Jason vs. Bots
I returned to Friday the 13th: The Game today, only to find a substantial 3GB patch waiting to be downloaded. I last played in late December when I bought the game in a Steam sale. I stated in a blog post at the time, that the game was flawed and very much a work in progress. The patch has addressed several issues with the game; the most important one being offline play. You can now play Friday the 13th: The Game offline as Jason Voorhees against seven bot camp counsellors. It should be noted that you cannot play offline as a counsellor against a bot Jason. However, playing as Jason has a more complex learning curve, whereas playing as one of his potential victims is a lot easier to figure out. So I can understand why the developers opted for this arrangement. Hence, I spent a few hours this evening, fooling around offline, slicing and dicing various camp counsellors and trying to master the basics of playing a Jason. It did prove quite useful and I found myself far more prepared for online play as a result.
A Lack of Consensus
One of the things that stands out about the reader comments over at Massively Overpowered is that there is seldom any sort of consensus. Regardless of the subject it become quickly apparent that views differ greatly and clearly reflect the fact that gamers do not want the same things. The only point that most agree upon in principle is that everyone wants “good” games. However, this is a nebulous term, devoid of a universally agreed definition. What one gamer deems as being a good or an essential mechanic, another will consider a complete anathema, leaving us with a divided player base. In fact, the gaming community seems to reflect a wider trend that manifests itself in politics, religion and other social issues at present. There simply isn’t a prevailing majority consensus. A lot of the assumed sacred cows and alleged shared values associated with all these communities are either waning or have proven to be bogus. Naturally, many would argue that such differences are simply human nature and a foible of the human condition. However, it does present a difficult problem for the games industry.
LOTRO: Bullroarer Update 22 Build #2
A week on and Standing Stone Games have revised the latest test iteration of Update 22 for LOTRO, on the Bullroarer server. Build #2 now has a proper map that explains exactly where I went last Sunday. It seems that I visited all locations of note apart from Caras Tilion, a deserted Elven stronghold to the South of Eryn Lasgalen, at the foot of the Mountains of Mirkwood. So, I promptly went there tonight and found it inhabited by Fell Spirits and such like. I suspect that this will be the location for a group event as the mobs all seem high level. Like other areas in the test build, the terrain is unstable, and you can find yourself falling through what are supposed to be solid surfaces. Although there are roads marked on the map, trying to find them on the ground and follow them is somewhat harder. However, I suspect that this is meant to reflect the source text of The Hobbit in which the path through Mirkwood was often overgrown and difficult to track, hence the Dwarves got lost.
Levelling and Gear Progression in ESO
One of the most trying old adages associated with the MMORPG genre is “endgame is where the real game begins”, or some variation thereof. It’s a stupid dogma that is happily negates all that the player has done while levelling. It usually goes hand in hand with the mindset that the only worthwhile pursuit at level cap is raiding, but I digress. For many MMOs, it’s a real challenge to make the levelling experience feel tangible and relevant, so players don’t get the impression that their just treading water when it comes to gear and skill points. However, some games do manage to get this right. LOTRO has several sets of armour that you can acquire at early stages in the game that are worth holding onto for at least ten levels. The Armour of Fém is a good example. It can be obtained at level 42 in Aughaire and can last the player right into Moria, ten levels later, before it needs to be replaced. STO proactively negates this problems by allowing gear to be upgraded but again I digress. My point is, much of what we acquire and use as we progress through an MMO is transient, but if the developers have done their job properly, it doesn’t seem that way.
LOTRO: Bullroarer Update 22 Build #1
A beta version of the latest update for LOTRO is currently available on the Bullroarer test server this weekend. Update 22 (Build #1) or Strongholds of the North, features Northern Mirkwood or Eryn Lasgalen as it known since the fall of Sauron and the destruction of Dol Guldur, as well as the Dale-lands. The area includes such iconic locations as The Halls of the Elven King, Lake Town, Dale and Erebor. As this is an early build, players cannot continue the epic story The Black Book of Mordor. At present, the map for the zone is simply a placeholder and serves little navigational purpose. At times the player marker vanishes from the map entirely. However, as Bullroarer is a test server, players can collect a free stipend of Mithril Coins from the Eyes and Guard Tavern and thus use swift travel to all five new stable locations.
