Alganon: Now Live! Quest Online President Issues Letter

MikeB

Despite a short delay, and some controversy centered around the game's uncanny similarities with a certain Blizzard game, Alganon has finally launched! Quest Online President David Allen is celebrating the launch by issuing a new letter thanking his team, and the players for their support, as well as discussing the present and future of Alganon.

Allen isn't too shy to admit the game still has some issues, requiring some polishing, bug fixing, and fine tuning; instead he makes clear the team's full commitment to resolving these outstanding issues, "The next few weeks are going to be the toughest as we begin to troubleshoot specific issues and refine the game and server systems."

Allen also asks that players be patient with them as they tackle these issues, saying, "Please be patient as we are one of the only independent developers in the industry that has launched a product of this caliber on their own, but our resources are limited compared to a large-scale established company. We rely on working directly with our players to resolve issues that come up. The way it should be."

Some light was also shed on Quest Online's plans for the future of Alganon: "There is so much to Alganon and we hope to grow this great game into the grand design we have planned over the next few years. Deities, Crusades, Consignment, Domain Control, PvP, and a ton of other systems are all planned and in the queue; free to all subscribers," Allen said.

You can read the full letter here.

Euphoryk

Originally posted by MikeB


Allen isn't too shy to admit the game still has some issues, requiring some polishing, bug fixing, and fine tuning; instead he makes clear the team's full commitment to resolving these outstanding issues, "The next few weeks are going to be the toughest as we begin to troubleshoot specific issues and refine the game and server systems."
So they released too early and he openly admits as much in a round about manner, interesting.
Allen also asks that players be patient with them as they tackle these issues, saying, "Please be patient as we are one of the only independent developers in the industry that has launched a product of this caliber on their own, but our resources are limited compared to a large-scale established company. We rely on working directly with our players to resolve issues that come up. The way it should be."
So he is asking players to be patient, but wants them to pay during this time, with no guarantees that any of the most glaring issues will be dealt with (they've failed to deal with them upto this point, what will be so different now that the game is live?)
Seems like the exact definition of a paid beta.
Icarus is a small indy company with limited resources and they released FE which is fifty times higher quality than Algalon is at this point. Do you see Icarus making excuses though? not at all. I think that speaks volumes about Quest and how poorly they will handle the game right out of the gate.
future of Alganon: "There is so much to Alganon and we hope to grow this great game into the grand design we have planned over the next few years. Deities, Crusades, Consignment, Domain Control, PvP, and a ton of other systems are all planned and in the queue; free to all subscribers," Allen said.
Content that they haven't implemented yet, and won't for a long long time. Allen needs to stop trying to entice players with imaginary carrots and worry more about developing a solid game.

 

streea

I hate to jump on the bashing bandwagon, but uh...

"The next few weeks are going to be the toughest as we begin to troubleshoot specific issues and refine the game and server systems."

Troubleshooting specific issues? Refining the game? This is what betas are for.

Before the lead-up to this launch, I was honestly curious about the game, but why would I pay for an MMO (or any game for that matter) that's being launched while it should still be in beta?

Mrbloodworth

Originally posted by streea


I hate to jump on the bashing bandwagon, but uh...
"The next few weeks are going to be the toughest as we begin to troubleshoot specific issues and refine the game and server systems."
Troubleshooting specific issues? Refining the game? This is what betas are for.
Before the lead-up to this launch, I was honestly curious about the game, but why would I pay for an MMO (or any game for that matter) that's being launched while it should still be in beta?

Isn't this game free to play?

Rednecksith

Originally posted by Mrbloodworth

Originally posted by streea


I hate to jump on the bashing bandwagon, but uh...
"The next few weeks are going to be the toughest as we begin to troubleshoot specific issues and refine the game and server systems."
Troubleshooting specific issues? Refining the game? This is what betas are for.
Before the lead-up to this launch, I was honestly curious about the game, but why would I pay for an MMO (or any game for that matter) that's being launched while it should still be in beta?

Isn't this game free to play?

 

Nope. $40 for the initial purchase, and $15 per month.

Mrbloodworth

Originally posted by Rednecksith

Originally posted by Mrbloodworth

Originally posted by streea


I hate to jump on the bashing bandwagon, but uh...
"The next few weeks are going to be the toughest as we begin to troubleshoot specific issues and refine the game and server systems."
Troubleshooting specific issues? Refining the game? This is what betas are for.
Before the lead-up to this launch, I was honestly curious about the game, but why would I pay for an MMO (or any game for that matter) that's being launched while it should still be in beta?

Isn't this game free to play?

 

Nope. $40 for the initial purchase, and $15 per month.

RIGHT!

I keep thinking this one is F2P.

Phall

Born dead. As a F2P/item mall game it might have had a chance if I look at comparable games such as Allods or Runes of Magic. But pay for this on a monthly basis? I think not.

