BlizzCon 2013: Initial Impressions

<p align="justify"><font size="3">There was much goodness revealed at BlizzCon yesterday.  An expansion for Warcraft, cinematics for Heroes of the Storm, Hearthstone open beta announcement. Beta sign-ups are live for all expansions or new games, so sign into your battle.net account and join the fun.</font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="3">Where to begin?  Diablo II first, The </font><a href="http://us.battle.net/d3/en/reaper-of-souls/" target="_blank"><font size="3">Reaper of Souls</font></a><font size="3"> expansion.  Adventure mode: play where you want, when you want.  It is a separate mode from campaign mode, designed for players to freely move between modes and enjoy the game anyway they wish.  The game play looks amazing and I’m interested in the Crusader panel today discussing the upcoming class and changes in greater detail.  I admit I haven’t played Diablo III yet more than the trial but I am itching to, specially because the transmogrification system coming in the expansion is something that has peaked my interest greatly.</font></p> <p>  <div id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:277c9891-fc7c-42a3-8d42-61dac8963811" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px"><div><object height="480" width="853"><param name="movie" value="//www.youtube.com/v/Cb7QJwQ58T0?version=3&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="//www.youtube.com/v/Cb7QJwQ58T0?version=3&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="853" height="480" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div></div></p> <p align="justify"><font size="3">World of Warcraft, the </font><a href="http://us.battle.net/wow/en/warlords-of-draenor/" target="_blank"><font size="3">Warlords of Draenor</font></a><font size="3"> expansion looks to have the potential to revitalize and aging MMO in a competitive marketplace.  UI improvements are coming (true Bind on Account Heirlooms!), popular add-ons being integrated into the UI (random mount, battleground timers), and NEW and stunning character models.  Oh yeah let’s not forget Blizzard’s take on player housing is coming too!</font></p> <div id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:6791a1b4-4487-497b-a7f4-9dcb2e7b3919" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px"><div><object height="480" width="853"><param name="movie" value="//www.youtube.com/v/OYueIdI_2L0?version=3&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="//www.youtube.com/v/OYueIdI_2L0?version=3&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="853" height="480" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div></div> <p align="justify"><font size="3">Initial reaction here was meh, but digging deeper I’m deeply interested because let’s face it, I’m a lore junkie.  I think they took the easy way out and reworked old, familiar favorite characters from past Warcraft games but at the same time, they are bringing the past to bear on the present.  I didn’t play the RTS games but I know that the MMO I play today is based on what happened in those previous games and thus I’m looking forward to meeting the current day iterations of those beloved characters from RTS games.  Do I think they need to clear up some of the time travel that isn’t time travel confusion, oh yeah.  I think the potential is there, especially on the lore front.  Orc history, Draenei history, Ogres, and the incredibly juxtaposition of Thrall and Garrosh going back in time to meet their parents with affecting the timeline that we all know.</font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="3"><a href="http://www.heroesofthestorm.com/en-gb" target="_blank">Heroes of the Storm</a> is the Blizzard entry into the rapidly expanding and incredible popular arena style of multiplayer game.</font></p> <div id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:fe368bc6-2ab0-4348-b295-a6b451310ff0" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px"><div><object height="480" width="853"><param name="movie" value="//www.youtube.com/v/lpjNhZsSh10?version=3&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="//www.youtube.com/v/lpjNhZsSh10?version=3&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="853" height="480" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div></div> <p align="justify"><font size="3">Heroes is all about your favorite Blizzard multiverse characters into the same game.  Models for characters are familiar but different and game play looks fun, like a fast paced RTS with friends.  </font></p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://us.battle.net/hearthstone/en/" target="_blank"><font size="3">Hearthstone, Heroes of Warcraft</font></a><font size="3"> is the online card game that is set in the Warcraft Universe.  It has been in closed beta since August and open beta hits next month.</font></p> <div id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:2f002524-810a-4486-8607-d8104831f218" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px"><div><object height="480" width="853"><param name="movie" value="//www.youtube.com/v/QdXl3QtutQI?hl=en_US&version=3"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="//www.youtube.com/v/QdXl3QtutQI?hl=en_US&version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="853" height="480" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div></div> <p align="justify"><font size="3">I’m in closed beta for Hearthstone, although I haven’t yet fired up the game.  It looks fun but at the same time I can’t seem to find any excitement on interest for an online card game.  Maybe I’m too old?  Also announced was the game will be coming to apple and android phones in beta form sometime next spring.</font> </p> <p align="justify"><font size="3">Overall, the first day left an overwhelming impression that Blizzard has spent more time listening to the player base and is more focused on creating games that their players want to play.  Hopefully, the trend continues and they follow through with that potential.</font> </p> <div id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:f96b92d1-8857-4320-a917-b6fff8d3cc2a" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Blizzard" rel="tag">Blizzard</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/World+of+Warcraft" rel="tag">World of Warcraft</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/WOW" rel="tag">WOW</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Diable+III" rel="tag">Diable III</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Heroes+of+the+Storm" rel="tag">Heroes of the Storm</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Hearthstone" rel="tag">Hearthstone</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/World+of+Draenor" rel="tag">World of Draenor</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Reaper+of+Souls" rel="tag">Reaper of Souls</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/player+housing" rel="tag">player housing</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/PvP" rel="tag">PvP</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/transmog" rel="tag">transmog</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/lore" rel="tag">lore</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/UI" rel="tag">UI</a></div>

Blizzard Diablo 3 Hearthstone Heroes of the Storm Housing MMO mobile World of Warcraft WOW BlizzCon 2013: Initial Impressions

There was much goodness revealed at BlizzCon yesterday.  An expansion for Warcraft, cinematics for Heroes of the Storm, Hearthstone open beta announcement. Beta sign-ups are live for all expansions or new games, so sign into your battle.net account a…

Read more »

