Hello, afew questions about AC2

Exekile

Hello, After reading about ac2 being better then before (I beta tested it and I liked it) I was thinking of trying out the trial. But.... How many people are approx online on the server at peak time/non peak time (Say like, Server - Peak 100 - non peak 50, Server 2 etc etc)

And well, how is the game? got any opinions of it?

Entico

Non peek on white server ~250 at peek times ~750.

On KvK and PvP servers those numbers are much lower.

IMO its a really good game. I played AC for 4 years, was in AC2 beta and played it for 4 months after relase. I quit game back then and recently came back. Started new char on new server and I'm having a blast. All of the bugs from beta are fixed, characters are balanced, lots of content for every level.

Read more about the game here

http://ac2vault.ign.com/

http://www.fallenkingdoms.com/

I suggest to try 2 weeks free trial.

http://microsoftgamesinsider.com/AC2/freetrial.htm

==============================
And besides, like it or not, people do try to "win" massively multiplayer RPGs. The rules of engagement are something like this:
* If there is a status bar, make it grow bigger
* If there is a number, make it higher
* If it moves, either get a mission from it or kill it

Exekile

Thank you for the answer, but just one question... what is A white server? Is that one with no pvp at all? Because what else can you do at high levels when you can't have kingdom vs kkingdom battles?

Btw how many servers are there? Thanks

Lebowski

KvK (and PvP) on white server is restricted only to some areas.
White server is much better than red server because lvl 55+ characters are killing lvl 3 players on red servers so they take all the fun from playing. I suggest start on white server first when you get familiar with game try red server if you want.

When life tastes like lemmon, take tequila and salt.

Exekile

I just got into the game and it seems awsome, just too bad that only 600 people are online... Why don't they do a server merge? Because what I am afraid of is that I start "investing time" in Ac2 only to realise that the whole community has quit playing and there are like 50 people online on the servers... Do you think this will happen? thanks

Entico

Unlikely, there was server merge belive it or not and now situation is actually getting better.

We (AC2 community) are hoping for rerelase sometimes this year. Devs are planning to add one large landmass and hopefully rerelase the game. Game is awesome and is suffering becouse of really bad start, it was relased in rush and wasn't ready when game hit shelves.

Things changed and future is starting to look a bit brighter.

==============================
And besides, like it or not, people do try to "win" massively multiplayer RPGs. The rules of engagement are something like this:
* If there is a status bar, make it grow bigger
* If there is a number, make it higher
* If it moves, either get a mission from it or kill it

Unknown

---

Originally posted by Entico

Non peek on white server ~250 at peek times ~750.

Is that 2,500? Or 250?

Is that 7,500? Or 750?

On KvK and PvP servers those numbers are much lower.

AC2 started it's PvP game mechanic/features using FORCED PvP at first. Horrid beginning led to it not working even though it's no longer forced PvP. Too bad AC2 refused to learn the lesson that Forced, FFA, non-consentual PvP never works... as shown in UO..... soo much time AC2 spent wasting re-learning this lesson.

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Entico

Are you answering questions xplororor or just popped in to stir some crap as usuall?

==============================
And besides, like it or not, people do try to "win" massively multiplayer RPGs. The rules of engagement are something like this:
* If there is a status bar, make it grow bigger
* If there is a number, make it higher
* If it moves, either get a mission from it or kill it

Exekile

Explorer, on the ac1 servers, how many people are playing on peaktime/non peaktime approx? both the most populated one and the pvp server ones? I am just curious, I like games with alot of players though ac2 rocks even with few players! (in my opinion, which might change)

Entico

If you want to find out about population numbers xploror is the last person to ask. I suggest www.acvault.com, ask on their mesage board you may get some decent info.

AC stopped showing server population about 3 years ago, at present time I think there is aproximately 1.5k per server at peek times, but its just a wild guess, in fact noone really knows.

==============================
And besides, like it or not, people do try to "win" massively multiplayer RPGs. The rules of engagement are something like this:
* If there is a status bar, make it grow bigger
* If there is a number, make it higher
* If it moves, either get a mission from it or kill it

Unknown

---

Originally posted by Exekile
I just got into the game and it seems awsome, just too bad that only 600 people are online... Why don't they do a server merge? Because what I am afraid of is that I start "investing time" in Ac2 only to realise that the whole community has quit playing and there are like 50 people online on the servers... Do you think this will happen? thanks

---

Exekile, thank you SOOOO much for being an HONEST AC2 fan. All these other AC2 fans refuse to find out how many players play AC2, and post the numbers here.

