I think folks don't truly understand what we're talking about unless they've spent some time in one of Simutronic's games. To find an MMORPG that even comes close isn't difficult, it's nonexistent.
I hear you guys using words like immersion, depth, intrigue... All so accurate...
I have not found that in an MMORPG... Thus the reason I am really hoping Hero's Journey turns out to be something as special as DragonRealms.
I played DR on and off for close to 9 years now. I don't think any game can even come close. And as much as I hope that HJ will be good, I KNOW it won't come close. You can't even compare the 'imagination' aspect of just doing 'hide' in a text mud with just going acme inviso ala daoc. The way I 'imagine' hiding, may be nothing the way a graphical engine might. So it will be interesting to see what Simu does...I wonder if the combat system is gonna be like DR. That would be something to see. Still I'm not holding my breath, Graphical mmorpgs, are so limited. DR, oh what a game.
As most above, I'm pretty much disillusioned with the current available MMOs. I find more fun and immersion in playing Icewind Dale II than MMO #X most the time now. So I went and read through all the info on DR and it looks like a LOT of fun! And expanding on what Adderax said above, I can see it being like reading your favourite fantasy novel as opposed to watching it as a movie. You imagination can just go nuts!
My questions are: 1) I tried to find the standard subscription cost but could only find Plat, Prem add on etc. Can someone please let me know the standard 'vanilla' DR cost please?
2) Is DR remotely like an MMO in that if you join a year down the track you're completely left behind by the level cap players? Or is it a case of anyone can log in at any time, pick up what's going on and just begin living and growing in the world without any major hindrances?
This is one of my main misgivings with current MMOs. If a truly new person picks up a copy of EQ2 or WoW tomorrow and joins an established server (no option with EQ2, can wait a while for a new WoW server I guess), they will be so far out of the 'community' in regards to money etc - 5g for a lvl 10 app4 on AB server etc - that I wonder how companies actually keep new players a year later.
Sorry.. bold'ed my questions so they actually stand out among all my ramblings.. hehe. Thanks crew! Hope you all had a stellar New Years!
"(The) Iraqi people owe the American people a huge debt of gratitude." - George W Bush. Oh. My. God.
Originally posted by Arremus Ok, best place to ask I guess.
As most above, I'm pretty much disillusioned with the current available MMOs. I find more fun and immersion in playing Icewind Dale II than MMO #X most the time now. So I went and read through all the info on DR and it looks like a LOT of fun! And expanding on what Adderax said above, I can see it being like reading your favourite fantasy novel as opposed to watching it as a movie. You imagination can just go nuts!
My questions are: 1) I tried to find the standard subscription cost but could only find Plat, Prem add on etc. Can someone please let me know the standard 'vanilla' DR cost please?
2) Is DR remotely like an MMO in that if you join a year down the track you're completely left behind by the level cap players? Or is it a case of anyone can log in at any time, pick up what's going on and just begin living and growing in the world without any major hindrances?
This is one of my main misgivings with current MMOs. If a truly new person picks up a copy of EQ2 or WoW tomorrow and joins an established server (no option with EQ2, can wait a while for a new WoW server I guess), they will be so far out of the 'community' in regards to money etc - 5g for a lvl 10 app4 on AB server etc - that I wonder how companies actually keep new players a year later.
Sorry.. bold'ed my questions so they actually stand out among all my ramblings.. hehe. Thanks crew! Hope you all had a stellar New Years!
2) Some people have trained characters that are high level and continue to train. So starting from scratch, there is no real way to have access to higher level content... yet.
BUT... I've noticed though the years that most people will train a character up to a certain level and then stop and start training a new one just to give the other professions and races a try. So there are ALWAYS people your level to enjoy the game with.
Alot of people can jump into situations about level 30. That includes alot of invasions and such. And level 30 isn't "that" hard to get to with a little know how. (mentors are a wonderful thing)
That's funny, I just got Diviana to 32nd a few months ago, it used to be so much harder to circle her, I played when I was 16-18, quit for about two years, and then picked it up again about five or so months ago. I got her from 21st to 32nd in a matter of a month or two. It was CRAZY.
I guess I was always kinda lazy about it anyway. I liked to do other things too much. Like get people to buy me useless things, like shadowsilk cloaks and whatnot.
That and go to places like Warklins for some deathly fun. Although it wasn't so fun when Clerics couldn't raise her. Grr. I think she has 30 something deaths that I have actually on her death list, and nobody knows how many times she's actually died. Although one of my silly Prydaen buddies says his character has over 250 deaths on that list. She'll get there someday! When I put her back on my account and open it again...
Originally posted by daelnor Man, reading this stuff makes me want to wake up my rogue and see what trouble I can get into in GS, lol.
haha since I started following HJ I reactivated my ROGUE and Empath account. turns out I've been playing my empath (healer) more than my rogue. But my rogue is waaaay cooler! Playing GS agains has raised my excitement about HJ... I didn't think that was possible.
Originally posted by Arremus Ok, best place to ask I guess.
As most above, I'm pretty much disillusioned with the current available MMOs. I find more fun and immersion in playing Icewind Dale II than MMO #X most the time now. So I went and read through all the info on DR and it looks like a LOT of fun! And expanding on what Adderax said above, I can see it being like reading your favourite fantasy novel as opposed to watching it as a movie. You imagination can just go nuts!
