I guess I should approach my anticipation with The Secret World in two ways right now. I want to maintain a cautious eye on the game although I am batteling my own person hype just from genuine interest. I'll have to find out more about the game before I can truely get a feel on how the game is shaping up and hopefully that information will be getting to all of us.

As far as TSW as a game it seems to be working out nicely. I'm digging the story, definately up for the skill wheel and not being able to customize my character as far as looks is a push for me also. The setting is mature and modern which is breath of fresh air; we've had our taste of the fantasy realm and the one noteworthy attempt at the sci-fi realm hasn't really lived up to it's investment. I wasn't a part of AoC so I can't speak on any issues that may have arrised over there, more reason why I need some real information and looks into TSW. Everything so far looks very promising, so hopefully they'll stay on track and be sure to have their game out of "beta" phase before shipping it out to us.

Now the second part that comes into play would have to be the subsciption model. I am hearing the concerns from peope about Funcom double dipping with a montly subscription along with micro-transactions. Their concerns are justified, I'm wondering what types of micro-transaction they are looking to put on their market. I've the information about buffs and other certain things. It depends on how strong those buffs are. I'd also want to see if they had any true pay-2-win items. Permanants that grant exccessive bonuses or whatever.

There are some popular games that have a sort of double dipping model. EVE is weaved through and through within it's economy and with the RMT game and basic features of PLEX you see how things can really get indepth with the Isk (in game currency) game. World of Warcraft has microtransactions also, they just have theirs for mounts iirc.

Originally posted by Wraithone

That I'd be fascinated to learn myself.  I was a big fan of funcom, until after the Anarchy Online launch.  I gave them another chance with the launch of Age of Conan... We all know how that went.  I really hope they have learned their lesson, and that The Secret World launch works out better than either of their other games launch did. Did they ever actually get a new engine for AO? They had been talking about it for years, when I finally left. 

As for cash shops, what you are describing reminds me of the cash shop for a game called Cabal online.  I have a level 125 warrior in that game, and you can literally buy your way up. Armor and weapons can cost hundreds of millions (or in some cases a billion plus) of in game currency in the AH.  There are things you can purchase from the cash shop, that can be sold to either NPC's or other players that bring in INSANE amounts of currency. 

The hyperinflation that results from that is as predictable, as it is profitable for the company.  Lets hope that doesn't happen with TSW.

Even I have to admit that if FC must have learned their lesson about not releasing TSW before it's ready. I do believe that TSW will have fewer issues on release than previous games from FC.

I just can't help but suspect FC will build in a gradual shift in the game's experience towards an increasing dependency on Cash Shop items.

Really, that's my biggest concern. Otherwise, I am all in. The game looks great.

But a Box Fee + a Sub Fee + a Cash Shop is just too much. 

I'm going to get this game for one reason; contemporary setting

Dead sick of fantasy and sci-fi, and the real world hasn't been touched on since MXO. Horror is a plus too, but I have extreme doubts about *any* attempt at horror in a perpetual environment with other Players. Otherwise, I am nowhere near a FC fan, but I do respect their "out of the box thinking". Then again, as a beta tester of AoC, I had a first-hand glimpse of many a mistake in development. The most prominent being too afraid to go "all the way" with the combat system, it was turned into a whack-a-mole minigame to suit players that couldn't grasp having to remember their combos, and I feel it made combat iffy (once again) with how you have to stare at the 'wind-up' window to all melee combos *and* maneuver. Was rough in PvP.

I'm looking forward to the ranged combat in this game, but I am far too afraid of some kind of hotbar reliance because they just won't break that convention. Staring at cooldowns and such in a game where the action is heavy just doesn't mix, though, I assume the player-character can take an unrealistc pounding anyway... which again, is not in line with horror. Sigh.

Guess it's just "I'll see how it goes" at this point.

