Face of Mankind's Marko Dieckmann pens this new Dev Diary that outlines the general concept of their game in terms of both features and gameplay.

Programming & General (written by Marko Dieckmann)

A few more weeks than usual have passed since our last development update. But we’re still alive and the project is more than alive. It’s making progress and growing. Right on time for the Easter Holidays we took the time to release this new update. Happy Easter!

Let me announce an important thing first. As you have seen, we have basically taken down the Face of Mankind portal. There is just an image and a few links to fan sites. This is because we have to redo most of the site contents and it wouldn’t make much sense to keep it there half-baked and confuse new visitors by letting them register and then not getting anything from it.

For news releases we have chosen MMORPG.COM as our primary official channel. We have had many good specials running with the guys over there in the past. So, you can expect all major news related to FoM to be released on MMORPG.COM.

Read the whole thing here.

 the SS's!!! MUST PLAY!!!

Good, they are adding features to the game that were missing that caused the game to fail.

Good to see FoM finally at MMORPG.  Its also good to see Pegasi as one of the starting colonys!

It's good to hear that the best MMORPG I ever played is taking steps forward again ...
Go marko  !!!

Seekah,

Best Game Ive ever played, can't wait for it to reopen.

Originally posted by britzban

Good, they are adding features to the game that were missing that caused the game to fail.

FoM never really failed..they just ran into a speed bump, and an even bigger 1 when that 1 company decided to drop them >.>. FoM is honest 1 of the best games I'd rather go back to.

WAY TO RUIN THE FUCKING GAME, SKILLS? O LOL NICE ONE MARKO YOU FAIL

I played the beta and it was one of the worse games I ever played.  The only way I'd even think of trying it again is if it went F2P.  How this game stayed open and Ryzom closed I have no idea.

Originally posted by Guintu

I played the beta and it was one of the worse games I ever played.  The only way I'd even think of trying it again is if it went F2P.  How this game stayed open and Ryzom closed I have no idea.

Yes beta was buggy, the majority of those bugs was fixed though..

and ranger I think your over reacting a little bit....

One of my first memories of Face of Mankind was being surrounded by Most Wanted criminals in the factions MotB, BoS, and GoM.  The clans all looked the same and no one could tell them apart.  This brought about the "KILL REDS" government order.  Anyone wearing the color red is to be associated with the Brotherhood and slaughtered on sight for crimes against humanity and the Global Dominion.  A large force of FDC forced its way into the Manhattan market area and attacked us.  Possible to have this experience in a safe zone?  No.

Another memory was my friend was killed by someone named gFk.  He was a mercenary, fully equipped with armor, guns, medkits, and implants.   Yet, he was still able to die to us, two noobs with newly bought guns off the market.  We hunted him down, and we died.   Possible to have any form of chance against this guy if he and his "guild" farm Elementum all day and level their characters?  No.

After that, we attempted to lure a man into the dark corners of the city.  Half way through the tube he realized our promises of riches and free items was false, turned tail, and ran.  He was too close to the public to fire on without causing a ruckus.

The players became more civilized through time, but it still had that freedom.  Once a rank 6, I started numerous wars in Tiergarden.. for freedom..  Assassinated CMG in Brooklyn, surrounded by cops, to get the message across that the Brotherhood wouldn't rest until the war with CMG was over, even if they were hiding behind the government.

This is the only game that I've found to be this free.   This is also the only game that made my hands shake and my heart pump when a fight was on.

Face of Mankind was a unique game based solely on the players.  It had politics, war, peace, criminals, assassinations, arresting, drug dealing, oppression, FREEDOM, and even cyber sex (lol).  Everything was player run, from the faction leadership (for the most part) to the items produced on the market.

This also had a price.  It wasn't a game a lot of people could get into right away.  With few players, it would cease to exist.

So, now Marko is making it into a GENERIC mmorpg in an attempt to salvage what still remains.  A complete U-turn for the whole concept of what I believed FoM was suppose to be.

I have no doubt in my mind that some form of idiot will infest this plague of a game.  Marko and co will be able to feed their families.. until more generic MMORPGS are pumped out in the weeks to come.

Good luck with your guild wars, mindless alien slaughter, and the leveling of your characters.

Sadly, entertainment is stuck in this same rut.  All the movies, tv shows, and games are staying safely in a little circle of success, too afraid of failing when making something new.

I hope like the development blog

- SillDude

Great stuff, cant wait to play FoM again. Some of the best RP and PVP i ever had where in this game.

Garrik

Originally posted by Guintu

I played the beta and it was one of the worse games I ever played.  The only way I'd even think of trying it again is if it went F2P.  How this game stayed open and Ryzom closed I have no idea.

i played beta, was one of the most horrible MMO experiences ever for me. absolutely atrocious. wouldnt go back truthfully they lost any and all credibility in my eyes.

I played Open Beta from Day 1.. Most fun I had in any Beta I tried.

After it went retail it was not so crowded.. But there is not one MMORPG that gave the players so much freedom. Politics and Roleplay were just amazing:D

EraserFemtiFem (GoM)

NemoDahFish (BoS)

Can't wait to play this game again. Oh.. dont forget to add lots of trees.

Originally posted by Zeall

Good to see FoM finally at MMORPG. 

On topic, it's nice that these "pros" finally realized after all these years that a game actually needs content to get people to play. Wonder which one fell out of bed and hit his head to have that friggen epiphany?

Originally posted by Zorvan

 

Originally posted by Zeall

Good to see FoM finally at MMORPG. 

It's been here forever, most people just avoid it.

 

 

On topic, it's nice that these "pros" finally realized after all these years that a game actually needs content to get people to play. Wonder which one fell out of bed and hit his head to have that friggen epiphany?

I meant updating on MMORPG.

