SO! What MMO's are you all playing?

[Sheytan]

Curious, I gave up on DAOC, WOW, and finally Warhammer. Is there anything good you folks are playing currently? I plan on buying a Alienware rig in the next month or two and need some MMO suggestions.

Merry Christmas!

[ilovestrategy]

It really depends on taste. What is good for you may not be good for me. For example I have been playing Lord of the Rings for over 3 1/2 years and LOVE it! Some folks don't like it because it does not emphasize magic and it not a flashy game. It's also PvE based, very little PvP.  If you're a die hard pvper you will not enjoy it. 

[mllange]

I'm curious what you like about LotR that keeps you in the game after that length of time. Care to elaborate a bit?

[Sheytan]

Played LOTR. It didnt ring a bell for me. It was a tailor made canvas for RVR/PVP. It had...monster bash...I admit what little pvp that aspect presented was fun, but the game was a huge disappointment to me.

Appreciate the comments though.

ORIGINAL: ilovestrategy

It really depends on taste. What is good for you may not be good for me. For example I have been playing Lord of the Rings for over 3 1/2 years and LOVE it! Some folks don't like it because it does not emphasize magic and it not a flashy game. It's also PvE based, very little PvP.  If you're a die hard pvper you will not enjoy it. 

[Fallschirmjager]

WOW is the only one I have found that is worth reinstalling and playing. The game has been balanced to a razer's edge and you can solo, raid, have small parties or PVP. The game has enough variety and areas that you can do any of those and have fun doing it. The game also has enough of a population to support the game and enough new content to keep it interesting. And all the small touches like weekend fishing tournaments and holidays make it a cut above.

The only other MMO I found worthy was Eve Online but it was damn near impossible to a new player to have any chance. Also 90% of the players are European and thus 5-7 hours ahead and I found it hard to find groups that spoke English. It is not very newbie friendly either.
Every question or concern I had about WOW was answered by a game master. In Eve I found it hard to even find game masters.
Eve is a game I would probably love if I had the time and I curse myself that I didn't find it about four years ago. The longer the play definitely the more advantage you have.

The only other MMO I am interested in is The Old Republic. But MMOs are things that you can never know about ahead of time. And they have a very low success rate. For every successful one (WOW, EVE, LOTR) there are five disasters. FF 14, Star Wars Galaxies (shudder), AION, Dungeons and Dragons Online, Guild Wars etc

And then there are those who are average to above average but because they are MMOs they are not worth the time investment or the money. Everquest 2 for instance. MMOs are such that unless you are retired or a super hardcore you can't play 2-3 at a time. WOW keeps me busy enough and requires a 8-12 hour investment a week if you are in a guild.

Finally, Alienware is a nice system but pretty unnecessary for a MMO. Most of them are not exactly pushing the cutting edge of hardware. They have to be designed for the mid-range to low end systems to maximize potential subscribers. You could probably get a system at half the price that would run it just as well.

[Hertston]

ORIGINAL: Sheytan

Is there anything good you folks are playing currently?

At the moment, none, although I'm toying with the idea of getting 'Fallen Earth' in the Steam sale as that seems to have features that could distinguish it from the crowd. The only MMO I've ever played for more than a month or two before getting bored is EVE, which is a great game but just demands more time than I have.

Pity 'Jumpgate Evolution' seems to be vapourware; that looked rather fun.

[ilovestrategy]

ORIGINAL: nim8or

I'm curious what you like about LotR that keeps you in the game after that length of time. Care to elaborate a bit?

Lot's of things. The game looks beautiful even on my 3 year old machine. It's a PvE based game and I hate PvP with a passion.

The setting is faithful to the books, the devs really paid attention to detail. Even after all these years of playing I still stop and look at the scenery.

Fast load times.


Older fan base, like here with Matrix. World of Warcraft was a cesspool of humanity in my opinion.

But it's not for everyone. If you're not a Tolkien freak like I am you are not gonna like it.

I played WoW for 2 1/2 years until LOTRO came out. I went back for 2 months but it did not hold my interest. I like the slower pace of LOTRO and the smaller fan base. With WoW I felt like I was in New York City.

[mllange]

Much appreciated. I played LotR for a few months taking several characters into the 30's but lost my enthusiasm at that point. I think about picking it up again from time to time and wanted to understand better what keeps people involved in a game like this for years at a time.

[Anthropoid]

Interesting discussion guys. Just based on watching it be played a bit, I too had sort of got that "Grand Central Station" sense about WoW.

What is Warhammer like? Does it do justice to the RPG, or is it based on the miniatures/battles version?