 

Telon

Originally posted by Rednecksith

Originally posted by Mrbloodworth

Originally posted by streea


I hate to jump on the bashing bandwagon, but uh...
"The next few weeks are going to be the toughest as we begin to troubleshoot specific issues and refine the game and server systems."
Troubleshooting specific issues? Refining the game? This is what betas are for.
Before the lead-up to this launch, I was honestly curious about the game, but why would I pay for an MMO (or any game for that matter) that's being launched while it should still be in beta?

Isn't this game free to play?

 

Nope. $40 for the initial purchase, and $15 per month.

 

Nope.  It's I think now $19.99 for the game and $9.95 per month.  Not sure if that's a limited time offer or the prices from now on.

Kyleran

They were just trying to outdo DF for the worst launch ever title.

Might have succeeded a bit too well though.

 

streea

Originally posted by Mrbloodworth

Originally posted by Rednecksith

Originally posted by Mrbloodworth

Originally posted by streea


I hate to jump on the bashing bandwagon, but uh...
"The next few weeks are going to be the toughest as we begin to troubleshoot specific issues and refine the game and server systems."
Troubleshooting specific issues? Refining the game? This is what betas are for.
Before the lead-up to this launch, I was honestly curious about the game, but why would I pay for an MMO (or any game for that matter) that's being launched while it should still be in beta?

Isn't this game free to play?

Nope. $40 for the initial purchase, and $15 per month.

RIGHT!

I keep thinking this one is F2P.

So do I... it seems like it would fall into the higher-end free MMOs really well. Especially since it seems like, as far as features go, there's nothing that really makes this one stand out.

Dameonk

If the game had been released in 2003-2004 it would have probably been pretty successful.  Releasing right now, while a superior F2P game (Allods) is currently beta testing was just unfortunate timing.

I've played both Allods and Alganon.  In my opinion they are about the same quality of gameplay as far as the fun-factor goes.  Unfortunately Allods is a much more polished game (even though it still has lots of issues), has more depth, more races, better graphics, AND is free.

Alganon is a few years too late to be really successful.  But I'm sure it will be able to draw in at least a few thousand suckers players.

Lobotomist

What they were thinking when they developed this game?

Make it look like 100% WOW (or at least they try to best of their abilities) !!! So why people just dont play WOW and not another game that is much worse but looks like it , kind of...

 

And releasing it as full priced subscription game. When you have several F2P games that are far bigger and better in any and every way !

 

Lets put this one under new category:

The most FAILED MMO of the decade

wartywarlock

I want this and every other mmo to do well, I hope it does. But launching by saying 'please be patient' tells us that it isnt working very well. Atleast they are honest!

jayarte

I've played Alganon on and off throughout beta and thoroughly enjoyed myself.  I've prepaid for 3 months and was part of launch day, yesterday.

I enjoy the game itself (game play, look and "feel"of the game, and the vision of the developers for the future) and am gratified to be part of a game which has attracted enough pleasant players to form a community which so far, anyway, reminds me of the one in Saga of Ryzom or EQ2. 

It's particularly heartening to have been part of the beta and now a paying customer for a game produced by a small, independent team which interacts on a regular basis with its player base, responding to feedback and suggestions regularly both on the forum and in-game.  The high quality of customer service provided for anyone with any kind of problem has been amazing.

I look forward to being a part of the growing adventure of Alganon for many months to come.

 

Oshimara, Talrok ranger

Miashima, Talrok healer

sevitoth

Originally posted by jayarte


I've played Alganon on and off throughout beta and thoroughly enjoyed myself.  I've prepaid for 3 months and was part of launch day, yesterday.
I enjoy the game itself (game play, look and "feel"of the game, and the vision of the developers for the future) and am gratified to be part of a game which has attracted enough pleasant players to form a community which so far, anyway, reminds me of the one in Saga of Ryzom or EQ2. 
It's particularly heartening to have been part of the beta and now a paying customer for a game produced by a small, independent team which interacts on a regular basis with its player base, responding to feedback and suggestions regularly both on the forum and in-game.  The high quality of customer service provided for anyone with any kind of problem has been amazing.
I look forward to being a part of the growing adventure of Alganon for many months to come.
 
Oshimara, Talrok ranger
Miashima, Talrok healer

Nice first post. Someone in the marketing department write it for you?

GPrestige

Originally posted by jayarte


I've played Alganon on and off throughout beta and thoroughly enjoyed myself.  I've prepaid for 3 months and was part of launch day, yesterday.
I enjoy the game itself (game play, look and "feel"of the game, and the vision of the developers for the future) and am gratified to be part of a game which has attracted enough pleasant players to form a community which so far, anyway, reminds me of the one in Saga of Ryzom or EQ2. 
It's particularly heartening to have been part of the beta and now a paying customer for a game produced by a small, independent team which interacts on a regular basis with its player base, responding to feedback and suggestions regularly both on the forum and in-game.  The high quality of customer service provided for anyone with any kind of problem has been amazing.
I look forward to being a part of the growing adventure of Alganon for many months to come.
 