Your concerns are extreemly valid. AC2 has been dying a slow death ever since it got released. Last time I played, there were 12,000 players online. For it to now have 600 is....

Look for AC2 to die an even quicker death after EQ2, and WoW, and Lineage 2, and tons of other Tolkien-themed MMORPGs get released in roughly 6 months.

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Unknown

---

Originally posted by Exekile
Explorer, on the ac1 servers, how many people are playing on peaktime/non peaktime approx? both the most populated one and the pvp server ones? I am just curious, I like games with alot of players though ac2 rocks even with few players! (in my opinion, which might change)

---

1. AC2 has been dying a slow death ever since it got released. I played AC2 from beta all the way to roughly 6 months after it got released. From day one, the number of players has been going down, down, down, and down. AC2 will never get 100,000 accounts and become a financial success.

 When I last played there were 12,000 players online at the same time, in the entire game counting every single server. This was roughly 6 months ago.

2. If you really are having fun playing AC2 then that is NICE! After all, having fun is what life is about.

Just remember, AC2 is a dying game. Be ready for the plug to be pulled on it at any time. Right now AC2 is one of 2 next generation MMORPGs out... so far... In 6 months there will be TONS of next generation MMORPGs out and AC2 will die an even quicker death. Save those screenshots and enjoy the current times you have in AC2.

::::EDIT::::

 

Exekile,

 AC1 aka AC has roughly 100,000 accounts, with roughy 50,000 active players. The game is well populated enough that you will find enough players in every town and village. Some low level dungeons might be empty from time to time though.

 AC has been around as long as EQ, and AC IS a proven, successfull MMORPG. (Though not as blockbuster successfull as EQ.) AC is very different from EQ, and in some ways better - It's a Skill Based game vs EQ which is a Level Based game.

 If AC had been released before EQ, it might've been more popular than EQ since then it would've been the first 2nd Generation MMORPG to get released. But it got held back until a few months after EQ released.

 There is a superfamous dungeon in AC called "The Subway" and is a major, major, hub of activity. Almost like an underground city. Hundreds to thousands of players are ALWAYS in this dungeon 24hrs a day, all the time. It's a mid-level to high-level dungeon.

Entico

Dude pull your head out of your backside for a while and look around.

He asked about -----====AC1====----- and you ramble about AC2.

==============================
And besides, like it or not, people do try to "win" massively multiplayer RPGs. The rules of engagement are something like this:
* If there is a status bar, make it grow bigger
* If there is a number, make it higher
* If it moves, either get a mission from it or kill it

Unknown

---

Originally posted by Entico

Dude pull your head out of your backside for a while and look around.
He asked about -----====AC1====----- and you ramble about AC2.

==============================
And besides, like it or not, people do try to "win" massively multiplayer RPGs. The rules of engagement are something like this:
* If there is a status bar, make it grow bigger
* If there is a number, make it higher
* If it moves, either get a mission from it or kill it

---

What can I say... since this was primarily an AC2 Forum, I automatically thought he ment AC2. Anyway, without me calling you names, or referring to any parts of YOUR anatomy, I've managed to edit my response. Thank you very much, and have a nice day. 

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Djin

For s***s and giggles I downloaded the 15 day trial and reinstalled it...  okay, I admit the game is very good looking, but I noticed, even with nine servers all rolled into one, there's only 500-600 people on at a time...  There's no fun in that, why?

You can run around for hours and only see two people who are level 50+... where's the fun in that?  If I'm about to go out, spend $50 on a game and then $13 a month, I want a community, content, gameplay, just to name a few... not 500 people... I can get that playing BF1942... 

Unknown

---

Originally posted by Djin

For s***s and giggles I downloaded the 15 day trial and reinstalled it...  okay, I admit the game is very good looking, but I noticed, even with nine servers all rolled into one, there's only 500-600 people on at a time...  There's no fun in that, why?
You can run around for hours and only see two people who are level 50+... where's the fun in that?  If I'm about to go out, spend $50 on a game and then $13 a month, I want a community, content, gameplay, just to name a few... not 500 people... I can get that playing BF1942... 

