New Year Brings New Bribery…ahhh I mean Updates.
The new dungeon finder for World of Warcraft has been a large success from Blizzard. Most of the player base seems to approve. The new tool has given dungeons a new level of accessibility to Heroics. Of course some dungeons are not as popular as others. If you guess Oculus you are correct. For some reason the majority of players hate Oculus, however I know a few out there actually enjoy it. I have joined many random dungeon groups to have the group unanimously yelp “Oh no not occ…” or “Oh Fuuuudddgggeee! (except he didn’t say Fudge). As usual Blizzard has noticed this trend and implemented a bribery system to those brave or foolish enough to endure it. Here is the post from a dev:
To encourage players not to shy away from the many invigorating adventures to be had in The Oculus, we have applied a change to enhance the rewards players are provided when selected for this dungeon via the Random Heroic option in the Dungeon Finder. Once Ley-Guardian Eregos is defeated, one loot bag per character will be provided in his chest in addition to the current rewards. Each loot bag will offer players rare gems, two additional Emblems of Triumph, and a chance of being rewarded the Reins of the Blue Drake. These fine treasures could be yours should you honor your fellow party members by besting the challenges contained within The Oculus! Keep in mind, however, that these extra loot bags will only be awarded to each party member if Oculus is selected by the Dungeon Finder when players choose the Random Heroic option.
So get out there and accept your bribery like a true warrior.
New Year Brings New Bribery…ahhh I mean Updates.
The new dungeon finder for World of Warcraft has been a large success from Blizzard. Most of the player base seems to approve. The new tool has given dungeons a new level of accessibility to Heroics. Of course some dungeons are not as popular as others. If you guess Oculus you are correct. For some reason the majority of players hate Oculus, however I know a few out there actually enjoy it. I have joined many random dungeon groups to have the group unanimously yelp “Oh no not occ…” or “Oh Fuuuudddgggeee! (except he didn’t say Fudge). As usual Blizzard has noticed this trend and implemented a bribery system to those brave or foolish enough to endure it. Here is the post from a dev:
To encourage players not to shy away from the many invigorating adventures to be had in The Oculus, we have applied a change to enhance the rewards players are provided when selected for this dungeon via the Random Heroic option in the Dungeon Finder. Once Ley-Guardian Eregos is defeated, one loot bag per character will be provided in his chest in addition to the current rewards. Each loot bag will offer players rare gems, two additional Emblems of Triumph, and a chance of being rewarded the Reins of the Blue Drake. These fine treasures could be yours should you honor your fellow party members by besting the challenges contained within The Oculus! Keep in mind, however, that these extra loot bags will only be awarded to each party member if Oculus is selected by the Dungeon Finder when players choose the Random Heroic option.
So get out there and accept your bribery like a true warrior.
cgames 05 - Gamer Stories from WowDetox.com
In this episode Jessi Johnson from WowDetox.com shares about World of Warcraft addiction. This sobering episode shows just how dangerous World of Warcraft is. If you don’t believe that WoW addiction is real just listen. It will change your mind.
Ice Crown Citadel, patch 3.3
Icecrown Citadel coming next patch 3.3. Blizzzard has updated the Euro Wow site with a plethora of information. Everything sounds incredible, finally we get to face the Lich King himself. Here is the quick rundown of what we know at the moment;
Icecrown Citadel will feature a massive five-player dungeon sprawling across three wings of the citadel’s foundation. While the Lich King’s attention is focused on the Argent Crusade and the Knights of the Ebon Blade ripping through the front gates, players will be tested as they assist Jaina Proudmoore (Alliance) and Sylvanas Windrunner (Horde) in infiltrating the citadel through an alternate entrance.
An epic quest line will present adventurers with the task of weakening Icecrown Citadel’s forces, requiring that players defeat the challenges in each dungeon wing before venturing into the next one. Normal and Heroic versions of the dungeon will be accessible to players, although each wing will be considered a separate instance; therefore, on Heroic difficulty, each wing will have its own separate lockout timer. All-new rewards — including item level 219 (normal) and level 232 (Heroic) loot — will be offered to those who destroy some of the Lich King’s most formidable allies.
