BTW just downloaded and installed Gates of Andaron, giving that one a whirl now.
Got a chuckle out of your EQ story.
Never went at it that long but it is amazing how enthralled you can get in an mmorpg when you really enjoy them and completely lose track of time.
I must admit it's happened to me several times where I'm playing and think it's only been a little while only to take a gander at the time and say, "Aw wtf, it's 3am? I'm screwed. I have to be at work in a couple hours."
Haha
1. For god's sake mmo gamers, enough with the analogies. They're unnecessary and your comparisons are terrible, dissimilar, and illogical.
2. To posters feeling the need to state how f2p really isn't f2p: Players understand the concept. You aren't privy to some secret the rest are missing. You're embarrassing yourself.
3. Yes, Cpt. Obvious, we're not industry experts. Now run along and let the big people use the forums for their purpose.
My hat's off to any company with a vision to advance the genre and enough danglers to invest heavily in what has become such a saturated market of half-hearted attempts to do something slighlty different. I hope this brings 38 great success and gives us a breath of fresh air. Please don't overlook the competitive crafters among us. Crafting has to be the most stale and neglected aspect of MMOs for the past few years. Interdepency between combat and non-combat characters makes a community.
Are you asking for two separate paths of crafter vs combat toons (perhaps with a sliding scale of in between) such as games like SWG or Neocron had? Or are you asking for meaningful crafting as an addition?
Interdependency may make a community, but don't alot of people jsut make crafter alts and combat alts? It seems to me there are much better way to create interdepency than having crafters fight like crap.
I can only speak from early SWG experience that yes, is what I'd like to see repeated in a similar fashion. For crafters to actually be able to be competitive among one another not only by price but an item's level of quality/desirability as well. So that crafting IS meaningful and knowing your trade well carries with it the ability to have a slight competitive edge.
Yikes, Gates of Andaron is giving me WoW flashbacks. Mine eyes bleed from the hypercolor and low poly! Bleed I say! Wow even their concept art section looks like they did a paintover on some early wow screenshots to make them look watercolored and called it a day.
Still awaiting my next addiction. I got my fingers crossed for ya guys!
We were at E3, met with MMORPG too. You'll be hearing from us at some point soon, as in this year soon.
Regarding Mercury or Copernicus?
Both. We were there to reach out to the real gaming community, the MMORPG sites of the world. Making sure they understand, that WE understand they are relevent and matter to us, since their communities are the exact people we want to be our guests and consumers for the next 20 years.
^Well, one thing's for sure, you don't do many things that aren't ambitious to say the least...
Personally, I'm looking forward to Mercury as much as I am about Copernicus- especially considering I'm an Elder Scrolls fan whose jonesing for a new single player RPG- all the better that Ken Rolston is on the project.
Regarding Copernicus, we all have our hopes and expectations, but all I'm gonna say is this: Why bring on RA and MacFarlane to create this epic trans-media world if the world in Copernicus is as static and stale as a year old bag of chips and about as engaging to play in? In other words, whether you have intended it or not, I think most people are going to expect more out of your team than your average WoW clone.
Nevertheless, congrats on staying silent. I know you probably want to tell us all how awesome your games are, but it's so much better to have a proper plan to reveal your IP and games. Case in point- Rift: Planes of Telara (as awesome a game as that is looking to be) was revealed a year too early: they got an excited community together but then went totally dark while undergoing a redesign, and leaving them hanging. It ended up hurting the community and people's perception of the game.
Nevertheless, congrats on staying silent. I know you probably want to tell us all how awesome your games are, but it's so much better to have a proper plan to reveal your IP and games. Case in point- Rift: Planes of Telara (as awesome a game as that is looking to be) was revealed a year too early: they got an excited community together but then went totally dark while undergoing a redesign, and leaving them hanging. It ended up hurting the community and people's perception of the game.
I have to agree. As much as part of me wants info on these games and I can be pouty and stomp my feet like a spoiled child with the best of them if a game or company doesn't feed me information on an ongoing basis it isn't always the best move.