---

Djin, WOW! Thanks for being the 2nd most bravest AC2 fan to step forward and post how many players play this game online at the same time.

BTW, I was wondering if you could take a screenshot of the server numbers?

And post the link here so I can then make a screenshot of your screenshot for my records.

Thanks again.

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-------------------------
http://community.webshots.com/user/xplororor

Star Wars Galaxies:
-------------------
http://community.webshots.com/user/capt_xplororor

More games:
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http://community.webshots.com/user/xplororor_archives01

Djin

Just download the game.

Evilbill

Ok then, AC2

Server populations are definitely low, as is subscriber base, about 850 players per server at peak which isnt much subscriber wise, but if your talking about playablity its fine, may be a bit sparse at lower levels but its not bad when you get mid/high, which is where you really need the groups anyway,

Low? yes

Lowest its ever been? well actually no, in fact the number of subscribers has been rising lately.

More subscription stuff now;

what is this mythical 100k subscribers no your talking about?
and more to the point whats it got to do with the actual gameplay? nothing, aside from when numbers are so low that gameply IS affected, and ive already talked about that.

The point i think you were trying to make is that a mmog needs 100k subscribers tomake a profit and be a success, although the success part is relative.

I believe that youve mentioned AC1 and AO, if not in this post then in similar ones where you same the same thing over and over and over.

AC1 does not have 100k subs, at one point it barely reached that number but that was when the DM expansion was released and it quickly went down again. current ac1 accounts number about 60k.

AO NEVER had 100k subs, not even close, maybe 65k.

AC2 may only have about  20k subs but it is not dieing, this is just a rediculous statement.
IF the game was that doomed then why do you think that its still running at all after loosing subscribers since release, why do you think that Turbine recently bought the franchise (ac1 and ac2) from Microsoft, why do you think that they are continually hiring developers and artists, why do you think they are pouring money into it.

You have no idea how much it costs to maintain a mmog, you think that only 5 are actually making a profit? because thats how many have over 100k subs, or if that number is what you think it takes to make back the costs for development, then you maybe right i havnt really looked into it. However thats pretty irrelevant because turbine never payed for the devlopment so what does it matter to them?

Back on track then, AC2 had a terrible launch, it was rushed out before it was ready by a company that only cared about the cash, which was a bit of a stupid idea in retrospect when you see how badly its done compared to its potential. A year later its MS free and finally ready for a relaunch, i left in march because it was so bad, but came back in october, i'm so glad i did, it is the best mmog ive ever played.

Even after a year its still the best looking mmog about. ( only saying this to show that it could have waited a year and still have been a competitor graphics wise)

The developers really care about the game and are willing to put money into a "failed" game in order to make it into a sucess, with the planned relaunch and expansion later this year it looks like the game has a long life ahead of it.

And as everyone else has said, theres a free trial so just give it ago, dont worry about it going and dieing on you just when you get into it, its just not going to happen.

Greyloop

EvilBill,

Couldn't have put it better myself.

 

lordruhk

---

Originally posted by xplororor



Originally posted by Entico

Non peek on white server ~250 at peek times ~750.
AC2 started it's PvP game mechanic/features using FORCED PvP at first. Horrid beginning led to it not working even though it's no longer forced PvP. Too bad AC2 refused to learn the lesson that Forced, FFA, non-consentual PvP never works... as shown in UO..... soo much time AC2 spent wasting re-learning this lesson.

---

The avg. numbers on Frostfell have grown about 15% in the last two months.  Check back in 6 months and see them over 1200, maybe even 1500.

It's coming....

Drimbrull

I've got to disagree with some of the posts here, but those that are shoing a future ... good on yer!

I started playing AC2 just under a year ago on the English speaking European server called 'Dawnsong'. When I started there were about 400-450 people at peak times. As things stand now the numbers have just crept back to about 370 from the low 300's.

The US servers have a larger population, circa 750ish at peak times, and the servers with these populations are Thistledown and Frostfell. There are 2 other us servers, Coldeve being totally KvK (kingdom vs Kingdom) and Darktide (totally PK active).

Over the last few months, all the balancing of the game classes has been completed and the amount of pure fun and enjoyable content has grown dramatically, and with the fact Turbine are purchasing all rights to the game from Microsoft - shows they (as the developer) have a very large interest in continuing the game into the foreseeable future.

Don;t forget, this is one of the only games that has new content added every month, and great content at that! The last few months (since September really) have shown exactly what you can expect from this game as time goes on ...

