Continuing our favorite memories post from yesterday, we have more KingsIsle employee memories of Wizard101 to share with you today. Be sure to check out Part I of the series if you missed it. Thanks again to our fan, Helenie Nightseer, for this request.
Russell Hughes. Principal FX Artist
I’ve been working on Wizard101 for almost a decade (10 years!) now. That’s a huge piece of my life! I don’t even know how to pick one thing in that time. We’ve had so many great memories as a team and so many great memories of working together to make something happen in game, that otherwise wouldn’t be possible. This truly is a team of making things happen “because players are gonna freak when they see this!” We’ve said that many times because we have been, and still are, those players that love epic moments in game story. Some of my favorite things to create might be Malistaire’s boss fight with the giant dragon blinking his eyes outside the room. Or the Bone Dragon Cathedral fight! How about the flying Xilbalba boss fight! I have lots of favorite spells and FX and really had fun creating the recent ‘mashup’ spells!!
In the early days we also created a “Making of” mini-documentary that we all had a blast creating . . . I mean . . . Jeff Toney eating a feast with a Gobbler? How can you go wrong with that! Another huge highlight was working here at KingsIsle and the company allowing me two weeks of vacation to go teach art in Kenya. We happened to be launching Zafaria, so I made a video, Zafaria: Behind the Scenes, and even got my Kenyan students in on the project. They taught me to speak in Swahili and they loved it. KingsIsle and our team really is the best team to have the privilege of being a part of! Thanks all!
John Diers, Customer Support Representative
Due to the nature of the issues I handle I can’t really talk about the contributions as an employee I am most happy about but I can say that KingsIsle is the best company I’ve ever worked for and I truly love my co-workers.
As a player, my favorite moments were finishing my first dungeon, Sunken City; finishing the clock tower to confront Meowiarty (as this seemed like a truly epic dungeon); and finishing the finale of Mooshu with the Jade Oni.
Alex Garcia, IT Manager
One of the fondest memories of Wizard101 that I remember, was in August 2008, when Marketing came to us (the IT Department) and said we need at least 10 computers and monitors and network connections set up for an event that very weekend! This was meant to see if we could gather more attention for Wizard101 by holding a Wizard local Austin event. There was to be a Wizard 101 PvP Tournament at the comic book shop Dragon’s Lair, and we had to rush to make it happen.
At the time we had no knowledge of how many people would really show up. Robby, (my desktop support guy) and I were not so happy at first, because we had so little time and little equipment to make this happen in such a short time-frame. We were not looking forward to it, and we actually thought it may be just a waste of our time. However, we knew it was good for the game and company, so we started our work after all. We built out laptops, desktops, scrounged for wireless cards for that weekend. We arrived at the comic book shop early that Saturday morning. We had some problems and hiccups, computers that were not working, network problems, and other issues etc.…, but after a few hours or so, we got all areas setup in time before the fans would arrive.
Robby and I typically worked behind the scenes for Wizard, and we had never been exposed to what “real-life” players were like before. When we had heard from the Marketing dept. that only about 100 people may show up, we were disappointed and hoping for a short day overall. But boy-o-boy were we in for a surprise, more than 1,000 people showed up at the small comic book shop! The parking lot was so full of cars that people had to park in adjacent grocery stores and blocks away. There were masses of kids, teens, adults, grandparents everywhere. Many people were wearing homemade wizard outfits and hats, wands, and printed posters. The small comic book shop was filled to capacity, as people waited to get Wizard101 characters painted on their faces, or have a physical card game battle with our designers. Some fans got training on how to make doodles, and others listened at a projector to how the game was put together. The Wizard creators were on hand to sign any artifacts and posters as well.
There was so much excitement and happiness in the air for them and even more for the KingsIsle employees. Robby and I helped to usher players into the tournament room group by group for hours all the way to closing. The lines waiting to do battle were long, but were filled with both beginner and experienced players trading strategies and stories of their adventures in the Spiral. We were peppered with questions about the game and future projects and even got a few hugs from kids thanking us for helping to bring Wizard101 to life. We were so proud to be working for a company that had so much passion and brought so much happiness and joy to all these people. We were truly overwhelmed with emotion after seeing so much love for our game, and I truly understood what we worked so hard all this time for. I made the decision that day that Wizard101 was a very special game, and that I was so proud to be a part of it. I truly hope that it continues to entertain kids and adults alike for years to come.
