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Trials of Acsension
miltonius
Member Posts: 9
http://www.shadowpool.com/compendium.php
http://www.shadowpool.com/faq.php
I was just wondering why this game wasn't listed here?
This game has features that interest me as much as Darkfall Online. To start, you have 18 different races to choose from ranging from a tiny pixie to a full size dragon. The system is age based so for example you don't start off as an adult, flying, fire breathing dragon. You begin as a hatchling that can barely defend it's self. Top that off with young dragons being a rare resource for crafting purposes. Dragons are also forced to be a loner, being penalized if they try to befriend another race.
The game isn't level based but rather skill based. It will use all kinds of real life factors in order for you to survive in-game. Eating, drinking, disease and weather are some things you must be aware of in order to grow and survive. And yes, it has perma- death. But they will give you a certain number of lives before you can no longer rez.
What i like most about this game is the extreme range of races and abilities you have access too. Each race has distinct advantages, skills and abilites that come naturally to them but those advantages will be off-set by distinct disadvantages. For example the gargoyle race: While having a multitude of immunities and high defense AND the ability to fly, it will regen HP VERY slowly. The developers say they are not concerned with making balanced races in terms of power. Each race will appeal to specific player personalities.
So many things i haven't mentioned like: all 18 races, artifacts, skills, innovations, magic, religion, and settlements. Oh, and yes, the game has open PVP.
Check out the FAQ and all the features yourself!
Comments
[quote]Originally posted by miltonius
[b][url=http://www.shadowpool.com/compendium.php]
[url=http://www.shadowpool.com/faq.php]
I was just wondering why this game wasn't listed here?
This game has features that interest me as much as Darkfall Online. To start, you have 18 different races to choose from ranging from a tiny pixie to a full size dragon. The system is age based so for example you don't start off as an adult, flying, fire breathing dragon. You begin as a hatchling that can barely defend it's self. Top that off with young dragons being a rare resource for crafting purposes. Dragons are also forced to be a loner, being penalized if they try to befriend another race.
The game isn't level based but rather skill based. It will use all kinds of real life factors in order for you to survive in-game. Eating, drinking, and weather are things you must be aware of in order to grow and survive. And yes, it has perma- death. But they will give you a certain number of lives before you can no longer rez.
What i like most about this game is the extreme range of races and abilities you have access too. Each race has a distinct advantage, skills and abilites that come natuarally to them but those advantages will be off-set by distinct disadvantages. For example the gargoyle race: While having a multitude of immunities and high defense AND the ability to fly, it will regen HP VERY slowly. The developers say they are not concerned with making balanced races in terms of power. Each race will appeal to specific player personalities.
So many things i haven't mentioned like: all 18 races, artifacts, skills, innovations, magic, religion, and settlements. Oh, and yes, the game has open PVP.
Check out the FAQ and all the features yourself![/b][/quote]
Reminds me of Horizons.. before they screwed everything up. Lots of that was in concept form but they went generic.
[quote]Originally posted by miltonius
[b][url=http://www.shadowpool.com/compendium.php]
[url=http://www.shadowpool.com/faq.php]
I was just wondering why this game wasn't listed here?
This game has features that interest me as much as Darkfall Online. To start, you have 18 different races to choose from ranging from a tiny pixie to a full size dragon. The system is age based so for example you don't start off as an adult, flying, fire breathing dragon. You begin as a hatchling that can barely defend it's self. Top that off with young dragons being a rare resource for crafting purposes. Dragons are also forced to be a loner, being penalized if they try to befriend another race.
The game isn't level based but rather skill based. It will use all kinds of real life factors in order for you to survive in-game. Eating, drinking, and weather are things you must be aware of in order to grow and survive. And yes, it has perma- death. But they will give you a certain number of lives before you can no longer rez.
What i like most about this game is the extreme range of races and abilities you have access too. Each race has a distinct advantage, skills and abilites that come natuarally to them but those advantages will be off-set by distinct disadvantages. For example the gargoyle race: While having a multitude of immunities and high defense AND the ability to fly, it will regen HP VERY slowly. The developers say they are not concerned with making balanced races in terms of power. Each race will appeal to specific player personalities.
