Mitch tackles RIFT in the latest edition of MMO ReRoll. How does the MMO hold up in the years since its release? Check out his toughts in his latest column.
I recently got back into Rift myself. I already had a level 70 character, so I didn't have to start from scratch. Like most of these older games, the game doesn't really start until max level. I am having so much fun. There is a lot to do. There are still some big and friendly guilds out there. My guild hast over 50 people on during prime time, and over 20 at others. To be honest, I see a ton of people online all of the time.
When I want to take a break from level 70 stuff, I just get on a low level alt and casually go through the content at my own pace with no pressure to get to max level.
My hope is that Gamigo sees this and decides to make new content.
Waste of a once great and fun MMO. It was enough like WoW to make it popular, but still had several things that set it apart. Trion destroyed this game, period. Gamigo is just finishing it off.
This article is not being fair at all. Most people who get into a new MMO or go back want to reach max level asap that is where the people are its not a new MMO its 10 years old. You give FF XIV such high praise but one of the huge issues in that game is getting to the end game where all the players are.
Another nice ReRoll piece. I like Rift, but it's spot on, unfortunately... Lots of potential, fun game, just can't keep players long enough, nor in numbers large enough. Mismanagement? Maybe. It's a waste anyway.
The soul system and the dimensions were my favourite parts of the game, in a way fishing too. Still play it occasionally, but on average I used to stay for a week or two...
(I admit it was nice to see CO is still on the podium, with its 3rd place )
I loved this game. It's often compared to WoW, but it had so much EQ2 design in it. The soul system and character builds are the best and it sport a couple of my favorite classes in across any MMO.
The decline started just post Storm Legion in my opinion all due to horrible mismanagement. Obligatory, Trino plz... /smh.
Trion, Trino, even Tryon in this article which was so close to Tyron... I would have liked Tyron
"Social media gives legions of idiots the right to speak when they once only spoke at a bar after a glass of wine, without harming the community ... but now they have the same right to speak as a Nobel Prize winner. It's the invasion of the idiots”
― Umberto Eco
“Microtransactions? In a single player role-playing game? Are you nuts?” ― CD PROJEKT RED
It is a shame for players that it got to this stage. But also a reminder to us all how important revenue methods are to gameplay and whether you will decided to stay in the game. Its 'just a cash shop' or it is 'just a live service' or 'its F2P so the cash shop does not effect me' simply don't wash.
I see we have some posters on here routing for it, I hope at least they find a new home as my guess would be it won't here past next year.
I loved this game. It's often compared to WoW, but it had so much EQ2 design in it. The soul system and character builds are the best and it sport a couple of my favorite classes in across any MMO.
The decline started just post Storm Legion in my opinion all due to horrible mismanagement. Obligatory, Trino plz... /smh.
Trion, Trino, even Tryon in this article which was so close to Tyron... I would have liked Tyron
I thought he wrote that because that is how the company liked their name pronounced. Some people called it "tree-on" apparently. "Trino plz" was a meme that went around their forums post Storm Legion as a way to call out their horrible mismanagement and bad corporate culture. Every time they would make another bone-headed misstep someone would call it out with "Trino plz... <insert topic>".
Are you referring to Tyron the MMA fighter?
No, that's what happens when a person with a Midwestern accent uses voice to text and then misses the misspelling while reviewing their work.
But hey, if the worst you have to say about my writing is to note my inconsistent spelling, well, I'll take that as a major win!
I loved this game. It's often compared to WoW, but it had so much EQ2 design in it. The soul system and character builds are the best and it sport a couple of my favorite classes in across any MMO.
The decline started just post Storm Legion in my opinion all due to horrible mismanagement. Obligatory, Trino plz... /smh.
Trion, Trino, even Tryon in this article which was so close to Tyron... I would have liked Tyron
I thought he wrote that because that is how the company liked their name pronounced. Some people called it "tree-on" apparently. "Trino plz" was a meme that went around their forums post Storm Legion as a way to call out their horrible mismanagement and bad corporate culture. Every time they would make another bone-headed misstep someone would call it out with "Trino plz... <insert topic>".
Are you referring to Tyron the MMA fighter?
No, that's what happens when a person with a Midwestern accent uses voice to text and then misses the misspelling while reviewing their work.
But hey, if the worst you have to say about my writing is to note my inconsistent spelling, well, I'll take that as a major win!
I liked Tryon but they should try harder
Article was right on the money, BTW. A once great MMO gone to shit.
