I'd Forgotten...

JennysMind

I'd forgotten how much fun AC2 was before it closed. I didn't even know they were planning on launching the game again until I made an infrequent visit here. 

I've played games like WoW and EQ2, and even though they have a few nice things, they were dumbed down to the point there really wasn't any exploring at all. You followed the theme park track with little variance. In AC2 you can explore everywhere. Plus I like the fact that crafted items can be as good as any loot if you are willing to put the time into crafting.

The sense of community in AC2 is the best I've ever been a part of. I like the casual atmosphere. You could sit back, pull out your guitar, and jam away, usually with others joining in.

Now that I've returned, I realized just how bad MMO's are getting. It doesn't seem so much about exploring anymore, but more about getting the best weapons and armor as fast as possible. At least in AC2 I can stop and smell the roses.

Now it's time to dive off the Deru Tree.

MightyUnclean

I had fun at lower levels.  The higher I'm getting (45 now), the more I see elitist, power-levelling jerks that don't want you in their group unless you're the best healer/DPS/tank class.  I'm very disappointed.  I expected more of a friendly, all-are-welcome atmosphere in this game.  Seems like everyone is in it just for themselves.  Some old timers I've talked to say it didn't used to be this way...

 

I'll give you an example of people being out for themselves.  Tonight, we got three groups together for the "Boots" quest.  Two of the three groups got the boss kill they needed to complete the quest.  Rather than stay and help the 3rd group, approximately 13 of the 27 people just took off and completed the quest.  This left the 3rd group screwed.  Great community.

Senan

Originally posted by vigg2004

I had fun at lower levels.  The higher I'm getting (45 now), the more I see elitist, power-levelling jerks that don't want you in their group unless you're the best healer/DPS/tank class.  I'm very disappointed.  I expected more of a friendly, all-are-welcome atmosphere in this game.  Seems like everyone is in it just for themselves.  Some old timers I've talked to say it didn't used to be this way...

 

I'll give you an example of people being out for themselves.  Tonight, we got three groups together for the "Boots" quest.  Two of the three groups got the boss kill they needed to complete the quest.  Rather than stay and help the 3rd group, approximately 13 of the 27 people just took off and completed the quest.  This left the 3rd group screwed.  Great community.

I hate to say it, but this is the impression I've been getting too, and I'm not even at the higher levels yet. I hear more and more people talking about scenarios like the one you described, and it's just beyond disappointing. As someone who's certainly not playing one of the "best classes" (a melee/sage in my case), I don't expect to be welcome in any pick-up groups, with that kind of attitude going on in the game. At this point, it seems like the only way to have an enjoyable, drama-free grouping experience is to join a friendly, open-minded allegiance and only group with them. It's just sad that that should be a requirement, as it doesn't really say much about the community of the game. Fortunately, there's a lot of great people too, you just have to look for them.

Suffice it to say, as much as I really like the game itself, the elitist subset of the community has been a real turn off for me. Hopefully, once the powergamers "get to the end" and realize there's not much left for them to blow through, they'll leave and take their min/maxing ideology with them.

Nailzzz

Funny thing is I had (and still have) the same issues with the game but in my case I never forgot just how elitist a lot of the players were/are. I knew that this is going to be the case going in. I love the ac2 community, but you will not find a game without this or similar bad behaviour in any game where you play with other human's because human' suck.
That being said I have also seen people being amzingly kind and generous to other players more in this game than any other that I have played.
As for the class nazi's, they are doing you a favor and sparing you there own insufferably controlling behaviour by not subjecting you to there groups. Trust me on this. Even when they want me to join there leet groups I find myself regretting it within the first 10 mins as they start critically judging everyone's builds and implying that other toons are burdens even when we are still kiling things and no one is dying.

SnarlingWolf

Originally posted by JennysMind

I'd forgotten how much fun AC2 was before it closed. I didn't even know they were planning on launching the game again until I made an infrequent visit here. 

