[Games] Star Trek Online

So the only other time I got into an MMORPG was back when Pristontale was still free-to-play here in the Philippines. I wasn't particularly keen on the game, but an officemate really wanted me to give it a shot and so I eventually signed up. And I won't lie - playing even rather simple MMORPGs like that one over a dial-up connection was kinda bonkers.

Recently I found myself in search of more Star Trek in my life since it has been about 10 years since we last had a regular Star Trek show on television. So I found myself going in a weird direction by deciding to try out Star Trek Online since it's free-to-play and there has been a fair amount of online discussions related to its original content.

I joined the game community right as their 5th anniversary in-game event started, so it was a pretty fun time. And with the game now gearing up to launch it's tenth "season" of missions, it's probably one of the best times to get into the game for anyone. And with my first character finally at the rank of Vice Admiral (Level 50), I think I've clocked enough hours to be able to review the game in earnest.

[Videos] Do You Wanna Date My Avatar

I got into the web series The Guild a little late in the game - something I know I lost geek cred for. Still, I made sure to catch up ASAP. How could any geek resist a web series all about a group of MMORPG gamers that's written and stars the geek goddess herself, Felicia Day? I know right?

Well with their second season finally being released for free on YouTube and the third season set to debut on Xbox Live and the like later this month, it's the perfect time for...a music video? Don't knock it - given this is Felicia Day, you know she's going to pull it off.

This is just classic and definitely worth the time of day. Go and sing along!


The Guild - Do You Wanna Date My Avatar?

[Gaming] Virtual plague lends new insights into epidemics

A mistake in a challenge to high-level players in a popular massive, multiplayer, online role-playing game (MMORPG) has led to new insights on how a new epidemic may spread.

Reuters reports about how the "Corrupted Blood" challenge led to an accidental virtual plague in World of Warcraft.

Here is the variable that researchers will have to factor in soon - the stupid factor:

"Someone thinks, 'I'll just get close and get a quick look and it won't affect me,'" she said.

"Now that it has been pointed out to us, it is clear that it is going to be happening. There have been a lot of studies that looked at compliance with public health measures. But they have always been along the lines of what would happen if we put people into a quarantine zone -- will they stay?" Fefferman added.

"No one have ever looked at what would happen when people who are not in a quarantine zone get in and then leave."

(Curiousity might have killed a cat, but stupidity could kill millions of them.)

Anyway, this virtual accident can hopefully help us in predicting and preventing an epidemic. BTW, the Reuters report ended in an ominous tone - we are ripe for another epidemic. Scary.

(Crossposted from here.)