It's kind of interesting from a new player's point of view at seeing the same types of items come up in other games. Here we have a fairly established game (3yrs) with a player base that looks like a point down triangle. Few new players on the bottom and many high levels on the top and a major mod coming out that fixes what many see as minor low level problems that are way behind them and as such don't really help. This is pretty much the same problem Star Wars Galaxies had way back when but the developers went the other route. In SWG you had numerous problems and glitches that really affected newer players (no levels there, but if you think new toons = DDO low levels the idea comes across). But so many players had gotten a BIG foot up with the help of their guildies and had either blown through or by passed the lower content that the never ending mantra was 'MORE HIGH CONTENT, MORE HIGH CONTENT' and the developers heard and blew off fixing the lower end problems and added high end content. So as the updates kept coming out it was one high level quest after high level quest and the lower end problems never did get fixed. Problem was you still had new players coming into the game, but it became a vicious cycle in that they couldn't play through the unfixed problems and ended up having to join high end guilds to skip over it. Even now in the post-NGE era there's plenty of high end stuff but life is lacking at the lower end except as a step up towards the high. Many players and it seems the dev's / GM's too don't believe the game has any non-level 90 (top end) characters in it. That is truely one of the signs that a game is on the slippery slope of heading down. No matter how fun a game is NOW, how big it's upper player base is NOW, it still needs fresh blood to keep it going. Either to provide cash to develope more stuff or just to replace those that leave for what ever reason. Some of the release note items seem to be fixes to problems that have come up from adding other stuff in. Hirerlings acting weird, levers in the wrong places etc.... You say polish and I say bug fixes. Either way fixing them is a good thing. Now if the mod was all about fixing grammer, than I'd say WTF as that's not real useful but fixing the structure prior to building more on it is always a good thing. They put in the new tutorial island setup and it's not surprising it caused ripple effects that needed tweaking. I will agree a big fix update shouldn't be considered a major mod unless it was sold as such from the beginning. Pirates of the Burning Seas did one, but it was always listed on the schedule as a large bug squash fest. Nothing more, nothing less. Since they are introducing Pvp why not do something like this as a major update: I don't know how the player base feels about it, but the large Devil's playground quest area sounds like it could be used as a Pvp zone (I'm not a Pvp'er so I've no stake in it one way or the other). The manual, rules, character creation all talk about after assigning a family name to your character that you then choose an alignment. Granted I didn't get and can't seem to get that choice so I don't know what's up with that, but if alignments are still in the game than the lawful go to stop the devils and the evil go to aid them. This could be done PvE or Pvp. You take a PvE quest and if no one's around you do it in peace, but if other players are there they try to stop you. Open warfare, might work.
This was very well thought opinion before you edited and added a few things. I still agree with most of it, but not everything.
In my opinion Module 9 can't be considered "bug fix Mod" no matter how you'd try to look at it. Of course, there's large number of bug fixes, but that's very normal with DDO - this game is so complex with D&D ruleset, etc. that no other MMO can compare. So no wonder why there's so many bug fixes each Module.
But Mod 9 has a long list of new features, especially UI ones. And this was only "preview" Release Notes for Lamannia test server. By no means this is all what Mod 9 has to offer. Have you seen any mention of quests? No, becuase they are yet to be uploaded on test server. First phase was without new "quest" content, to make testing more streamlined and useful, and soon quest content will be added. This is not all, and still I'd not say it's moslty about bug-fixing.
In other words, this aren't full release notes of official Module 9. This is preview for test server alone, yet still it's huge. I guess more release notes will come when Lamannia gets adventure areas and quests / raid(s).
PS: PvP is present in DDO . This change is only UI one, adding an option of instant PvP challenge system from wherever you are. So you won't need to look for / run to arenas anymore. Who knows, maybe this way PvP will get more popular?
The quests are unlikely to be unlocked on the preview server. There are 4 quests and 1 raid currently listed on the test server but you can not get into them. Chances are that is all mod9 will have for quests and that is not acceptable for a Mod that is going to take 6+ months to put on the live servers since the last MOd was released. Sarr you are giving Turbine too much credit by saying there is more to come, you will see some fixes and thats about it. If after months this is what they have they are not adding much before it goes live. My hope is there are quests that are hidden in the explorer area and they do not show up in the LFM panel like the other few new quests do. Because if all DDO addis is 4 quests and a raid this could be the Mod that kills DDO for a lot of long time people. Patience is wearing thin for a lot of multi account people and Turbine can not afford to lose them.