I've played games like WoW and EQ2, and even though they have a few nice things, they were dumbed down to the point there really wasn't any exploring at all. You followed the theme park track with little variance. In AC2 you can explore everywhere. Plus I like the fact that crafted items can be as good as any loot if you are willing to put the time into crafting.

The sense of community in AC2 is the best I've ever been a part of. I like the casual atmosphere. You could sit back, pull out your guitar, and jam away, usually with others joining in.

Now that I've returned, I realized just how bad MMO's are getting. It doesn't seem so much about exploring anymore, but more about getting the best weapons and armor as fast as possible. At least in AC2 I can stop and smell the roses.

Now it's time to dive off the Deru Tree.

Yeah it is relying on word of mouth at this point as they opened it up in a beta state and didn't make a formal announcement about it outside of their forums.

 

 

As for the other posts talking about the elitest. I think you'll tend to find a much higher percentage of elitest in the group of people that are out to level fast. So if you rushed up to the 40s-50s there will be a high percentage of those elitest who just want to max level asap. I'm taking my time and my main is only about level 25 right now. I've never had a problem with anyone snubbing a person or class. We've also had people do silly things like jump off of the platforms in the Prosper Vault, causing them to fall to their death, and the whole group (myself included) had no problems waiting for the person to get back.

 

So like any game you'll have some of those elitest people, but you just put them on the list of people you don't interact with. I think you will find plenty more who don't act like that though. I haven't personally run into one of those people, but like I said I didn't rush up to the 40s-50s right out of the gate so the vast majority of those types of people are ahead of me and will stay ahead of me.

Slappy1

Originally posted by vigg2004

I had fun at lower levels.  The higher I'm getting (45 now), the more I see elitist, power-levelling jerks that don't want you in their group unless you're the best healer/DPS/tank class.  I'm very disappointed.  I expected more of a friendly, all-are-welcome atmosphere in this game.  Seems like everyone is in it just for themselves.  Some old timers I've talked to say it didn't used to be this way...

 

I'll give you an example of people being out for themselves.  Tonight, we got three groups together for the "Boots" quest.  Two of the three groups got the boss kill they needed to complete the quest.  Rather than stay and help the 3rd group, approximately 13 of the 27 people just took off and completed the quest.  This left the 3rd group screwed.  Great community.

Yep,I hate to say it,but this elitist attitude had a lot to do with people giving up on the game originally.I played the game at release and left for awhile and went back,only to see a dwindled population and peep's thinking they were too good for returnee's and new peep's.It was sad,sure there were good people,but they were few and far between.

The example you give in the 2nd paragraph is what I remember.People back then would help you until they had what they needed then leave you.Then you had to try and get another group to finish what you needed.The game itself is very good imo,but if it's like I saw before,not many will stick with the game.It deserve's better.

JennysMind

I've played this for a little and created a couple of characters. I have to say, and it probablly is the norm, that many players want to blow through quests. 

I HATE that. That is not me at all. I like to look in every nook and cranny and take my time. I'm not looking to level as fast as I can. I was invited to a fellowship yesterday and they were blowing through close to level 15 quests. I advanced so far, but evidently missed the crucial loot, and didn't find out until later I didn't complete the quest. I can't think that quick. I have an analytical mind but it takes time to stew on things. I quit the fellowship without saying anything, which was probably rude, but members of the fellowship were already moving on and I was lagging behind. This actually makes me want to quit, and I do enjoy the game when left to my own speed.

I enjoy crafting in this game immensely. I don't mind repetition . I'd probably be invaluable to a guild if they understood what I could provide. Nevertheless, it seems players want to see others advance quickly and run from quest to quest. I'm older and the bathroom calls too often. I can't tell you how many times I've been left behind.

I'm going to keep playing for now because I'm having fun crafting, and the quests are still fun in the right setting.

