Last time I got burned because of too high expectations was with Dark and Light. They released this prerelease game called Settlers of Ganareth or something. I forgot its exact name. That was so unbelievably bad that it made me lose all interest in the game and made me really pissed at its developers. The contrast between the developers words and their execution was huge. And when it full game was released it was as bad as expected. But still that developer was acting as if all was fine. Its the only time I became really angry at a developing company for being so incredibly fake.
This was also when I became allergic to the word 'potential' in relation to MMO's.
Since then my expectations were toned down immensely and I look more closely to what developers promise. Im glad that Bioware and Arenanet take a more realistic approach to informing us about their game.
Once you've executed your 1,000th diseased rate, you've executed them all.
Once you've wacked on a copper mine with your axe pick, you've wacked on em all.
meh
Played WOW for 2 months, killed diseased rats and wacked on copper mines, got bored. Tried free trial Darkfall, killed diseased rats and wacked on copper mines, oh geez. Tried free trial Fallen Earth, killed diseased rats and wacked on copper mines, oh geez. Tried Eve online, killed diseased rats and wacked a whole lotta copper mines, oh geez. Resubbed to WOW for 2 more months, killed diseased rats and wacked on copper mines, meh. Tried Free Anarchy Online, killed diseased rats and wacked on copper mines, geez man does anyone have anything original? Read reviews of a bunch of other games where you kill diseased rats and wack on copper mines.
Not really. I don't really get all hyped up on a game until I play it. I have games that I follow, and think have potential. I just don't set them up on a pedastal. I also don't try to set unrealistic expectations for a game. I prefer sandbox over themepark, but that doesn't mean I don't play themeparks. I judge the game for what it is. If the devs set out to make an awesome themepark then that is what it should be judged as, and not bashed for missing a bunch of sandbox features. The same thing goes for sandbox games. If a game sets out to be a sandbox then don't bash it for not having themepark features. The only game I ever felt that I got burnt with was SWG, and that was more to do with what the NGE said about SOE's corporate culture. I had no issue with them trying to make the game better. It needed it. I had an issue with being willing to throw away current customers in an effort to gain new ones. It isn't how I was taught to do business.
Currently I am following SWTOR, and ArcheAge. These two games seem to hold the most promise at the moment, but again only once I actually get to play them will I see how good they actually are. I am also playing WoW, and Eve.
In the past, I've found myself very excited for some games. For example, I was very interested in Vanguard, even to the point that I bought a new computer just so I could solidly play the game. While I wasn't disappointed in my new hardware, I found it hard to stick with the game as it didn't meet my expectations.
Since then, I've approached launches of new games with less excitement. I've tried many new MMOs at their launch dates, and I'm looking forward to a few - SWToR, GW2, etc - but I'm not holding out for them to be the best games I'll ever play. I'll try them out when they launch, or shortly after, and see if they're something I'm interested in. If money is an issue, then I'll simply wait and see what people are saying about them a few months down the line.
Most MMOs are an investment. They generally aren't designed to be something you play for a couple days or a few weeks before 'beating them' and moving on to another game. So, in turn, you've got to approach them in a different manner. It's important to look at the game before it's released and see if you like what the developers are offering, but we should all really hold off our expectations for the games until they're playable.
I take these games for what they are, play them until I'm no longer interested and move on.
Would I like to have one game that I played continuoulsly without the need to look elsewhere? sure.
But I don't hold any game to any expectations. They are what they are and I evaluate them as I play them.
I think we have the same kind of approach to (MMO) gaming It seems like a small minority group though, reading from the experiences and comments posted.
Originally posted by Ashlar
Not really. I don't really get all hyped up on a game until I play it. I have games that I follow, and think have potential. I just don't set them up on a pedastal. I also don't try to set unrealistic expectations for a game. I prefer sandbox over themepark, but that doesn't mean I don't play themeparks. I judge the game for what it is. If the devs set out to make an awesome themepark then that is what it should be judged as, and not bashed for missing a bunch of sandbox features. The same thing goes for sandbox games. If a game sets out to be a sandbox then don't bash it for not having themepark features.
