Mind tricks are the lazy way of doing things edition

Recently, I've become enamored of the Bavarian Fire Drill. For those who don't want to click on that link (it's work-safe in the sense that it contains no cursing and not work-safe in the sense that you'll be clicking for hours), it's the art of infiltrating a building by carrying a clipboard and acting like you're supposed to be there. Sure, you could just wave your hand and tell people that these aren't the droids they're looking for, but wouldn't you rather have the chutzpah to just walk around like it wasn't a thing?

That leads very naturally to this week's installment of Ask Massively, in which we discuss whether or not leveling mechanics have worn our their collective welcomes in MMOs.

Kaahn Stewart asked: Do you think it's time to do away with leveling? It seems like the leveling process is becoming more and more trivialized, which makes me wonder why it's even there in the first place. Why not have a game start at endgame and provide players new abilities or skills for running content, rather than grinding needless levels?

Because that's still leveling -- it's just leveling through a different set of criteria.

Some games are certainly trying to do away with the idea of gating things to level whatever -- The Secret World, for instance, has a rather different way of having characters grow and improve over time. But even if you switch new abilities and skills to being locked behind content rather than via reaching some high-water mark of experience points, you still have a situation in which you need to do X in order to learn how to do Y.

In some ways, actually, leveling is a better way to handle things than strict content gating. You need to earn a total number of points to level up, but the game doesn't care how you earn them.

Now, a lot of games have also made it easier to level up, which can be seen as making leveling less relevant. This is really a conscious move, I suspect, since slower leveling just makes gaining levels more tedious rather than more difficult. (Your primary enemy should not be boredom.) It makes it easier for players who want to push up to max level to do precisely that, but it doesn't force players to do so -- you can take your time, explore a bit, and head off the beaten path if you so desire.

Is it time to play around with different ways to gate abilities and progression? Certainly. But leveling itself is still serving its purpose. Sometimes it needs a bit more fine-tuning than it receives, but there's no need to throw the baby out with the bathwater.

Wings Over Atreia: Tickets please

As we barrel through November and get closer to the holidays, my thoughts have turned to turkey, pie, rolls, pie, and candied yams... did I mention pie? It's not that I can't think of anything else (pie), but I always look forward to family, food, and free time during the upcoming holidays -- free time meaning more gaming and less working! Unfortunately, a few other things are slipping in and interrupting the thoughts of impending gluttony for many Aion players.

Everyone deeply immersed in Atreia knows that two of the most frequent topics of discussion this past week (ignoring all troll comments, of course) have been Star Wars: The Old Republic with its impending effect on Aion and the reduction in arena tickets that went into effect after last Wednesday's maintenance. While Wings Over Atreia took a look at the forthcoming release of TOR last week, I might have altered my predictions a bit had the announcement about the arena tickets happened sooner than right before publishing.

Could one event really affect the balance? Check out past the cut to examine the NCsoft's action, the community's reaction, and the possible repercussions.

One of hottest topics (as denoted by views and replies) on the official forums is the announcement of the "fixing" of the arena ticket bug. I have to admit, when the comment was first made about the reduction, I was all set to reply that two tickets were still available as I personally just logged in and grabbed them. Thank heavens for the edit button, as a quick jump to the forums showed me my error! For anyone who doesn't quite know the situation, here's the scoop: Way back when, in the olden days (i.e., last month), the patch notes for 2.7 were published in Aion's game guide. Oh, happy day, right? Daevas from each hemisphere of Atreia could get a good glimpse at what to expect once 2.7 went live on October 19th. Embedded in this wall of text was the fact that through the introduction quest, Daevas would be granted two arena tickets to test the new PvP arenas. After that, the daily quest would grant only one ticket. However, what was written was not what happened: For four weeks Elyos and Asmodians alike were treated to double arena tickets. Players were excited about the new arenas and flocked to them, filling up the waiting area with a crowd that had only recently been seen during AFK events. Participation was robust, and there was much rejoicing in the lands! *cue Monty Python* Yay. In fact, when I gave my impressions about the future of Aion, I did so with the amount of activity and enjoyment seen in these matches in mind.

