Yes many will return to World of Warcraft. Yes people will notice a few minor changes. Yes, Blizzard Entertainment will boast and brag about how many "millions" have returned. I have never left. So, I wonder, really. What exactly have people returned to?
Updated graphics, housing (hmmm), reduced stats with mobs more in line with your level, grasses and other plants life that move when you pass through (novel?), a prequel to "Burning Crusade", ect. ect. Yes, WoD will have some new shinny things. Millions of ad dollars will be spent and thousands and thousand of people shall return. We'll be told that a couple million or more have returned. Thus, I have to ask; How long will folks be back?
Basically, we will quest our way right down from the Dark Portal through orc after orc after orc until we reach the next quest hub. Yes, we'll rinse and repeat. We must obtain the correct numbers. Without the all powerful matching numbers we won't be able to enjoy the automatic group find to experience the one thing that Blizzard truly does right, the dungeon. Blizzard perpetual "one trick pony is their dungeons. Gear drop by gear drop they effectively have reduced crafting to a support buffing utility. But, who knows with garrisons, or insta-housing we might actually become wood workers or carpenters creating furniture and other nick-nacks for the ol' garrison homestead. Just keep the legion of orcs out!
Somehow, I feel with all the hype and there will be several million dollars worth of it around the next several months, I can't help but feel that WoD will basically be the same thing we've experienced through the years. Of course there will be new "bells and whistles". Yes, we'll be told that these bells and whistles are the best things since peanut butter. Really?
It will be debated as it has been for almost 10 years on forums such as this one, blogs, and podcasts that the reasons people always return is due to lack of interest in current mmo offerings. Possibly, however only those that return could really give you their response. In my and my opinion alone, I think especially for those that began with Azeroth, they simply get a little mmo homesick. Now, missing Stormwind, Ironforge, Ogrimmar, Lorderon, et al. is for me, a legitimate reason to return. Afterall I went back to Lineage 2 for a time this year in honor of that games' 10th anniversary because I missed the soundtrack, the on-going danger that at certain high levels you become a part of end game just to name a couple of aspects of L 2. Yet, we will be told that millions of people have returned because no current mmo can hold a candle to WoW. , on and on and on we go around around and around the tired same old chatter. Nonconstructive debate about games we may or may not have any control over is mind numbing exercise.
So, yet another WoW expansion is in beta testing. Hopefully many of you will be invited. I have. I am playing, well, because I'm quite over Panda-land aren't I? Thus, quite amusingly, if thousands and thousands of "fans" return, why on earth do they complain of being bored and, eventually leave...yet again. How long will it take those legions of returning players to get bored and start leaving? I know, I know, a new toy is about to be released how dare I bring up a demons of past expansions. I shall be labeled a heretic for making such claims upon the "next big thing" for WoW. It is the nature of the beast, I suppose, isn't it?
For the most part I have always been a proponent of freedom of choice and independence. If you choose to play Rift, then by God go for it! Do not be told that you shouldn't like it. Don't be swayed by names thrown around in many a forum, including this one. If you are happy where you are play on! Make up your own mind. Experience each world for the creative value of the game. Many new games are out there and we have had to wade through the trash comments about each of them. However, in truth, many never read these forums. I bet you can guess why, can't you? That's right, because they are playing. So who the hell cares if someone enjoys playing ESO. That makes no difference on whether I survive as a human being. I do not loose any sleep because several thousand folks are digging the crap out of Wildstar. How many threads have been started on this forum with someone so totally lost by the number of games to choose from, that they lay bare their souls to ask which game they should be playing. What happened to curiosity? Pick an mmo and give it a minimum of one month. If after month, you can "fit in" to that community, then leave. Make up your own mind about what you prefer. I dare say, many of the people that make daily posts and threads on here could easily understand that philosophy.
In conclusion and in defense of those "other games" there really is choice. If you're new to this forum, take it from me stand strong and think for yourself. For the first time in a decade there is some competition for gamers out there. WoD will be polished and shiny and backed by millions of dollars. It won't fail and we'll be told how successful it is. But, really? Is that how you feel after leveling to 95? Possibly I suppose and "good onya mate" if running the same tired old min/maxing of armor so you can get into the LFR for yet more gear is the reason you play. Thousands obiviously play this way because WoW is the only game they are "invested" in. Investment is yet another topic for another thread we should dialogue, I should think. However I shall leave you with this if we invest our talents and efforts for the single goal of gear levels, what is the actual return on that investment? There are mmo's on the horizon that will demand investment from you and yet you can make a choice for return on that investment and it won't be anything like you have currently experienced in WoW. Some new thought about our entertainment and whether we can and should partake in the creation of the games we play has become the discussion found on many developer forums. I think maybe this is somewhat "cutting-edge", but we shall see, won't we?
Go play WoD beta enjoy it for what it is. It's not all that bad, but it's not all that earth-shattering. I propose when you play the beta that you keep a keen eye out there for mechanics not seen in any other games. Now, obiviously, you would have had to have some experiences in other games to notice this, thus I make this proposal to the many of you out there that have played mmo's since UO or EQ.
God bless each of you and may the warm winds of fortune always be at your back,
Alyn
All I want is the truth Just gimme some truth John Lennon
As a non WoW player, this thread is disheartening. The cash cow that is WoW is what has kept the MMORPG genre from innovating. WoW used to be a pioneer for the MMORPG genre ... 7 to 10 years ago. Back then it innovated the genre and changed it for the better in so many ways. And then the "Big Gorrilla in the corner" started devouring the market. Every game that came along became a WoW clone due to its success. Classic MMORPG's already released (Ie., SWG) began changing their game mechanics to mirror WoW's so as not to loose their players to the "Big Gorilla." Blizzard became complacent with their cash cow and has not innovated for a decade.
