I started with Loredena, a barbarian warrior in Halas. Since Halas was quite obviously modeled on the Scottish HIghlands she took the surname Frisealach. When I decided to give her a younger shaman sibling, I settled on Luisaidh, which was if I remember correctly Gaelic for warrior woman. For an Erudite necromancer I chose Bariah; my dwarven cleric took the surname of soulhealer, while the dwarven provisioner used, I think, the swedish word for cook as her surname.

I didn’t know the Fae used Finnish names — mine opted to be quasi elvish, Stardancer for instance.

Like you I neither pvp nor raid. I love crafting, and the social aspects of the game. I enjoy sims to a point. I like meta-games and alternate means of advancement. I do not wish to have my preferences devalued — it really irks me to be told (or to have it implied) that my preferences for small guilds, small groups, and slow leveling makes me unimportant and that I should not be catered to nor my desires met.

I have been playing MMOs since ‘99. I have bought lifetime subscriptions to 2 games, for multiple accounts. I have spend money in money shops on occasion (though am more likely to do so in FTP or games where I’ve bought that lifetime sub).

As an over 40 woman who has no interest in raiding or pvp however, I often have to search for ways to make a game fun for me, or overlook some really poor advertising.

I have another character I refer to as my barbie doll character, and sexy is fine, preferred even, for her. But — she is not suited to every game (or vice versa) and I will not be happy with a game where that look is my only choice. One of the many reasons I gave Age of Conan a miss.

I also object to games that restrict gender choices unnecessarily. I have LotRO a pass on the no female dwarves thing, because, well, there were no female dwarven adventurers in the books (or at least none known to be female).

Several years back however there was a single-player RPG that restricted gender overmuch in my opinion (Arcanum I think). There were if I recall correctly 2 out of 5 races in which one could not be female. This, in a game where the gender choice actually impacted stats and how the character played! Needless to say, despite my initial interest in the game I skipped that one as well.

A quick question that you may be able to follow up in blog posting form or direct answer– what is a good way to get your indie game some attention from the big companies? Who should we approach and how?

Any response would be greatly appreciated. Thank you! Great job on the blog!

You’ll certainly be missed around here.