Welcome to the 573rd 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.

"Bling Free" test week continues. Thank you to everyone who has send me a suggestion or a comment.

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 had a much more serious article in the works for today, but after reading Cody's "Top Ten Properties to Make Into MMOGs" I felt obliged to textually tape together a list of my own. So here you have it. I decided that although I agree with Cody that Harry Potter, Knights of the Old Republic and Grand Theft Auto (it's coming and it's called APB, developed by Davey Jones of GTA fame) are top ten properties I decided to choose a list that did not include any of his choices.

I left out any properties that I knew to be currently in production and sharing information about that production. Stargate and Star Trek came immediately to mind. World of Darkness, White Wolf's vampire property also would have made this list if it wasn't already in the works. Warhammer 40k, though apparently in the development pipe at Vigil Games isn't pushing out any public information, so it made the list. It's just a gleam in a developer's eye down in Austin as far as we know. Likewise the comic book properties.

So here is the list:

10) Comic Book Properties (DC and Marvel)

Batman, Justice League, Wonder Woman, Captain America, Fantastic Four, Spiderman, The X-Men, etc. The Marvel license is deeper and probably more lucrative than DC, but the DC license could be successful with only Justice League. Given the success of City of Heroes/Villains without a license this seems like a sure-fire win.

9) Mad Max

Auto Assault explored this genre from a vehicular perspective, but imagine it from a first-person (or third-person if that is your whimsy) perspective.

8) Steven Erikson's Malazan Book of the Fallen

You have no idea what I'm talking about. Go here. This is quite possibly the deepest, most open-ended fantasy world ever created. Gods, nations, ascendants and politics are all well developed, yet almost completely open-ended.

7) Transformers

One question, are you an Autobot or a Decepticon?

6) Dune

It spawned movies, games and numerous additional novels. The backstory is complex and intriguing. Spice anyone?

5) Blade Runner

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? Replicants, off-world colonies and cyber-punk in one property. Please sir, may I have some more?

4) Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time

Though I didn't personally get much out of Mr. Jordan's series of books, in fact, I didn't even bother to finish them after about, oh, book six, there are thousands of people who love this series. The backstory alone is developed well enough that it would lend itself to a fantastic MMOG.

3) Warhammer 40K

In my opinion this is the Warhammer based MMOG that should been developed first. The 40k universe is a much more intriguing backdrop than the fantasy universe. Space Marines baby!

2) Starcraft

Who needs me to explain this one? Raise your hand. Now back to your Vic 20.

1) Pokemon

Is there a larger potential property for a MMOG than Pokemon? Sure it is embarrassing to think that you know about Pokemon, but you do. Some of the most influential people in the world are our children. They also happen to have access to incredible amounts of disposable income. They play the game and love it. They watch the cartoon and they will buy the movie this October when it is released. Pokemon might be the property that breaks cultural barriers better than any other and that makes it my #1 choice for MMOG property.

What did I miss? What is your top ten?

Vote, rank, share, comment or email me directly.

2. New MMOG Articles At Ten Ton Hammer Today

• Blog: Top Ten Potential MMO Properties
  "Micajah takes a look at some of the remaining properties available to MMOs and picks his favorites from that list!"
• DANCE! Online: Screenshots
  "Have you ever had the urge to try the "Cupid Shuffle" but were too embarrassed to get up and move your body? Now's your chance! DANCE! Online, an online dancing game currently in Open Beta for Acclaim Games, is featuring actual recording artist Cupid in an in-game event. Cupid will also have his own avatar for the event! Come and check out the official announcement and screenshots!"
• EverQuest 2: Assassin Spell List
  "To complete the spell list updates, more spell lists have now been updated to include all 70 levels of spells, combat arts and Master II options. Each spell and ability comes with full in-game descriptions so you know exactly what they do!"
• EverQuest 2: Inquisitor Spell List
  " To complete the spell list updates, more spell lists have now been updated to include all 70 levels of spells, combat arts and Master II options. Each spell and ability comes with full in-game descriptions so you know exactly what they do!"
• EverQuest 2: The Evil Fae - An Origin of the Five
  "Ever wonder the intense process that is involved in creating a new race? Imagine the thought..the magic..the POWER in bringing a whole new creation to Norrath. Now have Coyote tell the story..."
• Lord of the Rings Online: Burglar Skill List
  "Stealthy and having a variety of deadly abilities, the Burglar makes a formidable class whether soloing or in a Fellowship. Ten Ton Hammer has put together a list of skills to help you better understand this unique class and improve your burgling."
• Metin2: Screenshots and Release Announcement
  "Another imported MMOG has hit the Western world! Metin2, a 3D MMORPG from G4Box Inc., has been released and will be free to play! With quests, guild battles, and nation wars, Metin2 is primed to compete with the other free-to-play MMOGs for the top spot in the "free" category. In the following article, you can read a selection of the official release announcement and see fifteen screenshots from the game!"
• Vanguard: Saga of Heroes - Spin Control?
  "The community site Vanguard Roleplayers bowed out of Sigil's affiliate program this week claiming they refused to "manage spin and public perception" for Vanguard. Does this mean the other affiliates are a bunch of spin doctors? Shayalyn gives the straight facts from the Treehouse, plus all the Vanguard news that fits, in this week's newsletter."
• Vanguard: Saga of Heroes - Paladin Guide 11-20
  "Lady Sirse gives readers an enthusiastic look at the Paladin as she progresses from level 11 to level 20."
• Wiki.TenTonHammer.com: Developer Updates
  "Every developer now has an updated page...enjoy!"
• World of Warcraft: Leatherworking Leveling Guide
  "Our Leatherworking Leveling Guide has now been updated to include skill gains from 300-375! We bring you the best way to get those final 25 skill gains without having to use world drop recipes."
• World of Warcraft: Horde Leveling Guide 60-70
  "Our Horde 60-70 leveling guide has been updated to take you all the way from 63 - 65 in the fastest and easiest way possible. Stay tuned for more updates to our guide as we take you step by step to level 70."

3. Hot Content

• Lord of the Rings Online: Guide For Veteran MMO Players
• Tabula Rasa: Closed Beta Begins
• Colony Studios: Interview With Mike Wallis, CEO
• Vanguard: Saga of Heroes - Ten Ton Monster Project

4. Real World News

• Bob Dylan Scaring Kids [Thanks Matt]
  This is old news I suppose.
• Homeless Man Disrupts Internet2 Service [Thanks Matt]
  Yet another reason to keep the homeless off the Interwebz.
• Sudan's Famous Goat 'Wife' Dies [Thanks Mike and John]
  Leaves behind a husband and three kids.
• Boeing 737 Stuck In City Road [Thanks Mike and John]
  Maybe it was "taxiing"?
• Stuck Boeing 737 Disappears
  Into thin air?

Thanks as always for visiting TenTonHammer.com

John "Boomjack" Hoskin