The ease with which predictions are made on these forums: Fratman: "I'm saying Spring 2012 at the earliest [for TOR release]. Anyone still clinging to 2011 is deluding themself at this point."
I got out of the Marines in 97 and while attending college, I met some real cool peeps who introduced me to the "PC" game world. Before I went into the service (1993), all I knew was console gaming. I started out with ATARI, then came Intellivision and Calicovision, not to mention the ol' Commodore64 ( never played online with the 14k modems,etc) . I also did the dice and paper games, played DnD from about age 9 - the mid teens ( Forgotten Realms campaign series) and a couple of others (Star Frontiers, Marvel Heroes) Anywase, back to the story ...
The first PC game I got into was Counter Strike 1.1, I know I know, thats not an MMO per say but thats where my story began. I played all the way to the CS:Source upgrade then came the Call of Duty series and I never touched CS again...Along the way I played several other games such as - The Matrix Online, I had great expectations for this game, it had the chance to be one of the greatest, but instead, it was a lot of nothing and died a slow ugly death...I played EverQuest for a bit, but eh, couldnt really get into it, a bit "cartoonish"( doesn't mean its a bad game, just wasnt for me)...I eventually gave in and tried out WoW for a couple of weeks, this was around 2005. I was very disappointed, seemed like it was just a gear grind. No risk in PvP, very kiddy. Wasn't for me either. I tried out City of Heroes/villains..Again, couldnt get into it, I needed more and these games seemed like more of the same ol same...Age of Conan was a MAJOR disappoinment. Seemed to me like a glorified WoW of sorts....
Been playing Eve Online since 2005. NOTHING can even come close to this game at this point in time. The learning curve, the complexity and depth, players battling for control of diff regions of space and the resources within, the economy, the crafting system...so much to even try to describe....
Also been playing World of Tanks since Beta, a decent FPS with a lobby. Fun times when Im bored.
Ive been BURNT by every single WoW clone to come out since WoW. Not ever gonna play a clone of the game that destroyed the innovation and creativity of the genre ever again.
Playing: GW2 Waiting on: TESO Next Flop: Planetside 2 Best MMO of all time: Asheron's Call - The first company to recreate AC will be the next greatest MMO.
Have to say WoW/AoC burn are the reasons I'm now here. Never been a MMO fan until WoW came out. Played Warcraft 2 (not 3) religiously as a kid so naturally found whacking the Horde online fun as hell. Until the expansions changed it too much:
PVP = Arena PVE = Crystal Spaceships/defeating an emo Ice-dude and his pet dragon.
Our entire Guild frog-marched over to AoC because it promised realistic settings, weapons/armour that didn't look like Modern Art pieces and decent world PVP. Instead I got butt ugly zones that made exploring a chore and factionless design that left PVP just an annoying gankfest and that ulimately with noone to fight for or against the game was essentially pointless and just fighting for s**ts and giggles. AoC burnt me hard enough to stay away from any new MMO until I can see it meets my expectations.
The investment that an MMO requires to really get the most out of it is immensive and along with the P2P model its hard not to take it a bit personally when they promise so much and deliver a lemon instead.
I have way more things to worry about, and to do, in everyday life than run to the internet and cry hysterically when some game company decides to change something in their game that I may not agree with. Getting burned on a game is such an insignificant thing to be burned on it's even ridiculous to entertain the thought. You have no choice in what direction a product you are not producing is taking so why not just complain to the company directly and be more productive elsewhere in life?
Playing an MMO requires an investment of time that could otherwise be spent elsewhere, both virtual and reallife.
If I build a shed and the local council desides to change the rules and forces me to demolish it, I would be pretty pissed. Likewise, if I spend countless hours playing a game and the developers deside that the games' focus is now to fight a giant fire-chicken (WoW) then again I'll be annoyed for having wasted so much time and effort.
