A 20 level newbie Island?

Jackdog · June 2007

Not quite sure what the reasoning behind this is and whether I will like it. Not too sure why they would want to do it this way for that matter. I pay a monthly fee for a MMORPG experience not to play solo. Anyone have a clue how long it will take to complete the single player part of the game? If it is like LoTRO and a a couple of hours in a mini instance with other newbies I can live with it. If it takes three or four weeks of single player solo play get to lvl 20 I doubt I will be playing the game very long. I sure as hell will not pay a subscription fee to play solo. Does the free 30 start after you get into the MMORPG part or as soon as you install the game?

[Deleted User] · June 2007

The user and all related content has been deleted.

catafract · June 2007

In most mmos when you create account and subscribed and you create character you are ready to begin online game ,so my opinion is that free 30 days will start when you first enter solo game.Hopefully it will not take long .

ASmith84 · June 2007

think of it this way. would you rather have people come online and know what to do or do you want people to come online and keep askin how do you do this and that exc? and just maybe (probably not but i can hope) it will cut down on the word noob.

Aelfinn · June 2007

A.) 15 - 20 hours playing casually

B.) Any and all subsequent characters on the same account may skip past it straight to lvl 20, but are apparently at a slight disadvantage to begin with as compared to someone that was careful and completely cleaned the place out for money and gear. In all probability, the difference will be nil in the long run.

C.) Subscription fees do not begin untill after a character on a particular account has left the noob isle.

Aelfinn · June 2007

Originally posted by SWGforreva

wow people are seriously pmsing over this...if u really like the game you would ignore this small so called "issue"

His concern is not unreasonable. I for one would not wish to spend 3 months of straight playing just to get off of a tutorial island.

However, the OP probably should have done some research before posting this.

Jackdog · June 2007

Originally posted by SWGforreva

wow people are seriously pmsing over this...if u really like the game you would ignore this small so called "issue"

Spokemn like a true fanboy. Question - how do I know if i really like the game, right now all I have is press releases to go by and anyone with a lick od sense knows those can be misleading. Ask anyone who paid 50 bucks for Vanguard. Right now I am gathering info on what the FAQ did not cover and trying to separate the hype from the fact.

Originally posted by Aelfinn

Originally posted by SWGforreva

wow people are seriously pmsing over this...if u really like the game you would ignore this small so called "issue"

His concern is not unreasonable. I for one would not wish to spend 3 months of straight playing just to get off of a tutorial island.

However, the OP probably should have done some research before posting this.

I read the FAQ and the indepth FAQ on the front page of the main site. Only the part about skipping to the end is covered there and even that says it was being looked into.

Hengist · June 2007

Originally posted by Aelfinn

A.) 15 - 20 hours playing casually
B.) Any and all subsequent characters on the same account may skip past it straight to lvl 20, but are apparently at a slight disadvantage to begin with as compared to someone that was careful and completely cleaned the place out for money and gear. In all probability, the difference will be nil in the long run.

A) I'd seen in one of the developer commentary type videos that they said 10-15 hours, but as I remember it, I saw it in one of the early 2006 videos, and I might be off.

You'll be able to skip if you are making a second toon of the same archtype. I.E. you have a lvl 30 rogue, and you want a Barbarian, you wont have to redo the 1-20 part. However, if you have the level 30 rogue, and you want to roll a Guardian, since it's in the Soldier archtype, you'll have to redo the 1-20 part. In fact Athelan mentioned on one of the threads here that was the way he remembered it was being done, even if he did not know the exact details of what would happen via the skip.

http://mmorpg.com/discussion2.cfm/post/1459050#1459050

Hengist · June 2007

Originally posted by catafract

In most mmos when you create account and subscribed and you create character you are ready to begin online game ,so my opinion is that free 30 days will start when you first enter solo game.Hopefully it will not take long .

Athelan already answered this here....

