Probably one of my larger regrets in not getting a chance to play this title during its heyday.
Honestly, it was some of the most fun I have ever had in any game. I have never had the sense of belonging like I did in AC back in 2000. When you had allegiance's and people actually treated you like a person and not someone to fill a raid spot, Patrons who took care of their vassals, a community that worked to solve issues and fight the world bosses such as Bael'Zharon, trading items that you used for many levels because they are not bound to you, such and indepth progression system...
If you never played it between 1999-2002, you missed out, in my opinions, on some of the greatest gaming in MMO history.
Gaming community: IRONFIST New World: Lilith - US East WoW Guild: IRONFIST <Burning Legion> Alliance(We transferred to Illidan) WoW Guild: IRONFIST <Illidan> Horde SWOTR: IRONFIST <Satele Shan> Empire/Republic
Probably one of my larger regrets in not getting a chance to play this title during its heyday.
Honestly, it was some of the most fun I have ever had in any game. I have never had the sense of belonging like I did in AC back in 2000. When you had allegiance's and people actually treated you like a person and not someone to fill a raid spot, Patrons who took care of their vassals, a community that worked to solve issues and fight the world bosses such as Bael'Zharon, trading items that you used for many levels because they are not bound to you, such and indepth progression system...
If you never played it between 1999-2002, you missed out, in my opinions, on some of the greatest gaming in MMO history.
Well, the spell economy wasn't the greatest invention ever but it did show the imagination and thought that was put into the game. Learning your tapers was a challenge mostly because the spell component cost wasn't trivial to a newcomer. Other than that it was/is a great game.
"I used to think the worst thing in life was to be all alone. It's not. The worst thing in life is to end up with people who make you feel all alone." Robin Williams
Probably one of my larger regrets in not getting a chance to play this title during its heyday.
Honestly, it was some of the most fun I have ever had in any game. I have never had the sense of belonging like I did in AC back in 2000. When you had allegiance's and people actually treated you like a person and not someone to fill a raid spot, Patrons who took care of their vassals, a community that worked to solve issues and fight the world bosses such as Bael'Zharon, trading items that you used for many levels because they are not bound to you, such and indepth progression system...
If you never played it between 1999-2002, you missed out, in my opinions, on some of the greatest gaming in MMO history.
Well, the spell economy wasn't the greatest invention ever but it did show the imagination and thought that was put into the game. Learning your tapers was a challenge mostly because the spell component cost wasn't trivial to a newcomer. Other than that it was/is a great game.
Many hours spend in the mage shop learning my spells. Never forget seeing my first portal that someone summoned. There were no guides or how-to, I printed out a map and marked the portals I found with the coords to make navigation easier. My friends and I all had multiple copies of it.
I run the Mature Minded Gamers. We do video and board gaming videos and reviews. We also have a big Dungeons and Dragons community with multiple games active each week. Join us at: https://www.maturemindedgamers.com
Asheron's Call, City of Heroes, Vanguard, Warhammer.
Agree, wait....Warhammer? The first badly executed WoW clone? That Warhammer?
Warhammer Online -- the game with the best scenario RvR that I have ever seen. It was a game that got people who hated PvP into RvR stuff. It also was the first to do public quests, and when the game started those were quite good due to being done. There were only a few small mistakes they made that stopped the game from being a blockbuster. Those mistakes being not having a way to keep the balance between order and chaos better, and the crashing at the city gates // non-game for the city.
Well - this website outlives its origins. From all the interesting times in AC1 (as a preset, because I was stubborn, LOL) to the disaster of the AC2 launch, it's been a long ride. RIP
Seems like the IP would be a great for a current MMO. It is not your typical fantasy setting.
I had hopes for the player run servers. The problem though is I can play now and do not. The controls, ui and much of the game is just too outdated for my taste. Graphics, which are very dated, plays no part in me not playing.
I would love to see a studio pickup the IP and get started. I would just be happy to see the universe live on in some form.
the end of an Epic game that helped shape the genre ..
I somewhat disagree. What I'm finding saddest about reading this news
today is realizing how many of the outstanding features Asheron's Call 1
had that never really did "help shape the genre". But instead are
now largely dismissed, forgotten, or completely unknown by today's mmorpg
players (and by current game devs as well).
