Gold!
I shall be using the term “Gold” in this post for two reasons. First off, it’s a catch-all, generic phrase that encompasses the primary currency used in most MMOs (irrespective of whether it really is called gold or not). Secondly, it means I can gratuitously crow bar Spandau Ballet references into the proceedings if I see fit. Moving on, I currently have four traditional MMOs installed on my PC, all of which have a main currency that is earned through completing quests and the vendoring of loot. Some of these games make the acquisition of gold relatively easy and others do not. Furthermore, like real life, there are rich and poor players in any MMO and usually for the same reasons. IE Investment of time, at which point you enter the economy, fiscal prudence and the old adage of money going to money. Once you’ve accumulated wealth in an MMO it’s a lot easier to maintain the flow of revenue.
I shall be using the term “Gold” in this post for two reasons. First off, it’s a catch-all, generic phrase that encompasses the primary currency used in most MMOs (irrespective of whether it really is called gold or not). Secondly, it means I can gratuitously crow bar Spandau Ballet references into the proceedings if I see fit. Moving on, I currently have four traditional MMOs installed on my PC, all of which have a main currency that is earned through completing quests and the vendoring of loot. Some of these games make the acquisition of gold relatively easy and others do not. Furthermore, like real life, there are rich and poor players in any MMO and usually for the same reasons. IE Investment of time, at which point you enter the economy, fiscal prudence and the old adage of money going to money. Once you’ve accumulated wealth in an MMO it’s a lot easier to maintain the flow of revenue.
Back in 2008 when I started playing LOTRO, earning gold was a relatively slow but balanced process. Progressing through the game, collecting quest rewards and selling your loot brought in a slow but steady stream of revenue. Occasionally obtaining a rare drop would help increase your personal wealth, once it was sold via the auction house. Furthermore, crafting gear and selling it on could prove lucrative. Then there was playing the in-game economy. One such example would involve buying health potions cheap during the middle of the week only to sell them late on Friday or Saturday evening, when players were busy raiding and demand was high. I’m sure broadly similar scenarios are applicable to other MMOs. However, these processes are not always sustainable because game economies evolve, and dedicated players end up accumulating immense in-game wealth. All of which have a knock-on effect.
In STO, the ability to earn energy credits, the games equivalent of gold, has diminished over time. Vendoring the content of your bags after running several Red Alerts (group instances), does not yield much these days. Yet because the game has a core player base that have maintained multiple alts over the last eight years, there is a lot of concentrated wealth among high achievement players. Many lockbox items are not bound and so desirable items such as ships, weapons and traits are sold at massively inflated prices on the exchange (auction house). If a new player wants a rare Tier 6 vessel they will be looking at a price of 200 to 300 million energy credits. To raise such capital would take a strategy of logging in daily on multiple alts, to run specific events. It may possibly take a year to earn such a sum. Again, you’ll find similar situations in other MMOs. It’s also the reason why gold sellers are still a thing. One year versus a few hours waiting for “Tommy” to drop off your cash.
Interestingly, I did not have any issues earning gold in ESO. I recently created a new character and spent about a month progressing to level cap. During that time, I was able to generate over 150,000 gold which is a tidy sum. It will not kit a player out in legendary quality gear, but it will cover the cost of buying equipment from the next tier down and make them ready to start grinding better gear from the endgame. Although I haven’t played Guild Wars 2 for a while, gold was not in short supply in that game, mainly due to the fact that you could buy a specific in-game currency, gems, with real world money and then convert it back into gold. Obviously, such a system does discriminate against players who don’t wish to or can’t afford to spend real money, but the exchange rate is not especially egregious. Other MMOs have a similar system that let’s player effectively buy gold legitimately. Although some would argue it cures one problem and creates another.
My last point is based more upon a hunch and a feeling, rather than something I can tangibly measure; therefore, I won’t frame it as a fact. When I started playing MMOs a decade or more ago, having a lot of gold was a demonstrable benefit. It was often (not always) a key to getting something that you needed to improve your build or something that aided your gameplay. Nowadays, the in-game store seems to be of more importance and in-game gold is not the currency you need to worry about. The role of gold seems to have diminished because its function cannot easily be monetised in an ageing game economy. Hence the focus on convenience items that can be bought for real money via purchasable currencies. Turns out that maybe gold isn’t necessarily “indestructible” and we shouldn’t “always believe in” it, now we have “the power to know”. Cue Steve Norman saxophone break and accompanying bongos.
The Power of Nostalgia
Due to blog posts by Wilhelm Arcturus and Bhagpuss, I discovered that the MMORPG EverQuest has recently reached its nineteenth anniversary. That’s quite a prodigious feat, all things considered, that a genre title can endure so long. Especially when other similar titles have gone to the wall after far shorter life cycles. The games current owner, Daybreak Game Company have just launched a new progression server, proving that EverQuest is still making money and thus is worth investing in. Beyond this, I can’t comment any further specifically about this game as it’s a one I’ve never played in the past and its highly unlikely that I ever will. What I want from a game and what this one has to offer are two very different things. However, a story such as this will often instigate a debate regarding the key to a video games longevity. One of the most common explanations is nostalgia and many gamers urge to try and recapture the halcyons days of a much beloved, prior experience.
Due to blog posts by Wilhelm Arcturus and Bhagpuss, I discovered that the MMORPG EverQuest has recently reached its nineteenth anniversary. That’s quite a prodigious feat, all things considered, that a genre title can endure so long. Especially when other similar titles have gone to the wall after far shorter life cycles. The games current owner, Daybreak Game Company have just launched a new progression server, proving that EverQuest is still making money and thus is worth investing in. Beyond this, I can’t comment any further specifically about this game as it’s a one I’ve never played in the past and its highly unlikely that I ever will. What I want from a game and what this one has to offer are two very different things. However, a story such as this will often instigate a debate regarding the key to a video games longevity. One of the most common explanations is nostalgia and many gamers urge to try and recapture the halcyons days of a much beloved, prior experience.
Nostalgia is a double-edged sword and it often polarises opinion. In certain quarters it is pooh-poohed and even sneered at but from a business and marketing standpoint, it should not be underestimated. Take the NES and SNES Classic Mini consoles for example. Their merit and viability were questioned by some game pundits, yet they went to sell like hot cakes, proving that people like updated version of stuff they use to have. The thing is nostalgia is far more than just revisiting something from your past. It’s a far more emotional experience. It’s about reconnecting with a trusted product. It’s about the comfort of familiarity and the feeling of being in control with something you know inside out. It isn’t a threat, it doesn’t flummox you by asking you to learn new things and you don’t have to take a gamble on the end results. This is the appeal of the old console or an ageing MMO such as EverQuest. They’re both the gaming equivalent of a comfortable old pair of slippers.
Two other things have crossed my mind of late that are tangentially relevant to this discussion. The first is my Dad at 88, still watching old episodes of Quincy M.E. on TV. I was surprised to find that this show that ran from 1976 to 1983 has been digitally remastered and reframed from 4:3 to 16:9; all of which are an expensive undertaking. Yet some bean counter somewhere obviously did a cost analysis and determined that the price of retrofitting an old show such as this to modern broadcasting standards, was a worthwhile investment when offset against global back catalogue sales. The second point is the buzz around the MMO Project: Gorgon that has just launched on Steam early access. Having watched numerous videos about this titles merits, it is clear that it is aiming to tap into older gamers sense of nostalgia and fill a gap in the market. Judging by my twitter timeline and the chattering of my peers it looks like its working. Hence, once again we must conclude that nostalgia is a powerful force and that it should be underestimated.
The Importance of Bots
The inclusion of AI bots in any multiplayer game is always an added bonus. Playing against bots is a great way of learning the basics of a game and practising your strategy. It also provides a welcome break from the human element of any game, which can become wearisome at times. It’s also a good insurance policy for the future, when a games popularity may have waned and finding an online game may prove difficult. Therefore, I am pleased to see this facility present in titles such as Call of Duty: Black Ops franchise, Overwatch, For Honor, and Friday the 13th: The Game. Bots are also present within the MMO genre. For example, these include your skirmish soldier in LOTRO or your away team in STO. When I played SWTOR I found that some companions were invaluable due to their role as a healer. And let us not forget combat pets. They may well be fluffy and cute or have large pointy teeth, but they’re bots no less.
The inclusion of AI bots in any multiplayer game is always an added bonus. Playing against bots is a great way of learning the basics of a game and practising your strategy. It also provides a welcome break from the human element of any game, which can become wearisome at times. It’s also a good insurance policy for the future, when a games popularity may have waned and finding an online game may prove difficult. Therefore, I am pleased to see this facility present in titles such as Call of Duty: Black Ops franchise, Overwatch, For Honor, and Friday the 13th: The Game. Bots are also present within the MMO genre. For example, these include your skirmish soldier in LOTRO or your away team in STO. When I played SWTOR I found that some companions were invaluable due to their role as a healer. And let us not forget combat pets. They may well be fluffy and cute or have large pointy teeth, but they’re bots no less.
