Author: Ethic

I run this little MMO gaming blog but I hardly ever write on it anymore. I'm more of a bloglord or something. Thankfully I have several minions to keep things rolling along.
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Промоакции для игроков не только в шутерах — воспользуйся промокодом Vavada от наших партнеров и получи бонусы, которые подарят азарт и атмосферу, сравнимую с игровыми победами.

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BoB is Dead

What glorious news is this? Band of Brothers is was a group of mostly elder EVE Online players that acted the playground bully for the last few years. They destroyed the alliance I was in (ASCN) and pretty much stuck their hands into anything they could mess with. It’s all part of the game, sure, but they had a knack for making things that were once fun – well not so much any more.

I have just heard the news that their alliance has been destroyed thanks to the Goons.

BoB is dead! BoB is dead! Let them shout from the rooftops! BoB is dead. For now.

– Ethic

Happy 2nd Birthday Vanguard: SOH

Sony Online Entertainment and Sigil Games Online today announced that the upcoming massively multiplayer online role-playing game Vanguard: Saga of Heroes will be released to retail outlets across North America and Europe on January 30, 2007, for the suggested retail price of US$49.99. A limited edition is also available for a suggested retail price of US$89.99.

Currently in beta, Vanguard: Saga of Heroes features vibrant environments reminiscent of oil paintings, a robust character customization tool and three distinct spheres of advancement in a seamless world without zoning or instancing. The immersive fantasy world is comprised of three massive, uniquely-themed continents for players to discover new creatures, new items and unlimited adventure. Players have complete freedom to roam the world whether flying dragons to islands in the sky or riding swift steeds to exotic lands.

“We are excited about delivering an MMO with immersive gameplay features that bring new depth and fun to the genre,” said Brad McQuaid, CEO, Sigil Games Online. “Vanguard gives players the chance to live in a breathtaking world and try new things such as our diplomacy system and our unique approach to crafting. We’re proud to be delivering this level of great gameplay for years to come.”

“SOE is pleased to be working with Sigil to bring the eagerly anticipated Vanguard to fruition,” said John Smedley, President, Sony Online Entertainment, “Vanguard not only broadens our product portfolio in the online space, but will also be a welcomed addition to our already value packed all-in-one Station Access subscription line-up.”

Still alive.

Update: Good re-review and a free trial.

– Ethic

Metaplace Invites

If you have been hoping to get your hands on an invite to try out Raph Koster’s Metaplace, go now and enter MPWELCOME as your invite key. Failing that, I have 10 invites to give out so reply if you are interested and I’ll send them out (unless more than 10 request them in which case I will choose randomly).

– Ethic

Blizzard Authenticator Follow-up

The authenticator I ordered for my wife arrived recently and we set it up. It comes with a slip of paper with a web address to visit. When you go there, it asks you to log in and then you add the 10-digit code from the back of the device.

After that, every time you play World of Warcraft it asks for your normal password and follows with a box asking for the code from the authenticator. Press the button on it and enter the code. Log in and done. Couldn’t be more simple.

Wouldn’t complain if it had backlighting though.

– Ethic

Casualties of War in LotRO

Last night was the second round of a new project we are starting within the Casualties of War guild. We have formed two small static groups that play Lord of the Rings Online. This is not an “official” guild supported game as of yet, but if enough people become interested it may. The group I am in plays on Tuesday nights on the Landroval server. The other group plays on Sunday nights.

Players (level at the end of the night): Syrna- Guardian (me) (13), Eostemir- Champion (13), Fairley- Warden (13), Cirwyn- Loremaster (16) and Fargin- Hunter (13)

Finished thru: Book 1, Chapter 10.

We ran around and did a few quests while waiting for everyone to arrive and once we felt there would be no more coming we started on Book 1. We gathered around a fellow named Strider to begin the quest line. He told us to run around a lot and some of us seemed to make running look easy. Smoking a pipe *and* running, that’s how the big folk do it. All the running led to a joke at the expense of the Hobbits.

FIGHTING! It’s not running.

It all led to Tom Bombadil’s house in the Old Forest. Who is inside? Well, I wonder.

I found out I can do the backstroke when swimming. Neat!

Next week we plan to do some questing to get a few levels before we continue the Book 1 quest line.

– Ethic

Blizzard Authenticator Ordered

After reading over and over about people having their accounts in World of Warcraft hacked and losing all their items and gold, I decided to spend the money and order an Authenticator for my wife’s account. They are under $7 US shipped so it’s hard to feel bad about the purchase.

Although, the store said something went wrong the first time I placed an order so I did it again. Naturally I received two emails confirming my purchase, each with a separate order number. Not a big deal as I can use the extra on my account.

After we get them, I’ll be sure to share any comments we have about them.

– Ethic

Amazon Store?

I’ve been thinking about ways I can generate a little income to share with the writers here so they can pay some subscription fees or whatever and there is only one way I can think of that doesn’t bother me too much. I am considering adding an Amazon.com store on a separate page, which would be linked on a tab at the top. You’d never see the store if you don’t want to see it, which I like.

This way, if you want to buy something from Amazon.com you can and we will get a tiny portion for the referral. If you don’t, no big deal. Don’t click on the Store tab and you’ll never see it at all. If you want to buy something and support us at the same time, you can if you choose to do so. I would frequently hand pick things I feel would be of interest to our readers, so it would not just be random items.

In fact, I will add the tab for a short time so you can preview it and see what it would look like. Check it out and let me know what you think.

At the risk of being called a hypocrite, how do you folks feel about that?

– Ethic