As I mentioned in my last column, I saw a gameplay trailer for the new Star Wars MMO coming out. It's being done by Bioware in conjunction with LucasArts. If you have played Star Wars games, either single-player, or the existing MMO, then you know this is a good thing. I have played Star Wars Galaxies several times at different phases in it's meandering lifespan. I have revelled in finally reaching 'glowie' status and have ground away at the Jedi path, and have also had my Jedi status handed to me on a silver platter. In short, while I have enjoyed playing SWG in the past, it can be kind of confusing, and if you leave the game and come back, chances are they will have completely changed the mechanics and you will have to learn how to play all over again.
Bioware is the outfit that produced the best of all the Star Wars games that I have played, Knights of the Old Republic. It was set about 4000 years before the events in the movies, at the height of the Sith Wars and had a role-playing system based on Wizards of the Coast's Star Wars Roleplaying Game. It had great gameplay, and the roleplaying aspect was excellent, driven by a menu system that let you choose your responses to events that you encounter. The new MMO they are developing uses this same system and also the concept of accruing Light side or Dark side points. These points are earned based on choices you make, and have quite a large impact on gameplay down the road, from abilities and equipment available, to how people react to you. This was one of the coolest aspects of KoTOR.
The combat system also looks very promising, with a few features I have not seem before. Combat seems a lot more real-time. In the trailer, a smuggler-class was engaging multiple opponents at the same time, moving to cover and firing from cover. It was impressive. While in combat, the system indicates places in the terrain that will provide cover, and also indicates where others are taking cover
The word used quite a few times in the trailer was 'epic'. The developers want the combat to feel epic - heroic - not routine, but exiting. Based on what I have seen, Star Wars: The Old Republic has a chance to immerse the player in its world like few other games have been able to. The story seems to be very important to the developers - an integral part of the game, not just a construct to build the game around. I love my WoW, but might have to take some time away from Azeroth to jump into the Star Wars world again.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Gaming News
Well, I should have seen it coming, but Bizzard has finally released information on the next expansion for World of Warcraft. Of course, it was announced in conjunction with BlizzCon, and it has some interesting stuff in it. One of the things I have lamented, despite how much I have enjoyed the two expansions, Burning Crusades and Wrath of the Lich King, was that the old Worlds - Kalimdor and the Eastern Kingdoms have been getting neglected. The next expansion, titled Cataclysm addresses that in a big way. Deathwing the dragon returns to Azeroth with a vengance, and this world event gives Blizzard the opportunity to revisit the old kingdoms quite extensively.
One of the laments I have heard from friends who no longer play is that if they were to return, the new recent expansions look cool, but they don't have the heart to grind through the same old low level content one more time as a part of getting to the new coolness. I sympathize. The thought of slogging through Silverpine or the Barrens again does make my head hurt. Also, one of the things that been said more than once in response to the question, "Will I be able to use flying mounts in the old kingdoms?" is that no, they were not designed for flying mounts, and rewriting all that code would take too much time.
Well Blizzard has apparently heard some of the same feedback I have and has addressed some of our concerns. Cataclysm will feature an upheaval to the old lands that will give the game designers a chance to take their crayons out and completely revamp the zones we are familiar with. According to the FAQ I read, all of the old zones will be reworked to one degree or another. To quote the web site: Nearly all of the game’s original zones are being altered to some degree, but the extent of the changes varies by zone. For example, Darkshore is flooded and has been completely redesigned with all new quest hubs. The Barrens have been split in two; one half is for low-level players and the other is for higher-level players. Azshara is now a low-level zone for Horde players and connects directly to Orgrimmar.
The re-tooling of the original zones has also given the powers that be a chance to implement flying mounts in the old world, but they haven't yet said exactly how this will be done - at what level it will be available, and so forth.
The level cap has again been raised, but not by the standard 10 levels, but only to 85, and they have mentioned a new "path system" which makes me a little nervous. I have visions of Dark Age of Camelot's lame Champion Abilities dancing in my head, but at the same time have more faith in Blizzard than I ever did in Mythic. They are also introducing guild achievements, similar, I suppose to those used in EQ2 - which is a nice system.
