General Discussion

Today sees the launch of Dungeons and Dragons Online: Stormreach's Module 4: Reaver's Bane. Yesterday, Managing Editor Jon Wood had the chance to sit down for a talk with James Jones, the Executive Producer of DDO and Kate Paiz, the game's Producer.

As many of you may or may not know, today marks the release of Module 4: Reaver's Bane, the most recent free update from Turbine's Dungeons and Dragons Online: Stormreach. Yesterday, I had the opportunity to sit down for a conversation with James Jones, the Executive Producer of DDO and Kate Paiz, the game's Producer to talk about the release, and what players can expect from it.

It is well known that any MMORPG is a constantly growing and evolving entity. Even when a game is released, a team continues to work on the game, both fixing problems and creating new content for their players to explore. Turbine's Dungeons and Dragons Online is no exception to that rule. Numerous game play elements have been added to the game since its launch a year ago. Previous modules and updates saw players able to: solo in the game, progress further as the level cap was raised, play and meet new and different races, the list goes on.

Read the whole article here.

The newer content and high level new dungeons all have random traps. Been that way for a few months now I believe. Don't know what level you were when you left.

They did not random the traps on the released dungeons that came out with release. Meaning they didn't go back and randomize the traps to all, just newer dungeons. I don't know the specific date this started.

Originally posted by Terminus-Est
I would consider returning if they included random features in dungeons (eg random traps). As it was when I left, adventuring in groups was no fun because PUGs would always rush through the content, shouting where the traps were and running straight to the objectives.

I think you'll find that the "older" quests haven't changed much in terms of their layouts.  On the other hand, some of the newer quests have plenty of random trap locations.  There might be 4-5 locations which are "known" but the instance randomly decides if those locations are going to have traps.  It seems only about 2 or 3 traps are "spawned" out of about the 4-5 locations from my observation.

I honestly think DDO has the best combat in all the MMO's currently on the market.  It is purely dynamic, relies on some player skill while leaving the Dice Roll to the game.  It's nice to play something that allows you to jump, dodge and roll for a TRUE tactical reason.  The other MMO's put in lame-fairy-jumps so the kiddies can think it's real yet it has no impact on gameplay, DDO is the opposite.

Keep in mind, if you had played the older quests at launch they are still going to be there. 

The higher lvl 13+ content is "gated".  You have to be a certain level, lvl 10 from what I understand, inorder to enter.  This serves to prevent power-leveling while making the "gold farmers" earn their keep.

Populations are not bad.  I'm sure you could possibly find a low pop server, but it should be easier to find populated ones with many players and plenty of guilds with 15-30 nightly players.

I can't think of a single game that provides a similar or better gaming experiance then Dungeons & Dragons Online.  OK, there's one...pre-cu Star Wars Galaxies was probably better.

Originally posted by Stradden

Today sees the launch of Dungeons and Dragons Online: Stormreach's Module 4: Reaver's Bane. Yesterday, Managing Editor Jon Wood had the chance to sit down for a talk with James Jones, the Executive Producer of DDO and Kate Paiz, the game's Producer.

As many of you may or may not know, today marks the release of Module 4: Reaver's Bane, the most recent free update from Turbine's Dungeons and Dragons Online: Stormreach. Yesterday, I had the opportunity to sit down for a conversation with James Jones, the Executive Producer of DDO and Kate Paiz, the game's Producer to talk about the release, and what players can expect from it.

It is well known that any MMORPG is a constantly growing and evolving entity. Even when a game is released, a team continues to work on the game, both fixing problems and creating new content for their players to explore. Turbine's Dungeons and Dragons Online is no exception to that rule. Numerous game play elements have been added to the game since its launch a year ago. Previous modules and updates saw players able to: solo in the game, progress further as the level cap was raised, play and meet new and different races, the list goes on.

Read the whole article here.

I just had to highlight the ridiculous understatement of this characterization. Turbine (DDO) is no exception?  Frankly, Turbine IS the exception. They are one of the few MMO companies actually adding frequent, substantial content. Most MMO's these days are pathetic when it comes to adding new content--you know, the business model our subscription fees are supposed to pay for?  I can count on one hand the number of MMOs that offer frequent and substantial content updates, and the leader in this offering IS Turbine.