My questions are: 1) I tried to find the standard subscription cost but could only find Plat, Prem add on etc. Can someone please let me know the standard 'vanilla' DR cost please?
2) Is DR remotely like an MMO in that if you join a year down the track you're completely left behind by the level cap players? Or is it a case of anyone can log in at any time, pick up what's going on and just begin living and growing in the world without any major hindrances?
This is one of my main misgivings with current MMOs. If a truly new person picks up a copy of EQ2 or WoW tomorrow and joins an established server (no option with EQ2, can wait a while for a new WoW server I guess), they will be so far out of the 'community' in regards to money etc - 5g for a lvl 10 app4 on AB server etc - that I wonder how companies actually keep new players a year later.
Sorry.. bold'ed my questions so they actually stand out among all my ramblings.. hehe. Thanks crew! Hope you all had a stellar New Years!
I'll try to answer this...
1)I've never played DR but I've played GS. I think GS is 15/month for a regular account with the first trial month being free.
2) Much more hard to answer. Obviously if you start now there will be people that are higher level than you. Thats a given since GS has been out for what 17 years? But you will by no means feel like you cant find anyone around your level. I came back to GS about 2 months ago after having not played for a little over 2 years. I found that some of the people I knew were obviously much higher level than me but I also realized that my character still seems to be around the same power for his level as he used to be. In other words he was level 30 2 years ago so he was more powerful than X amount of players and less powerful than Y amount of players. Even today he is more powerful than about the same number of players and lesspowerful than about the same number of players.
This is a hard one to answer because you are trying to compare it to other games. Simu doesn't make games like anyone else. Here's a perfect example of what I'm talking about.
A day or two before new years there was a level 14 player who was going around forcasting doom to the city. I knew this player from having healed him a bit in town. Well this level 14 player was alligned to an evil diety. Apparantly the evil deity (or one of his servants) (played by a gamemaster) had paid a visit to this player and told him that a troll would come a near to town (uncommon place to find this specific troll) and that the troll would carry a box and in the box would be two items a ring and if i remember a wristlet. Those items would only be worn by him and the next day would be a beacon for an invading army to follow.
Well this player was mocking the citizens of the town (other players) for their upcomming doom and another player decided he'd had enough of the ramplings of the evil alligned player. They agree to meet outside of town for a duel. The instant the low level 14 player was killed a troll appeared and started killing everyone around. Thankfully I have a spell that returns me to town so I returned to town. Well someone finally came around and killed the troll and got the box. The player claimed absolute ownership of the box and took it to the place the rogues and locksmiths (players) usually sit around and open the boxes. The box was opened by a locksmith and ghosts flew out killing everyone except the lvl 14 player who picked up the box and the items within.
Now... this level 14 player was KEY to a live event. He was not one of the higher level players around he may have been one of the lower level players. He was thrilled that he got to play the roll and even told me he was completely surprised that the GM's would choose a low level 14 player to play such a role.
I wasn't online the next night but aparantly a small invasion happened and the monsters were killing everyone until they reached the lvl 14 player, took back the items he received the night before and thanked him for wearing the beacon so they could find the town.
I've said all of this to let you know that you'll have to throw away what you know about online games and think outside the norm, if you want to really get a good idea for a Simu game. I guarantee you that if you play GS (or DR) for 1 month (and I think they have a free month of play for new members) that you will come back to these forums and you'll be one of us here who is trying to explain to people what excactly they've been missing all these years.
Also you mentioned money and its value. From what I can tell... my in GS today is worth the same amount as money in GS was 7 years ago. 1k is still 1k and is just as powerful today as it was 5 years ago.
Originally posted by Arremus Ok, best place to ask I guess.
As most above, I'm pretty much disillusioned with the current available MMOs. I find more fun and immersion in playing Icewind Dale II than MMO #X most the time now. So I went and read through all the info on DR and it looks like a LOT of fun! And expanding on what Adderax said above, I can see it being like reading your favourite fantasy novel as opposed to watching it as a movie. You imagination can just go nuts!
My questions are: 1) I tried to find the standard subscription cost but could only find Plat, Prem add on etc. Can someone please let me know the standard 'vanilla' DR cost please?
2) Is DR remotely like an MMO in that if you join a year down the track you're completely left behind by the level cap players? Or is it a case of anyone can log in at any time, pick up what's going on and just begin living and growing in the world without any major hindrances?
This is one of my main misgivings with current MMOs. If a truly new person picks up a copy of EQ2 or WoW tomorrow and joins an established server (no option with EQ2, can wait a while for a new WoW server I guess), they will be so far out of the 'community' in regards to money etc - 5g for a lvl 10 app4 on AB server etc - that I wonder how companies actually keep new players a year later.
Sorry.. bold'ed my questions so they actually stand out among all my ramblings.. hehe. Thanks crew! Hope you all had a stellar New Years!
I'll try to answer this...
1)I've never played DR but I've played GS. I think GS is 15/month for a regular account with the first trial month being free.
2) Much more hard to answer. Obviously if you start now there will be people that are higher level than you. Thats a given since GS has been out for what 17 years? But you will by no means feel like you cant find anyone around your level. I came back to GS about 2 months ago after having not played for a little over 2 years. I found that some of the people I knew were obviously much higher level than me but I also realized that my character still seems to be around the same power for his level as he used to be. In other words he was level 30 2 years ago so he was more powerful than X amount of players and less powerful than Y amount of players. Even today he is more powerful than about the same number of players and lesspowerful than about the same number of players.
