Massively http://massively.joystiq.com Massively http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Massively http://massively.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Terra Nova blog slowing down as we enter new era]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/11/terra-nova-blog-slowing-down-as-we-enter-new-era/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/11/terra-nova-blog-slowing-down-as-we-enter-new-era/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/11/terra-nova-blog-slowing-down-as-we-enter-new-era/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Virtual worlds and massively multiplayer online games have truly evolved over the past several years. It wasn't so long ago that incorporating virtual economies into games was a new idea. Nor was it so long ago that we were overwhelmed at the depth that was possible in massively multiplayer online games -- and the culture that began to develop in and around these virtual spaces. But that was then, and those days of surprise and amusement at the potential in the virtual are becoming a memory. Many of us now take our games and virtual spaces, and all their depth and meaning, for granted. At least, Edward Castronova of the Terra Nova blog thinks so, when he writes, "The gee-whiz era for virtual worlds has passed, and this changes what happens at TN."

Terra Nova has been a hub for intelligent discourse on all things virtual since September of 2003. In the years that followed, Terra Nova's four founders were joined by numerous academics and authors who've explored the many facets of virtual worlds, and their interplay with our real lives. A recent post by one of the Terra Nova founders, Dan Hunter, explains how it all began... with a burst of wide-eyed enthusiasm for this previously uncharted territory. In the years since the blog began, maybe some of us have lost a bit of that initial fascination with the concept of virtual worlds, which Castronova now addresses when he states that Terra Nova will be narrowing its focus to new games and research.

Continue reading Terra Nova blog slowing down as we enter new era

MassivelyTerra Nova blog slowing down as we enter new era originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 11 Dec 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>academicculturedan-huntereconomyedward-castronovammo-industryterra-novaterra-nova-blogvirtual-worldsThu, 11 Dec 2008 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fortune and failure in real-money trading]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/03/fortune-and-failure-in-real-money-trading/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/03/fortune-and-failure-in-real-money-trading/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/03/fortune-and-failure-in-real-money-trading/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Although many western MMO gamers profess a distaste for all things RMT, it's definitely become an aspect of these games and virtual worlds that we're all aware of to some degree. But it wasn't always that way. In fact, it wasn't so long ago that the notion of people working in virtual settings and earning real world wealth was, quite frankly, bizarre.

Julian Dibbell was one of the first journalists to expose the idea of RMT and the possible existence of 'virtual sweatshops' to mainstream readers years ago, before such ideas and practices became almost commonplace in virtual worlds and MMOs. Dibbell has continued on with this tradition since the days of writing about Black Snow Interactive, more recently in his book 'Play Money' and with a piece he's written for Wired, titled "The Decline and Fall of an Ultra Rich Online Gaming Empire."

Continue reading Fortune and failure in real-money trading

MassivelyFortune and failure in real-money trading originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 03 Dec 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>black-snow-interactivebrock-piercecontroversialcontroversyeconomyeverquestigeinternet-gaming-entertainmentjulian-dibbelllegalmmo-industryplay-moneyreal-money-tradereal-money-tradingreal-money-transactionsrmtterra-novavirtual-worldswiredWed, 03 Dec 2008 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Do you think of your avatar in the first person?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/03/the-daily-grind-do-you-think-of-your-avatar-in-the-first-person/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/03/the-daily-grind-do-you-think-of-your-avatar-in-the-first-person/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/03/the-daily-grind-do-you-think-of-your-avatar-in-the-first-person/#commentsFiled under: ,

A recent post over at the Terra Nova blog is the inspiration for today's The Daily Grind. In that post, Rutgers Law Professor Greg Lastowka observes that some MMO players and virtual world residents refer to their avatar as "I", while others refer to it as a he, she, or even it.