---

Originally posted by GTwander
I'm going to get this game for one reason; contemporary setting
Dead sick of fantasy and sci-fi, and the real world hasn't been touched on since MXO. Horror is a plus too, but I have extreme doubts about *any* attempt at horror in a perpetual environment with other Players. Otherwise, I am nowhere near a FC fan, but I do respect their "out of the box thinking". Then again, as a beta tester of AoC, I had a first-hand glimpse of many a mistake in development. The most prominent being too afraid to go "all the way" with the combat system, it was turned into a whack-a-mole minigame to suit players that couldn't grasp having to remember their combos, and I feel it made combat iffy (once again) with how you have to stare at the 'wind-up' window to all melee combos *and* maneuver. Was rough in PvP.
I'm looking forward to the ranged combat in this game, but I am far too afraid of some kind of hotbar reliance because they just won't break that convention. Staring at cooldowns and such in a game where the action is heavy just doesn't mix, though, I assume the player-character can take an unrealistc pounding anyway... which again, is not in line with horror. Sigh.
Guess it's just "I'll see how it goes" at this point.

---

Originally posted by GeeTeeEffOh

Originally posted by NorseGod

Originally posted by GeeTeeEffOh

You can buy all PVP Armor and weapons. You can buy tokens to upgrade the neck item witch is quite powerful. you can also now buy pre packaged buffs ready to go. And in AO, buffs are powerful. Also, many of these items in the CS are not bound to you. You can turn around and trade them ingame. Which is hurting an already failing ingame economy. In fact, they have recently removed several of the known methods of farming money in game. They have cited several different reasons for removing sources of income for players, however, they have not stopped people from trading items they bought with real money.

Wrong.

The "PVP Armor" that you are refering to must be LE Armor that you buy with Victory Points? Correct? Please show me one current end-game PVP build of ANY profession that wears more than 2 - 3 pieces of LE Armor in their setup.

You know what, log in right now and duel me in Bor. You wear all LE gear and I'll wear my setup. Deal?

Even IF you find a setup with the 3 most expensive pieces (unlikely combination for any setup), you mean to tell me that you can't get the Victory Points from Level 1 - 220/30/70 to buy those pieces? Really? Not even by accident? You even get more the higher level you get.

PVP Armor is Combined AI Armor, which is NOT sold in the CS. There are social sets you can buy, but have not stats at all, they just equip in the social tab.

Tokens for the neck board. You mean to tell me that you can't get 2500 tokens leveling from 1 - 220/30/70? Really? Not even by accident? Again, the higher level you are, the more you get.

The ONLY way that you would not have any of this stuff is if you were powerleveled from level 1 - 175/0/49. What we call "Heck Noobs". Then you want to come to endgame and play with the TL6-7 practically naked and gimed because you skipped 175 levels of gameplay. Those are the people that buy Tokens and VP from the cash shop.

Shocking, powerlevelers have to buy from CSs. I hear they even buy money from gold farmers too!

Calm down and move on.

I never said the stuff you can buy in teh CS makes you the strongest player in the game. But it does make you strong. Also, It's not just powerlevers who need the CS. It's anyone who didn't have billions prior to recent changes. There have been too many nerfs to things in game that let players farm credits. When I still had my account active, I seem to recall GMS being flooded with what used to be rare symbs. Probably because more and more players are forced to use what methods still remain to farm. Players that have been around for a long time have made their money and have their gear. But what about those who play who aren't from the earlier days. They can't get billions. It's very difficult now for a new 220 to make money because of the changes in game. People used to use S10. S10 has become a ghost town of a zone. I remember farming Token Guns. Had tons of them on a mule. One of the last things I did was try to sell some. But they are now worthless b/c of the CS.

As far as your point goes about the gear and power levels. It's semantics. I know that if I had an unlimited real money buget to spend in game, I can buy off CS and resell to make huge ingame profits. So, using the cash shop, I can get the combined, I can get the NODROPs from the Loot Rights sellers. It doesn't take long. Few days...a week maybe. And due to the CS, I'd wager that I could have a toon worthy of any PVP fight in very short order.

 

P.S. I have a question for current AO players. How much has FC turned around and re invested back into AO from the profits they have made from AO's cash shop? To my knowlege, it's been nothing what so ever. No content, not upgrades (that were supposed to be delivered how many years ago?) Nothing at all.

Even though you backed paddled from your PVP Armor statement, you're still being misleading. You completely ignored the fact that you can gain VP and Tokens from playing the game and not powerleveling.

So you don't have a bllion credits? That means you have to run a mission to loot a nano. What happens when you run a mission? Oh, that's right, you get free tokens. What's that you say? You need alien levels? You run LE missions to grind your alien levels. What happens when you run LE missions? Oh, that's right, you get free VP and Tokens.

