My reasons I'm enjoying an old favorite.

almerel

The following is my opinion and may not be shared by all.

For the past few months while on my seasonal lay off I have been looking for a game to fill some time. I was playing GW and while it's a great game I was burnt out from playing it. I debated subbing to WoW again (already have a GC) but WoW is the game I play with my wife when she's in the mood(she was not).

I do play a browser based game game named Ikariam. At this point in the game it takes me awhile to do anything because of how far along I am. So that wasn't enough to keep me busy.

This website killed a good month for me but it peaked for me with the White Border thread. I still enjoy reading but I don't post nearly as much as I use to. However, what this website did do was get me interested in DDO again. I played it from closed beta through the first few months. When I got through the content way to fast I left.

Now I'm back and I plan to stay for awhile!

When I first came back I was instantly welcomed into Mystincloud's guild, Adventure Inc. It's a great guild with mature people! However, even though I was in a guild I didn't start grouping right away. I had to relearn my character, a lvl 11 wizard. After about a wk of relearning my char I decided to truly jump back into the game. I replayed a favorite raid and realized that I needed to get some of my friends back into the game who played with me in the past. I even told one of them that I would pay their sub if they paid their damned internet bill. After one of my buddies I met in ddo found out I was back into he wanted back in. Being the nice guy that I am I paid for his sub for the first month. 

The issue's I had with the game origanally are no longer a problem for me. There is plenty of content at this time and with mod 9 about to come out there will be even more. Having money means something now! There is now a auction house so everything I aquire doesn't get sold to a merchant or traded with no idea the value.  There are collectable bags so now everytime I'm done with a quest or 2 I don't have to get everything to a collector. There are a few explorable places and some walk up quests now. I can have a 32 point build!

I am also impressed with the community. I haven't ran into a prick yet in 30 days and tbh I'm surprised. I'm sure there are a few but since this is a nitch game I don't think they last very long.

There are still server issues and some major lag spikes at times which can get annoying. However, I expect some of that in a mmo. Not every game can be as smooth as WoW, but even in WoW there are lag issues on occasions.

Overall I have got my $15 worth(well $30 including my friends sub). I am about to start the next $15 today and I am positive I will get my monies worth again. And this month is my sons first full month in this world 

 

Stormakov

Glad to hear you've found a game you can enjoy thoroughly with your time. My biggest issue with DDO for me though was the instancing, I personally detest instancing as I feel it takes away from the integration of the online community.



But kudos to finding a game you can enjoy, I played it for a month or two and enjoyed it until I had sucked it dry of content.

Everith

"And this month is my sons first full month in this world "

 

CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

But yea it is a fantastic game... wish i didn't COMPLETELY burn out on it before monk came. Played it WAY to much and just fizzeled out on all the quests.

almerel

Originally posted by Everith


"And this month is my sons first full month in this world "
 
CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
But yea it is a fantastic game... wish i didn't COMPLETELY burn out on it before monk came. Played it WAY to much and just fizzeled out on all the quests.

Thank you very much

I understand about the burning out thing and sucking the game dry. I did both. That's why I didn't make it far past the 1st mod. Came back for a month later on but it didn't stick. This time however, it corrected what I didn't like so it stuck.

I will most likely play through mod 9 content before I leave again. I switch mmo's every once in awhile so I don't get to burnt out on mmo's completely.

If you enjoyed the game you should prob check it out after mod 9 is out for sure. I hear it is gonna be awesome

Doctorwhofan

A little late but welcome back to the game!  Turbine has fixed alot of the errors it made at launch andthe game is 100% better now!  I'm not on your server much but I am glad you found a good home there!

AgtSmith

DDO used to be a great 15 - 30 day game and Turbine has extended that to 30 - 60 days, beyond that though the repeated content still gets old fast as does teh lack of anything to do other than private questing.  I still think this game would have, or could have at least, been a raging success with a Guild Wars type free to play but buy the MODs type business model as it just is not the kind of game that fits a monthly sub.  Nevertheless, for a month or so here and there it can offer some great fun.

almerel

Originally posted by AgtSmith


 I still think this game would have, or could have at least, been a raging success with a Guild Wars type free to play but buy the MODs type business model as it just is not the kind of game that fits a monthly sub.  Nevertheless, for a month or so here and there it can offer some great fun.

I know I tend to disagree with you but on this I agree 100%. I think if they even did it for $5 a month it would be as well.

Sarr

Originally posted by AgtSmith


DDO used to be a great 15 - 30 day game and Turbine has extended that to 30 - 60 days, beyond that though the repeated content still gets old fast as does teh lack of anything to do other than private questing.  I still think this game would have, or could have at least, been a raging success with a Guild Wars type free to play but buy the MODs type business model as it just is not the kind of game that fits a monthly sub.  Nevertheless, for a month or so here and there it can offer some great fun.

