It seem’s every year we have a company doing something highly questionable but here we are again. So here is the low down folks. Blizzard would like to incorporate their Real ID solution which will first be taking effect for Starcraft 2. Now what this Real ID does is strip you of whatever privacy you had by using your real name for forum posts in an effort to make a close knit community. The selling point is that they want to make a more social atmosphere and have players be more invested into who they play with by betting on they will make relationships that last a long time.
Now I can see the pro of using a real name in the sense that a lot of forum trolls will be silenced as they will be in fear of having something done to them…but is that not also the most scary aspect. When it comes to social media spaces like facebook you have a degree of protection and a system in place if things get awkward however when it comes to video game especially in the MMO arena you tend to have a more combustable atmosphere. A lot of youth are quick to insults and if you ever noticed the WoW forums things tend to degenerate around the third forum post reply.Of course I don’t want to single out youth either as there are unfortunately many older people who lack their mature faculties.
I think in general though there has to be a better way to moderate your forums. I like to call them moderators. Higher more staff to clean up the boards and weed out the trolls. A forum is meant to be used for constructive conversations while allowing the ability to express one’s ideas. Things are meant to be cordial. You cannot obviosuly end trolling but you need to act on what you preech. I think also weeding out false accounts is also another method of regulation. The problem is you have a monster of a game which is insanely accessible and successful but it’s almost outgrown the company itself in a customer support respect.
As a company especially in the MMO arena you have to realize that some people just want to pop on and play. They are there to amuse themselves. They don’t want to be pushed into another person and told to be friends forever. Personally I have found cool people while playing but have yet to forge a relationship where I wanted to continue it outside a game. They are simply my video game buddies.
Time will tell how all this will play out. Maybe it will all smooth itself out. Currently though we have the knee jerk solution with the comunities knee jerk reaction of cancelling accounts.
For the forum post on the World of Warcraft forums click here
For the Battle Net announcement via their forums click here
Games Workshop has quite an amusing post on how to deal with the upcoming Warhammer launch day for their latest edition and accessories. It is a pretty big day all around from miniature fans. I have to say though the prices on the accessories at the very least are reasonable. Unless you get the uber edition of the Warhammer core book I always found the price a tad too high. But at any rate to find out how to deal, check this out
Well it looks like the new edition of Magic is on the way. I cannot say I was paying attention to it’s arrival. I wasn’t. After investing in about all the releases that came out one thing always comes to mind that there is typically very little ‘new’ and a whole lot of reprints. It’s ok to have reprints. It would not be normal to not get a little nostalgia cards. However I think that with each release they need more new things. At PAX I bought some older sets like Shadowmoor and still managed to produce cards that I already had from all the newer items. I think one of the more interesting releases was Planechase as it offered a new dynamic. Sure it had some cards in other recent sets but there was enough newness to make it worth the price of admission. Anyways, I would just like to see more effort into making totally original cards.
Now that I totally ranted off there here is the purpose of this posting. If your interested in procuring the latest edition you can buy a box at select participating stores where if your damn lucky, will receive promotional card entitled Birds of Paradise. Check it out!
Oh ho!! I thought I smelled a good sale. I have a nose for these things you see. That and it was blatantly advertised over on the Green Ronin website. That is right folks, things like Mutants & Masterminds, Nocturnals and much more are dirt cheap. So check it out and spend like mad
Mongoose have had a pretty busy month so here are some interesting news bits from their side.
- The D&D 4e Token Set is now back in stock. I took a look at this as it flew under the radar for me. It looks pretty cool. Currently we use Fantasy Grounds which is not as supported as we think it should be as a universal platform. (Not like were getting an online table top eh Wizards…oh I just didn’t did I?) But we are looking to do more in person gaming and this would be pretty freaking cool to bring some useful counters.
-If your looking for a campaign adventure for the Lone Wolf multiplayer book then you will be happy as Terror of the Darklords has hit the shelves
- Another item that hit the shelves is the LBB2: High Guard for Traveller
- Are you in Swindon say around Juy 10th? Then head on over to the Mongoose Publishing offices as you can join in on the open game day there where you can play a game of Traveller or Runequest II. Offices open at 9am and will stay open till 6pm
Anima: Beyond Fantasy is finally going digital via DriveThruRPG or RPGNOW. I really wanted to eventually get this book but dealing with what is on the night stand at the moment.
Are you wanting to know a bit more about combat in Space Hulk: Death Angel? Well FFG has finally given us a look at combat
White Wolf have released a new story telling adventure system scenario entitled Contagion of Law. It’s priced at a lovely $6.99 so head on over to DriveThruRPG and download it.
Now this is pretty freaking cool. From September 23rd to September 26th there is a White Wolf convention in New Orleans. If I could go I would so be there as I am almost sure that it will be a most amazing experience. But for those who can make it out there then head on over to The Grand Masquerade website and get all your info though. Oh and do send us your pics from this event. But please some company out there, think of Montreal won’t you? We need some love.
In a bit of oldish news White Wolf has posted their schedule of upcoming products which go right till June 2011. Now that is advanced warning people. I think they want you to adequately save your cash. Warnings are always good this way. So if your curious then check out the schedule. What are you interested in?
Lot’s of Warhammer happenings over on Fantasy Flight Games site. It seem’s the franchise keeps gaining steam. There is a promising MMO, video games, various RPG’s, the books are more prominent now and I am sure more is coming. Would love to see an animated feature in the near future. Till then though here are some happenings over at Fantasy Flight Games.
- There is a great video up concerning Deathwatch with the head designer and also the IP handler at Games Workshop.
- The Edge of Twilight which is an adventure for Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay concerns a town called Ubersreik which is a very interesting location for your players. Jay Little has a designer diary which takes a look at this town and it’s potential for your gaming group.
-If you missed free rpg game day well they have a cure for you. You can now get the free adventure for Deatwatch entitled Final Sanction
- The Lord of the Rings boargame is being released under Fantasy Flights silver line. What this means is that there will be updates, new elements but mostly the same Lord of the Rings boardgame that everyone has always loved.
-This is kind of expected but there is a game master’s toolkit for Deathwatch coming soon. Features you typical screen and adventure. For more details, check here.