We can only imagine what the MMORPG genre might have evolved to today had WoW not cornered the market and nudged every talented developer to "sell out" their unique genius simply to mirror the cash cow that is WoW. A decade later and here we are with the millions of WoW babies still feeding the same ol' cash cow. Meanwhile every other "spinoff" of the clone has left the genre sick and muddling along in mediocrity. It's a vicious cycle which sees no end. And why should it? Maybe Blizzard does want to innovate, but they can't and ... why should they? They are still raking in "hand over fist" millions with the "Big Gorilla." If they innovated and released a new game, all they would accomplish in doing is killing off the "Big Gorilla" by making them choose between their new game and the "Gorilla," thereby bleeding their "Big Gorilla" player base.
Soon another promising AAA game will release. Unchallenged this new game stood to bleed some of the "Big Gorilla's" player base. The "Big Gorilla," however, would not have it. So they did as they usually do and are planning to "strategically" release their new expansion at about the same time this new AAA game is released. They will beat it down before it dare take any of the "Big Gorilla's" territory. That is what "Big Gorilla's" do to mark and keep their territory. And so the genre continues to muddle on in mediocrity in the shadows of the "Big Gorilla."
When we will ever be free of the "Big Gorilla" no one knows. Hopefully soon but it doesn't look promising. It just keeps going and going and going with it's millions of WoW babies seemingly for eternity. A decade from now there will be yet another "Big Gorilla" expansion and we will be reading a "Big Gorilla" thread just like this one with 60 year olds talking about the same ol "I left but I am only going back for 3 months just for "nostalgia" ...
No long winded post needed. The reason is simple, it s still the best game on the market. I too have looked for a better MMO, tried every single on I can think of that has come out since MMOs have been out, and still find for all around entertainment, WoW is the best.
I think the OP is right. Its got me thinking about it and i haven't played wow in awhile. But to the OP, Wow has so much hate on these boards so be prepared for that. But if you look at all of wows xpacks,they always bring a flood of people back in the game. And this time around the new released mmo's are not really that great. So when wod does come out those new games will lose players for wod. It seems people take a break from wow to try some new mmo's but when a wow xpack comes out its back to wow. Its still the top game for a reason even after all these years. So what does that say about those new games.
Fact: WoW has more subscribers than any other MMO (what 2, 3, 4, 10 times more?)
Fact: The number of subscribers is NOT going to drop below that number when WoD releases
Therefore: WoW will sell more copies of a game than any other MMO this year (maybe more than all of them combined), and may even hit double-digit millions of subscribers (at least for a few months).
I'd love to see the old skill trees, or old skill trees with changes that make for some better differentiation. Make it difficult for me to choose which skills I want to put spec into, make the differences actually cater to your style of play.
That being said, I'll probably be over there for the next year as soon as it's released. Pretty much tried everything that there is to try and find very little out there that compares as far as polish goes. Still, even without updated graphics, the most polished game on the market.
I don't believe anyone who says they're not going back. They're lying to themselves and full of poo. Even if they don't buy the expansion before hand... There will be THAT one night were there sitting around on their current game bored to tears.. They will buy the digital expansion and play. Fact.
I'll play it. Why? Because it is still a decent game and every time I quit and go to the next new MMO it always turns out to be utter shite and I go back.
I haven't really found a great MMO to settle into and call home since the NGE destroyed SWG but WoW at least is continuous and you know it will always be there like an old friend unlike all the new MMO's that dry up fast and go F2P and become dogs poo.
I now sub for a bit, take a break and go back so I don't burn out as I know there isn't another MMO to satisfy my needs.
Yes, and exactly what I have said in an earlier post here. But another game that you didn't like is like "heaven" to several others. I suppose the thing that truly makes me grin is forums such as these the fine gaming folk that have the grizzled fingers and insomnia to prove that, "boy they gave it the ol' college try" but the mmo the tried in place of WoW just didn't measure up. Of course using colorful sub-standard language to persuade new readers or people unsure of whether to play or not to play, is par for the course on several forums similar to this.
"One man's garbage is another man's treasure..."
I say, let it go. If you want to return, then leave WoW, it's your gaming style, uhm, I suppose. I play several mmo's actively. I get bored switch over, say howdy to my in-game friends and do that mmo thang for a while. Freedom. Choice. Independence. Why is it we have to think that an mmo is going to give us on-going challenge and pleasure each and every day for X amount of years?
I don't know I suppose some of us are just grouchy, grumpy, and acting like an octogenarian, sort of when we whinge and complain. My wish for you and the legion of other forum troopers here is that someday you find that game that your "be-all" and "end-all". Have faith, my friend there are actually some talented folks out there that just need the right break. Eventually, with a little faith you'll find that sort of perfect balance you're looking for
Keep the faith...
Alyn
All I want is the truth Just gimme some truth John Lennon
If you read these forums you would be led to believe that no one cares for WOW anymore and then moment beta keys for WOD are offered they are gone with in seconds. So much so that mmorpg.com have to offer more keys again and the topic is already 20+ pages long with people unable to breathe with excitement.
I won't be surprised that these same people who claim to be 'done' with WOW are begging for beta keys on alt accounts.
Hypocrites.
Yes, brother, yes.
..and how long has this gone on here?
...for as long as the Moon has deflected the sun's glow
Grins,
Alyn
All I want is the truth Just gimme some truth John Lennon
If you read these forums you would be led to believe that no one cares for WOW anymore and then moment beta keys for WOD are offered they are gone with in seconds. So much so that mmorpg.com have to offer more keys again and the topic is already 20+ pages long with people unable to breathe with excitement.
I won't be surprised that these same people who claim to be 'done' with WOW are begging for beta keys on alt accounts.
Hypocrites.
Yes, brother, yes.
..and how long has this gone on here?
...for as long as the Moon has deflected the sun's glow
Grins,
Alyn
Hating WOW is the 'cool' thing to do. Don't be surprised if WOD breaks all the previous records in sales numbers.
This is one of the most solid expansion since BC.
