Posts Tagged ‘way’

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Gaming for Money: Trading Game Assets (1)


Posted in Gamechangers

In the world of MMORPGs, one thing you can’t help noticing is that player vs. player (PvP) combat is not typically the central focus of the game, even if they offer certain servers and options that make it possible. While there are almost always ways in which two players can have it out if they both consent, the focus of most MMORPGs so far has been player vs. environment (PvE), where groups of players fight cooperatively against computer controlled monsters. Furthermore, for a host of reasons, PvE is clearly the preference of the overwhelming majority of MMORPG players. Shadowbane set out to change all that by shifting the emphasis onto PvP, team on team conflicts, sieges, and territorial domination. Considering that, because of the obvious imbalances created by level differences between characters, PvP in most MMORPGs leaves a lot to be desired, this was a rather risky move. Today, some gamers consider Shadowbane the only decent option for serious PvPers, while others point to it as a perfect example of why PvP in MMORPGs is, quite simply, no fun.

Background
Player built cities and guilds are central to Shadowbane. Unlike many MMORPGs which have pre-defined realms warring with each other, in SB there are as many sides as players choose to form. Any player with sufficient resources may start a guild, found a city, recruit other players, and lead their kingdom to greatness. Advertorial info: fun games for girls (more…)

Gaming for Money: Trading Game Assets (2)


Posted in Gamechangers

One of the most interesting and unexpected things to arise from online gaming is the birth of real-world economies based on the value of persistent world game characters and items. When Ultima Online and EverQuest characters started appearing on eBay, a lot of people found it hard to believe that anyone was willing to exchange actual money for game items that are, after all, largely imaginary. Nevertheless, trade in these digital goods continues to grow, and it has already gone from being a pastime pursued only by a handful of hard-core gamers to being a fledgling industry in its own right.

Time is Money
We’ve all heard it said that time is money. This is no less true when it comes to persistent world online games. Under normal circumstances, it can take months or even years to work a character into the upper ranks of a game like EverQuest, or acquire some rare item that only drops on, say, the Plane of Complete Annihilation. I guess it should come as no surprize that many people are willing to spend a little extra to get there faster. In fact, since you’re paying by the month to play in most cases anyway, purchasing what you need to get straight to the end game may even be cost effective for some people. (more…)

Battlefield Vietnam Review


Posted in Gamechangers

Let me begin by saying, no, it’s not an expansion pack, I repeat, NOT AN EXPANSION PACK for Battlefield 1942. Battlefield Vietnam, though it bears more similarities to Battlefield 1942 than just its name, is an entirely new stand-alone game and Battlefield 1942 is not required to play.

Now that we’ve cleared that up, you may have noticed that military themed first-person shooters are everywhere these days. Given the flood of titles and expansion packs that have been released in this area lately, one has to wonder how many such games the market can support. I couldn’t help marvelling at the ad for Medal of Honor: Pacific Assault on the back of the Battlefield Vietnam CD case.

Subsequently, your first impression of Battlefield Vietnam is likely to be one of deja vu. Battlefield 1942 players will find most of the features and game modes they are familiar with in a very immersive jungle setting. If you haven’t played BF 1942, the appeal of the game, in a nutshell, is that you can commandeer a wide variety of vehicles, including tanks, ships, and planes, on the front line. For the most part, this is accomplished with a very simple set of standard FPS controls which minimize the learning curve.

Advertorial info : Promotional Pens (more…)

Wolfenstein Interview


Posted in Gamechangers

Recently, I had the chance to speak with Peter Sokal, Community Manager of id Software, about the pending latest chapter in the Castle Wolfenstein series. I want to thank Peter for answering our questions and Robert at Activision for arranging the interview.

Questions from Gareth Von Kallenbach
Skewed and Reviewed

1. What is the background and setting for the game?

In Wolfenstein, you play as B.J. Blazkowicz, an elite agent for the Office of Secret Actions (OSA).
The story in Wolfenstein takes place just after the events of Return to Castle Wolfenstein, and the Nazis are back. Upon investigating and researching the dark occult, they discover an energy source known as the Black Sun. To access the Black Sun, the Nazis must first find a way through a realm known as the Veil, which leaks energy from the Black Sun into our reality. They believe that they can utilize this energy to create weapons and improve their army. B.J. learns that the crystals used to take advantage of the Black Sun’s power are located in one city in the world, a fictional city in Germany called Isenstadt. B.J. is sent there to discover what the Nazis are up to, and try and put a stop to it. (more…)

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