The Forge of Souls
Serving as the first wing in this expansive dungeon, the Forge of Souls will quickly put players to the test of carving through the Scourge stronghold into deeper, more treacherous locations. Jaina will command Alliance forces, and Sylvanas will direct Horde forces. The goal is to ruin the twisted engines known as soul grinders found in this portion of the citadel, and then players can advance — that is, if the Horde and Alliance forces can overcome the foes who confront them.
Bosses
- Bronjahm, the Godfather of Souls: An instrument of reckoning, Bronjahm watches over the engines in the Forge of Souls. He must be killed if the soul grinders are to be destroyed.
- The Devourer of Souls: As the chief operator of the engines found in this wing, the Devourer stands guard over the souls stolen by the Lich King.
Pit of Saron
Accessible only to those who have laid waste to the Forge of Souls’ unholy operations, the Pit of Saron will bring Horde and Alliance forces deeper into the Lich King’s domain. Players who venture here will immediately be confronted by the lord of this lair, Scourgelord Tyrannus. But defeating him will not be as easy as it seems. Before they can present a threat to Tyrannus, the adventurers, instructed by their leaders, will need to free enslaved allies who have been trapped by the Scourge. Until that happens, Tyrannus will leave all adversaries to his minions, workers of the citadel’s mines. Perhaps the challenges here will lend clues as to the whereabouts of the Lich King’s private chambers outside of the Frozen Throne, deep within the Halls of Reflection.
Bosses
- Forgemaster Garfrost: A master of Scourge weaponry, the forgemaster hauls stocks of saronite ore and other precious materials to the cold forges where the mechanisms of death are born. With a host of rime weapons and exotic alloys at his disposal, it could get cold in here.
- Krick and Ick: Zombies serve as mindless muscle in the Pit of Saron’s mines, stockpiling metals for Forgemaster Garfrost, and Krick — a devious leper gnome — supervises the operations from atop Ick, Krick’s ghastly means of transportation.
- Scourgelord Tyrannus: Tyrannus is a terrible force who will no doubt demonstrate his powers to those brave enough to enter the Pit of Saron. The scourgelord must die if players hope to make their way into the third and final wing of this dungeon.
Halls of Reflection
With Jaina and Sylvanas leading the way, adventurers who make it as far as these frigid halls will quickly recognize the weapon that lies ahead: Frostmourne, the corruptive, legendary device of the Lich King himself. The Lich King’s private chambers are within reach, although they may be the death of anyone who ventures there.
Bosses
- Falric and Marwyn: Captains for Arthas Menethil in life, Scourge commanders for the Lich King in death, Falric and Marwyn will be summoned to the Halls of Reflection for one purpose: destroying all intruders.
- The Lich King: Sylvanas, thirsty for vengeance against the corrupted prince who sentenced her to an existence as an undead monstrosity, and Jaina, eager to find a flicker of Arthas’s soul locked somewhere within the Lich King, have brought their hand-picked allies to this final confrontation. Arthas’s true power may only now be discovered. Is there any hope in this mission, or does only death await?
Ice Crown Citadel, patch 3.3
Icecrown Citadel coming next patch 3.3. Blizzzard has updated the Euro Wow site with a plethora of information. Everything sounds incredible, finally we get to face the Lich King himself. Here is the quick rundown of what we know at the moment;
Icecrown Citadel will feature a massive five-player dungeon sprawling across three wings of the citadel’s foundation. While the Lich King’s attention is focused on the Argent Crusade and the Knights of the Ebon Blade ripping through the front gates, players will be tested as they assist Jaina Proudmoore (Alliance) and Sylvanas Windrunner (Horde) in infiltrating the citadel through an alternate entrance.
An epic quest line will present adventurers with the task of weakening Icecrown Citadel’s forces, requiring that players defeat the challenges in each dungeon wing before venturing into the next one. Normal and Heroic versions of the dungeon will be accessible to players, although each wing will be considered a separate instance; therefore, on Heroic difficulty, each wing will have its own separate lockout timer. All-new rewards — including item level 219 (normal) and level 232 (Heroic) loot — will be offered to those who destroy some of the Lich King’s most formidable allies.
The Forge of Souls
Serving as the first wing in this expansive dungeon, the Forge of Souls will quickly put players to the test of carving through the Scourge stronghold into deeper, more treacherous locations. Jaina will command Alliance forces, and Sylvanas will direct Horde forces. The goal is to ruin the twisted engines known as soul grinders found in this portion of the citadel, and then players can advance — that is, if the Horde and Alliance forces can overcome the foes who confront them.
