Some of you may have noticed that the first article we published when I returned from vacation was published on the very same day as our very first article, one year earlier. My, how time flies! Including this one, we've published 51 columns in our first year (well OK, 52, if you count the one we had to remove in March). That's an impressive achievement for what was then, and still is, a pretty unique feature for a gaming fansite. I've poked around a bit on some other fansites (including some for games other than RuneScape) but found nothing quite like The Tip.It Times.
It seems appropriate therefore, both to look back at the articles we've published in our first year and to look forward to what we hope to present to you in the next 12 months or so. I say "hope" because no matter what plans your humble Editor might have for articles, new developments in Runescape and the Tip.It community can easily throw a spanner into the works.
Let's start with a quick look back over the past year. One thing is readily apparent: a very broad range of topics gets covered. Articles have run the gamut from complex in-depth examination of issues, through comments on in-game developments, reporting community events, interviews with people (real and fictional), a little humour and some blog-type entries. Unfortunately we've also had to write a couple of obituaries. We haven't shied away from controversy: there was the infamous article in March which was withdrawn somewhat hurriedly (there's no need to rehash that debate, if you want to know more, then check out An Ethical Dilemma, written by our own Kiara Kat, which gives the official Tip.It position on the matter). We have had some great guest authors including cheats and geeks. The Times has defended Jagex, and taken the occasional pot-shot at them too. Discussing the Runescape Economy, whether we look at Inflation, or the Rares Market, seems to be a perennial favourite. Guest authors have even taken on player language and the proper use of English -- and even though these aren't technically related to actual game play, they are still very fascinating and notable subjects! In general, the articles have been interesting and well received, though there have been a few that have missed the mark. This is unfortunate, but also inevitable when you're faced with writing an article each and every week.
Enough of the past already, the future is almost here. So what's going to be in The Times in the upcoming months? First and foremost, game developments and community events are going to be reviewed and commented on. That was the original intent when The Times was first thought of, and that hasn’t changed. Interviews have been popular, so you can expect some more. Humourous pieces and fiction tend to fall flat, so there'll be less of that. There will continue to be commentary on events affecting both the RuneScape and Tip.It communities. Now that much of the dust has settled, it's probably time to do a critical review of Construction and, somewhat belatedly, of Farming also. It would be interesting to see how people are incorporating these skills into their game play. The impact Construction has had on the on the economy of the game is also worth taking a look at. Yes, the economy is on the list of topics to be revisited – you knew it would be. There are also pieces on the technology and mythology of RuneScape in the pipeline. As always, guest editorials are welcome, as are your comments on the articles we publish and suggestions for topics.
No matter what's planned for The Tip.It Times, when it comes down to the wire, your humble Editor will continue to write about whatever interests him most at the time of writing, whether it's the latest game updates, the players, some obscure aspect of the game, or a forum controversy. The intent of the Times is not to bore you. When Jagex releases a nice meaty update, then there’s plenty to write about. If there's a controversy on the forums then that’s grist for the editorial mill. When there's not much going on in the game or the Tip.It Community, finding an interesting topic can be tough. Whatever gets written, whether by your Editor or a guest, there will always be someone who disagrees with the opinions expressed in any piece we publish. As someone once said: "You can please some of the people all of the time, and you can please all of the people some of the time, but you can't please all of the people all of the time." I don't think I’ve ever heard a truer statement.
Now it's time to blow out the candle on the birthday cake and make a birthday wish. Although it's usually seen as bad luck to discuss birthday wishes, none of you will be surprised to know that the Editor and everyone else here at Tip.It wish you all Happy 'Scaping!
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