Video Game Tutorials, Again
I’ll try and keep this post concise so it doesn’t sound like a rant. It is intended to be a legitimate complaint. I just find it dispiriting that this topic has raised its head yet again. I am currently playing the MMORPG Neverwinter, a game I haven’t touched for 7 years. I created a new character and am currently working my way through the low level quests. So far the game has had a few tooltips appear on screen and the occasional voice over pointing out issues of importance. Overall, I have seen neither hide nor hair of what I would define as a tutorial. I have managed to bluff my way through the game so far, by drawing upon my experience in other MMOs. As this is a game developed by Cryptic, there are elements of the interface that are similar to Star Trek Online. However, this and my general knowledge of other genre games can only help me so far. I knew that sooner or later, I was bound to be flummoxed by something and today this finally occurred.
I’ll try and keep this post concise so it doesn’t sound like a rant. It is intended to be a legitimate complaint. I just find it dispiriting that this topic has raised its head yet again. I am currently playing the MMORPG Neverwinter, a game I haven’t touched for 7 years. I created a new character and am currently working my way through the low level quests. So far the game has had a few tooltips appear on screen and the occasional voice over pointing out issues of importance. Overall, I have seen neither hide nor hair of what I would define as a tutorial. I have managed to bluff my way through the game so far, by drawing upon my experience in other MMOs. As this is a game developed by Cryptic, there are elements of the interface that are similar to Star Trek Online. However, this and my general knowledge of other genre games can only help me so far. I knew that sooner or later, I was bound to be flummoxed by something and today this finally occurred.
I have three mounts at present in Neverwinter, although they are just horses and nothing fancy. The latest one that I’ve acquired is a little more interesting than the currently equipped one, so I decided to swap them around. It’s a totally innocuous and reasonable request, as well as something that is easily done in other MMOs. However, it took me over 30 minutes to determine how I did this and I was far from pleased when I finally found a solution to the problem. I was expecting to go into my Collections and set a new default mount there, in a similar manner to The Elder Scrolls Online. As this option wasn’t available I thought maybe this is done via my Stable panel. No joy there, so I looked in my Appearance panel. Nope, that didn’t work either. So I found myself doing something I hoped not to do so early on in playing Neverwinter and tabbed out of the game and searched Google.
Let it suffice to say that due to the various changes that have been made to the game and the mount system over the years, it took a while to find a correct solution. It’s also worth noting that as this game is also available on consoles, you have to ensure you search for a PC specific answer. It turns out that you have to select the Mounts tab, then Current and you are presented with an image of your default mount and its respective skills. If you click on where it says Appearance, a new window opens up and you can choose a new mount. It’s a simple solution, apart from the fact that the game provides absolutely no information or clues about this. Nor is there any indication that where it says Appearance is infact a clickable button. I simply discovered this by accident when I clicked in the wrong place in error. After my annoyance over this esoteric functionality subsided, I was left wondering how many more straightforward tasks are hidden in Neverwinter due to poor or indifferent UI design.
Now this anecdote may seem to some as trivial. However, let us step back and look at the situation from a broader perspective. I’m currently enjoying the early levels in Neverwinter and there are lots of new players. Not everyone will have prior experiences with the genre to draw upon. I came to a complete standstill with this problem and found the whole matter infuriating. I don’t think it unreasonable to assume that for some, this incident would prejudice their view of the game. A player that is being thwarted and not having fun, has no reason to stay. Not all gamers want their leisure activities to be one of the twelve labours of Hercules. Simply put, things like this can lose customers. Hence, good tutorials, tooltips and prompts are extremely important. A gamer should never have to leave a game to find out how to play. That’s the game’s job.
Return to Neverwinter
I originally tried the MMORPG Neverwinter during its beta test in early 2013 and having checked my original notes I wrote at the time, I enjoyed it. I think the main reason I didn’t persist with the game was due to not having a major connection to the franchise and that there was a lot of competition from other MMOs at the time. If memory serves my only niggle during the beta was that you couldn’t use your skills while moving. Combat is therefore a question of running, attacking and then repositioning your character. Although you can dodge or perform a variation thereof, fighting in the game is not what I would define as “action combat”. It is more of a hybrid of old and new MMO fighting styles. However, that notwithstanding, I decided to finally re-install the game and give it another go. A lot has happened in the intervening 7 years and Neverwinter is now more polished and has a lot more content to offer.
I originally tried the MMORPG Neverwinter during its beta test in early 2013 and having checked my original notes I wrote at the time, I enjoyed it. I think the main reason I didn’t persist with the game was due to not having a major connection to the franchise and that there was a lot of competition from other MMOs at the time. If memory serves my only niggle during the beta was that you couldn’t use your skills while moving. Combat is therefore a question of running, attacking and then repositioning your character. Although you can dodge or perform a variation thereof, fighting in the game is not what I would define as “action combat”. It is more of a hybrid of old and new MMO fighting styles. However, that notwithstanding, I decided to finally re-install the game and give it another go. A lot has happened in the intervening 7 years and Neverwinter is now more polished and has a lot more content to offer.
I logged into the game and tweaked a few settings. Next, I decided to ignore a previous character and start a new one from scratch. Rather than try to relearn how to play an existing Half-Elf Wizard, I chose to create a Human Warlock. I made my choice by reading the various tool tips and have decided to see exactly how far I can progress in the game, just by relying upon the information provided by the tutorial. In the past, I’ve often researched a new MMO in advance, to ensure I don’t “make any mistakes”. This time round, I’ve elected not to make work for myself and thought it would be an interesting experiment to just fly by the seat of my pants. I like MMOs but at present do not want a major learning curve. I’m mainly looking for fun. It may be a case that eventually I have to go outside of the game for information. However, this way at least lends itself to writing about my experience.
So why a Human Warlock? Well none of the other races grabbed my attention, apart from the ones you have to pay to unlock. Until I’m sure I’ll be playing Neverwinter for a while, I’m not going to spend any money. As for the Warlock Class, it basically struck me as being the same as a Mage/Wizard without having to dress like a keyboard player in a Prog Rock band. This may sound trivial but I get really bored of the aesthetic and sartorial confines of mainstream fantasy preconceptions. Any sort of Wizard or person who dabbles in magic is instantly saddled with a rocking a “Ming the Merciless” look and it gets old real fast. Plus I want to be able to play a ranged DPS class and avoid a bow, which is another tiresome cliche. So the Warlock is a good compromise. It also plays well with the combat so far proving to be fluid. That may just be down to the fact that I’m playing at low level and the enemies are hardly robust. But so far there seems a straightforward rhythm to the skill rotation.
I am interested to see in the days and hopefully weeks to come, whether the story holds my interest and if it does anything unusual compared to the standard fantasy genre fodder. I’m glad that the NPCs are all fully voice acted and that dialogue interactions are handled in a similar fashion to The Elder Scrolls Online. I find a lack of voice acting quite jarring if I come across it in an MMO. Another thing I’m curious about is how long I can play Neverwinter before it becomes apparent that I have to spend some money or else I’m “hobbling” myself. There appears to be something similar to a VIP subscription so I will look into that further if and when it becomes appropriate. Perhaps I will finally gain some insight into the popularity of the official Dungeons and Dragons franchise. It’s another popular culture touchstone that I’m aware of but that has passed me by over the years. Hopefully I can answer all these questions in a future blog post.
Should You Have Expectations of Other Players?
Just for a change, Star Trek Online has another event. “Best Served Cold” is a Task Force Operation in which the 5 players must prevent a prison break from the Klingon gulag Rura Penthe. Complete this TFO 14 times and you can earn rewards including a Nanopulse Targ Combat Pet. If you feel disposed to do so, you can set up a private group and complete this with friends. However, most players simply use the auto-group facility that the game offers. As the interdependency of all classes has diminished in STO, there is no obstacle to quickly joining a pick up group. More often or not, there is little or no criteria for failure for these TFO’s so some players will group and do as little as possible. In some events in STO it is possible to join a group and go AFK. The activity will complete regardless of player participation and all then receive the designated reward.
Just for a change, Star Trek Online has another event. “Best Served Cold” is a Task Force Operation in which the 5 players must prevent a prison break from the Klingon gulag Rura Penthe. Complete this TFO 14 times and you can earn rewards including a Nanopulse Targ Combat Pet. If you feel disposed to do so, you can set up a private group and complete this with friends. However, most players simply use the auto-group facility that the game offers. As the interdependency of all classes has diminished in STO, there is no obstacle to quickly joining a pick up group. More often or not, there is little or no criteria for failure for these TFO’s so some players will group and do as little as possible. In some events in STO it is possible to join a group and go AFK. The activity will complete regardless of player participation and all then receive the designated reward.
Now the reason I mention all this is because I had an interesting experience today while playing STO. As ever, although specifically related to this MMORPG, the wider sentiments discussed here are applicable to many others and indeed any game that features collaborative multiplay. The “Best Served Cold” event is far from difficult and easy to complete. As far as I’m aware your team’s score doesn’t even impact on the rewards. However (and there is always a however in gaming), some players want to complete this daily event to the best of their ability, achieving all the various goals. And to do that all players participating have a part to play. Needless to say that didn’t happen in the TFO in which I was participating and someone had a meltdown in team chat as a result. This raises an interesting question. Exactly what do you expect from a PUG, assuming that you should expect anything in the first place?
After playing the aforementioned TFO several times, a clear pattern of game play emerges. There are three satellites to defend from enemy attack, then there are transports to subdue and capture. Finally, each satellite needs to be protected from freighter being used as suicide bombers. Five ships can handle this easily. Three vessels can cover the satellites while the other two can cover the transports and eliminate the explosive freighters. But of course this seldom happens. Some players meander about, while others go AFK. Often you’ll finish the event with a percentage of transports escaped and may be a satellite damaged or even destroyed. Sometimes a player will attempt to “school” others, via the Team Chat. This is usually a recipe for disaster and abuse. Others will log out of the TFO if they feel that some players are “doing it wrong”. I simply focus on what I’m doing and reconcile myself to the fact that whatever happens, at least I get my daily reward and inch closer to completing the event.
There is a lot to reflect upon here. When someone joins a random group do they have any obligation to the other players. Do they need to learn the mechanics of the event or group undertaking? Is it presumptuous of others to expect that those that they group with come with adequate provisions such as health potions etc. Is it realistic to expect other players to be as prepared as you? Well if the group activity is organised with friends or through your guild, then I’d argue that there is some sort of social contract in place. But I just cannot argue that there is a similar code of conduct for PUGs. I’d think that basic good manners and a degree of social etiquette still exists, as we see it from time to time. The person who says “Hi” in team chat. The player that tries to do multiple tasks in the group event to compensate for those who cannot or will not. Those that say “good game” before leaving the group. But sadly this sort of positive behaviour is in decline both in and outside of games.
