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Gamers, in general, need Age of Conan to do well!
whitedelight
Member Posts: 1,544
Even if you hate the game, or the lore, it must succeed. The entire genre of MMORPGs in general needs this game, Age of Conan, to do very well. Why? Because it could possibly take mmorpgs to a new level.Think about the possabilities that could happen if the game does well, or if it fails.
If the game fails horribly this will be a huge step back for the genre. If this game does not get a nice amount of subs, while trying a new style of combat, it will only discourage future developers from trying new things because proven systems work. Vanguard tried to do new things and it is failing miserably. There are people who are tired of playing World of Warcraft, but there simply is nothing out that is new, refreshing, and actually well done enough for them to leave that horrid game.
If, on the other hand, Age of Conan is a huge success this is a mega step forward for the gaming industry because unlike our last senario, it will help online gaming role playing games, as a whole. If this game is a hit, it will help new developers and developers in general when going to try new things.
Even if you hate the theme, or you are worried about how this style of combat can be implemented into and MMORPG, wish it the best and hope the game does well. I am sure you nor I would like to play Everquest, and World of Wacraft for another 5 years to come. I want all MMOs that are coming out to do well because it may spark an idea for a current developer which could change the industry rather than just repeat the same games in different colors. I wish Age of Conan the best, and I think you should, too!
Comments
Yeeaaahh.....well, my problem is that I don't think AoC is going to be a step forward.
Ok, the combat system...maybe. Although I have serious doubts about that. Maybe the combat really will be an improvement and maybe it'll just be a lot of mindless button mashing or macroing.
But other than that what is there about the game which is a step forward? Grind for levels, grind for gear. Raid for gear. Go to the PvP area if you're bored. But big guilds will probably lock down anything worth having in the border kingdoms anyway so there probably won't be much for most people do there except be a moving target for gank squads of "uber leets".
The game is also being set up to literally force people to join guilds and be dependant on guilds which really pisses me off. But that's just me. I don't like feeling like I'm forced to be another players flunky.
But hey, I'm a terribly pessimistic and jaded guy. I admit it. But to date my pessimism about games has been almost 100% accurate (not that I could prove that to anyone but it makes me trust my gut feelings). When I look at AoC I see what is essentially a WoW clone but with a hyped up combat system which I suspect will not be even remotely as dynamic as people are expecting.
Edit: This doesn't mean it won't be a good game for some people. But I hardly think it's the critical NEW PATH for mmorpgs that you make it out to be.
Personally I am not sure AoC is going to be it. It could be...but so could Warhammer.
I'm still not convinced that there is much in the way on true innovation in this game. I can't say there isn't any, I don't have enough information to draw any kind of conclusion. So far this "genre redefining" combat system looks more cosmetic than functional. I've seen the videos, there are some slick moves and apparently they can be stacked for greater effect. (Hard to say when everything drops from only one hit.) Sure it looks cool but does it do anything beyond that? Just how does one combo sequence differ from another? Much has been made of the directional attack mechanism too, but I'm not sure what that does. I mean, if I aim for a guys leg and hit it, will he spout blood from the wound? Is there localized damage? Will he favor that leg when he's running away (or chasing me)? Many people have invested allot of emotion and energy into this game, I'm not sure it's worthy of the attention.
I don't like seeing PC based games fail because it only serves to strengthen the console market. Obviously with regard to this game I'm ambivalent. Lets see, DirectX 10, Vista Ready and an XBox360 version, it looks to me like the parties that really need this title to succeed are Microsoft, Nvidia and ATI. It's value to gamers has yet to shown.
I will play AoC. But i dont think it will have much new.
Ok, the combat system sounds fun....but that is old news. it should have been done long ago.
The game im really waiting for is http://www.darkfallonline.com/ if you want to read about taking MMO to a NEW level, this is it.
As for Darkfall, I was really hyped about that game about 8 years ago when I still played Ultima Online and they announced it.... 8 years later, I am highly doubtful if it will ever come out in my lifetime and I am only 20 years old.
The game is not adding completely new things other than combat and that is all you guys are seeming to focus on. ALL MMOS that come out need to do well. People take notice of failures in other games. Do you not think that if AOC or WAR flops that people down the road will look back and think twice about trying new things because the community didnt accept it?
