The player’s are the best part of LOTRO.

Lord of the Rings Online is celebrating the second anniversary of the game.  They are offering a 2 week free trial, and bonus experience. I thought it might be a good time to write a short review.  I tried the game when it first came out, but due to lack of time, I put in on the back burner for later.

I recently started playing again. This time I began a new character on the Elendilmir Server, because I found out a good gaming buddy was playing there.  I was invited to join a pretty nice guild, The Knights of Amon Sul. They seem like a good group of people, with a strong leadership team.  They have been helpful in answering so many questions. (Thanks Kin!) Read more

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Ellery Jones - A Magical Player - He could cast ’smile’ and it was never resisted.

All I can say is, if we had more people like Ellery, games would be more fun!

I met Ellery, back in 1999 in Everquest.  He was still a high school student, and very silly.  It’s now 10 years later, and he is still very silly, which is why I wanted to highlight him.

When Everquest first began, players were not very concerned about leveling to end-game. (which was a good thing, since I don’t think most of the end-game content was actually finished yet)  Most of us wandered around aimlessly.  It was not unusual to find us all in ‘the tunnel’  of the Commonlands.  We would be shouting to sell our bronze swords, dueling, teaching languages, dancing, and drinking.  That’s where Ellery comes in. He had a character named Twyl. Read more

Best Player Housing - 2009

The following games were considered for this award:

Everquest 2

Ultima Online

Vanguard: Saga of Heroes

Lord of the Rings Online

Star Wars Galaxies

Many other popular games could not be included, because they don’t have player or guild housing.

I decided to write an accompanying blog about what designers could do to make housing more fun and useful in MMORPG’s. I also detailed the shortcomings of current housing. For now, lets get on with the award for the BEST, at the current state of gaming development!

LOTRO came in dead last. The housing isn’t worth the time they put into developing it. Read more

Why have player housing?

Dear Designers,

Today I want to talk to you about player housing in MMORPG’s. Many developer’s have decided to ignore housing as unimportant, yet they spend thousands of dollars marketing to the female marketplace.

I will give you a hint. (some geeky programmers just don’t know how to get a girl) Give us a cute little apartment, complete with a way to do crafting. Throw in a few house pets, and a Christmas tree, and you will get the chicks! Read more