"The problem is that the hardcore folks always want the same thing: 'We want exactly what you gave us before, but it has to be completely different.' -Jesse Schell
"Online gamers are the most ludicrously entitled beings since Caligula made his horse a senator, and at least the horse never said anything stupid." -Luke McKinney
- after almost 10 years, its still the game that has most things right of any MMO out there, and most content to offer...
No doubt about that.
I've given soon 11 years of uninterrupted $15/month subscription to Blizzard, for a good reason. Their MMO, while others are fun, is still the best.
And it's not even about being addicted to raiding... I didn't raid since middle of Cataclysm. I mostly do PvP with some old raid farming for gear models, mounts and old legendaries. I log in, try an old raid for the chance to get one of the mounts, or join friends in a dungeon because they need me, or just jump in to do a couple of random battlegrounds. No obligation, no grind, total freedom.
I would obviously suppose that "Capt." Jean-Luc has of course all the details on the many, many aspects of mmo gaming that Blizz has "gotten right" over these paste 10 years?
I see dungeons and those wonderful discoteques we call raids as definitely what they've gotten right
Maybe they got that humor correct..sort of..we do need some new jokes, don't you think?
Hmm, let's see, well, I guess i will begrudgingly give a thumbs up thus far for the AH, fairly easy to work
Quest hubs, a novel idea in 2004/2005, I suppose..is it so novel today though...hmmm turn that over to these fine forum folk for that
fully open world...uhm...well sort of fully and somewhat open kind of
mounts mounts mounts...pets pets pets pets..a veritable zoo out there
min-maxing and theory-crafting.yup the execs actually devised that while playing in EQ-- it IS a quintessential Blizz invention
BattleNet and and the "wonderful" and nonevasive Real ID-- truly mind-blowing innovation there, don't ya think?
stylized graphics a boondoggal in 2004 but rather well-liked today
yup I suppose those guys n gals out there on the ol' Anaheim campus sure have that innovation going full-tilt
winks,
Alyn
All I want is the truth Just gimme some truth John Lennon
A lot of damage has been done to the game on Ghostcrawlers watch but who knows now hes gone things may change for the better . The biggest issue I have is that I refuse to spend money on an expansion about Pandas so unless there is some way I can bypass that expansion and just get WOD I wont be returning . I have plenty to interest me elsewhere anyway but it would be nice to hear that WoW finally was turning a point and becoming challenging and fun again .
Lets face it if it could be close to what it was like in its first 4 years even today there is no mmo that has come close to it in terms of concept and polish . up until 2008 I thought I could quite happily be playing it for a decade or more .
So many wrong turns
I agree sir greatskys. I might add; Can ever really go back to those days?
Possibly, but for my 2 cents, I say just chunk it and look to the future and the new style mmo's that SoE and Blizzard are currently working on. I'd have to say, and I'm not big into space mmo's, but Star Citizen feels like it is going to be very successful when compared to Eve.
we ALL need a breath of fresh air, sometimes...
Alyn
All I want is the truth Just gimme some truth John Lennon
If you read these forums you would be led to believe that no one cares for WOW anymore and then moment beta keys for WOD are offered they are gone with in seconds. So much so that mmorpg.com have to offer more keys again and the topic is already 20+ pages long with people unable to breathe with excitement.
I won't be surprised that these same people who claim to be 'done' with WOW are begging for beta keys on alt accounts.
Hypocrites.
Yes, brother, yes.
..and how long has this gone on here?
...for as long as the Moon has deflected the sun's glow
Grins,
Alyn
Hating WOW is the 'cool' thing to do. Don't be surprised if WOD breaks all the previous records in sales numbers.
This is one of the most solid expansion since BC.
Well of course it will doogie. I think most of us that have been around the block a few times would agree those numbers will just come rolling in. Hell, why not just throw out, oh, I don't know maybe 2 - 3 million. Game of the years numbers fer sure.
But at the end of the day. When the rubber meets the road how many of those, uhm gamers will remain? Blizz will throw millions on a really, really cool and awesome visual panorama for us to behold as they hype hell outta their old mmo. It will bring millions back. Oh those groovy TV commercials-- impressive and we are a consumer driven world, aren't we?
Does that really matter all that much any more?
Alyn
All I want is the truth Just gimme some truth John Lennon
If you read these forums you would be led to believe that no one cares for WOW anymore and then moment beta keys for WOD are offered they are gone with in seconds. So much so that mmorpg.com have to offer more keys again and the topic is already 20+ pages long with people unable to breathe with excitement.
I won't be surprised that these same people who claim to be 'done' with WOW are begging for beta keys on alt accounts.
Hypocrites.
Yes, brother, yes.
..and how long has this gone on here?
...for as long as the Moon has deflected the sun's glow
Grins,
Alyn
Yeah this is so true. The beta keys were gone so fast. It is the cool thing to do. Hate on the number one mmo in the world for almost 10 years running. And it does say those other games must be crap if a old game like wow is still number one.
A lot of damage has been done to the game on Ghostcrawlers watch but who knows now hes gone things may change for the better . The biggest issue I have is that I refuse to spend money on an expansion about Pandas so unless there is some way I can bypass that expansion and just get WOD I wont be returning . I have plenty to interest me elsewhere anyway but it would be nice to hear that WoW finally was turning a point and becoming challenging and fun again .
Lets face it if it could be close to what it was like in its first 4 years even today there is no mmo that has come close to it in terms of concept and polish . up until 2008 I thought I could quite happily be playing it for a decade or more .
So many wrong turns
I agree sir greatskys. I might add; Can ever really go back to those days?
Possibly, but for my 2 cents, I say just chunk it and look to the future and the new style mmo's that SoE and Blizzard are currently working on. I'd have to say, and I'm not big into space mmo's, but Star Citizen feels like it is going to be very successful when compared to Eve.
we ALL need a breath of fresh air, sometimes...
Alyn
I have some of the same sentiments. That doesn't mean I'm not going to play WoD, though. That would be crazy talk!