"It has always been our intent to offer the single-player portion of the game without a subscription fee. This I believe to be the case even though the single-player portion of the game is no longer single-player limited and as stated previously is always online."

http://mmorpg.com/discussion2.cfm/post/1450433#1450433

Sturmrabe · June 2007

Originally posted by Baikal

Originally posted by Aelfinn

A.) 15 - 20 hours playing casually
B.) Any and all subsequent characters on the same account may skip past it straight to lvl 20, but are apparently at a slight disadvantage to begin with as compared to someone that was careful and completely cleaned the place out for money and gear. In all probability, the difference will be nil in the long run.

A) I'd seen in one of the developer commentary type videos that they said 10-15 hours, but as I remember it, I saw it in one of the early 2006 videos, and I might be off.

You'll be able to skip if you are making a second toon of the same archtype. I.E. you have a lvl 30 rogue, and you want a Barbarian, you wont have to redo the 1-20 part. However, if you have the level 30 rogue, and you want to roll a Guardian, since it's in the Soldier archtype, you'll have to redo the 1-20 part. In fact Athelan mentioned on one of the threads here that was the way he remembered it was being done, even if he did not know the exact details of what would happen via the skip.

http://mmorpg.com/discussion2.cfm/post/1459050#1459050

Yep, totally correct..

Though you could just as easily get 4 chars, one of each archetype, up to level 20 before you take the first one out to the mainland, and play the whole time for free...

Doomsayer · June 2007

Originally posted by Sturmrabe
Though you could just as easily get 4 chars, one of each archetype, up to level 20 before you take the first one out to the mainland, and play the whole time for free...

This is my plan. I am no hurry to be on the online part, that will come in time. I intend to figure out exactly what character I wish to bring up through the levels by trying the ones I am interested in first during the "free" 1-20 part. I just hope the 1-20 part has a decently interesting story line. I need a game with CONTENT. I am tired of all these releases filled with "Bells and whistles" and no substance. Hopefully AoC will have content for both PvE and PvP. Yes I need content in my PvP. I want to have good reasons storyline wise to kill my fellow players, a goal in mind, other that just being a griefer or trying to stroke my e-peen. Uh oh, starting to rant. Sorry, not trying to hijack the thread.

Hengist · June 2007

Originally posted by Jackdog

Not quite sure what the reasoning behind this is and whether I will like it. Not too sure why they would want to do it this way for that matter. I pay a monthly fee for a MMORPG experience not to play solo. Anyone have a clue how long it will take to complete the single player part of the game? If it is like LoTRO and a a couple of hours in a mini instance with other newbies I can live with it.

Hehe, have to quote Athelan again about the why it's done. From my point of view, I like the idea behind it, especially considering how little time it'll take, but taking your toon and implanting him/her firmly in the story I think is a great idea. I know it wont be for everyone though....

"We wanted you to have a strong story background setting off your characters path through the game. The singleplayer portion of the game has always been online and always been more about storytelling and empowerment than isolation. The singleplayer portion of the game is not really singleplayer and last until level 20 now. You will only be completely alone for around the first hour or less until you make it to the city of Tortage. Once inside you can choose between Daytime Tortage which is multiplayer and has side quests and dungeons or Nighttime Tortage where you take on your singleplayer destiny quests.

note: you can solo to Level 80, but this first part is designed around being solo"

-Athelan

http://mmorpg.com/discussion2.cfm/post/1459046#1459046

Aelfinn · June 2007

Originally posted by Jackdog

Originally posted by Aelfinn

Originally posted by SWGforreva

wow people are seriously pmsing over this...if u really like the game you would ignore this small so called "issue"

His concern is not unreasonable. I for one would not wish to spend 3 months of straight playing just to get off of a tutorial island.

However, the OP probably should have done some research before posting this.

I read the FAQ and the indepth FAQ on the front page of the main site. Only the part about skipping to the end is covered there and even that says it was being looked into.

