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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Hello and Goodbye

wow[World of Warcraft] Blizzard has said hello to many players over the past year, now crossing the 5 million mark. I’m pretty sure nobody believed an MMO would have sold this well.

With that level of popularity comes some negatives as well. Scammers, thiefs, beggars, cheaters, farmers, crooks, and low life scum. Blizzard has occasionally said goodbye to large groups of accounts, the success of such actions are questionable but at least they are trying. The most recent round of bannings shut down over 18,000 accounts. That is around the total number of people playing EVE Online at any given moment, so it’s not a small amount.

I wonder if banning accounts really slows down the activities that caused the ban. I bet it’s a losing battle for Blizzard. Although, it probably is a financial gain for Blizzard anyway, because most of the banned people will just buy a new box and start over.

– Ethic

Asheron’s Call 2 Memories

ac2[Asheron’s Call 2] First off, the people. The community of AC2 players was amazing. I’ve seen nothing like it before or since.

Leafcull!!!

The “end of beta” Tyrant assault on Molworth and Cragstone (they attacked all the cities, but these were the ones I was at). Running through the vaults (Arwic, Lost Wish, Esper, etc.) in the beginning as a group. Looking up at the rain hitting an invisible “floor” above me. Leveling just by running through portals and clicking on obelisks (crazy run buff too). Fueling the forges for crafters. Chat, or should I say no chat. Tou Tou Vault – argh the jumping. Cragstone Excavation (fighting the crowd for medallion pieces). Ghost Mines. Lady Aerfalle. Olthoi and Olthoi mounds. Lady Silva. Tyrants Loft and Lord Deimos. The White Rabbit. Becoming a Hero. Icefire, Boots, and Mage Academy. Gurogs and Buruns.

Continue reading Asheron’s Call 2 Memories

Whimper

ac2[Asheron’s Call 2] Well, it’s almost over now. AC2 is closing down on the 30th of December. What’s left to do?

For one, you can read Wired’s article, “Not With a Bang but a Whimper”, here (thanks to Inhibit for sending me the link). Or, if you still have an account like I do, you can get boosted to the max level which is 150 and go fight two Tyrants at one time in East Gevoth or perhaps go fight Ahria Queen of Night.

But mostly it is just another MMO to go down the tubes. Lots of things went wrong and some went right. Lessons will have hopefully been learned.

Current AC2 players have been invited to DDO’s beta, so all is not lost. Yes, they sent me one so I guess they want me to stop playing AC2 now? Anyway, I’m planning to be there when they pull the plug, to see if they have any inspiration left or if they will do just that – pull the plug.

Whimper.

– Ethic

Wish Me Luck

EVE[EVE Online] I just applied for a position that CCP is advertising for on their jobs page. What fun would that be? I would think, lots. I have a lot of respect for the company and the position pretty much describes me and my skills. It would require a pretty major relocation but I’m perfectly willing to do that (and so is my family).

So send some good vibes towards Reykjavik, Iceland for me. I know it’s a long shot, but thanks!

– Ethic

Holiday Rocketpack

coh[City of Heroes] Hooray for holidays! I wanted to play CoH tonight to do some missions with my friend across the country and found out there was some patch to load up. Once that was done, I logged in.

The first thing I noticed is that something was given to me. I looked at my action bar and saw a feather icon. Turns out it is a Holiday Rocketpack (note the snowflakes). For the next 30 days, I can fly! For those of us that never got to fly, it is a sweet present. However, it was also a large carrot dangling in front of me I was working for. Perhaps it is also now an “exit point” for me. Hmm.

Anyway, I’m going to have a lot of fun flying around for the next 30 days, until they take my rocketpack away.

This event also applies to City of Villains.

– Ethic

For Instance

Brad McQuaid posted something he wrote about instancing over at GamerGod and it kicked of a pretty good debate on the forums there. I decided to put down some thoughts I have and I hope they make some sense.

There is a group of customers for just about any type of MMOG. World of Warcraft (WoW) has tapped into what I would call the “main stream” MMOG market. Just like a blockbuster movie that cost a lot to make and is making a lot more back, WoW cost a lot to make and is making a lot more back. Blockbusters get people excited about the genre and opens more doors. Blizzard did a service to the MMOG industry by being the success they are. Who can deny this?

Continue reading For Instance

EVE Dev Blog – Big Bada Bewn?

EVE[EVE Online] One thing I really like about the EVE devs is their blog. They frequently post things about the game. Sometimes it is ideas they are pondering and sometimes it is new changes coming to the game. They even allow players to respond back, what a concept!

The most recent dev blog is one I enjoyed in particular. It discusses some new ships being introduced into the game: Carriers, Titans and Motherships. Let me run down some of the details for you.

Continue reading EVE Dev Blog – Big Bada Bewn?

COG#9

wincar1The Carnival of Gamers has made it’s ninth stop, this time at The Game Chair. Our own Zubon has set up a booth, but he might not yet know about it. I snuck him in at the last minute while he was sleeping.

The next stop for the carnival will be right here at Kill Ten Rats. Where I live, this is the time of the Winter Carnival. Therefore, I plan to turn the next stop into a winter wonderland. So get your submissions ready, it’s going to get really cold out and the Ice Palace needs help being built.

– Ethic