Just posted at Turbine:

http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=193961

"A few moments ago we made the announcement that DDO Unlimited’s launch date is being moved to September 9, with early access for VIP's beginning on September 1."

Well, that's the end of that game.

Ridiculous... it's already a game. Why do they need even more time. From what I hear, they aren't adding all that much content...

Le sigh.

ESPECIALLY sucky considering Aion is released the 22nd of the same month. I don't know if that was wise, lmao.

This comes as a shock to who? The day they said summer most long time players said September at best.  Once again Turbine gets the ball in the open field and proceeds to fumble.

So they may have a lot of new players for awhile, then most will move on to try Aion.

At least it's F2P after that, so it'll be one of those games people go back to over and over and over again.

Wait.... "at least"???? UGH!

Originally posted by jaykpants

So they may have a lot of new players for awhile, then most will move on to try Aion.

 

At least it's F2P after that, so it'll be one of those games people go back to over and over and over again.

Wait.... "at least"???? UGH!

But if DDo F2P/Hybrid fails to bring in and keep "paying" customers it will not be here long enough to go back to over and over.

Originally posted by Rokurgepta

Originally posted by jaykpants

So they may have a lot of new players for awhile, then most will move on to try Aion.

 

At least it's F2P after that, so it'll be one of those games people go back to over and over and over again.

Wait.... "at least"???? UGH!

 

But if DDo F2P/Hybrid fails to bring in and keep "paying" customers it will not be here long enough to go back to over and over.

I don't think there will be less people paying than before the relaunch : ). And that probably means DDO is safe, as last years' delays with new content were due to DDO:U being worked on in background.

Also, I don't think Aion is a competition to DDO ; ). Nor DDO to Aion. Those game are just too different, and you can play both. 10  days or even 14 days trial was never enough for DDO, so this new free to play, seemingly unlimited "trial" is nothing but an improvement here.

Turbine sure must have a very good reason though. I wonder what could it be. But if anyone, players are the last to be able to foresee consequences of such moves. Turbine surely thought about that, though still it's possible that's not a very good decision... From my unprofessional perspective the game was ready to launch. But if they want to, for example, create new UI or add more quests, that would be worth the delay I guess.

But one thing is sure - after those new positions in their ranks were filled, they have much better organization and nothing seems to happen without good reason. Probably old live is pretty desolated, but in the beta it's really visible. Feedback goes out, then next patch addresses it better or worse, but nonetheless.

On the other hand, if that's just to make sure DDO is not laggy with so many possible players, well, they should have sorted it out long ago. But it's not very believable. On last stress test with multiple instances from Korthos, through Harbor to Marketplace there was no lag in game that I noticed... Maybe Turbine Store had some hiccups, but I can't tell, haven't used it at that time.

So much for having an MMO to play until Aion...

Originally posted by Sarr

Originally posted by Rokurgepta

Originally posted by jaykpants

So they may have a lot of new players for awhile, then most will move on to try Aion.

 

At least it's F2P after that, so it'll be one of those games people go back to over and over and over again.

Wait.... "at least"???? UGH!

 

But if DDo F2P/Hybrid fails to bring in and keep "paying" customers it will not be here long enough to go back to over and over.

 

I don't think there will be less people paying than before the relaunch : ). And that probably means DDO is safe, as last years' delays with new content were due to DDO:U being worked on in background.

Also, I don't think Aion is a competition to DDO ; ). Nor DDO to Aion. Those game are just too different, and you can play both. 10  days or even 14 days trial was never enough for DDO, so this new free to play, seemingly unlimited "trial" is nothing but an improvement here.

Turbine sure must have a very good reason though. I wonder what could it be. But if anyone, players are the last to be able to foresee consequences of such moves. Turbine surely thought about that, though still it's possible that's not a very good decision... From my unprofessional perspective the game was ready to launch. But if they want to, for example, create new UI or add more quests, that would be worth the delay I guess.

But one thing is sure - after those new positions in their ranks were filled, they have much better organization and nothing seems to happen without good reason. Probably old live is pretty desolated, but in the beta it's really visible. Feedback goes out, then next patch addresses it better or worse, but nonetheless.

