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What's better, WoW or EQ2? Find out here
rathma
Member UncommonPosts: 3,786
The past few months there has been some babbling and unnecessary posts about "Wow is better than EQ2" and "EQ2 is better than WoW"
We don't officially know whats what, especially seeing how EQ2 hasn't even been released yet.
Luckily, Mark Norris (A.K.A. "Deathstryker") has had a chance to sit down and play both games..
http://eq2vault.ign.com/?dir=features/editorials&content=deathstryker4
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NVidia - The way it is meant to be played
ATI - The way it really plays
Comments
It is on a EQvault site so expected EQ2 to win.
Personally i lean towards EQ2 been an old lover of EQ style of play.
However WoW will probably be a good game too.It might even have more subs then EQ2.Reason been
1)its name.Warcraft has a massive following much more then EQ does.However ,how many warcraft fans would be ready to pay to play is a big question that can only be answered on release
2)It is the anti EQ choice.It seems for every EQ fan there is one that hates it to bits.Most are looking for a big name mmorpg and WoW fits the bill.
3)system requirements.Even though it is claimed EQ2 will run on a geforce3ti that is still very high.If you played CoH and some other mmorpg that run on low specs you would be amazed how many people use geforce2 and intergraded cards.Even a new computer buyer would probably have a FX5200 in his system because thats the most common card companies push into a system to maximize play.For those that have little computer knowledge but walk into a shop saying they want a good gaming system they would be given the FX5600ultra .People who own R9800pro/XT or FX5900/5950ultras are a very small minority of the gaming world.
So I think it would be a big setback for EQ2 .Someone with a FX5600 would expect to play on at least a medium setting with no lag but would find out he needs to tune to lowest setting to play the game comfortably and that would put many off.I have my doubts this game will run smoothly at all with a FX5200 which was the highest selling card of the FX series.
I can understand SoE wanting to make a game that would still look fresh in 3 years time but i think they may have gone overboard with this one.
EQ2 is striving for a long lasting game. Probably longer than EQ1 they are aiming for. For all the hardcore EQ fans they will be buying this game the day it releases no matter what.
Now about the others? Well, a year from now expect hardware to keep up easily with EQ2.. You'll notice a year from release people new to the MMORPG scene will be purchasing.
Because hey, EverQuest 1 didn't get over 500,000 people playing over the course of 1 year
NVidia - The way it is meant to be played
ATI - The way it really plays
In the past it may hold true.But now i think any new mmorpg would make its peak in numbers in the first year.With new mmorpg coming out in dozens now per year new gamers will most likely start on a fresh one rather an old one.
SWG is still the best graphics mmorpg after 1 year of release but you don't see people flocking to it because of that.Folks going for whats new out there with a frsh community and everyone is level 1 or what not.
Very true.
I think SoE is aware of this. That's why they brought out their Multi million dollar marketing campaign.
If you didn't know... You'll see previews of EQ2 in theatres, on movie cups and popcorn bags starting today.
NVidia - The way it is meant to be played
ATI - The way it really plays
woah. next thing you know, lineage toons will be on coke cans.
Yep and they have hinted a popular hollywood actor will do some of the final voice overs before it goes retail.So they are spending big big.
But the question they need to ask if they are planning to sell this to the masses thru theatres and so on.How many people actually own a R9800 or a FX5950 or above?Not damn many at all.And those that do are power gamers that already know about EQ2.Most of those casual gamers who never played a mmorpg sitting in cinemas have the "masses" card -ie MX series or FX5200.If they want this people to play they have to make sure such cards run reasonably smoothly or else they would have this same folks been disgrunted customers spamming EB.com reviews.
You know what... I didn't read the whole thing.. but i think both of them will win...
they both are good... because everyone is picking sides ending up to be that both of them will win... who cares? if someone wants to buy WoW then he can do it... EQ2 fans will probably buy it... maybe eq2 fans... it might attract alot of people in the genre...
my final rate is: EQ2 will win, WoW will win... they both will... who here agrees with me? there may be some strengths and weaknesses but they will both succeed... we wont know until retail... so hang tight.
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i personally want EQ2, its everything im looking for in an MMORPG, im playing CoH to pass the time till its release. But i dont think WoW will be that good in my opinion. Take away the Warcraft, and all you have is an AVERAGE MMORPG...
It's IGN, if SOE made a MMORPG about the joys of constapation IGN would still rate it 'The most innovative MMORPG experience yet!".
IGN is so bias it hurts.
The next generation of graphic cards are comming out this summer before the launch of EQ2. These includes the NV40's and R4xx's ranging from 12 - 16 pipe variants exculsively for all parts of the market. The highest cards of the perspective companies more than double the performance of the top performing cards of the last series in their perspective caste. It's going to be hard pick between the speed and power of ATI's card and the advanced features of Nv's and it basically comes down to 3dc vs. Ps3 from what I gather. The 526 mb variants are also slated to release at the end of summer. So don't worry about graphic cards at least.
I gotta go with WoW because I got the stigma of SOE as only good for impairing good games, EQ was great until VI shut it's doors and SOE took the reigns.
