a group of adventurers on an epic quest
I finally got this ripped to something digital. The following link is to an mp3 of the piece of the Sound & Vision Radio E3 coverage where Robert (Nicodemus) & I spoke about games and plugged KTN. You even get to hear me snort! Woop! (I was out of breath and scrambling to come up with something after Robert stole my answer hehe).
All and all it went well.
[Face of Mankind] In 2001 Duplex Systems was founded to pursue and develop products in the MMO space. The Berlin based studio is focused on intelligent and unique game play styles where the player ‘lives the story’. Last month they launched their first title; Face of Mankind. So the question holds; does it stand up to the PR or is it just another bag of sullen dreams?
Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that I havent slept in almost 30 hours, but while just watching the newly released Lord of the Rings: Online trailer, I just couldn’t stop laughing. The thing is cut horribly and it doesn’t really do anything to make a good show of the engine. The copy is also horrible; sporting horrible effects. I wonder if that is a plug-in for After Effects; Horrible(R). The thing honestly looks like the publisher was yelling at them to release a trailer, but they already had plans to go out drinking, so they just told Bob the janitor to throw something together.
Check it out for yourself
~Spot
[City of Villains] Following the success of the world’s first widely accepted comic based MMO; City of Heroes, the brains at NCsoft began design on a companion product to allow roles of a more malicious nature. The surprise regarding this obvious progression of the universe is concerning the independent nature of the product. City of Villains is designed and marketed as an autonomous entity, free of all dependences to its predecessor.
While the above statement is true it is also an expected assumption of players in both games to assume it is a shared world, through parallel style, game play, design, account fees, and all around structure. It would not be too much to say it is simply a modified template positioned atop a singular foundation.
About three weeks back, I got accepted into the beta of a highly anticipated MMO. I cannot disclose the name due to non-disclosure shit, but I was excited.
I love betas because it is really your chance to get into a game, try out everything and make a difference in the development path. This interest however is only viable when you can actually PLAY the game. I have not been able to play this game once because it will not work on my 6800 card. It also is not working on any other 6800’s apparently.
[Sociolotron] I read an article in Wired the other day regarding this little indie MMO based in a post-apocalyptic London. Not exactly an original concept, but the bells and whistles make up for the lack of originality. In fact the frills almost require such a setting in order to be believable.
What makes Sociolotron unique is its dedication to the minute realisms which other MMOs, due to their mainstream audience refuse to address. Pouring the bag out on the table I will point it all out for you up front. The world allows explicit sex, murder (including perma death at higher levels), drug use, BDSM, disease (including sexually transmitted), pregnancy/abortion, rape, and mechanics to support them all. This is obviously only the things which should get your attention. Much emphasis is also put on combat, ownership, crafting, business, etc.
[World of Warcraft] I finally picked up WoW and will be installing it tomorrow when I get back to LA. I am completely unfamiliar with the game since I learned very little in the three hours I have under my belt (which I have mostly forgotten). I have heard reports of players waiting in long lines just to get on some servers.
Are there any suggestions for which server I should play on?
- Spot
I have been away from my home for over a month now, visiting family down in Texas. Before you ask, don’t! It’s hot and hellish.
Anyway, it has been a month since I have touched an MMO. After playing MMOs almost continuously for several years, a month break was a frightening venture. It has however turned out to be quite refreshing. I have had time to ponder many things in the realm of game design and how the social implications of MMOs bounce and react to real life group behavior. I would suggest it to anyone who has not had a break in some time.
Anyway, I fly back to Los Angeles on Wednesday. I previously tried WoW and it was not my bag really. However, a good friend of mine has been playing and really likes it, so I may pick it up again and play a little with him. I never really gave it much of a chance before so I plan on playing more than three hours this time.
Four at least! :)
-Spot