What do these three things have in common? They are all an integral part of the realm vs realm PVP system Mythic is developing into their up and coming MMORPG Warhammer Online. For anybody who has signed up the the WAR Online newsletter you’ll have found that yesterday you recieved the last one of the year (which doesn’t mean all that much considering it’ll be 2008 in 10 days). Within this newsletter is the last podcast by the creative director of the game which features all the information you could ever want to know about the RVR system they have going on. Check out the highlights below:

• Open world RVR has been enhanced to be worth significantly more victory points than they were in the beta before.
• Four tiered RVR system where capturing the first tier will give you benefits when attempting to capture the second, and so on in that manner.
• Keeps! There will now be keeps startegically placed in the RVR areas for capture, as shown above.
• Once a faction takes over a keep guards will spawn to prevent single person tagging.
• If you and your guild takes over a keep your guild’s emblem will hang from the staffs. This will, essentially, be your guild’s keep until the enemy retakes it. Warning’s will be issued should your keep come under attack.
• Siege weapons will be employed in taking over keeps. You must build them and they will prove to be a great startegic advantage for defenders and attackers alike.

Fascinating stuff right? I have always been a HUGE fan of realm vs realm combat so this game is definitely looking to be my cup of tea. There is a bit more information contained within the video, along with some quirky humour, so if you want to give it a watch-through head on over.

They like us! They really really like us! In the year twenty ought’ seven, the year of her lord (all hail the nerfbat) may we gladly accept the award for Best New MMO Blog of 2007. It seems like just yesterday that Mike was looking for an extra writer for this blog when I decided to hop on board. It was a pretty smooth ride, ever since the begining, as Mike seems to have a knack for running these kinds of online ventures.

Each month we have slowly grown our userbase and each month we keep trying to bring you guys new and exciting content to read and enjoy. So it is with much happiness that gladly accept Ryan Shwayder’s Nerfbat award (awesomest name evar!).

Congratulations also to the winners of all the covenant awards that the Nerfbat gave out this year, including Massively which could very well have placed first in our segment as well had they not won Best MMO News Source. (They also launched in 2007)

Head on over HERE to check out the awards page.

P.S. We look forward to winning another Gnomey next year in a different catagory! Watch out Ryan!

Did you know that there are other MMO gamers out there who play MMOs that are not called World of Warcraft? Shocking, I know! In fact, I am one of them! *gasp* Yes, despite Blizzard constantly reminding us all how much they rule our lives with their 9 million + subscribers there are other MMORPGs out there sporting healthy, boastful communities. So, determined to find out what other gamers thought of the megaton behemoth, I headed on over to various EVE Online, Tabula Rasa, and Everquest 2 forums to find out the skinny on what they think of the game. Check it out:

Tabula Rasa Players - Forum LINK

Lomez said: “It’s a decent game I guess. It seems to be doing alright, based on how often these three letters seem to crop up anywhere and anytime in discussions about… anything. I really like the genre, but I’ve never really been interested in this particular little game. I often get the feeling that I’m the only one who has never played it.”

Puh said: “It’s too simple. All there is to do is to run between quests all the time. When I finally level up I get x amount of attribute points, hp, mana etc, and that’s it. When choosing armor, there’s only one type to go, or I’d gimp myself. The weapon choices are very limited, [and] even “twinking” is just to get the best weapon, armor and enchants, and that’s it. [Also] it puts to high of demands on the player. So many times have I entered a clans website, and to be recruited I need to have some basic stats, like resist fire or whatever. What I [do] like about WoW, is the battlegrounds. I can go there when I want and leave when I want, I’m not too fond of open world pvp.”

Harlz said: “WoW is a very solid game as would be expected of a skilled company that could spend a large amount of money and time on fleshing out a consistent design vision. It doesn’t really add that much new to the genre but it polishes the mechanics that do exist. The strengths it has are that the leveling is varied, relatively easy and done through entertaining quests. . . Sadly it does tend to “block the light” for most other MMORPG’s, including TR.

Everquest 2 Players - Forum LINK

Vendetta said: “The cartoon graphics were not appealing to me from the get-go, but I suffered through them for the sake of the promised ‘excellent gameplay’. Admittedly the playability was good [it was] extremely easy to learn, use and very intuitive. The first couple of weeks of play I was having a blast, but, of course, as you progress you see more of the game, explore more of the world and meet more people. This was pretty much the turning point for me. . . For me it is the community that accounts for about 50% of how fun an MMO can be. The maturity level and lack of commitment from pretty much everyone I ever played [WoW] with left much to be desired.”\

Absentmindedmage said: “I have never understood the World of Warcraft hating people put out.  I guess it just seems cool to hate a game that everyone else loves and is so popular.  Perhaps, it makes them feel like they are not a conformist. Anyways, I have played both WoW and EQ2.  I have my level 70 characters in EQ2, so I have put in time and effort in understanding the game.   My feeling is that WoW is a better polished game than EQ2.  It is true that EQ2 has a level of complexity that WoW doesnt with regard to spells and combat arts but other than that it really has little over WoW.”