The problem with PUGs is that they do not foster any group identity or encourage any social interaction. It is simply a means of bringing a group of players together in an expedient fashion to complete a task. No one knows anyone and most do not talk. It is an impersonal system that just reinforces that sense of anonymity so often associated with the internet. A means to an end to get what you want. Sadly most game developers don’t make any attempt to address this. A simple way to foster good behaviour and more proactive gameplay is to incentivise and reward those who do more than just show up. But until this is done, I suspect it is simply unrealistic to expect anything of other players. Encouraging behavioural change requires diplomacy and needs to be handled sensitively because many players do not take “instruction” well. A proposed change in attitudes and habits will appear to some as a personal attack. Such is the world we live in at present. Therefore, for the present it is best to expect nothing from your fellow players by default. If anything beyond occurs, then it is a bonus.
"Why Am I Doing This?"
In-depth story quests, complex systems and incrementable progression are the foundation of the MMORPG genre. The player explores the virtual world, undertakes quests, earns gear and advances through various systems that improve their stats. It’s a formula that has been tried and tested over more than two decades. It works and keeps millions of players engaged with their MMO of choice. However, no matter how much new content developers add to an MMO, there are always a percentage of players that quickly complete it and demand more. The genre is a time sink by nature and many players are happy to do exactly that. Therefore, the most practical way to address this dilemma is to attempt to slow player progression. Hence time gating, making required items “rare” and making content repeatable are just some of the ways developer’s can extend a game’s longevity. And so “grinding” has also become an integral aspect of these games.
In-depth story quests, complex systems and incrementable progression are the foundation of the MMORPG genre. The player explores the virtual world, undertakes quests, earns gear and advances through various systems that improve their stats. It’s a formula that has been tried and tested over more than two decades. It works and keeps millions of players engaged with their MMO of choice. However, no matter how much new content developers add to an MMO, there are always a percentage of players that quickly complete it and demand more. The genre is a time sink by nature and many players are happy to do exactly that. Therefore, the most practical way to address this dilemma is to attempt to slow player progression. Hence time gating, making required items “rare” and making content repeatable are just some of the ways developer’s can extend a game’s longevity. And so “grinding” has also become an integral aspect of these games.
I have mentioned in previous posts that with a little bit of creativity, you can mask grind with a veneer of narrative and panache to make it more palatable. If you put some icing on top of a plain sponge cake and you make it marginally more interesting. However, sometimes game developers dispense with even this, leaving the player facing a lengthy, unenjoyable task that is presented purely as a lengthy, unenjoyable task. And it is at this point the players ask themselves the question, “why am I doing this?” Something that developer’s should never want their paying customers thinking. Because most gamers have a set of criteria that they measure a game against. These are usually on a scale. As long as one or two of these criteria are being met then the player will get some sense of enjoyment out of their gaming activities. The moment “why am I doing this?” arises it often means that the player has reached a point where the game isn’t providing any stimulation for them.
So what are these criteria, expectations or measurements by which an MMO is judged by the player? Rather than list lots of niche and subjective examples perhaps defining three broad categories would be more appropriate? I think that at least one of these categories have to be met for an individual to want to continue playing a specific game.
“Fun”: This is a broad generalisation and a very subjective term. I use it here to mean some sort of emotional engagement that the player experiences while playing. The “fun” may be PVP, participating in a raid, undertaking a story quest, crafting, roleplaying or just riding around a virtual world on your mount. Some people also go all in on the social element of MMOs. And because all these experiences are positive and enjoyable, players are happy to continue these and similar activities.
Quid pro quo (Something for something): Sometimes an activity in an MMO may not be especially enjoyable and therefore may not fall into the “fun” category. But if it offers something in exchange for your time and effort then the player may overlook and endure the activity’s shortcomings and do it purely for the reward. The reward can be both literal or figurative. An item or a title. As long as it satisfies the player then they will keep playing. I find that a lot of my gaming is of this transactional nature. I am at times ambivalent towards what I am doing and instead focused on what it will yield.
Passing the time: This is a nebulous category but also a very common one. Many gamers will log into a game after a day’s work simply to unwind. Games per se offer a convenient and effective means of relaxing from stress and anxiety. Often the quality of the game or the complexity of the task being carried out do not matter that much. Undertaking simple, repetitive tasks such as crafting allow people to focus and destress. This is similar to putting the TV or listening to background music, just to “kill some time”. No matter how arbitrary the task or action may be, if it provides a restful distraction then it is serving a purpose. However, this is a fine line to tread.
If a game fails to satisfy any of the three aforementioned categories then the question “why am I doing this?” is bound to occur. And when it does it is often an epiphany. The MMO genre is one that fosters a culture of dedication and even obligation. The sunk cost fallacy also has a part to play. But gamers need to remember that video games are a leisure activity and service. If you don’t like your meal in a restaurant then you send it back. If you’re not enjoying the book you’re reading then stop doing so. TV shows that don’t engage can be turned off. Why should an MMO be any different? The rhetorical question “why am I doing this?” should be a major alarm bell for any MMO game developer. It should be something ever present in their mind, especially when testing content. It is unreasonable for gamers to expect all content to be an enthralling rollercoaster ride. In fact there are cogent arguments for providing content that give players some “down time”. But content should never be so dull that players question while they even bothered doing it in the first place. That is gamer Kryptonite.
LOTRO: Revisiting Landscape Soldiers
In March 2012 Turbine released Update 6: Shores of the Great River for The Lord of the Rings Online. This included the ability to summon your Skirmish Soldiers while playing PVE content. Prior to this you only had access to your soldier when playing skirmishes. Whether this was done to compete with other MMOs that have companions or crew such as Star Wars: The Old Republic or Star Trek Online is not clear. It may have been a purely financial decision, as tokens offering an hour’s access to your skirmish soldier soon appeared in the LOTRO store. Like all changes made regarding LOTRO, opinions were divided at the time. Where I saw this as an increase in player choice, others perceived it to be another step away from the spirit of an MMO and further evidence of the solofication of the genre. Eight years later, one thing is certain. Having access to Skirmish Soldiers throughout the game in general, is not the same as having a full blown companion that single player games and some MMOs offer.
In March 2012 Turbine released Update 6: Shores of the Great River for The Lord of the Rings Online. This included the ability to summon your Skirmish Soldiers while playing PVE content. Prior to this you only had access to your soldier when playing skirmishes. Whether this was done to compete with other MMOs that have companions or crew such as Star Wars: The Old Republic or Star Trek Online is not clear. It may have been a purely financial decision, as tokens offering an hour’s access to your skirmish soldier soon appeared in the LOTRO store. Like all changes made regarding LOTRO, opinions were divided at the time. Where I saw this as an increase in player choice, others perceived it to be another step away from the spirit of an MMO and further evidence of the solofication of the genre. Eight years later, one thing is certain. Having access to Skirmish Soldiers throughout the game in general, is not the same as having a full blown companion that single player games and some MMOs offer.
The reason I raise this subject now, is because I’m currently grinding through the War of Three Peaks phase in the new “mini expansion” and it is a litany of kill and fetch quests in a zone densely populated by enemy mobs. Some areas are best tackled by a small fellowship. As it is not much fun, so I decided to see if I could progress quicker by using my Landscape/Skirmish Soldier. I currently have a Warrior that is maxed out. Sadly this tactic has not proven especially beneficial because the Landscape/Skirmish Soldier is nothing more than a blunt tool. It has very limited functionality and certainly doesn't compete with the flexibility of the Captain's Herald and Lore-master's pets. You can direct it to fight a specific target but the cooldown on that skill takes too long to be of tactical use. It also doesn’t seem to do much damage when fighting an enemy. Having levelled a second character in the last 18 months I have noticed that the Landscape/Skirmish Soldier seems to be more effective at lower levels.
Hence I have toyed with the idea of retraining my Landscape/Skirmish Soldier from a Warrior to another type. However, after some research on the official forums and the LOTRO subreddit, it would appear that most folk choose either a Sage or Herbalist. This is because they can provide debuffs and healing, effectively. Archers, Bannerguards and Protectors (as well as the Warrior that I currently have) all suffer from the same problems; chaotic AI, a penchant for getting lost or stuck in the environment and generally not being able to hold enemies and kill them quickly enough. Plus, if I do decide to retrain my Landscape/Skirmish Soldier, there is the cost to consider. It would appear it takes about 60,000 Skirmish Marks to buy a new role and max out the allotted skills. I currently have 23,000 Skirmish Marks and that took a while to build up. So potentially, this could be a lengthy and costly process, which may still not yield the results I seek.
Another disappointing aspect of the Landscape/Skirmish Soldier is that they have no associated backstory and therefore I have no emotional connection or investment in them. They are no more than a meat shield. However, companions in SWTOR have bespoke stories, personalities and a varied set of skills. As there are multiple companions available in the game, you use whichever one is appropriate to your circumstances. Their dialogue and sundry banter can be both endearing and annoying. Either way, at least you care about them. And in Star Trek Online, although your away team do not have individual stories, you can at least customise their skills and gear. Having four NPCs providing support with a small degree of tactical control can be a real asset. It would therefore be nice to see something comparable in LOTRO. You should be able to use your Landscape/Skirmish Soldier in the same way you can your pet. However, I don’t think this is on SSGs priority list. It’s just another facet of LOTRO that has fallen by the wayside. Like hobbies, Epic Battles and mounted combat.
The Problem With War of Three Peaks
Some readers may see the title of this post as an inference that there is only one problem with the latest “mini expansion” for The Lord of the Rings Online. That is not the case. However, I don’t hold developer’s Standing Stone Games responsible for the debacle over the pricing for the three different editions. That is something I lay at the door of financiers and publishers, Daybreak Game Company. For the purpose of this blog post, I wish to focus upon the lacklustre content of Update 28: War of Three Peaks and how it becomes quite clear which material was developed as part of a regular content update and what was then added to potentially try and justify the term “mini expansion”. Furthermore, I see this drop in quality as being a real threat to the future prosperity of LOTRO. I am a long time fan of this MMO, albeit one with a sense of perspective. I’m halfway through the new zone and I’m not having fun. I’m sure I am not alone in this.