One of the main features of Cataclysm is two new playable races, the Goblins and the Worgen. People have voiced the desire to play goblins for some time and now will get their chance, siding of course with the Horde. The Alliance will finally get a scary-looking monster race in the Worgen, a race grown out of the Arugal storyline in Silverpine Forest, and are doing something I have hoped they would - use one of the zones that show up on the world map, but have never been opened before. In this case, they are creating a zone called Gilneas, which was sealed off behind the Greymane Wall at the southern end of Silverpine forest. Goblin players will start on the Isle of Kezan and then head to the Lost Isles in the South Seas before joining the mainland. There are therefore two new starting zones and quest lines to experience, and Blizzard has promised an experience similar to the Death Knight questline and a prominent use of zone phasing. That's a good thing since the Death Knight starting quest line is an exceptionally cool experience.
One of the other minor features is new race/class combinations. In addition to the new races, they are opening up a few other new possibilities including an expansion of the druid class for the first time ever to include worgen and trolls, as well as a few other interesting combinations.
Well there you have it. Feel free to stop by the WoW website and check out the trailer and screenshots, but Blizz has given us (well me at least) something to look forward to. That is not all the news though. In my next post I will discuss the cool new things I saw in a gameplay trailer for Star Wars: The Old Republic coming from LucasArts and Biosphere.
One of the laments I have heard from friends who no longer play is that if they were to return, the new recent expansions look cool, but they don't have the heart to grind through the same old low level content one more time as a part of getting to the new coolness. I sympathize. The thought of slogging through Silverpine or the Barrens again does make my head hurt. Also, one of the things that been said more than once in response to the question, "Will I be able to use flying mounts in the old kingdoms?" is that no, they were not designed for flying mounts, and rewriting all that code would take too much time.
Well Blizzard has apparently heard some of the same feedback I have and has addressed some of our concerns. Cataclysm will feature an upheaval to the old lands that will give the game designers a chance to take their crayons out and completely revamp the zones we are familiar with. According to the FAQ I read, all of the old zones will be reworked to one degree or another. To quote the web site: Nearly all of the game’s original zones are being altered to some degree, but the extent of the changes varies by zone. For example, Darkshore is flooded and has been completely redesigned with all new quest hubs. The Barrens have been split in two; one half is for low-level players and the other is for higher-level players. Azshara is now a low-level zone for Horde players and connects directly to Orgrimmar.
The re-tooling of the original zones has also given the powers that be a chance to implement flying mounts in the old world, but they haven't yet said exactly how this will be done - at what level it will be available, and so forth.
The level cap has again been raised, but not by the standard 10 levels, but only to 85, and they have mentioned a new "path system" which makes me a little nervous. I have visions of Dark Age of Camelot's lame Champion Abilities dancing in my head, but at the same time have more faith in Blizzard than I ever did in Mythic. They are also introducing guild achievements, similar, I suppose to those used in EQ2 - which is a nice system.
One of the main features of Cataclysm is two new playable races, the Goblins and the Worgen. People have voiced the desire to play goblins for some time and now will get their chance, siding of course with the Horde. The Alliance will finally get a scary-looking monster race in the Worgen, a race grown out of the Arugal storyline in Silverpine Forest, and are doing something I have hoped they would - use one of the zones that show up on the world map, but have never been opened before. In this case, they are creating a zone called Gilneas, which was sealed off behind the Greymane Wall at the southern end of Silverpine forest. Goblin players will start on the Isle of Kezan and then head to the Lost Isles in the South Seas before joining the mainland. There are therefore two new starting zones and quest lines to experience, and Blizzard has promised an experience similar to the Death Knight questline and a prominent use of zone phasing. That's a good thing since the Death Knight starting quest line is an exceptionally cool experience.
One of the other minor features is new race/class combinations. In addition to the new races, they are opening up a few other new possibilities including an expansion of the druid class for the first time ever to include worgen and trolls, as well as a few other interesting combinations.
Well there you have it. Feel free to stop by the WoW website and check out the trailer and screenshots, but Blizz has given us (well me at least) something to look forward to. That is not all the news though. In my next post I will discuss the cool new things I saw in a gameplay trailer for Star Wars: The Old Republic coming from LucasArts and Biosphere.
Monday, January 05, 2009
A Veteran of the Wrathgate
Well I have been playing Wrath of the Lich King for a couple of weeks now and have enjoyed it all. Blizzard really did a good job on this one. There are a lot of new types of quests and some very interesting storyline, but most of all, you feel like you are right in the middle of the action - fighting on the frontline for your faction - a real hero for your side, not just another dork killing 8 of this animal or kill those guys until you collect 10 red hats.
The deathknight beginning quest chain is worth the price of admission and should not be missed, even if you don't think you will play the toon later. The quests are fun and original, and make use of phasing. This allows you to have a real impact on the world around you. As you progress through a quest chain and - for example - help to conquer the village, then you will see the village in flames, and it will be desolate the next time you pass thru it - instead of back to normal like you have never been there.