As far as open warfare in a DDO quest goes, I hope never. There is no evil alignment in DDO for players and the game is simply not balanced for nor should it ever be balanced for PvP.
Originally posted by Rokurgepta The quests are unlikely to be unlocked on the preview server. There are 4 quests and 1 raid currently listed on the test server but you can not get into them. Chances are that is all mod9 will have for quests and that is not acceptable for a Mod that is going to take 6+ months to put on the live servers since the last MOd was released. Sarr you are giving Turbine too much credit by saying there is more to come, you will see some fixes and thats about it. If after months this is what they have they are not adding much before it goes live. My hope is there are quests that are hidden in the explorer area and they do not show up in the LFM panel like the other few new quests do. Because if all DDO addis is 4 quests and a raid this could be the Mod that kills DDO for a lot of long time people. Patience is wearing thin for a lot of multi account people and Turbine can not afford to lose them.
As far as open warfare in a DDO quest goes, I hope never. There is no evil alignment in DDO for players and the game is simply not balanced for nor should it ever be balanced for PvP.
I don't think I give Turbine too much credit. I know there aren't many vocal people who think like me, but I really think Turbine knows what they do, and that it may be prove to be good change for a game which was centered on old veteran players. They will leave for one reason or another (as well as I will leave too, some day) as it always happens. It's natural. I don't like to see the game dying because of too few newcomers, so I appreciate Turbine's moves totally.
Maybe I'm not too selfish here, becuase I'm 100% casual player - I just don't have much time to waste on computer games, even if they're superb. But when (not IF) I'll leave or take a long break, I'd like to see more and more new players making this game more rich and full of content and life.
I still don't believe veteran players are "the life" of DDO, and if they'll leave this game will be in trouble. Nope, I don't think so and nothing will make me think otherwise. If it really happens - old vets leave - and the game will get deserted and dying, then ok - I'll admit I was was wrong. But until this happens, I won't agree vets are most important. Even if I was vet in DDO, I would say the same, as I've played many MMOs and MUDs to date and was vet in some of them.
And even if DDO would die (and I think otherwise, I think it will get more popular in coming months), that's not that bad thing again. If Turbine would get the opportunity to create DDO 2, with new core system and all their experience, that woud be win for me too. In other words, to me that's win-win situation from all perspective. But I believe DDO will become better and better, and bring more and more players - as it's an awesome game that lacked polish and modern tools, as well as some more game-features like crafting, more things to do besides questing and grinding etc.
I think Turbine now sees the demand for more things to put you time and effort to. PvP challenge revamp is a proof for me. New "Scarab" reward system in Necropolis is great new feature too. I'd like more such things, and especially "normal" crafting. Not random, not "token" oriented, but "material" oriented. Like gathering parchments and creating inks from monster poisons, etc. for creating scrolls with spells of all levels, and gathering herbs to create potions. That would be AWESOME* .
* No, I'm not a fanboy type, I see Turbine's flaws too, but AWESOME is my word of the month .
PS: Yes, I still hope they'll see that Diablo-type random crafting isn't what we want the most... But real crafting, again, like blacksmithing etc.
As far as open warfare in a DDO quest goes,I hope never.
- DDO seems to be in a strange place. To stay true to the old PnP version (which I played back in the late 70's/early 80's) you wouldn't have Pvp or crafting. And while I won't use the term 'retro' to describe it since it brings to mind the wrong picture, I'd say that DDO does a very good job of playing like the PnP version but with theme music.
Because of this it really is up against some challenges. Most games now have crafting and Pvp. I don't see the need for Pvp but others might and if the Dev's could keep it away from the other players, be it via arena's (which generally don't seem to work well using SWG or PoTBS as examples) or by an open warfare high level playground; than those that want it could have it and it wouldn't impact on those of us that don't.
There is no evil alignment in DDO for players ...
So no chaotic evil or neutral good etc.... in the game like we had in the PnP version huh? Was it ever there or is it just a carry over in the game manual as I just did the download for the trial last Friday and in the character creation part (which looks like the screen I got when I did my guy) it still references that step.
