Howdy, Stranger!
It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!
Quick Links
Quarterly Check-In
DoktorTeufel
Member UncommonPosts: 413
Every three months, I check in on Darkfall to see if it has been released yet. I've been doing that since long before my forum join date.
I realize that there are some live Darkfall servers now (which in and of itself seems miraculous), but the game isn't even freely available to all interested parties in Europe, let alone the United States and abroad. Last I heard, Darkfall was slated for a Q2 2009 North American release date, but that seems highly unlikely at this point.
Meanwhile, the Darkfall website still doesn't present any clear information about creating an account, purchasing the game, release dates, or anything of that nature. Every other released MMORPG in the industry has a gigantic "Click to order!" or "Sign up here!" or "Play now!" or "Download client!" Flash button prominently displayed on their front page, but not Darkfall. No, you have to search the forums and (outdated) old news items for at least five to ten minutes, and you still won't know exactly what the deal is.
Yes, I know, Aventurine can't afford any more servers. Let me tell you something, though: If they haven't even doubled their server space three months after limited release (or extended open beta, take your pick), how long do you think it will be before they get enough servers, the basic demand for Darkfall has been met, and new players are allowed to sign up at will? A year? Two? Five? Ten?
Oh well. I've been playing MMORPGs since the MUD days (DragonRealms, GemStone III, Avalon). I started in 1989. So I'm a pretty oldschool gamer, but I've finally met my match: A game so hardcore, you're apparently not even allowed to start playing it until two years after it releases, after eight years in development.
FYI, in GemStone III, you'd have to play the game eight hours every single day for four years to hit maximum level. Now that's what I call hardcore!
Currently Playing: EVE Online
Retired From: UO, FFXI, AO, SWG, Ryzom, GW, WoW, WAR
Comments
Hu? Is the shop closed again? Shouldn't be as they lack subscribers.
As for the fact that they have an outdated website and all that crap, read one of the hilarious news by tasos in the news section, there he explains why and it all makes sense then!
jedi mind - heavenly divine, steadily shine in '99!
If there is a shop, I couldn't locate it. On the front page, there are the following items:
Home
World Lore
Features
Visuals
Community
News (and some news links)
Forum
Gallery
And in a few minutes of casually browsing the forums and a few news items, I found no clear explanation of a shop, how to sign up, et cetera.
Now, don't get me wrong: I've heard it's technically possible to spend an hour a day posting and browsing on the Aventurine forums to figure out what's really going on, camping the site waiting for that "shop" (which I have never seen) to open, and eventually start playing the game on the EU server(s), even if you're not from the EU.
But I'm not willing to do that. Until the site is properly organized and updated and there's a clear process for registration, I'm not forking over my money.
I know some argue that if you're not willing to lurk the forums and camp the shop, then you don't deserve to play and/or just don't want to play enough, but I disagree. I'm the sort of person who frowns on waiting outside of GameStop at midnight for a major new game release (or the Wii two years ago), and this is the same sort of thing.
Currently Playing: EVE Online
Retired From: UO, FFXI, AO, SWG, Ryzom, GW, WoW, WAR
Here is the link for the shop :
forums.darkfallonline.com/showthread.php
Here is the info why the website is out of date and how everything is working as intended :
forums.darkfallonline.com/showthread.php
If i may give you one last advice ... please read the official boards carefully, take your time before you decide to invest money into this game and company! there is also only one review so far (which is not quite fair tbh, but adresses some of the issues df currently has), the rest are all previews or blogs from fans, this is why you should study the official board - a few hours of reading might spare you some grief!
good luck!
jedi mind - heavenly divine, steadily shine in '99!
AV has stated in clear terms in the news section as to why they havent put a "buy" button on the front page of the website. It just so happens that its the exact same reason that I was able to figure out for mysefl 3 months ago.
This all said, I do uderstand why people wish to wait until there is a buy button on the website becuase for me personally I dont consider the game offically released until that happens.
check back in July. July seems to be the magic month
Please do not respond to me, even if I ask you a question, its rhetorical.
Please do not respond to me
"Our number one concern is the quality of the experience for our existing users. We don’t want to create any problems by allowing too many new users in. This is why we have no boxes in the market, why we haven’t been promoting the game, why our new site isn’t up yet, why we don’t offer a free trial, why we don’t offer more payment options etc."
This made me LOL. Different payment methods will affect existing customers how?
I am the type of player where I like to do everything and anything from time to time.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holodomor - pre-WW2 genocide.
There are detailed instructions on line to get tot he shop. It does exist, and has been one of the largest complaints that there isn't a buy here button. It's rumored they want it that way to limit the number of players . . . how sad. It does exist because I debated buying it because the principal of the game intrigues me.
[(T+G=W)=Gr*Nf]-S=FoF
T=Time G=Gear W=Win Gr=Grind Nf=NoFun S=Skill FoF=FullofFail
"Hey, I'll tell you what. You can get a good look at a butcher's azz by sticking your head up there. But, wouldn't you rather to take his word for it?" - Tommy Boy
Yeah I had to do some diggin (not too much, but then again I AM lazy) but I got my account up and running. Being a former "gemstoner" myself, I was also looking for long term development to go with my pvp with actual consequences. Having played for a week or so, I can certainly see potential in Darkfall, and I wish them the best of luck tweaking their product. Personally I'm not investing TOO much time with it until the NA server launches, instead choosing to casually experiment with the mechanics and explore.
Overall, my experience with the game has been positive and even if I don't keep a seamless active subscription, I am sure I'll be back from time to time to check on the updates. It's a work in progress, but then again, I've yet to find a game that isn't.
Yep, to me that statement screams "We have no clue what to do, we ran out of money after trying to make a game over a course of 8 to 10 years. We screwed up by enlisting Tasos to be our mouthpiece when we should have sewn his mouth shut. We can't offer a free trial because then potential victims (err we mean subscribers) would see how crappy the game we made is and then would not buy it.
Yep, to me that statement screams "We have no clue what to do, we ran out of money after trying to make a game over a course of 8 to 10 years. We screwed up by enlisting Tasos to be our mouthpiece when we should have sewn his mouth shut. We can't offer a free trial because then potential victims (err we mean subscribers) would see how crappy the game we made is and then would not buy it.
QFT
exactly my thoughts
I still log onto Avalon from time to time.