MMOs, The Final Frontier

MMOs, the Final Frontier is your premier source for all things sci-fi at Ten Ton Hammer. In his weekly column, Reuben “Sardu” Waters climbs into the captain's chair to lead readers on a virtual trip to the stars and beyond, providing an in-depth look at the sci-fi genre in Massively Multiplayer Online Games.

Fallen Earth: A Front Row Seat to the Apocalypse Pt. 2
The second installment of Ten Ton Hammer’s report on an exclusive tour of Icarus Studios, home of Fallen Earth, highlighting factions and PvP
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Posted on Mon, May 4, 2009 by Sardu
The second installment of Ten Ton Hammer’s report on an exclusive tour of Icarus Studios, home of Fallen Earth, highlighting factions and PvP
Taking a break from his usual “lost in space” approach to writing about all things sci-fi in MMOs, Reuben “Sardu” Waters recently journeyed to Icarus Studios to investigate a more earthbound...
- Fallen Earth
Fallen Earth: A Front Row Seat to the Apocalypse Pt. 1
Ten Ton Hammer reports on an exclusive studio tour of Icarus Studios, home of Fallen Earth
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Posted on Mon, April 27, 2009 by Sardu
Ten Ton Hammer reports on an exclusive studio tour of Icarus Studios, home of Fallen Earth
Taking a break from his usual “lost in space” approach to writing about all things sci-fi in MMOs, Reuben “Sardu” Waters recently journeyed to Icarus Studios to investigate a more earthbound...
- Fallen Earth
- World of Warcraft
Is Lore-Driven PvP the New Face of Sci-Fi MMOs?
Can PvE lore define PvP conflict, or is it simply a means of generating teams?
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Posted on Mon, April 20, 2009 by Sardu
Can PvE lore define PvP conflict, or is it simply a means of generating teams?
Looking at the sci-fi genre in MMOs, a growing number of games dot the starry PvP skies. While only time will tell if any of them contain enough of the right mystical components or...
Fallen Earth: Surviving an MMO Apocalypse
A look at Fallen Earth’s unique approach to the sci-fi genre
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Posted on Mon, April 13, 2009 by Sardu
A look at Fallen Earth’s unique approach to the sci-fi genre
Much like the fantasy genre’s prolific use of Orcs, Elves, swords and boards, it’s become an industry norm nearly overnight that sci-fi is synonymous with high-tech. Yet in other creative...
- Fallen Earth
Iconic Classes in Star Wars: The Old Republic
Speculation on potential class selections in BioWare’s Old Republic
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Posted on Mon, April 6, 2009 by Sardu
Speculation on potential class selections in BioWare’s Old Republic
When BioWare announced the Bounty Hunter as the first playable class in Star Wars: The Old Republic, there was a great commotion in the Force, as if hundreds of thousands of Star Wars fans...
- Star Wars: The Old Republic
The Symbiosis of Ship, Captain and Crew in Star Trek Online
A look at the GDC ’09 Star Trek Online interview with Craig Zinkievich
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Posted on Tue, March 31, 2009 by Sardu
A look at the GDC ’09 Star Trek Online interview with Craig Zinkievich
There’s certainly been a wealth of recent information detailing the ins and outs of race creation in Star Trek Online, which has the potential to shatter the confines of more...
- Star Trek Online
What Does Jumpgate Evolution Need to Do to Succeed?
Defining Success on your Own Terms – Jumpgate Evolution Style
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Posted on Tue, March 24, 2009 by Sardu
Defining Success on your Own Terms – Jumpgate Evolution Style
Pinpointing the specific elements that help shape an MMO success is an inexact science at best. When all is said and done, looking back at the current state of the industry 50 years from now...
- Jumpgate Evolution
- World of Warcraft
A Special Report on the Apocrypha Launch for EVE Online
Peeling back the layers of EVE
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Posted on Mon, March 16, 2009 by Sardu
Peeling back the layers of EVE
On March 10th the EVE universe expanded in a number of meaningful ways with the release of Apocrypha. Between the revamped new player experience and the addition of wormhole space, the 10th...
