Thinking about coming back

Rocksha · July 2008

Im thinking about coming back to this game, i liked it a lot when i played the game on a trial about two years ago, it seemed the population was decent back then. The only thing thats holds me back from actually buying this game and playing it is that i feel like it would be a waste of time, considering its age and other things about the population. So im wondering if it is currently healthy atm, and if you expect it to last even a few more years being healthy. I wouldnt want to start playing, and not be able to find a group or anything like that. It wouldnt feel alive if it had no one else in the world. I understand if you like this game, you would want to see more new players, but please tell me the truth about this, dont BS it and lie just to get more players. Thank you

Greatness · July 2008

The game will definitely last a couple of years, the subscription rate has been very constant judging by its age and it seems that many will be coming back when the Gracia update becomes available as it will make leveling a lot easier.

Rocksha · July 2008

when is the gracia update coming?

Rocksha · July 2008

sorry for the double post, also, im wondering how many people are usually on the server Bartz, as that is where ill play. The server i play on in ffxi has around 1600 players on all the time, and around 2500 at peak times, if bartz is like this then that will be perfect

Listof · July 2008

The game's definitely going to be around a while. They still have Lineage I running, so it's not likely that they'll pull the plug on L2 anytime in the next few years. That being said, as far as the end game pvp'ers are concerned, the glory days are over. We used to see random 200 players vs. 200 players pvp on a weekday afternoon, with 500+ at sieges. Nowadays, a siege w/ over 300 players is rare (that's including both sides). But, that doesn't mean that the game is dead. The game itself is actually better in many ways than it used to be and w/ Gracia it will be even easier to earn xp (and it's already easier than it was a few years ago).

Bartz actually runs higher than your current server in FFXI. It averages about 2,500 during normal play time. Franz and Teon are the highest populated servers w/ 4,500+ players most of the time, Luna runs about 3,500 and is also a new server, so there are lots of lower level players leveling up. Some of the older servers were recently merged so they (Aria, Phoenix and Sayha) run around 1,800 - 3,000 (I'm guessing, based on their numbers before the merge.)

Gracia will be on the Test Server on Thursday but they haven't given a date for release on the live servers yet. I'm guessing it will probably be about 2-3 weeks from now.

A little bit of advice if you do start - get in an academy ASAP. A clan is almost essential to enjoying this game.

Rocksha · July 2008

so if i do come back, i probably want to start on Luna?

Listof · July 2008

Well, it depends.

Luna is a Euro server, w/ Euro based sieges, so siege on Saturday would be mid-afternoon and siege on Sunday would probably be late morning. (Not exactly sure, w/ daylight savings time in the US and not knowing your timezone.) Also, Olympiads (which you won't be high enough to compete in for quite some time) would be earlier as well, maybe, mid to late afternoon?

And of course Luna is going to have a lot of Euros on it. On the other hand, it also has a lot of Americans. Some new players, some old players that wanted a fresh start on a clean server, etc. And even the American servers have a lot of Euros on them, so you're going to find a mix no matter what server you go to.

Luna probably would be easier to find groups on and you'd be closer in range to the majority of the player base, as opposed to the older servers where the majority of players are 78ish w/ 1-2 subs. So on Luna you'd have more ppl your level to hang with, more competition your level and you'd be able to compete (pvp-wise) sooner, since you won't be going up against so many 78s w/ epic jewels and S-grade gear.

If you're not all about being a high level PvPer, then any of the servers would be fine. On every server there's a large body of casual players, who are not level 78 yet, who have mains (or alts they play a lot) which will be closer to your level, who are willing and happy to take a new player into their clan and help that player level, earn gear, etc.

So it really comes down to what do you want out of this game?

Rocksha · July 2008

well, i guess Luna is out for me. I want an american server with the highest population, so im guessing Bartz is it?

Sovrath · July 2008

Originally posted by Rocksha

well, i guess Luna is out for me. I want an american server with the highest population, so im guessing Bartz is it?

Yes, Bartz.

Rocksha · July 2008

It doesnt seem they want me to buy the game anywhere . I try to buy it from the plaync website and when i put through my information it says the image has timed out, the image that you have to verify and type in at the bottom of the screen. Ive also tried to purchase it from direct2drive, and it doesnt work there either, im waiting on an email from them, but i have been waiting all day, this is getting dissappointing, to the point where i might not buy it.