This is a hard one to answer because you are trying to compare it to other games. Simu doesn't make games like anyone else. Here's a perfect example of what I'm talking about.
A day or two before new years there was a level 14 player who was going around forcasting doom to the city. I knew this player from having healed him a bit in town. Well this level 14 player was alligned to an evil diety. Apparantly the evil deity (or one of his servants) (played by a gamemaster) had paid a visit to this player and told him that a troll would come a near to town (uncommon place to find this specific troll) and that the troll would carry a box and in the box would be two items a ring and if i remember a wristlet. Those items would only be worn by him and the next day would be a beacon for an invading army to follow.
Well this player was mocking the citizens of the town (other players) for their upcomming doom and another player decided he'd had enough of the ramplings of the evil alligned player. They agree to meet outside of town for a duel. The instant the low level 14 player was killed a troll appeared and started killing everyone around. Thankfully I have a spell that returns me to town so I returned to town. Well someone finally came around and killed the troll and got the box. The player claimed absolute ownership of the box and took it to the place the rogues and locksmiths (players) usually sit around and open the boxes. The box was opened by a locksmith and ghosts flew out killing everyone except the lvl 14 player who picked up the box and the items within.
Now... this level 14 player was KEY to a live event. He was not one of the higher level players around he may have been one of the lower level players. He was thrilled that he got to play the roll and even told me he was completely surprised that the GM's would choose a low level 14 player to play such a role.
I wasn't online the next night but aparantly a small invasion happened and the monsters were killing everyone until they reached the lvl 14 player, took back the items he received the night before and thanked him for wearing the beacon so they could find the town.
I've said all of this to let you know that you'll have to throw away what you know about online games and think outside the norm, if you want to really get a good idea for a Simu game. I guarantee you that if you play GS (or DR) for 1 month (and I think they have a free month of play for new members) that you will come back to these forums and you'll be one of us here who is trying to explain to people what excactly they've been missing all these years.
Also you mentioned money and its value. From what I can tell... my in GS today is worth the same amount as money in GS was 7 years ago. 1k is still 1k and is just as powerful today as it was 5 years ago.
Geez norris, that is one awesome post mate, thankyou so much for taking the time. And to think, that sensibility is going into HJ. Makes me think even more that HJ could possibly be a genre re-defining game.. Arrgh can't wait!
I've always been very interested in this sort of genre, and being completely bored with every MMO around atm, I think it's about time I gave it a try. I hate to be cliche (I pressume) but I will definitely have to try a Ranger
"(The) Iraqi people owe the American people a huge debt of gratitude." - George W Bush. Oh. My. God.
Originally posted by Arremus Signed up and began a character in DR this afternoon
Looks very, very interesting! Being a writer too it's major food for the imagination. Can't wait to get into it later tonight!
Good luck! I know you'll enjoy it.
Key locations you want to know. Bank, Town Green Southwest, Empaths guild. Pawn shop and all the gates.
Don't forget, there are mentors in the game to help new players along. These are other players assist people new to the game in starting out. They are more than happy to answer any questions you might have.
Originally posted by Arremus Signed up and began a character in DR this afternoon
Looks very, very interesting! Being a writer too it's major food for the imagination. Can't wait to get into it later tonight!
If you're not used to text based games there is a bit of a learning curve. but you'll get an idea. A lot of things are made simpler by macro's and scripts so you'll want to get/make some of them.
2) Is DR remotely like an MMO in that if you join a year down the track you're completely left behind by the level cap players? Or is it a case of anyone can log in at any time, pick up what's going on and just begin living and growing in the world without any major hindrances?
I'd have to say it's a little bit of both (but mostly the latter.) I've been playing myself for more than 9 years (there are players just starting that weren't even born when I began, wow!) and due to RL impacting both my time and finances that (from a purely combat perspective) there is no way I will ever "catch up" to the highest players in the game. There are many other aspects to the game, so that really doesn't bother me.
As illustrated in an earlier post, probably one of the most important considerations is (gasp!) role-playing. There are endless possibilities (limited by common sense, of course) and a little creativity goes a long way. There are a lot of outstanding role-players in the community, and some of the best are actually quite low level.
Beyond that, no matter how "powerful" you are.. from the weakest player to the strongest.. there is always some new perk (be it a title, spell, ability, etc) to look forward to. There are things to hunt and kill.. and while some invasions/events require high combat skills (there are those tailored to lower levels as well) that doesn't necessarily exclude participation. If you want to be involved, all you need is a little imagination and the knowledge that the GMs in charge do not play favorites with the "big" folks. No matter what your character's abilities, there is always a place for you... and great things await for those with the courage to reach for them.
What really keeps me coming back year after year, however, is the community... not only the player base, but the staff. The friendships I have formed extend well beyond the game and will (hopefully) last a lifetime. I fully expect to be playing DR in another 10 years, though I suspect HJ will usurp a lot of my attention. From what I know from my experience with their other games, and the incredible staff and players that bring them to life, I have not the slightest doubt that HJ will be a resounding success.