Bosses
- Bronjahm, the Godfather of Souls: An instrument of reckoning, Bronjahm watches over the engines in the Forge of Souls. He must be killed if the soul grinders are to be destroyed.
- The Devourer of Souls: As the chief operator of the engines found in this wing, the Devourer stands guard over the souls stolen by the Lich King.
Pit of Saron
Accessible only to those who have laid waste to the Forge of Souls’ unholy operations, the Pit of Saron will bring Horde and Alliance forces deeper into the Lich King’s domain. Players who venture here will immediately be confronted by the lord of this lair, Scourgelord Tyrannus. But defeating him will not be as easy as it seems. Before they can present a threat to Tyrannus, the adventurers, instructed by their leaders, will need to free enslaved allies who have been trapped by the Scourge. Until that happens, Tyrannus will leave all adversaries to his minions, workers of the citadel’s mines. Perhaps the challenges here will lend clues as to the whereabouts of the Lich King’s private chambers outside of the Frozen Throne, deep within the Halls of Reflection.
Bosses
- Forgemaster Garfrost: A master of Scourge weaponry, the forgemaster hauls stocks of saronite ore and other precious materials to the cold forges where the mechanisms of death are born. With a host of rime weapons and exotic alloys at his disposal, it could get cold in here.
- Krick and Ick: Zombies serve as mindless muscle in the Pit of Saron’s mines, stockpiling metals for Forgemaster Garfrost, and Krick — a devious leper gnome — supervises the operations from atop Ick, Krick’s ghastly means of transportation.
- Scourgelord Tyrannus: Tyrannus is a terrible force who will no doubt demonstrate his powers to those brave enough to enter the Pit of Saron. The scourgelord must die if players hope to make their way into the third and final wing of this dungeon.
Halls of Reflection
With Jaina and Sylvanas leading the way, adventurers who make it as far as these frigid halls will quickly recognize the weapon that lies ahead: Frostmourne, the corruptive, legendary device of the Lich King himself. The Lich King’s private chambers are within reach, although they may be the death of anyone who ventures there.
Bosses
- Falric and Marwyn: Captains for Arthas Menethil in life, Scourge commanders for the Lich King in death, Falric and Marwyn will be summoned to the Halls of Reflection for one purpose: destroying all intruders.
- The Lich King: Sylvanas, thirsty for vengeance against the corrupted prince who sentenced her to an existence as an undead monstrosity, and Jaina, eager to find a flicker of Arthas’s soul locked somewhere within the Lich King, have brought their hand-picked allies to this final confrontation. Arthas’s true power may only now be discovered. Is there any hope in this mission, or does only death await?
cgames 05 - Gamer Stories from WowDetox.com
In this episode Jessi Johnson from WowDetox.com shares about World of Warcraft addiction. This sobering episode shows just how dangerous World of Warcraft is. If you don’t believe that WoW addiction is real just listen. It will change your mind.
cgames 05 - Gamer Stories from WowDetox.com
In this episode Jessi Johnson from WowDetox.com shares about World of Warcraft addiction. This sobering episode shows just how dangerous World of Warcraft is. If you don’t believe that WoW addiction is real just listen. It will change your mind.
World of Warcraft: Cataclysm (Now, believe the hype!)
Anaheim, Calafornia - Blizzcon 2009: Recently there has been some speculation on if the leaked information surrounding Blizzards latest World of Warcraft expansion “Cataclysm” was official.
Today Blizzard released details of it’s world changing expansion Cataclsym.
Some of the new features of World of Warcraft: Cataclysm include:
- Two New Playable Races: Adventure as one of two new races–the cursed worgen with the Alliance or the resourceful goblins with the Horde.
- Level Cap Increased to 85: Earn new abilities, tap into new talents, and progress through the path system, a new way for players to improve characters.
- Classic Zones Remade: Familiar zones across the original continents of Kalimdor and the Eastern Kingdoms have been altered forever and updated with new content, from the devastated Badlands to the broken Barrens, which has been sundered in two.
