Collector's Editions must be evil too, as they ALSO reward those that spend real world money by giving them exclusive in game items not available to those that did not spend the cash. I guess we are boycotting Aion too then, with their thinly disguised "real world cash for in game perks" Collector's Edition. See you all in Fallen Earth then!
Trying to compare a one time purchase to a company adding a standard device in game with addional items to be purchased on an ongoing basis doesn't really make much sense but whatever floats your boat.
I don't buy the collector's editions either but even if I did that's a one time transaction not something the company has set up to add items on an ongoing basis to the game that whether it's game related or cosmetic they expect you to spend additional money on.
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.
Collector's Editions must be evil too, as they ALSO reward those that spend real world money by giving them exclusive in game items not available to those that did not spend the cash. I guess we are boycotting Aion too then, with their thinly disguised "real world cash for in game perks" Collector's Edition. See you all in Fallen Earth then!
Trying to compare a one time purchase to a company adding a standard device in game with addional items to be purchased on an ongoing basis doesn't really make much sense but whatever floats your boat.
I don't buy the collector's editions either but even if I did that's a one time transaction not something the company has set up to add items on an ongoing basis to the game that whether it's game related or cosmetic they expect you to spend additional money on.
It's voluntary, so comparing the optional puchase of a CE edition to an optional purchase from a cash shop makes perfect sense - both can be easily avoided as neither is a requirement, and both provide benefit for the outlay of real world money. Not hard to grasp and compare.
In CO anything game affecting can also be attained for free through other means - the only exclusives are fluff and flair like costumes and useless pets. So in reality, that's even less concerning than CE's that offer in game items that *do* affect gameplay, things like early powers, or stat affecting jewelery, etc.... wouldn't you agree? I mean, if someone can actually trump you in stats and abilities with their cash purchase, that's much worse than someone having statless sparkly boots for their purchase IMO. Honestly, given the fact that it is just fluff... I doubt they are "expecting" everyone to make purchases from the store - most people avoid that shit like the plague even in F2P MMO's where the items *are* useful. It'll likely just be the hardcore comic book nerds/lifetime account holders/truly vain that fill the CO coffer's with "sparkly robe" purchases.
Well if I had to choose I would play Champions simply because its not fantasy and you can customize and play your character the way you want to. Other than the pretty graphics Aion has, I felt it was just more of the same we been having for the past 5+ years. Both games will do well but I think these 2 mmos are just fill ins until The Old Republic, Guild Wars 2 and Blizzard's next mmo.
honestly it think Champions is a supper hero game and alot of people ratehr play fantasy WoW sort of game..i personaly ***** hate clishe costumes and supper powers...ill stick with spells/magic thank u very mutch...to each his own obviosly. im trying to say u cant compare these 2 games its like comparing MO (o thats right Mortal Online its not even mentioned for some stupid reason) and Aion.
stop debating play what intrests u...i have my money on people care more for fantasy mmo setting (ok aion has no grind...at least it wont dut to fact that they are fixing it with more qests or whatnot...so less grind more stupid qests...i dont care grinding and stupid qests is like a path to the fun pvp system...whitch starts at lvl 25 or so...and thats like 4 days of casual play.
pick ure own stop arguing...CO is stupid with its money tho.....item shops and monthle fees lol...common.
Is there a source for this "no grind in Aion" thing? Last I heard, the game was quest heavy for the first @ 25 levels, but then each level after that relies more and more on grinding until late game it's pretty much all you are doing to level... Which is precisely why I'm avoiding it like the plague. Maybe some wiry Korean kid in Hong Kong likes to spend eight hours a day in the same spot killing the same thing over and over for that next elusive level, but it's not my thing. If they are indeed "fixing" it, what's the timeline? I'm guessing they aren't going to be able to populate that many quests before release?
Aion has been out already for--what?--maybe a year in Korea. Supposedly the Western launch will be with the latest patch from Korea, which is the big pve raid, pvp, and quest patch.
I would agree that on the surface, CO is more viscerally fun to play. However, since there's no death penalty really and the game is very solo friendly, I'd also say there's not much challenge either. So with CO, as with most games, ultimately it comes down to the end-game. Aion is built around its end-game (so I've read). Whereas CO is built around extremely customizable powers, costume, and character concepts; it's end-game is much less certain.
In fact, I think it would be fair to say that with Aion, it's all about the destination (heavy PvP), and with CO, it's all about the journey (with no real PvP).
Apply lemon juice and candle flame here to reveal secret message.
No, it doesn't. One is a perpetuating system existing in a game that will have items added to it on an ongoing basis that one could even argue those not paying for are still providing capital for those items to be worked on through their subscription. The other is a one time transaction so unless they're coming out with collector's editions every month or so with additional items on top of what was available in the ce before they aren't the same.
