WoW: The Problem with Hero Classes
As the release of Blizzard’s World of Warcraft new expansion Wrath of the Lich King looms ever nearer, I’m starting to feel unease at the prospect of a hero class emerging from …
Are MMO’s in Danger of Becoming a Spectator Sport?
Don’t have time to play WoW? Not enough time to raid? Blizzard has never made it easier to feel connected to Azeroth without actually playing. Case in point: in …
Bushnell’s Theorem: Easy to Learn, Difficult to Master
Anyone who’s analyzed the success of Blizzard’s insanely popular World of Warcraft can not help but have heard the mantra: “Easy to learn, hard to master”. Their designers have lovingly …
Blizzard Slaughters a Sacred Cow
Today Blizzard announced that previously restricted classes such as paladins and shamen would finally be allowed to be played by the opposite faction for the upcoming expansion The Burning Crusade. …
The EverQuest Paradox Revealed
Sometimes the best observations about life are made when one is away from the familiar -- be it people, jobs, hobbies or past-times. A recent autumn drive through the scenic …
A Class Balance Manifesto for Virtual Worlds
After playing traditional fantasy MMORPG's for over 6 years, I have come to believe that a class system is an important foundation for how we classify and organize the players …
Vanguard Forums: The Importance of Immersion
Immersion is very important to me. The suspension of disbelief is critical into buying into a virtual world. I’m a big fan of details, polish and the little things that …
The Day the Loot Stopped Dropping
What would happen if suddenly all the loot stopped dropping in your favorite MMORPG? Would there be widespread panic in the streets? Would your online world come to a grinding …
Vanguard Forums: Realism vs. Immersion
Realism is really just consistent, believable sets of laws and conditions that govern the particular virtual world that you are inhabiting. Let’s say you are playing a game that is …
The Voice of Technology
The seductive siren song of technological progress constantly beckons. Medicine, industry, commerce, and entertainment are all driven by the promises that scientific advancement brings. Many think that technology is advancing …
Paying it Forward in MMORPGs
Over the weekend, I finally watched a film that had been on my “to watch” list for the last few years: Pay It Forward. I had always shied away from …
Vanguard Forums: Why MMO’s Should Hire Real Fantasy Writers
I think Sigil is making a huge mistake if they are going to pattern their fantasy world after real world cultures. At least in Norrath in the original EQ the …