Sovrath · July 2008

Originally posted by Rocksha

, im waiting on an email from them, but i have been waiting all day, this is getting dissappointing, to the point where i might not buy it.

Ok, first of all, what type of thinking is that? Seriously. You are not 5. Granted, I agree with you, you should be able to purchase the game easily from their company. But "not" purchasing it because there are some difficulties seems a bit punative. You either want to try it or not. And what if the issues you are experiencing are on your side? You are then punishing yourself for something that is not their fault.

Ok so I tried the playNC site and got to the "pay with credit card" part. So if you are not getting to this part then the issue might be on your side.

You can also do what I would do since I'm not really a child of the internet era. You could go to a store to buy it or purchase the box from Amazon.

Sorry, I suppose I owe you an apology but it's very hard for me to accept the fact that a small amount of difficulty creates such a drastic response. It seems a bit too focused on the instant gratification philosophy of life.

In MY day you sometimes had to wait weeks to get something you ordered (from a catalog no less). Stores weren't really open on Sunday and when I was younger, you had to take money out for the entire weekend or else go without.

Did I mention that I had to go to school, through the snow, uphill both ways? ; )

Rocksha · July 2008

Yes i got the the pay with the credit card part, and after that, i put through my information where a screen should come up usually saying purchase complete or what not, but it says the image has timed out. Anyways, i will most likely still buy it, it just gets frustrating. I am going to go out to the store and see if i can find it there when i get the chance. If i buy the 4th anniversary edition from best buy, you can look it up at www.bestbuy.com if your not sure what im talking about, is this the actual "full game" or not. Thanks

thamighty213 · July 2008

get it from direct2drive instead

Sovrath · July 2008

Originally posted by Rocksha

Yes i got the the pay with the credit card part, and after that, i put through my information where a screen should come up usually saying purchase complete or what not, but it says the image has timed out. Anyways, i will most likely still buy it, it just gets frustrating. I am going to go out to the store and see if i can find it there when i get the chance. If i buy the 4th anniversary edition from best buy, you can look it up at www.bestbuy.com if your not sure what im talking about, is this the actual "full game" or not. Thanks

Well, can't test that as I would just end up purchasing the game.

Now, as far as the game goes, it really doesn't matter what you buy. If you went into some gamestop and purchased the very first gamebox, you would still get the whole game. You will just have to wait for all the downloading.

But you will get all of it, that I promise.

mattic65 · July 2008

I've been thinking about coming back as well, especially after reading the features in the upcoming Gracia update. I really liked this game and everything it had to offer, but the insane grind and time investment involved was what made me finally quit playing. But with the tweaks to XP and buffs making it easier for those of us who have jobs (and lives) to level and be competitive, it definitely deserves a second try. I'll be giving this game another go once Gracia goes live.

Sovrath · July 2008

Originally posted by mattic65

I've been thinking about coming back as well, especially after reading the features in the upcoming Gracia update. I really liked this game and everything it had to offer, but the insane grind and time investment involved was what made me finally quit playing. But with the tweaks to XP and buffs making it easier for those of us who have jobs (and lives) to level and be competitive, it definitely deserves a second try. I'll be giving this game another go once Gracia goes live.

To be honest, I wonder how much "less" the grind it really will be. That's the one thing that people don't realize about L2. It's all about "small changes".

So sure, it could be less of a grind but it could still be an incredible grind compared to other games. I have the feeling that all these players are going to come back expecting a much easier game when the reality is that it will be a "slightly" easier game.

thamighty213 · July 2008

Originally posted by Sovrath

Originally posted by mattic65

I've been thinking about coming back as well, especially after reading the features in the upcoming Gracia update. I really liked this game and everything it had to offer, but the insane grind and time investment involved was what made me finally quit playing. But with the tweaks to XP and buffs making it easier for those of us who have jobs (and lives) to level and be competitive, it definitely deserves a second try. I'll be giving this game another go once Gracia goes live.

To be honest, I wonder how much "less" the grind it really will be. That's the one thing that people don't realize about L2. It's all about "small changes".

