Summer of SWTOR... meh

Last week, we got a detailed look at what will be coming up for SWTOR this summer.  Overall, I found BioWare's plans to be lacking.  I am quite pleased that they laid out the details for us to see though.  So kudos to BioWare, even if I am underwhelmed by their plans.

Basically, the next 2 patches will involve adding Nightmare modes to Terror from Beyond and Scum and Villainy Operations.  As I don;t really get a chance to do Operations, even in story mode, these don't do anything for me.  Some players will like them though.

In August, 2.3 will arrive, and bring a whole bunch of content along with it.  That includes new flashpoints (plural?), daily area, recurring event, and graphical upgrades.  I have very little interest in the first two.  I don;t really go in for dungeons, and I only do a daily area once.  The recurring event sounds cool, as do graphical upgrades.  I'm happy to see them included.

The best part of the post to me?  The comeback of double XP weekends!  I am very excited about that, as it will be a great chance to work on my alts while only doing class/planet content.  There was also a mention of PvP for patch 2.4.  That's pretty far off, so it really isn't something I'm going to get excited about just yet.

Overall,  there is not too much for me this summer in SWTOR.  That's fine though, there is a glut of games I have to play.

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Taun Fawn Winners

Today marks the end of the Taun Fawn Giveaway.  There were a lot of great entries,  but only 10 could win.  I selected them at random, using random.org.  Which, by the way, is a very cool site.  So lets get down to it, below are the winners in no particular order.

nekohime
Drew Winters
Peter Lustig
Elaine
Reth
Rohan
Bodhi
Alan Earl
Hibiki
Ghworg

I've sent emails to the winners.  Thanks to everyone who entered the giveaway.  It was a lot of fun and I'll have to do it again someday!

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Rise of the Black Sun

Last week, a new expansion pack for Distant Worlds (4X space game) was released, called: Shadows.  I immediately picked this up, as it offered a brand new way to play; as a pirate!  There are a bunch of other features too, but that is the main one.  So this will sort of be an AAR for my time in the game.

First things first, my squad of ruthless cutthroats needs a name.  Being the fountain of originality that I am, I go with the Black Sun.  What's that you say?  They are in Star Wars already?  I can't hear you...  lalalala.  After choosing a name I choose a playstyle which will affect my bonuses.

I could specialize as a planetary raider, smuggler or mercenary. Since I don't really know what I am doing yet, I'll just go with balanced.  I made the universe the way I live life... Large.  Is that saying still used?  1,400 stars in this bad boy.  I turned off those pesky space monsters too.

On to the game!  As a pirate, you cannot create any colonies.  Your life is out there between the stars.  That also means you cannot build the big ships (i.e. Construction vehicles).  Luckily for you, pirates can capture ships and build combat vessels.

The universe is very young with this expansion.  Empires have not managed to break free from the bounds of their solar systems... yet.  This gives pirates an early advantage as they can freely travel between systems.  You'll want to keep empires down as long as possible lest they grow too powerful and start to challange your dominance.

Below is a map of my surroundings.  There is the Leentaar Domain to the South East and an Independent Human colony to the South.

Pirates can make money any number of ways.  Once being 'Protection Agreements.'  For a monthly sum of cash, I'll make sure no one messes with your planets, including myself... maybe.  As the game starts, there is a human empire which I know about.  My adviser brings up a very valid point: they are not paying us anything.

Strangely enough, some of the UI is not captured by Fraps.  So, you'll just have to see that little mention in the top right.  From here on out, I'll have to use the ol Print Screen button and mspaint.

Every month, a freighter arrives from the Leentaar Domain filled with 203 credits.  It's not a large sum, but it helps put this operation in the black.  I'll need more than that to keep this band of pirates happy though.  I turned my attention South, to the unaffiliated Human colony.  By placing ships near it, I start to expand my influence over the system.  That will also generate income for me.

The colony is currently 29% under my control.  That, in turn, provides a boost to my income.

The construction expenses are for a new Destroyer and a Gas Mining facility near my home base.

While doing my thing with the human colony, we got a visit from another pirate faction:  the Deadly Prowlers.  It seems the galaxy is not big enough for the both of us, so a fight broke out.  As you can see, my forces are outnumbered.  We managed to take down one of their ships, before one of mine was destroyed.  The remaining ship set course to home and abandon our efforts.

 

After constructing several replacement Escort ships, the 1st Fleet returned to the system.  They found a lone sentinel of the Deadly Powers and quickly dispatched the vessel.  Reinforcements arrived, but quickly fled once realizing they were outmatched. The colony soon fell under our complete control.  Only after we learned that the Deadly Powers raided the planet, causing massive destruction.  We have no plans to do the same, instead we'll collect our tribute.

