Column

• Make It Visceral Please

  We've been messing around in Funcom's The Secret World for days now and have generally been having a great time. There is a lot to like in The Secret World but we have one small request: Make the game more visceral. See why we think that and then leave us your thoughts in the comments.

  Posted on 05/17/2012 by Suzie Ford

• The Best and Worst of TSW

  With the first full beta weekend of The Secret World behind us, we thought it’s time to list out the best possible aspects of Funcom’s latest game, and the parts that we feel need work before the game launches in June.

  Posted on 05/14/2012 by William Murphy

• The Best of GDC

  Last week, the MMORPG.com team was on hand at the annual Game Developer's Conference. They've each got their impressions of what they thought were the best of the best things to see during GDC. Keep reading!

  Posted on 03/12/2012 by Garrett Fuller

• 5 Gaming Concepts for the Future

  In a genre that seems to have hit a stagnation point lately, there is a lot of potential for new ideas and innovations. Devs are always looking! In The List today, we take a look at five concepts we think will breathe new life into the MMO space over the next decade. Check it out!

  Posted on 03/05/2012 by Garrett Fuller

• Wondrous or Worrisome?

  The Secret World is one of those games that players are overjoyed about or cautiously optimistic about or simply downright pessimistic all the way 'round. Are the reasons for these feelings justified? Check out our thoughts on the subject in our latest column devoted to The Secret World.

  Posted on 02/27/2012 by Suzie Ford

• Five Truly Innovative Game Features

  In The List today, we take a look at what we believe are five truly innovative game features from five of the most popular MMOs of today, both released and unreleased. See what you think and then leave us your comments.

  Posted on 02/27/2012 by Suzie Ford

• Are the Floodgates Opening?

  There are few of us who are true MMO aficionados who aren't eagerly anticipating the arrival of Funcom's The Secret World. With its release ostensibly within a few months, Funcom seems to be revving up the info-release engine. See what tidbits we picked up around the 'Net recently and then let us know what you think!

  Posted on 02/09/2012 by Suzie Ford

• The Shape of Crafting

  For many players, having a robust crafting system is essential in their MMO. So what about The Secret World? What, if anything, do we know about crafting? Will it be "level-less" in a way similar to character progression? In today's TSW column, we speculate about some of those things and more. Check it out!

  Posted on 01/12/2012 by William Murphy

• The Sound of Silence

  The Secret World has gone largely off the grid in the last month and a half or so. Is this a good thing for a game that is due to hit the MMOniverse in just over four months? Read on and then let us know what you think in the comments.

  Posted on 12/29/2011 by William Murphy

• What Weapon?

  One of the most interesting features coming in The Secret World is the nearly limitless combination of weapons that players will have at their collective disposal. In our latest column devoted to TSW, we take a look at the exciting prospect of a wide-open weapon configuration. Check it out and then leave us your thoughts in the comments.

  Posted on 12/15/2011 by Garrett Fuller

• Can It Be True?

  Is The Secret World too good to be true? Judging by the press previews last month, it appears not. But many have a healthy sense of skepticism about Funcom's ability to deliver. Take a look at the budding optimism that is building here at MMORPG.com and then let us know what you think in the comments.

  Posted on 12/02/2011 by William Murphy

• Illuminating the Illuminati

  In his latest column about The Secret World, MMORPG.com Managing Editor Bill Murphy shines the bright light of revelation on the ever-secret Illuminati. See what Bill's got to say about these folks who have even been accused of infiltrating The Simpsons. Read on!

  Posted on 10/06/2011 by William Murphy

• Faction Pride

  MMORPG.com Managing Editor Bill Murphy has found a lot to like in The Secret World. But nothing strikes his fancy so much as the excitement that is brewing about the three factions that will be featured in the game on launch next year. See why Bill is swelling with pride over the Illuminati (though Templars are best!) and why faction pride is going to play a big part in The Secret World. Leave a comment or two after you're done reading!

