World of Warcraft – ‘Well Read’ Achievement

well-read-achievementAs a long-term World of Warcraft player, I’m still regularly astounded at the complexity and depth of the ‘game’. For the past year, the Achievements system has helped to encapsulate the scope of WoW. At time of writing, there are 931 achievements that range from pulling off 100 victories in a battleground to kissing a range of WoW fauna.

One of these achievements is titled Well Read and requires the reading of 42 books spread around different parts of Azeroth. It’s a time-consuming quest but one that gives you the opportunity to read a lot of WoW lore if that’s what takes your fancy. If not, then it’s just another grind for an achievement 😉

Any Level 70+ character is likely to be able to pick up the quest solo, with the biggest challenge being Scholomance.

I recorded the location of each book as I did it, for your benefit – I tried to do it in the most time-efficient way as far as flight time etc. Of course, the list below applies to Alliance characters, Horde characters may want to check here for an alternate approach.

Onto the list:

Ref Name Where Specifics
1 The Alliance of Lordaeron Stormwind Keep – Royal Library On Table
2 Aftermath of the Second War Stormwind Keep – Royal Library On Table
3 The Guardians of Tirisfal Stormwind Keep – Royal Library On Table
4 Aegwynn and the Dragon Hunt Stormwind Keep – Royal Library On Floor
5 Beyond the Dark Portal Stormwind Keep – Royal Library 2nd Table
6 Civil War in the Plaguelands Stormwind Keep – Royal Library On Floor
7 The Kaldorei & the Well of Eternity Stormwind Keep – Royal Library On Pillar
8 The New Horde Stormwind Keep – Royal Library On 2nd Pillar
9 The Dark Portal and the Fall of Stormwind Stormwind Keep – War Room On Table
10 The Battle of Grim Batol Stormwind Keep – War Room 2nd Table
11 War of the Spider Stormwind Keep – War Room 3rd Table
12 Archimonde’s Return Stormwind – Library – The Canals On Table
  and the Flight to Kalimdor    
13 Mount Hyjal and Illidan’s Gift Stormwind – Library – The Canals On Table
14 Lethargy of the Orcs Elwynn Forest – Eastvale Logging 2nd Floor House
15 Kil’Jaeden and the Shadow Pact Duskwood – Darkshire Inn Upstairs
16 The Founding of Quel’Thalas Duskwood – Darkshire Inn Upstairs
17 The Birth of the Lich King Duskwood – Town Hall On Table (Mayor)
18 The Last Guardian Westfall – Sentinel Hill – Inn On Table
19 The Scourge of Lordaeron Booty Bay – ‘Sea Wolf’ McKinley Bottom Floor
20 The Twin Empires Booty Bay – ‘Sea Wolf’ McKinley Bottom Floor
21 Empires’ Fall Booty Bay – ‘Sea Wolf’ McKinley Bottom Floor
22 Wrath of Soulflayer Booty Bay – ‘Sea Wolf’ McKinley Bottom Floor
23 The Sentinels and the Long Vigil Booty Bay – ‘Sea Wolf’ McKinley Top Floor
24 Sunwell – The Fall of Quel’Thalas Booty Bay – Salty Sailor Tavern 2nd Floor
25 Ironforge – The Awakening of the Dwarves Ironforge – Hall of Explorers Library Table
26 War of the Three Hammers Ironforge – Hall of Explorers Library Table
27 Arathor and the Troll Wars Ironforge – Hall of Explorers Library Table
28 The Old Gods and the Ordering of Azeroth Ironforge – Hall of Explorers Library Table
29 Charge of the Dragonflights Ironforge – Hall of Explorers Library Table
30 The Rise of the Horde Ironforge – Hall of Explorers  
31 The Invasion of Draenor Western Plagulands -Scholomance First room (down)
32 Exile of the High Elves Western Plagulands -Scholomance First room (down)
33 The Seven Kingdoms Western Plagulands -Scholomance The Reliquary
34 Icecrown and Frozen Throne Western Plagulands -Scholomance The Reliquary
35 Sargeras and The Betrayal Western Plagulands -Scholomance The Reliquary
36 Kel’Thuzad and the Forming of the Scourge Western Plagulands -Scholomance The Reliquary
37 The Lich King Triumphant Western Plagulands -Scholomance The Reliquary
38 Rise of the Blood Elves Darnassus – Craftsmen’s Terrace B/W Cooking & First Aid
39 The War of the Ancients Darnassus – Craftsmen’s Terrace B/W Cooking & First Aid
40 The World Tree and the Emerald Dream Darnassus – Craftsmen’s Terrace North most building
41 The Betrayer Ascendant Darnassus – Tradesman’s Terrace Back row, behind Cloth
42 Old Hatreds – The Colonization of Kalimdor Gadgetzan At Flightmaster

