We've followed Metal Maw almost as long as we've known about WildStar: his audience-assisted creation, skinning and texturing, rigging the model, his first steps, his grand entrance, and even some of the lore behind the beast. While this video is by no means the final encounter, it certainly helps bring everything together when you can see an actual fight starring the monster you've been reading about for months.

There's also quite a bit of information in the blog post for anyone interested in the thought process behind designing an encounter. Carbine included a series of questions the Combat Team had to answer before they could begin designing the Metal Maw encounter. What level should players be for this fight? How many players should the encounter require? How skilled do we expect them to be to win the battle?

This won't be the last we see of Metal Maw before WildStar's release. The big guy still has to go through animations and effects to give him more polish, not to mention the feedback from their internal playtesting now that Carbine's opened up playtesting to the entire company.

If you'd like to find out more about the Metal Maw fight and the questions the Combat Team had to answer before designing the encounter, head on over to the WildStar blog. What did you think of the Metal Maw fight? Are you happy with their idea for using him as a world encounter? Would you have preferred fighting him in a small group instance? Let us know in the comments.

It's the middle of the week and that means it's time for another WildStar Wednesday! This week we hear from Executive Producer Jeremy Gaffney and Carbine's plans to remove some of the tedious and frustrating parts of MMOs that we've all encountered.

Jeremy covers a variety of different conveniences and modifications in his post: movement speed boosts along roads, Settlers creating new taxi points and mount vendors for low-level characters, area-based quests, optional hints for where to go for said quests, and the TweetQuests we heard about a while back.

The bulk of the post is to give us a list of examples of ways Carbine is looking to improve MMO gameplay, but we do get an insight into some of their side bonuses for adding convenience changes. In the section on movement speed on roads, Jeremy talks about how the speed boost on roads helps with time between encounters and makes mob placement easier for them. It also creates a space where players are likely to run into each other, so you might actually see other people while you're out questing.

To find out more about how Carbine is planning on clearing up the tedious parts of MMO design, head on over to the WildStar blog then come back and tell us what quality of life changes you'd like to see in WildStar. I'm not talking class or encounter design - those are their own design challenge. I'm talking about those little things like maybe how crafting/gathering works, the distance between flight points and quests, or how fast your mounts are. If you had the chance to fix one of those annoying MMO quirks, how would you do it?

Jon starts off by giving us some basic crunchy details about what they'll be providing us for UI tools. It's a XML and Lua-based engine, so WoW Addon writers should be able to dive in fairly easily. After that it's storytime for a while about his struggles finding the right tool for a program he wanted to right. The purpose of this story however is not to badmouth the tools he found, but to point out a common problem with developing addons or UI modifications in most games: learning how to do so can be long, convoluted, and frustrating at best. From poor documentation to rudimentary/non-existant tools, it's a barrier to entry for most would-be addon developers.

Jon's goal is quite simple:

We'll have to wait to find out more about how Jon plans on achieving such a goal. In the meantime however, if there's any budding UI developers in the audience who would like to get involved in making addons for WildStar, be sure to watch these news posts over the next few months as Jon will be sharing information on how you can get involved in their addon program. He even promises it'll be fun (programmer fun, so YMMV).

For more information on Jon's UI philosophy or his adventures in writing a web app, head on over to WildStar's blog. I'm quite looking forward to hearing more about the addon program myself. I love modifying my UI in MMOs and, while I'm still a rookie at it, I have written some very basic addons. More documentation and cleaner tools would certainly be appreciated.

WildStar Wednesday is upon us once more! This time Carbine returns to our old friend Metal Maw to talk about the story behind the giant doom-robot-amphibian thing that will be wiping pickup groups sometime in the future.

We knew from earlier WS posts that Metal Maw was tied to the Eldan and he was the result of experiments they performed, but today's article goes into quite a bit more detail. Cybernetic enhancements, reinforced skeleton, a permanent state of aggression that's reinforced by pain from all of the modifications - the Eldan didn't cut many corners when it came to making Metal Maw a rough fight for whoever they threw him at.

