I registered with the AOC website and saw their FAQ thread over about 100 pages of posts (probably over 1000 posts). The forums there are pretty inactive and I'm not getting answers. I can't spend the next 4 hours researching, so I hope to get a few answers by posting my questions about the game here:

1) Is it FFA PVP? (can I kill people on my own team if I wanted to?)
2) Is there corpse looting (is it 100% corpse looting, or just one random item?)
3) Are there boats I can own/control?
4) Is there housing (can the house be decorated and I can invite friends inside and kill people running past it, like in UO... in other words: NOT instanced?)
5) Are there instances? If so, what parts of the game are instanced?
6) Can I swim? Or do I just stop walking or die when I hit water?
7) Is there a radar/coords for every character, or is it navigation by landmarks?
8) Are there vendors and player-run economy? (Can I own my own vendor and place him in front of my house/store-front?)
9) Are there character classes or can I learn any skill I put my time into? ie-can I change my mind about how I want to play my character in 6 months and start learning other skills, or do I just have to start all over again?
10) Is it level-based, or skill-based? (Will I be cannon-fodder for all the PVP Griefers for the first 2 months I play?)
11) Is this a follow-the-quest grind-fest where I have to find 20 sewer rats and kill them, then find 20 bats and kill them, then 20 dogs, etc?
12) Do creatures spawn and remain in the same location repeatedly? Or do they roam with any kind of AI?
13) Is this game gear-dependant, or can a new player compete? If it's gear-dependant, do I have to group up with 20 random strangers (who are probably drunk, high, adolescents with poor parenting) for pHat l3Wtz?
14) What will be done to stop the farmers, spammers, and Ebayers trying to get you to buy things online everywhere?

Thanks for any answers!

- Phos

I don't know.

The game is in beta so probably people who know the answers to some of these questions can not answer or they will get kicked from beta. 

Also, the game is not released yet so some features may not have been added, will be removed, changed, etc.

Unless you are in beta, you are in the same boat as the rest of us. 

Originally posted by Phos

I registered with the AOC website and saw their FAQ thread over about 100 pages of posts (probably over 1000 posts). The forums there are pretty inactive and I'm not getting answers. I can't spend the next 4 hours researching, so I hope to get a few answers by posting my questions about the game here:

1) Is it FFA PVP? (can I kill people on my own team if I wanted to?)
2) Is there corpse looting (is it 100% corpse looting, or just one random item?)
3) Are there boats I can own/control?
4) Is there housing (can the house be decorated and I can invite friends inside and kill people running past it, like in UO... in other words: NOT instanced?)
5) Are there instances? If so, what parts of the game are instanced?
6) Can I swim? Or do I just stop walking or die when I hit water?
7) Is there a radar/coords for every character, or is it navigation by landmarks?
8) Are there vendors and player-run economy? (Can I own my own vendor and place him in front of my house/store-front?)
9) Are there character classes or can I learn any skill I put my time into? ie-can I change my mind about how I want to play my character in 6 months and start learning other skills, or do I just have to start all over again?
10) Is it level-based, or skill-based? (Will I be cannon-fodder for all the PVP Griefers for the first 2 months I play?)
11) Is this a follow-the-quest grind-fest where I have to find 20 sewer rats and kill them, then find 20 bats and kill them, then 20 dogs, etc?
12) Do creatures spawn and remain in the same location repeatedly? Or do they roam with any kind of AI?
13) Is this game gear-dependant, or can a new player compete? If it's gear-dependant, do I have to group up with 20 random strangers (who are probably drunk, high, adolescents with poor parenting) for pHat l3Wtz?
14) What will be done to stop the farmers, spammers, and Ebayers trying to get you to buy things online everywhere?

Thanks for any answers!

- Phos

I'm going to answer this as best I can, although my knowledge of AoC isn't very extensive. Keep in mind, this game is still in closed beta, the information that the public has is pretty limited.

1) I don't know.