So sure, it could be less of a grind but it could still be an incredible grind compared to other games. I have the feeling that all these players are going to come back expecting a much easier game when the reality is that it will be a "slightly" easier game.

From the actual interview

The big change is that leveling a Lineage II character is now extremely easier—and we say “extremely” in a fairly conservative manner. A normal new character that goes through the beginning quests can gain a few levels in just a few minutes, and players should find leveling now quite easily, all the way up to level 60 and beyond. Players that could spend several months of hardcore grinding to get up to a competitively high level will now be able to accomplish the same feat perhaps a month, if not less. They’ll also be able to get to their occupation changes a lot faster, so developing a selection of specialized characters is a much more realistic option. Building characters is now a lot fun and easy to do, rather than a long-term activity many players would rather do without. This drastic change in leveling is due to several factors.

Sovrath · July 2008

Originally posted by thamighty213

Originally posted by Sovrath

Originally posted by mattic65

I've been thinking about coming back as well, especially after reading the features in the upcoming Gracia update. I really liked this game and everything it had to offer, but the insane grind and time investment involved was what made me finally quit playing. But with the tweaks to XP and buffs making it easier for those of us who have jobs (and lives) to level and be competitive, it definitely deserves a second try. I'll be giving this game another go once Gracia goes live.

To be honest, I wonder how much "less" the grind it really will be. That's the one thing that people don't realize about L2. It's all about "small changes".

So sure, it could be less of a grind but it could still be an incredible grind compared to other games. I have the feeling that all these players are going to come back expecting a much easier game when the reality is that it will be a "slightly" easier game.

From the actual interview

The big change is that leveling a Lineage II character is now extremely easier—and we say “extremely” in a fairly conservative manner. A normal new character that goes through the beginning quests can gain a few levels in just a few minutes, and players should find leveling now quite easily, all the way up to level 60 and beyond. Players that could spend several months of hardcore grinding to get up to a competitively high level will now be able to accomplish the same feat perhaps a month, if not less. They’ll also be able to get to their occupation changes a lot faster, so developing a selection of specialized characters is a much more realistic option. Building characters is now a lot fun and easy to do, rather than a long-term activity many players would rather do without. This drastic change in leveling is due to several factors.

Well that's interesting. Which interview is this please?

thamighty213 · July 2008

on the main page it was featured story yesterday.

Gracia Update Revealed

NCsoft has announced several changes to Lineage II with the upcoming Gracia update, which include the introduction of the Vitality System, and efforts to reduce 'the grind' and entry barriers to new players by allowing players to level faster.

One of our greatest assets is our fantastic group of players, who are a very dedicated, hardcore bunch that spend a lot of time and effort building up their characters and battling each other in big player vs. player (PvP) fights like castle sieges. However, the process of building and leveling characters can be a very long and frankly tedious process in Lineage II, which may serve as a barrier for letting a much larger group of potential customers to fully enjoy our game. While in the past the developers in Korea have continually built the game with this hardcore mentality firmly set, with the release of Gracia, they’ve completely changed the rules and made Lineage II even better and a lot more fun.

The big change is that leveling a Lineage II character is now extremely easier—and we say “extremely” in a fairly conservative manner. A normal new character that goes through the beginning quests can gain a few levels in just a few minutes, and players should find leveling now quite easily, all the way up to level 60 and beyond. Players that could spend several months of hardcore grinding to get up to a competitively high level will now be able to accomplish the same feat perhaps a month, if not less. They’ll also be able to get to their occupation changes a lot faster, so developing a selection of specialized characters is a much more realistic option. Building characters is now a lot fun and easy to do, rather than a long-term activity many players would rather do without. This drastic change in leveling is due to several factors.

For one thing, experience rewards for killing creatures and accomplishing quests has been increased across the board. This means that you’ll gain a lot more for generally doing the same things you always do. Running out of quests trying to gain experience, or continual creature farming, is not nearly as big of a factor any more. Also, new repetitive quests have been added in each race village to help out players even further.

We’re also introducing a cool new Vitality system. For one thing, you accumulate Vitality for not being logged in. You can also get Vitality points by staying in a peace zone, or by hunting raid or boss monsters (you’ll get a percentage of your earned raid points in Vitality points). New characters and existing characters before the update goes live also start out with the maximum number of Vitality points.