For more details on what makes Metal Maw tick, head on over to the WildStar blog. Personally I'm hoping we start to see more of the Eldan's handiwork in the near future. The blog post touches on how there were a lot of failures before the creation of Metal Maw, but there's no information on said failures. Perhaps we'll see some of these early attempts in the fights before Metal Maw in whatever instance he's placed in. It would be interesting to see what consists of a failure in the Eldan's book.

It's time for another WildStar Wednesday. This week we return to the hills of Algoroc for an introduction to some of the locals we'll be encountering/hunting for loot and experience.

It's the same general format as the Northern Wilds Bestiary and Minibosses posts from last month. Each of the three gangs featured has some backstory and general info to let you know how they fit in with the Loftite trade, the local lawmen, and each other. There's also some fun facts like in the previous posts, like the Darkspur Cartel's eye for fashion or how you really don't want to be the low guy on the ladder with the Deadstar Marauders.

For more details on the various scoundrels you'll be facing off against in Algoroc, head over to Carbine's blog.

If you’ve set your alarms properly, you’ll know that we’re due for another WildStar Wednesday! Well, either that or the ship hydroponic filters need changing, but we’re pretty sure this one means it’s time for Carbine goodness. And what a visual feast they’ve delivered to us this week! The frozen wilderness of the Northern Wilds has finally given way to the green fields and rugged hills of Algoroc!

You can see from the image that Algoroc is packed full of Loftite, a blue crystal that’s recently become incredibly valuable. This meteoric rise in value has people across Nexus rushing to the region in the hope of making their fortune. If only life were that simple.

Algoroc has also become a target for unsavoury characters looking for easy pickings among the newly rich. Ruthless space pirates called the Deadstar Marauders are enslaving locals and taking over mining operations. An organised crime syndicate known as the Darkspur Cartel are looking to extort businessmen and hound out other prospectors. The lawless town of Gallow has become a haven for these types, with the fearful townsfolk calling out for aid.

It’s not just the locals that need saving - the Exile Academy of Science has been excavating the nearby Eldan ruins. The XAS archeologists managed to trigger alarms in the supposedly dormant facility, awakening a legion of Eldan security robots. While the scientists try to protect their research and deactivate the robots, their camp and their work desperately needs protection!

You can find out more about these goings-on at Algoroc, along with more fantastic screenshots over on the WildStar official site!

Last time we saw Jeff, we found out a little bit about WildStar's sound design philosophy. We even got the chance to download a couple tracks and listen for ourselves. For Jeff's encore visit to the WildStar blog, he brings us even more music to get us into a Nexus state of mind. Once you're done watching the video, check out Enemy Camp Battle and Rescue Mission and listen for yourselves.

It's Wednesday again and that means it's time for another WildStar Wednesday post. Last week Carbine took us on a tour through Nexus' Northern Wilds and introduced us to some of the local fauna we're likely to meet/kill for loot. The expedition into the Wilds continues this week as we're introduced to some of the minibosses we'll be encountering there.

Like last week's Bestiary post, all three miniboss entries include some background (why is there a giant nightmare bug thing in the Skeech village?), examples of attacks you may see (who would've thought the giant robot would use lasers and missiles?), and some flavor text to ponder while you're trying not to be eaten or squished by said miniboss.

To find out more about the various giant monsters/robots/etc. that you'll be hunting for loot or corpse running back to, head on over to the official blog then let us know what you think in the comments. Any in particular you like? Personally I'm interested in seeing more like the Ultrabot, but that's mostly because it's the first real piece of Dominion tech we've seen so far and I'd like to see a bit more info on who the other side is I'll be fighting for/against.

Wednesday is here, and it looks like Carbine is delivering a bunch of new information and screenshots about the creatures in the Northern Wilds area of the planet Nexus!

Carbine delivers quite a bit of new information about three of the creatures. The tantalizing information includes the basic information about how they interact with the environment, the kind of attacks you can expect to face against them, and even a warning that dancing lessons with the wildlife is a bad idea.