I was burned many years ago with a couple of Super Ninetendo games and learned my lesson then, nowadays I just take games as they come, if I like the premise and design of the game I'll give it a go but never get hyped up as is seen around these boards just leads to disappointment and even anger. Though saying this doesn't mean I will not try to be objective about the game that I'm playing and it doesn't lead me to be lethargic as well, I will criticise if I feel the need like with Warhammer & Rift I feel these two are the poorest MMO's I've played in concept and design. Luckily with MMO's you can try to get into a beta and that does save you money in the long run and you can also give input on how you think the game is so its a two way street by benefitting you and the dev's.
Cal.
This doom and gloom thread was brought to you by Chin Up the new ultra high caffeine soft drink for gamers who just need that boost of happiness after a long forum session.
Interesting question, think it got stickied because most who bother to read it will lean back and give the trend a bit of self analysis and wonder about their position.
I'm a life long gamer, weighed in on the launch of UO and have played every AAA title out there, some more than others. There is only one "bitter scar" I bear and that's not from the game itself but from the managing staff, and that was SOE. The fact that they keep repeating the sin of how they treat their customer base and their titles keeps me away from their doorstep as they prove repeatedly they're "same old SOE".
Wise people know hype when they see it and identify it for what it is, a middle school like popularity contest. And when people encounter unsatisfying gameplay, they will leave the game and if perchance the topic comes up, they'll voice that disatisfaction to those who are still beguiled by the product. No different than sports fans arguing with each other over whatever they feel is a salient point, and to someone like me who has zero interest in sports, its just as mystifying to me as this trend is to you.
However that said, I think the one thing that people are getting tired of is the same thing people start to feel after a while as they pay attention to politics. They realize that they're being lied to, and told selective truths, spot tactics used to present the illusion of respectibility, all for the purpose of luring them in for support with no real consequences for failing to deliver on their promises. Do Gamers have a inflated sense of self-worth to a company? Absolutely, but at the same time, many games are guilty of playing the stalling game and trying to be good enough instead of good, patronizingly telling people to wait, stuff is in the works, this is difficult to do and we want to do it right, be patient and keep paying. When they're unseasoned gamers, they fall for it, their hopes are being used as tools to manipulate them into continued payments, by the time they've moved on to their third title, they begin to resent that same sin being flung in their face, especially when that staff said they were going to be different from that other slimy company.
Its definitely much better to be like the OP and be detached about it all, but in general, there is a relationship that is entered between player and game producer, and in a relationship, no one likes being manipulated with empty promises, lied to, or treated like a money tree. And in the end, rather than get passionate and crusade about it, the wiser thing to do is to do as the OP, stop paying and move on. Its a slow process, but your wallet talks much louder than any forum post does.
Even peace may be purchased at too high a price, and the only time you are completely safe is when you lie in the grave.
As absolutely silly as it seems... I hate the marketing teams of MMORPG's with a passion. They are too damned good at their jobs.
We also have an absolute overflow of info from sites such as this. When we first hear about a game, it's exciting. But as we are exposed to updates over the course of 2-3 years as the MMO is created... we begin to lose that sense of 'magic'/excitement. In short, by the time the game is released... the honeymoon is often already over.
As absolutely silly as it seems... I hate the marketing teams of MMORPG's with a passion. They are too damned good at their jobs.
We also have an absolute overflow of info from sites such as this. When we first hear about a game, it's exciting. But as we are exposed to updates over the course of 2-3 years as the MMO is created... we begin to lose that sense of 'magic'/excitement. In short, by the time the game is released... the honeymoon is often already over.
Yep, you pretty much nailed it. I wonder how a game that was developed in relative secret (it's hard to keep a huge project under wraps, especially from your stockholders), and then announced 1 month before release would work? I think sales of a game that was hyped for years would be comparable, and maybe even surpassed, we would still be in the honeymoon phase
When there is a game im hyped about I always do some good research. I read about the features and try to get into beta. If I dont get into beta I read the response from beta testers and watch gameplay videos.
So I have never been burnt on an MMO.
I think when you are hyped about a game, you should not be such a big fanboy that you overlook the issues others are reporting.
I generally don't get too hyped up about any particular MMO so I generally don't get too disapppointed. That said I go through a few different phases with MMOs and become burnt out, but wind up playing single player or arena multiplayer (like shooters, RTS, MOBA, etc.) until eventually trying out a new MMO and enjoying it again. It's important not to become too jaded on MMOs, and I think a lot of people tend to nitpick about little things.
