With 2012 looming on the horizon, the team at ZAM is thinking about the past, present, and future of MMORPGs. Up today is Staff Writer Patrick Do!

Taking the opposite route from MWO, TERA is an MMO that will be taking on the big three (WoW, RIFT, SWTOR) head on next year. Developed by Bluehole Studio and published by En Masse, TERA is an action-MMO that was slated to release last year. We'll see how TERA does against the heavy hitters of the MMO world when it is finally released. The big danger for TERA is that it becomes lost in the shuffle; and that would be a shame.

Hailed as the first “true action MMO,” one look at a gameplay video of this game and it’s easy to see why people are excited for TERA. The bosses look big and mean and the action looks like a bucket of fun. The game is currently being localized for North American audiences and should arrive stateside in mid-2012. TERA can be played with an Xbox 360 controller, further adding to its action pedigree.

Though the game is centered on fast paced action, the thing that really excites me about TERA is the political system. TERA boasts an unprecedented level of player engagement. Players will be able to shape the world around them. In order to become the Vanarch, or elected official, of a province. Players will have to campaign for votes, smear their competition or fight their way to the top. Once elected, the Vanarch will be able to raise or lower taxes, control the jail and fight to curry political points. TERA is an action game with a lot of brawn but also a deceptive amount of brains as well. Let’s just hope it can beat up on its formidable competition next year.

Finally, I’d like to talk a little bit about a Grand Mer. I’ve been threatening our Editor-in-Chief, Pwyff with an article about that “fishing MMO” for weeks now. His response has always been one of,  “next week” or my personal favorite, “Ha. No.” Well next week has arrived! This is happening, Chris. While I make no allusions that this IP will be a “Game changer” for the MMO world, I will always respect a developer for trying something outside of the box. From Korean developer, T3Fun, Grand Mer looks like it could be welcome diversion, full of originality, in a sea of copycats. In all seriousness though, this game probably won't be coming out for a while, so use this time to get excited about The Secret World, APB, or just go back to playing The Old Republic. 

Parting Words and Resolutions for the New Year

If 2011 marked the dawn of the free-to-play movement; let’s just hope that 2012 isn’t the dawn of the pay-to-win regime. I don’t want my enjoyment of a title to be a direct reflection of how much money I’m willing to spend on it. That would defeat the purpose of free-to-play entirely. But for now, I’m going to stay positive, try to run through another wall in DCUO, and get excited for the coming year! If John Cusack is to be trusted, it could very well be our last!

New Years Resolution: To stop talking about Grand Mer and become a Vanarch in TERA.

Merry Non-Religion Specific Winter Enjoyment Period, and a Happy New Year!

Patrick “BakersMan” Do, Staff Writer.