Oshimara, Talrok ranger
Miashima, Talrok healer

 

Haha you have to be kidding me. Do you think we are all idiots?

Pyrostasis

I can confirm that the game is in fact 19.99 atm and only 9.99 a month

jayarte

I forgot to say that I also like the music in Alganon.

No, I don't work for QoL and given that I was lucky enough to have a decent intellect and to receive a good education, I've never needed anyone to write anything for me ^^

How strange that posters here are willing to believe posts which are angry, negative and complaining, and are suspicious of a post which is an accurate expression of my own experience within a game.  I did refrain from saying anything definitive about Alganon; I find it irritating when people state categorically that such and such a game is "x", rather than simply stating what they like or dislike about it.  I thought I would post about my own experiences in Alganon just to try to put forward another perspective, from someone who has actually played on and off for a few months now, as a balance to those who seem to want to rant angrily.

A lot people who have actually played Alganon for any length of time do seem to enjoy it, and the community there is full of people who have gamed for years.  There are a lot of older players (I'm 53), the atmosphere is helpful and the chat is pleasant.   From reading a number of different gaming forums recently, I would say that quite a lot of us are feeling a bit disillusioned with our recent gaming experiences and now looking for a new "home"; a gaming experience which will give us the old thrill which we miss and so far in Alganon that's what I seem to have found.

 

just1opinion

*deleted because I didn't read far enough to see that someone had ALREADY stated the price correction*

 

just1opinion

Originally posted by jayarte


I forgot to say that I also like the music in Alganon.
Yes, it's really gorgeous.
No, I don't work for QoL and given that I was lucky enough to have a decent intellect and to receive a good education, I've never needed anyone to write anything for me ^^
How strange that posters here are willing to believe posts which are angry, negative and complaining, and are suspicious of a post which is an accurate expression of my own experience within a game.  I did refrain from saying anything definitive about Alganon; I find it irritating when people state categorically that such and such a game is "x", rather than simply stating what they like or dislike about it.  I thought I would post about my own experiences in Alganon just to try to put forward another perspective, from someone who has actually played on and off for a few months now, as a balance to those who seem to want to rant angrily.
Well stated.
A lot people who have actually played Alganon for any length of time do seem to enjoy it, and the community there is full of people who have gamed for years.  There are a lot of older players (I'm 53), the atmosphere is helpful and the chat is pleasant.   From reading a number of different gaming forums recently, I would say that quite a lot of us are feeling a bit disillusioned with our recent gaming experiences and now looking for a new "home"; a gaming experience which will give us the old thrill which we miss and so far in Alganon that's what I seem to have found.
 
I'd say that's a very accurate assessment of what I have seen. But before when I made the comment that "children were unlikely to like it"....I got pounded for it. However...that is indeed the case, and honestly...I never saw anyone there complaining that there weren't enough little "tykes" to play with. lol  No reason why every demographic and style of gamer, shouldn't have their OWN game to enjoy. Who cares if anyone else "approves" of your choices.

 

Anubisan

Originally posted by Telon

Originally posted by Rednecksith

Originally posted by Mrbloodworth

Originally posted by streea


I hate to jump on the bashing bandwagon, but uh...
"The next few weeks are going to be the toughest as we begin to troubleshoot specific issues and refine the game and server systems."
Troubleshooting specific issues? Refining the game? This is what betas are for.
Before the lead-up to this launch, I was honestly curious about the game, but why would I pay for an MMO (or any game for that matter) that's being launched while it should still be in beta?

Isn't this game free to play?

 

Nope. $40 for the initial purchase, and $15 per month.

 

Nope.  It's I think now $19.99 for the game and $9.95 per month.  Not sure if that's a limited time offer or the prices from now on.

 

The sad thing is this game can't even compete with the solid F2P games on the market...

PhelimReagh

Originally posted by MikeB Some light was also shed on Quest Online's plans for the future of Alganon: "There is so much to Alganon and we hope to grow this great game into the grand design we have planned over the next few years. Deities, Crusades, Consignment, Domain Control, PvP, and a ton of other systems are all planned and in the queue; free to all subscribers," Allen said.

Maybe I'm wrong, but are they saying that they're starting this game out as entirely PvE, but will be moving, maybe years down the road, to a game with some level of open world PvP?

 

This just sounds like the kind of change that would radically alter a game to the point that those who are growing to like it now will suddenly find themselves playing a totally different game in the future after investing time and hard-earned cash.