In other news, one of exploration ships happened upon an abandoned space station.  Turned out it is an old weapons research facility.  Our scientists were able to get it up and running again, proving us a much needed research boost.

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SWTOR Taun Fawn Giveaway

It has been a while since I have run a giveaway, so it's time to fix that.  I have 10 Taun Fawn pet codes burning a hole in my pocket.  This pet is usually only available from attending events.  So, what do you need to do to get your hands on one of these little guys?

NOTE:  The Giveaway is now over and the winners have been chosen.

It's pretty simple.  To celebrate the release of SWTOR's 2.1 customization patch, you just need to post a comment containing a screenshot of something you did with the new options.  Did you make use of the new dyes?  Convert one of your guys to Cathar?  Make use of collections to outfit your companions?

You can upload the image directly to the comment.  There is a image button below the text box (you'll have to click on the text box first).  Just use that to share your image.  In one week, I will choose ten winners at random.  When posting, please use a real email address so I can contact you if you won :)  Also, one entry per person please.

That's all there is to it!  I look forward to seeing your creations.

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The Curious Case of Neverwinter

Over the past few weeks I have been playing Cryptic's new game, Neverwinter.  It's a new game, which isn't anime, so how can I resist trying it out?  I rolled a Dwarf Guardian type character, I know you didn't see that one coming.  So what do I think about the game?  I'm not really sure.

My very first impression of the game was:  Am I playing LoTRO?  The graphics and especially the UI remind me a lot of that much older game.  I'm not sure of that is a knock against Neverwinter or not as LoTRO is still going strong.

Professions (crafting) in NW remind me a lot of Crew Skills in SWTOR and a little bit of Duty Officers in STO.  You hire some underling which does the work for you.  As the task master you schedule them and make sure they have the materials needed to complete their mission.

Unlike SWTOR, you can access all of the Professions through their web interface (gateway) without being logged into the game.  That's pretty nice I must say.  I, however, am not really using it.  I'm just not invested enough in the game to make the extra effort... yet.

I love the sparkly path.  There is something about the environments in NW which are tough for me to navigate.  Then again, maybe I've just been spoiled by the pathing system and not payed enough attention.  I've have tunnel vision on that sparkly path, not sure what I'd do without it now.

Lest I forget I am playing a Cryptic game, I finally received a Nightmare Lockbox.  Yippie!  I don't want to turn this into an anti-lockbox rant, but I hope they are not as prevalent as they are in STO.  I swear, for months on end the only 'content' offered was new lockboxes.

Anyway, I got myself a lockbox.  To open it I need an Enchanted Key, which costs Zen (bought with real money).  I like to support games, even free ones, so I am tempted to buy a key.  I really don;t want to encourage this kind of thing though, so we'll see what I end up doing.

While wondering around the Tower District  I came across a 'secret' switch.  It required my Dungeoneering skill to use.  Once activated, it opened up a secret door.  In it I found some more enemies and this rather large (and mad) Ogre.  I thought that was pretty neat, defeating him got me access to a treasure chest.

I should mention that I do enjoy combat in Neverwinter.  The active blocking (at least on my guy) makes some of the fights much more interesting.  By paying attention to visual queues you can avoid a lot of damage.  So even though you don't have a lot of buttons to press, the action feels tactical.  Of course, the weak mobs I just hack and slash.

So yeah, I'm not sure what I really think of Neverwinter.  A lot of it will depend on how Cryptic handles future updates.  If they are all based around lockboxes, Neverwinter and I won't have much of a future.  I say that as I am salivating over the prospect of playing a Romulan in STO, lockboxes and all.

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Change is Coming

In the next few weeks, my life will be undergoing some significant changes.  It started out with me leaving WAR, which was a game I played for 4.5 years.  I also took on a Community Management position with StatDrive.  The prize pool is up over $700,000 by the way.

I've also decided to pursue a new full time job.  It's a tough decision since I've been with my current company close to a decade now.  I just feel like my time there has run its course.  It also means that I will no longer work from home, so the commute will cut into my free time.

My free time isn't what it used to be anyway.  Over the past couple months my game playing has been in decline.  This is partly due to my obsessive nature when it comes to things like finding a new job and also due to just getting burned out on MMO's.  Don't get me wrong, I still like them.  I just have been playing them less.

In a few weeks I will start my new job.  It's within the same career, just a different area.  I'm excited, but nervous too.  I've built a nice little comfort zone while working at home, so being back in an office with a commute will shatter that.  On the other hand, I look forward to working with people again.

So what does this all mean for the blog?  I'm not sure.  I currently write my posts before starting work, which won't really be doable once I start at the new job.  Instead I'll have to do my posts at night or on weekends, so we will see what happens.  I really do hope to keep this place alive and well.  Maybe I can take a page from Scarybooster and learn to post from my phone. 

