Tag Archives: game design

Improving Televised Gaming

Posted on by
3

USA Network and Major League Gaming recently announced a deal to televise the pro circuit in the fall. I’m not sure I want to watch other people play games — wouldn’t I rather play myself? Ya, think I would — but one thing that would vastly improve televised gaming: Gambling. They work something out with Vegas or … people that are more local … I’m on board. Which brings me to my latest idea for the MMOG raiding: Gambling. I’d like to see sanctioned in-game gambling on guilds and their scheduled raid targets for the night. Sure, there’s a lot of administration involved, setting odds and policing the whole operation for point shaving, etc., but this would be wildly popular. Some game adds in this feature, I’d be logging in EVERY NIGHT to get in on the action.

Let’s Get Head Instead

Posted on by
1

Some food for thought on the World of Warcraft endgame and the raid progressions, go chew on this (from the forums) — “Caydiem, how is ZG (Zul’Grub) a ‘stepping stone’ … “

The thread author, Kindjal of Medivh, wrote:

…when many would agree that it’s more challenging than Molten Core (with the exception of the Hakkar fight)?

***

Q u o t e: Patch 1.7: Zul’Gurub (raid content, but not nearly as “hardcore” as Blackwing Lair; targetted as a challenge for the more casual 60 and as a stepping stone from UBRS to MC)

***

Was it simply that the devs didn’t playtest ZG enough, or what? I for one think ZG is a more challenging (with less rewards) instance than MC, as has been stated by many.

Reply #5, Caydiem responded:

It’s a challenge, yes, as I mentioned. It’s a “stepping stone” in the number of people needed, and the idea that there are some difficult fights in higher-end raid dungeons that require such specific strategies.

And the bosses within do have varying difficulties overall, as well. For example, you may not be able to kill Jin’do, but you might be able to handle Venoxis and Bloodlord Mandokir.

And the players just tee off on that. As well they should — that zone is trash: too many trash mobs, too much trash loot masquerading as boss drops.

There’s only one way that my guild can get me to show up at a ZG raid and that’s by tricking me: Call an Onyxia run, “hell ya, let’s get some head! I’ll be there early!!”, then switch the call to ZG. Even then, odds are I’ll fake an LD.

There are two possible solutions to the Zul’Grub problem: shutter that pisshole with a “Closed for Remodeling” sign or nuke it off the face of the map.

Hours of work so that a couple of raidmembers (or less) can MAYBE get an equippable item or quest items is horseshit.

(As with all Warcraft forum links, the thread will expire and disappear into the Internet Trash Bin. READ IT NOW.)