EVE Online Players - Forum LINK

Jenny Spitfire said: “Well, they are targetting children and above though as their customers. Also, it will be difficult to maintain two different game systems i.e. Normal, RP and PvP servers to have a system like EvE. One reason they put up [the] Honour system and Battlegrounds [in WoW]. They dont fit the game very well because I dont think they ever thought about a PvP system in the game when they designed it.”

wierchas said: ”In my honest opinion, WoW sucks. Boring game!”

Interesting stuff! As you can see each person has a varied opinion of World of Warcraft. Also, please note, that, for whatever reason, I had a harder time getting opinions from people of some games than others, notably Everquest 2. I don’t know why. I’d have assumed that EQ2 players would be most hostile towards WoW as it seems almost like a direct competitor to the game (both being fantasy MMOs released within the same timeframe), but really it appears that EVE Online players had the least and harshest things to say about the game.

Feel free to contribute your own opinions, if you have any.

With 2007 coming to a close, I’ve decided to take a look torwards the top 5 most anticipated MMOs of 2008.

Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures

(1Q) This is the MMORPG I’m looking to the most in 2008. Mostly because of the combat and really cool PVP system it has setup. It’s also being touted as the first “mature” MMORPG with content that is not suitable for kids under 17.

Guild Wars 2

(4Q) Updated graphics and new features promise to make Guild Wars 2 one of the biggest anticipated MMORPGs of 2008. No details to really speak about other than the game engine will be new.

Huxley

(TBA 2008) Even though no date has been given, the game is currently in Beta and is expected to be released sometime in 2008. What makes Huxley standout? Its a FPS MMO using the Unreal 3 engine.

Mythos

(1/2Q) Coming from Flagship Studios comprising of many Blizzard North developers that brought you Diablo 2. Mythos similar game play to the ever popular Diablo 2 for those of you who can’t hold out for D3. The game is currently in Beta.

Warhammer Online

No introduction required here. Warhammer Online is set to become one of the biggest MMORPG in 2008 touting a next generation Realm vs. Realm system integrating both PvP combat and PvE quests on the same map. They are currently in closed beta.

No it’s not, I’m afraid. Blizzard hasn’t officially announced a third rendition of the classic action RPG yet. However, for those who absolutely can’t wait to get their hands on a traditional Diablo-esque game you need only wait for Mythos, an [M]MORPG being developed by Flagship Studios.

Anybody who knows anything about Flagship Studios will know that it is mostly comprised of former Blizzard North members, which was the same development studio that actually developed Diablo 2. This is why it comes as no surprise that their newest [M]MO, takes on a very similar shape and feel. Combine that with Travis Baldree (creator of the game FATE) and you have yourself the workings of what looks to be an awesome action [M]MORPG.

Set in a post-apololyptic fantasy world the game the game will employ the use of a multitude of races/classes, as opposed to Diablo which featured 5 classes originally (expanded to 7 with xpac) and only the human as a playable race. Some examples of races and classes are:

• Humans
• Satyrs
• Gremlins
• Bloodletter
• Gadgeteer
• Pyromancer

The game will employ thousands of players in the world while allowing them to group up and head off into randomized instanced dungeons (much like Diablo). It is fairly typical stuff for this style of gameplay, however, couple this with the fact that the game will be free to download and free to play and you have yourself a winning combination. Flagship is promising some unique advantages for those who wish to subscribe, but it is not mandatory. Let’s just hope they give us something a little more useful than what they did for Hellgate: London subscribers. Flagship is promising an RMT (real money trading) system for those who want to contribute to the game’s developers or make their character look spiffy. These items will be cosemetic items such as a parrot for your characters shoulder, etc. [Thanks Sulfuric]

The game is supposed to get released sometime soon, but as far as I can tell, no hard release date has been nailed down. IGN still has a tentative TBA 2007 on it’s information board, which probably is not going to happen. Those looking for more detailed information can find it in the links below (we are currently looking into getting a preview of our own up soon):

Gamasutra Interview with Bill Roper.

IGN Interview with Travis Baldree.

