Telwyn at GamingSF asks a question that I’ve contemplated from time to time: When an MMO gets a sequel, what happens to the original game? After all, MMOs aren’t quite like the rest of the video game industry.
“It’s easier for gaming companies to control the playerbase,” he writes. “The bluntest instrument would be to shut down the old game forcing players to move to the new, although risking they’d abandon the franchise entirely.”
While you debate whether a quick death or a prolonged demise is preferrable, take a gander at some other notable articles from the gaming blogosphere. In this edition, writers question Guild Wars 2’s (second) trait revamp, celebrate internet dragons, and critique Neverwinter’s slot machine problem.
Inventory Full: Rearranging the furniture
Bhagpuss is interested in the lead-up to Guild Wars 2: Heart of Thorns — but he’s not entirely buying the effectiveness of the campaign or the decisions being made. In particular, he finds himself flummoxed that the team is reworking a perfectly serviceable trait system.
“I would say that it puzzles me, why just about every single MMO I’ve ever played has to go through this constant unpicking of the seams, this endless re-upholstering and refurbishing,” he comments. “I would, only it doesn’t. It’s exactly what’s happened around me in every job I’ve ever held for more than a few years. People can’t leave well alone and no-one ever got on in life by saying the guy before him did a great job that can’t be bettered. Not even if the guy before him was him.”
Project Tyria: Ascalon City — first-person view
On the topic of Guild Wars 2, Project Tyria has another great entry showing the same locations from both the original title and the sequel. In this case, it’s the iconic settlement of Ascalon City.
“There isn’t much left to see on Guild Wars 2’s side,” author Alucardalina Claire writes. “This is probably likely due to the lore that the Charr have been tearing down the human buildings since taking over the area again.”
Screaming Monkeys: Celebrating FFXIVÂ internet dragons
“Today I want to talk about Final Fantasy XIV internet dragons and how awesome they are,” writes Ionomonkey. “After all, there’s been a serious lack of proper Internet dragons in some other games that will remain nameless as of late so I figured I should share with everyone those of FF14, a game that does justice to some great proper internet dragons.”
Seeing as how I didn’t know anything about dragons in this game, it was an interesting tour of a fire-breathing rogue’s gallery. Kudos!
While Ysharros deals with a cold, she recounts her new adventures on the Star Wars Galaxies emulator as a Creature Handler. I’m just happy that she tamed a creature that Liz Lemon uses as a TV swear word.
“I spotted a bio-engineered non-CH pet store… and then I spent ALL MY HARD-EARNED MONEY on a bio-engineered bluurg,” she said. “Because I used to have one and this guy looked just like him. TAMED! He lost most of his stats, of course, but I’d never have been able to tame a bluurg at this stage even if I could remember what planet they come from.”
Through Wolfy’s Eyes: WildStar through Wolfy’s eyes
Wolfy does a good job relating the frustrations of being a fan of WildStar these days. While he admits that the studio made some grievous errors and that some criticisms are still valid, Wolfy also makes the case that this MMO is shaping up to be a “worthy title.”
“It’s easy and sadistic fun to kick a guy when he’s down. It’s even more fun and ultimately enriching to cheer them back up. Maybe that’s why I play this game… because you love the underdog that won’t quit, and you wanna be there to pat their back or give them a hug when they hit their stride. Then maybe us fans can have our own ‘toldja so’ moment,” he muses.
Dragonchasers: Neverwinter, the free-to-play-the-slot-machines MMO
Pete actually admits to quite liking Neverwinter’s gameplay for the most part, but says that he has become increasingly aggravated by the “slot machine” atmosphere that permeates the game. One or two gambling systems would be acceptable, he says, but the barrage that the game throws at players has gotten ridiculous.
“I’d be so much happier to just pay Perfect World $15/month and be able to play a game without all these gambling systems being thrust in my face all the time,” he laments.
Every day there are tons of terrific, insightful, and unusual articles posted across the MMO gaming blogosphere — and every day, Justin reads as many as he can. Global Chat is a sampling of noteworthy essays, rants, and guides from the past few weeks of MMO discourse.