Originally posted by Tailgunner 2) Is DR remotely like an MMO in that if you join a year down the track you're completely left behind by the level cap players? Or is it a case of anyone can log in at any time, pick up what's going on and just begin living and growing in the world without any major hindrances?
I'd have to say it's a little bit of both (but mostly the latter.) I've been playing myself for more than 9 years (there are players just starting that weren't even born when I began, wow!) and due to RL impacting both my time and finances that (from a purely combat perspective) there is no way I will ever "catch up" to the highest players in the game. There are many other aspects to the game, so that really doesn't bother me. As illustrated in an earlier post, probably one of the most important considerations is (gasp!) role-playing. There are endless possibilities (limited by common sense, of course) and a little creativity goes a long way. There are a lot of outstanding role-players in the community, and some of the best are actually quite low level. Beyond that, no matter how "powerful" you are.. from the weakest player to the strongest.. there is always some new perk (be it a title, spell, ability, etc) to look forward to. There are things to hunt and kill.. and while some invasions/events require high combat skills (there are those tailored to lower levels as well) that doesn't necessarily exclude participation. If you want to be involved, all you need is a little imagination and the knowledge that the GMs in charge do not play favorites with the "big" folks. No matter what your character's abilities, there is always a place for you... and great things await for those with the courage to reach for them. What really keeps me coming back year after year, however, is the community... not only the player base, but the staff. The friendships I have formed extend well beyond the game and will (hopefully) last a lifetime. I fully expect to be playing DR in another 10 years, though I suspect HJ will usurp a lot of my attention. From what I know from my experience with their other games, and the incredible staff and players that bring them to life, I have not the slightest doubt that HJ will be a resounding success. ~Kyrrian, et al.
You know, you can drop the game for two years, and if your friends are like mine, they won't have moved more than one circle.
You know, you can drop the game for two years, and if your friends are like mine, they won't have moved more than one circle.
Yep, that's me.. I've been 42nd for more than a year now (stupid req changes, lol) but I've got one of the oldest characters in the game.
I figure I'll be in the same situation in HJ after a few years, and wherever the popular spots turn out to be and folks gather to lazily sit around drinking and socializing, that's where you'll find me. That's what I love about SIMU' games though... no matter how long I do nothing I can still get up one day, go back to the hunt and still be just as viable a character as ever.
Much love guys, I'm really looking forward to eploring and discovering the best places to sleep off my hangovers
All this talk of you having one of the "oldest" characters is making it ever more tempting for me to revive Tesla in game. Then you wouldn't have to feel so old. Tesla was part of the original prodigy beta testers... Which consisted of... Well... Mostly... Me... Hehe... There were probably not more than half a dozen of us Prodigy testers. As I recall, that would be more than 10 years ago...
wow! this is amazing, i cannot believe there are still people out there who think the same way as me.
I played DR for 7 years from 7th grade until the end of high school - by then like others I was drawn into everquest and awed by the huge 3d landscapes. Yet just a couple months after the newness wore off, it was glaring obvious the game mechanic systems(combat, social, events, etc you name it) cannot EVEN COMPARE to that of DR. The next 6 years was like a bad dream of moving from 1 mmorpg to the next in search of a graphical DR (daoc, ao, ac, shadowbane, ac2, lineage2, wow, etc), you name it, i played it. Unfortunately they are ALL THE SAME CRAP with a different coat of graphics.
Nothing came close to what DR has to offer, noone even DARED TO TRY. When you tell the post-mud generation mmorpg crowds and their developers what some of the aspects of DR were like, they all just stared at you blankly.
I am so glad you guys GET IT, i guess one truely have to play the simu games DR/Gemstone to fully appreciate and understand how superior and beyond their time those games are - not the graphics of course, but the intricate game mechanics and systems.
Now as to Hero's Journeys, i hope of course they will bring many aspects of DR - festives, special merchants, guild halls for socializing and learning, etc etc over. But if there is ONE THING and ONE THING ONLY to migrate over from DR, it absoutely must be the combat system. If i see HJ with the wack-a-mole approach to combat (xxx hit yyy for zzz damage, xxx spell_name hits yyy for zzz damage) spam like EVERY SINGLE MMORPG out there, i will lose all faith in humanity (ok maybe not..). Seriously the combat system in DR must be carried over!! This to me is what will make or break the game, and a personal dream of mine to see DR's combat system in full graphical glory! As a professional developer myself, i know how difficult it is to code but simu have to try! Otherwise it will just be another mmorpg lost in a sea of dead or dieing mmorpgs.
/hijack
my fondest memory of DR was as a newbie trying to make money, decided against slaving over the conventional rat/goblin pelt trades, i would instead goto the rock troll area and collect all the broadswords dropped by the dead trolls (no high levels want them due to weight). Load it up until i was about to fall over from overweight literally, then make my 1 hr trip all the way north, take the ferry to a castle city(forgot the name). All this time, pray no mob will catch me(if i was engaged, it's pretty much certain death due to overweight). Once at the destination, i would sell the broadswords to a merchant for good money then relax and enjoy the quiet city by chatting with the high levels that often socialize there. Each trip would net me at least 1-3 golds, after 1 month i was one rich newbie and didnt have to worry about money for a long time.
Seriously the combat system in DR must be carried over!! This to me is what will make or break the game, and a personal dream of mine to see DR's combat system in full graphical glory!