Cheryl Starcher, Lead Programmer
I love to play and I love to work on Wizard101 but my favorite thing is that I’ve been able to share it with my mom who loves PvP, my dad who reads every word of dialog and explores every inch of the world, my husband who first played on a free-to-play account up to level 12 by grinding the Kraken, my nephews who have Ice and Death school themed decorations in their rooms in real life, and my daughter who loves to decorate her house … and my husband’s house … and my house… 🙂
Erik McKenny, Senior Environment Artist
While Erik McKenny, Senior Environment Artist, didn’t directly submit a written memory to us, he did share with us (or rather, was forced to share with us by his coworkers) an amazing piece of concept art of the MooShu hub before KingsIsle was hiring concept artists.
Apparently this concept started small and became very big and out of proportion as he continued drawing and putting in finer details. Believe it or not, this pencil drawn masterpiece from the very beginnings of Wizard101 is actually several sheets of 8.5” x 11” pieces of paper skillfully taped together. It’s been rolled up and stashed away all these years until now.
Thanks again for joining us on this trip down memory lane! Part 3 of our favorite Wizard101 memories will continue tomorrow!
Our month-long celebration for Wizard101’s birthday is almost over, and we’ve had a great time hearing from our fans about their favorite Wizard101 moments on the official Message Boards.
On that message board thread, Helenie Nightseer asked if a few KingsIsle Staff members could also share their favorite memories about Wizard101. Professor Falmea spread the word of Helenie’s request, and we received some amazing memories from our staff to share with you all. So many, in fact, we’re going to make this a three-part blog post. Thanks for the request, Helenie!
Gary Scott Smith, Principle Software Engineer
As a player: In 2008, I was pretty excited to get a Lightning Bat pet from Wave Bringer. Before Advanced Pets that pet was very rare and Wave Bringer was hard to farm before we added mounts and now teleporters.
As a developer: Doing a play test for the first housing game, Tag, with other developers. Afterword I received a very brief email from Todd Coleman (VP and Creative Director at the time). It read “Tag is very cool.”
Nathan Sumsion, Lead Designer
For me, some of my favorite moments making the game include:
Shadow Magic – I loved working on a new school of magic that is available to all wizards from all schools, and has implications that affect the entire Spiral. It was fun to see how it wove into the fabric of our story, and it was challenging to design its core mechanics in such a way as to help player progression in the higher levels of the game. I really like the feel of using this powerful, unstable magic to change my wizard’s form with Shadow Self spells, and to summon creatures made of shadow that may or may not help me in combat, depending on my actions.
Ultra-Dungeons – I wanted to create a way to allow players to have rematches against some of their favorite bosses in the game, and I’m very happy we were able to introduce these short one-shot dungeons.
The B.O.X.E.S. Event – I love the story behind this one, visiting the past of some of my favorite characters in the game. I love how we put it together, allowing players of various levels to be able to participate in it, and how we could travel from one area to another using the Telegraph Box. I love any time we can use The Professor in our content.
Fishing – Incorporating a system as big as Fishing into existing worlds in the Spiral was no small undertaking! Working with the team to figure out how the system would work, how deep it was going to be, and how it would be introduced into the game took a lot of planning. And I love the actual fish. I’m very happy with how this system turned out.
As a player some of my favorite moments include:
- The fight on Xibalba at the end of Azteca was exciting! Seeing Malistaire back from the dead and struggling to defeat him on the face of a comet screaming through space, hurtling towards Azteca. I cheered when I emerged victorious from that one.
- I love The Great Beast encounter in Khrysalis. Seeing the beast rise from the ocean the first time is amazing.
- I also loved growing 2 large groups of King Parsleys and capitalizing on the 7th Anniversary double-gardening exp. Hello Amber!
Joel White, Senior Designer
The first time I took the boat in Krok. At the time it was the first cinematic sequence in game, and I love Egyptology. It made my inner geek so excited. Then the day I found the hidden vendor in Krok … I squeeed.
Valerie Kromas, Game Designer
As a developer, one of my most favorite moments working on Wizard101 was when we had the opportunity to work with The Make a Wish Foundation. Any adult will probably tell you that sometimes during our careers we wonder how much impact we’re actually making on the world; working with The Make A Wish Foundation really echoed the sentiment that what we do here at KingsIsle does contribute to the daily lives of others! Putting together the content for our contribution was probably one of the most heartfelt moments I’ve ever experienced as a game developer, which I will cherish forever.
As a player, I really loved getting my Master of Karate and Friendship badge; I felt super special and like I was part of a secret club! Second favorite moment was when we as a group finally got to beat Morganthe. I was so tired of chasing her around and fixing all the things in The Spiral that she broke that I squealed with joy the first time I saw her fall into the void of space.