You're focused on the fact you get addiional items that isn't what the problem is for most folks. If it was a one time thing I doubt anyone would give a shit.
If you can't see the difference between the purchase of a collector's edition and dealing with an rmt model or cash shop regardless of whether its for cosmetic or gameplay powerups in a game not sure what to tell you. Yes, they both give you items and that is where the similarity between the two ends.
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.
honestly it think Champions is a supper hero game and alot of people ratehr play fantasy WoW sort of game..i personaly ***** hate clishe costumes and supper powers...ill stick with spells/magic thank u very mutch...to each his own obviosly. im trying to say u cant compare these 2 games its like comparing MO (o thats right Mortal Online its not even mentioned for some stupid reason) and Aion.
stop debating play what intrests u...i have my money on people care more for fantasy mmo setting (ok aion has no grind...at least it wont dut to fact that they are fixing it with more qests or whatnot...so less grind more stupid qests...i dont care grinding and stupid qests is like a path to the fun pvp system...whitch starts at lvl 25 or so...and thats like 4 days of casual play.
pick ure own stop arguing...CO is stupid with its money tho.....item shops and monthle fees lol...common.
Is there a source for this "no grind in Aion" thing? Last I heard, the game was quest heavy for the first @ 25 levels, but then each level after that relies more and more on grinding until late game it's pretty much all you are doing to level... Which is precisely why I'm avoiding it like the plague. Maybe some wiry Korean kid in Hong Kong likes to spend eight hours a day in the same spot killing the same thing over and over for that next elusive level, but it's not my thing. If they are indeed "fixing" it, what's the timeline? I'm guessing they aren't going to be able to populate that many quests before release?
Aion has been out already for--what?--maybe a year in Korea. Supposedly the Western launch will be with the latest patch from Korea, which is the big pve raid, pvp, and quest patch.
I would agree that on the surface, CO is more viscerally fun to play. However, since there's no death penalty really and the game is very solo friendly, I'd also say there's not much challenge either. So with CO, as with most games, ultimately it comes down to the end-game. Aion is built around its end-game (so I've read). Whereas CO is built around extremely customizable powers, costume, and character concepts; it's end-game is much less certain.
In fact, I think it would be fair to say that with Aion, it's all about the destination (heavy PvP), and with CO, it's all about the journey (with no real PvP).
Hot damn, I may have to rethink and order it. I was avoiding it because I refuse to grind - unless of course PvP gives Exp, I enjoy that and I'll grind PvP.
One thing that prevents me from even trying champions online is that it has a cash shop AND a monthly fee. No thanks. GL )))
When the dust settles Aion will still be the king.
The cash shop is not needed, it has stuff like server moves char name changes, these are normally not offered in game. However the costume pieces and such can ALL BE EARNED IN GAME, they are just in the cash shop for people who are impatient. So bascally only stuff in the cash shop you can't get for nothing ingame is the account things, server move etc..
Anyway back on topic, I';ve played Aion, and I can serously say that other than being pretty its your typical world of warcraft ripoff mmorpg with korean grind habits that put you to sleep playing it. No real char customization since every class gets all their skill. Really all Aion has going for it, is its pretty, gameplay wise its like lineage 2 ish grind+world of warcraft, which I found personally as a total letdown to the point I cancelled my preorder, and Put it on Champions online. I used my friends pre-order beta code to try it. But all and all I just was not impressed with Aion one bit, it felt to much like a "been there done that" mmorpg to me. Also yes I own CIty of Heroes/villians and to this date although it lacks real endgame content, its still one of the most fun mmorpgs i have ever played, Aion just wasn't fun it felt like a korean grinder masked with a WoW ripoff style to it.
Aion is one of those games that looks pretty in videos and screenshots but fails to deliver on the gameplay aspect, which is a issue with almost all korean devoloped mmorpgs.
Champions Online has fixed many of the problems that kept me from enjoying City of Heroes, but I think Aion is the better of the two. I actually disagree with Champions Online custimization being better. They just give you all your armor choices up front, but if you strip that all away every human face looks the same to me. Aion is way ahead of Champion in custimization.
Champions Tutorial sucks though and almost killed it for me. If I hadn't stuck it out until I got to the desert I probably would have gave up on it. I agree they do have some epic missions. It just bothers me that you have unlimited amount of chances to kill end bosses and they don't regenerate health. Basically anyone can solo them. Though maybe this changes later on in the game, I'm not that far into it.
Sigh. I'm so annoyed with all the people who blindly complain about the MT's in CO.
