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Are you looking for the latest industry headlines? Look no further.
Daily Column
New MMOG Articles at TenTonHammer Today
Hot Content
Real World News - You Can't Make This Up
1. Daily Column
Lord of the Rings Online is the #1 selling PC game in North America and Europe. Congratulations Turbine.
Days like this make covering the MMOG industry worth all of the work. Our teams at SOE Gamer Day (California and New York) and OGDC have delivered in a big way. Top it off with a dose of Coyote and you have a fantastic way to end the week.
If you haven't watched the video interview with Disney's Mike Goslin you are missing out. Mike is currently focused on development of Pirates of the Caribbean Online.
I embrace his game design doctrine of "Don't make them walk." Mike's philosophy is that players should be able to get to the "fun" as quickly as possible. He's right, in my humble opinion. I don't recount my fondest memories of any game that I have played with, "Oh, remember when we ran across the world for 45 minutes so that we could enter that cool dungeon?" The cool dungeon was the fun. The running was just a time-sink to slow down content consumption.
Why not make the content compelling enough and repeatable enough that time-sinks weren't required? A virtual penny for your thoughts.
Vote, rank, share, comment or email me directly.
2. New MMOG Articles At Ten Ton Hammer Today
OGDC: Marvel Universe Interview With Victor Wachter and Shayne Herrera
"Cryptic Studios has begun to open up about their upcoming MMO, Marvel Universe Online, and Ten Ton Hammer is there to record all the super-hero details! In the article you'll find information on research, new projects, and the interaction between City of Heroes and Marvel Universe Online. Appease your desire to wear multi-colored tights by reading more!"
OGDC: Marvel Universe Animation Rig - Video
"While little official information has been released about Marvel Universe Online, that doesn't mean Cryptic Studios hasn't been hard at work preparing the tools and engines necessary to run the comic book MMO. To prove this, the development company released the Cryptic Animation Rig (Cryptic AR) on May 9, 2007. The rig is free to download and use, and the devs at Cryptic are anxious to see the sort of community that forms around their new technology. Come on in and watch two videos taken from the Cryptic AR!"
SOE Gamer Day: Community Builds Tools
"Termed "Xfire on steroids" by SOE President John Smedley, Station Launcher is one of the integrative ideas that was presented at Gamer Day as part of SOE's global vision. Touting social networking concepts such as an in-depth profile, cross-game messenging and even instant messaging through popular IM clients, and time-saving prospects like simultaneous patching, Station Launcher is a key part of SOE's global strategy."
SOE Gamer Day: Gods and Heroes
"Though the development team behind Gods & Heroes is in polish mode with no new breakthroughs to report announce since the advent of the Nomad class and tinted armor last month, Ten Ton Hammer is on hand to see the first public demo of the game's instancing system. The Volcanic Vents, a level 15 instance, and the swampy Numidian Delta were the focal point of Perpetual's showing at SOE Gamer Day, and Ten Ton Hammer was on-hand to report!"
SOE Gamer Day: Vanguard
"Garrett Fuller was live at SOE Gamer Day in New York City to bring us the latest on Vanguard: Saga of Heroes. Included in the update was news of a permanent group system, several new areas in the game, plus the long-awaited news of a flying mount."
Dungeons and Dragons Online: The Battle Rager
"Gimli wasn't the only dwarf with a thirst for battle. The Battle Rager is another dwarf who likes sharp oversized axes and as many foes as she can find. Read how to make a Battle Rager with Darkgolem's new custom build, The Battlerager!"
EverQuest 2: In Search Of Evil Fae - Coyote
"Krunnk is at it again! This loveable, and not so subtle beast, is on a mission to find out what makes evil fae, evil. And on his path to enlightenment, he finds something he wasn't expecting to. Read this heartwarming tale of love, misunderstanding, and Ogres in drag in this week's Coyote feature."
Vanguard: Saga of Heroes - Necromancer's Guide To Grafts
"Some people collect trading cards. Others play an instrument or participate in sports. Polkadots? He likes to stitch body parts he has collected from his foes onto his pet. Now he tells you the best setups."
Wiki: Final Fantasy XI Expansions
"The newest wiki additions expand upon Final Fantasy XI's information currently in the wiki - it details the new additions Final Fantasy XI's seen in the past years, including new classes, continents, and features! In addition, several other game pages were updated with current information, like TTH's EQ2 expansion news and Pirates of the Caribbean Online's new information and video."
World of Warcraft: Deadmines Instance Guide
"Our Deadmines Instance Guide is now new and improved! We are in the process of revamping this guide completely, bringing you everything you should expect out of this instance! For part one, we have concentrated on the walk through."
World of Warcraft: Horde Leveling Guide
"Today we continue our Horde 60-70 leveling guide with the exploration of the Blade's Edge Mountains and levels 67-68. So if your looking for the fastest way to level, check it out."
3. Hot Content
OGDC: Marvel Universe Interview With Victor Wachter and Shayne Herrera
OGDC: Marvel Universe Animation Rig - Video
SOE Gamer Day: Community Builds Tools
SOE Gamer Day: Gods and Heroes
SOE Gamer Day: Vanguard
EverQuest 2: Expansion Revealed at SOE Gamer Day
Pirates of the Caribbean Online: Video Preview
Colony Studios: Interview With Mike Wallis, CEO
4. Real World News
Trend: Metronapping [Thanks Matt]
The most expensive nap you will ever take.
Satellites Solve Mystery Of Low Gravity Over Canada [Thanks Matt]
Low-Grav weight loss clinics now open for business.
$8,648 Burger King Bill [Thanks Matt]
That's a whopper!
Thanks as always for visiting TenTonHammer.com
John "Boomjack" Hoskin