Many people form some degree of attachment to their digital personas. For some it's through customizing the look of a character, while for others it might be creating the perfect class build or acquiring pets. Given all the time you spend in MMOs and virtual worlds with your characters, is your avatar something you associate with yourself in some way, thus causing you to refer to it in the first person? Or do you view your avatar as something 'other' that you puppeteer... something separate from you, making the avatar a thing you refer to in the third person?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Do you think of your avatar in the first person? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 03 Dec 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>avataravatarsgreg-lastowkaopiniontdgterra-novathe-daily-grindWed, 03 Dec 2008 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The negative impact of complexity on MMOs and virtual worlds]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/01/the-negative-impact-of-complexity-on-mmos-and-virtual-worlds/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/01/the-negative-impact-of-complexity-on-mmos-and-virtual-worlds/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/01/the-negative-impact-of-complexity-on-mmos-and-virtual-worlds/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


The relative complexity of MMOs in comparison with more standard PC and console titles is a major draw for many of us. We like the crafting systems, the economic underpinnings, and many of the other trappings of massively multiplayer online titles. Complexity can be a core strength of a solid MMO title, but at what point does it become a detriment? Sometimes, emergent complexity changes the environment and the rules which govern it in some negative ways. Likewise, too much complexity-by-design can be equally problematic. This is the focus of a recent discussion at Terra Nova -- "Irreparable Complexity, Game and World" -- kicked off by Timothy Burke.

Burke writes, "I've found that virtual worlds, massively-multiplayer online games (MMOGs) have provided some great examples of Rube-Goldberg complexity-by-design, and have also demonstrated why this phenomenon can be a source of so much trouble, that you can end up with systems which are painfully indispensable and permanently dysfunctional, beyond the ability of any agent or interest to repair."

Burke explores this complexity in depth, through analysis of Star Wars: Galaxies and Warhammer Online, but also how this plays out in virtual worlds. This leads him to the dilemma of developers wanting to keep their game design opaque enough to players so that systems aren't easily exploited, at the risk of becoming ensnared in broken systems and overly complicated game mechanics -- where even the developers themselves can't figure it all out. Have a look at Timothy Burke's "Irreparable Complexity, Game and World" over at Terra Nova for his views on how game designers should handle both emergent complexity and complexity-by-design.

MassivelyThe negative impact of complexity on MMOs and virtual worlds originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 01 Dec 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>academiccomplexityexploitsgame-designgame-mechanicsmmo-industryopinionstar-wars-galaxiesswgterra-novatimothy-burkevirtual-worldswarwarhammer-onlineMon, 01 Dec 2008 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Real world economic impact on MMOs and virtual worlds? ]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/15/real-world-economic-impact-on-mmos-and-virtual-worlds/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/15/real-world-economic-impact-on-mmos-and-virtual-worlds/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/15/real-world-economic-impact-on-mmos-and-virtual-worlds/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Given the drastic real world economic shifts of late, is it unreasonable to assume that there will be repercussions in virtual worlds and MMOs? That's the gist of a question posed by CBBC, a longtime commentator at the Terra Nova blog, but specifically he asks: "What now for virtual economies? What happens to EVE now that Iceland's economy is collapsing?... Will my WoW gold be worth more or less? Will games go under taking their value with them? Will we see a run on games the same as a run on banks?"

While his questions aren't focused solely on EVE Online, and are more of a general inquiry, CCP's title is not surprisingly the main example cited by both the CBBC and Terra Nova's readers. As expected, the responses to the question are intelligent and shed some more light on how real world economics might affect MMO economies, namely that of EVE Online. Some speculate that real world issues will result in increased escapism, imbuing virtual worlds and their economies with greater significance. Others related financial scenarios that affect CCP Games and its virtual economics. If you're interested in the economies of MMOs and virtual worlds, you might want to get involved in the discussion of "Whither MMO economies?" over at Terra Nova.

MassivelyReal world economic impact on MMOs and virtual worlds? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 15 Oct 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>academicbankbanksbusiness-modelscbbcccpccp-gamescurrencyeconomicseconomyeveeve-onlinegoldicelandiskmmo-industryopinionreykjaviksci-fiterra-novavirtual-currencyvirtual-economyvirtual-worldsworld-of-warcraftwowWed, 15 Oct 2008 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Can MMOs have political ideologies?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/26/can-mmos-have-political-ideologies/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/26/can-mmos-have-political-ideologies/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/26/can-mmos-have-political-ideologies/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

The Terra Nova blog is known for its in-depth views on virtual worlds and MMOs, with an academic bent. Contributor Nate Combs has provided insightful commentary on EVE Online for Terra Nova in the past, and recently continued on that track by stating, "I wonder whether an MMORPG can have a political ideology, either by design or by accident." There are few massively multiplayer games that such a question could truly apply to -- EVE Online is the most prominent example, largely due to the game's depth.