"Social media gives legions of idiots the right to speak when they once only spoke at a bar after a glass of wine, without harming the community ... but now they have the same right to speak as a Nobel Prize winner. It's the invasion of the idiots”
― Umberto Eco
“Microtransactions? In a single player role-playing game? Are you nuts?” ― CD PROJEKT RED
Profit is the primary motivator for every for profit endeavour, including every single MMORPG ever made, so no what happened to Rift doesn't act as a cautionary tale against that pursuit as some companies do quite well with it.
It is a cautionary tale of pursuing profit so poorly you run your company into the ground to the point it can be acquired for pennies on the dollar.
Rift was good when it released, so much to do, great open world and mini game pvp and the graphics look amazing.
The skill system was amazing, but after the free to play they became pay walled for new skill sets.
I don't understand why or where fell off, I can't even remember what I played after Rift ?!
I think Trion overextended with their multiple offerings and it ultimately led to their collapse.
Near the end they couldn't fix a broken annual event in Rift by the next time it rolled around. Being unable to even maintain one product suggests they had inadequate resources for the bunch of them. Perhaps if they focused their efforts they could have survived with less games on the go but more attention paid to each.
I would love a "Reroll" article on Warhammer Online Reckoning- I know it is a private server... but it is 100% free and many feel superior to the live version with many improvements and some custom stuff. Very active (averages >1200 players concurrent 6-8 hours primetime on the one server).
MMORPG PvP and RvR doesn't seem your thing, but it's probably one of the best active games for it right now IMO. And you can be be decent at level 19 with the booster system ( a few hours to get to that level).
Even if you're bad at pvp, it's group pvp based game... so you can join a public 20 person warband, with a click, and tag along and do the best you can.
I also know a bunch of cool guilds that would let you play along and experience some of the more advanced dungeons and PvP stuff (end game City Sieges).
PS endgame Public quests (like raids) and dungeons are pretty busy. Their is a LFG global chat channel.
For as much shit as people (rightfully) give to Trion, they started out pretty decent. What other MMOs were handing out unlimited free spec and server changes? I feel like, at least in the beginning, that Trion really wanted the consumer friendly thing to work.
Whether the way they ended up was due to their monetization practices being the only way to stay afloat or whether it was outside pressure or whatever it was is something we can probably only speculate on.
The first few months of Rift were a lot of fun, though!
Waste of a once great and fun MMO. It was enough like WoW to make it popular, but still had several things that set it apart. Trion destroyed this game, period. Gamigo is just finishing it off.
Rift always felt like the bastard child of Warhammer and WoW......When i started playing it, it felt like I had done it before and was pretty boring.
I hate to see good games like this end up in the MMO graveyard. Someone should step in and buy the game from them, revamp it a bit, and re-release it 'correctly' (whatever that means). *checks pockets for enough money*
I hate to see good games like this end up in the MMO graveyard. Someone should step in and buy the game from them, revamp it a bit, and re-release it 'correctly' (whatever that means). *checks pockets for enough money*
The decline started just post Storm Legion in my opinion all due to horrible mismanagement. Obligatory, Trino plz... /smh.
I believe it was later (but it's kinda déja vu from the other Rift thread...)
SL was a good expansion, it brought dimensions, also some interesting souls.
The f2p after that was also good, I won't dig it up but I'm fairly sure I praised their model here too under the news article back in the day...
Then around the second expansion the cracks started to show. Not only it was a half-baked one, but p2w items showed up in the store, and got more and more intrusive.
I believe the rock bottom was the sheer stupidity, the $100 lootbox. A complete misunderstanding of a concept, the "micro" part in microtransaction, the "just one more" drive behind the gambling... they really thought anyone will buy and open a $100 box for a random loot?
This article is not being fair at all. Most people who get into a new MMO or go back want to reach max level asap that is where the people are its not a new MMO its 10 years old. You give FF XIV such high praise but one of the huge issues in that game is getting to the end game where all the players are.
I completely get what you are saying. For older MMOs, many players are just trying to get to the end game content and start grinding dailies and running raids. I would bet that anyone who only wants to do end game content could find a home in any MMO. That isn't what this column is about though. I don't even go over the end game content.
I personally value the trip to end game. Even when I was going hardcore into MMOs, defined by me as playing 3-4 hours per day minimum (usually more), I still leveled slowly. I have never looked for the fastest way to level and simply do what I want as I come to it. I waste tons of time while playing, completing all quests in a zone even after they are giving reduced/no xp just for the hell of it, trying to find ways up to the top of mountains long before doing so was an achievement, gathering and crafting as I level instead of rushing it all at max level. You know, all the stupid stuff that the world firsters would never think of.