One of the fun things in the PnP days was playing your guy as close to your alignment as you could, even when it caused problems for the rest of the group. Kind of like putting up with your crazy Uncle Bill at a party. He's not being mean when he drops your toy terrier into the punch bowl.....it's just how he is and you learn to deal with it! LOL
As far as open warfare in a DDO quest goes,I hope never.
- DDO seems to be in a strange place. To stay true to the old PnP version (which I played back in the late 70's/early 80's) you wouldn't have Pvp or crafting. And while I won't use the term 'retro' to describe it since it brings to mind the wrong picture, I'd say that DDO does a very good job of playing like the PnP version but with theme music.
Because of this it really is up against some challenges. Most games now have crafting and Pvp. I don't see the need for Pvp but others might and if the Dev's could keep it away from the other players, be it via arena's (which generally don't seem to work well using SWG or PoTBS as examples) or by an open warfare high level playground; than those that want it could have it and it wouldn't impact on those of us that don't.
There is no evil alignment in DDO for players ...
So no chaotic evil or neutral good etc.... in the game like we had in the PnP version huh? Was it ever there or is it just a carry over in the game manual as I just did the download for the trial last Friday and in the character creation part (which looks like the screen I got when I did my guy) it still references that step.
One of the fun things in the PnP days was playing your guy as close to your alignment as you could, even when it caused problems for the rest of the group. Kind of like putting up with your crazy Uncle Bill at a party. He's not being mean when he drops your toy terrier into the punch bowl.....it's just how he is and you learn to deal with it! LOL
There is no eveil. There is Chaotic and Neutral. You can be Chaotic good you simply have no option to play evil.
Originally posted by Rokurgepta The quests are unlikely to be unlocked on the preview server. There are 4 quests and 1 raid currently listed on the test server but you can not get into them. Chances are that is all mod9 will have for quests and that is not acceptable for a Mod that is going to take 6+ months to put on the live servers since the last MOd was released. Sarr you are giving Turbine too much credit by saying there is more to come, you will see some fixes and thats about it. If after months this is what they have they are not adding much before it goes live. My hope is there are quests that are hidden in the explorer area and they do not show up in the LFM panel like the other few new quests do. Because if all DDO addis is 4 quests and a raid this could be the Mod that kills DDO for a lot of long time people. Patience is wearing thin for a lot of multi account people and Turbine can not afford to lose them.
As far as open warfare in a DDO quest goes, I hope never. There is no evil alignment in DDO for players and the game is simply not balanced for nor should it ever be balanced for PvP.
I don't think I give Turbine too much credit. I know there aren't many vocal people who think like me, but I really think Turbine knows what they do, and that it may be prove to be good change for a game which was centered on old veteran players. They will leave for one reason or another (as well as I will leave too, some day) as it always happens. It's natural. I don't like to see the game dying because of too few newcomers, so I appreciate Turbine's moves totally.
Maybe I'm not too selfish here, becuase I'm 100% casual player - I just don't have much time to waste on computer games, even if they're superb. But when (not IF) I'll leave or take a long break, I'd like to see more and more new players making this game more rich and full of content and life.
I still don't believe veteran players are "the life" of DDO, and if they'll leave this game will be in trouble. Nope, I don't think so and nothing will make me think otherwise. If it really happens - old vets leave - and the game will get deserted and dying, then ok - I'll admit I was was wrong. But until this happens, I won't agree vets are most important. Even if I was vet in DDO, I would say the same, as I've played many MMOs and MUDs to date and was vet in some of them.
And even if DDO would die (and I think otherwise, I think it will get more popular in coming months), that's not that bad thing again. If Turbine would get the opportunity to create DDO 2, with new core system and all their experience, that woud be win for me too. In other words, to me that's win-win situation from all perspective. But I believe DDO will become better and better, and bring more and more players - as it's an awesome game that lacked polish and modern tools, as well as some more game-features like crafting, more things to do besides questing and grinding etc.
I think Turbine now sees the demand for more things to put you time and effort to. PvP challenge revamp is a proof for me. New "Scarab" reward system in Necropolis is great new feature too. I'd like more such things, and especially "normal" crafting. Not random, not "token" oriented, but "material" oriented. Like gathering parchments and creating inks from monster poisons, etc. for creating scrolls with spells of all levels, and gathering herbs to create potions. That would be AWESOME* .
