Originally posted by Ambros123

Originally posted by nethervoid
It's funny how a game like UO can be so friggin awesome and published by a pretty small company and budget, but new MMOs can't seem to grasp what made that game a blast. It's only been 15 years guys. You figured it out yet?

Maybe because of the incredibely fast pace of technology is ever changing and the massive change in the demographics of the MMO consumers?  UO eventually was left in the dust.  If it was soooo good then why is it not still kicking?  UO was the pioneer of MMOs and would be incredibely lacklust to modern MMOs.  MMOs nowadays have plenty of incredibely satisfied consumers that far exceed UO's peak sub numbers.

The horrible 'counter-argument' of "...then why isn't <insert old great game> still popular!?!?!" Buddy, you even said it in your first line. With the ever changing pace of technology, no matter how great a game is, people will always look to, and WANT, something new. Does that change the FACT that UO was an amazing testament to gaming at the time? Of course not. It still will be hailed as one of the first revolutionary steps in MMO gaming.

Then bringing in subscription numbers as another worthwhile argument. *facepalm* Comparing internet availability of the 90s and of today is like comparing apples to... uhhh.. air. It's so incomparable that it is a totally moot argument.

What's funny is that the problem with MMORPG's today is that everyone wants the easy route. Developers need to appeal to the hardcore gamer, the casual fan, the super casual fan, the entitled brat, etc to infinity different types of 'players.' Thus, each game becomes a jumbled mediocre example of what NOT to do - NOBODY ends up satisfied. Example: players hate grinding... waaaah, so developers make it super easy. Players get to end game content in 3 days and the developers just don't have the time to create new content by the time these ultra players rip through their current content. Whining ensues, and the cycle continues.

I personally never played Darkfall as I heard horror stories of how awful it was, however, I am excited to try Unholy Wars. They're going after a niche market, and trying to do it well, while still trying to cater to the 'casual' fan. Whether or not it pans out, I don't know, but at least they have a firm grasp on WHO they're trying to appeal to. AAA MMO's try to appeal to EVERYONE and their mother and end up sucking.

Anyways, yea, rant off.

Originally posted by nethervoid
It's funny how a game like UO can be so friggin awesome and published by a pretty small company and budget, but new MMOs can't seem to grasp what made that game a blast. It's only been 15 years guys. You figured it out yet?

agree.... Seems like devs have forgot how to create fun gameplay and are more intent to focus on graphics and eye candy..  Sure the DeLorean looks great.. but once behind the wheel it's a joke.. LOL

question

Is my lifetime sub to Funcom? or is it to TSW?

could a new company buy them out and not honor the lifetimes?

Theres bunches of people that have no idea what Secret World even is still, that it even exists.

Seems to be their biggest problem is marketing, because the story in that game is pretty damn good.

Originally posted by tinywulf

Theres bunches of people that have no idea what Secret World even is still, that it even exists.

Seems to be their biggest problem is marketing, because the story in that game is pretty damn good.

Yeah, it's like they wanted the game to die. Strange.

Doesn't stop me from playing. :-)

Originally posted by gamesrfun

Funcom is being sold to the highest bidder: Who will get it?

I think it will be hilarious if StarVault's Mortal Online donation drive was to try to get money to buy Funcom out, lol

Originally posted by nethervoid
It's funny how a game like UO can be so friggin awesome and published by a pretty small company and budget, but new MMOs can't seem to grasp what made that game a blast. It's only been 15 years guys. You figured it out yet?

     Not only that but no one has attempted to clone it.....YOu're right though the gameplay is fairly simple and they spent about 5 dollars on the graphics and animations.....TBH I'd rather play UO than the Secret World...To me that game was not fun at all....FUncom's best game was AO, by far the worst graphics of the 3 and by far the best gameplay.

Originally posted by Theocritus

     Not only that but no one has attempted to clone it.....YOu're right though the gameplay is fairly simple and they spent about 5 dollars on the graphics and animations.....TBH I'd rather play UO than the Secret World...To me that game was not fun at all....FUncom's best game was AO, by far the worst graphics of the 3 and by far the best gameplay.