In the interest of aquiring information, you should know that the faqs on the main site are largely outdated and/or incomplete. Your best bet would be bymitra.com, which has a search engine and library allowing the user to literally browse through everything developers have ever said on the official forums and a few other locations.

Jackdog · June 2007

Originally posted by Aelfinn

Originally posted by Jackdog

Originally posted by Aelfinn

Originally posted by SWGforreva

wow people are seriously pmsing over this...if u really like the game you would ignore this small so called "issue"

His concern is not unreasonable. I for one would not wish to spend 3 months of straight playing just to get off of a tutorial island.

However, the OP probably should have done some research before posting this.

I read the FAQ and the indepth FAQ on the front page of the main site. Only the part about skipping to the end is covered there and even that says it was being looked into.

In the interest of aquiring information, you should know that the faqs on the main site are largely outdated and/or incomplete. Your best bet would be bymitra.com, which has a search engine and library allowing the user to literally browse through everything developers have ever said on the official forums and a few other locations. thanks for the link. I am trying to keep a open mind about the game. I can understand that the Dev team is busy trying to get a game out and do not have time to update the FAQs with every change they are making in beta. Developing a MMORPG is a fluid process after all, nothing is ever really set in stone, even after release. Still I am not really enthusiastic about the 20 levels single player and all though, so I will have to put that in the "con" column.

Aelfinn · June 2007

Its 5 levels single player (Ie. the brief period it takes your character to fight his way from the beach he washed up on to the nearest city on the island), and 15 levels optional multiplayer. They decided that during the day you'd be playing with others just as normal, but be alone at night. Unlike the mainland, day and night on the island is switched between by sleeping at the Inne, as opposed to it changing naturally.

Thaliost · June 2007

I rather like this feature. Its new and interesting for me.

From what I've read, it won't take that long to complete and you will be able to interact with other human players if you wish. It's just an inovative way they found to introduce the game to the players (and will prolly let you take in the hopefuly lushes graphics the game will offer).

Besides, if you play the game for a few months, it won't be 1 or 2 or 3 days of offline playing that will make you have a depression

Congratz on the idea from my part

XeroKnight · June 2007

Actually, the whole time your are on the "newbie island" playing solo you dont get charged a fee, you only start getting charged when you get off the "newbie island" and into the multiplayer stuff.

Athelan · June 2007

It's a lot more than a newbie island tho. The newbie island portion is about an hour in the very beginning. There is a lot more to Tortage and you do have the ability to play multiplayer after you finish that first part so you aren't "alone" for 10-15 hours

Sturmrabe · June 2007

Originally posted by Athelan

It's a lot more than a newbie island tho. The newbie island portion is about an hour in the very beginning. There is a lot more to Tortage and you do have the ability to play multiplayer after you finish that first part so you aren't "alone" for 10-15 hours

Ath is a total spammer

falken72 · June 2007

1 to 5 will be solo 5 to 20 you can choose between solo or normal mmo as we know it.

When you go to an inn you can use a sleep funktion to switch between day and night, daytime is normal mode nighttime is solo

cheers.

Jackdog · June 2007

Originally posted by falken72

1 to 5 will be solo 5 to 20 you can choose between solo or normal mmo as we know it.
When you go to an inn you can use a sleep funktion to switch between day and night, daytime is normal mode nighttime is solo
cheers.

Thanks for the clarification. I had read about the daytime/night time thing but found it a bit confusing the way it was written in the FAQ. Choices are always good. I like the idea of being able to choose single or multiplayer mode, although why anyone would choose single player is beyond me.

siresper · June 2007

I once thought like you.

But then I struggled through the release rush, with everyone camping all the starter mobs, starter quests, taking turns and standing in lines like a damn amusement park. Depending on the game and your pc, you get the congestion lag because everyone is standing around in the same places. What should have been a period of enjoyment over experiencing something new and fresh suddenly became a work filled nuisance. Nearly every mmorpg (non instanced anyway) has had something like this, and it would be difficult for someone to argue that this hasn't 'ruined the atmosphere' on some level. Its a first impression and it can often be a lasting one, so its important to make sure its positive.