World of Warcraft: An Idea

<p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HqJlqeXk_r8/Ul5a1KLRyGI/AAAAAAAADHw/YcLdPWajIYQ/s1600-h/WoWScrnShot_101613_015325%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="WoWScrnShot_101613_015325" border="0" height="527" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-js5KeT6jeP8/Ul5a1vi-OwI/AAAAAAAADH0/DfbVeLuTOaA/WoWScrnShot_101613_015325_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" title="WoWScrnShot_101613_015325" width="763"></a> </p> <p align="justify"><font size="3">I can’t sleep so I fired up WOW and a couple of things are bugging me at 2AM.  First at level 72, a priest should not have been able to easily kill an elite level 80 dragon in Coldarra.  Second, and I’ve been thinking about this for a long time now, why can’t the development team over at Blizzard implement a hard mode option similar to what Guild Wars had way back when?  The button would slow down questing to non-nerfed rates (i.e. before the release of the latest expansion made past content irrelevant) and returned mobs, bosses, and fights to higher hit points and difficulty levels.  This option would let those that want to rush to end game do so and those of us that want to experience more challenging content at level appropriate questing to do so.  I want the danger back when doing awesome quests like rescuing Winterfin tadpoles.  I don’t need to two-shot everything along the way.</font>  </p> <div id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:bf7e5f26-5f3d-4f86-8779-e7710d9f82af" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/WOW" rel="tag">WOW</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/World+of+Warcraft" rel="tag">World of Warcraft</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Blizzard" rel="tag">Blizzard</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Guild+Wars" rel="tag">Guild Wars</a></div>

Blizzard Guild Wars MMO video games World of Warcraft WOW World of Warcraft: An Idea

I can’t sleep so I fired up WOW and a couple of things are bugging me at 2AM.  First at level 72, a priest should not have been able to easily kill an elite level 80 dragon in Coldarra.  Second, and I’ve been thinking about this for a long time now…

Read more »

World of Warcraft: Raiders, Raiding, and Communities

<p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-YalVtmfykd8/UkrlmfY7uTI/AAAAAAAADHA/GOnXEpFz538/s1600-h/WoWScrnShot_092113_212806%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="WoWScrnShot_092113_212806" border="0" height="435" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nxi27Wr-DYI/Ukrlm2QVA9I/AAAAAAAADHI/EnzXwE1QnXE/WoWScrnShot_092113_212806_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" title="WoWScrnShot_092113_212806" width="924"></a> </p> <p></p> <p align="justify"><font size="3">I never wanted to be a raider.  My game time and enjoyment was never derived from aspiring to be in a raiding guild.  But I knew that meant I missed out on story that could only be seen in a raid, sucked but I accepted it.  Then the LFR (Looking for Raid) tool was introduced and I dipped my toes into a raid for the first time at level 90.  For the most part my LFR experiences have been smooth, drama free, and wipe free.  That may be in large part because I tune out the bitchiness and whining that comes from twenty-five random people thrown together.  </font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="3">I have started running Recount only for my own dps numbers, I don’t care what numbers others produce.  I especially am amused when healing by the sheer amount of overhealing that occurs, especially when the top overhealer is so very proud of their hps.  I laugh at them in the privacy of my office.  I know that damage/healing meters are inaccurate.  Hubby and I can be in the same raid and have wildly different numbers for both of us, we are in the same office and use the same connection, and yet somehow we’ve seen dps differences in excess of 10k at times.  So yeah, meters are meaningless.</font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="3">What I have noticed in LFR is the utter disdain from the progression raiding community that feels free to do LFR and smack talk the people that are appropriately geared for the raid.  Vastly outgearing content and being smug about your damage or healing meter is very sad, and even sadder when you feel the need to publically humiliate those that can’t keep up with your numbers.  </font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="3">LFR is a more than decent tool implemented by Blizzard to give a broader range of the community access to raids.  What it is for a small percentage of the player base is a tool to boost their low self-esteem at the expense of other players.  My ignore list is growing and what these people fail to comprehend is that when I’m healing and it’s one of “those” LFR groups, all my direct heals and shields will go to those players that haven’t seen fit to publically berate other players (and yes I apply this rule to tanks, healers, and dps).  I run Healbot/Vuhdo and I will blacklist players from heals, I don’t think twice about it.  I have no patience for spoiled children who think they are the best thing since sliced bread.  </font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="3">Truth be told, when raiding with hubby my heal priority is always hubby, tanks, healers, and then dps.  Doesn’t matter, hubby will always get a heal if he needs it before anyone else.  Don’t like it, then I suggest you don’t act like a preschooler that missed his nap.  </font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="3">Our recently created, or in my case rerolled, Horde characters have joined a guild founded by a deaf player.  So far the guild is awesome, they are friendly in chat and don’t seem to be full of what we consider the “typical” Horde players to be.  You might be wondering why two non-hearing impaired people joined such a guild?  Because by definition, the guild has to be able to communicate effectively in chat without relying on voice chat to communicate ideas.  That alone was reason enough to try out the guild.  I am looking forward to raiding with them on the Horde side.</font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="3">Our Alliance guild is open to accepting new members for the first time.  But be warned, drama is not welcome and we will never be a progression raiding guild.  If we get enough members to run raids then it will be for fun and laughs and to see content, old and new.  It won’t be to massage egos and claim bragging rights.  I’d love it for more people had a willing attitude about figuring things out while raiding rather than expecting to face roll all content immediately.  If you reside on Silvermoon and are interested, send me a DM on </font><a href="https://twitter.com/GamingCouples" target="_blank"><font size="3">Twitter</font></a><font size="3">.</font></p> <div id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:f8cb08a3-c546-4e93-b24e-6b3cb8d273ba" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Blizzard" rel="tag">Blizzard</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/World+of+Warcraft" rel="tag">World of Warcraft</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/WOW" rel="tag">WOW</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/LFR" rel="tag">LFR</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/raids" rel="tag">raids</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/raiders" rel="tag">raiders</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Healbot" rel="tag">Healbot</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Vuhdo" rel="tag">Vuhdo</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Recount" rel="tag">Recount</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/raiding" rel="tag">raiding</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/guilds" rel="tag">guilds</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Silvermoon" rel="tag">Silvermoon</a></div>

Blizzard MMO World of Warcraft WOW World of Warcraft: Raiders, Raiding, and Communities

I never wanted to be a raider.  My game time and enjoyment was never derived from aspiring to be in a raiding guild.  But I knew that meant I missed out on story that could only be seen in a raid, sucked but I accepted it.  Then the LFR (Looking f…

Read more »

