GWJ Conference Call Episode 79
Dark Sector, Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core, Mythos Revitalized, Rock Band Malfunctions, Michael Zenke From Massively.com, A Chance To Win A Limited Edition Risk: Black Ops, Your Glorious Emails and more!
(An Email Haulin' 49.54 megs, 1:48:12)
We called and you answered! We got so many emails this week we're dedicating the whole show to them. Not only do we have new GWJ contributer Michael Zenke joining us, he was kind enough to offer a limited edition of Risk: Black Ops (the upcoming Hasbro board game) for a glorious new contest! All you have to do is send in a funny picture that involves a board game of some kind to ! What could be easier!?
To contact us, email ! Send us your thoughts on the show, pressing issues you want to talk about or whatever else is on your mind. You can even send a 30 second audio question or comment (MP3 format please) if you're so inclined.
Links
Massively
Dark Sector
GWJ's Risk: Black Ops Review
Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core
GWJ Vs. Control Point
GWJ vs. Team Fremont
Steam Community
Community Email Sponsor
Your Painted Paws
Music Credits:
Intro/Outro Music - Ian Dorsch, Willowtree Audioworks
"Cosmos" - (Workbench) - www.workbench-music.com - 1:37:23
Print
Delicious
Digg
Just a note, this show was recorded well before the news of Games For Windows Magazine sailing off into the sunset hit. Our condolences to Mr. Green and his crew, hopefully they can carry on in the online space with the quality and consideration the magazine held.
Yeah, it's scary. I'm staring into the abyss right now, and it's staring into me, which I think is kind of a dick move on the abyss's part. - Nyles
And again, a lack of my email.
Either way, I just wanted an answer on if you had a copy of episode 23 of the original podcast. Funnily enough, it was released on my birthday, but the link is all broken.
Funny show today, though! No matter how much you like to make me cry, Certis.
"The day I take myself seriously, is the day I die. Oh god, kill me."
When discussing the avg level of mmo users the number that Zenke gives is garbled. Was this intentional?
Gamer Tag: Rantyr
Yeah, it's weird. I don't even have a copy on my hard-drive and the one on the server is gone as well. Something is afoot!
Yeah, it's scary. I'm staring into the abyss right now, and it's staring into me, which I think is kind of a dick move on the abyss's part. - Nyles
No. The number he suggested was level 4.
- Elysium
I got that from what Certis says afterwards, but when Zenke says it it's garbled. Thought it was funny.
Thanks again for a great show!
Gamer Tag: Rantyr
With apologies to XKCD:
Tallest person wins?
I win!
I expect a PM asking for my address to ship them to me.
XBox Live|Tshirts|My Music|GameFly|xfire
I loved the mail about BioShock. Nothing like slamming every aspect of a game and when you come across one element that is entirely above reproach, dismiss it as insignificant.
I also like how one of the only LEGITIMATE criticisms (minigames) was totally ignored.
NOTE: This is not a doodle bug.
BF2142 Stats
Rock on, Cookies Cake and Pie!
How to game the system to get what you want on Gamefly:
Step one: Take everything out of your queue.
Step two: Return a game.
Step three: Add the one single game you want to get next to your queue.
Step four: They will mail it to you, even if you have to wait a few days for it to go out.
I gave the show creditability? Dear me....what's the world coming to?
As for the average MMO level, I only got to level 49 recently after 2 years of playing on and off, so Michael may not be that far wrong! And btw, welcome to Mr. Zenke, may he write lots of things for all to enjoy and salivate over! I would love to start writing for you guys, however as I do enough writing for silly assignments atm, that will have to wait for the time being. 7 weeks to go, that's all that's left.
COD4 single player was brilliant, the bit where you are dying from sickness was sickly sweet.
http://www.oohsometimes.com
The rantings of the Lord of Leisure. Enjoy!!
The avg makes sense since most MMO's have built in tutorials or starter quests that'll take you up to 5 or so. Knock one off for the few that bail before it's over and you have it.
And yes i forgot earlier but, definitely welcome Zenke! Been reading/listening to your stuff for awhile now and enjoy it!
Gamer Tag: Rantyr
I don't think Zenke's point makes much sense re: early level content. If the average player hasn't leveled all the way yet, that means that they still have a LOT of content that they have yet to experience, but haven't because of time constraints, etc. Why make more content when there is still content out there that hasn't been seen? It sounds to me like the additional content he wants would cater largely to people who like to reroll alts (which he admits to), but that isn't the group that he's describing.
On the other hand, if you're losing players in the lower levels because they're bored of leveling, then more interesting content there may be necessary, but I don't think that's the case either.
His presence on the podcast (and the site) is quite welcome, though! Keep on singing
Morrolan wrote:
XBLA / Steam: Dysplastic
Another factor that could help lower the average level, depending on how they measure it, is banking alts. Many, if not most, high-level players have at least one of those that see regular play.
I don't know, self! I still kinda suspect that this sucks!
two things:
1.) I was kinda sick, and was desperately trying not to show it. Listening to the show, though, I'm a freaking mouth breather. Gaah. I apologize.