I've backed Star Citizen (since Privateer may have been my most loved single player game of all time). Also backed The Repopulation. I think that we've got to support games that strive to be "better", but I think that I will always go back to WoW, for a couple months? a year? Whatever the case, I will always find myself back over there. They have "the formula" down. Think about it, even with the damage done, they still manage to maintain users and have former players frothing at the mouth to get in on a new expansion (and pay for it btw).
I do agree that fresh air is nice, though. After that it's back to rounding up and downing 10 mobs at a time
If you read these forums you would be led to believe that no one cares for WOW anymore and then moment beta keys for WOD are offered they are gone with in seconds. So much so that mmorpg.com have to offer more keys again and the topic is already 20+ pages long with people unable to breathe with excitement.
I won't be surprised that these same people who claim to be 'done' with WOW are begging for beta keys on alt accounts.
Hypocrites.
Yes, brother, yes.
..and how long has this gone on here?
...for as long as the Moon has deflected the sun's glow
Grins,
Alyn
Yeah this is so true. The beta keys were gone so fast. It is the cool thing to do. Hate on the number one mmo in the world for almost 10 years running. And it does say those other games must be crap if a old game like wow is still number one.
I really like your forum nick, Hariken!
Well, I do not hate WoW I'm still slogging through it. But, I play it as i would Rift, EQ 2, Archeage, Landmark, and several others. Because I am fortunate enough that I may. It's not about "hate" when you open a line of discussion about a game you've experienced almost without a break since 2004. Only took time off for cancer surgery in 2007.
Boredom and hatred are two entirely different emotions, aren't they? i should think if i truly hated WoW I would not only cancel my subscription of 10 years, but not even speak of it while in mixed company, would I?
/bows with respect to master Hariken
Alyn
All I want is the truth Just gimme some truth John Lennon
A lot of damage has been done to the game on Ghostcrawlers watch but who knows now hes gone things may change for the better . The biggest issue I have is that I refuse to spend money on an expansion about Pandas so unless there is some way I can bypass that expansion and just get WOD I wont be returning . I have plenty to interest me elsewhere anyway but it would be nice to hear that WoW finally was turning a point and becoming challenging and fun again .
Lets face it if it could be close to what it was like in its first 4 years even today there is no mmo that has come close to it in terms of concept and polish . up until 2008 I thought I could quite happily be playing it for a decade or more .
So many wrong turns
I agree sir greatskys. I might add; Can ever really go back to those days?
Possibly, but for my 2 cents, I say just chunk it and look to the future and the new style mmo's that SoE and Blizzard are currently working on. I'd have to say, and I'm not big into space mmo's, but Star Citizen feels like it is going to be very successful when compared to Eve.
we ALL need a breath of fresh air, sometimes...
Alyn
I have some of the same sentiments. That doesn't mean I'm not going to play WoD, though. That would be crazy talk!
I've backed Star Citizen (since Privateer may have been my most loved single player game of all time). Also backed The Repopulation. I think that we've got to support games that strive to be "better", but I think that I will always go back to WoW, for a couple months? a year? Whatever the case, I will always find myself back over there. They have "the formula" down. Think about it, even with the damage done, they still manage to maintain users and have former players frothing at the mouth to get in on a new expansion (and pay for it btw).
I do agree that fresh air is nice, though. After that it's back to rounding up and downing 10 mobs at a time
I am already crazy CrazyKanuk! Super forum nick btw, sir! Yes, I too shall jump in there and battle my way down the steps of the dark portal and kill hordes of orcs on the way to my destination, which now seems to be another quest hub...
I say, if you can rotate several mmo's for shorter periods of time. I makes playing mmo's a unique experience and you can truly see the differences as you play..
Anyway it's what I do, because I am able to..
/tips my hat in respect, to that ol' CrazyKanuk!
Alyn
All I want is the truth Just gimme some truth John Lennon
- after almost 10 years, its still the game that has most things right of any MMO out there, and most content to offer...
No doubt about that.
I've given soon 11 years of uninterrupted $15/month subscription to Blizzard, for a good reason. Their MMO, while others are fun, is still the best.
And it's not even about being addicted to raiding... I didn't raid since middle of Cataclysm. I mostly do PvP with some old raid farming for gear models, mounts and old legendaries. I log in, try an old raid for the chance to get one of the mounts, or join friends in a dungeon because they need me, or just jump in to do a couple of random battlegrounds. No obligation, no grind, total freedom.
I would obviously suppose that "Capt." Jean-Luc has of course all the details on the many, many aspects of mmo gaming that Blizz has "gotten right" over these paste 10 years?
I see dungeons and those wonderful discoteques we call raids as definitely what they've gotten right
Maybe they got that humor correct..sort of..we do need some new jokes, don't you think?
Hmm, let's see, well, I guess i will begrudgingly give a thumbs up thus far for the AH, fairly easy to work
Quest hubs, a novel idea in 2004/2005, I suppose..is it so novel today though...hmmm turn that over to these fine forum folk for that
fully open world...uhm...well sort of fully and somewhat open kind of
mounts mounts mounts...pets pets pets pets..a veritable zoo out there
min-maxing and theory-crafting.yup the execs actually devised that while playing in EQ-- it IS a quintessential Blizz invention
BattleNet and and the "wonderful" and nonevasive Real ID-- truly mind-blowing innovation there, don't ya think?
stylized graphics a boondoggal in 2004 but rather well-liked today
yup I suppose those guys n gals out there on the ol' Anaheim campus sure have that innovation going full-tilt
winks,
Alyn
i cant decide if your answer to this guy is being deliberately stupid, deliberately confusing, or deliberately condescending to everyone here. and im thinking its a hidden dig at the latter, asshole.
Neither actually. It is my response and you have yours, as well sir. I thank you for that thought as well. ..stirs the soul, but never changes the mind
/salutes before the battle...
Alyn
All I want is the truth Just gimme some truth John Lennon
- after almost 10 years, its still the game that has most things right of any MMO out there, and most content to offer...