[PipFromSlitherine]

You have to give WoW massive kudos for the fact as stated that you can pretty much do any number of things depending on your mood, fishing, achievements, questing, dungeons. Yes, they may have messed with Paladins so much they they really must be doing it for kicks now, but it's still streets ahead of anything else IMO. I am looking forward to TOR though. Have been dipping in and out of LoTR but not gotten really bitten by it as yet.

Cheers

Pip

[Jeffrey H.]

Last stop on the MMO line for me was WWIIOL. Nothing has really interested me since.

[ilovestrategy]

ORIGINAL: Anthropoid

Interesting discussion guys. Just based on watching it be played a bit, I too had sort of got that "Grand Central Station" sense about WoW.

What is Warhammer like? Does it do justice to the RPG, or is it based on the miniatures/battles version?

I'm not sure. I never tried it because I'm not really a pvper. Sorry!

[Andy Mac]

I used to play DAOC a lot but gave it up a few years ago hated the TOA time sink

[Sheytan]

Played WOW for years, wouldnt consider going back. Tried Eve, as you said its hard to get going. Didnt have the heart for it.

Regarding the Alienware rig ive wanted one for years, and now have a chance to buy it. Regarding Upcoming MMO's I think Guildwars2 looks really REALLY nice. I am conflicted about anything else as they dont seem to ring bells for me, a Fallout online would be nice! Oh the Warhammer 40k MMO is something id consider as well, but its some time down the road.

Anything else upcoming you all are watching? And why?

ORIGINAL: Fallschirmjager

WOW is the only one I have found that is worth reinstalling and playing. The game has been balanced to a razer's edge and you can solo, raid, have small parties or PVP. The game has enough variety and areas that you can do any of those and have fun doing it. The game also has enough of a population to support the game and enough new content to keep it interesting. And all the small touches like weekend fishing tournaments and holidays make it a cut above.

The only other MMO I found worthy was Eve Online but it was damn near impossible to a new player to have any chance. Also 90% of the players are European and thus 5-7 hours ahead and I found it hard to find groups that spoke English. It is not very newbie friendly either.
Every question or concern I had about WOW was answered by a game master. In Eve I found it hard to even find game masters.
Eve is a game I would probably love if I had the time and I curse myself that I didn't find it about four years ago. The longer the play definitely the more advantage you have.

The only other MMO I am interested in is The Old Republic. But MMOs are things that you can never know about ahead of time. And they have a very low success rate. For every successful one (WOW, EVE, LOTR) there are five disasters. FF 14, Star Wars Galaxies (shudder), AION, Dungeons and Dragons Online, Guild Wars etc

And then there are those who are average to above average but because they are MMOs they are not worth the time investment or the money. Everquest 2 for instance. MMOs are such that unless you are retired or a super hardcore you can't play 2-3 at a time. WOW keeps me busy enough and requires a 8-12 hour investment a week if you are in a guild.

Finally, Alienware is a nice system but pretty unnecessary for a MMO. Most of them are not exactly pushing the cutting edge of hardware. They have to be designed for the mid-range to low end systems to maximize potential subscribers. You could probably get a system at half the price that would run it just as well.

[Sheytan]

I will check out the info on Fallen Earth, thanks!

ORIGINAL: Hertston

ORIGINAL: Sheytan

Is there anything good you folks are playing currently?

At the moment, none, although I'm toying with the idea of getting 'Fallen Earth' in the Steam sale as that seems to have features that could distinguish it from the crowd. The only MMO I've ever played for more than a month or two before getting bored is EVE, which is a great game but just demands more time than I have.

Pity 'Jumpgate Evolution' seems to be vapourware; that looked rather fun.

[Sheytan]

The IP was warped a bit to make it "fit" Mythics design plan. In my opinion it fell very very short of the IP potential. The game ultimately devolved into a big carrot race to get specific gear. The PVP zones are like pools in areas, meaning you can go in and PVP, and run out to safety.

The last straw for me was the chase the keep circle jerk back and forth. Zergs would aviod each other to simply take keeps for the loots.

I will adimit it was fun for awhile.

ORIGINAL: Anthropoid

Interesting discussion guys. Just based on watching it be played a bit, I too had sort of got that "Grand Central Station" sense about WoW.

What is Warhammer like? Does it do justice to the RPG, or is it based on the miniatures/battles version?

[Sheytan]

DAOC will always be ny favorite from the MMOs ive played. I agree that TOA killed the game. It invented some very very huge timesinks and the gear completely unbalanced the game. I wish Mythic had simply done a DAOC2 staying true to the original canvas with the utility Shrouded Isle introducted, spellcrafting and alchemy etc. That was the perfect game in a snapshot at that time.

Oh and no buff bots please in DAOC2! Course it will never be made but one can dream.

