It's easy. Players have time invested in WoW and would rather just keep playing characters they've nurtured for years than start all over in a game that is similar game play wise.
Why do you think all WoW players keep returning to WoW? Because the new games don't offer a totally different way of playing.
It's even easier than that. People can't wait to get away from WoW. Witness the pre-orders for AoC and Warhammer. They were huge because people were so desparate for a new game that they would try anything.
The reason people came back (or just quit, like me) is that those games completely sucked. Warhammer was completely unplayable. AoC is pretty, but boring. Wow wins by default.
Aion will possibly be different. There aren't as many pre-orders, people are understandably more careful these days after AoC And Warhammer bombed, but it offers solid gameplay and what looks like will be a fun community.
It's easy. Players have time invested in WoW and would rather just keep playing characters they've nurtured for years than start all over in a game that is similar game play wise.
Why do you think all WoW players keep returning to WoW? Because the new games don't offer a totally different way of playing.
It's even easier than that. People can't wait to get away from WoW. Witness the pre-orders for AoC and Warhammer. They were huge because people were so desparate for a new game that they would try anything.
The reason people came back (or just quit, like me) is that those games completely sucked. Warhammer was completely unplayable. AoC is pretty, but boring. Wow wins by default.
Aion will possibly be different. There aren't as many pre-orders, people are understandably more careful these days after AoC And Warhammer bombed, but it offers solid gameplay and what looks like will be a fun community.
How was Warhammer completely unplayable. I started in that game from day 1 and it was perfectly playable. Did it have problems? Of course, all games do. Both Warhammer and AoC still have a playerbase, just because you don't like them doesn't mean others have the same opinion.
About Aion's community, from what I've observed in the beta forums, aionsource, and in game it will have a terrible community, like almost all pvp games do.
How was Warhammer completely unplayable. I started in that game from day 1 and it was perfectly playable. Did it have problems? Of course, all games do. Both Warhammer and AoC still have a playerbase, just because you don't like them doesn't mean others have the same opinion. About Aion's community, from what I've observed in the beta forums, aionsource, and in game it will have a terrible community, like almost all pvp games do.
I don't want to change the subject here but warhammer's system requirements require 4mb or more of ram (64 bit vista system duo core 2.6 or more) to get the best performance as areas would just lag you to grief. For a lot of players with duo core 1.8 with 2mb ram had lots of issues with the game's performance. You have to upgrade your rig for warhammer. From that perspective, for many it was "unplayable." Many left the game and went back to wow simply because of that.
One of the funniest things I see on these reviews is people that say this... I have played wow for years and years... I have 7 lvl 80 characters and done every raid.... and playing this game, it is just more of the same... I will go back to playing wow .
Logic escapes these people. How on earth is a new storyline, a new world, angellic looking characters, new stories.. etc be less new... than doing exactly what you have done before a thousand times? (which btw IS by definition 'More of the same')
I am baffled. Did they expect the computer game to give them a handjob or something?
Its more the same based on gameplay not the story or world or graphics. Quest hubs? Check. Class based PvP? Check. theme park leveling grind? check. Rock, Paper, scissors PvP combat? Check. Equipment based PvP? Check.
That is what the "more of the same" comment means.
How was Warhammer completely unplayable. I started in that game from day 1 and it was perfectly playable. Did it have problems? Of course, all games do. Both Warhammer and AoC still have a playerbase, just because you don't like them doesn't mean others have the same opinion. About Aion's community, from what I've observed in the beta forums, aionsource, and in game it will have a terrible community, like almost all pvp games do.
I don't want to change the subject here but warhammer's system requirements require 4mb or more of ram (64 bit vista system duo core 2.6 or more) to get the best performance as areas would just lag you to grief. For a lot of players with duo core 1.8 with 2mb ram had lots of issues with the game's performance. You have to upgrade your rig for warhammer. From that perspective, for many it was "unplayable." Many left the game and went back to wow simply because of that.
Back on subject.
Fair enough. Warhammer's biggest failing was their game engine. While the graphics were slightly better than WoW the performance was a whole lot worse. If they could have used Aion's engine the game would be in a lot better shape now.
It's easy. Players have time invested in WoW and would rather just keep playing characters they've nurtured for years than start all over in a game that is similar game play wise.
Why do you think all WoW players keep returning to WoW? Because the new games don't offer a totally different way of playing.
It's even easier than that. People can't wait to get away from WoW. Witness the pre-orders for AoC and Warhammer. They were huge because people were so desparate for a new game that they would try anything.
The reason people came back (or just quit, like me) is that those games completely sucked. Warhammer was completely unplayable. AoC is pretty, but boring. Wow wins by default.
Aion will possibly be different. There aren't as many pre-orders, people are understandably more careful these days after AoC And Warhammer bombed, but it offers solid gameplay and what looks like will be a fun community.
no offense scodavis, but your logic is flawed. Saying the pre-orders of War and AoC shows that people can't wait to get away from WoW is extremely bad logic. Especially because the of the people that played the game. And yes I was in both, not to leave WoW but i got sucked in by the hype and wanted to check it out.
Also, AoC after level 20 was pretty much unplayable and War was the one that was just out and out boring. Also add that part of the problem with AoC was the player base. They really were about as low brow as you could get. My assumption was high school male nerd types because of the numbers of topless chicks with huge breasts running around, add that the game also for many became unplayable due to pissed off powergamers who basically had nothing better to do than to camp lowbies areas and spawn points. Sure jump to another instance of hte same zone, but typically there were only 2 and as thus when you did, you were followed and ganked right away. Thus the choice was to log off. And soon that became perma-logs.
