View From the Top Archive

On the 17th of March 2010 Karen and I sat down with Todd Harris, the Executive Producer of Hi-Rez studio’s Global Agenda, and chatted with him about his exciting product and how important community was for it. Todd was an exceptional guest and gave us a whole lot to think about. Take some time and listen to his answers about Global Agenda and MMOs!

Show Notes

• What have we been up to lately? Karen was at GDC, Adam is planning to leave the country and Todd Harris has been playing his own game! Karen did make level 90.
• Hi-Rez studios is in Georgia? How is that possible? Adam, the Georgia native, must know!
• Where did Hi-Rez come from? Listen to episode 9 to learn about a “geek dream” come true as founders go from business software geniuses to MMO stars.
• What is the inspiration for Global Agenda? Why an MMOFPS?
• Community is important for every MMO and in Global Agenda it seems to be even more important. How does Hi-Rez intend to foster a good player community?
• What are some other funding options for Global Agenda? We see a lot of shuttered shops. Are these RMTs to come or just future features?
• For a listener based focused more on MMORPGs, why should they give Global Agenda a try? Here is a hint: You don’t have to pay a subscription to enjoy an awesome core game!
• Everyone needs a jet pack!
• No elves? How does that work? Global Agenda isn’t your typical MMO!
• Missions don’t seem to draw on forever. They’re quick and offer lots of action. Travel time is short and grouping is easy!
• Dealing with the persistent world and the conquest system. How do you let players finally go to sleep?
• Alliances are important and continue to grow. How do you stop zerging?
• New characters are gimp right? They can’t really join the conquest system at the beginning can they? (They can actually!)
• Smaller agencies will have a place on the global map. Find out how!
• What did View from the Top hear before everyone else? Get a Global Agenda exclusive here!
• Talking Point: Official Alliances. How do they affect guilds and guild leaders? What can you do to have a successful alliance?
• You make the call: Guild Bank security! Please send in your questions guys!

Acknowledgments

Karen and I would like to thank Hi-Rez studios for their willingness to work with us. They were extremely approachable and kind. Thank you to Michal and Todd Harris for making this possible. We really appreciated the opportunity to do this interview.

Todd would like to thank the development team of Global Agenda for getting the release out on time! He also wanted to shout out specifically to Michal and Dan for putting together the latest “no elves” trailer!

Adam shouts out to the state of Georgia and Chris from “Game by Night.” He also wanted to thank Michal for putting up with him messing up her name!

Karen would like to shout out to Brent and Darren from Virgin Worlds for helping her get to GDC. She also shouts out to a huge list of names and Adam is jealous!

If you haven’t checked out Global Agenda yet take the time to do so! Purchase the box once and play forever!

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It is tough to follow an episode as great as episode seven but I think Karen and I achieved it! I’m pleased to bring you episode eight, Kiara! In this episode Karen and Christy gang up on me and make me feel tiny (even though I’m totally bigger than them)! I wasn’t allowed to play any games during the show or talk about how awesome gnolls are! Kiara even has a death touch! Watch out! Enjoy this extra large episode that focuses on community, guilds, and EverQuest 2!

Show Notes

• Who is this Kiara person? Her kitties don’t seem to know! What has everyone been playing and who isn’t 90 yet! Did someone say Facebook games?
• How does going from a player to a member of a development shop feel? What are some of the things that really made it difficult and how does it change your outlook? Do you smite guilty developers?
• Are all females gravity challenged? Adam suggests that maybe they are and gets the cold shoulder. Facts be darned, don’t diss the ladies! Ladies send hate mail to Ferrel[at]epicslant.com. Also, if you’d like a date…. same email!
• Healer shop talk! We discuss Templars, Inquisitors, Shamans and other things that make you not die! Don’t nerf Adam’s cleric plate! We wear the same plate as warriors darn it!
• EverQuest II does amazing work with trade skills but Karen and Adam just don’t participate. They’re the anti-tradeskillers! Mindlessly kill things? Oh yes!
• How did Christy become Kiara? Would she do it again? Find out here!
• Dealing with the forum. What are some tips in handling a hostile community?
• Listening to the EQ2 community. Your voice is heard!
• Halas will be coming soon and you really don’t want to miss it.
• Beastlords will be joining the EQ2 class list soon! (Just kidding… or am I?)
• How do you get into a raiding guild and make yourself stand out?
• Karen and Adam are failing at Twitter! Follow us… because we want a bigger number! FerrelES and JayeRNH

Acknowledgments

We would like to throw out a huge amount of thanks to Christy for joining us on the show. We had a lot of fun hanging out and discussing our favorite MMO with her and I enjoyed the abuse. Karen and I are stoked to have her back again sometime soon for a sequel!