Because of the speed a vast majority of players play makes me solo. It's not that I want to, it's more that I'm a casual gamer. I don't mind stopping to play my guitar with other musicians. I don't care if 95% of the guild is above me in level. I'm not in a race.  I do like to quest leisurely, but I excell in crafting. Plus I love the commeraderie of allegiance chat. Just don't expect me to fill a fellowship for a quest. I have ADD and can't stay focused for a very long time in something intense.

I really enjoy AC2 but I wonder if I can find a place where I fit in here.

Tinea

I have about the same playstyle as JennysMind. I like doing the quests and I like crafting, but everyone is in such a hurry to level up and the groups that form are definitely getting more and more picky about who can join. (I know, one solution is to make my own group.)

I've mainly focused on craftting because I think I'm in the same boat as JennysMind -- I won't be able to (or I don't want to) keep up with guild members, but crafting may be of some value to them.

I'll probably play a few more months but I don't see AC2 being a permanent home. I love the game but I don't really fit in with the hardcore crowd... which seems to be most of the population.

eddieg50

Originally posted by JennysMind

I've played this for a little and created a couple of characters. I have to say, and it probablly is the norm, that many players want to blow through quests. 

I HATE that. That is not me at all. I like to look in every nook and cranny and take my time. I'm not looking to level as fast as I can. I was invited to a fellowship yesterday and they were blowing through close to level 15 quests. I advanced so far, but evidently missed the crucial loot, and didn't find out until later I didn't complete the quest. I can't think that quick. I have an analytical mind but it takes time to stew on things. I quit the fellowship without saying anything, which was probably rude, but members of the fellowship were already moving on and I was lagging behind. This actually makes me want to quit, and I do enjoy the game when left to my own speed.

I enjoy crafting in this game immensely. I don't mind repetition . I'd probably be invaluable to a guild if they understood what I could provide. Nevertheless, it seems players want to see others advance quickly and run from quest to quest. I'm older and the bathroom calls too often. I can't tell you how many times I've been left behind.

I'm going to keep playing for now because I'm having fun crafting, and the quests are still fun in the right setting.

Because of the speed a vast majority of players play makes me solo. It's not that I want to, it's more that I'm a casual gamer. I don't mind stopping to play my guitar with other musicians. I don't care if 95% of the guild is above me in level. I'm not in a race.  I do like to quest leisurely, but I excell in crafting. Plus I love the commeraderie of allegiance chat. Just don't expect me to fill a fellowship for a quest. I have ADD and can't stay focused for a very long time in something intense.

I really enjoy AC2 but I wonder if I can find a place where I fit in here.

   Very good post and right on the money, this is the reason  I like to solo, to many people who wont smell the roses and just like to fly through content, the only way to group these days is by joining a guild with like mind set people

iamrta

Originally posted by Demogorgon

The GOGOGO crowd really needs to die off.

They are the real disease rotting the MMO genre from inside out.

Nice to not be alone in this. This is why I never group. Ever. 

Wraithone

I was in AC2 at launch... Through all of the various "issues" that Mickysoft and Turbine managed to throw at us.  Hell, at some points they even managed to break the chat system, and the combat system.  But even so, it was an entertaining game for its time.  But it was a serious disappoinment for those coming over from AC1. I spent about two years in AC1, and then went to other games.

I came back and the population had declined quite a bit, and the "elite" had taken over the upper levels.  I played up to the expansion, and then Turbine closed the game down (after selling us the expansion of course... ^^).  I'm not surprised that the "elite" have shown up again.  Most games end up with those types these days.  If its not Gear Score, its something else.

StarI

Originally posted by vigg2004

I had fun at lower levels.  The higher I'm getting (45 now), the more I see elitist, power-levelling jerks that don't want you in their group unless you're the best healer/DPS/tank class.  I'm very disappointed.  I expected more of a friendly, all-are-welcome atmosphere in this game.  Seems like everyone is in it just for themselves.  Some old timers I've talked to say it didn't used to be this way...