So many things i haven't mentioned like: all 18 races, artifacts, skills, innovations, magic, religion, and settlements. Oh, and yes, the game has open PVP.
Check out the FAQ and all the features yourself![/b][/quote]
This game has been in development for nearly 4-5 years and yet they still doesn't have much to show...
Yes there's open PVP. I read somewhere pixies can mind-control or something so they can be a force too, not to mention being tiny and able to fly. But leveling a dragon is supposed to be only for the hardcore and even then the developers say only 1 in 500 players will actually survive to be an adult dragon.
I agree this game has been in development for a long time. It sucks that games like this and Darkfall online are having a tough time finishing and take so long to release.
If only a big company had the courage to make unique gameplay features like these games. Untill then we have to hope these small studios with great ideas can actually follow through.
It's on the gamelist.
I think it looks promising, I wish I could look at some more Screenshots and/or vids. The boards are nice... I think their OOC board is the most fun to watch. :-)
We get alot of ToA people over on MMOCenter who either do 1 of 2 things:
1 - Flame like no tomorrow because of similar feature list.
OR
2 - Are very nice, and want to play The Chronicle while they wait for ToA because of similar feature list.
- CaesarsGhost
Lead Gameplay and Gameworld Designer for a yet unnamed MMO Title.
"When people tell me designing a game is easy, I try to get them to design a board game. Most people don't last 5 minutes, the rest rarely last more then a day. The final few realize it's neither fun nor easy."
Even if your just curios about the game, Id reccomend checing out the forums
Its a pretty semi-active community. It goes in bursts when new info is released.
Most of the people on the forums have been there for 3+ years and its just a really nice community. and the offtopic forums are interesting cause we got EVERYONE there. From the Religious Zealot, to the hardcore liberal so some crazy conservatives.. we got em all, so its a little rough at times.
but overall the community is the best ive ever been a part of. Not to mention that the game shows a lot of promise and the developers really keep in touch with the community.
after 6 or so years, I had to change it a little...
I've never posted there... but I lurk threw the OOC forums when I'm bored cause they're rather fun to read. :-)
I agree though, if you haven't even looked at the game, you should.
Course, I say that about all games pretty much... well not all, I can think of several games I won't look at much cause they just don't interest me (The Game formally known as Middle Earth Online ).
But ToA looks really good... from what I've seen... unfortunately it isn't enough to get me completely hooked.
- CaesarsGhost
Lead Gameplay and Gameworld Designer for a yet unnamed MMO Title.
"When people tell me designing a game is easy, I try to get them to design a board game. Most people don't last 5 minutes, the rest rarely last more then a day. The final few realize it's neither fun nor easy."
The differance between Darkfall and ToA is that ToA still interacts regularly with the fan base.
They have recently started a monthly 'Dev Journal' and reply to posts constantly.
It is open pvp, full loot drop, 18 races, perma death (100 lives and then its back to the drawing board).
On the pd subject, this game has been designed from the beginning with this in mind. It is not a clone with pd inserted so alot has been taken into account that you may not think of.
Before you say "they have dragons and pixies, they must be unbalanced" or "permadeath? who wants to make a toon just to have it die eventually? What a waste" go read the faq and get familier with the game mechanics and why they are in place.
Nowing what you are talking about is sooooo much better then making assumtions that have no basis in fact.
Personally, I think over 50% of you would become die-hard fans if you actually took the time to read about the design mechanics and the reasons they are in place and the level of detail they are striving for.
But some of you will never like it because at one time or another, your character will die. There is a good purpose for this but I will leave it to you to find the reason.
But really, research what they are doin before you make statements about the game that have no basis in truth. Or you can do that but people might get the idea you dont know what you are talking about ever and the value of your opinion may suffer.
Either way.
It is goin to be one of the games that change the worlds of MMO forever.
Dont say I didnt warn you.
I won't play it because you said perma-death.
I don't care if I rise from the ashes to become Richard Prior on crack, I still wouldn't invest time into a character to lag die in an OPEN PvP environment, to never be able to play that character again.
thus the idea of the game being for niche market
after 6 or so years, I had to change it a little...
There was a time when this feature would have scared me also.
