Project Lore

Once the holidays wrapped up I found an incredible amount of time to dedicate to gaming.  Not only were family obligations wrapped up, but Ms. iTZKooPA has been incredibly busy searching for a job, everywhere.  She's basically been out of the house since the new year, giving me an obtuse amount of unimpeded free time.  A sizeable amount has been dedicated to gaming, with the majority of that time going to World of Warcraft.  Apparently so much time that my subconscious has even gotten in on the fun.

Yes, I dreamed about WoW the other night.

It wasn't just a rudimentary dream where I was my character, or some crazy fantasy about putting on my wizard hat and robe.  It wasn't a fantasy at all, or even in game.  It also was not a short dream that I remembered because of some unusual details.  The dream managed to creep out of my subconscious, causing me to be ever so slightly stirred from my sleep.  This ultimately led to a restless night.

/me sips his caffeine-laced beverage.

What was the dream that I remember so vividly, that caused such distress, and is worthy of a blog post?  Why it was about Patch 3.3 and the addition of Dungeon Finder tool.  My subconscious apparently thought it was an excuse for everything I could have done wrong since its release.  The only parts that I can remember clearly of the flowing dream had me late for work (a job I had when I was a teenager no less) and miss a wedding (my brother's, who isn't married).  In both cases I tried to levy the Dungeon Finder, and my attachment to running all my characters on it everyday, as a perfectly acceptable reason for my actions.  I'm sure there were crazier excuses levied, because the tossing and turning went on and on.  It was a surreal pseudo-nightmare experience.

It certainly wasn't my first dream about WoW, let alone a video game, and it probably won't be the last.  But it was the first dream that was about a video game, but set in the real world.  The most ironic thing is that while I was slipping in and out of consciousness, I decided to write a blog about it.  Oh you crazy brain.

Cool story, right bro?  Anyone else dream of WoW lately, or at all?



It's with an unusually heavy heart that I report that earlier this week Sega announced the company's intentions to shutdown the PS2 and PC servers for Phantasy Star Universe.  PSU is being shuttered on March 31, after just over three years of being the second MMOG to come from the Phantasy Star world.

Ironically, the sequel to the first wildly successful console MMOG will continue to live on Xbox 360, including additional content past tomorrow's update.

Tomorrow, January 29, will be the last day that gamers can create a new account on the dieing platforms, and it will coincide with the launch of the "long awaited" MAG+ event.  From that day on, the game will be free-to-play.  Unfortunately, it appears that Sega is not opening the game to new users.  So we won't be able to see what we missed, be a part of closing events, or possible get sucked into the 360 version.

I really enjoyed that last few hours of Tabula Rasa and Auto Assault, two titles that I played during their respective launches.  Although I never played Phantasy Star Universe, I do wish I could be a part of its sign-off.  That's because I did play its predecessor, Phantasy Star Online.  In fact, PSO is the MMOG that I cut my teeth on back in the Dreamcast days.  I even carried over that casual addiction to the Gamecube version ($$$), going so far as to purchase the system's super-rare broadband adapter.

For those unfamilar with Phantasy Star Universe, it's a third-person hack-n-slash game set in a science fiction universe.  It's not like WoW at all, being far closer to a Diablo meets Mass Effect title, with MMOG aspects.  The irony here is that the game is fully playable in "network" mode or as a single-player experience.  I may pick it up to rekindle the desire to slaughter rappies since the price of the PC version is almost at rock bottom ($13.53).

Phantasy Star Universe had one expansion, Phantasy Star Universe: Ambition of the Illuminus.

According to Sega, the affected server platforms aren't being shutdown due to production costs of new content, or lack of subscribers, at least not directly.  The main culprit is the spread of the population, which is mostly on 360 now.  Sega should attempt to merge the game's databases and offer a move to the 360 version if at all possible.  I'd bite if I had a soon-to-be-dead character.

Phantasy Star Universe GM Edward@Sega told Escapist, "If you've played on PC/PS2 recently, you also likely know why we are shutting these servers down," he wrote. "The population is simply too low for us to be able to continue to support this platform."  He went on to say that the 360 version's content should now catch up with the Japanese edition of the game, thanks to the singular focus.

Did anyone else try either incarnation of Phantasy Star MMOG?