To get all of the juicy information and screenshots that Carbine has given us, head on over to WildStar's official blog. Also, please be careful and no dancing with the wild Girrok.

Wildstar Wednesday has arrived, and it has done so in style, riding in on the Hover Bike that Buck the Human rode on in the WildStar cinematic!

Carbine has given us several in-game screenshots that showcase the hover bike and the world of Nexus. The bike is being ridden by a wild-haired female Aurin, who looks like she means business! You'll also notice that the screenshots provide a fantastic view of the planet with exotic trees, floating chunks of soil and crystal, and what looks to be a town under construction.

To view all the screenshots that Carbine has offered up, head on over to WildStar's official site. What do you think of the new in-game screenshots? Let us know in the comments, and if anybody has one of these Hover Bikes for sale, please get me in touch with the sales rep.

It’s the middle of the week, which means it’s time for Carbine to deliver another installment of WildStar Wednesday! This week they’ve invited back senior animator Seth Kendall to show us a little more behind animating Metal Maw.

Regulars among you will remember that a few weeks ago we learned how Ol’ Metty’s walking animation was developed. This time round we’re in for something a little more special - the grand entrance of the creature itself! As Metal Maw is a boss monster it needs to make an impression when it appears, with Kendall going for something “distinct and dramatic”. We agree, although we’ll leave it to you to imagine the roar it will make!

There’s more information about the “birth animation” for Metal Maw over at WildStar’s official site. But how do you think our favourite two-legged robo-fish is developing? Share your thoughts in the comments and let us know what you want to see from Carbine next!

After last week's check-in with how our favorite robot-fish-thing is coming along, this week's WildStar Wednesday brings us back to Senior Narrative Designer Cory Herndon and his TweetQuest to help reign in walls of text without sacrificing the story.

In Cory's first post, he talked about quest text in general, their 140-character quest-text goal, the struggles involved in getting all of the story/lore/pertinent information across to the player without their eyes glazing over, and the tools at his team's disposal for conveying some of that information outside of the wall of text.

For part two, it's example time. Cory starts off with a block of text - not really a wall, more of a rampart or a block fence. Over the course of his post, he trims this brick of quest dialog into a more palatable size with some simple techniques outlined in the post. Cory does go into some additional design philosophy here, namely that they use a first draft and should go in expecting it to be edited - something quite a few writers (like, say, me) could stand to do more often.

If you want to see more about how Cory and his team are trying to keep the quest text in WildStar under control, head on over to WildStar's blog and see the rest of his post, then come back and discuss what you thought. Do you think 140 characters is too little? Would you disagree with any of the cuts he made from the original text?

Rememeber than lovable lumbering giant we all know as Metal Maw? It just so happens that our favorite robotic-amphibian-thing has made a return in this week’s WildStar Wednesday. This week Ol’ Metty has been under the skillful hands of Seth Kendall, senior animator at Carbine.

Kendall takes us through the animation process from blocking out a couple of poses through to layering up each area and finishing with polishing up and smoothing out the motion. It’s great to see a character created back at Gamescom last year slowly come to life in front of us.

Documenting the process are some fantastic videos showing the end of each step on Metal Maw’s journey to bipedal Majesty. You’ll find all of these together with Kendall’s inside knowledge on WildStar’s official site!

WildStar Wednesday is upon us once again. Last week brought us Chad "Pappy" Moore explaining to us how the Narrative Design team is working to bring life to Nexus and the rest of the WildStar universe. This week brings us more from his team, with Part 1 of a series from Senior Narrative Designer Cory Herndon.

In last week's post Chad talked some about the work that goes into creating a universe like WildStar's. Developing the setting and characters for the universe, figuring out how everyone fits together and reacts with one another, writing a history to provide meaning for the characters and the conflicts they're involved in - a great deal of work goes on creating a setting like this. In Cory's first post, he talks about the struggles in getting all of that history and lore into a form players are willing to read.

