Shards is probably the top game I want to play when it is out but not having too large hype might actually be a good thing as long as they can afford getting the development done. Far too many games got overhyped and disappointed players that might otherwise really liked them.
Games like Minecraft really came out of nowhere and gave a very different experience and I think it would have done a lot worse if it been hyped since the start.
As for graphics good graphics never hurt but it really comes down to gameplay in the end. A beautiful game might initially sell better but players will leave soon and a really fun game will spread by mouth to mouth even if it doesn't look top notch.
Shards must be far more fun then any game that looks better though but if it is it will di excellent. Minecraft is really ugly after all, looks isn't everything and if the game do becomes a huge success the graphics will be upgraded of course, certainly not to high end graphics but upgraded still.
Shards success or failure will all come down to how fun it is.
Yeah, I'm looking for a good gameplay experience and fun social interactions. I've been playing EQ lately on a progression server, and I'm fine with those graphics because of the great social interactions I've had.
The full camera rotate and WASD movement are enough to get me excited for this game. How the graphics are considerd 'old school' is beyond me. Shards Online has taken the 3/4 perspective view and made it 10x better imo. Of course it is pre-alpha and there are things that need improving, but even in it's current state I'm impressed and having fun. Can't say the same for GW2-HoT or Albion Online; bored to tears quick with 'pretty graphic, dress-up dolls' and the supposed 'sandbox'; respectively.
I also appreciate the skill system in Shards being use-based. It too needs some tweaking but the potential is there to make a really fun and engaging system. Personally I'm anxious to use a bow/crossbow which currently are not in-game yet.
Hopefully hype for Shards will pick up as it furthers along development; I already am and will fully support. Heck, I haven't played any other game, other than some Star Ruler 2, since I paid $40 for access back on Dec 23. It's already garnered more play time than some $60 I've purchased in the past (looking at you Star Wars Battlefront...lol)
Maybe I'm just an old school bastage; so be it, but Shards Online is the kind of game this old bastage likes, and I know I'm not alone.
Anxiously awaiting to see where Citadel Studios goes with development....
SO is a promising game with really good ideas. My only worry is that the ability for players to run their own shards will fragment the playerbase too much and the official servers will feel empty. I hope I'm wrong.
The gameplay at its current is pretty basic and needs quite a lot of polishing. If you want to help them develop the game and offer suggestions and bug squashing, go ahead and pledge. If you want a game that has a lot of features and rich gameplay, you're better off waiting for a while.
I pledged 40 USD just because I'm an old UO roleplaying fan and because their concept is good. I tested the game right after my access started in December and didn't play for long, as the game is still quite unpolished and barebone. I'll definitely check it again at some point and see if it has gained some more "meat".
I never played NWN or UO, but I always wish I had. Heard great things about them both.
There is really no real reason not to if you wish so. There are some good UO free shards going strong still.
As well as a few good NWN community servers with tons of great content and players. Amia, Arelith, and Prisoners of the Mist are three names that come to mind for NWN 1. I heard lots of good things about the Baldur's Gate server for NWN 2 as well.
Thanks for all the replies, guys. I'm still teetering on whether or not to buy in. I paid to play Shroud of the Avatar early on, and to this day, there are few people online at any one time to interact with. Seems most people are waiting for the final wipe to play.
Another question about Shards: Does it have a world wide chat channel? I know some people hate this, but I enjoy the banter usually, especially if there's an option to leave the channel if I get sick of it.
Comments
Games like Minecraft really came out of nowhere and gave a very different experience and I think it would have done a lot worse if it been hyped since the start.
As for graphics good graphics never hurt but it really comes down to gameplay in the end. A beautiful game might initially sell better but players will leave soon and a really fun game will spread by mouth to mouth even if it doesn't look top notch.
Shards must be far more fun then any game that looks better though but if it is it will di excellent. Minecraft is really ugly after all, looks isn't everything and if the game do becomes a huge success the graphics will be upgraded of course, certainly not to high end graphics but upgraded still.
Shards success or failure will all come down to how fun it is.
I also appreciate the skill system in Shards being use-based. It too needs some tweaking but the potential is there to make a really fun and engaging system. Personally I'm anxious to use a bow/crossbow which currently are not in-game yet.
Hopefully hype for Shards will pick up as it furthers along development; I already am and will fully support. Heck, I haven't played any other game, other than some Star Ruler 2, since I paid $40 for access back on Dec 23. It's already garnered more play time than some $60 I've purchased in the past (looking at you Star Wars Battlefront...lol)
Maybe I'm just an old school bastage; so be it, but Shards Online is the kind of game this old bastage likes, and I know I'm not alone.
Anxiously awaiting to see where Citadel Studios goes with development....
The gameplay at its current is pretty basic and needs quite a lot of polishing. If you want to help them develop the game and offer suggestions and bug squashing, go ahead and pledge. If you want a game that has a lot of features and rich gameplay, you're better off waiting for a while.
I pledged 40 USD just because I'm an old UO roleplaying fan and because their concept is good. I tested the game right after my access started in December and didn't play for long, as the game is still quite unpolished and barebone. I'll definitely check it again at some point and see if it has gained some more "meat".
Another question about Shards: Does it have a world wide chat channel? I know some people hate this, but I enjoy the banter usually, especially if there's an option to leave the channel if I get sick of it.