If the combat in AoC becomes a hit, somebody else will take that combat and make it even better. On the topic of WoW clone lol, it is far from it and I would suggest researching these games before you make statements like that.
Exactly, it should have been done long ago. But it wasn't why is that? Because people kept doing the tried and true combat system and people were worried about creating something new and having it not work.
You will be waiting for Darkfall for many more years. It was originally announced in 01-02 and I had followed it since then and became a huge fanboi of the game but after years and years of waiting, the people claiming vaporware seem to be telling the truth. Not only that, but that NEW LEVEL would have worked a couple years ago when the hype was still there. It is dying now.
Additionally, I do believe folks need to focus on their current MMO, RPS, or FPS until a beta comes out. We should be very careful about over-hyping anything until it has had a thorough run-threw in beta.
Speculation also harms game development. I won't name names, but I dare say most folks on these forums know which particular MMO over-extended itself to the point where there was very little "wiggle" room for all of the bugs it had on the day of actual release.
All I want is the truth
Just gimme some truth
John Lennon
Yes I understand what you are saying risk in development versus pay off but you also have to understand that if the games combat isn't done well then it should flop...
If it is a solid system it will get it's notice and others will follow suit...
I'd really like to see more skill based games... I'd buy skill based games even if they weren't that great to support people who like to have an open progression system.
They aren't trying to reinvent the wheel. What is groundbreaking about what they are doing, is they taking excellent systems that have been all too often overlooked by the MMORPG genre and putting them together for the very first time.
For example, when was the last time you did an MMO quest that actually meant something? When was the last time you and your freinds had to use a very high level of large group tactics to defeat another army? When was the last time you had to think about what you were doing when you advanced your character? When was the last time you had ingame customer service agents that actually gave a damn AND knew what they were doing? When was the last time your 2+ years of playing the game counted more than the cash some newb used to buy a fully equipped max character?
Depending on what MMORPGs you have played, you might have experienced some or maybe even all of the above. But I'll bet just about anything not a single MMO you have played embodies more than two. AoC includes every last one.
No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main. any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.
Hemingway
No Blah blah blahs. WoW is PVE based, AoC and WAR are both PVP based. Just because there is a leveling system and they have zones does not make them WoW clones. WoW focuses on PVE raiding and AoC focuses more on PvP raiding. This game has a single player mode for up to level 20. You can build your own houses and strongholds and you have to defend them. Enemies (NPC) will also build their own places as the game goes on and eventually try to attack you as well.
Another thing that is supposed to separate AoC is the AI used for NPCs. I think you should go back to the AoC site and read a little bit more about before throwing a 10 minute review together.
All right, I promised to list some things that have never been done before aside from the real time combat:
-spellweaving
-soul corruption
-semi to exceptionally realistic mounted combat
-true collision detection, including characters getting the crap trampled out of them by aforementioned cavalry.
-formation combat that actually means something tactically, and doesn't leave players screaming at their leaders to turn it off so they don't all die (Shadowbane anyone?)
-crafting levels advanced by quests, not grinding.
Items that have been used only rarely, and are usually ignored by the average developer:
-skill/level hybrid system, properly done, this embodies the best of both worlds.
-overarching storyline that is constantly and consistantly in motion
-guild city sieges, both PvE and PvP
-voiceover NPC communication with multiple dialogue options
-customizable equipment
Items that have been significantly improved over what is commonly seen on the market:
-Combat AI: A lone enemy might run, set up an ambush and/or get help from its pack/band/nest/etc. before attacking if it feels outmatched. Enemies of all kinds are likely to go for the weakest in a crowd, people trying to "tank" will have to physically block their path.
-out of combat AI: The cities are alive with activity as NPCs fulfill their current "needs". Think a couple hundred Sims left on their own, only these guys don't piss themselves out of stupidity. NPCs, and the people they know, will treat you differently depending on what they know (and what they think they know) about you. For example, that widow you helped out before might wave and give you a much warmer greeting than before you did the related quest, whether or not you actually engage her in conversation.
-Whatever the final result of the debate over raiding may be, Its been shown quite clearly that even if there is any advantage towards raiders and their gear, said advantage is minimal at worst.
No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main. any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.
