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What kind of MMO do YOU want? Poll (Choose 4)

Lumio — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 09:02:51 +0000

The future of the MMO industry is still in a state of flux. No one, not even the players, are sure what they want. So today let’s ask ourselves what are 4 things that we are looking for in our next MMO?

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

Play Games! Why Gaming is good for you.

Lumio — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 05:04:12 +0000

So after having just purchased a PlayStation 3 I had to buckle down and write a paper for my English class. Since I couldn’t get playing the stupid thing off of my mind, I decided to write about gaming. Here I argue why gaming is good for you and is the best form of entertainment out there.

Enjoy!

Jonathan Shariat

12/11/09

English

Play Games

“Just five more minutes!” A common cry from kids as they are pried off their gaming systems. Parents, as well as most of the general public, look down on gaming as a waste of time. Gaming has gotten a bad rap from boys who spend too much time entrenched in their games and most people equate it with meaningless accomplishments. However, gaming is a form of play; where we learn and improve on our skills. Play is the way babies learn the most basic lessons to live life. Games teach us things that books and teachers cannot. I submit that games are the best and most productive form of entertainment.

Gaming via the computer or modern consoles such as the Play Station 3, X Box360, or Wii are advanced forms of a basic human instinct: Play. Play is often defined as “Non-serious discourse.” (Huizinga) It is the way both humans and animals learn. Lion cubs learn to hunt by first wrestling and playing with their cub siblings before they are old enough to go out on hunts. Human babies get ready for walking by playing with their feet. They kick, jump, and hit toys with their legs and soon their legs are strong enough and skilled enough to attempt walking. Playing is all about non-serious ventures in learning. We are able to test out the waters so to speak. In our modern forms, which are gaming systems, the play becomes more complex and the benefits increase. When people sit down and play a game they are not just relaxing but engaging in play. So what do video games teach kids?

Video Games teach kids a multitude of lessons that they will use in life. One of these is economics. Many of these games contain buying and selling mechanics. Some of these, especially simulation and real-time strategy games, teach economics very well. The idea of supply and demand comes easy for some, but to many others, the concept is tough to wrap their head around. Yet, in these games, players are taught this life mechanic through play. They buy and sell armor on an auction house, they save up coins to buy a rare item, or they barter with other players, all the while learning about economics. They are able to interact with a non-threatening economy and see the effects of their actions. Another lesson that games teach is critical thinking. The ability to asses a situation and judge what the best course of action is. This is an example of something that can not be taught by books or by a teacher explaining. Critical thinking must be developed by putting it into action. Playing with Video Games puts players in the heat of the moment and allows them to develop the critical thinking skill in a non-threatening and playful way. Games that require players to think on the fly like real time strategy or action games. Players must form plans of action in order to accomplish a goal. Their minds are conditioned to think critically on the fly. Many games, especially those set in medieval times, teach kids a plethora of vocabulary words. Players are exposed to new words in context of the world they are playing in. In this way they are learning their meanings and expanding their vocabulary with out even knowing. Many of these games now include online play, where players connect with people around the world. This adds a new dynamic to the benefits of playing video games. Gamers learn to interact with people they would never be able to meet and engage them in play. They talk to other kids from China, Korea, England, Russia, South Africa, and many more. They are exposed to people from other cultures and are able to better identify with others around the world. This dynamic also allows for gamers to learn leadership. Games such as Massively Multi-Player Online Games or “MMO’s” allow for thousands of players to play in the same game world at the same time. These players must work together to accomplish the highest goals in these games. From a group of six to an army of hundreds players must organize themselves in order to accomplish the highest and most coveted game content. Here players learn how to lead others. A skill that is highly coveted by the business and political worlds. Through real experiences with other players they learn how to manage a group of people. Even when they fail, they learn the pit falls of being controlling or not controlling enough. Most people are not given the opportunity to lead, but these games enable people to have a taste and learn how to leader others. They must organize, plan, schedule, and execute in order to beat the objective. Here players also learn how to work as a team. They must learn how to work as a fluid machine so that they can do greater feats. Lastly, video games improve visual skills. In many studies, people who played first person shooters had better over all hand eye coordination and could distinguish between the lightest difference between shades of grey. (Neuroscience) Even though the player is using a controller or mouse the motor skills and brain power is still improved. They are able to track movements with their eye better and react faster. All together, the benefits of playing video games are plentiful and needed.

