My (not so) amazing life

With the release of the new MMO Warhammer online, WoW has seen many members of its player base pack up their raiding gear and head for the new MMO that offers to be something different. This said I'd like to address the fact that WoW nerds might actually be getting a little bored of the same old Raiding Grind. They simply aren't entertained enough with doing the same raids over and over again to get the same epic armor to sell on the same auction house. Alot of WoW fans are really just people who keep playing because they have friends who still play and they don't want to lose touch with the people they've met while playing the game that captured their hearts for so long.

Now that's not to say that it's a bad thing that they're staying merely because of ties to friends and whatnot, but on the eve of the release of many promising MMORPGs that could potentially Replace, or just rival, WoW: Warhammer, Chronicles of Spellborne, Darkfall Online, AoC(if it manages to get out of the rut it seems to be in) MMOnerds are looking for a way out of WoW and the only way they can do that is by changing games, or give up playing MMORPGs all together, *gasp* and that, realistically, won't happen for too many players.

Anyway that's all i wanted to say, i was just thinking out loud...or on keyboard...whatever.
There's an interesting Thread on the Darkfall Forums that, after reading, led me to thinking about this and putting it into words, go check it out!

Darkfall Online sent out their second round of closed beta keys today. Sadly, i didn't get one, however they have said that might be sending out keys as early as tonight, and as often as every day, so i'm still hopeful that i'll be getting a key.

I can't think of an intro to this so here you go! The title says it all.


C9 (Continent of the Ninth)


Awesome looking new game by Hangame. Nothing known (by me) about character customization or if it's going to be a persistant world or not, but i have high hopes for this game.


Blade & Soul


Another awesome new game in development by NCsoft, looks to add dynamic combat and console like movement and controls to the MMO genre, sure to be a major contender with alot of well known MMOs



Darkfall Online

Revolutionary new MMO that promises to change the way people look at online games, the makers claim that you will be able to do ANYTHING you want in this game (within reason I.E no rape) pillage, plunder, rob, steal, hire yourself out as a mercenary, with a strong emphasis on PvP, i hope this game can pull off everything that it sets out to do...




And there you have it, the 3 MMOs that i am awaiting the most, i hope you all enjoyed this, and found it exciting and informational.

This expansion for The Sims 2 completely rocks my sox, i just got it yesterday and i can't stop playing it! (i can't stop playing Sims normally but this just adds to the effect) In the newest addition to the Sims repertoire you can move into an appartment, instead of living in a house. This is especially cool because instead of moving into a big house that you don't need because you're single, you move into an appartment.
You can also get a roommate! and you can be social with your neighbors, this makes it so much easier to gain friends, rather than calling them and inviting them over, just head next door and say hello! When you get a roommate you split the rent and you gain a new friend! (well not automatically but you get it)

One of my favorite additions to the sims thanks to this expansion is the ability to become a witch! Just become friends with a witch and they'll teach you the ways of the arts! So cool

now if you'll excuse me i have to go freeze time and send my minion to attack my enemies...good day.

I've realised why i stopped playing FFXI...again! I'm really mad at myself. The fact is the game is getting old and boring, i can't get as far in it as i thought i would be able to because i just don't have enough time! i'm just going to cancel my subscription (again) and start up another game...Age of Conan perhaps, i've seen my friends playing it and it looks amazing truthfully. I hope that the few readers that i have won't stop reading because i switched. Oh well, whatever....

My chosen profession in FFXI at the moment ( i say at the moment because i tend to change a lot ) is Puppetmaster. Yes, i know what you're thinking: "lolpup" i get that a lot, but i normally only get that from people who have never tried the splendorous spine-tingling serendipitous Job that is Puppetmaster.
I simply adore this job, for many reasons, too many reasons to go into too much detail, but i love this profession for 3 main reasons:

1. I can have my pet out for as long as i want with no MP cost
2. I can control my pet with something other than weapon skills
3. I can rock at soloing

The third reason is really the point of this post, I'm generously giving my readers (however few they may be) a few little tips and tricks that i find good to know when soloing as a Puppetmaster. I write this assuming that you have a basic knowledge of Automaton Attachments and Frames before beginning to solo, because honestly you shouldn't be looking at a solo guide if you're just starting out the job.

1. DEX and Evasion

If you're a /war sub like me (which i suggest you do, because i really don't like investing in DEX evasion AND str equipment, and WAR gives that extra boost that i need) then DEX and Evasion are your best friends, as well as some powerful H2H weapons. DEX ensures that you can actually hit your enemy, and with a C in H2H skill, that comes in handy for a Puppetmaster in the later levels. and Evasion is my personal favorite instead of VIT because generally VIT gear is more expensive than Evasion gear, and it's mostly for PLDs, and because seeing the little "Miss" messages pop up on my screen fills my heart with passionate joy.

