All Posts by Douhk

Originally posted by Scaredgirl

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...Game I'm looking forward the most is definitely Guild Wars 2. Even today I consider Guild Wars 1 to be hands down the best skill based PvP MMO out there and I think GW2 is going to awesome. Hope to see all you fellow PvPers there.

 

I guess there's something I agree with you on; you really can't beat GWs considering it has no fees other then the box, the PvP is sensational. Even if you like PvE content, the $30 (is the price lower now? Haven't bought a box since a year ago) it costs you will last you longer then most of the $60 dollar games offer now. GWs2 should be fantastic, though I'm not particularly following it lately. I'm guessing a late '09 / early '10 release?

Now to actually talk about the game I'm on the forum in lol... My favorite feature of Age of Conan has to be combat; it's different, some love it, some hate it, and I in particular love it. I've never really gotten tired of it, surprisingly. The visuals, while not enough to hold up the game, definitely make the game a more enjoyable experience. People can argue all they want that graphics mean nothing, but it does play a significant role; of course, nowhere near as important as content and core game mechanics, but something very important FC was smart to pick up on.

Something I hope Bioware is aware of is that if you are having a game heavily focused on story, the story cannot be static if you wish to maintain players for longer periods of times. This is something that FC is having a serious problem with; no matter what race you make your character or what class, you will follow the same story as everyone else.

As far as we know, they plan on making an original story for each class, whether that comes true or not is unknown. I think that if they did this, they'd be in great shape, as when most people reroll they aren't going to roll a class that they already have (in most cases). However, if you follow the monotonous storyline of AoC, it turns the game into grinding. For AoC, story isn't their main feature, so that isn't the biggest of their many problems. However, if the same story were true for SWTOR, the game would be dead if they plan on making RP and storyline one of the biggest features of the games. And in all honesty, I don't see why not; Bioware is the king when it comes to story, at least from all the games I've played from them.

Originally posted by Wharmaster

 I'm less worried about them making SWG2, than I am about them making WoW2.

See, SWG never had the brain-dead mass-market appeal they are going for here. So SWG2 obviously is out.

BUT...will the game have enough sandbox elements to avoid becoming just another WoW clone??? THAT is the real question at this point.

I think right now this is everyone's worry about the game. But, we'll know for sure what to expect within a couple of months.

Originally posted by OriginalForm

Originally posted by BigMango

Originally posted by Wharmaster

IF THEY HAD FINISHED THE GAME BFORE SELLING IT...

 

I think this sums it up pretty well

 

 

...Like the devs had a choice...

Oh wait, they did have a choice:

Release an unfinished game or don't release any game at all.

 

Nice try anyway.

Doesn't change the fact that they would have done that much better if they had pushed back release. At this point, none of us really know if they had no choice or were just planning on selling the game on viral marketting, except for the people at FC themselves.

If they had everything that has been added within the 6 months, tarantia, and DX10... this game would have been a site to be reckoned with. Now FC has basically screwed themselves over, whether from no other option or were just plain idiotic.

k.

Originally posted by EATtheDEAD

the billionth thread of someone saying this game is gonna suck even though they dont know shit about it

I'm sensing we will have about a trillion more of these before this game launches in a year or two from now.

Originally posted by arkady09

Ive noticed that anyone posting positive stuff about AOC can pretty much attack anyone they wish - break the rules and not be actioned on for it. 

Ive also noticed that people posting the truth about the quality level to be found in AOC is pretty much a target for the slightest rule infraction and eventually banned.

 

Its how it is.... Nice to be a fanboi, was that your point?

This is the most ironic post I have ever seen, and from my observations, completely the opposite. If you can't tell, people defending this game are certainly outnumbered by those that hate it; and in more cases than none, haters of this game are far, FAR more agressive and personal (why people get personal within a video game forum is just downright pathetic if you ask me) in their attacks. If what you say was the case, their certainly wouldn't be as much horrid publicity spread about this game on this site, whether it is deserving of it (the "truth" you speak of) or not. That should be evidence enough that people wanting to see the game die are gaining some sort of ground... which in a way is rather sad in and among itself, as none of what this has any impact whatsoever on this game's success. It's all simply become personal attacks on people over whether or not they are an optimist or pessimist for the game's survival. The forums on these sites have basically lost all grounds on having logical discussion and a believable spread of valid information, which is basically all a forum is for.

