Welcome to the 584th Edition of Loading... If you aren't reading this in your e-mail, you could be. Sign up.Are you looking for the latest industry headlines? Look no further.

1. Daily Column
2. New MMOG Articles at TenTonHammer Today
3. Hot Content
4. Real World News - You Can't Make This Up

1. Daily Column

I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that most people who travel by air don't play MMOGs very often. I say 'most' because I'm sure there are a few like myself, but the rest, not a snowball's chance in Molten Core.

In order to play a MMOG you must be able to exist without visiting a bathroom every 30 minutes. Most of the folks on my flight to Arizona had to stand up to use the lavatory at least three times on a four hour flight. It's always the same, you just get your eyes closed and the familiar nudge comes to awaken and inform you that Betty-go-lightly has to use the facilities. Sure, things happen and nature can call at unexpected times, but when she nudges you again an hour later you have to wonder if nature played a cruel trick on her, giving her a grape-sized bladder.

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Due to my meeting schedule here in toasty Arizona the column today will be necessarily short. Short enough to tell you that Blizzard's big announcement was for Starcraft 2. It is nearly 10 years since the original Starcraft was released. Just think...in 2014 you will read the announcement for WoW 2!

If you read only one piece of MMOG information today read our Interview With R. A. Salvatore. This is the cool stuff.

Comment in the blog (now with direct link goodness) or email me directly.

2. New MMOG Articles At Ten Ton Hammer Today

• Interview With R. A. Salvatore
  "R.A. Salvatore, the man behind Drizzt Do'urden and other D&D figures, took a moment out of his busy schedule to chat with Ten Ton Hammer about his work at 38 Studios and his relationship with Curt Schilling and Todd McFarlane. In the first of a two-part series, we focus on the differences between MMO and novel writing and how Salvatore interacts with other members of the development team."
• Blog: St...St...Starcraft 2
  "Time will tell if this new version of Starcraft will be the next Official Sport of Korea, but it certainly looks good. The indications seem to be that the scale of the game will be increased; likely well beyond the original 200 Unit cap."
• Blog: Apple TV Review
  "Messiah takes a look at an interesting little device from Apple, that is supposed to make it easy to get your digital media to your living room. Is it all it's cracked up to be?"
• Dungeons and Dragons Online: Custom Build - Artisan
  "The Artisan is a expert trap disarmer and a lock picker. There is no where in Stormreach that cannot be reached when he is in your party. Want to find out how to make one? Read Darkgolem's newest build, The Artisan!"
• EverQuest 2: Atlas Update
  "The EverQuest II Atlas of the starting cities has now been updated to include maps of Freeport and the surrounding slums!"
• Lord of the Rings Online: More Middle Earth
  "The first Lords of the Ring Online content update, Shores of Evendim is around the corner. A new region, quests, monsters and tons more. What can you expect? Ten Ton Hammer takes a look at all the reports trickling in from various sources."
• Sword of the New World: Developer Diary #2
  "As a follow-up to our first developer diary, which ran a few weeks ago, we sent in a set of questions for the developers to look over for their next developer diary. The SotNW team responded with an onslaught of information, wrapped into their own wit and humor. Please enjoy the article!"
• Sword of the New World: New Fighter Images
  "The PR team behind Sword of the New World: Granado Espada, an upcoming free-to-play game from K2 Network, has revealed twelve new screen shots and exciting new details on the unique stances of the Fighter. As a melee combat-based adventurer, the Fighter is a powerhouse and boasts some of the best damage in the game. Continue reading to find out the details behind the Fighter and determine whether a fighter would be a good addition to your new family in Sword of the New World."
• Vanguard: Saga of Heroes - Ranger Class Guide
  "Hey, nature boy! You've endured enough jokes about playing rangers in MMOs. It's time to step up and play a ranger that gets things done. The Vanguard: Saga of Heroes ranger is one such class. Learn more by checking out our revamped class guide."
• Vanguard: Saga of Heroes - Shaman Class Guide
  "Since Shaman was my first love once Vanguard went live, I thought our guide could use some sprucing up. It now has sharp new graphics and a breakdown of identifying characteristics."
• Warhammer Online: WarWiki Update
  "A new update to the Wiki including more community information, Beta Test info, AND links to some of the newer classes."
• Warhammer Online: May Gallery Update
  "EA Mythic has recently updated their screenshot releases for this month and we've been gifted with six new screens showing several new pictures of core classes."
• Wiki: Atriarch, Pirates of the Burning Sea Updates
  "Atriarch's page was updated with developer's information on the game, Pirates of the Burning Sea's page was revamped! Also, new images were added for RO2 and Age of Conan. As a last addition, small guidelines for wiki contribution were added."
• World of Warcraft: Alliance Outland Leveling Guide
  "Our Alliance Outland Leveling Guide has been updated to take you step-by-step through levels 62 and a half to 63. Keep your eyes on our news as we work on updating our leveling guides more and more to be your #1 source for getting through the levels as fast as possible without the need of powerleveling services! "
• World of Warcraft: Patch 2.1 Armour Changes Preview
  "Patch 2.1 is looming, so we have taken a look at the upcoming armor changes that are available with it. This preview includes everything from the Tier 6 sets to items with the same name."
• World of Warcraft: Horde Leveling Guide Update
  "Today we continue our Horde 60-70 leveling guide with the exploration of the remaining areas of Netherstorm and the first part of level 69. So if your looking for the fastest way to level, check it out."

3. Hot Content

• Interview With R. A. Salvatore
• OGDC: Auto Assault Post-Mortem With Scott Brown
• OGDC: EVE Online Interview With Peter Gollan
• Pirates of the Burning Sea: Video Interview With John Scott Tynes
• OGDC: An Analysis Of Video Game Writers
• OGDC: How Developers Use Public Relations To Build A Brand
• Gods and Heroes: Rome Rising - Video Interview With Chris McKibbin, Executive Producer
• OGDC: Stargate Worlds Interview With Joe Ybarra - Part 2
• OGDC: Interview With NetDevil
• OGDC: Interview With Monty Sharma of Vivox
• OGDC: Interview - SOE's Alan Crosby on Community and Vanguard

4. Real World News

• Maker Faire - robots. Lots of robots [Thanks Matt]
  All hail our Coke and Mento fueled robotic overlords.
• 50% Of Parents Spy On Their Kid's Facebook
  ...or why posting your most important secrets on the Internet isn't such a great idea.
• Teen Who Booby-Trapped Writing Instruments Goes to Jail
  Does that mean he goes to the pen?

Thanks as always for visiting TenTonHammer.com

John "Boomjack" Hoskin