Are MMOs becoming Anti-Social?

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

"The truth is, MMO players have come to accept a different definition of friendship – a definition with different expectations and norms than exist in the real world. Simply put, there was an understanding of a common good in MMOs, and players worked toward achieving that goal with amazing cooperation. As time has gone on, however, the social bonding that took place in MMOs has gone with it, leaving us with a more competitive, individualistic game – one that seems to be forgetting what MM stands for in MMORPG."

Read the full article here. I think you'll enjoy it, even if you disagree.

Aion Classes Preview

"Aion offers four basic classes: Warrior, Scout, Mage, and Priest. These classes further develop into eight advanced classes: Gladiator, Templar, Assassin, Ranger, Sorceror, Spiritmaster, Cleric, and Chanter. Each class has its own unique skills and skill chains, and falls into a traditional MMORPG role."

Read more. . .

Dragonica Online Review

Image via Wikipedia

"Imagine a child's dream of dragons and fantasy, of heroes and danger: that is the world of Dragonica Online. A free to play fantasy MMORPG by THQ*Ice, Dragonica Online features 3D side-scrolling action in a bright, whimisical world. Featuring four basic classes (warrior, magician, archer, and thief) which further specialize into advanced classes, Dragonica offers the draw of an action game in a fun fantasy setting."

Read more. . .

No End Game for MMO Devs

Whenever human beings gather, you will find them indulging in a favorite hobby: Humbling the mighty. The only thing we love more than being fans of someone is tearing that someone to shreds. Especially on the internet.

In video games, particularly MMOs, the phenomenon is such a regular occurrence that we should expect to see it once a year like some kind of unholy groundhog day. In the past few years, we’ve seen it happen to Jeff Anderson, Brad McQuaid, Bill Roper, Richard Garriott, and Mark Jacobs, among others. All five of those guys were strongly associated with their studios. All five were hit professionally, for varying reasons with varying degrees of culpability, and then shredded by the chattering classes with a savagery normally exhibited by feral cats and Walmart shoppers going after flatscreen TVs.

But these are MMO people, and there’s no such thing as a final chapter in an MMO. Jeff and Bill are already back in action. Brad has launched a blog, en route to his comeback. Richard Garriott has several new hobbies. Mark is not the type to sit quietly and fade away.

So, what creates these dramas with their multiple acts?

Read this great piece by Sanya Weathers over on MMORPG.com. Gives a really good insight as to what the MMO industry is like.

A little LOTRO insight.

Image by fiatlux via Flickr

I quit playing Lord of the Rings Online about two years ago. I had grown tired of the game; found the content to be growing dull and repetitive. It had also become painful to play on a personal level, as a dear friend of mine I met on LOTRO lost her battle to a terminal cancer.

I lost my eye on LOTRO for a while, until I started writing on a regular basis about MMORPGs again. I decided, finally, that I'd renew my subscription and buy the Mines of Moria digital upgrade. While reinstalling and downloading a massive update to game files, I discovered something that made me slap my face a little in surprise.

You see, I hadn't realized that LOTRO had added two new classes: the warden and the rune-keeper. For such a big update to such a big game to pass me by felt embarrassing, both as a gamer and a journalist.

Nonetheless, finding this information out was exciting. Not only was I excited to try a restyled LOTRO, but to be able to try out two classes, both of whom appeal to me greatly, is doubly exciting. I even gave in and bought my husband Moria and a month subscription. That's how piqued I'd become.

So sorry Tweety, I should have been paying more attention to this game. I always love Turbine MMOs, and I think LOTRO's gonna suck me back in hard. And I'm gonna like it, baby.

WonderKing beta begins July 9, official website open

Posted on Examiner:

WonderKing, a side scrolling free-to-play MMORPG by ndoors, has launched its official website, and announced that it will be launching its beta on July 9th. If you have any interest in playing or testing WonderKing, head on over and register an account for a chance to get a beta key (those who registered on the teaser site will be getting a beta key in their email.)

Read on...

Lord of the Rings Online: Book 8 released today

Posted on Examiner:

This morning, Turbine brought down the Lord of the Rings Online servers to apply the update for Book 8: Scourge of Khazad-Dûm.

Read on. . .

World of Warcraft: Crusader's Coliseum, Wintergrasp, and other 3.2 changes

Posted on Examiner:

Blizzard has released a preview page for the new raid, Crusader's Coliseum, that will appear in patch 3.2 for World of Warcraft.

In addition, Blizzard's confirmed a couple other upcoming changes for patch 3.2:

Read on . . .

Free Realms: 6/22 update, guilds added

Posted on Examiner:

Sony Online Entertainment has brought a huge update to Free Realms today. Not only did they offer a patch with bug fixes and new content, they also added guilds!

Read on. . .

An early glimpse at Aion

Posted on Examiner:

This weekend launched the second beta preview event of Aion, the newest fantasy MMORPG by NCSoft. This time, the NDA was lifted, and I got to experience the beautiful world waiting past the login screen.

Read more!

World of Warcraft: Midsummer Fire Festival

Image by ulalume via Flickr

Posted on Examiner:

World of Warcraft has begun its annual summer event, the Midsummer Fire Festival. Celebrating the summer solstice, the Fire Festival will run from June 21 until July 4.

Read more!

Free Realms Chef Guide

Posted on Bright Hub:

Chefs in Free Realms enjoy the hard work of gathering ingredients, preparing and cooking them, and then finally enjoy the fruits of their labor. Get the "scoop" on how to prepare and make useful foods as a chef here.

Read on!

Also, if you haven't checked them out yet, check out my Free Realms Pet Trainer Guide and my Guide to what you get for being a member in Free Realms.

Dragonica Online closed beta launch

Image via Wikipedia

Posted on Examiner:

I received an email this morning from THQ*ICE, letting me know about a closed beta key giveaway for their new free to play MMORPG, Dragonica Online, along with the promise of open beta soon. The game looks to be promising, if not a bit cute, and I've heard good things about it from friends. Here's the information if you're interested.

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