Overall, I'm nervous and excited about the upcoming changes to my life.  Hopefully these changes will be for the best and I won't regret making them.

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SWTOR 2.1.0 Data Dump

Another patch, another data dump.  This one is dominated by Collections and Dyes, which we mostly knew about.  There are some interesting references to a Dye Stealer and a Dye Bomb.  We do get a nice list of what dyes come from where.  Disappointingly, I did not see any hint about what is to come in the 2.2.0 patch.


abl.itm.useable.public_test_title_groupfinder_1/3/0
abl.itm.useable.public_test_title_groupfinder_1/3/1
abl.itm.useable.public_test_title_groupfinder_2/4/0
abl.itm.useable.public_test_title_groupfinder_2/4/1
abl.mtx.pack.vice_commandant_pack/3/0
abl.mtx.pack.vice_commandant_pack/3/1
abl.mtx.toy.dance_party_regen/11/0
abl.mtx.toy.dance_party_regen/11/1
abl.mtx.toy.dance_party_regen/11/2
abl.mtx.toy.dance_party_regen/11/3
abl.mtx.toy.dyes.dye_bomb_base
abl.mtx.toy.dyes.dye_bomb_base/3/0
abl.mtx.toy.dyes.dye_bomb_base/3/1
abl.mtx.toy.dyes.dye_bomb_base/3/2
abl.mtx.toy.dyes.dye_stealer
abl.mtx.toy.dyes.dye_stealer/2/0
abl.mtx.toy.dyes.dye_stealer/2/1
abl.mtx.toy.dyes.dye_stealer/2/2
abl.mtx.toy.holiday_2012.holotree/5/0
abl.mtx.toy.holiday_2012.holotree/5/1
abl.mtx.unlock.escrow_transfer
abl.mtx.unlock.escrow_transfer/2/0
abl.mtx.unlock.escrow_transfer/2/1
abl.npc.ability.custom.boss.flashpoint.cademimu.general_ortol.magnetic_clamps/10/0
abl.npc.ability.custom.boss.flashpoint.cademimu.general_ortol.magnetic_clamps/10/1
abl.npc.ability.custom.boss.flashpoint.cademimu.general_ortol.magnetic_clamps/10/2
abl.npc.ability.custom.boss.flashpoint.cademimu.general_ortol.magnetic_clamps/10/3
abl.npc.ability.custom.boss.flashpoint.cademimu.general_ortol.magnetic_clamps/10/4
abl.npc.ability.custom.boss.flashpoint.cademimu.general_ortol.magnetic_clamps/10/5
abl.npc.ability.custom.boss.flashpoint.cademimu.general_ortol.magnetic_clamps/10/6
abl.npc.ability.custom.boss.flashpoint.cademimu.general_ortol.magnetic_clamps/10/7
abl.racials.cathar.social
abl.racials.cathar.social/5/0
abl.racials.cathar.social/5/1
abl.racials.cathar.social/5/2
abl.test.joshuam.mtx.dye_bomb
abl.test.joshuam.mtx.dye_bomb/3/0
abl.test.joshuam.mtx.dye_bomb/3/1
abl.test.joshuam.mtx.dye_bomb/3/2
abl.test.joshuam.mtx.dye_steal
abl.test.joshuam.mtx.dye_steal/3/0
abl.test.joshuam.mtx.dye_steal/3/1
abl.test.joshuam.mtx.dye_steal/3/2
abl.test.joshuam.mtx.revans_cowl_fake
abl.test.joshuam.mtx.revans_cowl_fake/2/0
abl.test.joshuam.mtx.revans_cowl_fake/2/1
abl.test.joshuam.mtx.revans_cowl_fake/2/2
abl.test.joshuam.mtx.revans_cowl_fake/2/3
abl.test.joshuam.mtx.revans_cowl_fake/2/4
abl.test.qa.tools_automation.holder
abl.test.qa.tools_automation.holder/2/0
abl.test.qa.tools_automation.holder/2/1
abl.test.ryne.logictest_old
abl.test.ryne.logictest_old/4/0
abl.test.ryne.logictest_old/4/1
ami.colorscheme
cnv.mtx.chronicles.shroud_mtx
epp.mtx.toy.dyes.dye_bomb_base
epp.mtx.toy.dyes.dye_bomb_throw
epp.mtx.toy.dyes.dye_cleanup
epp.mtx.toy.dyes.dye_steal
ipp.mtx.season2.classic_npc.huttsbane.chest
ipp.mtx.season2.classic_npc.huttsbane.feet
ipp.mtx.season2.classic_npc.huttsbane.hands
ipp.mtx.season2.classic_npc.huttsbane.legs
ipp.mtx.season2.classic_npc.huttsbane.waist
ipp.mtx.season2.classic_npc.huttsbane.wrists
itm.gen.artifice.dye_pack.primary_black_secondary_deep_blue
itm.gen.artifice.dye_pack.primary_black_secondary_deep_red
itm.gen.artifice.dye_pack.primary_dark_blue_secondary_deep_green
itm.gen.artifice.dye_pack.primary_deep_blue_secondary_black
itm.gen.artifice.dye_pack.primary_deep_green
itm.gen.artifice.dye_pack.primary_deep_green_secondary_dark_blue
itm.gen.artifice.dye_pack.primary_deep_purple
itm.gen.artifice.dye_pack.primary_deep_red_secondary_black
itm.gen.artifice.dye_pack.primary_deep_red_secondary_light_gray
itm.gen.artifice.dye_pack.primary_light_gray_secondary_deep_red
itm.gen.artifice.dye_pack.primary_light_orange
itm.gen.artifice.dye_pack.primary_light_orange_secondary_white
itm.gen.artifice.dye_pack.primary_medium_gray
itm.gen.artifice.dye_pack.primary_pale_brown
itm.gen.artifice.dye_pack.primary_white_secondary_light_orange
itm.gen.artifice.dye_pack.secondary_deep_green
