Editorial - MilleSabor

I am proud, nay thrilled, being able to present you some first-hand experience from the newly release World-of-Warcraft-expansion "The Burning Crusade" (TBC for short - which incidently is the abbreviation for "tuberculosis" in Germany - but I digress). WoW'ers worked hard to convey the spirit and the "feeling" of their game to their fellow GENs: Enjoy their work, will you?

Lord of the Rings Online - MilleSabor

Lord of the Rings Online™: Shadows of Angmar™ is currently scheduled to launch on April 24, 2007 across Europe and the US and offers players two different membership options:

£99.99 (€149.99 / $199) for a Lifetime Membership or £5.99 (€8.99 / $9.99 ) per month subscription price when purchased as part of a 6-month package.

In addition to these special pricing options, The Lord of the Rings Online Founders receive:

• 10-days Head Start: Guaranteed early access provides Founders the opportunity to create a character and enter Middle-earth before the commercial release of the game.
• Character Roll-Over: Moves the character that you created during the head start into the live service along with the stats, levels, items, and experience that character earned prior to launch!
• Bonus Items, Europe: A special in-game item that is only available to those who pre-order.
• Bonus Items, US: Two special in-game items that are only available to those who pre-order: "Enchanted Cloak of Regeneration" and "Ring of Agility"
• Stickers: Six The Lord of the Rings Online stickers along with a special window sticker.

(With acknowledgements to the official LOTRO press release)

The Burning Crusade Special

"The Burning Crusade" has finally been released and here are the first reports from Mycex, Arepee and Kepec (who provided us with a real gem of an article):

Mycex' Report - Mycex

I activated and installed TBC, without problems.

Then I was looking for Exodar [the enchanted capital city of the Draenei, - Ed.] to begin my jewel crafting profession. A Paladin and real life friend of mine sent me to the wrong spot in the world and it took an hour to get to the real Exodar (he found it pretty funny and I was stupid to believe him).

Then I went through the dark portal and got on my way to Honor Hold on Hellfire Peninsula. Did a lot of questing there and afterwards did the instances hellfire Rampart and Blood Furnace. I am now almost lvl 62 and see my guild mates around 65 but that doesn't matter for me I will get there eventually. The quests are fun and easy, the loot is nice and you get a lot of money. Also the guild is playing in small groups which is very nice, there also is very good communication and everyone seems to enjoy TBC so far. The bad point is the lag and the DC's [disconnects, - Ed.] sometimes.

Proud to be a Generations member and to have the tag above my head.

Arepee's Report - Arepee

The best about TBC is the scenery and the details. It all looks so nice, instances are beautiful, filled with all kinda small things, laboratory like things...a boss with 5 helpers who make a pentagram of 'lasers' to hold a big dragon in his place (Magtheridon), which you can see through the glass floor, things like that.

They also designed some new sort of quests...like flying on a gryphon and throwing bombs at mobs, quests we never seen before.

Also nice to see is the big Fel Reaver who walks in the starting area. Its a huge mechanical mob who squashes everyone he sees...your screen starts to shake if he is near. Really nice to see that thing the first time (and really nasty if he stands on you).

Kepec's Report - Kepec

"Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more…"

- Henry V, Act 5 Scene 3.

So World of Warcraft the Burning Crusade opened, and many brave adventurers entered the maelstrom of the Dark Portal. After the initial server crashes, we were treated to a new world, pregnant with new quests to complete, wondrous zones to explore and (sigh) more reputation grinds to accomplish, with the flying mounts, new races and level 70 beckoning. Generations players once more waved goodbye to their social lives (and work commitments) as the grind to 70 began.