Not if the game is incredibly far out from being released. It just leads to: people jumping to all kinds of conclusions, have a developer or rep saying things that aren't set in stone as being present in the game which can cause unnecessary drama or disappointment, and as great as hype can be from a marketing standpoint if you peak too soon you can lose a lot of that momentum or tire people out about something before it even releases.
Let me clarify that I agree with what I quoted. A bit confused about your other part referring to the type of game they intend on making. I agree with your sentiment just not why you think that is what they are possibly aiming for.
1. For god's sake mmo gamers, enough with the analogies. They're unnecessary and your comparisons are terrible, dissimilar, and illogical.
2. To posters feeling the need to state how f2p really isn't f2p: Players understand the concept. You aren't privy to some secret the rest are missing. You're embarrassing yourself.
3. Yes, Cpt. Obvious, we're not industry experts. Now run along and let the big people use the forums for their purpose.
BTW just downloaded and installed Gates of Andaron, giving that one a whirl now.
Thanks for the link. It does reveal more than I had previously know. I certainly hope that Copernicus provides that same spark that kept you playing EQ Sunday - Tuesday. I've been known to pass the 24hr mark a time or three since UO back in '97.
"Many nights, my friend... Many nights I've put a blade to your throat while you were sleeping. Glad I never killed you, Steve. You're alright..."
BTW just downloaded and installed Gates of Andaron, giving that one a whirl now.
Thanks for the link. It does reveal more than I had previously know. I certainly hope that Copernicus provides that same spark that kept you playing EQ Sunday - Tuesday. I've been known to pass the 24hr mark a time or three since UO back in '97.
Until I heard about 38 Studios, I had no idea he was into computer gaming as much as he apparently is.
Back in my tabletop days, I did know that he was huge into ASL. Now, that was a GAME!
Can there please be TRAINS? I really miss the threat of entering a zone and being mowed down by 20 mobs that some noob pulled.
Now, to keep it from being abused, there could be faction hits to anyone who starts aggro that ends up killing players outside his or her group.
(Recollection, first "train" I saw or remember in EQ was in Blackburrow and really wasn't completely a train. I saw this fully mithril armored ogre come my way and almost had a heart attack. Turns out the ogre was a player, not a mob.)
Can there please be TRAINS? I really miss the threat of entering a zone and being mowed down by 20 mobs that some noob pulled.
Now, to keep it from being abused, there could be faction hits to anyone who starts aggro that ends up killing players outside his or her group.
(Recollection, first "train" I saw or remember in EQ was in Blackburrow and really wasn't completely a train. I saw this fully mithril armored ogre come my way and almost had a heart attack. Turns out the ogre was a player, not a mob.)
Ah, good ol' trains. The thing people loved to hate. I have to admit I miss that too.
But you know, even if mobs weren't tethered and could agro on other people before they go back to their spots there are other factors involved in that dynamic.
If dungeons are instanced, for example, it wouldn't be like EQ. If it's quest based advancement it propably would never be the same because you wouldn't have a whole crowd of people staking out their spots in a dungeon. If there is no death penalty nobody would really care even if there were trains because there would be nothing to fear.
Can there please be TRAINS? I really miss the threat of entering a zone and being mowed down by 20 mobs that some noob pulled.
Now, to keep it from being abused, there could be faction hits to anyone who starts aggro that ends up killing players outside his or her group.
(Recollection, first "train" I saw or remember in EQ was in Blackburrow and really wasn't completely a train. I saw this fully mithril armored ogre come my way and almost had a heart attack. Turns out the ogre was a player, not a mob.)
Ah, good ol' trains. The thing people loved to hate. I have to admit I miss that too.
But you know, even if mobs weren't tethered and could agro on other people before they go back to their spots there are other factors involved in that dynamic.
If dungeons are instanced, for example, it wouldn't be like EQ. If it's quest based advancement it propably would never be the same because you wouldn't have a whole crowd of people staking out their spots in a dungeon. If there is no death penalty nobody would really care even if there were trains because there would be nothing to fear.
Really, I don't think we'll ever see that again.
It strikes me as the ultimate "me me" that some players expect that they should be able to just stand still and kill "their" MOB and never have to run. When I saw a train coming, I got on my horse and moved!