You are correct though that consumers will be more hesitant with Aion and should be for the simple reason of the epic fails of AoC and War.
I for one will definitely wait to see how the game progresses and see if it is worth playing. It might be strange to say this, but Cataclysm might make or break WoW. They are showing massive changes to the game, the game world, and game play. if they fail, Aion could easily pick up the pieces of it promises to be a decent alternative.
It's easy. Players have time invested in WoW and would rather just keep playing characters they've nurtured for years than start all over in a game that is similar game play wise.
Why do you think all WoW players keep returning to WoW? Because the new games don't offer a totally different way of playing.
It's even easier than that. People can't wait to get away from WoW. Witness the pre-orders for AoC and Warhammer. They were huge because people were so desparate for a new game that they would try anything.
The reason people came back (or just quit, like me) is that those games completely sucked. Warhammer was completely unplayable. AoC is pretty, but boring. Wow wins by default.
Aion will possibly be different. There aren't as many pre-orders, people are understandably more careful these days after AoC And Warhammer bombed, but it offers solid gameplay and what looks like will be a fun community.
no offense scodavis, but your logic is flawed. Saying the pre-orders of War and AoC shows that people can't wait to get away from WoW is extremely bad logic. Especially because the of the people that played the game. And yes I was in both, not to leave WoW but i got sucked in by the hype and wanted to check it out.
Also, AoC after level 20 was pretty much unplayable and War was the one that was just out and out boring. Also add that part of the problem with AoC was the player base. They really were about as low brow as you could get. My assumption was high school male nerd types because of the numbers of topless chicks with huge breasts running around, add that the game also for many became unplayable due to pissed off powergamers who basically had nothing better to do than to camp lowbies areas and spawn points. Sure jump to another instance of hte same zone, but typically there were only 2 and as thus when you did, you were followed and ganked right away. Thus the choice was to log off. And soon that became perma-logs.
You are correct though that consumers will be more hesitant with Aion and should be for the simple reason of the epic fails of AoC and War.
I for one will definitely wait to see how the game progresses and see if it is worth playing. It might be strange to say this, but Cataclysm might make or break WoW. They are showing massive changes to the game, the game world, and game play. if they fail, Aion could easily pick up the pieces of it promises to be a decent alternative.
NCsoft is a professional MMO designer, they've learned for many mistakes and support all types of gameplay. Aion will be successful, probably not in EU and NA.
The handjob thing is kind of like the Duck Hunt gun for NES except USB, altho I heard a rumor the next version would be Bluetooth. Comes with the Korean-only collector's edition.
The handjob thing is kind of like the Duck Hunt gun for NES except USB, altho I heard a rumor the next version would be Bluetooth. Comes with the Korean-only collector's edition.
LOL! Handjobs? ever get a handjob? It's like someone else brushing your own teeth. You will always do it better yourself.
Now if they developed a BJ program, sign me up for the beta.
@ Benaiah21: I'll take an alternative any day. The problem is there are lot's of mmos but none besides wow I wanted to play (I also love KoDC but that's another subject). Aion may be the nice welcome I've been looking for.
I'm a little excited about Aion now. I just want another mmo I can perhaps come back to as warhammer, lotro and aoc will never get my money again. I tried so hard to love those games.
@ Benaiah21: I'll take an alternative any day. The problem is there are lot's of mmos but none besides wow I wanted to play (I also love KoDC but that's another subject). Aion may be the nice welcome I've been looking for. I'm a little excited about Aion now. I just want another mmo I can perhaps come back to as warhammer, lotro and aoc will never get my money again. I tried so hard to love those games.
Those three game sucked badly, it is terrible that you try to get to like a game, but when the bordom gets so umbarable, you just cannot play the game anymore. It just sucks.
Aion, let's hope it'll keep my interest, and if it doesn't...then it'll be on the list of failed mmos.
lol. These threads are quite funny. I'm actually considering buying Aion this month simply because of the drama . I don't have any hopes for this game to last, but I'll still attempt to have my fun out of it. Getting wings at level 10 may seem fun for a while... but only for a while. The truth is, Aion will make it's money at first but only at first. Unless there is something the world is missing that is found in Aion, players won't stick around, even the ones that are defending Aion right now. I've been in the warhammer, lotro "hope for a brighter day" group. I've played enough mmos to know that Aion isn't the next best thing. Aion is what is to make NCsoft it's money before Guild Wars 2 comes out. Understand the business aspect. Guild Wars 2 may be the next big contender and if so, then ask yourself, "what will become of Aion?" The same company is publishing these games. lol
Boardwalker you make it seem as if people who are skeptical about Aion are morons. Intelligent individuals ask questions. My perspective is based upon a game I was not considering playing at all. Based upon previous game experience I have every right to pre-judge a game that did not provide enough information to make we want to play it. It's almost as if you are saying "Everyone who isn't interested in Aion and hadn't played it is an idiot. Play the game NOW or be stupid forever." lol
NCsoft is making it's money from Aion before Guild Wars 2 comes out and that says a lot about what they expect from Aion. Two games in the same genre under the same company can not compete with one another. It seems as if this company knows that Aion may die out in the US/Europe based market and they want to squeeze everything they can out of us before Guild Wars 2 comes out. My opinion.
