These reviews (this one and the previous installments) crack me up, you have to check 'em out.

Being on a motorbike in winter is cold. Stopped at traffic lights you have to put your hands on the engine to warm them up, it's that cold. But it does give you a few moments of crystal clear lucidity in which to think. And think hard. So, I was contemplating what is next for Blizzard.

World of Warcraft, while being the feature packed behemoth in the industry, is starting to look dated. Hardware has caught up to it.

China has unveiled the first official rule on the use of virtual currency in the trade of real goods and services to limit its possible impact on the real financial system. Would you like to know more?

There are days I think I read forums purely for the annoyance they give me. In fact, I don't even need to think it anymore. I know that is the reason. Rarely do you find interesting, errudite conversations filled with gaming gems on gaming forums these days. And by gaming forums, I mean game specific forums like Age of Conan, World of Warcraft and so forth.

So what is today's annoyance?

We've all been there. I do not believe there is one single gamer that peruses these pages who has not dabbled in World of Warcraft. And why would you not? It is a magical mixture of all the required ingredients, stirred, battered, deep fried and finished off with just enough fail to make people angry. Don't get me wrong, I think it is a good game and I love it as much for it's features as it's flaws. The cartoonish style that so many complain about is the perfect way to avoid Uncanny Valley whilst still giving yourself a vast, creative freedom to play with the world. It also helps make it accessible, as the association with real people and real violence is broken across all age groups. You're as likely to find a 60 year old granny playing it while her pet cat warms her lap as you are to find a pimply nerd rager that calls himself TheEaterofSoulz playing with the Night Elves.

It's just a very, very good game. Rewards. Carrots. Gameplay. Fluff. It has everything.

So what pisses me off? Because, as you know by now, I almost don't post unless I'm pissed off.

A friend of mine laughs at my propensity for sticking my hand into the flame fest that are forums. I tell her I read the Age of Conan forums because it makes me feel smart, but I'm lying. I just like raging and ranting and raving. I'd probably be that German kid that bit a keyboard in half and shat on his wall if I had the courage to webcam.

In any event, what annoys me?

This should once again be read in your George Carlin voice, as if he is doing his "People I can do without" voice ...

I wonder if they'll have PvP.

I'm finding myself in a bit of a quandary. My current Age of Conan subscription ends on Sunday and it is going to leave a big, gaping void in my gaming related activities. Which, to be honest, is mostly restricted to playing while waiting for a cube to process or an ETL to finish, but still.

So, what I want if possible is some feedback on my options, please. To help shape my thinking, so to speak.

There is no need to say much. Suffice it to say that I am intrigued by the possibilities inherent in OnLive. The BBC has a peek at it here. The world of gaming is opening up. And that certainly sounds impressive. Let's see how it pans out.

Why do they persist in dumbing games down? We saw World of Warcraft turned into the type of game a blind, mute, lame monkey with a banana up it's butt can play without difficulty. In fact, he could probably lead some raids. And now, in Age of Conan, the same thing!