So what do you do with Vitality points? You consume Vitality when you kill ordinary creatures and gain experience, though Vitality won’t get spent if you’re taking on a quest creature, if you don’t get experience for killing a creature, or if you’re taking on a boss. When Vitality is spent, your experience and SP bonus is greatly increased, depending on how much Vitality you currently have. If you’re maxed out in Vitality points (Vitality Level 4), your bonus will be 300% of the normal experience and SP gain. If you have a few thousand Vitality points (Vitality Level 1), the bonus is 150%. Because Vitality is so easy to earn, players will be in the bonus consistently and the overall experience gain can be huge.

To help characters level even more, the buffs available to low-level beginning players can now be used all the way to level 62, and we’ve even added a few more buffs for players to use. These buffs like Haste and Vampiric Rage help out tremendously in dealing with Lineage II’s various creatures and quests, and makes solo play a lot easier.

With Gracia, Lineage II is now a lot easier to play, and the level barrier is not nearly as tough as it used to be. Players will be able to get to the high levels relatively quickly, and can enjoy some of the best parts of the game like PvP and castle sieges without having to spend a huge amount of time getting there.

Sovrath · July 2008

Originally posted by thamighty213

on the main page it was featured story yesterday.

LOL! Holy Crap!

Thanks! It's like I've just been told that the world really is flat!

thamighty213 · July 2008

Originally posted by Sovrath

Originally posted by thamighty213

on the main page it was featured story yesterday.

LOL! Holy Crap!

Thanks! It's like I've just been told that the world really is flat!

Is it not?????

mattic65 · July 2008

Originally posted by Sovrath

Originally posted by thamighty213

on the main page it was featured story yesterday.

LOL! Holy Crap!

Thanks! It's like I've just been told that the world really is flat!

See? Sounds good to me. Even if the grind is only "slightly" reduced, it's something. I'll give it shot to see just how big an impact Gracia has on overall gameplay.

On a side note, a salient point was made to me shortly after reading that article yesterday. Whereas the XP grind might be reduced, there's no mention of Adena. So in the end, it's a possibility that the Adena grind will offset the XP increase, and you'll be right back at square one.

Rocksha · July 2008

Sovrath, or anyone else, i know i asked this already, and you said yes, but i need a 100% confirm that the 4th anniversary edition includes the full game serial key, and is everything i need to start. I need to know this for sure because this happened to me last time i tried to play, i bought the Lineage 2 2nd anniversary edition and thought it was the full game, but it turned out to be only the 60 day time card with a free trial, not the full game, so it would be helpful if someone could confirm that the 4th anniversary includes EVERYTHING i need. Thanks

thamighty213 · July 2008

not too sure on that one m8 the box is very ambiguous and can be read to be just a few items and 60 day's but then when it says all exapnsions etc it makes you think full retail version might be worth firing NC a email to confirm it.

review of it at gamezone makes it sound as though its a full retail version with 60 days of play freebie with those added few extra's for those who have a account already.

Rocksha · July 2008

i looked at the main general forums today, and it seems like all the people there are talking about the game dying, this is scaring me away from trying to buy it still, even though i really want to play it, i know i keep asking this, but is it true that the game is dying? convince me to buy it

Ephimero · July 2008

Originally posted by Rocksha

i looked at the main general forums today, and it seems like all the people there are talking about the game dying, this is scaring me away from trying to buy it still, even though i really want to play it, i know i keep asking this, but is it true that the game is dying? convince me to buy it

The game has been dying for 3 years already, the subs keep stable and the updates keep coming though lol.

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Gracia Update Revealed

NCsoft has announced several changes to Lineage II with the upcoming Gracia update, which include the introduction of the Vitality System, and efforts to reduce 'the grind' and entry barriers to new players by allowing players to level faster.

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Thinking about coming back

Comments

Gracia Update Revealed

NCsoft has announced several changes to Lineage II with the upcoming Gracia update, which include the introduction of the Vitality System, and efforts to reduce 'the grind' and entry barriers to new players by allowing players to level faster.