itm.gen.artifice.dye_pack.secondary_deep_purple
itm.gen.artifice.dye_pack.secondary_light_orange
itm.gen.artifice.dye_pack.secondary_medium_gray
itm.gen.artifice.dye_pack.secondary_pale_brown
itm.mtx.appearances.chiss.options_1
itm.mtx.appearances.human.eye_01
itm.mtx.appearances.human.hair_01
itm.mtx.appearances.human.hair_color_01
itm.mtx.appearances.mirialan.tattoos_1
itm.mtx.collection.armor.helm_blur_sith
itm.mtx.collection.armor.market_02x2_caster_dps_will_imp
itm.mtx.collection.armor.market_02x2_caster_dps_will_rep
itm.mtx.collection.armor.market_02x2_melee_dps_strhvy_imp
itm.mtx.collection.armor.market_02x2_melee_dps_strmed_rep
itm.mtx.collection.armor.market_02x2_ranged_dps_aim_imp
itm.mtx.collection.armor.market_02x2_ranged_dps_aim_rep
itm.mtx.collection.armor.market_02x2_tech_dps_cun_imp
itm.mtx.collection.armor.market_02x2_tech_dps_cun_rep
itm.mtx.collection.armor.market_06x1_hybrid_dps_will_imp
itm.mtx.collection.armor.market_06x1_hybrid_dps_will_rep
itm.mtx.collection.armor.market_06x1_hybrid_tank_will_imp
itm.mtx.collection.armor.market_06x1_hybrid_tank_will_rep
itm.mtx.collection.armor.market_06x1_melee_dps_strmed_imp
itm.mtx.collection.armor.market_06x1_melee_dps_strmed_rep
itm.mtx.collection.armor.market_06x1_melee_tank_strhvy_imp
itm.mtx.collection.armor.market_06x1_melee_tank_strhvy_rep
itm.mtx.collection.armor.market_06x1_tech_heals_aim_imp
itm.mtx.collection.armor.market_06x1_tech_heals_aim_rep
itm.mtx.collection.armor.market_06x1_tech_heals_cun_imp
itm.mtx.collection.armor.market_06x1_tech_heals_cun_rep
itm.mtx.collection.armor.market_06x1_tech_tank_aim_imp
itm.mtx.collection.armor.market_06x1_tech_tank_aim_rep
itm.mtx.collection.armor.reputation_contraband_gear_eyepatch
itm.mtx.collection.armor.reputation_contraband_gear_flametrooper
itm.mtx.collection.armor.reputation_contraband_gear_gold_crown
itm.mtx.collection.armor.reputation_contraband_gear_merc
itm.mtx.collection.armor.reputation_contraband_gear_voss_outfit
itm.mtx.collection.armor.season1_dancer_01
itm.mtx.collection.armor.season1_dancer_02
itm.mtx.collection.armor.season1_dancer_03
itm.mtx.collection.armor.season1_dancer_04
itm.mtx.collection.armor.season1_invisible
itm.mtx.collection.armor.season1_makeb_blue_agent
itm.mtx.collection.armor.season1_makeb_blue_bounty_hunter
itm.mtx.collection.armor.season1_makeb_blue_classic_agent
itm.mtx.collection.armor.season1_makeb_blue_classic_bounty_hunter
itm.mtx.collection.armor.season1_makeb_blue_classic_jedi_consular
itm.mtx.collection.armor.season1_makeb_blue_classic_jedi_knight
itm.mtx.collection.armor.season1_makeb_blue_classic_sith_inquisitor
itm.mtx.collection.armor.season1_makeb_blue_classic_sith_warrior
itm.mtx.collection.armor.season1_makeb_blue_classic_smuggler
itm.mtx.collection.armor.season1_makeb_blue_classic_trooper
itm.mtx.collection.armor.season1_makeb_blue_jedi_consular
itm.mtx.collection.armor.season1_makeb_blue_jedi_knight
itm.mtx.collection.armor.season1_makeb_blue_sith_inquisitor
itm.mtx.collection.armor.season1_makeb_blue_sith_warrior
itm.mtx.collection.armor.season1_makeb_blue_smuggler
itm.mtx.collection.armor.season1_makeb_blue_trooper
itm.mtx.collection.armor.season1_nihilus_head
itm.mtx.collection.armor.season1_revan
itm.mtx.collection.armor.season2_invisible
itm.mtx.collection.armor.season2_kotor_brianna
itm.mtx.collection.armor.season2_kotor_carth_onasi
itm.mtx.collection.armor.season2_kotor_darth_malak
itm.mtx.collection.armor.season2_lost_jedi
itm.mtx.collection.armor.season2_makeb_civilian
itm.mtx.collection.armor.season2_monocle_blue
itm.mtx.collection.armor.season2_organa_senator
itm.mtx.collection.armor.season2_organa_trooper
itm.mtx.collection.armor.season2_relaxed_jumpsuit
itm.mtx.collection.armor.season2_rist_senator
itm.mtx.collection.armor.season2_toothpick_1
itm.mtx.collection.armor_season2_monocle_red
itm.mtx.collection.armor_set.blur_sith
itm.mtx.collection.armor_set.heartless_pursuer
itm.mtx.collection.armor_set.market_04x2_caster_dps_will_imp
itm.mtx.collection.armor_set.market_04x2_caster_dps_will_rep
itm.mtx.collection.armor_set.market_04x2_melee_dps_str_imp
itm.mtx.collection.armor_set.market_04x2_melee_dps_str_rep
itm.mtx.collection.armor_set.market_04x2_ranged_dps_aim_imp