* No, I'm not a fanboy type, I see Turbine's flaws too, but AWESOME is my word of the month .
PS: Yes, I still hope they'll see that Diablo-type random crafting isn't what we want the most... But real crafting, again, like blacksmithing etc.
If there was a DDO 2 I would guess Turbine has no shot at making it if DDO fails and is closed. Would you give the same company that failed once a second shot when millions upon millions of dollars are at stake and better companies exist?
Problem with Turbine is they are not adding things like real crafting. Read the interview with Kate Paiz the lead producer, she dodges the questions because Turbine has no idea what it wants from DDO. The PvP challenge revamp is a near nothing add to the game, it is still combat and everyone who plays DDO knows there is no balance between the classes and never should be so PVP will NEVER be a big part of DDO.
As for Veteran players not being the life of DDO, right now they absolutely are. I have created new characters over the last few months and met some new people, but almost everyone in the low area was older players rerolling. How would DDO attract huge numbers of new players with no advertising? For the life of me I can not figure out how people think new players are currently keeping DDO alive when there is no one reaching out to them. Atari or Turbine needs to get people in playing so they can see how good this game is. If you fail to bring in a lot of new players, as any business will tell you it is easier to retain a customer than find a new one and thats simple business 101.
I am glad to see you have an open mind to listen to other peoples opinions( this is sarcasm aimed at your nothing can change your mind remark). DDO has not been centered on old vbeteran players, one of the big complaints on the US forums is the fact they have spent so much time on low and mid level content and then failed to merket the game to draw in enough new players to have made those decisions worthwhile. Most veteran players are not against all levels of new content(we tend to roll a lot of new chars and like new things to do as well) but many are against all this aim at low level and then no marketing push to make the game profitable so more devs can be hired and the game get better.
Out of curiosity how long have you been in DDO? How is DDO going to get more popular in coming months? Please point me to the advertising being done that makes you think the game is getting better? I will point you to all the things they are doing worse or less of these days that make me think the DDO team is at an all time low for population. I really think DDO is safe as far as players because I tend to think they are above the 25k many say is likely, but I see a lot of the people with multiple accounts frustrated and ready to call it a day if MOD 9 is not a huge hit for them. This is not because Turbine is awesome, it is because many D&D players wanted a D&D MMO so bad they are willing to deal with a company in Turbine that treats its players like they are an playing for free instead of paying customers who love the game but are tired of mistake after mistake in the decision process.
Turbine is so bad that they had a new guy in charge for a year and no one knew until a few weeks ago. Communication from Turbine is so bad that it is almost laughable when they complain about the tone of the boards. They set the tone by ignoring everyone. They allow the fanboys to be as rude as they want and almost never ban them, but they ban unhappy customers instead. This all sets bad examples and when I read the boards today after being away for a year and a half I am shocked at what they get away with today.
(snip) This is not because Turbine is awesome, it is because many D&D players wanted a D&D MMO so bad they are willing to deal with a company in Turbine that treats its players like they are an playing for free instead of paying customers who love the game but are tired of mistake after mistake in the decision process. Turbine is so bad that they had a new guy in charge for a year and no one knew until a few weeks ago. Communication from Turbine is so bad that it is almost laughable when they complain about the tone of the boards. They set the tone by ignoring everyone. They allow the fanboys to be as rude as they want and almost never ban them, but they ban unhappy customers instead. This all sets bad examples and when I read the boards today after being away for a year and a half I am shocked at what they get away with today.
I've lost a tremendous amount of respect for Turbine as of late. This does not relate to the developers, or members of Q&A, and is soley directed towards the direction managment suspects is beneficial to the subscribers of their games. The secrecy and complete abstention of communicating changes to the game play will be Turbine's downfall and I feel bad for the good people who have to work under such pathetic leadership and direction.
Communication is the backbone of a strong community and discussing potential improvements or alterations to the environment commands respect. When you completely lack a marketing avenue and the only means of penetrating the market is through word of mouth you must absolutely view your userbase as an asset and a means to "get the word out". To the contrary Turbine has done the exact opposite, going as far to use mythical catch phrases ("Vast & Mysterious") as a lure.
Vast & Mysterious, six months in and several months behind schedule we're still being told "hang in there, you're getting something Vast & Mysterious, but we can't tell when that will be or even what it is." This is complete crap and if there were ever a reason to abstain from DDO(even though it's extremely under rated), or any of Turbine's products, this would be it.
