Funcom had to do something to stop the rot.  Gaute has left and new person takes his place.  That person seems to be hired to be more active on the forums and try to calm down the huge number of unhappy ppl with how things have been handeled so far.   This all happens on the same day as the long awaited PVP patch is launched and it seems Funcom is hoping this will turn things around.

Question is - will this change anything ? 

For my parts.  No - it will not.  The damage has been done.  Alot of unhappy players have left the game and are spreading bad news around.  Secondly the game simply is NOT in any shape or form even at this stage to be worthy of ppls money.  There are so many fundemental basic errors in the MMO ruleset that its almost impossible to turn it around.  

This might save the game from going under atm.  But AOC will never be more than a big example in the history of MMOs how NOT to launch a MMO.  That is good for the genre.  Hope some devs have been taking notes.

Honestly, I have to ask was this your first launch? This definitely isn't the first time this happened , It definitely won't be the last. I'm not going to go into the this game did this or that argument with you. I just found that last sentence to be a tad on the not so experienced level ( I don't mean that as an insult or anything of the sort)

As for your question, I really can't say. I've seen quite a few prasies toward this guy, past and present. SO it does IMO give a glimmer of hope something may improve.It boils down to what exactly he chooses to do, It's probably to late to hope for mass market numbers or anything. However, it's definitely possible the game could be improved upon.

Originally posted by Malickie

Honestly, I have to ask was this your first launch? This definitely isn't the first time this happened , It definitely won't be the last. I'm not going to go into the this game did this or that argument with you. I just found that last sentence to be a tad on the not so experienced level ( I don't mean that as an insult or anything of the sort)

As for your question, I really can't say. I've seen quite a few prasies toward this guy, past and present. SO it does IMO give a glimmer of hope something may improve.It boils down to what exactly he chooses to do, It's probably to late to hope for mass market numbers or anything. However, it's definitely possible the game could be improved upon.

I agree.

The main problem facing Craig is that he's going to have to do ALOT of bugfixing AND get content in ( which he did splendidly with AO when he took over ), but unlike AO AoC needs more than AO did in terms of content being the only thing that can be done to improve the game.

A fr00b program won't work because Fanta commercials playing on Tortage signs won't fly with even the most casual of players in a fantasy game.

He could add a Phasefront-type paid points system for buying special horse mounts and such ( like the AO jetbikes which are all look and no advantage ).

But promising a graphics revamp definitely won't help in AoCs' case, so that's out.

There are things that can be done to make AoC at least the same as AO in terms of a a niche game with a small but loyal playerbase ( which allows the game to sustain itself, but not overly profitable ), but Craig is really going to have to burn the candle at two ends plus the middle to get this done before a total meltdown.

we are also looking at the WAR launch aswell.  Maybe the sub numbers have dropped to extremely low figures so they are taking drastic measures.

I've been around since UO so I know the history.  Its not the first game that launches in bad state - but its the first game in long time where very questionable marketing strategies were considered more important than an actual working game.   I hope the devs have learned from it.

Im very happy in how the gaming comunity has turned agains Funcom and showed them that their method of launching MMOs and how they tread their custimors is simply not acceptable.  This was needed. 

Now - that does not mean that the devs should only listen to the players.  They have to have strong vision on the rulesets and build of the game.  AOC did not have that.  It is still very much broken in terms of balanced combat mecanics, economy, armors and crafting.  Not to mention that the MMO part of the game is in total shamble with worthless player cities and broken and useless PVE raid system.   The PVP system now intreduced does only call for more anti-social behavior instead of getting ppl working together towards comon goals - while at the same time progressing their characters. 

I carry very little respect for AOC.   Its actually quite incredable that a game has been launched that is so utterly broken in terms of basic rulesets for a long term MMO gaming pleasure.  But then ... maybe it never was ment to be ?

I think its only a question of time when AOC will become a free to play game with items you can buy for RL money.  It will go the same route as AO did.  It can never be a huge long term subscribe MMO after what has now happened.

AOC had no hope of surviving since June.  It was only ever a matter of how fast they would get to that 25k-50k level and then how long they could survive as a company with their flagship game on life support.

The absolute only thing this does is give Funcom something else to 'spin' as something great happening to the game.  The PR machine at Funcom will spin this is 'fresh ideas'..  'renewed excitment" etc etc.

Changing anything takes time.  They've lost their chance at having millions of customers but they may yet earn thousands. Wait and see.

Originally posted by Azrile

AOC had no hope of surviving since June.  It was only ever a matter of how fast they would get to that 25k-50k level and then how long they could survive as a company with their flagship game on life support.

