I was lucky to grab a Beta key from a German website (Danke Schoen Stragen001) and have had a little look at The Secret World tonight..... and I must say I'm not inpressed, the overall experience wasn't good and because of this I did not get far into TSW. But first imporessions matter don't they? and TSW is not a example of a great start to a game that is hailed a move to the next stage of MMO's ala GW2. Though I will say I'm not one to judge a game fully on just the first hour in game as I will give the game another shot tomorrow but the reason for this thread, the question in my title, popped into my mind a few times.

The Secret World came across as a game developed buy a cash strapped developer it basically feels half baked and very incomplete and that conclusion has come from my first impressions but which do coincide with what many have said on these very forums. Funcom have been struggling as a developer for many years and have only recently started to overcome their debts and started to make some money but in that time have been developing their new MMO and it shows, as the difference in feel and looks from AOC to The Secret World are incredible when they both use a similar engine, though a better version for TSW is what Funcom have said, and were developed by the same teams. 

Character movement is light and floaty in TSW which translates into no feed back in combat, Characters look stiff and wooden, early environments are lackluster and remind me of point and click games like Broken Sword, the VO is also wooden and amateurish, and being a born and bred Londoner the dialog is hilarious it is at once trying to be authentic cockney but it throws in internet gaming meme's like "for the win" among other things and ruins any sense of authenticity. Now don't get me wrong these are just my opinions and I felt like expressing them on MMORPG.com but my first impressions of this game makes me feel that Funcom are on borrowed time as this game in its present state, which is a month out from release, is not going to grab the attention of enough buyers to make the game viable.

I will be playing this game again over the weekend and if I change my mind I will be man enough to admit it because being negative isn't fun.

Well Funcom took some serious loans for developing TSW (last one that is publicly known was 15 million $ in convertible bonds in q4 2011 ) there is still 6 days since presentation of report for q1 2012.

While Funcom is far from going bankrupt - If TSW does badly and in spite of AoC falling revenues (after initial freemium spike) - they

might have some problems. 

Definately would be easier target for take-over as well.

All those rumors of EA taking over them....

Didn't care for the game either, although I did enjoy the setting for the most part.  I forsee the game doing 'ok'.  It's probably  going to launch before GW2 so it wont be initially competing with it.  Also by the time it launches more and more people will be getting bored with D3.  The game however seems to be under many people's radar at the moment. 

It's a good question to be honest, but I don't see the game breaking them.  It will not 'make' them either.  It's just doesn't seem like it's that good of a game.  It will sell ok initially and then take a nosedive once GW2 releases IMO.  The game will eventually become free to play or 'Funcom Freemium' as it seems like it's already being set up that way.  Now, if EA does buy them out...they are doomed just like every other company they takeover.

this beta weekend build is in the version 0.8, the build used in the closed beta have like a thousand times more gameplay mechanics and content.

I don't even know what funcom is thinking to do with this beta weekend... probably just want to stress test the game.

Originally posted by rpgalon

this beta weekend build is in the version 0.8, the build used in the closed beta have like a thousand times more gameplay mechanics and content.

I don't even know what funcom is thinking to do with this beta weekend... probably just want to stress test the game.

Where did you get that intel?  Beta weekends are demos and kingsmith has been polished for years now, there were screenshots of kingsmith over 3 years ago.   The beta is used to showcase the game and build up hype, which sells boxes.

I loged in at prime time today and played a bit over 1 hour and there are few other players, which is a bad sign.  Maybe there is hidden instancing but there are way fewer than beta weekend 1. The content is limited by a story, so replayability is needed.

Seems like this MMO requires another year of production and some redevelopment of combat and whatever is required to keep players subscribed.  Since there were few players it felt like a crappy RPG, the quests in Skyrim, vampire masquerade, Neverwinter knights seemed a bit better than the go kill X quests and go pick up Y quests that this game is loaded with.

