Ach, look out, Hans! It's the Lhurgoyf!

The death penalty is a highly debated mechanic in MMOs. Love it or hate it this mechanic can be one of the most interesting in many MMOs. In this week's editorial Martuk examines the death penalties of past and current MMOs and reflects on their influence on current ones such as Lord of the Rings Online.

What is a death penalty in an MMO? Some people think it’s a tedious mechanic that needs to be removed, others feel it is a needed feature to make death feared and be something to avoid. The death penalty in an MMO is a learning tool. It is something used to ensure people are inspired to learn from their mistakes and constantly improve their skills in order to avoid it. Modern MMOs are getting soft on this mechanic including Lord of the Rings Online.

Keep reading at Ten Ton Hammer's LoTRO site.