Class balance in a post-WotLK World of Warcraft
Filed under: World of Warcraft, Classes, News items
Class balance is always a touchy subject, depending on the class a person plays. But WoWRIOT has put together an impressive look a class balance in a post-WotLK World of Warcraft. After looking through much of the post, we’re pretty impressed with its accuracy and overall take on current class balance, especially as it pertains to arena and PvP.
Normally, those who actually play the game are much more interested in these kinds of balance overviews. However, the article contains an extensive look at Death Knights and everything about where their place in the game is right now. So for anybody who’s been curious as to what’s going on with the first new class in World of Warcraft, we’d say the article is definitely worth a look. For everyone who does play the game, it’s probably a good idea to at least check out your class (or classes) if only to see why you should or shouldn’t be upset with Blizzard.
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Class balance in a post-WotLK World of Warcraft originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Public Quests.
I’m not sure how familiar anyone is with Warhammer Online. Basically, it is a game that is very similar to World of Warcraft, however players are able to achieve max level without ever doing anything on their own. And yes, I do realize this is also possible on WoW, however with Warhammer Online it is actually encouraged!
And that’s where the idea for this post came from. Public Quests are unique to Warhammer Online and have caused a lot of discussion in the MMO world. They are quests that trigger when you enter a certain area, and you can choose to take part in them or simply watch from within. Often there will be a few dozen players taking part with you, with everyone helping each other to achieve the over-all goal of completing the quest. Now, since Warhammer Online is a relatively new game, I was wondering if any WoW players would be interested in this?
I know from a personal side that this would certainly be a nice brake from all the gold grinding I have been doing lately. However, if battlegrounds are anything to go by, I think there would be a lot of internal arguing, name calling and hissy fits to witness. Say for instance the quest was failed; It’s never the fault of any of the loud mouths, is it?
I don’t know… It seems like many of these new online games have almost ‘ripped off’ World of Warcraft’s playing style. They simply take everything that is good about WoW, and add their own little spin. They are probably quite pleased with themselves too. However, I have no doubt that Blizzard will get their own back and start borrowing from them. Basically, something that was once unique to Warhammer Online will soon be unique to Warhammer and World of Warcraft.
WoW Public Quests anyone? Who are we kidding, we all know it’s going to happen sooner or later…
MMOGology: Looking for incentive to group
Filed under: World of Warcraft, Game mechanics, Leveling, Grouping, Opinion, MMOGology
In a post-World of Warcraft world the concept of grouping while leveling has changed. Where grouping was once essential to survival in MMOGs, today it’s an optional extra. As a result, leveling up can feel pretty lonely. In most MMOGs it’s no longer necessary to group unless you’re running an instanced dungeon or the rare quest geared toward a specific number of players. While I love the fact that I can play WoW on my own terms and my own schedule I feel like I’m missing out on the whole “massively multiplayer” thing. Isn’t that the reason we play MMOGs to begin with? Why should we wait until end-game raid content to play together?
Most people don’t group while leveling because there’s no real incentive to group. Soloing nets you more XP than grouping and most of the content is easy to take on by yourself. There’s no waiting around for others, no sharing of loot, and no arguing about what to do when. So why bother? I’d like to see developers provide players with more incentive to level up together. In my opinion, MMOGs should always work to increase entertainment value when players work together. Read on to explore ways to achieve that objective.
Continue reading MMOGology: Looking for incentive to group
MMOGology: Looking for incentive to group originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 05 Jan 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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You’re So Vain.
Since the introduction of Wrath of the Lich King, it appears us WoW players have been becoming that little bit more vain. Apparently, people complained about the lack of ‘personalization’ within the game for their beloved characters. So, in an attempt to change this, Blizzard implemented the Barber Shop. As the name suggests, it’s where women go to get their hair styled and where men (and some women) go get ride of their facial hair shaved. In the next patch Blizzard have also told us to stand by for the hotly anticipated Dance Studio. Again, as the name suggests, this is where all the cool kids (or the players that actually care) will be heading to change their dance moves. I wonder if they will allow sexes to exchange dance moves…?
I digress.
So, to top the facial hair and the slow dancing off, Blizzard have also announced their new “change everything, but not quite everything about yourself” offer. Yeah, I somehow don’t think that’s the actual title… It basically allows you to change your characters name, skin color, hair and gender! And yes, there is a catch, and this time it comes in the form of cash! These changes can be made for £15, which is surprisingly cheap for Blizzard. Go Blizzard for not trying to rip us off!
Personally, there are a few things I would like to change about my main character. However, without being able to change his race, I don’t see the need to fork out the cash to implement these changes. I completely understand why some people wish to do it though. I know a lot of guys who rolled a chick character because she was ‘hawt’, but have since become bored of being hit on by horny 12 year old boys. There are also people who have become involved in hardcore raiding guilds. They wish to continue playing but don’t want the hassle of explaining themselves. A change in name and sex would come in handy after the dreaded /gquit.
All in all, the changes that can be made to one’s own appearance are probably for the best. For one thing, they definitely make the game more ‘main stream’ towards the masses. However, at the back of my head I can’t help but think: ‘Is world of Warcraft selling out to gain more subscribers’? If we are being honest, basically every online gamer knows about and/or plays World of Warcraft. So, Blizzard has probably noticed that their only way to expand would be to appeal to another type of audience. I’m just not sure that the ‘lets play dress-up’ audience is the right audience to attract.