Wow....a CEO posting on the forums.......that's insane!
Smed post over on Fohguild.com all the time...But never here. I wonder why?
Because FOH kissed his ass and while this place can be a cesspool you will get all sides of the equation too. Smed is marketing monkey scared of his own shadow because they lay no good foundation and therfore have no confidence, just msoke a mirrors.
I suspect the 38 want to be able to take the heat and stay in the kitchen.
Can there please be TRAINS? I really miss the threat of entering a zone and being mowed down by 20 mobs that some noob pulled.
Now, to keep it from being abused, there could be faction hits to anyone who starts aggro that ends up killing players outside his or her group.
(Recollection, first "train" I saw or remember in EQ was in Blackburrow and really wasn't completely a train. I saw this fully mithril armored ogre come my way and almost had a heart attack. Turns out the ogre was a player, not a mob.)
Don't worry about trains, i want real trains you know the ones that travel, and take you across to the next zone without a loading screen.
Can there please be TRAINS? I really miss the threat of entering a zone and being mowed down by 20 mobs that some noob pulled.
Now, to keep it from being abused, there could be faction hits to anyone who starts aggro that ends up killing players outside his or her group.
(Recollection, first "train" I saw or remember in EQ was in Blackburrow and really wasn't completely a train. I saw this fully mithril armored ogre come my way and almost had a heart attack. Turns out the ogre was a player, not a mob.)
Ah, good ol' trains. The thing people loved to hate. I have to admit I miss that too.
But you know, even if mobs weren't tethered and could agro on other people before they go back to their spots there are other factors involved in that dynamic.
If dungeons are instanced, for example, it wouldn't be like EQ. If it's quest based advancement it propably would never be the same because you wouldn't have a whole crowd of people staking out their spots in a dungeon. If there is no death penalty nobody would really care even if there were trains because there would be nothing to fear.
Really, I don't think we'll ever see that again.
I used to pull trains on purpose. Not relentlessly, but once in awhile. I would never leave South Karanas without firing an arrow at the ogre and training it to the zone line. Then I'd zone to Central Karanas just in time to see someone getting ready to zone in the other direction.
Or the time a friend of mine tried to train a bunch of dark elves on a guy who was AFK just outside Kithicor. The Dark Elves would root my friend and trash him instead, while the AFK guy probably never knew of the drama going on around him.
To heck with it. I'm going to reload EQ. There was nothing like EQ, even if it is outdated and clunky.
Boss mobs get tired of groups taking a pass at them. If enough (some randomzied value) failed attempts are made, then the boss aggros and carries the fight to a nearby down, carrying vengeance to any players in its path.
Ex. Groups keep hassling Smaug the Red Dragon. After some randomized number of failed attempts (say 8) to take Smaug down, Smaug spreads his wings and flies down to an inhabitated town or noob area.
Meanwhile, Bob the 1st level warrior and Jan the 3rd level Mage are logging on the hunt beetles together and to knock out some low level quests. Bob stares in terror as Jan suddenly taking 10,000 points of fire damage from Smaug the dragon, who has suddenly appeared out of nowhere. High level players are more saavy and get out of the way, but Bob the 1st level warrior and other new players of low level toons are mowed down by Smaug, who eventually leaves with a half dozen NPC buildings smouldering in his wake.
Stuff like this would be very cool. Would keep the environment alive and keep players on their toes.
We were at E3, met with MMORPG too. You'll be hearing from us at some point soon, as in this year soon.
Regarding Mercury or Copernicus?
Both. We were there to reach out to the real gaming community, the MMORPG sites of the world. Making sure they understand, that WE understand they are relevent and matter to us, since their communities are the exact people we want to be our guests and consumers for the next 20 years.
Curt
Those of us that follow FOH have seen you posting, pertaining to your company, for quite a while now. It is a shame Utnayan went postal on ya. As a former player on Mithaniel Marr server, I used to enjoy his posting on MMDN.
Even though I dont get over there as often as I did when playing EQ, it has been a bonus to see ya stop in there.
