12 COMMENTS
26 Jul 2010

A Good Beta Tester?

I started writing this topic in response to a blue post from Ghostcrawler. It seems that while the beta programme is proceeding at pace, the quality of feedback they’re getting is dropping. Rather than trying to paraphrase the Crab himself, I’ll let you read his words directly.

I hate to go all forum moderator on you guys, but we’ve seen a recent downward spiral in the quality of some of these threads and posts here on the beta forum.

Story time: I started posting heavily in the Lich King beta forums. It was a great experience and lot of players enjoyed the opportunity to be able to have intelligent conversations directly with the developers. I’ve heard over and over ever since then what a positive experience that was for a lot of players. It’s for that reason that I am going to be fiercely protective of the quality of posts here in the Class Discussion forum.

If you see a locked thread, chances are we thought it crossed the line. If you keep making the kinds of threads that get locked, then you’ll be removed from the beta and we will replace you with someone who can provide intelligent feedback. Sorry to sound like a jerk — I hate making these kinds of posts. But we want participating in the beta to be a positive experience.

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3 COMMENTS
24 Jul 2010

Mage Community Forums Now Live

You asked for it, so here it is. After an overwhelming response from the community, both in the original blogpost and elsewhere on the web (see here, here and here) I’ve gone and put together a set of forums for mages to discuss, share and plot against warlocks.

Feel free to head on over to the fourms and join up. Registration is quick and easy, and you can dive right in and start posting as soon as it’s done. You don’t need to be some mage guru to join either – both newcomers and old hands are welcome to join.

There’s also a couple of spots on the forums for you to talk about the blog, The Obscurecast podcast and anything else that may take your fancy.

Let’s hope that this place grows into a flourishing new home for mages.

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7 COMMENTS
22 Jul 2010

The Obscurecast Ep 10: Pewter Ponders

Stu is still on holiday in Orlando, so I’ve been very kindly joined by Pewter from The ‘mental Shaman. It’s a bumper packed 2 hour episode this week as we’ve got a ton more to talk about (plus we veer off topic a lot).

In the episode this week we have:

  • New Beta Build – further spell and talent changes
  • Icecrown Citadel buff now at 30%
  • Guild Levelling and Guild Perks
  • Twitter Dev Chat & RealID Updates
  • MMO-Champion Bought by Curse

The second hour of the show we spend discussing Pewter, the focus of her blog and some of the subjects close to her. Topics like videogaming with disabilities, what geek feminism actually means and even Computer Engineer Barbie get covered.

We’ve also added some discreet advertising to the site in an effort to help contribute to the cost of producing the show. If you like what we do and want to help, you can also donate to our “Coffee Cache” through the button on the site.

Intro music was  Decimal Places by I Concur.

You can subscribe to us in iTunes! While you’re there, please rate the podcast and leave us a review.

As always, if you want to contact us about anything on the podcast you can mail us at obscurecast@manaobscura.com, post a reply here on the blog or tweet us at @manaobscura.

Thanks for listening!

 
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46 COMMENTS
21 Jul 2010

Calling All Mages!

There’s been an idea that I’ve seen kicked around Twitter a couple of times, but I’ve not seen anything come of it. It bubbled up again in the middle of the RealID Forum fiasco, but went quiet after Blizzard changed their plans. As a result, I’m not sure if it’s needed or wanted, or if anyone else is planning anything.

Basically, do mages want or need their own spot on the web?

There’s a handful of reasons why I think it’d be a good thing, plus I think it’ll sit alongside places like The Warlock’s Den, Tankspot, Shadowpriest.com, Shadowpanther and so on. Even the Shaman are getting in on the act with Operation Totemspot.

So please, PLEASE, leave your comments on this. Do you think it’s a good idea? Would you use it? What would you expect it to do? Would you be interested in getting involved? Anything else you can think of?

That’s it for now – I have a podcast to prepare for!

UPDATE: Following the enormous response, I’ve opened up a new set of forums! You can find them here or by clicking the “Forums” link above. Please go there, register and join in!

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8 COMMENTS
20 Jul 2010

Games Within Games Within Games

I used to exclusively play single-player games, drifting from title to title from month to month. After I’d finished eating through the content that the developers had created, the game was finished for me. Achievements or multiplayer modes didn’t exist nearly as much back then, so there wasn’t really anything else left to play for.

Singe I started playing Warcraft, I’ve bought what, maybe a handful of games? All of them titles that I’ve wanted to try out, that have looked cool, that have felt right.

Know how many I’ve completed? Zip. Nada. Zilch.

I must suck as a gamer or something.

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