All Posts by Yukari_Momma

I'm not interested in Age of Conan because, even if there was an abundance of roleplay, we all know how the females would be treated or what sort of personalities would be expected of them.  I mean, all girls startign out as sex slaves?

I'm somewhat interested in Fallen Earth.  The world, factions, and story just seem interesting to me.  However, my biggest wait is for Hero's Journey.  That company is known for it's rp support and I'm sure they won't do us wrong again.

It's true and false all at the same time, since working on the engine is the same as working on their game in this case.  It is not a "one thing without the other" process.  They both get worked on side by side, one's progress helping the other.

Originally posted by Ikenn

As a former long time player of Gemstone I would give Simu an A+ on game content.  Being able to have or purchase weapons and armor that no one else has or that is rare is something that almost all games lack.  I would however have to give them a F- on their programing and Gamemasters.  Two major downfalls that I see about this HJ or Simu in general: First if their stance on PVP is as it was then this game will not get the numbers it will need to survive and second if they continue to charge $25+ for a basic subscription and $80+ for premium accounts they will be senidng people away also.  As old as WoW is getting I'd rather play that for $15 a month then over pay for that isn't proven yet. 

Get those GM's on some Paxil lower the prices and make sure that PVP is possible.

PvP IS possible in Gemstone and DragonRealms from what I understand.  It's just also punishable on certain servers, just like it might be in real life.  You go to jail for murder or assault, right?  What good is being a thief if you can't go to jail for stealing from someone?  It takes away all the excitement and reason for thieving!  Since everyone who has ever played a thief in an mmorpg knows that the games tend to balance things out so you're not the richest person in the pixelated world.  This way of doing things allows for more from an rp stance and gameplay stance.  Free for all pvp, but a reason for people not to go around killing others for no reason.

  They also have "Fallen" servers which are free for all pvp without punishment.  These are, admittedly, another 5 dollars on top of the basic subscription, though.

The prices are 14.95 for all games at a basic subscription.  A Premium subscription is another 25 dollars.  A Platinum subscription is 49.95.  At no time is it 80.  If you are going to argue prices, make sure to look them over first.

Originally posted by Askatan

the big problem with HJ is that they had a concept much like DDO.

and D&D online flopped hard.

if they still work on it, they are probably changing the whole concept much like Garriot did with Tabula Rasa. it wasn't a sci fi game at first....

they might make it more like WoW or EQ2 or guildwars.... I bet they try to copy some sucessful concept...

 

the biggest problem they face is that this year, the biggest blockbusters since WoW will go online...

Age of Conan and WAR...

so they wont do any PvP heavy or adult themed MMORPG either...

 

if they have enough time, they might wait it out and release the game in 2 years with totally next gen graphics to get customers...

but for the near future, I cannot see any market niche for HJ. that's why they are silent. if the DDO principle would have been a hit, we would have have HJ now already

1.  Hero's Journey is NOT a concept like D&D Online.  There is no evidence to support this claim and I'm not sure where you got the comparison.  Also, why would they make another WoW/EQ2/Guildwars when there is already a WoW/EQ2/Guildwars?  That's terrible business sense and has gotten many other games put down for attempting.  Why would someone move from one product where they have time invested in to another product that is just like it and they have to start from scratch at?  It is true the concept got entirely changed, and concepts do tend to morph during the game making process as well, but this is not a morph into an already existing game.

2.  Age of Conan and Warhammer Online being big daddies in the mmorpg industry is personal opinion.  That is fine, as long as you make it known that is an opinion, not a fact.  For people like me, those games hold no charm.  Warhammer won't be for role players so much and Age of Conan....eh, I'm a feminist so enough said there.  They have indeed said this won't be a pvping game, and it won't be an "adults only" game either.  It will probably be something along the lines of other games out there in rating because, let's face it, you're shooting yourself in the foot if you make it so department stores can't sell something.

