Loading... Pre-Order, Is It An Order?

Welcome to the 811th Edition of Loading...

If you aren't reading this in your e-mail, you could be. Sign up. Are you looking for gaming news? Look no further for all of the headlines. General industry news, right down to game specific and forum thread feeds are all yours as part of Ten Ton Hammer's news syndication program. Enjoy!

Daily Column

Loading... Dial it up Walter!

First, the Ten Ton Pulse, your finger on the beating heart of the MMOG industry.

If the Top 10 isn't enough, we now show the Top 20 and Top 50 lists as well, available to everyone on our homepage. (What is Pulse?)

Age of Conan - 200 BPM World of Warcraft - 48 BPM Lord of the Rings Online - 19 BPM EverQuest 2 - 14 BPM Lineage 2 - 12 BPM Guild Wars - 10 BPM EVE Online - 10 BPM Vanguard - 10 BPM Warhammer Online - 10 BPM Sword of the New World - 8 BPM

Welcome to your Friday Loading... Congratulations to Sword of the New World for breaking into the Pulse Top 10!

I mentioned yesterday that Travis McGeathy had left the Everquest team. What I didn't know at the time was that he had left to join Curt Schilling and the 38 Studios team. We asked Curt for his comments and faster than you can say "Strike" he came back with this,

"Travis just adds another industry recognized, but more important to me an MMO community recognized, achiever to the family at 38 Studios. His reputation is on par with the rest of the team here. He's done many things and been involved in so much, that he can't help but to make us a better company, and Copernicus a better product. I'm elated he's chosen the 38 Studios family as his next step and look forward to seeing what he will add to this already incredible design team." - Curt Schilling, 38 Studios

The all-star lineup signs another star.

Funcom's Age of Conan team is also filled with stars like
Jørgen Tharaldsen, Erling Ellingsen, Jason Stone and Gaute Godager. Pre-ordering AoC gives you a three-day headstart on the masses. Why would anyone want to pre-order. Let's take a look at what you get.

In game items: Ring of Acheron gives the player higher XP points Drinking Cape gives free drinks in all of Hyboria’s taverns Leatherette map of Hyboria 124 page Art book Game on two DVD’s 72 page manual Exclusive DVD with bonus material, trailers, interview and “making of” Exclusive soundtrack CD Buddy card (for five friends) 30 days free play GameStop Only: War Mammoth Mount GoGamer Only: Guide Book Best Buy: Rhino Mount

The ring isn't something that would induce me to purchase the CE, neither is the drinking cape, though I would have loved one while I was in university. The leatherette map? No, I don't even have leatherette in my vehicle. The art book? Cool, but not something I would spend extra money on. The bonus DVD? I never watch them. I've seen most of what is on those DVDs up close and personal at various events. Exclusive soundtrack? Not even close. Mammoth, Rhino, etc.? Maybe for the cool factor.

I buy CEs to get a headstart on everyone else. It's silly. It's ridiculous in fact, since my ability to keep playing with my first character stinks like a skunk being beaten by a week old salmon. All the same, I like to start early.

Could I get a comp account through Funcom? Probably, but I like to support the development teams that deliver quality. I haven't accepted a comp account from any company, though I know many in the media who do. In the end, I put my money where my big mouth is. I'll be purchasing AoC, WAR and Stargate Worlds, assuming they all come out this year.

What will you be buying? The The Loading... forums await you.

Don't forget to come and see the Ten Ton Hammer team at Comic Con this weekend. We're running all of the MMOG panels!

Do you feel the need to contact me personally with naughty pictures or derogatory comments? Here's my E-mail.

--

7 new MMOG hand-crafted articles today! 159 in April! 911 in 2008!

New MMOG Articles At Ten Ton Hammer Today

Images/Video

Lord of the Rings Online: Exclusive Book 13 Preview Video Lord of the Rings Online: Book 13 Screenshots Age of Armor: Latest Screenshots

Op/Eds

Warhammer Online: Why Beta Testing Isn't Important

Previews

Wonderland Online: Closed Beta Preview #2

Guides

World of Warcraft: Magister's Terrace Guide Update World of Warcraft: Guide to Fishing and Daily PvP Quests

Hot Content - Or, what I took a fancy to

Warhammer Online: Why Beta Testing Isn't Important Lord of the Rings Online: Exclusive Book 13 Preview Video Lord of the Rings Online: Lead Worldbuilder Matt Elliott Name the Ten Ton Hamster! Warhammer Online: Exclusive Preview of RvR WYD 'Shout and Be Heard' Contest Ten Ton Hammer at Comic-Con New York 2008! Wonderland: Closed Beta Key Giveaway Warhammer Online: Inevitable City Walkthrough Video - Premium Members Version

Real World News

Bestiality ban passes Senate committee in Florida

Is anyone really shocked to know it was legal there until now? God tells woman to direct traffic. Topless.

Further proof that God is male
Johnson City man unharmed by exploding toilet

Throne violently against the wall, reported feeling flushed

Neighbor Pins 2 Alleged Thieves To Ground [Thanks Bill]
Imagine how big the pins were, or how small the thieves.

Thanks as always for visiting TenTonHammer.com. Thanks to Phil Comeau for doing the heavy lifting with the links, headlines and taglines!

- John "Boomjack" Hoskin and the Ten Ton Hammer Team