  Posted on 09/16/2011 by William Murphy

• A Cash Shop Makes Sense

  In today's column devoted to The Secret World, MMORPG.com Managing Editor Bill Murphy dissects the recent announcement by Funcom and EA that the game would ship with a cash shop. Bill has several reasons for thinking that this makes a lot of sense. Check it out and then be sure to leave your thoughts in the comments.

  Posted on 09/08/2011 by William Murphy

• The Secret World - Faction Fractions

  The three faction set up of The Secret World is a very popular feature with most players. That is, it's popular until they realize that membership in a cabal (guild) means that all members of the group have to be of the same faction which can be disastrous for large guilds. In Isabelle Parsley's latest Player Perspectives, she discusses how cabal and faction membership don't necessarily go together. Read on!

  Posted on 09/02/2011 by Isabelle Parsley

• The Real Top 10 MMOs of 2012

  It's hard to accurately predict what will be popular in the MMO-space these days. Last week, we took a look at a 2009 piece predicting the success of certain MMOs in 2012 that...ain't gonna make it. In The List today, MMORPG.com Managing Editor dons the swami's hat and prognosticates about 2012 and what he believes will be the real success stories of the year. Read on!

  Posted on 08/23/2011 by William Murphy

• Release and Beta Cometh!

  The Secret World is a bit less secret after new screens, a new video and more information pouring out of Gamescom 2011. In his latest TSW column, MMORPG.com Managing Editor Bill Murphy takes a look at some of this week's revelations and offers a few thoughts about TSW. Check it out and then weigh in with your own thoughts.

  Posted on 08/18/2011 by William Murphy

• Dungeon Crawling at the EA Showcase

  Next week marks the EA Showcase in San Francisco and it's one that fans of The Secret World are anxiously awaiting. It will mark the first time that The Secret World has shown a live dungeon experience for their game to anyone outside the company. In today's The Secret World Column, MMORPG.com Managing Editor Bill Murphy speculates about what attendees (like MMORPG.com's Carolyn Koh!) might see.

  Posted on 06/30/2011 by William Murphy

• Location, Location, Location

  In his latest column devoted to Funcom's The Secret World, MMORPG.com Managing Editor Bill Murphy takes a look at the recent location revelations made by the team during E3 2011. See what Bill's got to say about the Innsmouth Academy, Atlantic Island Park and the Accursed Woods.

  Posted on 06/23/2011 by William Murphy

• EA and Funcom = What?

  In today's column devoted to The Secret World, MMORPG.com Managing Editor Bill Murphy takes a look at the partnership between EA and Funcom. Bill looks at both sides of the coin, both good and bad, and offers a few insights into his thought process. Check it out and let us know what you think!

  Posted on 06/16/2011 by William Murphy

• Interview Gleanings

  After a pair of top notch and very juicy interviews with Funcom developers, MMORPG.com Lead Writer Bill Murphy has thoughts to share about what we learned about The Secret World. See what Bill gleaned from the interviews and whether or not you agree. Leave us a comment or two.

  Posted on 06/09/2011 by William Murphy

• Five Reasons to Watch The Secret World

  As The Secret Word becomes less and less secret and with E3 right around the corner, there's a lot to look forward to and a lot to get hyped up about. In The List this week, MMORPG.com Lead Writer Bill Murphy gets that thrill running up and down his leg as he anticipates Funcom's The Secret World. Check out Bill's thoughts and then add a few of your own.

  Posted on 05/31/2011 by William Murphy

• Xbox 360 Version Stalled = Good?

  Funcom's Ragnar Tørnquist recently let it be known that development on The Secret World was primarily focused on PC rather than on the XBox 360. In today's The Secret World column, MMORPG.com Lead Writer Bill Murphy takes a look at that revelation and opines that it's actually a good thing. Read on!

  Posted on 05/19/2011 by William Murphy

• The Factional Rundown

  In his latest column devoted to Funcom's The Secret World, MMORPG.com Lead Writer Bill Murphy takes a look at the three factions: Templar, Illuminati and Dragon. Check out what Bill has to say about these factions and then let us know what you think in the comments!