Like I said and you choose to ignore, anyone can have all the Tokens and VP they need just by playing the game. Oh, let's not forget, selling all the un-needed loot along the way. I'm not exactly rich, but I don't need to be. If I need nanos or symbs, I got farm them. It's not as hard as you make it appear.

But whatever. People that choose to buy stuff on the CS doesn't concern me. I don't get jealous. And if I can't wait another 2 days to farm something offered on the CS, I can do that too. I'm not poor. 10 20 bucks is chump change.

Originally posted by NorseGod

Even though you backed paddled from your PVP Armor statement, you're still being misleading. You completely ignored the fact that you can gain VP and Tokens from playing the game and not powerleveling.

So you don't have a bllion credits? That means you have to run a mission to loot a nano. What happens when you run a mission? Oh, that's right, you get free tokens. What's that you say? You need alien levels? You run LE missions to grind your alien levels. What happens when you run LE missions? Oh, that's right, you get free VP and Tokens.

Like I said and you choose to ignore, anyone can have all the Tokens and VP they need just by playing the game. Oh, let's not forget, selling all the un-needed loot along the way. I'm not exactly rich, but I don't need to be. If I need nanos or symbs, I got farm them. It's not as hard as you make it appear.

But whatever. People that choose to buy stuff on the CS doesn't concern me. I don't get jealous. And if I can't wait another 2 days to farm something offered on the CS, I can do that too. I'm not poor. 10 20 bucks is chump change.

 

"Will the game launch with some issues? Undoubtedly so but, then again, what game in recent memory hasn't? I suspect that the launch will be 100% more successful than that of its most recent predecessor. If you don't believe that Funcom learned from that, you've got another thing coming. Funcom will be ready and able to take on any difficulties because they simply have to be."

We heard the same shit with AoC when AO's launch was brought up.

It ain't foolin' noone this time.

By the way, calling AoC successful when it has a skeleton crew working on it and an extremely small ( and continually dwindling ) playerbase( with every update running more people off with one screw up after another ) is a laugh. Go look on their forums where people are begging them to merge the last remaining servers.

I'm glad you thought the heavily polished and tightly controlled environment of their demo was something praiseworthy. Myself, all I see is another "Look at our great 20 levels of Tortage!" smokescreen covering up the broken game to follow.

And let's not even get into the ghost town known as AO where the few remaining loyal players ( mostly because their machines won't run anything better ) still sit waiting for a now 5+ years promised "engine upgrade" ( that is now on it's third Game Director  hem-hawing on it ), along with a just as long promised "balance revamp" and "new starting tutorial" that won't even bring it past 2006 standards.

I like AO for what it is, I even still play AoC once in awhile. But to look at either game's history and honestly expect a blockbuster game from Funcom with TSW is about as realistic as my expecting my dog to poop solid gold turds.

They will do the same as they did with AO and AoC. Grab as much money from pre-orders and initial box sales as possible, then use the money to fund their next cash grab while gutting TSW's dev team and resources.

Originally posted by GeeTeeEffOh

Originally posted by NorseGod

Even though you backed paddled from your PVP Armor statement, you're still being misleading. You completely ignored the fact that you can gain VP and Tokens from playing the game and not powerleveling.

So you don't have a bllion credits? That means you have to run a mission to loot a nano. What happens when you run a mission? Oh, that's right, you get free tokens. What's that you say? You need alien levels? You run LE missions to grind your alien levels. What happens when you run LE missions? Oh, that's right, you get free VP and Tokens.

Like I said and you choose to ignore, anyone can have all the Tokens and VP they need just by playing the game. Oh, let's not forget, selling all the un-needed loot along the way. I'm not exactly rich, but I don't need to be. If I need nanos or symbs, I got farm them. It's not as hard as you make it appear.

But whatever. People that choose to buy stuff on the CS doesn't concern me. I don't get jealous. And if I can't wait another 2 days to farm something offered on the CS, I can do that too. I'm not poor. 10 20 bucks is chump change.

 

 

I have no intention to argue how to succeed in AO. The game is dying, and can't retain ANY new players anymore, the issues have been addressed many many times in the forums and FC does nothing but implement shortcut fixes for real money in it's Cash Shop.

 

That has been my point from the beginning and it remains unchanged. If past behavior is an indication of future behavior, then TSW players will have a major concern.

You're totally right on all counts.

I hope you find a game you like. Thanks for your input.