As an advocate of bots, I would like to see them present in a lot more games. One of the main reasons for this, is that I see them as a solution to player toxicity. At least half of all the games I experience in Friday the 13th: The Game are unsatisfactory due to my fellow players fooling around, trolling or simply trying to pursue their own agenda. I stopped playing Overwatch because too many players have become self-appointed arbiters of how to do things “correctly”. And I ceased playing For Honor online due to the proliferation of “lag switch” cheating. Bots resolve all these issues and conspicuously lack a propensity for continuous garrulous inanities. Obviously, if you are a top tier player you may find bots an unsatisfactory opponent. Plus, there’s little fun to be had crowing or taunting a defeated AI opponent. But for the average player, bots can offer an entertaining and enjoyable experience free from stupidity and annoyance.
I would also like to see a greater presence of bots in the MMO genre. Often due to the culture of racing to level cap, if you’re absent from a game for a while, you’ll find yourself in a level appropriate region devoid of other players. If you’re part of a big enough and helpful guild, you’ll may find others to help you through instances and dungeons. But that isn’t always the case and personally, I don’t want to have to be dependent on the good will of other players. I would like to have access to multiple AI companions from different classes that would allow me to tackle what is usually group content. Now some players would consider this an anathema, stating that it mitigates the point of an MMO. However, the Achilles Heel of the genre is the very inter-dependency upon other players. Irrespective of ideological arguments, from a business perspective it is not wise to inconvenience your player base. If I cannot progress, then I will go find something else to do.
I believe that bots may well become more common place in gaming because they ultimately fit into the “live services” mindset that is currently on the rise within the industry. Bots offer convenience and convenience is a marketable commodity. Unlocking a bot healer, DPS class or tank that would allow me to clear content in MMOs that I currently cannot currently do or more to the point, clear more quickly, is something I would pay for. AI technology is also something that is constantly improving, so may be existing prejudice against it will diminish over time. Certainly, the inclusion of AI bots in a game increases its longevity and that therefore impacts positively upon its financial lifecycle. And if we’ve learned anything from the games industry in recent years is that fiscal imperatives drive the market. So, don’t be surprised if the next big thing is the proliferation of bots. I for one will welcome it.
LOTRO: Out of the Frying Pan, Into the Fire
Considering that the Mordor expansion for LOTRO was released on August 2nd last year, I’ve made precious little progress. I don’t like the zone for reasons I’ve mentioned in a previous blog post, yet I now find myself in a position where I need to clear through its content, so I can move on to the new regions that have become available with Update 22 – Legacy of the Necromancer. So, I decided to see if I could just get away with just completing the central Epic Story and ignoring the secondary quest lines. However, I have once again ground to a halt due to what I consider to be excessive grind. Having entered the fortress of Durthang, I found that rather than offer any sort of meaningful tactical challenge, I was instead just confronted with a series of rooms which are all densely packed with mobs. Furthermore, as the Mordor is effectively a gear check due to the additional ten levels that Standing Stone Games have added to the MMO, all mobs in Mordor have been arbitrarily adjusted. As a result, they are demonstrably harder to kill than those in the Dagorlad Waste or North Ithilien.
Considering that the Mordor expansion for LOTRO was released on August 2nd last year, I’ve made precious little progress. I don’t like the zone for reasons I’ve mentioned in a previous blog post, yet I now find myself in a position where I need to clear through its content, so I can move on to the new regions that have become available with Update 22 – Legacy of the Necromancer. So, I decided to see if I could just get away with just completing the central Epic Story and ignoring the secondary quest lines. However, I have once again ground to a halt due to what I consider to be excessive grind. Having entered the fortress of Durthang, I found that rather than offer any sort of meaningful tactical challenge, I was instead just confronted with a series of rooms which are all densely packed with mobs. Furthermore, as the Mordor is effectively a gear check due to the additional ten levels that Standing Stone Games have added to the MMO, all mobs in Mordor have been arbitrarily adjusted. As a result, they are demonstrably harder to kill than those in the Dagorlad Waste or North Ithilien.
Gear checks and difficulty adjustments are frequently necessary in the MMO genre and I have no problem in principle as to what SSG have done with Mordor. You can justify making the region more difficult just on lore alone. However, the developers have not upped the ante through a new mechanic or by grouping particular types of mobs together to offer a tactical challenge. It would appear that enemies have simply had their moral and defensive attributes “turned up”. The net result is that combat isn’t any more taxing in so far as planning and skill. It just takes longer to burn down an enemy. Therein lies the rub. All players have different tolerance levels and degrees of patience when it comes to combat, as it is such a fundamental aspect of the MMO genre. There is a fine and subjective line between what is challenging and what is tedious. Combat in Mordor doesn’t require a new strategy, it just requires time. A lot of time. And as regular readers know, I tend to view my gaming through the prism of an equation. Time and effort plus sundry other variables offset against the expected results. In a nutshell, Mordor is taking too long and thus negating any enjoyment.
I wrote a post about alternative ways of levelling recently but ultimately it solves one problem only to cause another. It is possible to hit the new level cap outside of Mordor, however such a strategy will leave you without any suitable new gear. I received a new pair of Gloves as a quest reward and although they are only uncommon quality, they have an 100% increase in armour value to those I had equipped. The stats are not to be sneezed at either. What this demonstrates is that SSG expect players to progress through Mordor to acquire more robust gear. If you then play through the endgame content, you’ll receive top tier items to further improve your build. Furthermore, Dale, Erebor and the other new areas in Update 22 are of a comparable difficulty to Mordor. Hence if you go directly to the new region without acquiring any new Mordor related gear, you’ll have seriously gimped yourself. Thus, it presents players struggling to catch up with an interesting dilemma. Do you gird your loins and “endure” the grind of Mordor, or go to new zone and slog through quests there in an underpowered state? It does seem a case of “out of the frying pan, into the fire”. However, there is also a third option. Go play something else, which is what I shall do while I considering a solution to this current problem.
Has World of Warcraft's Success Been Detrimental to the MMO Genre?
With the release of Battle of Azeroth due this autumn, I’ve been reflecting upon that MMO heavyweight World of Warcraft. I am not an active player of player of the game but have an interest based more upon its industry standing. I’ve tried World of Warcraft in the past and endeavoured to cultivate an interest in it for the sake of friends and colleagues, but the reality is that I’ve simply never warmed to this particular MMORPG. I don’t especially care for the games aesthetic, have no real interest in its lore or pop culture references and there are plenty of alternative MMOs that are far more appealing to me. So, let me state clearly, that I have no major prejudice against the game; it is just a question of personal taste. The same way I like horror movies, but I don't care for those that have an excess of humour or are dependent upon jump scares. I also fully recognise why World of Warcraft is such a successful MMORPG and appreciate its numerous merit, as well as the impact it has had upon shaping the MMO genre. The game is just not for me and I am content with that.
With the release of Battle of Azeroth due this autumn, I’ve been reflecting upon that MMO heavyweight World of Warcraft. I am not an active player of player of the game but have an interest based more upon its industry standing. I’ve tried World of Warcraft in the past and endeavoured to cultivate an interest in it for the sake of friends and colleagues, but the reality is that I’ve simply never warmed to this particular MMORPG. I don’t especially care for the games aesthetic, have no real interest in its lore or pop culture references and there are plenty of alternative MMOs that are far more appealing to me. So, let me state clearly, that I have no major prejudice against the game; it is just a question of personal taste. The same way I like horror movies, but I don't care for those that have an excess of humour or are dependent upon jump scares. I also fully recognise why World of Warcraft is such a successful MMORPG and appreciate its numerous merit, as well as the impact it has had upon shaping the MMO genre. The game is just not for me and I am content with that.
During the course of researching this blog post, I’ve found many forum and subreddit threads that expressed the view that World of Warcraft has effectively ruined MMO gaming. It’s a common point of discussion. Most of these posts credit the game with the refinement and simplification of many traditional game mechanics which thereby brought MMO genre to a wider audience. However, this is countered with the assertion that the by-product of this process has been the erosion of the social imperative that was at the heart of the genre at the time. This particular point if often explored in detail with clear examples of MMO rulesets prior to World of Warcraft, offset against what are the prevailing current trends. When framed in such terms I think the argument has merit. However, I would ask readers to consider the following. Although World of Warcraft may have been instrumental in setting a trend that deviated from the existing status quo, it doesn't necessarily mean that the established status quo was right or perfect.