2. Str and Attack

Like i said before if you sub WAR you shouldn't have too much problem with dealing the damage you need to. But if you don't sub war than STR and Attack equipment (like battle gloves) are your backup friends, you know? the ones you call when your actual friends are busy with other things. They're important, but not quite as important as your DEX and Evasion equipment

3. Frames to Use

Well i really shouldn't say "Frames" rather "Heads" because the Stormwalker frame is the only frame that really heals reliably (other than the harlequin frame but i never use it) it's going to be your soloing partner for the trials ahead. Once you hit level 40, make sure to pick up your Soulsoother head first, it will become your automaton's new favorite hat.

4. Strategy

My strategy really isn't all that complicated, but i'll share it with you anyway.

I start out with Light Maneuver to get my Automaton to use Flashbulb, and i make sure that Light is up the entire battle, so he refreshes the effect when possible. I move on from Light to Dark Maneuver, because that starts him on his enfeebling path if i don't need healing. It also gets him to use Mana Converter when he needs it. I go from there to Ice Maneuver, basically because it shortens the length between casts of the Automaton.

That's it! Those are my tips for Soloing with Puppetmaster, and let me tell you, I've flown through the 40's and am approaching the 50's with increasing speed. This job is one of the most rewarding I've ever played and i definitely recommend people step out of the darkness and into the light that is puppetmaster, stop cowering behind your "Lolpup" sunglasses and enjoy the sunshine!

The state of the economy in FFXI isn't doing as well as one would hope, lots of things are overpriced and lots of things are under priced, there are probably many factors that determine all these things, supply and demand, NPC prices of things, blah blah blah. I'm not willing to go into things like that because i simply don't know enough about economy to talk about it. I will however, talk about things that i do know about.

Gil Sellers
Gil selling is at an all time low for FFXI, due to SE's crackdown and constant bannings of illegal accounts. I applaud the special task force for their excellent work in getting rid of these maggot infested carrion that are called Gil Sellers. The economy of a video game simply can't stand the influx of "Created" Gil that these gilsellers get from selling things like fish to NPCs, and from quest rewards. The more they put into the economy, the harder it is for us honest players to play without resorting to buying gil to stay in the game.

Undercutting
I can't stand undercutting!! AHHRRG it makes me mad enough to want to throw things at people. I simply can't understand why people would ever undercut their items just to get them to sell a little faster, especially if they undercut for 1k or more. How in the world do people not realize that undercutting ends up lowering the price and ends up hurting not only the economy, but you, in the long run? It's not going to take much longer for someone to buy your 20k So-and-so sword than it would if you sold said sword for 18k, if it's in high demand and people are willing to pay 20k for it, WHY WOULD YOU GIVE THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO BUY IT AT A LOWER PRICE?! especially when someone will end up buying it anyway */sigh* how do people live with themselves? Honestly...

That's really all i can object to when it comes to the economy, again i don't know much about economics and i can't really say much more than i know, and that's it. But what i do know about people messing with the economy really gets my blood boiling, anyway, I'm sure you've had enough of my ranting and would like me to hush up now. So i will.

Not much to say, just did some soloing in Crawler's nest with Pup/War, not very eventful. getting about 2k an hour is ok i suppose, but i couldn't find a party for the life of me. Oh well, yesterday was my birthday :) i got a cool new phone and went to dinner with my parents.

Other than that i've got nothing else to say.

The Diablo 3 site has been updated with the new Wizard class and i couldn't be more excited. This means they're actually working diligently towards making the game. Check out the videos and Screenshots of the new class here

It looks AMAZING! the skills look like alot of fun, it looks like a totally powerful class. From what I've seen of the other classes none of them seem overpowered and that's awesome!

This is just a quicky little guide i put together in 20 minutes with a few tips on where i normally farm 10-30 :) hope it helps someone




Levels 1-10
Focus on leveling up during these levels, collect crystals and random monster drops

Levels 10-20

Ghelsba Outpost
Orcs: Fire Crystals

Giddeus
-Bees: Beehive Chips
-A little dangerous

Vomp Hill
-High Competition
- Bees: Beehive Chips, Honey, and stingers
- Stinging Sophie: NM that drops a dagger with a low delay time, good for THF

Levels 20-30

Giddeus
- Worms: Various Ores
- Bees: Chips, Honey, Stingers
- Yagudo: Beast coins/Silver Beast Coins (must be stolen)

Palborough Mines
- Quadav: Beast Coins/ Silver beast coins (must be stolen)
- Beetles: Shells/Jaws