Now gaming is not all educational glory. Players who put in too much time are not only wrongly allotting their time but the benefits level off with the time spent. Time spent in a book or a class room is far better spent time than in a game world or behind a controller. However, it must be remembered that gaming is play. It is a form of entertainment. Gaming, when compared to all other forms of entertainment, is the best time spent. Entertainment such as movies, T.V. and live shows, require no interaction from the viewer. They just sit back and consume, while people who play games are conditioned to engage and interact. Even something like building and racing model cars would benefit a person less than playing video games because playing video games offers a different sets of skills to the participant. Games are not in place of learning but an alterative to other wonderfully wasteful forms of entertainment. It entertain, relaxes, and distresses the player while they learn.

Another harsh comment heard from the anti-gamers, those who show instant disgust to anything gaming related, is that playing games is anti-social. However, this could not be farther from the truth. People who play games play with others more often than not. This trend is growing too as new game titles offer more online content, meaning the ability to play the game online with others. Gamers are able to keep in touch through out the work or school week and with those friends who are far away. Many games are meant to be played with those beside you as well and is a popular use of the gaming consoles. First person shooters,”platformers”, and fighting games are the most popular. People who play games love to do so with others. The time spent with these people is well spent as well. You can get to know a lot about some one in the, fake, heat of battle. These gaming systems bring people together in a special way. Parents connecting with their kids over a game of Wii tennis, or getting to exchange punches with a friend from over seas. Playing these games creates a great environment for people to connect.

So next time a person playing video games asks for just five more minutes perhaps it might be a good idea to let them. Even though gaming is generally looked down upon as a waste of time it is actually an excellent use of relaxation time. It teaching people real life lessons and hones their mental and physical skills that they can use to be more successful in life. In this age of technology we must not allow ourselves to be put off by these new technologies. They are our gateway to this new age and our best teachers to live there. So turn off the T.V., stop browsing the Internet, turn off the radio, and go play a video game and become a better person.

Works Cited:

Huizinga J. (1949) Homo Ludens: A Study of the Play-Element in Culture. London: Routledge & Kegan Paul.

Nature Neuroscience. Vol. 7. London: Nature Group, 2009. Print. Ser. 12.

Kopytoff, Verne. “Kids gain valuable skills from time online.” San Fransisco Gate. Web. 12 Dec. 2009. .

Play Games

Works Cited:

Huizinga J. (1949) Homo Ludens: A Study of the Play-Element in Culture. London: Routledge & Kegan Paul.

Nature Neuroscience. Vol. 7. London: Nature Group, 2009. Print. Ser. 12.

Kopytoff, Verne. “Kids gain valuable skills from time online.” San Fransisco Gate. Web. 12 Dec. 2009. .

Magik Shoppe: Draft 4

Rygar — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 14:00:19 +0000

Adam finds he has more support in his cause than he thought he had before.

Dragon Age: Origins New Screen Shots

Lumio — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 17:35:22 +0000

Dragon Age: Origins has released some new screen shots. They look awesome. We will be posting the new video soon as well. For now…enjoy.

For more images and videos check out the official site: http://dragonage.bioware.com/

More to come as we follow this game!

Magik Shoppe: Pro-Shoppe 2

Rygar — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 14:00:23 +0000

Every bad idea has silver-lining.

Why People Are Stupid (Essay)

Lumio — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 20:15:46 +0000

Why do people cut you off on the road while driving? Why do they waste your time, eat loudly, and cause hold ups in long lines. Why do people do idiotic things that seem so absolutely void of common sense? We ask ourselves these things as our blood boils over and our eyes roll. The answer seems so mysterious to us, so hidden. The common antidote is that people are stupid. They are just plain dumb. However, I believe that is not the complete answer.