My first MMO was The Lord of the Rings Online and I quickly grasped the necessity of social gaming back in 2008 to get ahead. I didn't especially mind this collaborative element, but it is fair to say that there was no choice regarding it. If you balked at team play you got nowhere fast. That was the rule of thumb for most MMOs up until then. So, I tolerated it rather than embraced it. In fact, this very aspect that enthused some players kept others away. Although I can get on with other players and work collaboratively with them, it is seldom done through love of my fellow man. It is simply a means to an end. That may not be a popular sentiment, but it’s is an accurate appraisal of my feeling. I thinks it's fair to say I am not by nature a care bear. However, it should be noted that when I discovered the genre, it had already moved on substantially from the days of EverQuest and Ultima Online. Both of which had far tougher game mechanics and systems. Personally, I am glad that I missed this period of time because, I wouldn’t have found such spartan rulesets to my liking.
Therefore, the tectonic shift in the genre that World of Warcraft pioneered certainly hasn’t inconvenienced players such as me. When I initially played LOTRO I didn't mind the social aspect and was happy to talk in chat and be amiable, as well as actively participate in a guild (or kinship as it is known in that game). However, back in 2008 the social element of the game was waning and by 2010, it was further altered when the game was retooled for the free-to-play market, amking it far more solo friendly. Nowadays I approach most of my MMOs from the position of a single player working towards personal goals. That is what drives me. Although I will group and still hang out with old friends and guild mates, I am not primarily looking for a broader social experience. However, some people still are, and they are the ones who feel displaced by the changes to the genre and possibly the most aggrieved. I understand and respect that, because it is our point of entry with any new leisure activity that usually shapes our experience, expectations and subsequent preferences. Change highlights this. I miss the days of discussing at work the previous nights television programs. I miss writing and receiving letters. But the most human activities are subject to change and progression. Furthermore, we mustn't forget that gaming is a business and ultimately goes wherever the money leads.
What I do believe is true is that the success of World of Warcraft has hindered innovation in the MMORPG genre per se. Too many developers in recent years have wasted precious time simply trying to emulate its formula. Sadly, this has all too often resulted in weak and uninspiring clones. As a result, MMOs in their traditional sense have lost their lustre and many developers are shying away from them. We still do not have a title that has fully broken from the standard mechanics of the genre, although I think Guild Wars 2 and The Elder Scrolls Online have been a step in the right direction. Yet it is this indecision surrounding the future of established MMO, that has led to the tangential rise of MMO variants such as the MOBA and Battle Royale genre. Destiny 2, GTA Online, Overwatch and the like have all thrived by combining the elements of the MMO with other types of games. It would appear that developers think that adding a co-op element to most genres of games is where the future lies, so we shall see more hybrid titles in the months ahead. Sadly, this just highlights the feeling of being disenfranchised by those longing for the old school MMO days.
Pretty much everything in life is about change. Although many gamers would like to see a return to old school MMOS, the casual market is bigger and more lucrative. It really is a numbers game, yet gamers are often blind to the practicality of economics. Perhaps one of the numerous crowd funded projects that are currently under development will provide a solution, although their track record has been somewhat poor of late. Perhaps this particular group of old school gamers needs can be met by a small to medium sized project, which is happy to pitch at a smaller niche market. Then of course there is the emerging trend for vanilla MMO servers, that offer a gameplay experience closer to that of the respective original launch. Rift Prime seems to have met with success and Blizzard clearly think there’s money to be had in World of Warcraft Classic. Will projects such as this satisfy those on the MMO margins? In the meantime, World of Warcraft marches on and although it has lost customers, the next expansion will more than likely bring many absentee players back into the fold.
Although World of Warcraft has caused much change, I do not think that it is the ruination of the MMO genre that some would claim. That can be laid at the door of various developers, who abandoned experimentation and became risk averse. Money may well talk but it also drowns out potential change and innovation. World of Warcraft is ultimately a symptom and not the actual root cause. Then of course there is the old adage that one man’s meat is another man’s poison. For every person who feels that World of Warcraft is the Doctor Beeching of the MMORPG, there are equally those who feel that the game fixed the problems associated with genre. Then of course while you are waiting for a shift in the industry, you can always implement your own. Many people will play MMOs with their own personal ironman rule sets. It is also important to consider that if World of Warcraft hadn’t broken the mould, surely someone else would have? “Convenient” coffee is not the exclusive prerogative of Starbucks. The traditional MMO that emerged from the nineties was the product of a perfect storm of events. Technology and the inherent novelty of the internet certainly had a bearing on the way the genre evolved. But that does not mean that what existed at the time was the optimum or best model. Therefore, considering all these points I suspect that this debate will never truly go away. Nostalgia and sadly recrimination are strong motivators. In the meantime, the market will more than likely allow for both groups to co-exist. Unfortunately for some that is not the desired outcome, as they see things as an ideological issue and a subset of a wider culture war. MMOs are not mere games but a hobby. I’m sure Simon Quinlank would have something to say about that.
Lifeless Planet
When I first saw the trailer for Lifeless Planet, I found its initial premise very intriguing. It put me in mind of seventies science fiction movies, especially the idea of travelling to a distant planet only to find evidence of human culture. Its minimalist approach also seemed a positive factor, as I tire of games with an excess of controls. So, I placed the title on my wishlist and waited for a suitable sale. It appeared recently as part of a bundle, so I ended up buying it for £4.12 which is ridiculously cheap. Now many of the reviews that I have read seem to be upset by the lack of game play within Lifeless Planet. It is fair to say that navigating the world and solving the puzzles certainly does take second place to the narrative. In fact, it may be better to classify Lifeless Planet as an interactive story. However, I am more than happy with this approach and do not feel that every title should be an arduous struggle of skill and twitch gaming. Things do get a little more taxing as you progress through the levels and advance through the story.
When I first saw the trailer for Lifeless Planet, I found its initial premise very intriguing. It put me in mind of seventies science fiction movies, especially the idea of travelling to a distant planet only to find evidence of human culture. Its minimalist approach also seemed a positive factor, as I tire of games with an excess of controls. So, I placed the title on my wishlist and waited for a suitable sale. It appeared recently as part of a bundle, so I ended up buying it for £4.12 which is ridiculously cheap. Now many of the reviews that I have read seem to be upset by the lack of game play within Lifeless Planet. It is fair to say that navigating the world and solving the puzzles certainly does take second place to the narrative. In fact, it may be better to classify Lifeless Planet as an interactive story. However, I am more than happy with this approach and do not feel that every title should be an arduous struggle of skill and twitch gaming. Things do get a little more taxing as you progress through the levels and advance through the story.
The game follows an Astrobiologist on a trip to a remote planet that is supposed to be rich with life. After a fifteen-year journey the ship unexpectedly crashes on the planet surface. Our protagonist awakes to find his crew missing and the new world a wasteland. As he journeys through the wilderness he finds traces of a Soviet Colony that appears to have been deserted decades ago. Is it all part of some sort of psychological test or has he sustained a head injury? Furthermore, is he alone on the planet or is the elusive female he keeps glimpsing, more than just a hallucination?
Beyond running, jumping and navigating environmental hazards, Lifeless Planet asks very little from the player. Occasionally there are puzzles to solve but they are far from taxing. Obstructions mean that explosives are often nearby. Power cores for the alien generators are never too hard to find. Jumping in the low gravity requires some judgement but is quickly learned. From time to time your jet pack gets a minor boost but it is somewhat perfunctory. As is using the robot arm, which turns up midway through the game. The controls can be a little sluggish at times but rather than this be a deal breaker, I just consider it part of the ambience. Your avatar is after all wearing a cumbersome space suit.
The main selling point of this game is the story, ambience, soundtrack and vistas. Lifeless Planet is more interested in playing with your emotions than taxing your gaming skills. There is no combat, dismemberment or overpowered melee skills. Just a atmospheric tale that slowly builds the intrigue over time. The minimalist dialogue, mainly from flash backs and computer log entries are strangely melancholic. The game's use of music is sparing and often arrives to bolster the drama. However, it does not telegraph or mitigate the plot. The environment itself is also a major character. Although the right path is often easy to find, players are constantly drawn away by an urge to explore.
Lifeless Planet provides five or so hours of entertainment if you take a leisurely approach. The story is enjoyable and despite having a somewhat obvious message, it is earnest and relevant. This is a game to be experienced, rather than franticly "played" through. It oozes atmosphere and is satisfactorily different from standard indie fodder. If you are only interested in the traditional definition of a game, then it may well not be for you. For those that like the science fiction genre and strong narratives that make you think, then Lifeless Planet may well prove to be a very entertaining experience.
Mortal Kombat - Finish Him!
I have fond memories of the original Mortal Kombat game. Upon its release for consoles in 1992, I promptly purchased the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive version, as this version featured all the fatality moves in their full and uncensored glory (The SNES version did not). I spent hours trying to learn the various key combinations to unlock the death blows. Often whenever the game uttered the phrase "Finish him" I would descend into a panic driven frenzy of random button mashing, in the pious hope that I would unleash the torrent of extreme violence that the game was so vilified for. Sadly, even at such a young age my reactions were still lousy, and my “technique” seldom worked. On the few occasions that it did it was a major cause of celebration. Bearing all this in mind, I recently I acquired Mortal Kombat XL for PC from a discount internet key seller. At the time of writing this post, you can pick up this version of the game for as little as £10.53 which is very cheap. Furthermore, this version includes all the DLC bonus characters for the game such as Jason Voorhees, Leatherface, the Alien Xenomorph and the Predator.
I have fond memories of the original Mortal Kombat game. Upon its release for consoles in 1992, I promptly purchased the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive version, as this version featured all the fatality moves in their full and uncensored glory (The SNES version did not). I spent hours trying to learn the various key combinations to unlock the death blows. Often whenever the game uttered the phrase "Finish him" I would descend into a panic driven frenzy of random button mashing, in the pious hope that I would unleash the torrent of extreme violence that the game was so vilified for. Sadly, even at such a young age my reactions were still lousy, and my “technique” seldom worked. On the few occasions that it did it was a major cause of celebration. Bearing all this in mind, I recently I acquired Mortal Kombat XL for PC from a discount internet key seller. At the time of writing this post, you can pick up this version of the game for as little as £10.53 which is very cheap. Furthermore, this version includes all the DLC bonus characters for the game such as Jason Voorhees, Leatherface, the Alien Xenomorph and the Predator.
So, after twenty-six years has anything really changed with regard to Mortal Kombat as a franchise? Overall no. Apart from the obvious graphical improvements that technology brings, this is still very much an in your face, über violent and proudly exploitative fighting game. Bad guys and heroes alike spout faux Sun Tzu wisdom, sport generic "bad ass names" and have incomprehensible back stories. No one ever gets the least bit phased when encountering the supernatural or particularly worries when a fellow contestant dies horribly in a tournament. All female characters still have outsized chests, although they've gotten over their pathological loathing of sports bras in this instalment of the game. The crass giggle physics have been dialled back as well. Yet because Mortal Kombat is such an utter caricature of so many pop culture tropes, it is somewhat hard to take umbrage with it. The game is what it is and lacks any pretentions. If you want to play competitively, then you can pit your wits and more importantly reflexes, against other players online. If like me, your twitch gaming days are behind you, then you can fool about in the “shallow end” and simply spar against bots with the difficulty set low.
Furthermore, not only has Mortal Kombat remained consistent over the years, but so has my lack of skill and manual dexterity. I still struggle with executing the kill moves and my failure has become even more pronounced. Earlier today, fuelled with a nostalgic sense of bloodlust and a bottle of indifferent Merlot, I spent several hours working my way through Tournament mode in Mortal Kombat XL. My frantic contortions sadly ended in disaster. After desperately button mashing my way through a fight with Scorpion, I finally bested him. Yet as soon as the game announced, “Finish Him”, my mind went completely blank as to the what was the key combination of my special kill. As frustration and panic kicked in, I rose from my chair and started randomly pressing controller buttons with great vigour, while uttering old Anglo-Saxon colloquialisms. It did not end well. The net result was a knocked over a glass of wine, a ripped a T-shirt and unplugged Xbox controller. I found myself on the floor, confused, bruised and feeling very old. Walter was also unseated (he's the Panda) and the only fatality that ensued was to my dignity. Be warned people. Mortal Kombat can be as equally dangerous to the player as it can be to the in-game characters.
Do Other People Spoil Multiplayer Games?
Despite its numerous flaws, I really like Friday the 13th: The Game. I enjoy the basic premise and have a great deal of love for the intellectual property. Sadly, like so many multiplayer games of this nature, its Achilles Heel is its player base. Every 20-minute round in Friday the 13th: The Game is a total lottery. Trouble often starts while waiting in the lobby for 8 people to join the game. By default, those with gaming headsets and mics are automatically “live”. Hence the garrulous inanities, trolling and abuse starts almost immediately. Thus, the first thing you have to do to make matters tolerable is to mute all those present. Once the game begins, again it’s a gamble as to whether anyone is interested in working collaboratively and actually achieving any of the in-game goals. If more than one player spawns near a building, it becomes a race to see who can plunder potential resources first. Use of the four-man vehicle can also be a bone of contention. It is not unusual to see one player abandon those that have contributed to repairing the car and just make off with it. Some players will subsequently runover their comrades just to steal their loot.
Despite its numerous flaws, I really like Friday the 13th: The Game. I enjoy the basic premise and have a great deal of love for the intellectual property. Sadly, like so many multiplayer games of this nature, its Achilles Heel is its player base. Every 20-minute round in Friday the 13th: The Game is a total lottery. Trouble often starts while waiting in the lobby for 8 people to join the game. By default, those with gaming headsets and mics are automatically “live”. Hence the garrulous inanities, trolling and abuse starts almost immediately. Thus, the first thing you have to do to make matters tolerable is to mute all those present. Once the game begins, again it’s a gamble as to whether anyone is interested in working collaboratively and actually achieving any of the in-game goals. If more than one player spawns near a building, it becomes a race to see who can plunder potential resources first. Use of the four-man vehicle can also be a bone of contention. It is not unusual to see one player abandon those that have contributed to repairing the car and just make off with it. Some players will subsequently runover their comrades just to steal their loot.
None of this is unique to just Friday the 13th: The Game. This sort of behaviour has existed for years in the FPS genre and is also common place in games such as PUBG and Overwatch. However, what concerns me is that this appears to be a growing problem. It’s a blight that spreads from game to game, forum to forum. It’s no longer something that can just be written off as a vocal minority who revel in the anonymity of the internet. Large swathes of gamers are happy to behave poorly when online so perhaps it is time to consider that “being nice” is not a universally held default position. If the politics of western society has taught us anything in recent years, it’s that the prevailing social conventions that exist are not unanimously upheld or believed in. The present backlash against the mainstream has shown that many do not want to be constrained by the status quo in other areas of their life. Emboldened and free from the “shackles” of last centuries manners, anger and distain have bled through into the mainstream. If politics, public debate and social etiquette are giving way to the lowest common denominator, why should gaming be any different?
The problem with gaming toxicity is that its seldom addressed, due to its associated cost. To effectively identify and investigate problem players in any genre of game, requires a human agency. It is time consuming and expensive. If it was something that could be administered efficiently via algorithms or cheap outsourced labour, then it would more than likely be done. It would possibly even be used as a selling point. However, at present we are just left with a problem that no one wishes to address. As a result, we have a choice to either cultivate a thick skin and endure trolls and abhorrent behaviour or rely upon what tools we have to circumnavigate such issues. Hence muting all other players by default and such like. However, rather than resolve the issue, it just normalises such behaviour. It’s a classic example of treat the symptoms, not the cause. It also fosters an attitude of distrust of others, which is paradoxical when many co-op games are dependent on other players to fulfil their remit. Furthermore, continuously encountering and enduring unpleasant players slowly leeches the enjoyment out of any game.
Unfortunately, I cannot end this post on a positive note or with a proposed solution. This problem is part of a wider change that has taken part within society. Some believe removing internet anonymity is the solution, but I think that may be a classic example of a knee-jerk solution and throwing the baby out with the bath water. Reducing rights and freedoms should always be a last resort, done under the auspices of the wise with numerous checks and balances. Sadly, the wise are ever growing minority in most western governments. Another “workaround” is to migrate to different genres of games. MMOs still have pockets of civilised players and have a reputation for cordial community relationships. But why should I have to limit myself to specific types of games, just to avoid malcontents and troublemakers? Or is there a kernel of truth in such advice.
My next point is purely a case of thinking out loud, but is there a relationship between toxicity and the kind of games that you gravitate to? I’ve heard cogent arguments that certain personality types thrive in certain professions. The morally unscrupulous and those lacking in empathy apparently do well in highly competitive business environments and the financial sector. Can the same be said about gaming? Are certain genres which revolve around competition, league tables and bragging rights effectively magnets for the emotionally maladjusted? It’s food for thought. Whatever the reasons, I do wonder if in the future, whether some games will eventually collapse under the weight of their own problem player base? Multiplayer games are dependent on social variation. A game filled exclusively with trolls does not strike me as a recipe for growth or financial success.
