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A Brand NEW Asheron's Call on the way where Turbine LISTENS to their player base?!??
Zaxx99
Member Posts: 1,761
Over on the Asherons Call forums the past couple of weeks now, they have been taking people inputs to several questions in a sticky thread. The questions they are asking only make me think that something is up over at Turbine AND that they are asking current Asherons Call players because they are going to either make drastic changes to the current AC or more likely make a whole new Asherons Call.
Here's the questions that they have asked players about the past two weeks:
* If you could describe your favorite play style in one word, what would that word be?
* What is your favorite thing about AC?
* If our CEO gave you three wishes, what would you wish for?
* Was AC your first MMO?
* Imagine you've been appointed to be the lead Developer... what's one of the first things you would do on your very first day on the job?
* If you had to pick one of these words, which would you pick?: Winning, Fun, People, Stories
* What's something about AC that you hope never changes?
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It could be simply they are taking polls about possibly making changes to the current Asheron's Call and that these questions have NOTHING to do with their secret "new game".. But I don't think so. I think their secret "new game" now is going to be very likely in a new AC or similar to AC area.
Time will tell. Hopefully they will unveil their big secret sometime soon!
- Zaxx
Comments
Hopefully Turbine isn't just blowing smoke. SOE/LA also took polls towards the end of the pre-CU and throughout the CU, but I never noticed any of their questions coming to fruition.
Ico
Oh, cruel fate, to be thusly boned. Ask not for whom the bone bones. It bones for thee.
Oh how I would love if Asherons Call would receive a total makeover, but stay true to the mechanics..
No game has ever had such a good kind of loot table. No game has ever had better PvP. The introduction of Decal was a bad thing though, and cant blame the devs for that.
Darktide PvP back when Blood was still awesome, was awesome
Yeah, but Turbine has a rich history of listening to their players, where SOE has a history of trying to tell their players what they REALLY want, despite all of the information to the contrary. I'm willing to bet Turbine has something big up their sleeve for AC.
When scary things get scared, that's bad...
They have done this same poll in the LOTRO froums recently as well. So whatever that means...
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Brandywine Global LFF chan "/joinchannel glff"
Without no question Turbine are the best MMO developer today.
Where they proven they can do incredibly complex game with AC , proven they can go all innovative with DDO (and failed) - and finally proven that they learn from mistakes with excellent LOTRO.
Today Turbine stands for - great graphic on superbly optimised engine , best story writing , apsolutely most bang for your buck 9.99$ monthly for LOTRO + bi monthly free content.
Only thing dragging Turbies down is that they work in very LICENCE limited MMOs.
Given the chance to make truly original game of their own - sky would be a limit.
Lets hope this is exactly what they are doing !
A remade AC, hell yeah!
Which Final Fantasy Character Are You?
Final Fantasy 7
A wide open world.
Zero quests (or next to none).
Death penalty that stings (so gameplay is exicting, rewards are valued, etc..)
No in-game tutorial (and out-of-game tutorial to learn how to move, attack, etc... is fine)
Players want FREEDOM, REWARDS, and CONSEQUENCES. Sure, they might whine the 1% of the time that they die, but they'll cheer the other 99% of the time they are excited and having fun.
Remember, gaming without the adrenalin pumping is lame, just lame. (Check out "World of Wimp-nan" to see exactly what not to do in designing a game.)
Things I think are good:
A wide open world as long as it isn't vastly empty and one that has appropriate instancing.
Quests.
Death Penalties are out dated.
In game tutorials are great for new players. Makes the game more accessible.
Those questions feel more like somekind of new marketing will happen, then that they are actually making any changes...
_________________
Senhores da Guerra
Things I think are good:
A wide open world as long as it isn't vastly empty and one that has appropriate instancing.
Quests.
Death Penalties are out dated.
In game tutorials are great for new players. Makes the game more accessible.
I think most players would enjoy a game that got the adrenalin pumping. Sure, it temporarily sucks to incur a death penalty, but dodging one is exhilirating. Just look at the popularity of PVP and tell me that's not because of the risks. And when people complain about PVP in a game, it's usually about the risks or penalties not being there; just like tag football is sort of lame compared to tackle football.Now, a world does not have to be completely ruthless, but if there are significant consequences for poor choices, then players stay more on their toes and probably more engaged and immersed in gameplay.
I'll give you an example to ponder. The other night I was on a Kara raid in WOW. We were fighting a boss mob and all were playing well or okay, but the mob was winning and eventually wiped us.
I didn't break a sweat and I doubt anyone did. A party wipe is a minor annoyance, because we all run back or get rezzes, and in ten minutes are fighting again. Ho hum.