World of Warcraft: Patch 5.4 Siege of Orgrimmar

<p> <div id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:42c85969-4974-4cac-8590-f6cf4fcd76a7" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px"><div><object height="480" width="853"><param name="movie" value="//www.youtube.com/v/slzQOyS5TqQ?hl=en_US&version=3"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="//www.youtube.com/v/slzQOyS5TqQ?hl=en_US&version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="853" height="480" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div></div></p> <p><font size="3"></font> </p> <p><font size="3"><a href="http://us.battle.net/wow/en/game/patch-notes/under-dev" target="_blank">Highlights</a> of Patch 5.4: The Siege of Orgrimmar:</font></p> <ul> <li><font size="3">Vale of Eternal Blossoms is destroyed.  Taran Zhu warned long ago that the new visitors to Pandaria would permanent change the land and he was right.  The newly opened Vale of Eternal Blossoms will be destroyed with the live implementation of the patch.  The achievement for opening the Vale will become a Feat of Strength and will no longer be obtainable.</font></li> <ul> <li><font size="3">ALL water is gone from the Vale</font></li></ul> <li><font size="3">A new raid, Siege of Orgrimmar: 14 bosses, including Garrosh Hellscream—> will raiders kill him, dethrone him, or what?  So far, Blizzard has kept that secret but we will all know shortly</font></li> <li><font size="3">A new type of raid: </font><a href="http://us.battle.net/wow/en/blog/10175200/A_Raid_for_All_Seasons_Flexible_Raid_Preview-6_6_2013" target="_blank"><font size="3">Flex Raiding</font></a><font size="3">: raids are now capable of scaling in difficult based on the number of people in the raid.  Raid sizes of anywhere between 10 to 25 players are available for flex raids.  Flex raids DO NOT replace normal and heroic 10 and 25 man raids, or LFR.  Loot quality will be a step above LFR and a step below Normal.</font></li> <li><font size="3">Proving Grounds: just switch specs, just coming back and skills a little rusty?  </font><a href="http://us.battle.net/wow/en/blog/10405142/" target="_blank"><font size="3">Proving Grounds</font></a><font size="3"> are solo instances in four varying degrees of difficulty designed to test the players skills as tank, healer, or damage.  The four modes are Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Endless and the Proving Ground is located at the Temple in Kun-Lai Summit.</font></li> <li><a href="http://us.battle.net/wow/en/blog/10590712/" target="_blank"><font size="3">Timeless Isle</font></a><font size="3">: new adventuring zone to be found just off the coast of the Jade Forest.  There will be no new dallies or quest chains to be found.  However, the braver explorer will be rewarded with tokens to allow for faster gearing of alts and gear with an ilvl high enough to get into LFR for the Siege of Orgrimmar raid.</font></li> <li><font size="3">Legendary quest chain concludes – lucky you, my poor priest is far behind on this one.</font></li> <li><font size="3">Gear that previously cost Valor points, except for Shado Pan Assault gear, will now cost Justice Points and are no longer locked behind a faction reputation grind</font></li> <li><font size="3">Valor is<strong><em> not</em></strong> being reset</font></li> <li><font size="3">Connected Realms are coming but will not be available when the Patch goes live</font></li> <li><font size="3"><a href="http://us.battle.net/wow/en/blog/10158897/" target="_blank">Usual number of class changes and balancing changes</a>:</font></li> <ul> <li><font size="3">Taunt type abilities all now increase threat generated by 200%</font></li> <li><font size="3">Vengeance has multiple changes</font></li> <li><font size="3">All area knockback effects share diminishing returns</font></li> <li><font size="3">Spinning Crane Kick, Holy Radiance, Light’s Hammer, Holy Word: Sanctuary, and Healing Rain are now smart heals, healing the six lowest health friendly targets in range but will not heal minor guardian type targets (i.e. wild imps, snakes from traps, etc.)</font></li></ul> <li><font size="3">Base Resilience increased to 72% up from 65%</font></li> <li><font size="3">Conquest Points awarded from winning a Random Battleground or Call to Arms increased to 150 for the first win and 75 points for each subsequent win that day.</font></li> <li><font size="3">Balanced Trillium Ingot plans will drop throughout Pandaria, ingots are required to make the new Raid and PvP Blacksmithing plans</font></li> <li><font size="3">New cooking recipes have been added</font></li> <li><font size="3">New enchanting reagent: Sha  Fragment –> come from disenchanting gear that was previous obtained using Valor Points</font></li> <ul> <li><font size="3">Crystals can be combined to make a Sha Crystal</font></li></ul> <li><font size="3">Engineers can obtain the plans to craft Jard's Peculiar Energy Source from creatures throughout Pandaria, it is required to make new schematics</font></li> <li><font size="3">Blingatron now has a chance to drop a Lil’Blingatron pet</font></li> <li><font size="3">All enchantments can now be applied to Heirloom Items but will scale down to a level appropriate for the player</font></li> <li><font size="3">Cash shop goes live in game</font></li></ul> <p><font size="3">Servers come down at midnight 10 September 2013 Pacific Daylight Time and are anticipated to be live at ten o’clock PDT.  I will post updates if anything major changes.</font></p> <p> <div id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:40fc4175-f8f0-4474-b078-ba62ae08e50d" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/World+of+Warcraft" rel="tag">World of Warcraft</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/WOW" rel="tag">WOW</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Patch+5.4" rel="tag">Patch 5.4</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Siege+of+Orgrimmar" rel="tag">Siege of Orgrimmar</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/PvP" rel="tag">PvP</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/cash+shop" rel="tag">cash shop</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/professions" rel="tag">professions</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/valor" rel="tag">valor</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/justice" rel="tag">justice</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/legendary" rel="tag">legendary</a></div></p>

Blizzard Cash Shop MMO video games World of Warcraft World of Warcraft: Patch 5.4 Siege of Orgrimmar

  Highlights of Patch 5.4: The Siege of Orgrimmar: Vale of Eternal Blossoms is destroyed.  Taran Zhu warned long ago that the new visitors to Pandaria would permanent change the land and he was right.  The newly opened Vale of Eternal Blossoms wil…

Read more »

World of Warcraft: Pre-Patch 5.4 Regrets?