I would warn ya that this site has a bias towards sandbox gaming. By that I mean the posters, not the site itself. If you are not creating a sandbox, I hope the negativity wont keep you away from MMORPG.
Folks enjoy news about gaming. Some of them go too far though when they are not the target audience. The Jeff Freeman stuff before/after his death being the epitome of some stupid chit that can transpire here. Those folks are the minority on this site....they just happen to be the loudest.
I hope you keep it in mind when you visit.
Evan
Niether this site nor the forum have a bias toward sanbox gaming. There are simply a representitive sample of Eve crazies and SWG refugees.
There are number of us who tell them to stop evangelizing while also recognizing they have some valid points. And writing cognizant counter arguments to their statements of supposed facts.
Look represent your point of veiw with real arguments. Don't paint nebulous groups of people with broad brushes. You simply make yourself the same as the people you are critizing.
I have already made a post to counter the "A majority of people want a sandbox" statement. I threw no stones even though I am not living in a glass house like some *cough*. Doing what you are doing here simply devolves into conspiracy theories about various "camps" of posters. Its pointless.
Sure fine i threw some stones at FOH, but I don't like them so its OK. Cocaine is a hell of a drug.
Real arguments?
I present this very "general discussion forum" as my argument.
There is indeed a bias towards sandboxes, on the forums, by the posters. You contend it is a sampling of posters from various games....umm but didnt I already state they are the minority....just the loudest. They give the appearance to newcomers that "sandbox is vogue...themepark is for immature folks who want everything handed to them".
I guess what really sucks around here is those desparaging remarks/stereotypes are common place. Responding to them is a nice ban....believe me I know :P
The balance between sandbox/themepark has gotten a little better than it was following the NGE, but it is still nowhere representative of the inbalance between the 2 gamings styles when taking into account NA subs.
Several of those very vocal sandbox supporters are present in this very thread.
Which is funny as Kurt was an EQ fan.
I will really be shocked if he builds a virtual reality ala Koster. I am expecting to see influence from Brad.
Which will just make for more whining around here ala when folks found that BW wasnt making SWG2.
Asking Devs to make AAA sandbox titles is like trying to get fine dining on a McDonalds dollar menu budget.
Wow....a CEO posting on the forums.......that's insane!
Smed post over on Fohguild.com all the time...But never here. I wonder why?
Because FOH kissed his ass and while this place can be a cesspool you will get all sides of the equation too. Smed is marketing monkey scared of his own shadow because they lay no good foundation and therfore have no confidence, just msoke a mirrors.
I suspect the 38 want to be able to take the heat and stay in the kitchen.
You hit the nail on the head.
Well Rodo
Lets just tell the fine folks why you really hate the FOH boards. Could it have anything to do with what they think of you? Or perhaps it is the fact your were relegated to only posting in the forum known the "Retard Rickshaw".
Conisdering we're about 3 years into serious work, our direction and path has been chosen. That's not something that's likely to change so we'll have to wait and see if we do what we set out to and deliver.
Making a game to appease everyone ends up appeasing no one.
Boss mobs get tired of groups taking a pass at them. If enough (some randomzied value) failed attempts are made, then the boss aggros and carries the fight to a nearby down, carrying vengeance to any players in its path.
Ex. Groups keep hassling Smaug the Red Dragon. After some randomized number of failed attempts (say 8) to take Smaug down, Smaug spreads his wings and flies down to an inhabitated town or noob area.
Meanwhile, Bob the 1st level warrior and Jan the 3rd level Mage are logging on the hunt beetles together and to knock out some low level quests. Bob stares in terror as Jan suddenly taking 10,000 points of fire damage from Smaug the dragon, who has suddenly appeared out of nowhere. High level players are more saavy and get out of the way, but Bob the 1st level warrior and other new players of low level toons are mowed down by Smaug, who eventually leaves with a half dozen NPC buildings smouldering in his wake.
Stuff like this would be very cool. Would keep the environment alive and keep players on their toes.
Bob the new player gets frustrated and quits for dying (perhaps repeatedly depending on if he has to run back to body, or respawns close) and quites the game. -15$/mo to company.