Konschtat Highlands
This is my absolute favorite spot to farm EVER
- Rams: Horns and Skins (sell very well, multiple drops on each ram)
- Sheep: Skins for Leather
- Bees: Chips, Honey, Stingers
- Saplings: Grain seeds and Vegetable seeds (these are my favorite as grain seeds are currently going for 12k on my server)
- Stray Mary: One of the greatest reasons to farm here, the horn she drops sells for a lot of money (Currently 125k on my server)

Jugner Forest
- Treants: Revival root, Oak logs, Mistletoe, Dryad roots
- Tigers: Fangs, Hides
- Saplings: Grain Seeds and Vegetable Seeds
- Sheep: Not many, but they drop skins which can be crafted into leather




Pashow Marshlands
- Leeches: Beastman’s Blood
There’s not many spawn points, and they’re really spread out, but beast blood is currently 29k on my server
- Bees: Chips, Honey, Stingers

It's terrible it's awful it's...not so bad...i've decided that i don't like WoW as much as i thought i did...and FFXI is the only MMORPG that i've ever played that i've liked long enough to know everything about it. The monotony of WoW is just so unbearable that i can't even begin to understand why some people practically live in the game.

In other news, i'm taking all Advanced Placement classes in school so i probably won't be posting anything for a while, and my art will probably suffer the same way so i won't be posting many new designs on my other blog.

How can such a simple game supply so much entertainment and make me want to keep playing for so long? I think the fact that you can't really run anywhere is what makes the game last so long. Even so I've started playing Runescape again and I'm impressed with their new graphics as well as their new content for members.

The non-member content, which i am forced to play at the moment, is still enough to keep a casual gamer such as myself busy for hours raising the skills that non-members can. I simply cannot believe how popular this game, with low graphics capabilities and simple gameplay, is able to provide such a player base and so much entertainment value. It's simply addicting.

I just read a very interesting arcicle on tobold's blog it has an interview with a WoW gold seller, and while i myself have never bought gold, nor thought seriously about buying gold, the prospect of people making money selling ones and zeros has always been interesting to me.

If you look in the comments left on that particular post by tobold, people flame him for making the post into a shameless advertisement. I completely disagree, while the post may advertise the particular company selling the gold, i do not think that Tobold's intention was to show the "other side" of the gold selling story. And i agree with many of what i believe he was trying to get across.

Gold sellers are still paying costomers, they pay for the subscription and the CD key like everyone else, and while people say that their actions ruin the economy of wow, i have yet to see my local auction house listing linen cloth for 100 gold a stack, so i can say with fair certainty that the economy in wow is stable, and will stay stable for a long time.

There's also the argument that the lawyers of Blizzard make, that gold sellers are selling copywrighted things, and i think that's a completely rediculous argument. If I offered my gold to my friend in exchange for money or a service (let's say, mowing my lawn) and he accepts and the transaction is made, no money was given over the internet or through a credit card, so blizzard had no way of knowing that this transaction took place, yet when a gold seller uses the internet to sell gold they get banned for it. Gold is going to be transfered between characters no matter what blizzard does.
Also the thought of virtual gold being copywrighted is completely rediculous it's not like blizzard can take away your gold for no reason because it belongs to them. Not only would they lose a paying costomer by doing that, but the gold doesn't really belong to them! They didn't make it, they just created the ones and zeros that it took to make that an object in the game.

Anyways i probably won't ever buy any gold in the near future, but who knows? Until next post!

I think I've realised why it's been so hard for me to keep playing a game for hours on end, i never play with anyone else. I always solo myself through a lot of the game and i suppose that's not the way that a lot of these games are meant to be played, I've recently started playing Rohan Online with my nephew, and we do everything together and it makes it so much more fun! we talk and stuff and it's so much easier than playing alone!



So anyway enough of my yapping I'm going to give my readers (however few they may be) a few tips on how to avoid getting bored when the grind in games sets in.



1. Play with others

Like i just said, it's a lot more fun to play with other people that you either know in real life (like your nephew for example) or with someone who you've met in a chat room or who you met in other games that you would like to play with.



2. Turn on some music

A lot of the times the music in games can be repetitive and boring, it makes you want to fall asleep! To remedy this just turn the music in the game off (look in the options) and turn on your own music while you play the game. This has saved me many an hour being bored while i farm stuff in FFXI I'm sure it will help someone out there.



3. Change it up a bit

Most of the time in online games they place many monsters of the same level at different parts of the game, you can fight different monsters to switch it up a bit!



4. Grab some Snackage!

Now, don't go overboard and get fat, but a little snackage while grinding really helps to stave off the boredom. Popcorn is a great snack for grinding because there's a lot of it and it's healthy!



5. Take a break!

I know I'm writing this to enable you to play longer without getting bored, but taking breaks is important. I know I always get restless when playing for long periods of time, get up and take a stretch or do some jogging, anything to help cure that restless leg syndrome you most likely have if you're having trouble grinding.