Player Created Content
Seven years ago, Cryptic Studios released the Foundry toolset for players of Star Trek Online. The software is used to create custom missions, which are then submitted to a database for the community to review. Needless to say, over the years hundreds of new bespoke missions have been created. Despite concerns, the overall quality of content has been very high. Popular and notable creations are now showcased by Cryptic. A sensible ruleset has ensured that poor quality, lore-breaking or exploitative material is filtered out or prevented. Broadly this this works and works well, adding a great deal of new content to the game and effectively extending the life cycle of the MMO. The Foundry system can also be found in Cryptic’ other MMO, Neverwinter, where it has met with similar success.
Seven years ago, Cryptic Studios released the Foundry toolset for players of Star Trek Online. The software is used to create custom missions, which are then submitted to a database for the community to review. Needless to say, over the years hundreds of new bespoke missions have been created. Despite concerns, the overall quality of content has been very high. Popular and notable creations are now showcased by Cryptic. A sensible ruleset has ensured that poor quality, lore-breaking or exploitative material is filtered out or prevented. Broadly this this works and works well, adding a great deal of new content to the game and effectively extending the life cycle of the MMO. The Foundry system can also be found in Cryptic’ other MMO, Neverwinter, where it has met with similar success.
This is not a new idea and many games in the past have had the capacity for players to edit and create material themselves. Some of the best content for Unreal Tournament was created by its fans. Superhero MMO City of Heroes had a comparable editor called the Mission Architect. Users apparently created more quests on its launch date, than the development team had in five years. Needless to say, such facilities do have a positive proven track record with certain games. Then there is there are add-ons and UI customisations that many RPGs and MMOs support. The Elder Scrolls Online is quite challenging to play unless the player adds various mods that customise the interface and improve systems management. At the very least, players will often seek to customise the HUD of whatever game they are playing. LUA scripting facilitates this and subsequently, you’ll often see a great variety of UIs when watching Twitch streams of games such as WoW or LOTRO.
Now of course there are some who will argue that this is nothing more than the gaming community doing the game developers job for them. However, when it comes to systems such as The Foundry, who better than gamers themselves to know and produce, exactly the right sort of content that they require? Concerns over quality control have been addressed over the years and what actually makes it to the live game is often very well written and paced. I certainly think that this degree of player involvement can certainly extend the lifespan of a game. Is not the most common complaint levelled at any MMO, the lack of regular new content? Therefore, is not player created content a potential solution?
Sadly, this is not a binary question. The use of player created content has a multitude of consequences. There are issues of copyright, ownership and other legal issues to consider. It is more than likely that these are currently weighted in favour of the developers and publishers at present. Then there is the financial side of things to consider. Allowing players to create content may be beneficial in attracting a new audience but will it generate sufficient revenue? Some may suggest charging for player created content but that has proven a PR disaster in the past. Then of course there are differing types of player created content. For example, LOTRO has a community that regularly organises its own events and social gatherings. It’s a process that runs mainly on goodwill. Yet to try and formalise or monetise such activities would be difficult and potentially disastrous.
With the MMO market becoming extremely competitive and “live services” emerging as the latest industry buzzword, it will be interesting to see if there will be a wider flirtation with player created content. Putting aside morals and ethics and looking at things from a purely business perspective, the idea of players making game content that can then be sold back to them is surely an appealing concept. The only obstacles that logically stand in the way are ones of marketing and PR. Landmark experimented with something of this kind before it was closed, and it would be fascinating to see what the internal memos had to say about the experience. But the games industry is reticent to risk another debacle such as the one caused by Star Wars: Battlefront II. For the meantime, I suspect that player generated content will remain as it is in games such as STO and Neverwinter. But if we have learned anything from contemporary society it is that nothing is truly off the table.
This is Why We Can't Have Nice Things
"This is why we can't have nice things" is a well-established internet meme. Over time it has been over used and has become a bit of a cliché. Yet under certain conditions it can still be utilised in a pertinent fashion to make a salient point. Recently, something somewhat innocuous and trivial occurred that caused me to recollect this saying. The incident itself is not of any major importance but it resulted in me realising that this sort of thing happens more and more often these days. Allow me to explain myself. I like many of you frequent a few forums and subreddits. On one particular site, a thread was derailed by someone who decided to just simply name call. Nothing unusual there I hear you say. But for me personally, it was one time too many. Name calling serves no purpose in an adult debate, so I decided to point this out. Eventually, the problem post was removed as there were others that thought that such behaviour was crass. However, the person in question who posted the remark, would not concede the point in any way shape or form. They either did not want to or what was more likely, were totally incapable of comprehending their own transgression.
"This is why we can't have nice things" is a well-established internet meme. Over time it has been over used and has become a bit of a cliché. Yet under certain conditions it can still be utilised in a pertinent fashion to make a salient point. Recently, something somewhat innocuous and trivial occurred that caused me to recollect this saying. The incident itself is not of any major importance but it resulted in me realising that this sort of thing happens more and more often these days. Allow me to explain myself. I like many of you frequent a few forums and subreddits. On one particular site, a thread was derailed by someone who decided to just simply name call. Nothing unusual there I hear you say. But for me personally, it was one time too many. Name calling serves no purpose in an adult debate, so I decided to point this out. Eventually, the problem post was removed as there were others that thought that such behaviour was crass. However, the person in question who posted the remark, would not concede the point in any way shape or form. They either did not want to or what was more likely, were totally incapable of comprehending their own transgression.
Whether they were trolling, or utterly convinced of the certainty of their position remains unknown. As they were only sanctioned and not banned, they will no doubt continue to pursue their "unique style" of social interaction. I am left considering whether I wish to continue to participate in such an environment. Hence my recourse to the titular meme, because this always seems to be the pattern. It appears that any medium that is designed for social interaction is eventually usurped by the lowest common denominator. Furthermore, the problem elements who often cause these problems are sufficiently savvy to keep within the rules (although they are often a moderator’s nightmare), thus remaining relatively unassailable.
Now I'm sure we've all experienced this sort of behaviour in some shape or form, during our excursions online. It’s quite common place. Here are a few examples of the usual sort of tactics that are used to derail or hijack any conversation:
- Straw man and Ad hominen arguments. Pretty much the oldest two tricks in the book. Argue against something that wasn't said or attack the person to discredit their opinions or position.
- Gaslighting.
- Whataboutery.
- Grammar Nazis. If you can't win an argument then why not criticise someone's spelling. A classic act of misdirection.
- The Wall of Text. This is often done by minutely dissecting a previous post and is a tool designed to wear an opponent down. If the wall of text is not replied to in kind, a victory is claim by default.
- "Freedom of speech". This nebulous ideological concept (which so often erroneously interpreted) is the "get out of jail card" of choice for many online malcontents. Allegedly it affords people the right to be racist, sexist, and pretty much any other sort of "ist" that you can name. Sometimes it is seen as a justification to simply be bellicose and ill mannered, affording the individual the option to abdicate from normal social conventions.
For those who would like to explore further examples of these esoteric arts, try the following links. How to Win Online Arguments and The Subtle Art of Trolling. Also checkout Graham's Hierarchy of Disagreement. It seems that there is little scope for a civilised debate and social interaction anywhere on the internet these days. In researching this post, I picked three random articles that were linked on Twitter and read their respective comments section. All descended into chaos within a short period of time. Furthermore, this seems to be the standard mode of debate in all walks of life these days. TV shows and news channels seem to favour it, as does the press. Politics has fully embraced the Punch and Judy approach to public discourse. It no longer seems to be about having an intelligent debate. Now it's simply about shouting someone down, not blinking while lying through your teeth and revelling in the perceived glory of your victory. All of which is far easier than having a proper discussion based around critical thinking and decorum, because that obviously takes too much effort and more importantly skill.
So, what do people such as you and I do about this problem? Well it would appear the common solution is to simply withdraw. Thus, we see forums and websites become havens for trolls and gain the label "toxic". Just go and look at the small cadre of malcontents on the LBC website. It’s a sad reality of modern life that regular people frequently have to manage their affairs around avoiding problems and conflict, rather than the problems and troublemakers being dealt with. Yet withdrawing is ultimately counterproductive. So what can we do. Well rather than wade in and make a potential slanging match worse, why not simply use the facilities that are in place? Use the moderation procedures that are available to you. If you are unhappy with the way a debate is being conducted, then flag it for moderation and give cogent and succinct reasons as to why you have done so. Encourage other users to do so. However, this doesn’t guarantee results. Moderation comes with a cost attached and thus often gets neglected. If that’s the case, then escalate matter further up the chain of command. Email the owners, or domain holders. Complain publicly via Twitter. Negative publicity can often attract attention.
If you find yourself in a situation where you write or provide a forum or subreddit, then it is essential to have a clear policy with regard to comments and interaction. I take a fairly liberal approach to policing comments on Contains Moderate Peril and often allow the crass and trolling posts to remain, as their stupidity is often self-evident. Occasionally I will delete a comment if it is simply of no value. As it is my site I reserve the right to determine exactly what the definition of "value" is. I would again encourage others to do the same regardless of what platform they are maintaining. Decide your rules, be clear about them and enforce them rigorously. You are not obliged to have an "off topic" channel on your Discord server if you don’t want one. If you do, then enforce an adherence to standards of behaviour that are commonly held.