You can buy the game and enjoy it now but I have no long term hope for the game at all.
This is a very big gap in logic.
Where to begin. Lets first start with you saying Aion has no lasting appeal because you have seen Lotro and Warhammer. two entirely different games that have nothing to do with Aion.
How do we know Aion has quite some lasting appeal to a lot of people? Because the game has already been released in Asia for a year now and still continues to do extremely well while Warhammer (Lotro is doing fine) and Age of Conan had an instant decline within months.
Two games in the same genre do not equal 2 games directly competing with each other. Before Guild Wars was released, NCsoft was already hosting Lineage 2. Did that game suddenly drop in subscribers? No, it didn't.
I might be wrong on this, but GW2 is going to be free to play too isn't it? so there is not alot of compition between it and Aion, if thats the case, cause well you can play both for the same amount of money each month, and i thought I read somewhere that they were going to be doing some kind of cross promotional deal, between the too games.
Lot of work for something they plan on having cannibalizing itself.
lol. These threads are quite funny. I'm actually considering buying Aion this month simply because of the drama . I don't have any hopes for this game to last, but I'll still attempt to have my fun out of it. Getting wings at level 10 may seem fun for a while... but only for a while. The truth is, Aion will make it's money at first but only at first. Unless there is something the world is missing that is found in Aion, players won't stick around, even the ones that are defending Aion right now. I've been in the warhammer, lotro "hope for a brighter day" group. I've played enough mmos to know that Aion isn't the next best thing. Aion is what is to make NCsoft it's money before Guild Wars 2 comes out. Understand the business aspect. Guild Wars 2 may be the next big contender and if so, then ask yourself, "what will become of Aion?" The same company is publishing these games. lol
Boardwalker you make it seem as if people who are skeptical about Aion are morons. Intelligent individuals ask questions. My perspective is based upon a game I was not considering playing at all. Based upon previous game experience I have every right to pre-judge a game that did not provide enough information to make we want to play it. It's almost as if you are saying "Everyone who isn't interested in Aion and hadn't played it is an idiot. Play the game NOW or be stupid forever." lol
NCsoft is making it's money from Aion before Guild Wars 2 comes out and that says a lot about what they expect from Aion. Two games in the same genre under the same company can not compete with one another. It seems as if this company knows that Aion may die out in the US/Europe based market and they want to squeeze everything they can out of us before Guild Wars 2 comes out. My opinion.
You can buy the game and enjoy it now but I have no long term hope for the game at all.
This is a very big gap in logic.
Where to begin. Lets first start with you saying Aion has no lasting appeal because you have seen Lotro and Warhammer. two entirely different games that have nothing to do with Aion.
How do we know Aion has quite some lasting appeal to a lot of people? Because the game has already been released in Asia for a year now and still continues to do extremely well while Warhammer (Lotro is doing fine) and Age of Conan had an instant decline within months.
Two games in the same genre do not equal 2 games directly competing with each other. Before Guild Wars was released, NCsoft was already hosting Lineage 2. Did that game suddenly drop in subscribers? No, it didn't.
A valid point indeed, Aion's subscriber base is over a milion right now. Hmm, Aion failed? Nope. Aion going to fail? No waaaaaaaay, if it fails in the EU/NA/AU region, ok...but nevertheless, it has earned its respect in Asia and therefore will be successful for many years to come. One reason why I'm switching to Aion, guaranteed success from a guaranteed MMO maker with a great track record for producing quality MMOs.
I can only speak for myself but I wanted something different to play.
I've already played MMOs for near 12+ years, I've done the themepark mmos to death.
When I log into a game it doesn't matter if my character looks ultra realistic or looks like something off of cartoon network.
If the game is a quest stacker leading me from zone to zone until I reach some endgame raiding meta game It bores me to tears.
I open that quest log with 15-20+ quests and just feel like i've done it all before.
Around two years ago I left WoW and found Eve Online. This game didn't have a generic Interface, didn't have that stupid minimap in the upper right corner and didn't even have walking avatars. I was a freaking spaceship in a universe that wanted to blow me to bits 23/7. It felt new and I've been playing ever since.
That's what I needed at the time, I needed a game that was so radically different that I wasn't reminded of games like WoW or EQ.
I think alot of the WoW refugees are looking for a similar experience, something that wont make them think they've done all of this before.
Now to the Aion fans do you really think Aion gives them that feeling of something totally new and different?
Guild Wars 2 isn't F2P Guild Wars isn't even F2P. It will be a one time payment model with expansions you can purchase later if no subcribtions are added. F2P means item mall and Guild Wars 2 would fail as a F2P game especially if Guild Wars is still a one time payment based game.
Look at dungeons and dragons. I'm only hoping that if Aion doesn't meet the desired expectations in sales, that they do not reduce the game to F2P and then push Guild Wars 2 as their mmo savior. I can not fully assume what NCsoft will do but when you have so many contingency plans, some game will suffer at the end of the day.
Guild Wars 2 isn't F2P Guild Wars isn't even F2P. It will be a one time payment model with expansions you can purchase later if no subcribtions are added. F2P means item mall and Guilds Wars 2 would fail as a F2P game especially if Guild Wars is still a one time payment based game. Look at dungeons and dragons. I'm only hoping that if Aion doesn't meet the desired expectations in sales, that they do not reduce the game to F2P and then push Guild Wars 2 as their mmo savior. I can not fully assume what NCsoft will do but when you have so many contingency plans, some game will suffer at the end of the day.