Some readers may see the title of this post as an inference that there is only one problem with the latest “mini expansion” for The Lord of the Rings Online. That is not the case. However, I don’t hold developer’s Standing Stone Games responsible for the debacle over the pricing for the three different editions. That is something I lay at the door of financiers and publishers, Daybreak Game Company. For the purpose of this blog post, I wish to focus upon the lacklustre content of Update 28: War of Three Peaks and how it becomes quite clear which material was developed as part of a regular content update and what was then added to potentially try and justify the term “mini expansion”. Furthermore, I see this drop in quality as being a real threat to the future prosperity of LOTRO. I am a long time fan of this MMO, albeit one with a sense of perspective. I’m halfway through the new zone and I’m not having fun. I’m sure I am not alone in this.
Let’s start with what I like about the Elderslade region. It’s a rugged environment with several interesting hidden areas. It is also not too much of a chore to navigate and there are several points where you can take a shortcut to where you need to get to, rather than follow the roads. That is something that doesn’t happen too often in LOTRO these days. Usually, the environment is designed to funnel the player from Ato B and hems them in. The storylines are enjoyable and again show that the writers are well versed in the lore of Middle- earth. I especially like the quest arc that has you travelling with Léothred, a historian from Rohan. His revised history of Fram and his slaying of Scatha the Worm was especially well conceived. I liked the way it involved Karazgar, the Weeping Warrior to fill in the gaps in existing lore. I also like the themes that recur throughout the main Epic Story and the way the distrust between the Longbeards, Zhelruka and Stout Axes Dwarven clans is frequently an impediment to their success.
Sadly, the positive aspects of Update 28 do not necessarily compensate for the bad. For example, a common trick that SSG relies upon to increase content, is to create an area, divide it into numerous subsections and then densely populate it with mobs. The player will then be presented with a litany of fetch and kill quests forcing them to navigate throughout all areas. These sorts of quests cease to be a challenge and tips over into being tedious. Sometimes quests can be auto completed but on other occasions you find yourself at one end of an area and having to battle all the way back to hand in and finish. It’s the inconsistency here that is annoying and the feeling you’re being taken for a mug. As for the reusing of the twin phase map concept, this is not a bad idea in theory. It worked well with the Minas Morgul expansion and being able to access Mordor in the Second Age. But here it feels like an excuse to simply pad out the mini expansion with even more superfluous kill and fetch quests. Then there is the poison gas that blights specific areas of War of Three Peaks and its associated mechanic. It is simply a nuisance and adds nothing to gameplay.
A new addition to the game is the Mission system. I was hoping that these would be a variation of skirmishes with the focus on tactical gameplay. Sadly they lack that systems creativity and are little more than straightforward instances that require you to complete a basic set of criteria. IE Kill so many enemies and then a boss. The only difference here is that if you do not quickly kill the enemy, they will call for reinforcement. They also lack the story elements that skirmishes have and do not feel in any way different from the regular instances that occur in the story. Yes, you can do them with companions but you are offered no real incentive to do so with regards to the rewards. And talking of such, the new gear available in the game just feels like an increase for its own sake. The new reputation gear doesn’t seem to offer anything more than a basic increase in stats over the gear you have already. It’s all very uninspired and unengaging.
And therein lies the problem. It all feels too much like busy work for its own sake. Now it can be argued that this is the foundation of the entire MMORPG genre but I would counter that with the assertion that a good developer tries to mask busy work with a veneer of narrative engagement and a soupçon of panache. If you’re immersed in a story and doing something that doesn’t immediately strike you as busy work, then that is a MMO working well. Sadly, such things are conspicuously absent here and I keep saying to myself, “remind me again why I’m killing another dozen Angmarim?” or words to that effect. I’m in danger of getting bored to the point of abandoning the game in pursuit of another that is more entertaining and gives me a sense of accomplishment and not frustration or annoyance. If SSG wants to bounce back from this low point, then I hope that the next official expansion is a lot more inventive and enjoyable. A lot of people play this genre of games to escape the mundane nature of their chore driven lives and don’t want to have to endure something similar while playing a game like LOTRO.
LOTRO Classic
In the last month or so, I’ve spent some time perusing the official forums for the MMORPG The Lord of the Rings Online. It suffers from many of the shortcomings you find on fan driven gaming forums, insofar as it’s monopolised by a small cadre of partisan minded players that are not an especially broad cross section of the LOTRO community. However, a wide range of thoughts and ideas about the game are discussed on these forums. Sometimes, if the planets are in the correct alignment, staff from Standing Stone Games will even deign to reply. Recently, a particularly interesting question that has frequently been raised by players finally got addressed by SSG developer Jeff Libby (AKA MadeOfLions). Namely, will there ever be a release of LOTRO Classic? An “old school” server with the game as it was when it launched in 2007. The fact that they actually answered is the main surprise here. Everything else about the actual reply is par for the course and embodies everything that is wrong with SSG and their community relations. Here is the original question and the subsequent answer.
In the last month or so, I’ve spent some time perusing the official forums for the MMORPG The Lord of the Rings Online. It suffers from many of the shortcomings you find on fan driven gaming forums, insofar as it’s monopolised by a small cadre of partisan minded players that are not an especially broad cross section of the LOTRO community. However, a wide range of thoughts and ideas about the game are discussed on these forums. Sometimes, if the planets are in the correct alignment, staff from Standing Stone Games will even deign to reply. Recently, a particularly interesting question that has frequently been raised by players finally got addressed by SSG developer Jeff Libby (AKA MadeOfLions). Namely, will there ever be a release of LOTRO Classic? An “old school” server with the game as it was when it launched in 2007. The fact that they actually answered is the main surprise here. Everything else about the actual reply is par for the course and embodies everything that is wrong with SSG and their community relations. Here is the original question and the subsequent answer.
Question by LotroVidz: Also most of the devs seem to not be original devs from 2007, so how can they know without asking the player base? MOL didn't even understand why players ask for a classic version of the game. He doesn't seem to understand how much of a different game the original Lotro was.
Answer by Made of Lions: Hi there, original dev from 2007 here. No, I understand it. I also love a lot of the games I played years ago (the amount of money I've spent buying digital versions of the games I loved from the 90s is downright embarrassing), so I know what it is to look back at something and miss it. I would personally love to see a version of LOTRO from launch, to run around in old-timey Eriador and see it in all of its 2007 glory. I stood in line at my local Gamestop on launch day to buy the strategy guide I also helped compile, and I remember running around Breeland listening to players be... stumped... about the location of the Hanging Tree, which was harder to find back then. There's just something about a brand-new MMO, when it's a vast and undiscovered world of mystery and full of promise. You won't find a bigger fan than me, and I would have a great time running around Original Recipe LOTRO. That would be a great afternoon.
But it doesn't have the longevity you remember. It's a snapshot, frozen in time, and from our perspective it's a snapshot that would remove tens of thousands of fixes, some minor, but many serious. "But I liked it better before!" you say. "I want a version that only has what I like, and doesn't have anything that I don't! I want you to restore Frodo's Burden to the slow and frustrating experience it started as." I hear you, and I understand, but our Engineers have plenty on their plates already without being tasked to revert LOTRO to the years-old state that best suits your taste. Engineers in particular are allergic to undoing their own fixes, since those tend to be the most important when compared to the kind of things Content usually has to fix. Frodo's Burden, alas, will remain in its adjusted state. MoL
It can be difficult sometimes to accurately interpret the tone that may or not be present within any written response. Some people believe that there is a degree of condescension present in Jeff Libby’s reply and that again we see SSG dealing with customer questions as if they’re an inconvenience or nuisance. Whether that is true or not is something that we have to decide for ourselves. Semantics and diplomacy aside, the statement does raise some interesting points.
Does the original code for the Shadows of Angmar version of LOTRO still exist? Are there backups of previous server builds or would all previous patches and content updates have to be manually “unpicked”?
Assuming that an earlier version of LOTRO could be made available, exactly how would SSG monetise it? This is an important question as there would naturally be costs incurred when running LOTRO Classic. Would the VIP subscription yield enough revenue to make such a venture viable? There was no store present in LOTRO in 2007 and the game as it was then has no immediate means of running store based transactions in-game.
Would producing and maintaining LOTRO Classic be a wise division of SSGs development resources? Is SSG just too small a gaming developer to be able to sustain multiple servers with multiple iterations of the same product?
Would LOTRO and the player community be better served by SSG focusing their finite resources on a major bug fixing project? Would the overhauling of problematic systems and developing new kinds of innovative content attract new and lapsed players back to the MMO and extend the games lifespan?
But I think the biggest issue with Jeff Libby’s response is his point that players may well think they’d like to play LOTRO Classic but they don’t really want it, because their judgement is being clouded by nostalgia. I consider this to be a patently false axiom. A similar argument was perpetuated by Blizzard for years, when players asked for World of Warcraft Classic. It proved totally wrong and we now have such an iteration of that game and it appears to be doing fine. Many LOTRO players would love to get their hands on some of the older systems that have now been replaced, or play through some of the instances and raids before they were nerfed and split up. One of the major appeals for roleplayers is simply being able to exist in a virtual Middle-earth. The game as it was in 2007, although technically smaller, felt bigger than it does now. Travelling around originally took longer and players did not immediately have access to mounts. LOTRO Classic may even tempt some newer players to come and see how much the games changed over time.
The LOTRO Community can be myopic and even a little partisan. But many have grown old with the game and are fully aware of what they’d be getting if a version of LOTRO Classic became available. They are fans but not necessarily fools and it is disingenuous for anyone at SSG to patronise them. I’m of the opinion that SSG could, if they wanted too, produce a form of LOTRO Classic. They just don’t want to as I’m sure it will be a lot of hard work and that the issue of integrating the in-game store is a major problem for them. But because of the way that SSG handles communication and interacts with its community, this question is never going to go away. If they clearly, politely and categorically said that they can’t or won’t produce a form of LOTRO Classic and then gave a sound reason, then the player base may well move on. But candid and direct communication is not their style. However, there may be a small ray of hope. Ultimately, the decision regarding LOTRO Classic may not be SSGs to make. If their “publisher” Daybreak Game Company felt that there was money in such a project, there could be a complete U-turn on this subject.
A Month in Gaming
The last 31 days have gone by really fast, or at least that’s the way it feels. Despite having bought several new games recently and acquired yet more for free from the Epic Store, I did not embark on anything new throughout October. Due to the unexpectedly prompt release of the new “mini expansion” for The Lord of the Rings Online and the launch of a new event in Star Trek Online, I found myself focused upon the MMORPG genre, yet again. And after playing continuously for six months, Call of Duty Modern Warfare/Warzone has finally begun to lose its lustre. I didn’t especially enjoy the Halloween event, not that there was anything inherently wrong with it. It just wasn’t for me. I played a little Fall Guy: Ultimate Knockout but quickly discovered that the “season” system is just another gear treadmill, although the gear in this instance are novelty cosmetic outfits. I don’t want to be tied to too many games in this fashion (it’s bad enough with MMOs), so this is another title that has been relegated to occasional play when the fancy takes me.
