I’ve spent a good deal of time in a multitude of virtual worlds over the years. My most recent infatuation is one that many readers are fond of, World of Warcraft. But my enjoyment of the title waned over the past few months, and I began to look to other games – some new, some old and some I was already a part of – to fill in the void. While it’s hard to compare apples to apples in the messy MMOG sector, there’s one thing that is easy to judge objectively, the community surrounding a title. For most niche titles, the community is a beautiful relationship between players, developers, fan sites and media. Not an unmanageable Roman-sized empire that Blizzard Entertainment has ended up having to deal with.

Fallen Earth has been a champion of community relations long before I become a member. In fact, reports of a helpful newbie channel and constant chatter from developers and GMs was a big deciding factor to subscribing. I knew I’d be behind the eight ball in knowledge, joining the game late as I did and completely alone in doing so. While I’ve known the developers from trade shows for some time, I’m glad to report that the in-game community relations are as superb as the out of game support. The creators even lead near-weekly Trivia contests, participate in live events on a routine basis and pimp out player-led events all the time.

Global Agenda is another game I’ve sunk a lot of time in during my break. It to has a fantastic community, even if just to mess with. The general chat isn’t all that useful – you’ll find guild or agency conversations far more informative – but what GA lacks in universal language is made up by Hi-Rez Studios’ dedication to the game. From official to unofficial forums, blogs and fansites, the company absorbs all comments, and supports anyone that discusses the MMOG. For example, Sandstorm and its outdoor universe, a community request that the devs brought to life. Devs are constantly popping up in Dome City – HiRezStew – just to chat, and the community has no qualms with the developers having fun or breaking the fourth wall by dropping boss mobs in the sanctuary city. They participated in our community event last week, and now the developers are going to be melt faces in the Challenge Tournament starting this month.

I’m not a psychologist, but when developers go this extra mile, when they mingle and play beside those that enjoy their world, it hooks me that much more. So what if it’s a niche title, if it’s not as massive a universe or as well polished. It’s one that I’m more than a number in a spreadsheet, or at least, that’s how I am made to feel by the community.

Blizzard should not be given a pass because it has a product with 12 million members. With that many paying subscribers, which we know turns into ridiculous profits, the company could afford to hire a crew of hands-on GMs for each realm. It just chooses not to. Just like it chooses not to have a very organized way to disseminate information or keep its forums from being troll heaven (RealID would have helped). The Community Site Preview shows that Blizzard looking to remedy a few of the issues.

Interested in checking the aforementioned communities out? Here’s a code for 30% off Global Agenda – GACOUITZKOOPA06302. It’s first come, first serve, but I have more so drop me a line if it gets used. I’ll randomly gift a commenter with a code for 30 free days of Fallen Earth, so leave a topical comment for your chance to win.

My, my, they grow so fast don’t they.  Just last year, I remember almost going to a focus group for Fallen Earth only to have my friend go to it instead.  He reported generally good things, but hated the tutorial – it used to give you uber powers, like a high level character, only to take them away.  I’ve kept my finger on the title ever since, logging in occasionally to see what’s going on.  Boy has it grown.

From visual face lifts, combat revamps, technology improvements, content patches and even a mobile application, Fallen Earth has seen more improvements and changes in a year than some titles do in their entire lifespan.  The news has not always been good, but Icarus Studios continues to drive forward as it approaches the one-year anniversary for Fallen Earth.  To celebrate, the company will be holding a party straight out of Hollywood.  The festivities cannot be held to a single day or location.  Subscribers will be showered with gifts from today, Wednesday, September 15 until September 22.  Increase your chances at earning FE swag by following them on Twitter and that Facebook thing.  Full details on all the shenanigans here.

With all eyes on Fallen Earth and its celebration, Icarus Studios decided to release the Premium Mobile Application.  The new app expands upon the free Fallen Earth Companion App that we saw at PAX East 2010.  Basically, the premium application allows players to interact with the universe, instead of just viewing it.  Purchasers of the $9.99 piece of software will be able to receive and mail attachments, work the Auction House, and initiate and complete crafting.  It’s a one-time fee.

Dave Haydysch released the latest State of the Game to finish the triple threat.  Stay tuned for our interview with Marie Croall from PAX Prime 2010 to get some eye-candy to go along with the State of the Game discussion.

The month is beginning to wind down but Icarus Studios has just decided to throw up the State of the Game address for May.  The fact that these bad boys keep coming out monthly is enough to make me cheer (Yay communication!).  This is the first State of the Game since the restructuring at Icarus Studios/Fallen Earth LLC took place, which eliminated over 80 employees.  Despite the poor turn of events, development of Fallen Earth seems to be rolling along.