Some of what you saw in DR is going to be in HJ. Balance, if I remember correctly, be in HJ. I know position will be a factor. Unfortunately, there is no targetting specific body parts as you saw in DR. I wanted that, as it rocked in Gemstone to just lop off a critter's leg then shove my sword through its eye. But alas, bandwidth issues screwed us out of that, according to David Whatley.
At least we get sweet Chrono Trigger-esque combo attacks.
Seriously the combat system in DR must be carried over!! This to me is what will make or break the game, and a personal dream of mine to see DR's combat system in full graphical glory!
Some of what you saw in DR is going to be in HJ. Balance, if I remember correctly, be in HJ. I know position will be a factor. Unfortunately, there is no targetting specific body parts as you saw in DR. I wanted that, as it rocked in Gemstone to just lop off a critter's leg then shove my sword through its eye. But alas, bandwidth issues screwed us out of that, according to David Whatley.
At least we get sweet Chrono Trigger-esque combo attacks.
i can live with not able to target body parts. But in a general sense, is the combat similar like DR? where it's based on 1 or 2 critical hit kills as oppose to a "you hit mob for 10 damage" spam until mob reachs 0 hp? Will you physically trigger each swing or just leave on auto attack? Also will the armors and weapon be similar, instead of just adding AC it will actually protect your body vs weapon. For example plate will protect dagger but not as much vs blunts.
If you watched the video you would have seen how the combat works. There is a point damage system.
And if you had looked into it a little more, you would have read somewhere that they are trying VERY hard to avoid auto attack. I think what it said was basic hitting could be put on auto attack, but to actually fight to win, you would have to continually be moving and using the environment to your advantage to win the fight.
But in a general sense, is the combat similar like DR? where it's based on 1 or 2 critical hit kills as oppose to a "you hit mob for 10 damage" spam until mob reachs 0 hp?
You'll have to do HP kills rather than crit kills.
Will you physically trigger each swing or just leave on auto attack?
Auto-attack, but you'll have to work together with your group members to trigger special attacks; it's a manual effort. Then of course there's skills that can be triggered.
Also will the armors and weapon be similar, instead of just adding AC it will actually protect your body vs weapon. For example plate will protect dagger but not as much vs blunts.
But in a general sense, is the combat similar like DR? where it's based on 1 or 2 critical hit kills as oppose to a "you hit mob for 10 damage" spam until mob reachs 0 hp?
You'll have to do HP kills rather than crit kills.
Will you physically trigger each swing or just leave on auto attack?
Auto-attack, but you'll have to work together with your group members to trigger special attacks; it's a manual effort. Then of course there's skills that can be triggered.
Also will the armors and weapon be similar, instead of just adding AC it will actually protect your body vs weapon. For example plate will protect dagger but not as much vs blunts.
Unknown by me. Possibly.
disappointing so basically it's just another everquest clone with some bells and whistles. The unique combat system was one of the best feature in dragonrealms. oo well
Comments
Good discussion here...
I think folks don't truly understand what we're talking about unless they've spent some time in one of Simutronic's games. To find an MMORPG that even comes close isn't difficult, it's nonexistent.
I hear you guys using words like immersion, depth, intrigue... All so accurate...
I have not found that in an MMORPG... Thus the reason I am really hoping Hero's Journey turns out to be something as special as DragonRealms.
Tesla
Man, reading this stuff makes me want to wake up my rogue and see what trouble I can get into in GS, lol.
I played DR on and off for close to 9 years now. I don't think any game can even come close. And as much as I hope that HJ will be good, I KNOW it won't come close. You can't even compare the 'imagination' aspect of just doing 'hide' in a text mud with just going acme inviso ala daoc. The way I 'imagine' hiding, may be nothing the way a graphical engine might. So it will be interesting to see what Simu does...I wonder if the combat system is gonna be like DR. That would be something to see. Still I'm not holding my breath, Graphical mmorpgs, are so limited. DR, oh what a game.
As most above, I'm pretty much disillusioned with the current available MMOs. I find more fun and immersion in playing Icewind Dale II than MMO #X most the time now.
So I went and read through all the info on DR and it looks like a LOT of fun! And expanding on what Adderax said above, I can see it being like reading your favourite fantasy novel as opposed to watching it as a movie. You imagination can just go nuts!
My questions are:
1) I tried to find the standard subscription cost but could only find Plat, Prem add on etc. Can someone please let me know the standard 'vanilla' DR cost please?
2) Is DR remotely like an MMO in that if you join a year down the track you're completely left behind by the level cap players? Or is it a case of anyone can log in at any time, pick up what's going on and just begin living and growing in the world without any major hindrances?
This is one of my main misgivings with current MMOs. If a truly new person picks up a copy of EQ2 or WoW tomorrow and joins an established server (no option with EQ2, can wait a while for a new WoW server I guess), they will be so far out of the 'community' in regards to money etc - 5g for a lvl 10 app4 on AB server etc - that I wonder how companies actually keep new players a year later.
Sorry.. bold'ed my questions so they actually stand out among all my ramblings.. hehe.
Thanks crew!
Hope you all had a stellar New Years!
"(The) Iraqi people owe the American people a huge debt of gratitude." - George W Bush.
Oh. My. God.
1) http://www.play.net/dr/account/account_faq.asp
2) Some people have trained characters that are high level and continue to train. So starting from scratch, there is no real way to have access to higher level content... yet.