Eventually I think most people will become bored of their favorite MMO, especially if they play it at a hardcore level like I do. A lot of the problem is most people think it's bad to "game hop" and constantly switch your subscription from one new MMO to the next, but I think it's a pretty healthy practice for anyone who enjoys the genre and doesn't want to become extremely burnout on it. Take as much enjoyment out of a game as possible and when it stops becoming fun, move on. You can look back on the game and appreciate what it did well and have a better understanding of what you don't like about a particular game when choosing your next one.
The only MMO I can think of that didn't live up to expectations for me was FFXIV. It was just a poorly designed game in multiple aspects. Still, I did get some enjoyment out of it, mostly with the community I played with. Fortunately, I wasn't too hyped about it to begin with, and pretty much only got into it because there was nothing else on the market I wanted to play at the time.
I'd say in the 13-15 years I've been MMO gaming that I've remained relatively unscathed and enjoy the genre.
For example, NONE of this years games have passed. Well except Skyrim, if its going to be released this year. Even if Witcher 2 was very tempting, but meh.
And my checks get three times harder if its a MMO, because I dont want to play these like normal games, I want to pick one and play it for years.
I played Lineage 2 because a friend played it and to my surprise it was much more fun than I expected. Some things about that game are really great.
I played Vanguard after a looong phase of checking out games and while its start was rather rough and disappointing, its simply an amazing game.
I'm going to play SWTOR and while I'm not sure about how good it will be, I already know it wont get near Vanguard. Still, its in the "good enough" area to be fun and enjoyable for a while.
Nah, I've been disappointed by some games (WAR, Aion), and amazed at the gall developers showed in launching others (FFXIV), but I consider it a part of life, you have to learn from your mistakes.
The biggest mistake is believing in the hype, and boy is there a lot of hype these days. It's all about managing your own expectations - as Sovrath said, take what they give you and see if you want to stick around. No point raging at a game/studio because you disgree with a fundamental design decision - just put the game down and move on.
Despite all of the above I'm not actually a cynic, there are games I'm interested in, games I'm excited to try. And while there are games that I follow, I'm not about to hope some other game fails so the ones I'm interested in can do better (is it weird that I want to play SW:TOR, GW2 and TSW and see no conflict there?).
Even now, with all the F2P fuss going on around Fallen Earth, a game I've played (and loved, despite all its flaws) since just after it launched, I'm pretty much ok with moving on if the new stuffs in July or the F2P transition are game-breaking for me - and no, I won't be nerdraging anywhere about it. I figure, all thinngs considered, I've had a pretty good innings.
Interesting question, think it got stickied because most who bother to read it will lean back and give the trend a bit of self analysis and wonder about their position.
I'm a life long gamer, weighed in on the launch of UO and have played every AAA title out there, some more than others. There is only one "bitter scar" I bear and that's not from the game itself but from the managing staff, and that was SOE. The fact that they keep repeating the sin of how they treat their customer base and their titles keeps me away from their doorstep as they prove repeatedly they're "same old SOE".
Wise people know hype when they see it and identify it for what it is, a middle school like popularity contest. And when people encounter unsatisfying gameplay, they will leave the game and if perchance the topic comes up, they'll voice that disatisfaction to those who are still beguiled by the product. No different than sports fans arguing with each other over whatever they feel is a salient point, and to someone like me who has zero interest in sports, its just as mystifying to me as this trend is to you.
However that said, I think the one thing that people are getting tired of is the same thing people start to feel after a while as they pay attention to politics. They realize that they're being lied to, and told selective truths, spot tactics used to present the illusion of respectibility, all for the purpose of luring them in for support with no real consequences for failing to deliver on their promises. Do Gamers have a inflated sense of self-worth to a company? Absolutely, but at the same time, many games are guilty of playing the stalling game and trying to be good enough instead of good, patronizingly telling people to wait, stuff is in the works, this is difficult to do and we want to do it right, be patient and keep paying. When they're unseasoned gamers, they fall for it, their hopes are being used as tools to manipulate them into continued payments, by the time they've moved on to their third title, they begin to resent that same sin being flung in their face, especially when that staff said they were going to be different from that other slimy company.