 

I'll give you an example of people being out for themselves.  Tonight, we got three groups together for the "Boots" quest.  Two of the three groups got the boss kill they needed to complete the quest.  Rather than stay and help the 3rd group, approximately 13 of the 27 people just took off and completed the quest.  This left the 3rd group screwed.  Great community.

 

I'm yet to see an MMO (and I played a lot of them since UO) where this wouldn't be happening. Sadly it is a human trait that reflects rather well in games.

What can I say, welcome to Earth.

 

 

On a more positive note, I'm playing this game as well and haven't had so much good time in a long long time.

Theocritus

Originally posted by vigg2004

I had fun at lower levels.  The higher I'm getting (45 now), the more I see elitist, power-levelling jerks that don't want you in their group unless you're the best healer/DPS/tank class.  I'm very disappointed.  I expected more of a friendly, all-are-welcome atmosphere in this game.  Seems like everyone is in it just for themselves.  Some old timers I've talked to say it didn't used to be this way...

 

I'll give you an example of people being out for themselves.  Tonight, we got three groups together for the "Boots" quest.  Two of the three groups got the boss kill they needed to complete the quest.  Rather than stay and help the 3rd group, approximately 13 of the 27 people just took off and completed the quest.  This left the 3rd group screwed.  Great community.

      Thats more of a MMO problem than an AC2 problem.....Pretty much every game you go to now if you aren't the best geared freak no one wants you.....It started in EQ, then WoW with their gear scores, then pretty much every game that involved groups after that.

Istavaan

Originally posted by vigg2004

I had fun at lower levels.  The higher I'm getting (45 now), the more I see elitist, power-levelling jerks that don't want you in their group unless you're the best healer/DPS/tank class.  I'm very disappointed.  I expected more of a friendly, all-are-welcome atmosphere in this game.  Seems like everyone is in it just for themselves.  Some old timers I've talked to say it didn't used to be this way...

 

I'll give you an example of people being out for themselves.  Tonight, we got three groups together for the "Boots" quest.  Two of the three groups got the boss kill they needed to complete the quest.  Rather than stay and help the 3rd group, approximately 13 of the 27 people just took off and completed the quest.  This left the 3rd group screwed.  Great community.

That's pretty much the mmo community these days, especially when raiding is involved.

I would rather play alone than with a fellow mmo player.

Wraithone

Originally posted by Istavaan

Originally posted by vigg2004

I had fun at lower levels.  The higher I'm getting (45 now), the more I see elitist, power-levelling jerks that don't want you in their group unless you're the best healer/DPS/tank class.  I'm very disappointed.  I expected more of a friendly, all-are-welcome atmosphere in this game.  Seems like everyone is in it just for themselves.  Some old timers I've talked to say it didn't used to be this way...

 

I'll give you an example of people being out for themselves.  Tonight, we got three groups together for the "Boots" quest.  Two of the three groups got the boss kill they needed to complete the quest.  Rather than stay and help the 3rd group, approximately 13 of the 27 people just took off and completed the quest.  This left the 3rd group screwed.  Great community.

That's pretty much the mmo community these days, especially when raiding is involved.

I would rather play alone than with a fellow mmo player.

Sadly, I've reached that point myself.  Once in awhile, I'll help someone who is having trouble with a quest or some such. But over all, I really don't like to deal with most of the people in various games.

Nailzzz

I just want to speak to those complaining about not getting into groups based on their class/build. I'm not trying to say that your complaints are baseless. They are valid. However I just want to point out that not every group is like that. If they were, my alchemist would have never made it to lvl 54. Despite playing what many considered a class with broken mechanics and being a hybrid class that doesn't do any 1 role as well as other classes in the game, I still have little trouble getting into groups. I also play a lvl 41 mage defender cross class toon and despite the occasional grumble about me not being a debuffer, I still manage to get into groups as a damage dealer (and a surprisingly good one). Play what you like and how you like. There are members of the community who feel as you do. Don't let the vocal minority of build micromanagers make you feel unwelcome.
On a side note I have been noticing that even among the high lvl's hybrids are becoming more common and performing impressively. It seem's that the hero 2.0 system has done a lot to make hybrid's viable again after the original hero system killed them off.