Shadow of War: Blade of Galadriel DLC
Warner Bros released a new story expansion for Middle-earth: Shadow of War on Tuesday as well as a patch that expands and “improves” the core game. Blade of Galadriel DLC, follows the adventures of Eltariel, an elite Elven warrior who is sent to Mordor to hunt the Nazgûl. As a playable character Eltariel wields dual blades and the uses the Light of Galadriel instead of a Ring of Power. There are also another eight unique Legendary Orcs added to main story campaign that can be recruited. The Nemesis System has been tweaked, introducing new traits and behaviours to Orc Captains. These include “Tunnel Rat” which lets Orcs burrow into the ground and summon Ghûls, and “Sniper Shot”, which causes archers to fire from great distances with pinpoint accuracy. “Tremor”, makes Ologs concussively hit the ground, staggering nearby foes and damaging structures. The “Gifts of Treasure” offers an alternate way to earn Gems and Mirian.
Game Complexity
While perusing You Tube, I watched the following video, boldly titled “The Top MMOs to Play This Year”. I found it to be quite informative and felt that the creator made their case well. However, one thing struck me about the five new MMOs that were referenced. All of these titles seem to be stepping away from the “business as usual” approach of the genre and pursuing an increase in complexity with respect to their game systems and mechanics. Now that’s not to say that existing MMORPGs are not complex. Some are, but I usually find that this is born out of skills or systems bloat and a games growth over time. On paper many of LOTROs mechanics are straightforward, but it is their implementation that is esoteric. This is not the same sort of complexity I saw referenced in the video. Many of these new MMOs will feature systems that need to be monitored, maintained or augmented by the player, because they have a direct impact upon the gameplay experience and the very environment of the virtual world they’ll inhabit.
Looking For a Bargain in ESO
My recent return to The Elder Scrolls Online has been an enjoyable experience. Like STO, it has taken three attempts for the game to chime with me but this time round, everything has fallen into place. I have managed to install just the right number of add-ons to enhance my experience. I’ve also discovered a class which suits my play style and am currently pursuing a specific build. The quest stories are well written and involving which means I don’t feel like I’m simply undertaking arbitrary tasks for XP. Overall ESO seems to be in a much better place than it was upon its launch in early 2014. Because my progress through the game is going well, I’m considering my options with regard to DLC. I bought the digital collector’s upgrade edition of the Morrowind expansion for £17.99 which is a competitive price. However, I’m interested in the Dark Brotherhood story line because I enjoyed it in Skyrim, so I’ve been trying to find a similar bargain.
Twitch.tv
Until recently I’ve been somewhat sceptical of Twitch. I’ve tried in the past to find both content and personalities that chime with me but have seldom had much success. Sadly, all too often I find the humour and general banter of some streamers to be not to my liking. Then there is the issue of channel monetisation. I appreciate that streaming is a business for some and that there is a requirement to attract subscribers and encourage donations, but I do feel that it’s not always approached in an appropriate fashion. Twitch and streaming culture is often aimed towards the younger viewer. Being of an older age group, the light and casual approach to presentation and interaction is not always to my taste. However, I have now managed to find some streamers who are more to my liking and have subsequently reviewed my opinion on the medium.
Guilds, Kinships and Fleets
I’ve been in the same LOTRO kinship (a.k.a. guild) since 2009. It’s relatively small in size, made up of a core group of about 20 players and their various alts. Everyone knows each other, and we all get along. There’s a broad spectrum of members from across the UK and Europe and the average age is about 35 plus. We’ve had some drama in the past from a few individuals, but they’ve either left or stopped playing. I don’t recollect there ever being an occasion when someone was. After ten years the kinship is at a point where it just ticks over without any major problems. There are events and activities for those who wish to participate, or if you prefer to simply potter about Middle-earth, then you’ll be left to do so. In the past we’ve had our own kinship website and forums, along with TeamSpeak server and other external support facilities. Bu all of these have fallen by the wayside as the Kinship has evolved. We now just focus on playing the game. Overall, the kinship is a friendly bunch and a good fit for my casual style of gameplay, which is why I’ve remained a member for nine years.