What blow's my mind is Turbine enforces the view of "shut up, sit down, hurry up and wait". They're portraying a visage that the player base are uninformend idiots who need to keep their mouths shut and act as sheep; while you're at it, stop posting mindless assumptions regardless of how factual they might be! Unfortunately, in the way this company is purposely and intentionaly keeping their entire subscriber base in the dark it would be better to say we're being treated as veal and harvest is getting close.
If anyone wants example's of how not to run a company that depends upon subscription fees look at Turbine. That being said, I believe DDO is going free to play and will recieve an Item Mall to generate income through micro transactions.
(snip) This is not because Turbine is awesome, it is because many D&D players wanted a D&D MMO so bad they are willing to deal with a company in Turbine that treats its players like they are an playing for free instead of paying customers who love the game but are tired of mistake after mistake in the decision process. Turbine is so bad that they had a new guy in charge for a year and no one knew until a few weeks ago. Communication from Turbine is so bad that it is almost laughable when they complain about the tone of the boards. They set the tone by ignoring everyone. They allow the fanboys to be as rude as they want and almost never ban them, but they ban unhappy customers instead. This all sets bad examples and when I read the boards today after being away for a year and a half I am shocked at what they get away with today.
I've lost a tremendous amount of respect for Turbine as of late. This does not relate to the developers, or members of Q&A, and is soley directed towards the direction managment suspects is beneficial to the subscribers of their games. The secrecy and complete abstention of communicating changes to the game play will be Turbine's downfall and I feel bad for the good people who have to work under such pathetic leadership and direction.
Communication is the backbone of a strong community and discussing potential improvements or alterations to the environment commands respect. When you completely lack a marketing avenue and the only means of penetrating the market is through word of mouth you must absolutely view your userbase as an asset and a means to "get the word out". To the contrary Turbine has done the exact opposite, going as far to use mythical catch phrases ("Vast & Mysterious") as a lure.
Vast & Mysterious, six months in and several months behind schedule we're still being told "hang in there, you're getting something Vast & Mysterious, but we can't tell when that will be or even what it is." This is complete crap and if there were ever a reason to abstain from DDO(even though it's extremely under rated), or any of Turbine's products, this would be it.
What blow's my mind is Turbine enforces the view of "shut up, sit down, hurry up and wait". They're portraying a visage that the player base are uninformend idiots who need to keep their mouths shut and act as sheep; while you're at it, stop posting mindless assumptions regardless of how factual they might be! Unfortunately, in the way this company is purposely and intentionaly keeping their entire subscriber base in the dark it would be better to say we're being treated as veal and harvest is getting close.
If anyone wants example's of how not to run a company that depends upon subscription fees look at Turbine. That being said, I believe DDO is going free to play and will recieve an Item Mall to generate income through micro transactions.
Sad part for Turbine is their devs make such a good product and their corporate decisions have made it so very few people have or ever will see the fruits of their labors. Turbine only uses its player base as an asset when they want something(The recent vote where they gave information per each winning round) and that was not so good as the info they gave was weak and not worthy of voting to receive. They should be ashamed, but big business and the people who run it rarely have the needed soul to feel ashamed with.
I read the DDO forums and I laugh when Tolero blames the community or one of the uber butt kissers does it for them. Turbine has created the culture of their boards. They are the cause of what you see there. No one else is to blame.
Comments
This was very well thought opinion before you edited and added a few things. I still agree with most of it, but not everything.
In my opinion Module 9 can't be considered "bug fix Mod" no matter how you'd try to look at it. Of course, there's large number of bug fixes, but that's very normal with DDO - this game is so complex with D&D ruleset, etc. that no other MMO can compare. So no wonder why there's so many bug fixes each Module.
But Mod 9 has a long list of new features, especially UI ones. And this was only "preview" Release Notes for Lamannia test server. By no means this is all what Mod 9 has to offer. Have you seen any mention of quests? No, becuase they are yet to be uploaded on test server. First phase was without new "quest" content, to make testing more streamlined and useful, and soon quest content will be added. This is not all, and still I'd not say it's moslty about bug-fixing.
