The end of Star Wars Galaxies: A new Hope in SWTOR

Well Dec. 20 came around and it was a significantly important date for the gaming masses who pre-ordered SWTOR and jumped on that new mmo. However, almost lost in all the hoopla bout the launch and the beta testing last month was the demise of the last great Star Wars game. I got wrapped up in work and the Xmas holiday and I almost forgot about Dec.15, which was the date in which SWG went off the mmo grid.

To me, this is a sad event. The loss of any mmorpg game saddens me greatly, especially since a game which lasted as long as SWG had a definite loyal fan base and that just means one less option in the gaming universe. Honestly, no one expected it to last long after the announcement of SWTOR came, but I do recall logging on trying it out and seeing the potential the game had, or to experience the allure it still possessed, despite a diminished population.

The thing is, unlike DAoC, an older game than SWG, this game had nothing unique left to offer the player. People still log on DAoC, and although there are many who feel its past its prime, its unique take on pvp and b.g.s which are still fun to run, make it impossible for me to abandon. I guess what kept many players sticking around basically a doomed game like Galaxies was the community for SWG, the sense of connection we all feel when we’ve invested in a game and have made friends playing it.

I for one, gave up on it after trying the free trial, essentially because the Cantina and a lot of the zones felt practically abandoned. The opposite of  game game like wow or even WAR or DAoC. So R.I.P. SWG, you will be missed.

Revelling in winter gaming in Camelot

My toon level 22 savage on Ywain DAoC server

This time of year there are a number of winter time in game events which make your favorite game more fun to play, or adds an extra element to the mmo experience of your choice. Some games like SWTOR are too new, or would not benefit from having these in game events because it would detract somewhat from the overall storyline, but for more established retro mmorpgs, fans  have come to expect them and delight in them every year.

The feast of winter veil is going on currently in Azeroth. I remember previous holiday season spending sometime doing seasonal quests and looking at the colorful graphics in game. In Everquest 2, frostfell meant that members of the community relations team got to hang out with players in selected servers handing out in game goodies. Though the event is now over, The Double Station Cash Stocking Stuffer promotion that SOE has going, lasts through tomorrow (Dec.27)

Over at DDO, Turbine continues to celebrate Festivult by giving players coins from treasure chests which can be turned into the jester for special gifts. LOTRO offered its annual Yule festival with local events in the Shire, Ered Luin and Bree-land, additionally players could travel to the festival-themed mini-area of Frostbluff to participate in a town wide celebration.

Personally, I really am looking forward to the Midwinter Festival event on the DAoC servers, although I probably may not be able to enjoy it for awhile as I have 26 more levels to climb with my savage. Still, the event runs until January 17, so if I extend my DAoC trial into a new month sub, I may be able to catch the tail end of it. Honestly, I am having the most fun playing a game in RvR battlegrounds. The game’s learning curve is a little high for newbies, but I learned that most players don’t really quest but wait until they hit the level needed to do battlegrounds. B.g.s in DAoC are a dicey proposition, people from the other factions in RvR tend to wait until one is pulling aggro on mobs to jump in and try to score a kill. It can get annoying with all the camping, but if you can find a group, you are able to fend off the attacks, provided you are on the high level end of the specific b.g.

No matter what game you choose to play this winter season, may you have fun as we turn the calendar page into a new year, because that is what it is all about is it not??? Peace!

League of Legends: Annie Dark Child FAIL

match record in LOL with Annie champion, not so legendary

So I continue to try and improve with LOL. I must admit I am not having much luck with my chosen champions, especially with Annie. My match records are pretty atrocious, as you can plainly see. Surely I am doing something wrong, but it beats me why I can’t get more kills, maybe I am not timing my auto attacks correctly, maybe farming and not getting last kills, but the Dark Child is less of a threat in my incapable hads. Heck, I spent one match trying to get Tibbers out of hibernation, only to die 23 times! But in my defense, I think I was playing with a lot of higher level players.

So those of you who play LOL can you give me some pointers? What do you do to succeed? How can I score more kills? Should I give up on Annie and switch to a less squishy champion? All of the Above? I would appreciate some feedback and advice. This game has a steep learning curve, but I would settle for scoring more kills!!!!

Back to our original virtual home. More regular updates to come

back when I dinged 14 with my EQ2 Guardian, he is now 17 and counting

I am starting to update this blog once again. My domain at the paid address is still mine, but I don’t really see the point of hosting the site when wordpress has this powerful free blog feature, so for now this is our virtual home.

What have I been up to? This winter season I have been bouncing between Everquest 2, League of Legends and DDO and just recenlty, I have gotten back into World of Warcraft. Those are the games I seem to enjoy playing the most, with Everquest falling a little behind the other 3, mostly because it is harder to group in that game than the others. Wow is also hobby that I practice sparingly these days, since it is pay to play and because there is so much downtime waiting to queue in dungeons.

There will be game updates on games regularly, probably Mondays and fridays, as those are the days I seem to have free now, and whenever something interesting breaks on the blogosphere. Of course, I will also examine old mmos and their influence on pop culture, like always. Welcome back!