With TOR out and some of the biggest MMO launches on the horizon, what are some of the features that you find attrictive about this game, and make it stand out from the crowds?

     I was just having this conversation with my GF about this game earlier today. It seems like the dev's for this title are pushing the story/theme/concept of the game far more than they are actually pushing the game itself and that worries me a little.

     I'll be the first to admit that it is hard not to find the concept of the game itself intriguing. I mean c'mon. A modern day horror/conspiracy mmo. That in itself is incredibly novel. On top of that it has 3 faction's and of course good looking trailers.

     But ive kind of noticed that they seem to be putting emphasis on the aspects of the games story rather than highlighting the actual gameplay mechanics itself. We know its classless which is interesting in and of itself, and its also leveless. And from what ive heard so far it seems to operate similar to GW1 with its whole build system for charachter skills, but with the added dimension of having half of your build be passive skills that work with the active skills. Now personally, i think that this sounds like a potentially awesome idea. So my question is, Why isnt funcom putting this info front and center? We know for example that you will be able to mix your skills using 3 different types of magic, so why dont they put out a video illustrating what kind of effects we can expect from the different types? Obviously nothing that gives too much gameplay info away, but just a general synopsis. Instead we get yet another video about an in game location.

     Dont get me wrong, i dont mind those video's but it just seems like they could stand to put a bit more emphasis on showing how there gameplay is different than other games the way GW2 has done. These video's that show different in-game area's are just preaching to the choir of players already interested, but i doubt they are converting anyone's interest that they didnt already have. Given the general feeling of excitement that GW2 has generated largely from explaining how different the actual gameplay is from most mmo's, it seems like a lost opportunity for TSW not to capitalize on the same. From what info ive had to go looking for about the games gameplay, it sounds like TSW has much to offer in terms of something new and different gameplay.

     What is all the more frustrating is this game only has 3 months to generate hype of its own before release and because they are focusing a little too much on story and background at the expense of explaining gameplay. People are going to possibly give this a pass who may in fact have loved it. After TOR advertised itself based on the strength of its story (while offering very little inovation in gameplay), people may paint TSW with the same brush in there mind and not give it a chance.

Need to Beta test it to give any opinion :P.

Rated PVP

That is all.

For me its the setting, skill system, and graphics/music combo that I enjoyed in AoC.  But, mostly the setting.  Modern World conspiracy theory/superstition has never been done in an MMO before and it intrigues me.

Originally posted by Nailzzz

  We know its classless which is interesting in and of itself, and its also leveless. And from what ive heard so far it seems to operate similar to GW1 with its whole build system for charachter skills, but with the added dimension of having half of your build be passive skills that work with the active skills. Now personally, i think that this sounds like a potentially awesome idea. So my question is, Why isnt funcom putting this info front and center? We know for example that you will be able to mix your skills using 3 different types of magic, so why dont they put out a video illustrating what kind of effects we can expect from the different types?

I don't think they want to present something that they aren't 100% sure will be in the game. The same goes for the crafting system. In other words, they are doing a Blizzard, probably changing things around a lot , trying to get them perfect, instead of just good.

It's basically the opposite approach they had with AoC where they told about features that never got into the final game. They got a lot of flack for it, so they are doing the opposite this time. It probably makes it a lot easier for them to change things that don't work as well.

Another angle is that they want to attract the right kind of players for TSW. I don't think they are trying to make the next WoW. They are trying to make a game that fits into a particular niche, like EvE Online.

Regarding the OP

I love the background story, the puzzle quests, the skill and combat system. It also looks to be a stable and good looking game. I am a previous AoC player, and nearly all the things that annoyed me seems to be fixed for TSW. I think I am going to love making new builds and it looks a lot more solo/small group friendly than AoC, which was either Raid or PvP.

For me its the setting, skill system.  But, mostly the setting.  Modern World conspiracy theory/superstition has never been done in an MMO before and it intrigues me.

The arg integration is also something I would like to see the progression of.

The setting mostly and seeing how they will implement the classic adventure aspects of the game.