No doubt about that.
I've given soon 11 years of uninterrupted $15/month subscription to Blizzard, for a good reason. Their MMO, while others are fun, is still the best.
And it's not even about being addicted to raiding... I didn't raid since middle of Cataclysm. I mostly do PvP with some old raid farming for gear models, mounts and old legendaries. I log in, try an old raid for the chance to get one of the mounts, or join friends in a dungeon because they need me, or just jump in to do a couple of random battlegrounds. No obligation, no grind, total freedom.
I would obviously suppose that "Capt." Jean-Luc has of course all the details on the many, many aspects of mmo gaming that Blizz has "gotten right" over these paste 10 years?
I see dungeons and those wonderful discoteques we call raids as definitely what they've gotten right
Maybe they got that humor correct..sort of..we do need some new jokes, don't you think?
Hmm, let's see, well, I guess i will begrudgingly give a thumbs up thus far for the AH, fairly easy to work
Quest hubs, a novel idea in 2004/2005, I suppose..is it so novel today though...hmmm turn that over to these fine forum folk for that
fully open world...uhm...well sort of fully and somewhat open kind of
mounts mounts mounts...pets pets pets pets..a veritable zoo out there
min-maxing and theory-crafting.yup the execs actually devised that while playing in EQ-- it IS a quintessential Blizz invention
BattleNet and and the "wonderful" and nonevasive Real ID-- truly mind-blowing innovation there, don't ya think?
stylized graphics a boondoggal in 2004 but rather well-liked today
yup I suppose those guys n gals out there on the ol' Anaheim campus sure have that innovation going full-tilt
winks,
Alyn
i cant decide if your answer to this guy is being deliberately stupid, deliberately confusing, or deliberately condescending to everyone here. and im thinking its a hidden dig at the latter, asshole.
Neither actually. It is my response and you have yours, as well sir. I thank you for that thought as well. ..stirs the soul, but never changes the mind
/salutes before the battle...
Alyn
I want some of what you're on this morning.
The game you are looking for requiring no PvE completion and where you can just jump in and start mindlessly shooting at people is that way - >>>>
... it's called an FPS.
Quit ruining the MMORPG genre with your constant "PvE grind" whines.
I think the biggest reason people return to WoW is they love the world, the lore, and the characters. They want to to see the next part of the story. They want to see what's new in the world they roamed for so long. It's like going to visit a friend that you have not seen or talked to for a long time. Fun to catch up, but then you realize that you don't have much in common anymore.
I get that urge to go back and pay a visit every so often, it's just hard to stay very long with the outdated graphics and tab-target combat. I know graphics are not everything..but it's SOMETHING.
I really wish they would make a WoW 2.0. New engine, more dynamic combat, same world. It does not seem like it is ever going to happen though.
Honestly people go back to the games they've invested most of their with, generally. I am one of those people, although I really have never completely left WoW. I did hand my guild over to a trusted asst GM when I was fighting cancer and for a time didn't even turn on the computer as there are time when your life matters a bit more than games do :P
Games all have charm is some way if you can take the time to experience it. Folks that spend hours playing see this in many ways. Although you might not be able to recapture your first "day 1" feelings for whatever mmo you play most, you can and may return as you feel free to do so.
Nods,
Alyn
All I want is the truth Just gimme some truth John Lennon
- after almost 10 years, its still the game that has most things right of any MMO out there, and most content to offer...
No doubt about that.
I've given soon 11 years of uninterrupted $15/month subscription to Blizzard, for a good reason. Their MMO, while others are fun, is still the best.
And it's not even about being addicted to raiding... I didn't raid since middle of Cataclysm. I mostly do PvP with some old raid farming for gear models, mounts and old legendaries. I log in, try an old raid for the chance to get one of the mounts, or join friends in a dungeon because they need me, or just jump in to do a couple of random battlegrounds. No obligation, no grind, total freedom.
I would obviously suppose that "Capt." Jean-Luc has of course all the details on the many, many aspects of mmo gaming that Blizz has "gotten right" over these paste 10 years?
I see dungeons and those wonderful discoteques we call raids as definitely what they've gotten right
Maybe they got that humor correct..sort of..we do need some new jokes, don't you think?
Hmm, let's see, well, I guess i will begrudgingly give a thumbs up thus far for the AH, fairly easy to work
Quest hubs, a novel idea in 2004/2005, I suppose..is it so novel today though...hmmm turn that over to these fine forum folk for that
fully open world...uhm...well sort of fully and somewhat open kind of
mounts mounts mounts...pets pets pets pets..a veritable zoo out there
min-maxing and theory-crafting.yup the execs actually devised that while playing in EQ-- it IS a quintessential Blizz invention
BattleNet and and the "wonderful" and nonevasive Real ID-- truly mind-blowing innovation there, don't ya think?
stylized graphics a boondoggal in 2004 but rather well-liked today
yup I suppose those guys n gals out there on the ol' Anaheim campus sure have that innovation going full-tilt
winks,
Alyn
i cant decide if your answer to this guy is being deliberately stupid, deliberately confusing, or deliberately condescending to everyone here. and im thinking its a hidden dig at the latter, asshole.
Neither actually. It is my response and you have yours, as well sir. I thank you for that thought as well. ..stirs the soul, but never changes the mind
/salutes before the battle...
Alyn
I want some of what you're on this morning.
Grins,
Well it's most likely energy. Raining here and wet, thus my outdoor chores have pretty much been curtailed. thus I do enjoy discussion and sometimes I share here.
/hands Ominous a heaping helping of good ol' stored up energy!
Alyn
All I want is the truth Just gimme some truth John Lennon
I predict that a lot of players will return to WoW at the release of the upcoming expansion just like they did in the past with other expansions, because they will get curious and wanna take a look at it.