2) I don't know.

3) Not yet, said to be released in future expansions.

4) Not yet, said to be released in future expansions.

5) Yes, raid instances, some PvP instances(CTF?), and I'm guessing there will be regular small group instances too.

6) I'm guessing you can, not positive.

7) I don't know.

8) I don't think so.

9) I believe you will start over again.

10) I don't know =P

11) From what I understand, leveling up is story driven and you will find little to no "go kill 20 boars" type questing.

12) The AI is supposed to be fairly good in AoC.

13) It is supposed to be skill based, and not gear centric, however, gear will make a difference, as it should.

14) I don't think this has been discussed, hopefully GM's will be able to tag farmers so we can just camp them =]

Originally posted by Phos

I registered with the AOC website and saw their FAQ thread over about 100 pages of posts (probably over 1000 posts). The forums there are pretty inactive and I'm not getting answers. I can't spend the next 4 hours researching, so I hope to get a few answers by posting my questions about the game here:

1) Is it FFA PVP? (can I kill people on my own team if I wanted to?)
2) Is there corpse looting (is it 100% corpse looting, or just one random item?)
3) Are there boats I can own/control?
4) Is there housing (can the house be decorated and I can invite friends inside and kill people running past it, like in UO... in other words: NOT instanced?)
5) Are there instances? If so, what parts of the game are instanced?
6) Can I swim? Or do I just stop walking or die when I hit water?
7) Is there a radar/coords for every character, or is it navigation by landmarks?
8) Are there vendors and player-run economy? (Can I own my own vendor and place him in front of my house/store-front?)
9) Are there character classes or can I learn any skill I put my time into? ie-can I change my mind about how I want to play my character in 6 months and start learning other skills, or do I just have to start all over again?
10) Is it level-based, or skill-based? (Will I be cannon-fodder for all the PVP Griefers for the first 2 months I play?)
11) Is this a follow-the-quest grind-fest where I have to find 20 sewer rats and kill them, then find 20 bats and kill them, then 20 dogs, etc?
12) Do creatures spawn and remain in the same location repeatedly? Or do they roam with any kind of AI?
13) Is this game gear-dependant, or can a new player compete? If it's gear-dependant, do I have to group up with 20 random strangers (who are probably drunk, high, adolescents with poor parenting) for pHat l3Wtz?
14) What will be done to stop the farmers, spammers, and Ebayers trying to get you to buy things online everywhere?

Thanks for any answers!

- Phos

Thanks. I almost died laughing reading this..

I don't know if this is sarcasm or genuine questions, but it so touches upon the problem there is with AOC. We have so little information. The devs are putting up smokescreens and their friday updates are hilarious. Text updates rather than videos, screenshots at best.

Though plenty of videos are out, a lot of gameplay issues are not answered, many basic questions like yours. Questions that seem unresolved in the game (they aren't keeping it back to peek our curiousity).

Look at the forums, it is stale. I check daily and nothing, NOTHING goes on. No interesting discussions. Why? People simply have NOTHING, NADA to discuss.

I am 100% sure the game will be delayed. I said so publicly 1-2 weeks before last delay and I shall say it again. Sometime January the delay will be announced. And hopefully it gives FC more time to solve the mess they are in.

Take the combat system for example. Alledgedly not working very well judging the official forums.

I think there is a chance that Norway's biggest entertainment project will be a vanguardesque nightmare. Maybe worse. Once the open BETA starts, if ever, I think there might be mass exodus and outcrys from the very fanbois themselves.

I don't hate AOC, but the more I read up on it, the more closely I follow, the more annoyed I am with FC's handling of it. The PR sucks. They seem to try to sell the game with boobs, lurid things (and I am NO purist and neither easily shocked), stale humour, rather than suspenseful, immersive updates, giving good information about the game. It just doesn't work for me.