itm.mtx.collection.armor_set.market_04x2_ranged_dps_aim_rep
itm.mtx.collection.armor_set.market_04x2_tech_dps_cun_imp
itm.mtx.collection.armor_set.market_04x2_tech_dps_cun_rep
itm.mtx.collection.armor_set.market_gold_scalene
itm.mtx.collection.armor_set.market_sand_people_pillage
itm.mtx.collection.armor_set.market_social_cs_bh
itm.mtx.collection.armor_set.market_social_cs_con
itm.mtx.collection.armor_set.market_social_cs_inq
itm.mtx.collection.armor_set.market_social_cs_jk
itm.mtx.collection.armor_set.market_social_cs_smu
itm.mtx.collection.armor_set.market_social_cs_spy
itm.mtx.collection.armor_set.market_social_cs_sw
itm.mtx.collection.armor_set.market_social_imp_pilot
itm.mtx.collection.armor_set.market_social_rep_pilot
itm.mtx.collection.armor_set.season2_ald_npc_thul_senator_middle
itm.mtx.collection.armor_set.season2_ald_npc_thul_trooper_head
itm.mtx.collection.armor_set.season2_classic_armor_trenchcoat_upper
itm.mtx.collection.armor_set.season2_classic_npc_huttsbane
itm.mtx.collection.armor_set.season2_classic_npc_matriarch_sumari_upper
itm.mtx.collection.armor_set.season2_classic_npc_red_blade_upper
itm.mtx.collection.armor_set.season2_classic_npc_thana_vesh_upper
itm.mtx.collection.armor_set.season2_invisible_hands
itm.mtx.collection.armor_set.season2_kotor_bastila_shan_chest
itm.mtx.collection.armor_set.season2_kotor_jolee_bindo_chest
itm.mtx.collection.armor_set.season2_kotor_sith_trooper_v02_chest
itm.mtx.collection.armor_set.season2_sexy_outfit1_v2_chest
itm.mtx.collection.armor_set.social_cs_tro
itm.mtx.collection.companion_customization.reputation_contraband_elara_dorne_custom_09
itm.mtx.collection.companion_customization.reputation_contraband_kaliyo_djannis_custom_09
itm.mtx.collection.companion_customization.reputation_contraband_tharan_custom_09
itm.mtx.collection.companion_customization.reputation_contraband_vette_custom_09
itm.mtx.collection.companion_customization.season1_2vr8_butler
itm.mtx.collection.companion_customization.season1_2vr8_target_dummy
itm.mtx.collection.companion_customization.season1_c2n2_butler
itm.mtx.collection.companion_customization.season1_c2n2_target_dummy
itm.mtx.collection.crystal.market_orangeyellow_attackcrit
itm.mtx.collection.crystal.market_orangeyellow_attackexpertise
itm.mtx.collection.crystal.market_orangeyellow_attackpower
itm.mtx.collection.crystal.market_orangeyellow_endurance
itm.mtx.collection.crystal.season1_cyan_blue_att_crit_artifact_basemod_08
itm.mtx.collection.crystal.season1_cyan_blue_att_end_artifact_basemod_08
itm.mtx.collection.crystal.season1_cyan_blue_att_exp_artifact_basemod_08
itm.mtx.collection.crystal.season1_cyan_blue_att_pwr_artifact_basemod_08
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itm.mtx.collection.crystal.special_preorder_black_yellow
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itm.mtx.collection.emote.unlockemotebeachparty
itm.mtx.collection.emote.unlockemoteboohoo
itm.mtx.collection.emote.unlockemotedance1
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itm.mtx.collection.emote.unlockemotedance3
itm.mtx.collection.emote.unlockemotedance4
itm.mtx.collection.emote.unlockemotefistpump
itm.mtx.collection.emote.unlockemoteflourish
itm.mtx.collection.emote.unlockemotekloo
itm.mtx.collection.emote.unlockemotemoodangered
itm.mtx.collection.emote.unlockemotemooddisdained
itm.mtx.collection.emote.unlockemotemoodecstatic
itm.mtx.collection.emote.unlockemotemoodenraged
itm.mtx.collection.emote.unlockemotemoodfearful
itm.mtx.collection.emote.unlockemotemoodfurious
itm.mtx.collection.emote.unlockemotemoodgoofy
itm.mtx.collection.emote.unlockemotemoodpained
itm.mtx.collection.emote.unlockemotemoodsly
itm.mtx.collection.emote.unlockemotemoodsnide
itm.mtx.collection.emote.unlockemotemoodterrified
itm.mtx.collection.emote.unlockemotepoint_laugh
itm.mtx.collection.emote.unlockemotesuperflex
itm.mtx.collection.emote.unlockemotetaunt1
itm.mtx.collection.emote.unlockemotetaunt2
itm.mtx.collection.emote.unlockemotexantha
itm.mtx.collection.holiday.life_day.armor_set
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itm.mtx.collection.holiday.life_day.toy_holotree
itm.mtx.collection.holiday.life_day.toy_orb
