Here there be dragons

I’m sure most people interested in on-line gaming knows about Dungeons and Dragons Online, Also known as DDO. Most of you may have even played it, at least the trial. A lot of you might not have really cared for it either. Especially when there were games like World of Warcraft and Turbines other hit MMORPG Lord of the Rings Online. With games like thouse, perhaps yu just couldnt see yerself plunking down a wad of cash for your monthly DDO fix.

Well, things have changed a wee bit as of late. To begin with as of this month, DDO has changed it’s name to Dungeons and Dragons Unlimited. However, the biggest change is the fact that the game is now FREE to PLAY. That’s right, it doesnt even require a credit card!

However, to experience the game in ALL it’s splendor, it might be a good idea to invest some cash. They do charge to unlock some things, or to buy more character slots. Yer basically getting the core game free, and if you want to add something..plunk down a few dollars here..want to add a little more? plunk down a few more bucks.

The idea is remarkable, and it’s a great idea if executed PROPERLY. It will give people the chance to actually PLAY the game, beond the couple day free trial. Allow them to meet new people, interact and build friendships and in doing so also give them a chance to get incredibly addicted to the game so that they will want to keep adding to their game and expanding their enjoment.

See how this could work in their favor? Secondlife already employs a similar business strategy and it works incredibly well for them. This is however the first time an established commercial MMORPG has decided to take this route, and I am REALLY excited to see how this will work for Turbine. If it proves to be sucessful this could change the face of MMO gaming. If their sales and income increases greatly, could they then consider to use this strategy in their already wildly succesful LotRO? Will other companies decide to experiment with the idea, or similar ideas?

Either way, for the gaming public it’s a sweet as hell deal…so, go start playing Dungeons and Dragons Unlimited…Free of charge!

The art of comics

I have said this time and time again. I enjoy Comic book. Does this make me a geek? Yes, it probably does. However that does NOT change the fact that I honestly believe Comics are an incredible source of art. Everything from the drawing, to the inking, to the stories! Each Comic book contains a plethora of pieces of art!

That being said, I must also admit that not everything you find in a comic book are top notch, in fact a lot of it can be laughable. Take for instance this epic and action packed moment:

No, this isn’t from a charlie brown comic, and no the people shown above aren’t doing some new dance craze, or a classic dance craze. n fact, this REALLY is an action packed scene! See, Punisher is escorting a woman through a building while enemies are in hot pursuit. If you look closely you can see a gun in the guys hand, so OBVIOUSLY it’s the punisher.

I know, lame! But you could also just keep on pretending it’s the punisher dancing the funky chicken. That’s a visual you don’t get every day. Keep in mind though, most comic book issues are ALL incredibly detailed. If you haven’t picked up a comic in awhile, you might want to stop by your local comic book store(Yea! Seriously! They have stores devoted to these things now a days!!) and pick yourself up a comic. Although keep in mind, most comics aren’t self contained stories anymore, they have usually 6 issue story arcs or so, that way they fit better into a graphic novel format so they can get the real bucks!

One ring to rule them all

Lord of the rings Online is a great game. In fact, it’s one of my favorite MMORPGs to date. It’s got some good voice acting, epic storylines, and most importantly it takes place in a world that I am familiar with. Even when I was just starting out, I didn’t feel like a TOTAL noob. Some of the characters were familiar, The locations, the background storyline and even some of the monsters. Though i was new to the game, i still had a basic idea of what was happening, and was able to thrust myself into my character a lot more easily, than say if it was an unfamiliar setting that i had to learn every single thing about.

Anyway, so I have been trying to get my friends from Secondlife to play LOTRO as well. Why? because as good as Secondlife is, it does get boring after awhile, and im at that point, where the games a bit boring. The only reason i continue to log in, is because of my friends. If not for them, i would probably have abandoned Secondlife months ago. So, it would be nice if they were as interested in lotro as they are in SecondLife.

While on the subject of LOTRO, I purchased the expansion pack “Mines of Moria” advance order just last night, and im still not exactly sure why. my highest level character isn’t even 30 yet, so reall..the expansion pack won’t really benefit me for awhile. I have had that character for over a year….Thing is i don’t play as much as I would like to….so it’s not fast leveling. That being said, it will probably be another year before I even see any benefit from the expansion pack…but at least I get a spiffy title and (Hopefully) spiffy cloak.

Dragonlance

I’ve been reading the Dragonlance Chronicle….yea, I know…the books like from the 80’s. However I am just now getting around to reading them. Blame Television! It’s TVs fault, not airing any decent shows lately. Forcing me to read books!

At any rate, it’s actually a very good series of books, and I know there are some games based on the setting, and some RP campaigns and such, but what I would love to see is an MMORPG in this setting. I know there is D&D Online, but im not sure what world that game is set it, but i’m assuming it’s set in Forgotten Realms.

But, Yea, I would LOVE to see “Dragonlance Chronicles Online”. It could work the same way as Lord of the Rings Online works…Where you are adventuring in the world at the same time the companions are out there fighting the dragonarmy and all that…I think it would be a blast..I would buy it and subscribe to it….As long as it played like normal MMORPGs and not like the standard TSR cRPG titles. I just can’t get into those, which is a shame, because I freaking LOVE D&D stories.

