Loading... Solace and Solidarity

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Updated Wed, Nov 25, 2009 by Shayalyn

Welcome to the 1,216th edition of Loading...

Loading... is the premier daily MMORPG news, coverage, and commentary newsletter, only from Ten Ton Hammer.

MMOG memories are made in many different ways and for all kinds of reasons, but it's almost a given that each of them shares one thing in common--community. Memorable game experiences rarely happen when we're flying solo; they involve friends and fellow gamers. Karen "Shayalyn" Hertzberg shares her unforgettable MMOG experience, with a hint of thankfulness appropriate to the season, in today's Loading... Solace and Solidarity.

The Pulse

You vote with what you view at Ten Ton Hammer, and the result is the Ten Ton Pulse (What is The Pulse?).

Here are today's top 5 Pulse results:

Biggest movers this month:

Torchlight (UP 20 to #14)
Dragon Age: Origins (UP 6 to #11)
Star Trek Online (UP 6 to #10)

Recent Releases

9/9 - Dungeons & Dragons Online Unlimited (release date)
9/15 - Runes of Magic "The Elven Prophecy" (expansion)
9/22 - Fallen Earth (release date)
9/22 - Aion (release date)
10/8 - Cities XL (release date)
11/3 - Dragon Age: Origins (release date)
11/10 - Final Fantasy XI Ultimate Collection (release date)

Upcoming Releases

12/1 - LotRO: Siege of Mirkwood (expansion)
12/1 - EVE Online: Dominion (expansion)
12/2 - DOFUS 2.0 (release date)
12/15 - EverQuest: Underfoot (expansion)
2/2 - Star Trek Online (release date)
Early 2010 - APB
Feb. 2010 - EverQuest 2: Sentinel's Fate (expansion)

Loading... Daily

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving here in the United States. Whether you're gathering around a table (or two) with 15 of your closest relatives or dining alone on turkey pot pie it's a time that bids us to reflect, if even for a moment, about the things we're thankful for. It seems cheesy to try tying MMOGs into being thankful for our everyday blessings so I won't; I'll simply wish you a warm and safe holiday. May your turkey be juicy and your post-Thanksgiving food coma restful.

Now, on to the MMOG stuff you're reading this column for. Sort of. I intended to take today's column in a completely different direction, but a sudden burst of inspiration (and memories of a long lost column past, in case this one makes you experience deja vu) has me straying from that path. We'll talk about TERA and next-generation MMOs when you see me next week. But today, despite the late November date, I want to flash back to September 11, 2001.

I remember that morning vividly. I was getting my kids off to school, and the pace was more hectic than usual due to an over-pressed snooze button and a couple of drowsy and uncooperative children. I was rushing to pull together jackets and backpacks and sign assignment notebooks before the bus pulled up outside our door and, seeing the driveway empty, sped away. In the midst of all this chaos, the phone rang.

"Hello!" I barked.

It was my husband calling from his office. "Turn on the TV," he said, "A plane just flew into the World Trade Center."

"I will in a minute," I replied, "I've got my own little crisis going on here this morning." And with that I told him I had to go, and I hustled my kids out the door just in time for the yellow school bus to spirit them away.

Ten minutes later I found myself desperately wanting them back. I watched CNN in horror as a second plane hit the World Trade Center, and then as the buildings crumbled, one after the other, to smoking piles of rubble.

Like so many did, I watched the events of September 11 unfold on live TV. Finally, alone with my thoughts, I just couldn't take any more of the media onslaught. The images that swirled around in my head were horrific and simply too much for me. I tried breaking away from the television and reading a book but I couldn't concentrate. Finally, I logged into EverQuest, not really to play, but just to wander around the familiar world of Norrath for a while and escape. Sure, there was violence in EQ, but none of it was real.

As I played, I saw others in game, but the /OOC channel was eerily silent. Then someone piped up and said, "Terrible day." Another chimed in, "Yes. I'm just here to get away from it for a while." Someone added, "Me too." A few suggested that no one talk about the day's events, but the spell of silence had been broken. And then the most amazing thing happened. Others from around the globe started speaking:

"I'm in Australia. You folks in the US are in our hearts and minds today."
"England here. But we're all Americans today."
"I'm from Ireland. You're in our prayers, you people in the US."