It is very difficult to counter the negative effects that alleged internet anonymity generates. Broadly speaking freedom means we have to endure a degree of unpalatable behaviour and that it is the price that we pay for liberty. However, I see no reason not to attempt to re-educate those who troll and rile. We should more often use the existing procedures to sanction problem individuals and re-iterate the fact that there are consequences to certain actions. In some respects, it is similar to the recent debate had in the UK regarding regulation of the press. It was argued that there are sufficient rules in place at present that can deal with transgressions without the need for further legislation. The current rules just need to be enforced. The same is applicable to Twitter. Prosecute those that breech the current laws with regard to threat and libel. As for general bad behaviour, the responsibility lies with you and I to state are displeasure.
I am very interested at present with the way that some games developers are dealing with this problem. Community decisions on a troll’s punishment, temporary exile of problems players to specific servers and other sanctions do seem to have an impact. It would seem attempted rehabilitation is a more beneficial approach to simply banning. Perhaps this is the future and a way to stop the spread of the rot. Hopefully these methods can be brought to bear on other mediums and platforms. The first step on this road is for regular folk to remain robust, express their displeasure and not to withdraw. I know that’s hard and a big ask. But the only truly effective way to counter bad ideas and ideologies is to tackle them head on. No-platforming simply doesn’t work. Stupidity should be exposed and ridiculed. You don’t have to be like Peter Tatchell and fight every battle. But calling someone out who says something racist or such like, helps reinforce the notion that some behaviour in not acceptable. It’s the weight of all the smaller battles that often eventually tip the scales.
But it takes time for things to change. It’s not going to happen overnight. Technology, human behaviour, and ethics have not kept in step with each other. The law is also lagging behid in some areas. However, if we're persistant, then we will be able to bring about change. During the seventies, there started i the UK, a long campaign against drinking and driving. By the mid-nineties the message finally got traction and the culture begin to shift accordingly. I believe if we take a similar long-term approach with social media can "have nice things" eventually. It may not ever be perfect but hopefully it can be better than it is now. Because the alternative simply doesn’t bear thinking about. Therein lies madness.
The Dilemma of Skill Points
This post stems from an issue that came up recently while progressing through The Elder Scrolls Online. However, similar situations have occurred in other MMOs that I’ve played over the years. Most games of this genre have a standard mechanic in which the player is awarded skill points as they level up through the game. These points are subsequently spent unlocking new abilities or improving existing skills. Often there are a finite amount of skill points to earn in the game. Naturally, at some point, even the most casual MMO player will have to consider how they intend to spend their skills points, because they do have an impact upon your build. That is the entire point of the skills point mechanic. You customise your skills according to how you play and what type of build you wish to achieve. More often than not, the new player who is still at a relatively low level, will simply read what abilities can be unlocked and make an intuitive choice. At this stage, putting a few skill points into health, stamina, or increasing your DPS seems a sensible choice.
This post stems from an issue that came up recently while progressing through The Elder Scrolls Online. However, similar situations have occurred in other MMOs that I’ve played over the years. Most games of this genre have a standard mechanic in which the player is awarded skill points as they level up through the game. These points are subsequently spent unlocking new abilities or improving existing skills. Often there are a finite amount of skill points to earn in the game. Naturally, at some point, even the most casual MMO player will have to consider how they intend to spend their skills points, because they do have an impact upon your build. That is the entire point of the skills point mechanic. You customise your skills according to how you play and what type of build you wish to achieve. More often than not, the new player who is still at a relatively low level, will simply read what abilities can be unlocked and make an intuitive choice. At this stage, putting a few skill points into health, stamina, or increasing your DPS seems a sensible choice.
But then there reaches a point in the game, where you find yourself hoarding a lot of skills points and faced with a multitude of options. Suddenly, its no longer simple. Unless you have a very clear idea about how you intend to develop your build, it becomes a very confusing prospect. Do you put points into flower arranging, so you can increase you Lupin attack, or do you go for heavy embroidery? The fear is that you’ll make the wrong choice and gimp yourself, further down the line. Now most MMOs have a system in which you can refund skill points, should you require to change your allocation. However, this often involves a significant expenditure of in-game currency or worse still, a purchase from the cash shop. As a result, this potentially punitive system will often dissuade players from experimenting. This was certainly the case with me recently, while I was levelling through ESO. I also had a similar experience in STO when the revised the skill tree system was introduced. The only MMO that I currently play that allows a greater degree of choice is LOTRO. By default, the game offers three skill point slots, allowing you to create bespoke builds to swap between.
Now, the easiest resolution to this dilemma is to find a specific build online and to slavishly copy it. I have done this myself both with STO and ESO, but I resent it on some level. Yes, it is quick and easy solution, but it is also robbing the player of the opportunity to learn and experiment in the game. And buying gating the ability to reset your skill points behind some sort of financial penalty, the developers are contributing to creating a culture of risk aversion among players. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not advocating turning an MMO into a job and I am not a fan of having to watch hours of videos to discover the esoteric intricacies of a game (yes, I’m looking at you ESO). However, it is beneficial to allow the player to experiment within reason, without imposing a penalty for the luxury of change. Hence, I believe that the LOTRO option of having three skill points slots is an equitable compromise.
Choice is always a good thing but there’s also a wise old adage about having “too much of a good thing”. Games such as MMOs need to encourage the player to try different builds and embrace experimentation. However, I appreciate that this is a fine line to tread. If you offer too much assistance, then it’s only a matter of time before the usual suspects throw their toys out of the pram, claim that everything is being dumbed down and that their life has once again “been ruined”. I think that this “dilemma” as I’ve described, is just a symptom of a wider problem associated with the MMO genre. That of providing optional information, advice and suggestions to the player, so they can get the most out of the game. Few games have adequate tutorials and “tip” systems. However, that is another blog post altogether (insert Airplane gag here). Returning to ESO, I must applaud ZeniMax for including their Skills Advisor system in the last patch. It provides exactly the sort of broad guidance I was looking for. Other MMOs please take note.
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.
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.
The bots have three settings, which broadly scale. On easy mode the bot counsellors tend to panic and run around ineptly. They’re often oblivious to Jason until he’s really close. On hard mode the bots are more proactive and will actively defend themselves. However, regardless of the settings, the bots at times can get stuck in loops or simply make incredibly poor decisions. On one occasion a counsellor threw themselves through a window to avoid Jason, only to then exit the hut and run straight back into him. I allowed this cycle to repeat a few times before I dispatched them. At present as I haven’t played much of the game, I only have a few Jason skins unlocked. I’m currently using the Jason from Friday the 13th: Part III. One of the advantages of this skin is that Jason has improved run skills. The bots on easy setting allowed me to experiment with the various grab kills such as Jaw Rip, Crotch Chop, Head Chop and Heart Punch. All were quite satisfying but there was no real challenge at this level. Hard mode facilitated a more credible gameplay experience. Offline play also affords you a great opportunity to learn the maps which is key to being successful in the game.
I was also surprised that offline play counted towards your levelling and progression in the game. You can therefore unlock new counsellors and Jason skins by playing in this mode. But playing with bots does have its limitations. The AI is still somewhat erratic, so you never get a 100% comparable experience to playing with other people. However, Friday the 13th: The Game attracts a lot of pubescent imbeciles which can make online play a little tedious. You find yourself having to mute everyone by default and abandoning games where players are more interested in pursuing their own agenda. Bots offer a welcome alternative to this. I suspect that later this year when this game finds its way into a discount bundle of some kind, the overall player population may be a lot lower. Thus, offline play may well prove to be a god send for those in time zones outside North America and Europe. Hopefully, the developers will expand this functionality further in future patches. It would certainly improve the longevity of a game that is essentially a one-trick pony at present.
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.
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.
Gaming, like the music and film industry, is frequently driven by established formulas and pursuing known quantities that work. Hence, most major triple A developers tend to not stray from the known path when dealing with high budget projects. As a result, the market is subsequently dominated by sequels, remasters and variations on proven themes. Now this approach doesn’t necessarily please everyone, but it undeniably keeps the money rolling in. However, one of the commonest complaints you’ll hear from gamers is a lack of innovation and it is justified to a degree. Theoretically, there should be a big enough market of gamers seeking new experiences to merit some experimentation. Sadly, the big dogs of the industry are not too keen on taking such risks. In the past there have been a few high-profile games that have sought to cater for this gap in the market, but it never seems to be the roaring success that was expected. Thus, like the music and movie business, experimentation and straying from the accepted norm in games development is the prerogative of smaller, independent producers.
