Carlo Lacsina
Teacher by day, Dark Knight by...... night. Huge (maybe even massive) MMO fan. Loves playing Black Desert Online, FFXIV, and GW2! Super social, really chatty, and always happy to talk about MMOs!
Desert Oasis: So, is the PlayStation 5 an upgrade for Black Desert on console?
Way back in August, I did a first impression of Black Desert for the PlayStation 4. It was a solid game, but I couldn't...
First impressions of Netmarble’s A3 Still Alive: Is it relevant in 2020?
What's going with MMO names these days? First there was V4, and now we have A3. The full title is A3: Still Alive, which...
Desert Oasis: Is Black Desert’s lore actually a time-travel narrative?
In the last edition of Desert Oasis, I wrote about an absolutely dismal week in Black Desert that ultimately ended with my taking a...
Explaining Genshin Impact’s impact: Is it actually worth your time?
In Explaining Genshin Impact’s impact: The reinvention of gachapon, I went into the nitty-gritty of the gacha system and how it's actually pretty easy...
Explaining Genshin Impact’s impact: The reinvention of gachapon
Yes, I know Genshin Impact isn't an MMORPG. It's not even an MMO; it's just regular old multiplayer. But when its first four days...
Desert Oasis: The worst week I’ve ever had in Black Desert Online
This week, I was planning a third entry on my adventures in Black Desert Mobile, but a few very exasperating incidents happened to me...
Desert Oasis: Black Desert Mobile is not just a mobile copy of Black Desert
Last week, I taught my freshman classes basic email etiquette. In a time of distance learning, it's an important skill to teach. We looked...
Desert Oasis: Checking back in on Black Desert Mobile, almost one year later
It's been a while since I checked in on Black Desert Mobile for Desert Oasis. In fact, I haven't really played it since my initial...
Hands-on with the four Vs of Nexon’s mobile MMO V4
One of my friends once said to me, "Carlo, I always see you play those random 6 out of 10 MMOs, and I don't...
The Soapbox: Stubborn MMO players are sleeping on autoplay mechanics
Autoplay, huh. What is it good for? Absolutely something! I'll say it again: There is value in autoplay. It's got such a bad reputation...
Desert Oasis: Our guide to playing Black Desert’s season servers
The introduction of Black Desert's season servers this summer was my chocolate-in-peanut-butter moment of the year. I didn't know the combination would be so...
Desert Oasis: Black Desert’s outlook in the lead-up to Crimson Desert
I've played nothing but the Black Desert season servers in the last month. It's such a fresh breath of air, and it's something I...
Desert Oasis: How should Black Desert handle class balance?
Last week, I wrote about how the recent tamer changes in Black Desert resulted in a write-in campaign. Ever since then, I've had game...
Massive Black Desert nerfs prompt tamer players to action through a letter writing campaign
As we've previously covered, Black Desert was updated with the PvP changed originally touted during the Heidel Ball last month. Tamer players (including me)...
Desert Oasis: Putting Black Desert’s music system in context with other MMOs
Back in the day, I used to really be into the ukulele. I used to play in open mics and sold them as my...
Desert Oasis: Exploring Black Desert’s mysterious O’dylitta region
With the Heidel ball now a memory, there's much to look forward to in Black Desert Online. Along with a new class and a variety...
Desert Oasis: Black Desert’s Hashashin, new server types, PvP changes, and new regions
I would be lying if I told you that I stayed up late this weekend just so I could hear the executive producer Jae-Hee...
Desert Oasis: Recapping Black Desert’s Heidel Ball, from backstage to balancing
One of the complications of playing playing Black Desert is that it operates on UTC. Since I live in California, aka the center of...
Desert Oasis: Rethinking the Black Desert grindspot debate
Almost a year ago, I penned a column on grindspot etiquette in MMORPGs. Specifically, I wrote about the commonly accepted etiquette when it comes...
Desert Oasis: Exploring Black Desert’s guild system, from contracts to drama
Guilds: one of the quintessential social features of an MMO. Along with grinding, crafting, and partying up, guilds are just one of those things...