I sincerely fear that Hyboria will be one pretty, bugged little world that after 3-5 months will be very, very empty. And I bet you my old bicycle, that the Xbox version will be cancelled. Just mark my words and wait and see.

Draccan

Originally posted by Phos

I registered with the AOC website and saw their FAQ thread over about 100 pages of posts (probably over 1000 posts). The forums there are pretty inactive and I'm not getting answers. I can't spend the next 4 hours researching, so I hope to get a few answers by posting my questions about the game here:

1) Is it FFA PVP? (can I kill people on my own team if I wanted to?)

On a PvP server or RP-PvP server its been said it will be OPEN PvP everywhere except towns/hubs, so there are a few safe spots. Not sure about killing people on your own team yet.

2) Is there corpse looting (is it 100% corpse looting, or just one random item?)

Loot still has to be detirmined, one thing is they want it in, the game has been designed that way. It could be One Item it could be items just from backpack or everything, we dont know yet.

3) Are there boats I can own/control?

In the lore Conan was often involved in travelling by boat, the starting place, 'Tortage' is actually a harbour/port town. They wont be in at launch but might make an appearance at a later date.

4) Is there housing (can the house be decorated and I can invite friends inside and kill people running past it, like in UO... in other words: NOT instanced?)

Same thing with housing, won't be in at launch but there is a really good chance it will come later.

5) Are there instances? If so, what parts of the game are instanced?

Dungeon's, Some PvP 'mini' games as far as we know.

6) Can I swim? Or do I just stop walking or die when I hit water?

Yes you can swim and climb, this has been confirmed by developers.

7) Is there a radar/coords for every character, or is it navigation by landmarks?

Undetirmined, we shall have to wait and see still

8) Are there vendors and player-run economy? (Can I own my own vendor and place him in front of my house/store-front?)

There are regular vendors around Hyboria, even in PvP area's. Placement and such like is still unknown at this point in time.

9) Are there character classes or can I learn any skill I put my time into? ie-can I change my mind about how I want to play my character in 6 months and start learning other skills, or do I just have to start all over again?

When everyone starts the game they are all the same, at LvL 5 you currently make the decision on whether being a Mage, Priest, Rogue or Soldier (your Archetype's), and then at LvL 20 you choose your class from withn the specified Archetype you chose at LvL 5. The feat system is flexible enough for you to be able to follow different paths. Every character has '3' different feat trees there is One general one for your Archetype and Two for your Class. This allows for some good diversity in this area. You can re-spec though. If you picked say a Priest and 6 months later wanted to be a Soldier you will have to re-roll as they say. Every Class and Archetype has specifics for 'Weapons' for eg. Like Stygians can't be Soldiers, and some priests cant use Polearm Weapons as effectively.

10) Is it level-based, or skill-based? (Will I be cannon-fodder for all the PVP Griefers for the first 2 months I play?)

Level Based. During your play time you can aquire, 80 levels in general PvE game, 20 additional Level for PvP, 5 levels come from being a 'Merc'. Because the game lends itself more to a 'twitch' style play and also offfers NO typical 'Auto Attack' you will find yourself directing your attacks. Many believe this to be more skillfull then spam your keys type play often found in 'Regular' Auto Attack type games.

11) Is this a follow-the-quest grind-fest where I have to find 20 sewer rats and kill them, then find 20 bats and kill them, then 20 dogs, etc?

You wont fint any rat killing in the game or that type of quest. Everyone has a path, and we are expecting more information to be released about the 'Destiny Quest' system, which culmilates in you meeting King Conan. In quests you can do, the NPC's are prone to your behaviour towards them, so if your nasty, they will remember that next time.

12) Do creatures spawn and remain in the same location repeatedly? Or do they roam with any kind of AI?

There is apparently decent A.I for mobs in the game. They are responsive to the surrounding situations and react with mimicing thought and such like we're told. Will have to wait and see, maybe they will do an interview with someone from that area? (Step up Adus!)