One Shots: Meep!
Filed under: World of Warcraft, Fantasy, Screenshots, One Shots
There are times when you just know you’ve gotten in over your head. Of course, to the resourceful player, this just means a fun challenge! One such occasion is the subject of today’s World of Warcraft One Shots, sent in to us by Greeen, who has been playing a Gnome Death Knight. Greeen writes in: This shot was taken in the Valgarde Catacombs. My first reaction was “Gulp!” ! The second one: “Attack!” The third: “Run Forrest, run!” Luckily this is from a quest where one receives a temporary immunity bubble - otherwise my little gnome Death Knight, Blues, would really have to show what she can do.…
Are you once again (or perhaps for the first time) turning to Azeroth for your adventure? If you’ve snapped a fun screenshot from your favorite game - no matter the MMO - we’d love to see it! Send it in to us here at oneshots AT massively DOT com along with your name and the game it is from. Descriptions are optional, but always welcome. Yours could be next here on One Shots!
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One Shots: Meep! originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 04 Jan 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Can the sci-fi genre succeed?
Filed under: Business models, Culture, Interviews, Lore, MMO industry, New titles
Earth and Beyond. Star Wars Galaxies. Auto Assault. Tabula Rasa. For a genre that dominates television and written media, science fiction can’t seem to find a good foothold in the MMO industry past EVE Online. Even the upcoming Stargate Worlds is on shaky ground, and it hasn’t even stepped over the threshold into the market. With a genre so plagued by failure, what can a company do to succeed like CCP? Can Star Trek Online, Jumpgate Evolution, and Star Wars: The Old Republic shake the curse? These were the topics of a recent interview between Cody Bye of Ten Ton Hammer and Rob Hill and Kevin…
Can the sci-fi genre succeed? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 01 Jan 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Teenager arrested for making suicide threat to Blizzard rep
Filed under: World of Warcraft, News items, Opinion
In a sad bit of news to start the new year, it would appear that a teenager in Fairfield Township, Ohio, was taken into custody yesterday for falsely claiming that he would commit suicide if a Blizzard support representative did not give in to his request. The young man, who remains nameless due to being underage, was arrested for “inducing panic” which carries a first-degree misdemeanor charge according to the Middletown Journal.
The young man was chatting with a Blizzard rep and made the statement that he was “suicidal and that the game was the only thing that he had to live for.” Whether or not this was World of Warcraft or a Battle.net account was not disclosed, but even still, it has raised the question in a few circles if Blizzard was beyond the bounds in bringing the police into this situation - or why the police might arrest someone for it.
Continue reading Teenager arrested for making suicide threat to Blizzard rep
Teenager arrested for making suicide threat to Blizzard rep originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 01 Jan 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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One Shots: Got milk?
Filed under: World of Warcraft, Fantasy, Screenshots, One Shots
Ah, the joy of the holidays with treats and goodies to eat just about every time you look around. But what good are holiday cookies without some tasty milk to go with it? Not much! Of course, if you’re an enterprising World of Warcraft player, you can get just the right gift to go along with those holiday cookies, as our regular One Shots contributor, Johanis shows off. He writes in: Here is Johanis (in Christmas disguise) entering Stormwind. Santa mentioned he liked milk with his cookies…but this is the best he could find. Might be a farmer upset but at least Santa will be happy with me.
If you’ve given a great in-game gift, or just done something silly, we want to see! Any and all screenshots from MMOs welcome. Just email them to us here at oneshots AT massively DOT com along with your name and the name of the game it’s from. (Descriptions are welcome but entirely optional.) We’ll post it out here for everyone to enjoy, and let them know you sent it in.
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One Shots: Got milk? originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 27 Dec 2008 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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One Shots: Happy holidays!
Filed under: World of Warcraft, Fantasy, Screenshots, One Shots
So many are prepping for holidays, doing last minute shopping, or just hanging out with the family. Both in and out of game, we see folks getting into the Holiday Spirit. Sure enough, even this lovely Draenai Death Knight decided to put on some holiday gear and scowl prettily for the cameras. Today’s World of Warcraft One Shots comes in from Michelle, who says only “Merry Christmas to you all!” No matter what you celebrate at this time of year, we here at Massively would also like to wish you the happiest of holidays and the best wishes for lots of epic loot.
If you’ve got a holiday screenshot to send in, feel free; we’ll be running them up until just after the New Year! Just send it to us at oneshots AT massively DOT com along with your name and what game it’s from. Descriptions are welcome, but not necessary. We’ll post it for all to enjoy and raise a glass of spiked eggnog in your honor.
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One Shots: Happy holidays! originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 24 Dec 2008 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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One Shots: Off to find treats!
Filed under: World of Warcraft, Fantasy, Screenshots, One Shots
Have you snagged a holiday snapshot from your favorite game? Would you like to send holiday greetings out? As mentioned before, there’s still time - but you need to send them in as soon as you can! Just mail a picture, your name and your greeting to us here at oneshots AT massively DOT com. We’ll post them out here for everyone to enjoy as they relax and enjoy the holidays.
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One Shots: Off to find treats! originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 21 Dec 2008 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