The last 31 days have gone by really fast, or at least that’s the way it feels. Despite having bought several new games recently and acquired yet more for free from the Epic Store, I did not embark on anything new throughout October. Due to the unexpectedly prompt release of the new “mini expansion” for The Lord of the Rings Online and the launch of a new event in Star Trek Online, I found myself focused upon the MMORPG genre, yet again. And after playing continuously for six months, Call of Duty Modern Warfare/Warzone has finally begun to lose its lustre. I didn’t especially enjoy the Halloween event, not that there was anything inherently wrong with it. It just wasn’t for me. I played a little Fall Guy: Ultimate Knockout but quickly discovered that the “season” system is just another gear treadmill, although the gear in this instance are novelty cosmetic outfits. I don’t want to be tied to too many games in this fashion (it’s bad enough with MMOs), so this is another title that has been relegated to occasional play when the fancy takes me.
Upon my return to LOTRO, a quick review of my account status showed that I own everything up to and including Update 27: The Great Wedding. Hence I decided not to subscribe to the game. The downsides to this are negligible. I can live without the monthly stipend of LOTRO points and do not mind having to use mailboxes to access in-game mail. And so I played through the entire of the Mists of the Wildlands and The Great Wedding updates and enjoyed both. Contrary to my expectations The Great Wedding was not a litany of “fetch quests” and so offered an enjoyable change of pace and content. The focus was on the narrative and it was fun to see SSG bring back characters that had featured previously in the game. Questing in the Wells of Langflood was also agreeable. I found the Holbytlan village of Lyndelby to be a welcome break from continual combat. I also liked the lore based stories that occur while travelling with Léothred. Having built up a modest amount of LOTRO points, I took the opportunity to replace all my gear with items from Adventurer's Steel-bound Lootbox. I like to be prepared and as well equipped as possible.
As I indicated in previous posts, I bought the Standard Edition of the War of Three Peaks “mini expansion”. I simply couldn’t see any value in the other editions and I still grumbled about being charged £15 for the base version. So far, I am not overly impressed with War of Three Peaks. It is not so imaginative as other content updates and feels rather perfunctory. Too often the player is funnelled from A to B with dynamic quests popping up along the way. Quests rely too heavily on killing a fixed quantity of mobs of a certain type. And SSG do they’re usual trick of substituting genuine challenge with forcing the player into an area that’s densely packed with enemies. Simply traversing such places ceases to be enjoyable and just becomes a chore. Once again the biggest saving grace is the storyline. Those focused on the endeavours of the Dwarves always seem to be the strongest in this game.
STO always has an abundance of timed events, so there’s always something new going on in the game. However, the rewards vary so I don’t always feel the need to participate in all of them. I have not done so for the last three. However The Widening Gyre event offers an Imperial Rift Space Set (a 5 piece set of equipment for your ship) so I decided to grind through 20 daily Task Force Operations and subsequently earned the reward. It is a good set and gave me an excuse to return to this MMO. The current story arc in STO is the Klingon Civil War and there were three episodic missions outstanding for me to complete. Developers Cryptic are currently revising a lot of the Klingon based content in the game. As ever it is impressively voice acted by such actors as J.G Hertzler, Robert O’Reilly and Rekha Sharma. Cryptic have also added a new feature to the game allowing players to add an Experimental Upgrade to existing T6 or T5-U starships. The tokens are available in the C-Store and add +1 Device Slot, +1 Universal Console Slot and +1 Starship Trait Slot. I applied one of these to a Tucker Class Miracle Worker Cruiser which now has a formidable 13 consoles.
Life is often full of surprises. I, like many others, was expecting a second lockdown here in the UK and one begins for a month (provisionally) on Thursday 5th of November. What I wasn’t expecting was to have to self isolate again. To cut a long story short I have come into contact with several people who have tested positive for COVID-19 and now have to stay indoors for 14 days. Although this is an inconvenience to a degree, it does offer an opportunity for some additional gaming. This is beneficial when focusing on MMOs which are by their very nature time sinks. Hopefully, if I can catch up with all current content in both LOTRO and STO I can then focus on playing one of the new RPGs that I’ve recently bought. I have a feeling that Christmas is going to be a somewhat insular affair this year, so such a game will be an ideal entertainment solution.
MMO Nostalgia
Every now and then, when I log into The Lord of the Rings Online, as I ride through a new zone and drink in the vividly realised landscape and sumptuous ambient music, I am smitten by a wave of nostalgia. Just for a few seconds, I recall the emotional excitement of being in a virtual Middle-earth for the first time. I also remember the camaraderie and good company I experienced when I started playing this MMO in 2008. It is a powerful experience but sadly very short lived. Something subsequently happens to take me out of my reverie and bring me back to the current state of the game with a bump. This can be hitching, a major lag spike or a Dwarf irritatingly jumping up and down in my peripheral vision as I peruse the Auction House. Hence my present relationship with LOTRO and indeed the MMORPG genre is one based upon nostalgia and a hint of sadness. I still enjoy LOTRO mainly because of the stories and lore, as well as my friends in our kinship. But I no longer experience the game, as I did over a decade ago. And I miss that.
Every now and then, when I log into The Lord of the Rings Online, as I ride through a new zone and drink in the vividly realised landscape and sumptuous ambient music, I am smitten by a wave of nostalgia. Just for a few seconds, I recall the emotional excitement of being in a virtual Middle-earth for the first time. I also remember the camaraderie and good company I experienced when I started playing this MMO in 2008. It is a powerful experience but sadly very short lived. Something subsequently happens to take me out of my reverie and bring me back to the current state of the game with a bump. This can be hitching, a major lag spike or a Dwarf irritatingly jumping up and down in my peripheral vision as I peruse the Auction House. Hence my present relationship with LOTRO and indeed the MMORPG genre is one based upon nostalgia and a hint of sadness. I still enjoy LOTRO mainly because of the stories and lore, as well as my friends in our kinship. But I no longer experience the game, as I did over a decade ago. And I miss that.
LOTRO was my introduction to the MMORPG genre. And when I started playing, “multiplayer” was still an integral aspect of such games. It was clear right from the get go that much of the content was designed for groups and if you wished to progress through the game, you’d be dependent on playing with others. However, I was at a point in my life where I had the time available to sink into such a game, mainly because I was living alone. Furthermore, this kind of gaming experience was still novel for me and I enjoyed the company of other gamers. I fortunately hooked up with some like minded gamers who were loitering around a particularly nasty enemy and necessity brought us together to defeat it. Names were subsequently added to a friends lists and shortly thereafter I found myself joining a kinship (guild) with the same people. Circumstances, along with a lack of exposure to games of this kind meant that for the next few years this MMO was my game of choice.
Between 2008 and the present, I have played most major MMOs at some point. Each new game has always promised something “different”. Sometimes this has been the case. Rift brought “dynamic content” to the mainstream. However, over time trends have changed. Tab targeting and skill rotations have given way to action combat and greater situational awareness. The reliance on the traditional “trinity” of classes has been replaced by more flexible builds. But if you can heal yourself and adapt to different situations, then the need to group is negated. Social game play has become optional and for many players unnecessary. Other genres have successfully adopted elements from the MMO. Hence, many cooperative games have poached former MMO players. Thus, several decades on from the halcyon days of Ultima Online and EverQuest, the MMO genre has now become a distinctly niche market product. It retains loyal gamers but is no longer seen by the video games industry as the “future of gaming (AKA cash cow) they once thought it to be.
It can be argued that the MMORPG genre has never reached its full potential. The right balance of features and game mechanics has never quite been implemented in any game. Players cannot make any lasting changes upon the virtual world that they play in. Housing has never really progressed beyond a cosmetic storage zone. Linear progression and grinding for gear is still the primary focus of many games. The social aspect of these types of games have all too often diminished and the developers seldom do anything to incentivise such activities. And many players never fully experience the majority of the content that a game has to offer. Twelve years on, I often get this sense of a missed opportunity whenever I log into LOTRO. It’s a somewhat saddening feeling. The game get’s content updates but it tends to be just more of the same and there’s no innovation from developers Standing Stone Games. The same can be said for other MMOs to a greater or lesser degree. They seldom do anything radically different from their competitor and once established, just continue doing things in the same idiom. It may be that this is part of the genre’s appeal. It certainly isn’t too difficult to migrate from one MMO to another, as they all broadly do the same thing.
Nostalgia is a powerful emotion and the video games industry has wisely chosen not to ignore it. Hence in recent years we have seen “classic” iterations of various MMOs where early versions of a game are made available again. The growth in rogue servers of games that have long been officially shutdown is another interesting development. The evolution of MMOs has not been to everyone’s liking and some gamers hanker for “how things used to be”. For me, my relationship with MMOs peaked between 2008 and 2011. A perfect storm of events contributed to this genre being the apple of my eye. But change is an inherent part of life. MMOs and I are no longer what we used to be. Yet I still play them in memory of what was and for those occasional, fleeting moments when I briefly reconnect with the past. And then it briefly feels like going home. One day I shall finally part company with this genre and move on. But not yet.
Gaming News Roundup
Once again, here are a handful of gaming news stories from the last ten days or so that caught my eye. I have refrained from writing an entire blog post on each, either because they are too trivial and cannot sustain an article in their own right, or because they might fuel a rant of some kind. I’m too old for that kind of nonsense nowadays. The video game industry really has transitioned from the unique independent position it enjoyed three decades ago, into just another corporate business. Rife with all the usual iniquities and failings. But it’s not all doom and gloom as one story indicates. Ridiculous character crossovers can still bring joy to gamers who love such things.
Once again, here are a handful of gaming news stories from the last ten days or so that caught my eye. I have refrained from writing an entire blog post on each, either because they are too trivial and cannot sustain an article in their own right, or because they might fuel a rant of some kind. I’m too old for that kind of nonsense nowadays. The video game industry really has transitioned from the unique independent position it enjoyed three decades ago, into just another corporate business. Rife with all the usual iniquities and failings. But it’s not all doom and gloom as one story indicates. Ridiculous character crossovers can still bring joy to gamers who love such things.
Alex Hutchinson and Streaming.