I managed to quarantine Heartbourne somewhere between brewing his latest sugary beverage to be featured on Protip (available in stores soon!) and geeking out on lore. I refused to let him leave until he answered the tough questions that needed to be asked. It's why hit Protip videos were late last week, honest. ProjectLore: We know where your name came from, but why did you start playing WoW in the first place? Heartbourne: I've been obsessed with Warcraft since I was in middle school, around the time WC2 Battle.net Edition came out. I was an avid Warcraft 3 player and was ranked on several ladders. Being a total lore nerd since the WC2 days, when the lore was much more obscure, the RPG incarnation of WoW sucked me in. I skipped high school the day it came out and ninja'd a Collectors Edition from Best Buy (as in I ran in and grabbed it; I still paid for it!).

Click to read more ...

The barrier has finally come down.  Blizzard has admitted defeat.  The company is now selling WoW gold.

/me reads the rest of the announcement.

Oh, that kind of gold.  Like the Activision-Blizzard merger, Blizzard has simply taken my breath away with its latest business venture.  In an effort to expand the World of Warcraft brand to as many people as possible, Blizzard will begin selling collectible coins.  Yes, thanks to DC Unlimied the extended universe has branched out to the QVC lover in all of us.

Starting June 23, players, and coin collectors, will be able to get their mitts on two Collectible coin sets.  If you guessed an Alliance version and a Horde version, you'd be correct.  Dare I ask which faction has the better collectible set?

Each set comprises of three coins of differing sizes plated in precious metals (that means the coins are just wrapped in the precious metal).  The set will feature various faction leaders set in a fancy box and topped off with a faction emblem.

Alliance coins:
Gold: Varian Wrynn
Silver: Magni Bronzebeard
Copper: Tyrande Whisperwind

Horde coins:
Gold: Thrall
Silver: Sylvanas Windrunner
Copper: Cairne Bloodhoof

Does it need to be said that this strikes me as incredibly odd?  Sure, we use gold, silver and copper coins in the game, but I...I don't know.  Collecting coins just isn't my thing.  They are right up there with stamps and commemorative Elvis plates.  I'll stick with my vast collection of slowly corroding retro games, thank you very much.

The only thing that doesn't surprise me is the continued neglect to gnomes and trolls.  The two factions should really just splinter off and make a new faction called "Emo."  I doubt anyone would even realize that they'd left.

Not my cup of tea, but I am sure the sets will sell out anyways.  Even if they are "on sale" for $59.99.

*Note* I realize this happened last week, but I just came across it.

I've been sitting on an Authenticator for months.  Despite receiving a free one as part of my BlizzCon 2009 goodie bag I didn't enable it until two weeks ago.  My delay was partly because I feel that I am an incredibly secure computer user.  I don't head out to fishy sites, I have all sorts of security measures, and, here's the big one, I am the only person that uses the computers that I play on.  Friends and relatives that are not as careful as us, using our otherwise secure computers is a huge culprit in the account security world.  It wasn't until my equally paranoid and security-minded officer was hacked that made me enable my Limited Edition BlizzCon Authenticator.

It only took two weeks for something to go wrong with it.

Okay, that's a bit of a white lie.  Something didn't actually go wrong with the Authenticator per se.  It simply locked me out of my own account.  You'll notice that when I mentioned who used my computer it was actually plural.  That's because I play on multiple machines, two in my house, one at work, and one at my parents house (basically, wherever I spend most of my time has a WoW installation ready for me).  This was the second reason I was resistant to applying my littleRSA token, I knew I'd forget it somewhere eventually.  That's exactly what happened yesterday.

/me thanks C'Thun that it wasn't a raid night.

My mental lapse got me thinking 'What information do I need if something actually happens to my Authenticator.'  Luckily, there's an app FAQ for that. 

Blizzard simply tells you to call in (1-800-592-5499) to verify certain information about your account to resolve all Authenticator issues.  If you can do so, then it's all honky dory.  But what if you can't because that information is outdated, such as college students who move all the time (six times in five years for me).  Keeping the phones numbers, addresses and apartment variables all in order can be a bit difficult alongside a busy class load.

Here's what we need to do to expedite any claim:

• Write down the Authenticator's Serial Number somewhere, this is "the most important thing." Unlike passwords, Blizzard will actually ask for this.   According to the rep, the iPhone's or iPod Touch's Serial Number will change when the item is updated.  She suggests that you remove the Mobile Authenticator from your Battle.net account before the update, and re-apply it after with the new Serial Number.
• Make note of your WoW CD keys.  I have a file on paper and on my computer (encrypted) with CD keys to my most beloved games.  That way I can image the disc and reinstall whenever I need to without digging through boxes or worrying about busted game discs.
• Be sure your Battle.net information is up to date.  This means your phone number, physical address, e-mail address and billing information.  A Customer Service rep may also ask for your World of Warcraft information, which may or may not mirror your Battle.net stuff.  Unfortunately, WoW account information can no longer be changed as far as I can tell.
• Oh, and don't forget the answer to your Secret Question.

