Hi all,
Tyres - AC has seen a number of changes over recent years, and levelling is no longer the grind that it used to be at lower levels. It’s now possible to attain level 100 within 4 days if you know where to hunt, and are prepared to put in the time.
You're correct in stating that Dereth is huge, and this can be daunting to new players, however this instance / zone free environment is one of this things which made Asherons call such an immersive experience for many, and the good news is that there are now a number of improved third party applications which make navigating Dereth a much simpler / quicker proposition!
Of course, having been around for such a long time, there are also numerous on line resources to help you find any elusive portal you might be seeking!
We can only guess what the future might be for AC1, but there is no doubt that for those who are willing to 'overlook' its graphical failings, AC1 does deliver where some of the better looking titles flounder, namely content and game play. Its why so many people played for so long, why even those that have left hold fond memories, and why some of us remain.
Personally I expected Turbine to switch of AC several years ago; that they haven’t, and that that they continue to expand the platform, makes make think that perhaps they do have plans for development of the franchise (AC3).
Regardless this update sees some very interesting new content which I'll enjoy checking out!