Whether they will stay or how long they will stay is a different issue tho. I think they will come and then leave in a couple of months finding that WoW is the same WoW that made them leave in the past. No, I do not expect that they will find that WoW magically became the old WoW they fondly remember.
if the hordes of WoWfanbois are going to return back to their misery, yes please ! i give my best wishes to gather again all those who spread across other MMORPGs communities and demand LFG tools and global trading markets ... please return to your WoW, they added more polygons to the character faces !
Comments
Yes many will return to World of Warcraft. Yes people will notice a few minor changes. Yes, Blizzard Entertainment will boast and brag about how many "millions" have returned. I have never left. So, I wonder, really. What exactly have people returned to?
Updated graphics, housing (hmmm), reduced stats with mobs more in line with your level, grasses and other plants life that move when you pass through (novel?), a prequel to "Burning Crusade", ect. ect. Yes, WoD will have some new shinny things. Millions of ad dollars will be spent and thousands and thousand of people shall return. We'll be told that a couple million or more have returned. Thus, I have to ask; How long will folks be back?
Basically, we will quest our way right down from the Dark Portal through orc after orc after orc until we reach the next quest hub. Yes, we'll rinse and repeat. We must obtain the correct numbers. Without the all powerful matching numbers we won't be able to enjoy the automatic group find to experience the one thing that Blizzard truly does right, the dungeon. Blizzard perpetual "one trick pony is their dungeons. Gear drop by gear drop they effectively have reduced crafting to a support buffing utility. But, who knows with garrisons, or insta-housing we might actually become wood workers or carpenters creating furniture and other nick-nacks for the ol' garrison homestead. Just keep the legion of orcs out!
Somehow, I feel with all the hype and there will be several million dollars worth of it around the next several months, I can't help but feel that WoD will basically be the same thing we've experienced through the years. Of course there will be new "bells and whistles". Yes, we'll be told that these bells and whistles are the best things since peanut butter. Really?
It will be debated as it has been for almost 10 years on forums such as this one, blogs, and podcasts that the reasons people always return is due to lack of interest in current mmo offerings. Possibly, however only those that return could really give you their response. In my and my opinion alone, I think especially for those that began with Azeroth, they simply get a little mmo homesick. Now, missing Stormwind, Ironforge, Ogrimmar, Lorderon, et al. is for me, a legitimate reason to return. Afterall I went back to Lineage 2 for a time this year in honor of that games' 10th anniversary because I missed the soundtrack, the on-going danger that at certain high levels you become a part of end game just to name a couple of aspects of L 2. Yet, we will be told that millions of people have returned because no current mmo can hold a candle to WoW. , on and on and on we go around around and around the tired same old chatter. Nonconstructive debate about games we may or may not have any control over is mind numbing exercise.
So, yet another WoW expansion is in beta testing. Hopefully many of you will be invited. I have. I am playing, well, because I'm quite over Panda-land aren't I? Thus, quite amusingly, if thousands and thousands of "fans" return, why on earth do they complain of being bored and, eventually leave...yet again. How long will it take those legions of returning players to get bored and start leaving? I know, I know, a new toy is about to be released how dare I bring up a demons of past expansions. I shall be labeled a heretic for making such claims upon the "next big thing" for WoW. It is the nature of the beast, I suppose, isn't it?
For the most part I have always been a proponent of freedom of choice and independence. If you choose to play Rift, then by God go for it! Do not be told that you shouldn't like it. Don't be swayed by names thrown around in many a forum, including this one. If you are happy where you are play on! Make up your own mind. Experience each world for the creative value of the game. Many new games are out there and we have had to wade through the trash comments about each of them. However, in truth, many never read these forums. I bet you can guess why, can't you? That's right, because they are playing. So who the hell cares if someone enjoys playing ESO. That makes no difference on whether I survive as a human being. I do not loose any sleep because several thousand folks are digging the crap out of Wildstar. How many threads have been started on this forum with someone so totally lost by the number of games to choose from, that they lay bare their souls to ask which game they should be playing. What happened to curiosity? Pick an mmo and give it a minimum of one month. If after month, you can "fit in" to that community, then leave. Make up your own mind about what you prefer. I dare say, many of the people that make daily posts and threads on here could easily understand that philosophy.
In conclusion and in defense of those "other games" there really is choice. If you're new to this forum, take it from me stand strong and think for yourself. For the first time in a decade there is some competition for gamers out there. WoD will be polished and shiny and backed by millions of dollars. It won't fail and we'll be told how successful it is. But, really? Is that how you feel after leveling to 95? Possibly I suppose and "good onya mate" if running the same tired old min/maxing of armor so you can get into the LFR for yet more gear is the reason you play. Thousands obiviously play this way because WoW is the only game they are "invested" in. Investment is yet another topic for another thread we should dialogue, I should think. However I shall leave you with this if we invest our talents and efforts for the single goal of gear levels, what is the actual return on that investment? There are mmo's on the horizon that will demand investment from you and yet you can make a choice for return on that investment and it won't be anything like you have currently experienced in WoW. Some new thought about our entertainment and whether we can and should partake in the creation of the games we play has become the discussion found on many developer forums. I think maybe this is somewhat "cutting-edge", but we shall see, won't we?
Go play WoD beta enjoy it for what it is. It's not all that bad, but it's not all that earth-shattering. I propose when you play the beta that you keep a keen eye out there for mechanics not seen in any other games. Now, obiviously, you would have had to have some experiences in other games to notice this, thus I make this proposal to the many of you out there that have played mmo's since UO or EQ.
God bless each of you and may the warm winds of fortune always be at your back,
Alyn
All I want is the truth
Just gimme some truth
John Lennon
good post - i enjoyed reading it
EQ2 fan sites
As a non WoW player, this thread is disheartening. The cash cow that is WoW is what has kept the MMORPG genre from innovating. WoW used to be a pioneer for the MMORPG genre ... 7 to 10 years ago. Back then it innovated the genre and changed it for the better in so many ways. And then the "Big Gorrilla in the corner" started devouring the market. Every game that came along became a WoW clone due to its success. Classic MMORPG's already released (Ie., SWG) began changing their game mechanics to mirror WoW's so as not to loose their players to the "Big Gorilla." Blizzard became complacent with their cash cow and has not innovated for a decade.