<p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hrsDitoLPtE/Ui3S1iZIa7I/AAAAAAAADGA/d2T2QaU6Umo/s1600-h/WoWScrnShot_081513_145206%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="WoWScrnShot_081513_145206" border="0" height="476" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-CRahKIXnK6Q/Ui3S2oBIz3I/AAAAAAAADGI/j_ujOLklZTI/WoWScrnShot_081513_145206_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" title="WoWScrnShot_081513_145206" width="844"></a> </p> <p align="justify"><font size="3">As we all know, barring a shocking announcement today, <a href="http://us.battle.net/wow/en/blog/10647181/54_Siege_of_Orgrimmar_Coming_09-10-13-9_5_2013" target="_blank">Patch 5.4</a> lands on <a href="http://us.battle.net/wow/en/" target="_blank">World of Warcraft</a> Live servers tomorrow when maintenance concludes.  As I lay there last night having trouble falling asleep, I began to have the stirrings of regret that I got lazy and didn’t pound out those last eighteen levels so I could experience the opening of the Vale of Eternal Blossoms from the Horde’s perspective.  There is just something about your character experiencing those pivotal moments in game.</font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="3">Don’t misunderstand me, I think <a href="http://us.blizzard.com/en-us/" target="_blank">Blizzard</a> is taking the right path when the Patch launches tomorrow.  I think the actions of Garrosh and his never ending bloodlust should have a dramatic and lasting, un-phased, impact on the world.  I will also admit I started raiding, although the “hardcore”, elite raiders won’t consider it raiding, using the LFR simply so I could gear up characters to kill Garrosh.</font>  </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-EBO09cz4HRM/Ui3S3KjW5kI/AAAAAAAADGQ/YLAoOxsHjTo/s1600-h/WoWScrnShot_081613_100355%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="WoWScrnShot_081613_100355" border="0" height="420" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-aOCLdwunBAs/Ui3S3uz_94I/AAAAAAAADGY/a2UdzpSe7lc/WoWScrnShot_081613_100355_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" title="WoWScrnShot_081613_100355" width="744"></a> </p> <p align="justify"><font size="3">My Horde characters will be getting almost equal playtime as my Alliance characters, especially once she hits level 90 and I can get her over to Timeless Isle to gear up.  I’m torn though, between enjoying the Horde story lines in Wrath and Cataclysm to racing to level her.  But, I know myself well, and I won’t race to the end.  It isn’t a play style I enjoy or respect.  I don’t play to sit at max level for months to years on end and then go back and breeze through content because I vastly out level it.  </font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="3">Do you have any regrets for things your characters didn’t accomplish before Patch 5.4 hits?</font></p> <p> </p> <div id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:73c5df6f-9323-40fe-bddb-4287745cea90" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Blizzard" rel="tag">Blizzard</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/World+of+Warcraft" rel="tag">World of Warcraft</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/WOW" rel="tag">WOW</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Patch+5.4" rel="tag">Patch 5.4</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Horde" rel="tag">Horde</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Alliance" rel="tag">Alliance</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Garrosh+Hellscream" rel="tag">Garrosh Hellscream</a></div>

Blizzard MMO video games World of Warcraft WOW World of Warcraft: Pre-Patch 5.4 Regrets?

As we all know, barring a shocking announcement today, Patch 5.4 lands on World of Warcraft Live servers tomorrow when maintenance concludes.  As I lay there last night having trouble falling asleep, I began to have the stirrings of regret that I g…

Read more »

World of Warcraft: First Horde Character at 70

<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKNIaOSZyeH1Vuggjj5fZoZ12UHZNvE4ErEdX2sbbTVDSWfvlB37Gb2T7w7Ls3l0KKFgD6GYaoBhTopaG001dTJvIXHOQP4slFquuAQcML4s-7Z1BroZWW8HgbKDQkMt1cBiBszeIJe1zA/s1600-h/WoWScrnShot_090613_052854%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="WoWScrnShot_090613_052854" border="0" height="476" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-SmMPQ_RGlpA/UioGdZamXjI/AAAAAAAADFw/JRSG97dRGTk/WoWScrnShot_090613_052854_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" title="WoWScrnShot_090613_052854" width="844"></a> </p> <p align="justify"><font size="3">Well, my first Horde character ever reached level seventy this morning and I have mixed emotions.  First reaction, was the ever present, reflexive at this point, inner woo hoo moment but it didn’t last very long.  My shadow priest got no new skills, nothing cool was waiting in her inventory to equip, it was more like an “oh look two new instances opened up”.  Honestly it was a complete let down.</font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="3">I sent her to the Borean Tundra yesterday when she dinged 68, excited to finally get a glimpse at all those mysterious Horde quest lines I have been wondering about for years.  I fully admit I am biased in favor of the Alliance, it is just my nature.  Playing Horde, especially when forced to interact with Garrosh is done is small batches for me because he is one character that turns my stomach.  So, after witnessing pathetic Garrosh whining in Nagrand I wasn’t all that please to find him sitting in Warsong Hold holding court.  Questing for him, turned my stomach but I ignored Garrosh because the questing was different than that on Alliance.  Imagine my utter shock when the ultimate reward for those quest lines was the blue weapon that Alliance players receive for meeting Arthas and dealing with one of his minions.  It was an utter let down. </font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="3">I’m going to go run LFR today and work on my legendary quest line.  It will give my Horde character a chance to rebuild her rested experience and me a break from the shenanigans of Garrosh.</font></p> <div id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:ec5cbd21-e711-416c-9e4c-4fd4393ee953" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/World+of+Warcraft" rel="tag">World of Warcraft</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/WOW" rel="tag">WOW</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Garrosh+Hellscream" rel="tag">Garrosh Hellscream</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Horde" rel="tag">Horde</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Alliance" rel="tag">Alliance</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Arthas" rel="tag">Arthas</a></div>

Blizzard MMO video games World of Warcraft WOW World of Warcraft: First Horde Character at 70

Well, my first Horde character ever reached level seventy this morning and I have mixed emotions.  First reaction, was the ever present, reflexive at this point, inner woo hoo moment but it didn’t last very long.  My shadow priest got no new skills…

Read more »