In other words, this aren't full release notes of official Module 9. This is preview for test server alone, yet still it's huge. I guess more release notes will come when Lamannia gets adventure areas and quests / raid(s).
PS: PvP is present in DDO
. This change is only UI one, adding an option of instant PvP challenge system from wherever you are. So you won't need to look for / run to arenas anymore. Who knows, maybe this way PvP will get more popular?
The quests are unlikely to be unlocked on the preview server. There are 4 quests and 1 raid currently listed on the test server but you can not get into them. Chances are that is all mod9 will have for quests and that is not acceptable for a Mod that is going to take 6+ months to put on the live servers since the last MOd was released. Sarr you are giving Turbine too much credit by saying there is more to come, you will see some fixes and thats about it. If after months this is what they have they are not adding much before it goes live. My hope is there are quests that are hidden in the explorer area and they do not show up in the LFM panel like the other few new quests do. Because if all DDO addis is 4 quests and a raid this could be the Mod that kills DDO for a lot of long time people. Patience is wearing thin for a lot of multi account people and Turbine can not afford to lose them.
As far as open warfare in a DDO quest goes, I hope never. There is no evil alignment in DDO for players and the game is simply not balanced for nor should it ever be balanced for PvP.
I don't think I give Turbine too much credit. I know there aren't many vocal people who think like me, but I really think Turbine knows what they do, and that it may be prove to be good change for a game which was centered on old veteran players. They will leave for one reason or another (as well as I will leave too, some day) as it always happens. It's natural. I don't like to see the game dying because of too few newcomers, so I appreciate Turbine's moves totally.
Maybe I'm not too selfish here, becuase I'm 100% casual player - I just don't have much time to waste on computer games, even if they're superb. But when (not IF) I'll leave or take a long break, I'd like to see more and more new players making this game more rich and full of content and life.
I still don't believe veteran players are "the life" of DDO, and if they'll leave this game will be in trouble. Nope, I don't think so and nothing will make me think otherwise. If it really happens - old vets leave - and the game will get deserted and dying, then ok - I'll admit I was was wrong. But until this happens, I won't agree vets are most important. Even if I was vet in DDO, I would say the same, as I've played many MMOs and MUDs to date and was vet in some of them.
And even if DDO would die (and I think otherwise, I think it will get more popular in coming months), that's not that bad thing again. If Turbine would get the opportunity to create DDO 2, with new core system and all their experience, that woud be win for me too. In other words, to me that's win-win situation from all perspective. But I believe DDO will become better and better, and bring more and more players - as it's an awesome game that lacked polish and modern tools, as well as some more game-features like crafting, more things to do besides questing and grinding etc.
I think Turbine now sees the demand for more things to put you time and effort to. PvP challenge revamp is a proof for me. New "Scarab" reward system in Necropolis is great new feature too. I'd like more such things, and especially "normal" crafting. Not random, not "token" oriented, but "material" oriented. Like gathering parchments and creating inks from monster poisons, etc. for creating scrolls with spells of all levels, and gathering herbs to create potions. That would be AWESOME*
.
* No, I'm not a fanboy type, I see Turbine's flaws too, but AWESOME is my word of the month
.
PS: Yes, I still hope they'll see that Diablo-type random crafting isn't what we want the most... But real crafting, again, like blacksmithing etc.
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So no chaotic evil or neutral good etc.... in the game like we had in the PnP version huh? Was it ever there or is it just a carry over in the game manual as I just did the download for the trial last Friday and in the character creation part (which looks like the screen I got when I did my guy) it still references that step.
One of the fun things in the PnP days was playing your guy as close to your alignment as you could, even when it caused problems for the rest of the group. Kind of like putting up with your crazy Uncle Bill at a party. He's not being mean when he drops your toy terrier into the punch bowl.....it's just how he is and you learn to deal with it! LOL
SWG (pre-cu) - AoC (pre-f2p) - PotBS (pre-boarder) - DDO - LotRO (pre-f2p) - STO (pre-f2p) - GnH (beta tester) - SWTOR - Neverwinter
So no chaotic evil or neutral good etc.... in the game like we had in the PnP version huh? Was it ever there or is it just a carry over in the game manual as I just did the download for the trial last Friday and in the character creation part (which looks like the screen I got when I did my guy) it still references that step.
