May 2017

EQ2 and a Free Level 100 Character

Every so often I still get the urge to log into EQ2 and poke around, even though I really don’t have a lot of time to play the game (ie: I don’t have enough time to get a group together to do things). I heard that Daybreak was giving away a ‘free’ level 100 character for people who logged in before May 22nd, so I eagerly patched my launcher – only to have it crash with an error 10x in a row. I took to the forums and found that a lot of others had the same issue. So I waited it out.

Saturday I was able to log in without any issues, and in my /claim window I was granted my level 100 character boost. Now most of my characters are already level 100 because right after my Son was born I had a lot of free time on my hands while he was sleeping the days away (not so much these days). I only had two characters out of my collection who were not already level 100. A dirge, and an inquisitor. I decided I would boost up the dirge.

I have incredibly fond memories of EQ2 as anyone who has been reading this blog for the past (almost) 11 years knows – but things have changed over the years. I’ve changed. The game has changed. How the game is played is changed. I return, but never to the same extent as I did back then. It’s just not possible. It’s not a bad thing either, it’s just how things are. I miss how things used to be, too. I miss raiding. I miss the community. I remember it all with fondness though and I don’t “blame” the game for changing because I think that it’s 1. completely natural for things to change over time and 2. completely necessary. Plus like I mentioned above, it’s not just the game that has changed, I’ve changed too. What I want out of a game has changed. What I can give into a game has changed. I find it a bit of a fascinating rabbit hole to dive down and think about, really.

Anyway. It was good to log in, I’m glad I boosted my character, and yes, almost immediately after I logged out. My station access is probably up before too long and I just can’t justify paying for another year of the game when my time is so limited. I feel the same about my World of Warcraft subscription which is also set to expire before too long. Of course if anyone would like to nudge a donation my way I’d keep them active (lol) – can’t blame a gal for trying! Speaking of subscriptions, EVE Online has once again been calling my name. There’s a game that I absolutely adore that doesn’t require a whole lot from me if I choose to play it that way (invention, mining, running missions, etc). Something to think about in any case.

As always, happy gaming, no matter where you find yourself!

Walls, Glorious Walls!

Things have been busy (as always) especially with Summer (we’ve skipped Spring this year) beginning. Still, those magical walls I was waiting for finally hit Wurm Unlimited last week, and I wasted no time in getting a new house created for pottery. It shows off the new pottery floors, along with the matching brick walls. I created a roof out of pottery shingles too just so the whole thing matched, and then added a kiln for good measure (plus I didn’t have one before now). There are a few issues with the patch (you can’t create fences on the left side of arches, and sandstone tiles are not working as they should be) but overall it has been a good update.

Zuca, my Magnaron priest also managed to (finally) reach 70 faith which means she can strongwall. I’ve been trying to inch her towards that goal for quite some time. I’m not sure why it took so long, I do have both a Fo priest and a Vynora priest at over 80 faith, but the Magnaron gains seemed to take forever. My tunnel between Quail Ridge and Quail Keep is currently two tiles wide, and I’m working on expanding that to three wide, then reinforcing the entire thing. I’ve been taking a bit of a break to deal with real life so only part of that is done so far. Having projects is always a good thing though.

I also re-did the entire front of my forge building in slate. I love the look and I’ve been contemplating re-doing the Temple building in marble. Sklotopolis is also accepting submissions on designs for the newest starter town, so DeedPlanner has been a good friend over the past few days while that gets worked on.

I was expecting to spend a lot of time at the Impalong last weekend but I got side swiped by some real life drama and then I caught a horrible cold, so I could do little other than logging in for a single morning. By the time I got to log in again the Impalong was over. One of the GMs kindly sent me an Impalong item so I didn’t miss out, but I felt horrible that I couldn’t be there for the duration, especially after all my excitement about it. I know attendance was low but the community of Sklotopolis makes such events awesome.

For the next little while working on the tunnel between my two deeds is my main focus. I’d like to get the entire thing mined three wide, and reinforced. Afterward I’d like to create some sort of plan for Quail Keep, and then Quail Cove. Quail Ridge is the only one of my deeds that I feel is “completed” and even there I have a building or two that still requires a roof (and a second floor). The majority of that deed is completed at least.

Anyone else playing with the new wall textures? What are some of your favourites? Let me know in comments, and as always, happy gaming no matter where you find yourself!

Building an Obelisk (or Two)

I own three deeds. Quail Ridge (my main deed), Quail Cove (a coastal deed), and Quail Keep (pictured above). Quail Keep is almost completely below ground, with only the entrance indicating that the deed is there. Eventually I’d like a sprawling underground city, but that’s a long way off. In the meantime I’ve been working on making the small portion above ground to my liking. The goal is to touch as little of the terrain as possible, leaving it in its natural form.

First off I used a rune on my Vynora colossus – which turned it into a shade Tomservo said reminded him of the Statue of Liberty in the USA – I agree, and it’s a very neat colour. Next I completed a steel door (but first that required me to collapse the current door and mine it straight, otherwise the door would have looked horrible). Then I created a raised platform on either side of the door – the perfect spot for an obelisk (or two). With one obelisk down I just have one to go. Even with 98 masonry skill these things are difficult to build. Hammering away at them will get them completed eventually.