 

So tell me why I play around a year without much breaks, and I still didn't cap any character? If you grind and rush and zerg all the time, yes, you'll be bored with every game.

It's entirely normal in WoW to level up to 80 in less than a month or two. Not much varied content too. Comparing that to around 200 unique quests with traps and active environments in DDO, WoW should be free to play grind fest, right?

Aganazer

Here I am nursing an injured wrist from too much DDO playing. I have had to cut back my playing schedule last week so I don't hurt myself. I've been playing nightly for 6 weeks and my highest level character is level 8. I have been lucky enough to take full advantage of two bonus XP weekends. Even if the leveling doesn't slow down, I don't roll any alts, keep playing like an addicted fiend, ignore favor completely, keep getting bonus XP weekends all the time, and mod 9 comes out in the next couple months, then I would estimate that it would take about 5 months for me to reach max level. That is also assuming that I quit playing as soon as I reach max level.

 

But the real question is... Who cares if I finish all the content in 6 months and stop playing? Am I supposed to be dissapointed that I finished the game and am ready to play a different one? I played AoC up to level 70 in two months. I made max level in WoW in three months. It looks like DDO is doing quite good compared to most other popular MMOG's as far as content goes.

 

Now if I can just get from level 8 to level 11 without going insane... Things are starting to get difficult on some of these quests. Those beholders seems to enjoy eating my cleric all too often. The Temple of the Ancients was annoyingly fragile and could be failed all too easily. The Xorliat Cipher was an enjoyable quests ruined by the horrible lead in quest that would need to be repeated any time a player died and released. I know its all learning pains, but its painful none the less.

AgtSmith

Originally posted by Sarr

Originally posted by AgtSmith


DDO used to be a great 15 - 30 day game and Turbine has extended that to 30 - 60 days, beyond that though the repeated content still gets old fast as does teh lack of anything to do other than private questing.  I still think this game would have, or could have at least, been a raging success with a Guild Wars type free to play but buy the MODs type business model as it just is not the kind of game that fits a monthly sub.  Nevertheless, for a month or so here and there it can offer some great fun.

 

So tell me why I play around a year without much breaks, and I still didn't cap any character? If you grind and rush and zerg all the time, yes, you'll be bored with every game.

It's entirely normal in WoW to level up to 80 in less than a month or two. Not much varied content too. Comparing that to around 200 unique quests with traps and active environments in DDO, WoW should be free to play grind fest, right?

 

So you will just argue anything that is, what, not glowing and mindless praise of this game?  Jesus, get over it.  DDO is what it is, if you love it then great - but come on, this game went live with so little content it was really hard to believe it was sold as a pay to play MMO.  That has improved since launch but even now it is still an issues because unlike other MMOs the only thing to do is questing so content gets gobbled up quickly.  As for taking a year to level to max, I suppose if you are playing very little then fine but if you play even just a couple hours a day only an idiot couldn't take a toon to 16 inside the first month without much trouble.  This isn't necessarily a bad thing, it is just how the game is - so be it. 

 

But go on, twist reality to suit your fantasty,  After all, it isn't like this game laucnhed to tanking subs and widespread criticism for exactly what I have said here.  You and the other 15k or so other people, of which I am one for a month or so here and there when new content comes out, are clearly representative of how flawless DDO is because sub numbers teetering on extinction clearly indicates raging quality and genre redefining excellence.

Sarr

Originally posted by AgtSmith

Originally posted by Sarr

Originally posted by AgtSmith


DDO used to be a great 15 - 30 day game and Turbine has extended that to 30 - 60 days, beyond that though the repeated content still gets old fast as does teh lack of anything to do other than private questing.  I still think this game would have, or could have at least, been a raging success with a Guild Wars type free to play but buy the MODs type business model as it just is not the kind of game that fits a monthly sub.  Nevertheless, for a month or so here and there it can offer some great fun.

 

So tell me why I play around a year without much breaks, and I still didn't cap any character? If you grind and rush and zerg all the time, yes, you'll be bored with every game.

It's entirely normal in WoW to level up to 80 in less than a month or two. Not much varied content too. Comparing that to around 200 unique quests with traps and active environments in DDO, WoW should be free to play grind fest, right?