One of the fun things in the PnP days was playing your guy as close to your alignment as you could, even when it caused problems for the rest of the group. Kind of like putting up with your crazy Uncle Bill at a party. He's not being mean when he drops your toy terrier into the punch bowl.....it's just how he is and you learn to deal with it! LOL
There is no eveil. There is Chaotic and Neutral. You can be Chaotic good you simply have no option to play evil.
I don't think I give Turbine too much credit. I know there aren't many vocal people who think like me, but I really think Turbine knows what they do, and that it may be prove to be good change for a game which was centered on old veteran players. They will leave for one reason or another (as well as I will leave too, some day) as it always happens. It's natural. I don't like to see the game dying because of too few newcomers, so I appreciate Turbine's moves totally.
Maybe I'm not too selfish here, becuase I'm 100% casual player - I just don't have much time to waste on computer games, even if they're superb. But when (not IF) I'll leave or take a long break, I'd like to see more and more new players making this game more rich and full of content and life.
I still don't believe veteran players are "the life" of DDO, and if they'll leave this game will be in trouble. Nope, I don't think so and nothing will make me think otherwise. If it really happens - old vets leave - and the game will get deserted and dying, then ok - I'll admit I was was wrong. But until this happens, I won't agree vets are most important. Even if I was vet in DDO, I would say the same, as I've played many MMOs and MUDs to date and was vet in some of them.
And even if DDO would die (and I think otherwise, I think it will get more popular in coming months), that's not that bad thing again. If Turbine would get the opportunity to create DDO 2, with new core system and all their experience, that woud be win for me too. In other words, to me that's win-win situation from all perspective. But I believe DDO will become better and better, and bring more and more players - as it's an awesome game that lacked polish and modern tools, as well as some more game-features like crafting, more things to do besides questing and grinding etc.
I think Turbine now sees the demand for more things to put you time and effort to. PvP challenge revamp is a proof for me. New "Scarab" reward system in Necropolis is great new feature too. I'd like more such things, and especially "normal" crafting. Not random, not "token" oriented, but "material" oriented. Like gathering parchments and creating inks from monster poisons, etc. for creating scrolls with spells of all levels, and gathering herbs to create potions. That would be AWESOME*
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* No, I'm not a fanboy type, I see Turbine's flaws too, but AWESOME is my word of the month
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PS: Yes, I still hope they'll see that Diablo-type random crafting isn't what we want the most... But real crafting, again, like blacksmithing etc.
If there was a DDO 2 I would guess Turbine has no shot at making it if DDO fails and is closed. Would you give the same company that failed once a second shot when millions upon millions of dollars are at stake and better companies exist?
Problem with Turbine is they are not adding things like real crafting. Read the interview with Kate Paiz the lead producer, she dodges the questions because Turbine has no idea what it wants from DDO. The PvP challenge revamp is a near nothing add to the game, it is still combat and everyone who plays DDO knows there is no balance between the classes and never should be so PVP will NEVER be a big part of DDO.
As for Veteran players not being the life of DDO, right now they absolutely are. I have created new characters over the last few months and met some new people, but almost everyone in the low area was older players rerolling. How would DDO attract huge numbers of new players with no advertising? For the life of me I can not figure out how people think new players are currently keeping DDO alive when there is no one reaching out to them. Atari or Turbine needs to get people in playing so they can see how good this game is. If you fail to bring in a lot of new players, as any business will tell you it is easier to retain a customer than find a new one and thats simple business 101.
I am glad to see you have an open mind to listen to other peoples opinions( this is sarcasm aimed at your nothing can change your mind remark). DDO has not been centered on old vbeteran players, one of the big complaints on the US forums is the fact they have spent so much time on low and mid level content and then failed to merket the game to draw in enough new players to have made those decisions worthwhile. Most veteran players are not against all levels of new content(we tend to roll a lot of new chars and like new things to do as well) but many are against all this aim at low level and then no marketing push to make the game profitable so more devs can be hired and the game get better.
Out of curiosity how long have you been in DDO? How is DDO going to get more popular in coming months? Please point me to the advertising being done that makes you think the game is getting better? I will point you to all the things they are doing worse or less of these days that make me think the DDO team is at an all time low for population. I really think DDO is safe as far as players because I tend to think they are above the 25k many say is likely, but I see a lot of the people with multiple accounts frustrated and ready to call it a day if MOD 9 is not a huge hit for them. This is not because Turbine is awesome, it is because many D&D players wanted a D&D MMO so bad they are willing to deal with a company in Turbine that treats its players like they are an playing for free instead of paying customers who love the game but are tired of mistake after mistake in the decision process.