Another server event is coming up. One I’m REALLY excited about (and that I hold near and dear to my heart). It’s the Spring Impalong. You’ve probably seen me talk about Wurm Online Impalongs in the past. Gatherings of people who improve tools for others, cast enchants, and just generally hang out and have a great time with various games and events planned throughout. While WO Impalongs tend to last a week, this one runs Friday-Sunday of next week (also happens to be Mother’s Day for NA). I’m excited to bring my alts out there. I’m hoping Zuca (my Magnaron priest) reaches 80 faith. I plan on leaving everyone online as a ‘warm body’ for those performing sermons. I’m wondering how organization of those sermons will go. Even if I don’t get a chance to preach, I’m happy to help out.

Stargrace (Vynora), Arysh (Vynora), Minxes (Fo), Blesse (Fo), and Zuca (Magnaron) should all be able to make it and hang out. I’ll be bringing them a bit early since it’s quite a distance from my place, and I’d like to just hang out without any pressure of getting to the location.

Have I mentioned yet that I’m excited? Because I REALLY am! I don’t know what part I’m most excited about. There’s going to be recipe trading going on, meals being cooked, of course the whole reason we’re all gathered – improving tools! I can’t wait to meet even more people from this amazing server. If you’re a newer player looking to have some tools improved, or wanting to meet some of the friendliest people, then the Spring Impalong is one event you just won’t want to miss.

As always, happy gaming, no matter where you find yourself!

New Games Coming out in 2017

Online casino lovers and other game players in general have a reason to smile in 2017. For one, this is the year when hardware manufacturers and game developers are talking about VR technology and how it could be implemented in 2017. But at the same time, new slot machines are being released every month, and the month of June is not an exception.

Microgaming has already announced that it’s going to release 5 new games in the coming month. Their schedule is already predictable, and so is that of other casino software developers.

If you’re wondering what new games these developers have in store for you, perhaps you should consider the following list of upcoming games in 2017.

Hound Hotel

This is an exciting 15 reel and 25 payline slots machine which is set to be released in June 2017. The game boasts of dashing wilds whose task is to strike any non-winning spin for a guaranteed win.

Hound Hotel bonus is trigged by 3 or more scatter symbols. When this bonus is activated, players must select a door on all the 3 floors in order to reveal the reward. This reward can be anything ranging from 5 multiplier prizes to 30 free spins.

Kitty Cabana

Just like Hound Hotel, Kitty Cabana is a 15 reel and 25 payline slot machine. With 3 or more scatter symbols, you can activate the Kitty Cabana bonus round. And when this happens, you will have the chance to win 6X multiplier alongside 24 free spins. This slot machine from Microgaming is set for release next month.

Pistoleras

Come next month, you will still have the freedom to choose from over 700 thrilling new games at 7sultans Online Casino. Even then, there is a high chance that you will come across Pistoleras slot machine in the casino’s new selection of games for the month. Perhaps you might give it a stab, and this is what the game looks like:

It’s a 15 reel and 25 payline slot machines which seem to have been set in the Wild West. There are plenty of potential winning opportunities in this game. Reason: all high-end stack symbols exist on the reels. The free spin feature gives up to 25 free spins to your advantage. However, you still have to activate it with 3 or more scatter symbols. On the other hand, the 3X multiplier ensures that all your wins are tripled.

The Legend of Olympus

This slot machine comes from Rabcat. It was developed as a 5X3 reel, 20 payline slot machine, and its set for release next month. As a player, you have to travel to Mount Olympus so that you can join Zeus and fight alongside him to defeat Hades.

Legend of Olympus features 2-stage bonus round and a free spin feature which guarantees you up to 14 free spins.

Other game developers like NetEnt have also announced a couple of slot machines which are due late this month. Others are set for release next month. These include Copy Cats slot which is set for release on 23rd May and Butterfly Staxx Slot which will be released in June 21st.

White Dragons, New Starter Towns, and WALLS!

First of all my apologies for not writing for a bit. Real life of course reared its ugly head and made things difficult, but after a bit of sulking I’m back. Things have been pretty busy on Sklotopolis – which is great!

First of all, last weekend we took down the White Dragon that had spawned. In a move that surprised no one, I won nothing. I did get a scale and blood though, and Moumix, Maya, and Ogur all graciously donated me their scales too. I think I’m the only one out of our little bunch who has not won anything but I do have incredibly nice friends that make it all worth it in the end! lol. The event was a ton of fun, lots of people showed up. There was a tiny bit of drama as someone yelled charge before the team was ready with the dragon in position, but it got sorted.

There’s a new starter town being built right now, too. I’m a bit confused as to why, since it hasn’t even been a year since the 2nd “new” starter town has been built, and I think it just makes the first two starter towns fall into disuse and disrepair (the market of the first starter town is all but abandoned, and I expect the same will happen to the second one) but people like fresh exciting projects to work on, and this is certainly that. I donated a few thousand bricks and mortar along with concrete and hope everyone can make use of it. I dislike terraforming (I much prefer the work already done when I move to a deed) so I’m standing by the sidelines helping where I can (I gave away a 90ql hatchet and some other tools) and watching the work take place. Everyone is working really hard, which is neat to see. They’re taking a bit of a break to plan the next stage.

Speaking of, it means our next Wurm Unlimited update (due out tomorrow) is just in time – we’re finally getting new walls! I’m excited, even though I’m not sure where I’ll start. I expect I’ll swap out the bottom level of my blacksmithing building, and change the walls to the pottery house. I want to swap out some fences and roads, and I really wish they were adding the new reinforced walls along with the new mine “lights” that I’ve seen hints of. I hope they migrate to WU with time.

All in all, days are satisfying and full. If you happen to find yourself on the Sklotopolis server, be sure to say hello. You can find me there as Stargrace. Happy gaming, no matter where you find yourself!