Ah the massively multiplayer online end game. MMOEG. Yeah, it probably deserves that label. Why? Because so many games dramatically alter the gameplay landscape if you ever manage to get there. That consistent and fun experience you’ve been participating in for hundreds, maybe even thousands of hours, suddenly changes to something completely different. Often times, that experience not only changes dramatically, but it suddenly requires near-infinitely more dedication and time to hang with the crowd. I, for one, am tired of it. Continue Reading »

No, this is not a request for developers to stop trying to “beat” World of Warcraft, or even to stop making games that are a lot like WoW. Sure, I like seeing originality in games, and I don’t just want a prettier version of WoW, but there’s nothing wrong with improving upon what’s out there (see: World of Warcraft made a high quality, streamlined version of EverQuest). What I’m complaining about is the assumption that Blizzard has done just about everything right with WoW, simply because they have really impressive numbers. Continue Reading »

It’s time for the third rant of Grouchy Gnome, the disgruntled MMO player persona of game developer Ryan Shwayder. As I refrained from pointing out in the last couple rants, I’m writing these as a player without regard to the fact that I know better. Meaning, I’ll rant about anything that annoys me, even if I know that it shouldn’t or can’t be implemented. Why? It’s nice to forget everything I’ve learned by making games, damnit. Continue Reading »

WTF happened to WYSIWYG loot? Has it been relegated to being a thing of the past? You know, WYSIWYG–that wonderful acronym first popularized by now-ancient web design programs. What you see is what you get. Except in today’s MMOs, what you see is not what you get, and it cheeses me off. Continue Reading »

How many times have you followed a game for multiple years, only to be thoroughly disappointed by the game when it finally entered beta or launched? I’ve done this far too many times. Seriously, far too many times. I can’t even count the number of times this has happened to me on one hand. Continue Reading »