The Best MMOG Stuff of 2007
Dec 31, 2007 17:25:22
Submitted by Brent on Dec 31, 2007 17:25:22 CST (comments: 4)
Dec 31, 2007 17:25:22
| Last year I did a little list of my favorites of the year. Things I enjoyed above all others in a few select categories were named and then it never came up again. I aim for the same lack of fanfare with this year's list. MMOG Industry Person of the Year: John Smedley, SOE John has taken a ton of crap from a ton of people over the last couple of years. All that criticism seems to have only made him stronger, wiser and louder. This year John was the straightest shooter in the industry. He trashed his own decisions, admitted his past mistakes candidly, pointed at other studios and said "Good on ya" and generally impressed me with his character. This is in part due to the fact that I had the opportunity to chat with John face-to-face in 2007. What I learned during these sessions: - John is a hardcore gamer - John thinks griefing is funny, to a point - John says it like it is - John isn't afraid of a few tequila shots - John is as prone to arguing with Kendricke as everyone else is - John is much taller than me Don't forget, John saved Vanguard from certain death and continues to find the means and the way to operate niche MMORPGs successfully (Matrix, Planetside, SWG). Roll these various qualities together and you have a man approaching videogame sainthood. For all the crap he gets, this is one guy who isn't backing down, does know better than you or I and continues to remain humble and un-frazzled in the face of occasional adversity. Congrats to John. "Good on ya." You can hear more on this topic and other industry heroes in VirginWorlds podcast #98 which will be available soon. MMOG Blogger of the Year: Cameron Sorden, Random-Battle.com In a sea of Zenkes, Tolbolds, VanHemlocks and Wilhelms - how does a relative new-comer to the MMO Blogging world take the numero-uno slot for 2007? I asked myself that same question, and anyone privy to the lashings Cameron has received from me in our kitchy little email group would wonder the same. After much consideration, it became clear to me. I go after Cameron's perspectives on things either because they're too positive, too negative, too poorly researched or too naive and yet each time he gets me thinking, gets me riled up, and gets me to explain myself. That is what blogging is all about. One's perspectives are on display for all to interpret and if we're not excited by what we see, what is the use? Cameron has prompted more than a couple blog-o-sphere-wide discussions this past year and the Zenkes-Wilhelms-Tolbolds-Hemlocks have taken part and given him the nod. I give him the same nod. Nicely done. MMOG Podcaster of the Year: Jonathan from The Online Gamer's Anthology This was the toughest one for me to choose. Do I picked the most passionate podcaster (Troy), the hardest working podcaster (Shawn) the funniest podcasters (Gary and Ryan), or the one that I listen to first thing Monday morning (Brenden)? Am I allowed to pick one of the Collective members? Should I pick from outside the Collective? Who will be hurt? Who will be grumpy? Who will be happy? In the end, I picked the podcaster than makes me laugh and smile and marvel at his potential and enthusiasm every single time I listen to him. That podcaster is Jonathan from TOGA. His shows are a blend of creativity, comedy and a passion for games that is unmatched in the MMORPG podcasting space. He started podcasting in part due a chance encounter with Troy and I at SOE's Fan Faire this past summer. At one point I commented "Jonathan, have you ever thought about doing a podcast, you seem like you'd be good at it". Wow. I guess I was right. I can't really hope to match that creativity, comedy and passion in my own podcasts, but that means that I'll be impressed and surprised at Jonathan's shows every time I listen. MMOG Website of the Year: None. I spent some time trying to figure out what website did an impressive job with something MMORPG-related this year and in the end nothing stood head and shoulders above the rest and not once did I see a feature on another game related page that blew my mind or made me jealous. Sad times. This is not to say that every site sucks - this is not the case at all. What it says is that there is no site that stands out from the pack. Try again next year. MMOG Announcement of the Year: What piece of news knocked my socks off and caused me to drool in anticipation? Easy. The Agency. Think of it as an improved MXO with a little Mr. and Mrs. Smith and a side order of Shadow Run. Just what I was looking for, or so I suspect. Let's hope for the best.  |
Submitted by Brent on Dec 31, 2007 17:25:22 CST (comments: 4)
Comments:
'That's Shadowrun' by Michael
Submitted on 2007-12-31 18:59:26 CST
Shadowrun is one word, noob. Jeez, like you're fit to work on the MMOG version at all. Pff. :)
'lol' by Brent
Submitted on 2007-12-31 19:08:48 CST
Sorry Michael. I wouldn't have made this mistake if I could afford one of those Semi-Autonomous Knowbots, but Renraku charges too much for them. Guess I'll have to storm the archology with my trusty Vindicator Minigun and just liberate one.
'Bah!' by Michael
Submitted on 2007-12-31 19:21:01 CST
Brah! Chummer! You should know that they don't store good cred like that in the ARC anymore, not since they turned it into a big housing project after the AI takeover. You swinging past Dante's later? Me and the boys were going to check out some of the new Novatech commlinks; they updated the NaviOS again and it bricked Slamm-O's 'ware. He's going to make a run on some system sculpters to get new software while we watch via piggyback.
'Oh yeah, baby!!' by Leonai
Submitted on 2008-01-14 17:43:08 CST
I'm there w/ you on the Agency. I'm still chomping at the bit for more information on this game - and as a gamer who has been jaded towards most games and their information release - that's saying a lot.
If I was born with 5 hands, I would give the game and what I've seen 5 thumbs up. As it is, I only have 2, but my feet have big toes, so we'll call them thumbs, and say I'm giving them 4 thumbs.
*cough*
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