MMOcker.com » mmog http://mmocker.com "See what we did there?" Thu, 18 Feb 2010 17:21:48 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3698 Magik Shoppe: Exorcisms Express Part 1 http://mmocker.com/2010/02/magik-shoppe-exorcisms-express-part-1/ http://mmocker.com/2010/02/magik-shoppe-exorcisms-express-part-1/#comments Wed, 17 Feb 2010 16:00:32 +0000 Rygar http://mmocker.com/?p=1074 Even the worst of ideas can make money.

]]> http://mmocker.com/2010/02/magik-shoppe-exorcisms-express-part-1/feed/ 0 Play Games! Why Gaming is good for you. http://mmocker.com/2009/12/play-games-why-gaming-is-good-for-you/ http://mmocker.com/2009/12/play-games-why-gaming-is-good-for-you/#comments Sat, 12 Dec 2009 05:04:12 +0000 Lumio http://mmocker.com/?p=1055 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. <http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/11/19/BUKE147TA1.DTL>.
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. <http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/11/19/BUKE147TA1.DTL>.

]]> http://mmocker.com/2009/12/play-games-why-gaming-is-good-for-you/feed/ 1 MMORPG Pick Up Lines (full list) http://mmocker.com/2009/09/mmorpg-pick-up-lines-full-list/ http://mmocker.com/2009/09/mmorpg-pick-up-lines-full-list/#comments Wed, 02 Sep 2009 01:02:46 +0000 Lumio http://mmocker.com/?p=797 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!

]]> http://mmocker.com/2009/09/mmorpg-pick-up-lines-full-list/feed/ 0 Why the Next Generation of MMO’s Will Fail http://mmocker.com/2009/08/why-the-next-generation-of-mmos-will-fail/ http://mmocker.com/2009/08/why-the-next-generation-of-mmos-will-fail/#comments Mon, 31 Aug 2009 15:00:06 +0000 Lumio http://mmocker.com/?p=759 It has already started and the trend is scary. Big titles launching big and falling hard. Examples include: Vanguard, Tabula Rasa, and Warhammer. Not to say all are shutting down like Tabula Rasa but they are surviving with low numbers. Today I am going to make a prediction which I hope to be wrong about. A prediction that scares me. The MMORPG genre is in a rut.

venice-plague_big1

It all started after the MMO boom. It was after EverQuest and a few other games finally got it right enough that the MMO genre was a boom.World of Warcraft came in with the right cards at the

I'z dead.

I'z dead. lol

right time and became a snow ball of success. Even EverQuest 2 did fairly well, as did a few other games that came out at that time. We as gamers settled into our new found genre and were loving it. We had our own gaming culture, and communities. This time period is more commonly referred to as the “Good ‘ol Times.” People were happy. We pressed through our beloved games, hit the cap, and raided our little hearts out. Then came the cataclysm (no not the new WoW expansion.) We got kind of bored of our MMO’s and went looking for something new. We found games that offered new things and followed them everyday to their launches. We took the day off, logged in the second the servers came up, grabbed our names, and played till we couldn’t play any more. After a few short weeks came the daunting realization that “I am not enjoying myself.” Now at this point many of us reacted differently. Some of us blamed it on the game. The features, the bugs, the game theory, something was wrong with the game. Soon we all realized that even though some of those things were true, the real reason was that we had changed. If these games came out before our MMO gaming experience had hit its peak we would have pooped our pizza stained pants. Some where between learning WASD keys and downing dragons we had lost something. What was it?

Blog posts over the next few years showed what gamers were wondering. “I can’t get into these other MMO’s”, “I returned to WoW”, “I cancelled my ___  account.” all topics of many blog and forums posts at that time. We were not pleased with these games and we didn’t really know why. Games launched, had huge spikes of subscribers, then plummeted to near death. Some were able to survive while others died painful and expensive deaths.  Countless games went through this painful process and years of development, hard work and most importantly cash were wasted. Now I predict this trend will continue for even longer and here is why. We as gamers are sick of progression. We are sick of quests, leveling our character, and grinding for gear. Only to have an expansion come out and do it all over again. Some of us are sick of being behind the progression line, while others are sick of playing solo. We are

Something New or something else?

Something New or something else?

sick of MMO’s and we don’t even know it. The only reason we are having fun in our current game is because of the completed progression we have already accomplished. We like looking at our character and all of our accomplishments. Doing them all over to arrive at that point again seems meaningless. So when the next game comes out, we might hop in and play, but we will quit soon after. This trend will continue. Continue killing games, good games. It might even bring the genre to its knees. However yet, there is hope! Once we all realize that we are sick of progression we will be able to find what we love. But what? What is the cure to our MMO woes? …….I don’t know. I haven’t a freaking clue. My best guess is a move to more of worlds like EVE where players interact in and with. Worlds that react to players and players create the content. Sandbox MMO’s with guides for having loads of fun. That is my best guess, but that medicine will need developed and tested. To the MMO industry I say this: The genre is up for grabs, realize this problem and find a cure and you shall make a butt-load (I’m talking tabloids “Women found eating entire village of obese people” butt-load of money.

So now I turn to you the reader. What do think? Am I right? What is the cure? Lets talk.

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