But now it adds to the spice and excitement of trying to grow and survive. Lives will hold value. I'm sure people will find interesting ways to survive and become strong. I bet strong cummunities will be built as a result. And the fact the world is so harsh, makes being successful that much more sweet.
One word: Vaporware.
As someone pointed out; bout 5 years in development in pretty much nothing to show for it. They've had something like a total of 6 screenshots on the Website - and the screenshots didn't even show much of anything!
The OOC boards are just a political cesspool lacking any form of tact. Making most Politicians actually seem civil.
In essence...The game is a messageboard; filled mainly full of disgruntled MMORPG veterans that are waiting for a game to be different.
Such a massive undertaking, and sign of such little development, along with in comparison to the small company with most likely lack of funding, AND experience - It just makes me come to the conclusion...Vaporware!
"Fear not death; for the sooner we die, the longer shall we be immortal."
lol.
first off with the screenshots, they just finished a major overhaul to their gfx engine.. and there is many more screenies, these come from the almost bi-weekly dev journals where they explain one of the systems they are currently working on. So there is proof of action.
Secondly, the Political and religious discussions are some of the most informed arguments Ive ever read. Most all the people know what they are talking about and have relivant quotes and sources.
The devs actually keep in touch the with community, but they have also said that a lot of the devs are only part time, the core group is full time.
And actually they arent disgruntled, most of the people on the forums are currently playing WoW or SB or SWG. We just keep in touch there, and talk about news as it comes.
Thought I might explain some of this previous posters mis-conceptions
after 6 or so years, I had to change it a little...
Sorry you feel this way but it seems that you are basing alot of your 'vaporware' theory off the perceived conduct of the OOC forums. Did they talk bad to you about something you posted?
Anyway, I am glad that this game is being handled in a 'small' fashion. Every game out that has come from the big game houses or has been backed by big money has been fitted for what the investors believe is a 'mainsteam' crowd. And they all end up being poo. EveOnline was not a giant 'Sony'-type game and yet look at it. 10k+ game pop during primetime. Great game if it is your type of gig. Personally I hope the stay small so they dont have to change the game design they have worked on so long. A good example of this is DarkFall. Been in developement a little longer but they dont treat their fanbase with any respect. Months between communication and their updates have been pretty thin, basically a paragraph of 'good intention' without any substance. When DF was young they had alot of ideas about the races. Sounded real exciting. Now, they seem to be just the same race but with a differant graphic representation. All the races have access to the same abilities and powers, nothing special. In the beginning, all the races (4) were unique and had a flavor. Now it is 'burger and fries' all around. ToA has 18 races. And they are sticking to their guns about making them unique but not 'balanced'. I love this.
Take a look at the new dev journal on "Flora". It will give you a good idea of the level of world they are goin for. They have recently started a monthly Dev Journal so as to keep people informed about the direction the game is goin and the level of world they are trying to build. Updates with substance.
And speaking of which. The interaction between the community and the dev team is outstanding. They even inform us of setbacks (the graphics engine issue is a good example). This is extremely rare to find in any game. Honesty and respect and communication with the fan base. Pretty hard thing to do if you are 'vapor' as you suggest.
Anyway...
Yes it will not be goin into beta tomorrow. But they have stayed on track and stuck to their guns from the beginning. I have faith that this game will not end up like all the other 'mainstream' mmo's out there.
Permadeath (100 lives and thats it)
Open pvp.
Full loot drop
18 unique races
No classes but free form skill system to design a unique character
No 'all seeing map' so you can actually hide in the underbrush (if you are small enough) or dark alley
Terrain that effects movement.
Collision system to block doors or push people and much more.
No 'floating names' or level indicators... are you about to attack a noob bum or an archmage?
Natural disasters like storms, floods, earthquakes and more.
Weather
A detailed crafting system that even includes farming and plant life cycles
Your character needs to eat and has a diet dependant on its race
Disease and unique wounds
No 'insta heal', though some priests can get close, but also skills that HELP heal like first aid. And the first aid is race specific so knowing how to treat a wound on a goblin is differant then a doppleganger
A "use it to get better at it' skill system so no more pl groups.
Dynamic AI that allows mobs to have their own motives
Dynamic spwns so you cant just sit in the same area and 'skill up'. An area can get 'hunted out'.