Let’s take, for example, when some one stops their car in a two way street with double yellow lines, and tries to turn left, illegally, while people wait behind them. The tens of cars piling up behind this person whilst they wait for a chance to squeeze through the on-coming traffic and make their illegal left turn get frustrated and angry. “What in the world is this person thinking?” “How selfish! They don’t care about the other people waiting behind them as long as they get to turn in quickly” As well as a slew of other thoughts and feelings of rage while they honk over and over to drive home their point. “Argh! Why are people so stupid?!” Before I answer this question I want to ask another. Why do we get so vexed?

The people behind that car would have waited no more than one minute. So why do they, why do we, get so angry? The reason is because some one who is making a mistake, doing something wrong, is passing onto us a negative effect. No matter how minuscule the negative effect people get angry. “Their mistake is costing me!” Its human nature to think about ourselves first; to protect our interests. We get so caught up in the moment and forget how unimportant the situation is. We lose our cool over these things which are not worth our time and attention. It was Plato who declared “No human thing is of serious importance.” When we look at the negative effect the situation has on us it seems so huge. But, if we step back we realize how minor and unimportant it really is.

We are not always such angry monsters. On the contrary. When the ill effect is from something understandable, such as waiting for a friend who is late, we are actually quite forgiving. When we can identify with the person’s mistake we are often more willing to forgive the negative effect it has on us. We can either see ourselves making that same mistake or have made that mistake and surly we are not stupid. When we identify with the mistake we dismiss it as common imperfection. When others make a mistake we cannot identify with it becomes, to us, an uncommonly stupid mistake. So when asking “Why are people stupid?” The answer simply becomes “Because they are imperfect in a different way than I.

“Its no assumption that at one time in my life or in yours we were that person who angered others. I don’t conclude that some people may be less apt than others but there is no more reason to be angry at these people. We are all imperfect people trying to get by, with dreams of overcoming. If we spend less time getting angry at little unimportant deficiencies in each other and more time finding ways to encourage the good in people perhaps people will be more happy, less stressed, and maybe even have less war. Our outlook’s will change from inward to more outward and we will find that we are all God’s children full of potential and creativity. So next time your stuck behind “Some Idiot” just remember that we are all idiots…idiots with destinies and good things to give to the world: just imperfect gems.

How 5 MMO’s Web Sites looked when they first came online (UO, EQ, WoW, EQ2, EvE)

Lumio — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 18:23:51 +0000

Ah the memories of games past. Things were different then. Game’s websites weren’t as glamorous and glittery as they are now. No they were very much different back then…

Enjoy!

(Note: these are the earliest versions I could find)

(Click on images to see large versions)

#1 Ultima Online Jan 25, 1998

Nice adjustment there...

#2 Ever Quest

1999 (thank you Ramon)

Varant's site

Feb 26, 2000

Sony, Notice the BG

#3 Word of Warcraft Jan 22, 2002

Its Golden!

#4 Ever Quest 2 May 26, 2002

I forgot how ugly that model was.

#5 Eve Online Apr 08, 2000

Thats it?

4 Races and Classes we will never play as in SWTOR (and why)

Lumio — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 21:19:31 +0000

Star Wars the Old Republic has released a few classes already, and people are speculation what classes we might see next. However, there are are some races and classes we will never be able to play…

Enjoy.

Race: Wookie

Description: Adult Wookiees are typically taller than most humans, averaging 2.1 meters (6’11″).^[2] They possess enormous strength; Solo states that his friend Chewbacca can pull a man’s arms out of their sockets if angered. Wookiees have a keen sense of smell. Chewbacca uses this hypersensitive faculty to detect the presence of a monster in a trash compactor on the Death Star. Wookiees are fully covered with a thick coat of hair. Wookiees have good hand-eye coordination and are shown to be excellent marksmen. Chewbacca is shown in such diverse planets as Hoth, Tatooine and Endor, never requiring any type of environmental protective clothing. Wookiees have a lifespan of several hundred years.^{[3] (from wikipedia)}

Picture:

ooooooooaaaaaaargh

Why we would never play them: If you ever watched the movies than you know wookies don’t know English. Their trademark “ooooaaaarrrrrrrgh” is their reply to everything. Imagine the cut scene from the recent game play walk through that came out. With a Wookie/Sith it would have gone like this:

Captain: “What is this about?”