- New High-Level Zones: Explore newly opened parts of the world, including Uldum, Grim Batol, and the great Sunken City of Vashj’ir beneath the sea.
- More Raid Content than Ever Before: Enjoy more high-level raid content than previous expansions, with optional more challenging versions of all encounters.
- New Race and Class Combinations: Explore Azeroth as a gnome priest, blood elf warrior, or one of the other never-before-available race and class combinations.
- Guild Advancement: Progress as a guild to earn guild levels and guild achievements.
- New PvP Zone & Rated Battlegrounds: Take on PvP objectives and daily quests on Tol Barad Island, a new Wintergrasp-like zone, and wage war in all-new rated Battlegrounds.
- Archaeology: Master a new secondary profession to unearth valuable artifacts and earn unique rewards.
- Flying Mounts in Azeroth: Explore Kalimdor and the Eastern Kingdoms like never before.
Now, it’s time to believe the hype. Do I want to play World of Warcraft again? I considered it for 10-30 seconds, I have a soft spot for goblins.
See you ingame,
Frank
World of Warcraft: Cataclysm (Now, believe the hype!)
Anaheim, Calafornia - Blizzcon 2009: Recently there has been some speculation on if the leaked information surrounding Blizzards latest World of Warcraft expansion “Cataclysm” was official.
Today Blizzard released details of it’s world changing expansion Cataclsym.
Some of the new features of World of Warcraft: Cataclysm include:
- Two New Playable Races: Adventure as one of two new races–the cursed worgen with the Alliance or the resourceful goblins with the Horde.
- Level Cap Increased to 85: Earn new abilities, tap into new talents, and progress through the path system, a new way for players to improve characters.
- Classic Zones Remade: Familiar zones across the original continents of Kalimdor and the Eastern Kingdoms have been altered forever and updated with new content, from the devastated Badlands to the broken Barrens, which has been sundered in two.
- New High-Level Zones: Explore newly opened parts of the world, including Uldum, Grim Batol, and the great Sunken City of Vashj’ir beneath the sea.
- More Raid Content than Ever Before: Enjoy more high-level raid content than previous expansions, with optional more challenging versions of all encounters.
- New Race and Class Combinations: Explore Azeroth as a gnome priest, blood elf warrior, or one of the other never-before-available race and class combinations.
- Guild Advancement: Progress as a guild to earn guild levels and guild achievements.
- New PvP Zone & Rated Battlegrounds: Take on PvP objectives and daily quests on Tol Barad Island, a new Wintergrasp-like zone, and wage war in all-new rated Battlegrounds.
- Archaeology: Master a new secondary profession to unearth valuable artifacts and earn unique rewards.
- Flying Mounts in Azeroth: Explore Kalimdor and the Eastern Kingdoms like never before.
Now, it’s time to believe the hype. Do I want to play World of Warcraft again? I considered it for 10-30 seconds, I have a soft spot for goblins.
See you ingame,
Frank
Virtual Denial: My Interview with Dan Bustard from Second Skin
Needless to say I was intrigued by the indie movie Second Skin and the people that were portrayed in the film. A benefit of the wonder of the internet is the ability to actually locate people that you would never know how to get a hold of. It works wonderfully to reunite old family members, rekindle old relationships and even get in touch with old school members.
It also works great for journalists, luckily I ran into Dan Bustard on Facebook. When I approached him asking if it was who I thought it was he was very apprehensive, he first asked me if he owed me money. After awhile he opened up and he agreed to an interview. And here it is…
Me: Did you think it was possible to get addicted to a video game?
Dan: Dude, I’ve been gaming hardcore since Atari 2600 back in the early 80’s of course I took a few reality farts during the process, you know go to school, hang out, drink, get stone, work, watch TV, movies, sports, girls, parties, relationships, had my real life fun.. I took some time out of my destiny to play “real life” as others see it, but addicted, no I don’t buy into the whole “addiction life style”
Me: At what point did you feel you had a problem?
Dan: When I stopped getting ^%&%^.
Me: What was your bottom? What did it feel like?
Dan: My bottom had nothing to do with the game it was when I injured my back, it felt terrible and took over 2 years to rehab; luckily I had WoW to keep me company during the times I couldn’t move around much.
Me: What was it like at Liz Woolleys sober house?