Although there are only about 350-400 players on at peak times, there are plently of people the quest/hunt with on the server I spend most of my time, and my dedication still keeps me online for about 3-5 hours per night and there is still loads I haven't done yet!

My vision of the future shows AC2 staying around for the long term, and as Turbine get complete control of the marketing side of the game as well as the development and new content - I would expect to see player number rise continually.

The graphics are still some of the best you can experience on a MMORPG, and the now matureing gameplay beats pretty much everything else out there today (and probably for a while yet).

Hope this helps

Unknown

---

Originally posted by Evilbill

Ok then, AC2

Server populations are definitely low, as is subscriber base, about 850 players per server at peak which isnt much subscriber wise,

There you go. We are in 100% FULL agreement.

Also, PEAK time is not around the clock. Thus one can say the avarage number of players is roughly ... eeek.... 400 !

 

but if your talking about playablity its fine, may be a bit sparse at lower levels but its not bad when you get mid/high, which is where you really need the groups anyway,

 Nope not talking about playability. Never was. Everything playability-wise now in AC2 was already known, and fortolded by me, and many, many, others while AC2 was still in Beta, and at release.

Low? yes

Lowest its ever been? well actually no, in fact the number of subscribers has been rising lately.

 We can nitpick over if AC2 has gained an extra 5 players, 3 players, 10 players, or 1 player all day long. The main point is AC2 is not a financial success after being out for 1 year. It is NOT even CLOSE to being a financial success = it is dying.

More subscription stuff now;

what is this mythical 100k subscribers no your talking about?

 Scan through all the threads on page one of this AC2 forum. It basically comes down to proven history in the MMORPG market based on the historical costs of past, and present, MMORPGs.

 That is how 100,000 accounts has been arrived at as being the marker for a successfull MMORPG. A MMORPG that has less than this number, but gets as close as possible to it can still recover costs, and will eventually be a success before its shelf life of 5 years is over. 75,000 to 80k to 90k accounts, etc....

and more to the point whats it got to do with the actual gameplay? nothing, aside from when numbers are so low that gameply IS affected, and ive already talked about that.

  There IS a reason why AC2, a super uber BRAND NEW and Modern MMORPG has such low and horrendously few player accounts. It it can't all be blamed on AC2 having the worse ever game launch in MMORPG history.

 AO was 90% unplayable during it's first 4 to 6 months of release. 1 year after release it is a bona fid success. And very easily has far more than * 5,000* accounts as it has recently added yet another new server.

The point i think you were trying to make is that a mmog needs 100k subscribers tomake a profit and be a success, although the success part is relative.

 MMORPGs are a buisness. A very, very, very, expensive buisness costing millions. Millions to invest, millions to create, and millions to operate - especially when a whole new game engine is created.

 If the buisness is not financially successfull, then the buisness is d-y-i-n-g. It doesn't matter how hardcore the remaining 10 fans are.

I believe that youve mentioned AC1 and AO, if not in this post then in similar ones where you same the same thing over and over and over.

 I mention ALL other MMORPGs, including AC1 and AO, as being financially successfully by the time they reached the 1 year mark after release.

AC1 does not have 100k subs, at one point it barely reached that number but that was when the DM expansion was released and it quickly went down again. current ac1 accounts number about 60k.

 LOL you supported what I said. Thank you. AC1 is a financially success. AC1 has reached the 100k mark.

 Take EQ for example. It doesn't matter if EQ next month went down to 5,000 accounts (heheh) EQ has reached the 100,000 account mark. EQ is a financially success.

AO NEVER had 100k subs, not even close, maybe 65k.

 I've been posting info to back up my claims all over the place. You post for the first time, making a major generalized claime... yet for some strange reason you post no proof to back it up. Lets see some proof behind this statement of yours?

 Links? Magazine articles? Major news sites (CNN? others?)?

AC2 may only have about  20k subs but it is not dieing, this is just a rediculous statement.

 It is common sense. If a buisness is not financially successful... then that buisness is

d-y-i-n-g. AC2 likely had roughly 20k to 24k accounts back when I last played over 6 months ago. A few brave, fair, and HONEST AC2 fans who currently play have stepped forth and posted that at PEAK time AC2 has far less than 1,000 players. Roughly around 500 to 800 players at PEAK time. One can thus say AC2 right now has roughly 5,000 accounts at the most.

