Upon searching the Google behemoth for Everquest 3, the inevitable addition to the Norrath trilogy, I was surprised to be presented not sorcerers, or giants, or even a good fairy, but rather furniture. Apparently EQ3 is a renowned company dealing in furniture. How will SOE deal with this search engine identity crisis? They’re doomed.

However, I must really wonder, furniture aside, how SOE is going to remain competitive in the traditional genre of MMOs. Sure, they have the, literally, Free Realms. But what of the Everquests and SWGs? Even Blizzard knows that competing within the fairy tale MMO scene is a bad idea, thus resulting in their new MMO being a completely new intellectual property. Apparently Everquest 3 is in the works, continuing SOE’s line of traditional MMOs. But this seems like a grave mistake. It would seem that SOE has given up on creating a blockbuster traditional MMO. Making another Norrath MMO is proof of it.

If you’ve ever done a search for the word Backle lately you’ve probably come up with a radical search engine named Blackle. I must confess I quite like it; the black background is easy on the eyes. I’m all for conserving energy. Some would think the Blackle search engine is a joke, but it does serve a purpose if nothing else–to remind us to conserve energy. After all, why do office buildings need to leave their lights on long after any humanoids have left the premises? So this is Backle here giving Blackle the stamp of approval. But, for the record, Backle has nothing to do with Blackle. I was here first.

So, in case you didn’t notice, this blog disappeared into the abyss after a mere month of existence. Without so much as a brief goodbye, all posting ceased. And for that, I offer my apologies. Indeed, it is the fate of countless blogs (mine included) that shrivel up after only a month or so. Did I actually have nothing to say? The answer is no.  The topics that can conceivably be written about are plentiful, especially when you’re playing an MMO. In short, I needed to stop, and mostly, I still think I do. After all, how can you write a blog about games when you don’t even play them?

But I wouldn’t say this blog is completely over. I’ve had some fun writing a few posts and I might continue to do so. But just to make it perfectly clear—I don’t play games anymore. Maybe you could consider this blog the commentary of an outsider to the world of gaming?

One of the few (only) games I’ve played recently is Call of Duty 2. It’s a fun game, and along with Call of Duty 1, makes for an epic singleplayer experience (though limited by its unfortunate brevity). The multiplayer is similarly fun, and for me at least, has always been the equivalent of chocolate truffles—small treats to be indulged in every now and then. I never play the game for more than an hour, nor am I so compelled to do so. But I still wouldn’t mind having a little indulgence the next day. This of course greatly differs from the MMO perspective, which is one of addiction. It is not a chocolate truffle, but rather is like a wretched drug that invites one to continue further and further.

But, rabbit trails aside, I’ve always thought it would be interesting if there were a German singleplayer campaign in a WWII game. I don’t believe I’ve ever encountered something quite like that in a WWII shooter-type game. The epic nature of Call of Duty’s singleplayer campaigns could easily make for an interesting adventure on the other side of the story—the German Anruf der Aufgabe.

Today, SOE implemented a spam filter in Everquest II. I don’t think much else needs to be said to those of you who play Everquest II.

Doesn’t sound exciting to you? You must not be from Everquest II, then. Everquest II, like many other MMORPGs, is plagued by a myriad of plat farmers and spammers from all around the world, otherwise known as China. The difference is, SOE actually did something about it. Yes, SOE did something good. *Waves hands* SOE is not the Grinch coming to steal your Christmas presents. Let that sink in.

Anyway, the implications of this spam filter are huge. Perhaps this will pressure other MMO companies into taking such actions, improving MMOs for all? Ah, well, you never know these days…

I was adventuring in Everquest II, namely in the dungeon of Stormhold. Stormhold is a spooky, mysterious abandoned fort. So, as my group slowly advances through the forbidden halls, a skeleton arises to challenge us!

The skeleton lets out a fearsome battlecry! Err, what? No, the skeleton does not let out a fearsome battlecry, quite the opposite, in fact. The skeleton says in a Mickey Mouse voice, “Dying didn’t feel good the first time!” I doubt anybody would be fearsomely trembling due to that.

I thought skeletons were supposed to be scary? For me, when I’m adventuring in an inheritably dangerous, scary place, when I hear the re-incarnation of Mickey Mouse in the form of a skeleton, how can that not break the atmosphere? Why on earth (or Norrath, for that matter) do my skeletons sound like Mickey Mouse filled with helium?

Alright, I admit it. I have a dirty addiction. Yes, yes, gasps of surprise may come now…

My addiction is, quite simply, holes! Holes—big holes, small holes, dirt holes, rock holes! The sheer amusement I find with crawling into a cozy hole while out adventuring is unparalleled.

Everquest II, quite simply, provides this amusement. In Antonica, there’s a patch of land dotted with holes that extend into underground tunnels. I truly think I’m pretty odd, but I find an incredible amount of amusement just by going into these holes. I could do it a thousand times and then a thousand times again, and I would never see a drop of boredom (well, perhaps that’s a bit of a hyperbole, but you get the idea).

But beyond that, is it just me, or does the MMO world need some more creative environments? I see the same, general themes in every MMO. Seldom is it that I see something incredibly creative that makes me want to stay and enjoy the scenery and environment. A breath-taking vista, a mysterious tree, the endless possibilities—where are they, Grandpa Developer? I can imagine the developer showcasing the environment now…

“Well, little Jimmy, here’s your desert, oh, and over here is your forest!”
“Jee wiz, Grandpa Developer, that ‘thar canyon looks mighty familiar!”

I’m sure there are plenty of people out there who would say such things are not content, but to me, that’s the best content I’ve ever seen. To me, questing and all of those wonderful things are only a portion of the content. Am I just horribly weird or are there others out there who enjoy such creative environments?

He’s the computer man! This is a lovely example of how fantastic Apple is at advertising.

I have been consumed by WordPress. I blame Adele.

Four years ago, Flying Lab Software’s MMO, Pirates of the Burning Sea, was supposed to launch. This coming fall, Pirates of the Burning Sea is supposed to launch. What am I talking about? The game has been delayed for four years.

In January of 2003, Flying Lab Software announced they would be making an online RPG called Pirates of the Burning Sea.

Reaction: Yay! I can’t wait!!

Time passes with countless delays and sorrows. Beta begins in 2005.

This June, they announced they would not be releasing in June, but they had signed a contract deal with SOE.

Reaction: Yay! I can’t wait!! They have a publisher now, how can this go wrong?!

Oh wait, does that sound familiar?

I’m not knocking Flying Lab Software for the delays. I am actually quite happy they delayed the game because it will result a much, much better game. But even then, after they changed the direction of the game—that’s a mighty long time to misjudge your release date.

But beyond that, there’s an important lesson to be learned in this scenario. More game developers need to follow Flying Lab Software’s lead. The big problem is that developers set out with just enough money to squeeze by (read: Sigil). If you can’t pay the rent for your apartment, then don’t try to build a mansion (yes, I just made that up, thank you very much).

But of course, let us not forget the *cough*evil*cough* publishers. That is where the big lesson needs to be learned. Flying Lab Software held off for all this time to avoid a traditional publisher relationship. In fact, they could have gone into a traditional publisher relationship and had their MMO out ages ago, but they didn’t. What’s more interesting is that they actually got what they wanted. This is something that they could have never have dreamed of doing if they were not financially stable. So it really all boils down to the money, just like everything else. I doubt there’s any surprises there.

I can only hope that more developers begin to look at the example Flying Lab Software has set. If they do, I’m expecting a bright future for the MMO genre.