What amazes me more than anything is that the reasons people hate this game such as false advertisement, lack of fulfillment of promises, etc., is being regurgitated in a new essense by those same trolls. Changing sentences, giving false data in hopes of spreading untrue info of the game, filling unspoken words into people's mouths. Am I the only one who sees the irony?

Basically, the only thing we have that we can use to make an honest guess on game size in terms of space on your computer is the engine they are using. We have no idea yet about space exploration, their combat system, the planets and how much detail they'll have, how much exploration we will have (hell, we don't even know whether it is free-ranging or instanced yet), if voice acting will be used, etc.

I'm guessing anywhere from 15 gigs to 40 gigs... as I said, it's pretty much impossible to make any logical hypothesis on size. More then anything they are guesses. If I was to GUESS... it'd be 30 gigs if anyone wants to place bets

Originally posted by colonnelli71

Is the game worth buying? I will lay out the money if the game is going somewhere. Id hate to join a game that is about to die in a few months to a year. All games die out but does this game have a real future? Im not talking about killing WoW, just a fun moderate future?

FC has been given enough funding as it is right now to take the game for at least a year, so even if suddenly within a month it plopped to 10 people playing, they'd still be able to keep it alive for a year. So the game won't be dying within a year, at least not for financial reasons.

My guess is that it more then likely will not die out. Alot of naysayers will say otherwise, but in all honesty... their purpose on these boards is made more than clear in multiple threads. They could probably survive with 50k survivors if they had to, then again, it's a mystery still if they will be able to retain even that after a couple more months. The game is still showing shallow retention rates with little proof of reaching a plateau. I have suspicions that some way or another FC will pull a trick or two up their sleeves to keep the playerbase at a constant pace of where it is now (100k area).

I'm officially hyped for this game. At this point, I wish I didn't know about the release so early because it's going be driving me insane until they release this in late '09 / early '10.

FC mentions in their financial report that they are planning on releasing trials in Q1 '09, so expect something by January or February. By then you should also expect server merges to have taken place.

If you have a way to download the game without paying $3 dollars for the download, I'd honestly suggest trying it now. Not much is going to change in a month or two from now other then a high end area (which you won't be able to see within a trial anyhow) server merges, and DX10. I'd suggest waiting for server merges at least, but in all honesty, you can find one or two servers that have moderately full populations.

Originally posted by Zorvan

Originally posted by Unfinished

Originally posted by AmazingAvery

Straight up question. Why do both of you bother posting here? I mean have a good look at your comments - whats the point?

It's public forum, one not moderated by FunCom, so we can freely discuss the company and the game

Where exactly did I attack?

We talk about the game and the company, you talk about the responders whos views you don't like.

The only friction is from those people that have an agenda against the game and I think it is safe to say both of you have your own points made clear on the subject of the game. Yet you keep coming back for more.

You are making friction  by  saying dismissive and accusitory things about people who reply, instead of just making your case.

Keep spinning my words in a different way, can't change the fact I didn't do what you imply. People are free to post there opinons on the topic title but that is not happening is it..

Forest for the trees ... you didn't used to behave this way Avery, it's taken an ugly turn. Gain a bit of perspective, it seems like things are really getting to you.

If you are gonna stand behind a FunCom podium, you know some folks will be throwing tomatoes. Either learn not to take it personally or hang it up.

 

Unfinished has a valid point, Ben.

You're becoming more and more agitated, and the veils which cover the derogatism and insults are becoming thinner with each passing thread.

In essence, I'm starting to see you taking a position of replying to naysayers and others who attack you and/or your ideas in the same manner in which I myslef do on a regular basis. Trying to cut the jugular while still staying within a hairs breadth of the forum rules.

The difference is I don't have a nice title identifying me as an AoC Correspondent. Anything I say can be brushed away if desired with no ill effects. You, however, are representing a game and its devs, whether you are officially paid for it or not.

The more you get angry and frustrated ( and I understand completely, don't think I don't ), the more you're going to slip down that slope until you're going to have no respect at all given to you regardless of whether you have a legitimate argument or not.

Take a breather, Ben. Post your news items, tidbits of interest, etc. and then leave the thread to the general posters to do with that info as they see fit. If you really feel a need to lash out, make a seperate thread to state your grievances. But when you make a thread as a Correspondent with a news item in your first post, you are making an "official" thread ( if that makes sense ) and any derision from you is going to be highlighted in that fact.