And so continued this litany of consolation and solace. It was an amazing thing to witness and, even if just for that moment, it buoyed my spirits to feel the warmth of solidarity. I've never felt closer to a group of people, some of whom were thousands of miles away. Not a harsh word was spoken that afternoon, only words of comfort and support.

What brings me back to that September afternoon eight years ago? Thankfulness. When I think about my experiences playing MMOGs, this is the one I'm most thankful for. It taught me about the strength of community and the depths of compassion and sensitivity in the human heart. I'll never forget it.

Looks like I've ended up tying MMOGs and thankfulness together after all. Share your thoughts about thankfulness and community, or just wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving, on the Loading... forum or, if you prefer, drop me an email at shayalyn@tentonhammer.com.

Shayalyn's Epic Thread of the Day

From our WoW General Discussion forum

I'm a turkey

It wouldn't be Thanksgiving without turkeys, and so today's epic thread brings you lots of them--turkeys on horseback, turkeys flying griffons, turkeys in the harbor... Of course, their all screenshots from World of Warcraft in which AngryBeaver is, literally, "turkified," but that's part of the fun. Go gobble (see what I did there?) up this thread...and don't forget to bring the cranberry sauce.

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Awesome Quotes from the Epic Thread

"haha. Nice. I never thought I'd see a turkey ride a horse for as long as I've lived."

- hellishcompany
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Have you spotted an Epic Thread on our forums? Tell us!

6 new Ten Ton Hammer MMOG features today! 98 in November! 3,072 in 2009!

New Exclusives Today at Ten Ton Hammer

DDOU: Karthos Island Revealed and Plundered
Dungeons and Dragons Online: Stormreach, originally released in February of 2006 by Turbine, has recently joined the ranks of the free-to-play as Dungeons and Dragons: Eberron Unlimited. Since the release of the F2P game, players have swarmed back to DDOU. Join Eric "Dalmarus" Campbell as he dives back into the game by hitching up his britches and taking on a white dragon that's been terrorizing the local townsfolk.
AdventureQuest Worlds - Artix's Blog: Giving Thanks to Cornycopia
Artix returns this week with a new AdventureQuest Worlds blog explaining the harvest festival known as Cornycopia. Find out what kind of events the game will offer this holiday season and how you can hunt down the scrumptious Turdrakens. Following the harvest festival, players can also take advantage of the Black Friday festivities that will allow players to obtain a number of items from the game's weaponsmith Cysero.
WoW - The Overpull Issue 42 - "Elves, Elves, and Turkey!"
Thanksgiving and Black Friday might be coming up soon, but in World of Warcraft we have Pilgrim's Bounty to worry about along with rogue Mohawk Grenades going off everywhere. This week we bring you an Overpull full of news, a new comic, talk about elves, and discussion about the BGs. Check in each Tuesday morning for a brand new Overpull that goes over everything in the past week.
Aion Templar Skill List: Levels 10-50
If there were to be a straight up tank class in Aion, the Templar would surely fit this role. With a skill set that focuses on shield kills, stuns, and various protective abilities there is no doubt that this class was built to be a meat shield. Whether you play a Templar and want to see into your future or are considering playing a Templar, we have the skill list that will show you what this great class will have in store through all 50 levels.

A First Look at Gates of Andaron
It has been said that you never get a second chance to make a first impression, but Korean developer Zemi Interactive is sure going to try as they rework their popular game 4Story into Gates of Andaron for German publisher Gameforge. Perhaps the names were changed to protect the innocent but it's a case of deja-vu all over again in this microtransaction driven MMOG. Join Medawky this week as he dives into the game to see what makes it tick.

Aion Cleric Skills 26-50
Want to know what you're missing out on as a healer from level 26-50? Those lovely hidden spells that you have to earn the right to? Too bad you don't have what it takes to level a healer to 25+. Fortunately, we've got you covered here at the Hammer. Check out the 26-50 cleric skill list here!

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