To be honest I'm going to completely ignore any information about this one. At least till its launched and I start seeing what players are saying. Its not that the idea behind it isnt interesting. I like the idea behind it, at least what small amount of info I have looked at. Its the idea of who is making it. I just dont want to look forward to something when the last time I did by the same people it turned out to be a big pile of steaming donkey dung.

I dont want to see them say "Hey we are doing this, this, and this" because in my mind I will see "Hey we are SAYING we are doing this, this, and this but it wont actually work that way or even be in the game.".

Originally posted by xenogias

To be honest I'm going to completely ignore any information about this one. At least till its launched and I start seeing what players are saying. Its not that the idea behind it isnt interesting. I like the idea behind it, at least what small amount of info I have looked at. Its the idea of who is making it. I just dont want to look forward to something when the last time I did by the same people it turned out to be a big pile of steaming donkey dung.

I dont want to see them say "Hey we are doing this, this, and this" because in my mind I will see "Hey we are SAYING we are doing this, this, and this but it wont actually work that way or even be in the game.".

I think you're taking a smart approach.

Originally posted by eyeswideopen

"Will the game launch with some issues? Undoubtedly so but, then again, what game in recent memory hasn't? I suspect that the launch will be 100% more successful than that of its most recent predecessor. If you don't believe that Funcom learned from that, you've got another thing coming. Funcom will be ready and able to take on any difficulties because they simply have to be."

 

We heard the same shit with AoC when AO's launch was brought up.

It ain't foolin' noone this time.

By the way, calling AoC successful when it has a skeleton crew working on it and an extremely small ( and continually dwindling ) playerbase( with every update running more people off with one screw up after another ) is a laugh. Go look on their forums where people are begging them to merge the last remaining servers.

I'm glad you thought the heavily polished and tightly controlled environment of their demo was something praiseworthy. Myself, all I see is another "Look at our great 20 levels of Tortage!" smokescreen covering up the broken game to follow.

And let's not even get into the ghost town known as AO where the few remaining loyal players ( mostly because their machines won't run anything better ) still sit waiting for a now 5+ years promised "engine upgrade" ( that is now on it's third Game Director  hem-hawing on it ), along with a just as long promised "balance revamp" and "new starting tutorial" that won't even bring it past 2006 standards.

I like AO for what it is, I even still play AoC once in awhile. But to look at either game's history and honestly expect a blockbuster game from Funcom with TSW is about as realistic as my expecting my dog to poop solid gold turds.

They will do the same as they did with AO and AoC. Grab as much money from pre-orders and initial box sales as possible, then use the money to fund their next cash grab while gutting TSW's dev team and resources.

RE: AoC,

I'd like honest and unbiased answers.

I downloaded AoC but was turned off when I saw the classes I'd want to play locked unless I pay, I never even really logged in after that. So I know next to nothing about the game. 

How does the Cash Shop/RMT implementation in AoC impact the game overall? 

And did FC say one thing about what will be in it and do another or did they stick to their word?

How is the Free play model in AoC? Is it comprehensive or is it just a teaser to make you need to pay?

Originally posted by GeeTeeEffOh

RE: AoC,

I'd like honest and unbiased answers.

I downloaded AoC but was turned off when I saw the classes I'd want to play locked unless I pay, I never even really logged in after that. So I know next to nothing about the game. 

How does the Cash Shop/RMT implementation in AoC impact the game overall? 

And did FC say one thing about what will be in it and do another or did they stick to their word?

How is the Free play model in AoC? Is it comprehensive or is it just a teaser to make you need to pay?

You can play to the cap, without paying anything, so its great as a trial/teaser, but there are locks and restrictions all over the place.  I'd be ok with that, but it's also on the expensive side, so if you unlock everything, you're paying way more than if you subbed for a month or two.  

They seem to think the cash shop prices should be on par with a longterm subscription, which I think is absurd, especially when it was implemented because it was failing under the subscription model.  I mean, maybe that would make sense in a brand new AAA game, but not an old dying one.

On top of all that, there are penalties for not subbing that the cash shop never makes up for, so if you get serious about the game, they try to squeeze a sub out of you, no matter how much you've dumped into the cash shop.  It's been a long time since I played.. so can't actually remember what the specifics on that were.  Something to do with endgame advancement being inaccessible unless you sub, or something crazy like that.