spookydom

Originally posted by Wraithone

Originally posted by Istavaan

Originally posted by vigg2004

I had fun at lower levels.  The higher I'm getting (45 now), the more I see elitist, power-levelling jerks that don't want you in their group unless you're the best healer/DPS/tank class.  I'm very disappointed.  I expected more of a friendly, all-are-welcome atmosphere in this game.  Seems like everyone is in it just for themselves.  Some old timers I've talked to say it didn't used to be this way...

 

I'll give you an example of people being out for themselves.  Tonight, we got three groups together for the "Boots" quest.  Two of the three groups got the boss kill they needed to complete the quest.  Rather than stay and help the 3rd group, approximately 13 of the 27 people just took off and completed the quest.  This left the 3rd group screwed.  Great community.

That's pretty much the mmo community these days, especially when raiding is involved.

I would rather play alone than with a fellow mmo player.

Sadly, I've reached that point myself.  Once in awhile, I'll help someone who is having trouble with a quest or some such. But over all, I really don't like to deal with most of the people in various games.

This is pretty much what happens to me as well. I love it when an mmorpg releases and everybody is helping each other and exploring the content together, then after a while when the "Everybody for themselves!" crowd move in I find myself soloing and then quiting. I never really understood the point of playing an mmorpg alone, I never stick around long after that revelation. A situation like Vigg posts above is just not right. In my mind staying to help out is just common courtesy. But unfortuatley that seems to be the norm these days and not just in games. At least when you see it happening in Rl you can do something about it.

Nailzzz

The difference here though is that while there are a couple thousand people playing this game, it is still a small enough comunity where you wil develop a reputation and if you treat others poorly it will follow you. Not only will the player be held to account but so is there guild (who then has the choice of defending the player and risking the guilds reputation or kicking the player out for making them look bad). You can't just hide in a crowd of millions of players or server transfer. And if you piss off enough of the right people you may find it very difficult to join a group which leaves you with ineffecient and after a while mind numbing soloing and discludes you from a lot of content.
The policing for that behaviour is something I've just recently been seeing have an effect. Also unlike most mmo's when someone is wronged the general population wil stick up for them instead of just trolling them like in most mmo's.

Kyleran

Elitists have always been with us, though it does seem like you run into them more these days. In DAOC I rarely had an issue in PVE, but there definitely were PVPers who would only group (or guild) with players with a proven PVP level, build, gear set, or reputation. Even the first 6 months of WOW were pretty good, but once I reached the raiding part the min maxers were plentiful. Just a fact of life in MMOs these days and like others is one reason why I eschew grouping unless it is with guild members. (The other big reason being the way folks rush through content, like others, I prefer a bit slower pacing through the content)

SnarlingWolf

Originally posted by PWN_FACE

It's one of the things that's turning me off of TSW.  I go into Agartha and people are spamming their QL this and that, and how much dps, and what their crits are and looking for a group. Or people are looking for more "Experienced and geared tank needed for NM XYZ speed run..." It just sounds like a nightmare hamster wheel to me.  

 

Is that what I'm working toward when I fill out my skill wheel and work on my gear?  Am I enjoying the journey to the endgame, where I will be playing with people who have that mindset?

 

Seriously, I'm downloading AC2 right now. Once I get in, I'm going to be a real noob fresh at level 1 with no idea at all how to play. As soon as I get enough in-game money, I will start a guild, if I can get the sigs or whatever is required  -- just for community and helping each other.

It isn't like other games. You just have someone swear to you and you are instantly a 2 man allegiance. No prerequisites to building a guild (in AC known as an Allegiance).

rturja

Yep, Turbine's making a bigger infrastructure rework, so everythings down. Welcome to AC2, btw!