Star Trek Online: New Ships, Old Prices
Yesterday saw a lot of new content come to Star Trek Online. First off, we saw the start of the eighth anniversary event and the opportunity to earn a Bajoran Interceptor. There’s also a new featured episode; Scylla and Charybdis which further explores the Tzenkethi story line. And then there’s the release of the new Discovery lock box, which ties STO into the new Star Trek: Discovery television show. New lock boxes, means new ships. This time round there’s an opportunity to win a Tier 6 Crossfield-class Science Vanguard which boasts a formidable array of stats. Judging by the discussion on the official STO subreddit, the new vessel seems to have been very well received by the player community. The universal console, Mycelium Ambush, when activated temporarily disables ships weapons and transports the vessel forward. It then releases an energy pulse, impeding the engines of nearby enemy vessels while enhancing your own starship's weapons. After a few seconds, multiple torpedoes are launched, and your starship's weapons are disabled again in order to transport back to the original position.
Alik’r Desert Dolmen Farming
Back in 2014 when I was still regularly playing Guild Wars 2 a popular way to level up quickly, as well as grind various rewards, was to join the Queensdale Champion Train. The region was home to multiple Champion level bosses and groups would farm these for hours on end. On arriving in Queensdale, if you wished to join the “train” and farm the various bosses, it was customary to ask “choo choo” in zone chat. You’d then be informed where the “zerg” was and you could catch up with it accordingly. Such are the quaint and esoteric customs associated with the MMO genre. The Queensdale Champion Train eventually got nerfed by ArenaNet and the bosses downgraded, so that it ceased being a viable undertaking. The reason I mention this is because I recently discovered a very similar set up in The Elder Scrolls online. Namely Alik’r Desert Dolmen Farming.
Beta Testing Dauntless
Dauntless is a game based on reading the signs and reacting quickly. If you prefer to simply mash buttons then you’ll find yourself on a hiding to nothing. This co-operative fantasy-based RPG is set in a time when cataclysmic event has torn the world apart, releasing gigantic beasts that prey on the surviving humans. Players take on the role of Slayers who hunt these Behemoths, collecting loot that they use to craft and upgrade weapons. When hunting, the game plays as a third-person action game with players using a combo system to attack, while monitoring their own health and stamina gauge. Such hunts can take upwards of twenty minutes of in-game time to complete. The game can be played both as single player or co-operatively with up to four people. If your team works collaboratively, has the right gear and is au fait with reading the Behemoths body language, then Dauntless is an immensely enjoyable endeavour.
Video Games and Business Models
A recent roundtable podcast from Massively OP, along with a post over at MMO Bro, have both touched upon the thorny issue of business models for the MMO genre. Things have changed a great deal over the last two decades and we’ve come a long way from the days of the monthly subscription. Back then, purchasing a game and a subscription provided unfettered access to all content that was currently available. There were no cash shops, selling cosmetic items and convenience based items. You just paid, played and pursued your gaming. And because MMOs were a somewhat niche market pastime at this stage, this business model proved sufficient to sustain the market. However, improvements in graphics and processing power facilitated a new generation of MMOs, which coupled with the growth in home internet access, meant that the genre gained a wider popularity. However, gaining more customers and expanding your consumer base comes with its own set of problems and success can be a double edged sword.
Why Does the Games Industry Seem So Dysfunctional?
Write here...If you take a look at video game industry at present, it isn’t exactly enjoying universally good PR. 2017 saw numerous damaging revelations such as the “loot box” debacle, several high-profile studios going to the wall (and not just because of financial mismanagement), and more recently there have been serious allegations of bullying and sexual harassment within several high-profile studios. Despite being a “modern” industry it seems to have all the flaws of those that have existed for centuries with respect to abuses of power and financial skulduggery. This raises the question "why does this industry seem so dysfunctional?" Just because gaming is a multi-billion-dollar business we naturally assume that successful companies are efficiently run, by competent captains of industry as well as skilled and professional staff. It is therefore confusing when this illusion is shattered due to evidence to the contrary. This begs the question, why do these institutions so often have metaphorical feet of clay?