Totally agree on AO.

If they make an AO 2.0 with updated graphics and seamless world/no instancing I would definitely play it. Good gameplay, good lore, good concept.

Originally posted by moguy2
Some one , any one, buy them and fix up Anarchy Online please!

OMG, if only..........

Originally posted by GeezerGamer

Originally posted by moguy2
Some one , any one, buy them and fix up Anarchy Online please!

OMG, if only..........

While this a an awesome idea, I would be affaid to think what would happen if they ruined a re-boot/sequel by turning it into another WoW clone =/

Originally posted by Rasputin

And not to forget: UO was changed into an EQ-clone with Age of Shadows, leaving almost nothing of the old gameplay intact.

So in a way original UO does not exist anymore.

Reading this makes me want to bang my head against the desk. No, just no. A clone of Diablo would be a better description of Age of Shadows, but the game was still a sandbox.

i hereby officially offer 10eur.

My main interest in the purchase of Funcom is to fire Erlingsson, since he still owes me 50eur.

Originally posted by grimgryphon

Originally posted by Rasputin

Originally posted by Goatgod76

Originally posted by Ambros123

Originally posted by nethervoid
It's funny how a game like UO can be so friggin awesome and published by a pretty small company and budget, but new MMOs can't seem to grasp what made that game a blast. It's only been 15 years guys. You figured it out yet?

Maybe because of the incredibely fast pace of technology is ever changing and the massive change in the demographics of the MMO consumers?  UO eventually was left in the dust.  If it was soooo good then why is it not still kicking?  UO was the pioneer of MMOs and would be incredibely lacklust to modern MMOs.  MMOs nowadays have plenty of incredibely satisfied consumers that far exceed UO's peak sub numbers.

Last I knew...UO is still going, just as EQ is. Sub numbers don't equal success btw. Longetivity does more so.

And not to forget: UO was changed into an EQ-clone with Age of Shadows, leaving almost nothing of the old gameplay intact.

So in a way original UO does not exist anymore.

It was over for UO when they released Renaissance, the second expansion. Trammel killed UO.

UO:R was definitely a step in the direction of killing UO, but gameplay was still recognizable. AoS was the final nail IMO.

Originally posted by Rasputin

Originally posted by grimgryphon

Originally posted by Rasputin

Originally posted by Goatgod76

Originally posted by Ambros123

Originally posted by nethervoid
It's funny how a game like UO can be so friggin awesome and published by a pretty small company and budget, but new MMOs can't seem to grasp what made that game a blast. It's only been 15 years guys. You figured it out yet?

Maybe because of the incredibely fast pace of technology is ever changing and the massive change in the demographics of the MMO consumers?  UO eventually was left in the dust.  If it was soooo good then why is it not still kicking?  UO was the pioneer of MMOs and would be incredibely lacklust to modern MMOs.  MMOs nowadays have plenty of incredibely satisfied consumers that far exceed UO's peak sub numbers.

Last I knew...UO is still going, just as EQ is. Sub numbers don't equal success btw. Longetivity does more so.

And not to forget: UO was changed into an EQ-clone with Age of Shadows, leaving almost nothing of the old gameplay intact.

So in a way original UO does not exist anymore.

It was over for UO when they released Renaissance, the second expansion. Trammel killed UO.

UO:R was definitely a step in the direction of killing UO, but gameplay was still recognizable. AoS was the final nail IMO.

Aye, trammel did not kill UO.  It was actualy good patch for UO. People was leaving in droves, Trammel actually kept them playing and inceased population, but it was half-assed though - EVE did it ok with low and high sec.     AoS killed  UO that I agree.

Acti-Blizz or EA buying Funcom makes very little sense business-wise.

Funcom doesn't have a positive cashflow last I checked.

With EA bleeding cash as well, I doubt EA will buy them.

Acti-Blizz also makes no sense when Vivendi is trying to unload them.

You don't purchase something that is losing money when your parent company is trying to sell you; makes you unattractive to potential buyers.

I can see one of the asia's game makers (Maybe NCSOFT? or Tencent?) but from a business point of view, Funcom isn't that attractive.