mechanics
MMO Mechanics: MMORPG expansions vs. sequels
The recent news about EverQuest Next's cancellation has renewed the debate about whether or not MMOs should get sequels, which have given me plenty...
Black Desert’s craftable ghillie suit counter will be craftable ‘soon’
We posted yesterday on Black Desert's maintenance and patch, but since that time we've gotten a little bit more information on what's in the...
Wisdom of Nym: Final Fantasy XIV’s patch 3.2 is a return to form
I've expressed my misgivings about Final Fantasy XIV's first major post-expansion patch before. It wasn't terrible, but it didn't really hook me in like...
Wisdom of Nym: Aspects of Final Fantasy XIV that could use expansion before the next expansion
I'm excited about the upcoming Hall of the Novice feature in Final Fantasy XIV's next patch. Yes, admittedly, part of this is because all...
MMO Mechanics: Eight annoying MMORPG mechanics that grind my gears
The inspiration behind this edition of MMO Mechanics is a recent conversation I had with my housemates about the column and the inner workings...
The six skills your aspiring rogue will employ in The Elder Scrolls Online’s Thieves Guild DLC
Enterprising rogues will be pursuing six new skills once The Elder Scrolls Online's Thieves Guild DLC launches next month: Finders Keepers for spotting treasures,...
Shroud of the Avatar drops Release 26 update with a full character wipe
Here's the bad news for players looking forward to the next major Shroud of the Avatar patch: A character wipe is happening. All of...
Launch impressions of Blade & Soul: Combat, story, questing, and flow
Every time I play Blade & Soul, I'm really playing a different game, which I dub Why Don't I Like You More? The object...
MMO Mechanics: MMORPG mechanics predictions for 2016
In the last edition of MMO Mechanics, I looked back on 2015 and the mechanics I managed to squeeze into the column: We looked...
MMO Mechanics: 2015’s MMORPG mechanics in review
It's my favourite time of the year once again: The mulled wine is flowing, the festive lights are all aglow, the weather outside is...
Gloria Victis releases its full alpha patch
The bad news for fans of Gloria Victis is that the most recent patch brings with it a full server wipe, forcing everyone currently...
MMO Mechanics: Three game-changing movement mechanics
In order to create the most truly challenging MMOs that connect players with the specific virtual environments they're traversing, developers have always worked on...
Skyforge’s Journey of the Divine patch rolls out
The Journey of the Divine patch is live in Skyforge today, heralding several new game systems:
Invasion Avatars - The deadly Avatars of invading alien gods...
Wisdom of Nym: Surpassing Final Fantasy XIV’s cross-class legacy
In one respect, Final Fantasy XIV is an incredibly flexible game. You are never actually locked into a single role or job; even if...
MMO Mechanics: Three ways non-MMO IPs could create great mechanics
I really enjoy being a guest on Larry Everett's video series Massively Opinionated, a series in which MMO enthusiasts answer some tough questions and...
Skyforge offers players tips for using Orders
It's important to remember that when you play Skyforge, you are a deity. That doesn't just mean that you're as powerful as a deity;...
Darkfall Unholy Wars adjusts its economic rebalance
At times, it seems like the entire history of Darkfall is one major adjustment after another. It hasn't been long since the game completely...
MMO Mechanics: Economic stagnation in MMO economies
MMO economies are notoriously hard to balance, so most MMO players have seen the effects of stagnation and hyperinflation in an MMO economy for...
MMO Mechanics: Brilliant MMO boss mechanics
I love a good boss fight as much as the next MMO player, and I'm sure I'm not alone in favouring fights that really...
Skyforge explains amulets and trophies
Equipment in Skyforge is fairly straightforward for the most part, but like any game, it features some unique options. Case in point: amulets and...