BUT... were there a death penalty such as a 10% or 20% experience loss or a corpse run to recover equipment, or BOTH, we all would have been on the edge of our seats.
And that's immersion, big-time.
Yes please! I miss Dereth...
Maybe its me, but I have noticed since the new CEO took over for Jeffrey Anderson, Turbine has gone out of its way to listen to the customers more. I see this as a very good thing and hopefully we do get a new AC game. I want to kill me some Tumeroks and Lugians again!
Plus we still have these sources as speculation to go off of as well
http://www.warcry.com/news/view/77604-Former-EA-Mythic-Producer-Joins-Turbine-Team-as-Executive-Producer
http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=18456
If there is one thing they HAVE to take from AC2, its the ability to play as a Tonk or Lugian. Now, if you meant PvP-wise - dream on, Odysses
They do indeed sound like they are just taking notes for a new game. It may also be for the 100th content update. It seems like the 100th update is going to be pretty massive. Maybe they plan to advertise it.
You know, I've been playing Age of Conan lately, and the melee combat in that game (or something derived from it) would be awesome in AC3 if they made it.
~~~ Currently Playing ~~~
LOTRO- Guardian Wrymstrum & Lore-master Stabler on Nimrodel.
Conan- Zoltar <Angels of Death> Guardian on Stormrage.
I would prefer they stick with either AC2 type melee or DDO. Both are proven and were good. They just need to make sure the game gets all the development time before its released unlike what AC2 had.
well reguardless of the end result I give them tons of credit to be willing to ask those questions. It's amazing all the developers to arrogant to ask these questions.
I was playing AC over 3 years between 2000-2003.
The graphical update years ago was just cr@p. Also a lot of people where leaving to AC2 and DAoC.
Questing in groups was very nice. I never got that same fun again in any other mmo.
If i could bring back my character Sandokhan my lvl 146 swordsman on Thistledown and old players where do the same it would be fun...'if we got a new graphic engine'
I dont mind the 3th party progs. Dont feel like making 2000 potions by clicking cliking etc etc.
I enjoyed the game play of AC1 immensely in the late early 2000's for the 3 years that I played it. I never made it to the max level, but I did make it to level 60 quite a few times. I disliked that they changed and completely nerfed my Og Mage but it was still one of the best times I've had in a MMO. I remember on my first character reading stories of the center of the Black Crater having a fountain, and being level 33 and deciding to make a run for it.
I didn't make it very far and spent about an hour with my fellowship after dieing to try and retrieve my stuff, which 2 of my 3 bodies were retrieved but never found the remaining. I was devestated that I lost a lot of my stuff, but the fellowship was there to help out and replace my gear. My stats/skills were a little gimp on that character which is why I ended up making the Og Mage that I thoroughly enjoyed.
I think more than ever I'm waiting for a game like UO or AC to come out again that is more open to the type of character one can be. Giving them more freedom with their skills and spells, rather then locking them down to a single class. I don't mind playing a single class and having only those abilities, but I still think some of my most enjoyed times in the online gaming world was a text-based MUD, Ultima Online, and Asheron's Call.
I've played a lot of MMOs since then; DAoC, SB, EQ, EQ2, LoTRO, DDO, WoW, etc. I think one of the only reasons I've stuck with WoW as long as I have is because of the friends I've made in the game vs. the complete joy I've had playing the game itself. If they were going to look into releasing a new AC game or upgrading the current AC I would most definetaly look into it.
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Champions Online is doing something like this. It's a new superhero mmo from the developer that made COH. Supposedly your character's powers will be completely customizable. You'll have a certain number of points to spend on powers and you can spend them however you want.
~~~ Currently Playing ~~~
LOTRO- Guardian Wrymstrum & Lore-master Stabler on Nimrodel.
Conan- Zoltar <Angels of Death> Guardian on Stormrage.
Loved the 1st AC, one of the best mmos, but the AC2 sucked, I mean the graphics were amazing at the time, but everthing else failed imo. I can see them having a 3rd AC, I think there's a market for it, if they do it right. I would play it if it was very silimar to the 1st AC with better graphics, etc. We'll see!
I don't currently subscribe to AC (so I can't access the forum), but I know employees constantly read forums to see what people are saying, so here's my two cents.
* If you could describe your favorite play style in one word, what would that word be?
I like large quests that feel epic. I love the thrill of Gods, Dragons, and Uber Powerful beings.
* What is your favorite thing about AC?
The wide open world. I was given the power to explore as I wished as well as find my own path to get to locations. I would love to have that experience again. Only Anarchy Online, Everquest, and Asheron's Call have ever given me that experience in a safe nurturing atmosphere (Shadowbane had far too much PvP to be safe and nurturing).