Theres a pretty cool preview video at Gametrailers with Jorgen Tharaldsen, Product Director for Fun Com, for Age of Conan. It shows a lot of in game footage as well as explains how the combat and PVP will be in the game. He also mentions the game will be available on Xbox360 for you console gamers.

Some highlights

• Special fatality moves with keyboard/mouse combos
• 3 types of PVP
  • Capture the flag
  • Bar brawles
  • End game seige battles (guild vs guild)
• Player built cities
• Dedicated free for all PVP servers
• Demon pets, even naked pets
• “Of course tits” Mature MMO (his words not mine)

Typically, when somebody thinks of the coined term MMO it is usually associated with the suffix RPG. It’s really not a huge surprise as the MMO genre is swamped with MMORPGs in a more generalized sense. Just this last year we have had over a dozen MMORPGs get released including Lord of the Rings Online, Vanguard: Saga of Heroes, and Tabula Rasa. But what about the other games?

Believe it or not, MMO does not always have to end with RPG. Over the years, and coming within the next couple, are games that are striking beyond the traditional and are reaching for something else. Something that ends with strategy, or RTS, or FPS. Today, I bring you the top 5 MMO-alternatives list. Some of these were made years ago, and others have yet to be made. So, without further ado:

• 1. Planetside (SOE/MMOFPS)

Planetside was originally released in May of 2003 as an MMOFPS. Upon releasing the game was a graphical phenomenon, and most people’s computers ground to an abrubt halt. It suffered much of the same symptoms that Vanguard suffered which was unfortunate because, despite needing a beefy computer to play it, it was actually one of the funnest games I have ever played. Imagine being sent into a persistent world, with 3 factions, a dozen vehicles, and even more weapon/armor combinations. Now imagine that with 200 of your friends going up agianst 300 of the opposing faction and another 100 of the third faction. Sound fun? It was. The game was set in the future on an unknown world. Due to some “discrepencies” with the former government (Earth) the planet was quickly broken up into three factions. You chose one of these factions and fought in a never ending war with the other two. The battles were fast, large, and very explosive. Sometimes it would take upwards of 10 hours to take a single base. The game still exists today, but it has nowhere near the population of when it first launched. Still, if you are curious about this type of gameplay feel free to check it out HERE.

• Shattered Galaxy (KRU Interactive/MMORTS)

Shattered Galaxy may not have been the first MMORTS to appear on the market, but it is definitely the one that has gathered enough steam to make it into the big leagues. It doesn’t hurt that it also happens to be one of the best MMORTS games out there (IGN and GameSpot reviewed it with an 80). In anycase, Shattered Galaxy, as you can imagine, is a scifi RTS game that allows you to wage war with different players or a mysterious alien entity. You start the game out as a character of your choice (choose a nation) and are able to up to own 48 units. You then use these units to pound the smack out of anybody who wants to oppose you. The game stresses tactics above all else and, although there is a resource model to the gameplay, it doesn’t appear to be to strenuous. Anybody looking for an MMORTS should definitely check this one out HERE.

• Huxley (Webzen/MMOFPS)

Being developed by Webzen comes Huxley, the supposed next generation of MMOFPS gaming. There isn’t too much to go off for this game, yet, except for the fact that the world is persistent, will run off the Unreal Engine 3, and will support at least 100-man battles. Sounds kind of neat, but it comes nowhere near the expectations that Planetside has already set. According to the website, the game takes place in a post-apocolyptic future where humans have mutated into two opposing races: the Sapiens, and Alternatives. The game sounds very promising though and is something you’ll probably want to keep track of if fast, furious MMOFPS gaming is your thing. Check it out HERE.

• All Points Bulletin (Realtime Worlds/MMO-GTAish)

So what does the guy who created both the GTA franchise and the hilariously fun Crackdown develop next? An MMO version of the two combined. That’s right, Realtime Worlds is in development of an open world MMOGTA-style game called All Points Bulletin. There isn’t much known about the game yet except that it will grace the Xbox 360. In addition to that, the game is promising awesome cops vs robbers styled gameplay where the player can choose to be a part of either one of those organizations. Can anybody else imagine the awesome car chases? The game is promised to be released next year so if this sort of thing interests you head on over to the website. Check it out HERE.

• Heroes of Might and Magic Kingdoms (Ubisoft/Strategy)

Just announced today, Ubisoft has promised that it’s next foray into the Might and Magic universe will be a bit of a departure from their usual action, and singleplayer strategy games. Coming next year, the company will launch a browser based MMO-strategy Heroes of Might and Magic. Now, anybody who has ever played any of these games will tell you what you can expect: multiple kingdoms (classes), wide variety of troops, and city building. All in all the games were a heck of a lot of fun, and it more than peeks my interest that the next iteration is promised to be an MMO. Not much else is known, but check out the article HERE.