Originally posted by Blackbrrd

Originally posted by Nailzzz

  We know its classless which is interesting in and of itself, and its also leveless. And from what ive heard so far it seems to operate similar to GW1 with its whole build system for charachter skills, but with the added dimension of having half of your build be passive skills that work with the active skills. Now personally, i think that this sounds like a potentially awesome idea. So my question is, Why isnt funcom putting this info front and center? We know for example that you will be able to mix your skills using 3 different types of magic, so why dont they put out a video illustrating what kind of effects we can expect from the different types?

I don't think they want to present something that they aren't 100% sure will be in the game. The same goes for the crafting system. In other words, they are doing a Blizzard, probably changing things around a lot , trying to get them perfect, instead of just good.

It's basically the opposite approach they had with AoC where they told about features that never got into the final game. They got a lot of flack for it, so they are doing the opposite this time. It probably makes it a lot easier for them to change things that don't work as well.

Another angle is that they want to attract the right kind of players for TSW. I don't think they are trying to make the next WoW. They are trying to make a game that fits into a particular niche, like EvE Online.

Regarding the OP

I love the background story, the puzzle quests, the skill and combat system. It also looks to be a stable and good looking game. I am a previous AoC player, and nearly all the things that annoyed me seems to be fixed for TSW. I think I am going to love making new builds and it looks a lot more solo/small group friendly than AoC, which was either Raid or PvP.

     The problem with them not being 100% sure of what is going to be in the game, is that the release of the game is in a mere 3 months. Im not asking for a 100% rundown of the skills and how they work. Just a overview of what kind of magic is generally capable of what in terms of playstyles. If they dont have at least some basic info to show players about the magic types by now, then that would seem to point to yet another infamous funcom botched launch. Im hopeful that that isnt the case and prefer to give them the benefit of the doubt, but if what your saying is true.....

     I also dont believe that they are trying to make the next WoW, which is kind of what they should be showing people. Not just in game story/theme, but in gameplay as well.

     Red = WTF?

The main reasons I think this is an interesting title:

Skill system, no fixed classes, anyone can respec between healer, ranged or melee dps, tank, whatever. So no looking for tank, looking for healer then gtg. Major turn-off in WoW-like games: there will always be people who can't enjoy the game because they're the wrong class. None of that crap = good point!

The 3 factions instead of 2 factions. 2 factions are almost always unbalanced, with 3 factions things just get a bit more interesting.

The setting, modern horror looks interesting.

Great looking graphics, now good gameplay and this could be a great piece of great entertainment.

I've been waiting a long time to play because of this http://www.mmorpg.com/gamelist.cfm/game/404/view/videos/play/1416/First-Cinematic-Trailer.html

haven't been real excited about it lately though. P2P is just a tough pill to swallow with the current quality of B2P and F2P games.

Originally posted by blognorg

With TOR out and some of the biggest MMO launches on the horizon, what are some of the features that you find attrictive about this game, and make it stand out from the crowds?

Nothing yet.  I had high hopes but now, I will need to play it before I buy it.  They have changed so much since they first announced this game that I am totally confused about what features are really going to be in it.  I lost all excitement for this game about a year ago.

What am I looking forward to?

I grew up reading Lovecraft. The thought of that sort of setting in modern day was appealing.

Why am I looking forward to The Secret War? Because Funcom said they will get around to making the next installment of The Longest Journey after it launches. Dreamfall has only been a dangling cliffhanger since 2005!

-Modern/Horror/Mystery setting as done by the folks who made "Dreamfall" and "The Longest Journey"

-skill=based advancement, ie no classes

That in itself is enough to have me interested.

I will play this simply because all the beta testers I have spoken too are just going insane over this game. Gameplay is apparently so dynamic and so fun. Shooting up those really scary monsters is supposedly get your hart racing... And the other thing is of course no levels just progression by skills, that could be the change to the MMO formula that we all have been looking forward to.

EDIT: Last thing I also am curious about is the 3 faction PvP... DaoC style :)

1) Cthulhu/Lovecraft theme

2) No sickining levels / leveling

3) It's not TOR

4) Mysterious theme

5) Unique exploration

What I'm looking forward to in no particular order:

1. The Setting
2. No levels
3. Skill system
4. Three faction pvp
5. The graphics
6. Ragnar Tornquist storytelling

What I'm worried about in no particular order

1. The crafting
2. The feel and pace of the combat
3. Non combat activities
4. The cash shop
5. the game being finished for the most part at launch.