- EVE Online
The Perfect Star Wars Game
Will BioWare create the perfect Star Wars MMO with The Old Republic?
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Posted on Mon, March 9, 2009 by Sardu
Will BioWare create the perfect Star Wars MMO with The Old Republic?
If someone asked you what would make the “perfect” Star Wars MMO, how would you respond? Maybe you’d describe a specific way you’d like to experience combat, or perhaps you’ve already drawn...
- Star Wars: The Old Republic
How Can EVE Online Stay Ahead of Star Trek Online?
EVE Online brings out a shinier welcome mat next week, but can it dodge the Star Trek IP bullet?
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Posted on Mon, March 2, 2009 by Sardu
EVE Online brings out a shinier welcome mat next week, but can it dodge the Star Trek IP bullet?
EVE Online has weathered the storm surrounding just about every major MMO launch over the past five years and come out the other side in much better shape than many of its contemporaries....
- EVE Online
- Star Trek Online
Star Trek Online: Different Things for Different People
Seek out strange new tribble troubles in Star Trek Online
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Posted on Mon, February 23, 2009 by Sardu
Seek out strange new tribble troubles in Star Trek Online
Last week, Ten Ton Hammer had a very special guest for the most recent episode of the Loading… Live Vooncast, the Executive Producer for Star Trek Online, Mr. Craig Zinkievich. Our resident...
- Star Trek Online
MMOs, the Final Frontier: Eve Online – Now is the Time
If you’re looking for an awesome sci-fi MMO, EVE Online is the answer!
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Posted on Tue, February 17, 2009 by Sardu
If you’re looking for an awesome sci-fi MMO, EVE Online is the answer!
EVE Online has marched to the beat of its own cosmic drummer to great success over the years. While many titles in the MMO industry may eventually hit a plateau in subscriber numbers, the...
- EVE Online
MMOs, the Final Frontier: Star Wars Combat in The Old Republic
How will BioWare make combat in Star Wars: The Old Republic better than Star Wars Galaxies?
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Posted on Mon, February 9, 2009 by Sardu
How will BioWare make combat in Star Wars: The Old Republic better than Star Wars Galaxies?
The Star Wars IP is one of the biggest in the world, far surpassing the normal reach of the sci-fi genre. Yet when Star Wars Galaxies was unleashed on the MMO market in 2003, the game...
- Star Wars Galaxies
- Star Wars: The Old Republic
MMOs, the Final Frontier: The Untapped Potential of Sci-Fi IPs
Sardu takes a closer look at sci-fi IPs waiting to be tapped by the MMOG machine.
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Posted on Mon, February 2, 2009 by Sardu
Sardu takes a closer look at sci-fi IPs waiting to be tapped by the MMOG machine.
MMOs, the Final Frontier: How Will Atari Help EVE Online?
All your EVE boxes are belong to Atari!
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Posted on Mon, January 26, 2009 by Sardu
All your EVE boxes are belong to Atari!
- EVE Online
MMOs, the Final Frontier: The Rise of the Sci-Fi Shooter
Earthrise, Global Agenda and Huxley - The Rise of the Sci-Fi Shooter
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Posted on Mon, January 19, 2009 by Sardu
Earthrise, Global Agenda and Huxley - The Rise of the Sci-Fi Shooter
Scanning over the eclectic list of sci-fi MMOGs set to release in 2009, one specific niche stands out from the rest. Upcoming games Earthrise, Global Agenda and Huxley all...
MMOs, the Final Frontier – Star Trek Online vs. Jumpgate Evolution
Star Trek Online and Jumpgate Evolution attempt to boldly go where few have gone before in 2009.
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Posted on Mon, January 12, 2009 by Sardu
Star Trek Online and Jumpgate Evolution attempt to boldly go where few have gone before in 2009.
In a market saturated with fantasy-based MMOGs, 2009 could be a big year for sci-fi fans. Reuben “Sardu” Waters takes a brief look at two games set to make a splash in the...
- Star Trek Online
- Jumpgate Evolution