We can only imagine what the MMORPG genre might have evolved to today had WoW not cornered the market and nudged every talented developer to "sell out" their unique genius simply to mirror the cash cow that is WoW. A decade later and here we are with the millions of WoW babies still feeding the same ol' cash cow. Meanwhile every other "spinoff" of the clone has left the genre sick and muddling along in mediocrity. It's a vicious cycle which sees no end. And why should it? Maybe Blizzard does want to innovate, but they can't and ... why should they? They are still raking in "hand over fist" millions with the "Big Gorilla." If they innovated and released a new game, all they would accomplish in doing is killing off the "Big Gorilla" by making them choose between their new game and the "Gorilla," thereby bleeding their "Big Gorilla" player base.
Soon another promising AAA game will release. Unchallenged this new game stood to bleed some of the "Big Gorilla's" player base. The "Big Gorilla," however, would not have it. So they did as they usually do and are planning to "strategically" release their new expansion at about the same time this new AAA game is released. They will beat it down before it dare take any of the "Big Gorilla's" territory. That is what "Big Gorilla's" do to mark and keep their territory. And so the genre continues to muddle on in mediocrity in the shadows of the "Big Gorilla."
When we will ever be free of the "Big Gorilla" no one knows. Hopefully soon but it doesn't look promising. It just keeps going and going and going with it's millions of WoW babies seemingly for eternity. A decade from now there will be yet another "Big Gorilla" expansion and we will be reading a "Big Gorilla" thread just like this one with 60 year olds talking about the same ol "I left but I am only going back for 3 months just for "nostalgia" ...
Rinse .. repeat ... rinse ... repeat ... tick... tock ... tick ... tock ...
The game you are looking for requiring no PvE completion and where you can just jump in and start mindlessly shooting at people is that way - >>>>
... it's called an FPS.
Quit ruining the MMORPG genre with your constant "PvE grind" whines.
Fact: WoW has more subscribers than any other MMO (what 2, 3, 4, 10 times more?)
Fact: The number of subscribers is NOT going to drop below that number when WoD releases
Therefore: WoW will sell more copies of a game than any other MMO this year (maybe more than all of them combined), and may even hit double-digit millions of subscribers (at least for a few months).
I'd love to see the old skill trees, or old skill trees with changes that make for some better differentiation. Make it difficult for me to choose which skills I want to put spec into, make the differences actually cater to your style of play.
That being said, I'll probably be over there for the next year as soon as it's released. Pretty much tried everything that there is to try and find very little out there that compares as far as polish goes. Still, even without updated graphics, the most polished game on the market.
Crazkanuk
----------------
Azarelos - 90 Hunter - Emerald
Durnzig - 90 Paladin - Emerald
Demonicron - 90 Death Knight - Emerald Dream - US
Tankinpain - 90 Monk - Azjol-Nerub - US
Brindell - 90 Warrior - Emerald Dream - US
----------------
YEAH! and ya know what? Television didn't exist in 1865 either! Good gravey..LOL...let us march forward shall we?
Lean forward...
Alyn
All I want is the truth
Just gimme some truth
John Lennon
Yes, and exactly what I have said in an earlier post here. But another game that you didn't like is like "heaven" to several others. I suppose the thing that truly makes me grin is forums such as these the fine gaming folk that have the grizzled fingers and insomnia to prove that, "boy they gave it the ol' college try" but the mmo the tried in place of WoW just didn't measure up. Of course using colorful sub-standard language to persuade new readers or people unsure of whether to play or not to play, is par for the course on several forums similar to this.
"One man's garbage is another man's treasure..."
I say, let it go. If you want to return, then leave WoW, it's your gaming style, uhm, I suppose. I play several mmo's actively. I get bored switch over, say howdy to my in-game friends and do that mmo thang for a while. Freedom. Choice. Independence. Why is it we have to think that an mmo is going to give us on-going challenge and pleasure each and every day for X amount of years?
I don't know I suppose some of us are just grouchy, grumpy, and acting like an octogenarian, sort of when we whinge and complain. My wish for you and the legion of other forum troopers here is that someday you find that game that your "be-all" and "end-all". Have faith, my friend there are actually some talented folks out there that just need the right break. Eventually, with a little faith you'll find that sort of perfect balance you're looking for
Keep the faith...
Alyn
All I want is the truth
Just gimme some truth
John Lennon
Yes, brother, yes.
..and how long has this gone on here?
...for as long as the Moon has deflected the sun's glow
Grins,
Alyn
All I want is the truth
Just gimme some truth
John Lennon
Hating WOW is the 'cool' thing to do. Don't be surprised if WOD breaks all the previous records in sales numbers.
This is one of the most solid expansion since BC.
"The problem is that the hardcore folks always want the same thing: 'We want exactly what you gave us before, but it has to be completely different.'
-Jesse Schell
"Online gamers are the most ludicrously entitled beings since Caligula made his horse a senator, and at least the horse never said anything stupid."
-Luke McKinney
I would obviously suppose that "Capt." Jean-Luc has of course all the details on the many, many aspects of mmo gaming that Blizz has "gotten right" over these paste 10 years?
I see dungeons and those wonderful discoteques we call raids as definitely what they've gotten right
Maybe they got that humor correct..sort of..we do need some new jokes, don't you think?