Kinda like LOTRO with the lifetime subscription fee. In that case, Guild Wars has to create expansions to generate more revenue since they cannot with subscriber bases.
I can only speak for myself but I wanted something different to play.
I've already played MMOs for near 12+ years, I've done the themepark mmos to death.
When I log into a game it doesn't matter if my character looks ultra realistic or looks like something off of cartoon network.
If the game is a quest stacker leading me from zone to zone until I reach some endgame raiding meta game It bores me to tears.
I open that quest log with 15-20+ quests and just feel like i've done it all before.
Around two years ago I left WoW and found Eve Online. This game didn't have a generic Interface, didn't have that stupid minimap in the upper right corner and didn't even have walking avatars. I was a freaking spaceship in a universe that wanted to blow me to bits 23/7. It felt new and I've been playing ever since.
That's what I needed at the time, I needed a game that was so radically different that I wasn't reminded of games like WoW or EQ.
I think alot of the WoW refugees are looking for a similar experience, something that wont make them think they've done all of this before.
Now to the Aion fans do you really think Aion gives them that feeling of something totally new and different?
No it don't, and most of the fans of Aion don't want that vast difference, there are alot of subtle differences in the game that make us excited. Its not that we want something completely different, we just want a different backdrop man, after you get all the achievements and gear in wow, you still like the concept of the game, but that particular game is worn out.
Its the same complex that FPS players have, after you learn all the maps and unlock all the weapons, its not that your done with FPS in gereneral, your just done with that one, and you want to move on to the next one, start all over, unlock more levels and weapons, even if they are just like the ones in the previous game.
I'm not saying your wrong either, EVE really is an awesome game, my problem is it too closely resembles real life to me, you log on, you work for your isk, then you buy stuff, and eventually you try to through your weight around, and either make more, or fall, and start all over again, and you need insurance, a good health plan, there are freaking bills, nah man, awesome game, just not for me.
Now to the Aion fans do you really think Aion gives them that feeling of something totally new and different?
No. But who is claiming that? Not anyone that I have read here.
Aion is a solid, pvp-based MMO that uses proven (and familiar) mechanics to immerse players in a new, fictional world. People who look for something more than that are a victim of overblown expectations.
Like many MMO'ers who have played in the genre for a significant length of time, you are burned out on the mechanics of these types of games. You will find nothing in Aion to fix this burnout--that is something you'll have to come to terms with on your own. I suggest sticking with EVE, or playing console games to help "refresh" yourself.
I've been playing computer games for 29 years, and MMOs for the past 10+, and maybe I am fortunate in the sense that I can approach a new MMO with an open mind and the ability to immerse myself in its lore without carrying the loads of jaded baggage that other gamers carry with them like iron weights.
They can adjust a game all day, but they can't help the issue between the keyboard and the chair. Played: UO, DAoC, AC, WoW, EVE, TR, WAR, Aion, Rift, SWTOR, GW2, TSW, ESO, Elite:D Play EVE for free for 21 days
I can only speak for myself but I wanted something different to play.
I've already played MMOs for near 12+ years, I've done the themepark mmos to death.
When I log into a game it doesn't matter if my character looks ultra realistic or looks like something off of cartoon network.
If the game is a quest stacker leading me from zone to zone until I reach some endgame raiding meta game It bores me to tears.
I open that quest log with 15-20+ quests and just feel like i've done it all before.
Around two years ago I left WoW and found Eve Online. This game didn't have a generic Interface, didn't have that stupid minimap in the upper right corner and didn't even have walking avatars. I was a freaking spaceship in a universe that wanted to blow me to bits 23/7. It felt new and I've been playing ever since.
That's what I needed at the time, I needed a game that was so radically different that I wasn't reminded of games like WoW or EQ.
I think alot of the WoW refugees are looking for a similar experience, something that wont make them think they've done all of this before.
Now to the Aion fans do you really think Aion gives them that feeling of something totally new and different?
No it don't, and most of the fans of Aion don't want that vast difference, there are alot of subtle differences in the game that make us excited. Its not that we want something completely different, we just want a different backdrop man, after you get all the achievements and gear in wow, you still like the concept of the game, but that particular game is worn out.
Its the same complex that FPS players have, after you learn all the maps and unlock all the weapons, its not that your done with FPS in gereneral, your just done with that one, and you want to move on to the next one, start all over, unlock more levels and weapons, even if they are just like the ones in the previous game.
I'm not saying your wrong either, EVE really is an awesome game, my problem is it too closely resembles real life to me, you log on, you work for your isk, then you buy stuff, and eventually you try to through your weight around, and either make more, or fall, and start all over again, and you need insurance, a good health plan, there are freaking bills, nah man, awesome game, just not for me.
Maybe you aren't to the point of needing a totally different experience? I've been playing these games for a long time.
I wasn't really promoting Eve just saying that it happened to be the game that changed everything for me.
Maybe you just have a higher tolerance for these types of games but for me, characters with wings and some random pvp wont mask the fact that this game at it's core is a quest stacker and gear centric game.
Maybe one day you will feel the way I do, maybe you wont but if you ever do. You will understand.
Why else would I play sandbox games with less that 15k Subs (DF,Ryzom)? Or a game with spaceships as my avatar? Because sooner or later you get tired of the same basic gameplay.
Now to the Aion fans do you really think Aion gives them that feeling of something totally new and different?