Last Monday, the community team let the bomb drop that in just two day's time, the bug that allowed players to receive two arena tickets would be fixed and only one ticket would be rewarded from that time forward. Players from both factions were upset because they felt like something was being taken away from them without any real notice or cause, and I can't blame them. NCsoft let the issue go too long without addressing it. Previously, I have stated how impressed I was with Aion's customer service. However, this community relations blunder is a stain on NCsoft's reputation. And it's one that I think could have been easily avoided.

Two people arrested for alleged home invasion

Two of three people wanted in connection with an alleged home invasion last week near Bunker Hill were arrested Saturday on outstanding warrants.

Both Matthew Wayne Lange Jr., 22, of Martinsburg, and Autumn T. Blaine, 36, of Phillips Lane, Bunker Hill, were charged with first-degree robbery. Blaine also was arraigned on charges of forgery and uttering, as well as three counts of possession of a controlled substance.

According to court records, at about 11:12 p.m. Oct. 24, Berkeley County Sheriff's Deputy M. Stewart was dispatched to a report of a home invasion on Sam Mason Road.

When he arrived, he spoke to the complainants and the victim. One of the residents of the home said that she was sitting in the living room when three individuals walked inside without knocking. The woman told police she knew two of the subjects, Blaine and Lange, who walked in, records show.

The witness said that the two individuals had large silver flashlights when they entered the residence. A third individual was carrying a large digging tool with a wooden handle. The witness told police they walked to a back bedroom before leaving a few minutes later, records show.

Stewart spoke with another resident, who also was in the living room and observed Blaine, Lange and the third individual enter the home without knocking.

Stewart spoke with the alleged victim, who said that he was asleep when the three subjects were there and that he didn't see any of the individuals. He said that one of the residents of the home woke him up and told him what happened. He said that he looked around and observed clothes from a dresser laying all over the floor. The man said he looked in the drawer and noticed that his wallet, containing $1,000, was missing, records show.

Police then went to Blaine's residence but found no one there. They later located her at her boyfriend's home. They found her inside a bathroom holding a spoon with a light brownish substance on it. Lange and another woman holding a hypodermic needle also were found in the bathroom, records show.

In the living room of the residence, police found a large silver flashlight on a couch. All of the suspects denied knowing anything about the home invasion and avoided answering any of Stewart's questions. Stewart later found an open bag containing marijuana, heroin and several Xanax pills in the bathroom.

Police also found a digging tool with a wooden handle on a seat inside Blaine's vehicle.

As of Monday, both Lange and Blaine remained in custody at Eastern Regional Jail. If convicted of first-degree robbery, they face no less than 10 years in prison.

N.J. good Samaritan protections should extend to reports of drug overdoses

New Jersey believes in being a good Samaritan, but only in certain circumstances.
The state has a selective good Samaritan law, a life-saving statute that provides legal latitude in cases that involve a minor who calls 911 for help for a severely intoxicated peer.

The New Jersey law, known as Lifeline Legislation, does not extend the same leeway, however, in cases of illegal drug use.

This inconsistency results in many unnecessary deaths, as those in the company of someone who has overdosed from an illicit drug often hesitate to call 911, for fear of legal repercussions.

The state needs to rethink its position and understand that when it comes to an overdose, the drug involved is not what is most important.

The state’s death toll stemming from drug overdoses is considerable.

A fact sheet from the Drug Policy Alliance-NJ shows that overdoses are New Jersey’s leading cause of accidental death.

Almost 6,000 people have died from drug overdoses in New Jersey since 2004; more than 700 people died from drug overdoses here in 2009 alone. These deaths are preventable.

The most vital part of saving an individual from a drug overdose does not occur in the emergency room, nor does it involve a complex medical treatment.

