Second Life has successfully capitalised on letting players develop almost every aspect of its virtual world but could successful mainstream MMOs make use of it too? City of Heroes, EVE Online and even World of Warcraft are prime examples which suggest they can. All three of these games have handed at least some part of the game's development over to players, with incredibly promising results. In this article, I look at these three successful examples of players being allowed to develop aspects of an MMO. I then go on to explain why this works and how the next generation of MMOs could learn from these pioneering feats.
Around Azeroth: Mounted combat
In today's Arena battle, it's the Overused Mailbox Blockers versus the Godless Killing Machines! Arelagord of Moonglade-EU sent in this pic of an impromptu mammoth and bear face-off in Dalaran. You may also notice the dude in the back left trying to jump over both lines of mounts with his motorcycle, which has got to count as an in-game photobomb.Do you have any unusual, beautiful or interesting World of Warcraft images that are just collecting dust in your screenshots folder? We'd love to see them on Around Azeroth! Sharing your screenshot is as simple as e-mailing aroundazeroth@gmail.com with a copy of your shot and a brief explanation of the scene. You could be featured here next! Remember to include your player name, server and/or guild if you want it mentioned. Please include the word "Azeroth" in your post so it does not get swept into the spam bin. We strongly prefer full screen shots without the UI showing -- use alt-Z to remove it. Please, no more battleground scoreboards, gold seller ads with dead gnomes, or pictures of the Ninja Turtles in Dalaran.%Gallery-1816%
Around Azeroth: Fallen for you
Our submitter, Hangwithgoku of <Redeyes Hellions> on Bronzebeard, sends us this screenshot of ... uh ... he's not too sure. "I'm going to say it outright. I have NO idea what this is a screenshot of," he writes. "I found it while digging through my screenshot folder looking for a guild picture ...if I had to guess I'd say it's a DK slipping on a banana peel into a pit of eternal darkness." I prefer to think of it as someone who answered the Bridgekeeper's questions wrong. Anyone got a different guess?Do you have any unusual, beautiful or interesting World of Warcraft images that are just collecting dust in your screenshots folder? We'd love to see them on Around Azeroth! Sharing your screenshot is as simple as e-mailing aroundazeroth@gmail.com with a copy of your shot and a brief explanation of the scene. You could be featured here next! Remember to include your player name, server and/or guild if you want it mentioned. Please include the word "Azeroth" in your post so it does not get swept into the spam bin. We strongly prefer full screen shots without the UI showing -- use alt-Z to remove it. Please, no more battleground scoreboards, gold seller ads with dead gnomes, or pictures of the Ninja Turtles in Dalaran.%Gallery-1816%
Around Azeroth: A thousand and one dailies
Jacob has used his flying carpet and the spires of Dalaran to do the obvious - imitate the Disney version of Aladdin. I've got to say that I can barely remember that movie or the songs, but the SNES game left an indelible impression on me. Or, more accurately, my flying carpet made an indelible impression on the walls of every cavern in that little sixteen-bit nightmare. When we look back fondly at the old-school video games, we tend to forget the dire lack of save points. Or were we just young enough to be considered noobs?An update on yesterday's post: Today I received zero dead-gold-seller e-mails! Hooray! I did get one picture showing that some players have adopted the gold seller tactics, however - a group of trolls on Jubei'thos had died to spell out "SAVE WG".Do you have any unusual, beautiful or interesting World of Warcraft images that are just collecting dust in your screenshots folder? We'd love to see them on Around Azeroth! Sharing your screenshot is as simple as e-mailing aroundazeroth@gmail.com with a copy of your shot and a brief explanation of the scene. You could be featured here next! Remember to include your player name, server and/or guild if you want it mentioned. Please include the word "Azeroth" in your post so it does not get swept into the spam bin. We strongly prefer full screen shots without the UI showing -- use alt-Z to remove it. Please, no more battleground scoreboards, gold seller ads with dead gnomes, or pictures of the Ninja Turtles in Dalaran.
