Gamasutra Expert Blogs: From Managing Expectations To MMO Grievances

[In highlights from Gamasutra's Expert Blogs, industry notables write about diverse topics, including how expectations can diminish a game's appeal, and criticisms of World of Warcraft's latest loot system.] In our weekly Best of Expert Blogs column, we showcase notable pieces of writing from members of the game development community who maintain Expert Blogs on Gamasutra. Member Blogs -- also highlighted weekly -- can be maintained by any registered Gamasutra user, while the invitation-only Expert Blogs are written by development professionals with a wealth of experience to share. We hope that both sections can provide useful and interesting viewpoints on our industry. For more information about the blogs, check out the latest official posting guidelines. Here are the top blogs for the week: This Week's Standout Expert Blogs - Guiding Gamer Expectations (Robert Boyd) After feeling let down by some recent indie titles, Robert Boyd examines how misguided expectations can severely hurt even the most high-quality games. - Phoenix Wright Found Guilty In The Court Of Mediocrity (Christopher Aaby) Christopher Aaby takes a look at the popular Ace Attorney series, taking the games to task for their economic design and occasionally frustrating mechanics. - Level Naming - Surprisingly Easy To Get Wrong (Jon Brown) Jon Brown outlines the problems that arise when developers name their levels using numbered intervals. Instead, he suggests using a more distinct naming scheme so developers can easily re-arrange stages in mid-development. - Some Of What Inspires Me (Randy O'Connor) Randy O'Connor reflects upon the universal laws that govern the physical world, noting how these wide-sweeping principles can influence game design. - Logic Vs. Psychology In World Of Warcraft's New Gear Advancement System (Greg McClanahan) With World of Warcraft bleeding subscribers faster than ever, Greg McClanahan explains why the game's latest loot system lacks the hardcore appeal of the game's previous expansions.