     I'd imagine TSW could very well make or break Funcom....AO has gone about as far as it can (when was the last expansion?), AoC has gone f2p but is still doing ok, and then TSW......I'd say if it falls short of Funcom's expectations (and it sounded like they invested alot into it), it could be a major disaster for them....I haven't heard if they are working on any other games so it does seem like they are putting all their eggs in the TSW basket.

Originally posted by tares

Originally posted by rpgalon

this beta weekend build is in the version 0.8, the build used in the closed beta have like a thousand times more gameplay mechanics and content.

I don't even know what funcom is thinking to do with this beta weekend... probably just want to stress test the game.

Where did you get that intel?  Beta weekends are demos and kingsmith has been polished for years now, there were screenshots of kingsmith over 3 years ago.   The beta is used to showcase the game and build up hype, which sells boxes.

I loged in at prime time today and played a bit over 1 hour and there are few other players, which is a bad sign.  Maybe there is hidden instancing but there are way fewer than beta weekend 1. The content is limited by a story, so replayability is needed.

Seems like this MMO requires another year of production and some redevelopment of combat and whatever is required to keep players subscribed.  Since there were few players it felt like a crappy RPG, the quests in Skyrim, vampire masquerade, Neverwinter knights seemed a bit better than the go kill X quests and go pick up Y quests that this game is loaded with.

I'm not seeing much fan hype as well, look at the thread I got my beta Key from if that was GW2 is would be multiple pages by now with people clamouring for keys and the these TSW forums are not exactly teeming with posts as well 4 weeks from launch, maybe the AOC launch is still fresh im many players minds. Also I don't get this isn't a gold build, any beta testing is done this game goes in the can in a couple of weeks so DVD's can be pressed and boxes shipped. I have experience of a few beta's and the client in a PR beta is the client you'll get in the box plus maybe a couple of tweeks but no major changes. I had already deducted that with such a late "open" beta phase and them not allowing much of the game to be seen that this game is far far far from release ready and now playing it I can see that my suspicions are founded. This game needs a miracle to succeed and for that "game of the year thread" I can only think I'd like some of the Kool Aid he's been driunking becuase it must be fantastic 

Originally posted by Calerxes

Originally posted by tares

Originally posted by rpgalon

this beta weekend build is in the version 0.8, the build used in the closed beta have like a thousand times more gameplay mechanics and content.

I don't even know what funcom is thinking to do with this beta weekend... probably just want to stress test the game.

Where did you get that intel?  Beta weekends are demos and kingsmith has been polished for years now, there were screenshots of kingsmith over 3 years ago.   The beta is used to showcase the game and build up hype, which sells boxes.

I loged in at prime time today and played a bit over 1 hour and there are few other players, which is a bad sign.  Maybe there is hidden instancing but there are way fewer than beta weekend 1. The content is limited by a story, so replayability is needed.

Seems like this MMO requires another year of production and some redevelopment of combat and whatever is required to keep players subscribed.  Since there were few players it felt like a crappy RPG, the quests in Skyrim, vampire masquerade, Neverwinter knights seemed a bit better than the go kill X quests and go pick up Y quests that this game is loaded with.

 

I'm not seeing much fan hype as well, look at the thread I got my beta Key from if that was GW2 is would be multiple pages by now with people clamouring for keys and the these TSW forums are not exactly teeming with posts as well 4 weeks from launch, maybe the AOC launch is still fresh im many players minds. Also I don't get this isn't a gold build, any beta testing is done this game goes in the can in a couple of weeks so DVD's can be pressed and boxes shipped. I have experience of a few beta's and the client in a PR beta is the client you'll get in the box plus maybe a couple of tweeks but no major changes. I had already deducted that with such a late "open" beta phase and them not allowing much of the game to be seen that this game is far far far from release ready and now playing it I can see that my suspicions are founded. This game needs a miracle to succeed and for that "game of the year thread" I can only think I'd like some of the Kool Aid he's been driunking becuase it must be fantastic 

Did we visit the same official forums? because they are very active. Moreover TSW community reminds me of Fallen Earth community...mature and have very few trolls.

