Q: There is so much lag on Agramon. What are you doing about it?

A: We strive to make optimizing tweaks in every patch. The first thing we do, of course, is run around the target zone with a variety of hardware setups at a variety of times. Your man in PQ reminded me that performance in windowed mode is significantly worse. Even though we are planning to make some tweaks in 1.84, you may find that the convenience of windowed mode isn't worth the performance cost.

Q: Now that Valkyries are able to use large shields, is there currently any way to trade medium versions of Aten's Shield and Cyclops Eye Shield for the large versions?

A: The Cyclops Eye is only available in the small and medium sizes. We will do our best to get an exchange policy for the Aten's Shield into the next patch for you.

Q: Does a Heal Over Time spell add the caster to the mob's hate list? 

A: Nope, says our lead programmer.

Before you ask about Frigg's, it's just different by design. Whether or not we change that design will depend on the discussions we have when we look at the shaman again.

Q: When will Albion and Hibernia get underwater exploration?

A: We've got it scheduled for 1.84A, but as usual, my mentioning it could jinx the whole thing and put it off for later in the patch.

Q: Can you explain again how hot oil works? I've been hit when I'm actually inside the building. That makes no sense.

A: It doesn't, in a literal sense. But sadly, we're dealing with the limitations of a virtual world. Hot oil is basically an AOE spell, not actual oil. The circle is set to have a small radius (just wider than the door the oil pot is protecting), but that means you can get "splashed" with hot oil even once you're inside, if you're only inside by a bit.

We're always trying new things to make this a little more realistic.

***

I'm busy planning my little corner of E3. I have very few time spots open this year, sadly, and our booth is closed unless you're a member of the media with a prearranged appointment. If you have a website of some kind, a pass to E3, and you want to interview me, or the Camelot Producer, or write an article on Mythic, it's Sanya AT mythicentertainment DOT com, and you've got until Monday morning to let me know so I can try to fit you in.

The great guys at Split Infinity Radio are partnering up with another website called Girlz Game Too (yeah, I wasn't sure what to make of that either, but they seem very nice) to bring you the MAYDAY MMO Domination Tour this weekend. I sent over a box of prizes - check out the event page (http://www.girlzgametoo.com/event_MAYDAY.asp) and join the fun whatever your real life gender may be. Online, it doesn't matter, right?

Voodoo Extreme put up a wee interview with me, and three of Camelot's leaders - Walt the Moderately Evil Overlord, Matt Firor aka My Boss And Therefore Sans Clever Nickname, and Yvonne the Content Queen. Try not to read to much into my comments, guys, I had to be pretty general in my comments. Apache's (the reporter's) idea for the article was for me to read the questions to a bunch of people around the shop and get their answers… without first hearing what their coworkers had to say. What'd we all say? Check it out: http://ve3d.ign.com/articles/703/703676p2.html

Pictures of our Road Trip stop in scenic New Jersey are located here:

http://roundtable.darkageofcamelot.com/April_06_wayne.php Why do I pimp out some roadtrips and not others? Well, it's easy. When it looks like we're going to have too many people for the local fire marshall's comfort, I figure you don't need any reminders :) The next party will be in Columbus, Ohio.

Y'all have a wonderful weekend. Don't do anything I wouldn't do… twice.