And I also do miss
the people I got to know in AC1. I have since lost track of them all, but
they were the finest bunch I ever gamed with. I suppose you kind of had
to be a pioneer of sorts back in those days of the internet, and it
showed in the players the game attracted. I remember Oblique, the lawyer
and family man from California. And Cedric, the brit who went on to do some writing
for IGN. And Jax and Alaric, firefighters in New York City (who ended
up being heavily involved in 9/11). And many, many more from 'The Eternal
Conclave'.
Shit, this is pathetic. I'm actually misting up a bit here. Anyway, so long AC1. And thank you for all the good times.
Played off and on for 17 years. The greatest memories was back in 2000-2003, there was simply nothing like it. Through the years I've gone on playing MMO after MMO searching for that lost love I had for AC. I couldn't even tell you the title of most games I've played but I remember every vassel, every city, every little detail about that game which is unlike any other game I've played.
Sad to see this one go. So many good memories from back in the day. I will miss you AC!
"Sean (Murray) saying MP will be in the game is not remotely close to evidence that at the point of purchase people thought there was MP in the game." - SEANMCAD
A long time ago on the Darktide server the likes of Topaz and Blood terrorized the citizens of Asherons Call. We would huddle in towns off the road hoping to avoid their wrath. Their armies would find us and the murderfest would begin. Some lone citizen on point would yell, "Topaz is coming." Half of our player made town would run and get bowed down while trying to flee, the other half would fight, and die. It was awesome. There was nothing like it. RIP AC.
You all just said it was reddit generated topic. Didn't believe me. Now I can say I told you so. So far, all my predictions are coming true. LOTRO/DDO get sold to an investment company, probably won't last more than 2 years, I give it a year at most. Asheron's Call is first to go (however didn't know it was going to be THAT fast).
Next on the burner is LOTRO/DDO going into maintenance mode (DDO will likely fall first between the two, it isn't nearly as popular), Everquest license either gets sold or just shut down, along with all of the other Daybreak titles. LOTRO makes sense to not last more than 2 years at most, because they can't go anywhere after Mordor. If the game licenses (like EQ) are sold, probably to a junk company like Perfect World Entertainment. Very unlikely to be a good company. More likely at least some of Daybreak games won't go anywhere but to the MMO afterlife. An investment company doesn't care, just want the most money they can get.
My Skyrim, Fallout 4, Starbound and WoW + other game mods at MODDB:
Very sad and even worse they are going back on their word to give the game assets to the players to make having our own servers easier to achieve. I am very glad I have Project Gorgon to soften the blow.
You sure its not simply a case of no one coming forward to volunteer to run a player server - and ultimately make sure it is funded?
You all just said it was reddit generated topic. Didn't believe me. Now I can say I told you so. So far, all my predictions are coming true. LOTRO/DDO get sold to an investment company, probably won't last more than 2 years, I give it a year at most. Asheron's Call is first to go (however didn't know it was going to be THAT fast).
Next on the burner is LOTRO/DDO going into maintenance mode (DDO will likely fall first between the two, it isn't nearly as popular), Everquest license either gets sold or just shut down, along with all of the other Daybreak titles. LOTRO makes sense to not last more than 2 years at most, because they can't go anywhere after Mordor. If the game licenses (like EQ) are sold, probably to a junk company like Perfect World Entertainment. Very unlikely to be a good company. More likely at least some of Daybreak games won't go anywhere but to the MMO afterlife. An investment company doesn't care, just want the most money they can get.
Anyone who played AC in the past couple of years knew it would be shut down shortly. Yesterday you said nothing we didn't know 2 years ago.
"I used to think the worst thing in life was to be all alone. It's not. The worst thing in life is to end up with people who make you feel all alone." Robin Williams
Oh wow, this was the first MMO I really got into. I did play EQ but it never took like AC did. I can actually vividly remember going to EB games (remember those), and picking up my copy on release day. I met some great people and played with them for years.
Just outta curiosity, does anyone remember a very famous post on IGN boards where some random guy posted something along the lines of "come see how crappy my patron is....." then in started to make less and less sense, finally it was pretty much incoherent and the guy spelled something like "oneismis" (I know I mangled that really bad but I'm pretty sure it started with "one..." That word ended up taking on a life of it's own and pretty much anyone who played AC knew about it.