If you had been part of TSW community for long you would know that a decision was made some time back to stick to official forums only and not troll every single forum on internet like GW2 people trying to get rise of every possible MMO player.

I am glad that Funcom is keeping things low key and didn't make a manifesto video to blow their own trumpet. A game should speak for itself and we will see how it fairs at release. After AOC launch Funcom is playing it safe and not going out of its way to hype TSW which is a great thing because i will take TSW community over GW2 any day.

Originally posted by Chrome1980

Originally posted by Calerxes

Originally posted by tares

Originally posted by rpgalon

this beta weekend build is in the version 0.8, the build used in the closed beta have like a thousand times more gameplay mechanics and content.

I don't even know what funcom is thinking to do with this beta weekend... probably just want to stress test the game.

Where did you get that intel?  Beta weekends are demos and kingsmith has been polished for years now, there were screenshots of kingsmith over 3 years ago.   The beta is used to showcase the game and build up hype, which sells boxes.

I loged in at prime time today and played a bit over 1 hour and there are few other players, which is a bad sign.  Maybe there is hidden instancing but there are way fewer than beta weekend 1. The content is limited by a story, so replayability is needed.

Seems like this MMO requires another year of production and some redevelopment of combat and whatever is required to keep players subscribed.  Since there were few players it felt like a crappy RPG, the quests in Skyrim, vampire masquerade, Neverwinter knights seemed a bit better than the go kill X quests and go pick up Y quests that this game is loaded with.

 

I'm not seeing much fan hype as well, look at the thread I got my beta Key from if that was GW2 is would be multiple pages by now with people clamouring for keys and the these TSW forums are not exactly teeming with posts as well 4 weeks from launch, maybe the AOC launch is still fresh im many players minds. Also I don't get this isn't a gold build, any beta testing is done this game goes in the can in a couple of weeks so DVD's can be pressed and boxes shipped. I have experience of a few beta's and the client in a PR beta is the client you'll get in the box plus maybe a couple of tweeks but no major changes. I had already deducted that with such a late "open" beta phase and them not allowing much of the game to be seen that this game is far far far from release ready and now playing it I can see that my suspicions are founded. This game needs a miracle to succeed and for that "game of the year thread" I can only think I'd like some of the Kool Aid he's been driunking becuase it must be fantastic 

Did we visit the same official forums? because they are very active. Moreover TSW community reminds me of Fallen Earth community...mature and have very few trolls.

If you had been part of TSW community for long you would know that a decision was made some time back to stick to official forums only and not troll every single forum on internet like GW2 people trying to get rise of every possible MMO player.

I am glad that Funcom is keeping things low key and didn't make a manifesto video to blow their own trumpet. A game should speak for itself and we will see how it fairs at release. After AOC launch Funcom is playing it safe and not going out of its way to hype TSW which is a great thing because i will take TSW community over GW2 any day.

I was talking about THIS forum and its beta weekend and the forums are not teeming with life and from other accounts the game isn't either. The orange highlighted part seems to be vey very unlikely, its difficult enough to get 10 players in a dungeon to do the same thing let alone a whole community of gamers, so I think you are pulling at straws with that argument.This game is not ready for release and because of Funcom's record I don't see it selling very well there is just no real buzz about the game. It just comes down to this... The game is niche in theme and conception and also with it not being ready for realease it cuts its selling potential dramatically but of course we'll know if I'm right in a month won't we?

Kind of amusing how some dudes are trying desperately convince everyone that TSW is failing even in beta. Not enough people? Well, when I played yesterday it was thriving. Stopped playing only because I want to keep it fresh for release. 