 

So you will just argue anything that is, what, not glowing and mindless praise of this game?  Jesus, get over it.  DDO is what it is, if you love it then great - but come on, this game went live with so little content it was really hard to believe it was sold as a pay to play MMO.  That has improved since launch but even now it is still an issues because unlike other MMOs the only thing to do is questing so content gets gobbled up quickly.  As for taking a year to level to max, I suppose if you are playing very little then fine but if you play even just a couple hours a day only an idiot couldn't take a toon to 16 inside the first month without much trouble.  This isn't necessarily a bad thing, it is just how the game is - so be it. 

 

But go on, twist reality to suit your fantasty,  After all, it isn't like this game laucnhed to tanking subs and widespread criticism for exactly what I have said here.  You and the other 15k or so other people, of which I am one for a month or so here and there when new content comes out, are clearly representative of how flawless DDO is because sub numbers teetering on extinction clearly indicates raging quality and genre redefining excellence.

 

Sorry, but for me you're twisting facts to match your pessimistic view of the world. Just face it. I'm not mindlessly praising anything, I speak my own opinion. And you write like you were talking about facts, but these are too only your opions. I'd like you to revise the way you're writing, or at least take a look at it again. You're making people mad, because there's no humble opinions from you, but very elitits looking posts, while many times it's just something not many others see like you do.

You tend to be really pessimistic and find details which in your posts sound like "game breaking", while in fact, often no one cares that much about them. There more major flaws in other games out there. So that's why it's hard to understand why you need to posts your negativity about the game, rather than just accepting that you have quite original tastes. Though, I think you expressed your opinions about some things enough for everybody to understand you, so maybe let it be that way.

No, we're not twisting facts, nor "yaying" for no reason, at least not me. I'm just letting people know there's such game like DDO, has these great sides, so go and try it for yourself. We all know that DDO suffered from a very rough start and isn't advertised very much, so I'm just letting people know there's that great game I love and chose above others from these and these reasons. I'm not creating their opinions, I don't ever lie too, I'm not doing anything unfair - just catching people's attention so they can try DDO for themselves. Then, they will go here and speak their minds, so if you're so convinced Agt. Smith DDO has major flaws you say it has for a fact, they must see it, right? So let them do it, let them talk about it.

I think you could just show more respect towards people who have different opionions, so they may show the same to you. Once written opinion it thread is there, no need to write it 5 times. You won't make people change their minds, as well as I won't you change your mind. We can't change each other, so let's try to accept it and get over it. Too much posts speaking the same in one thread just make you appear like a troll, and I see you can post more mature sometimes, so no need to puch too hard.

Yes, it's hard to accept someone with absolutely differnt way of thinking, but there's no other way around. Of course, if people are mature enough not to create pointless fights over and over. Maybe look from that perspective - don't bait them.

AgtSmith

Sorry - but if you are going to post suggesting that after a year of playing you are not at cap, implying that levelling in DDO takes that long under normal conditions, you are just not being honest.  I never player WoW so the comparison to WoW escapes me.  But I know DDO well enough to know your characterization was, at best, inaccurate.  DDO, even with all the additions since launch, is very light on content and this is a pretty much universally accepted criticism.  Perhaps you, and others, do not see it as a problem or do not mind the necessity to repeat content or the otherwise 'smallish' nature of DDO compared to other MMOs but that doesn't change the fact that DDO is that way.

Rokurgepta

Originally posted by AgtSmith


Sorry - but if you are going to post suggesting that after a year of playing you are not at cap, implying that levelling in DDO takes that long under normal conditions, you are just not being honest.  I never player WoW so the comparison to WoW escapes me.  But I know DDO well enough to know your characterization was, at best, inaccurate.  DDO, even with all the additions since launch, is very light on content and this is a pretty much universally accepted criticism.  Perhaps you, and others, do not see it as a problem or do not mind the necessity to repeat content or the otherwise 'smallish' nature of DDO compared to other MMOs but that doesn't change the fact that DDO is that way.

 

Why are you always accusing others of being dishonest? It is amazing to me that everytime people have a different view you call them a liar.

The first character you cap in DDO could take the average player a couple of months to cap. If you play very casually, and many do, it could take some a year to get there. People who have played a few characters and want to get through to high level can easily do it in a couple of weeks, but the first time you play people tend to go slow and see all there is to see.

mindspat

Originally posted by Rokurgepta


The first character you cap in DDO could take the average player a couple of months to cap. If you play very casually, and many do, it could take some a year to get there. People who have played a few characters and want to get through to high level can easily do it in a couple of weeks, but the first time you play people tend to go slow and see all there is to see.

Even those who play 3-5 times a week for a few hours per session are missing some content by the time they hit level 16 which creates some good replayability.  My main character has something like 15-20 quests that I personally have never experianced and I've been avoiding them until I have an alt at the appropriate level to experiance them.  I finally got my second character to level 16, not capped yet, and it took me about 10 months to do so, but I did play it casually as my main is a lot of fun to play. 