So concludes our list of MMO alternatives. A lot of people may wonder: well what about this game, or that game. Well let us know about em! I assure you if we left out a game then it is either because we didn’t like it as much as the above, or we simply did not know about it. It’s a big big MMO world out there. Thanks for reading.

Yesterday Blizzard confirmed what everyone else already knew, that they are secretly working on a new MMOG. Over at Gamasutra.com, they were told by Frank Pearce, founding Blizzard member and senior vice president of product development, that a group titled “Team 3″ has been working on this new MMO.

“Team 3,” comprised of about 40 members separate from the Starcraft and Warcraft teams.”

The fact this new team is made of past Starcraft and Warcraft team members makes one think that the new MMO could quite possibly be based on the Starcraft universe. I mean if they were going with Diablo I would think there would be a good number of past devs from that team. Or maybe it’s just my bias since I really really want a Starcraft MMO. I know Geoff is rooting for a Diablo MMO.

Today the Nielsen Company released stats for the Top 10 PC Games for April 07 – Nov 07 based on percentage of gamers playing said game. World of Warcraft leads, nay destroys all other PC games, with .792% of all PC gamers playing an average of 1023 minutes per week or 17.05 hrs!! The only game to comes close to that weekly average is Runescape, another MMORPG, with 11.46 hrs/week although it comes in 3rd with percentage of gamers who are playing that game.

The fact that WOW players are gaming over 17 hrs/week isn’t as big of a shock as the fact that nearly .8% of all PC gamers are playing WOW. Thats just insanity.

Source: Nielsen Games
AU% is the percent of PC Gamers playing title in the average minute

Like all great things in life, MMORPGs often come with “special” counterparts that usually cost a bit extra, but promise special items or skills in return. Take Tabula Rasa, for example, the game released early last month (officially) and offered it’s game up in two different flavors: original, and extra crispy Limited Collector’s Edition. If you opted for the premium upgrade you were blessed with the following:

• Special Character Emote
• Exclusive Dye Recipes
• Unique Pet
• Briefing from Richard Garriot’s altar-ego in game
• Classified maps
• Allied Free Sentients Field Guide
• TR “dog tags”
• AFS challenge coin
• Special Edition poster

Seems like a lot right? You get all this for only $20 more than the original price of the game ($70). Sounds like an awesome deal, right? RIGHT?! Well, lets break down exactly what these items mean for you, the player/consumer.

Special character emote. What does this mean? So your avatar in game gets to have a special laugh or a clap or maybe even a dance. It sounds neat and awesome, but really what are you going to do with it? You’ll use it a couple times and then probably forget about it. Verdict: LEAVE.

Exclusive Dye recipes. This one could actually be worth something depending on how much you value appearances. A lot of people go through a lot of trouble to get their character’s appearances just the way they want em. Verdict: MAYBE.

Unique Pet. Pets are, more than likely, a worthy addition to your avatar. There are few external things that truly make your character look unique and having a pet is one of them. Verdict: TAKE.

Special Briefing from Garriot. This one is a toss-up. On one hand, this is a special event and one that will probably be a part of the history of the game. However, on the other hand, if you missed the event or don’t care about it at all then it is worthless to you. Verdict: MAYBE.

Classified Maps. These mean nothing. They are probably a poster paper that is packaged with the box that you’ll glance at once and never look at again. Verdict: LEAVE.

Allied Free Sentients Field Guide. Again, this is something you probably won’t find much stock in. It gives you no tangible bonus and therefor is worthless. Verdict: LEAVE.

TR Dog Tags. How much do you like jewelry? The value of this largely depends on what it is made of. If it is made out of plastic then its a total pass. Verdict: Maybe.

AFS Challenge Coin. Like knik-naks? Neither do we. Verdict: LEAVE.

Special Edition Poster. Poster’s are awesome, and if you are anything like me. You’ll have em plastered all over your dorm/room/apartment. What makes this even better is that it is a special edition one, which means not to many others will have the same one. Verdict: TAKE.

So, overall, we have 2 TAKEs, 3 MAYBEs, and 4 LEAVEs. This means that, in our eyes, the Tabula Rasa Collector’s Edition is not worth the extra $20 you’ll spend on it. This largely applies to most MMORPG CEs, in our opinion. Typically, and TR was one of the best mind you, games don’t come with that great of extras to justify the cost. It’s usually just a sham for publishers to score a bit of extra money. Oh and word for the wise: if a publisher is promising an “art book” with their CE edition, ignore it. Chances are you can find every last one of those pictures online for free.