It's really not all that much, but it's something we can easily forget to do during our busy lives.  Especially since when we think of World of Warcraft, we think of playing it, not any other "frivolous" activity. 

Think of the maintenance like wearing a helmet when riding a bike.  You may never need it in your life, but if you do, the time spent putting it on every time makes it more than worth the trouble.

ProjectLorians were busy providing an assortment of original content the last few days and missed a few tidbits of news.  I figure that the mantra of "better late than never" applies, since we want to keep everyone well informed.  Or we could cope out and just say we were really checking our facts, thrice over.

According to a screenshot from the Enigma raiding guild on NA-Deathwing, the Lick King's last defenses will be accessible on February 2 (or February 3 for EU).  The Frostwing Halls houses two unknown bosses, Sister Svalna and Valithria Dreamwalker, and Sindragosa, the original frost wyrm.  Valithria, a captured green dragon, is going to be an interesting encounter.  Especially to those with fond memories of Dungeons and Dragons' combat variations.  Sindragosa is part of the lockout counter, along with Putricide, Lana'thel and the Lich King himself.

My guild is still stuck on Professor Putricide, and has not even attempted any of the Crimson Hall bosses (something I have disagreed with).  It's fairly obvious that we are falling behind, so I doubt Solidsamm will be seeing Sindragosa any time soon.

In other news, Solidsamm will be seeing a new non-combat pet shortly.  According to various sources, a Competitor's Souvenir has been added to the North American servers.  Unfortunately, no visual imagery or animations have been datamined as of press.  If you were around for the Summer Olympic games two years ago, you'll likely remember the Spirit of Competition vanity pet that was randomly awarded for participating in Battlegrounds.  It's worth noting that the tabard from the last olympics was called the Competitor's Tabard.  Either way, the closely named Competitor's Souvenir will likely be obtainable once the 2010 Winter Olympic games kick off on February 12.

World of Warcraft may be rated T for Teen by the ESRB, but it chock full of violence.  True, it isn't realistic at all, but a death is a death.  That doesn't stop us from adding bodies, countless thousands of bodies, to the pile every week.  Through the years I have had my heartstrings pulled, twanged and torn by a some of the mobs I've sent to the great beyond.  Not all of the deaths stick with me out of anguish though, some just freak me out.



Let's just get the objective of the post out of the way in the first sentence.  Okay, fine, the second.  Crap.  *deep breath* Give the upcoming World of Warcraft movie a chance.

I understand why gamers are pessimistic about video game movies.  After all, our wallets have been hit by the likes of BloodRayne, House of the Dead and In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale.  Granted, those are all from the same tax-abusing director, but Street Fighter and Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun Li would also like to lend their credibility to the topic.  There are some "gems" though, Resident Evil and Mortal Kombat, to name two.  We're still a ways off from the World of Warcraft picture, and we know very little (a nice recap of what we do know here), but it's certainly shaping up to be a quality piece of entertainment.  Not some schlock, money in the bank scheme.

Here's why:
Sam Raimi - Raimi is the mastermind of the cult Evil Dead series.  Originally, the series was all about horror and suspense, before it restructured itself as a tongue-in-cheek mockery.  In either form, the trilogy is much loved and appreciated.  More recently he's been in charge of the Spider-man franchise, which has tailed off in quality with later entries.  Surely it was a reason for Raimi walking away from Spider-man 4.

Raimi also has Darkman and Drag Me To Hell under his belt, and has even dabbled in fantasy as an executive producer on Hercules and Xena.  The presence of Hercules and Xena in his repertoire is more important than you may realize.  Rumors indicate that the film may be made in New Zealand (where the shows were done) and he's stated that he wants to stick to the content that makes Warcraft so popular, the lore and lands.  Both settings that are familiar to the fantasy-based TV shows.

Robert Rodat:  You've probably never heard of him, I hadn't, but Rodat is responsible for the action behind Saving Private Ryan and The Patriot, and is reportedly in the middle of scripting the Warcraft film.  He should be plenty capable of putting the war in Warcraft.