Combs also wonders if such PvP-centric games and settings encourage militaristic world views, and whether PvE-centric titles (where players don't fight one another, rather are simply rationed loot) are comparable to a Scandinavian welfare model.

Continue reading Can MMOs have political ideologies?

MassivelyCan MMOs have political ideologies? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 26 Sep 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>academiccultureeveeve-onlinefantasymmo-industrynate-combsopinionpoliticsrichard-bartlesci-fiterra-novavirtual-worldsFri, 26 Sep 2008 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Terra Nova looks back (and forward) at the Diku legacy]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/30/terra-nova-looks-back-and-forward-at-the-diku-legacy/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/30/terra-nova-looks-back-and-forward-at-the-diku-legacy/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/30/terra-nova-looks-back-and-forward-at-the-diku-legacy/#commentsFiled under: , ,


EverQuest, World of Warcraft, The Lord of the Rings Online, Age of Conan, Warhammer Online and many other MMOs all have one important thing in common. Well, okay; they have a lot of things in common -- like about 85% or more of their gameplay mechanics. But the main thing -- indeed, the reason why they have so much in common -- is that they are all descendants of a kind of text MUD game called Diku.

Acknowledging that, virtual worlds blog Terra Nova published a "State of the Diku" article for the year 2008. The article was written by Timothy Burke. It's mostly a dispassionate look at game design -- serious business. Burke starts out questioning the purpose of "vendor trash" drops (or grey items as they're generally known in many popular contemporary MMOs). Then he analyzes the public quests of Warhammer Online, viewing them as a positive variation on traditional Diku design.

If you're into thnking critically about MMO design, it's worth checking out. We take for granted the fact that most of today's MMOs are based on the Diku formula; maybe that means we're clinging to old ideas that don't make a lot of sense in today's world.

MassivelyTerra Nova looks back (and forward) at the Diku legacy originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 30 Aug 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conandesigndikudiku-muddropsgreyhistoryitemsjunklord-of-the-rings-onlinemudpublic-questsstate-of-the-dikuterra-novatheorytimothy-burkevendor-trashwarhammer-onlineworld-of-warcraftSat, 30 Aug 2008 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The cookie monster economy in Pirates of the Burning Sea]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/07/the-cookie-monster-economy-in-pirates-of-the-burning-sea/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/07/the-cookie-monster-economy-in-pirates-of-the-burning-sea/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/07/the-cookie-monster-economy-in-pirates-of-the-burning-sea/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The Terra Nova site views virtual worlds and massively multiplayer gaming through the lens of academia. Don't hold that against them, though; the insights of commentators like Richard Bartle, Ren Reynolds, Edward Castronova, and Timothy Burke make for some darned interesting reading. This week Mr. Burke writes about the player-driven economy in Pirates of the Burning Sea. Plagued with problems from even before launch, the developers are working hard to correct some economic inequalities.

Burke examines those economic problems, discussing the issue of perceived player wealth, and the system's input/output issues. "In Pirates of the Burning Sea, the faucet-sink relationship is skewed in an odd way. The faucet is as it is in many virtual worlds: players run missions and sink NPCs to earn money. The sink, however, is player-produced commodities ... The economy is a kind of Potemkin Village: on the surface, it looks like the economy of an economic-sim game like Port Royale with many primary and secondary goods being produced and listed that evoke the setting and mood of the game. But it doesn't function very well, though a few players are fooled by the surface into imagining its depths."

MassivelyThe cookie monster economy in Pirates of the Burning Sea originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 07 May 2008 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cookie-monstereconomicsflying-labpirates-of-the-burning-seapotbsterra-novaWed, 07 May 2008 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Main Man]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/20/the-main-man/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/20/the-main-man/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/20/the-main-man/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


EVE Online is a game where collective action trumps individual action. It's certainly a game that can be played solo although nowhere near as effectively as when your main's activities are supported or enabled by an alt. CCP provides 3 character slots per account, but skillpoint training can only progress on one character at a time. So where the real alt-play comes in is with dual boxing -- running two accounts at once to facilitate an activity. The main/alt duo can take a number of forms, by no means limited to the following basic examples:

Continue reading The Main Man

MassivelyThe Main Man originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 20 Apr 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>altaltsccpeveeve-onlineexplorationminerminingmissionmission-runningpiracyscoutingterra-novatradetradingSun, 20 Apr 2008 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Won't somebody please think of the children?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/27/wont-somebody-please-think-of-the-children/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/27/wont-somebody-please-think-of-the-children/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/27/wont-somebody-please-think-of-the-children/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Last year, UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown commissioned the Department of Children, Schools, and Families to write a report on, among other things, the potentially harmful effects of the internet and video games on children and young people. Many harbored fears, based on past precedent, that this report wouldn't cast the game industry in a particularly flattering light. Despite these fears, the study, called the Byron Report, is not quite as damning as we might have thought.