Originally posted by Calerxes

Originally posted by Chrome1980

Originally posted by Calerxes

Originally posted by tares

Originally posted by rpgalon

this beta weekend build is in the version 0.8, the build used in the closed beta have like a thousand times more gameplay mechanics and content.

I don't even know what funcom is thinking to do with this beta weekend... probably just want to stress test the game.

Where did you get that intel?  Beta weekends are demos and kingsmith has been polished for years now, there were screenshots of kingsmith over 3 years ago.   The beta is used to showcase the game and build up hype, which sells boxes.

I loged in at prime time today and played a bit over 1 hour and there are few other players, which is a bad sign.  Maybe there is hidden instancing but there are way fewer than beta weekend 1. The content is limited by a story, so replayability is needed.

Seems like this MMO requires another year of production and some redevelopment of combat and whatever is required to keep players subscribed.  Since there were few players it felt like a crappy RPG, the quests in Skyrim, vampire masquerade, Neverwinter knights seemed a bit better than the go kill X quests and go pick up Y quests that this game is loaded with.

 

I'm not seeing much fan hype as well, look at the thread I got my beta Key from if that was GW2 is would be multiple pages by now with people clamouring for keys and the these TSW forums are not exactly teeming with posts as well 4 weeks from launch, maybe the AOC launch is still fresh im many players minds. Also I don't get this isn't a gold build, any beta testing is done this game goes in the can in a couple of weeks so DVD's can be pressed and boxes shipped. I have experience of a few beta's and the client in a PR beta is the client you'll get in the box plus maybe a couple of tweeks but no major changes. I had already deducted that with such a late "open" beta phase and them not allowing much of the game to be seen that this game is far far far from release ready and now playing it I can see that my suspicions are founded. This game needs a miracle to succeed and for that "game of the year thread" I can only think I'd like some of the Kool Aid he's been driunking becuase it must be fantastic 

Did we visit the same official forums? because they are very active. Moreover TSW community reminds me of Fallen Earth community...mature and have very few trolls.

If you had been part of TSW community for long you would know that a decision was made some time back to stick to official forums only and not troll every single forum on internet like GW2 people trying to get rise of every possible MMO player.

I am glad that Funcom is keeping things low key and didn't make a manifesto video to blow their own trumpet. A game should speak for itself and we will see how it fairs at release. After AOC launch Funcom is playing it safe and not going out of its way to hype TSW which is a great thing because i will take TSW community over GW2 any day.

 

I was talking about THIS forum and its beta weekend and the forums are not teeming with life and from other accounts the game isn't either. The orange highlighted part seems to be vey very unlikely, its difficult enough to get 10 players in a dungeon to do the same thing let alone a whole community of gamers, so I think you are pulling at straws with that argument.This game is not ready for release and because of Funcom's record I don't see it selling very well there is just no real buzz about the game. It just comes down to this... The game is niche in theme and conception and also with it not being ready for realease it cuts its selling potential dramatically but of course we'll know if I'm right in a month won't we?

When i said TSW community its obvious i wasn't saying each and everyone agreed to it but most of the responses were in favor of it. That is why you don't see TSW fans rampaging across internet forums like raging bulls.

And when every MMO company tries to over hype their MMO i am glad Funcom is keeping things low key as it saves from the huge back clash of over blown expectation and imaginary promises which devs never made in first place.

You can look at it as a negative but for me niche community is a plus and the buzz is there for those who enjoyed the beta. Didn't know that now days we gauge the popularity of MMOS on basis of activity on this forum.

The two biggest problems with TSW is animations and character creation which are going to be addressed before and after release. Other than that what other major issues are there that you are saying TSW isn't ready for release?

Originally posted by tares
I loged in at prime time today and played a bit over 1 hour and there are few other players, which is a bad sign.  Maybe there is hidden instancing but there are way fewer than beta weekend 1. The content is limited by a story, so replayability is needed.

It is indeed instanced. There are plenty of players.