The absolute only thing this does is give Funcom something else to 'spin' as something great happening to the game.  The PR machine at Funcom will spin this is 'fresh ideas'..  'renewed excitment" etc etc.

  By most accounts I've read about these two guys, they are as different as night and day. Which says to me there will be fresh ideas brought to the table. Whether that's going to be good or bad is anyones guess.

However, writing this guy off on his first day on the job makes absolutely no sense. If you have no interest in the game, or no desire to ever play it again. That's fine, and your decision to make however your absolutes are nothing but guesses and are in no way absolutes.

The only way anyone can label it as a means for  "renewed excitement" is if players experience such, PR is PR, what do you expect them to do tell everyone "WE SUCK" ?

Originally posted by Malickie

Originally posted by Azrile

AOC had no hope of surviving since June.  It was only ever a matter of how fast they would get to that 25k-50k level and then how long they could survive as a company with their flagship game on life support.

The absolute only thing this does is give Funcom something else to 'spin' as something great happening to the game.  The PR machine at Funcom will spin this is 'fresh ideas'..  'renewed excitment" etc etc.

  By most accounts I've read about these two guys, they are as different as night and day. Which says to me there will be fresh ideas brought to the table. Whether that's going to be good or bad is anyones guess.

However, writing this guy off on his first day on the job makes absolutely no sense. If you have no interest in the game, or no desire to ever play it again. That's fine, and your decision to make however your absolutes are nothing but guesses and are in no way absolutes.

The only way anyone can label it as a means for  "renewed excitement" is if players experience such, PR is PR, what do you expect them to do tell everyone "WE SUCK" ?

You misunderstood me.   From all accounts, this new guy is the right guy for the job.   He probably does have the tools to make AOC a viable and fun game.   But making AOC a 'fun' game at this point is moot.  It's reputation and the timing of all this (with Wraith and Warhammer coming) means there is no way this guy can make this game a financial success nor save Funcom as a company.  This guy can do what he did for AO.. he'll stabilize the game and probably keep most of the current subscribers playing  and happy( the ones that stick around past warhammer), but what i'm saying is this game will never grow significantly.  It will be AO all over again.

This difference between AOC and AO is that  AO survived because it's parent company survived by borrowing against the launch of AOC.   Funcom can't survive as a company with two games on life-support.  There may be some way that both AO and AOC can survive as games, but it will never be with a significant development team.

Originally posted by Azrile

Originally posted by Malickie

Originally posted by Azrile

AOC had no hope of surviving since June.  It was only ever a matter of how fast they would get to that 25k-50k level and then how long they could survive as a company with their flagship game on life support.

The absolute only thing this does is give Funcom something else to 'spin' as something great happening to the game.  The PR machine at Funcom will spin this is 'fresh ideas'..  'renewed excitment" etc etc.

  By most accounts I've read about these two guys, they are as different as night and day. Which says to me there will be fresh ideas brought to the table. Whether that's going to be good or bad is anyones guess.

However, writing this guy off on his first day on the job makes absolutely no sense. If you have no interest in the game, or no desire to ever play it again. That's fine, and your decision to make however your absolutes are nothing but guesses and are in no way absolutes.

The only way anyone can label it as a means for  "renewed excitement" is if players experience such, PR is PR, what do you expect them to do tell everyone "WE SUCK" ?

 

You misunderstood me.   From all accounts, this new guy is the right guy for the job.   He probably does have the tools to make AOC a viable and fun game.   But making AOC a 'fun' game at this point is moot.  It's reputation and the timing of all this (with Wraith and Warhammer coming) means there is no way this guy can make this game a financial success nor save Funcom as a company.  This guy can do what he did for AO.. he'll stabilize the game and probably keep most of the current subscribers playing  and happy( the ones that stick around past warhammer), but what i'm saying is this game will never grow significantly.  It will be AO all over again.

This difference between AOC and AO is that  AO survived because it's parent company survived by borrowing against the launch of AOC.   Funcom can't survive as a company with two games on life-support.  There may be some way that both AO and AOC can survive as games, but it will never be with a significant development team.

Yeah sorry about that, I'm not a morning person :).  I agree, it's about rock bottom for them. They have few options. I'm sure, development will slow down that's a given, whether it be due to restructuring or minimal staff. After the PVP patch and the new dungeons roll out (if they survive that long) you probably won't see to much in the development pipeline for quite some time.

Well - they main point probably is that the diffrence between AO and AOC is the C.

Rest is just the same now 

How many are playing AO now ?  5 K ?