Around Azeroth: Can't find my way home
After hopping in the ocean near Eversong Woods for a midnight swim, Jìnx of <Demise> on Medivh was swept away by the tides. Now her only hope is to stay alive until a passing zeppelin notices her camp on the distant shore of Azshara. Luckily, she managed to salvage a fishing pole, a crude umbrella shelter and a picnic basket from the waves. And after tossing a few Chaos Bolts at a passing Balance Druid and his minions, she's got an excellent supply of moonkin flesh and some burning treant branches to cook with. Do you have any unusual, beautiful or interesting World of Warcraft images that are just collecting dust in your screenshots folder? We'd love to see them on Around Azeroth! Sharing your screenshot is as simple as e-mailing aroundazeroth@gmail.com with a copy of your shot and a brief explanation of the scene. You could be featured here next! Remember to include your player name, server and/or guild if you want it mentioned. Please include the word "Azeroth" in your post so it does not get swept into the spam bin. We strongly prefer full screen shots without the UI showing -- use alt-Z to remove it. Please, no more battleground scoreboards, gold seller ads with dead gnomes, or pictures of the Ninja Turtles in Dalaran.%Gallery-1816%
Around Azeroth: Beauty is only skin deep
Serith of <Dawn of Serenity> on Dunemaul understands that a successful Hunter of the most dangerous game needs to blend in with their environment. A white dress and purple skin is a perfect match for the white trees and purple skies of Crystalsong Forest. Blaze orange is so Hellfire Peninsula, don't you know? Unfortunately, the glowing eyes of Serith's Gondria pet are preventing her from being truly camouflaged. So she's decided to euthanize her companion with an arrow through the offending eyes. Try something in a purple nether ray next time, mmkay? And change your hair. Do you have any unusual, beautiful or interesting World of Warcraft images that are just collecting dust in your screenshots folder? We'd love to see them on Around Azeroth! Sharing your screenshot is as simple as e-mailing aroundazeroth@gmail.com with a copy of your shot and a brief explanation of the scene. You could be featured here next! Remember to include your player name, server and/or guild if you want it mentioned. Please include the word "Azeroth" in your post so it does not get swept into the spam bin. We strongly prefer full screen shots without the UI showing -- use alt-Z to remove it. Please, no more battleground scoreboards, gold seller ads with dead gnomes, or pictures of the Ninja Turtles in Dalaran.%Gallery-1816%
Around Azeroth: Casual content in a hardcore way
Even by WoW standards, Aavryn of <One Percent> on Kul Tiras might have too much time on her hands. Sure, anyone can grab items from all eight holidays. (For those of you playing along at home, she's got an Elune Stone from the Lunar Festival, a Blue Brewfest Stein from Brewfest, a Sleepy Willy pet from Children's Week, a Hallowed Helm from Hallow's End, a Romantic Picnic Basket from Love is In the Air, a Brazier of Dancing Flames from the Midsummer Fire Festival, an Egg Basket from Noblegarden, and the Red Winter Clothing from Winter Veil.) But how many people would find a way to get all eight into one screenshot? Or spend two hours trying to find the perfect lighting, synchronizing the cooldowns, and then waiting for people to stop running into the shot? And how painful must it be to get all this done and still be one achievement short of your Violet Proto-Drake?Do you have any unusual, beautiful or interesting World of Warcraft images that are just collecting dust in your screenshots folder? We'd love to see them on Around Azeroth! Sharing your screenshot is as simple as e-mailing aroundazeroth@gmail.com with a copy of your shot and a brief explanation of the scene. You could be featured here next! Remember to include your player name, server and/or guild if you want it mentioned. Please include the word "Azeroth" in your post so it does not get swept into the spam bin. We strongly prefer full screen shots without the UI showing -- use alt-Z to remove it. Please, no more battleground scoreboards, gold seller ads with dead gnomes, or pictures of the Ninja Turtles in Dalaran.%Gallery-1816%
World of Warcraft armory app for iPhone now in the store
Our resident WoW expert is on vacation, but he sent a quick note to let us know about the new World of Warcraft Mobile Armory application for the iPhone; the free app gives you access to character details, equipment lists, in-game calendars and more. Getting to this data previously required using the official armory website or the game client itself, according to our colleagues over at WoW.com. You can see their post and gallery over here.We know that dedicated WoW players have been waiting for this app for quite a while. The advantage of a mobile, handheld view into the ongoing activities inside the massively multiplayer world is that you can more easily keep up with matters that otherwise might have kept you trapped in front of your computer for hours.As soon as Mike S. is back in the office, we'll have a full-fledged review of the Armory app. You can download it from the App Store at will. Battle-axes at the ready!