2.) I made my point a bit poorly there:
a.) Most characters played in the last 30 days are not max-level.
b.) This is either because
b1. - They're a new player, and likely to jump out of the game or
b2. - They're leveling up an alt.
c.) either way, the vast majority of low-to-mid-level content is stretching out before the average player.
d.) In WoW specifically (and in most games) the older content at the low-to-mid-levels is of subpar quality compared to more recent stuff.
e.) As a show of appreciation for that vast swath of the population not at max-level, revamping old content would be keen.
Sorry. Don't podcast ill, kids.
- Michael Zenke
mmognation.com
massively.com
"Just a small town girl, livin' in a lonely world
She took the midnight train goin' anywhere
Just a city boy, born and raised in south Detroit
He took the midnight train goin' anywhere
A singer in a smokey room
A smell of wine and cheap perfume
For a smile they can share the night
It goes on and on and on and on..."
They should be forced to play a special version where the Goodjer Nation sings it.
"Men like sex, thus boobies! Oogaba!" - dejanzie
"If ads put your sanity to the test
come on down to Rat Boy's nest!
light up a stogie, and soon you'll see
how rock can be commercial-free!
'I'd hit it!'" - HP Lovesauce
I doubt I'm the only one, but being the packrat that I am, I still have a copy available. I'm sure I can set something up if you're really dying for it.
Great show as always, guys!
"My dreams were haunted by Lupus last night. Crowbars everywhere!" - Mordiceius
"Lupus with a crowbar is the meaning of life itself." - Certis
Actually it does. If the majority of players are no where near the level cap, it stands to reason that the content, while it may be plentiful, isn't engaging enough to encourage players to progress past that point. Or, if it is engaging, it is more difficulty to find than prior content.
edit: I would also like to say that Certis is spot on about Mythos. I actually did enjoy my time in HGL but Mythos is doing several things very right that HGL did lukewarmly. It is a great pick up and play game too. Soloing a mini dungeon for a quest takes a whole 10-15 minutes. They would probably make a killing on a DS port.
The only thing I haven't tried yet is coop but I'm not really feeling any pull to do so. It seems like it would be the same experience just with more so.
Being fangoriously devoured by a gelatinous monster.
Whaddaya want?
JUST PUZZLED YOUR ASS UP, SON! -Mr Crinkle
Steam Community: McChuck XBL: GWJ McChuck
Just making sure you still have no dignity.
Still responds to the name "Jazz Hands." Check.
Yeah, it's scary. I'm staring into the abyss right now, and it's staring into me, which I think is kind of a dick move on the abyss's part. - Nyles
Pat on the back for Zenke, but with GFW dead, I'm needing my bunny fix.
Gaming / PC Tech Blog: Blast Processing - www.blastprocessing.net
Xbox Live: Legion SB | PSN: Legion_SB
New cell phone AIM: Legion SB Cell
Twitter: legion
Or, you could get rid of levels entirely, and make the game skill-based.
Obviously not a viable thing for WoW, but if you shrink the gulf between old and new players, you wouldn't have to worry about high and low level content, since most everyone can access it at any time.
"The trouble with fighting for human freedom is that one spends most of one's time defending scoundrels. For it is against scoundrels that oppressive laws are first aimed, and oppression must be stopped at the beginning if it is to be stopped at all."
Wait... how can Michael be 400-odd in the whole world? Rock band is only available in two countries.... Sorry for the nit pick but it annoys me when people say things like this....
I'm glad you guys won the contest and didn't have to play background music on the podcast. I hate that.
My... i'm just full of the hate today. Hmm...
Quote:
I'm not so sure of that at all. I knew a few people who were still leveling characters well into 2007. They had been playing for about a year. They still found the content engaging and had no problem finding content, they just casual gamers who didn't care to dedicate lots of time to level and were content to engage the content at a slow pace - but enjoyed the content that was there. For these people, new content would have added very little value to their gameplay experience.
Morrolan wrote:
XBLA / Steam: Dysplastic
You assume that I had any to begin with.
JUST PUZZLED YOUR ASS UP, SON! -Mr Crinkle
Steam Community: McChuck XBL: GWJ McChuck
Yes! And when it releases in Europe, it still won't be out in Africa!!! Or Asia!!! OR ANTARCTICA!!! So everyone will STILL be prohibited from using the word 'world' when discussing the Rock Band leaderboards!
Xbox Live: CrankyBaby
baggachipz: Who cares about Japan, let them have their silly pointless dog games and countless re-hashes of anime-based dragon princess super lucky crapitty crap.
Actually, I believe he said that his band was the 230th best band in the world.
All other countries lose by default!
Check's in the mail (grin)
No worries, I should be on next week.
Gamertag: GWJ Rabbit | Last.fm
"Think of it as 'grinding SO rep in the Kitchen instance.' " - Montalban
I have no problem with that. Inflating one's (or entrants') ego(s) by imagining that more importance is conferred by an actual event than really is, annoys me. There's nothing outrageous about it as your post seems to be implying by your use of capitals - it's just another form of condescension or arrogance.
Yeah, i knew i was wrong. I just didn't have the energy to listen to this podcast twice and i was busy working at the time it came up so i just jotted a note down to post it here.
Quote: