Or so wrote Robert Heinlein in Beyond the Horizon. The general idea was that, in a country where there were serious (and officially sanctioned) consequences to misbehavior from quarters other than the police world of warcraft gold, you'd wind up with a place where people really thought hard about whether it was worth pissing someone off just for the fun of it.
Whenever I'm reading about PvP, that quote always springs to mind. People who have played MMORPG's with more "hardcore" PvP systems have mentioned that the amount of random ganking you see in WoW just doesn't seem to occur on the same scale elsewhere. WoW's PvP is pretty consequence-free. Corpse runs are annoying, sure,buy wow gold and being camped is nobody's idea of fun. But you don't take durability or experience loss after a PvP death, and you don't lose money or items to the attacker. Nor does the attacker gain anything from killing you (unless it's honor if you weren't a gray target).
2008年5月21日星期三
2008年5月20日星期二
Final Sunwell gates open today in the US
I'm surprised it took this long for a tip to come in to us about this: the final gate in Sunwell Plateau is open today on the North American realms. This means all the raiding guilds who can down M'uru now have a chance to test their skills against Kil'jaeden world of warcraft gold, boss of the Burning Legion and, more than likely, the final baddie of The Burning Crusade. How long until we see the world-first Kil'jaeden kill? The gates should probably open for the European realms tomorrow, which is their maintenance day.
Not much is known for sure about the fight, since nobody's actually done it yet -- the PTR testers of patch 2.4 didn't manage to down M'uru, and if they had the gates probably wouldn't have been open -- but we do have some pretty solid speculation on what raiders might be rewarded with when they eventually do manage to drop the guy. And yes cheap wow gold, I am very happy that I get to use that image of KJ in a top hat again.
Not much is known for sure about the fight, since nobody's actually done it yet -- the PTR testers of patch 2.4 didn't manage to down M'uru, and if they had the gates probably wouldn't have been open -- but we do have some pretty solid speculation on what raiders might be rewarded with when they eventually do manage to drop the guy. And yes cheap wow gold, I am very happy that I get to use that image of KJ in a top hat again.
2008年5月19日星期一
Azeroth Security Advisor: WoW is watching you, part 2
Every week, computer security expert Jon Eldridge is your Azeroth Security Advisor. He will delve into the darkest reaches of computer security rumor and bring the facts back home even if they're wriggling at the end of a pike wow gold. His goal is to provide useful information to gamers who don't think about security much and flame fodder for those self appointed experts who need to rationalize the cost of their expensive certifications. Like any good security force he's a mercenary at heart and is happy to take subject requests from the user community that he serves. So feel free to leave a comment below or just sit back and enjoy the show.
Welcome back to the Azeroth Security Advisor. Last week I discussed two of the three ways Blizzard keeps an eye on your computer. This week I'll cover the controversial Warden program whose discovery in Oct 2005 by Greg Hoglund caused a great deal of outrage and confusion not unlike accidentally joining a pickup group full of rogues. Reactions have been so strong that some trolls dwelling in their parents basements are still alternately posting "OMFG BLIZ HACKZ CALL COPS!!!" or "U SIGNED EULA SO STFU N00B!!!!!" depending on which of their medications cheap wow gold are kicking in at the time. Most people forgot to care one way or the other within a few weeks and went back to life as usual. Lucky for Blizzard apathy is the universal solvent for organized resistance otherwise they might be facing a class action lawsuit by now.
The Warden's core mission is to continuously audit your PC for suspicious activity while you play. First it reads all the DLL's loaded into the WoW process space buy wow gold, which is a perfectly legitimate activity any way you slice it. After that world of warcraft, the Warden ditches its friendly park ranger hat for a ski mask and takes a look around the rest of your PC. It reads the text in the title bar of every window you have open including that really embarrassing Furry fan site you don't want your friends to know about. Yes Nekudotayim, Bliz knows about your pr0nz.! The Warden then creates a hash code (think fingerprint) of each window title and compares the results to a list of "banning hashes" for potential matches and subsequent divine retribution.
