Yes its the monthly subscribers ($15/ month like most MMOs) which have increased with 40%, then add all the Free player (probably twice as amany as the VIPs) and you have alot of people playing.

Originally posted by Sptn117

To point out something I  notices with the game, the review says you can play a majority of the game without up front costs. I don't know if it was just me, but I was only able to play the first two areas, "The harbour" and "The Marketplace". The Harbour was a good introduction and supplied all the dungeons for getting the gameplay down and pack. But, The Marketplace supplied 5 or 6 dungeons to which was the end of the Free to play game.

Now is this right or did i miss something, because they can hardly claim F2P when 85% to 95% of the game is not free. I mean you can't even finish the campaigns. But I don't know maybe i missed something.

You missed ALOT of content. After the marketplace you have 4 houses where there are alot of free quests. There are free quests up to lvl 12 including a lvl 10 raid. Just go to the marketplace and from there you can enter the other areas for the different houses. I think 1/4 of the quest in the game are free (75 of 300)

I like these Co-op Rpgs. Games like Diablo 1 &2, Guildwars and DDO are really fun to play.

I know most people don't consider game that have Hubs with limited instanced questing/dungeon areas as MMO I still find them a joy to play.

DDO is a fun dungeon crawler with interesting classes,well done combat mechanics and good graphics.

I hope the other Co-rpgs like APB and Global Agenda are just as good.

Originally posted by dhayes68

"But since subscription rates are up 40% since the subscription model change, Dungeons and Dragons Online is definitely getting something right."

To be fair, sub rates in a f2p game are hardly indicative of anything. I activated an account, played, didn't like it, didn't spend a penny, uninstalled.  But I bet I'm part of that 40%.

You should look the definition of subscription up. Subscription means you PAY to play the game. That's what subscribing is. Otherwise you're just a player. He didn't say the population has gone up 40%, he said the SUBSCRIPTION rates has gone up 40%. Big difference.

Originally posted by Silverune

P.S Also everyone rushes through dungeons at later levels so much so that you end up running at full speed just to keep up with them when somethimes I just want to stop and take a breath and look at the scenery!

 

I played back with the game was first released.  I enjoyed it, and would have played it for a while longer no doubt, if it wasn't for the repeatitive nature of the dungeons.  This wasn't even so bad, as the combat and group play was fun, but when it got rushed, and everyone raced through the dungeon, I felt like I was missing something.

Sometimes, I even miss the old days of Everquest when everyone actually was required to sit and rest to get their health back in order to fight again.  It was a time when the social/roleplaying aspect really came into play.  Now, in most games, its full speed ahead killing things, questing, etc.  Especially if there is something that can slow the game down everyonce in a while, I would be happy to try DDO once again.

Can us poor Europeans finally get this F2P change, as well? I can't believe how long it's taking them, whether it's Codemaster's or Turbine's responsibility not to mention we're still paying for the game here in EU.

Originally posted by dhayes68

"But since subscription rates are up 40% since the subscription model change, Dungeons and Dragons Online is definitely getting something right."

To be fair, sub rates in a f2p game are hardly indicative of anything. I activated an account, played, didn't like it, didn't spend a penny, uninstalled.  But I bet I'm part of that 40%.

Steefel did say that the amount of players actually using the service (the shop) was far more than they had anticipated and they consider the move a success.

 The game is good, it is free to play except your gameplay is limited considerably.  Limited character slots, amount of gold you can create what quests are available.  You'll also find that when trying to find a group you'll notice a large number of spots closed to you because you don't have the adventure packs, or the group states "No F2P!"

This is a common attitude amongst the people who've played this game over the last couple years and have the misconception that it makes them somehow better then the new people trying the game.  The other thing someone else touched on that is what they call zerging dungeons.  

You enter and before you know it the group is running off in different directions trying to blast through the instance like its a race.  When asked they reply with they've done it so many times its boring.  Why do it if its boring then ?  Translation, they wanna show off.