A week into the Burning Crusade now and I've had a chance to get into the content and begin enjoying Blizzard's newest cash cow. I have to say that it has been thoroughly enjoyable thus far. The new world zones are artfully designed, evocative and a pleasure to play in. I've only just reached a far green country known as Nagrand thus far, but from the bereft, scorched lands of Hellfire Peninsula to the mushroom-laden wetness of Zangarmarsh it has truly been a pleasure to discover. There are also some rather nice Easter Eggs which make it all the more fun, such as the innkeeper named "Opera Windfury" in Hellfire Peninsula, and a certain "Haris Pilton", who carries the status of "socialite". Her residence, the divided city of Shattrath – the only one in Outland – is a nice, neutral zone, dominated by the conflict between the "Aldor" and the "Scyers". You can only ally with one faction, forever closing the door on the other. The design of the new zones is a delight to behold. The only criticism one can make is that there is a certain lack of stability on behalf of Blizzard; the foundations of Stormrage appear to be stuck together with wattle and daub judging by the server crashes that I have experienced. Nevertheless, the addictive quality of our beloved WoW makes up for the failure to improve things, though if things continue patience could grow thin. The new dungeons, though perhaps lacking some basic diversity in colour are nonetheless also well planned; encounters are unprolonged, and relatively uncomplicated, and dungeon runs are shorter than the pre-Burning Crusade instances. This can be a real attribute if you elect to venture into an instance without the highly accomplished, elegiac and to be honest downright attractive people who have <Generations> under their nametag.

Focussing on quests however gives us a cause to criticise Blizzard's newest offering. One cannot but marvel at the lack of comprehension that many people will have been doing the same quests at once. Apart from forgoing sleep or quitting all commitment to focus on World of Warcraft, there was great difficulty to be had in doing many of the preliminary quests, many of which could not get away from the basic "person X wants you to kill Y amount of mob Z". There is also an epidemic of what has been dubbed "ninja tagging", which is, for non-WoW players, hitting a mob before another player (who quite obviously is going for the same mob and in some cases has already started trying to hit it) can. The competition seemingly has brought out the worst in people. However, one cannot be too downhearted, for mad rushes to the finish are bound to reveal the core of bad apples; for the most part people are happy to group up in order to prevent any discourse. The Horde (who, for non-WoW players are the opposite "faction" with whom you cannot converse) are even prepared to have a quick "emote" conversation in order to establish who was there first if they're in a good mood, which is always a good thing.

In guild chat on one of the earliest days of The Burning Crusade, Keros (Kwambus to non-WoWers) commented "isn't it nice to be levelling up in a guild of people that you know and like?" This encapsulates my experience thus far – Blizzard's new design coupled with the Generations community spirit has sparked a renewed interest for the game from many, which we are confident will translate into a strong raid progression when we all have reached level 70.

SWG - Cobacca

The following communiqué has been received from the headquarters of the Rebel Alliance (many Bothans have died, bringing us this information): It is with great honor and pride that I announce the appointment of Colonel Mille S'Abor to the rank of General in the Rebel Alliance. General Mille S'Abor is a keen strategist, a loyal soldier, and an Ace Pilot who has served us gallantly for many years - this appointment is well-deserved and much overdue. All of Tarquinas should be proud to be on the same battlefield as this great warrior.

I regret that I cannot be there in person to bestow the honor upon Mille, but our military duties have kept us apart. No doubt he continues his tireless campaign against Imperial Aggression in the space surrounding Yavin IV. In the uncertain times that lie ahead, I know that I will sleep soundly under the veil of stars that Gen. Mille S'Abor has fought so vigorously to defend.

Please join me in saluting an officer, a gentleman, and a scholar… Gen. Mille S'Abor. /Salute.

May the Force be with us all,

Mon Mothma – Chief of State, Supreme Commander of Rebel Forces

SWG, human resources - MilleSabor

Gomet has wisely decided to join GEN: Welcome to our illustrious guild, Gomet! We also have a new player called "AceSpectre", I haven't found out who he is exactly but it surely sounds like the name of an alt that AceBeorn (who also accepted him into the guild) would have created.

Odeki has decided to retire to a spy-only (Spy is a profession in SWG) PvP-guild - GEN-members in SWG try hard to regret that.