On the other hand, if that's just to make sure DDO is not laggy with so many possible players, well, they should have sorted it out long ago. But it's not very believable. On last stress test with multiple instances from Korthos, through Harbor to Marketplace there was no lag in game that I noticed... Maybe Turbine Store had some hiccups, but I can't tell, haven't used it at that time.

How does Turbine have a much better organization? They just blew all their press coverage the last couple of months by once again missing a deadline they announced. 
 

Of course you do not think there will be less people paying.  You have always thought the game was growing, even with all evidence to the contrary. Turbine screwed the pooch again today.

Originally posted by Rokurgepta

1. How does Turbine have a much better organization? They just blew all their press coverage the last couple of months by once again missing a deadline they announced. 
 

 

2. Of course you do not think there will be less people paying.  You have always thought the game was growing, even with all evidence to the contrary. Turbine screwed the pooch again today.

Sorry, but you're on the edge of trolling now : ). Lacking arguments, speaking about your own feelings.

1. No, actually it may even boost DDO's popularity. It can go both ways. I understand your opinion is that they've "already blew all their press coverage" etc. Ok, that's your opinion on future, got it.

2. Please don't tell me what I think, that's not possible to know like that : ). As I've said numerous times, you're wrong on that point. And you're wrong again! Actually, I won't be subscribing because of that delay, and I think most people who wanted to go VIP at 4th or 6th won't do it now! Heck, they may even go away, while many others may come to check out what's that DDO they're all talking about. But they won't sub before September too, why would they?

Originally posted by Rokurgepta

Originally posted by Sarr

Also, I don't think Aion is a competition to DDO ; ). Nor DDO to Aion. Those game are just too different, and you can play both.

On the other hand, if that's just to make sure DDO is not laggy with so many possible players, well, they should have sorted it out long ago. But it's not very believable.

They just blew all their press coverage the last couple of months by once again missing a deadline they announced.  

Of course you do not think there will be less people paying.  You have always thought the game was growing, even with all evidence to the contrary. Turbine screwed the pooch again today.

 The more different they are the more chance they can coexist with either other.  An example would be EVE & DDO, they compliment each other nicely.  :)

I agree Sars.  Using an excuse that the percieved attention is greater then they expected, while would be awesome for Turbne, is somewhat hard to believe they wouldn't have prepared for it.  Of course, I have absolutely no understanding as to what metrics are used to gauge such demands on the infrastructure needed to effeciently run a game.  (I wish Turbine was more vocal about hardware much in the same way that CCP is about theirs for EVE Online.  The youth are tech savy and people who play complex games love to hear about the technology they're playing on.)

While pessimesitic, you're right Rok.  the masses are timid when it comes to delays in launches.  While I suspect there's a better reason for the delay then "hardware" it must be something so damning that if they didn't do it the draw could have been worse then a delay.  Afterall, someone had to sit there and listen to all the pro's and con's and make the decision to pull it a month knowing very well what their losses would be for such a decision. Just 'cs they've made some bad mistakes doesn't mean their stupid. 

Rok, the population was increasing from what I had also seen although it appeared to have completely collapsed around the first time it became obvious that "Mod9" was not part of the anniversary.  The game appears to have an pretty heavy cycle of ebb and flow. 

It's a let down, but I'm not upset.  ;)

Originally posted by Sarr

Originally posted by Rokurgepta

1. How does Turbine have a much better organization? They just blew all their press coverage the last couple of months by once again missing a deadline they announced. 
 

 

2. Of course you do not think there will be less people paying.  You have always thought the game was growing, even with all evidence to the contrary. Turbine screwed the pooch again today.

 

Sorry, but you're on the edge of trolling now : ). Lacking arguments, speaking about your own feelings.

1. No, actually it may even boost DDO's popularity. It can go both ways. I understand your opinion is that they've "already blew all their press coverage" etc. Ok, that's your opinion on future, got it.

2. Please don't tell me what I think, that's not possible to know like that : ). As I've said numerous times, you're wrong on that point. And you're wrong again! Actually, I won't be subscribing because of that delay, and I think most people who wanted to go VIP at 4th or 6th won't do it now! Heck, they may even go away, while many others may come to check out what's that DDO they're all talking about. But they won't sub before September too, why would they?