A detailed map of Ironforge vendors and trainers

Note: this map will be updated as needed once Cataclysm hits – watch this space 😉

It’s time for an Ironforge map:

ironforge-map-sml

(View the full-size version here)

Ref Name Vendor/s or other key NPCs Trainer/s
A Hall of Mysteries   Priest Trainer (High Priest Rohan)
      Priest Trainer (Braenna Flintcrag)
      Priest Trainer (Toldren Deepiron)
      Paladin Trainer (Brandur Ironhammer)
      Paladin Trainer (Beldruk Doombrow)
      Portal Trainer (Milstaff Stormeye)
      Mage Trainer (Juli Stormkettle)
      Mage Trainers (Bink and Dink)
B Maeva’s Mystical Robe Merchant (Maeva Stonebraid)  
  Apparel Cloth Armor Merchant (Ingrys Stonebrow) (U)  
C The Fighting Weapon Merchant (Bingus)  
  Wizard Wands Merchant (Harick Boulderdrum) (D)  
D Lonberry’s Reagents Vendor (Ginny Longberry)  
  Reagents    
E The Mystic Ward Fruit Vendor (Bimble Longberry)  
  (Central)    
F Finespindle’s Leatherworking Supplies (Bombus Finespindle) Skinning Trainer (Balthus Stoneflayer)
  Leather Goods   Leatherworking (Fimble Finespindle)
G Stonebrow’s Alliance Cloth Quartermaster (M. Steelshield) Tailoring Trainer (Jormund Stonebrow)
  Clothier Tailoring Supplies (Poranna Snowbraid)  
    Specialty Tailoring Supplies (Outfitter Eric) (U)  
H Burbik’s Supplies Trade Supplies (Burbik Gearspanner)  
I Deep Mountain Mining Supplies (Goinir Bouldertoe) Mining Trainer (Geofram Bouldertoe)
  Mining Guild    
J Unnamed   Shaman Trainer (Farseer Javad)
       
K The Great Forge Blacksmithing Supplies (Thurgrum Deepforge) Blacksmithing Trainer (Beng. Deepforge)
  (North-East) The Keymaster (Brombar Higgleby) Weaponsmith Trainer (Ironus Coldsteel)
      Armorsmith Trainer (Grum. Steelshaper)
L The Bronze Cooking Supplies (Emrul Riknussun) (D) Cooking Trainer (Daryl Riknussun)
  Kettle    
M Thistlefuzz Inscription Supplies (Thargen Heavyquill) Inscription Trainer (Elise Brightletter)
  Arcanery Enchanting Supplies (Tilli Thistlefuzz) Enchanting Trainer (Gimble Thistlefuzz)
    Lexicon of Power  
N The Great Forge Flight Master (Gryth Thurden)  
  (Eastern)    
O Ironforge Herbalism Supplies (Gwina Stonebranch) Herbalism Trainer (Reyna Stonebranch)
  Physician   First Aid Trainer (Nissa Firestone) (U)
P Forlorn Cavern Shady Dealer (Tynnus Venomsprout) Rogue Trainer (Hulfdan Blackbeard)
  (South)   Rogue Trainer (Fenthwick)
      Rogue Trainer (Ormyr Flinteye)
Q Forlorn Cavern   Warlock Trainer (Briarthorn)
  (North)   Warlock Trainer (Thistleheart)
      Warlock Trainer (Alexander Calder)
R Traveling Fishing Supplies (Tansy Puddlefizz) Fishing Trainer (Grimnur Stonebrand)
  Fisherman    
S Stoneblade’s Blade Merchant (Hjoldir Stoneblade)  
T Springspindle’s Gnomeregan Commendations (entrance) Engineering Trainer (S. Fizzlegear)
  Gadgets Engineering Supplies (Gearcutter Cogspinner)  
U Tinker Town King of Gnomes (High Tinker Mekkatorque) Gnomish Engineering Trainer
  (Central)   (Tinkmaster Overspark)
       