SWG - MilleSabor

Not just Mille is engaged in the Galactic Civil War, Iflassi and AceBeorn carry the baton of a Marshal as well in their knapsack: Iflassi has been promoted to commander and AceBeorn has entered the august circle of GCW-officers as lieutenant. Congratulations, Iffy and Ace!

Code of Conduct - Kwambus

The following is what Kwambus, guild-leader of Generations, said prior to the release of "The Burning Crusade" in World of Warcraft - since his words represent the GEN-spirit not only in WoW but in every other game as well, they are quoted below, verbatim and unabridged:

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Bear in mind you are a member of Generations, we are getting on to be one of the oldest guilds on the server and certainly one of the most admired in terms of our good natured players and the high level of general conduct we have. Therefore, wear your colours with pride and behave in a fashion which befits your place in Generations. Here are some basic guidelines that if you wish to avoid the famous "hairdryer treatment" from me, or possibly even being kicked from the guild I suggest you abide by them:

1. Do not grief other players
   

   This one is 99% guaranteed to be brought to my attention by another guild officer or leader, so read carefully and think about your interaction with other players at all times. Do not get drawn into arguments and certainly never create them. Walk away and say nothing.

   Believe me, you will look the better person. Never grief, I deal with this sort of thing instantly and without hesitation, I boot. No questions, nothing, I just boot.

   You have been warned and if you care to try me out you will find yourself without a guild, whoever you are. Remember nobody is bigger than Generations, even me- myself or any other officer will not live with this sort of behaviour.

2. Do not Exploit

   Generations do not play the game by cheating, never have done, never will do. If we find your exploiting you're gone, again, no questions, no debate. Also playing the game outside of the framework provided is considered exploiting so as a rule of thumb anything that gets your account suspended or banned is also your ticket to another guild.

3. Do not steal items or be greedy

   If your in a pick-up-group or a guild one remember not to take things which are not yours and also not to take too much. If you win rolls for items a lot in a run, please have the decency to decline rolling on other things so that other members of your group have a chance at getting loot.

   Nobody likes greedy players and it causes resentment. Be kind where possible and remember you are lucky enough to be in a well organised and established guild, it's a lot easier for you to get loot overall. Some other players do not have the opportunities you do.

   So whether you are with guild members or not do not be greedy.

4. Never ever be Xenophobic

   Generations is made up of many different sexes, creeds, colours, religions and nationalities. It is one world people and it is an equal one around here. People who know me well know I don't live with this sort of thing whether it be pointed at another guild member or another player.

   You may all have your own politics and beliefs but please keep them to yourselves, they do not belong with Generations or within Azeroth. Trust me I hate Xenophobes deeply and there is no place for them within Generations. Whether you are in a pick-up-group, guild chat or Teamspeak avoid all things like this, they only lead to trouble and a closed mind.

5. Always be polite

   Being polite costs nothing, and it displays both maturity and experience.

   Being polite to other players will always win you friends and a good reputation for yourself and Generations as a whole. We have worked hard to become possibly one of the most admired guilds on the server in terms of our conduct, do not do as some others do and think that is OK because it is not. Always be polite, never get into argument or take side.

There you have my five golden rules to being a great member and having long term happiness in the game and your guild. Most of us have been together a long time, but it's always good to be reminded of how one should behave in-game, also now, should you end up in a chat with me because you broke any of these rules- you really won't have any excuses and be assured that breaking any of these will really piss me off, and you don't want to do that do you?

GEN-forum - MilleSabor

Please make sure to register at our forum (http://forum.genguild.com) and ask for access (please use one of your ingame-names so that admins are able to recognize you): It is a great place to stay in contact with other GENs (or get acquainted with them - there are some nice guys there even if they play a different game), talk about geeky stuff, upcoming games, books, music or get help with whatever your heart desires. You might even find some useful stuff there such as a table with ingame-abbreviations... Make sure to read our FAQs first!