Editorials

In this latest editorial from Jim Moreno, we get his take on the basic theme of his column when he asks: what is role-playing? Every other Friday, Jim brings us a role-playing centered column entitled "RoleCraft".

What is Role-playing?

Try Googling that question, and you'll be bombarded with thousands of websites regarding roleplaying, with only a very few actually giving a comprehensive answer. Now, of those very few, fewer still point out a thorough and logical answer to what it means to RP in MMORPG's. As for my own opinion on the topic, I want to show you my thoughts about what I think it means via two points of view - by looking at the 'physical', and at the 'mental', aspects of RP.

Read more after the jump.

In the second half of a two part editorial, WarCry columnist Jonathan Steinhauer looks further at "Threshold Restrictions on Equipment in MMOs". You can catch up on part one here. The rest is after the jump. Remember, you can read Steinhauer every other Monday in this space.

So how do we fix it? Unfortunately there is no golden solution to this pervasive problem. This is because the need for the threshold limitation goes to the very heart of the game mechanics themselves: to the basic concepts of how damage is dealt in combat.

Read more to do so!

Gaming is a serious industry, and so now you have serious gamers. But this I ask you: what ever happened to game being played just for fun?

"The standard response to this would simply be, 'Get over it; it's just a game' but for some individuals, it's not just a game, it's a way of life!"

This fortnight we look at how such an emotional investment into 'Age of Conan' may be affecting your own potential enjoyment of the experience the game has to offer now and at release.

When I'm not IC in some fantasy PC MMO game world, I can often be found wandering the Interwebs at these RP sites I link to this week.

Stepping away this week from the usual WoW-centric RP view to instead point to some quality websites that cover RP in a much wider and more general sense.

Read more after the click.

Today we debut a new bi-weekly Monday column from MMO writer Jonathan Steinhauer. He'll jump in every other week to offer his opinions on some element of MMOs. In his debut article he begins a two part series on threshold restrictions on equipment in MMOs called "Look, But Don't Touch".

But stepping back from the annoyance, we all know why it's done. Those pesky restrictions based on level or skill ranking, or some other similar factor exist for one reason: to prevent overpowering low level characters with high level equipment. After all, it would be rather embarrassing to have some Level 1 newbie with his Magic Greatsword of Doom take down the Witchking of Anger himself.

Read more after the click, then let us know your thoughts in the comment thread.

Lore is not something that you can so flippantly toy with and manipulate. On the flip side, we have to understand we're talking about the gaming industry, so it is with some reservation that certain liberties have to be taken.

"It is a constant focus for us to make this ['Age of Conan'] right, but sometimes we need to bend some borders, even take the lore and update it somewhat to make it fit better with gameplay."

Funcom Product Director, Jørgen Tharaldsen, took some time out of his very busy schedule to explain in a Mitra's Method exclusive what measures are being taken to ensure a "true to Conan" experience in the much anticipated MMORPG 'Age of Conan'.

Funcom, as it is currently evident, has listened to their beta testers very seriously because their beta testers have been very serious with their feedback...

"Not listening to experienced beta testers' initial reactions is the most dangerous thing to do." - Gaute Godager, 'Letter from the Game Director'

This fortnight, it's about beta, serious testing, serious testers, and the road to March 25, 2008.

So we have to wait a bit longer for 'Age of Conan', and only the most committed are going to stick around for the game's release on March 25, 2008.

"...get to know Howard, get to know Conan, get to know Hyboria, get to know Funcom, and get to know 'Age of Conan'"

This fortnight, it's all about the making the next seven months tolerable as we revisit a few suggestions on how we can make the most out of this time for ourselves and Funcom.

Do loose lips really sink ships? Is that art of keeping a secret truly lost? And just what sort of implications does breaking an NDA have for Funcom and 'Age of Conan'?

"It [NDA] means you are chosen because Funcom has a belief in you, a belief that you are trustworthy..."

This fortnight, it's all about beta, the NDA, business, and the gaming industry. Strap yourselves in for a wild ride in these, the last few months of the game's development!

Our new columnist, RedMorgan, has published his first column today here at Darkfall Warcry. Today he talks about how now in MMO's everyone is a hero and how Darkall is different then that.

RedMorgan:
So how do these games become more accessible to the drooling masses? Easy! Just implement grinding, level treadmills, restrict any and all competition whatsoever. These systems are intentionally in place to prevent anyone from over-achieving or failing. I recently saw a WoW ad that said "Come join 8 million heroes!" Suddenly every single player is automatically a hero?

Click below to read more!