Anarchy Online

I just want to say that AO is probably one of the best games out there if you are looking for a complex gaming environment.  However, the game is getting a bit dated and I think that it could use a complete overhaul.  Shadowlands has phenomenal graphics and the sounds are very good.  The problem is, when you go back to Rubi-Ka, you see that textures are spread too far, sounds are outdated (some of the sounds I have no idea what they are) and it just doesn't carry the "wow" factor that shadowlands does.

So, I think that if FunCom could take the time with the next "expansion" and instead of creating new areas or whatnot, just beef up the whole game.  Update the graphics engine so that there are dynamic shadow casting lights, remove the funny textured "light beams" from some of the overhead lights and put some irises in there.  Beef up the sound engine so it supports hardware acceleration and EAX.  Put some creepy echoes in there so we know that we are in an abandoned area.

Also, the models could use an update.  Instead of just re-skinning the models when you put on different armor, AO could use some multiple texture ability.  I think that by doing this, AO could remain on top.

Hmmm.... Sure I am all for improving games, and graphics for the benefit of all players, but what you must remember is currently AO Classic will run on most standard computers, and doesn't need an expensive graphics card as standard.

If Funcom were to overhaul the engine then they would have to be careful how they do it. Improving the overall look may be good for most users, but what about the subscribers who play AO from a basic 2.5gHz desktop. They might not be able to play without their CPU choking up.

I am sure this is what happened with DAoC as the min spec for the game advertised on their site is pretty basic, but when I went to play (bearing in mind my CPU was over the spec advertised) the game choked on itself while zoning with over 2 minutes waits for areas to load.

While improvement is great, companies have to be careful, especially with wide user bases over a range of systems. After all they don't want alienate subscribers by making a game less playable.

Not everyone has a supercomputer, and some are grateful for lower graphical specs so they can enjoy playing rather than being overloaded with glittery eye-candy.

Remember - Good Graphics alone do not a good game make.  

Most of my frinds in AO are in not for the graphics but for the sci-fi, the complexity and the maturity of the playerbase.
However, with Shadowlands and Alien Invasion, funcom showed very shortsighted approach. They made so stupid mistakes.
As one of the old timers said: "Funcom puts F.U. in FUN" ;)

All their changes are targeted to insert as much as possible timesinks. In order to progress you need massive number of hours doing one and the same type of mobs. The variety is next to zero. Not because there are no other options but because FC deliberately limits them. I doubt anyone will kill a mob to gain XP if there is another mob with the same difficulty, involving similar risk that gives you 3-5 times more xp.
THATS what needes revamping! Funcom's attitude! Shadowlands is a HUUUUGE expansion in terms of surface area. Now 99% of the players are crammed in 1% of it, just because the rest of the options are just DELIBERATELY nerfed by Funcom? Why? I have NO idea...

Same goes for Alien Invasion. It is miniature expansion compared to SL (maybe 25%), and now they insist us to spent even more time to go through tthe alien levels. And it is really a lot more - maybe 4-5 times more. For way less rewards.
People are so pissed, that there is a massive account cancelation going on at this moment. For the last 12 hours 100+ confirmed ones, officially posted by players in AO forums.

Funcom is just out of their minds. The best thing would be if they are taken over by, say, Blizzard and the marketing and management is kicked out.

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I do think AO could use a graphical update, something to FFXI standards, which are not to demanding, but are still fairly good....though the game still sucks :P Anyways, MMORPG worlds are huge, and it sucks that there arnt enough players to fill the ranks. I try and get my friends to play things like AO, but most just dont have the time. I hope that one day MMORPG's will become as popular as plain RPG's are, and that we can see a larger population and more areas than just one or two to level at within a certain range. But for now im content with what we have, and ill be sticking around so long as I have the extra money to spare.

<('')>[Sigurd Levenhiet]<('')>

I was referring the the technical aspects of AO (Graphics and Sound Engine, General Performance) needing an overhaul. The gameplay aspects will always leave somebody unhappy. Either they are not leveling fast enough, or people level so fast that they don't know what to do with what they have. IMHO the alien invasion was just to add a new aspect to the game and not a whole new way to play the game as with the shadowlands. I consider axp to be one of those "Hey I actually have some" kind of things and not one of those "What do you mean I don't have any?" things.

As we speak (or type) the devs are working on a new playfield solely for the purpose of people hunting aliens. While I can hear the devs saying "This will be a great way for lower level people to get axp" what I see happening is all of the high level people simply dominating the area for as many extra perks and items that they can get." We'll see. One of the things funcom has done is now the aliens are attacking the primary cities on a fairly regular basis. This is a good way for people of all levels to finally be able to participate in the Alien Invasion.

Also, some people have been complaining that CRU's are not readily available and can only be obtained through missions. This is not true. They are for sale in the Trader store and the Fixer store outside of Borealis.

I want to add something about graphic ... EQ2 have ways better graphic and still runing faster, without lag spikes on my PC. AO graphic dont look that bad, but need performance update. I am with Radeon 9800 pro now and it still laged as when i was with my old card - GF FX5200.

The lag in AO is not bad at all, it must be your location, and everything else said, I almost agreed with, but am not going to go into a full blown discussion about this and that because I really don't have time now, :P (I really dont) If I have time later I will most definitly post more about this and try and help out different people and make a point of making further suggestions to suggestions that my fellow AO players have posted here.  Heh...that was corny sorry, my bad. Anyway, Have fun. and good luck

ForeverDawn

Gwynidon

(names on AO)

"I dont know where, I dont know when, but something bad is going to happen"