BUT... I've noticed though the years that most people will train a character up to a certain level and then stop and start training a new one just to give the other professions and races a try. So there are ALWAYS people your level to enjoy the game with.
Alot of people can jump into situations about level 30. That includes alot of invasions and such. And level 30 isn't "that" hard to get to with a little know how. (mentors are a wonderful thing)
HJ-Royce
Simutronics Staff (GM)
http://www.play.net/hj/
That's funny, I just got Diviana to 32nd a few months ago, it used to be so much harder to circle her, I played when I was 16-18, quit for about two years, and then picked it up again about five or so months ago. I got her from 21st to 32nd in a matter of a month or two. It was CRAZY.
I guess I was always kinda lazy about it anyway. I liked to do other things too much. Like get people to buy me useless things, like shadowsilk cloaks and whatnot.
That and go to places like Warklins for some deathly fun. Although it wasn't so fun when Clerics couldn't raise her. Grr. I think she has 30 something deaths that I have actually on her death list, and nobody knows how many times she's actually died. Although one of my silly Prydaen buddies says his character has over 250 deaths on that list. She'll get there someday! When I put her back on my account and open it again...
HJ-Diviana
Hero's Journey GM
Hero's Journey Official Site
Hero's Hall
I'll try to answer this...
1)I've never played DR but I've played GS. I think GS is 15/month for a regular account with the first trial month being free.
2) Much more hard to answer. Obviously if you start now there will be people that are higher level than you. Thats a given since GS has been out for what 17 years? But you will by no means feel like you cant find anyone around your level. I came back to GS about 2 months ago after having not played for a little over 2 years. I found that some of the people I knew were obviously much higher level than me but I also realized that my character still seems to be around the same power for his level as he used to be. In other words he was level 30 2 years ago so he was more powerful than X amount of players and less powerful than Y amount of players. Even today he is more powerful than about the same number of players and lesspowerful than about the same number of players.
This is a hard one to answer because you are trying to compare it to other games. Simu doesn't make games like anyone else. Here's a perfect example of what I'm talking about.
A day or two before new years there was a level 14 player who was going around forcasting doom to the city. I knew this player from having healed him a bit in town. Well this level 14 player was alligned to an evil diety. Apparantly the evil deity (or one of his servants) (played by a gamemaster) had paid a visit to this player and told him that a troll would come a near to town (uncommon place to find this specific troll) and that the troll would carry a box and in the box would be two items a ring and if i remember a wristlet. Those items would only be worn by him and the next day would be a beacon for an invading army to follow.
Well this player was mocking the citizens of the town (other players) for their upcomming doom and another player decided he'd had enough of the ramplings of the evil alligned player. They agree to meet outside of town for a duel. The instant the low level 14 player was killed a troll appeared and started killing everyone around. Thankfully I have a spell that returns me to town so I returned to town. Well someone finally came around and killed the troll and got the box. The player claimed absolute ownership of the box and took it to the place the rogues and locksmiths (players) usually sit around and open the boxes. The box was opened by a locksmith and ghosts flew out killing everyone except the lvl 14 player who picked up the box and the items within.
Now... this level 14 player was KEY to a live event. He was not one of the higher level players around he may have been one of the lower level players. He was thrilled that he got to play the roll and even told me he was completely surprised that the GM's would choose a low level 14 player to play such a role.
I wasn't online the next night but aparantly a small invasion happened and the monsters were killing everyone until they reached the lvl 14 player, took back the items he received the night before and thanked him for wearing the beacon so they could find the town.
I've said all of this to let you know that you'll have to throw away what you know about online games and think outside the norm, if you want to really get a good idea for a Simu game. I guarantee you that if you play GS (or DR) for 1 month (and I think they have a free month of play for new members) that you will come back to these forums and you'll be one of us here who is trying to explain to people what excactly they've been missing all these years.
Also you mentioned money and its value. From what I can tell... my in GS today is worth the same amount as money in GS was 7 years ago. 1k is still 1k and is just as powerful today as it was 5 years ago.
I'll try to answer this...
1)I've never played DR but I've played GS. I think GS is 15/month for a regular account with the first trial month being free.
2) Much more hard to answer. Obviously if you start now there will be people that are higher level than you. Thats a given since GS has been out for what 17 years? But you will by no means feel like you cant find anyone around your level. I came back to GS about 2 months ago after having not played for a little over 2 years. I found that some of the people I knew were obviously much higher level than me but I also realized that my character still seems to be around the same power for his level as he used to be. In other words he was level 30 2 years ago so he was more powerful than X amount of players and less powerful than Y amount of players. Even today he is more powerful than about the same number of players and lesspowerful than about the same number of players.
This is a hard one to answer because you are trying to compare it to other games. Simu doesn't make games like anyone else. Here's a perfect example of what I'm talking about.
A day or two before new years there was a level 14 player who was going around forcasting doom to the city. I knew this player from having healed him a bit in town. Well this level 14 player was alligned to an evil diety. Apparantly the evil deity (or one of his servants) (played by a gamemaster) had paid a visit to this player and told him that a troll would come a near to town (uncommon place to find this specific troll) and that the troll would carry a box and in the box would be two items a ring and if i remember a wristlet. Those items would only be worn by him and the next day would be a beacon for an invading army to follow.