Welcome back to the Azeroth Security Advisor. Last week I discussed two of the three ways Blizzard keeps an eye on your computer. This week I'll cover the controversial Warden program whose discovery in Oct 2005 by Greg Hoglund caused a great deal of outrage and confusion not unlike accidentally joining a pickup group full of rogues. Reactions have been so strong that some trolls dwelling in their parents basements are still alternately posting "OMFG BLIZ HACKZ CALL COPS!!!" or "U SIGNED EULA SO STFU N00B!!!!!" depending on which of their medications cheap wow gold are kicking in at the time. Most people forgot to care one way or the other within a few weeks and went back to life as usual. Lucky for Blizzard apathy is the universal solvent for organized resistance otherwise they might be facing a class action lawsuit by now.
The Warden's core mission is to continuously audit your PC for suspicious activity while you play. First it reads all the DLL's loaded into the WoW process space buy wow gold, which is a perfectly legitimate activity any way you slice it. After that world of warcraft, the Warden ditches its friendly park ranger hat for a ski mask and takes a look around the rest of your PC. It reads the text in the title bar of every window you have open including that really embarrassing Furry fan site you don't want your friends to know about. Yes Nekudotayim, Bliz knows about your pr0nz.! The Warden then creates a hash code (think fingerprint) of each window title and compares the results to a list of "banning hashes" for potential matches and subsequent divine retribution.
2008年5月18日星期日
The Art of War(craft): Choosing PvP targets part I
My wife's Holy Priest got ganked on the Throne of Kil'jaeden the other day by a full Season 3 MS Warrior. She grouped with a Shadow Priest who was questing in the area and had also fallen victim to the bloodthirsty Human world of warcraft gold. They got ganked a couple more times while I took my Shaman over to lend them a hand. We managed to take down the ganker several times but not before he almost killed the poorly-geared Shadow Priest. Every time that the Warrior would rezz, he would immediately Charge the Shadow Priest and proceed to Mortal Strike him to within an inch of his life, despite getting heals from my wife's Holy Priest and my Restoration Shaman.
After several more tries, the Warrior mounted up and proceeded to taunt me away from the group wow gold, the only one he hadn't yet ganked, but I simply brushed him off with a /bored emote. My wife wondered why the Warrior kept on going for the Shadow Priest instead of herself. It only made sense, I replied, pointing out that the Shadow Priest was the most logical target considering he was undergeared. My wife countered that she wasn't equipped in PvP gear, either, but I reasoned that since he'd killed her once, he knows she's not specced Discipline because he's seen Spirit of Redemption pop up. That meant no Pain Suppression, and that there's no way she could heal through his damage.
One of the most crucial skills in PvP is choosing the right target, and encounters, matches, are won and lost through choosing the right target buy wow gold. This necessitates a full understanding of the limitations of one's own class, a moderate knowledge of other classes, a familiarity with gear, and an awareness of one's surroundings. It's rapid threat assessment and measured response. Almost every encounter will be different, even with the same players involved. Even with a lot of experience, choosing targets in PvP can still so often go wrong.
After several more tries, the Warrior mounted up and proceeded to taunt me away from the group wow gold, the only one he hadn't yet ganked, but I simply brushed him off with a /bored emote. My wife wondered why the Warrior kept on going for the Shadow Priest instead of herself. It only made sense, I replied, pointing out that the Shadow Priest was the most logical target considering he was undergeared. My wife countered that she wasn't equipped in PvP gear, either, but I reasoned that since he'd killed her once, he knows she's not specced Discipline because he's seen Spirit of Redemption pop up. That meant no Pain Suppression, and that there's no way she could heal through his damage.
One of the most crucial skills in PvP is choosing the right target, and encounters, matches, are won and lost through choosing the right target buy wow gold. This necessitates a full understanding of the limitations of one's own class, a moderate knowledge of other classes, a familiarity with gear, and an awareness of one's surroundings. It's rapid threat assessment and measured response. Almost every encounter will be different, even with the same players involved. Even with a lot of experience, choosing targets in PvP can still so often go wrong.
