Seems like a poster over on the F13 forums was told by a job recruitment type not to mention the fact that he plays MMOs. Supposedly, the recruiter told him that one of the employers he consults for specifically asked not to be sent people who play World of Warcraft.

According to the post:

I met with a recruiter recently (online media industry) and in conversation I happened to mention I’d spent way too much time in the early 2000s playing online games, which I described as “the ones before World of Warcraft” (I went nuts for EQ1, SWG and the start of WoW, but since 2006 I have only put a handful of days into MMOG playing – as opposed to discussing them – I’ve obsessed over bicycles and cycling instead).

He replied that employers specifically instruct him not to send them World of Warcraft players. He said there is a belief that WoW players cannot give 100% because their focus is elsewhere, their sleeping patterns are often not great, etc.

I mentioned that some people have written about MMOG leadership experience as a career positive or a way to learn project management skills, and he shook his head. He has been specifically asked to avoid WoW players.

For one thing, I can understand this on some level, but so what if it is a videogame? It could be a number of things that the person does when not at work that can lead to being a less than suitable employee. There is excessive drinking, whoring, knitting, dog training, working out, getting high all night, MMO grinding, reading into all hours of the night, clubbing, your kids myriad of different sporting events you have to attend, a TV marathon of “My Big Redneck Wedding”, the wife/husband/mother-in-law bitching and yelling all night, insomnia, chronic masturbation habits, just being a crap employee– a number of things can make a person less worthwhile on the job. Don’t just blame MMOs, and if you have hired a load of people who play these games for your company, that means you are an industry that appeals to gamer types any way so get used to it. It could just as easily be some multiplayer “shoot em up” on Xbox LIve that is keeping them up all night.

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Blizzard has updated the Diablo III website with five new screenshots from the game and three new bits of artwork. The screens show off the Barbarian, Witch Doctor and Wizard, with plenty of cool graphics and magic spells such as fire, lightening bolts, and otherworldly pets.

The artwork is the bandit city of Caldeum, a palace, and what looks like a dungeon. All are very cool and definitely worth taking a look at.

The November NPD numbers are in for PC titles for the month, and it should come as no surprise that World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King is on top–as a matter of fact it takes the top two spots out of the Top 20. If you look through the whole chart though, you will notice that World of Warcraft took five spots which is an indication that its popularity shows no wane in sight.

Call of Duty: World at War for the PC came in third, with Spore still pulling in the gamers and resting at number four, and Left 4 Dead took the number 8 spot which is a decent slot considering the PC powerhouses that are present on the chart.

1. World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King
2. World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King Collector’s Edition
3. Call of Duty: World At War
4. Spore
5. Fallout 3
6. World of Warcraft: Battle Chest
7. The Sims 2 Deluxe
8. Left 4 Dead
9. The Sims 2 Apartment Life Expansion Pack
10. Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3
11. World of Warcraft
12. The Sims 2 Mansion & Garden Stuff Expansion
13. Nancy Drew: The Haunting of Castle Malloy
14. EverQuest II: The Shadow Odyssey
15. Far Cry 2
16. World of Warcraft: Burning Crusade Expansion Pack
17. BioShock
18. Spore Creepty & Cute Parts Pack
19. IGT Slots: Little Green Men
20. Assassin’s Creed

(Thanks Shacknews)

Blizzard has added Character Re-customization to it’s list of premium services for World of Warcraft. For $15 per character, you can change your avatar’s name, facial features, skin and even gender. The only thing you can’t mess with is your race and class.

Your guild memberships, standings, and friend lists will all be updated with your new name if you choose to change it. Of course that means that re-customization isn’t a way around Ignore restrictions. All the same, you might want to mention your plans to your friends and guild members so you don’t get booted by mistake.

There’s a Character Re-Customization FAQ on the Blizzard’s WoW site that seems to cover most sensible questions a player might have on the process. If you’re no longer satisfied with visiting the barber, you can re-customize every 30 days.

Need even more proof that World of Warcraft is immensely popular in all corners of the world? You probably don’t really, but thanks to WoW Insider via CCTV.com, we know now just how much people love their WoW.

Over in Beijing, a World of Warcraft enthusiast has created a restaurant themed after his favorite game. Everything from the decor to the menu was inspired by Blizzard’s behemoth and images of the game are even plastered upon the walls and in-game footage is played on screens. The entrance is a re-creation of the Dark Portal, which for non-players is the opening animation from The Burning Crusade, while the dining area is the Hall of Snow Storms, and there is a towering tree at the center of this “dining portal”.

The food, which is classic Chinese and Sushi in form, is based on the game as well and named after different characters from WoW. When the owner was asked why he created a restaurant based upon his favorite online game, he stated that he did this in “the hope that people who share his enthusiasm for World of Warcraft would find a comfortable gathering place”.

I wonder just how long it will take before someone else does the same thing in another part of the world? If they do, it would definitely give Medieval Times a run for its money.