These mechanics appeal to roleplayers and more dedicated gameplayers. Simply the wrong market for something that requires mass appeal to be succesful. I've been hearing quite a bit about this silent horde of gamers...and we might've seen it according to Vanguard's box sales. I guess we won't truly know until another game comes along trying to appeal to that smaller subset of gamers, which none of the horizon appear to be doing.
Boss mobs get tired of groups taking a pass at them. If enough (some randomzied value) failed attempts are made, then the boss aggros and carries the fight to a nearby down, carrying vengeance to any players in its path.
Ex. Groups keep hassling Smaug the Red Dragon. After some randomized number of failed attempts (say 8) to take Smaug down, Smaug spreads his wings and flies down to an inhabitated town or noob area.
Meanwhile, Bob the 1st level warrior and Jan the 3rd level Mage are logging on the hunt beetles together and to knock out some low level quests. Bob stares in terror as Jan suddenly taking 10,000 points of fire damage from Smaug the dragon, who has suddenly appeared out of nowhere. High level players are more saavy and get out of the way, but Bob the 1st level warrior and other new players of low level toons are mowed down by Smaug, who eventually leaves with a half dozen NPC buildings smouldering in his wake.
Stuff like this would be very cool. Would keep the environment alive and keep players on their toes.
Stuff like that is very cool to everyone BUT Bob the warrior and Jan the mage, who are paying the same $$ for a kick ass fun time as the other folks:)
Boss mobs get tired of groups taking a pass at them. If enough (some randomzied value) failed attempts are made, then the boss aggros and carries the fight to a nearby down, carrying vengeance to any players in its path.
Ex. Groups keep hassling Smaug the Red Dragon. After some randomized number of failed attempts (say 8) to take Smaug down, Smaug spreads his wings and flies down to an inhabitated town or noob area.
Meanwhile, Bob the 1st level warrior and Jan the 3rd level Mage are logging on the hunt beetles together and to knock out some low level quests. Bob stares in terror as Jan suddenly taking 10,000 points of fire damage from Smaug the dragon, who has suddenly appeared out of nowhere. High level players are more saavy and get out of the way, but Bob the 1st level warrior and other new players of low level toons are mowed down by Smaug, who eventually leaves with a half dozen NPC buildings smouldering in his wake.
Stuff like this would be very cool. Would keep the environment alive and keep players on their toes.
Stuff like that is very cool to everyone BUT Bob the warrior and Jan the mage, who are paying the same $$ for a kick ass fun time as the other folks:)
Yes, but you would know more than anyone, that with no real risk or possibility of sting of defeat, there is no true sense of victory. Like playing a sports game where both teams on the field are guaranteed a win.
It might suck to lose a ballgame, but it must feel so much the sweeter to win, partially in light of the pain that was avoided in not losing. (I can only speak of non-professional games in that regard, but you would know about the pro stuff.)
I've been smacked down in EQ before, lost a bubble of experience, once or twice even cancelled in nerd rage. But I was back on the next day playing, more excited than before. Like the PVP'ers in other kinds of games slam the keyboard when they're pwned, but end up back playing soon again for the rush. Different people have different tolerances for defeat, but there are lots of folks who are losing their tolerance for freely-handed victories (i.e., some veteran WOW players). The "challenge" in MMO gaming has got to come back.
But, like you said, you have chosen your market direction and are three years into development. We will have to see what you have cooking.
Boss mobs get tired of groups taking a pass at them. If enough (some randomzied value) failed attempts are made, then the boss aggros and carries the fight to a nearby down, carrying vengeance to any players in its path.
Ex. Groups keep hassling Smaug the Red Dragon. After some randomized number of failed attempts (say 8) to take Smaug down, Smaug spreads his wings and flies down to an inhabitated town or noob area.
Meanwhile, Bob the 1st level warrior and Jan the 3rd level Mage are logging on the hunt beetles together and to knock out some low level quests. Bob stares in terror as Jan suddenly taking 10,000 points of fire damage from Smaug the dragon, who has suddenly appeared out of nowhere. High level players are more saavy and get out of the way, but Bob the 1st level warrior and other new players of low level toons are mowed down by Smaug, who eventually leaves with a half dozen NPC buildings smouldering in his wake.