V Berryfizz’s Potions Alchemy Supplied (Soolie Berryfizz) Alchemy Trainer (Tally Berryfizz)
  & Mixed Drinks    
W Things That Fireworks Vendor (Fizzlebang Booms)  
  Go Boom    
X Tinker Town Alliance Cloth Quartermaster  
  (East) (Bubulo Acerbus)  
Y Goldfury’s Gun Merchant (Bretta Goldfury)  
  Hunting Supplies Bow Merchant (Skolmin Goldfury) (U)  
Z Bruuk’s Corner Bartender (Bruuk Barleybeard)  
    Barmaid (Edris Barleybeard)  
2 Hall of Arms Stable Master (Ulbrek Firehand) Hunter Trainer (Regnus Thundergranite)
      Hunter Trainer (Olmin Burningbeard)
      Hunter Trainer (Daera Brightspear)
      Pet Trainer (Belia Thundergranite)
      Warrior Trainer (Kelv Sternhammer)
      Warrior Trainer (Kelstrum Stonebreaker)
      Warrior Trainer (Bilban Tosslespanner)
3 Timberline Arms Maces and Staves (Kelomir Ironhand) Weapon Master (Bixi Wobblebonk)
    Weapon Merchant (Thalgus Thunderfist) (D) Weapon Master (Bullwyf Stonehand)
    Axe Merchant (Hegnar Swiftaxe) (D)  
    Blade Merchant (Brenwyn Wintersteel) (D)  
4 Craghelm’s Plate Light Armor Merchant (Lissyphus Finespindle)  
  and Chain Mail Armor Merchant (Dolkin Craghelm)  
    Heavy Armor Merchant (Olthran Craghelm) (U)  
5 The Military Training Dummies  
  Ward    
6 Fizzlespinner’s Bag Vendor (Pithwick)  
  General Goods Trade Supplies (Fizzius Fizzlespinner)  
    General Goods (Brillia Ironbrand)  
7 Ironforge Tabard Vendor (Lyesa Steelbrow)  
  Visitor’s Center Guild Master (Jondor Steelbrow)  
8 Ironforge Auctioneers  
  Auction House    
       
9 Barim’s Reagents Reagents Vendor (Barim Jurgenstaad)  
10 The Stonefire Brew of the Month Club (Larkin Thunderbrew)  
  Tavern Innkeeper (Innkeeper Firebrew)  
    Barmaid (Gwenna Firebrew)  
    Brew of the Month Club (Brew Vendor)  
11 Barber Shop Barber (Pella Brassbrush)  
       
12 Ironforge Heavy Armor Merchant (Mangorn Flinthammer)  
  Armory Light Armor Merchant (Raena Flinthammer)  
    Heavy Armor Merchant (Bromiir Ormsen) (U)  
13 Vault of Ironforge Bankers  
    Guild Vault  
14 Steelfury’s Weapon Merchant (Dolman Steelfury)  
  Weapon Weapon Merchant (Grenil Steelfury)  
  Emporium  

