Aunty Alianore's Corner, Volume I, Issue 5: Kidding Around

Fun and games often can lead to misinterpretation, which
can cause anger and other conflict.

A while back, I found myself needing to deal with a situation between a few players where an "inside joke" that was being bandied around in the game took a really bad turn.  What had started as playing around a long-standing joke led to anger and hurt feelings.  Through much discussion and investigation, the problems and animosity between the players was resolved, however, as usual, it inspired me write a little bit about player relations.

Aunty Alianore's Corner, Volume I, Issue 4: Negative to Postive

I will write a review of Update 46: The Sun Parade! in a later post, but for now I want to discuss the very best and slightly not-so-best things about a new game update.  


One thing all MilMonauts love is a game update.  A new update means new quests, new avatar bling, sometimes some new critters to kill, maybe a new island or world area, and if we are very lucky (as is the case of this event) some new medals to earn.  And when a update is launched, an inevitable flurry of activity occurs in game.  You see regular players in and out of the islands pursing the next quest and the more casual players logging back in to take part because they were waiting for something new to do in the game.  In many ways, a new update is like a family reunion of sorts...the return of friends new and old, all back to take part.  Aside from the anticipation of seeing what the new update provides players, it is the reunion that can also make an update something to look forward to.

Aunty Alianore's Corner, Volume I, Issue 3: Cultural Bridges & Language

Now the challenge is to learn how to saying these greetings properly...

As with many online games, MilMo attracts players from around the world leading to a incredibly cool international community.  A great part of my personality loves this aspect of gaming in general because I am perennially curious.  I love to learn about other's cultures, traditional foods, and if I am very lucky...someone will teach me a new phrase in a language I do not speak.  When I first began to play the game, most of the players used English, and over the past year more and more foreign languages are seen in game.  For me, this is very cool because I have studied many languages (many solely for reading comprehension purposes related to my studies) and I like to see how much I can reason out of what is being discussed in the game chat.***  Of course, not everyone who plays feels the same way as I do and that has sometimes caused conflict among players.

Aunty Alianore's Corner: Volume I, Issue 2: Instant Gratification vs. Achievement

One of my worst qualities, as a gamer, is that I am not terribly competitive.  I have never been attracted to PvP games and you will rarely, if ever, see me in MilMo's Arena.  This does not mean that I do not like to win or kill a game critter, but I am more about interested in goals and achieving them.  This is one of the primary reasons why I loved MilMo from the beginning...the quests, the medals...something always to do in the game and unless it is a special game event, I can complete the goals in my own time.  And when I earn a new medal, I will promptly and proudly change my game title to reflect it.  I love the feeling of achievement, even if it is virtual achievement.  As I love to currently brandish my new Legendary Bow and Legendary Axe, I do remember how proud I was when I finally earned my Heroic Sword (a paltry weapon by comparison).  

Aunty Alianore's Corner: Volume I, Issue 1: Game Gifts

For my first editorial, I would like to address an issue that has been writing itself in my head for a few months...the asking and giving of in-game gifts.


As is the case with many online games, the player is sorely tempted by the offerings in a premium shop.  In these shops you find ultra-cool weapons that will slay any foe, clothing that makes other players exclaim "where did you get that, you look awesome!," and other various power-ups and abilities.  In this aspect MilMo is no different.  With gold coins found in game, a player can save up and buy all manner of really excellent stuff.  There have been several complaints that in the game Cash Shop--in a game is targeted toward younger players--that it is "unfair" that some of the cool stuff requires actual cash to purchase.  Aunty A has some things to say about that, but look for that editorial later...