From what I have read(can not prove) on the forums it seems lots of people did come back and subscribe for the relaunch. I also read about quite a few new players doing the same in anticipation of the relaunch. It certainly makes their timing seem suspect as they waited as long as possible to lock up as much money as possible before saying "oops delay".
 

Sarr you lack a real argument. You speculate in every post and then accuse me of the same. But the truth is what I have said has come to pass a bit more than your daydreams. They are changing the game so much because they failed the first time. Yet their management has done nothing to change and fix the obvious problems they have with getting things done on time.

My own feels by the way can certainly be a part of this debate. You have no problem using yours in that manner. If you want to call it trolling go right ahead, I prefer to think you have your head in the sand.

Originally posted by mindspat

Originally posted by Rokurgepta

Originally posted by Sarr

Also, I don't think Aion is a competition to DDO ; ). Nor DDO to Aion. Those game are just too different, and you can play both.

On the other hand, if that's just to make sure DDO is not laggy with so many possible players, well, they should have sorted it out long ago. But it's not very believable.

They just blew all their press coverage the last couple of months by once again missing a deadline they announced.  

Of course you do not think there will be less people paying.  You have always thought the game was growing, even with all evidence to the contrary. Turbine screwed the pooch again today.

 

 The more different they are the more chance they can coexist with either other.  An example would be EVE & DDO, they compliment each other nicely.  :)

I agree Sars.  Using an excuse that the percieved attention is greater then they expected, while would be awesome for Turbne, is somewhat hard to believe they wouldn't have prepared for it.  Of course, I have absolutely no understanding as to what metrics are used to gauge such demands on the infrastructure needed to effeciently run a game.  (I wish Turbine was more vocal about hardware much in the same way that CCP is about theirs for EVE Online.  The youth are tech savy and people who play complex games love to hear about the technology they're playing on.)

While pessimesitic, you're right Rok.  the masses are timid when it comes to delays in launches.  While I suspect there's a better reason for the delay then "hardware" it must be something so damning that if they didn't do it the draw could have been worse then a delay.  Afterall, someone had to sit there and listen to all the pro's and con's and make the decision to pull it a month knowing very well what their losses would be for such a decision. Just 'cs they've made some bad mistakes doesn't mean their stupid. 

Rok, the population was increasing from what I had also seen although it appeared to have completely collapsed around the first time it became obvious that "Mod9" was not part of the anniversary.  The game appears to have an pretty heavy cycle of ebb and flow. 

It's a let down, but I'm not upset.  ;)

 

 

After MOD8 and before it became clear MOD9 was a lie, DDO seemed lively. I had rejoined in january and found plenty of people to do things with, but once they dragged on people started leaving. DDO has simply never approached the population they had the first year and the development of the game has been a reflection of that.
 

Originally posted by mindspat

Rok, the population was increasing from what I had also seen although it appeared to have completely collapsed around the first time it became obvious that "Mod9" was not part of the anniversary.  The game appears to have an pretty heavy cycle of ebb and flow. 

It's a let down, but I'm not upset.  ;)

 

That's what I've been saying since a long time :(. Yeah, Mod 9 delay and silence destroyed that growth we had after Mod 8 with NPE. Maybe it wasn't huge growth then, but IF a 3 years old game has it, it's worth attention I guess. Anyway, I was surprised and needed to check it, talk with others about it before saying it myself. It was pretty refreshing - Turbine did something that helped the game grow with new players. So I guess it was a damn straight confirmation to Turbs that it's the right direction and relaunch may be worth it after all...

Rok - please, what lie?... I wasn't lied to, anyway. Maybe I just understood what I've read, and you fell to those community tales.. ur... "speculations"?

It reminds me how it works with so called "celebrities". One day I've read on some music portal big headline:

"United Abominations is the last album of Megadeth!"

...and it surprised me, because I'm very up to date with Dave Mustaine, I read all his blog posts on forums and listen to interviews with him, and he never said anything like that. (Mustaine is my musical inspiration)

Ok, so I thought: let's check this article!

And then I read what the journalist has to say. Hmm, looks like that. But wait, there's a quote to confirm it! So it was like that:

Dave Mustaine: "If United Abominations was the last album I wrote, I would die happy"

Ok, so it was laughable! He obviously said something different and journalist shamelessly manipulated it! But it wasn't the end...