Alex Hutchinson, creative director of Stadia Games and Entertainment's Montreal studio thinks that “streamers should be paying the developers and publishers of the games they stream. They should be buying a license like any real business and paying for the content they use”. As you can imagine, these comments were not well received by streamers and some video games companies that have a close association with such platforms. Once again we have to endure the spectacle of someone opening their mouth and holding forth, without the benefit of engaging their brain. It’s becoming tediously commonplace these days. Mr Hutchinson’s arguments are flawed and lack any critical thinking. The benefits of having your products streamed are immense and most of those doing such things are far from “high rollers”. But stupid is as stupid does. However common sense prevailed from Google's global head of gaming for YouTube Ryan Wyatt. He tweeted that "publishers and creators have a wonderful symbiotic relationship that has allowed a thriving ecosystem to be created. One that has mutually benefited everyone".
Whatever Happened to VR?
Popular gaming website Massively Overpowered raised an interesting question recently. “Are we going to see a VR revolution and do you care?” This got me thinking about my own experience with this specific subset of gaming. A few years ago I bought the game Star Trek: Bridge Crew. The nature of the game is self-evident by the name. It was specifically designed to be a VR title but possibly due to poor sales, it was soon patched so it could also be played on the PC in a conventional, non VR fashion. And therein lies the inherent problem with VR. As of yet there does not seem to be a “killer game” that has a universal appeal and incentivises consumers to buy a VR headset. I am reminded of Wii Sports which in many ways played a major role in making the Nintendo Wii a success. VR lacks at present anything like this. Another reason I suspect the uptake of VR in its current form will always be limited is the need for the headset itself. The prospects of having something bulky and cumbersome over my eyes for any length of time, is not a good one. I suspect it is why 3D films have come and gone so many times.
More Exclusive Content for Consoles.
Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War is to offer an exclusive Zombie mode on both the PS4 and PS5 for one year. Zombies Onslaught has two-players facing increasingly difficult waves of zombie hordes. The goal is naturally to kill the undead and survive. Zombie Onslaught mode will deploy players to locations from various multiplayer maps. Both participants have access to the custom loadouts as they do in existing Zombies and Multiplayer modes. Sounds fun for those who dig such things. But once again it highlights the divisive nature of exclusive content. It is often perceived by gamers not so much as a case of offering something bespoke to one particular group but as taking something out of a game for a significantly bigger group. I think exclusive cosmetics are a much more benign method of marketing and less likely to divide the player base.
Celebrity Guest Characters in Gaming.
Mortal Kombat has always been a shamelessly commercial franchise but because it has made no bones about this since the game’s inception, I don’t really have a problem with developers NetherRealms Studios. You know where you stand with them. As they have the publishing muscle of Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment behind them they are quite creative in their choice of “celebrity guest characters”. So far the game has included Robocop (voiced by original actor Peter Weller) and The Terminator (based on Arnie’s image but without his voice acting). The next iconic screen persona to be added to the game is John J Rambo (with Stallone providing the voice). You’ll be able to do some fancy knife work, fire explosive arrows and rip out your opponents throat as a finishing move. It’s harmless fun and if I may quote Cupid Stunt “all done in the best possible taste”. And they say that creativity is dead.
LOTRO: Update 28 - War of Three Peaks
Players of the popular MMORPG The Lord of the Rings Online were informed just 24 hours ago by developers Standing Stone Games, that the new “mini expansion” would be released today. Under normal circumstances, Update 28 - War of Three Peaks would have just been marketed as a content update and have been free to VIP subscribers, lifetime account holders and purchasable with LOTRO points by F2P players. However, these are far from normal circumstances. From March to May this year, LOTRO enjoyed a major renaissance as the lockdown brought players back to the game. SSG felt so confident in this surge in the playerbase that they made all previous updates available for free. However throughout June, July and August the game suffered major technical problems that lead to the majority of game servers being down for weeks. During that time many players took their business elsewhere or at the very least deferred subscribing until the technical issues were resolved. This left a major hole in SSG’s finances, hence the latest update miraculously became a chargeable “mini expansion”.
Players of the popular MMORPG The Lord of the Rings Online were informed just 24 hours ago by developers Standing Stone Games, that the new “mini expansion” would be released today. Under normal circumstances, Update 28 - War of Three Peaks would have just been marketed as a content update and have been free to VIP subscribers, lifetime account holders and purchasable with LOTRO points by F2P players. However, these are far from normal circumstances. From March to May this year, LOTRO enjoyed a major renaissance as the lockdown brought players back to the game. SSG felt so confident in this surge in the playerbase that they made all previous updates available for free. However throughout June, July and August the game suffered major technical problems that lead to the majority of game servers being down for weeks. During that time many players took their business elsewhere or at the very least deferred subscribing until the technical issues were resolved. This left a major hole in SSG’s finances, hence the latest update miraculously became a chargeable “mini expansion”.
A month ago the new update was previewed on the Bullroarer test server and it became clear that it was just more of the same. IE Just another zone with multiple quest hubs. Essentially the same sort of material that SSG have been producing for the last few years. So if this was to be sold as a “mini expansion” then there would have to be some additional content included as well to justify selling it. Hence, the LOTRO community braced themselves as they awaited the pricing details for the War of Three Peaks, as Update 28 has been formally named. SSG usually sells three versions of an expansion. A Standard Edition, a Collector’s Edition and an Ultimate Fan Bundle. It should be noted there have been controversies in the past over previous legitimate expansions and their respective value for money. Oddly enough, SSG decided not to announce the price or exact content of all three editions until today when the “mini expansion” formally launched. However, marketing emails were sent out to some players so the pricing of the three editions became known by midday.
As you can see, the pricing for this mini expansion” is broadly comparable to the previous full expansion Minas Morgul. Considering that War of Three Peaks is just the size of a regular content update, the prices are exorbitant. The Standard Edition is the only one that I will even consider buying as there are insufficient extras in the other two versions to justify their cost. There has already been a degree of “pushback” over on the official LOTRO forums as players voice their displeasure at the pricing and the entire way this situation has been handled. I suspect that if the outcry is big enough, you may find SSG adding additional content to the Collector’s Edition and Ultimate Fan Bundle to try and redress the balance. But there are wider issues here beyond the mere price of this “mini expansion”. Are we about to see a major restructuring of the games business model? If so, is this change in policy down to SSG or their publisher (and potentially owners) Daybreak Game Company?
Charging all LOTRO players for future content updates may well become the “new normal”. Up until now, content updates have been free to subscribers and lifetime account holders. F2P players would purchase Quest Packs for new zones. However this may not have proven especially profitable. When I play LOTRO I subscribe a month at a time. The monthly fee is £9. Quest Packs cost on average 795 LOTRO points (approximately £8). During the course of a month I could play through two or three zones, making a subscription a lot more economical than buying all the respective Quest Packs. Furthermore, lifetime account holders have always received (up to now) access to all new content updates free of charge, so SSG has never made any revenue of this type from this section of the LOTRO community. It has often been argued that lifetime accounts for LOTRO were sold too prolifically during the game’s early years and as a result there is a large percentage of players that do not have to spend any money except for major expansions. If these current practises cease and everyone who plays has to buy new content three times a year then there is scope for SSG to increase their revenue.
However, if the sale of all new content became mandatory, it would invalidate the need for a monthly subscription. At present the only real advantage of subbing is free access to new content and the following additional services. Mailbox Field Access. Custom character portrait frame. Access All Character Trait Slots. Daily +100% XP*. 500 LOTRO Points per month. Free weekly Gold Hobbit Present.Access All Quest Packs and Skirmishes*. Access All Monster Classes. Many of these could be sold individually via the LOTRO store or bundled into a “starter pack” or something similar. The stipend of LOTRO points is a nice bonus and one that I enjoy but it is totally dependent on a subscription. It therefore isn’t really “free” but more of a quid pro quo. It should be noted that the MMORPG Star Trek Online removed subscriptions as of Spring 2018. Many of the benefits that came with subbing to that game simply became one off purchases.
All things considered, perhaps the release of War of Three Peaks as a “mini expansion” is more than just a short term fiscal adjustment, designed to fill a shortfall in the quarterly balance sheet. It may be part of a complete recalibration of the business model for LOTRO and a way to ensure that all players pay equally for the new future content that comes to the game. If that is the case then SSG needs to ensure that all updates meet a high standard. The LOTRO community is very supportive of the game and has more than its share of “whales” who buy cosmetic items prodigiously. However, potential changes such as these indeed to be implemented carefully and require adept community relations, marketing and PR to effectively sell them to the players. Skills that SSG are not renown for. It will be interesting to see how things pan out in the weeks to come. Firstly with the immediate reception of the new “mini expansion” and its respective value for money. Secondly, whether SSG formally announce a revision of the game’s business model. All of which could be a turning point for LOTRO but whether for good or ill remains to be seen.
LOTRO: Even More Community Management Problems
Video games are a somewhat unique consumer product, in so far that we, the customers, broadly seem to have a far more personal relationship with them compared to other recreational activities. For example, I subscribed to several online streaming services that produce TV and film content. However, I never worry about how well their business model is performing, nor do I particularly concern myself with their public relations image. I simply “pay and consume” and as long as I have no technical problems that impede my access, then that is the extent of my relationship with them. I also enjoy Hendrick’s Gin but I don’t worry about the manufacturer, William Grant & Sons. But for some reason, my relationship with video games is different. I am far more au fait with the activities of both the developers and publishers, as well as their overall corporate standing. I suppose it’s because video games are an interactive activity and that make things more personal.
Video games are a somewhat unique consumer product, in so far that we, the customers, broadly seem to have a far more personal relationship with them compared to other recreational activities. For example, I subscribed to several online streaming services that produce TV and film content. However, I never worry about how well their business model is performing, nor do I particularly concern myself with their public relations image. I simply “pay and consume” and as long as I have no technical problems that impede my access, then that is the extent of my relationship with them. I also enjoy Hendrick’s Gin but I don’t worry about the manufacturer, William Grant & Sons. But for some reason, my relationship with video games is different. I am far more au fait with the activities of both the developers and publishers, as well as their overall corporate standing. I suppose it’s because video games are an interactive activity and that make things more personal.
Hence, as a long time player and supporter of the MMORPG The Lord of the Rings Online I worry about the games long term future. It can be cogently argued (and I have done so myself in the past many times) that it is pointless adopting such a stance but I think this ultimately is just a foible of the human condition. It is in our nature to form communities around the things we love irrespective of whether such communities genuinely have any impact and traction. So bearing this in mind, I think that LOTRO is at a crossroads and that a triumvirate of problems could coalesce and have a very negative impact. The first of these three are technical issues that stem from the fact that LOTRO is a 13 year old game. If a subscription game doesn’t run reliably and consistently then some players take their business elsewhere. The next problem is the business model and the way that Daybreak Game Company is squeezing too hard. Update 28 becoming a “mini expansion” is a succinct example of this. And finally there’s the community relations and communications. They’re poor and often conducted in a very peremptory tone.