No. But who is claiming that? Not anyone that I have read here.
In the OP it asks why people claim Aion is the same old, same old. It's simple because at its core its the same shit we've been playing since EQ or WoW depending on when you first started mmos.
Is that bad? Yes, if you're tired of the same formula thats been used for years.
Now to the Aion fans do you really think Aion gives them that feeling of something totally new and different?
No. But who is claiming that? Not anyone that I have read here.
Aion is a solid, pvp-based MMO that uses proven (and familiar) mechanics to immerse players in a new, fictional world. People who look for something more than that are a victim of overblown expectations.
Like many MMO'ers who have played in the genre for a significant length of time, you are burned out on the mechanics of these types of games. You will find nothing in Aion to fix this burnout--that is something you'll have to come to terms with on your own. I suggest sticking with EVE, or playing console games to help "refresh" yourself.
I've been playing computer games for 29 years, and MMOs for the past 10+, and maybe I am fortunate in the sense that I can approach a new MMO with an open mind and the ability to immerse myself in its lore without carrying the loads of jaded baggage that other gamers carry with them like iron weights.
Nice, so I see you're an MMO vet and an Aion fan. Although the grind is pretty steep and most people can get burned out, realize there is motivation...the motivation is the fact that yes, we have solid PvP, and it isn't much of a chance from WoW, but at least the story and the elements are a bit different.
And, fortunately, I've been playing MMOs since 2003 and never really got burned out from MMOs in general. I grinded and grided in FFXI to level cap and played that for a bit, but have never really spent too much time in an MMOs.
I can only speak for myself but I wanted something different to play.
I've already played MMOs for near 12+ years, I've done the themepark mmos to death.
When I log into a game it doesn't matter if my character looks ultra realistic or looks like something off of cartoon network.
If the game is a quest stacker leading me from zone to zone until I reach some endgame raiding meta game It bores me to tears.
I open that quest log with 15-20+ quests and just feel like i've done it all before.
Around two years ago I left WoW and found Eve Online. This game didn't have a generic Interface, didn't have that stupid minimap in the upper right corner and didn't even have walking avatars. I was a freaking spaceship in a universe that wanted to blow me to bits 23/7. It felt new and I've been playing ever since.
That's what I needed at the time, I needed a game that was so radically different that I wasn't reminded of games like WoW or EQ.
I think alot of the WoW refugees are looking for a similar experience, something that wont make them think they've done all of this before.
Now to the Aion fans do you really think Aion gives them that feeling of something totally new and different?
I don't think Aion will give them the feeling like they are playing a game that reinvented the wheel. No. but I don't think thats something WoW players are looking for. You have been playing these games for 12+ years now, but how many WoW players have played that long? Not that many i presume.
If WoW players were really looking for something totally different, why didn't they move to games like EVE, Auto Assault, Tabula Rasa or City of Heroes? 2 out of the 4 games I mentioned who dared to do something different are now gone. Jumpspace is also an upcomming game and look how little hype there is for it. It's nowhere near the hype Aion, Warhammer and Lotro have received and those are all traditional mmorpg games.
Comments
It's easy. Players have time invested in WoW and would rather just keep playing characters they've nurtured for years than start all over in a game that is similar game play wise.
Why do you think all WoW players keep returning to WoW? Because the new games don't offer a totally different way of playing.
It's even easier than that. People can't wait to get away from WoW. Witness the pre-orders for AoC and Warhammer. They were huge because people were so desparate for a new game that they would try anything.
The reason people came back (or just quit, like me) is that those games completely sucked. Warhammer was completely unplayable. AoC is pretty, but boring. Wow wins by default.
Aion will possibly be different. There aren't as many pre-orders, people are understandably more careful these days after AoC And Warhammer bombed, but it offers solid gameplay and what looks like will be a fun community.
It's easy. Players have time invested in WoW and would rather just keep playing characters they've nurtured for years than start all over in a game that is similar game play wise.
Why do you think all WoW players keep returning to WoW? Because the new games don't offer a totally different way of playing.
It's even easier than that. People can't wait to get away from WoW. Witness the pre-orders for AoC and Warhammer. They were huge because people were so desparate for a new game that they would try anything.
The reason people came back (or just quit, like me) is that those games completely sucked. Warhammer was completely unplayable. AoC is pretty, but boring. Wow wins by default.
Aion will possibly be different. There aren't as many pre-orders, people are understandably more careful these days after AoC And Warhammer bombed, but it offers solid gameplay and what looks like will be a fun community.
I can't even add a word to this, you said it all.
How was Warhammer completely unplayable. I started in that game from day 1 and it was perfectly playable. Did it have problems? Of course, all games do. Both Warhammer and AoC still have a playerbase, just because you don't like them doesn't mean others have the same opinion.
About Aion's community, from what I've observed in the beta forums, aionsource, and in game it will have a terrible community, like almost all pvp games do.
I'd probably pay over the standard $14.99/month for that game.
I don't want to change the subject here but warhammer's system requirements require 4mb or more of ram (64 bit vista system duo core 2.6 or more) to get the best performance as areas would just lag you to grief. For a lot of players with duo core 1.8 with 2mb ram had lots of issues with the game's performance. You have to upgrade your rig for warhammer. From that perspective, for many it was "unplayable." Many left the game and went back to wow simply because of that.
Back on subject.