3.  Since when did graphics become the "killer of all things gaming"?  WoW doesn't make it because of it's graphics.  It makes it because of style.  Hero's Journey has a style all it's own.  These graphics are also constantly changing with developement, just like concepts.  This is how all games work.  You won't know what's going on there until the game is released.  If a game relies as much on graphics as you say, they'll be outdated in less than two years after having the best of graphics anyhow.  Style beats the test of time.

4.  DDO, once again, was a different game.  It wasn't a game for roleplayers, for one thing.  It might have succeeded with more catering to that group since who roleplays more than the table toppers?  RPers still lack their own game while the pvers and pvpers have them all over.  I'm sure you didn't much consider this group in your thinking.  Most think it's too small of a group, but it's actually just a beaten down one.  Simutronics, whether they mean to or not, is probably going to come out with a game that would attract role players.  Their past games have done it, and if they use even half the principles from them, this game will too.  And there you have it, a niche.

Originally posted by queneldenf

Wow, really amazing, the first time that I know there is such a kind of class, it makes me want to have a try, but I'm just wondering if anyone, I mean the player won't be affected by the virtual world?

Well, in the games where you can steal from other players, you normally can also be killed by said players.  If you're wanting to steal from townspeople, you normally can be caught and killed by guards or thrown in some sort of jail (the MUD DragonRealms I know specifically has a jail).  Being a thief isn't great because of the loot, but because of the thrill of getting caught.  If you play a thief only for money, you'll find yourself sorely disappointed.  Normally, the games make it balanced out so the thief still doesn't have an overwhelming amount of money compared to any other class.

Can't link it, but it's possible to buy back issues to Game Developer magazine.  Also, those in the biz (including educators that can prove they help towards video games) can get free subscriptions.  To me, buying it is worth it since this magazine has so much interesting information on the industry.

Originally posted by darquenblade

Originally posted by Yukari_Momma

Anyone else read Steph's article in Game Developer Magazine in the December issue?  It talked about all the challenges of making a MUD an MMORPG.

Sorry your post got lost in the gigantic pissing contest going on over here right now. As to your question, no I haven't read that article. Did you? If so, care to relate anything?

I can't say everything that is in it.  It's a five page article.  She goes in depth on her perspective of MMORPGs, what they should be about, and how someone can try to bring all the goodies of MUDs into the graphical field and what things it just isn't possible to transport over.  Now, I realize some out there say "How is this relevant?  We want HJ info!"  but these articles ARE HJ info.  The whole engine is HJ info.  A lot of other mmorpg companies talk about what their game can do and people accept that as game info, but Simu has been keeping them seperate in terms of names and so people sort of wash away this fact in their minds.  Since Steph is the lead designer, it's safe to say her perspective will be in there just a tad.  What she loves about a game will most likely be seen in HJ.

No, there's not much involving the name "Hero's Journey" in there.  It's about making games.  Still, it's a good article and does give a perspective on some of the goals of HJ.

Anyone else read Steph's article in Game Developer Magazine in the December issue?  It talked about all the challenges of making a MUD an MMORPG.

Originally posted by BackwardsDag

 

I have experienced the plat GS and all, what I want is the same thing in 3d. Muddy waters was electric before electric was cool. I loved GS, but I still like 3d enviroments better than text now. My big whine is all about getting the GS style of play into a 3d game.

On a side note, I found the best overall roleplaying to be found in just regular old gemstone, vs. plat. I liked plat, and yes, it was more exclusive and rp oriented, but the folks in regular GS were MUCH more fun and exciting. Eh, I dont mind all the differences that come from being in a more open server, vs. the amount of people I get to interact with. The performances, while not as well listened to and liked by all, always had an audience, and everyone was always enthusiastic. But to each their own, I might have liked plat better if I had started there, but it was hard to leave the relations I had already built in regular GS.

You got this December issue of Game Developer magazine, right?  Has an article by Stephanie Shaver about going about doing just that.