The most critical aspect of saving someone from an overdose is the decision to act swiftly to get the person medical attention. The chance of a person surviving an overdose often depends on the speed with which that person receives appropriate medical care.

Many individuals faced with a medical emergency stemming from drug use often hesitate to call for help or seek medical attention because of uncertainty or the fear of facing legal charges related to their own or the victim’s illicit drug use. This can be fatal.
Good Samaritan laws are proven to prevent fatal overdoses.

They increase the number of calls for medical assistance and follow-up counseling for the individual who overdosed. The same concerns about legal fallout that had prevented underage people from calling for help in cases of alcohol poisoning are even greater for a drug overdose.

Studies have shown that when limited immunity is provided to individuals who seek help for potential overdoses, the number of calls to medical personnel increases, the number of individuals who participate in counseling about drug use increases and numerous lives are saved.

The Drug Policy Alliance-NJ is compiling a video record for people who have lost a loved one because of an overdose. Some of these stories recount how a son or daughter was lost to drugs because their friends froze when they fell ill, afraid to act.

New Jersey’s neighboring state of New York has recently enacted a comprehensive good Samaritan Law.

That state’s governor, Andrew Cuomo, said about the law, “I have received compelling letters from parents whose children have died from a drug overdose or are struggling with drug addiction urging me to approve this bill.

These letters, and other information provided to me, have convinced me that this new law will save lives.”

New Jersey needs to consider Gov. Cuomo’s words as well as the source of the law’s name. The biblical story of the good Samaritan illustrates that when the opportunity to do good presents itself, one should simply act. The parable of the Samaritan who helps a man after he was robbed, beaten and left for dead by the side of the road crystallizes the moral clarity of someone with the willingness to do the right thing and not question the circumstances.

Before the Samaritan had come upon the fallen man and given him succor, two others had seen him but passed him by.

New Jersey lawmakers must stop bypassing those who overdose from drugs, leaving them to die; they need to broaden the good Samaritan law so it can save lives, no matter the drug that imperiled those lives.

Serial shoplifter gets an Asbo

A DRUG addict shoplifter who threatened to stab a security guard with a dirty hypodermic needle has been given a five-year Asbo.

Marc Porter, of Speedwell Street, Oxford, was jailed for 20 weeks for stealing from three city shops and breaching the terms of a community order.

The 34-year-old admitted stealing food from the BP Express Garage in Woodstock Road on September 16, perfume worth £120 from Boots Chemist in Cornmarket Street on August 25 and food from Tesco Express at the Westway Shopping Centre store in Botley on August 1.

Under the terms of his Asbo, Porter is banned from going to Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Boots, Co-op, or Marks & Spencer stores within the Oxford ring road area.

Crown Prosecution Service spokesman Jacqui Broadbridge said: “Porter is a one-man crime wave who is a nuisance and a persistent offender who cannot keep his hands in his pockets.

“He has now received a five-year Asbo preventing him from entering many of the shops in Oxford from which he stole. With any luck this will reduce opportunities for his offending.”

Porter has 12 previous convictions for shoplifting, one previous conviction for stealing from a car, using threatening behaviour and failing to attend a drugs test.

Welcoming the news of Porter’s Asbo, Mahabub Alam, a Tesco Express team leader at the Botley store, said: “We informed the police when we had problems with Mr Porter and the police investigated it.

“They did a good job and responded really quickly. Our staff are safe and happy now.”

Pc Mike Ellis, Oxford anti-social behaviour officer, said: “Porter is a prolific shoplifter, stealing higher value meat, alcohol, and perfume in order to support a drug habit.

“In some instances, Porter has used aggressive and intimidating behaviour when confronted by security officers and shop staff and has threatened to stab a security officer with a dirty hypodermic needle.

“The lengthy Asbo banning him from some of the stores he has stolen from in the past will give some protection to the staff of these stores from future intimidation and threats.

“The police, in partnership with the local authority will continue to deal robustly with this type of behaviour.”