I looked down, under this article, and read comments... People were thinking UA is really going to be the last Megadeth album!  And what now, on year later? I go to guitar forums and  read people are saying Mustaine is a LIAR, because he said that United Abominations was going to be his last record. That he LIED just to make more money from it!

Heck, he never said such thing in the first place, it was just gossip that some people wanted to believe in SO BADLY! 

Originally posted by Sarr

Originally posted by mindspat

Rok, the population was increasing from what I had also seen although it appeared to have completely collapsed around the first time it became obvious that "Mod9" was not part of the anniversary.  The game appears to have an pretty heavy cycle of ebb and flow. 

It's a let down, but I'm not upset.  ;)

 

That's what I've been saying since a long time :(. Yeah, Mod 9 delay and silence destroyed that growth we had after Mod 8 with NPE. Maybe it wasn't huge growth then, but IF a 3 years old game has it, it's worth attention I guess. Anyway, I was surprised and needed to check it, talk with others about it before saying it myself. It was pretty refreshing - Turbine did something that helped the game grow with new players. So I guess it was a damn straight confirmation to Turbs that it's the right direction and relaunch may be worth it after all...

 

Rok - please, what lie?... I wasn't lied to, anyway. Maybe I just understood what I've read, and you fell to those community tales.. ur... "speculations"?

It reminds me how it works with so called "celebrities". One day I've read on some music portal big headline:

"United Abominations is the last album of Megadeth!"

...and it surprised me, because I'm very up to date with Dave Mustaine, I read all his blog posts on forums and listen to interviews with him, and he never said anything like that. (Mustaine is my musical inspiration)

Ok, so I thought: let's check this article!

And then I read what the journalist has to say. Hmm, looks like that. But wait, there's a quote to confirm it! So it was like that:

Dave Mustaine: "If United Abominations was the last album I wrote, I would die happy"

Ok, so it was laughable! He obviously said something different and journalist shamelessly manipulated it! But it wasn't the end...

I looked down, under this article, and read comments... People were thinking UA is really going to be the last Megadeth album!  And what now, on year later? I go to guitar forums and  read people are saying Mustaine is a LIAR, because he said that United Abominations was going to be his last record. That he LIED just to make more money from it!

Heck, he never said such thing in the first place, it was just gossip that some people wanted to believe in SO BADLY! 

Turbine said Mod 9 was due around the anniversary. Mod9 is a lie. Thank you for understanding what you read. Obviously you got to read stuff no one else playing DDO got to read. Yeah I "fell" for community "tales" or "speculation".  I am reading Turbines own words on their website. I tend not to let lesser people do my thinking for me, I am quite capable.

Sarr I hate to break it to you, but you are not exactly a source of reliable information. Your constant jabs that I lack understanding are starting to show you for a straw grasping, desperate to be right, while failing to see the truth fanboy. 

Originally posted by Rokurgepta

Originally posted by Sarr

Originally posted by mindspat

Rok, the population was increasing from what I had also seen although it appeared to have completely collapsed around the first time it became obvious that "Mod9" was not part of the anniversary.  The game appears to have an pretty heavy cycle of ebb and flow. 

It's a let down, but I'm not upset.  ;)

 

That's what I've been saying since a long time :(. Yeah, Mod 9 delay and silence destroyed that growth we had after Mod 8 with NPE. Maybe it wasn't huge growth then, but IF a 3 years old game has it, it's worth attention I guess. Anyway, I was surprised and needed to check it, talk with others about it before saying it myself. It was pretty refreshing - Turbine did something that helped the game grow with new players. So I guess it was a damn straight confirmation to Turbs that it's the right direction and relaunch may be worth it after all...

 

Rok - please, what lie?... I wasn't lied to, anyway. Maybe I just understood what I've read, and you fell to those community tales.. ur... "speculations"?

It reminds me how it works with so called "celebrities". One day I've read on some music portal big headline:

"United Abominations is the last album of Megadeth!"

...and it surprised me, because I'm very up to date with Dave Mustaine, I read all his blog posts on forums and listen to interviews with him, and he never said anything like that. (Mustaine is my musical inspiration)

Ok, so I thought: let's check this article!