Its more the same based on gameplay not the story or world or graphics. Quest hubs? Check. Class based PvP? Check. theme park leveling grind? check. Rock, Paper, scissors PvP combat? Check. Equipment based PvP? Check.
That is what the "more of the same" comment means.
You need a lession in logic it seems.
Sooner or Later
I don't want to change the subject here but warhammer's system requirements require 4mb or more of ram (64 bit vista system duo core 2.6 or more) to get the best performance as areas would just lag you to grief. For a lot of players with duo core 1.8 with 2mb ram had lots of issues with the game's performance. You have to upgrade your rig for warhammer. From that perspective, for many it was "unplayable." Many left the game and went back to wow simply because of that.
Back on subject.
Fair enough. Warhammer's biggest failing was their game engine. While the graphics were slightly better than WoW the performance was a whole lot worse. If they could have used Aion's engine the game would be in a lot better shape now.
It's easy. Players have time invested in WoW and would rather just keep playing characters they've nurtured for years than start all over in a game that is similar game play wise.
Why do you think all WoW players keep returning to WoW? Because the new games don't offer a totally different way of playing.
It's even easier than that. People can't wait to get away from WoW. Witness the pre-orders for AoC and Warhammer. They were huge because people were so desparate for a new game that they would try anything.
The reason people came back (or just quit, like me) is that those games completely sucked. Warhammer was completely unplayable. AoC is pretty, but boring. Wow wins by default.
Aion will possibly be different. There aren't as many pre-orders, people are understandably more careful these days after AoC And Warhammer bombed, but it offers solid gameplay and what looks like will be a fun community.
no offense scodavis, but your logic is flawed. Saying the pre-orders of War and AoC shows that people can't wait to get away from WoW is extremely bad logic. Especially because the of the people that played the game. And yes I was in both, not to leave WoW but i got sucked in by the hype and wanted to check it out.
Also, AoC after level 20 was pretty much unplayable and War was the one that was just out and out boring. Also add that part of the problem with AoC was the player base. They really were about as low brow as you could get. My assumption was high school male nerd types because of the numbers of topless chicks with huge breasts running around, add that the game also for many became unplayable due to pissed off powergamers who basically had nothing better to do than to camp lowbies areas and spawn points. Sure jump to another instance of hte same zone, but typically there were only 2 and as thus when you did, you were followed and ganked right away. Thus the choice was to log off. And soon that became perma-logs.
You are correct though that consumers will be more hesitant with Aion and should be for the simple reason of the epic fails of AoC and War.
I for one will definitely wait to see how the game progresses and see if it is worth playing. It might be strange to say this, but Cataclysm might make or break WoW. They are showing massive changes to the game, the game world, and game play. if they fail, Aion could easily pick up the pieces of it promises to be a decent alternative.
It's easy. Players have time invested in WoW and would rather just keep playing characters they've nurtured for years than start all over in a game that is similar game play wise.
Why do you think all WoW players keep returning to WoW? Because the new games don't offer a totally different way of playing.
It's even easier than that. People can't wait to get away from WoW. Witness the pre-orders for AoC and Warhammer. They were huge because people were so desparate for a new game that they would try anything.
The reason people came back (or just quit, like me) is that those games completely sucked. Warhammer was completely unplayable. AoC is pretty, but boring. Wow wins by default.
Aion will possibly be different. There aren't as many pre-orders, people are understandably more careful these days after AoC And Warhammer bombed, but it offers solid gameplay and what looks like will be a fun community.
no offense scodavis, but your logic is flawed. Saying the pre-orders of War and AoC shows that people can't wait to get away from WoW is extremely bad logic. Especially because the of the people that played the game. And yes I was in both, not to leave WoW but i got sucked in by the hype and wanted to check it out.
Also, AoC after level 20 was pretty much unplayable and War was the one that was just out and out boring. Also add that part of the problem with AoC was the player base. They really were about as low brow as you could get. My assumption was high school male nerd types because of the numbers of topless chicks with huge breasts running around, add that the game also for many became unplayable due to pissed off powergamers who basically had nothing better to do than to camp lowbies areas and spawn points. Sure jump to another instance of hte same zone, but typically there were only 2 and as thus when you did, you were followed and ganked right away. Thus the choice was to log off. And soon that became perma-logs.
You are correct though that consumers will be more hesitant with Aion and should be for the simple reason of the epic fails of AoC and War.
I for one will definitely wait to see how the game progresses and see if it is worth playing. It might be strange to say this, but Cataclysm might make or break WoW. They are showing massive changes to the game, the game world, and game play. if they fail, Aion could easily pick up the pieces of it promises to be a decent alternative.
NCsoft is a professional MMO designer, they've learned for many mistakes and support all types of gameplay. Aion will be successful, probably not in EU and NA.
The handjob thing is kind of like the Duck Hunt gun for NES except USB, altho I heard a rumor the next version would be Bluetooth. Comes with the Korean-only collector's edition.
LOL! Handjobs? ever get a handjob? It's like someone else brushing your own teeth. You will always do it better yourself.
Now if they developed a BJ program, sign me up for the beta.
PLaying: EvE, Ryzom
Waiting For: Earthrise, Perpetuum
@ Benaiah21: I'll take an alternative any day. The problem is there are lot's of mmos but none besides wow I wanted to play (I also love KoDC but that's another subject). Aion may be the nice welcome I've been looking for.
I'm a little excited about Aion now. I just want another mmo I can perhaps come back to as warhammer, lotro and aoc will never get my money again. I tried so hard to love those games.