Hemingway
All right, I promised to list some things that have never been done before aside from the real time combat:
-spellweaving
-soul corruption
-semi to exceptionally realistic mounted combat
-true collision detection, including characters getting the crap trampled out of them by aforementioned cavalry.
-formation combat that actually means something tactically, and doesn't leave players screaming at their leaders to turn it off so they don't all die (Shadowbane anyone?)
-crafting levels advanced by quests, not grinding.
Items that have been used only rarely, and are usually ignored by the average developer:
-skill/level hybrid system, properly done, this embodies the best of both worlds.
-overarching storyline that is constantly and consistantly in motion
-guild city sieges, both PvE and PvP
-voiceover NPC communication with multiple dialogue options
-customizable equipment
Items that have been significantly improved over what is commonly seen on the market:
Very well posted good sir.-Combat AI: A lone enemy might run, set up an ambush and/or get help from its pack/band/nest/etc. before attacking if it feels outmatched. Enemies of all kinds are likely to go for the weakest in a crowd, people trying to "tank" will have to physically block their path.
-out of combat AI: The cities are alive with activity as NPCs fulfill their current "needs". Think a couple hundred Sims left on their own, only these guys don't piss themselves out of stupidity. NPCs, and the people they know, will treat you differently depending on what they know (and what they think they know) about you. For example, that widow you helped out before might wave and give you a much warmer greeting than before you did the related quest, whether or not you actually engage her in conversation.
-Whatever the final result of the debate over raiding may be, Its been shown quite clearly that even if there is any advantage towards raiders and their gear, said advantage is minimal at worst.
No Blah blah blahs. WoW is PVE based, AoC and WAR are both PVP based. Just because there is a leveling system and they have zones does not make them WoW clones. WoW focuses on PVE raiding and AoC focuses more on PvP raiding. This game has a single player mode for up to level 20. You can build your own houses and strongholds and you have to defend them. Enemies (NPC) will also build their own places as the game goes on and eventually try to attack you as well.
Another thing that is supposed to separate AoC is the AI used for NPCs. I think you should go back to the AoC site and read a little bit more about before throwing a 10 minute review together.
For myself it will be the AI that makes or breaks the title. Gears of War, imo, showed us a glimmer of what AI can bring to any game. Tabula Rasa as well has been talking about their AI programming. It will be nice when mobs start reacting other than with the normal attack attack special attack attack retreat routines we have seen for several years now.
http://www.speedtest.net/result/7300033012
No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main. any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.
Hemingway
I'd really like to see more skill based games... I'd buy skill based games even if they weren't that great to support people who like to have an open progression system.
That is exactly what I'm looking for...TCOS is completly skill based, weapons and armor don't mean a thing...now that is something that should do well. A system like theirs could end auto attack very easily.
All right, I promised to list some things that have never been done before aside from the real time combat:
-spellweaving
-soul corruption
-semi to exceptionally realistic mounted combat
-true collision detection, including characters getting the crap trampled out of them by aforementioned cavalry.
-formation combat that actually means something tactically, and doesn't leave players screaming at their leaders to turn it off so they don't all die (Shadowbane anyone?)
-crafting levels advanced by quests, not grinding.
Items that have been used only rarely, and are usually ignored by the average developer:
-skill/level hybrid system, properly done, this embodies the best of both worlds.
-overarching storyline that is constantly and consistantly in motion
-guild city sieges, both PvE and PvP
-voiceover NPC communication with multiple dialogue options
-customizable equipment
Items that have been significantly improved over what is commonly seen on the market:
-Combat AI: A lone enemy might run, set up an ambush and/or get help from its pack/band/nest/etc. before attacking if it feels outmatched. Enemies of all kinds are likely to go for the weakest in a crowd, people trying to "tank" will have to physically block their path.
-out of combat AI: The cities are alive with activity as NPCs fulfill their current "needs". Think a couple hundred Sims left on their own, only these guys don't piss themselves out of stupidity. NPCs, and the people they know, will treat you differently depending on what they know (and what they think they know) about you. For example, that widow you helped out before might wave and give you a much warmer greeting than before you did the related quest, whether or not you actually engage her in conversation.
-Whatever the final result of the debate over raiding may be, Its been shown quite clearly that even if there is any advantage towards raiders and their gear, said advantage is minimal at worst.
amen brother