Desert Nomad was a Black Desert column written by Matt Daniel. It’s since been taken over by Carlo Lacsina as Desert Oasis. [Follow this column’s RSS feed]
desert nomad
Desert Oasis: Avoiding burnout in Black Desert Online
Players leaving Black Desert in a tizzy is something of a tradition in the community. It can be for a number of reasons. Sometimes...
Desert Oasis: Black Desert Online should be 2020’s MMO of the year
Well here we are again, heading to the end of another year. And while many are eager for this year to end, us gamers...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Interview: Black Desert on crossplay, the engine, and the future of mobile
A few weeks ago, we chatted up Pearl Abyss' lead producer Jaehee Kim about some pressing Black Desert questions. Now, I'm not one to...
Desert Oasis: Deep-diving Black Desert’s Musa and Maewha classes
I think I may be in the minority of people who enjoy being home all day. It gives that much needed time to just...
Desert Oasis: How I’m progressing through Black Desert without spending a dime
I've been playing Black Desert for quite a while, and in that time I've made a bit of cash and built up a stable...
Desert Oasis: A guide to getting started with Black Desert’s lifeskill system
For pretty much all of my MMO-gaming career, I avoided anything involving crafting, gathering, and cooking. If the problem can't be solved with a...