Wookie: “oooooooooaaaaaarrrrrgh”

Captain: Yes, I disobayed a direct order and I take full responsablility for my actions

Wookie: “ooooooooooooooaaaaaaaarrgh”

Captain: …well I don’t do suicide missions

Wookkie: “ooooooooooooaaaaarrrggh oooooooooooorgh”

You get the idea, though choosing what to say would be easy there would be only one conversation option.

#2 Class C3PO Type Robot

Description: C3PO is a fun loving robot that just wants to help. He was built by the young Darth Vader (not very well we might add) and though cowardly is one of the beloved characters in the Star Wars Saga. However, this droid is slow and bulky.

Picture:

Slow? How dare you!

Why we would never play them: Imagine playing an MMO where your movement is slower than walking. Always. Not only that but your character runs from every fight. The cut scenes would take for ever since it seems c3PO never seems to shut up. Players missions would include a lot of warning other people about stuff they already know and bossing other droids around. (maybe a pet class?)

#3 Class Moisture Farmers

Discription: were harvesters of water on very arid planets such as Tatooine, Ord Mantell and Molavar. The harvested water could be sold at a market or used by the farmers themselves in hydroponic gardens. The water was harvested using vaporators, which were able to yield up to two liters of condensed water a day. However, this figure could vary dramatically depending on location. Areas of the Dune Sea, particularly near the Jundland Wastes, were known to be particularly dry. On Tatooine, moisture farmers were often vulnerable to thieves and bandits who would steal their profits. (Wookipedia)

Picture:

Any moister yet? No. Ok 2 more days.

Why we would never play them: Talk about boring. Maybe these Sim city players would get into it but imagine the zones from these people to play. A huge planet with moisture farms. Then the what sell water to other players? Yeah ok they could grow mydroponic gardens and stuff but I am sure they’d just get light saber’d by some sith anyway. I imagine it would look something like Harvest Moon (one of my favorite games) but the rewards would suck not to mention the cut scenes:

Farmer: Why dont we have them there chickens fed?

Farmer’s wife: I dun know, dun you said yer doin in the morn?

Farmer: Well hide-ho iz dun gone and forget. Thanks martha!

#4 Race Gungan

Discription: Gungan are the race Jar Jar Binks is. Need I say more?

The Gungans have humanoid bodies, but their heads are elongated with large, dangling fin-like ears. They live in underwater cities on the planet Naboo. The principal Gungan character in the movies is Jar Jar Binks; the ruler of the Gungans is Boss Nass. The only other Gungan to be given a name in the films is Captain Tarpals, though the novelization also mentions a General Ceel and some games have shown other leaders including Boss Gallo (wookiepedia)

Picture:

Why nobadee lika jar jar?

Why we would never play them: As the most hated race of all time (even hitler hated Gungans more) no one would play them. Any one who did choose to play such a race would get harassed by players. I would imagine this would be the perfect race for gold sellers. Players would commit suicide after just 10 minutes of cut scenes or would skip every single one. I would even image players would boycott the game until every audio file from a Gungan was removed.

Have any funny/bad races or classes? Post here!

MMORPG Pick Up Lines (full list)

Lumio — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 01:02:46 +0000

Love is in the air and we got you covered. Check out our MMORPG Pick Up Line series of articles that will make you laugh…or fall in love.

(this list will be updated as we add to it)

MMORPG Pick Up lines #1

MMORPG Pick Up lines #2

MMORPG Pick Up lines #3

MMORPG Pick Up lines #4

Vote for your favorite or tell us a new one in the comments below!

Star Wars Republic Developers Blog

DM — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 00:23:02 +0000

Last week Bioware and Lucas Arts released a developers blog showcasing the worlds,classes, and some game mechanics of Star Wars The Old Republic.

Here is the link: http://pc.ign.com/dor/objects/816935/bioware-mmo-project/videos/gcom09_oldrepublic_spc1_082109.html

I for one am very excited by some of the things I see here, not to mention the class that i will be playing. (I won’t tell you but it’s the big reveal, so watch the video) not only did they make each class specific but it also seems like they are well balanced, each class bringing a new experience to the game. Of coarse we all learned from vanguard hype is just that, but hopefully the heads at bioware and lucas arts don’t ruin this game, and make it live up to it’s potential and hype. God knows we star wars fans don’t want another SWG on our hands.