2008年5月17日星期六
Tyson grateful for life after "wild, strange" past
Heavyweight Mike Tyson, one of the most fearsome and notorious fighters in boxing's history, said on Saturday it was a miracle he was still alive after the drugs and violence of his past.
"I've lived a wild and strange life wow gold," Tyson told a news conference at the Cannes film festival to present a documentary on his life by U.S. director James Toback.
"I've used drugs, I've had physical altercations with dangerous people, people were angry. I've slept with guys' wives, they wanted to kill me. I'm just happy to be here. It's just a miracle. I feel good about being here with you," he said.
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Selecting from hours of footage and mixing fight sequences with interviews and photographs, Toback tells the story of the boxer's climb from his impoverished New York childhood to the pinnacle of his sport and his dramatic fall.
Like Serbian director Emir Kusturica's documentary on Argentine soccer star Diego Maradona, showing out of competition next week, "Tyson" paints the picture of a charismatic but troubled champion whose image transcended his sport.
"In the course of the film, Tyson moves from someone you might think you'd want to steer well clear of to a man you might actually want to meet and speak with cheap wow gold, which is a significant accomplishment," trade paper Variety said in its review.
Tyson himself, his face tattooed and looking significantly heavier in a grey suit than in his sporting prime, strode along the red carpet at the film's opening night to loud applause.
"I had no idea this thing was going to ever make it to this grand scale here," said Tyson, 41. "I feel totally overwhelmed."
DEVASTATING
The film treats Tyson as a tragic but also noble figure. At 20 buy wow gold, he became the youngest heavyweight champion of the world but his life spiraled out of control and he served three years in jail after being convicted of rape in 1992.
In 1997, he bit a piece out of opponent Evander Holyfield's ear during a fight and was banned from the ring for a year.
Toback, who has known Tyson for years, has been praised for the confidences he drew from the fighter.
"I've always analyzed my life," Tyson said. "I've always been pretty objective about myself, I've always been a harsh critic about myself."
Humiliated as a child for his distinctive high lisp world of warcraft gold, he suffered much bullying until he began to fight back.
He was rescued from the streets of Brooklyn by veteran trainer Cus D'Amato, who helped channel his raw power and aggression and made him one of the most devastating punchers the sport had ever seen.
"I've lived a wild and strange life wow gold," Tyson told a news conference at the Cannes film festival to present a documentary on his life by U.S. director James Toback.
"I've used drugs, I've had physical altercations with dangerous people, people were angry. I've slept with guys' wives, they wanted to kill me. I'm just happy to be here. It's just a miracle. I feel good about being here with you," he said.
ADVERTISEMENT
Selecting from hours of footage and mixing fight sequences with interviews and photographs, Toback tells the story of the boxer's climb from his impoverished New York childhood to the pinnacle of his sport and his dramatic fall.
Like Serbian director Emir Kusturica's documentary on Argentine soccer star Diego Maradona, showing out of competition next week, "Tyson" paints the picture of a charismatic but troubled champion whose image transcended his sport.
"In the course of the film, Tyson moves from someone you might think you'd want to steer well clear of to a man you might actually want to meet and speak with cheap wow gold, which is a significant accomplishment," trade paper Variety said in its review.
Tyson himself, his face tattooed and looking significantly heavier in a grey suit than in his sporting prime, strode along the red carpet at the film's opening night to loud applause.
"I had no idea this thing was going to ever make it to this grand scale here," said Tyson, 41. "I feel totally overwhelmed."
DEVASTATING
The film treats Tyson as a tragic but also noble figure. At 20 buy wow gold, he became the youngest heavyweight champion of the world but his life spiraled out of control and he served three years in jail after being convicted of rape in 1992.
In 1997, he bit a piece out of opponent Evander Holyfield's ear during a fight and was banned from the ring for a year.
