Hi-Rez Studios, creators of the third person MOBA Smite and the high-speed FPS Tribes Ascend, are back with their latest entry into the free to play MMO market. Paladins takes many of the best elements from the most popular MMOs and simplifies them, creating a game that plays very well but doesn’t bring much new to the table. Considering that many game companies have risen to fame by borrowing ideas from other successful titles (e.g. Blizzard), that wouldn’t normally be a bad thing, but I wonder whether Paladins will be able to find its place in a genre so jam-packed with killers.
Project Archives
Is Griefing Healthy for MMOs?
Picture this: You’re walking through your favorite MMORPG’s hub city looking for quests to pick up. You stop by the mailbox to grab the gold you made from a recent auction house venture and you turn around to see a giant dragon staring you in the face. Some high-level beastmaster must have snuck the beast past the city guards and let it loose on the unsuspecting populace. Before you have time to respond, the dragon opens its mouth and breathes fire over you and every other unlucky soul that decided to AFK in the middle of town, leaving behind only ashes and frustration. Welcome to the world of old-school MMO design, here’s your complimentary tissue box.
How to Migrate to An Online LMS Part 4: The Deployment Stage
(This was originally published on Optimal Partners’ blog.) In our first segment of the How to Migrate to An Online LMS (Learning Management System) series, we provided a general overview of the project, covering the three main stages: planning, configuration, and deployment. Our last entry discussed the steps for configuring your new system, but now we will go intoContinue reading “How to Migrate to An Online LMS Part 4: The Deployment Stage”
Communicating with Users in Higher Ed: Straight From the Source
(This was originally published on Optimal Partners’ blog.) We recently interviewed and surveyed a group of students, faculty and university staff about their experiences with IT implementations, in an attempt to discover how end users in Higher Ed prefer to be communicated with. Responses were varied, but many were accompanied by suggestions for how ITContinue reading “Communicating with Users in Higher Ed: Straight From the Source”
The Pros & Cons of VDI Adoption
(This was originally published on Optimal Partners’ blog.) We’ve all heard our fair share of headlines about Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) success stories at specific universities, but there are still some that advise others to avoid the project at all costs. The problem with VDI adoption is that the benefits are very appealing, but dependContinue reading “The Pros & Cons of VDI Adoption”
10 Time Management Tips for University IT Project Managers
(This was originally published on Optimal Partners’ blog.) The phrase “time management” is thrown around a lot and it’s an essential tool for project management, but there are still some managers that are better at keeping track of their team’s time than their own. This can create bottlenecks and slow their team’s progress significantly, whichContinue reading “10 Time Management Tips for University IT Project Managers”
Beginner’s Guide to the Agile Method
(This was originally published on Optimal Partners’ blog.) The Agile method is a project management strategy used by thousands of companies and Higher Ed institutions alike. Agile projects involve continuously updating clients with working products and iterating on development throughout a series of work cycles called sprints. After a sprint, an Agile team will reevaluate theirContinue reading “Beginner’s Guide to the Agile Method”
Top 5 Misconceptions about Working in Higher Ed IT
(This was originally published on Optimal Partners’ blog.) We’ve heard our fair share of opinions on whether working in Higher Ed IT is “worth it,” but while we recognize that it’s not for everyone, we’d like to confront some lingering misconceptions about the field that are especially popular. After browsing through several online communities thatContinue reading “Top 5 Misconceptions about Working in Higher Ed IT”
The Future of University IT: Straight from the Source
(This was originally published on Optimal Partners’ blog.) Each new Higher Ed IT implementation presents the challenge of balancing the unique needs of each type of user with the needs of the institution as a whole. You can’t always please everyone, but with the right communication channels, your team can do their best to create a productContinue reading “The Future of University IT: Straight from the Source”
How to Migrate to an Online LMS Part 3: The Configuration Stage
(This was originally published on Optimal Partners’ blog.) In our first segment of the How to Migrate to An Online LMS (Learning Management System) series, we gave a general overview of the project, covering the three main stages: planning, configuration and deployment. You may want to read through it first, because it will help you get aContinue reading “How to Migrate to an Online LMS Part 3: The Configuration Stage”
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