Now that I think about it, I'm glad that Cryptic made the announcement about MT's. That means all the cheap whiners won't be playing CO and ruining my gaming experience.
As for the topic, I'll be playing both and sticking with the one that suits me better...until the next big game comes along. There are so many options right now that it's making me indecisive. Plenty of older games to play too.
PvP is a big part of MMORPG gameplay for me, and based on Cryptic's history, I doubt PvP is ever going to be a strong component of CO. I hope they prove me wrong, but I'm not going to hold my breath.
Assuming CO is a good game (I'll find out on the 17th), I'm going to do the lifetime sub to it and a monthly sub to Aion. After the inital $200 bucks, it'll be like subbing to 1 game again, but I'll have more options for my spare time than ever before :]
Just to toss in my 2 cents, heres how I view the RMT in CO:
Buying the gamebox ~ Buying your car
Paying a monthly fee ~ Putting gas in your car and paying the insurance
Buying via RMT shop ~ Buying a new radio or getting a new paint job, etc
You dont expect the dealer to pay for your new radio whenever you want one, why is it such a big deal to pay a buck or two for something you want added to your game?
Also, if you dont want to spend the money in the RMT, you dont have to! Theyve stated that any items available through the cash shop will be available to be earned in game as well. All they are doing with the RMT in that case is offering you a choice -- spend the time in game to get the item, or spend a little cash out of game to do it. Choice is never a bad thing, IMHO. Bitch and moan about it all you like, you can still play it as if there was no RMT shop present at all, simply by NOT USING IT.
Now, if they start selling things there that ARENT available in game otherwise, then I will wholeheartedly agree that its not such a great idea, especially in any game that has any form of PvP.
One has RMT shop on top of a subscription. The other doesn't. Easy choice without knowing anything else about those two games.
If that's all the info someone needs about a game to determine if it's good or not, even disregarding how the RMT is going to work... well, I'd rather they didn't play the same games as me anyway. At *best* They will be that guy in global chat clogging up the line of communications with things like "how do I attack?" and "is a purple item better than a blue one?" At worst they will be the ones that have no idea how to play their class and get everyone wiped thanks to their negligence in learning anything about the game!
Champion online - dress in a tight latex suit and full-fill your dream to run around with little kids.
I get the latex suit comment, but where are you going with the little kids part? Are you saying that only kids like comic book super heroes? If so, you'd be very wrong. Just look at the box office sales for nearly any Marvel movie. Besides, I'd hate to believe that you think swords, magic, and monsters are any more adult than a super hero.
Champion online - dress in a tight latex suit and full-fill your dream to run around with little kids.
I get the latex suit comment, but where are you going with the little kids part? Are you saying that only kids like comic book super heroes? If so, you'd be very wrong. Just look at the box office sales for nearly any Marvel movie. Besides, I'd hate to believe that you think swords, magic, and monsters are any more adult than a super hero.
He doesn't care about swords and magic, he's in it for the fairies.
One has RMT shop on top of a subscription. The other doesn't. Easy choice without knowing anything else about those two games.
If that's all the info someone needs about a game to determine if it's good or not, even disregarding how the RMT is going to work... well, I'd rather they didn't play the same games as me anyway. At *best* They will be that guy in global chat clogging up the line of communications with things like "how do I attack?" and "is a purple item better than a blue one?" At worst they will be the ones that have no idea how to play their class and get everyone wiped thanks to their negligence in learning anything about the game!
You can justify paying for more for the same game any way you like. However, the way I see it:
Either this is a F2P quality game and they use the subscription to justify the marketing hype of a AAA title or,
This is a P2P game and they are over-charging their potential customer base, because they feel they can get away with it.
Either scenario does not bode well, whether you look at the game or its developers.
I find it hard to compare them as they are so different. Personally ive never been much of a comic or superhero person, im more interested in a good fantasy novel, a world where you can get lost in, not instant gratification with zomg powers.Maybe thats why i choose to pre order Aion. I havent played CO only Aion CB and im very happy with it. To me CO seems aimed at the kiddies market. Theres even a poll on the CO forum where a large majority of posters favour looks over gameplay!? Cmon do me a favour.
One has RMT shop on top of a subscription. The other doesn't. Easy choice without knowing anything else about those two games.
If that's all the info someone needs about a game to determine if it's good or not, even disregarding how the RMT is going to work... well, I'd rather they didn't play the same games as me anyway. At *best* They will be that guy in global chat clogging up the line of communications with things like "how do I attack?" and "is a purple item better than a blue one?" At worst they will be the ones that have no idea how to play their class and get everyone wiped thanks to their negligence in learning anything about the game!