itm.mtx.collection.holiday.life_day.toy_tinsel_bomb
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itm.mtx.collection.mountlongspursportster
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itm.mtx.collection.pet.season1_monkey_lizard_monkey_lizard_a01v03
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itm.mtx.collection.pet.season1_probe_probe_interrogation_a01v03
itm.mtx.collection.pet.season1_vrblthr_vrblthr_a01v01
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itm.mtx.collection.pet.season1_vrblthr_vrblthr_a01v03
itm.mtx.collection.pet.season1_womprat_womprat_a01v01
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itm.mtx.collection.pet.season1_womprat_womprat_a01v03
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itm.mtx.collection.pet.season2_battledroid_combat_a01v05
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itm.mtx.collection.pet.season2_fighter_ps_agent
itm.mtx.collection.pet.season2_fighter_ps_smuggler
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itm.mtx.collection.pet.special_collectors_edition_mouse_droid
itm.mtx.collection.pet.special_promotion_event_tauntaun_a01v04
itm.mtx.collection.pet.special_promotion_legacy_tauntaun_a02v01
itm.mtx.collection.pet.special_promotion_p4f_combat_a01v07
itm.mtx.collection.pet.special_promotion_p4f_combat_a01v08
itm.mtx.collection.pet.special_promotion_p4f_combat_a01v09
itm.mtx.collection.pet.special_promotion_p4f_combat_a01v10
itm.mtx.collection.pet.special_promotion_p4f_combat_a01v11
itm.mtx.collection.pet.special_promotion_posa_artic_manka
itm.mtx.collection.pet.special_promotion_posa_crested_orokeet
itm.mtx.collection.pet.special_promotion_posa_forest_nekarr
itm.mtx.collection.pet.special_promotion_posa_gilded_flutterplume
itm.mtx.collection.pet.special_promotion_posa_lobelode
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itm.mtx.collection.space_equipment.pack_offense
itm.mtx.collection.space_equipment.pack_utility
itm.mtx.collection.title.season1_blockade_runner
itm.mtx.collection.title.season1_cartel_collector
itm.mtx.collection.title.season1_crime_lord
itm.mtx.collection.title.season1_skip_tracer
itm.mtx.collection.title.season1_space_pirate
itm.mtx.collection.title.season2_contraband_collector
itm.mtx.collection.title.season2_enforcer
itm.mtx.collection.title.season2_regulator
itm.mtx.collection.title.season2_vice_commandant
itm.mtx.collection.title.special_pts_act_1
itm.mtx.collection.title.special_pts_groupfinder_1
itm.mtx.collection.title.special_pts_groupfinder_2
itm.mtx.collection.title.special_pts_level_10
itm.mtx.collection.title.special_rothc
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itmAppearanceColorsPrototype
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qst.test.qa.tools_automation.holder
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schem.gen.artifice.dye_pack.primary_deep_green_secondary_dark_blue
schem.gen.artifice.dye_pack.primary_deep_purple
schem.gen.artifice.dye_pack.primary_deep_red_secondary_black
schem.gen.artifice.dye_pack.primary_deep_red_secondary_light_gray
schem.gen.artifice.dye_pack.primary_light_gray_secondary_deep_red
schem.gen.artifice.dye_pack.primary_light_orange
schem.gen.artifice.dye_pack.primary_light_orange_secondary_white
schem.gen.artifice.dye_pack.primary_medium_gray
schem.gen.artifice.dye_pack.primary_pale_brown
schem.gen.artifice.dye_pack.primary_white_secondary_light_orange
schem.gen.artifice.dye_pack.secondary_deep_green
schem.gen.artifice.dye_pack.secondary_deep_purple
schem.gen.artifice.dye_pack.secondary_light_orange
schem.gen.artifice.dye_pack.secondary_medium_gray
schem.gen.artifice.dye_pack.secondary_pale_brown
spn.generic.test.mtx_assets.mount.hutt_skiff.imperial
spn.mtx.facial_recon.kiosk
spn.mtx.facial_recon.kiosk_control_panel
spn.test.donde.mtx.outfits.ald_spn.organa_senator
spn.test.donde.mtx.outfits.ald_spn.organa_trooper
spn.test.donde.mtx.outfits.ald_spn.rist_senator
spn.test.donde.mtx.outfits.bastila_shan
spn.test.donde.mtx.outfits.brianna
spn.test.donde.mtx.outfits.carth_onasi
spn.test.donde.mtx.outfits.darth_malak
spn.test.donde.mtx.outfits.jolee_bindo
spn.test.donde.mtx.outfits.stih_trooper_shiny
spn.test.donde.mtx.outfits.store.sexy_oufit1
spn.test.mrichards.mtx.kowakian