My friends are gonna play WoW cuz their hardcore blizzard fans. Though I would rather just stick to FFXI Ill prolly play both.
EQ2 is aiming for "fun factor" while that is a virtuous ambition, the size of the playerbase the want is too big for such an opinionated thing to be a good basis for a game.
I swear if they start putting EQ2 previews in theatres im gonna go NUTS
EQ2 gets my vote becuase im tired of being treated like shit by SoE "the patch after next" just dont cut it
And since that article is done by DS im not amazed he bashed WoW. Hes already stated his position long before the article so it is far from a legit review.
My idea is get a EQ2 fanboy a WoW fanboy have them play each game then make them write a joint article. At least then youll hear all the ups and downs
I disagree with some points in this article - it does seem a bit biased. Of course I am biased too though. So these are just my thoughts.
1) It is clear to me at least that in PvP WoW will in fact be significantly better. The single most important factor in good PvP is class balance. WoW will likely have exceptional balance since this is what Blizzard earned their name and reputation on basically. Sony, on the other hand, is rather shitty at class balancing - as anyone who played SWG knows. (By the way, by same logic I would expect WoW to have far less bugs then EQ2.)
2) Graphics. I think the initial author's notion that you can not compare them is about right. However, a few thoughts on "prolonging the game's life". It isn't necessarily that SoE's graphics will do a better job of it then Blizzards contrary to what everyone says. Yes, in 3 years EQ2 will still have a pretty good graphics for the time. However, there will be many games with better ones. EQ2's graphics are "brute-power" sort of, they shine due to technology. WoW's on the other hand, are not that technological but have very artistic and unique nature to be rivaled by few. So, in 3 years they will still have very artistic and unique nature to be rivaled by few. I guess I am trying to say that far more games will create graphics more advanced then EQ2s in 3 years then the ones more artistic then WoWs. Just a thought.
I myself do prefer WoW, but I think both games will be similar in "goodness". I think it will come down to one's preference between PvE with some side PvP or PvP with some side PvE.
The next generation of graphic cards are comming out this summer before the launch of EQ2. These includes the NV40's and R4xx's ranging from 12 - 16 pipe variants exculsively for all parts of the market. The highest cards of the perspective companies more than double the performance of the top performing cards of the last series in their perspective caste. It's going to be hard pick between the speed and power of ATI's card and the advanced features of Nv's and it basically comes down to 3dc vs. Ps3 from what I gather. The 526 mb variants are also slated to release at the end of summer. So don't worry about graphic cards at least.
Still has nothing to encourage the masses.If they want to bring this game to the masses then high end cards is not encouraging.Even me a hardcore gamer would not go and spend $500 on a new card because i want to run this game on full setting.No way.
So i doubt a casual gamer would even dream of that.Even $200-300 for an ex high end card or a new medium card to run on medium setting would be too much to ask from a casual gamer.
And like I said if they plan to advertize in cinemas and such then they are trying to reach this casual gamers .The hardcores already know about it so certainly its not them they want from ads.
Though you have to ask if its actually that taxing off the Gcards.Someone brought a link into chatroom that showed what was considered a bang for bucks rig to get for EQ2.It had only a FX5600ultra which is basically a medium range card and not even as powerful as the Ti4600 or R9700pro.It was from a fansite but reading the site he seems to be in close contact with the developers.He claimed though it can run all the whistles and bells of the game but that has clearly been stated by the developers not to be so as no system can run maximum setting.
Point is there is lots of conflicting statements over the Gcard requirements.Minimum specs is a Geforce3.Now what can run the game smoothly is a mystery at 1)low setting 2)medium setting 3)high setting.
Only beta will tell.
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Graphics last a year, art lasts forever.
EQ2 is cool and so on but it can´t compete with WoW....sure the graphic in EQ2 is better but that deosn´t make the whole game....on the other side WoW: almost the best graphics and my opinion is that the races and the classes is ultimate....by the way WoW is made by Blizzard who has made only good games.....
"All makt åt Tengil
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All makt
That article you posted is very VERY biased
Why do so many want WOW? Its a generic MMORPG....
Like the other guy said take away Warcraft and you got a bland MMORPG. I read all the beta stuff for WOW and nothing impressive. EQ2 on the other hand has features that blow my mind.
Ill pass WOW. Im a MMORPG Vet. A normal generic MMORPG wont do. Thats why DAOC and others failed for me.
This is what I don't understand, the 'extreme' settings aren't for everyone. People always want the best possible but don't want to do what it takes to get it. Go get ps2 and X-box if you worry about funds or time element, don't get into MMORPG's and PC Gaming as a whole without knowing what you are getting in to.
I don't support devolved graphic engines because they are more 'consumer' friendly, this is not very progressive and dangerously static. People are too pre-occupied with getting the best of the best, and nine times out of ten they forget to do it. Get what you need to run it at managable settings which is the recommended requirements, and don't worry about having the best of the best. Then proceed to complain when having a top of a line system cost too much funds. Cards like the Geforce 6800 Ultra and ATI X800 XT PE are not for regular consumers but computer enthusiasts, and regualr consumers are better of getting the managable regular 6800 and regular X800.