You can justify paying for more for the same game any way you like. However, the way I see it:
Either this is a F2P quality game and they use the subscription to justify the marketing hype of a AAA title or,
This is a P2P game and they are over-charging their potential customer base, because they feel they can get away with it.
Either scenario does not bode well, whether you look at the game or its developers.
Or, they are pushing an envelope similar to the way WoW starting charging for character transfers and cosmetic redo's - because that's what the market will bear. Anyone that thinks MMO's were going to follow the "$50 for the game, $15/mo" pricing scheme forever was doomed to be disappointed. It's a business, if there is an opportunity to profit, it will be explored. With the rise in F2P MMO's, namely a few actually being polished enough to draw a player base, it was going to happen eventually.
As far as paying more for the same game, it doesn't really fit here since the RMT's are completely voluntary and anything worth having can be found in game for free. This does nothing but cater to the "gotta have it first" crowd without the patience to earn it through other means. It can be easily flipped to say that they are paying MORE for the same game - as the saying goes, a fool and his money are soon going broke in the RMT shop.
I find it hard to compare them as they are so different. Personally ive never been much of a comic or superhero person, im more interested in a good fantasy novel, a world where you can get lost in, not instant gratification with zomg powers.Maybe thats why i choose to pre order Aion. I havent played CO only Aion CB and im very happy with it. To me CO seems aimed at the kiddies market. Theres even a poll on the CO forum where a large majority of posters favour looks over gameplay!? Cmon do me a favour.
In most good fantasy novels, the main characters are usually a cut above the general populace with their zomg powers - be it touching the one source, attaining a magical ring, or being the bastard son of a god. The basic formula for a fantasy novel is the same whether the subjects are elves, superheroes, or space marines.
Well considering I've played both games I prefer CO. Aion was just too much of the same old same old for me, and to top it off WoW still does the same old same old better than anyone else.
I realise these are not directly comparable games, but being the big two MMOs due for imminent release, I thought I would throw in my 2c. Having tried both in Beta, and based on relatively early gameplay experience, all I can say (without breaking NDA) is that Champions knocks the socks off Aion for entertainment value. Why? Three reasons a) Customisation b) Travel Powers c) The sense of being badass from the get go. ....................... a) CO customisation wins on two levels. i)First, the character generator simply blows anything Aion can offer out of the water. Aion's is not bad as these things go, but CO really is stratospherically more varied. ii) The choice of powers on offer, the ability to mix and match, and find interesting combinations, offer a much more interesting early experience that Aion's one size fits all linear march up the tree. b) The travel powers are simply awesome. Anyone who played the CoX games knows this; the grand tradition continues, and it's just plain good fun. c) Aion has you using fairly limited powers gathering bananas and picking flowers for the first three hours. Yawn. CO - while not giving away any details - does a great job of making you feel like a mean supercharged mofo in a crazy world from the get-go.
And yet, Aion is being touted as the next big thing. So be it. I predict many Aion players getting bored, although the PVP system there has great potential, and I wish it the best. CO also has something against it - the instanced zones are not great for a sense of community. That said, it is just a great blast of good fun. I hope it gets what it deserves.
The MT is CO is the biggest turn off for me personally Mark, and thats a shame because I love superheroes and whatever as a genre. I know the debate about it all, and I don't mention it here to go over the same old points again and again (nothing anyone says is ever going to convince me that Pay to Achieve gaming is a good thing), but it IS a major barrier to me even trying this game out.
There is also the nagging doubt that CO looks, from what I have seen, to be all flash and bang with no substance. Just a cool looking mmo arcade game with a good character design system... Is there even basic crafting in this game? What else can i do except fight? I like something to do besides run missions constantly.
I was pretty sceptical about Aion until pretty recently when I saw that zerg movie and how well the game handled that many players on screen at once... I mean, I'm not a believer in the zerg, but that was pretty impressive and bodes well for mass battles in the abyss and after finding out that owning control points gains you access to dungeons etc has me sold enough to try it out. Can CO handle these kind of numbers at once? Is there any open zone meaningful PvP in CO even?
CO just looks very shallow to me, though I admit I havent read a stack about it in depth.
I realise these are not directly comparable games, but being the big two MMOs due for imminent release, I thought I would throw in my 2c. Having tried both in Beta, and based on relatively early gameplay experience, all I can say (without breaking NDA) is that Champions knocks the socks off Aion for entertainment value. Why? Three reasons a) Customisation b) Travel Powers c) The sense of being badass from the get go. ....................... a) CO customisation wins on two levels. i)First, the character generator simply blows anything Aion can offer out of the water. Aion's is not bad as these things go, but CO really is stratospherically more varied. ii) The choice of powers on offer, the ability to mix and match, and find interesting combinations, offer a much more interesting early experience that Aion's one size fits all linear march up the tree. b) The travel powers are simply awesome. Anyone who played the CoX games knows this; the grand tradition continues, and it's just plain good fun. c) Aion has you using fairly limited powers gathering bananas and picking flowers for the first three hours. Yawn. CO - while not giving away any details - does a great job of making you feel like a mean supercharged mofo in a crazy world from the get-go.