Well this player was mocking the citizens of the town (other players) for their upcomming doom and another player decided he'd had enough of the ramplings of the evil alligned player. They agree to meet outside of town for a duel. The instant the low level 14 player was killed a troll appeared and started killing everyone around. Thankfully I have a spell that returns me to town so I returned to town. Well someone finally came around and killed the troll and got the box. The player claimed absolute ownership of the box and took it to the place the rogues and locksmiths (players) usually sit around and open the boxes. The box was opened by a locksmith and ghosts flew out killing everyone except the lvl 14 player who picked up the box and the items within.
Now... this level 14 player was KEY to a live event. He was not one of the higher level players around he may have been one of the lower level players. He was thrilled that he got to play the roll and even told me he was completely surprised that the GM's would choose a low level 14 player to play such a role.
I wasn't online the next night but aparantly a small invasion happened and the monsters were killing everyone until they reached the lvl 14 player, took back the items he received the night before and thanked him for wearing the beacon so they could find the town.
I've said all of this to let you know that you'll have to throw away what you know about online games and think outside the norm, if you want to really get a good idea for a Simu game. I guarantee you that if you play GS (or DR) for 1 month (and I think they have a free month of play for new members) that you will come back to these forums and you'll be one of us here who is trying to explain to people what excactly they've been missing all these years.
Also you mentioned money and its value. From what I can tell... my in GS today is worth the same amount as money in GS was 7 years ago. 1k is still 1k and is just as powerful today as it was 5 years ago.
Geez norris, that is one awesome post mate, thankyou so much for taking the time.
And to think, that sensibility is going into HJ.
Makes me think even more that HJ could possibly be a genre re-defining game.. Arrgh can't wait!
I've always been very interested in this sort of genre, and being completely bored with every MMO around atm, I think it's about time I gave it a try.
I hate to be cliche (I pressume) but I will definitely have to try a Ranger
"(The) Iraqi people owe the American people a huge debt of gratitude." - George W Bush.
Oh. My. God.
Looks very, very interesting! Being a writer too it's major food for the imagination.
Can't wait to get into it later tonight!
"(The) Iraqi people owe the American people a huge debt of gratitude." - George W Bush.
Oh. My. God.
Good luck! I know you'll enjoy it.
Key locations you want to know. Bank, Town Green Southwest, Empaths guild. Pawn shop and all the gates.
Don't forget, there are mentors in the game to help new players along. These are other players assist people new to the game in starting out. They are more than happy to answer any questions you might have.
HJ-Royce
Simutronics Staff (GM)
http://www.play.net/hj/
If you're not used to text based games there is a bit of a learning curve. but you'll get an idea. A lot of things are made simpler by macro's and scripts so you'll want to get/make some of them.
Let us know how you like it.
I always played text based games, but as soon as I heard about DR, I fell in love with it.
Then when I actually played it, we got married. (Divorced once, then back together, however seperated now, I'm gonna cheat with HJ)
HJ-Diviana
Hero's Journey GM
Hero's Journey Official Site
Hero's Hall
2) Is DR remotely like an MMO in that if you join a year down the track you're completely left behind by the level cap players? Or is it a case of anyone can log in at any time, pick up what's going on and just begin living and growing in the world without any major hindrances?
I'd have to say it's a little bit of both (but mostly the latter.) I've been playing myself for more than 9 years (there are players just starting that weren't even born when I began, wow!) and due to RL impacting both my time and finances that (from a purely combat perspective) there is no way I will ever "catch up" to the highest players in the game. There are many other aspects to the game, so that really doesn't bother me.
As illustrated in an earlier post, probably one of the most important considerations is (gasp!) role-playing. There are endless possibilities (limited by common sense, of course) and a little creativity goes a long way. There are a lot of outstanding role-players in the community, and some of the best are actually quite low level.
Beyond that, no matter how "powerful" you are.. from the weakest player to the strongest.. there is always some new perk (be it a title, spell, ability, etc) to look forward to. There are things to hunt and kill.. and while some invasions/events require high combat skills (there are those tailored to lower levels as well) that doesn't necessarily exclude participation. If you want to be involved, all you need is a little imagination and the knowledge that the GMs in charge do not play favorites with the "big" folks. No matter what your character's abilities, there is always a place for you... and great things await for those with the courage to reach for them.
What really keeps me coming back year after year, however, is the community... not only the player base, but the staff. The friendships I have formed extend well beyond the game and will (hopefully) last a lifetime. I fully expect to be playing DR in another 10 years, though I suspect HJ will usurp a lot of my attention. From what I know from my experience with their other games, and the incredible staff and players that bring them to life, I have not the slightest doubt that HJ will be a resounding success.
~Kyrrian, et al.
HJ-Diviana
Hero's Journey GM
Hero's Journey Official Site
Hero's Hall
You know, you can drop the game for two years, and if your friends are like mine, they won't have moved more than one circle.
Yep, that's me.. I've been 42nd for more than a year now (stupid req changes, lol) but I've got one of the oldest characters in the game.
I figure I'll be in the same situation in HJ after a few years, and wherever the popular spots turn out to be and folks gather to lazily sit around drinking and socializing, that's where you'll find me. That's what I love about SIMU' games though... no matter how long I do nothing I can still get up one day, go back to the hunt and still be just as viable a character as ever.
Much love guys, I'm really looking forward to eploring and discovering the best places to sleep off my hangovers
~Kyrrian, et al.