Around Azeroth: Pele's champion
Pyromania is a frequent character trait of mages, and Presage of <Guile> on Shadowmoon is no exception. Then again, if I could hurl fire with my mind, I would probably spend a lot of time burning things too. I should really make up a list in case I ever develop pyrokinesis. Anyway, Presage sent in this pic from the top of Drak'Tharon Keep, with this note: "My guild keeps insisting I throw a Scorch glyph on and help out the other casters. They say I'm being selfish. They say a lot of things. I say... have you ever seen the movie Carrie?"Do you have any unusual, beautiful or interesting World of Warcraft images that are just collecting dust in your screenshots folder? We'd love to see them on Around Azeroth! Sharing your screenshot is as simple as e-mailing aroundazeroth@gmail.com with a copy of your shot and a brief explanation of the scene. You could be featured here next! Remember to include your player name, server and/or guild if you want it mentioned. Please include the word "Azeroth" in your post so it does not get swept into the spam bin. We strongly prefer full screen shots without the UI showing -- use alt-Z to remove it. Please, no more battleground scoreboards, gold seller ads with dead gnomes, or pictures of the Ninja Turtles in Dalaran.%Gallery-1816%
Around Azeroth: Dream big
"I finally got my Red Proto-Drake and took a tour all over Northrend showing its ruby-colored hide off," writes Drager of <Synod> on Lightning's Blade. "Flying through Borean Tundra I came across this pathetic little Gorloc. At the time of my arrival he was jumping around, trying to catch a bee. I'm sure he envied its ability to fly and so easily stay out of his reach. I can only imagine the extreme shock and awe that hit him when he saw me hovering above in all my rubicund glory. You can see the look of astonishment on his face." Thirty-six points for the use of 'rubicund' on a triple word score, Drager.Do you have any unusual, beautiful or interesting World of Warcraft images that are just collecting dust in your screenshots folder? We'd love to see them on Around Azeroth! Sharing your screenshot is as simple as e-mailing aroundazeroth@gmail.com with a copy of your shot and a brief explanation of the scene. You could be featured here next! Remember to include your player name, server and/or guild if you want it mentioned. Please include the word "Azeroth" in your post so it does not get swept into the spam bin. We strongly prefer full screen shots without the UI showing -- use alt-Z to remove it. Please, no more battleground scoreboards, gold seller ads with dead gnomes, or pictures of the Ninja Turtles in Dalaran.%Gallery-1816%
Around Azeroth: Where eagles dare
Sputnik of <Bizarro Knights> on Azjol-Nerub-EU writes, "I was in Storm Peaks when I decided to fly around a little in my Swift Flight Form. I decided to go take a look around Icecrown. A real, close look. I flew around the Icecrown Citadel, swooping in and out of the structure. I did not realize how beautiful, and yet rather scary the area was! With the surrounding weather and daunting atmosphere I decided to head on to Dalaran to land, but just as I left, there was a stunning moment of the setting sun shining in the distance as I flew, showing the Icecrown Citadel on the left, and the pathway to a more hopeful feeling on the right." Do you have any unusual, beautiful or interesting World of Warcraft images that are just collecting dust in your screenshots folder? We'd love to see them on Around Azeroth! Sharing your screenshot is as simple as e-mailing aroundazeroth@gmail.com with a copy of your shot and a brief explanation of the scene. You could be featured here next! Remember to include your player name, server and/or guild if you want it mentioned. Please include the word "Azeroth" in your post so it does not get swept into the spam bin. We strongly prefer full screen shots without the UI showing -- use alt-Z to remove it. Please, no more battleground scoreboards, gold seller ads, or pictures of the Ninja Turtles in Dalaran.%Gallery-1816%
Around Azeroth: Imitation of life