As much fun as the deathnight quests are, for my money, one of the most entertaining and rewarding gameplay experiences I have ever had is easily the Dragonblight quest chain. Dragonblight is on the south side of Northrend in the center, and is the zone a player would naturally progress to after finishing either Borean Tundra or Howling Fjords. There are the standard faction strongholds, but the centerpiece is the Wyrmrest Temple, kind of a dragon U.N. building. All of the dragons have shrines in the zone, and they come together in an uneasy alliance against the aggression of the Azure Dragonflight who are bent on destroying all who use magic.
The quest chain is very long, and involves interaction with most all of the different dragons in the zone, including a really fun quest where you get to command a dragon in battle against the Azure Dragonflight and fight from his back. It's pretty awesome to participate, but just as incredible to watch from the ground as dead dragons rain from the sky.
If you follow this chain to its end, it climaxes in a confrontation with Arthas the Lich King at the Wrathgate - a Gates of Mordor - type affair at the north end of Dragonblight. The cutscene is epic and Blizzard-worthy (a company famous for its cutscenes) I won't give away the plot details, but it is a great scene, and can be re-visited by talking to the right NPC in game.
The events of the Wrathgate episode are followed by a visit to a locked-down, martial law-imposed Orgrimmar where you meet with Thrall, the Orc battlechief and leader of the Horde and witness a confrontation with Jaina Proudmoor, a hero of the Alliance. You then accompany Thrall to the Undercity where your hero gets to fight alongside him and Lady Sylvanas Windrunner to reconquer the Undercity in an epic battle from the front gates all the way to the Royal Quarter. It is truly an incredible experience, and makes you feel like you truly are a Champion of the Horde
I can't give you an Alliance perspective but the Horde experience was excellent and it makes me want to level up an Alliance toon to see the same events from the other side.
Your character not only gets to be on the frontlines for momentous and epic events, but the player is put right in the middle of a lot of key WoW lore and storyline, and is quite a bit more satisfying than just grinding on murlocs. If you are sitting on the fence and cannot decide whether or not to come back, I give Wrath of the Lich King a hearty thumbs up - it is the best work Blizzard has done to date.
Currently Listening to:
The Newsboys - Take Me to Your Leader
The Tossers - Long Dim Road
Last Movie Seen
Hancock
The deathknight beginning quest chain is worth the price of admission and should not be missed, even if you don't think you will play the toon later. The quests are fun and original, and make use of phasing. This allows you to have a real impact on the world around you. As you progress through a quest chain and - for example - help to conquer the village, then you will see the village in flames, and it will be desolate the next time you pass thru it - instead of back to normal like you have never been there.
As much fun as the deathnight quests are, for my money, one of the most entertaining and rewarding gameplay experiences I have ever had is easily the Dragonblight quest chain. Dragonblight is on the south side of Northrend in the center, and is the zone a player would naturally progress to after finishing either Borean Tundra or Howling Fjords. There are the standard faction strongholds, but the centerpiece is the Wyrmrest Temple, kind of a dragon U.N. building. All of the dragons have shrines in the zone, and they come together in an uneasy alliance against the aggression of the Azure Dragonflight who are bent on destroying all who use magic.
The quest chain is very long, and involves interaction with most all of the different dragons in the zone, including a really fun quest where you get to command a dragon in battle against the Azure Dragonflight and fight from his back. It's pretty awesome to participate, but just as incredible to watch from the ground as dead dragons rain from the sky.
If you follow this chain to its end, it climaxes in a confrontation with Arthas the Lich King at the Wrathgate - a Gates of Mordor - type affair at the north end of Dragonblight. The cutscene is epic and Blizzard-worthy (a company famous for its cutscenes) I won't give away the plot details, but it is a great scene, and can be re-visited by talking to the right NPC in game.
The events of the Wrathgate episode are followed by a visit to a locked-down, martial law-imposed Orgrimmar where you meet with Thrall, the Orc battlechief and leader of the Horde and witness a confrontation with Jaina Proudmoor, a hero of the Alliance. You then accompany Thrall to the Undercity where your hero gets to fight alongside him and Lady Sylvanas Windrunner to reconquer the Undercity in an epic battle from the front gates all the way to the Royal Quarter. It is truly an incredible experience, and makes you feel like you truly are a Champion of the Horde
I can't give you an Alliance perspective but the Horde experience was excellent and it makes me want to level up an Alliance toon to see the same events from the other side.