Dover man arrested twice in one day

A town man was arrested on a shoplifting charge in the afternoon and then on drug charges in the evening after he tried to flee in his wheelchair, police said,

Officers Michael Pier and Jose Matos on Sept. 21 responded to The Home Depot at 4:46 p.m. and learned Roberto Colon, 27, was sitting in his wheelchair on top of a Mikita power drill valued at $79 and tried leaving the store without paying for it, Detective Sgt. Richard Gonzalez said.

Police arrested Colon and found a hypodermic needle on him during a search, Gonzalez said.

Colon was taken to headquarters and charged with shoplifting and possession of the needle, police said. He was released on a complaint summons.

Then, at 8:05 p.m. the same day, Officer Timothy Thiel spotted Colon and another man on First Street.

Thiel approached the two and began speaking with them when he spotted Colon attempting to hide a hypodermic needle in his coat pocket, Gonzalez said.

Thiel retrieved the needle and advised Colon that he was under arrest, police said.

Officer Anthony Scinto arrived to assist, and that’s when Colon began to leave the area in his wheelchair, ignoring multiple orders to stop.

Colon then began to remove his clothing and then threw himself onto the ground, police said.

While he was doing this, his father, Roberto Colon Sr., arrived and had a brief conversation in Spanish with his son, and then attempted to take his son’s belongings, police said.

Police warned the elder Colon not to touch the items and to stay back, police said. He disregarded all orders, grabbed his son’s clothes and ran off, police said.

Thiel stopped Colon Sr. and found four bags of heroin and one bag of marijuana in the clothing, and arrested him, Gonzalez said.

Police charged Roberto Colon Sr., 50, of Dover, with possession of a controlled dangerous substance, hindering apprehension of another, and obstruction of the administration of law, Gonzalez said.

Thiel also charged the younger Colon with possession of CDS, possession of a hypodermic needle and obstruction of the administration of law, police said.

Both were released on complaint summonses.

Complications of Ankle Arthroscopy Utilizing a Contemporary Noninvasive Distraction Technique

Investigation performed at the Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York

Disclosure: The authors did not receive any outside funding or grants in support of their research for or preparation of this work. Neither they nor a member of their immediate families received payments or other benefits or a commitment or agreement to provide such benefits from a commercial entity.

Background The reported complication rates of ankle arthroscopy, as well as the types of complications, refer to cases performed fifteen to twenty years ago and include a mixture of invasive and noninvasive distraction methods. As ankle arthroscopy has matured with a move away from invasive distraction and the introduction of improved instruments, it is unclear whether the previously reported complications are reflective of contemporary ankle arthroscopy. We sought to evaluate the types and rates of complications that are associated with contemporary ankle arthroscopy that utilizes noninvasive ankle distraction and a padded foot strap.

Methods We retrospectively reviewed 294 consecutive arthroscopies. All patients underwent the same intraoperative noninvasive distraction protocol. Demographic data, diagnoses, duration of follow-up data, and procedure-related complications were identified, recorded, and analyzed.

Results All 294 cases were eligible for review. There were twenty complications, resulting in an overall complication rate of 6.8%. There were four non-neurologic complications, including one case of deep venous thrombosis, one case of prolonged portal drainage, and two cases of superficial infection. There were sixteen neurologic complications; six were related to the anterolateral portal, and eight patients had dysesthesias involving the dorsal part of the midfoot. When analyzed as a group, patients who were receiving Workers’ Compensation had a higher complication rate than patients who were not receiving Workers’ Compensation (21% versus 4.7%, respectively).

Conclusions Contemporary ankle arthroscopy performed with use of a noninvasive distraction technique is a safe procedure. Our observed complication rate of 6.8% is lower than that reported in a previous benchmark study, although our patients who were receiving Workers’ Compensation had a significantly higher risk of having nerve symptoms. An important benefit of the use of contemporary ankle arthroscopy, in which small-joint arthroscopic instruments and noninvasive distraction techniques are used, is a marked reduction in the rate of non-neurologic complications.