IF the game was that doomed then why do you think that its still running at all after loosing subscribers since release, why do you think that Turbine recently bought the franchise (ac1 and ac2) from Microsoft, why do you think that they are continually hiring developers and artists, why do you think they are pouring money into it.

    1. AC2 cost roughly 15 million to make. This is a conservative estimate in FAVOR of AC2 and the AC2 fans.

    2. AC2 currently has roughly 5,000 accounts. After having roughly 50k accounts the first month of release. After having roughly 25k accounts 6 months after release.

    3. To the Lurkers out there - AC2 has virtually lost ALL OF ITS ACCOUNTS! To go from roughly 50,000 accounts down to roughly 5,000 accounts in 1 year after release for a NEW and Modern MMORPG! OMG!

    4. AC2 is not a financial success. It does not matter how many new personel are hired, fired, or quit. It is still not a financial success.

    5. MicroSoft EASILY asorbed the financial loss of AC2. Even they don't want to KEEP on losing $$$$ so they want to get rid of it. Who else is going to buy a failing MMORPG? Also who else would be first in line to buy AC2? Turbine.

    6. Turbine in a way gets a "free" MMORPG. BTW, MicroSoft is in the process of selling AC2 back to Turbine. MicroSoft still calls the shots. MicroSoft still owns AC2. MicroSoft is still footing the bill = still easy for AC2 to eek out an existance off sugardaddy MicroSoft.

You have no idea how much it costs to maintain a mmog, you think that only 5 are actually making a profit? because thats how many have over 100k subs, or if that number is what you think it takes to make back the costs for development, then you maybe right i havnt really looked into it. However thats pretty irrelevant because turbine never payed for the devlopment so what does it matter to them?

 1. You first say I "have no idea how much it costs.....". THEN you go on to say YOU have not looked into it aka YOU have absolutly no idea, nor have you even TRIED finding out!

 2. I have more than "an idea" how much ti costs to maintain a MMORPG. I have facts. I have posted them many times. Links, facts, proof, articles, interviews, all to back up my statements. BTW, AC2 is the ONLY MMORPG not making a profit 1 year after release.

  3. You have made the best ever statement in your entire post when you touch on how little Turbine has lost because their "sugardaddy" MicroSoft has footed the bill. BTW, this supports the statements I have made. We are 100% in full agreement on this.

 But sooner or later, after Turbine finnishes buying up the rest of AC2 from MicroSoft, Turbine will no longer have a sugardaddy. AC2 will either die instantly, or somehow, someway, make a sudden, massive, comeback.

Back on track then, AC2 had a terrible launch, it was rushed out before it was ready by a company that only cared about the cash, which was a bit of a stupid idea in retrospect when you see how badly its done compared to its potential.

 I, and every single AC2 beta tester, FULLY 100% AGREE with you on this statement. It was even worse! AC2 had NO reason to rush, or to release early! None!

 That is why I, and many others, feel there was another reason either on purpose, or just a subreason:

 - An experiment to see how much of an incompleted shoddy product could be released... to see how many gamers would STILL pay a monthly subscription for it! Like I've said too many times before..... would you pay full retail cost, for a BRAND NEW product that was only 10% finnished?!? If you visited a new car showroom and the salesman tried to sell you a car with 1 door, 3 wheels, no exaust, an AM-only radio, 1 seat, 1 headlight, no trunk, no windows, no hood, .... would you BUY it?

 

A year later its MS free and finally ready for a relaunch, i left in march because it was so bad, but came back in october, i'm so glad i did, it is the best mmog ive ever played.

 AC2 is still in the process of being sold by MS back to Turbine. I estimate it will take roughly 6 more months to 1 more year.  

Even after a year its still the best looking mmog about. ( only saying this to show that it could have waited a year and still have been a competitor graphics wise)

 What other MMORPGs have you played?

 A RPG, RTS, and even FPS, can try to get by on graphics alone. A player makes a 1 time purchase. And can bring it back for store credit, or sell them as used games to stores.

 A MMORPG is the one type of game that has the hardest time trying to get by on graphics alone. In fact, a MMORPG can get by on NICE gameplay and gamefeatures while having sub-par graphics. This is because MMORPGs are the only type of game that require a monthly subscripition to play. How long does the best eyecandy last? 1 day? 1 week? 1 month? 2 months at the most? And MMORPGs are intended to have a 5 year shelf life. MMORPGs also cost millions and millions , and years and years to make.... while other types of games cost far, far, far less money and far, far, less time to make.