Its definitely much better to be like the OP and be detached about it all, but in general, there is a relationship that is entered between player and game producer, and in a relationship, no one likes being manipulated with empty promises, lied to, or treated like a money tree. And in the end, rather than get passionate and crusade about it, the wiser thing to do is to do as the OP, stop paying and move on. Its a slow process, but your wallet talks much louder than any forum post does.
I no longer play betas, purchase collector's editions or play a game at launch. This has made my MMO experience much better and less of a disappointment. The market is oversaturated with games and I use this site extensively to hear about new ones or try a hidden gem. Don't ever believe the hype, read reviews, try a trial, ask long time players (if its an older game) what the end game is like. If its a new game, give it 2 weeks to a month from launch before trying it. You really won't miss anything and ample feedback will give you a clue of how it's going.
Comments
Last time I got burned because of too high expectations was with Dark and Light. They released this prerelease game called Settlers of Ganareth or something. I forgot its exact name. That was so unbelievably bad that it made me lose all interest in the game and made me really pissed at its developers. The contrast between the developers words and their execution was huge. And when it full game was released it was as bad as expected. But still that developer was acting as if all was fine. Its the only time I became really angry at a developing company for being so incredibly fake.
This was also when I became allergic to the word 'potential' in relation to MMO's.
Since then my expectations were toned down immensely and I look more closely to what developers promise. Im glad that Bioware and Arenanet take a more realistic approach to informing us about their game.
Once you've executed your 1,000th diseased rate, you've executed them all.
Once you've wacked on a copper mine with your axe pick, you've wacked on em all.
meh
Played WOW for 2 months, killed diseased rats and wacked on copper mines, got bored. Tried free trial Darkfall, killed diseased rats and wacked on copper mines, oh geez. Tried free trial Fallen Earth, killed diseased rats and wacked on copper mines, oh geez. Tried Eve online, killed diseased rats and wacked a whole lotta copper mines, oh geez. Resubbed to WOW for 2 more months, killed diseased rats and wacked on copper mines, meh. Tried Free Anarchy Online, killed diseased rats and wacked on copper mines, geez man does anyone have anything original? Read reviews of a bunch of other games where you kill diseased rats and wack on copper mines.
For me WAR, AoC, Rift, FFXIV and Aion have killed my hope.
I now bitterly wait on TOR and GW2 to prove me wrong, even though I know neither will be what I really want.
Not really. I don't really get all hyped up on a game until I play it. I have games that I follow, and think have potential. I just don't set them up on a pedastal. I also don't try to set unrealistic expectations for a game. I prefer sandbox over themepark, but that doesn't mean I don't play themeparks. I judge the game for what it is. If the devs set out to make an awesome themepark then that is what it should be judged as, and not bashed for missing a bunch of sandbox features. The same thing goes for sandbox games. If a game sets out to be a sandbox then don't bash it for not having themepark features. The only game I ever felt that I got burnt with was SWG, and that was more to do with what the NGE said about SOE's corporate culture. I had no issue with them trying to make the game better. It needed it. I had an issue with being willing to throw away current customers in an effort to gain new ones. It isn't how I was taught to do business.
Currently I am following SWTOR, and ArcheAge. These two games seem to hold the most promise at the moment, but again only once I actually get to play them will I see how good they actually are. I am also playing WoW, and Eve.
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In the past, I've found myself very excited for some games. For example, I was very interested in Vanguard, even to the point that I bought a new computer just so I could solidly play the game. While I wasn't disappointed in my new hardware, I found it hard to stick with the game as it didn't meet my expectations.
Since then, I've approached launches of new games with less excitement. I've tried many new MMOs at their launch dates, and I'm looking forward to a few - SWToR, GW2, etc - but I'm not holding out for them to be the best games I'll ever play. I'll try them out when they launch, or shortly after, and see if they're something I'm interested in. If money is an issue, then I'll simply wait and see what people are saying about them a few months down the line.