Your character not only gets to be on the frontlines for momentous and epic events, but the player is put right in the middle of a lot of key WoW lore and storyline, and is quite a bit more satisfying than just grinding on murlocs. If you are sitting on the fence and cannot decide whether or not to come back, I give Wrath of the Lich King a hearty thumbs up - it is the best work Blizzard has done to date.
Currently Listening to:
The Newsboys - Take Me to Your Leader
The Tossers - Long Dim Road
Last Movie Seen
Hancock
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
In Tribute II
This was written by Robert Kent, my stepson, and Jimmy's older brother.
Michael James Cornett went home to be with the lord December 10, 2008. Known to his family as “Jimmy” he was born in San Antonio TX on August 18, 1978. He was a devoted father, brother and son. Surviving family include his mother Donna, father Mike, sister Janine, brother Robert , nephews Jacob and Aaron as well as stepfather Patrick along with many friends. Jimmy graduated Bellaire High School in May of 1997. Jimmy served in the United States Marines and United Stated Army completing two successful tours in Iraq, one with each service - protecting his family and this Country of which he served. In life he was but a traveler along a journey of discovery and accomplishment. In death he is now without boundary, without restriction, without pain. You can go anywhere you want Jimmy, do whatever you want because death is but another journey to another life for only when you drink from the river of silence shall you indeed sing and when you have reached the mountain top, then you shall begin to climb. We will meet you there.
Friday, December 12, 2008
In Tribute
I am here today to pay tribute to my stepson Michael James Cornett - Jimmy to us, Michael to his friends. On December 10, 2008 at 7:20 am, he was killed in a car accident in Manhattan, Kansas on his way to work on base at Fort Riley. I don't know where to start, except to say that he has been one of my heroes. He graduated from Bellaire High School and joined the Marines. He completed his hitch and got out right before 9/11, but then a few year later joined the reserves, got activated and went to Iraq. He had one close call that tour when his convoy was attacked and his roommate was killed, but he made it home safely. After getting back home, he switched to the Army and was sent back to Iraq where he was a forward observer for an artillery unit. Once again he made it home safely, despite a few close calls.
He was looking to make a career out of the Army, and would liked to be a drill instructor. He also had just adopted his two stepkids, despite the fact that he and his wife were splitting up. A number of people didn't understand that, but he loved Victoria and Junior so much, that he wanted to make sure they were provided for, no matter what happened. I don't have the capacity to be eloquent right now, but I wanted to get something in writing.
He was a good son, a good man, a great father , a dedicated soldier and always a Marine.
Currently Listening to
Stiff Little Fingers
The Tossers
Currently Reading
Brisingr - Christopher Paolini (just finished)
Currently Playing
World of Warcraft (no Wrath of the Lich King yet tho)
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Where's the Beef? I'll Tell Ya Where...
I had a wild time in New Jersey. I was up there the first week of October on business, and it was my first time in that part of the country. I spent most of my time in the East Hanover area, but I had an opportunity to get together with Kelly Terrell, an old friend who is a high school drama teacher in Woodbridge. He took me into NYC to see the sights, and it was a blast. We took in Times Square at night which is something everyone should see once in their life. I also got to see a lot of the Broadway theaters and the Letterman show. Before Times Square, though, we went to a place I heartily recommend to anyone who has the means.
The place is Plataforma Churrascaria on W. 49th. Now there is a churrascaria here in Houston that I have heard great things about, but I cannot imagine it topping this place. The price is Prix-Fixe and the service is Rodizio style, which means that as long as you are interested, waiters will periodically stop by your table with a skewer of grilled meat of one type or another and slice off what you want - everything to sausage and chicken to lamb and beef. It was all incredible, but the most spectacular was the beef tenderloin wrapped in bacon.