Vegas?

Some friends that I met through the online game/community called “Second Life” is planning a small get together/meeting this weekend. I really want to go, but unfortunately not going to be able to. No doubt this is going to infuriate my friends, but it can’t be avoided…..exactly.

See, I recently broke my ankle, and have my ankle in a cast, which makes it difficult to drive 5 and a half hours to Vegas. I have one good foot, and while moving about a small town is simple enough, getting through a big city like Vegas, and the long drive there? Not so safe I don’t think. On top of that, I would only be there a day….two days at MAX! Which means I would be BACK on the road, driving 5 and a half hours yet AGAIN.

I would love to meet these friends, To hang out them, to shake their hands and just be like all “What’s up?” and just have a good ol’ time, however I don’t see a way to be able to do that SAFELY….And, assuming I get to Vegas and Back still alive in one piece…There’s still the fact that I wouldn’t be able to do much while im there. I mean, as it is here I have to hobble all over the place. Even to answer the phone, by the time I hobble over to the phone, the people have hung up…..and I seriously doubt anyone will carry me.

KOTOR Online official

Ok, as of today KOTOR Online is officially announced, even has it’s own spiffy web address. I am really STOKED about this game, and since it’s being brought out by BioWare, I have high expectations! It’s hard not to with classics like KOTOR, Jade Empire and Mass Effect. I mean, how can you NOT have faith in this game company.

Granted, this isn’t the first Star Wars MMO to come out. There was also Star Wars Galaxies, but come on…have you guys played this game? It sucks! It made me wish I had a light sabre so i could stab my eyes out. SOE did what I thought was the impossible, and completely DESTROYED the Star Wars mythos. It took the KOTOR series to restore my faith in the franchise.

I have been wanting to try out Warhammer Online, but instead…I think im going to hold off for the KOTOR online game, and stick with the games i have now.

Age of Conan

Ok, so im sure some of you have heard of the MMORPG Age of Conan (Known here on as AoC). If you haven’t then you really should look into it. The game looks incredible, and certainly worth checking out. My only complaint is, unlike on other MMORPGs AoC does not offer a free trial from their website.

This sort of bugs me. Why? Because I desperately want to play this, but I have heard the controls are clumbsy and things that the game could be improved on in various areas. Some people however dont know what they are talking about, however I don’t want to purchase this game and end up finding out…yea, ok…everyones right…it kind of sucks.

Also, the fact that they dont have a trial on their website available like most games….kinda sends up a red flag that the game sorta sucks….and that they kinda sorta know it sucks too.

If however the game isn’t as bad as I have heard…I will happily buy and subscribe to the game. As it is though, I am happy with Lord of the Rings Online, and at least I know that doesnt suck….so, until I can see if AoC sucks, im just going to play it safe and stick to LotRO………..But…….

PLEASE put out a freakin AoC trial!

downloadable content

You know what kinda bugs me? This is going to sound stupid, I promise…but it bugs me! I hate that people abbreviate “Downloadable Content” as DLC…It’s not called “Down Loadable Content”…But, hey…If people want to do things incorrectly fine…BUT! It really ticks me off when I spell it “DC” as it technically SHOULD be…I get ridiculed by people telling me how that’s wrong and acting like *I* am the idiot! Because I am abbreviating things properly…WTF??

KOTOR: Online?

Well, fans of the Knights of the Old Republic gaming franchise should be dancing a little jig..possibly. Apparently there’s a rumor traveling around the rumor mill that the next KOTOR game will actually be an MMORPG. Not sure if this will replace the talked about KOTOR III title, or will be produced alongside(Possibly using KOTOR III to set the stage for the events of KOTOR Online? One can only speculate.)

I am a huge KOTOR fan, and am hoping the rumors are true. I would love nothing more than to play KOTOR online. As for what the premise would be? Could be anything really, but most of the internet populace is hoping for a game set during the Mandalorian wars, and since that’s what the peoples are wanting..i’m thinking there is a fairly large chance the people will get it.

I’ll wrap this up with my speculation on what to expect. I believe KOTOR Online will be KOTOR 3 and will be the final one in the franchise(All good star wars sagas have three chapters, and what better finale than an online version? That’s been something people have been wanting since the first one was released). It will most likely be set during the Mandalorian wars. You will begin the game by waking up in a space ship without any memory of who you are.

No matter what, I am sure it will be good since it’s being released by BioWare.

Boredom sinks in…

Well, as I mentioned earlier I have been playing a lot of Guild Wars lately..As a matter of fact I finished up the campaign in prophecies, and unlocked “Hardmode”. Im not much of a “Hard Mode” player though, so probably wont be trying that out. Which means I havent a clue what I am going to be doing. I could play the expansion packs, but in all honesty those are a LITTLE bit of a letdown…I think. Though my opinion could be based on the fact that I havent really given it a chance…so..I think I will do that.