13) Is this game gear-dependant, or can a new player compete? If it's gear-dependant, do I have to group up with 20 random strangers (who are probably drunk, high, adolescents with poor parenting) for pHat l3Wtz?

PvP specific gear if different from PvE specifc gear. The uber sword you got from a raid drop will probably be awesome in PvE but not so much in PvP. Crafting is not Exp based, so you dont feel like its a full time job. You advance in crafting by doing specific quests to get to the next tier, letting you make the next set of stuff say, for example. Anyone  can do they so it does differ from other games where a lvl 80 crafter can only make certain things. In this game you just have to open up the next part done via quests. So gear can be made for PvP or PvE, Weapons, again, can be fitted with gems (socketed) gained from PvE or cut specific (gemcutter path Craft). So it really depends on what type of gear your after at the end of the day, but it has been said if you don't like raiding, you don't have to do it and be gimped for PvP gear.. say.

14) What will be done to stop the farmers, spammers, and Ebayers trying to get you to buy things online everywhere?

If you look at Anarchy Online - Funcoms other mmo, you will notice very little of what you mentioned above, even at the games peak. Also Funcom employ people with knowledge of such activites (botters) who are able to counter attack bad activites - as the company say. Spammers - im sure there will be rules in place there, punishments are unknown yet. Ebayers again will have to wait and see. Overall, the way the company has handled things in their other game should make you at ease in relation to the fact they don't expect it to be a huge problem in this game. They don't deny it wont happen, but they do have good preventative measures in place.

Thanks for any answers!

- Phos

Hey thought i'd add some more in for you ;) but BlueAlien1 is definately hotter than I am.

As for the guy above, it just shows you how far out of touch with the community really is. Nice attempt at answering his questions though Draccan. I find plenty of stimulating conversations on the official forums. And to act like beta is the final game is just immature. Its only your own illusion you think that developement is in a mess, gained from what 3 people's outdated murmur's?

Awe damnit, Avery beat me to it. :P

Another Conan question: Does anyone know of any videos of this game? Not the cut & cropped sales videos on the AOC website, with background music, etc. I want to see a real video of actual gameplay. A vidoe that shows the actual game interface, in-game combat, etc.

The videos on the website are pretty, and I'd be sold if all I wanted to do was ride around on a horse with my interface turned off and enjoy the scenery. But I'd like to see what the real game looks like when it's being PLAYED.

Thanks guys!

(btw - still no answers from anyone on the actual Conan website. Are they avoiding tough questions?)

- Phos

There are some videos from Leipzig and Dragoncon showing CTF PvP Gameplay. But some of the people who were recorded are just random fans walking up to play so are not very skilled. Although, someone may have recorded me for ultimate pwnage :)

I tend to disagree about the lack of information, the biggest issue is peoples laziness or inability to find information. The reason that now discussion seems to be less productive is so many things are rehash.

Dig up my introduction thread on these forums, or read the "Athelan the Oracle of Oslo" thread which is stickied on the official forums and still receiving frequent replies of thanks.

Anyone who thinks we dont share information as much as we can is either so jaded or self centered that they just want their own personal certain tidbits of info or just a scrooge.

Originally posted by Phos

Another Conan question: Does anyone know of any videos of this game? Not the cut & cropped sales videos on the AOC website, with background music, etc. I want to see a real video of actual gameplay. A vidoe that shows the actual game interface, in-game combat, etc.

The videos on the website are pretty, and I'd be sold if all I wanted to do was ride around on a horse with my interface turned off and enjoy the scenery. But I'd like to see what the real game looks like when it's being PLAYED.

Thanks guys!

(btw - still no answers from anyone on the actual Conan website. Are they avoiding tough questions?)

- Phos

 

As Athelan said, there's alot of fan taken video's available, some of decent quality are available at www.stage6.com, they take a little while to load, but the quality is alot better then somewhere like Youtube.