Stuff like this would be very cool. Would keep the environment alive and keep players on their toes.
Stuff like that is very cool to everyone BUT Bob the warrior and Jan the mage, who are paying the same $$ for a kick ass fun time as the other folks:)
Assuming this is a not-so-often thing and bob and jan are experienced mmo players, they will *most likely* appreciate the experience and appreciate the grandness and immersion of a living game world. Knowing one's audience and appealing to only one subset of a gamer could make this idea work, the real question is it a niche situation, or a broad-spectrum game (WoW being the prime example).
Comments
I just want you to spill the beans about your damn game.
Oh well, I guess we'll all find out eventually.
Got a chuckle out of your EQ story.
Never went at it that long but it is amazing how enthralled you can get in an mmorpg when you really enjoy them and completely lose track of time.
I must admit it's happened to me several times where I'm playing and think it's only been a little while only to take a gander at the time and say, "Aw wtf, it's 3am? I'm screwed. I have to be at work in a couple hours."
Haha
1. For god's sake mmo gamers, enough with the analogies. They're unnecessary and your comparisons are terrible, dissimilar, and illogical.
2. To posters feeling the need to state how f2p really isn't f2p: Players understand the concept. You aren't privy to some secret the rest are missing. You're embarrassing yourself.
3. Yes, Cpt. Obvious, we're not industry experts. Now run along and let the big people use the forums for their purpose.
Are you asking for two separate paths of crafter vs combat toons (perhaps with a sliding scale of in between) such as games like SWG or Neocron had? Or are you asking for meaningful crafting as an addition?
Interdependency may make a community, but don't alot of people jsut make crafter alts and combat alts? It seems to me there are much better way to create interdepency than having crafters fight like crap.
I can only speak from early SWG experience that yes, is what I'd like to see repeated in a similar fashion. For crafters to actually be able to be competitive among one another not only by price but an item's level of quality/desirability as well. So that crafting IS meaningful and knowing your trade well carries with it the ability to have a slight competitive edge.Yikes, Gates of Andaron is giving me WoW flashbacks. Mine eyes bleed from the hypercolor and low poly! Bleed I say! Wow even their concept art section looks like they did a paintover on some early wow screenshots to make them look watercolored and called it a day.
Still awaiting my next addiction.
I got my fingers crossed for ya guys!
Arioc Murkwood
Environment Artist
Sad but true.
^Well, one thing's for sure, you don't do many things that aren't ambitious to say the least...
Personally, I'm looking forward to Mercury as much as I am about Copernicus- especially considering I'm an Elder Scrolls fan whose jonesing for a new single player RPG- all the better that Ken Rolston is on the project.
Regarding Copernicus, we all have our hopes and expectations, but all I'm gonna say is this: Why bring on RA and MacFarlane to create this epic trans-media world if the world in Copernicus is as static and stale as a year old bag of chips and about as engaging to play in? In other words, whether you have intended it or not, I think most people are going to expect more out of your team than your average WoW clone.
Nevertheless, congrats on staying silent. I know you probably want to tell us all how awesome your games are, but it's so much better to have a proper plan to reveal your IP and games. Case in point- Rift: Planes of Telara (as awesome a game as that is looking to be) was revealed a year too early: they got an excited community together but then went totally dark while undergoing a redesign, and leaving them hanging. It ended up hurting the community and people's perception of the game.
I have to agree. As much as part of me wants info on these games and I can be pouty and stomp my feet like a spoiled child with the best of them if a game or company doesn't feed me information on an ongoing basis it isn't always the best move.
Not if the game is incredibly far out from being released. It just leads to: people jumping to all kinds of conclusions, have a developer or rep saying things that aren't set in stone as being present in the game which can cause unnecessary drama or disappointment, and as great as hype can be from a marketing standpoint if you peak too soon you can lose a lot of that momentum or tire people out about something before it even releases.
Let me clarify that I agree with what I quoted. A bit confused about your other part referring to the type of game they intend on making. I agree with your sentiment just not why you think that is what they are possibly aiming for.