  Posted on 05/12/2011 by William Murphy

• Seven Years of Content

  During a recent interview, Funcom's Ragnar Tørnquist talked about content for The Secret World. Incredibly, he revealed that the team had seven YEARS of content ready for the game. In today's column, MMORPG.com Lead Writer Bill Murphy ponders that revelation and the benefits/drawbacks to such a statement. Check it out and then let us know what you think!

  Posted on 05/05/2011 by William Murphy

• The Top 5 Secret World Secrets

  In this week's column devoted to Funcom's The Secret World, MMORPG.com Lead Writer Bill Murphy takes a look at the Top 5 Secret World Secrets in a special edition of The List. Bill, like all of us would like more information about some things that developers have only hinted at thus far. Check out the special edition of The List: The Top 5 Secret World Secrets. Leave us a comment or two when finished.

  Posted on 04/27/2011 by William Murphy

• It’s the Journey

  The Secret World team has made no bones about the fact that the story in the game is doubtless the most important feature in the game. It's hard to argue that point considering there are no classes and no levels in TSW, two features generally found in MMOs. In today's column, MMORPG.com Lead Writer Bill Murphy talks about The Journey that The Secret World will allow players to travel. Check it out and then participate in the discussion in the comments.

  Posted on 04/21/2011 by William Murphy

• Everything is True?

  In his latest column devoted to Funcom's The Secret World, MMORPG.com Lead Writer Bill Murphy takes a look at the recently released trailer "Everything is True". The trailer featured some interesting tidbits of information based on some of the most virulent urban myths every created. Bill takes a look at some of those myths and wonders what they could mean to the game. Check it out!

  Posted on 04/14/2011 by William Murphy

• Story is Everything

  Funcom's Ragnar Tørnquist recently wrote a long blog article on The Secret World's website about how story will not only be immersive but will submerge players in the tale. In today's TSW column, MMORPG.com Lead Writer Bill Murphy talks about story and how much it matters in The Secret World and how exciting that fact is. Check out Bill's thoughts and then tell us what you think in the comments.

  Posted on 04/07/2011 by William Murphy

• Issue #4 - The PvP

  Over the next several columns, MMORPG.com Lead Writer Bill Murphy will be taking a look at the individual features of Funcom's The Secret World. In Issue #4, Bill talks all things PvP, both good and bad as he sees it. See what Bill has to say and then let us know what you think in the comments.

  Posted on 03/31/2011 by William Murphy

• The Modern Setting

  The Secret World is one of the new breed of MMOs taking place in the modern world as opposed to the high fantasy "medieval-ish" worlds of many others. In The Secret World Weekly #2, MMORPG.com Lead Writer Bill Murphy takes a look at the game's modern setting. Check it out!

  Posted on 03/24/2011 by William Murphy

• The Classy Classless System

  Now that more information is out about Funcom's The Secret World, there is much more to talk about. In The Secret World Weekly #2, MMORPG.com Lead Writer Bill Murphy takes a look at one of the features that Funcom is touting as truly ground-breaking: The Classless System. Check out Bill's thoughts and then weigh in with your ideas.

  Posted on 03/17/2011 by William Murphy

• Secretly Hyped

  In Player Perspectives today, MMORPG.com columnist Isabelle Parsley takes a look at The Secret World currently in development by Funcom. Iz is ready to strap on her "frothing fangirl costume" for this one. Find out why and then let us know if you'll be donning yours too!

  Posted on 03/11/2011 by Isabelle Parsley

• Shedding the Secrets

  In the first of a new weekly series based on Funcom's The Secret World, MMORPG.com Lead Writer Bill Murphy takes a look at what we know about The Secret World so far. Because of how little is known, it leaves the door wide open to speculation. Check out Bill's thoughts and then leave us a comment or two about what you think.

  Posted on 03/10/2011 by William Murphy