Turbine is so bad that they had a new guy in charge for a year and no one knew until a few weeks ago. Communication from Turbine is so bad that it is almost laughable when they complain about the tone of the boards. They set the tone by ignoring everyone. They allow the fanboys to be as rude as they want and almost never ban them, but they ban unhappy customers instead. This all sets bad examples and when I read the boards today after being away for a year and a half I am shocked at what they get away with today.
I've lost a tremendous amount of respect for Turbine as of late. This does not relate to the developers, or members of Q&A, and is soley directed towards the direction managment suspects is beneficial to the subscribers of their games. The secrecy and complete abstention of communicating changes to the game play will be Turbine's downfall and I feel bad for the good people who have to work under such pathetic leadership and direction.
Communication is the backbone of a strong community and discussing potential improvements or alterations to the environment commands respect. When you completely lack a marketing avenue and the only means of penetrating the market is through word of mouth you must absolutely view your userbase as an asset and a means to "get the word out". To the contrary Turbine has done the exact opposite, going as far to use mythical catch phrases ("Vast & Mysterious") as a lure.
Vast & Mysterious, six months in and several months behind schedule we're still being told "hang in there, you're getting something Vast & Mysterious, but we can't tell when that will be or even what it is." This is complete crap and if there were ever a reason to abstain from DDO(even though it's extremely under rated), or any of Turbine's products, this would be it.
What blow's my mind is Turbine enforces the view of "shut up, sit down, hurry up and wait". They're portraying a visage that the player base are uninformend idiots who need to keep their mouths shut and act as sheep; while you're at it, stop posting mindless assumptions regardless of how factual they might be! Unfortunately, in the way this company is purposely and intentionaly keeping their entire subscriber base in the dark it would be better to say we're being treated as veal and harvest is getting close.
If anyone wants example's of how not to run a company that depends upon subscription fees look at Turbine. That being said, I believe DDO is going free to play and will recieve an Item Mall to generate income through micro transactions.
I've lost a tremendous amount of respect for Turbine as of late. This does not relate to the developers, or members of Q&A, and is soley directed towards the direction managment suspects is beneficial to the subscribers of their games. The secrecy and complete abstention of communicating changes to the game play will be Turbine's downfall and I feel bad for the good people who have to work under such pathetic leadership and direction.
Communication is the backbone of a strong community and discussing potential improvements or alterations to the environment commands respect. When you completely lack a marketing avenue and the only means of penetrating the market is through word of mouth you must absolutely view your userbase as an asset and a means to "get the word out". To the contrary Turbine has done the exact opposite, going as far to use mythical catch phrases ("Vast & Mysterious") as a lure.
Vast & Mysterious, six months in and several months behind schedule we're still being told "hang in there, you're getting something Vast & Mysterious, but we can't tell when that will be or even what it is." This is complete crap and if there were ever a reason to abstain from DDO(even though it's extremely under rated), or any of Turbine's products, this would be it.
What blow's my mind is Turbine enforces the view of "shut up, sit down, hurry up and wait". They're portraying a visage that the player base are uninformend idiots who need to keep their mouths shut and act as sheep; while you're at it, stop posting mindless assumptions regardless of how factual they might be! Unfortunately, in the way this company is purposely and intentionaly keeping their entire subscriber base in the dark it would be better to say we're being treated as veal and harvest is getting close.
If anyone wants example's of how not to run a company that depends upon subscription fees look at Turbine. That being said, I believe DDO is going free to play and will recieve an Item Mall to generate income through micro transactions.
Sad part for Turbine is their devs make such a good product and their corporate decisions have made it so very few people have or ever will see the fruits of their labors. Turbine only uses its player base as an asset when they want something(The recent vote where they gave information per each winning round) and that was not so good as the info they gave was weak and not worthy of voting to receive. They should be ashamed, but big business and the people who run it rarely have the needed soul to feel ashamed with.
I read the DDO forums and I laugh when Tolero blames the community or one of the uber butt kissers does it for them. Turbine has created the culture of their boards. They are the cause of what you see there. No one else is to blame.