The developers really care about the game and are willing to put money into a "failed" game in order to make it into a sucess, with the planned relaunch and expansion later this year it looks like the game has a long life ahead of it.

 1. Thank you sir for showing you see the light, even though you still hesitate to say it LOUD.

 2. One must be realistic and point out the fact that right now AC2 is compeating in a crowded Tolkien-themed market. AND by the time it is "later this year" AC2 will have far more terrifying competition. Competition that is threatening to NUKE AC2 into instant death. Lineage 2, EverQuest 2 are both games with DEVs as experienced as AC2, with money warchests as big as AC2 (once had when MS should have backed it 100% while in game Developement.) 

 3. Then there are more Tolkien-themed contenders in the form of World of Warcraft, Dragon Empires, Darkfall, Atriarch.

 4. And this is ON TOP of the fact Newer, more Modern AC2 released after the following titles and is doing far far worse than the following titles:

 - EverQuest

 - Asheron's Call

 - Dark Age of Camelot

 - Shadowbane

 - Lineage

 - Runescape   

 - Astonia III

 - El Kardian

 Each one of those titles are AC2's current competition and look at how many accounts AC2 now has. Do you honestly think and believe AC2 will do even better when the competition will no longer be old games kicking AC2's butt, but Newer more Modern games compeating vs AC2??????????

 (I know the Lurkers out there already know the answer to this Heheheh.)

And as everyone else has said, theres a free trial so just give it ago, dont worry about it going and dieing on you just when you get into it, its just not going to happen.

  Re-visit these forums and this thread around the summertime/fall 2005, after EQ2, WoW, Lin2, all reach their 1 year mark.  

  I agree everyone should play the Free trial. But as far as subscribing? One is far better off saving their $$$$$ and checking out the soon to be released EQ2, WoW, Lin2, and the tons and tons of other BRAND NEW and Modern MMORPGs.

 One is even better off going with the still viable graphics in AC1, and other current Tolkien-themed MMORPGs out right now and playing them. They have all proven theirselves by the FACT that there is a reason they all ARE financially successfull, and have ALL reached 100,000 accounts. And ALL currently have far, far, more than *sniff* 5,000 accounts and 500 to 800 players online at the same time at PEAK time.

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Unknown

---

Originally posted by Drimbrull

I started playing AC2 just under a year ago on the English speaking European server called 'Dawnsong'. When I started there were about 400-450 people at peak times. As things stand now the numbers have just crept back to about 370 from the low 300's.

  Thank you sir for being HONEST. Since Peak times are not around the clock, one can say the avarage number of players online at the same time on the server went from being 200 *sniff* down to 150 total players online at the same time. *double sniff*. And has yet to return back to what it was 1 year ago, let alone surpass aka gain more than it once had.

The US servers have a larger population, circa 750ish at peak times, and the servers with these populations are Thistledown and Frostfell. There are 2 other us servers, Coldeve being totally KvK (kingdom vs Kingdom) and Darktide (totally PK active).

 So you are saying right now AC2 has a total of 5 servers?

If what you say is true then the avarage number of players online at the same time is 1,000. At peak time 2,000. Total amount of accounts would be 4,000. (I'll even go on a limb and say 5,000 total accounts.)

Over the last few months, all the balancing of the game classes has been completed and the amount of pure fun and enjoyable content has grown dramatically, and with the fact Turbine are purchasing all rights to the game from Microsoft - shows they (as the developer) have a very large interest in continuing the game into the foreseeable future.

 And over the next few months even more Brand New Modern competition will be released. AC2 has so far compeated with old Tolkien-themed games. Look where it is at now. What will happen when AC2 will start trying to compeate vs the new big dogs on the block?

Don;t forget, this is one of the only games that has new content added every month, and great content at that! The last few months (since September really) have shown exactly what you can expect from this game as time goes on ...

 1. This really shows AC2 in a BAD light. If every month new content must be added, then the new content is soo wimpy it only lasts for one month?!? What good is "getting new content every month" if it does not last long?

 Compare to EverQuest, and even Anarchy Online which release new content anywhere from every month, to once a year, to every week. It is how long the content lasts that matters, no how often it is added.

