These problems are formed by the very formula that MMORPG must always follow. A MMORPG must always be online and must always be available to the maximum number of players allowed. These two factors mean the chances are when you log onto a shard or server you'll probably run into someone you've never met; someone that is only interested in powerleveling and "getting wicked, cool stuff".

However, Black Isle Studios apparently realized the crux of the situation before they started work on Neverwinter Nights. In giving us the freedom to DM as we see fit, in giving us the ability to say who will or will not join the server, they have ensured that there will be a place, indeed many places for the roleplayers. The potential is there in Neverwinter Nights.

You can read the rest of the article here.

The Mystic Realms of Alhanzar is pleased to announce new tournaments, featuring monsters summoned by lord characters for each player to fight. At the first running of this type of tournament, some of the monsters escaped into the grandstands and attacked the onlookers there but, other than that, things went smoothly.

At this time we are also resuming other events including 'Party Brawls', 'Team Tournaments', and other events and should have at least one event a night shortly.

Still the best value on the Internet with full color graphics, real-time movement, and probably the best melee combat system anywhere, and no initial costs (just download OGNALL from the web page and go from there, your account is created for you automatically the first time you get on), three months free, and game plans starting as low as $5/month after that.

MeNo at Online Games Net

GSD: What features are you most excited about?

Thomas: One of the most exciting features is our RGP (Real-Time Global Persistence). I am very interested in seeing how the game universe evolves over time based on what the characters do. Not just the PCs, but the NPCs as well. Although we will be creating the NPCs and setting up their initial parameters, they will act on their own and have just as much an impact on how the world changes as the players will.

The second most exciting feature is our Life-Link AI. Imagine a world that is populated by NPCs that act and react in an intelligent manner. NPCs that have real lives and agendas. You'll be able to hire them or be hired by them. They'll have memories of events that happen around them and you'll be able to talk to them and ask them questions. And each one will behave based on hundreds to thousands of parameters that will truly shape their personalities. When C3K goes gold, it will be an eerie experience walking around inside the game. You won't want to blink for fear of missing a single moment of what unfolds before you.

You can read the rest of the interview here.