I signed into my AoC trial today and had a pleasant surprise. While I was running around Tortage slaying pirates to get fish for some fat guy, a GM messaged me. He said he saw I was new, and asked if I had any questions for him. I was kind of dumbfounded, since when do GMs message you 'just to talk'? I said everything was going alright, and he thanked me and told me about how to get into contact with him if I ever had a question, and he formally welcomed me to the game.

It was a very nice experience, but it was very telling of how the population of the game is. With GMs assigned to 'meet and greet the new kids,' I can't imagine this game is going too well.

It's truly a shame, because I'm having fun with the trial, and I don't think this game deserves to die so early on. I think it's a well put together game with a cool combat system to boot.

Then again, I hear the tutorial zone is the best part of the game.

 nha it was like that when i played aoc from start we just tended to ignore it because then the messenging thing was full of spam from various stuff.they got nice feature most of ex aoc player tend to forget but were there ,thats one of those ,aoc had dx10 at lunch they disabled it later ,maybe its reactivated now 

Originally posted by Czargio

I signed into my AoC trial today and had a pleasant surprise. While I was running around Tortage slaying pirates to get fish for some fat guy, a GM messaged me. He said he saw I was new, and asked if I had any questions for him. I was kind of dumbfounded, since when do GMs message you 'just to talk'? I said everything was going alright, and he thanked me and told me about how to get into contact with him if I ever had a question, and he formally welcomed me to the game.

It was a very nice experience, but it was very telling of how the population of the game is. With GMs assigned to 'meet and greet the new kids,' I can't imagine this game is going too well.

It's truly a shame, because I'm having fun with the trial, and I don't think this game deserves to die so early on. I think it's a well put together game with a cool combat system to boot.

Then again, I hear the tutorial zone is the best part of the game.

When you only have a few new players GM's have the time to introduce themselves to each one...

 They have a dx10 test mode, but it kills my framerate for minimum improvement, so I just stick with dx9.

WTf are you guys talking about. I just stoped playing AOC , not becuase it sucked but just because i have my reasons to. The game has dx10 and it doesnt kill frame rate at all(ppl get better pcs) also tortage is by far the most borring part of the game.The game gets better at higher levels just like all MMOS do. Also the population was boiling when I was playing and I am sure it just grew bigger since i was absent for over 2 month. I started to play EVE but AOC is a very good game and its way better then most of the shit on the market, like WOW, AION(even though i played this one too )

Originally posted by bambook

WTf are you guys talking about. I just stoped playing AOC , not becuase it sucked but just because i have my reasons to. The game has dx10 and it doesnt kill frame rate at all(ppl get better pcs) also tortage is by far the most borring part of the game.The game gets better at higher levels just like all MMOS do. Also the population was boiling when I was playing and I am sure it just grew bigger since i was absent for over 2 month. I started to play EVE but AOC is a very good game and its way better then most of the shit on the market, like WOW, AION(even though i played this one too )

So why did you leave?

Originally posted by Czargio

I signed into my AoC trial today and had a pleasant surprise...

...Then again, I hear the tutorial zone is the best part of the game.

Yes, I've also seen a lot of posts by players that praise the Tortage experience. It's a nice intro to the game, but I definitely prefer the post 20 part. It's after Tortage the world opens up and you get to interact with more players and see more of the beautifully made Hyboria.

 I kind of miss Age of Conan, havent played in a year or so.

Tortage really gets old at least on your 3rd play through. After that I had to wait until newly release Ymir's Pass to bring some enjoyable moments in leveling. Still I'd say say that leveling in AoC is the best part by far. Too bad that the end-game and pvp are so very borked.

The leveling alone is worth the trial or even a $5 full game though. Decide what you think after that!

Originally posted by Rawiz

Tortage really gets old at least on your 3rd play through. After that I had to wait until newly release Ymir's Pass to bring some enjoyable moments in leveling. Still I'd say say that leveling in AoC is the best part by far. Too bad that the end-game and pvp are so very borked.

The leveling alone is worth the trial or even a $5 full game though. Decide what you think after that!

/agreed (though I enjoy the end-game raiding). I've played Tortage more times than I care to mention. It is really well done, but after the fifth or sixth time.. Here's hoping for a unique staring area for each class :)

Originally posted by bambook

WTf are you guys talking about. I just stoped playing AOC , not becuase it sucked but just because i have my reasons to. The game has dx10 and it doesnt kill frame rate at all(ppl get better pcs) also tortage is by far the most borring part of the game.The game gets better at higher levels just like all MMOS do. Also the population was boiling when I was playing and I am sure it just grew bigger since i was absent for over 2 month. I started to play EVE but AOC is a very good game and its way better then most of the shit on the market, like WOW, AION(even though i played this one too )

I agree completely, i think aoc runs better for me in dx10 to be honest, it looks a lot better too if you tweak the setting right.

I thought tortage was pretty boring as well.  Later on was much more entertaining, being able to level on one of several maps.  Endgame being the most fun imo.

