This is too awesome not to repost. Supposedly* that first panel is an actual quote. The PA guys never cease to entertain.
(*Confirmed. Bobby Kotic, CEO of Activision speaking to reporters on a conference call regarding the impending merger.)
~Cyndre
I started to title this post: ‘Where FLS Went Wrong With Pirates,’ but after receiving my very first negative email in response to a blog post, accusing me of bring overly critical, having an axe to grind, and ‘contradicting myself numerous times throughout…’ I have chosen a more neutral title*. Besides, I don’t necessarily think they went wrong, simply made a few poor choices, which will be hard to overcome and could translate into fewer subscriptions at launch and over the first few months…
I have been very silent on this blog for quite some time, partially due to real life obligations, and partly because the bulk of my gaming time has been spent under a strict NDA. That NDA was dropped officially by Pirates of the Burning Sea, as they prepare to enter their open beta phase of development this week.
I am not going to give a run down of the game-play or mechanics in my observations, as Tobold, Keen and others in the blogosphere have fairly in depth looks at the game. My thoughts on Pirates after these messages…
Some quick thoughts before the jump…
A few weeks ago, my wife finally got her beta invite to the upcoming MMO that I have been playing a lot of and really enjoying. I can’t wait to share my thoughts but they will have to wait until my NDA restrictions are lifted. So anyway, my wife logs in, makes her character and I start to show her around a bit, and not five minutes in, she looks over at me sheepishly and blurts out, “I miss Warcraft!”
Fileplanet has opened a Stress Test for this coming weekend to upcoming MMO, Pirates of the Burning Sea.  Check it out, see what FLS has been working on and have some fun for free!
See you there, and send a tell to Cyndre Montoya.Â
~Cyndre
For the first time in nearly a decade I am not playing any MMOs.  Sure I’ve taken ‘breaks’ before but I only rarely let my subscriptions lapse and always intended to return. More recently, un-sub’d time periods were filled with Betas so I still had my hands wet and spend nearly as much time on unreleased MMOs while on a ‘break from playing MMOs.’
 Not so this time around.
Tabula Rasa has lifted the veil of silence on their Beta testing population, so those of us who were not invited to the party will finally get a glimpse into this newest of MMOs. Officially set to launch on October 19th, Tabula Rasa offers gamers a blend of FPS and traditional MMO elements that attempts to break with the fantasy MMO genre and offer ‘something new.’
My wife and I have ended our time in Middle Earth.  Sadly, we were really enjoying ourselves, and would have easily made the level cap, but after Book 10, I started to experience some very bad technical problems running the game, and despite numerous attempts to get the problem fixed through all of the available tech support channels offered by Turbine, I hit brick wall after brick wall, and simply called it quits.
Developers grab a sticky note and a pen, because here is a tip just for you: CS and Tech Support matters!Â
Continue reading LoTRO Cancelled: CS and Tech Support Matters!
In non-game related news, a new G.I. Joe Movie has been announced, and the specifics of the plot and setting changes have created one of the largest letdowns in classic Americana history.  The “Real American Hero” is actually going to be changed to appeal to a broader international audience, and instead, the initials GI JOE will stand for Global Integrated Joint Operating Entity.