And then I read what the journalist has to say. Hmm, looks like that. But wait, there's a quote to confirm it! So it was like that:

Dave Mustaine: "If United Abominations was the last album I wrote, I would die happy"

Ok, so it was laughable! He obviously said something different and journalist shamelessly manipulated it! But it wasn't the end...

I looked down, under this article, and read comments... People were thinking UA is really going to be the last Megadeth album!  And what now, on year later? I go to guitar forums and  read people are saying Mustaine is a LIAR, because he said that United Abominations was going to be his last record. That he LIED just to make more money from it!

Heck, he never said such thing in the first place, it was just gossip that some people wanted to believe in SO BADLY! 

 

Turbine said Mod 9 was due around the anniversary. Mod9 is a lie. Thank you for understanding what you read. Obviously you got to read stuff no one else playing DDO got to read. Yeah I "fell" for community "tales" or "speculation".  I am reading Turbines own words on their website. I tend not to let lesser people do my thinking for me, I am quite capable.

 

Sarr I hate to break it to you, but you are not exactly a source of reliable information. Your constant jabs that I lack understanding are starting to show you for a straw grasping, desperate to be right, while failing to see the truth fanboy. 

So when was the last time you used a quote or a link to back up any of your "opinions"?

Sad to see it delayed but Im sure Turbine have some very good reasons (which I cant see)

I am generally an optimist, and I could understand the F2P move, even the delay of Mod 9 and beta so they could have a relaunch. Have to say this does look like a major F'up on Turbines part and doesn't fill me with confidence they are going to be able to produce future releases at the speed required to grow DDO.

Sorry, I'm usually just a Ghost on here; or for those that love labels "troll". Anywho I'm split 50 50 with their decision to go F2P. On one hand I'll actually try it out this way, on the other without the proper team pushing this thing it will be dead in 2 or less years. People want to play games that are well supported. If they can't support the game in a timely manner then people will walk away. As people walk then the company will finally abandon the game.

Its sad but it's also reality. No one throws money into the toilet, and people don't stay in rundown hotels. If they get their shit together they can grow this game to be one of the best F2P's ever but if they are just opening the doors to a burning building I doubt many people will stick around after the launch.

YES! This is only MY opinion. NO I am not claiming any secret insider knowledge or clairvoyance. It's called common sense, unfortunately it has never really been all that common.

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-The only reality in reality TV is 10 million idiots watch it everyday!

I'm looking forward to this game an awful lot, as I mentioned in my previous post.

As a potential player, I'm a bit gutted that the release date has slipped but I can live with that if the game is good. I don't have anything else I'd rather play.

However, will the slippage cause the game to suffer?

It seems many people think Aion will have a major impact on the player base. I'm not in a position to just either game, but I'm certain that if Aion doesn't live up to expectations (which is highly likely since gamers expectations seem to typically exceed what is finally delivered), they will turn to DDO simply because it's a proper game that also happens to be F2P.

It wouldn't be a popular decision, but if I was the Release Lead (or whatever) at Turbine, I'd actually delay release until around 2 weeks to 1 month after Aion launches. My reasoning is as follows:

Release before Aion

• DDO servers get increasingly busy with new players.
• Everyone is happy in DDO.
• Aion launches.
• DDO loses players to Aion.
• Remaining DDO players (including people who only want a F2P game) get tetchy and start to leave for Aion or their previous game because they think DDO may die.
• Disenchanted Aion players return to DDO in trickles after a few weeks trying it out.
• The unhappy Aion players find DDO servers a bit quiet and return to their previous game, e.g. WoW.
• Key point: Once you lose a player it's very difficult to win them back - see AoC for an example.
• Key point: Players rejoining DDO will be joining a game with a stable (but not growing) player base.

Release after Aion

• Disenchanted Aion players begin leaving to try DDO.
• Find a number of F2P gamers playing and even though numbers aren't huge, so what, it's only just been released.
• Number grow steadily as more players move over to DDO.
• Key point: Players joining from wherever will be joining a game with a growing player base - the community will constantly be improving.

Well, that's my two-pence worth.

Aryas

I wouldn't worry too much about Aion having much affect on DDO, same was said about AoC then WAR, blip was pretty short if noticeable at all. DDO is a niche game and doesn't really get affected by the latest fad MMO.