server posts

Rock, Paper, Shotgun has since its inception set the standard of excellence for intelligent PC gaming-related blogging. A recent piece there called "Pyro Maniacs: Achieving Nothing in TF2" is no exception.

In the article, RPS regular Alec Meer describes his experience logging into a Team Fortress 2 server designed specifically for grinding achievements. There was no legitimate competitive gameplay on this server. No, it was just an elaborate "obstacle course" for nailing achivements as fast as humanly possible. And if that's not horrific enough on its own, the conduct of the players on the server took digital douchebaggery to a whole new level.

It's a story about the very worst the community has to offer -- achievement grinding that makes Asian MMOs look tame by comparison, immature shouting matches filled with obscenities and latent insecurities. It's everything that's wrong with modern gaming, all in one article. A must-read.

European players of the free-to-play MMO 9Dragons can finally call a local server their home with Bardo Euro, the first European-based server recently brought to life by publisher Acclaim. "The 9Dragons European server is great news for our European players who can now get the best possible game service quality and lower latency," said Howard Marks, CEO of Acclaim. Everyone hates lag and apparently there are enough 9Dragons players from Europe for Acclaim to have made this move. We're happy for those players, as it means a higher level of quality for all everyone.

Acclaim plans on running plenty of special events between June 3rd and June 9th to celebrate the new server. Players can expect several days of bonus experience events, special monster events and PvP battles with the game masters playing along. Also, in-game fireworks are planned to commemorate the entire shebang. It sounds like players of 9Dragons will be having quite the party over the next several days.