Oh wow, this was the first MMO I really got into. I did play EQ but it never took like AC did. I can actually vividly remember going to EB games (remember those), and picking up my copy on release day. I met some great people and played with them for years.
Just outta curiosity, does anyone remember a very famous post on IGN boards where some random guy posted something along the lines of "come see how crappy my patron is....." then in started to make less and less sense, finally it was pretty much incoherent and the guy spelled something like "oneismis" (I know I mangled that really bad but I'm pretty sure it started with "one..." That word ended up taking on a life of it's own and pretty much anyone who played AC knew about it.
Yes, I remember it. I even copy and pasted it here somewhere sometime. The best way to read it was in an angry 8 year old's voice. I think the patron's name was something like Zel Dench
"I used to think the worst thing in life was to be all alone. It's not. The worst thing in life is to end up with people who make you feel all alone." Robin Williams
You all just said it was reddit generated topic. Didn't believe me. Now I can say I told you so. So far, all my predictions are coming true. LOTRO/DDO get sold to an investment company, probably won't last more than 2 years, I give it a year at most. Asheron's Call is first to go (however didn't know it was going to be THAT fast).
Next on the burner is LOTRO/DDO going into maintenance mode (DDO will likely fall first between the two, it isn't nearly as popular), Everquest license either gets sold or just shut down, along with all of the other Daybreak titles. LOTRO makes sense to not last more than 2 years at most, because they can't go anywhere after Mordor. If the game licenses (like EQ) are sold, probably to a junk company like Perfect World Entertainment. Very unlikely to be a good company. More likely at least some of Daybreak games won't go anywhere but to the MMO afterlife. An investment company doesn't care, just want the most money they can get.
A stopped clock is right twice a day. The fact that you need to take credit for this a really sad thing about you.
Kyleran: "Now there's the real trick, learning to accept and enjoy a game for what
it offers rather than pass on what might be a great playing experience
because it lacks a few features you prefer."
John Henry Newman: "A man would do nothing if he waited until he could do it so well that no one could find fault."
FreddyNoNose: "A good game needs no defense; a bad game has no defense." "Easily digested content is just as easily forgotten."
LacedOpium: "So the question that begs to be asked is, if you are not interested in
the game mechanics that define the MMORPG genre, then why are you
playing an MMORPG?"
This game continues to remain ahead of its time with full action combat, a patron/vassal system, rented housing, true character choice on "class" creation, ability to roam anywhere regardless of level, and even relatively hardcore gaming starting at level 1 (I most recently started playing again about a year ago and died so much I had to ask for help on my corpse runs). This was my first foray into MMOs (outside of MUDs). If any game deserves another chance, an Asheron's Call 3 would be amazing with modern graphics. I've played so many MMOs in the nearly two decades since I started playing AC, but this will always have a special place in my heart.
Not surprised but saddened. Like many I started on Darktide then moved to the normal servers when friends I'd made there swapped. Stayed perma red. I still miss the skill system and open world nature of Asherons Call. There's really no comparison when modern games talk about open world....
That said it struggled to attract new players later on handicapped by a lack of advertising, graphics that essentially stayed as they were in 1999 (the one HD patch barely changed anything) and Turbines lack of ability to monetise the game.
Still, I remember proudly showing off my decorated seaside cottage to my gf and her calling it my barbie house. The fighting and exploring. Getting lost and suddenly discovering great photographic locations. Games just seem so limited now in comparison.
Comments
Honestly, it was some of the most fun I have ever had in any game. I have never had the sense of belonging like I did in AC back in 2000. When you had allegiance's and people actually treated you like a person and not someone to fill a raid spot, Patrons who took care of their vassals, a community that worked to solve issues and fight the world bosses such as Bael'Zharon, trading items that you used for many levels because they are not bound to you, such and indepth progression system...
If you never played it between 1999-2002, you missed out, in my opinions, on some of the greatest gaming in MMO history.
Gaming community: IRONFIST
New World: Lilith - US East
WoW Guild: IRONFIST <Burning Legion> Alliance(We transferred to Illidan)
WoW Guild: IRONFIST <Illidan> Horde
SWOTR: IRONFIST <Satele Shan> Empire/Republic
Many hours spend in the mage shop learning my spells. Never forget seeing my first portal that someone summoned. There were no guides or how-to, I printed out a map and marked the portals I found with the coords to make navigation easier. My friends and I all had multiple copies of it.