Most MMOs are an investment. They generally aren't designed to be something you play for a couple days or a few weeks before 'beating them' and moving on to another game. So, in turn, you've got to approach them in a different manner. It's important to look at the game before it's released and see if you like what the developers are offering, but we should all really hold off our expectations for the games until they're playable.
I think we have the same kind of approach to (MMO) gaming
It seems like a small minority group though, reading from the experiences and comments posted.
Good points too.
The ACTUAL size of MMORPG worlds: a comparison list between MMO's
The ease with which predictions are made on these forums:
Fratman: "I'm saying Spring 2012 at the earliest [for TOR release]. Anyone still clinging to 2011 is deluding themself at this point."
I got out of the Marines in 97 and while attending college, I met some real cool peeps who introduced me to the "PC" game world. Before I went into the service (1993), all I knew was console gaming. I started out with ATARI, then came Intellivision and Calicovision, not to mention the ol' Commodore64 ( never played online with the 14k modems,etc) . I also did the dice and paper games, played DnD from about age 9 - the mid teens ( Forgotten Realms campaign series) and a couple of others (Star Frontiers, Marvel Heroes) Anywase, back to the story ...
The first PC game I got into was Counter Strike 1.1, I know I know, thats not an MMO per say but thats where my story began. I played all the way to the CS:Source upgrade then came the Call of Duty series and I never touched CS again...Along the way I played several other games such as - The Matrix Online, I had great expectations for this game, it had the chance to be one of the greatest, but instead, it was a lot of nothing and died a slow ugly death...I played EverQuest for a bit, but eh, couldnt really get into it, a bit "cartoonish"( doesn't mean its a bad game, just wasnt for me)...I eventually gave in and tried out WoW for a couple of weeks, this was around 2005. I was very disappointed, seemed like it was just a gear grind. No risk in PvP, very kiddy. Wasn't for me either. I tried out City of Heroes/villains..Again, couldnt get into it, I needed more and these games seemed like more of the same ol same...Age of Conan was a MAJOR disappoinment. Seemed to me like a glorified WoW of sorts....
Been playing Eve Online since 2005. NOTHING can even come close to this game at this point in time. The learning curve, the complexity and depth, players battling for control of diff regions of space and the resources within, the economy, the crafting system...so much to even try to describe....
Also been playing World of Tanks since Beta, a decent FPS with a lobby. Fun times when Im bored.
Just my 2 cents.
Same here. I wait until there's a free trial. No trial, you don't get my money, period. So many of these games suck, I refuse to buy until I've tried.
Played: UO, EQ, WoW, DDO, SWG, AO, CoH, EvE, TR, AoC, GW, GA, Aion, Allods, lots more
Relatively Recently (Re)Played: HL2 (all), Halo (PC, all), Batman:AA; AC, ME, BS, DA, FO3, DS, Doom (all), LFD1&2, KOTOR, Portal 1&2, Blink, Elder Scrolls (all), lots more
Now Playing: None
Hope: None
Ive been BURNT by every single WoW clone to come out since WoW. Not ever gonna play a clone of the game that destroyed the innovation and creativity of the genre ever again.
Everything you need to know about Elder Scrolls Online
Playing: GW2
Waiting on: TESO
Next Flop: Planetside 2
Best MMO of all time: Asheron's Call - The first company to recreate AC will be the next greatest MMO.
Have to say WoW/AoC burn are the reasons I'm now here. Never been a MMO fan until WoW came out. Played Warcraft 2 (not 3) religiously as a kid so naturally found whacking the Horde online fun as hell. Until the expansions changed it too much:
PVP = Arena PVE = Crystal Spaceships/defeating an emo Ice-dude and his pet dragon.
Our entire Guild frog-marched over to AoC because it promised realistic settings, weapons/armour that didn't look like Modern Art pieces and decent world PVP. Instead I got butt ugly zones that made exploring a chore and factionless design that left PVP just an annoying gankfest and that ulimately with noone to fight for or against the game was essentially pointless and just fighting for s**ts and giggles. AoC burnt me hard enough to stay away from any new MMO until I can see it meets my expectations.