 

I knew they were going to be adding PvP at some level, but I had no idea it would be anything quite this radical.

christiantx

I paid 19.95 for this game, have played it a bit for the last 3 days and have had fun. I see a lot of posts about what the game doesn't have and not much about what the game does have-- and for all the things currently in the game it has entertained me solidly for the first 3 days of play. What the future holds for the game I don't know, nor am I concerned with the future at this point... it's an MMO subscription not a marriage... At anytime I'm no longer satisfied I can end the relationship... but for the time being I like the game and I like what has been talked about regarding it's direction.

3 days after I bought Dragon Age: Origins I was done with the content and that cost me 60 bucks. I don't know how much more content is available to me between level 20 and 50 in Alganon but I have a feeling it's not going to be 1 more day.

GPrestige

Originally posted by christiantx


I paid 19.95 for this game, have played it a bit for the last 3 days and have had fun. I see a lot of posts about what the game doesn't have and not much about what the game does have-- and for all the things currently in the game it has entertained me solidly for the first 3 days of play. What the future holds for the game I don't know, nor am I concerned with the future at this point... it's an MMO subscription not a marriage... At anytime I'm no longer satisfied I can end the relationship... but for the time being I like the game and I like what has been talked about regarding it's direction.
3 days after I bought Dragon Age: Origins I was done with the content and that cost me 60 bucks. I don't know how much more content is available to me between level 20 and 50 in Alganon but I have a feeling it's not going to be 1 more day.

 

At least this is a better disguised first post shill. Still a first post shill. Honestly, you have to be a complete moron to go out and buy Alganon, and actually PAY for the subscription when there are so many better games out there that are equal if not LESS money than this.

spikers14

Originally posted by GPrestige

Originally posted by christiantx


I paid 19.95 for this game, have played it a bit for the last 3 days and have had fun. I see a lot of posts about what the game doesn't have and not much about what the game does have-- and for all the things currently in the game it has entertained me solidly for the first 3 days of play. What the future holds for the game I don't know, nor am I concerned with the future at this point... it's an MMO subscription not a marriage... At anytime I'm no longer satisfied I can end the relationship... but for the time being I like the game and I like what has been talked about regarding it's direction.
3 days after I bought Dragon Age: Origins I was done with the content and that cost me 60 bucks. I don't know how much more content is available to me between level 20 and 50 in Alganon but I have a feeling it's not going to be 1 more day.

 

At least this is a better disguised first post shill. Still a first post shill. Honestly, you have to be a complete moron to go out and buy Alganon, and actually PAY for the subscription when there are so many better games out there that are equal if not LESS money than this.

 

Its fawkin $20...This is huge for you?

The more I look at the type of people posting negative "thoughts" on Alganon, the more I want to try it -- assuming of course, they won't be playing it...

Athcear

Originally posted by girlgeek

Originally posted by jayarte


I forgot to say that I also like the music in Alganon.
Yes, it's really gorgeous.
No, I don't work for QoL and given that I was lucky enough to have a decent intellect and to receive a good education, I've never needed anyone to write anything for me ^^
How strange that posters here are willing to believe posts which are angry, negative and complaining, and are suspicious of a post which is an accurate expression of my own experience within a game.  I did refrain from saying anything definitive about Alganon; I find it irritating when people state categorically that such and such a game is "x", rather than simply stating what they like or dislike about it.  I thought I would post about my own experiences in Alganon just to try to put forward another perspective, from someone who has actually played on and off for a few months now, as a balance to those who seem to want to rant angrily.
Well stated.
A lot people who have actually played Alganon for any length of time do seem to enjoy it, and the community there is full of people who have gamed for years.  There are a lot of older players (I'm 53), the atmosphere is helpful and the chat is pleasant.   From reading a number of different gaming forums recently, I would say that quite a lot of us are feeling a bit disillusioned with our recent gaming experiences and now looking for a new "home"; a gaming experience which will give us the old thrill which we miss and so far in Alganon that's what I seem to have found.
 
I'd say that's a very accurate assessment of what I have seen. But before when I made the comment that "children were unlikely to like it"....I got pounded for it. However...that is indeed the case, and honestly...I never saw anyone there complaining that there weren't enough little "tykes" to play with. lol  No reason why every demographic and style of gamer, shouldn't have their OWN game to enjoy. Who cares if anyone else "approves" of your choices.

 

 

I'll tell you exactly why it matters.  Even if you think that Alganon is kinda fun, despite it's obvious shortcomings, it serves to stagnate the genre.  I might have enjoyed Alganon a bit (played in the beta) if it weren't hyped so much and sold on empty promises.  But the fact remains that it is a very sub-par product, and it pushes the idea that sub-par products are okay.  We, as the gaming community, should not stand for this.  It's an insult to us and our intelligence.  They have to work harder than this and produce something innovative and constructive to the genre if they want our money and support.

That's why any success that Alganon garners is bad.  We don't want this level of quality to become acceptable.