Although there are only about 350-400 players on at peak times, there are plently of people the quest/hunt with on the server I spend most of my time, and my dedication still keeps me online for about 3-5 hours per night and there is still loads I haven't done yet!

 Hey, that is nice. And I am happy for you. But AC2 is still not a financial success. AC2 is still dying. AC2 has not even felt competition on "its level" yet. It will when EQ2, Lin2, and WoW and tons and tons of others soon get released.

My vision of the future shows AC2 staying around for the long term, and as Turbine get complete control of the marketing side of the game as well as the development and new content - I would expect to see player number rise continually.

 Check back on these forums summertime/fall of 2005. By then EQ2, Lin2, and WoW, and tons of others should be at their 1 year mark aka at the start of their prime.

The graphics are still some of the best you can experience on a MMORPG, and the now matureing gameplay beats pretty much everything else out there today (and probably for a while yet).

 Errr... there are only TWO Brand New Ultra-Modern MMORPGs out right now graphicswise:

 - AC2 5,000 accounts

 - SWG 300,000 accounts

 AC2 technically is the ONLY Brand New UltraModern Tolkien-themed MMORPG out.

Hope this helps

 It did. Especially you being honest on what the peak server numbers are for AC2. And for naming the 5 total servers AC2 has. Thank you.

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Unknown

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Originally posted by xplororor

Originally posted by Djin

For s***s and giggles I downloaded the 15 day trial and reinstalled it...  okay, I admit the game is very good looking, but I noticed, >>>>even with nine servers all rolled into one<<<<, there's only 500-600 people on at a time... 

  I didn't even notice this the first few times I read this post. I also noticed other AC2 fans have kept saying "at PEAK time", and never mentioning at avarage time. Peak time is not around the clock. Avarage time lasts far longer than Peak time.

 That is truly, truly..... death......

500 to 600 total players online at the same time in the entire game..... a game that is a Super Brand New and Modern MMORPG.

 

 

There's no fun in that, why?

You can run around for hours and only see two people who are level 50+... where's the fun in that?  If I'm about to go out, spend $50 on a game and then $13 a month, I want a community, content, gameplay, just to name a few... not 500 people... I can get that playing BF1942... 

Djin, WOW! Thanks for being the 2nd most bravest AC2 fan to step forward and post how many players play this game online at the same time.

BTW, I was wondering if you could take a screenshot of the server numbers?

And post the link here so I can then make a screenshot of your screenshot for my records.

Thanks again.

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Drimbrull

Xplororor ... although you probably mean well, you make some sweeping assumptions to show as negative a light as you can for a game which you obviously don't care for, and have not played for months.

I would sugest you perhaps research a little more how many servers there are (yes there is more than 5) and for an average number of players online ... I would suggest there are about 8000 accounts that access the game everyday, plus I know there are easily 2 or 3 times that for players that log in occassionally - plus those that are on extended leave, checking out the new MMORPG'a (and many many of these peole coming back after a couple of months or so ... but of course more go in the meantime as well ... they just don't cancel their accounts or subscriptions).

Try to understand as well, as M$ backed/released this game there is a LOAD of M$ employees that still have accounts running but don't play anymore ... but they like so many others kee their subs active ...

If you want an idea on how many accounts there are who still pay their dues ... ask Turbine/Microsoft ... or maybe look at my numbers which would suggest even after such a bad start AC2 has 30-40,000 paying accounts.

Regarding content, do you really believe what you said about it lasting 1 month? Do you have such little knowledge of the MMORPG worlds these games are set in? The content is added each month to add to the existing content and becomes part of the landscape forever. Why is AC1 still a fairly popular game? Monthly updates. Ask any AC1 player if they think the updates only allow for 1 months playing ... I'll guarantee the answer is no. It all add's month on month to take these games far above their competitors.

It does seem you are trying to speak from a standpoint of extreme knowledge when you yourself have not played this game for months and months ... please don't. If you want to comment on the game/content/viability please understand this game far more than you do at the moment.

Unknown

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Originally posted by Drimbrull

Xplororor ... although you probably mean well, you make some sweeping assumptions to show as negative a light as you can for a game which you obviously don't care for, and have not played for months.

 I've long ago posted over and over that I stopped playing over 6 months ago. Back then there were 12,000 players online at peak time in the ENTIRE game.

