When it comes to MMOs, I have no problem with dungeons requiring groups, sandbox MMOs where the game is best played with groups of people or with clans, or even when the best gear is only obtainable by running dungeons. I have a problem with Final Fantasy XIV’s use of forced grouping, however, in the … Continue reading “The Frustration of Forced Grouping”
In Final Fantasy XIV, fishing isn’t just a skill, it is a way of life. Well maybe not, but it is rather addictive. Not to throw fuel on the fire but like many of the other components, fishing in FFXIV 1.0 wasn’t just boring, it was needlessly complicated, and it wasn’t nearly as useful as … Continue reading “MMOrning Shots: Fishing Buddies”
In Final Fantasy XIV, the FATE system is a series of short events that pop up all over the world. Sometimes you might be tasked with defeating an insane band of fungus creatures, sometimes you have to drive back an invasion of bandits, and sometimes you just have to beat the tar out of a … Continue reading “MMOrning Shots: Your FATE Is Sealed”
If you aren’t aware of the server locks on Final Fantasy XIV, chances are you either picked a low population server or you aren’t coordinating with a clan/group of friends. During the open beta phase 4, a large number of servers were locked down in order to keep the population in check. With the launch … Continue reading “Server Control Is A Necessary Evil”
Today’s MMOrning Shot comes to us from Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn, and shows off a bit of the new user interface and menu design. When Final Fantasy XIV did its first run, the game was criticized for a poorly implemented menu. Chief among the redesigns for A Realm Reborn is a new menu … Continue reading “MMOrning Shots: A Menu Reborn”
Square Enix has confirmed to Massively.com that the company’s Los Angeles studios has been hit with a number of layoffs. According to Square, however, none of the company’s existing MMOs have been impacted at all. In order to ensure it is operating effectively, the Square Enix Los Angeles office has reduced its workforce. This was … Continue reading “Square Enix Lays Off At Los Angeles Studio”
“We did our best to revive the game in 2011, but the time was not enough to keep up with the user requirements. There is a huge interest in high quality open world sandbox MMORPGs, unfortunately the big publishers do not show any interest in the genre. It is unfortunate that low budget companies like … Continue reading “Earthrise Shutting Down Today For A Better Tomorrow”
When Final Fantasy XIV launched in September 2010, it drew a backlash from its userbase the likes of which haven’t been seen since Sony Online Entertainment implemented the Combat Upgrade and New Game Enhancements in Star Wars Galaxies back in 2005. For an MMO, it was one of the most disappointing releases of 2010. The … Continue reading “Most Aggressive Developer of 2011: Square Enix”
[Update] Square Enix has confirmed that no member information was stolen. As a result of our continuing investigation, we have now confirmed that the database in which we store personal information was NOT accessed during the recent server intrusion. Therefore, your personal information was NOT compromised by an unknown third party. Square-Enix is planning to restart … Continue reading “Square Enix Members Hacked:”
I got some time to play with Warhammer: Wrath of Heroes, and the more I begin to doubt that certain Mythic employees will have much in terms of career options should the time come that they no longer report to EA/Mythic. Consider that Warhammer Online is one of the primary reasons (including All Points Bulletin) … Continue reading “Week In Review: Not A Real Doctor Edition”
MMO Fallout 