The investment that an MMO requires to really get the most out of it is immensive and along with the P2P model its hard not to take it a bit personally when they promise so much and deliver a lemon instead.
I have way more things to worry about, and to do, in everyday life than run to the internet and cry hysterically when some game company decides to change something in their game that I may not agree with. Getting burned on a game is such an insignificant thing to be burned on it's even ridiculous to entertain the thought. You have no choice in what direction a product you are not producing is taking so why not just complain to the company directly and be more productive elsewhere in life?
Playing an MMO requires an investment of time that could otherwise be spent elsewhere, both virtual and reallife.
If I build a shed and the local council desides to change the rules and forces me to demolish it, I would be pretty pissed. Likewise, if I spend countless hours playing a game and the developers deside that the games' focus is now to fight a giant fire-chicken (WoW) then again I'll be annoyed for having wasted so much time and effort.
I was burned many years ago with a couple of Super Ninetendo games and learned my lesson then, nowadays I just take games as they come, if I like the premise and design of the game I'll give it a go but never get hyped up as is seen around these boards just leads to disappointment and even anger. Though saying this doesn't mean I will not try to be objective about the game that I'm playing and it doesn't lead me to be lethargic as well, I will criticise if I feel the need like with Warhammer & Rift I feel these two are the poorest MMO's I've played in concept and design. Luckily with MMO's you can try to get into a beta and that does save you money in the long run and you can also give input on how you think the game is so its a two way street by benefitting you and the dev's.
Cal.
This doom and gloom thread was brought to you by Chin Up the new ultra high caffeine soft drink for gamers who just need that boost of happiness after a long forum session.
Interesting question, think it got stickied because most who bother to read it will lean back and give the trend a bit of self analysis and wonder about their position.
I'm a life long gamer, weighed in on the launch of UO and have played every AAA title out there, some more than others. There is only one "bitter scar" I bear and that's not from the game itself but from the managing staff, and that was SOE. The fact that they keep repeating the sin of how they treat their customer base and their titles keeps me away from their doorstep as they prove repeatedly they're "same old SOE".
Wise people know hype when they see it and identify it for what it is, a middle school like popularity contest. And when people encounter unsatisfying gameplay, they will leave the game and if perchance the topic comes up, they'll voice that disatisfaction to those who are still beguiled by the product. No different than sports fans arguing with each other over whatever they feel is a salient point, and to someone like me who has zero interest in sports, its just as mystifying to me as this trend is to you.
However that said, I think the one thing that people are getting tired of is the same thing people start to feel after a while as they pay attention to politics. They realize that they're being lied to, and told selective truths, spot tactics used to present the illusion of respectibility, all for the purpose of luring them in for support with no real consequences for failing to deliver on their promises. Do Gamers have a inflated sense of self-worth to a company? Absolutely, but at the same time, many games are guilty of playing the stalling game and trying to be good enough instead of good, patronizingly telling people to wait, stuff is in the works, this is difficult to do and we want to do it right, be patient and keep paying. When they're unseasoned gamers, they fall for it, their hopes are being used as tools to manipulate them into continued payments, by the time they've moved on to their third title, they begin to resent that same sin being flung in their face, especially when that staff said they were going to be different from that other slimy company.
Its definitely much better to be like the OP and be detached about it all, but in general, there is a relationship that is entered between player and game producer, and in a relationship, no one likes being manipulated with empty promises, lied to, or treated like a money tree. And in the end, rather than get passionate and crusade about it, the wiser thing to do is to do as the OP, stop paying and move on. Its a slow process, but your wallet talks much louder than any forum post does.
Even peace may be purchased at too high a price, and the only time you are completely safe is when you lie in the grave.
Yes. That's the simple answer.
As absolutely silly as it seems... I hate the marketing teams of MMORPG's with a passion. They are too damned good at their jobs.
We also have an absolute overflow of info from sites such as this. When we first hear about a game, it's exciting. But as we are exposed to updates over the course of 2-3 years as the MMO is created... we begin to lose that sense of 'magic'/excitement. In short, by the time the game is released... the honeymoon is often already over.