Toback, who has known Tyson for years, has been praised for the confidences he drew from the fighter.
"I've always analyzed my life," Tyson said. "I've always been pretty objective about myself, I've always been a harsh critic about myself."
Humiliated as a child for his distinctive high lisp world of warcraft gold, he suffered much bullying until he began to fight back.
He was rescued from the streets of Brooklyn by veteran trainer Cus D'Amato, who helped channel his raw power and aggression and made him one of the most devastating punchers the sport had ever seen.
2008年5月13日星期二
Dell to end its World of Warcraft computer line
Fresh from the Wall Street Journal comes some news from Dell: They're phasing out much of their XPS gaming line, including their Warcraft laptops. You might remember the Dell XPS M1730 from our giveaway contest, hand-ons analysis and reviews back when it first hit the market. According to the article, the phaseout begins next month, so if you've been thinking about getting one of these bad boys wow gold, you'd better act fast.
The website still doesn't mention anything about the phase out, but it seems likely it'll be pulled soon. the $2999 price tag still seems a bit steep to me cheap wow gold, but it's probably better than than the initial $4500 price tag, and better than the price that would probably be asked for any versions that might appear on various auction sites once Dell officially discontinues it.
We don't know for sure if the Laptop sold well, since Dell doesn't release sales information, but according to the article, the main object of this phase-out is to bolster the flagging Alienware line, which has lost much of it's luster since being purchased by Dell buy wow gold. Whatever the reason, the laptop is going bye-bye, so if you want it, go and get it. But you better hurry, because it may not last.
2008年5月12日星期一
The Nexus added to the official Wrath page
A little earlier today, Blizzard has made a new addition to the official Wrath of the Lich King site. They've added The Nexus to the dungeons listing! The Nexus seems to be made up of three wings. The Nexus and The Oculus will be 5 man dungeons wow gold, and there will also be a 10 and 25 man raid zone that seems to be currently unnamed. It, most likely, houses Malygos himself.
The description of the zone gives a little more insight into the situation between Malygos and the Kirin Tor, and tells us of something called the Arcanomicon buy wow gold. It is a map of Azeroth's ley lines, which the Blue Dragonflight is using to redirect magic away from those he believes are abusing it. The Nexus will be found in the Borean Tundra, one of the first zones in Wrath of the Lich King. I expect one of the five mans will accompany one of Utgarde Keep's wings as the 'first' dungeons of Wrath.
The description of the zone gives a little more insight into the situation between Malygos and the Kirin Tor, and tells us of something called the Arcanomicon buy wow gold. It is a map of Azeroth's ley lines, which the Blue Dragonflight is using to redirect magic away from those he believes are abusing it. The Nexus will be found in the Borean Tundra, one of the first zones in Wrath of the Lich King. I expect one of the five mans will accompany one of Utgarde Keep's wings as the 'first' dungeons of Wrath.
2008年5月11日星期日
Sunday Morning Funnies: You are not an ostrich
From the training of a rat to a meeting of the altaholics, to a little bit of man lovin', this week's comics progress storylines, provide gaming commentary wow gold, and bring out the laughs.
1. This week, The Scout Report teaches us a bit more about Ogre culture.
2. On Teh Gladiators, Trevor tries to train his hunter pet, the valiant rat.
3. Monkey Punchers goes all-out for the Man Love this week!
4. This week's LFG was definitely hilarious cheap wow gold. I won't even comment, so as not to spoil it.
5. Shakes and Fidget are out for Rock 'n' Roll this week.
6. Dark Legacy's NPCs are getting Stinking Rich.
7. Okay so WoW isn't as customizable as the generic MMO featured in this week's NoObz, but I think we can all relate. Besides, Wrath is bringing us new hair!
8. Ding! talks about altoholics.
9. Quite probably my personal favorite this week, The Adventures of Disgraph T. Dwarf, Episode 14: Orphan Saga, Part 1 buy wow gold.
Click through to cast your vote for the best comic from this week's selection.