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Smugglers 5 Review

Last week, the fifth installment of the Smugglers series came out.  What is Smugglers you ask?  It's a turn based game in the same vein as Elite and the X series.  You take control of a ship and can trade, fight and scheme your way to galactic prominence.  I've never actually played much of the previous four editions, but I am in a smuggling kind of mood today.  This was written using the Demo version of Smugglers 5.

There are four starting factions to choose from.  Each is suited to certain careers and has an innate challenge level.  For my game, I am going the easy route with the Federation.

  

There are six different professions to choose from.  Each has their own starting skills and equipment.  I am going with the Free Trader.  It should provide a good amount of freedom for me to make my fortune.

There is a war going on it seems.  As a simple trader, I am not too interested in getting involved, at least not yet.  

I found an alien artifact floating around in the middle of nowhere.  You get two choices: sell it or hand it over to a government.  I think we all know what the best choice is.  Sell it!  I've got my eyes on a ship upgrade.

In Smugglers 5, small ships cannot travel to other star systems.  You will need at least a corvette to do that.  Until I raise more funds, I'll be stuck flying around the Sol system.  I'm almost a third of the way there at the moment.

It looks like a little bit on MMO snuck its way into Smugglers 5.  There are talent trees!  Most of them appear to be combat related, but there is a nice path for traders.  You unlock points to spend by ganing experience ( combat, trading etc).

Sadly, the demo is limited to 300 turns.  When traveling around, it take multiple days (turns) to reach your destination.  So the turns go by pretty quickly.  I managed to rack up $80,000 before my time ran out.  Now comes the real question... is this a game I would buy?

I wasn't sure what the price was, I was guessing  $10 or $15.  Sadly I was mistaken, it is $29.95.  Now, I love to support Indie devs, but I'm not sure there is enough here for me to make it worth my while.  I didn't show it here, but the combat is not very exciting either.  Think of it like a old Final Fantasy screen with your ship on one side and the enemy on the other.

At the time of this writing, you can get $5 off by using the discount code: SMUGGLERS

I also saw spelling mistakes, and Smuggler 4 strings.  One thing I like, and don't like about the game is that it was not made using DirectX or any other 3d library.  Instead, I think it is Windows Forms game.  Not that it's a bad thing, means I could play it over Remote Desktop or on weak machines.  However, the presentation is not the greatest I've seen.

Here is what the full $30 will get you.

There are certainly some tempting features on that list.  However, I'm just not sold at that price point.  I have other games, like X, that I already own and provide a lot of the same.  On the flip side, Smugglers 5 is easier to hop into and play if you are short on time.  If it ever goes on sale, I might be tempted to pick it up.  