And yet, Aion is being touted as the next big thing. So be it. I predict many Aion players getting bored, although the PVP system there has great potential, and I wish it the best. CO also has something against it - the instanced zones are not great for a sense of community. That said, it is just a great blast of good fun. I hope it gets what it deserves.
The MT is CO is the biggest turn off for me personally Mark, and thats a shame because I love superheroes and whatever as a genre. I know the debate about it all, and I don't mention it here to go over the same old points again and again (nothing anyone says is ever going to convince me that Pay to Achieve gaming is a good thing), but it IS a major barrier to me even trying this game out.
There is also the nagging doubt that CO looks, from what I have seen, to be all flash and bang with no substance. Just a cool looking mmo arcade game with a good character design system... Is there even basic crafting in this game? What else can i do except fight? I like something to do besides run missions constantly.
I was pretty scetical about Aion until pretty recently when I saw that zerg movie and how well the game handled thta many players on screen at once... I mean, I'm not a believer in the zerg, but that was pretty impressive and bodes well for mass battles in the abyss and found out that owning control points gains you access to dungeons etc. Can CO handle these kind of numbers at once? Is there any open zone meaningful PvP in CO even?
CO just looks very shallow to me, though I admit I havent read a stack about it in depth.
Not trolling, just lookin for honest info.
Champions Online does have crafting, three professions that cover the typical comic book hero things - Science, Arms, and Mystic.
I'm going with Aion. I played the first 11 levels of Aion over a couple day period, and I was completely into it the whole time and it was fun. Champions Online I played until level 11 in a few hour period, plus a couple spent on character creation, and I was beginning to get bored after about the fourth or fifth quest.
The end of the tutorial with the Open Quest system a la WAR, and the final instance were pretty cool, though. But after that, it was back to normal.
The travel powers and the combat system are alright. THe combat system is a bit more action-oriented, click the same attack a few times and it gives you a string of different looking attacks for it in succession, while you press one key for an energy building attack which allows you the energy to do those other abilities - though it's still just a new take on auto attack + skill use. Not bad though. And like I said, lots of travel powers, very awesome.
Character creator is awesome too of course.
My cousin tried it too, and he's played CoX for however many years, since not long after it came out, and he says he doesn't like the artstyle, and nothing really pulls him in, and it just isn't enough to make him leave CoX.
I'm pretty sure he'll be playing Aion on the side with me, though, he just won't be giving up one super hero game to play another.
Comments
Trying to compare a one time purchase to a company adding a standard device in game with addional items to be purchased on an ongoing basis doesn't really make much sense but whatever floats your boat.
I don't buy the collector's editions either but even if I did that's a one time transaction not something the company has set up to add items on an ongoing basis to the game that whether it's game related or cosmetic they expect you to spend additional money on.
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.
Trying to compare a one time purchase to a company adding a standard device in game with addional items to be purchased on an ongoing basis doesn't really make much sense but whatever floats your boat.
I don't buy the collector's editions either but even if I did that's a one time transaction not something the company has set up to add items on an ongoing basis to the game that whether it's game related or cosmetic they expect you to spend additional money on.
It's voluntary, so comparing the optional puchase of a CE edition to an optional purchase from a cash shop makes perfect sense - both can be easily avoided as neither is a requirement, and both provide benefit for the outlay of real world money. Not hard to grasp and compare.
In CO anything game affecting can also be attained for free through other means - the only exclusives are fluff and flair like costumes and useless pets. So in reality, that's even less concerning than CE's that offer in game items that *do* affect gameplay, things like early powers, or stat affecting jewelery, etc.... wouldn't you agree? I mean, if someone can actually trump you in stats and abilities with their cash purchase, that's much worse than someone having statless sparkly boots for their purchase IMO. Honestly, given the fact that it is just fluff... I doubt they are "expecting" everyone to make purchases from the store - most people avoid that shit like the plague even in F2P MMO's where the items *are* useful. It'll likely just be the hardcore comic book nerds/lifetime account holders/truly vain that fill the CO coffer's with "sparkly robe" purchases.