 

 

 

AgtSmith

Everyone is different in terms of how much they play and how they progress through such games, of this there is little doubt.  That being said, if you guys are going to suggest that DDO has ten months to a year of unrepeated content then you are, in fact, being dishinest.  Even the most casual of players will find repeating content a regular design element of the game, and at upper levels repeting content is the only game, 'endgame' as it where.  DDO has many strong suits, but plentiful content is not one of them as unlike allmost all other MMOs there is nothign to do in game other than quests and the very design of the game, even today with all the improvements since launch, is the idea of repeating content.

 

Suffice to say that while some players on one side of the casual/hardcore player spectrum may take months and months to reach cap while others on the opposite side of that spectrum may only take a couple weeks the bulk of players fall well in the middle.  The bulk of MMO players can easily get a character to max level and expereince the bulk of the content in 1 to 1 1/2 pay periods without much trouble. It is also fair to say that few will get to the cap without repeating content often as this is an underlying design concept and at upper levels that is even more true.

mindspat

every online game is designed around repurposed content, wether it be models of creatures or landscapes you will eventually repeat content and that is by design.  The challenge is how a developing studio is able to make that content fun, challenging, yet rewarding enough to cause the players to purposely and willfully seek others to repeat those areas and re-experiance the content they enjoy. 

I do not believe an average player in any MMO is going to play a year without repeating content and in fact suspect doing so is what's causing them to stick around.  The qualitive question of repeating content isn't "do you have to" but "is it fun to do so".  In many regards, repeating content in DDO is a hell of a lot of fun.  In fact, Turbine has poored resources into ensuring the content has the quality the player base would identify as being fun to repeat, arguably, and agreably, they don't succeeed at every single piece implemented; ie, Abbot and graveyard quests are least favorite.

My suspicion is most people who play DDO for "10 months to a year" are going to experiance a majority of the content while identifying personal favorites yet those who play but 2 hours a day 3 times a week might not. In fact, I have guild members who have been playing a year yet still have not experianced one of the most popular quests in the game, the Shroud.  As with favorite movies, books and games, we make a concisious decision to replay the experiance.  I've seen Star Wars (the original) too many times to count and Evil Dead 2 was replaced beacuse the VHS tape wore out over 8 years ago.  Obviously, this is a preference that I accept others might not share, but I suspect the chances of you having seen one of your favorite movies multiple times is very likely and quite realistic.

So, the real question becomes Is DDO's content challenging and fun enough that repeating it is rewarding?  My answer would be, A lot of it is yet much of it isn't and there are many quests I've not repeated and a good 15-20 that I've never done. 

Rokurgepta

Originally posted by mindspat


every online game is designed around repurposed content, wether it be models of creatures or landscapes you will eventually repeat content and that is by design.  The challenge is how a developing studio is able to make that content fun, challenging, yet rewarding enough to cause the players to purposely and willfully seek others to repeat those areas and re-experiance the content they enjoy. 
I do not believe an average player in any MMO is going to play a year without repeating content and in fact suspect doing so is what's causing them to stick around.  The qualitive question of repeating content isn't "do you have to" but "is it fun to do so".  In many regards, repeating content in DDO is a hell of a lot of fun.  In fact, Turbine has poored resources into ensuring the content has the quality the player base would identify as being fun to repeat, arguably, and agreably, they don't succeeed at every single piece implemented; ie, Abbot and graveyard quests are least favorite.
My suspicion is most people who play DDO for "10 months to a year" are going to experiance a majority of the content while identifying personal favorites yet those who play but 2 hours a day 3 times a week might not. In fact, I have guild members who have been playing a year yet still have not experianced one of the most popular quests in the game, the Shroud.  As with favorite movies, books and games, we make a concisious decision to replay the experiance.  I've seen Star Wars (the original) too many times to count and Evil Dead 2 was replaced beacuse the VHS tape wore out over 8 years ago.  Obviously, this is a preference that I accept others might not share, but I suspect the chances of you having seen one of your favorite movies multiple times is very likely and quite realistic.
So, the real question becomes Is DDO's content challenging and fun enough that repeating it is rewarding?  My answer would be, A lot of it is yet much of it isn't and there are many quests I've not repeated and a good 15-20 that I've never done. 

 

One of DDOs strongest points is that the quests are very well done and couple that with how different the quest will feel if you roll a new character old content can be enjoyable more than once. At higher levels where you tend to repeat more often content can get old relatively quickly and I think anyone at high level will agree with that.