The Elder Scrolls Online Payment Model Revealed

<p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qUUpeyJG01s/UhTFJq7oA1I/AAAAAAAADDo/QZs_P4ireZk/s1600-h/f8e75680cc7b1ab067%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="f8e75680cc7b1ab067" border="0" height="529" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ar4gi3E-ktU/UhTFKO90oNI/AAAAAAAADDw/oX2ZkRZyq_M/f8e75680cc7b1ab067_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" title="f8e75680cc7b1ab067" width="844"></a> </p> <p align="justify"><font size="3">The German gaming site, <a href="http://www.gamestar.de/" target="_blank">Game Star</a>, released an </font><a href="http://www.gamestar.de/spiele/the-elder-scrolls-online/artikel/the_elder_scrolls_online,44578,3026853.html" target="_blank"><font size="3">article</font></a><font size="3"> this morning interviewing  Matt Firor, General Manager of Zenimax Online.  The Elder Scrolls Online will be a subscription based game. The first thirty days of game play are free with the purchase of the game, after that there is a per month fee associated with continued play.  The monthly fee will be the standard MMO subscription fee of $14.99/€12.99/£8.99.</font>  </p> <div id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:ffdfabe2-acb9-4340-b568-2e186c4d4e98" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/The+Elder+Scrolls+Online.+TESO" rel="tag">The Elder Scrolls Online. TESO</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Zenimax" rel="tag">Zenimax</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Bethesda" rel="tag">Bethesda</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/MMO" rel="tag">MMO</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/video+games" rel="tag">video games</a></div>

Bethesda MMO TESO The Elder Scrolls video games Zenimax The Elder Scrolls Online Payment Model Revealed

The German gaming site, Game Star, released an article this morning interviewing  Matt Firor, General Manager of Zenimax Online.  The Elder Scrolls Online will be a subscription based game. The first thirty days of game play are free with the purch…

Read more »

World of Warcraft: Lack of Story Differences

<p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Ts-7hld24Yg/Ug5dhpli19I/AAAAAAAADC4/g9BMYuFv0Wc/s1600-h/WoWScrnShot_081613_100355%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="WoWScrnShot_081613_100355" border="0" height="476" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-V7lTc1kDjDg/Ug5dioY2ieI/AAAAAAAADDA/RPIgTuQKbEE/WoWScrnShot_081613_100355_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" title="WoWScrnShot_081613_100355" width="844"></a> </p> <p align="justify"><font size="3">I have always been an Alliance player, ever since I first picked up the game almost five years ago.  Alliance is the natural fit for my personality and general life outlook.  However, that doesn’t mean I haven’t been interested in the other side of the story.  Early on I tried playing the Horde but quite honestly, the character models spoiled my immersion in the game immensely.  Those early Horde characters have been scrapped and never brought back to life.  </font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="3">Last spring I once again decide to experience the Horde story line and made the above Pandaren priest.  She dinged 61 this morning and I’ve got to tell you, there are almost no story differences.  Quests so far are all the same, wording changed but otherwise there is no story difference.  I am beginning to question long term viability of playing the Horde for story differences when there are none.  Now, his may change when my priest hits later expansions but I really doubt that right now.  </font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="3">I don’t know how much play time my Horde priest is going to receive in the future unfortunately.</font></p> <div id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:c05f91a6-8cac-4b02-9186-43d2a1adc828" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/World+of+Warcraft" rel="tag">World of Warcraft</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/WOW" rel="tag">WOW</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/MMO" rel="tag">MMO</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/video+games" rel="tag">video games</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/lore" rel="tag">lore</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Alliance" rel="tag">Alliance</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Horde" rel="tag">Horde</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/priest" rel="tag">priest</a></div>

Blizzard MMO video games World of Warcraft WOW World of Warcraft: Lack of Story Differences

I have always been an Alliance player, ever since I first picked up the game almost five years ago.  Alliance is the natural fit for my personality and general life outlook.  However, that doesn’t mean I haven’t been interested in the other side of…

Read more »

World of Warcraft: Patch 5.4 Siege of Orgrimmar video

<p> <div id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:f778e00c-d715-4515-9374-4e6d76d5edea" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px"><div><object height="480" width="853"><param name="movie" value="//www.youtube.com/v/slzQOyS5TqQ?version=3&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="//www.youtube.com/v/slzQOyS5TqQ?version=3&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="853" height="480" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div></div></p> <p> </p> <p align="justify"><font size="3">All I can say is, I’ve never wanted to kill a boss more than I want to repeatedly slaughter Garrosh Hellscream.  As everyone knows, I’m not a raider and thank god I can handle raiding in LFR groups.</font></p> <div id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:4ddc0557-36e4-4756-b4b5-e25b70a9c57a" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/World+of+Warcraft" rel="tag">World of Warcraft</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/WOW" rel="tag">WOW</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Patch+5.4" rel="tag">Patch 5.4</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Siege+of+Orgrimmar" rel="tag">Siege of Orgrimmar</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Garrosh+Hellscream" rel="tag">Garrosh Hellscream</a></div>

Blizzard MMO video games World of Warcraft WOW World of Warcraft: Patch 5.4 Siege of Orgrimmar video

  All I can say is, I’ve never wanted to kill a boss more than I want to repeatedly slaughter Garrosh Hellscream.  As everyone knows, I’m not a raider and thank god I can handle raiding in LFR groups. Technorati Tags: World of Warcraft,WOW,Patch 5.…

Read more »

World of Warcraft: Burdens of Shaohao Part 5: The Sundering

<p> </p> <p> <div id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:23dde280-211f-4968-b3db-df70904643ae" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px"><div><object height="480" width="853"><param name="movie" value="//www.youtube.com/v/EREaWhXj4_Q?hl=en_US&version=3"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="//www.youtube.com/v/EREaWhXj4_Q?hl=en_US&version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="853" height="480" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div></div></p> <p> </p> <p>Today’s gorgeous installment in the story of <a href="http://us.battle.net/wow/en/blog/10534912/The_Burdens_of_Shaohao%E2%80%94Part_5_The_Sundering-8_8_2013" target="_blank">The Burdens of Shaohao</a> and unfortunately this installment concludes the series.</p> <div id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:117ae7ab-717d-4324-9e9a-72a3d7a9eae2" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/World+of+Warcraft" rel="tag">World of Warcraft</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/WOW" rel="tag">WOW</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Burdens+of+Shaohao" rel="tag">Burdens of Shaohao</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/video+games" rel="tag">video games</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/MMO" rel="tag">MMO</a></div>

Blizzard Burdens of Shaohao MMO video games World of Warcraft WOW World of Warcraft: Burdens of Shaohao Part 5: The Sundering

    Today’s gorgeous installment in the story of The Burdens of Shaohao and unfortunately this installment concludes the series. Technorati Tags: World of Warcraft,WOW,Burdens of Shaohao,video games,MMO …