I read a thread on this site, caled "Why do you want to play WoW?" or something like that. and most of everyposted useless crap like this:
1: WoW has tradeskills!!!! (...wtf...i mean, come on.. which MMORPG DOESNT have tradeskills???)
2. Lots of customization (...not really... EQ2 has more if you look)
3. Its made by Blizzard!!! (OMFG!!! well R0x0rz my s0x0rz!! .... Blizzard has made bad games before... *cough*Warcraft3*cough* *cough*Blackthorne*cough*
4. Warcraft PWNS EQ2!!!! (...no...)
WoW is pretty decent game in beta. I have stated before, it is a good game but dont expect anything ground breaking.
I do think WoW will outsale EQ2 though, cause it has been hyped to death.
Alot of people are worrying about needing a high end comp.
If you are a hardcore fan: Buy some new hardware if you want an amazing game experience
If you aren't: Big deal. EverQuest II also runs on lower computers, all you need to do is put the settings down, and even when they ARE down, it will still be a great mmorpg graphically. The game is really only meant to be turned up high until hardware increasing in the following years..
NVidia - The way it is meant to be played
ATI - The way it really plays
Ok people, you might be thinking that that review was a bit biased.
Now let's see what someone has been playing WoW for 2 months and EQ2 for 5 hours has to say!
World of Warcraft.
Ive been beta testing this game for 2 months now and plan on publishing an extensive review when we officially open our World of Warcraft site (which while not open for news, still has quite a bit of information on it go to wow.allakhazam.com to see more). Suffice it to say that this game will knock your socks off. WoW takes MMORPG gaming to a new level. Most of the parts you hate about these games are gone and what is left if just pure fun. The focus of the game is the quest system. Unlike most other games of this type, the quests are fun, unique and integral to playing the game. They involve you in the story line and give you direction as to how to play and provide significant experience and item rewards. Because of the quests, your time in the game always serves a purpose and there is very little time where you find yourself simply camping mobs for items or experience. You log into the game, check your quest log and decide which one to start to work on. Everything flows from there.
The game is very well oriented for the casual player. You can play for an hour and actually feel a sense of accomplishment, although the game is so much fun, you may well find that the whole day has slipped by without you realizing it. Food and drink let you heal quickly between battles, so there is very little down time. Crafters and explorers may suffer some since running somewhere takes a lot of time and crafting ingredients are often hard to find, though the crafting system is easy to use and develop. Although they are still being tweaked, the classes are generally very well rounded and group combat works very well. Plus, all of the classes can solo very effectively and at least the ones I have tried are all quite fun to play in their own way.
Do I sound too enthusiastic about this game? Well, I have to admit that I am having more fun playing World of Warcraft than I have had on any single game in quite a long time. That "I just have to log on today" feeling I haven't had since the early days of Everquest is back in spades with WoW. Still, the game is not perfect. The rest state which punishes you for playing too long is a terrible addition which will hopefully either get eliminated or seriously altered before release. The graphics, while nice, are in my opinion not as good as some of the newer games coming out, particularly EQ2. There is also a need for more content. As it stands right now, I wonder if there is enough there to give the kind of multiple replayability that most MMORPGs need to keep your interest year after year. Still, these are minor problems that barely impinge on what is a genuinely fun game. This is a cant miss game that you are most likely going to want to play some day.
For more information go to http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/
Everquest 2.
The second half of the Big Two, EQ2 looks like it may be equal to if not better than World of Warcraft. I saw the display at E3 and had the added advantage of getting to play the game for five hours at the last fan faire, and this game looks like another cant miss prospect. Quite frankly, Blizzard and SOE must be playing each others games, because the few hours I played of EQ2 reminded me a lot of WoW. The 5 hour demo I played was very quest oriented. Everything you did was dictated by the storyline and integrated nicely into the game world. You never had that what do I do now feeling you get in many other games. Hopefully, this carries on to the higher levels. The UI was very easy to use and understand and I was able to get right into the battles and quests without much worry about the controls. Former Everquest players will basically be able to step right in and quickly figure out how the game works.
The thing that really stands out about EQ2 is its graphics. The character customization is so detailed that it is very likely you will be able to recognize individual players simply by how they look. The world itself is simply beautiful and full of incredible detail, and the demonstration they gave at E3 showing a group battling an acid dragon was heart thumping. NPC's actually interact with each other in the cities and the addition of voice makes the player to NPC interaction far more realistic. This may well be the most immersive MMORPG yet. Of course, that beauty comes with a price and many players are simply not going to meet the minimum system requirements to play the game. It may just be time to upgrade that old computer. Since I havent played it as much, I cant say as much about EQ2 as WoW, but what I have seen is impressive. The beta test cant come soon enough as far as I am concerned. This looks to be a definite winner.
For more information go to http://everquest2.station.sony.com/
Posted by: Allakhazam @ Tue May 18 17:42:13 2004 EDT
NVidia - The way it is meant to be played
ATI - The way it really plays
-Pi
-Pi