Not Much Going On

Lately, I’ve been up to a whole lot of nothing.  Disillusioned by moving my level 60 Warlock to play with friends who’ve yet to muster the numbers for raiding, I haven’t signed on as Saylah for two weeks.  The biggest regret about moving was separating my 300 Tailor/Enchanter from my Shadow Priest.   I was able to leave an herb/alchemist and take one, but replacing enchantments on items can be expensive.  With weeks of rested XP bonus, I was able to level my priest to 49, where she’ll stay for quite some time as a BG twink.

I re-activated my EQ II account with the idea of checking out PVP and changes to crafting.  But I just couldn’t get into rolling a new toon to do it.  I bailed before I finished the newbie isle.  Lineage 2 didn’t hold my interest past level 7.  I’m sure it there’s more fun at the higher levels, but OMG what a tedious grind.  Graphics are good, animations nice but the game mechanics are awkward to say the least.  I appreciate the realism of object collision but done wrong, it’s VERY annoying.  I kept getting stuck on invisible barriers.  And why does my race run bent over with their butts up in the air??  I’m not opposed to some level of grinding.  However, I can’t get into it in a lack-luster setting with poor game physics.

For all of about 2-hours I gave Space Cowboys a spin.  This is actually a nice game, AND IT’S FREE!  If you want something similar to EVE Online, with less skill training and more flight control, give this title a try.  I really felt like I was commanding a spaceship.  You can't just warp and walk away, or “set destination” and then go eat dinner like you can in EVE.  Combat was nice, game mechanics were smooth but it’s not what I’m looking for at the moment.  I was very impressed with it though and recommended it to some friends who wanted something less intense than EVE.

I’ll be away for 11 days – traveling for business related purposes.  During that time I’ll post what I’ve decided to do about gaming for the next few months.

Comments

[relmstein]

I suggest you check out the article that has the WoW forums going crazy. Some serious changes in the expansion.

http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/world-of-warcraft-expansion/725327p1.html

[Saylah]

I HEARD!!!! THE 40-MAN RAIDS ARE DEAD. OMG.
I've been so busy packing and getting the kids ready for school that I haven't had time to post any reactions. But I might have to bow low to Blizzard. They seem to be hearing the voices of their customers who are paying and saying that you know what, raiding w/ 40 ppl isnt what a good percentage of players want to do at 60. I don't understand all the details about the revamping of the Honor System but it must sting for those that put in their time when it was an absolute grind.

[relmstein]

From what I understand they are making honor into a point based system where you spend points to buy your armor.

The ranking system is being moved to the arena where teams of players fight each other based on their current rank. At the end of a period of time awards are given out based on your rank and then the system resets. Oh yeah the arena is not faction specific so you are directly competing with everyone on your server.

Have fun on your business trip and I look forward to your writing on the changes.