1. This week, The Scout Report teaches us a bit more about Ogre culture.
2. On Teh Gladiators, Trevor tries to train his hunter pet, the valiant rat.
3. Monkey Punchers goes all-out for the Man Love this week!
4. This week's LFG was definitely hilarious cheap wow gold. I won't even comment, so as not to spoil it.
5. Shakes and Fidget are out for Rock 'n' Roll this week.
6. Dark Legacy's NPCs are getting Stinking Rich.
7. Okay so WoW isn't as customizable as the generic MMO featured in this week's NoObz, but I think we can all relate. Besides, Wrath is bringing us new hair!
8. Ding! talks about altoholics.
9. Quite probably my personal favorite this week, The Adventures of Disgraph T. Dwarf, Episode 14: Orphan Saga, Part 1 buy wow gold.
Click through to cast your vote for the best comic from this week's selection.
2008年5月10日星期六
A matter of dedication
Oftentimes when raiding or applying to a raid/guild is mentioned, many people get up in arms about the fact that games shouldn't require commitment on that level. That kind of opinion is understandable, I suppose, but I certainly can't say I agree with it.
Applying to a raid isn't applying to enter an instance. Applying to a raid is applying to a team. Joining a steady raid group isn't signing your soul away to WoW, it isn't declaring your dedication to the game itself. Your application is to the people, a statement that you want to join a team. This doesn't just apply to WoW, either. It doesn't just apply to this game, it isn't a flaw in World of Warcraft.
Real life has these same situations. Can you go bowling by yourself? Certainly. However, if you want to bowl competitively in the team brackets, there's a level of dedication required. It is a game, but you're also asking to be a member of a team. That team can be your friends playing for giggles, sure wow gold. If you want a very active team capable of competing, you'll need to prove your worth. You need to show up at the appropriate times on a regular basis or you are not a desirable team member. Bowling is a social activity. So is an MMO. If dedication to your teammates is a flaw in WoW, then life itself is flawed. If being able to commit to others is an unimaginable task, well... there are other problems at work.
High-end raiding in World of Warcraft is much the same. Your dedication is not to WoW. Your dedication is to the other players, to your teammates cheap wow gold. If this makes you uncomfortable, find content that won't require this of you. Find people who will not mind a lack of dedication on that level. They exist. There's no reason to be smarmy about people asking you to be dedicated. You're not playing for you, you're playing for your team.
Applying to a raid isn't applying to enter an instance. Applying to a raid is applying to a team. Joining a steady raid group isn't signing your soul away to WoW, it isn't declaring your dedication to the game itself. Your application is to the people, a statement that you want to join a team. This doesn't just apply to WoW, either. It doesn't just apply to this game, it isn't a flaw in World of Warcraft.
Real life has these same situations. Can you go bowling by yourself? Certainly. However, if you want to bowl competitively in the team brackets, there's a level of dedication required. It is a game, but you're also asking to be a member of a team. That team can be your friends playing for giggles, sure wow gold. If you want a very active team capable of competing, you'll need to prove your worth. You need to show up at the appropriate times on a regular basis or you are not a desirable team member. Bowling is a social activity. So is an MMO. If dedication to your teammates is a flaw in WoW, then life itself is flawed. If being able to commit to others is an unimaginable task, well... there are other problems at work.
High-end raiding in World of Warcraft is much the same. Your dedication is not to WoW. Your dedication is to the other players, to your teammates cheap wow gold. If this makes you uncomfortable, find content that won't require this of you. Find people who will not mind a lack of dedication on that level. They exist. There's no reason to be smarmy about people asking you to be dedicated. You're not playing for you, you're playing for your team.
2008年5月6日星期二
About the Bloggers: Sean Forsgren
Twice a week, our writers will tell you more about themselves, and let you get to know them and the characters they play a little better. Click here to read more About the Bloggers.
What do you do for WoW Insider?