1. For god's sake mmo gamers, enough with the analogies. They're unnecessary and your comparisons are terrible, dissimilar, and illogical.
2. To posters feeling the need to state how f2p really isn't f2p: Players understand the concept. You aren't privy to some secret the rest are missing. You're embarrassing yourself.
3. Yes, Cpt. Obvious, we're not industry experts. Now run along and let the big people use the forums for their purpose.
Mr. Schilling don't listen to people here about what your game should and should not be, if you do, you'll make "The Homer" of MMOs.
Just in case you have forgotten, behold "The Homer":
Thanks for the link. It does reveal more than I had previously know. I certainly hope that Copernicus provides that same spark that kept you playing EQ Sunday - Tuesday. I've been known to pass the 24hr mark a time or three since UO back in '97.
"Many nights, my friend... Many nights I've put a blade to your throat while you were sleeping. Glad I never killed you, Steve. You're alright..."
Chavez y Chavez
You have to admit that Bowler hood orament is pimp.
"Many nights, my friend... Many nights I've put a blade to your throat while you were sleeping. Glad I never killed you, Steve. You're alright..."
Chavez y Chavez
Until I heard about 38 Studios, I had no idea he was into computer gaming as much as he apparently is.
Back in my tabletop days, I did know that he was huge into ASL. Now, that was a GAME!
Hell hath no fury like an MMORPG player scorned.
Can there please be TRAINS? I really miss the threat of entering a zone and being mowed down by 20 mobs that some noob pulled.
Now, to keep it from being abused, there could be faction hits to anyone who starts aggro that ends up killing players outside his or her group.
(Recollection, first "train" I saw or remember in EQ was in Blackburrow and really wasn't completely a train. I saw this fully mithril armored ogre come my way and almost had a heart attack. Turns out the ogre was a player, not a mob.)
Ah, good ol' trains. The thing people loved to hate. I have to admit I miss that too.
But you know, even if mobs weren't tethered and could agro on other people before they go back to their spots there are other factors involved in that dynamic.
If dungeons are instanced, for example, it wouldn't be like EQ. If it's quest based advancement it propably would never be the same because you wouldn't have a whole crowd of people staking out their spots in a dungeon. If there is no death penalty nobody would really care even if there were trains because there would be nothing to fear.
Really, I don't think we'll ever see that again.
It strikes me as the ultimate "me me" that some players expect that they should be able to just stand still and kill "their" MOB and never have to run. When I saw a train coming, I got on my horse and moved!
Once upon a time....
You hit the nail on the head.
Unaware of the Jestor?
http://about.me/JestorRodo/
Friends enjoy his classic Vblog - https://www.facebook.com/GoodOldReliableNathan
Don't worry about trains, i want real trains you know the ones that travel, and take you across to the next zone without a loading screen.
Hopefully its a steampunk train too.
my web design: www.advancedws.com.au
I used to pull trains on purpose. Not relentlessly, but once in awhile. I would never leave South Karanas without firing an arrow at the ogre and training it to the zone line. Then I'd zone to Central Karanas just in time to see someone getting ready to zone in the other direction.
Or the time a friend of mine tried to train a bunch of dark elves on a guy who was AFK just outside Kithicor. The Dark Elves would root my friend and trash him instead, while the AFK guy probably never knew of the drama going on around him.
To heck with it. I'm going to reload EQ. There was nothing like EQ, even if it is outdated and clunky.
Here's an idea to make gameplay more dynamic:
Boss mobs get tired of groups taking a pass at them. If enough (some randomzied value) failed attempts are made, then the boss aggros and carries the fight to a nearby down, carrying vengeance to any players in its path.
Ex. Groups keep hassling Smaug the Red Dragon. After some randomized number of failed attempts (say 8) to take Smaug down, Smaug spreads his wings and flies down to an inhabitated town or noob area.