A lot of people assume its the same game they quit a month after launch.

One big plus for aoc is that fact that it isnt faction based...youll actually be able to converse with the people your killing.  Lets you get to know the server better.

 Well I am glad to hear the endgame is enthralling. So why is it that the game has so few players? Did they all mass exodus because of a poor launch?

Originally posted by Czargio

 Well I am glad to hear the endgame is enthralling. So why is it that the game has so few players? Did they all mass exodus because of a poor launch?

Truth be told of course there was a mass exodus approx 1 year ago, since then things and the issues those people left for are not entirely right in the game but a whole years worth of improvements has happened.

The second part is that your experience is only from 1 server out of the 26 that makes the game.

Originally posted by Czargio

I signed into my AoC trial today and had a pleasant surprise. While I was running around Tortage slaying pirates to get fish for some fat guy, a GM messaged me. He said he saw I was new, and asked if I had any questions for him. I was kind of dumbfounded, since when do GMs message you 'just to talk'? I said everything was going alright, and he thanked me and told me about how to get into contact with him if I ever had a question, and he formally welcomed me to the game.

It was a very nice experience, but it was very telling of how the population of the game is. With GMs assigned to 'meet and greet the new kids,' I can't imagine this game is going too well.

It's truly a shame, because I'm having fun with the trial, and I don't think this game deserves to die so early on. I think it's a well put together game with a cool combat system to boot.

Then again, I hear the tutorial zone is the best part of the game.

Well, GMs are people too and he was probably just bored. With Aion just out I guess there is fewer trials and new players right now than before.

As for Tortage the best part of AoC, that isn't true. AoCs best parts are some dungeons, like Sanctum. The game is a lot more fun with groups than solo and Tortage is mostly solo with a few group places.

Personally I think AoC got a lot better after I hit lvl 35 than before. Other might not agree about that but the classes in AoC works very good in groups ('cept maybe the necro, never liked grouping with them). I still however think AoC is one of those MMOs that needs at least one expansions to be a full MMO, the original game just have to little content compared to most other MMOs.

Tortage is an highlight bcs the Story is never so dense again.

Sure, the good Dungeons and the Raids are coming at higher levels but i would like to have such a good story again in the game.

Maybe the expansion will bring that feeling back...i will try it out.

Yet i play Aion bcs its a must if i want not to leave the people i play over years with.

So far i hate Aion, its boring like hell to me and my hope is that SWTOR will out ASAP...

Then we can take a look on the numbers again and see if Aion stands the test of time, if AoC and War are still alive.

Originally posted by AmazingAvery

Originally posted by Czargio

 Well I am glad to hear the endgame is enthralling. So why is it that the game has so few players? Did they all mass exodus because of a poor launch?

 

Truth be told of course there was a mass exodus approx 1 year ago, since then things and the issues those people left for are not entirely right in the game but a whole years worth of improvements has happened.

The second part is that your experience is only from 1 server out of the 26 that makes the game.

 

I only see 8 servers, 2 of which are oceanic, and all of which consistently have medium population.

Originally posted by Czargio

Originally posted by AmazingAvery

Originally posted by Czargio

 Well I am glad to hear the endgame is enthralling. So why is it that the game has so few players? Did they all mass exodus because of a poor launch?

 

Truth be told of course there was a mass exodus approx 1 year ago, since then things and the issues those people left for are not entirely right in the game but a whole years worth of improvements has happened.

The second part is that your experience is only from 1 server out of the 26 that makes the game.

 

I only see 8 servers, 2 of which are oceanic, and all of which consistently have medium population.

Yep, true, my point is that the game is played globally over 26 servers. They will all say medium population. They will all have differences in population. One server under assuming has few players might not mean every server is. Like I said there was a large exodus from the game about a year ago. Please understand though, there are a great many casual players too. I would also like to add that I have been lucky in that in continously playing population has not effected by ability to play the game on the particular servers I play since launch for the things I do in game.

Originally posted by AmazingAvery

 

Truth be told of course there was a mass exodus approx 1 year ago, since then things and the issues those people left for are not entirely right in the game but a whole years worth of improvements has happened.

The second part is that your experience is only from 1 server out of the 26 that makes the game.

 

the mass exodus actually ended about a year ago. The most dramatic decline was from launch till October. Since then I would say it looks to have leveled out with some small increases around December, the January server merge, free trials, 1.05 and the veteran comeback campaign and 1.05.  Looks to me like Aion has dealt it a pretty severe blow though as it did a lot of games

Anyway back to the OP nice to here that, right now I would say that  Funcom is doing everything on their power right now to retain any players that are there. I have to wonder though if it is too little too late

That is strange. I remember 8+ hour queues for GM's to get back to you. That they're messaging you now indicates either the game has so little problems now that the GM's have nothing to do (laughable) or the population is so low the GM's are overstaffed (probable, but you'd have to think given the financials, the extra GM's would just be fired) or they're so desperate for subs, GM's have been instructed to do PR work during the trial, probably neglecting established players with actual problems just to say 'hi' and offer help to trial players (Bingo)

Originally posted by dhayes68

That is strange. I remember 8+ hour queues for GM's to get back to you. That they're messaging you now indicates either the game has so little problems now that the GM's have nothing to do (laughable) or the population is so low the GM's are overstaffed (probable, but you'd have to think given the financials, the extra GM's would just be fired) or they're so desperate for subs, GM's have been instructed to do PR work during the trial, probably neglecting established players with actual problems just to say 'hi' and offer help to trial players (Bingo)

Whats the matter for taking it for what it is? why does there have to be some negative spin attached?