I don't do much blogging per se, I guess I've settled into just keeping up on my two columns; Addon Spotlight and Macro Anatomy. I am constantly looking for new ways to customize my game play, as well as creating little tools to streamline what I do in-game. Aside from that, I pipe in on random conversations once in awhile, but keep to myself for the most part.
What's your main right now?
Right now I'm focused on my Blood Elf Paladin, gearing up in Karazhan for PvE and the Battlegrounds and Arena for PvP gear wow gold. I'm a proud holy-specced paladin, who enjoys the tough job of keeping people alive. As my guild knows, I also have aspirations for PvE tanking and PvP retribution endeavors in the future. Ask me next week and I may say one of my numerous alts is my main, its a fluid process.
For the Horde or Glory to the Alliance?
I'm for the Horde these days. My previous main was my Human Paladin (see a pattern here?) on a "Normal Server", but I opted to reroll with a friend on PvP server as Horde. Nowadays I don't even bother playing on my old care bear server, I love the tension of knowing other players are fair game. I used to think I'd never go back to Alliance either. As it turns out, I've recently started working on some Alliance alts on a different PvP server. (I really want to pounce on someone with my Night Elf Druid.) So, as always my allegiances are not to one side or the other, but to my own preferences in any given moment cheap wow gold. (Chaotic Neutral!?)
What do you do for WoW Insider?
I don't do much blogging per se, I guess I've settled into just keeping up on my two columns; Addon Spotlight and Macro Anatomy. I am constantly looking for new ways to customize my game play, as well as creating little tools to streamline what I do in-game. Aside from that, I pipe in on random conversations once in awhile, but keep to myself for the most part.
What's your main right now?
Right now I'm focused on my Blood Elf Paladin, gearing up in Karazhan for PvE and the Battlegrounds and Arena for PvP gear wow gold. I'm a proud holy-specced paladin, who enjoys the tough job of keeping people alive. As my guild knows, I also have aspirations for PvE tanking and PvP retribution endeavors in the future. Ask me next week and I may say one of my numerous alts is my main, its a fluid process.
For the Horde or Glory to the Alliance?
I'm for the Horde these days. My previous main was my Human Paladin (see a pattern here?) on a "Normal Server", but I opted to reroll with a friend on PvP server as Horde. Nowadays I don't even bother playing on my old care bear server, I love the tension of knowing other players are fair game. I used to think I'd never go back to Alliance either. As it turns out, I've recently started working on some Alliance alts on a different PvP server. (I really want to pounce on someone with my Night Elf Druid.) So, as always my allegiances are not to one side or the other, but to my own preferences in any given moment cheap wow gold. (Chaotic Neutral!?)
2008年5月5日星期一
The Guild visits Blizzard HQ
The cast and crew of The Guild got invited by Blizzard to come take a tour of the new facilities the other week, and they have a writeup on their website right now (written by Jeff Lewis, who plays Vork on the show) of their trip wow gold. Sounds like a lot of fun -- they got to tour the place, obviously, checking out the Hall of Fame, the gym and cafeteria (including the official "Blizzard Trays" area -- that sign makes me laugh), and the main offices. They also got to sit down and each lunch with Mike Morhaime, and then got to play both Starcraft 2 and some Rock Band with the staff. No Wrath?
Blizzard sent them home with lots of swag, too. I was under the impression, especially given the comments on our last Guild post, that we weren't really sure that the game these guys were playing was World of Warcraft -- they've never said the name cheap wow gold, as far as I know, and we've never seen any character shots. But Blizzard disagrees, apparently -- they've very sure The Guild is playing WoW, and they gave them a super nice tour for being a part of the game and the community.
Blizzard sent them home with lots of swag, too. I was under the impression, especially given the comments on our last Guild post, that we weren't really sure that the game these guys were playing was World of Warcraft -- they've never said the name cheap wow gold, as far as I know, and we've never seen any character shots. But Blizzard disagrees, apparently -- they've very sure The Guild is playing WoW, and they gave them a super nice tour for being a part of the game and the community.
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