Jesse Slate, Senior Animator
My favorite memory was animating Prof. Greyrose and Falmea together for the KingsIsle A.L.S. Ice Bucket Challenge video. First, I’m proud to work for a company that has a high regard for charities like Make a Wish and Austin Children’s Shelter, so it was especially satisfying to contribute animation for a higher cause. What made this task all the more exciting was animating these legendary characters. It felt like going into my Grandma’s attic and blowing the dust off an old toy.
Thanks again for joining us on this trip down memory lane! Part 2 of our favorite Wizard101 memories will continue tomorrow!
Pirate101 offers some of the best character creation MMO opportunities around. After you’ve chosen between the Buccaneer, Musketeer, Privateer, Swashbuckler and Witchdoctor character types, it’s time to set sail and interact with Pirate101’s assortment of scallywags and scoundrels. What does your favorite member of the Pirate MMO’s cast reveal about your personality?
Boochbeard
Known as the Pirate of the Skyway, Boochbeard is a living legend. His past may be shrouded in an air of mystery, but one thing’s for sure: Whenever one of Boochbeard’s schemes go awry, he’s always ready and willing to get back in the saddle—or, should we say, on his boat. If Boochbeard’s your favorite Pirate101 character, we’re willing to bet you’re just as tenacious as he is.
Mr. Gandry
Mr. Gandry’s ever-present naval uniform brings the term “monkey suit” to a whole new level. This prim and proper primate served in three different navies before becoming Boochbeard’s first officer. He brings a wealth of expertise to the position, but he’s not one to bask in the limelight. If Mr. Gandry is your favorite character from this online pirate game, you might see some of yourself in him—namely, you’re super-smart and don’t see taking credit as a priority.
Captain Horace Avery
Captain Avery may have retired from plundering his way across the Spiral for a living, but don’t count him out yet. After winning the stewardship of Skull Island in a bet, the captain is spending his twilight years turning the area into a five-star Pirate haven. Do you think Captain Avery is one of the best character creations an MMORPG has ever featured? Like him, you’re probably success-oriented and not afraid to reinvent yourself.
Mordekai
Mordekai was rescued from a Monquistan prison by Captain Avery more than two decades ago. The Skull Island swordsman has been the captain’s right-hand man ever since—and he trains all of Avery’s new recruits, to boot. If you favor Mordekai above all others, it’s safe to say you’re loyal to a fault.
The Commodore
This Marleybonian admiral has been living on Skull Island since before Captain Avery’s reign. A skilled naval strategist and tactician, the Commodore may not be as sharp as he once was, but it’s never too late to teach an old dog new tricks. Have a soft spot for the Commodore? Just like him, you’ve doubtless got some serious staying power.
Ol’ Fish Eye
This Skull Island native may not be the most even-tempered of characters in this online pirate game, but he has mad skills—shooting skills, to be specific. When he defected from the Marleybonian armed forces to become a Pirate, his expertise came right along with him. If you’re great at what you do but can sometimes be just a little grumpy, you likely love Ol’ Fish Eye. 
Morgan LaFitte
This foxy lady is much more than just a pretty face. Morgan LaFitte lived in Valencia for years, passing herself off as a wealthy countess by day while moonlighting as a notorious cat burglar, but these days, she calls Skull Island home. If Morgan LaFitte tops your list of favorite characters in this Pirate MMO, you’re probably awesome at keeping a secret.
Madame Vadima
Just like Boochbeard, Madame Vadima has a mysterious past that she’s unwilling to share. What we do know is that she’s a Darkmoor native and an A+ fortuneteller who rarely misses a trick. If you’re a Madame Vadima fan, we bet you give amazing advice.
Whether you have a determined streak like Boochbeard, knowledge to rival that of The Commodore, the loyalty of Mordekai or the secret-keeping ability of Morgan LaFitte, one thing’s for sure: You’re bound to have a lot of fun putting those traits to use across the Skyways.
Whether you’re new to Wizard101 or you’ve already racked up some time in the Spiral, PVP can be a lot of fun. If you’re unfamiliar with PVP, though, it’s important to have a good idea of what to expect as you engage your opponents and build your player history. Here are a few top Wizard101 PVP tips from Duelist101.com to keep in mind as you’re learning your way around Wizard101 PVP.
Determining your starting level
There is a lot of strategy involved in what level you start at in Wizard101 PVP. This decision will determine how well you do in your matches, and therefore how quickly you gain standing. According to Duelist101.com, the best starting level is Journeyman. There are several advantages to this level that help beginners get started in PVP online.
- You can level up to Journeyman (levels 15-20) fairly quickly and easily.