Karen would like to shout out to Troy from EQual Perspectives and Emerald Tablet. She’d also like to shout out to Randolph from Grinding to Valhalla.

Christy wanted to shout out to us (hurray!) and the EQ2 community. She really thinks we’re the best community and wants to see us all at Fan Faire. She’s buying drinks too!

Adam also wanted to shout out to RC! Congratulations to Syp and Beau for their new positions with Massively. Finally, a huge shout out to Fippy. Pro Gnoll!

Ladies and gentlemen, please submit some questions! If you don’t, Kiara will nerf you!

(Listen to the very end for a secret!)

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Welcome to side B of episode 7 where we continue our conversations with Brian Green. We went really long before but the material was just too good to miss. Plus it would have been really rude to just cut off a guest topic! Find out what he has to say about Allod’s Online! Also find out what happened to Ferrel!

Show Notes

• Ferrel we hardly knew you and we will miss you! Please someone, find Ferrel!
• Guest Topic: Allod’s Online and RMTs. The developers aren’t out to just screw you! They could if they wanted to though!
• Why buy the cow if you can get the milk for free?

Acknowledgments

Karen and I would like to thank Brian Green once again for joining us for the show. He was a wonderful guest and we really appreciated his insight!

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In an interview that turned out to be just too big for one episode Karen and I took some time to sit down with Brian “Psychochild” Green. Brian has been a developer and designer for quite some time now but does not think himself as a “granddaddy of MMOs.” As a long time fan of his writing on Psychochild’s Blog I was thrilled to have the opportunity to talk about issues such as guilds, communities and MMORPGs in general with Brian. Don’t miss episode 7 Side A and B!

Show Notes

• What have Karen and Adam been playing lately? The answer won’t surprise you! One of these two hosts even plays during the show! How rude! For something less obvious, find out what Brian has been up to (it isn’t EQ2, despite my attempts)!
• Sentinel’s Fate gets a thumbs up.
• The interview with Brian “Psychochild” Green. Karen and Adam put Brian on the hot seat and try to raid him for knowledge. Listen to share in the wonderful loot that they found!
• Dealing with loot as a guild.
• Weekend Design Challenge! What guild management feature should be standard in all MMOs that is not standard?
• Crunch Time! Working or raiding 60+ hours a week? No sweat right? Find out the value (or lack there of) of crunch time for your guild or development shop.
• You make the call. When you’re fed up, burned out and ready to go, how do you leave your guild when you’re one of the most important people in it? How does the guild handle your loss? Find out here!

Acknowledgments

I really have to thank Brian for coming on the show and being a wonderful guest. We’ve worked together on a few things in the past and he has always been supportive so, once more, thank you sir for being willing to share your time and expertise.

Thank you Hi Rez for a great business model and SOE for a great EQ2 expansion!

I would also like to thank Karen for being a great sport and wonderful co-host. She does a whole lot to make this show happen and doesn’t get the thanks she deserves. Help me thank her for finding time to do View from the Top with me!

Brian would like to extend his thanks to all the fans of Meridian 59 over the years. He would also like to that Kat for being great!

Karen would like to shout out to her guildies!

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Karen and I have been so excited lately to bring you more episodes of a View from the Top we’ve just been rocking them out! On episode 6 we have everyone’s favorite altaholic Stargrace and the show came out beautifully. In one of our most interesting interviews yet we pinned down our Canadian friend and asked her about everything from writing to MMOs to guilds and she really delivered. Won’t you take a moment to listen to what she has to say? I promise it will be worth it!

Show notes

• What are we up to? Karen, Adam and Stephanie discuss what they’ve been up to in the MMO sphere. Find out what Stephanie isn’t playing!
• EverQuest II Sentinel’s Fate releases on Tuesday. Are we excited?
• There is no snow in Canada?!
• Give an MMO a fair chance. We discuss going past the first 10 levels before making a snap judgment on a game.
• What games are guild friendly? Who is the most friendly company when it comes to player organizations? Stephanie tells all!
• What do hardcore and casual guilds share in common? Perhaps they’re not as different as people think!
• We couldn’t do VftT without talking about EverQuest II. We look at the state of guilds in that title!
• You make the call! How do you take a casual raid guild to the big time and become a bit more serious?
• Guest Topic time! General features that every MMO should have!