---

Originally posted by Athelan
There are some videos from Leipzig and Dragoncon showing CTF PvP Gameplay. But some of the people who were recorded are just random fans walking up to play so are not very skilled. Although, someone may have recorded me for ultimate pwnage :)
 
I tend to disagree about the lack of information, the biggest issue is peoples laziness or inability to find information. The reason that now discussion seems to be less productive is so many things are rehash.
 
Dig up my introduction thread on these forums, or read the "Athelan the Oracle of Oslo" thread which is stickied on the official forums and still receiving frequent replies of thanks.
 
Anyone who thinks we dont share information as much as we can is either so jaded or self centered that they just want their own personal certain tidbits of info or just a scrooge.

---

Okay, I didn't like being called lazy, unable to find information, self-centered, jaded, or a scrooge.

So I went to your site and found your thread in the sea of threads on the site. I read through the extremely long thread and tried to find the answers to my questions. Here's what I was able to determine were the answers to my questions:

1) Is it FFA PVP? No. Friendly fire will not be permitted, even amongst guildmates.
2) Corpse looting? No, there will be something called "Blood Money" but this concept is not really explained on your thread.
3) Are there boats? Unknown. The word "boat" is not mentioned once in your entire thread.
4) Is there housing? Unknown. The word "house" is not mentioned once in your entire thread.
5) Instances? Unclear. Your thread says "It's quite a mix, most major outdoor areas are not instanced or not instanced in the classical sense of the word."
6) Swimming in water? Unknown. The words "water" and "swim" are mentioned once in your entire thread.
7) Navigation by radar or by landmarks? Unknown. This is not specified in your thread.
8) Economy/Vendors? Unknown, the words "Market" "Vendor" and "Economy" aren't mentioned, except in other contexts.
9) Classes? Yes there are specific classes, and you must choose a specific class.
10) Level based or skill based? Level based. In fact, it looks like you have a PVP level system and a PVE level system. You cannot achieve the highest PVP level without first acheiving a high PVE level.
11) Quest-fest or sandbox? Quest-fest. You mention that levelling in AOC will take about as long as in WoW. At one point you avoid a question about whether xp will be restricted to "killing mobs". You mention quests in your thread but don't give many specifics, in fact you avoid specifics by answerign questions about quests by saying "I can't really as I am primarily working with gameplay mechanics and such and this is a very lore/quest related content question."
12) Creature AI, do they roam or are they static? Unknown. This is not talked about at all in your thread.
13) Is the game gear-centric? Unknown. You talk a lot about the ability to use weapons by certain classes, but you don't talk about specific gear or weapons or whether there is 'uber gear' or not. (Other than what crafters can make.)
14) What will be done about farmers/spammers? Unknown. You don't talk about this at all.

Okay, so after doing all that research and reading your extremely helpful response to me in this thread, I only have one thing to say: Thanks for helping me make my decision about whether or not to play AOC. You were very instrumental in that process. Good luck.

- Phos

I have to agree with the OP on this one Athean if your trying to make customers you should at least take on a more professional attitude seeing as he did state he DID NOT have the time to look for whatever reason.

Also I think the name calling was a little out of line for someone in your position rise above man.

And NO your info is NOT abundant I have looked many times for info on the AOC site and find nothing but a migrane. Your site in all honesty does suck IMO. ( and i do think my opinion matters seeing as I am a potential consumer and a Web Dev to boot) so find another slander seeing as I must be lazy too. (If you call looking at your site for two hours at work while bored lazy)

The lack of info on your site and other venus is what has kept me from following this title. Though I look at the WAR site everyday seeing as I know its possible more news could have come out.(hence keeping my interest)

The sadest part about the whole thing is the biggest buzz you guys got was when you announced titty shots in game.

Originally posted by Phos

 

---

Originally posted by Athelan
There are some videos from Leipzig and Dragoncon showing CTF PvP Gameplay. But some of the people who were recorded are just random fans walking up to play so are not very skilled. Although, someone may have recorded me for ultimate pwnage :)
 
I tend to disagree about the lack of information, the biggest issue is peoples laziness or inability to find information. The reason that now discussion seems to be less productive is so many things are rehash.
 