So when I come across a game like Rift, where I actually enjoyed leveling and doing the low level dungeons, collecting tears and artifacts and all the other stuff it offers, only to find that they have totally eliminated that element of the game, I personally have no reason to make the push to max level.
Given that context, which I have mentioned previously in the column, I don't think I am being unfair to Rift or any other game. FFXIV made such a good impression because SE found a way to streamline the leveling process without completely destroying it. In fact, they made it better. I also found a functioning guild that still focused on all content, not just running the newest raid or full of players who hadn't logged in for 6+ months. I even came across other players in the open world that I was able to group up with, people who talked during PUG dungeons and were patient enough to help me and others through the content instead of just rushing ahead. You know, be a community.
MMO Reroll isn't a comprehensive review of an MMOs current state, it's just one grumpy old man's opinion about whether I felt like it was worth putting time into or not, and some of the reason why. Sometimes people agree. Sometimes they politely disagree like you have here. Other times I am told I'm an idiot and don't have a clue.
In any event, there is always someone who makes a comment about why they still like the game and why others should give it a try. And that's the best part about this column. It gets people talking about the games they love(d) and sharing their passion for MMOs.
I always meant to go back to this game, looks like it's too late though. I played at release but left when the MB on my gaming PC went. I had a weaker back up but it couldn't handle raids. Since you couldn't turn off other players spell effects , the raid boss would just turn into a giant ball of light and crash the game.
I always level open world though and dislike questing to level. So there would be no sense in going back now.
I would love a "Reroll" article on Warhammer Online Reckoning- I know it is a private server... but it is 100% free and many feel superior to the live version with many improvements and some custom stuff. Very active (averages >1200 players concurrent 6-8 hours primetime on the one server).
MMORPG PvP and RvR doesn't seem your thing, but it's probably one of the best active games for it right now IMO. And you can be be decent at level 19 with the booster system ( a few hours to get to that level).
Even if you're bad at pvp, it's group pvp based game... so you can join a public 20 person warband, with a click, and tag along and do the best you can.
I also know a bunch of cool guilds that would let you play along and experience some of the more advanced dungeons and PvP stuff (end game City Sieges).
PS endgame Public quests (like raids) and dungeons are pretty busy. Their is a LFG global chat channel.
I am horrible at PVP. I still PVP a little bit here and there but prefer RvR type stuff where my poor play is masked by the horde.
As for private servers, this isn't the first time someone suggested them for a game. I never planned on going that route but if enough people keep asking for them they could be a possibility down the road.
I tried this game at release, but I honestly didn't feel like it had anything to pull me away from any of the other existing games, be it WOW, Lord of the Rings Online, AOC, SWTOR, etc. It had the worst story out of all of those games and to many of us story and good questing matters.
I tried this game at release, but I honestly didn't feel like it had anything to pull me away from any of the other existing games, be it WOW, Lord of the Rings Online, AOC, SWTOR, etc. It had the worst story out of all of those games and to many of us story and good questing matters.
I also tried on release que ues grrrr,and was hyped on the RIFT idea but then a huge letdown.Theni was like well maybe the invasions are cool,nope even worse lazier effort.
The biggest letdown was how you started the game,they dropped us off in a boring lame warehouse,not even a well designed warehouse,just a rectangle.
I can't totally blame Trion because nobody was really doing much with mmorpg''s,some quests,some loot and some creatures to kill...zzzzzzzzzzzzz. I get the feeling developers put up a list on a chalkboard and the ideas that take the least amount of effort to implement get checked off.
The idea of RIFTS alone could have been a real cool idea that could carry the game but i noticed within one week most people didn't even care about them anymore.
Never forget 3 mile Island and never trust a government official or company spokesman.
Comments
When I want to take a break from level 70 stuff, I just get on a low level alt and casually go through the content at my own pace with no pressure to get to max level.
My hope is that Gamigo sees this and decides to make new content.
Good article.
Mismanagement ruined this game.
“Microtransactions? In a single player role-playing game? Are you nuts?”
― CD PROJEKT RED
I see we have some posters on here routing for it, I hope at least they find a new home as my guess would be it won't here past next year.
No, that's what happens when a person with a Midwestern accent uses voice to text and then misses the misspelling while reviewing their work.
