If there's one thing that makes WildStar unique, it's attitude. It exudes from every design aspect, from the short and snappy quest dialogue to character and monster animation. It's apparent in every blast of news from Carbine Studios, like the morally dubious Protostar Corporation. This is a game that's screaming to be unleashed, as if boldly declaring that I'll be kicking ass from the moment I land on Nexus. And with beta anticipated early in 2013, I'm already drooling in anticipation.

We chose WildStar to represent the fourth day of Christmas because of a unique feature: Paths. While there are some of us that spend hours tweaking a character's appearance, and choosing a name and class, the Path asks us to select one of four distinct play styles. The Explorer is interested in finding hidden pathways to secret areas, while the Scientist is focused on unlocking the mysteries of Nexus. The Settler is concerned with bolstering villages and outposts, while the Soldier generally wants to kill things.

The Path system is loosely based around the Bartle Test of Gamer Psychology, which attempts to classify players from the aspects of online gaming we find most appealing. While most MMOs include content for the various Bartle categories, WildStar is the first that intends to tailor the leveling experience to our preferences. If Carbine manages to pull it off, the result will be an MMO that's more in tune with our individual likes than any other out there.

PlanetSide 2 landed with the concussive force of a drop pod late in 2012 and has garnered a series of accolades, including ZAM's FPS of the Year.

With a devilishly addictive mix of first person shooter bravado and no small amount of tactical depth, SOE has a bona fide hit on its hands.

As our third Game of Christmas, ZAM has partnered up with SOE to bring you a snazzy giveaway to aid your adventures across Auraxis. To get a chance to at a $10 Station Cash card, simply hop into PlanetSide 2 and take the best screenshot you can come up with.

It could be of some of the majestic vistas available on the continents of Esamir, Indar or Amerish. It could be a screenie of you performing a death defying stunt, or perhaps proof of an impressive feat of military prowess?

Whatever you choose, just send your screenshot to me at shawkes@zam.com and -- after due deliberation -- I will select the winners and send the SC card codes via email.

Good luck and good hunting!

11 Laden Hulks

10 Lords a Leaping (over a tall building in a single bound)

9 EQ2 Expansions

8 Maids a Milking

7 AD Carries

6 Emo Sha

5 Gold Rings (and one to rule them all...)

4 Character Paths

3 Warring Factions

2 Angry Charr

And UO in a Pear Tree

Scott "Jarimor" Hawkes, Editor in Chief

The anticipation for the launch of Guild Wars 2 was intense and, after the disappointment caused by other recent MMOs, cynicism was rife.

The game’s different slant on the three faction PvP approach? Hype.

A successful move away from the holy trinity of roles in MMOs? More hype.

The best looking MMO to land in years? You get the drift.

UO is the grandaddy of the MMO industry and so the appropriate choice for the first of our 12 Games of Christmas.

Back in September, Ultima Online marked its 15th Anniversary. To celebrate this remarkable achievement, we asked one of its long-time players, Padric of Chesapeake,  to tell the story of the game and how it affected his life.

You can find Part Two of his recollection of just how much of an impact the game had on the gaming world and his own life, right here. For now, read on to be reminded of just how much games can affect our lives in ways that continue to surprise.

Back at the dawn of recorded history; well the early days of the internet, although there are many who will tell you that nothing of importance occurred before the ‘net, there was a man named Richard Garriott. In the mid '90s, gaming, for the most part, consisted of pencil and paper MUDs and Pong.

Garriott would change that forever.