P.S. Lemme in already!!!
Yanno Kyrrian,
All this talk of you having one of the "oldest" characters is making it ever more tempting for me to revive Tesla in game. Then you wouldn't have to feel so old. Tesla was part of the original prodigy beta testers... Which consisted of... Well... Mostly... Me... Hehe... There were probably not more than half a dozen of us Prodigy testers. As I recall, that would be more than 10 years ago...
Hmmm... maybe
Tesla
wow! this is amazing, i cannot believe there are still people out there who think the same way as me.
I played DR for 7 years from 7th grade until the end of high school - by then like others I was drawn into everquest and awed by the huge 3d landscapes. Yet just a couple months after the newness wore off, it was glaring obvious the game mechanic systems(combat, social, events, etc you name it) cannot EVEN COMPARE to that of DR. The next 6 years was like a bad dream of moving from 1 mmorpg to the next in search of a graphical DR (daoc, ao, ac, shadowbane, ac2, lineage2, wow, etc), you name it, i played it. Unfortunately they are ALL THE SAME CRAP with a different coat of graphics.
Nothing came close to what DR has to offer, noone even DARED TO TRY. When you tell the post-mud generation mmorpg crowds and their developers what some of the aspects of DR were like, they all just stared at you blankly.
I am so glad you guys GET IT, i guess one truely have to play the simu games DR/Gemstone to fully appreciate and understand how superior and beyond their time those games are - not the graphics of course, but the intricate game mechanics and systems.
Now as to Hero's Journeys, i hope of course they will bring many aspects of DR - festives, special merchants, guild halls for socializing and learning, etc etc over. But if there is ONE THING and ONE THING ONLY to migrate over from DR, it absoutely must be the combat system. If i see HJ with the wack-a-mole approach to combat (xxx hit yyy for zzz damage, xxx spell_name hits yyy for zzz damage) spam like EVERY SINGLE MMORPG out there, i will lose all faith in humanity (ok maybe not..). Seriously the combat system in DR must be carried over!! This to me is what will make or break the game, and a personal dream of mine to see DR's combat system in full graphical glory! As a professional developer myself, i know how difficult it is to code but simu have to try! Otherwise it will just be another mmorpg lost in a sea of dead or dieing mmorpgs.
/hijack
my fondest memory of DR was as a newbie trying to make money, decided against slaving over the conventional rat/goblin pelt trades, i would instead goto the rock troll area and collect all the broadswords dropped by the dead trolls (no high levels want them due to weight). Load it up until i was about to fall over from overweight literally, then make my 1 hr trip all the way north, take the ferry to a castle city(forgot the name). All this time, pray no mob will catch me(if i was engaged, it's pretty much certain death due to overweight). Once at the destination, i would sell the broadswords to a merchant for good money then relax and enjoy the quiet city by chatting with the high levels that often socialize there. Each trip would net me at least 1-3 golds, after 1 month i was one rich newbie and didnt have to worry about money for a long time.
Some of what you saw in DR is going to be in HJ. Balance, if I remember correctly, be in HJ. I know position will be a factor. Unfortunately, there is no targetting specific body parts as you saw in DR. I wanted that, as it rocked in Gemstone to just lop off a critter's leg then shove my sword through its eye. But alas, bandwidth issues screwed us out of that, according to David Whatley.
At least we get sweet Chrono Trigger-esque combo attacks.
Thats what its ALL about, baby!
Some of what you saw in DR is going to be in HJ. Balance, if I remember correctly, be in HJ. I know position will be a factor. Unfortunately, there is no targetting specific body parts as you saw in DR. I wanted that, as it rocked in Gemstone to just lop off a critter's leg then shove my sword through its eye. But alas, bandwidth issues screwed us out of that, according to David Whatley.
At least we get sweet Chrono Trigger-esque combo attacks.
i can live with not able to target body parts. But in a general sense, is the combat similar like DR? where it's based on 1 or 2 critical hit kills as oppose to a "you hit mob for 10 damage" spam until mob reachs 0 hp? Will you physically trigger each swing or just leave on auto attack? Also will the armors and weapon be similar, instead of just adding AC it will actually protect your body vs weapon. For example plate will protect dagger but not as much vs blunts.
Well I can answer part of it.
If you watched the video you would have seen how the combat works. There is a point damage system.
And if you had looked into it a little more, you would have read somewhere that they are trying VERY hard to avoid auto attack. I think what it said was basic hitting could be put on auto attack, but to actually fight to win, you would have to continually be moving and using the environment to your advantage to win the fight.
HJ-Diviana
Hero's Journey GM
Hero's Journey Official Site
Hero's Hall
You'll have to do HP kills rather than crit kills.
Auto-attack, but you'll have to work together with your group members to trigger special attacks; it's a manual effort. Then of course there's skills that can be triggered.
Unknown by me. Possibly.
You'll have to do HP kills rather than crit kills.
Auto-attack, but you'll have to work together with your group members to trigger special attacks; it's a manual effort. Then of course there's skills that can be triggered.
Unknown by me. Possibly.
disappointing
What in the world have you been reading? Their combat system is supposed to be very interactive, and only the MOST BASIC attacks will be auto attack.
HJ-Diviana
Hero's Journey GM
Hero's Journey Official Site
Hero's Hall