Indie Game: The Movie (2012)
Indie Game: The Movie is a genuinely fascinating documentary not only about the machinations video games industry but also the blood, sweat and tears that go into any creative process. It is a film that really does give you pause for thought and encourages you to reflect upon what you may want in life. It clearly shows the true cost and the star reality of any labour of love. It should be required viewing in schools and colleges for any wannabe who dreams of being on a reality shows and achieving a fast path to their perceived heart’s desire. Such is the impact of the documentary’s message.
World of Warcraft: Looking for Group (2014)
Despite having played a broad spectrum of games in my time, I've never really had much dealings with the Blizzard. Beyond owning Overwatch, a game I’ve long stopped playing and trying a free trial of both World of Warcraft and Hearthstone, I have little personal experience of their games. However, I am fully aware of their product range and their reputation within the gaming industry. Overwatch has taught me how well-conceived and polished their games can be. Blizzard may not be incredibly innovative, but they learn from others and produce titles with all the elements that work well. Sadly, I have no real affinity to their flagship MMORPG, as my point of entry with that genre was LOTRO. My interest in World of Warcraft mainly stems from a business perspective and the place it holds in gaming history. Overall my curiosity about the game, its community and culture is mainly academic. So, I finally got around to watching the documentary World of Warcraft: Looking for Group that showcased at Blizzcon in 2014 and was subsequently released on You Tube thereafter.
Keeping Busy in Star Trek Online
Unlike other MMOs, there are always plenty of events scheduled in the Star Trek Online. The game includes a handy calendar which provides information on what is planned for the months ahead. It’s a clever way to keep the players engaged and occupied and as a result, STO is the game that I tire with the least and dabble with most. Where other games will often end the year with a nebulous Producer’s letter which offers a road map hinting at what lies ahead over the next twelve months, STO just gets on with things. Q’s Winter Wonderland event is drawing to a close next Thursday, but already we have two new events that have launched today. The Arena of Sompek makes a welcome return with its five-man survival battle against endless waves of mobs. Then we have a Featured Episode Replay, offering an opportunity to repeat specific missions and receive rewards that have been previously retired, such Breen and Romulan Bridge Officers and Epic Ground devices such as The Shard of Possibilities and the Ophidian Cane.
LOTRO: Alternative Ways to Reach Level Cap
I managed to gain a level and a half in LOTRO today, bringing my primary alt to 108. It was a somewhat protracted task as many of the quests that I was undertaking were between level 102 and 105. Despite several attempts and a concerted effort to persevere, I have concluded that I don’t care for the Mordor expansion for LOTRO. Levelling up in that region is a chore, due to the difficulty and density of the mobs. So, I have decided to work my way towards the current level cap elsewhere in the game and then return to the region to clear the Epic Story. I may, or may not work through the regional quest hubs, depending on my attitude towards the game at that point. I will make do with any gear that drops via the Epic Story and will not concern myself with the current endgame content and rewards. By the time I’ve worked through my plan, they’ll be a new update on the horizon with new gear anyway.
Regulating the Gaming Industry
2017 was the year that microtransactions, loot boxes and other egregious business models common to gaming finally came to the attention of the mainstream. The debacle that surrounded the launch of Star Wars: Battlefront II finally dragged this matter into the limelight and subsequently put in on the radar of various global, legislative and regulatory bodies. The genie is now well and truly out of the bottle and it’s now a question of waiting to see what happens next. I suspect that the EU may likely be one of the first regions to tackle the issue and that it may well be the mobile game industry that is first to fall upon its sword. If there’s a change in government in the UK, then there is scope for matter to be tackled here. There is already a strong lobby against current gambling legislation and it doesn’t take much of an imagination to envisage a tabloid led campaign against the iniquities of smartphone game addiction and it’s pay-to-win culture. Then there’s the issue of virtual items resold for real money via auction websites and the question of whether loot boxes are or are not gambling. Apples recent statement about games publicly declaring the odds of winning in advance, shows that the world is indeed slowly turning against this business model.