Dan: There’s nothing sobering about Liz’s house, she’s a very domineering &^$% that is easily amused by the hardships of others. Christ she couldn’t even by a pack of gum without giving the cashier a hard time.
Me: She called you a “gamer”, and you were upset by this. Was it because you were trying to give it up and didn’t feel it fit anymore?
Dan: Not upset at being called a gamer but the way she went about it. She used me to parade around like I was a mental hand job that she could only heal. I think her thing is all about the attention she gets..
Me: Even though you left not on the best of terms, when you returned home you eventually turned away from gaming. Why?
Dan: I had other things to do, I game hard for 12 hours a day or even more but what isn’t mentioned in SS is that I constantly stated I would only play for about a 1 to 3 months then take a few months off, so I could never be in any hardcore guild because I wasn’t a dedicate gamer… the whole suicide thing wasn’t just because of gaming it was because of my life in general.
Me: you feel that a seed was planted back at ‘Ole Woolleys House?
Dan: Yea a seed of hypocrisy, I really love how she tells everyone that online relationships aren’t real but yet she was an active dater on yahoo personals. So imo she’s in no position to judge other peoples online relationships, at least people in WoW do a ton of playing and communicating before showing up on each others door step.
Me: How did you get caught up in “Second Skin“?
Dan: At Woolley’s house, I was already doing interviews for networks like NBC etc… Talking about gaming, I then hooked up with Liz and she had this brilliant idea of us paring up for the press. Which was why I went to her house, she lied about so much, she would tell the media that she bought the house next to hers for gaming addicts show them the place etc.. the whole time she was renting the rooms out to Penn State kids.. there were no gamers in that house, I wasn’t allowed to stay in there.. She also made me sign a lease. She degrade me in front of people, including a friend she worked with that was my age.
Me: You do realize that at certain points of the movie you are not portrayed at your best. Weren’t you embarrassed? Why did you do it?
Dan: No I like looking like an ass in front of people, I don’t know why I did it, I just did…
Me: Did you think that being part of Second Skin was attributing to your changes at all?
Dan: No.
Me: What do you feel about video games now?
Dan: I think they’re great! I think if a person is a gamer then do what you do best and game hard.
Me: Have you read any of the feedback from the “mmo gaming community” about the movie Some of the feedback was negative, why do you think that was?
Dan: I don’t know maybe they didn’t like the movie.
Me: Certain bloggers and podcasters called actors in second skin “nerds”, “geeks” and “sanctimonious freaks”. Why do you think they reacted like that? They play the same games as you, how does that make you feel?
Dan: Because some people can’t get a hard-on unless they are putting someone else down. MMO’s all come down to one thing, “who has the bigger ePenis” nothing else matters, so these same geeks calling other people geeks are doing so because they feel their own ePen shrinking because they missed a chance to be in a movie.
Me: If you were clinically diagnosed with having ‘video game addiction’ and could file a lawsuit against someone, who would it be?
Dan: I don’t believe in addiction so no I would not.
Me: Is your friend/roomate in the movie with you still playing wow as he was?
Dan: No.
Me: Why do you think they made “second skin” was it a message?
Dan: Young producers trying to make a name for them and so a ground floor opportunity in making a movie about MMO’s, it’s just business to them.
Me: If you knew that other gamers like yourself that might suffer from ‘video game addiction’ might see this, what would you want to say to them?
Dan: That they aren’t addicted, that perhaps they are right where they ought to be and shouldn’t worry what others think so much.
Me: Would you do it all over again?
Dan: Hell yea, I’m downloading WoW as I type this.
Me: Do you still game at all? How much?
Dan: Not that often, I played PotC a few weeks ago for maybe 4 or 5 hours, it’s an okay game but lacks depth.
Me: If there anything you would like to add that I missed?
Dan: Yea if your world is virtual but keep being disrupted by the real world then you need to make the real world bow down to you so you can keep gaming.. good luck it’s hard enough to balance one reality let alone two. &^$&’em them all and game hard!
There you have it, from the hardest of the ‘Ardcore gamers. The question of if pathological video game overuse (as the medical society calls it) is still a reality or some virtual old wives tale. Coming from Dan’s point of view it doesn’t exist and tells the community to “game hard.”
Thank you Dan for being honest and collaborating on my blog. See you all ingame!
Play safe,
Frank