- At the Journeyman level, you’ll have shorter matches that allow you to acquire experience more quickly.
- Ways to win at the Journeyman level tend to be simpler, since both players have fewer spells at their disposal, as well as a smaller health pool that is more quickly depleted.
Remember, the level you start at can have a wide-reaching impact on your gaming experience. Beginning at a middle-of-the-road level allows you to learn the ropes and helps you gain standing without the process being too easy.
Planning your gear
Having the right gear is important when facing an opponent in PVP. According to Duelist101.com, every player’s needs are different, depending on 1) your style of playing and 2) what’s available to you.
First of all, it’s important to know your options. Duelist101.com reported that much ofthe best gear comes from bosses in the game, so check out fan sites like Wizard101 Central Wiki to find out how you can find the best pieces of equipment. . Also be sure to visit the Crown shop if you’re short on time, and once you’re over level 65, consider crafted gear.
It’s also critical to consider your playing style. Plan your gear around how you strategize for a match. In general, though, there are a few stats that you should try to keep as high as possible when acquiring new gear:
- Damage: Don’t make the mistake of spending all of your efforts on defense. In order to win a match, you can’t just outlast your opponent, you also have to be able to do some damage.
- Universal resist: This doesn’t help you resist and heal from just one type of damage, but all of them, making it a very important stat to have.
- Critical block: This stat will help you block critical attacks, so try to keep this one high as well.
- Accuracy and power pips: The goal here is to cast accurate spells more often, without having to wait to recharge.
For more help with planning your gear, check out the advice at Duelist101.com.
Building your deck
How you plan your deck is also very important, as the right deck for you depends heavily on your strategies as a player. Obviously, as a beginner, you may not know yet what style of playing you want to adopt, but as you gain experience, you will develop skills and strategies that may differ dramatically from other players’ approaches.
You will need to build your deck with strategy in mind, making sure you have cards for attacks, shielding and so on accessible when you need them. How you build your deck may also impact your gear needs. Check out this article on building your Wizard101 PVP deck for advice on specific decks, playing style and complimentary gear.
Whether you are starting to play Wizard101 or are just new to the PVP aspect of it, PVP is an excellent way to hone your skills against other players and have some fun. For more recommendations for beginners, be sure to browse Duelist101.com and other fan sites. Wizard101 PVP players, what tricks have you found most helpful in learning the ropes, and what tips would you give beginning players?
When it’s time for school to start again, kids have to swiftly switch gears from fun in the sun to academics. For many young learners, educational opportunities are sparse during the summer months, which can make for a jolting back-to-school transition. Research has shown that the brain is like a muscle, and skipping mental workouts for two to three months at a time means even the smartest kid may struggle to get acclimated once school is back in session. But don’t just take our word for it: Research going back as far as 1906 revealed that students tend to perform significantly worse on standardized tests at the end of summer vacation than they did before school let out.
With homework being often long and tedious, picking tasks that are both fun but intellectually stimulating can ease the transition back to school. That’s where games that make you think from FreeKI Games come in.
Board Games
Board games have been enjoyed by both children and adults for centuries. As well as being a ton of fun, many of them also make you think. Examples of strategy games include Monopoly, Sorry!, Yahtzee and Mahjong. These games really test your analytical and forward-thinking abilities—one wrong move and your winning play could go up in smoke. For a new twist on the traditional Mahjong, head to freekigames.com and check out Sweety Mahjong. The rules are the same (match tiles to reveal the ones underneath and gain points in the process), but the tile designs are a whole lot tastier!
Physics Games
No child wants to think about physics in the summer, right? You’d be surprised how quickly that changes once pandas are involved. A kid playing the free online game 3 Pandas will be too busy helping the panda family escape from wily Pirates and jump off bouncy caterpillars to realize he or she is applying the principles of physics.
Tower Defense Games
In addition to being one of the most enjoyable thinking games that FreeKI Games has to offer, Grub Guardian was also the very first to establish direct ties to players’ Wizard101 accounts. Players win by placing defense guardians along different courses and successfully protecting their grub from enemies. Strategic thinking is a must, which makes this game a great way for kids to exercise their brains—and train their Wizard101 pets in the process.
Time Management Games
There’s nothing like working at a busy movie theater to keep your brain sharp and focused! Playing as concession stand employees Mary and Jake, kids advance in Cinema Panic by serving hordes of customers as quickly as possible, making sure to prioritize those who are growing impatient or have complex orders.
FreeKI Games presents a win-win situation for children and their parents: Kids have fun playing, while parents can rest assured that their children are learning something along the way.
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