You can watch the video of the report on CCTV here.

If you’re looking to get your hands on Diablo III sometime soon, well, don’t hold your breath. Many people thought the game might be nearing completion after Blizzard VP, Rob Pardo, mentioned at the developer’s World Wide Invitational that all the different classes and the first act were finished. Sadly, that isn’t exactly the case, mostly since their definition of “playable” doesn’t mean “done.” Bashiok, a Diablo CM with Blizzard, explains:

Just to clarify this was an interview with Rob at the announcement of the game at WWI, and just to avoid any conclusions drawn without watching the video here’s the quote:

“I think most of the other classes are actually playable back at the home office, but I’m not going to tell you about them today. And most of, kind of the first act, is also pretty playable, but we still have a long ways to go.”

So you’re quite a bit off from “all classes” and “all of act one” being finished. It’s really insubstantial information though, because anyone that understands the Blizzard development process and core values we’re all about iterating. It’s not done until it’s done.

As far as information releases go and current development everyone on the team is working really hard on the game, and it’s progressing really well, but we’re just kind of in a weird spot as far as new information releases go right now.

Most likely, Pardo’s comments were partly accurate: the first act can be played, but there’s still a lot of work needed to be done. They probably still need to do a lot of work on the graphics and animation before they can call it “done.” And since they’re working so hard on getting those sorts of kinks ironed out, we probably won’t be hearing much about the game itself anytime soon. In other word, I wouldn’t go adding Diablo III to your 2009 Christmas list just yet.

Activision Blizzard sure knows how to get the speculation ball rolling, and with this latest bit of teasers and confirmations from the company during yesterday’s Massive Inc. event (advertising summit really) what they had to say is really not much of a surprise.

This meeting basically showcases games that would be great vehicles for in-game advertising, and the biggest one mentioned was one called Guitar Hero 5 (working/speculative title at this point) which was revealed as a screenshot featuring a Burger Kings ad next to the scrolling notes.

ActiBliz also confirmed what we already knew about the upcoming Tony Hawk game slated for an October 2009 release when a spokesman stated: “You’re not going to be playing this game with a controller in your hands”. This, however is old news to gamers who have been in the know regarding a “skateboard type” peripheral which is supposed to come with the game.

Confirmed during the event was Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 for Fall 2009, and while no details were forthcoming on the upcoming Call of Duty title, ActiBliz did acknowledged Bizarre Creations’ “Bond Racing” (no tile was mentioned) style game which would be heading to stores sometime in September 2009. The good thing about this Bond game though, is that there is no movie tie-in associated with it and for fans of racing games, another one is in the works which is being hailed as a “Mario Kart meets Forza”.

So there ya have it. A few teasers, a few confirmations and the expectation that in-game advertising will be prevalent throughout each one of them. Hooray for greed and constantly being bombarded with advertising no matter where you look. Formally known as the American Way, it is now just the way of the world.

(MTV Multiplayer)

Blizzard has sent us an update for StarCraft and StarCraft: Brood War. Want the patch details? Well, look no further because here they are:

StarCraft Patch 1.16

Feature Changes: In-game chat is now saved in replays. Note: whispers are not saved. Hitting the Escape key while in the chat room will clear your typed text. “/reply” (or just “/r”) will send a whisper to person who most recently whispered you.

Bug Fixes: Fixed localization issues with “from” and “to” in whispers. Starcraft now only uses as much CPU as it needs to run smoothly.

Exploits

• Fixed an exploit which allowed Zerg players to gain minerals through mutations.
• Fixed an exploit which allowed Zerg players to recycle an upgrading building.
• Fixed an exploit which allowed Zerg players to extend their creep with a drone.
• Fixed an exploit which allowed Zerg players to move Drones over impassable terrain.
• Fixed an exploit which allowed Terran players to drop a nuke anywhere on the map.
• Fixed an exploit which allowed players to pause the game while in the pre-game lobby.

StarCraft: Brood War Patch 1.16 notes are exactly the same. Hit whichever badge that you need to update your game.

1UP is appealing to gamers to take a 5-10 minute break from their games to fill out the 2008 MMO Gaming Study survey. Those who make time for this no fail quiz by December 1st will be entered in a Sweepstakes to win a $300 American Express Cheque.

Attention FileFront Community!
We want to hear about your MMO gaming experience. Help shape how MMO games are built and be entered in an exclusive sweepstakes drawing to* win a $300 American Express Cheque. * Survey only takes about 5 to 10 minutes and your input would be greatly appreciated.

In addition, you can earn additional entries into the sweepstakes. The first 500 completed surveys will earn a double entry into the prize drawing.

*Directions for the survey:*
1. Step#1: _[CLICK HERE TO START SURVEY]
2. Fill out the entire survey to be eligible for the drawing. *Please fill out the entire survey by December 1st in order to be eligible.*
One entry per household only, additional entries will be void. The winner will be notified as soon as a winner is selected.

Thanks again for your continuing support.