But hey, if the worst you have to say about my writing is to note my inconsistent spelling, well, I'll take that as a major win!
Article was right on the money, BTW. A once great MMO gone to shit.
“Microtransactions? In a single player role-playing game? Are you nuts?”
― CD PROJEKT RED
It is a cautionary tale of pursuing profit so poorly you run your company into the ground to the point it can be acquired for pennies on the dollar.
I think Trion overextended with their multiple offerings and it ultimately led to their collapse.
Near the end they couldn't fix a broken annual event in Rift by the next time it rolled around. Being unable to even maintain one product suggests they had inadequate resources for the bunch of them. Perhaps if they focused their efforts they could have survived with less games on the go but more attention paid to each.
I would love a "Reroll" article on Warhammer Online Reckoning- I know it is a private server... but it is 100% free and many feel superior to the live version with many improvements and some custom stuff. Very active (averages >1200 players concurrent 6-8 hours primetime on the one server).
MMORPG PvP and RvR doesn't seem your thing, but it's probably one of the best active games for it right now IMO. And you can be be decent at level 19 with the booster system ( a few hours to get to that level).
Even if you're bad at pvp, it's group pvp based game... so you can join a public 20 person warband, with a click, and tag along and do the best you can.
I also know a bunch of cool guilds that would let you play along and experience some of the more advanced dungeons and PvP stuff (end game City Sieges).
PS endgame Public quests (like raids) and dungeons are pretty busy. Their is a LFG global chat channel.
Whether the way they ended up was due to their monetization practices being the only way to stay afloat or whether it was outside pressure or whatever it was is something we can probably only speculate on.
The first few months of Rift were a lot of fun, though!
Rift always felt like the bastard child of Warhammer and WoW......When i started playing it, it felt like I had done it before and was pretty boring.
I completely get what you are saying. For older MMOs, many players are just trying to get to the end game content and start grinding dailies and running raids. I would bet that anyone who only wants to do end game content could find a home in any MMO. That isn't what this column is about though. I don't even go over the end game content.
I personally value the trip to end game. Even when I was going hardcore into MMOs, defined by me as playing 3-4 hours per day minimum (usually more), I still leveled slowly. I have never looked for the fastest way to level and simply do what I want as I come to it. I waste tons of time while playing, completing all quests in a zone even after they are giving reduced/no xp just for the hell of it, trying to find ways up to the top of mountains long before doing so was an achievement, gathering and crafting as I level instead of rushing it all at max level. You know, all the stupid stuff that the world firsters would never think of.
So when I come across a game like Rift, where I actually enjoyed leveling and doing the low level dungeons, collecting tears and artifacts and all the other stuff it offers, only to find that they have totally eliminated that element of the game, I personally have no reason to make the push to max level.
Given that context, which I have mentioned previously in the column, I don't think I am being unfair to Rift or any other game. FFXIV made such a good impression because SE found a way to streamline the leveling process without completely destroying it. In fact, they made it better. I also found a functioning guild that still focused on all content, not just running the newest raid or full of players who hadn't logged in for 6+ months. I even came across other players in the open world that I was able to group up with, people who talked during PUG dungeons and were patient enough to help me and others through the content instead of just rushing ahead. You know, be a community.
MMO Reroll isn't a comprehensive review of an MMOs current state, it's just one grumpy old man's opinion about whether I felt like it was worth putting time into or not, and some of the reason why. Sometimes people agree. Sometimes they politely disagree like you have here. Other times I am told I'm an idiot and don't have a clue.
In any event, there is always someone who makes a comment about why they still like the game and why others should give it a try. And that's the best part about this column. It gets people talking about the games they love(d) and sharing their passion for MMOs.
I always level open world though and dislike questing to level. So there would be no sense in going back now.
As for private servers, this isn't the first time someone suggested them for a game. I never planned on going that route but if enough people keep asking for them they could be a possibility down the road.
There Is Always Hope!
The biggest letdown was how you started the game,they dropped us off in a boring lame warehouse,not even a well designed warehouse,just a rectangle.
I can't totally blame Trion because nobody was really doing much with mmorpg''s,some quests,some loot and some creatures to kill...zzzzzzzzzzzzz.
I get the feeling developers put up a list on a chalkboard and the ideas that take the least amount of effort to implement get checked off.
The idea of RIFTS alone could have been a real cool idea that could carry the game but i noticed within one week most people didn't even care about them anymore.
Never forget 3 mile Island and never trust a government official or company spokesman.