I'm a bit of a lore nerd for most MMOs I play, but even I don't read all of the quest text and I know that I'm not alone in that regard. Sometimes I can just tell that a quest is filler and I only need to note the "Kill X kobolds" bit. There's also the case where you might have people waiting for you to finish reading the quest; anyone who's space-barred their way through a SWTOR flashpoint will know this feeling. Cory talks about this in his post and some of the ways they're working to convey the story to the player, but without crossing that "TLDR" line.

If you're interested in quest design or just curious how Carbine is planning on making you care about something other than the quest rewards, head on over to the WildStar blog and read Cory's post. When you're done, come back and discuss this in the comments. Do you read all of the quest text in MMOs? Would the ideas Cory has in his post get you more engaged in the world around you or is all text merely getting between you and precious loot?

If your Friday is anything like mine, it generally involves a little light reading and a glass of whiskey to gently ease me into the weekend. That would normally be the plan until the klaxons sounded, signalling a message straight from Carbine!

And what a corker it is! Today we’re able to bring you not one but four new and exclusive screenshots, all of them hinting at further mysteries within the world of Nexus. From robots with lazers to crashed spacecraft, you can find it all in our Exclusive Screenshots Gallery!

But what could they mean? Are there hidden messages or strange patterns in the images? Check them out, leave comments and be sure to tell us what you'd like to see in future screenshots!

Fridays are usually my favourite day of the week. They’re a gateway to the forthcoming 48 hours of delicious sleep, all waiting just around the corner. WildStar Wednesdays are catching up fast, however, with Carbine battling those midweek blues with scrumptious updates and delectable artwork.

I should eat before I write these news posts.

Moving along, this week’s update is brought by Chad "Pappy" Moore, the Lead Narrative Designer over at Carbine. In his article, "The Story of an Epic World," Chad gives an overview on how his team started building the Nexus from its initial concepts through to the stories and conflicts that shape WildStar. It gives a real idea of why world building is such a huge challenge.

Chad also brings up how important the personality of WildStar is and how it influences several parts of the game. If you’ve seen the introductory move trailer, you’ll understand how strongly that personality comes out (and if you haven’t, go watch it now!), so it’s great to hear it’s also going to be firmly embedded in the game.

You can find more detail in Chad Moore’s update on the WildStar Website. We’ve been promised more news in the months ahead and we can’t wait to hear it!

But what is it? Do you seek knowledge of mysterious lore and uncharted lands. Perhaps you want to get under the hood and dig into the game systems? Are you eager to hear word of future beta testing? Maybe your home theater system needs a new Cinematic Trailer to give it a proper work out?

There’s just one snag. Carbine’s instructions were quite clear on this one - to create a poll in my own language. Since I’m an absurd Brit, that means the choices will be presented to you in Absurd British!

• We’re always First Class here, but does knowing more about the character classes intrigue you? You may have a job to do, but By George it’s how you do it that counts!
• Are you a practicing xenobiologist? Would you care to know more about the races of beings you might portray?
• There are many journeys to greatness, but knowing which path is best for you can be daunting. Perhaps knowing more would be your ticket?
• What with war going on all over the place, knowing who you're fighting for is a sterling idea! Shout if more faction news is your cup of tea!
• Budding History Professor or reciting the Classics? You must be keen on digging up some spiffing new Lore!
• Keen to get your hands dirty? Pull on some overalls and grab that oilrag if you want to pull out the cogs and wheels of Game Systems!
• You could pull on your finest Eveningwear, buff your top hat and take a stroll down the promenade to the local picture house. Perhaps you’ll chance upon a New Cinematic Trailer?
• Finally, we leave you with the increasingly generous Open Choice. Should none of these options from our menu sate your appetite, simply declare what you hunger for and we will convey it to the good Chefs at Carbine!

Leave your choices in the comments section below and we’ll be sure to hand them on. Don’t feel you have to limit yourself either - pick as many or as few options as you like! Once you’re done here you can also cast your opinion on the poll over at the Wildstar Facebook page.

