Originally posted by crunk001

Too bad that like 40% of the Gamers who actually tried to get into this game, never made it because of the nasty Vista/Win7 Blackscreen-Bug of Doom.

 

ME INCLUDED. /frustated

I just yesterday solved that.  I have to disable my High Definition Audio Device and reboot to get DDO to actually log into a server.  If I plug my USB headset in first, the blackscreen hang returns.  If I plug it in after getting into the game, the game won't see it to use it, but continues to play just fine (without sound).  Annoying.  Turbine is aware.

Update: Turbine replied again telling me to uninstall "OpenAL" or "Host ADI (OpenAL)" because the game uses a modified version from Creative.  After I did so, the game works perfectly and has sound.  

I think the biggest problem of DDO is the same everywhere, if you don't have that specific build or gear a PuG leader is expecting then you will not have much fun. Most of the Vet players, like myself, have moved beyond that and mostly pride ourselves on getting any group through any instance on any difficulty.

At the end of the day, you have to be having fun to be able to invest so much time into DDO and that is where the guilds come in as they do everywhere else. A group of like-minded individuals who can chitchat while doing whatever it is they feel needs to be done.

After 5 years I am still engrossed in the game and no other game has ever held me hostage like DDO but the people are what make it.

So please go wild with the imagination when building characters and having your fun but remember that if you ever do break the mould then you will most likely be getting declined from those PuG's who aren't confident or who are just plain ignorant.

Expecting it now and then means it's not such a slap in the face when some idiot decides they know best and you don't. Most of the time I have found people to be genuinely interested in the idea behind a wierd build and some of those wierd builds have become commonplace. A melee Sorc, a battle cleric etc etc. It's generally the more newer players that refuse you admittance whereas I would welcome a strange build in to see how it plays.

Granted that most of my time now is spent sorting out guildies needs or doing a True Reincarnation or looking for that one item on a character, but if it wasn't for the people and the awesome active combat (ignoring that it's DnD'ish) I probably would never have stayed so long. I think the biggest part of the appeal is that it's all about your character and how well you play it and gel with it than the gear you have. Certainly some gear makes or breaks certain builds and gear is always a telling part of how effective you are, but nothing makes up for player skill which for me is better than clicking and watching a game. The entire time I'm running an instance I am busy and active and I love that the most.

Rasczak ~ Thelanis

Seems like a fair revview!

The word munchkin is really old and comes from the pen and paper version of D&D, havent seen is used much in ddo though.

There is even a hillariouse tabletop/card game called muchkin which makes fun of all the rpg cliches and sterotypes.

[quote]The predictable, but unfortunate, high volume of players who consider the F2P version a throw-away MMO, who care absolutely nothing about being a decent player or a pleasant group member.[/quote]

Exactly what I and many others have been saying about including F2P players on P2P servers all along. Bad idea, and very much serves to polarize players and create conflict betweeen them. The conflict isn't PvP conflict, it's real, and players feel dislike for the other person, not their toon in a roleplaying sense. That doesn't help anyone.

I don't generally go around accusing companies of putting alimighty profit over everything else, but putting F2P players on P2P servers smacks of at least ill-conceived planning, if not lack of caring about the players and the effect the situation has on them and society at large. these companies are at very least holding up their middle finger in gesture to the players paying a monthly fee that don't want those kind of players on their server.

Thanks, Turbine, that really makes me want to sign up for a game you offer again. Not.

Buying fluff toys with real money isn't a big deal, if it's kept to a minimum. Buying useful items, Classes, Races, unlocking dungeons by going to a store and paying extra money, that all smacks of paying your way to the top rather than earning it, and that puts the game on my "not worth playing" list even without the F2P issue. Maybe this is just an alternate way of doing expansions rather than offering them in a pack on an occasional basis, but even if that's the case I bet it's a far more expensive option. All hidden of course behind giving out "play money" that can be purchased directly with real cash.

Though I am not playing this now DDO is by far my fav Free to Play, I even like it better then lotro as I think DDO has better community. This really is a great free to play.

I liked the review, was well written and I agree with most of what was stated. On the subject of the community though I have to disagree. The community does have it's min maxers. As a whole though I'd have to say that those min maxers are just a big a gift as a curse. Take World of Warcraft, try to ask a serious question in trade or general chat and get a logical response........won't happen. The advice channel (on the server I played on anyways) would almost always get sound advice.......That might not seem like a HUGE deal, but for new players comeing into a game with such a steep learning curve, those min maxers can sure help. Over all I think the community is good, sure they have some rude people but nothing compared to games like WoW. The reviewer is correct though, play what you like. If you've never played D&D or D&D Online though, a cookie cuttuer spec/build might be a good idea until you have a better understanding of the game and what is or isnt' needed.

Originally posted by Warlaorm

I liked the review, was well written and I agree with most of what was stated. On the subject of the community though I have to disagree. The community does have it's min maxers. As a whole though I'd have to say that those min maxers are just a big a gift as a curse. Take World of Warcraft, try to ask a serious question in trade or general chat and get a logical response........won't happen. The advice channel (on the server I played on anyways) would almost always get sound advice.......That might not seem like a HUGE deal, but for new players comeing into a game with such a steep learning curve, those min maxers can sure help. Over all I think the community is good, sure they have some rude people but nothing compared to games like WoW. The reviewer is correct though, play what you like. If you've never played D&D or D&D Online though, a cookie cuttuer spec/build might be a good idea until you have a better understanding of the game and what is or isnt' needed.

 

 It is a good idea to learn a bit beforehand. I could see a new player making a cleric and investing heavily in the heal skill(makes sense that heal would be good) only to find out that it is a complete waste of skill points. Some feats are a waste and should be avoided. Some people like to learn on their own(some of us had no choice there) but not everyone does.

I have a Rogue/Wizard build. I have had a few times people saying I cant do the traps on elite but what they dont know is that I pump my rogue skills every level and use the action points to increase my rogue enhancements., I use Wizard to self-buff and to add substantial DPS to the party in the from of firewalls, etc. and Ddoors

Dungeons and Dragons (all versions) has is and always be a thinking man's game. Having played DnD for 30 + years on pen and paper as DM i can say that playing ddo is the most fun ive had in years. The choices in character selection and skill sets enables a player to create a toon that fist perfectly with the way that they want to play the game.

As for feeling like a solo game, did you look at the groups looking for players list? Did you try and form a group from within the game. Everytime i have setup a group looking for players its filled within about 10mins. Yes you get zurgers, you get that in every game. Yes you may not enjoy using PUG's. if this is the case join a guld and quest with guildies.

DDO gets 20 out of 10 from me. Get on and have a look. the combat is wicked. The graphics are awsome and the challenges never stop.

I have played many MMO's and I have to say if you like complex mechanics and a steep learning curve this is the game for you.  Many games are so dumbed down that they get boring really quickly.  I liked this game very much and I did do the pay to play route after just a few days of play.  I used "liked" in the past tense because despite liking the game the customer service or lack of same was a deal breaker for me.  The marketing of the game is a little anti social in as much as it will ask you for you credit card info before you know what it is you are actually buying but I got over that little bump.  The killer was when I put in a in game ticket.  Looking back it was laughable because the lack of concern was so obvious.  So as I always do in my life I voted with my feet or should I say with the delete.  Nuff said.  On to other games. 

PS  I wish reviews would include the customer service part of the game.  Nothing like spending hours in a game to find if you have an issue you are just not important.  It is a cultural thing within a company.  Best if you know in advance.