When there is a game im hyped about I always do some good research. I read about the features and try to get into beta. If I dont get into beta I read the response from beta testers and watch gameplay videos.
So I have never been burnt on an MMO.
I think when you are hyped about a game, you should not be such a big fanboy that you overlook the issues others are reporting.
Burned by Warhammer Online and Age of Conan, been very careful since. I think caution will go to the wind for SWToR though.
I generally don't get too hyped up about any particular MMO so I generally don't get too disapppointed. That said I go through a few different phases with MMOs and become burnt out, but wind up playing single player or arena multiplayer (like shooters, RTS, MOBA, etc.) until eventually trying out a new MMO and enjoying it again. It's important not to become too jaded on MMOs, and I think a lot of people tend to nitpick about little things.
Eventually I think most people will become bored of their favorite MMO, especially if they play it at a hardcore level like I do. A lot of the problem is most people think it's bad to "game hop" and constantly switch your subscription from one new MMO to the next, but I think it's a pretty healthy practice for anyone who enjoys the genre and doesn't want to become extremely burnout on it. Take as much enjoyment out of a game as possible and when it stops becoming fun, move on. You can look back on the game and appreciate what it did well and have a better understanding of what you don't like about a particular game when choosing your next one.
The only MMO I can think of that didn't live up to expectations for me was FFXIV. It was just a poorly designed game in multiple aspects. Still, I did get some enjoyment out of it, mostly with the community I played with. Fortunately, I wasn't too hyped about it to begin with, and pretty much only got into it because there was nothing else on the market I wanted to play at the time.
I'd say in the 13-15 years I've been MMO gaming that I've remained relatively unscathed and enjoy the genre.
I expected Warhammer to be much better, it turne dout to be just average.
I've been burnt out on isk farming in EvE and Raiding in EQ/WoW...
I took an extremely long break then dove in again recently.
Its nice to be back.
Playing: Nothing
Looking forward to: Nothing
Nope, I havent.
Always checking very closely before I buy a game.
For example, NONE of this years games have passed. Well except Skyrim, if its going to be released this year. Even if Witcher 2 was very tempting, but meh.
And my checks get three times harder if its a MMO, because I dont want to play these like normal games, I want to pick one and play it for years.
I played Lineage 2 because a friend played it and to my surprise it was much more fun than I expected. Some things about that game are really great.
I played Vanguard after a looong phase of checking out games and while its start was rather rough and disappointing, its simply an amazing game.
I'm going to play SWTOR and while I'm not sure about how good it will be, I already know it wont get near Vanguard. Still, its in the "good enough" area to be fun and enjoyable for a while.
Nah, I've been disappointed by some games (WAR, Aion), and amazed at the gall developers showed in launching others (FFXIV), but I consider it a part of life, you have to learn from your mistakes.
The biggest mistake is believing in the hype, and boy is there a lot of hype these days. It's all about managing your own expectations - as Sovrath said, take what they give you and see if you want to stick around. No point raging at a game/studio because you disgree with a fundamental design decision - just put the game down and move on.
Despite all of the above I'm not actually a cynic, there are games I'm interested in, games I'm excited to try. And while there are games that I follow, I'm not about to hope some other game fails so the ones I'm interested in can do better (is it weird that I want to play SW:TOR, GW2 and TSW and see no conflict there?).
Even now, with all the F2P fuss going on around Fallen Earth, a game I've played (and loved, despite all its flaws) since just after it launched, I'm pretty much ok with moving on if the new stuffs in July or the F2P transition are game-breaking for me - and no, I won't be nerdraging anywhere about it. I figure, all thinngs considered, I've had a pretty good innings.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uriXFGPx_3A
I no longer play betas, purchase collector's editions or play a game at launch. This has made my MMO experience much better and less of a disappointment. The market is oversaturated with games and I use this site extensively to hear about new ones or try a hidden gem. Don't ever believe the hype, read reviews, try a trial, ask long time players (if its an older game) what the end game is like. If its a new game, give it 2 weeks to a month from launch before trying it. You really won't miss anything and ample feedback will give you a clue of how it's going.
I have never been burnt on Vanguard, close, but not yet, the rest, ya the burn comes quick.