Well if I had to choose I would play Champions simply because its not fantasy and you can customize and play your character the way you want to. Other than the pretty graphics Aion has, I felt it was just more of the same we been having for the past 5+ years. Both games will do well but I think these 2 mmos are just fill ins until The Old Republic, Guild Wars 2 and Blizzard's next mmo.
Is there a source for this "no grind in Aion" thing? Last I heard, the game was quest heavy for the first @ 25 levels, but then each level after that relies more and more on grinding until late game it's pretty much all you are doing to level... Which is precisely why I'm avoiding it like the plague. Maybe some wiry Korean kid in Hong Kong likes to spend eight hours a day in the same spot killing the same thing over and over for that next elusive level, but it's not my thing. If they are indeed "fixing" it, what's the timeline? I'm guessing they aren't going to be able to populate that many quests before release?
Aion has been out already for--what?--maybe a year in Korea. Supposedly the Western launch will be with the latest patch from Korea, which is the big pve raid, pvp, and quest patch.
I would agree that on the surface, CO is more viscerally fun to play. However, since there's no death penalty really and the game is very solo friendly, I'd also say there's not much challenge either. So with CO, as with most games, ultimately it comes down to the end-game. Aion is built around its end-game (so I've read). Whereas CO is built around extremely customizable powers, costume, and character concepts; it's end-game is much less certain.
In fact, I think it would be fair to say that with Aion, it's all about the destination (heavy PvP), and with CO, it's all about the journey (with no real PvP).
Apply lemon juice and candle flame here to reveal secret message.
No, it doesn't. One is a perpetuating system existing in a game that will have items added to it on an ongoing basis that one could even argue those not paying for are still providing capital for those items to be worked on through their subscription. The other is a one time transaction so unless they're coming out with collector's editions every month or so with additional items on top of what was available in the ce before they aren't the same.
You're focused on the fact you get addiional items that isn't what the problem is for most folks. If it was a one time thing I doubt anyone would give a shit.
If you can't see the difference between the purchase of a collector's edition and dealing with an rmt model or cash shop regardless of whether its for cosmetic or gameplay powerups in a game not sure what to tell you. Yes, they both give you items and that is where the similarity between the two ends.
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.
Is there a source for this "no grind in Aion" thing? Last I heard, the game was quest heavy for the first @ 25 levels, but then each level after that relies more and more on grinding until late game it's pretty much all you are doing to level... Which is precisely why I'm avoiding it like the plague. Maybe some wiry Korean kid in Hong Kong likes to spend eight hours a day in the same spot killing the same thing over and over for that next elusive level, but it's not my thing. If they are indeed "fixing" it, what's the timeline? I'm guessing they aren't going to be able to populate that many quests before release?
Aion has been out already for--what?--maybe a year in Korea. Supposedly the Western launch will be with the latest patch from Korea, which is the big pve raid, pvp, and quest patch.
I would agree that on the surface, CO is more viscerally fun to play. However, since there's no death penalty really and the game is very solo friendly, I'd also say there's not much challenge either. So with CO, as with most games, ultimately it comes down to the end-game. Aion is built around its end-game (so I've read). Whereas CO is built around extremely customizable powers, costume, and character concepts; it's end-game is much less certain.
In fact, I think it would be fair to say that with Aion, it's all about the destination (heavy PvP), and with CO, it's all about the journey (with no real PvP).
Hot damn, I may have to rethink and order it. I was avoiding it because I refuse to grind - unless of course PvP gives Exp, I enjoy that and I'll grind PvP.
The cash shop is not needed, it has stuff like server moves char name changes, these are normally not offered in game. However the costume pieces and such can ALL BE EARNED IN GAME, they are just in the cash shop for people who are impatient. So bascally only stuff in the cash shop you can't get for nothing ingame is the account things, server move etc..
Anyway back on topic, I';ve played Aion, and I can serously say that other than being pretty its your typical world of warcraft ripoff mmorpg with korean grind habits that put you to sleep playing it. No real char customization since every class gets all their skill. Really all Aion has going for it, is its pretty, gameplay wise its like lineage 2 ish grind+world of warcraft, which I found personally as a total letdown to the point I cancelled my preorder, and Put it on Champions online. I used my friends pre-order beta code to try it. But all and all I just was not impressed with Aion one bit, it felt to much like a "been there done that" mmorpg to me. Also yes I own CIty of Heroes/villians and to this date although it lacks real endgame content, its still one of the most fun mmorpgs i have ever played, Aion just wasn't fun it felt like a korean grinder masked with a WoW ripoff style to it.
Aion is one of those games that looks pretty in videos and screenshots but fails to deliver on the gameplay aspect, which is a issue with almost all korean devoloped mmorpgs.
One has RMT shop on top of a subscription. The other doesn't.