Not attacking you, this has nothing to even do with the topic at hand and I apologise for the small hijack. But it is an honest observation from myself that I hope you will consider.

Peace.

I've been watching this thread continue to slip into disaster, all the while getting a good chuckle from all of this. I don't think you need to apologize for going off-topic nor will I, as this thread has obviously changed subject since a couple pages back.

First of all, I'll ask all of you people the question that AA already asked; where in this thread is he attacking anyone? The majority of you are simply basing your attack off of words that are being filled in his mouth by other posters here. I don't see anywhere in here where he "lashed out", or in complete honesty, in any thread I've read of the guy where he has done so. He has made accusations the same as all of you seem to be making against him, the only difference I can see is that he has factual evidence and he certainly has done so in a mature form. Some of you guys should read his posts, not what others are saying he has said about his posts before judging the guy. I don't know why you guys get so much fun out of provoking him... but I'm getting my daily dosage of laughs from reading all of the drama, that's for sure.

Against FC: This can become very, very bad news if FC continues going down this path. While stock is not an exact estimate of funds within a company, it's still a good use for an estimate. Whether you like or hate FC, this doesn't mean anything but bad news... if it continues down this path.

Defense of FC: People seem to be forgetting that we're in a bear market right now, meaning the market is in a state of selling over buying. FC, along with everyone other companie's stock, is showing downward trend with the rest of the economy and the fact that we are in a state of widespread pessimism. But, soon enough we'll end up in bull market again, and with that, many companies such as FC should be taking a wide slope upward... in FC's case it probably won't increase a huge amount, but it shouldn't be going on a downward slope as it has been currently. AT least for a little while.

Of course, by January we will see another one of these kinds of posts by a fan of this game mentioning FC's stock took a quantum leap... when in all honesty, it's all just thanks to Christmas cheer and bull market. In all honesty, these stock threads really are tiring, bothersome, and if you ask me, meaningless when used in excess. Sure, it's info and debatable info nonetheless. Yet, when people use stock simply for the sake of trolling for the good of this game or just to join in on the hate crowd and have no idea how the market flows, it makes things frivolous.

To be honest, I don't think this game could survive with an item mall. It's in a way the same problem as Tabula Rasa has been in; the funds to maintain it are simply too large. Not to mention, games can't simple switch from one payment method to another, at least not smoothly. It would require major rework within the game; it'd basically not be worth the effort, considering they'd probably benefit over a monthly fee over an item mall anyhow.

Your looking at this as if AoC is severely failing sometime in the near future. While the game could certainly be doing better for themselves, they certainly have enough to maintain it. Hell, they could probably survive with 100k subs, even with an MMO as extensive as this. More or less, I see this game as either surviving or being scrapped from a year from now, not redesigned. An item mall is more than unlikely.

Originally posted by DaveTT

Originally posted by Douhk

Originally posted by Mathos

mostly because of the bug and what not

 

After playing through a buddy pass just last week, I'd say if the only reason you left was because of technical issues it'd be a good time to return. Very stable now if you ask me personally, though, it may be subjective depending on the decency of your computer. Also, you'll still have issues when with a huge amount of people (such as sieging) but other then that you won't be having too much trouble. Much different game in terms of stability when I compare it to launch.

What am I personally waiting for? Basically, I'm waitting for DX10, server merges, the end-game PvP being fully functioning and at it's more "final" stages (in terms of at the point it was meant to be at launch), a good amount more of end-game content, and balancing of classes. The classes now are nowhere near as bad in terms of balance as they seemed to be at launch, but could still use some decent work. I assume this issue in time will be solved along with my other issues no later then 2 to 3 months if they keep up their very good pace. If they do, I may be playing the game again in January or February.

 

Just wait for the next big patch, you will see

Stuff are really happening now !

Yes, stuff are happening

Sorry, childish I know, but I had to say that.

DX10 will most likely be coming before server merges, and more then likely before Christmas. Here's a simple way you can get the clear signal from FC, OP.

Check your email in a week or two from now for a "please come back" email from FC; a month's worth of free play-time. If this is the case you can be sure to make the assumption that what you suggest is exactly what they are thinking. Like every other MMO (like every other anything right now) they would be more then intelligent enough to capitalize on Christmas.

Basically, what numbers they have left after January is a final verification to FC of how severe or insevere of a case they need to make their server merges. As what that shows is basically going to be the consistent playerbase for the game until they release their expansion. Hell, I haven't heard any news of that since four months ago; are they even planning on having an expansion anymore?