Originally posted by Vhaln

Originally posted by GeeTeeEffOh

RE: AoC,

I'd like honest and unbiased answers.

I downloaded AoC but was turned off when I saw the classes I'd want to play locked unless I pay, I never even really logged in after that. So I know next to nothing about the game. 

How does the Cash Shop/RMT implementation in AoC impact the game overall? 

And did FC say one thing about what will be in it and do another or did they stick to their word?

How is the Free play model in AoC? Is it comprehensive or is it just a teaser to make you need to pay?

 

You can play to the cap, without paying anything, so its great as a trial/teaser, but there are locks and restrictions all over the place.  I'd be ok with that, but it's also on the expensive side, so if you unlock everything, you're paying way more than if you subbed for a month or two.  

 

They seem to think the cash shop prices should be on par with a longterm subscription, which I think is absurd, especially when it was implemented because it was failing under the subscription model.  I mean, maybe that would make sense in a brand new AAA game, but not an old dying one.

 

On top of all that, there are penalties for not subbing that the cash shop never makes up for, so if you get serious about the game, they try to squeeze a sub out of you, no matter how much you've dumped into the cash shop.  It's been a long time since I played.. so can't actually remember what the specifics on that were.  Something to do with endgame advancement being inaccessible unless you sub, or something crazy like that.

 

/sigh

Originally posted by fenistil

Originally posted by Suzie_Ford

T



You're perfectly fine to have an opinion like that.

 

 

Biggest advantages of paying subscription for me are (or was more like) :

 

1. No cash shop, rmt ,rmah ,etc will ruin my immersion by reminding and connecting my game with real world.

 

2. I KNOW that I will have access to whole game paying this fixed amount.

 

 

Same model is with my internet my ISP provide me.  I have unlimited download / upload capacity , well I guess If I started to use bandwidth in TB then my ISP would like to have talk with me ,but well there were months I was using hundreads of GB of bandwidtch and no extra costs, no slowing down of connectiojn nothing.

 

Now - TSW.

Cosmetic items ,outfits ,etc are also important to me. and to others as well I presume ,cause if not they would NOT BUY IT. That's kinda logical.

 

So anyway - just throwed my 2 cents.

 

---------

 

One more thing. For good game ,good community ,virtual world mmorpg I am ready to pay subscription. Heck even bit higher than 15$.

Still I will not pay subscription and tolerate any form of cash shop ,rmt in game I play.

Cosmetic or not.

 

Other people can have diffrent opinion than mine and they can decide to play a game with business model like that or any other nickle & diming model (most of freemium models are almost as bad as TSW) - more power to them.

 

Until I find mmorpg I like with gameplay AND business model (currently have my eyes on GW2 ,but highest hopes with ArcheAge) then I will continue to be mmo-free and use my leisure time for other activities that also obviously inlude lurking on this forum :)

 

I agree it is lame to pay a sub to play entire game (including customization), and then have to pay more to get the look, uniqueness, etc of character (customization). To me it's not a dealbreaker if it's a great game, but I wont buy anything from the CS.

Funcom should give incentives for players that get 3/6 month sub deals-like some points to spend in the store or give in game points for gaining faction/or xp (would take some of the sting out of it). DDO (i know it's F2P) gives points for every 100 pts of faction, or if you sub instead of f2p you get 500pts/month for their store. Still, I hate the fact that their armor sets that you get in game all look terrible, while the store bought ones look so good. I understand thats how you make money, but they also make money from players paying monthly sub.

Originally posted by mmoDAD

Originally posted by Suzie_Ford

The cash shop, at least from all that I've both seen and read, is convenience only. For instance, players will be able to buy outfit items. Since there IS no armor class in TSW, the purchase is purely for cosmetic looks only. Why would anyone feel compelled to use a cash shop?

Really, this sort of revenue model is a good one. People kvetch about box prices with subs. People kvetch about F2P with item malls. This is a nice mix of both: A quality subscription game (which many say makes a better, higher quality game) with a convenience store if so desired.

Funcom isn't going to be twisting anyone's arm to buy stuff to "win". 

The whole "aesthetic only is okay" thing is total bullshit.

People play games for a variety of reasons. Why should someone who wants to look the best aesthetically have to pay more than an adventurer who wants the best gear?

So after I purchase the following:

+$50-$60 for game...