In many ways, people aren't just rushing to level up at start time. They are also rushing to escape everyone else. To create a level differential that avoids overcrowding.

Conan has a unique take that may actually work to minimize this problem. Sure - it may have just raised the bar so that lvl 20 becomes the new 'noob rush'. However, not everyone will play through the solo areas at the same pace, which means lvl 20 people will filter in periodically instead of all at once. Which means less lag, less fighting with other players to make progress, less annoying things to ruin the fun.

Its great they seem to give you a choice through some of it. But it will be great to play a mmorpg again and be able to get some quality play in right off the bat, and not after I've managed to beat everyone else off with a stick.

Aseenus · June 2007

nub islands arnt a bad thing y do people always act so negative when they hear about em >_>

Jackdog · June 2007

Originally posted by siresper

I once thought like you.
But then I struggled through the release rush, with everyone camping all the starter mobs, starter quests, taking turns and standing in lines like a damn amusement park. Depending on the game and your pc, you get the congestion lag because everyone is standing around in the same places. What should have been a period of enjoyment over experiencing something new and fresh suddenly became a work filled nuisance. Nearly every mmorpg (non instanced anyway) has had something like this, and it would be difficult for someone to argue that this hasn't 'ruined the atmosphere' on some level. Its a first impression and it can often be a lasting one, so its important to make sure its positive.
In many ways, people aren't just rushing to level up at start time. They are also rushing to escape everyone else. To create a level differential that avoids overcrowding.
Conan has a unique take that may actually work to minimize this problem. Sure - it may have just raised the bar so that lvl 20 becomes the new 'noob rush'. However, not everyone will play through the solo areas at the same pace, which means lvl 20 people will filter in periodically instead of all at once. Which means less lag, less fighting with other players to make progress, less annoying things to ruin the fun.
Its great they seem to give you a choice through some of it. But it will be great to play a mmorpg again and be able to get some quality play in right off the bat, and not after I've managed to beat everyone else off with a stick.

So who says I am in a rush to level up? If the developers are worth a damn they can tweak mob spawns up and down with a patch to adjust for the mad rush.

The reasion I play MMORPGs for the social interaction, not to just level. I spent 3 hours last night helping guildies on quests that I have already completed in LOTRO. I enjoy playing with small groups. I don't care for raids or solo play too much. 4 or 5 friends or a pickup group is my thing.

siresper · June 2007

It was never my intention to insinuate anything about your playstyle or playing preferences. I was speaking in broad terms about the playerbase and some of their motivations.

I have said myself countless times "Whats the point of playing a mmorpg if you are just going to solo?". Believe me, I HEAR you brother Personally I tend to shake it up and do both depending on my mood and amount of time I have to play. But I completely understand where you are coming from.

What I was trying to address was the opinion that the intro soloing served no purpose or had no positive aspects. Most of us here have played through several mmorpgs in the past, and I think most can relate to problems on release day Some have chalked it up as an inevitability and moved on, others have used it as a basis for judging the game from that point on. How many people have turned away from a game because they spent hours installing and patching up, and then when they are all ready to play, find they have to deal with frustration right after loggin in? I dont have the numbers nor do I even claim to have a rough idea. But there were problems with the classic model in this regard and whether AoC's solution works or not has yet to be seen - but its an interesting take and I look forward to seeing how it plays out. And, if what people are saying about not having to pay until you get out of the start area, it could turn out to be a bit of a money saver as well, not to mention a good tryout.

I wouldn't pay a monthly fee to play solo - but by the same token I wouldn't pay a monthly fee to stand around doing nothing (with a group of others) and wait for a spawn. Or listen to people ask dumb questions in noob chat And yet - I've lost count of the number of times I have. But I guess I have no one to blame but myself.

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