Those three game sucked badly, it is terrible that you try to get to like a game, but when the bordom gets so umbarable, you just cannot play the game anymore. It just sucks.
Aion, let's hope it'll keep my interest, and if it doesn't...then it'll be on the list of failed mmos.
Boardwalker you make it seem as if people who are skeptical about Aion are morons. Intelligent individuals ask questions. My perspective is based upon a game I was not considering playing at all. Based upon previous game experience I have every right to pre-judge a game that did not provide enough information to make we want to play it. It's almost as if you are saying "Everyone who isn't interested in Aion and hadn't played it is an idiot. Play the game NOW or be stupid forever." lol
NCsoft is making it's money from Aion before Guild Wars 2 comes out and that says a lot about what they expect from Aion. Two games in the same genre under the same company can not compete with one another. It seems as if this company knows that Aion may die out in the US/Europe based market and they want to squeeze everything they can out of us before Guild Wars 2 comes out. My opinion.
You can buy the game and enjoy it now but I have no long term hope for the game at all.
This is a very big gap in logic.
Where to begin. Lets first start with you saying Aion has no lasting appeal because you have seen Lotro and Warhammer. two entirely different games that have nothing to do with Aion.
How do we know Aion has quite some lasting appeal to a lot of people? Because the game has already been released in Asia for a year now and still continues to do extremely well while Warhammer (Lotro is doing fine) and Age of Conan had an instant decline within months.
Two games in the same genre do not equal 2 games directly competing with each other. Before Guild Wars was released, NCsoft was already hosting Lineage 2. Did that game suddenly drop in subscribers? No, it didn't.
I might be wrong on this, but GW2 is going to be free to play too isn't it? so there is not alot of compition between it and Aion, if thats the case, cause well you can play both for the same amount of money each month, and i thought I read somewhere that they were going to be doing some kind of cross promotional deal, between the too games.
Lot of work for something they plan on having cannibalizing itself.
My Thoughts on Content Locust
Boardwalker you make it seem as if people who are skeptical about Aion are morons. Intelligent individuals ask questions. My perspective is based upon a game I was not considering playing at all. Based upon previous game experience I have every right to pre-judge a game that did not provide enough information to make we want to play it. It's almost as if you are saying "Everyone who isn't interested in Aion and hadn't played it is an idiot. Play the game NOW or be stupid forever." lol
NCsoft is making it's money from Aion before Guild Wars 2 comes out and that says a lot about what they expect from Aion. Two games in the same genre under the same company can not compete with one another. It seems as if this company knows that Aion may die out in the US/Europe based market and they want to squeeze everything they can out of us before Guild Wars 2 comes out. My opinion.
You can buy the game and enjoy it now but I have no long term hope for the game at all.
This is a very big gap in logic.
Where to begin. Lets first start with you saying Aion has no lasting appeal because you have seen Lotro and Warhammer. two entirely different games that have nothing to do with Aion.
How do we know Aion has quite some lasting appeal to a lot of people? Because the game has already been released in Asia for a year now and still continues to do extremely well while Warhammer (Lotro is doing fine) and Age of Conan had an instant decline within months.
Two games in the same genre do not equal 2 games directly competing with each other. Before Guild Wars was released, NCsoft was already hosting Lineage 2. Did that game suddenly drop in subscribers? No, it didn't.
A valid point indeed, Aion's subscriber base is over a milion right now. Hmm, Aion failed? Nope. Aion going to fail? No waaaaaaaay, if it fails in the EU/NA/AU region, ok...but nevertheless, it has earned its respect in Asia and therefore will be successful for many years to come. One reason why I'm switching to Aion, guaranteed success from a guaranteed MMO maker with a great track record for producing quality MMOs.
I can only speak for myself but I wanted something different to play.
I've already played MMOs for near 12+ years, I've done the themepark mmos to death.
When I log into a game it doesn't matter if my character looks ultra realistic or looks like something off of cartoon network.
If the game is a quest stacker leading me from zone to zone until I reach some endgame raiding meta game It bores me to tears.
I open that quest log with 15-20+ quests and just feel like i've done it all before.
Around two years ago I left WoW and found Eve Online. This game didn't have a generic Interface, didn't have that stupid minimap in the upper right corner and didn't even have walking avatars. I was a freaking spaceship in a universe that wanted to blow me to bits 23/7. It felt new and I've been playing ever since.
That's what I needed at the time, I needed a game that was so radically different that I wasn't reminded of games like WoW or EQ.
I think alot of the WoW refugees are looking for a similar experience, something that wont make them think they've done all of this before.
Now to the Aion fans do you really think Aion gives them that feeling of something totally new and different?
PLaying: EvE, Ryzom
Waiting For: Earthrise, Perpetuum
Guild Wars 2 isn't F2P Guild Wars isn't even F2P. It will be a one time payment model with expansions you can purchase later if no subcribtions are added. F2P means item mall and Guild Wars 2 would fail as a F2P game especially if Guild Wars is still a one time payment based game.
Look at dungeons and dragons. I'm only hoping that if Aion doesn't meet the desired expectations in sales, that they do not reduce the game to F2P and then push Guild Wars 2 as their mmo savior. I can not fully assume what NCsoft will do but when you have so many contingency plans, some game will suffer at the end of the day.
Kinda like LOTRO with the lifetime subscription fee. In that case, Guild Wars has to create expansions to generate more revenue since they cannot with subscriber bases.