Dig up my introduction thread on these forums, or read the "Athelan the Oracle of Oslo" thread which is stickied on the official forums and still receiving frequent replies of thanks.
 
Anyone who thinks we dont share information as much as we can is either so jaded or self centered that they just want their own personal certain tidbits of info or just a scrooge.

---

 

Okay, I didn't like being called lazy, unable to find information, self-centered, jaded, or a scrooge.

So I went to your site and found your thread in the sea of threads on the site. I read through the extremely long thread and tried to find the answers to my questions. Here's what I was able to determine were the answers to my questions:

1) Is it FFA PVP? No. Friendly fire will not be permitted, even amongst guildmates.
2) Corpse looting? No, there will be something called "Blood Money" but this concept is not really explained on your thread.
3) Are there boats? Unknown. The word "boat" is not mentioned once in your entire thread.
4) Is there housing? Unknown. The word "house" is not mentioned once in your entire thread.
5) Instances? Unclear. Your thread says "It's quite a mix, most major outdoor areas are not instanced or not instanced in the classical sense of the word."
6) Swimming in water? Unknown. The words "water" and "swim" are mentioned once in your entire thread.
7) Navigation by radar or by landmarks? Unknown. This is not specified in your thread.
8) Economy/Vendors? Unknown, the words "Market" "Vendor" and "Economy" aren't mentioned, except in other contexts.
9) Classes? Yes there are specific classes, and you must choose a specific class.
10) Level based or skill based? Level based. In fact, it looks like you have a PVP level system and a PVE level system. You cannot achieve the highest PVP level without first acheiving a high PVE level.
11) Quest-fest or sandbox? Quest-fest. You mention that levelling in AOC will take about as long as in WoW. At one point you avoid a question about whether xp will be restricted to "killing mobs". You mention quests in your thread but don't give many specifics, in fact you avoid specifics by answerign questions about quests by saying "I can't really as I am primarily working with gameplay mechanics and such and this is a very lore/quest related content question."
12) Creature AI, do they roam or are they static? Unknown. This is not talked about at all in your thread.
13) Is the game gear-centric? Unknown. You talk a lot about the ability to use weapons by certain classes, but you don't talk about specific gear or weapons or whether there is 'uber gear' or not. (Other than what crafters can make.)
14) What will be done about farmers/spammers? Unknown. You don't talk about this at all.

Okay, so after doing all that research and reading your extremely helpful response to me in this thread, I only have one thing to say: Thanks for helping me make my decision about whether or not to play AOC. You were very instrumental in that process. Good luck.

- Phos

I agree here,  that was perhaps the most unprofessional post I have ever seen from a dev....I hope this guy isn't part of community relations.

I think you are misunderstanding. I said the general problem people have with finding information is a laziness to be willing to look for it. And I tried to point you to some places where you might find the answers to many of your questions instead of having to look them up individually. I then addressed what you said was a common lack of good discussion on the official forums.

I mean *I* don't even want to go have to dig up all the previous times I have answered all your questions so if I am calling you lazy then I am calling myself lazy too. I am so appreciative when guys like Avery take the time to compile things I have already stated.

We have been working on ways to make it easier to sort of catalogue the different answers. That are from the commonly asked questions because they far exceed what one would find in a normal FAQ.

You also state that there are thousands of posts but it isnt active. I am not being combative here or trying to insult you, merely stating that we have tried very hard to provide information and I can guarantee I have probably answered everyone of those questions in some format at some time already and you could find that answer or discussion but it would take a great deal of effort which you said very specifically in your OP you did not want to spend.

Theres a big difference between us not giving you information, and your not being able to find the information when you want to see it.

Originally posted by Athelan

There are some videos from Leipzig and Dragoncon showing CTF PvP Gameplay. But some of the people who were recorded are just random fans walking up to play so are not very skilled. Although, someone may have recorded me for ultimate pwnage :)

 

I tend to disagree about the lack of information, the biggest issue is peoples laziness or inability to find information. The reason that now discussion seems to be less productive is so many things are rehash.

 

Dig up my introduction thread on these forums, or read the "Athelan the Oracle of Oslo" thread which is stickied on the official forums and still receiving frequent replies of thanks.

 

Anyone who thinks we dont share information as much as we can is either so jaded or self centered that they just want their own personal certain tidbits of info or just a scrooge.

Heh.  Hyboria is going to be a brutal, unforgiving place so I guess he's just playing the part.  Things that will keep the kiddies out:  1) Boobies, 2) dismemberment, 3) Rude employees.

Originally posted by Athelan

I tend to disagree about the lack of information, the biggest issue is peoples laziness or inability to find information. The reason that now discussion seems to be less productive is so many things are rehash.

Anyone who thinks we dont share information as much as we can is either so jaded or self centered that they just want their own personal certain tidbits of info or just a scrooge.

Ok, Athelan.  Two statements in one of your post above are just two examples of why I love to hate you as a developer.  That is how you treat people and answer people's questions on the forums.  You are good people and I enjoyed meeting you in Atlanta, but please...

Why do you have to be so insulting to your fans....

The bottom line is, the Q&A section of Funcom's site totally sucks.  You guys took thousands of questions from the fans and answers to those questions should have been added to the Q&A section.  So please, stop insulting your fan base saying it is OUR fault we don't know how to find information.   We ask and you dodge by saying learn to use the search function. How about your employer post an updated Q&A section based on the thousands of questions asked.  Once Funcom does that, then we'll talk about people being lazy.

Ya, I'm a scrooge because I've been waiting a god damn year for a CRAFTING update to AoC and still have not seen or heard anything since the video on raising a freak'n building.

And you wonder why everyone says all you guys do at funcom is throw smoke and mirrors...

And Avery says I'm so negative... at least I'm not a rude shit to potential customers.

Originally posted by Shannia

 

Originally posted by Athelan

I tend to disagree about the lack of information, the biggest issue is peoples laziness or inability to find information. The reason that now discussion seems to be less productive is so many things are rehash.

Anyone who thinks we dont share information as much as we can is either so jaded or self centered that they just want their own personal certain tidbits of info or just a scrooge.

 

Ok, Athelan.  Two statements in one of your post above are just two examples of why I love to hate you as a developer.  That is how you treat people and answer people's questions on the forums.  You are good people and I enjoyed meeting you in Atlanta, but please...

Why do you have to be so insulting to your fans....

The bottom line is, the Q&A section of Funcom's site totally sucks.  You guys took thousands of questions from the fans and answers to those questions should have been added to the Q&A section.  So please, stop insulting your fan base saying it is OUR fault we don't know how to find information.   We ask and you dodge by saying learn to use the search function. How about your employer post an updated Q&A section based on the thousands of questions asked.  Once Funcom does that, then we'll talk about people being lazy.

Ya, I'm a scrooge because I've been waiting a god damn year for a CRAFTING update to AoC and still have not seen or heard anything since the video on raising a freak'n building.

And you wonder why everyone says all you guys do at funcom is throw smoke and mirrors...

And Avery says I'm so negative... at least I'm not a rude shit to potential customers.

 

Ever since I prototyped on my blog with the QA script I have been harping on and working with the Community team to find a way to achieve the same goal. The big issue being when I was doing it myself there was no check on the information before I was posting it. At least on the forums I can be moderated should it go beyond what they want said. It was ugly, it had no search function, it was not laid out well but it let me answer lots of questions in a fast turn around, which is what I wanted because I want to be able to communicate with you.

That being said we tried the current QA Community/Dev FAQ the issue is that these questions have to be gone through by someone on the community team then sent to me to answer, then back to them to be approved by marketing then finally done through an update.

Yes I want the website updated with a useful FAQ of info that has all the tidbits of information I have said over the years but it's not in my hands and I just keep pushing on it. We are continuing to push on this and find a better way to keep a data repository.

The good news is we are working on hopefully some stuff to improve that, and its a major goal of ours on the community side right now to improve this.

This is taken from the recent survey we did and from the results.

This response is almost entirely due to the efforts of myself and Jayde and the amount of time we have put into the forums. Re-read the two comments that you "love to hate" me for.  I disagree with the lack of information because in many cases it is out there. You use an example of crafting which indeed is one of the areas where very little detailed information has been released, but the topics covered in most of the OP questions have been discussed in great detail. And saying that we don't share any information or the information we share is non-existent when the real issue is that certain information you want is not present are not exactly the same thing.

And the first part of the statement is very true, how many times do people not even bother to search before posting the same question there might be 4 other threads on that might even have one a dev has responded in? The second part of that statement is about the inability to find the information which I have already stated is INDEED a problem we want to improve upon. I had over 2,000 posts answering questions over 6 months ago, so again saying we dont provide information is wrong which is the first part of my statement. the second part is that often people don't search or they simply cant find the information. The latter is of course not their fault and ties into what I said above. And you also have to admit the second part is also true, some people only care about what they want information on and ignore the fact we answered everyone else has best we could.

I don't sit down and think how can I respond to this post to be insulting or what can I do to be a rude shit today because thats not my intention at all. I've always tried to be a straight hip shooter and give you the raw info as i have it along with my opinions. Re-read what  I said and try to think it through again. I can see how you get the "inflection" or tone you do from what  I said but that was not how it was written.

I'd love to tell you about crafting but honestly I don't know much about it still and have not gotten to use it on Beta or test it. As far as buildings, I believe they are still constructed at the location, where city layouts have preplanned grids, which allow for choosing which buildings to build where but not freeform placement. The building itself takes time and resources but does not require standing there during the building process I believe but am not certain.

Originally posted by greymann

 

Originally posted by Athelan

There are some videos from Leipzig and Dragoncon showing CTF PvP Gameplay. But some of the people who were recorded are just random fans walking up to play so are not very skilled. Although, someone may have recorded me for ultimate pwnage :)

 

I tend to disagree about the lack of information, the biggest issue is peoples laziness or inability to find information. The reason that now discussion seems to be less productive is so many things are rehash.

 

Dig up my introduction thread on these forums, or read the "Athelan the Oracle of Oslo" thread which is stickied on the official forums and still receiving frequent replies of thanks.

 

Anyone who thinks we dont share information as much as we can is either so jaded or self centered that they just want their own personal certain tidbits of info or just a scrooge.

 

Heh.  Hyboria is going to be a brutal, unforgiving place so I guess he's just playing the part.  Things that will keep the kiddies out:  1) Boobies, 2) dismemberment, 3) Rude employees.

No that is what will drag every goofy teenager with no RL across western Europe to the game.. boobs isn't = mature. Not in a game. Mature gameplay would attract mature audience. The crowd going guffaw over boobs are hardly mature..

And that is why I love you working on AoC.  YOU care about the project you are working on and the fans.  It shouldn't be just you and Jayde working on Q&As.  You guys code.  I'm sure there is someone in PR that can consolidate this stuff for you or better yet, get Funcom to give myself or Avery (who I recommend by the way, he rocks with finding info) permissions and I'm sure we'd be glad to do that for you.

Sorry if I snapped, I just hate using search tools on forums.

For the record, I love your work.

I tend to agree with you about the boobs thing. Most the mature gamers, like its presence there in addition to everything else but don't look to it as a defining feature. Most people who would, might tend to be younger. But based on our recent survey most people seem to be over 18 anyway and should have ready access to other forms of boobage.