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StatDrive Revealed

Remember a little while back when I mentioned that I was taking on a Community Management role at a company called StatDrive?  At the time, i could not say much about what exactly we were up to.  That time is over and I can talk about it, yay!

First, you should check out the website:  http://www.statdrive.net/

Basically, StatDrive will be holding eSports tournaments for FireFall, League of Legends, and Starcraft 2.  These events will be pretty large.  Just take a look at that prize pool! At the time of this writing it is $531k and rising!  How high will it go?  Wait and see :)

It should be pretty exciting.  Over the past year I have become a big fan of eSports, especially League of Legends.    As such, I'll be focusing more on LoL, I will also be putting together a newsletter.  So far it has been a fun gig, and I can't wait until things really get started.

In related news, the official StatDrive forums are live.  It'll be the go to place to talk about the events.

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For me, the WAR is over

This week, my Warhammer Online subscription expired.  After some thinking, I decided not to renew it.  This is a first in my 4.5 year history with WAR.  It was not an easy decision to come by as the game means a lot to me.  But given its current state, I made the decision not to re-subscribe.

The reason for this is rather simple though.  I don't feel Mythic is giving the game the support it needs.  The game recently lost its lead developer, Keaven.  That leaves one known developer to work on the game.  That is just not going to cut it.  I'm not trying to take anything away from Kevin, but WAR is a big game and needs a team.

Sadly, this also means I won't be supporting the Arsenal of WAR Item Database or the Career Builder any more.  The latter will probably become unavailable in the next month or two since I won't be paying for another years worth of service.

I will still be following WAR and posting news about it here.  Who knows, maybe Mythic will show that WAR is still a priority and I will resubscribe.

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Sponsor

Last week, I received an email from the folks at Passionfruit about their advertising service.  As a fan of new stuff, I decided to take it for a spin.  Basically, it allows you to create your own ad store, which lets people purchase advertising space.  You define the ad spots, how many ads to show, the duration, and the price.

My ad store can be found here: http://www.weritsblog.com/p/sponser.html

I was previously experimenting with Google's Adsense, but was never really satisfied with the results.  With Passionfruit's system, there is the potential to end up with much more relevant ads.  For now though, you'll just see some place holders.   If you have something to advertise, and want to reach a bunch of gamers then it might be worth your while to sponsor Werit's Blog :)

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I don't care about winning

When playing video games, I rarely care about actually beating the game, or winning versus other players. This weekend I played a bunch of Civilization 5 and is a great example of what I wrote above.  I don't worry about the score of the game, or even the victory conditions.  For me, Civilization is all about the journey.  The same goes for most strategy games I play.

Speaking of Civilization, there is not much better than starting a new game.  So much is unknown about the world around you.  Which resources are nearby?  How close are the other empires?  What is the geography like?  Getting those questions answered is part of what makes Civilization a great game.

There are exceptions to my not caring about winning, of course.  League of Legends is one game where I want to win.  I even find it hard to play Normal games because I know I could be spending my time in ranked matches instead.  To spend 45 minutes in a match just to lose it ends up being pretty demoralizing.  But a win is oh so sweet.

In scenario based PvP ( WAR, SWTOR et), I really don't mind losing.  There is still character progression (forward, not backwards like LoL), and as long as the match was fun I am happy.

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That Eve Itch

Every so often, I get the urge to play Eve Online again.  I'm currently battline this urge, most likely caused by fanfest and the upcoming Odyssey expansion.  I event downloaded the game, so that if I do decide to play all I have to do is subscribe.

I've played Eve on and off for at least 6 years, but I always end up leaving for one reason or another.  What really holds me back from playing is that it can just be so much work.  Lets take a look at some of the activities I'd probably do.

Trading.  I have some nice tool to automatically find me profitable trades, but hauling things is just plain boring.  Sure a lot of it can be done afk, but I'd like to actually play.

I could always try my hand at trading in low-sec/null sec systems, which would spice things up.  I own a Blockade Runner which I could use, but it is still a risky proposition.  Those things are not exactly cheap.

Industry.  The thing I dislike about Industry is collecting the raw materials needed to build stuff.  I could limit my buy orders to a single station, but that means it would just take longer to fill my orders.  Going around and collecting the materials is also not very fun.

Missions.  I have a nice PvE fitted Drake I could use for Level 3 or 4 missions, but I still need to get enough standings to unlock them.  Running low level missions to do this does not sound very exciting either.

Mining.  Zzzzzzzz

So much about Eve just feels like work to me, which is why I never really stick with it.  I just don't have the time, or any real goals in the game that keep me motivated.  Making more money is not really a goal, since I could easily just buy and sell a PLEX to do that.

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