Before the main course however, is the most spectacular salad bar I have ever seen. Calling it a salad bar is really a misnomer, actually. It features some wonderful salads, but also memorable cheeses, hearts of palm and artichoke, and a Brazilian rice and beans affair that is quite delicious. Also I had the first calamari I have ever actually enjoyed. I have a pretty adventurous palate, and will try almost anything. I have had calamari before, and it was ok, but kind of pointless. Frying may have been the culprit, because these had the consistancy of fried rubber bands with no real taste save the marinera sauce they were served with. The calamari salad at Plataforma was tender, flavorful, and very enjoyable. Add dessert and a couple of drinks and the bill was a revelation. Its not a place one would go to everyday, but on a special occasion this place will create an occasion you will never forget. The experience of a lifetime. (Kelly - I owe you a big one)
Currently Listening to:
Bruce Springsteen
Dropkick Murphy
Irish rebel music
Currently Playing:
Dark Age of Camelot
Currenly Reading:
The Light and the Glory by Peter Marshall
Last Movie Seen:
Iron Man (on DVD)
great movie - Robert Downey Jr. was perfect for the part
The place is Plataforma Churrascaria on W. 49th. Now there is a churrascaria here in Houston that I have heard great things about, but I cannot imagine it topping this place. The price is Prix-Fixe and the service is Rodizio style, which means that as long as you are interested, waiters will periodically stop by your table with a skewer of grilled meat of one type or another and slice off what you want - everything to sausage and chicken to lamb and beef. It was all incredible, but the most spectacular was the beef tenderloin wrapped in bacon.
Before the main course however, is the most spectacular salad bar I have ever seen. Calling it a salad bar is really a misnomer, actually. It features some wonderful salads, but also memorable cheeses, hearts of palm and artichoke, and a Brazilian rice and beans affair that is quite delicious. Also I had the first calamari I have ever actually enjoyed. I have a pretty adventurous palate, and will try almost anything. I have had calamari before, and it was ok, but kind of pointless. Frying may have been the culprit, because these had the consistancy of fried rubber bands with no real taste save the marinera sauce they were served with. The calamari salad at Plataforma was tender, flavorful, and very enjoyable. Add dessert and a couple of drinks and the bill was a revelation. Its not a place one would go to everyday, but on a special occasion this place will create an occasion you will never forget. The experience of a lifetime. (Kelly - I owe you a big one)
Currently Listening to:
Bruce Springsteen
Dropkick Murphy
Irish rebel music
Currently Playing:
Dark Age of Camelot
Currenly Reading:
The Light and the Glory by Peter Marshall
Last Movie Seen:
Iron Man (on DVD)
great movie - Robert Downey Jr. was perfect for the part
Sunday, September 14, 2008
I Don't like Ike
Well we survived hurricane Ike relatively unscathed. A hole in the ceiling and some siding are our only injuries and the power is now back on. I am heartbroken to see the footage coming from Galveston and surrounding areas, not only because of all my memories of going to Galveston most of my life, but mostly for all the people who got wiped out. The devastation in some areas is incredible with Bolivar seeming to have taken the brunt. I've heard numbers of 80% destruction in the Crystal Beach area. The legendary Balinese Room is gone, along with many other places I have spent time. The Kemah Boardwalk is no more, but will be rebuilt.
I would like to sing the praises of the first responders. I sat on my balcony watching the storm roll in (the wind and rain were coming from the other direction) and the Police were a constant presence. We live just off the corner of a major intersection, and I saw police making their presence known - patrolling with lights flashing right up till the worst of the storm. The day after the storm there were police going by every five minutes - even less working to enforce the curfew. Also there were several times when we saw police helping to clear storm sewer drains to help clear the streets of high water. They clearly went over and above the call of duty - being out in the storm when the rest of us were sitting it out, and pitching in to do what was necessary after the storm passed
Currently Reading
Angela's Ashes - Frank McCourt
Ulysses - James Joyce
Song of Albion trilogy - Stephen Lawhead
Currently Playing
Dark Age of Camelot (its been a while)
Currently Listening To
Reel Big Fish
The Sex Pistols
Shebeen
Last Movie Seen
are you kidding? Who can afford to go to the movies? I wait and rent them at the Red Box for $1.00
I would like to sing the praises of the first responders. I sat on my balcony watching the storm roll in (the wind and rain were coming from the other direction) and the Police were a constant presence. We live just off the corner of a major intersection, and I saw police making their presence known - patrolling with lights flashing right up till the worst of the storm. The day after the storm there were police going by every five minutes - even less working to enforce the curfew. Also there were several times when we saw police helping to clear storm sewer drains to help clear the streets of high water. They clearly went over and above the call of duty - being out in the storm when the rest of us were sitting it out, and pitching in to do what was necessary after the storm passed
Currently Reading
Angela's Ashes - Frank McCourt
Ulysses - James Joyce
Song of Albion trilogy - Stephen Lawhead
Currently Playing
Dark Age of Camelot (its been a while)
Currently Listening To
Reel Big Fish
The Sex Pistols
Shebeen
Last Movie Seen
are you kidding? Who can afford to go to the movies? I wait and rent them at the Red Box for $1.00
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