Author Archive

Scientists study how the brain thinks about virtual avatars

Saturday, November 7th, 2009

This is fascinating stuff to think about over the weekend -- New Scientist has an article (sent to us by quite a few readers -- thanks!) about how we perceive our virtual selves in video games like World of Warcraft. A group of scientists at Dartmouth University hooked a few ...

A WoW player’s guide to microtransactions

Friday, November 6th, 2009

Well Blizzard has finally done it. After charging only for out-of-game services like faction changes and character customization, with the release of in-game pets on the Blizzard store, they've finally moved on to selling virtual items for real money. And there's a word, dirty in the mouths of some, that's ...

Why can’t tabards be turned off like helms and cloaks?

Tuesday, October 20th, 2009

Why can't tabards be turned off like helms and cloaks?

Twin Val’kyr

Friday, October 16th, 2009

Ready Check is a column focusing on successful raiding for the serious raider. Hardcore or casual, Vault of Archavon or Ulduar, everyone can get in on the action and down some bosses. The Twin Val'kyr encounter is the fourth and penultimate battle in the Trial of the Crusader. In this fight, ...

The Light and How to Swing It: Tier 10 thus far

Thursday, October 15th, 2009

With the Light as his strength, Gregg Reece of The Light and How to Swing It faces down the demons of the Burning Legion, the undead of the Scourge, and helps with the puppet shows at the Argent Ren Faire up in Icecrown. This week, he ventures into the unknown ...

A WoW player’s PvP guide to Aion

Tuesday, September 29th, 2009

Player vs Player (PvP) There are no battlegrounds in Aion (e.g., Alterac Valley). Instead, the PvP is more "open-world" so to speak. The biggest PvP zone is called the Abyss. Players can only enter the Abyss from levels 25-50. Contained in the Abyss are the best XP opportunities, PvE rewards, PvP ...

Warlock guide to surviving Trial of the Crusader

Tuesday, September 29th, 2009

Every week Blood Pact serves you up a dish of warlock delight. Chock full of juicy chunks of detail, smothered in lashings of class specific tips all topped off with a sprinkling of hundreds and thousands of mage tears.