SnarlingWolf

Originally posted by PWN_FACE

Originally posted by SnarlingWolf

It isn't like other games. You just have someone swear to you and you are instantly a 2 man allegiance. No prerequisites to building a guild (in AC known as an Allegiance).

This is great news! I like this concept too, of building up an Allegiance. The servers still seem to be down for some 24 hour maintenance.

 

I paid with PayPal when I bought AC and I still haven't received my confirmation email, so I'm wondering there is a delay when you purchase with PalPal or if it's because the Turbine account servers are down as well. I'm really looking forward to getting in game and trying it out.

 

 

I don't know about the PayPal aspect but all of their games are down for the current maintenance. Hopefully they will all be back up soon.

Classicstar

Go to latest update on server maintenance on twitter you don't have to sign in to watch it.

https://twitter.com/asheronscall

Classicstar

---

Originally posted by PWN_FACE

---

Originally posted by Nailzzz Funny thing is I had (and still have) the same issues with the game but in my case I never forgot just how elitist a lot of the players were/are. I knew that this is going to be the case going in. I love the ac2 community, but you will not find a game without this or similar bad behaviour in any game where you play with other human's because human' suck. That being said I have also seen people being amzingly kind and generous to other players more in this game than any other that I have played. As for the class nazi's, they are doing you a favor and sparing you there own insufferably controlling behaviour by not subjecting you to there groups. Trust me on this. Even when they want me to join there leet groups I find myself regretting it within the first 10 mins as they start critically judging everyone's builds and implying that other toons are burdens even when we are still kiling things and no one is dying.

---

Nice point, Nailzz. I totally agree. If the snobs don't want you, you wouldn't want to play with them anyway. They don't play for the joy of sharing an experience with others. They play to get stuff and maybe lord it over others and compete amongst themselves. It's just a microcosm of RL, isn't it? 

Sure you have some elitist but majority of AC2 is very nice and help full.

 

The people who are fun to play with like to play with other people and experiment with different group configurations and figure out how to solve problems together. THAT is the fun for this group of players. 

 

I'm not talking specifically about AC2 yet, because I haven't played it, but this is what I've seen is many other games.

 

EDIT: Are you guys still playing? I just bought AC and will dowload AC2. Has anyone thought about making a guild (fellowship?) for us, for casuals only? I play at odd times since I live in GMT +9 and have a wierd schedule, but there shouldn't be any pressure in our fellowship. We just play when we want, chat, help out if anyone needs, and just play the way we older folks enjoy^^

---

Im lvl62 tumerok CB Forestdutch and i always start fellows taking all classes in my groups and take anyone who wanne come, you have 9 players in one fellow and i go for heal/tank/dd/sorc/chant/range.

Many times we dont have a heal or tank or mezz but as long we can hunt we go and also alway try bridge if 53 wanne join and we can bridge i let him in.

Asheron's call 2 community is like this; They gratz you when become hero WHOLE SERVER do this, they welcome you in fellow they help-wait or get you when you dont have portal or have hard time get to hunt spot, many give items gear when you can use it from total strange in your fellow thats AC2 community for you.

When in deungeon majority will go to great lenght that all finish and get you when die ive even many times with random groups experience they all leave dungeon go to entrance to get the one guy who died and do dungeon all over again.

We chat again in fellow chat have fun and communicate alot very nice, if a group hunts in area where our fellow also wanne we leave and go seek another spot no grievers in AC2.

In last 8 years ive not experience such a nice community then in Asheron's call2 and ive played alot of mmo's over apst 10 years.

Classicstar

Maintenance work still underway, no ETA yet. We apologize for the inconvenience. #asheronscall

30min ago

Orgone

I'm stunned. AC2 back. My first love.

Tumerok FI coming up as soon as I subscribe to AC.

great news, what a great game.

I walked everywhere for 2 days when I first played, because I was scared of the portals. And I contacted a gm when my stats dropped , reporting a bug (that was a potion wearing off)

Ahhh, sweet memories of my first mmo. yay