What your not seeing is, is that FoM was setup so the players make the content.  By player made missions, a complex economy, and GM/Player hosted goverments.  Don't be so quick to dismiss a game that didn't sterotype a game to be about  NPCs, skills, and quests.  Instead Duplux chose to use the most complex content, other people.  Too many MMORPGs are solo grinds, where you never interact with people.  FoM was a game where you had to interact with other people to survive.

Still no doubt you'll continue to argue contant, because there is no more RPG in MMORPG.

Originally posted by Zeall

 

Originally posted by Zorvan

 

Originally posted by Zeall

Good to see FoM finally at MMORPG. 

It's been here forever, most people just avoid it.

 

 

On topic, it's nice that these "pros" finally realized after all these years that a game actually needs content to get people to play. Wonder which one fell out of bed and hit his head to have that friggen epiphany?

 

I meant updating on MMORPG.

What your not seeing is, is that FoM was setup so the players make the content.  By player made missions, a complex economy, and GM/Player hosted goverments.  Don't be so quick to dismiss a game that didn't sterotype a game to be about  NPCs, skills, and quests.  Instead Duplux chose to use the most complex content, other people.  Too many MMORPGs are solo grinds, where you never interact with people.  FoM was a game where you had to interact with other people to survive.

Still no doubt you'll continue to argue contant, because there is no more RPG in MMORPG.

 

Quote:

"Due to limited resources and time, we were never able to complete one major feature in MMOs, which is known as PvE (Player vs. Environment). This is basically known as “content”. We have often been criticized of lacking content, which is true. We are planning to change this now."

I don't need to argue the point. The games' dev does it well enough on his own.

Originally posted by Zorvan

 

Originally posted by Zeall

 

Originally posted by Zorvan

 

Originally posted by Zeall

Good to see FoM finally at MMORPG. 

It's been here forever, most people just avoid it.

 

 

On topic, it's nice that these "pros" finally realized after all these years that a game actually needs content to get people to play. Wonder which one fell out of bed and hit his head to have that friggen epiphany?

 

I meant updating on MMORPG.

What your not seeing is, is that FoM was setup so the players make the content.  By player made missions, a complex economy, and GM/Player hosted goverments.  Don't be so quick to dismiss a game that didn't sterotype a game to be about  NPCs, skills, and quests.  Instead Duplux chose to use the most complex content, other people.  Too many MMORPGs are solo grinds, where you never interact with people.  FoM was a game where you had to interact with other people to survive.

Still no doubt you'll continue to argue contant, because there is no more RPG in MMORPG.

 

Yes, and we see how thinking you can be lazy and let the players "create their own content" succeeded. It didn't.

 

Quote:

"Due to limited resources and time, we were never able to complete one major feature in MMOs, which is known as PvE (Player vs. Environment). This is basically known as “content”. We have often been criticized of lacking content, which is true. We are planning to change this now."

 

I don't need to argue the point. The games' dev does it well enough on his own.

FoM was a niched game to begin with.  They are just stating they are looking to expand their playerbase by seeking out PvE customers.  Most of the current playerbase which is still active is very distraut over this dev journal and alot threaten to leave because of this catered content.  So what seems to be a good update for you might be bad news for past paying customer.  And face of mankind, a tick based FPS with limited skilling, outdated graphics, and understaffed support.  Might find themselves going from one niche to another.  Which could cause them to Lose past players and kill itself.

I may seem like a disgruntled fanboy player.  But I am seeing almost the exact same thing I saw when Pre-CU swg was taken away. 

Originally posted by Zeall

 

Originally posted by Zorvan

 

Originally posted by Zeall

 

Originally posted by Zorvan

 

Originally posted by Zeall

Good to see FoM finally at MMORPG. 

It's been here forever, most people just avoid it.

 

 

On topic, it's nice that these "pros" finally realized after all these years that a game actually needs content to get people to play. Wonder which one fell out of bed and hit his head to have that friggen epiphany?

 

I meant updating on MMORPG.

What your not seeing is, is that FoM was setup so the players make the content.  By player made missions, a complex economy, and GM/Player hosted goverments.  Don't be so quick to dismiss a game that didn't sterotype a game to be about  NPCs, skills, and quests.  Instead Duplux chose to use the most complex content, other people.  Too many MMORPGs are solo grinds, where you never interact with people.  FoM was a game where you had to interact with other people to survive.

Still no doubt you'll continue to argue contant, because there is no more RPG in MMORPG.

 

Yes, and we see how thinking you can be lazy and let the players "create their own content" succeeded. It didn't.

 

Quote:

"Due to limited resources and time, we were never able to complete one major feature in MMOs, which is known as PvE (Player vs. Environment). This is basically known as “content”. We have often been criticized of lacking content, which is true. We are planning to change this now."

 

I don't need to argue the point. The games' dev does it well enough on his own.

 

FoM was a niched game to begin with.  They are just stating they are looking to expand their playerbase by seeking out PvE customers.  Most of the current playerbase which is still active is very distraut over this dev journal and alot threaten to leave because of this catered content.  So what seems to be a good update for you might be bad news for past paying customer.  And face of mankind, a tick based FPS with limited skilling, outdated graphics, and understaffed support.  Might find themselves going from one niche to another.  Which could cause them to Lose past players and kill itself.

I may seem like a disgruntled fanboy player.  But I am seeing almost the exact same thing I saw when Pre-CU swg was taken away. 

The few people remaining paying and playing weren't enough to even keep the game running. We're not talking about 100k-200k  people being hit with NGE, we're talking about 50-100 ( if that ) being unhappy and leaving to hundreds or thousands coming to play a game with content. Sorry, but if I wanted my game to succeed and can't get more than 100 players subbed in a good month, I'd rather add content that would bring enough people to at least let the game break even.