ORIGINAL: Andy Mac

I used to play DAOC a lot but gave it up a few years ago hated the TOA time sink

[Jevhaddah]

Everquest 1 is my favourite MMPORG, I played it for years n years and had a great guild.

Played EQ2 but it did not grab me like EQ1 did.

WoW is fine, I played it for 2 years and have level 80 hunter, there were just too many idiots constantly bombarding me for duels. Then the catch 22 situation of 'If yoo want to raid the dungeons yoo MUST have the gear... but to get the gear the yoo must raid the dungeons....[:D] put me off.

Eve was just too boring, if yoo are not into uber PvP then forget it.

I may have another look at EQ1 after the holidays, the graphics may be crap but it's the MMPORG I have had most fun with.

Cheers

Jev

[Fallschirmjager]

ORIGINAL: Sheytan

Played WOW for years, wouldnt consider going back. Tried Eve, as you said its hard to get going. Didnt have the heart for it.

Regarding the Alienware rig ive wanted one for years, and now have a chance to buy it. Regarding Upcoming MMO's I think Guildwars2 looks really REALLY nice. I am conflicted about anything else as they dont seem to ring bells for me, a Fallout online would be nice! Oh the Warhammer 40k MMO is something id consider as well, but its some time down the road.

Anything else upcoming you all are watching? And why?

ORIGINAL: Fallschirmjager

WOW is the only one I have found that is worth reinstalling and playing. The game has been balanced to a razer's edge and you can solo, raid, have small parties or PVP. The game has enough variety and areas that you can do any of those and have fun doing it. The game also has enough of a population to support the game and enough new content to keep it interesting. And all the small touches like weekend fishing tournaments and holidays make it a cut above.

The only other MMO I found worthy was Eve Online but it was damn near impossible to a new player to have any chance. Also 90% of the players are European and thus 5-7 hours ahead and I found it hard to find groups that spoke English. It is not very newbie friendly either.
Every question or concern I had about WOW was answered by a game master. In Eve I found it hard to even find game masters.
Eve is a game I would probably love if I had the time and I curse myself that I didn't find it about four years ago. The longer the play definitely the more advantage you have.

The only other MMO I am interested in is The Old Republic. But MMOs are things that you can never know about ahead of time. And they have a very low success rate. For every successful one (WOW, EVE, LOTR) there are five disasters. FF 14, Star Wars Galaxies (shudder), AION, Dungeons and Dragons Online, Guild Wars etc

And then there are those who are average to above average but because they are MMOs they are not worth the time investment or the money. Everquest 2 for instance. MMOs are such that unless you are retired or a super hardcore you can't play 2-3 at a time. WOW keeps me busy enough and requires a 8-12 hour investment a week if you are in a guild.

Finally, Alienware is a nice system but pretty unnecessary for a MMO. Most of them are not exactly pushing the cutting edge of hardware. They have to be designed for the mid-range to low end systems to maximize potential subscribers. You could probably get a system at half the price that would run it just as well.

A Warhammer 40k MMO would be awesome. But it would have to be heavy PvP or it just would not make sense. PvE in the 40k Universe would not make much sense.

There is indeed a Fallout MMO in the works that has been in development for some time. The game is not vapourware. The problem has been that development has started and stopped a half dozen times and changed developers. It seems that there is a question over who truely owns the Fallout license. The ashes of what is left of Interplay is making the MMO and claims they still own the IP. They claim that Bethesda can use the name and universe but only in a limited capacity.
Bethesda claims they own the IP and want to have the MMO canceled.

I have read the agreement and originally Bethesda in 2004 bought the rights for 3 RPG games and then in 2007 right before FO3 was released they purchased the entire license with Interplay retaining the rights to make an MMO.

Now the tricky part comes from Interplay agreeing to transfer right to a FO MMO to Bethesda UNLESS development begins within 24 months.
Interplay claims development has strated and Bethesda claims that they have been intentionally hiding the progress as well as providing misleading or downright false information.

I know you probably did not want all that. But this kind of stuff interests me.
Anyways, it would be awesome to see it happen but at this point it is in legal hell. What I wish would happen is Interplay drop their lawsuit and settle it by selling what they have over to Bethesda. Bethesda would then use their much more numerous resources to develop the MMO.
If Interplay develops it I think it has about a 25% chance of ever seeing a store shelf and a 10% chance of being worth playing.
If Bethesda took over I think those chances go up significantly.


The only other MMO I have my eye on is the Old Republic. A Star Wars MMO by Bioware who is a very talented developer.
They did the Baldurs Gate, Icewind Dale games. They make the Mass Effect Games, they made Dragon Age and also Knights of the Old Republic.
They are a very talented developer.

[Sheytan]

I hear OR is going to be theme park though. I hope thats not the case. Thanks for the info on the Fallout game. Heres to hoping.