Originally posted by Ts117

 

If you think Simu doesnt have money, then you are sadly mistaken.  From your link:

"Development partners over the years include most of the leaders in the online, media, and computer game industry including Universal Studios, Sony, Viacom, Time Warner, and Microprose."

Other game companies have bought the HJ engine which means $$ for Simu, but that doesnt equate to "better" for the customers. I have no clue what you mean by "to provide and enhance greater capability toward the GM's duties for the game." because its not a lack of money thats hurting Simu's games.

Now, how can our expectations of a product NOT be related to a similar product from from the same company? Its like buying car model A that frequently breaks down, is costly to repair, and the dealer service is lousy, but completely overlooking that fact when buying a new car.

You should try to learn from mistakes, not repeat them.

One..  How well do you know the process of making an MMORPG?  What kind of costs do you think go into it?  It's actually millions...  Not only are you paying for the technology, the upgrades, the replacing..but you're also having to pay a bunch of tired programmers, worn out animators, and cranky designers.  Yeah.  Turns out all those people don't work for free for years at a time.  No, initial disc sales do NOT cover it all.  It takes high numbers really to make an mmorpg pay off since these millions in debt work up and then never stop working up as the game needs fixes and new content.   Sure, a MUD is cheaper to upkeep now of days, but income from their MUDS still can't pay off an entire place.  Engine sales can't pay off an entire place.  These aren't going for 10 mill each.

Two... Where did you get the idea that Simu has been dissapointing with it's past products?  Or, at least, more so than other things?  People are still playing a MUD for heaven's sake.  It is not a horrible company that continually fails leaving only a pit of despair.  All I've seen(and I've had it pushed in my face several times now) is something about a couple classes that never came to be.  That, my friends, is just how games are.  Some things DON'T come to be.  Like Champions in WoW or houses in Conan.  It does happen.  I agree that it might be bad not to tidy up the crime scene as well as these two, but I don't agree that it's something to equate to a junky car.  Some junkers can take a lot of punishment and are great for the derby if not for the road.

Originally posted by Wizardry

Good luck to simultronics as i am sure they could make a decent playable game,but there gonna outdate themselves if they take much longer.

Honey, all games out date themselves after being around for a month.  True works of art, though, stand a longer test of time.

Originally posted by bobfish

 

 

Most modern MMOs offer premium services, it's big business for EQ2 and Lotro. However neither do the advanced characters, so I wouldn't expect EA Mythic to do that either, but I can see them doing the rest of it. Anything to make more money and to be honest, they are needed services.. being able to transfer your character from one server to another or change it's name is a must have any in any MMO imo. Though obviously I'd rather it be free, I realise if they can make money from it they will.

I wouldn't rather something be free.  I don't know what it is, but something about games that are offered free always turns out terrible.  Maybe it's because only terrible games are offered free.  Maybe it's because people actually do try less on them and they tend to attract a worse community.  I'm not sure.

Originally posted by Kenorv

Which gets me to thinking. If we're going to have so many specific themed servers then there has to be servers specifically for people that want to buy and sell in game currency, characters etc. I remember in a chat that they had a few years ago that someone from Simu said that they weren't going to bother policing real money trading. That it would take too much time and effort to do and that the staff would be better served working on other things. And with the constant problems that I've seen in WoW and Final Fantasy despite efforts to combat RMT I can understand why Simu feels that way. No matter how much you try to stop it, the problem will always be there. So why not make servers specifically for the RMT's. I don't know if that will keep them off of the other servers or not(probably not), but at least you're letting them know, hey if you want to do this then do it here and let the other gamers play in peace.

As is, however, Simu does have some software going into the Heroblade to detect abnormal activity by a player.  It is made by a company that makes software to deter credit fraud by buying patterns.

It's certainly not dead.  Just because a friend stops talking to you during a particularly hard boss fight in a game, do you think he/she has become deaf?  Developing a game is a really long boss fight and Simu is doing the best they can to beat it with all the finesse possible.  What they are lacking is a mind reading translator.