I hope that this guide was helpful to some people and i hope that you have a happy grinding experience in the future thanks to this little guide!
Remember! Play the game and have fun, don't let it play you!

A few weeks ago i started a Dream Journal, in hopes that i could eventually start remembering most if not all of my dreams, but i have only 5 entries in it. I can never remember the dreams when i wake up, only snippits, and not enough to write down. I suppose I could write down everything I dream like i'm supposed to, but why bother if it's only a few words spoken, or one image? I'm also writing my dream journal in hopes of inducing Lucid Dreams in the future because I'm becoming increasingly interested in it and things like Astral Projection.

Anyway! I just watched all 25 episodes of Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion today and i have to say i am quite impressed, the writers of this incredible story have gone to no ends to make sure that it is a heart wrenching, action packed, thriller full of twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat and keep you watching until the very end, and even that is a cliffhanger! The plot line is fantastic and the characters rich and full of...well, character. I highly recommend this anime to anyone who loved Death Note or is just looking for something to pass the time.

Everyone always makes it look so easy when they drive, they look so confident and in control. It looks like a walk in the park, but GOSH driving is hard. I suppose it comes with practice and seeing s though i've only been on the road for a total of 4 and a half hours i can't expect to be the best driver in the world, but still!

Anyway on to more interesting things, like ice cream! wow ice cream is great i sure do love ice cream. It seems to me that if more people in the world ate ice cream we'd have less ice cream to sell. Profound huh? Yeah it hit me pretty hard when i though of that too, but i digress.

Today i woke up at 9:30 and it's already 7:00 *sigh* where does the summer vacation go? I'm always happy when summer vacation starts, i get bored and restless in the middle, and then i don't want to go back to school, what's wrong with me?! I guess my subconsious mind is telling me that it wants to go back to school, but my consious (smarter) mind says that school sucks stay away! Anyway, i'm going to go eat some ice cream. More philosophical topics will be discussed, but in the mean time i have to go live my (not so) amazing life

~Monday's Dusk

HOLY CRAP!!! 8 Long years after the Diablo 2 release, Blizzard has finally unveiled Diablo 3. I'm so happy! this game promises to be a worthy predecessor to the Diablo series, the game will be fully 3D and will have 5 classes, the Witch Doctor and revamped Barbarian classes have been shown off in the official gameplay video, which can be found on the Official Site.





Diablo 3 will expand on one if its best features in my oppinion, the ever changing world, the scenery was never the same. It has also added the option to chose a Male or Female character, instead of being forced to be the gender that it appoints to the class.





I'm SO EXCITED!

The new Witch Doctor class artwork

This game will forever be enshrined in the favorite games category of my mind, while the graphics are cartoony and i'll admit a bit childish, the gameplay and game mechanics of this game are amazing, the classes are great, although i with there were more. The attack animations are cool looking although they're a little repetative, the skill system is the best out of any free MMORPG i've played, and to top it all off, once you reach level 20 you can FLY anywhere in the game. I encourage you to atleast check out this game.

Although, it saddens me to say that this game has become extremely inflated and cash shop sellers rule the game and its economy. without spending real money on this game you are forever doomed to poverty, or you'll be working your @$$ off every time you want to buy anything nice. It was fun when it wasn't cash shop oriented, and i still log in every once in a while to check on my characters and to check if maybe, just maybe, it's turned into a non cash shop oriented game, but i know that will never happen because the game developers need their money and this is how they get it. :(

I've been playing video games since i can remember, i started modestly with the PS1 and gradually worked my way up to a Wii and a 500GB + 160GB computer and external hard drive. My first experience with MMORPGs was not glamerous, but i loved it, Diablo II was the first online game i ever played, and i loved it.

I've worked my way up since then, playing every free MMORPG on the net and also playing FFXI, and eventually i got bored with that, so i started playing World of Warcraft, and i suppose that will get boring eventually too but for now it occupies my time. And hopefully blogging with occupy my time too now.

But i've come to realise how pointless online gaming is, you play the game for 400+hours (i wasted a whole 200 days of total playtime on FFXI, but i left the game running alot) only to level your character all the way up get the best items in the game, become rich, and what does that get you in real life? You end up playing the game not because it's fun anymore, but because you look forward to the things in the game that are supposed to be fun. You spend so much time getting to the highest point that you lose sight of what the game is supposed to be for, and that's fun.

Now there are ways to get something out of game in real life, like selling your account or currency for real money but that often leads to account banning. And again it become something done for money, not for the fun of the game. I suppose eventually i'll quit and get a real job yadda yadda...but for now i'll continue playing the games that i have fun with, and who knows, maybe a game will come out that provides endless fun, and i won't ever stop