There has been a conspicuous lack of information regarding The War of Three Peaks since the preview on the Bullroarer test server on 23rd September. I don’t think the player base was especially impressed with what is essentially just another content update. However, SSG recently stated that the “mini expansion” would be coming in the next week or so. But when asked for further details community manager Jerry Snook stated that SSG would not reveal details of the three different versions of the new content update until the day of its release. If this were any other developer I would’ve been surprised by such a response but after years of such indifferences from SSG, I simply shrugged. They’ve always been shocking at marketing their own content. In recent years, teaser videos have always been hastily produced and hardly make the new content look exciting. Information has always been confined to the forums and never shouted from the rooftops. So the fact that SSG feels disinclined to market The War of Three Peaks is frankly par for the course. I used to think they were just bad at this stuff. I now think they just take their customers for granted.
In the past decade there have been several occasions where the future of LOTRO has appeared to be in doubt. Whether this was the case or not is another matter. However, due to the lack of communication that habitually blights this games community management, we’ve worried about license renewals, corporate takeovers and server relocations over the game’s lifespan. Ultimately, LOTRO has survived and continues to so due to its devoted community. They love the game and its realisation of Middle-earth. The fact that there is no alternative is another major factor. Yet SSG seem to be oblivious to this and have basically given a key role that is supposed to act as a conduit between consumer and vendor to a very grumpy man who always gives the impression he’d much rather be doing something else. They need to fix this problem, along with the technical issues and the business model. God help them if The War of Three Peaks is a dog’s dinner. You can’t keep kicking your community indefinitely, because eventually it will turn on you and leave.
Star Trek Online: Beginners Guide Part 2 - Careers, Factions and Species
Welcome to the second part of my Star Trek Online: Beginners Guide. I thought it may be useful to write a series of posts, offering practical information for those who are just starting out in STO. Nothing fancy or in any way definitive. Just a few basic tips that may help orientate the new player. I’ve been playing STO since its launch in 2010 and this MMO has seen a lot of changes. The game features a lot of systems and mechanics that are not always immediately intuitive to grasp. So I’ll be doing my best to cover a selection of these in each post and try to provide a broad overview. Like a lot of advice, it can be subjective. Ultimately it comes down to each player how they wish to play. In this instalment, I shall be writing about career paths, factions and races.
Welcome to the second part of my Star Trek Online: Beginners Guide. I thought it may be useful to write a series of posts, offering practical information for those who are just starting out in STO. Nothing fancy or in any way definitive. Just a few basic tips that may help orientate the new player. I’ve been playing STO since its launch in 2010 and this MMO has seen a lot of changes. The game features a lot of systems and mechanics that are not always immediately intuitive to grasp. So I’ll be doing my best to cover a selection of these in each post and try to provide a broad overview. Like a lot of advice, it can be subjective. Ultimately it comes down to each player how they wish to play. In this instalment, I shall be writing about career paths, factions and species.
Q: Which career is best for new players?
A: The answer to this conundrum really comes down to playstyle and personal choice. There is no optimal path as such in STO. Yes some builds can deliver higher DPS but game skill also plays a part. Having the so-called “best” doesn’t mean you’ll perform in a comparable fashion. So to begin with there are three career paths in STO. A Tactical Captain deals damage, an Engineering Captain is designed to absorb damage and is thus a tank and a Science Captain focuses on buffs, debuffs, energy drain, hold and heals. All three careers have their own strengths and weaknesses. However, these can be tempered by your choice of traits, skills, ground and space gear and ship. And this is where the enjoyment lies; creating your own hybrid build. IE an Engineer using a heavy cruiser to tank, or a Science Captain focusing on healing while using a fast tactical escort.
Q: What faction should I choose?
A: At present there are six factions in Star Trek Online.
Starfleet (the 25th century Federation faction).
Klingon Defence Force.
Romulan Republic.
TOS Starfleet (the 23rd century Federation faction).
Dominion.
DSC Starfleet (the 23rd century Federation faction, Discovery era and pre-TOS).
All of which offer levelling from 1 to 65 (the present level cap) apart from the Dominion which starts at 60 and extends to 65. Each faction has bespoke traits and offer an initially unique storyline for approximately a third of the game. There then comes a point when certain missions are completed, the main story becomes centralised and applicable to all factions. At this juncture, Dominion faction players and Romulan Republic players must decide whether to ally themselves with either Starfleet or the KDF. Once this choice is made, it cannot be changed. However, at this point, as the story is the same to all factions, the only major differences are the NPCs who bestow missions and more importantly what vessels you have access to. The latter is an important consideration.
Personally, I don’t think any faction has a superior story arc. All have been overhauled over the years and are now very well realised. I think most players choose a faction based upon their personal relationship with Star Trek. I was raised on reruns of Star Trek TOS, so the TOS Starfleet faction certainly provided a great “fan service”. If you love Klingon culture then the KDF faction is an ideal choice. Remember that STO has a wealth of voice acting from original cast members which greatly adds to the game’s ambience. It can be argued that the Dominion faction and DSC Starfleet faction storylines are a little shorter than others but such brevity may suit some players. It should also be noted that developers Cryptic have been pragmatic and created the most ships for the most popular faction in the game, which is Starfleet. There are not quite as many vessels available for some factions. However, the allegiance system has addressed this. Plus there are some unique crossfaction vessels.
Q: What species should I pick?
A: Again, there is no single species that has a definite advantage over others in STO, although some have desirable unique traits. But as I previously mentioned, there are many other factors that affect your build and its viability, so it is ultimately a matter of choice. Each faction has a variety of races available. Lore dictates that certain races cannot be accessed by certain factions but Cryptic have been quite inventive with regard to fudging this to a degree. At present the following species are available to the following factions.
Starfleet: Andorian, Bajoran, Benzite, Betazoid, Bolian, Caitian*, Cardassian*, Ferengi, Human, Klingon*, Liberated Borg**, Pakled, Rigelian, Saurian, Talaxian**, Tellarite, Trill, Trill (Joined)*, Vulcan, Alien.
Klingon Defense Force: Cardassian*, Ferasan*, Gorn, Klingon, Lethean, Liberated Borg**, Nausicaan, Orion, Talaxian**, Trill (Joined)*, Alien.
Romulan Republic: Romulan, Reman, Liberated Borg**, Alien
TOS Starfleet: Andorian, Human, Tellarite, Vulcan.
Dominion: Jem’Hadar, Jem’Hadar Vanguard*.
DSC Starfleet: Human, Vulcan, Alien.
* Purchasable from C-Store
** Requires lifetime subscription
If you cannot make up your mind or because of your choice cannot access a specific species, then consider picking “alien” as a race. It has the most visual customisation options available in the game and hence you can create an avatar that looks Human, Vulcan, Andorian etc. You can also create faux Cardassians and replicate a passable facsimile of many other races in the game. Another advantage of the “alien” is that it doesn’t have fixed racial traits and the player can choose an additional ground and space trait instead.
A Month in Gaming
September has been a difficult month. A family crisis and subsequent bereavement meant that gaming got pushed down the daily agenda. However, after the various chores and duties were done I did need some downtime and means to relax. Hence I did play some games in a limited fashion. Nothing fancy, just stuff like Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout and Gang Beasts, which are light-hearted and undemanding. I also took the time to log on to The Lord of the Rings Online test server and check out the preview of the forthcoming “mini-expansion”. Not only was this informative but it provided material for a blog post. But overall I didn’t really achieve anything substantial with my gaming throughout September. Gaming was relegated to being just a convenient diversion from the immediate problems I’ve been facing but as such, it did fulfil that role well.
September has been a difficult month. A family crisis and subsequent bereavement meant that gaming got pushed down the daily agenda. However, after the various chores and duties were done I did need some downtime and means to relax. Hence I did play some games in a limited fashion. Nothing fancy, just stuff like Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout and Gang Beasts, which are light-hearted and undemanding. I also took the time to log on to The Lord of the Rings Online test server and check out the preview of the forthcoming “mini-expansion”. Not only was this informative but it provided material for a blog post. But overall I didn’t really achieve anything substantial with my gaming throughout September, apart from finishing the main story in The Sinking City . Gaming was relegated to being just a convenient diversion from the immediate problems I’ve been facing but as such, it did fulfil that role well.
At present, Call of Duty Modern Warfare/Warzone continues to provide what I call “quick fix” gaming. I’ve been playing since April and every new season, developer’s Infinity Ward continue to add new features to keep the game engaging. Season Six started on 29th September and came with some interesting new maps and weapons to unlock. At present there appears to be a glitch with the SP-R-208 marksman rifle, as there is no bullet drop. Hence it has temporarily become the weapon of choice of all “wannabe” snipers. Even I can hit things with this weapon. There’s also another glitch with the AS VAL silenced assault rifle. When converted to use SPP ammunition, these armour piercing rounds penetrate everything with no reduction in bullet velocity. You can effectively shoot through an entire building and hit a target. I suspect that a patch will quickly eliminate these issues.
Despite my lack of time for in-depth gameplay during September, I did acquire four new games, which came as a surprise to me given the circumstances. Firstly, I was gifted Spiritfarer via Steam. This is a charming and thoughtful game. You play as Stella, (accompanied by her pet cat Daffodil), who takes over from the mythological Charon as the new Spiritfarer. As a ferrymaster you must sail the sea to find spirits, grant their last wishes and finally take them to the Everdoor, the gateway to the afterlife. This is a game that provides relaxation and an opportunity to reflect on the nature of life and death. I also bought two new RPGs. Elex and Horizon Zero Dawn. The latter is a known quantity and a recent console conversion. The former is a smaller title developed by Piranha Bytes who previously made the Gothic and Risen franchises. Elex mixes futuristic and medieval locations, in which the player can use guns, swords and magic against enemies. Finally Toren is an action adventure puzzle game from a small independent Brazillian developer. I found the basic premise of a baby girl protagonist who grows up as she progresses through a trap filled tower intriguing.
In October, I plan to start playing one of the above RPGs and try again to see if I can catch up with content in The Lord of the Rings Online. I’m hoping that there will be an improvement in server performance. It will also be interesting to see how the community responds to the “mini-expansion”. I may return to Star Trek Online but that is more of a question of conducting research for a series of blog posts. What I crave the most from my gaming at present is something different. Hence I have tried content outside of my usual genres during the lockdown. I cannot find any compelling reason to return to The Elder Scrolls Online at present. That is a game I like to apply myself to, due to the richness of the lore. I don’t want to just dabble with it, so I think I’ll keep it in reserve for later. I suspect it may well be a difficult autumn and winter so perhaps an MMO such as this, will be the ideal solution to the dark nights.
Nintendo Switch: The Best Console I Haven’t Bought
I recently wrote about the allure of console gaming and how exclusive titles can often be a big incentive to buy one. However, I’ve been a PC gamer for 25 years now and find that the biggest stumbling block regarding consoles is using the dual thumbsticks on the controller. I can cope with one but having to use two simultaneously is just not something I can do in a coordinated fashion. Hence I won’t be buying a Xbox of Playstation anytime soon. The Nintendo Switch is another matter altogether. This platform is unique in several ways. I like the immediacy of a handheld gaming option and of course Nintendo has the benefit of the Mario franchise. Many of the games for the Switch are more “benign”, lacking the inherent violence and destruction of other platforms' flagship titles. Like Nintendo itself, the Switch exists in its own specific niche.
I recently wrote about the allure of console gaming and how exclusive titles can often be a big incentive to buy one. However, I’ve been a PC gamer for 25 years now and find that the biggest stumbling block regarding consoles is using the dual thumbsticks on the controller. I can cope with one but having to use two simultaneously is just not something I can do in a coordinated fashion. Hence I won’t be buying a Xbox of Playstation anytime soon. The Nintendo Switch is another matter altogether. This platform is unique in several ways. I like the immediacy of a handheld gaming option and of course Nintendo has the benefit of the Mario franchise. Many of the games for the Switch are more “benign”, lacking the inherent violence and destruction of other platforms' flagship titles. Like Nintendo itself, the Switch exists in its own specific niche.
Since writing that post earlier on in the week I have given serious consideration to buying this unique console. I spent some time looking at the various bundles that are on sale and trying to ascertain which retailers were offering the best deal. It would seem that the standard price for the Switch in the UK is £279, which is a reasonable price from my perspective. The latest games on physical media seem to maintain a fixed price but I found plenty of online key sellers that were offering digital download codes at discounted prices. The other major advantage that the Switch offers is that I can play in the lounge if I choose to connect to the TV. This offers a better environment for social gaming, which is again another good selling point for this console. My Granddaughters are at an age where the colourful and friendly games that Nintendo offer are becoming appealing to them.
Sadly, during the course of my research I hit a problem. One that put my plan to purchase a Nintendo Switch on hold, indefinitely. I just can’t find any games that I especially want. That’s not to say that the platform doesn’t have any. Quite the opposite. It has a lot of quirky and interesting games to offer. However, none of them especially appeal to me. I wanted a RPG but the most popular titles appear to be JRPGs and that is a genre I struggle with. I don’t like the aesthetic or propensity for hyperbolic voice acting. I’m also not sure if my love for Mario Kart alone can justify the purchase of a new console. I did toy with the idea of buying Skyrim and Witcher III but as I have those titles on the PC already, it seemed redundant to pay for them a second time. So I decided to postpone this acquisition for the immediate future until a game comes out that grabs my attention. It’s a shame really because the Switch seems to have so many positive things going for it. I guess for the present, it’s the best console I haven’t bought.
LOTRO: Bullroarer Update 28 Preview #1
I spent several hours last night exploring the preview of Update 28: War of the Three Peaks on the Bullroarer test server. I usually take a look at all new content for The Lord of the Rings Online in advance, as it always makes for an interesting blog post. However, this preview has proven a little more controversial than usual, as Update 28 is not going to be free (as all prior updates have been). Standing Stone Games announced recently that it is to be sold as a “mini expansion”, which caused a stir among the LOTRO community. Hence my excursion on the public test server was not just to ascertain the scope of the new zone but to ascertain whether there was sufficient content and value to justify being sold as a “mini expansion”. Sadly, from what I have seen, I do not believe that to be the case.
I spent several hours last night exploring the preview of Update 28: War of the Three Peaks on the Bullroarer test server. I usually take a look at all new content for The Lord of the Rings Online in advance, as it always makes for an interesting blog post. However, this preview has proven a little more controversial than usual, as Update 28 is not going to be free (as all prior updates have been). Standing Stone Games announced recently that it is to be sold as a “mini expansion”, which caused a stir among the LOTRO community. Hence my excursion on the public test server was not just to ascertain the scope of the new zone but to ascertain whether there was sufficient content and value to justify being sold as a “mini expansion”. Sadly, from what I have seen, I do not believe that to be the case.
The new region, Elderslade, is North of Misthallow in the Wells of Langflood. As the road winds further into the hills the trees give way to rocks, grass and shrubs. The flora changes from shades of green to yellow hues. The first main Dwarf encampment is Annak-Khurfu in the South of the zone. It delves into the hillside and is in the same aesthetic idiom as Skarháld. You’ll find Durin and Gloin inside and a wealth of PVE content including the new “Missions”. These are instanced solo or duo, narrative driven quests. Outside of Annak-Khurfu, the stable-master provides access to all the other regional Dwarf camps as well as the War of the Three Peaks zone. This is a separate phase of the entire Elderslade region. Wyrmgraf is a ravine to the East of the zone, filled with worms and drakes. This leads to an instanced network of caves. To the extreme North, at the end of the road lies Car Bronach. Its iron gate blocks further passage. And to the West of the region you find the Gates of Gundabad. Ancient Dwarf ruins infested with Orcs, Goblins and Trolls. There is also an Iron Crown settlement in the centre of the map called Zudramdan. The overall design of the zone is suitably dour and bleak, due to its altitude.
Gates of Gundabad and Zudramdan
Overall, Update 28: War of the Three Peaks seems to be just a standard LOTRO update. It offers a single new map, PVE content and “Missions”, which seem to be a variation of skirmishes. Then there is this separate phase of Elderslade, which may be for PVP. I’ve not found a clear explanation yet but that’s hardly surprising as SSG are poor at communicating and collating information in a single accessible place. As an Update, the forthcoming Elderslade region offers “more of the same” in game terms but I don’t think that this content merits the label “mini expansion”. Apart from creating a new environment, the zone just recycles existing Dawrven, Orcish and Angmarim assets. The fact that the Collectors and Ultimate Fan Editions are to be bolstered by such cosmetic items as the Wild Boar mount indicates that maybe SSG thinks so too. And in the space of just 24 hours, players have already taken umbrage at both the proposed changes to the Guardian and a reduction in disenchanting embers from some existing instances.
I suspect that the recent downtime and the ongoing performance issues that are still blighting the game have hit SSG hard financially. They are probably obliged to hit specific financial targets set by Daybreak Game Company and have failed to do so in recent months. If that is the case then they’ve probably been “instructed” to raise revenue via alternative means and this hasty repackaging of an update into a “mini expansion” is their “get out of jail” card. Or at least on paper. Because I’m not sure if this is going to work. I have not yet renewed my subscription due to the games performance. Why should anyone pay for a game that is plagued by lag and random server disconnects. Bearing this in mind, why would I buy a “mini expansion” that is light on content and potentially just as unplayable as other areas in the game? Although I enjoy LOTRO and still have a soft spot for this MMO, I think this business decision smacks as too much of a “fire sale”. Will core fans yet again indulge SSG or are we reaching a tipping point? Only time will tell.
Star Trek Online: Buying Reputation
It would appear that Standing Stone Games isn’t the only MMORPG developer making controversial business decisions at present. Cryptic announced yesterday that they were introducing a means to purchase reputation tiers in Star Trek Online. A move that was met with much virtual eye rolling over on the games unofficial subreddit and more angry comments on the Massively Overpowered website about “pay to win”. The main issue isn’t the adding of this particular mechanic to the game. STO is no stranger to adding services that allow you to bypass “the grind” by spending money. Monetisation has been built into the game since it went F2P in spring 2012. The primary objection to this rep buyout system is the price which is about £20. Furthermore this only buys reputation up to Tier 5. Tier 6 still has to be earned and it’s a particularly arduous chore. There are also 13 reputation factions to complete.
It would appear that Standing Stone Games isn’t the only MMORPG developer making controversial business decisions at present. Cryptic announced yesterday that they were introducing a means to purchase reputation tiers in Star Trek Online. A move that was met with much virtual eye rolling over on the games unofficial subreddit and more angry comments on the Massively Overpowered website about “pay to win”. The main issue isn’t the adding of this particular mechanic to the game. STO is no stranger to adding services that allow you to bypass “the grind” by spending money. Monetisation has been built into the game since it went F2P in spring 2012. The primary objection to this rep buyout system is the price which is about £20. Furthermore this only buys reputation up to Tier 5. Tier 6 still has to be earned and it’s a particularly arduous chore. There are also 13 reputation factions to complete.
The reputation system in STO becomes available at level 50 (there are currently a level cap of 65 in the game). Players can undertake various repeatable PVE group content and earn reputation marks. These are then used on reputation projects which unlock the various tiers. As each tier is completed the player can then access specific reputation based traits, armour weapons and ship consoles. These sets offer significant statistical improvements over standard gear and some have become part of the current game build meta. Hence unlocking all 13 factional reputations is desirable. If you log into the game daily and earn marks for all factions, it will take about two month or so to complete all. However, such an undertaking requires a lot of dedication and would monopolise a players activity in-game significantly. So it is hardly surprising that Cryptic have decided to “ease” this process for players.
The problem lies in the cost and the fact that STO is becoming more focused upon catering to “whales”. I am a member of the Reddit Alert fleet and it has a large amount of players that invest heavily in the game. The net result is a very clear financial divide in the games community. There are still plenty of free options available to players as long as they’re prepared to grind for them. But all too often you’ll find players from opposite ends of the spectrum when playing PVE group Task Force Operations. Those who have a standard ship with gear dropped from missions or bought from the Exchange. And those with lock box vessels and maxed out gear from the reputation system and colony suppliers. Naturally this causes a disparity in combat performance, which then leads to players not wanting to auto group. And if you can’t group then you can’t easily earn the rep tokens. And so the divide in the community increases further.
The Allure of Console Gaming
The last console that I got genuinely excited about and subsequently purchased was the Sega Dreamcast. That was back in 1999 when it became available for European customers. Prior to this I had owned the NES, SNES and Sega Mega Drive (as the Genesis was known outside of the NA). I upgraded the latter with the SEGA CD and 32X addons. But I never got round to buying a Sony Playstation. However, a good friend of mine had one, so between us we had access to all the latest games across multiple systems. Therefore I can say wholeheartedly that console gaming was my platform of choice throughout the mid eighties up to the late nineties. Furthermore, due to my age (I was born in 1967), I wasn’t a child during my 15 year period of console gaming. I was employed and had an income, so could keep up with the latest releases and indulge in “novelty” peripherals such as the light gun for the SNES or the “maracas” for the Dreamcast.
The last console that I got genuinely excited about and subsequently purchased was the Sega Dreamcast. That was back in 1999 when it became available for European customers. Prior to this I had owned the NES, SNES and Sega Mega Drive (as the Genesis was known outside of the NA). I upgraded the latter with the SEGA CD and 32X addons. But I never got round to buying a Sony Playstation. However, a good friend of mine had one, so between us we had access to all the latest games across multiple systems. Therefore I can say wholeheartedly that console gaming was my platform of choice throughout the mid eighties up to the late nineties. Furthermore, due to my age (I was born in 1967), I wasn’t a child during my 15 year period of console gaming. I was employed and had an income, so could keep up with the latest releases and indulge in “novelty” peripherals such as the light gun for the SNES or the “maracas” for the Dreamcast.
However, in 1994 I got my first PC. A Compaq ProLinea 4/33. The processor was an Intel 486DX running at 33mhz. It was primarily used for producing a fanzine and similar DTP work but it could run Doom after adding a sound card and a CD-ROM drive. A year later, after increasing the memory to 16MB RAM, the PC was running Windows 95 and Quake. By the time 1999 rolled around, I was on my third PC and beginning to move away from console gaming. The two major games that shifted my focus to the PC were Star Trek Academy and the original Unreal Tournament. Although I loved the Dreamcast, especially games such as Sonic Adventure, Crazy Taxi and Virtua Fighter 3tb, there was a decline in available content. Also the internet was now a major factor and had an impact upon my gaming choices. Unreal Tournament could be played online against multiple players. Quake III on the Dreamcast could be played via the integral modem with only 4 other players.
Hence by the start of the new millennium, I moved exclusively to PC gaming. As a result I’ve never owned any iteration of either the Xbox or Playstation. Yet since 2000 there have been several occasions where I have seriously considered buying one of these. Often that decision has been driven by an exclusive title that wasn’t available for the PC. Later the idea of being able to play games and DVDs on one device based in the lounge, rather than on a PC in another room was enticing. However, the later change in media formats, IE HD-DVD and Blu-ray, curtailed such ideas. But the biggest hurdle to returning to console gaming has always been having to use a game controller. It’s an odd situation because in the past I’ve always successfully managed to use gamepads. I think the introduction of thumbsticks has been the main obstacle. When playing a game, I can move in one direction while aiming in another perfectly well when using a keyboard and mouse. However, I find doing the same with two thumbsticks counterintuitive.
As the launch of the next generations of consoles comes ever closer, once again I have perused the press releases, watched the various promotional videos and tried to read between the lines of the various reports from the gaming press. As ever, some of the exclusive game titles are intriguing and have piqued my interest. But my enthusiasm is immediately tempered when I reflect upon the versatility of my current PC along with it’s upgradability, compared to a console. A Playstation or Xbox, however well specified, is still a platform dedicated to one task. Therefore, I cannot really justify purchasing either next generation devices. There may be some “wiggle room” regarding the Nintendo Switch though. It’s portable and offers a somewhat different catalogue of games. Plus I have fond memories of playing Super Mario Kart on the SNES back in the nineties. So I guess I’m in the same boat as fellow blogger Syp over at Bio Break. I have “no dogs in this console contest” as well. For the present, I’ll stick with PC gaming while regarding the latest next generation consoles with a degree of envy, regardless of whether it’s misplaced.
Quickscoping
Developers do like to gate access to the best gear and equipment in video games. Often there will be an achievement or deed required to unlock the object that you desire. Now I have no objection to this concept in principle. It’s just that every now and then, the criteria required to access an item is beyond my abilities. Take Call of Duty Modern Warfare/Warzone. Infinity Ward recently added the Rytec AMR to the game. It is a semi-automatic sniper rifle that can use thermite and explosive rounds. It has a significantly higher rate-of-fire than the HDR and AX-5, and performs better at range than the Dragunov. I’ve been itching to get my hands on this weapon for a while. However, to unlock it, you have to complete the following achievement. "Get 2 quickscope kills using sniper or marksman rifles in 15 different matches". For me this is effectively one of the labours of Hercules.
Developers do like to gate access to the best gear and equipment in video games. Often there will be an achievement or deed required to unlock the object that you desire. Now I have no objection to this concept in principle. It’s just that every now and then, the criteria required to access an item is beyond my abilities. Take Call of Duty Modern Warfare/Warzone. Infinity Ward recently added the Rytec AMR to the game. It is a semi-automatic sniper rifle that can use thermite and explosive rounds. It has a significantly higher rate-of-fire than the HDR and AX-5, and performs better at range than the Dragunov. I’ve been itching to get my hands on this weapon for a while. However, to unlock it, you have to complete the following achievement. "Get 2 quickscope kills using sniper or marksman rifles in 15 different matches". For me this is effectively one of the labours of Hercules.
Quickscoping is a technique used by a player to promptly eliminate an enemy. When confronted with an opponent, you must quickly aim down the sight of your weapon (by pressing the right hand mouse button), instantly fires a shot (by pressing the left mouse button) and then returns to the default view (by releasing the right mouse button). To have a kill counted as a quickscope kill, you'll need to “one-shot” a target within 1- 2 seconds of aiming down sights. You'll require a weapon with a “one shot” capability that can also aim down sight (ADS) as quickly as possible. It also helps to be proficient with sniper and marksman rifles and to have fast reactions. Let it suffice to say, I am not fast enough to easily undertake this task. I played seven matches last night and only managed to achieve 2 quickscope kills in one game. I have to do this another 14 times to unlock the Rytec AMR.
Like many other video games, Call of Duty Modern Warfare/Warzone has an ingame store. One of the things it sells are weapon blueprints. These are plans of bespoke builds, that if purchased instantly provide you with a reciprocal weapon, irrespective of whether you have the base version of the same weapon unlocked. However, this system comes with a minor but significant caveat. I bought the blueprints for a particular version of the Rytec AMR. If I equip this version and use it while playing, I will level the weapon and unlock all the various barrels, sights and other customisations. However, I will not be able to equip any of these items until I unlock the gun itself, which inevitably brings me back to that achievement that I’m currently struggling with. I still have to “get 2 quickscope kills using sniper or marksman rifles in 15 different matches".
I guess if I play enough, I can unlock this achievement by pure attrition. However, it does take the pleasure out of playing to a degree. I am currently using the Kar98k marksman rifle to try and improve my proficiency at quickscoping but it’s a slow process. In the meantime my kill to death ratio has taken a turn for the worse while I use this weapon. I don’t mind a challenge but there’s a fine line between an engaging learning curve and a tedious grind. It would be preferable if developer’s Infinity Ward offered a choice of achievements to unlock weapons, so the player could at least find one that they enjoyed as well as met their skills set. If my attempts to unlock the Rytec AMR fail, I shall have to wait and see if a better set of blueprints for the weapon go on sale, as I would like to experience firsthand the benefits of explosive ammunition.
Is There a Gaming Hierarchy?
Syp wrote a post recently on his blog Bio Break, about the air of disdain with which some video games journalists report on the MMO genre. He cited a post over on VG247 in which the author was surprised that he was currently enjoying SWTOR, despite the fact it was an MMO. It was very much a case of “wow, this game is quite good considering most in this genre are rubbish”. As Syp pointed out, this is often the way the MMORPG is labelled and pigeonholed. However, I think there is more to this than just a dislike of a particular type of game by some writers and gaming commentators. I believe that many of those who have been playing video games since their youth and who are now aged 40 to 50, have very entrenched views and are weighed down by a lot of cultural baggage. I think that some believe that there is a sort of unofficial but very real gaming hierarchy and it is their sacred duty to act as self appointed arbiters and gatekeepers.
Syp wrote a post recently on his blog Bio Break, about the air of disdain with which some video games journalists report on the MMO genre. He cited a post over on VG247 in which the author was surprised that he was currently enjoying SWTOR, despite the fact it was an MMO. It was very much a case of “wow, this game is quite good considering most in this genre are rubbish”. As Syp pointed out, this is often the way the MMORPG is labelled and pigeonholed. However, I think there is more to this than just a dislike of a particular type of game by some writers and gaming commentators. I believe that many of those who have been playing video games since their youth and who are now aged 40 to 50, have very entrenched views and are weighed down by a lot of cultural baggage. I think that some believe that there is a sort of unofficial but very real gaming hierarchy and it is their sacred duty to act as self appointed arbiters and gatekeepers.
We all have our own personal likes and dislikes when it comes to video games. I certainly do. Occasionally I have stepped outside of my comfort zone and tried something new and it has proven a pleasant surprise. Other times my experiments have not gone so well. There are some titles and genres that will never appeal to me and I am content to leave them be permanently. However, I see no reason to hold those games that I do not like in contempt, nor do I deem it necessary to publicly disparage them along with those that do enjoy them. I haven’t the time to waste on such posturing and I’d much rather be playing those titles I do like. Sadly, video games just like music and film fandom, has a strong streak of snobbery running through its associated culture. Furthermore personal taste is often confused with artistic merit and one’s own preferences are erroneously perceived to be an endorsement of quality.
So what is the spurious gaming hierarchy that some cleave to? I suspect that competitive games are at the top, along with all the elitist “git gud” culture. Then there are the single player games with their litany of achievements and unlocks. MMOs are then the poor relation of the single player RPG. Walking simulators, fun games and clickers are deemed as a waste of time or not even being games. And the final circle of gamer hell are mobile games which are viewed with utter contempt. Which is odd when you think about it as this genre of games make the most money out of the entire video games industry. When you consider why such hierarchical notions exist, they appear to be an extension of the pecking order that some gamers apply to themselves. If there is a hierarchy of games, then it logically follows that there must be a similar ranking among gamers themselves.
Humans love an opportunity to segregate themselves. We categorise people according to wealth, class, education, gender and race. Sometimes such labelling and subdividing is benign but in other instances it is divisive and a tool of oppression. Yet it seems to happen regardless of its rectitude. You put a group of people in a room who are broadly similar and they’ll eventually divide themselves between who are left or right handed. So it is sad but inevitable that different types of games will be treated in a similar fashion. However, being aware of this societal trait then allows us to challenge it when encountered. So next time you read a post by a professional game critic that pooh-poohs a specific genre without a valid reason, call them out. Just as you would if they’d made a similar comment that metal is better than country music or that the MCU is superior to the works of Kurosawa.