Autumnlands – a good read

Crossposting from my rpg blog – Autumnlands is a comic that I wasn’t sure about, but quickly liked. The story starts simply and gets more fantastic and magical as it progresses. After reading the first collection there is certainly more going on in the backstory that will be revealed than the initial story gives you – and I’ve several guesses that I’m keeping to myself for now. The wider story arc called “Tooth and Claw” plays out in issues I’ve not yet read but am looking forward to. Weird magic (floating cities, rituals of summoning, muto corpus / animal based hybrids in Ars Magica, lightning spells), beasties, rapid melee with swords and spears – what’s not to like?

Interesting Permaban in LoL

Penny Arcade’s recent comic is about players who get banned (its a clever Silence of the Lambs), and not just any players – but the worst of the worst. The comic itself is a reference to a LOL (league of legends) player who has been perma-banned. Not the players account – the actual player. And he’s had his accounts closed permanently 3 times before. He also played with two others who are also facing bans.

The level of transparency in the ban and the actual severe ban for this guy is wonderful to see. If for nothing else I might try LOL to see just how virulent the community is, and also experience their behaviour reporting system.

Every online community can do with this type of system; especially WoW. LOL has the Summon’s Code, a purpose written set of guidelines for player behaviour. I respect the right of a player to express frustration, to get heated, and to flame on a bit. It frequently goes way too far often when the person faces no actual ramifications for being overtly rude or disrespectful.

A quick click through the comments found almost total support for the bans, but a few voices speaking out against it. That is to be expected when (a) there are many more borderline players who might be at risk of bans, and (b) the community has been frustrated for a long time.

“Speaking as someone who always has all-chat turned off because of the boring verbal harassment that goes on in every single game, I have to say that all of the Riot punishments are rather meek. I don’t understand why this is the first time I see lifetime ban, but good going Riot.”

I’ve seen one repeat criticism of the bans which is that Riot should not have used the login names in the bans. I disagree. Using the login names and especially linking them to the other accounts where these same players behaved against the guidelines demonstrates the commitment to improving the community. Name and shame on an account name is not severe at all, and certainly makes sense. It shows the rest of the community that a standard was set, and the penalty for not meeting that standard.

Love this…ban them all and let their gods sort them out.

Death Knight Future?

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Thank you to Script Generator, click for full version.

Judas Khemical Preview

In non-wow news, my brother has poped up art for a new comic he is writing, drawing, and bending his mind on. Given I kick the WoW addiction, something this creative would still be beyond my skills even though I’d have something to do with all he new free time.

Bravo brother, can’t wait for the full thing!

The blog of the work, and a high res image of the cover are available.

Watchmen Movie!

Comic and super hero fans – go watch the Watchmen movie trailer now! Then if you don’t know the comic, go and buy it and read it.

Cool huh.