Its a free game right ?  

AO is about 7.5k  It's a free hame supported by advertising and and some item sales. That one makes money. Not a lot but it's enough to support itself and produce some profit.

Originally posted by zymurgeist

AO is about 7.5k  It's a free hame supported by advertising and and some item sales. That one makes money. Not a lot but it's enough to support itself and produce some profit.

So we can pretty much see the future of AOC now.  Items sales is the only way to make this game profitable with the current item system.  Its simply not worth advancing a character in it.  Its pointless.

Originally posted by Hydrakana

we are also looking at the WAR launch aswell.  Maybe the sub numbers have dropped to extremely low figures so they are taking drastic measures.

I know that my guild and two guilds we are allied with have had all members quit AoC and move to Warhammer (100+ members for the 3 guilds).
 

And as for most of us this changes nothing as there is no consideration for us to ever go back to AoC. I personally would quit MMO's all together if AoC was the only one left.

Too little too late, they had almost 5 months head start on WAR and WOTLK, but im afraid they droped the ball and now they are bleeding costumers, Age of Conan is now like a stroke patient, still alive but in a coma, never again standing up, and will probably get it plug pulled next year.

Originally posted by gamer2108

Originally posted by Hydrakana

we are also looking at the WAR launch aswell.  Maybe the sub numbers have dropped to extremely low figures so they are taking drastic measures.

I know that my guild and two guilds we are allied with have had all members quit AoC and move to Warhammer (100+ members for the 3 guilds).
 

And as for most of us this changes nothing as there is no consideration for us to ever go back to AoC. I personally would quit MMO's all together if AoC was the only one left.

Indeed same here. That is one point AoC-fanbois* don't seem to realize is that if Warhammer fails (or WOTLK) they assume people will come right back to AoC. Some will, but my educated guess is most people might just leave MMOs altogether.

*Just to cover my rear here, when I say fanboi I mean those guys who won't admit a single fault with the game and pounces on anyone saying anything negative.

Wraith will not fail, simply because it is more of the same.  If people are paying $15 a month to play WOW, they aren't going to install wraith and say "OMG, this is terrible, I quit".  Its been a long time since most players have leveled up in WOW, so it will at least be 6 months until players possible get bored again.

Warhammer will not fail any time soon.  The game is fundementally sound... it won't have an AOC first month.   I do question it's longevity past 3 months though... the repetitive nature of the tiers makes me think it will get older than AV in a very short amount of time.  WOW has many options at endgame... Warhammer only has Tier 4, which is exactly the same as tier 1 just with higher level toons.

That aside.. AOC and Funcom won't be around to see the 3 month mark of Warhammer or Wraith.

The problem with AoC is not just the rough release, bugs, lies by funcom, boring graphics, and unfinished content: the problem lies at the fact that the game is simply not very good. Even if they would have released the game in a semi-finished state, with few bugs and more content, the game would have still been weak and most likely would have lost just as many customers. A bad game is a bad game, and if AoC had been even halfway decent most, if not all of the players leaving would have stayed around to see if the problems could be fixed.

Originally posted by ackmhed

The problem with AoC is not just the rough release, bugs, lies by funcom, boring graphics, and unfinished content: the problem lies at the fact that the game is simply not very good. Even if they would have released the game in a semi-finished state, with few bugs and more content, the game would have still been weak and most likely would have lost just as many customers. A bad game is a bad game, and if AoC had been even halfway decent most, if not all of the players leaving would have stayed around to see if the problems could be fixed.

I really disagree with your assessment the graphics are great and realistic and are not boring maybe they need to incorporate more armor models but that is about it.  The bugs were annoying but now it is relatively bug free on the stability side and that is only after 4 months which considering the technical hurdles it had to jump this is a great thing!  I think what Funcom did wrong if you could criticize anything was making level 1 to 20 too good and now it was the yardstick that almost nothing could compare to they raised the level and its like if the patriots go 17-2 this year it still wouldnt be good enough and you can see Robert Kraft having to scalp tickets to see Randy Moss in the AFC Championship game it is truly a shame but this will get fixed soon with the expansion no matter what.

if someone can fix the game its Craig, just like he did in AO, but the challenge is enormous, i wish him best of luck and i hope he can make it. aoc will never get 800k subs again but it may get some numbers, the last sub numbers of AO are 12k (paying players) btw.. i hope for craig he can get more subs then that :)

its funny but many ppl on the ao forums are very sad he has to go and are claiming he got degraded by being on aoc now :p shows that they dont like aoc a whole lot hehe..