In particular, the chapter on online games identifies the fact that the discussion about online games and children should be moving away from seeking to find causal links between games and harm in favor of finding ways to empower children to make smart choices when it comes to games. At the same time, they recognize that its in their nature for children to push boundaries, and parents have to be willing to overcome their lack of awareness (with the help of retailers and the game industry in general) in order to police their children's online behavior.

While we don't agree with all the recommendations of the report, which include some more Big Brother aspects like regulating content on the internet, we think that online games at least got a pass.

[Via Terra Nova]

MassivelyWon't somebody please think of the children? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 27 Mar 2008 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>byron-reportchildrendepartment-of-children-schools-and-familiesparental-controlparentssafetytamara-byronterra-novaukThu, 27 Mar 2008 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Accurate testing in virtual worlds seems impossible]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/12/accurate-testing-in-virtual-worlds-seems-impossible/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/12/accurate-testing-in-virtual-worlds-seems-impossible/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/12/accurate-testing-in-virtual-worlds-seems-impossible/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Everyone generally takes real world testing seriously, because if they don't there's always a person there in the flesh to scold them properly. However, when any testing takes place in the virtual space such as Second Life (or any MMO really), the problem of people goofing around and lying becomes rather rampant. This post on Terra Nova goes into some further detail on the subject and finishes the post by posing the question, "How can virtual world participants be encouraged to take online research seriously, or should no attempt be made to change their online behavior?"

Continue reading Accurate testing in virtual worlds seems impossible

MassivelyAccurate testing in virtual worlds seems impossible originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 12 Mar 2008 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>linden-labmoneyonline-testingsecond-lifeterra-novaWed, 12 Mar 2008 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Express yourself, come on and do it...]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/20/express-yourself-come-on-and-do-it/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/20/express-yourself-come-on-and-do-it/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/20/express-yourself-come-on-and-do-it/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Over the years, most of us have grown accustomed to the typical avatar gestures... /wave, /kiss, /kneel, and the like. Even some of the more outlandish emotes have their place, like /robot or /rude. Of course, this kind of thinking is not out of the box! Since most people labor under the assumption that the money is to be found out of the box, you can pretty well kiss the box goodbye! For Bob Moore of Terra Nova, the most unbox-like development in the MMO sphere is in what he calls "free gesticulation," a technology capable of reading the physical movements of a player and translating them on-screen to their avatar of choice.

The gesture system that exists in games today, coupled with a competent VOIP solution, is adequate for most of your basic communication needs. Standalone gestures like waves, nods, and bows do just fine by their lonesome, and informative pointing gestures work particularly well with VOIP software. But what of expressive or descriptive gestures? Moore suggests that these previously untapped lines of communication could open up whole new avenues of gameplay possibilities, particularly for role players. And best of all, the technology is extremely close to mainstream. All we need is for somebody to implement it. You can practically /kiss the uncanny valley goodbye!

MassivelyExpress yourself, come on and do it... originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 20 Feb 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animationbob-mooreemotesfree-gesticulationgesticulationgesturesterra-novauncanny-valleyWed, 20 Feb 2008 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Digital Continuum: Evolving past fantasy Pt.1]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/29/the-digital-continuum-evolving-past-fantasy-pt-1/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/29/the-digital-continuum-evolving-past-fantasy-pt-1/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/29/the-digital-continuum-evolving-past-fantasy-pt-1/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Over the past couple of weeks the MMO blogosphere has once again been discussing the ever-pertinent question of "Why fantasy?" in regards to the MMO and its heritage; MUDs and tabletop gaming. The subject has been covered quite well from many different points of view and opinions, none of which are inherently wrong and all of which are worth a read if the subject interests you in any way.