Meanwhile, Bob the 1st level warrior and Jan the 3rd level Mage are logging on the hunt beetles together and to knock out some low level quests. Bob stares in terror as Jan suddenly taking 10,000 points of fire damage from Smaug the dragon, who has suddenly appeared out of nowhere. High level players are more saavy and get out of the way, but Bob the 1st level warrior and other new players of low level toons are mowed down by Smaug, who eventually leaves with a half dozen NPC buildings smouldering in his wake.
Stuff like this would be very cool. Would keep the environment alive and keep players on their toes.
Real arguments?
I present this very "general discussion forum" as my argument.
There is indeed a bias towards sandboxes, on the forums, by the posters. You contend it is a sampling of posters from various games....umm but didnt I already state they are the minority....just the loudest. They give the appearance to newcomers that "sandbox is vogue...themepark is for immature folks who want everything handed to them".
I guess what really sucks around here is those desparaging remarks/stereotypes are common place. Responding to them is a nice ban....believe me I know :P
The balance between sandbox/themepark has gotten a little better than it was following the NGE, but it is still nowhere representative of the inbalance between the 2 gamings styles when taking into account NA subs.
Several of those very vocal sandbox supporters are present in this very thread.
Which is funny as Kurt was an EQ fan.
I will really be shocked if he builds a virtual reality ala Koster. I am expecting to see influence from Brad.
Which will just make for more whining around here ala when folks found that BW wasnt making SWG2.
Asking Devs to make AAA sandbox titles is like trying to get fine dining on a McDonalds dollar menu budget.
Well Rodo
Lets just tell the fine folks why you really hate the FOH boards. Could it have anything to do with what they think of you? Or perhaps it is the fact your were relegated to only posting in the forum known the "Retard Rickshaw".
Classic Rodo on FoH.....
http://www.fohguild.org/forums/retard-rickshaw/24426-its-time-paging-smed.html
Asking Devs to make AAA sandbox titles is like trying to get fine dining on a McDonalds dollar menu budget.
Conisdering we're about 3 years into serious work, our direction and path has been chosen. That's not something that's likely to change so we'll have to wait and see if we do what we set out to and deliver.
Making a game to appease everyone ends up appeasing no one.
Curt Schilling
Chairman, Founder, 38 Studios
Geek
Bob the new player gets frustrated and quits for dying (perhaps repeatedly depending on if he has to run back to body, or respawns close) and quites the game. -15$/mo to company.
These mechanics appeal to roleplayers and more dedicated gameplayers. Simply the wrong market for something that requires mass appeal to be succesful. I've been hearing quite a bit about this silent horde of gamers...and we might've seen it according to Vanguard's box sales. I guess we won't truly know until another game comes along trying to appeal to that smaller subset of gamers, which none of the horizon appear to be doing.
Stuff like that is very cool to everyone BUT Bob the warrior and Jan the mage, who are paying the same $$ for a kick ass fun time as the other folks:)
Curt Schilling
Chairman, Founder, 38 Studios
Geek
Yes, but you would know more than anyone, that with no real risk or possibility of sting of defeat, there is no true sense of victory. Like playing a sports game where both teams on the field are guaranteed a win.
It might suck to lose a ballgame, but it must feel so much the sweeter to win, partially in light of the pain that was avoided in not losing. (I can only speak of non-professional games in that regard, but you would know about the pro stuff.)
I've been smacked down in EQ before, lost a bubble of experience, once or twice even cancelled in nerd rage. But I was back on the next day playing, more excited than before. Like the PVP'ers in other kinds of games slam the keyboard when they're pwned, but end up back playing soon again for the rush. Different people have different tolerances for defeat, but there are lots of folks who are losing their tolerance for freely-handed victories (i.e., some veteran WOW players). The "challenge" in MMO gaming has got to come back.
But, like you said, you have chosen your market direction and are three years into development. We will have to see what you have cooking.
Is your game fun????????
:]:>
World of Warcraft is a proof that MMORPG quality should affect schedule/budget and not the other way around.
Assuming this is a not-so-often thing and bob and jan are experienced mmo players, they will *most likely* appreciate the experience and appreciate the grandness and immersion of a living game world. Knowing one's audience and appealing to only one subset of a gamer could make this idea work, the real question is it a niche situation, or a broad-spectrum game (WoW being the prime example).