Welcome to the 597th Edition of Loading... If you aren't reading this in your e-mail, you could be. Sign up.

--

Are you looking for the latest industry headlines? Look no further.

1. Daily Column
2. New MMOG Articles at TenTonHammer Today
3. Hot Content
4. Real World News - You Can't Make This Up

1. Daily Column

I noticed this on Raph's blog and had to pass it on to the readers here.

"The South Korean government has even dropped the requirement of military service for those willing to work in the game industry, considering digital games key to the international export of Korean culture."

That quote is from the International Game Developers Association website.

If this was in the "Real World News" section I'd joke about the next big game out of Korea where you dress as a tentacle wielding monster and eat dogs, but it's not, so I won't. For those of you who believe that I don't like people for Korea, that simply isn't the case. I have to mention dog-eating in each Korean story as part of a promise to a reader. They were so upset the first time that I threw it out there in RWN that I promised to do it every time until they were able to control themselves. So far, they remain out of control.

It's Friday, and I'm tapped out so I'll leave you with this.

Remember Nihilum, the guild that has been tearing apart the latest WoW expansion and patched content? They are the folks who have a sponsor and admitted to buying gold to be able to be "first" to kill the new bosses. I'd call that "first by circumventing the game mechanics", but hey. Anyway, if you want to be part of their guild then you had better own a set of balls. Seriously.

Comment in the blog (now with direct link goodness) or email me directly.

2. New MMOG Articles At Ten Ton Hammer Today

• Blog: Transformers Are Already Massive, Can They Be Multiplayer?
  "As the Transformer movie prepares to "Transform and Roll Out!", Cody "Micajah" Bye wonders how a giant-robot-that-changes-into-a-common-Earth-object MMO would work. Find out if he made any conclusions in today's blog!"
• Editorial: A Guide To Building A Guild
  "Ever wondered what it took to create a truly successful guild? Too frightened of guild politics to try and make a guild of your own? Look no further than Ten Ton Hammer's Guide to Build a Guild, created by the man-in-the-game, Chris "Spare" Higgins. With several successful guilds under his belt, Chris attempts to explain how to successfully structure a guild and what kind of leader it takes to push a guild to popularity."
• Interview With Brian "Psychochild" Green
  "In our conclusion to the Brian "Psychochild" Green interview, Cody "Micajah" Bye asks Brian a series of questions ranging from how gamers should find the niche game of their choice to the difficulties in legitimizing the video gaming industry. Customer relations and the future of the MMO industry are also topics in the conclusion of the interview. Sit back, relax, and allow Brian "Psychochild" Green to entertain you with his words."
• Dungeons and Dragons Online: Custom Build - The Cantor
  "The Cantor is a bard in service to the gods of Eberron. As such, the Cantor can provide numerous buff's for a party, plus heal, and control enemies with his or her song. Learn how to make one with Darkgolem's new build, The Cantor!
• EverQuest 2: Fan Faire Dos and Don't; Humour By Coyote
  "Fan Faire is fast approaching, and this means that there will be a Coyote loose amongst many innocent and unaware gamers. As a responsible Community Site, we wouldn't just let Coyote out into public without posting a fair warning, so read this article carefully, take notes, and just run away if you hear the words "Dance fight!"."
• Gods and Heroes: Priestly Preview
  "Once more, Charabis and his team of intrepid adventurers have set out on another episode of Search for Rare and Wonderous
  Creatures of the Gaming World. In today's episode, they track down the pious Priest."
• Lord of the Rings Online: Guide To Leveling Elves 1-10
  "Thinking about playing an Elf and not wanting to waste time? Looking to catch up to friends or just get ahead? Look no further, as Ten Ton Hammer has your leveling guide to Elves. Inside you'll find everything you need to get through the first 10 levels including the epic quests."
• Lord of the Rings Online: Orc Reaver Guide
  "We have our first PvP guide (the first in a series) for you all today, courtesy of Martuk. This one covers the vicious Orc Reaver."
• Vanguard: This Week In Vanguard
  "With Shay on vacation, Ralsu didn't want the community to miss out on her newsletter. He's put together his third blog this week to recap events.
• Vanguard: Qalian Mineralogy Quest Guide
  "Want to take up a profitable craft but don't know which to choose? Ralsu provides the Qalian Mineralogy Quest Guide for your consideration."
• World of Warcraft: Hot Tip - Heroic Instances and Daily Quests
  This week's tip will help players know exactly what heroic dungeons and daily quests are, when they reset, and how they can go about completing them!"
• World of Warcraft: Horde Power Leveling Guide 20-60
  "Finding quests got you down? The rest of your friends or guild mates already blown past you to 60 or even worse 70? Want to get to level 60 as quickly as possible to experience the Burning Crusade content? Join the crowd! Getting to level 70 fast is the goal of most WoW players, however the first step is getting through the regular WoW content. It's true, there are those out there that want to experience the joy of exploring and finding out things on your own. But hey, they are the minority! Most players now just want to burn through the old WoW content and play in the Outlands, that's where we step in the help."

3. Hot Content

• Interview With Brian "Psychochild" Green, Founder of Near Death Studios
• Gods and Heroes: Interview With Travis George, System Designer
• Sword of the New World: Exclusive Developer Diary #3
• Lord of the Rings Online: Interview With Jeff Anderson
• Interview With Industry Legend, Don Daglow
• Fury: Q&A With Mike Hampden
• 38 Studios: R.A. Salvatore Interview Part 2
• Gods and Heroes - Video Interview With Chris Launius
• OGDC: Auto Assault Post-Mortem With Scott Brown
• OGDC: EVE Online Interview With Peter Gollan

4. Real World News

• Bear Robot Rescues Wounded Troops [Thanks John]
  ...sings "Tubby little cubby all stuff with kevlar. He's Winnie the Pooh."
• Mystery Skeleton Sticking Out Of Iceberg Off Newfoundland
  Sigourney Weaver to return as 'Ripley' in Alien 4 - Newfie's Revenge.
• Origin Of Deja Vu Pinpointed
  Haven't we pinpointed this before?
• Which Country Works The Hardest?
  Probably not yours if you are reading this.

Thanks as always for visiting TenTonHammer.com

John "Boomjack" Hoskin