It is ironic that as gamers, we find ourselves at this point. Because, as in contemporary politics, there is a broad appetite for something different at present, or at the least a rejection of the status quo. Surely such an atmosphere should be conducive towards change. But history shows us that change is seldom embraced by those with vested interests and only a few ever have the courage or vision seize the day. This is why in gaming (and in politics), the public will gravitate toward that which appears to be different, or superficially wears the trappings of change and innovation. Games like PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds are currently having their moment in the sun, but sooner or later the player-base will see through its “alternative appeal” and see it for simply a variation on a theme. Again, social ideas and politicians also risk the same fate. Gamers may not know exactly what they want, but they do at times know what they do not. EA is still nursing it wounds after the recent loot crate debacle. They may even lose their license as a result, which will certainly put a dent in their bottom line.
The reality of the situation is that simply wanting something different is not enough. It is not incumbent solely on the games industry to read our minds and come up with the next big thing exclusively on their own. We as gamers need to figure out about what we want and then be realistic as to whether it’s achievable. The latter requires compromise, which is sadly a quality that is absent from most mindsets at the present. If the triple A gaming sector is dragging its heels, or more to the point is opposed to change, then surely this is the time for the independent sector to step up. Where is the video games industries equivalent of Punk Rock? And by that, I mean proper Punk like The Clash and Dead Kennedys (please insert appropriate and equivalent game developers into this metaphor). Or has rampant consumerism and the commodification of all leisure activities extinguished the idea and possibility of organic, real change. Is the next big thing or any new approach, simply another product to be assimilated by market forces to be bought and sold? If that is true, can there be any sort of consensus ever again?
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.
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.
I revisited Lake-town and found that there are now more NPCs and sundry embellishments. On the end of some of the piers, you will find locals queuing to use the privies, which I found rather amusing. The only other’s I’ve ever seen in LOTRO are in Rohan and are indirectly involved in a quest. It would also appear that I was broadly correct in my assumptions about the three entrances on the map and where they lead. The eastern door is now clearly marked opening to the Iron Hills and the Forest Gate to the west does lead to Beorning-land. The third entry (or exit point) to the South of Lake-town lead to an area called the Fields of Celduin. Celduin is the Elven name for the Running River, which flow ultimately to the sea of Sea of Rhûn. Perhap SSG have plans to develop Dorwinion as part of LOTRO. Dorwinion, was a land in the vales of the Celduin, northwest of the Sea of Rhûn. It was famous for its great gardens and as the home of the finest wines in all of Middle-earth. Its people were descendants of the Edain, and they had close ties to the Northmen of Dale in genealogy as well as Avari Elves.
Again, I spent my time this evening simply investigating the immediate area in this latest test build and have not undertaken any of the quests in the region. I prefer to wait for the final release of the update, so as not to spoil my enjoyment of it all. My overall opinion of Eryn Lasgalen and the Dale-lands remains the same as I stated in my previous post. This is a well realised and quite striking zone and Lake-town is a stand out location. It certainly is a welcome relief after the dour and oppressive atmosphere of Mordor. I hope that the quests featured in update 22 are as equally creative as the area itself. It just remains to see when SSG intends to release this update. If past events have any bearing on the matter, we may well see a formal release of this area within a few weeks of three or four test builds. Therefore, we may have a live version of this new area by the middle of March.
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.
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.
Sadly, this is not the case in The Elder Scrolls Online. The game has many virtues and selling points, but the gear grind is clearly an irrelevance until you reach a specific point in the game. Namely level 50 with 160 champion points. Until then, finding adequate gear is very difficult and players are “encouraged” by the prevailing dogma of the game, to just slum it with items from quest drops, irrespective as to whether they’re optimum for your characters build. The alternative is to simply buy armour and jewellery from vendors and to apply glyphs to enchant it to your chosen specifications, but this is an expensive option and the gear itself is of the lowest tier of quality. Of course, there is the option of running delves to find suitable gear, but the task is made more difficult by the fact that your character will frequently be underpowered, due to the lack of quality gear they have equipped. As you can see, it’s a chicken and egg situation. The only other alternative is Dolmen farming but then this is not always the most enjoyable way to play ESO. Plus, if you do it for a few hours at a time, you’ll find you’ve out levelled half of what you’ve acquired.
In other MMOs, there are often several alternative ways of acquiring gear sets, other than depending on standard quest rewards. LOTRO has the skirmish system which provides the player with barter currency to buy specific sets. Furthermore, the sets are available to a variety of levels. The reputation system in STO also allows you to buy a variety of gear sets for your ship. And of course, most games also have an auction house system that allow for the buying and selling of all non-bound items. This is where most players look first to fill the gaps in their build or to buy something passable while levelling. Sadly, there is no server wide auction house system in ESO. Individual guilds buy and sell gear. They have store fronts littered round Tamriel. The range of items they sell is dependent upon the guild size, how prodigiously they craft or farm quests. More often than not, most guild traders only have smattering of items below level 50 with 160 champion points because that’s not where the money and market is. Due to there being multiple outlets, checking stock is time consuming. The only option left therefore is to craft gear yourself. However, like everything else in ESO, this only becomes a viable option at level cap.
Exactly how did ESO arrive at this point? Well the One Tamriel Update removed the level restriction on content, scaling everything according to the player, which obviously didn’t help the gear situation. With delves and story quests scaling to your level, there isn’t the surplus of gear generated by content fixed at a specific level. The lack of a server wide auction system is also a major contributor. Finding specific gear, even with addons to help the search process, is time consuming task that requires you to visit a multitude of outlets. Joining a guild may help and there is the chance that fellow guildmates will help you out with gear acquisition. But ESO strikes me as a game with a substantial player population with alts at level cap. Levelling is not seen as a journey in itself but more of an obstacle to be overcome. It’s a shame. This issue certainly doesn’t mitigate the positive aspects of ESO as an MMO, but it does impact upon the way you play until you approach the level cap. Now that I’ve reached level 50 and have amassed over 100 champion points, I can certainly play more effectively. I can now focus on what gear I would like; something I couldn’t do at the start of the game. Perhaps ZeniMax will address this issue in a future update.
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.
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.
Bearing this all-in mind, I spent a few hours this afternoon exploring the new area. I have not finished the Mordor expansion yet (mainly because I didn’t enjoy the area) so was careful when travelling around as my primary alt is still only level 109. Porting directly from the Eyes and Guard Tavern takes you to Felegoth, the Halls of the Wood Elves. As you would expect, the traditional Elven motif has been maintained in the art design, although there are subtle differences to other Elven enclaves. Because the Halls are mainly underground, the cavernous expanses are filled with stalagmites and stalactites. Yet unlike Dwarven delves, this area is brightly illuminated and has gardens and areas of natural beauty. The keen explorer will also find the dungeon cells where Thorin and his companions were held. There’s also a cellar with a substantial trap door and numerous barrels. One in particular is worth investigating.
Northern Mirkwood itself is a dark and dismal place, similar to its existing Southern counterpart. The light soon vanishes once you travel beyond the Elven King’s territory and the path twists and turns. Luckily, they’re wooden posts marking the trail, but it is important to stay vigilant or you can get lost. Places of interest in the immediate area include an encounter with Radagast and the Elven trading post of Loeglond on the edge of Long Lake. Upon exiting Eyn Ladgalen you enter Dale-land and discover a newly rebuilt and thriving Lake-town. This is very well realised and certainly captures the spirit of Tolkien’s original description from The Hobbit. If you travel downstream you come to the ruins of the old Lake-town and the remains of Smaug. It is a nice embellishment, similar to the remains of the Bridge of Khazad-dûm in the Foundations of Stone.
North of Lake-town the road leads to Dale which is a broader iteration of what already exists in LOTRO in the instance The Bells of Dale. I like the way the town straddle the tributaries of Long Lake and that water and fountains are a major feature of the design and architecture. Beyond Dale to the Northwest lies the guard post of Ravenhill. Within the small Dwarven edifice is Dís, mother of Fíli and Kíli. There is an entrance behind here, which for the present remains closed and suitably enigmatic. But the jewel in the crown in Erebor. It is large, impressive and gloriously Dwarven. Unlike other Dwarven hubs in Middle-earth, this one is quite linear in its layout and easy to navigate. You can also climb to the western spur of Erebor and survey the land below on the other side, although invisible walls hem you in at present.