Read more »

World of Warcraft: Burdens of Shaohao: Part 4 Anger

<p></p> <div id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:5074bb6f-2eeb-4d84-b317-427462f84c21" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px"><div><object height="480" width="853"><param name="movie" value="//www.youtube.com/v/BSWYMQEQhEo?version=3&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="//www.youtube.com/v/BSWYMQEQhEo?version=3&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="853" height="480" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div></div> <p></p> <p align="justify"><font size="3">And the beautiful story telling continues as the Emperor encounters the Sha of Anger.</font></p> <div id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:ebb045b5-b76f-492e-bf40-3117d1adfe96" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/World+of+Warcraft" rel="tag">World of Warcraft</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/WOW" rel="tag">WOW</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Burdens+of+Shaohao" rel="tag">Burdens of Shaohao</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/video+games" rel="tag">video games</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/MMO" rel="tag">MMO</a></div>

Blizzard Burdens of Shaohao MMO video games World of Warcraft WOW World of Warcraft: Burdens of Shaohao: Part 4 Anger

And the beautiful story telling continues as the Emperor encounters the Sha of Anger. Technorati Tags: World of Warcraft,WOW,Burdens of Shaohao,video games,MMO …

Read more »

World of Warcraft: Burdens of Shaohao Part 3: Fear

<div class="separator" style="text-align: center; clear: both"> </div> <p> <div id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:7ad9f212-717c-4dcd-8301-7ae18a901029" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px"><div><object height="480" width="853"><param name="movie" value="//www.youtube.com/v/lom_plwy9iA?version=3&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="//www.youtube.com/v/lom_plwy9iA?version=3&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="853" height="480" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div></div></p> <p><a href="http://us.battle.net/wow/en/blog/10534912/The_Burdens_of_Shaohao%E2%80%94Part_3_Fear-8_6_2013" target="_blank"><font size="3">Burdens of Shaohao</font></a><font size="3">: Part 3 Fear has just been released.  It is as impressive as the previous installments in the series.</font>  <br></p> <p></p> <div id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:3548c990-f862-4d8d-9135-3f06ea72dde7" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/World+of+Warcraft" rel="tag">World of Warcraft</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/WOW" rel="tag">WOW</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Burdens+of+Shaohao" rel="tag">Burdens of Shaohao</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/video+games" rel="tag">video games</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/MMO" rel="tag">MMO</a></div>

Blizzard Burdens of Shaohao MMO video games World of Warcraft WOW World of Warcraft: Burdens of Shaohao Part 3: Fear

  Burdens of Shaohao: Part 3 Fear has just been released.  It is as impressive as the previous installments in the series.  Technorati Tags: World of Warcraft,WOW,Burdens of Shaohao,video games,MMO …

Read more »

World of Warcraft: Burdens of Shaohao: Despair

<div id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:89900fca-366a-458d-a100-6fbf76399460" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px"><div id="0c583d14-74f8-4617-89c1-4dd4ead467c3" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMEHZPZTAVc&feature=share&list=UUbLj9QP9FAaHs_647QckGtg" target="_new"><img alt="" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('0c583d14-74f8-4617-89c1-4dd4ead467c3'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/gMEHZPZTAVc&hl=en\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/gMEHZPZTAVc&hl=en\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-t290XA6Uw7Y/UgJajmHjC2I/AAAAAAAADCo/-o4cVDm_USA/videof1533f3fc544%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none"></a></div></div></div> <p>The third beautiful installment in the Burdens of Shaohao series.</p> <div id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:b4b5b6db-d920-43c5-8213-ac4de1e8d912" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/World+of+Warcraft" rel="tag">World of Warcraft</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/WOW" rel="tag">WOW</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Burdens+of+Shaohao" rel="tag">Burdens of Shaohao</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/MMO" rel="tag">MMO</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/video+games" rel="tag">video games</a></div>

Blizzard MMO video games World of Warcraft WOW World of Warcraft: Burdens of Shaohao: Despair

";" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-t290XA6Uw7Y/UgJajmHjC2I/AAAAAAAADCo/-o4cVDm_USA/videof1533f3fc544%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none"> The third beautiful installment in the Burdens of Shaohao series. Technorati Tags: World of Wa…

Read more »

World of Warcraft: Burdens of Shaohao Part One: Doubt

<div class="separator" style="text-align: center; clear: both"> </div> <p> <div id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:a9067e47-0a13-4f84-9d0d-15061af6779a" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px"><div id="3b0187e9-ace7-489d-aa4b-371ed2eead06" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afpRzcAAZVM&feature=share&list=UUbLj9QP9FAaHs_647QckGtg" target="_new"><img alt="" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('3b0187e9-ace7-489d-aa4b-371ed2eead06'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/afpRzcAAZVM&hl=en\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/afpRzcAAZVM&hl=en\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-MVzftkIUuS4/UgJZ8dETLdI/AAAAAAAADCg/lYy_g8Y0BOM/videoa16c4f4e5a3d%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none"></a></div></div></div></p> <p><a href="http://us.battle.net/wow/en/" target="_blank">World of Warcraft</a>'s second installment in the Burdens of Shaohao animated series.  Smashing story telling in under five minutes.</p>

Blizzard Burdens of Shaohao MMO video games World of Warcraft WOW World of Warcraft: Burdens of Shaohao Part One: Doubt

  ";" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-MVzftkIUuS4/UgJZ8dETLdI/AAAAAAAADCg/lYy_g8Y0BOM/videoa16c4f4e5a3d%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none"> World of Warcraft's second installment in the Burdens of Shaohao animated series.  Smashing…

Read more »

World of Warcraft: Burdens of Shaohao Prelude: The Vision

<div class="separator" style="text-align: center; clear: both"> </div> <p> <div id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:5c184aaa-d637-4979-b4f6-1b95409fd3f6" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px"><div><object height="480" width="853"><param name="movie" value="//www.youtube.com/v/-D--GWwca0g?hl=en_US&version=3"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="//www.youtube.com/v/-D--GWwca0g?hl=en_US&version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="853" height="480" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div></div></p> <p><a href="http://us.battle.net/wow/en/" target="_blank">World of Warcraft</a> has released a stunning new series further documenting and solidifying the lore for Pandaria.  I was blown away by the video.  It is stunning in it's simplicity and art direction.  It begins the beautiful tale of the last emperor of the Pandarian.<br><br>I may not be playing WOW any longer, but the truth is I love the lore behind WOW.  Particularly late because of much of the lore is available outside of the game and I can consume it at my own pace.  I think this was a wise move on Blizzard's part a couple of years ago.  Video games come and go from our lives like waves, some waves we ride a little longer and some waves crash upon the beach violently.  I may no longer be interested in the grind of MMO's but the lore and stories Blizzard is telling outside of the game I find fascinating and engaging.</p>

