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.
Active play is important for your children’s development both mentally and physically, but there’s always that slouch halfway through summer when kids start getting bored. If you and your kids are tired of the usual suspects when it comes to playing outside – games like Hide and Go Seek, Freeze, and Red Rover – there are a variety of other outdoor games you can add to your repertoire in order to break up the monotony. Here are a few more unique outdoor games for kids that will get your children excited about playing outside again this summer.
- Blind Man’s Walk
Image via greenwichfreepress.com
This game adds a challenging twist to traditional obstacle course games. Set up obstacle courses in your backyard with things like hula hoops, buckets of water and pool noodles. Allow the kids to practice a few times, and then send them through the course one at a time while blindfolded. Time each child to see how quickly they can make it, perhaps without knocking over buckets of water or other objects. If you have little Pirates in the house, you can call the obstacle course challenge “Walk the Plank” instead.
- Pirate Tag
In this fun twist on a classic game, one person is chosen to be “it,” or the Pirate, and chases the other players. When the Pirate catches someone, this person becomes part of the Pirate’s crew. The original Pirate and the new capture must hold hands or both hold onto a jump rope while they chase the rest of the kids. The game continues in this fashion until all but one kid has joined the Pirate’s crew. The uncaptured kid gets to start the game as the Pirate the next time around.
- Bean Bag Toss
Image via gogosqueez.com
Bean bag toss games are very popular and easy to set up with little or no equipment. You can use store-bought bean bags, or make your own with a few dollars’ worth of beans and some upcycled old sheets or retired clothes.
You will also need to make a target or goal. You can build a pyramid with empty soda cans for the kids to throw their bean bags at. To make the game a little harder, half-fill these with water. The winner is the kid who knocks down the most cans, or knocks down all the cans in the lowest number of throws.
You can also use a painting ladder for scoring. Set up the ladder and assign a point value to each space between the rungs. Let the kids throw the bean bags, aiming for the higher-valued spaces, and tally their scores to find out the winner.
- Juggling practice
Image via sewmamasew.com
Another fun thing the kids can do with those bean bags is learn how to juggle. Watch a few instructional videos on YouTube so your kids get the general idea, and then turn everyone loose outside to practice. Start with just a couple of bean bags each, and as the children get the hang of the game, you can add one more at a time.
As much fun as kids have indoors these days with all the media and toys available to entertain them, it’s still important to get outside and play as much as possible. You can make this easier by incorporating some of their indoor interests into their outdoor play. What summer outdoor games do your kids love to play? How do you encourage them to play outside when they’d rather stay in?
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