The reasons are especially well covered in a round-table that Damion Schubert posted to Zen of Design earlier this year. Many of these reasons that materialized from the round table appear quite valid, yet I don't see eye-to-eye with these concepts. In my opinion, several of them seem arbitrary and some could be applied in opposition of fantasy. In fact, the more I read on the subject of "Why fantasy?" the more I think, "All the more reason to evolve beyond fantasy."

I'm going to address the well summed-up list posted by Damion Schubert piece by piece, as it lays out the most compelling evidence for why fantasy continues to reign supreme. So if you find yourself lost on what I'm talking about, feel free to refer to the original article in question. Now, we'll take a look into this list and see just how much of it really holds up against an argument for something other than fantasy.

Continue reading The Digital Continuum: Evolving past fantasy Pt.1

MassivelyThe Digital Continuum: Evolving past fantasy Pt.1 originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 29 Dec 2007 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>city-of-heroescity-of-villainscoxcryptic-studiosdamion-schubertfalloutfantasyfeaturedindustryjeff-freemanjoystiqfeaturesnerfbatsci-fistar-warsterra-novatolbod'swarwarhammer-onlinezen-of-designSat, 29 Dec 2007 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Terra Nova discusses the 'culture of mistrust' in EVE Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/16/terra-nova-discusses-the-culture-of-mistrust-in-eve-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/16/terra-nova-discusses-the-culture-of-mistrust-in-eve-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/16/terra-nova-discusses-the-culture-of-mistrust-in-eve-online/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

At the academic blog Terra Nova, commentator Nate Combs has a lengthy look at the inherent 'culture of mistrust' that exists in EVE Online. Due to the game's somewhat harsh environment (compared with most MMOGs), it's in the best interests of a given player to distrust others ... and yet most of the news out of the game is discussion of the well-organized groups acting in concert towards a common end. Combs explores why the hostile nature of the game combines with game mechanics (like alt characters) to create a 'common path' for the EVE Player.

Some professional PvPers may start out as foot soldiers in an alliance but along the way acquire a second hat. For example, some may develop an arrangement with their organization where they still work on its behalf but may also engage in activities for their own (and associate) profit and interest. Thus they may start to attack enemy shipping - or shipping of friends of enemies - far removed from their alliance areas of concern. They may do it for a cocktail of reasons: a desire for a lifestyle of "pew pew", for profit and distinction for uberness within their group under the guise of economic warfare. Unfortunately, there are cases where such far afield dalliances have lead to political trouble for the parent alliances. Birds do come home to roost.

This article is just the latest in a series, with others covering EVE's 'information game', the consequences of rare materials, and the 'problem' of neutral parties in-game.

MassivelyTerra Nova discusses the 'culture of mistrust' in EVE Online originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 16 Nov 2007 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpeveeve-onlinenate-combspvpterra-novaFri, 16 Nov 2007 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Unbalanced PvP in EVE Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/10/29/unbalanced-pvp-in-eve-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/10/29/unbalanced-pvp-in-eve-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/10/29/unbalanced-pvp-in-eve-online/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Nate Combs over at Terra Nova has another piece up in his PvP series, this time about EVE Online and the "asymmetry of PvP." In a game like World of Warcraft, the devs have said that they're aiming to keep players as equal-- if you take on another player at your level with your level of gear, you've each got a pretty good chance of winning, and the game is designed to set it up so that you can both show up on a level playing field. But in a game like EVE Online, that plan goes out the window-- players can attack each other anywhere and anytime. There are consequences and advantages to attacking at certain times, and it's up to players to decide when and where PvP works for them-- it's an asymmetric system that leaves it up to players to find balance.

I've just recently starting playing EVE Online, and I can tell you that the system has its drawbacks-- yesterday I had to log off because I had a wartarget camping my station, and if I left, I would have gotten blasted to pieces. Later in the day, I was mining and had another enemy warp in on my location with a much more powerful ship than mine-- I had to hightail it out of there, losing my ore completely. But on the other hand, a complex system like this leaves a lot of options open, too-- if I wanted to, I could buy my own powerful ship, and go and hunt that guy down when he least expected it.

Continue reading Unbalanced PvP in EVE Online

MassivelyUnbalanced PvP in EVE Online originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 29 Oct 2007 17:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>asymmetriceveeve-onlinefeaturednate-combsoverpoweredpvpterra-novaunbalancedworld-of-warcraftMon, 29 Oct 2007 17:24:00 EST