I always like to explore I LOTRO and make it my business to investigate an area or region as thoroughly as I can. I like to follow the mountain ranges and other topographical features that Standing Stone Games use to funnel players from quest hub to quest hub. What seems to have become a habit in recent years, is that the areas in free updates are often expansive, but not necessarily functional. I got this impression again in parts of Northern Mirkwood and Dale-Land. However, this does not in any way mitigate the time and effort SSG has put into the design of this area. I also found three entrances/exists to the area. One to the South West that may lead to Southern Mirkwood. Another to the North East that may lead to the Iron Hills. I also discovered the Forest Gate which leads from Carrock. All of these “doorways” are currently blocked. Hopefully the next test build will have a more detailed map and will allow for a more accurate appraisal of the area. In the meantime, as ever, I like what I see and it’s reassuring to see the SSG are still maintaining their high standard of world building.
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.
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.
Photo Mode has also been upgraded, adding new filters, frames, styles, adjustable expressions, and stickers. I always enjoy this facility when it appears in a game and would like to see it available in more titles. Taking screen captures of alts has always been a major part of the fun of any RPG or MMORPG and developers should not overlook this. The latest DLC and patch have also added new Talion or Eltariel player skins for use in the main story campaign. There's also a new stat page, making it easier to keep track of your progress through the game. Plus, a Field of View option has been added which is something that players have regularly asked for. In any game where situational awareness is important, having a broad FOV in invaluable.
I played Middle-earth: Shadow of War heavily when it was released last October. It’s the sort of game that lends itself to intensive play and forging ahead through the storyline. The main selling point is the ridiculous, lore breaking narrative that takes substantial liberties with established canon. Yet if you’re prepared to suspend your sense of disbelief, it is an entertaining game. What becomes very clear after playing the new Blade of Galadriel DLC for about twenty minutes or so, is that apart from a new character skin and a few alternative skills, you’re doing exactly the same as what you did initially with Talion. It’s a classic example of same meat, different gravy which is fine if you can’t get enough of murdering Orcs. However, if you grew tired of this last time round, it’s not going to get any better this time.
Needless to say, as I have other games available at present that I’m more interested in pursuing, I decide to postpone exploring the Blade of Galadriel for the immediate future. Another reason to put it on hold is the simple fact that I’ve already forgotten most of the keyboard combinations for the special attacks and powers. Something that seems to happen a lot these days if I stop playing a game for too long. However, I will give credit where credit is due, because Monolith Studios have certainly provided a substantial amount of new content in this DLC. Furthermore, as a season pass holder there is still more to come later this year. I suspect that I will enjoy this new story at a later date when I want something a little less demanding than the MMOs I am currently involved with.
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.
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.
The weather, the economy, faction feuds, coupled with mechanics such as ageing, permadeath and full corpse looting means that those playing Chronicles of Elyria will have to be cognisant of what is happening around, both at an in-game and community level. And it is this very level of complexity that will be a major selling point of the game. You will always find comments on gaming forums or websites such as Massively Overpowered, from some old school gamers lamenting the level of “hand holding” you find in contemporary MMOs. The industry shift in the last ten years to accommodate the so-called “casual” player has not been universally embraced. Therefore, any new title that dispenses with quest trackers, mini-maps and any of the other quality of life improvements must surely appeal to such advocates. Having to think and reason, as well as play collaboratively must surely offer an experience closer to that found in the golden age of MMOs; something such player always extol. Surely the element of risk presented by playing in such an environment, will be to their liking?
One thing is certain. If you wish to effectively play these new MMOs with their additional layers of complexity, then you will need to invest a substantial amount of time not only to progress through the actual game, but to track and master the various systems and variables that can impact upon your experience. You must also cultivate a mindset that accepts that external factors beyond your control will impact upon your time in-game. You may lose valuable resources, or your avatar may even die, effectively mitigating the time and effort you’ve spent. And therein lies the rub. Although on paper I find a lot of the complex parameters featured in these upcoming MMOs interesting, I wouldn’t choose to endure them. A decade ago I had the time and the dedication to invest in MMOs. I do not now and certainly wouldn’t choose to play a game with such a specific rule set. I play for amusement and leisure, not competition and bragging rights (as some seem to define gaming by). I simply don’t want a game that becomes a “job”.
What remains to be seen is whether these new MMOs with their complex and punitive rule set, find a sufficiently big enough player base to sustain themselves financially. I believe that there are gamers out there that will embrace such an approach and we’ve seen successful games of this nature in the past. It simply comes down to whether there is a viable market or not. I suspect that not all of these titles such as Chronicles of Elyria, Pantheon: Rise of The Fallen, Crowfall and Ashes of Creation will survive. When looking back at early MMOs, we must not overlook the context of the era that spawned them. Many factors such as internet connection speed, graphics quality, server technology shaped their design. Gaming itself was also not so common place an activity and pitching to a player base then, was radically different from the market we see today. So, I think that possibly only a few of these new titles will be commercially successful and the others will end up as interesting but ultimately failed experiments. As ever time will tell.
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.
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.
At present, ZeniMax have a deal on the Guilds and Glory Mega Pack DLC in the Crown store. This contains Dark Brotherhood, Imperial City, Orsinium and the Thieves Guild and costs 5,500 Crowns (£29.99). At first glance this looks like an adequate discount as individual DLC usually costs between 2,000 and 4,500 Crowns. However, if you shop around and check some of the game key websites, you can find the Gold Edition of ESO, which contains the base game and the above four DLC for £16.06 which is nearly half the price. This naturally is a better option for both an existing or a new player. The latter get’s the benefits of a 500 Crowns, although that won’t buy much at present prices. Then of course there is the option to buy neither of these “bundles” and to subscribed to ESO Plus which will unlock all current DLC. However, access to all new content is dependent on remaining a ESO Plus member, which doesn’t suit everyone.
Furthermore, it would appear that pre-paid subscription cards for ESO have been withdrawn since the changes in the games business model in 2015. There may still be some residual stock in circulation, although whether they still work or not remains to be seen. In the US Gamestop sell six-month ESO Plus time cards that come with a crate allowance. These are purchased online and provide a redeemable code. These are not however available in Europe. Therefore, I’d advise caution to anyone searching through the third-party websites that sell CD keys and game consumables. Ensure that any pre-paid cards are not those for older versions of ESO. Unless the product directly references ESO Plus, then the cards in question are more than likely obsolete.
As ESO is a buy-to-play game, the selling of additional DLC, expansions and cosmetics is the primary source of revenue. ESO Plus offers a further line of capital, although have no data as to how popular the subscription is. Therefore, it is logical that the developers ZeniMax will endeavour to control prices of all their products. Naturally there are sales and discounts to be had from time-to -time, to encourage player spending. But beyond these there is not a lot of scope to obtain a “bargain” for ESO, outside of official channels. Apart from seeking a deal on the Gold or Imperial Editions of the base game, along with the Morrowind Expansion, players are at the mercy of the in-game store prices. However, I do not find the existing business model for ESO to be too egregious and I’m certainly getting a lot value from my initial expenditure at the moment. So, for the present, the cost of playing ESO is seems equitable. Let’s hope it remains that way.
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.
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.
For me, Twitch is as much about the audience viewing as it is about the individual streaming. Part of the attraction of the platform is the scope for interaction between streamer and viewers. I find that streams that attract substantial audiences lose this quality quite quickly. The text chat scrolls up at a prodigious rate and the moderators will often struggle to separate appropriate questions and banter from general shenanigans and trolling. I also find that some of the commercial streams and official channels of known corporations to be as bland and as hollow as mainstream television. However, a when you put an entertaining and gregarious streamer together with a small but enthused audience, you’ll often be rewarded with a very enjoyable two-way conversation.
Fortunately, my concerns over being able to find suitable content and streamers has benefitted recently by Twitch adding a “communities” option to their browse feature. In the past you had to search for material you like by game only. The addition of this button (although it is still in beta) means that it is easier to track down streamers with similar interests and aspirations. At present is somewhat rough and ready, lacking somewhat in variety. However, there are some promising categories such as tabletop, painting and fitness. It is reassuring to see this side of Twitch, which for to long seems to have been dominated my core gamers, focused on achievement, speed runs and competitive gaming. If handled properly, there is scope for it to become a much broader media platform, which is possibly what its owner, Amazon is considering.
Finally, it would be remiss of me not to mention the Twitch community that I’ve recently discovered. The Moogle’s Pom Tavern is a collective of streamers “who focus on chill streams where we share positivity and of course, video games”, to quote their website. What I like the most about this friendly group, is their upbeat and laid-back perspective on gaming. It all done for fun, rather than any other motivation. The streams are engaging, with a lot of banter. You soon get to know everyone and it’s very much like a social evening down the pub with mates. A lot of the participant do other creative projects, so they’re an invaluable source of information as well. Overall, it’s a great place to hang out, away from the some of the more brash and bellicose aspects of Twitch. So, if you feel so inclined, do checkout their schedule and come along and have a chat. It may make you revise your opinion on streaming, as it did with me.