* If our CEO gave you three wishes, what would you wish for?
1. A new game based on the class-less system of Asheron's Call; however, NOT a "new" Asheron's Call. Asheron's Call has seen its lifespan, and making a 3rd game in the series would never be able to attract an audience like the original did. This would also reduce the problem that has affected Lineage I and II where half the population (in theoretical numbers) simply switched to Lineage II.
2. Make Asheron's Call free-to-play based on a micro-management system and limited in-game advertising (similar to Anarchy Online) with the option to remove ads through paying. This would attract new players and repopulate the servers. The game is still ranked fairly high on MMORPG.com which means people still glance at it with an open mind and this just makes the game even more welcoming.
3. My third wish is more a personal one. I'd like a job in your PR department. I'm in my senior year at college and I'm majoring in Journalism. I have been elected to numerous student organization officer positions on campus and actively participate in the Campus Activity Board, so I believe that I have a fairly good understanding as to how o properly promote programs and would be an excellent addition to your team after I graduate in the Spring.
* Was AC your first MMO?
Yes, and I loved every minute of it. I remember the first time I started at Holtberg. It was exciting being "reborn" into the world and exploring it. I had no clue what I was doing overall, but that was what made it a fun and unique experience.
* Imagine you've been appointed to be the lead Developer... what's one of the first things you would do on your very first day on the job?
I would meet the staff and check the current plans. I would also login and meet the players, and maybe come up with a few surprises for the players (ie: random spawn of major boss in the middle of a town for a group of high levels).
* If you had to pick one of these words, which would you pick?: Winning, Fun, People, Stories
Stories. I have always been looking for stories in my MMOs. In Anarchy Online, my favorite story is a run on foot from Newland to Tir with a group of new players (much like myself). We had no clue where we were going or what to expect, but it was a great deal of fun.
* What's something about AC that you hope never changes?
The class-less system. Every game has classes now (even SWG), but the ability to control my development was one of my favorite parts of the game.
Let it be known that I hate WoW with a passion and will defend almost any MMORPG against it.
Current: FFXI (PC/360)
Want: FFXIV, Stargate Worlds, Star Trek Online
Past: AC, AoC, AO, Atlantica Online, CoH/V, DAoC, Dungeon Runners, D&DO, EVE, Everquest I+II, FlyFF, GW (all), Lineage 2, LOTRO, Mabinogi, Maplestory, PSO (DC/Xbox/PC), PSU (PC/360), PlanetSide, RO, Shadowbane, SWG (Pre-NGE), SotNW, TR, UO, Warhammer Online, WoW, WWIIO
So you're saying that they should make an AC inspired game that isn't in the AC universe? I think that could work well, but another option would be to make it on another world, but still have it related to AC. At this point I don't think that turbine will really have to worry about cannibalizing the AC customers. I wouldn't be surprised if AC got shut down by the time turbine's next big mmo launches.
~~~ Currently Playing ~~~
LOTRO- Guardian Wrymstrum & Lore-master Stabler on Nimrodel.
Conan- Zoltar <Angels of Death> Guardian on Stormrage.
So you're saying that they should make an AC inspired game that isn't in the AC universe? I think that could work well, but another option would be to make it on another world, but still have it related to AC. At this point I don't think that turbine will really have to worry about cannibalizing the AC customers. I wouldn't be surprised if AC got shut down by the time turbine's next big mmo launches.
I actually totally forgot that AC only has a small portion of players still. The whole analogy of the sequels is more to represent that people would see "Asheron's Call 3" and think of "Asheron's Call 2" being a flop.Let it be known that I hate WoW with a passion and will defend almost any MMORPG against it.
Current: FFXI (PC/360)
Want: FFXIV, Stargate Worlds, Star Trek Online
Past: AC, AoC, AO, Atlantica Online, CoH/V, DAoC, Dungeon Runners, D&DO, EVE, Everquest I+II, FlyFF, GW (all), Lineage 2, LOTRO, Mabinogi, Maplestory, PSO (DC/Xbox/PC), PSU (PC/360), PlanetSide, RO, Shadowbane, SWG (Pre-NGE), SotNW, TR, UO, Warhammer Online, WoW, WWIIO
They should relaunch ac2 but with improvements and better support, and enough content to satisfy playerbase.
A darktide style ac2 would be savior for sandbox game (not if darkfall is released)not ac1.
Games played:AC1-Darktide'99-2000-AC2-Darktide/dawnsong2003-2005,Lineage2-2005-2006 and now Darkfall-2009.....
In between WoW few months AoC few months and some f2p also all very short few weeks.