Never had an issue that wasn't sorted in under a couple hours.

Originally posted by AmazingAvery

Originally posted by dhayes68

That is strange. I remember 8+ hour queues for GM's to get back to you. That they're messaging you now indicates either the game has so little problems now that the GM's have nothing to do (laughable) or the population is so low the GM's are overstaffed (probable, but you'd have to think given the financials, the extra GM's would just be fired) or they're so desperate for subs, GM's have been instructed to do PR work during the trial, probably neglecting established players with actual problems just to say 'hi' and offer help to trial players (Bingo)

 

Whats the matter for taking it for what it is? why does there have to be some negative spin attached?

Never had an issue that wasn't sorted in under a couple hours.

Negative spin? Don' t fool yourself and call it realism.

Every mmorpg.com member knows that Funcom believes in agressive PR campaigns and there is a very big budget available for it. It is most likely that welcoming new players into the game is part of the new PR minded GM tasks.

Just like the warm and 'honest' smile of the lovely shopkeeper welcoming you into that fancy boutique;

"Hello, sir! How is you daaay! Can I help yooo?!"

*bambi eyes blink*

p.s. the very fact that there is an official 'AOC advocat' posting here is ample evidence of the above.

Or do you work for free?

Originally posted by DarkPony

 

p.s. the very fact that there is an official 'AOC advocat' posting here is ample evidence of the above.

 

Or do you work for free?

It's been said many times he does not get paid by either company for being an advocate, nor any type of free accounts.

There is also many advocates on these boards. I had a question answered by the mmorpg.com WoW advocate when I had a question about the game. Not a job I would want, since everyone is out to get them it seems, but if you got questions about the game they are most helpful.

Originally posted by DarkPony

Originally posted by AmazingAvery

Originally posted by dhayes68

That is strange. I remember 8+ hour queues for GM's to get back to you. That they're messaging you now indicates either the game has so little problems now that the GM's have nothing to do (laughable) or the population is so low the GM's are overstaffed (probable, but you'd have to think given the financials, the extra GM's would just be fired) or they're so desperate for subs, GM's have been instructed to do PR work during the trial, probably neglecting established players with actual problems just to say 'hi' and offer help to trial players (Bingo)

 

Whats the matter for taking it for what it is? why does there have to be some negative spin attached?

Never had an issue that wasn't sorted in under a couple hours.

Negative spin? Don' t fool yourself and call it realism.

Every mmorpg.com member knows that Funcom believes in agressive PR campaigns and there is a very big budget available for it. It is most likely that welcoming new players into the game is part of the new PR minded GM tasks.

Just like the warm and 'honest' smile of the lovely shopkeeper welcoming you into that fancy boutique;

"Hello, sir! How is you daaay! Can I help yooo?!"

*bambi eyes blink*

p.s. the very fact that there is an official 'AOC advocat' posting here is ample evidence of the above.

 

Or do you work for free?

"Most likely" - Like I said why can't take it for what it is? I was posting long before the game came out. My position has nothing to do with this topic. What I will say is that I am confident that more news about the game and experiences good and bad filter through too, and with this in mind, this is something have heard about several times before since launch. It also happens on the test server too when actual employees are on.

Would you rather not get a hello, than have one? and why is it such a big deal? obviously the tie in from being told "hello" to financials and keeping jobs is a bit far fetched... The mindset of some is really rather scary.

Originally posted by AmazingAvery

Originally posted by dhayes68

That is strange. I remember 8+ hour queues for GM's to get back to you. That they're messaging you now indicates either the game has so little problems now that the GM's have nothing to do (laughable) or the population is so low the GM's are overstaffed (probable, but you'd have to think given the financials, the extra GM's would just be fired) or they're so desperate for subs, GM's have been instructed to do PR work during the trial, probably neglecting established players with actual problems just to say 'hi' and offer help to trial players (Bingo)

 

Whats the matter for taking it for what it is? why does there have to be some negative spin attached?

Never had an issue that wasn't sorted in under a couple hours.

Cause its FC. D'uh! A lot of people have been suckered by taking FC for what it is. Time and again FC has proven that PR is their primary product.  At this point, you'd be a fool to take whatever FC says or does for what it is.

Not sure if this has been mentioned yet but the GM's on Anarchy Online will also greet new players and ask if they need any help. Anarchy Online being of course Funcom's other MMO.