Easy choice without knowing anything else about those two games.
Champions Online has fixed many of the problems that kept me from enjoying City of Heroes, but I think Aion is the better of the two. I actually disagree with Champions Online custimization being better. They just give you all your armor choices up front, but if you strip that all away every human face looks the same to me. Aion is way ahead of Champion in custimization.
Champions Tutorial sucks though and almost killed it for me. If I hadn't stuck it out until I got to the desert I probably would have gave up on it. I agree they do have some epic missions. It just bothers me that you have unlimited amount of chances to kill end bosses and they don't regenerate health. Basically anyone can solo them. Though maybe this changes later on in the game, I'm not that far into it.
Sigh. I'm so annoyed with all the people who blindly complain about the MT's in CO.
Now that I think about it, I'm glad that Cryptic made the announcement about MT's. That means all the cheap whiners won't be playing CO and ruining my gaming experience.
As for the topic, I'll be playing both and sticking with the one that suits me better...until the next big game comes along. There are so many options right now that it's making me indecisive. Plenty of older games to play too.
PvP is a big part of MMORPG gameplay for me, and based on Cryptic's history, I doubt PvP is ever going to be a strong component of CO. I hope they prove me wrong, but I'm not going to hold my breath.
Assuming CO is a good game (I'll find out on the 17th), I'm going to do the lifetime sub to it and a monthly sub to Aion. After the inital $200 bucks, it'll be like subbing to 1 game again, but I'll have more options for my spare time than ever before :]
Just to toss in my 2 cents, heres how I view the RMT in CO:
Buying the gamebox ~ Buying your car
Paying a monthly fee ~ Putting gas in your car and paying the insurance
Buying via RMT shop ~ Buying a new radio or getting a new paint job, etc
You dont expect the dealer to pay for your new radio whenever you want one, why is it such a big deal to pay a buck or two for something you want added to your game?
Also, if you dont want to spend the money in the RMT, you dont have to! Theyve stated that any items available through the cash shop will be available to be earned in game as well. All they are doing with the RMT in that case is offering you a choice -- spend the time in game to get the item, or spend a little cash out of game to do it. Choice is never a bad thing, IMHO. Bitch and moan about it all you like, you can still play it as if there was no RMT shop present at all, simply by NOT USING IT.
Now, if they start selling things there that ARENT available in game otherwise, then I will wholeheartedly agree that its not such a great idea, especially in any game that has any form of PvP.
If that's all the info someone needs about a game to determine if it's good or not, even disregarding how the RMT is going to work... well, I'd rather they didn't play the same games as me anyway. At *best* They will be that guy in global chat clogging up the line of communications with things like "how do I attack?" and "is a purple item better than a blue one?" At worst they will be the ones that have no idea how to play their class and get everyone wiped thanks to their negligence in learning anything about the game!
Champion online - dress in a tight latex suit and full-fill your dream to run around with little kids.
Aion - What you play after masturbating to anime.
I get the latex suit comment, but where are you going with the little kids part? Are you saying that only kids like comic book super heroes? If so, you'd be very wrong. Just look at the box office sales for nearly any Marvel movie. Besides, I'd hate to believe that you think swords, magic, and monsters are any more adult than a super hero.
I get the latex suit comment, but where are you going with the little kids part? Are you saying that only kids like comic book super heroes? If so, you'd be very wrong. Just look at the box office sales for nearly any Marvel movie. Besides, I'd hate to believe that you think swords, magic, and monsters are any more adult than a super hero.
He doesn't care about swords and magic, he's in it for the fairies.
True story.
If that's all the info someone needs about a game to determine if it's good or not, even disregarding how the RMT is going to work... well, I'd rather they didn't play the same games as me anyway. At *best* They will be that guy in global chat clogging up the line of communications with things like "how do I attack?" and "is a purple item better than a blue one?" At worst they will be the ones that have no idea how to play their class and get everyone wiped thanks to their negligence in learning anything about the game!
You can justify paying for more for the same game any way you like. However, the way I see it:
Either scenario does not bode well, whether you look at the game or its developers.
I find it hard to compare them as they are so different. Personally ive never been much of a comic or superhero person, im more interested in a good fantasy novel, a world where you can get lost in, not instant gratification with zomg powers.Maybe thats why i choose to pre order Aion. I havent played CO only Aion CB and im very happy with it. To me CO seems aimed at the kiddies market. Theres even a poll on the CO forum where a large majority of posters favour looks over gameplay!? Cmon do me a favour.
