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The relationship between the sites like TenTonHammer.com who cover games and the developers who create them is an interesting one.

There is a siege mentality in many development teams when it comes to discussing their game, their passion, with the press. In many cases this has been a completely justified response. Many members of the press are interested in one of two things;

1) Finding something sensational, usually bad, to write about the game or the developers or

2) Getting their article done so they can get to the bar. This particular escapade results in the dozens of boring, cookie-cutter pieces that you read every day on the sites that have been around since Duke Nukem Forever started production. Developers are tired of wasting their time answering the same questions over and over.

Our mission at TTH is to build communities. In our two short years of existence I believe we have done an exceptional job of doing just that. Our community is now as large as that of our competitors who have been around for 10 years. Thanks to you we are growing faster than any other MMOG site.

Our community is also of great interest to developers. You are for the most part a polite, well-versed, intelligent and loyal group. What you care about in a game matters to the development teams. Your commentary is important.

Here is your chance to ask you questions, make your comments and interact with the development community. If you have a game specific or better yet, an industry specific question for developers I would like to see it. The best ones will be sent off to the folks who make the games you play and their answers will be posted here at TenTonHammer.com.

This is your chance to be heard directly by the developers. Make the most of it. You can mail me at this address.

[Vote, rank, share, comment!]

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Exclusive TenTonHammer.com Content!

03.26.2007

• Blog: Fantasy
  "Is it possible to ruin a fantasy by making it real? Ralsu thinks it's the other way around--reality ruins the fantasy."
• Age of Conan: New Glimpses
  "In their GDC presentation, Funcom - the developers behind Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures - gave us glimpses of a caravan quest that required you to protect two camels and their guards as the meandered to a neighboring town. Their path was riddled with trials and tribulations as lions and bandits were all eager to take down your convoy. In their latest batch of screenshots, Funcom has given us some pictures of these caravaners, as well as an overhead view of a city and some beautiful shots of in-game scenery. Check them out right away!"
• Dungeons and Dragons Online: Quest Guide - The Prison of the Mind
  "Help rescue the poisoner of the Laughing Knives, Orphne, lost in her own mind, with Rithic's new quest guide to Vault of Night 2: The Prison of The Mind."
• EverQuest 2: The Stormhammer Signature Quest Guide
  "The Stormhammer is the mythical weapon found and used by the great dwarven King Kazon Stormhammer. This weapon is greatly desired by priests and fighters in the upper 60s who have the bravery to to take on this very serious quest!"
• Lord of the Rings Online: Crafting Guide - The Metalsmith
  "Corel shares part one of his epic Metalsmithing guide."
• Vanguard: Saga of Heroes - How To Handle An Asshat
  "The Ten Ton Hammer Vanguard forums are a great place to discuss the game and enjoy the community...if you know how to keep the occasional troll at bay. Shayalyn shares her jerk wrangling knowledge in this week's Tuesday's Tips."

Hot Content

• Sword of the New World: Interview with Peter Cesario
• Fury: Interview With Tom Hilliam, C.E.O. of Auran
• Vanguard: Saga of Heroes - Armour Project Portal Opens
• Tabula Rasa: GDC Logos Coin Unveiled
• Pirates of the Burning Sea: Exclusive Screenshots
• Vanguard: Saga of Heroes - Interview With Jeff Butler
• Pirates of the Burning Sea: Video Preview
• Analyzing The Western MMO Marketplace
• Huxley: GDC Screenshots
• Dungeons and Dragons Online: Interview With James Jones
• GDC: Gods and Heroes: Exclusive Gameplay Footage

Real World News - You Can't Make This Up

• Attack Sheep Guard British Village [Thanks John]
  Scots are not welcome.
• Man Steals Virgin Mary. Paints Her Like Clown
  Just in time for Easter.
• Prince William Gropes Brazillian Babe
  Who hasn't?

Vin Diesel Fact: When Batman is in trouble he flashes the Vin Diesel signal into the night sky.

Thanks as always for visiting TenTonHammer.com

- John "Boomjack" Hoskin

You can read previously enjoyed editions of Loading... in the blog archive.