A detailed map of Stormwind vendors and trainers

PLEASE NOTE: FULL MAP AND KEY IS NOW LOCATED HERE

A detailed map of Silvermoon City vendors and trainers

Silvermoon City Map Now Located At Our Sister Site: The Oceanic Gamer – CLICK HERE

A detailed map of Shattrath vendors and trainers

This map has been updated and is now located here

A detailed map of Dalaran vendors and trainers

August 2012: This map has been updated and moved to here

Metaplace impressions

At The Metaverse Journal, we’ve followed Metaplace closely and covered its beta phase previously. Senior contributor Tateru Nino was asked to put Metaplace through its paces to ensure we haven’t been too starry-eyed about its potential – Editor.

Still in beta, Metaplace still has some rough edges and glitches, but it is certainly coming along very nicely.  The look and feel of Metaplace mostly calls to mind the isometric 2D games of the mid 1990s. That’s very much the look and feel of much of it, though it is in a considerably higher resolution than the game titles of yesteryear.

You could be forgiven for thinking its areas as strikingly similar in some ways to the tactical maps of the old X-Com game series. It runs conveniently in a browser, and is entirely Flash-based, downloading what it needs, when it needs it.

tmj-tan-metaplace1

Metaplace is divided into worlds. Each world being more or less a variably-sized map, viewed in a variety of ways and interconnected into a larger, multidimensional abstract geometry. There’s no broader landscape, and no particularly enormous spaces. Like – say – Richard Garriott’s Ultima VII, there’s an internal sense of the three-dimensionality of objects, but it is primarily a two-dimensional experience. Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

tmj-tan-metaplace2

Metaplace’s strengths appear to be largely organized around social and gaming. Metaplace strongly supports the creation of spaces, particularly gaming spaces. Objects are almost trivially easy to create within metaplace, and the system actively supports a variety of relatively painless ways to get content into the system.

If you want, for example, a boat, the system will offer to take your search to Google 3D Warehouse, where you can simply select one of the available models, and Metaplace will do all the heavy lifting to import it for you. A useful variety of behaviours can be added to objects with just a few clicks, and no-scripting, and there’s support for more intricate systems as well.

tmj-tan-metaplace3 Views of spaces can be customized, UI widgets can be added. There’s a great deal of support for building game-spaces, and if I were able to spare the time for making a game, Metaplace is definitely where I’d want to be doing it.

Metaplace tracks experience (‘metacred’, actually) and assigns levels, keeping track of the basic types of activities you indulge in. People can tell at a glance if you’re a socializer, explorer or builder by nature – though hardly anyone actually seems to pay attention to that. You gain metacred and presently also coins (for the economy prototype) by, well, socializing, exploring and building, basically.

Some issues still present themselves, of course.

The economy and monetisation of the platform is still in the early stages. It’s “soft-launched”, if you like, and users are still in the early days of getting to grips with the potential of the platform. Much of the content you’ll see is still under construction.

tmj-tab-metaplace4

The urge to right-click – for context menus and the like – is almost overwhelming, but of course that just brings up the options for Adobe’s Flash Player. Some of your basic tools can be a little erratic. Sometimes your mouse scroll-wheel will function to zoom in or out of a scene, and sometimes – well – it just won’t. Even left-clicking on things can be somewhat erratic.

tmj-tan-metaplace5 Likewise, we’ve had a few issues with setting properties on objects and getting those to actually stick. The further you are from Metaplace in network terms, the more erratically it seems to behave.

That said, Metaplace is still early in the beta stage, and we’ve got every confidence that its various teething problems will continue to sort themselves out. We’re definitely looking forward to seeing how the platform, the economy and the user-generated content all develop.

Australian classification of MMOGs

Massively’s Tateru Nino has written a fascinating piece on the issue of games classification in Australia. Specifically, she’s confirmed with the Federal Attorney General’s Department that:

“Where a sale is within the jurisdiction of the relevant State or Territory legislation,” Heffernan informed us, “it is a criminal offence under those laws to sell unclassified computer games. Enforcement of those laws is a matter for the States and Territories.”