Hmm, let's see, well, I guess i will begrudgingly give a thumbs up thus far for the AH, fairly easy to work
Quest hubs, a novel idea in 2004/2005, I suppose..is it so novel today though...hmmm turn that over to these fine forum folk for that
fully open world...uhm...well sort of fully and somewhat open kind of
mounts mounts mounts...pets pets pets pets..a veritable zoo out there
min-maxing and theory-crafting.yup the execs actually devised that while playing in EQ-- it IS a quintessential Blizz invention
BattleNet and and the "wonderful" and nonevasive Real ID-- truly mind-blowing innovation there, don't ya think?
stylized graphics a boondoggal in 2004 but rather well-liked today
yup I suppose those guys n gals out there on the ol' Anaheim campus sure have that innovation going full-tilt
winks,
Alyn
All I want is the truth
Just gimme some truth
John Lennon
I agree sir greatskys. I might add; Can ever really go back to those days?
Possibly, but for my 2 cents, I say just chunk it and look to the future and the new style mmo's that SoE and Blizzard are currently working on. I'd have to say, and I'm not big into space mmo's, but Star Citizen feels like it is going to be very successful when compared to Eve.
we ALL need a breath of fresh air, sometimes...
Alyn
All I want is the truth
Just gimme some truth
John Lennon
Well of course it will doogie. I think most of us that have been around the block a few times would agree those numbers will just come rolling in. Hell, why not just throw out, oh, I don't know maybe 2 - 3 million. Game of the years numbers fer sure.
But at the end of the day. When the rubber meets the road how many of those, uhm gamers will remain? Blizz will throw millions on a really, really cool and awesome visual panorama for us to behold as they hype hell outta their old mmo. It will bring millions back. Oh those groovy TV commercials-- impressive and we are a consumer driven world, aren't we?
Does that really matter all that much any more?
Alyn
All I want is the truth
Just gimme some truth
John Lennon
Yeah this is so true. The beta keys were gone so fast. It is the cool thing to do. Hate on the number one mmo in the world for almost 10 years running. And it does say those other games must be crap if a old game like wow is still number one.
I have some of the same sentiments. That doesn't mean I'm not going to play WoD, though. That would be crazy talk!
I've backed Star Citizen (since Privateer may have been my most loved single player game of all time). Also backed The Repopulation. I think that we've got to support games that strive to be "better", but I think that I will always go back to WoW, for a couple months? a year? Whatever the case, I will always find myself back over there. They have "the formula" down. Think about it, even with the damage done, they still manage to maintain users and have former players frothing at the mouth to get in on a new expansion (and pay for it btw).
I do agree that fresh air is nice, though. After that it's back to rounding up and downing 10 mobs at a time
Crazkanuk
----------------
Azarelos - 90 Hunter - Emerald
Durnzig - 90 Paladin - Emerald
Demonicron - 90 Death Knight - Emerald Dream - US
Tankinpain - 90 Monk - Azjol-Nerub - US
Brindell - 90 Warrior - Emerald Dream - US
----------------
I really like your forum nick, Hariken!
Well, I do not hate WoW I'm still slogging through it. But, I play it as i would Rift, EQ 2, Archeage, Landmark, and several others. Because I am fortunate enough that I may. It's not about "hate" when you open a line of discussion about a game you've experienced almost without a break since 2004. Only took time off for cancer surgery in 2007.
Boredom and hatred are two entirely different emotions, aren't they? i should think if i truly hated WoW I would not only cancel my subscription of 10 years, but not even speak of it while in mixed company, would I?
/bows with respect to master Hariken
Alyn
All I want is the truth
Just gimme some truth
John Lennon
I am already crazy CrazyKanuk! Super forum nick btw, sir! Yes, I too shall jump in there and battle my way down the steps of the dark portal and kill hordes of orcs on the way to my destination, which now seems to be another quest hub...
I say, if you can rotate several mmo's for shorter periods of time. I makes playing mmo's a unique experience and you can truly see the differences as you play..
Anyway it's what I do, because I am able to..
/tips my hat in respect, to that ol' CrazyKanuk!
Alyn
All I want is the truth
Just gimme some truth
John Lennon
Neither actually. It is my response and you have yours, as well sir. I thank you for that thought as well. ..stirs the soul, but never changes the mind
/salutes before the battle...
Alyn
All I want is the truth
Just gimme some truth
John Lennon
I want some of what you're on this morning.
The game you are looking for requiring no PvE completion and where you can just jump in and start mindlessly shooting at people is that way - >>>>
... it's called an FPS.
Quit ruining the MMORPG genre with your constant "PvE grind" whines.
I think the biggest reason people return to WoW is they love the world, the lore, and the characters. They want to to see the next part of the story. They want to see what's new in the world they roamed for so long. It's like going to visit a friend that you have not seen or talked to for a long time. Fun to catch up, but then you realize that you don't have much in common anymore.
I get that urge to go back and pay a visit every so often, it's just hard to stay very long with the outdated graphics and tab-target combat. I know graphics are not everything..but it's SOMETHING.
I really wish they would make a WoW 2.0. New engine, more dynamic combat, same world. It does not seem like it is ever going to happen though.
Well said marcuslm.
Honestly people go back to the games they've invested most of their with, generally. I am one of those people, although I really have never completely left WoW. I did hand my guild over to a trusted asst GM when I was fighting cancer and for a time didn't even turn on the computer as there are time when your life matters a bit more than games do :P
Games all have charm is some way if you can take the time to experience it. Folks that spend hours playing see this in many ways. Although you might not be able to recapture your first "day 1" feelings for whatever mmo you play most, you can and may return as you feel free to do so.
Nods,
Alyn
All I want is the truth
Just gimme some truth
John Lennon
Grins,
Well it's most likely energy. Raining here and wet, thus my outdoor chores have pretty much been curtailed. thus I do enjoy discussion and sometimes I share here.
/hands Ominous a heaping helping of good ol' stored up energy!
Alyn
All I want is the truth
Just gimme some truth
John Lennon
I predict that a lot of players will return to WoW at the release of the upcoming expansion just like they did in the past with other expansions, because they will get curious and wanna take a look at it.
Whether they will stay or how long they will stay is a different issue tho. I think they will come and then leave in a couple of months finding that WoW is the same WoW that made them leave in the past. No, I do not expect that they will find that WoW magically became the old WoW they fondly remember.