No it don't, and most of the fans of Aion don't want that vast difference, there are alot of subtle differences in the game that make us excited. Its not that we want something completely different, we just want a different backdrop man, after you get all the achievements and gear in wow, you still like the concept of the game, but that particular game is worn out.
Its the same complex that FPS players have, after you learn all the maps and unlock all the weapons, its not that your done with FPS in gereneral, your just done with that one, and you want to move on to the next one, start all over, unlock more levels and weapons, even if they are just like the ones in the previous game.
I'm not saying your wrong either, EVE really is an awesome game, my problem is it too closely resembles real life to me, you log on, you work for your isk, then you buy stuff, and eventually you try to through your weight around, and either make more, or fall, and start all over again, and you need insurance, a good health plan, there are freaking bills, nah man, awesome game, just not for me.
My Thoughts on Content Locust
No. But who is claiming that? Not anyone that I have read here.
Aion is a solid, pvp-based MMO that uses proven (and familiar) mechanics to immerse players in a new, fictional world. People who look for something more than that are a victim of overblown expectations.
Like many MMO'ers who have played in the genre for a significant length of time, you are burned out on the mechanics of these types of games. You will find nothing in Aion to fix this burnout--that is something you'll have to come to terms with on your own. I suggest sticking with EVE, or playing console games to help "refresh" yourself.
I've been playing computer games for 29 years, and MMOs for the past 10+, and maybe I am fortunate in the sense that I can approach a new MMO with an open mind and the ability to immerse myself in its lore without carrying the loads of jaded baggage that other gamers carry with them like iron weights.
They can adjust a game all day, but they can't help the issue between the keyboard and the chair.
Played: UO, DAoC, AC, WoW, EVE, TR, WAR, Aion, Rift, SWTOR, GW2, TSW, ESO, Elite:D
Play EVE for free for 21 days
No it don't, and most of the fans of Aion don't want that vast difference, there are alot of subtle differences in the game that make us excited. Its not that we want something completely different, we just want a different backdrop man, after you get all the achievements and gear in wow, you still like the concept of the game, but that particular game is worn out.
Its the same complex that FPS players have, after you learn all the maps and unlock all the weapons, its not that your done with FPS in gereneral, your just done with that one, and you want to move on to the next one, start all over, unlock more levels and weapons, even if they are just like the ones in the previous game.
I'm not saying your wrong either, EVE really is an awesome game, my problem is it too closely resembles real life to me, you log on, you work for your isk, then you buy stuff, and eventually you try to through your weight around, and either make more, or fall, and start all over again, and you need insurance, a good health plan, there are freaking bills, nah man, awesome game, just not for me.
Maybe you aren't to the point of needing a totally different experience? I've been playing these games for a long time.
I wasn't really promoting Eve just saying that it happened to be the game that changed everything for me.
Maybe you just have a higher tolerance for these types of games but for me, characters with wings and some random pvp wont mask the fact that this game at it's core is a quest stacker and gear centric game.
Maybe one day you will feel the way I do, maybe you wont but if you ever do. You will understand.
Why else would I play sandbox games with less that 15k Subs (DF,Ryzom)? Or a game with spaceships as my avatar? Because sooner or later you get tired of the same basic gameplay.
PLaying: EvE, Ryzom
Waiting For: Earthrise, Perpetuum
No. But who is claiming that? Not anyone that I have read here.
In the OP it asks why people claim Aion is the same old, same old. It's simple because at its core its the same shit we've been playing since EQ or WoW depending on when you first started mmos.
Is that bad? Yes, if you're tired of the same formula thats been used for years.
PLaying: EvE, Ryzom
Waiting For: Earthrise, Perpetuum
No. But who is claiming that? Not anyone that I have read here.
Aion is a solid, pvp-based MMO that uses proven (and familiar) mechanics to immerse players in a new, fictional world. People who look for something more than that are a victim of overblown expectations.
Like many MMO'ers who have played in the genre for a significant length of time, you are burned out on the mechanics of these types of games. You will find nothing in Aion to fix this burnout--that is something you'll have to come to terms with on your own. I suggest sticking with EVE, or playing console games to help "refresh" yourself.
I've been playing computer games for 29 years, and MMOs for the past 10+, and maybe I am fortunate in the sense that I can approach a new MMO with an open mind and the ability to immerse myself in its lore without carrying the loads of jaded baggage that other gamers carry with them like iron weights.
Nice, so I see you're an MMO vet and an Aion fan. Although the grind is pretty steep and most people can get burned out, realize there is motivation...the motivation is the fact that yes, we have solid PvP, and it isn't much of a chance from WoW, but at least the story and the elements are a bit different.
And, fortunately, I've been playing MMOs since 2003 and never really got burned out from MMOs in general. I grinded and grided in FFXI to level cap and played that for a bit, but have never really spent too much time in an MMOs.
I don't think Aion will give them the feeling like they are playing a game that reinvented the wheel. No. but I don't think thats something WoW players are looking for. You have been playing these games for 12+ years now, but how many WoW players have played that long? Not that many i presume.
If WoW players were really looking for something totally different, why didn't they move to games like EVE, Auto Assault, Tabula Rasa or City of Heroes? 2 out of the 4 games I mentioned who dared to do something different are now gone. Jumpspace is also an upcomming game and look how little hype there is for it. It's nowhere near the hype Aion, Warhammer and Lotro have received and those are all traditional mmorpg games.