Blizzard Burdens of Shaohao lore MMO video games World of Warcraft WOW World of Warcraft: Burdens of Shaohao Prelude: The Vision

  World of Warcraft has released a stunning new series further documenting and solidifying the lore for Pandaria.  I was blown away by the video.  It is stunning in it's simplicity and art direction.  It begins the beautiful tale of the last empero…

Read more »

World of Warcraft: Connected Realms

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi91ARSyLk_v205ZXKsGr46pEjiAhiY-9geIm9EaYVM4nIFXu1vWiDYnFc6q3rGizf2SPmZNJXkzpNFWXQbD1j_fk_fWh4qDwRr3xwLdL9EKqtRB5dBIuKDSTyrE8QIHe5MqkP2Jwgn6YFm/s1600/NJKJW53FJA3G1372445749288.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi91ARSyLk_v205ZXKsGr46pEjiAhiY-9geIm9EaYVM4nIFXu1vWiDYnFc6q3rGizf2SPmZNJXkzpNFWXQbD1j_fk_fWh4qDwRr3xwLdL9EKqtRB5dBIuKDSTyrE8QIHe5MqkP2Jwgn6YFm/s640/NJKJW53FJA3G1372445749288.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Do your characters reside on an dead server, dead raiding community, or have an auction house that is sparse? <a href="http://us.battle.net/wow/en/blog/10551009/Patch_54_Feature_Preview_Connected_Realms-8_5_2013" target="_blank"> Relief</a> is coming sometime after Patch 5.4 lands.<br /><br />Blizzard is connecting struggling realms together into one large shared space. Your server won't be going away and there won't be the possibility of name conflicts arising. Instead, like servers which are under-populated will be linked together to share guilds, raiding, auction houses, etc. The goal is that this will help alleviate the concerns players have regarding dead servers and the constant forum pleas for server mergers.

Blizzard MMO video games World of Warcraft WOW World of Warcraft: Connected Realms

Do your characters reside on an dead server, dead raiding community, or have an auction house that is sparse? Relief is coming sometime after Patch 5.4 lands.Blizzard is connecting struggling realms together into one large shared space. Your server…

Read more »

The Elder Scrolls Online: Gameplay Video at QuakeCon 2013

<p><img alt="Aldcroft" height="474" src="http://static.elderscrollsonline.com/assets/img/cms/media/screenshots/e8ce8bd9a605a5173e.jpg" width="840"></p> <p align="justify"><font size="3">Yesterday, </font><a href="http://bethsoft.com/en-us/games/the_elder_scrolls_online" target="_blank"><font size="3">Bethesda</font></a><font size="3"> and the team working on </font><a href="http://www.elderscrollsonline.com/en/" target="_blank"><font size="3">The Elder Scrolls Online</font></a><font size="3"> presented actual game play footage at </font><a href="http://www.quakecon.org/" target="_blank"><font size="3">QuakeCon 2013</font></a><font size="3">.  Here is the </font><a href="http://www.twitch.tv/bethesda/b/439743009" target="_blank"><font size="3">link</font></a><font size="3"> to the footage, I can’t embed it unfortunately.  Presentation starts about 41 minutes in and lasts until about 1:10 minutes into the </font><a href="www.twitch.tv" target="_blank"><font size="3">twitch.tv</font></a><font size="3"> recording.</font></p> <p><font size="3">Highlights of the video:</font></p> <ul> <li><font size="3">FULLY voiced</font> <li><font size="3">INSTANCED loot –that’s right your shinnies are yours and aren’t subject to rolls against others!</font> <li><font size="3">First person mode</font> <li><font size="3">Third person mode</font> <li><font size="3">Looks and Feels like Tamriel</font> <li><font size="3">fast travel via Wayshrines</font> <li><font size="3">LFG is built into the game already</font> <li><font size="3">You can play the way you want, just like all other previous installments of the Elder Scrolls</font> <li><font size="3">Combat was fluid and NPC’s reacted to being attacked</font></li></ul> <p align="justify"><font size="3">Overall, completely blown away and it lived up to and exceed my expectations for the game.  I and my husband are both looking forward to this game’s release.</font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="3">Thank you Bethesda, </font><a href="http://www.zenimax.com/" target="_blank"><font size="3">Zenimax</font></a><font size="3">, and the entire ESO team for making a game that was true to what ESO games have always been.  Now if only our beta invites would arrive!</font></p> <div id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:5307f30d-eef5-4218-9b79-ef69ced91641" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Bethesda" rel="tag">Bethesda</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Zenimax" rel="tag">Zenimax</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/LFG" rel="tag">LFG</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/The+Elder+Scrolls+Online" rel="tag">The Elder Scrolls Online</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/QuakeCon+2013" rel="tag">QuakeCon 2013</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/twitch.tv" rel="tag">twitch.tv</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Tamriel" rel="tag">Tamriel</a></div>

beta Bethesda MMO PlayStation 4 QuakeCon role playing The Elder Scrolls The Elder Scrolls Online Xbox One Zenimax The Elder Scrolls Online: Gameplay Video at QuakeCon 2013

Yesterday, Bethesda and the team working on The Elder Scrolls Online presented actual game play footage at QuakeCon 2013.  Here is the link to the footage, I can’t embed it unfortunately.  Presentation starts about 41 minutes in and lasts until abou…

Read more »