Developer Archangel started off by patting everyone at Icarus on the back for the smooth deployment of the massive v1.4 or Blood Sports patch.  The next patch, it hasn’t been given a label but we’ll call it v1.5, will actually contain another Blood Sports mode entitled Assault.  We were only given a short description of Assault:

In Assault, two teams of up to eight players will battle another team through a series of objectives where one team attacks and the other defends.

Icarus is continuing to play with the technology running Fallen Earth.  The upcoming patch will feature a handful of tech improvements, including a new weather system.  Weather will initially be limited to rain, thunder and lighting, a perfect trio for the Grand Canyon setting.  We’ll see more diverse offerings as time moves on.  Speaking of moving, the second big tech addition is a new travel mechanic.  Players have been screaming for faster modes of travel since the game launched, and they will have it soon.  A system along the lines of the bus stops in the PTS (testing realms) will be implemented.  Players must be level 20 or higher and complete a quest chain to access the system.

The patch will include a number of small scales tweaks including more environmental improvements, additional ambient lighting and enhanced water effects.  Bug fixes will obviously be a part of the update as well.  What was conspicuously absent is any mention of additional PvE content.  Blood Sports – a PvP-centric patch – brought players Deadfall, a large PvE sub-sector with a new faction.  There’s no mention of PvE content in May’s State of the Game.  Hopefully, we’ll hear something soon.

The next patch is expected to deploy in Q3 2010.  Thankfully, that isn’t all that Icarus is looking to deploy.  Archangel closed the address by declaring that the mobile applications will be going live “in the coming weeks.”  My new Droid phone is going to get a workout, and it won’t cost me an extra penny.

[Update]

I shot an e-mail to the PR people for Fallen Earth after posting this article querying them on the lack of PvE content.  According to the rep, “the next patch won’t be quite as extensive as the last.  There are, however, plans for more…[PvE] content in a future update.”  The addition of rare spawns with associated rare loot, known as the Serendipity system, and new crafting patterns is all the PvE content Fallen Earth players will receive in patch v1.5.

My sit down with Dave Haydysch did not begin with complaints regarding cell reception or gazing at the screen of a GM.  No, we had a far simpler first conversation.  It turns out that the company is not only working on the most amazing mobile application for a video game ever, but also another immense patch for Fallen Earth.  Patch v1.4 has two main components to it, the addition of PvP by way of Blood Sports and the new PvE lands of Deadfall Point.

Players have been asking for PvP since time began and v1.4 is going to deliver a fleshed out experience thanks to the bankers of Fallen Earth.  The entrepreneurial-minded folks have devised four different ways for players to tear each other apart, all in the name of making a buck.  Players simply copy their DNA into the banker database – free of charge – and then they can participate in any of the four PvP modes thanks to clones.

Deathmatch and team Capture the Flag subscribe to the standard FPS game modes.  Survival is every-man-for-themselves as the soul goal is to not die.  Therefore killing isn’t rewarded, other than it means you did not die.  Assault is the most unique game type to Fallen Earth.  It pits teams against each other.  One is forced to run a gauntlet of monsters as the other teams tries to stop them.  Every mode caps out at 16 players, either in 8v8 teams or solo.  All of this is available without leaving your current line of progression, thanks to a handy queue from anywhere system.

Rewards include monetary gains, as well as marks to purchase additional PvP-centric gear.

Players that would rather see the fruits of their labor, and not that of greedy businessmen and women, should head out to Deadfall Point.  In this not-so-desolate area, players will be greeted with six new instances and 130 new missions.  Many of which are tied to the new faction, Sheva’s Favored and spread across a land the size of half a sector. You’ll want to be sure to complete them though, because v1.4 will also be raising the level cap from level 46 to level 50.  New crafting recipes, weapons armor and two new mounts (one of which can be seen in our random chat video) round out the offering of new content.

Last, but not least, is a technology upgrade to the tools the developer uses to make those gorgeous landscapes.  Dave showed off the ability for level designers to actually work with the terrain, instead of getting something to look like terrain.  Gone will be hard or jagged edges pulled and stretched across the ground under out feet.  The structures will appear more rounded, weathered, and natural.  Following the precedent set by the earlier graphical update, the sculpting ability will make every bit of landscape in the game prettier, not just the new stuff.

Patch V1.4 is set for release in the same time frame as the amazing mobile application, Q2 2010.  It is certainly shaping up to be a patch that has a little something for everyone.