Before we get started, a definition:

Editorial
an article in a newspaper or other periodical presenting the opinion of the publisher, editor, or editors.

This is an Editorial site, not a hard cold facts news site. This said, the writings here are the thoughts of people who are from many divergent points of view. Sometimes we even have two opinions on the same subject that are completely different from each other. Our writers can be somewhat emotional on some subjects.

Because of this, we must emphasize the fact that the opinions of our editors do not, and will not in any way constitute an “official” Ishtar stance on any issue, controversial or not. While we welcome divergent opinions, we also feel that any expression of such opinions and subsequent agreements or disagreements should be made in a civilized, intellectual manner.

Otherwise, we’ll just censor it and make it go away. Yep. Because we are not here to let people shriek at us. You want to have a hissy somewhere in response to something written on the net, start your own blog. Don’t bring your drama here.

To put it in more elementary terms – no name-calling, no posts in ALL CAPS, no swearing just for the sake of swearing, no blatant disregard for the laws of reality. Disagree without being disagreeable, or if not possible, disagree without being intolerable. Exceptions may be made if you can express your negativity in the form of a limerick during the months of March – May.

Thanks for Reading,

The Ishtar Team

District 9 came out in mid-August, 2009, and stars Sharlto Copley, a bunch of other people you don’t know, and a lot of CGI.

I quite liked it.

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Okay, yes, FanFaire’s a month gone now and I’m still posting reports. But I’m getting them out before the stuff hits test, so it still counts as timely, doesn’t it? Anyway, this should be the last of them. Read the rest of this entry »

In case you ever wondered just how difficult designing new armor styles is, here’s an example we got – the new rogue shard armor took three months to fit to every single player race and gender. Three months for one armor set – no wonder they spent so many years telling us new armor would wait until skeletal revamp! Despite that, this year will see more new armor styles added to the game than existed in the entire game beforehand – they’ve been really, really busy on this stuff. Read the rest of this entry »

Yeah I know, I said there was more on adventuring. I didn’t say I’d be covering it next. I won’t leave you hanging too long, I promise; in the meantime, here’s some stuff of interest to Norrath’s guilds and homeowners. Read the rest of this entry »

Adventurers have some truly lovely things to look forward to in the coming months, including a reduction in the use of the “kill 10 rats” quest format. This covers not only new quests coming with future expansions and game updates, but current quests – the gate guard faction quests in Thundering Steppes are already being reworked to give more variety. Other bits to look forward to include Achievements undergoing an identity crisis, a new quest journal layout, and a new mentoring option. Read the rest of this entry »

There wasn’t a tradeskill-specific panel at FanFaire, which is probably a good thing or poor Domino would have been reduced to typing her responses on the projection screen. She was hoarse at every single panel she did attend as it was – and there were quite a few. Just because there wasn’t a specific panel, don’t think there’s not a lot happening in crafting. Read the rest of this entry »

Fanfaire ‘09! I actually made it this year, and so it was well worth the trip. The panels were interesting and informative, and the loot very fun. They gave us weapons! Well, okay, they gave us a multi-tool that happens to include a saw-toothed and a straight-edged blade. But still! Stabbies! The EQ 10th Anniversary book was on sale (and is really beautiful), and the art posters were divine. I even saw the EQ Pen & Paper game for sale – and let me tell you, that was seriously tempting! Besides a few health issues and a cell phone crash, it was a great weekend. Read the rest of this entry »

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen is still out in theaters at the moment (Jul7 3rd), so go see it if you have the time.

Yes, that’s a thumbs-up.  But wait, there’s more!

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Last Tuesday GU 52 hit the Test Servers, and the devs weren’t kidding when they said there’d be more content in the GUs when they came less often.  80 new quests in Kunark, group and raid versions of Kurn’s Tower, the Emperor’s Athenaeum, GPU shadows, Research Assistants, ranged weapons and hex dolls revamped, new tradeskill recipes… tons of new things to do anywhere you look.

And a few are only there if you look at just the right time.

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After several long months of contemplation (read: ranting at anyone who’ll sit still for two minutes) I have come to the conclusion that SOE does not want anyone to simply ‘like’ EverQuest II.  It is too palid a response, makes it too easy for players to take or leave the game at will or whim.  They want passion from their customers.  They want dedication.  Love it or hate it, they want us to feel something.

Either that, or the whole dev team has gone insane, take your pick.
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