And so much more!
This game may take a little longer then a 'mainstream' mmo with millions of dollars backing it to develope, but it will be well worth the wait.
And Aldaron, if you would like to present some facts (other then your perception of the OOC conduct or them not meeting a timeline that you envision them NEEDING to maintian even though you have no connection to nor knowledge of the project itself) then I would be more then happy to help you out with answers or direct to someone who could answer them.
This game will change the world of mmos.
"Fear not death; for the sooner we die, the longer shall we be immortal."
Also, what does that 'definition' as you put it have to do with what you are implying by your statement. It still boils down to your opinion and you havent even read information that you are commenting on! How can you say that when you comment on things you admit you have no experience with? Not fatalistic, just incorrect do to inability to research a topic you are talking about. Just did but you braught no facts to bear that have a meaning other then no ss or video. And when many games that have not seen the light of day and have had these things, you can not use them to judge.
[quote]
The concept, if implemented, created, and put into a MMORPG correctly; would indeed, change the face of MMO's, and gaming altogether.
P.S. Hate the devil...Not the advocate. I'm just the advocate.
[/b][/quote]
I'm not hating, just waiting for the 'advocate' to 'advocate' some research into what he/she is talking about. That is all.
Please.
You got nothing to support your argument besides, "The dev's said this is what they're gonna do. So it must mean what they're going to do!"
Lets see...Mourning
Dark & Light
Old Horizons.
Alot of talk. No substance.
If you decide to rebut. Do something with more than assumptions; and the "Devs say it in their Journals this is how they're gonna do it! So betcha bottom dollar it'll happen", kind of response.
"Fear not death; for the sooner we die, the longer shall we be immortal."
Why must you bring up such a worthless term as 'vaporware'?
NOONE knows if/when a game will be cancelled. In most cases not even the devs themselves. The number of screenshots a game has on it's website is completely irrelevant.
Why don't you actually look at the amount of information they have instead of just the screenshots and use that to determine how far along they are in development? Is graphics the only thing that you care about in an mmorpg? Actually this is one of the reasons why they haven't released more screenshots. Because most of the people who follow the game would rather have info on the gameplay than new screenshots.
*Signature*The Pessimist says the cup is half empty. The Optimist says the cup is half full. The Pragmatist says the cup is half full of air. The Engineer says the cup is operating at 50% capacity. The Psychologist says the cup is your mother. The Punk Kid also says the cup is your mother. The Cricket Player says his cup is definately full. Everyone knows that Pamela Andersons cups are full. The Defendant says it was like that when he found it. Me, I just ask the waitress for a refill.
Well, if the game comes out, it'll be great, there's no doubt. This debate over whether the game is gonna get finished or not, is similar to trying to a convince someone of a different religion who's god is the real god. Both people are firm in their beliefs and nothing can convince them otherwise.
All i can say is, at least it's out there and people are working to make it a reality. If i were a millionaire, i would send all the funds they need to get it done sooner. Everything revolves around money. I hope they have enough. I want to play this game.
Either way, some company will eventually get it right. Again, at least there are studio's out there striving to be unique and get their game published. One of them will succeed, i just hope it doesnt take 5 years. I need it now!
Soemtimes I really wonder how these people who always look at the cup half empty or the nagative side to everything even enjoy life.
its gota be depressing always trying to take the devils advocate and never just be hopefully optimistic.
But then again, I cant stand Emos either.
after 6 or so years, I had to change it a little...
Luckily they will be having a 1 Life server as well.
*Signature*The Pessimist says the cup is half empty. The Optimist says the cup is half full. The Pragmatist says the cup is half full of air. The Engineer says the cup is operating at 50% capacity. The Psychologist says the cup is your mother. The Punk Kid also says the cup is your mother. The Cricket Player says his cup is definately full. Everyone knows that Pamela Andersons cups are full. The Defendant says it was like that when he found it. Me, I just ask the waitress for a refill.
And, in response to 100 lives being too much, there are no floating 'indicators' to how powerful a mob or player is so you never know what you are about to get when you go into battle unless you have faught it before.
And eating (and race specific diet), climate, terrain, disease and other factors will be in game to help you cherish the 100 LC's you get and help remove them if you are not careful.