World of Warcraft: Item Store Preview

<div id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:34999cef-914a-4d88-a41d-25a7b99d350d" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px"><div><object height="480" width="853"><param name="movie" value="//www.youtube.com/v/1uLknPTEz7U?hl=en_US&version=3"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="//www.youtube.com/v/1uLknPTEz7U?hl=en_US&version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="853" height="480" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div></div> <p align="justify"><a href="http://us.battle.net/wow/en/game/patch-notes/under-dev">Patch 5.4: Siege of Orgrimmar</a> will see an item store added to <a href="http://us.battle.net/wow/en/">WOW</a>.  The above video gives a nice preview of the vanity items that currently exist on the public test realm.  Prices and items are subject to change when Patch 5.4 goes live.  Areyou looking forward to the release of Patch 5.4?</p> <div id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:a2b5f2ee-b8ff-4364-80f9-2c9ac49e3de6" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/World+of+Warcraft" rel="tag">World of Warcraft</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/WOW" rel="tag">WOW</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/MMO" rel="tag">MMO</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/video+games" rel="tag">video games</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/item+shop" rel="tag">item shop</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/transmogrification" rel="tag">transmogrification</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/vanity+items" rel="tag">vanity items</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Siege+of+Orgimmar" rel="tag">Siege of Orgimmar</a></div>

Blizzard Cash Shop MMO World of Warcraft WOW World of Warcraft: Item Store Preview

Patch 5.4: Siege of Orgrimmar will see an item store added to WOW.  The above video gives a nice preview of the vanity items that currently exist on the public test realm.  Prices and items are subject to change when Patch 5.4 goes live.  Areyou loo…

Read more »

Beta: The Mighty Quest for Epic Loot

<div id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:4613beed-9a2d-4a30-a447-88844dda49a8" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px"><div><object height="480" width="853"><param name="movie" value="//www.youtube.com/v/tbu9HXX27Ww?hl=en_US&version=3"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="//www.youtube.com/v/tbu9HXX27Ww?hl=en_US&version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="853" height="480" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div></div> <p align="justify"><a href="http://www.ubi.com/US/" target="_blank">Ubisoft</a>’s 2013 entry into the MMO market is in the form of <a href="https://www.themightyquest.com/?locale=en" target="_blank">The Mighty Quest for Epic Loot</a> to be released exclusively on the PC.  There is currently an “open house” for the game from July 30th – August 6th and so I stopped by this morning.  </p> <p align="justify">Here are my impressions of the beta:</p> <ul> <li>calling it an MMO is overly generous</li> <li>the absence of any playable female character is a complete turn-off</li> <li>inability to customize character is unacceptable</li> <li>extremely simplistic</li> <li>flat graphics</li> <li>appropriate for ages 8 and up</li></ul> <p align="justify">Seriously, this game would run flawlessly on my Surface RT or an ipad.  I am baffled as to why Ubisoft is only releasing this for PC’s.  There is nothing complicated.  Basically, it is a cartoony version of Diablo III without the story and the simplicity of running through a castle collecting shinnies.  Heck, you can die during a castle run and the only consequence is you don’t get the loot at the end of the castle.  No biggie there.  </p> <p align="justify">This game is definitely more suited to the younger crowd.  No blood, no guts, no worries.  Admittedly, some younger players might have trouble reading the endless lines of text but players over the age of 8 won’t find the game difficult.</p> <p align="justify">Verdict: Don’t waste your time unless you truly need a mindless romp while stuck on a meeting or are nursing an incredible hangover.</p> <div id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:31e27d80-58e9-4219-bccd-1cdcbd1bb8fd" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Ubisoft" rel="tag">Ubisoft</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/The+Mighty+Quest+for+Epic+Loot" rel="tag">The Mighty Quest for Epic Loot</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/MMO" rel="tag">MMO</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/video+games" rel="tag">video games</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/free+to+play" rel="tag">free to play</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/F2P" rel="tag">F2P</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/beta" rel="tag">beta</a></div>

beta F2P free to play MMO The Might Quest Ubisoft Beta: The Mighty Quest for Epic Loot

Ubisoft’s 2013 entry into the MMO market is in the form of The Mighty Quest for Epic Loot to be released exclusively on the PC.  There is currently an “open house” for the game from July 30th – August 6th and so I stopped by this morning.  Here are…

Read more »

Reminder: QuakeCon 2013 begins Tomorrow

<div id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:8045a061-5509-49ef-a212-38ebb9541ac9" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px"><div><object height="480" width="853"><param name="movie" value="//www.youtube.com/v/VHj5VvFWbtE?version=3&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="//www.youtube.com/v/VHj5VvFWbtE?version=3&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="853" height="480" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div></div> <p> </p> <p align="justify">Dallas, TX will be the site of <a href="http://www.quakecon.org/" target="_blank">QuakeCon 2013</a> beginning tomorrow, August 1st.  Events will be streamed via <a href="http://twitch.tv/" target="_blank">twtich.tv</a> and the schedule from streamed events can be found <a href="http://www.quakecon.org/" target="_blank">here</a>.  Of particular interest will be the <a href="http://www.twitch.tv/bethesda" target="_blank">live stream</a> of actual game play of the highly anticipated release of The Elder Scrolls Online next Spring and of <a href="http://www.wolfenstein.com/en-us/" target="_blank">Wolfenstein: The New Order</a> which is scheduled to release later this year.</p> <div id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:9c0093ec-4034-4009-95f7-6809e2f41c33" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px"><div><object height="480" width="853"><param name="movie" value="//www.youtube.com/v/BlvfqfGTar4?version=3&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="//www.youtube.com/v/BlvfqfGTar4?version=3&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="853" height="480" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div></div> <div id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:ec508224-19ef-4004-9e88-04e1e245dd90" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/QuakeCon" rel="tag">QuakeCon</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/QuakeCon+2013" rel="tag">QuakeCon 2013</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Bethesda" rel="tag">Bethesda</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Elder+Scrolls+Online" rel="tag">Elder Scrolls Online</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Wolfenstein" rel="tag">Wolfenstein</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/twitch.tv" rel="tag">twitch.tv</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/video+games" rel="tag">video games</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/MMO" rel="tag">MMO</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/console+gaming" rel="tag">console gaming</a></div>

Bethesda console gaming Elder Scrolls Elder Scrolls MMO MMO PC QuakeCon The Elder Scrolls The Elder Scrolls Online video games Wilfenstein Zenimax Reminder: QuakeCon 2013 begins Tomorrow

  Dallas, TX will be the site of QuakeCon 2013 beginning tomorrow, August 1st.  Events will be streamed via twtich.tv and the schedule from streamed events can be found here.  Of particular interest will be the live stream of actual game play of the…

Read more »