+$15 per month

+$15 per month

+$15 per month

+$15 per month

+$15 per month

+$15 per month

+$15 per month

....I still have to pay extra for a nice looking cape or cloak?

I'm done with this nickel & diming model. I will not participate. Funcom, IMO, is now in the same bag as Cryptic.

 I have to agree with mmoDAD.

We rented the game, pay monthly subs and it is still not enough for them.

That they still have a CS to nickel and dime the players who support them.

There is something wrong with this concept and I will not support it too, just like ME3 with day 1 DLC.

Tell them to go FO.

Originally posted by Suzie_Ford

The cash shop, at least from all that I've both seen and read, is convenience only. For instance, players will be able to buy outfit items. Since there IS no armor class in TSW, the purchase is purely for cosmetic looks only. Why would anyone feel compelled to use a cash shop?

Really, this sort of revenue model is a good one. People kvetch about box prices with subs. People kvetch about F2P with item malls. This is a nice mix of both: A quality subscription game (which many say makes a better, higher quality game) with a convenience store if so desired.

Funcom isn't going to be twisting anyone's arm to buy stuff to "win".

Suzie, I'm with you depending on what, exactly, is in the cash shop. For example, if I want to wear a Black Leather jacket in game, but my only option is to bust out my credit card again, I'm going to be very pissed.

In an MMO where one of the leading features is the ability to customize your character, if I have to pay a monthly fee and then crack out my credit card every time I wanna wardrobe change, I'm giving this game a huge pass.

What could alternatively work is what Cryptic did for Champions Online. Each time you buy a month of game time, you get a small stipend which you can spend at the cash store. The stipend was large enough to unlock 1 costume set you liked a month. THIS, I could see working. If I see a look I really like, I can buy it with my monthly stipend as a paying customer. 

Regardless, Funcom has nothing but my skeptism. I'm not going to "hold a grudge" but AoC was a catastrophie on release. Fool me once, shame on me... fool me twice. This is another one, I'm going to wait several months before even considering. Lets see if MMORPG.com and other sites sing its praise first, even in the months following its release. 

I guess I haven't forgiven FunCom for screwing us over from the beginning with Age of Conan.

"Cimmeria" was supposed to be a Roleplaying server, but they forgot to label it as such, and then didn't do a dang thing about the GoofballzRS names or lack of RP from the player base on that server. In my view, AoC needed 3 things to work right: A game that supported the vision of Robert E. Howard, a well maintained RP server, and a PvP player base that wasn't into ganking low level characters ad infinitum. A player base that wanted to use PvP to enhance RP, not destroy it.

Then, FunCom added equipment you could buy for real money that effected your stats. Then, they put F2P players on P2P servers.

I have no hope for "The Secret World" because it's a Funcom game. I don't even care whether or not that's "fair". Certainly, Age of Conan is more than just the things I mentioned, and they got some things very right, including instances that would scale down to a single player and some of the most fun melee combat around, but the rest leaves such a bad taste in my mouth I just can't deal with AoC. Or FunCom.

I am looking forward to it. My main reason is it looks like a change from the old class/level mechanic that developers are frightend to move away from.

Also the quests are a new idea in that not all of them can be solved just from being in the game you got to look things up on google or wiki's and this intregues me.

PvP I can take it or leave its not a huge part of the game for me. I prefer exploring, crafting and RP'ing. If they have thoses systems in place and decent I wont be doing alot of pvp.

---

All the heady praise does give one pause to consider, however. MMO fans tend to be a skeptical bunch all in all, particularly with regard to press accolades given to a game before its release. We hear a lot of “well, they’re paid to write things like that” and “the almighty dollar speaks again” and other such things. But are those thoughts a fair assessment of the impression a game makes on a reporter during a carefully scripted press event? I think not.

---

You want to prove that statement. Then how about you being extremely critical of the next product you review. critical to the point of being anal. Else all I see are blatant lies. This goes for all reviewers. And don't pick some B product, that has zero advertisement on the site.

As for TSW, Funcom has proven over and over to be inept. I see no reason TSW would be the exception to the rule.

There is a reason for the scepticism of MMORPG gamers. It is after one dissapointment after another, which promised great things but instead delivered a casual ThemePark/WoW clone with some gimmicks. Be it voice acting, rifts, semi-action paced combat, it's minor things that we are supposed to be overjoyed over. We are not and hence why we have grown sceptic when developers are promising the next great thing.