Join us at: https://www.maturemindedgamers.com
Avatars are people too
I had hopes for the player run servers. The problem though is I can play now and do not. The controls, ui and much of the game is just too outdated for my taste. Graphics, which are very dated, plays no part in me not playing.
I would love to see a studio pickup the IP and get started. I would just be happy to see the universe live on in some form.
I somewhat disagree. What I'm finding saddest about reading this news today is realizing how many of the outstanding features Asheron's Call 1 had that never really did "help shape the genre". But instead are now largely dismissed, forgotten, or completely unknown by today's mmorpg players (and by current game devs as well).
And I also do miss the people I got to know in AC1. I have since lost track of them all, but they were the finest bunch I ever gamed with. I suppose you kind of had to be a pioneer of sorts back in those days of the internet, and it showed in the players the game attracted. I remember Oblique, the lawyer and family man from California. And Cedric, the brit who went on to do some writing for IGN. And Jax and Alaric, firefighters in New York City (who ended up being heavily involved in 9/11). And many, many more from 'The Eternal Conclave'.
Shit, this is pathetic. I'm actually misting up a bit here. Anyway, so long AC1. And thank you for all the good times.
Zarin
So many memories, such a loss.
Mongoose VT/WE
http://forums.mmorpg.com/discussion/459345/lotro-and-ddo-move-over-to-standing-stone-games-lord-of-the-rings-online-mmorpg-com/p3
You all just said it was reddit generated topic. Didn't believe me. Now I can say I told you so. So far, all my predictions are coming true. LOTRO/DDO get sold to an investment company, probably won't last more than 2 years, I give it a year at most. Asheron's Call is first to go (however didn't know it was going to be THAT fast).
Next on the burner is LOTRO/DDO going into maintenance mode (DDO will likely fall first between the two, it isn't nearly as popular), Everquest license either gets sold or just shut down, along with all of the other Daybreak titles. LOTRO makes sense to not last more than 2 years at most, because they can't go anywhere after Mordor. If the game licenses (like EQ) are sold, probably to a junk company like Perfect World Entertainment. Very unlikely to be a good company. More likely at least some of Daybreak games won't go anywhere but to the MMO afterlife. An investment company doesn't care, just want the most money they can get.
My Skyrim, Fallout 4, Starbound and WoW + other game mods at MODDB:
https://www.moddb.com/mods/skyrim-anime-overhaul
거북이는 목을 내밀 때 안 움직입니다
Just outta curiosity, does anyone remember a very famous post on IGN boards where some random guy posted something along the lines of "come see how crappy my patron is....." then in started to make less and less sense, finally it was pretty much incoherent and the guy spelled something like "oneismis" (I know I mangled that really bad but I'm pretty sure it started with "one..." That word ended up taking on a life of it's own and pretty much anyone who played AC knew about it.
A stopped clock is right twice a day. The fact that you need to take credit for this a really sad thing about you.
Epic Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAigCvelkhQ&list=PLo9FRw1AkDuQLEz7Gvvaz3ideB2NpFtT1
https://archive.org/details/softwarelibrary_msdos?&sort=-downloads&page=1
Kyleran: "Now there's the real trick, learning to accept and enjoy a game for what it offers rather than pass on what might be a great playing experience because it lacks a few features you prefer."
John Henry Newman: "A man would do nothing if he waited until he could do it so well that no one could find fault."
FreddyNoNose: "A good game needs no defense; a bad game has no defense." "Easily digested content is just as easily forgotten."
LacedOpium: "So the question that begs to be asked is, if you are not interested in the game mechanics that define the MMORPG genre, then why are you playing an MMORPG?"
That said it struggled to attract new players later on handicapped by a lack of advertising, graphics that essentially stayed as they were in 1999 (the one HD patch barely changed anything) and Turbines lack of ability to monetise the game.
Still, I remember proudly showing off my decorated seaside cottage to my gf and her calling it my barbie house. The fighting and exploring. Getting lost and suddenly discovering great photographic locations. Games just seem so limited now in comparison.
So many fond memories.
Bjoern / Sir Prime
Habitual Euthanasia
Pandemic Legion