There may be no surprise in that to many people, but Tateru’s discovery is that most MMOs have no displayed evidence of having applied for Australian classification. After doing some digging for the story, she believes it’s a case of oversight combined with governmental miscommunication.

Personally, I find it hard to believe that the major MMO publishers wouldn’t understand that Australia had a classification regime. The claim is that such publishers were advised in the past that MMOs didn’t need to comply, which is plausible given their nature in comparison to a standard 1-person game at the beginning. Now, MMOs are so widely used it’s a problematic argument to uphold. Behemoths like Blizzard’s World of Warcraft and its expansion packs aren’t labeled with any Australian classification – an unusual thing unless historic advice has been provided to say local classification wasn’t required. WoW in particular has nothing to fear from classification given how innocuous its gameplay is and its well implemented moderation options.

crigil-westfall

It’s more an issue of principle: the government only assesses applications made to it, there’s no proactive work done on ensuring new releases are classified. There’s an obvious problem here – if a less responsible publisher arrives on the scene to release an MMO that would rate R18+ , it can still hit the shelves if that publisher doesn’t apply for classification rather than being refused classification if they did apply. As Tateru mentions in her piece, Australia has the farcical situation of having no R18+ or X18+ categories for games, so everything at that level is refused classification. Add to that the fact that State governments are responsible for enforcing the law and it’s not hard to see how this situation has arisen.

Essentially, the current voluntary application process combined with no ‘adult’ games ratings and the old Federal / State blameshifting actually fosters an environment where a non-ethical publisher would be mad not to release their MMO product unclassified. If they’re ever caught (which seems unlikely unless the MMO is beyond the pale), there’s a growing precedent of other MMOs selling tens or hundreds of thousands of locally unclassified copies. I’d have thought that would be one hell of a defense.

Hopefully the Australian Attorney General’s department has another look at the issue, particularly the lack of adult game classifications, because the status quo is becoming more untenable as MMOs continue their growth in popularity. The risk is that a crackdown will occur without an expansion of the classification options – that would be nearly as bad as the status quo.

Update: Tateru Nino has posted a follow-up story on the issue

Anthropology in World of Warcraft

WoW Insider have a very interesting interview with Alex Golub, an Assistant Professor within the Anthropology department at the University of Hawaii.

Golub is well underway in research on culture of raiding in World of Warcraft, with the final product expected to be a book in 2010. There’s some discussion on behaviour in raids, gender differences and effective communication strategies. One of the most fascinating aspects is Golub’s take on ‘real-life’ versus online behaviour:

One thing about studying WoW and other virtual worlds is that it has made social scientists realize that “real” and “in the same room” are just not the same things. Everyone in my guild knows each other in “real life,” because real doesn’t mean “physical world” — it means “things that people care about,” or as an anthropologist, I’d say, “things that people in a culture care about.” There is a guy in my guild who works in a cheese factory, turning over 90-pound blocks of cheese all day. I bet I know him better than he knows the guys in the control room measuring cheese temperatures or whatever, even if he sees them every day.

Read the full article here.

Gaming worlds: World of Warcraft triumphant

The GamerDNA blog have done some further stat crunching for calendar year 2008 (Part 1 and Part 2 here).

dranei_priest

The findings? The excitement around Warhammer Online’s launch translated to players bleeding from Age of Conan, but essentially no impact on the leader, World of Warcraft . There’s an enormous array of other data worth reading through, but the take-home message for me was:

The top 100 chart was remarkably stable for the last six months of 2008. Some big launches made a splash – Spore, Fallout 3 – but overall the big players stayed the same. Four titles were in our top ten “most logged in” the entire time: WOW, Call of Duty 4, Counter-Strike: Source, and Guild Wars. Two other titles were up there four out of six months: Lord of the Rings Online and Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne.

It remains difficult to forsee any real challenge to World of Warcraft’s dominance as a gaming world anytime soon – do you agree?

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