If that's all the info someone needs about a game to determine if it's good or not, even disregarding how the RMT is going to work... well, I'd rather they didn't play the same games as me anyway. At *best* They will be that guy in global chat clogging up the line of communications with things like "how do I attack?" and "is a purple item better than a blue one?" At worst they will be the ones that have no idea how to play their class and get everyone wiped thanks to their negligence in learning anything about the game!
You can justify paying for more for the same game any way you like. However, the way I see it:
Either scenario does not bode well, whether you look at the game or its developers.
Or, they are pushing an envelope similar to the way WoW starting charging for character transfers and cosmetic redo's - because that's what the market will bear. Anyone that thinks MMO's were going to follow the "$50 for the game, $15/mo" pricing scheme forever was doomed to be disappointed. It's a business, if there is an opportunity to profit, it will be explored. With the rise in F2P MMO's, namely a few actually being polished enough to draw a player base, it was going to happen eventually.
As far as paying more for the same game, it doesn't really fit here since the RMT's are completely voluntary and anything worth having can be found in game for free. This does nothing but cater to the "gotta have it first" crowd without the patience to earn it through other means. It can be easily flipped to say that they are paying MORE for the same game - as the saying goes, a fool and his money are soon going broke in the RMT shop.
In most good fantasy novels, the main characters are usually a cut above the general populace with their zomg powers - be it touching the one source, attaining a magical ring, or being the bastard son of a god. The basic formula for a fantasy novel is the same whether the subjects are elves, superheroes, or space marines.
Well considering I've played both games I prefer CO. Aion was just too much of the same old same old for me, and to top it off WoW still does the same old same old better than anyone else.
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The MT is CO is the biggest turn off for me personally Mark, and thats a shame because I love superheroes and whatever as a genre. I know the debate about it all, and I don't mention it here to go over the same old points again and again (nothing anyone says is ever going to convince me that Pay to Achieve gaming is a good thing), but it IS a major barrier to me even trying this game out.
There is also the nagging doubt that CO looks, from what I have seen, to be all flash and bang with no substance. Just a cool looking mmo arcade game with a good character design system... Is there even basic crafting in this game? What else can i do except fight? I like something to do besides run missions constantly.
I was pretty sceptical about Aion until pretty recently when I saw that zerg movie and how well the game handled that many players on screen at once... I mean, I'm not a believer in the zerg, but that was pretty impressive and bodes well for mass battles in the abyss and after finding out that owning control points gains you access to dungeons etc has me sold enough to try it out. Can CO handle these kind of numbers at once? Is there any open zone meaningful PvP in CO even?
CO just looks very shallow to me, though I admit I havent read a stack about it in depth.
Not trolling, just lookin for honest info.
The MT is CO is the biggest turn off for me personally Mark, and thats a shame because I love superheroes and whatever as a genre. I know the debate about it all, and I don't mention it here to go over the same old points again and again (nothing anyone says is ever going to convince me that Pay to Achieve gaming is a good thing), but it IS a major barrier to me even trying this game out.
There is also the nagging doubt that CO looks, from what I have seen, to be all flash and bang with no substance. Just a cool looking mmo arcade game with a good character design system... Is there even basic crafting in this game? What else can i do except fight? I like something to do besides run missions constantly.
I was pretty scetical about Aion until pretty recently when I saw that zerg movie and how well the game handled thta many players on screen at once... I mean, I'm not a believer in the zerg, but that was pretty impressive and bodes well for mass battles in the abyss and found out that owning control points gains you access to dungeons etc. Can CO handle these kind of numbers at once? Is there any open zone meaningful PvP in CO even?
CO just looks very shallow to me, though I admit I havent read a stack about it in depth.
Not trolling, just lookin for honest info.
Champions Online does have crafting, three professions that cover the typical comic book hero things - Science, Arms, and Mystic.
I'm going with Aion. I played the first 11 levels of Aion over a couple day period, and I was completely into it the whole time and it was fun. Champions Online I played until level 11 in a few hour period, plus a couple spent on character creation, and I was beginning to get bored after about the fourth or fifth quest.
The end of the tutorial with the Open Quest system a la WAR, and the final instance were pretty cool, though. But after that, it was back to normal.
The travel powers and the combat system are alright. THe combat system is a bit more action-oriented, click the same attack a few times and it gives you a string of different looking attacks for it in succession, while you press one key for an energy building attack which allows you the energy to do those other abilities - though it's still just a new take on auto attack + skill use. Not bad though. And like I said, lots of travel powers, very awesome.
Character creator is awesome too of course.
My cousin tried it too, and he's played CoX for however many years, since not long after it came out, and he says he doesn't like the artstyle, and nothing really pulls him in, and it just isn't enough to make him leave CoX.
I'm pretty sure he'll be playing Aion on the side with me, though, he just won't be giving up one super hero game to play another.