This summer it seems like Massive games are the only good news going, and this week has been busy. R. Spencer writes
"1UP explores MMO addiction and, in true confessional style, opens the floor to heavy users and recovered junkies. It's especially interesting how much the mechanisms of MMO addiction have in common with other forms of addiction. The primary source of addiction nowadays seems to be World of Warcraft. If you're jonesing right now, you might want to check out this
Guide to the Creation of the Scarlet Monastery on the official site. Additionally,
Mogg writes
"For new players, GamerGod has a up part one of a guide to the game World of Warcraft." This is Tobold's first writerly foray at the new site. Luck to him. For something a little different, 1up explores
the world of Sociolotron...a Sex MMOG. Speaking of sex, SOE has been busy lately. The end to
the Quest for Antonia search is almost here. They've put up new details on
future EQ2 content, and announced
a dramatic downsizing of The Matrix Online. See, when no one plays, you don't need as many servers. The new content mob is rearing his head all over with
Secrets of the Syren in the works on Star Wars Galaxies,
CoH Issue 5 coming up soon, and
screenshots from the next Guild Wars update available. MMORPG.com continues to put out interesting editorials, with
a look at the stories in Massive Games. Finally, the highly respectable Nick Yee has published a new edition of
The Daedalus Project. The seminal source of MMOG statistics on the web has articles on participation in games at the level cap, introductions to the genre, and the stress of loot. As always,
participation in the survey helps ensure future issues have good data.