Originally posted by Mathos

mostly because of the bug and what not

After playing through a buddy pass just last week, I'd say if the only reason you left was because of technical issues it'd be a good time to return. Very stable now if you ask me personally, though, it may be subjective depending on the decency of your computer. Also, you'll still have issues when with a huge amount of people (such as sieging) but other then that you won't be having too much trouble. Much different game in terms of stability when I compare it to launch.

What am I personally waiting for? Basically, I'm waitting for DX10, server merges, the end-game PvP being fully functioning and at it's more "final" stages (in terms of at the point it was meant to be at launch), a good amount more of end-game content, and balancing of classes. The classes now are nowhere near as bad in terms of balance as they seemed to be at launch, but could still use some decent work. I assume this issue in time will be solved along with my other issues no later then 2 to 3 months if they keep up their very good pace. If they do, I may be playing the game again in January or February.

Originally posted by Tarka

Originally posted by Scaredgirl

Originally posted by Tarka

Financial pressure from investors is probably THE biggest influence that was exerted on getting AOC launched.  The same happened with other games.  That's Life.  Sometimes there just is no other choice.

So, when that happens all the devs can do is hope to whichever diety they pray to, that there is enough time, money and resources available to pick up the pieces after launch and polish the game as quickly as possible.  And just like WoW, FC's devs have the chance of doing that.  Only time will tell.  It's pointless clinging to the past, pointing fingers, placing blame and therefore writing off a product that has yet a chance to live.

Only doomsayers, scaremongers and the stubborn who refuse to admit they could be wrong do that.

 

You can't blame the investors. They were told AoC would be launched, what.. 2006? What would you do if it was your money? Keep paying them delay after delay? Of course they want some return to their investment.

Number one reason for AoC early launch was BAD PROJECT MANAGEMENT. It is because of bad project management that investors pressured FC and we got that unfinished pile of crap. This is a problem with not only FC but with 99% of MMO developers out there. They are inexperienced and are too optimistic about how fast they get things done. That's why we always have delay after delay.

The golden rule of project management is to estimate how long something is going to take and then double that time.

I'm sorry but to completely exonerate investors of any blame is a little naive to say the least.  Yes, they want a return on their investment.  But no, they don't always listen to reason and want it sooner than you could achieve.  Ever had a boss who didn't have a clue what YOU did and HOW you did it but nevertheless made inaccurate deadlines for you to meet, no matter how many times you told him/her that it couldn't be done in that timescale?

Sometimes you don't have the luxury of doubling any estimates.  Sometimes its a case of "Get it done now or you're out of a job tomorrow" attitude.  Which is a wrong attitude to have, but it exists all the same.

As I mentioned before, I think it's a little bit of many reasons. The investors are a part of the blame (a major reason), but I wouldn't count it as the most likely top reason they decided upon keeping their date. You are right, with all people, investors become impatient. However, you do have to put some blame on FC for poor knowledge of progress and information on releases, numbers, and the etc. Hell, their financial report hickups that have been going on more then twice are enough of an example. If I was an investor and false numbers were being thrown all over the place on release dates, finance reports, progress updates, and the likewise, I'd be getting worried and impatient. Overall, not just for how they treated their money, I'd put blame on poor management as the top reason as well. And I don't mean to say this as a pessimist, but someone that has been thoroughly viewing the history of this game since pre-launch to now and most likely until it's downfall (whenever that may be, a year from now or a decade from now).

Originally posted by CobraSolidus

Originally posted by Douhk

Originally posted by Scaredgirl

Originally posted by Douhk

There's basically only a few reasons why they figured it would be best to release early: 1.) Financing issues such as running out of development funds and pressure from financers, 2.) Playerbase rage as a result of the pushback, 3.) Poor planning / management, 4.) Dependance on box sales, 5.) Their marketting endeavours would be enough to cover it up a little.

Those are the main reasons I can think of as to why they released the game unfinished, a little of all I think made that decision.

 

Also positive feedback from beta must have been one of the reason why they felt they could launch an unfinished game. What they failed to realize was that in beta there are 100 times more "fanbois" than in general public.

Age of Conan is one of the biggest "what if.." -mysteries in MMO world. What if they had launched in January 2009? AoC could have been huge. Now it's doomed to being an average niche game.

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