Legendary Pictures - Legendary burst on to the movie scene with Batman Begins and hasn't really let up since.  Not everything the company has done is good (Superman Returns), but Beerfest, 300, The Dark Knight, Watchmen, The Hangover, Where the Wild Things Are and Ninja Assassin have shown that the company can take original and long-standing ideas and turn them into blockbusters.

Blizzard Entertainment - Blizzard is incredibly possessive of the company's intellectual property, especially the one pulling in $1 billion a year.  Nothing gets released with the company's logo on it without complete an udder agreement by the suits.  That's the very reason that the official WoW magazine has been delayed so much.  Blizzard wouldn't release it until it was spit shine perfect.

If Blizzard allows Activision to do a game based upon the movie, see Street Fighter: The Movie (the game), then it's time to worry.

Of course, don't get yourself over-hyped about the movie either.  It's a long way off and, again, this is a Blizzard Entertainment project.  It'll be out "soon."

In early December 2007 Blizzard Entertainment was part of a merger between Activision and Vivendi Games.  The deal was essentially brokered to offload debt France's Vivendi SA had acquired, and give Activision something it severely lacked, a successful MMORPG.  It worked, creating a total (estimated) transaction of almost $19 billion.  In perhaps the most expensive example of monday quarterbacking, Robert Kotick, Activision's President and CEO, admitted to Game Informer that he believed Davidson & Associates was "insane" to pay $7 million, that's with an 'm,' for Blizzard back in 1995.

“That year Activision probably had 60 million in revenues. They said they paid seven million dollars for Blizzard. I’m like 'Are you out of your minds? They’re like a contract developer! They have Warcraft but what else do they have? You paid SEVEN million! That’s insane!

"I was talking to [Blizzard founder] Mike Morhaime the other day and I said, 'You know, I could have bought you for seven million and instead it was seven billion.' [Laughs]
He said, 'Yeah, could you imagine if I had just held out for the seven billion instead of the seven million?'”

You've got to hand it to Davidson & Associates for spotting this diamond in the rough.  With only a couple of quality titles before Warcraft: Orcs & Humans (they were released under a different company name, no less) Blizzard was largely unheard of, let alone highly respected.  Buy Blizzard it did, and D&A reaped the benefits for years to come.

Could you imagine if Blizzard wasn't given the proper time to execute on Warcraft II, Diablo, StarCraft or Battle.net.  Or how meh StarCraft: Ghost would have been when it was forced to ship.  I highly doubt BlizzCon would have ever of happened.  Who knows if WoW would have even been created.  And without WoW it's doubtful ProjectLore would exist!

My brain hurts.  Time to stop contemplating the mass implications to our space time continuum.  Let's just hope things remains solid going forward.

Like the pic?  Then buy the shirt.

Playing World of Warcraft is good.  Playing it as a group is better, and playing it with a group of people you actually know is downright fantastic.  If anecdotal evidence tells us anything, it is that the more comfortable the group is, the better it will perform.  This is the basic reason so many of us join guilds.  In World of Warcraft guilds are a way to meet requirements for raids, with the ultimate goal of seeing content that's unobtainable to an individual and the chance atshinies .  Being social creatures, we inevitably begin to converse and interact with those around us, but do we ever really get to know these people?

Tobold believes that "In most cases you know nothing about your online "friends", beyond that they share one common interest with you." I have to disagree.  Either I am the exception to the rule, or nearly all of the guilds I have been a part of in WoW are.  For those keeping track at home I did feel like an outcast in two of my Wrath guilds, but one of those was because all the other members were such good friends (that spoke in another language).

My current, and original 40-man, guild are more than just a bunch of online "friends".  Most of us know each other's names, our other hobbies (cars, computers, etc), our daily schedules ("he gets home at 8:30"), relationship status and our bedtimes.  We chat in Ventrilo for the sake of chatting.  We've extended our love of video games beyond WoW and into other games like League of Legends, Global Agenda and Team Fortress 2.  Together.  I keep in touch with a handful of former guildies, after they quit the game.  I have had that drink at a bar with many brothers in arms, and even hosted numerous guild get togethers at my domicile.  Hell, I had two people I meet in WoW over my house this very weekend.

There's no reason why your online "friends" needs to be in quotes at all.  In all honesty, you'll get back what you put in, just like any other relationship.  If you only want acquaintances to help you get through a challenging dungeon as you relax away the day, that's cool.  But I believe that making those deeper connections, forging online friends (not Facebook-style "friends"), makes for a better guild.  One that's less hateful, more accepting of failure, and capable of delivering more fun than just downing the next boss.

What about you?  What kind of social structure does your guild subscribe to?