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| MMOWTF: Thrones of Chaos by Dan Fotier,MMORPG.COM Weekly Column by Dan Fotier Editor's Note: This is an edition of a weekly column by Staff Writer Dan Fotier. The column is called "MMOWTF" and will look at some of the stranger or more frustrating events in MMOs as seen by Mr. Fotier. The opinions expressed are those of the author and not necessarily those of MMORPG.com, its staff or management. Yes, I'm back from the brink of oblivion to run some more fingernails down your chalkboard. This week I decided to shine a spotlight on a bit of news I found disturbing. Recently here at MMORPG.com we added a new game called "Thrones of Chaos, " which according to the new developers is based only on the concepts and engine of the original title known previously by several other names including 'Mourning'. They stated that it was to avoid starting from scratch and building an engine from the ground up. They also promised to give all the people scammed in it's last incarnation a free lifetime account as recompense for the actions of the previous team. In our little corner of the gaming world there are few games that really break the mold. Rarely a game comes out that change perceptions in the industry. World of Warcraft, for example, reminded us that there is a mass market for these types of games and that a MMO could worm its way into pop culture. Other titles such as Seed remind us that poor honest devs will most likely starve before making any profit from their game. There are other games though that break the mold the wrong way though and after hearing about the return of the many-headed hydra once named 'Mourning' under a new name and new team I got the feeling in my stomach just like the last time I ate pickles and peaches washed down by milk and salt water. You know that kind of feeling, like something really bad is going to happen but you not sure what direction danger could come from. Paranoid delusions aside, I think we need to have a bit closer look at this whole situation. Now most of you read the press release and wondered the same thing as I: Why on earth would you purposefully choose a game with such a history? It would be like starting an energy company called "EnRon" (note the big R.) and asking people to invest their life savings. For all your good intentions, I cannot imagine you'd get many takers. Now due to the fact that several other major gaming sites feature the title and the fact there is no hard evidence to prove that the same jokers are involved, it's completely understandable that we would bring it back into the game's list. Unless they start up their old shenanigans again or do something blatantly illegal or unethical they probably will continue to get free press from most of the major sites. Not everyone will be happy about it, but that just the way the cookie crumbles when you eat in bed. If things work out for the best and LoudAnt have somehow polished the proverbial turd then I would have no problem being the first to give them a big WTG. However, being the jaded gamer I am there is no way I can just throw out the history of the project and give them a clean slate. So before they get any laurels from me they will have to take the long road of backing up their words with action and making a game that works. If they start down the road to Scamville again though, I'm sure they will find themselves on a much shorter leash, at least from me. By the way, anyone know when Mafate 2.0 is coming out? I'll be back next week with something else to get me run out of town. Drop your thoughts in the forums before you go back to the grind. write your comments about the article :: © 2006 Game News :: home page |