And... we're back! WildStar Wednesday has returned with everyone's favorite Metal Maw! In Part 2 of Rigging Metal Maw, Senior Technical Animator Chris Hale has returned to show off some of the more intricate animation and FX details of this biological oddity. Will Metal Maw be taking his first steps soon? We'll see!

Happy Holidays from the Staff at Carbine and WildStar Source!

It’s that time of year where seasonal joy fills the air; where we get some precious time away from our jobs to cram in some serious gaming, plus the occasional visit to friends and family. With a d-pad in one hand and an eggnog in the other, we’re ready for winter!

But this year is a little different from previous ones. You see, here at WildStar Source, we’re not bothered by Santa and his reindeer. Instead there’s a hope that maybe, just maybe, the Ark Ship will one day pay us all a visit. Our stockings might be hanging on the mantelpiece for several more months to come, but here’s what the team has on their wish-list.

Pontianak’s already thinking about having a farm of little critters. “I would love a pet Mini-MetalMaw in-game. It would just be downright neat to have, as a pet, something the fans helped bring to life.” He’s also hoping that Carbine will open a... coffee shop chain? “Totally selfish thing here: I have a bit of a collection of mugs for drinking coffee and hot tea. I’m particularly fond of my Aperture Science mug from Valve.”Ragar’s looking to kit out his army of characters. “For the explorer, something simple, like a pair of boots or crazy like a jetpack. For the scientist, I'll go with one of those Aurin Scanbots. Lastly I'd go with a good sword and Ripsaw shield for my warrior. Can't very well tank without those, can I?”.

Pwyff’s got a dose of merchandise mania: “I think I'm most enamored with the vehicles of WildStar. Everything's got this funky steampunk-esque vibe to it, and I think any of those vehicles as a figurine would take a premiere spot on my mantle. Also not as nerdy as a sword, which could be a plus. The only other thing? Aurin Bunny Hats, complete with purple hair and purple ears. Self-explanatory.”

PTGameGeek’s been thinking of inner peace this holiday season: “For this inaugural WildStarukah holiday I’ve let my greed run wild. Finding a life-sized replica of the Spellslinger’s gun in my stocking would finally allow me to strike fear into the hearts of guests. If the gun will raise red flags with the intergalactic postal system, I would also squeal like a little Aurin girl if I got a tabletop Nexus zen garden complete with a miniature built-in Exile base and Stemdragon. Raking sand around these miniature figurines while mumbling ancient Eldar hymns to myself would make every day a WildStar Wednesday”.

As for me, I’m pretty envious of the excellent choices here. But if I were to ask for one thing for my own WIldStar Stocking, it would be an in-game pair of signature Spellslinger pistols. Two of the finest Arcana-manipulating handheld weapons you’re ever likely to see. Just pull the trigger and watch the crits fly! Truly a thing of beauty.

How about you? What would you hope to one day find in your WildStar Stocking? An elusive in-game item? A unique piece of rare merch? Something else? Feel free to put your own wish-list in the comments, and happy holidays!

Gareth “Gazimoff” Harmer, Staff Writer

Earlier this week Carbine and MMORPG.com brought us interviews with Sarge the Granok and Liara the Aurin. That just leaves one for the final interview of WildStar Week: Buck the Human.

Like Sarge and Liara's interviews, Buck gives us an idea of where the Exile Humans in WildStar are from and why they're heading to Nexus, as well as giving us some insight into the mind of an Explorer to go with Sarge's Soldier and Liara's Scientist paths. Now all we need is a fourth race to be announced for all the Settlers out there.

For the full interview, head on over to MMORPG and see what makes someone like Buck tick. Once you're done, come back to the forums and discuss this or any of the WildStar Week interviews. Did you prefer the character interviews? The voice casting one? Was there something else you were hoping would come out of this week? (Don't say beta invites - I'm guessing they've heard that one before.)