Not content with the current druid tree form, Bruincub of <Preemptive Retribution> on Silver Hand wants to upgrade to something a bit more intimidating. However, posing like an Ancient Conservator isn't enough to turn you into one. This might be a good thing. Sure, Conservator's Grip would be killer in Wintergrasp, and you could start some epic tree vs. tree battles outside of Darnassus. But the fun would wear off about the time you realize you can no longer fit through the door to repair in Orgrimmar and all your armor starts growing kudzu.Do you have any unusual, beautiful or interesting World of Warcraft images that are just collecting dust in your screenshots folder? We'd love to see them on Around Azeroth! Sharing your screenshot is as simple as e-mailing aroundazeroth@gmail.com with a copy of your shot and a brief explanation of the scene. You could be featured here next! Remember to include your player name, server and/or guild if you want it mentioned. Please include the word "Azeroth" in your post so it does not get swept into the spam bin. We strongly prefer full screen shots without the UI showing -- use alt-Z to remove it. Please, no more battleground scoreboards, gold seller ads, or pictures of the Ninja Turtles in Dalaran.%Gallery-1816%
Around Azeroth: Nature boy
A kodo peacefully grazing in the middle of Tarren Mill? To those of us familiar with the Hillsbrad Death Zone, it's an unthinkable idea. But Thommas of <Pirates lnc> on Gnomeregan is free to go AFK without fear. On a PvP server, he'd be just a smear of fur on the grass by now, and there'd be three level 80 rogues stealthed and waiting for him to rez. But on his quiet PvE server, the only thing he has to worry about is a wandering bear, and they tend to stay away from downtown TM. Bears -- nature's quitters.Do you have any unusual, beautiful or interesting World of Warcraft images that are just collecting dust in your screenshots folder? We'd love to see them on Around Azeroth! Sharing your screenshot is as simple as e-mailing aroundazeroth@gmail.com with a copy of your shot and a brief explanation of the scene. You could be featured here next! Remember to include your player name, server and/or guild if you want it mentioned. Please include the word "Azeroth" in your post so it does not get swept into the spam bin. We strongly prefer full screen shots without the UI showing -- use alt-Z to remove it. Please, no more battleground scoreboards, gold seller ads, or pictures of the Ninja Turtles in Dalaran.%Gallery-1816%
Around Azeroth: Framed!
Would this be considered a still unlife? Onet of <Tainted> on Daggerspine-EU has decided that it's time to update his portrait to reflect his current appearance. After all, he's lost so much weight since he died. And he's got a nifty new hat. The bright colors really distract the eye from his rotting, gray, maggot-infested flesh. With this as his Facebook picture, he's sure to get all the undead ladies. Do you have any unusual, beautiful or interesting World of Warcraft images that are just collecting dust in your screenshots folder? We'd love to see them on Around Azeroth! Sharing your screenshot is as simple as e-mailing aroundazeroth@gmail.com with a copy of your shot and a brief explanation of the scene. You could be featured here next! Remember to include your player name, server and/or guild if you want it mentioned. Please include the word "Azeroth" in your post so it does not get swept into the spam bin. We strongly prefer full screen shots without the UI showing -- use alt-Z to remove it. Please, no more battleground scoreboards, gold seller ads, or pictures of the Ninja Turtles in Dalaran.%Gallery-1816%
Around Azeroth: Walk on water or drown
Oh, damn it. Where are my keys? They were on my belt like two minutes ago. I swear, if that ghoul ran off with them again, I'm going to roast his spleen with almond slices and manchego cheese and serve it to my other minions. Hey! There they are! Just under the water. And ... now they're in the mouth of The World's Largest Mudfish ... surrounded by five electric eels. Great. Okay, anyone here have 350 lockpicking? I need someone to get the lock off my motorbike so I can fetch my fishing poles. (Thanks to Ariake of <Gravy Robbers> on Azgalor for this lesson on the dangers of Path of Frost!) Do you have any unusual, beautiful or interesting World of Warcraft images that are just collecting dust in your screenshots folder? We'd love to see them on Around Azeroth! Sharing your screenshot is as simple as e-mailing aroundazeroth@gmail.com with a copy of your shot and a brief explanation of the scene. You could be featured here next! Remember to include your player name, server and/or guild if you want it mentioned. Please include the word "Azeroth" in your post so it does not get swept into the spam bin. We strongly prefer full screen shots without the UI showing -- use alt-Z to remove it. Please, no more battleground scoreboards, gold seller ads, or pictures of the Ninja Turtles in Dalaran.%Gallery-1816%