Acknowledgments

Thank you to our guest Stephanie “Stargrace” Morrow for being such an excellent conversationalist. You should check out her blog MMOQuests and her work for Beckett Massive Online Gamer!

We would also like to thank Adam for eating for the last 10 minutes of the show and for accidentally plugging Multiverse, his general MMO Podcast.

A big shout out to Syp, one of the finest bloggers around! Check out his work at Bio Break!

As always thank you to Vagary TV for providing both hosting and support for a View from the Top.

Stephanie would like to thank all of her readers and fans! We thank you too and want to send a line out to April Love! We hope you stay warm this winter.

Finally, thank you OT for submitting a question! We had a few come in this week and it made our month. Please submit your questions so we can answer them during the show! If you have a issue that needs solving with your guild why not Ask a Guild Leader? Your question might just appear on Epic Slant or on the A View from the Top Podcast!

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It has been another exciting week for Karen and I at a View from the Top! We’ve been planning, scheming and plotting to bring you the most interesting guests possible. On Episode 5 we deliver to you a hero from EverQuest and EverQuest II, Buuncha! Buuncha has a range of experience from important member to guild leader. He has done almost everything in the MMO sphere and that includes a lot of time spent at the very top. In the past he was a member of my guild when we were raiding Oasis and currently serves as my adviser and main tank. Take a moment and listen to his views on pressing issues. You might just learn a new trick or two. I know I did!

Show notes

• Current whereabouts. Where exactly have Karen and Adam been? What dubious activities have they been up to? How about Buuncha? What does he do?
• A moment with Buuncha. Learn the history of this most noble ogre. Find out how he went from rugby jock to nerdy ruby jock who really likes MMORPGs and shooters!
• Three things any new guild should do. Karen, Adam and Josh (Buuncha) each outline three activities that they think a new guild should do almost immediately. If you plan to start your own organization you can’t miss this!
• You make the call. What happens when you make a loot decision and the loser does not like it? Find how what our hosts and guest had to say about this situation.
• A call for questions. Ladies and gentlemen we need questions to solve! Even if you don’t have a problem now and you want to ask a hypothetical please do so! We could use the practice.
• Guest Topic. Ogres like 2H weapons that they can dual wield!
• Shout outs! Multiverse Podcast, Josh’s Mom

Acknowledgments

Thank you to our guest Josh “Buuncha” Somethingoranother! You were great.

As always thank you to Vagary TV for providing both hosting and support for a View from the Top.

We want to send out a shout out to the SOE Community Podcast! We enjoy your show and thank you for providing us with useful information and entertainment! Also, if you haven’t become a fan of EQ2 on Facebook yet you still have a little time!

Have a issue that needs solving with your guild? Why not Ask a Guild Leader? Your question might just appear on Epic Slant or on the A View from the Top Podcast!

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Karen and I are back in the saddle and getting shows recorded as quickly as life allows! This week on A View from the Top we had the opportunity to sit down with Vaellen, a former EverQuest raid guild officer and current World of Warcraft guild administrator, and batter him with questions about how he leads. The interview came out quite well and Karen really did an exceptional job of looking at the differences between leading in EQ1 and WoW.

Show notes

• Introduction and current activities. Find out what our hosts and guest have been up to lately!
• An interview with Vaellen. Ever wonder how a 10 year veteran handles things? Get a different point of view from an officer with experiences quite different from Karen and Adam.
• Battlegrounds in EQ2?! Adam thinks the sky is falling, Karen thinks they might be fun and the pair asks Vaellen how they’ve made an impact in World of Warcraft.
• The sky IS falling. For the “you make the call” portion of the show Karen asks, “How do you deal with the member who always seems to think that every little thing that happens in guild is going to bring about its demise?” Everyone weighs in on the subject! Listen and find out how to handle these members.
• Guest Topic. We gave Vaellen the opportunity to pick a topic and he chose a great one! He wanted to discuss difficulty in MMO raiding. When is something too easy or way too hard? Find out on Episode Four!

Acknowledgments

Thank you to Vagary TV for providing both excellent hosting and support for A View from the Top. We greatly appreciate everything you do!

Have a problem with your guild? Why not Ask a Guild Leader? Your question might just appear on Epic Slant or on the A View from the Top Podcast!

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