The DDO store allows you to buy a wide variety of items which makes you a premium member that provides a few benefits.   You still have to buy certain adventure packs and you get more character slots.  Only thing is you'll more then likely be starting over ALOT because creating your character takes alot of consideration.  You can really mess up and gimp your character if you don't do some research.

If you become a VIP 14.99 a month you get all the content, character slots and the store is still available.  Only thing is you might end up spending more on the store then the subscription... I buy points to get potions so far have spent more then the subscription amount.

THe writer hit it right on the head.  THe Vets of the game have been complaining about the lack of social panel training and the fact that Korthos can be "too easy".  While soloing is possible there and in the harbor, it rapidly disappears around level 7-8 for some classes/players.  THe shock can be really bad, andthe fact some classes actual change roles from soloist to group player confounds most new players. 

As for the friendly aspect of the community.  I am disappointed.  I work hard to help new players for the last few years, and to see a so-so review is disapointing.  ++MUST  WORK  HARDER!! ++

And, to the writer, to call Thelanis the "unoffical" roleplaying server will anger all the Xoriats and they will eat more butterflies.  Shame, we just housebroke them!  :P

Cool, the re-review that should have happened OVER A YEAR AGO.   Nice to see mmorpg.com keeping up with all the latest happenings and changes in the world of mmos....

Some of us kept saying it in the forums, but usually we'd just get ridiculous replies like, "It's instanced, so it's like Guild Wars."  Oh, I'm sorry, am I coming off a slight bit harsh?  I'll return to my normal, wonderful self in a moment, but for now I just want all the people who have kept their heads in the sand and kept this game down, often without ever even playing it, to eat some crow is all.  

Oh, and when an LFM says, "no f2p," it's often not to exclude anyone; it's just a reminder that the quest isn't free.

I will agree with the poster above in the fact being it is nice that this site FINALLY did something positive for the game and the fair weather posters are eating rotten ham.

I played the original DDO. It was so disappointing. After playing the F2P remake for about a month I am very impressed. As soon as my CoX sub runs out in December I'll be paying for a DDO sub. I enjoy soloing alot so the option to solo or even to play a dungeon on normal for added challnege is good for me.

The times I've teamed have been enjoyable too. I get a real feel of the old PnP AD&D I used to play back in the 80s.

It's a little dumbed down from actual D&D but that's ok it's still alot of fun.

Glad to see DDO get such a high rating!

Originally posted by Sovrath

Originally posted by dhayes68

"But since subscription rates are up 40% since the subscription model change, Dungeons and Dragons Online is definitely getting something right."

To be fair, sub rates in a f2p game are hardly indicative of anything. I activated an account, played, didn't like it, didn't spend a penny, uninstalled.  But I bet I'm part of that 40%.

 

Steefel did say that the amount of players actually using the service (the shop) was far more than they had anticipated and they consider the move a success.

Sub rate increases are based on paid subscribers. You are not a subscriber on an F2P account, you are an F2P player.

Originally posted by Babylon9000

I played the original DDO. It was so disappointing.

I'm a founder. other than the ddo points store, LFG interface and some more content, as well some broken stuff fixed, its still almost the exact same game... Running waterworks with a group (outside of how you get the quest) is _identical_ to what it was on launch day.

The f2p remake has changed nothing about the game other than the limits put on f2p players and ability to buy your way out of favor rewards. Solo options and enhancements were put in relatively soon after launch.

I'm not sure why people say it was disappointing at launch and it's not now. More bugs and less content at launch?

They've fixed a lot of stuff, added 2 classes, and drow but the gameplay experience inside the dungeons is identical sans bugs. A few of the quests have been modified, a bunch added, but really? 

I've always loved the game... then again I'm a PnP fan so maybe I cut the game more slack than someone coming into DDO cold would. They've added a lot to the game, but at it's core, it's still identical to what it was at launch.

My only beef is players that talk about nothing but WoW when we are on a quest. >barf<

Originally posted by rgviza

Running waterworks with a group (outside of how you get the quest) is _identical_ to what it was on launch day.

Actually, thiss isn't quite true.. they just changed how you Free Arlos. Now you have to shepherd him back to the entrance like Threnal West 2. :)