 It's not so much that I don't care for AC2, it is more of a case of me making sure the Industry forever has AC2 held in front of their faces to prevent ANOTHER AC2.

I would sugest you perhaps research a little more how many servers there are (yes there is more than 5)

  Well then, since you claim to know, kindly tell me exactly how many servers does AC2 have? In your above post you only posted 5 servers.

and for an average number of players online ... I would suggest there are about 8000 accounts that access the game everyday,

 It is a simple case of multiplying 200 * whatever number of servers there are to get the avarage number of players who are online at the same time.

 plus I know there are easily 2 or 3 times that for players that log in occassionally - plus those that are on extended leave, checking out the new MMORPG'a (and many many of these peole coming back after a couple of months or so ... but of course more go in the meantime as well ... they just don't cancel their accounts or subscriptions).

 None of this means anything. Do you know every player in the entire game? On every server? Then you do not know how much or how little they log on. AC2 released with 50,000 accounts. Right now, based on what other AC2 players have posted, AC2 now has roughly 5,000 accounts. It is obvious MOST players are not coming back, but have looong since left.

 Last, the only major new MMORPGs that have released after AC2 is..... SWG, EnB, EvE, and HZ. Only 1 is a Tolkien-themed MMORPG. Thus only 1 real new contender to AC2 has released.... AFTER AC2 has already been out for 1 year.

Try to understand as well, as M$ backed/released this game there is a LOAD of M$ employees that still have accounts running but don't play anymore ... but they like so many others kee their subs active ...

  Now this is a new one. You're saying AC2 is wonderfull because a load of its own employees play it?

 *Ahem*

 Perhaps they are doing their job that they are getting paid for and TESTING the game?

Counting game testers as players, is a new one LOL.

"This game is great because the game DEVs and game MODs also play it and have accounts in it". Errr... it is their JOB.

If you want an idea on how many accounts there are who still pay their dues ... ask Turbine/Microsoft ... or maybe look at my numbers which would suggest even after such a bad start AC2 has 30-40,000 paying accounts.

  1. Turbine/MicroSoft no longer publically tell to the press how many accounts AC2 has.

  2. Other current AC2 players have posted how many accounts there are.

  3. You are being very silly now. In your first post up above, your numbers say there are roughly 5,000 total accounts. You also posted there are 5 servers. You in this new post say there are more than 5 servers but won't tell how many. Now you say out of nowhere there are currently 30,000 to 40,000 accounts/players

 

Regarding content, do you really believe what you said about it lasting 1 month? Do you have such little knowledge of the MMORPG worlds these games are set in? The content is added each month to add to the existing content and becomes part of the landscape forever.

  Why would a company keep adding new content if the old content has not been used yet? BTW, AC2 is "falsly adverstising" its new content as new content LOL. Half of it should have, was suppose to have, been IN the game at release.

Why is AC1 still a fairly popular game? Monthly updates. Ask any AC1 player if they think the updates only allow for 1 months playing ... I'll guarantee the answer is no. It all add's month on month to take these games far above their competitors.

   AC1 is still a popular MMORPG because it is a SKILL BASED game. The opposite of EQ. In AC players have more control over customizing their character. They are not automatically trapped in a template. When they are level 1 they do not know 100% for sure what skills they will have when they are level 25. IMHO this is far more realistic.

 AC1 has one of the best, most close knit, player communities out of every single MMORPG. Uber level players are far more likely to help new players, and lower level players out of any other MMORPG that is out.

 The monthly content additions are not the ONLY reason AC1 is still a successfull game. It is the first 2 things I just mentioned that are the root of why AC1 is still around. The monthly addtions are just icing on a cake already delicious enough even if it had no icing.

It does seem you are trying to speak from a standpoint of extreme knowledge when you yourself have not played this game for months and months ... please don't. If you want to comment on the game/content/viability please understand this game far more than you do at the moment.

 I speak from the stand point that includes the following:

 1. What other AC2 players who CURRENTLY play have said. Both AC2 super-in-denial-fans as well as honest AC2 fans, as well as non AC2 fans.

 2. What I personally experienced in Beta, release, and after release.

 3. What mainstream media have said, and recorded.

 4. What the AC2 game DEVs and AC2 press have said, posted, and recorded.

All these various sources have kept me fully informed about the past, present, and obvioius future of AC2. I understand the game very, very, well based on the above 4 primary sources.

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