With the new batch of internet Massively Multiplayer Online Games on the way, many of us are turning our thoughts inward. Some(cael) crying themselves to sleep at night as they lay awake, shivering in the fetal position, merely because the future of MoC is uncertain. Fear not, my fellow Ministry of Chaos-ers, for this article shall be the whetstone with which we will sharpen the dulled rusty scythe that is MoC back to it's former shine.
Currently MoC is participating in 3 games, though not carrying the specific banner of MoC.
World of Warcraft: Left Hand of Chaos is currently fuming because they need some more healers and shit like that in order to raid. Seeing as how WoW is about 90% raiding, 10% other shit thrown in to amuse you... This turn of events is a big deal. LHoC is lead by MoC members, but they have a relatively large base that joined up with them in their tenure on WoW. In the writer's experience, they are all mostly nice and polite. Mostly(not Myara). LHoC is playing on Bloodscalp, and are in constant preparation to sow chaos all over Karazhan's face.
Shadowbane: Yes, Shadowbane is still going, however lethargically. Currently the majority of MoC is working alongside former associates in Bhorin, with Rojah and Holam playing with Hyshen and SS, respectively. Currently regular Shadowbane is all but dead, as people anticipate the coming wipe and consolidation of all servers into just 2: Malog and Saedron. This will be an ARAC server and a Lore server, with no transfering of any sort. They are planning CHAOTIC specs and having CHAOTIC debates on how best to sow chaos when the new servers chaotically come.
Pirates of the Burning Sea: This misleading game(It's not about being an asshole pirate at all, imo) is being played by a handful(depending on how big a hand you have) of MoCers, with the draw mostly being it's somewhat laidback feel. You can find these nerds, er, good hardcore folks making spreadsheets for production of "Oak Strakes" and nails and iron ingots and hoops and god knows what else. I don't understand a fucking word of it, but I'm sure it's fun as all hell. They are currently playing British on Blackbeard, and are sowing chaos 1 limestone quarry at a time.
On the chaotic horizon...
Warhammer Online: This is a new game supposedly coming out sometime before 2010 and is being developed at least in part by the same folks that made Dark Age of Camelot, which was the pinnacle of Realm versus Realm combat. They seem to be applying a few of these things they learned from DAoC, however they have gone through certain pains(the pain of not making a shitty game) to not merely make it a DAoC rip-off. As of yet, it's impossible to tell if this game will mount up to what they promise, but I must say that it looks pretty decent. The game is split into 2 sides with 3 races each and 4 classes for each race. Now, that's a bit too much to type out in this article so go here to find out more-> http://www.warhammeronline.com/english/home/ And though there is a side in this game named Chaos, we will more than likely be sowing chaos with some random outnumbered and outgunned race.
Age of Conan: This game is being released by the same folks who made Anarchy Online, hopefully sometime before the second coming. I'll refrain from commenting on whether that's good or bad, as I only played the week trial for AO. It is supposed to have a large focus on Guild versus Guild combat, in the same vein as Shadowbane, though with not quite as open PvP. It has promised city sieging(battlekeeps) in a large zone of the world(border kingdoms). There will be 3 races: stygian, cimmerian, and aquilonian. There is a total of 4 base classes(mage/soldier/rogue/priest) that branch into 3 specialized classes. To learn more, go here-> http://www.ageofconan.com/
If this is the game we choose, then we'll be sowing chaos while enjoying the lamentations of their women.
These two games are the only real hardcore PvP games coming up. There are a few others, one being Hellgate: London, but I know next to nothing about them and do not forsee them as being the sort of game for us to "move" to in force. Hope you've enjoyed this State of the Disunion, it was a pain in the ass that took precious time I will never have given back to me. You're welcome.