Isn't that what DragonRealms has?

Hehe, either way, I believe they have said that there will not be tiered pricing.  I can't remember where, though.

I would certainly pay more for a better rp community.  I'm thinking perhaps a beginner's rp server and an experienced rp server are both needed..  They could have different rules, and it would allow some people to have the moderated rp atmosphere they desire while also allowing people who are new to the idea to have a place not so strict to learn in.

A great world full of people who are always in character would be wonderful...  Let's give the rpers a place where they don't feel they have to hide in corners!

I've always been an avid roleplayer, and a big hater of voice chat.  It's not for the reasons some might think, though.

Voice chat in and of itself is a rather inconvenient technology.  It gives many the illusion of being better communication, when actually it's harder for some to communicate with it.  First off, it does separate the rich from the poor slightly in that headsets can be expensive, and my experience with regular mics have been that things tend to get garbled.  Another problem is those parents or older siblings that might need to watch kids.  Once an order is said, it's said.  If it is missed, it is missed.  With text, you can just scroll back up and see what was being said.  This makes it more inconvenient on the casual gamers or people with more responsibilities.

Lastly, some people just don't speak clearly...  You know who you are!

Some of you people really make me sad..  You call out for a word from someone who knows something, and when they tell you everything they are allowed to say, you pounce on them and snarl that it isn't enough.  The fact is that you all should be glad about the silence game masters keep, because it's people who hate something that go around telling secrets, not the ones that love it.

The developers are too busy to handle PR at this time.  You've heard it before.  It is the truth.  Deal with that.  The Game Masters aren't allowed to say anything.  It's how things are.  You want them fired?  That's your want, not theirs, and be glad it's not theirs.  Go out, play other games if it's so annoying to wait for this product, but don't insult a company like this when it is doing the best it can in the areas it specializes in to bring you a great game.

Originally posted by calmyron

I played DR for about 7 years also. The real strength of DR was the roleplaying, game mechanics (best battle system ever), and game lore.

The problem for HJ is it will not be a dedicated roleplaying game. It will be an MMORPG, but in DR, if you were caught talking OOC by another player, you could be reported and have your account banned for a 24 hour period. Do it more than once and eventually they will close the account. They were that serious.

Already, they have stated they will no have an RP server. If that's the case, then they can't expect the same pricing structure for HJ.

My best guess? $15 a month for one character slot and $2 a month per character after that. They will probably offer a premium option around $25 or $30 a month. Quite frankily, without an RP server, I won't be doing the premium option.

P.S. I was a gamehost for DR for over a year, so I have a tad more insight, but not much more than a player of several years experience with the game. Still, it was interesting to work on the other side and see how Simu handled their clients. They really did respect their players a great deal and we were always on our toes to make sure we handled each player request as professionally as possible. They really did care, even though you still got the complainers who thought they didn't. Simu just wasn't advertising their policies, something they should do because it's extremely relevant and important.

Can you say where they have said they'll not have roleplaying servers?  I haven't seen that information, but this movie says they will.  www.youtube.com/watch Admittedly, it was from 2006, so it was a bit ago.

Originally posted by Amathe

 

Most of the time, nowadays, when an mmo launches the development team is absolutely overwhelmed with issues. So they just don't have time for many live events. If HJ puts together a live events team, and can spare those employee assets, that would be great. But what we are seeing right now is that there are so many things HJ doesn't do that other companies do that are explained by reference to, "our people are too busy making the game ... " So if HJ can't keep pace pre-launch, I am skeptical it can keep pace post launch.

 

But that is not the only thing. Events, in the modern mmo world, often lead to complaining and charges of unfairness, favoritism, etc. Look at, for example, the blistering attacks going on in Eve over allegations that GMs favored one corporation over another. (Not about an event, but about how their GMs conducted themselves while playing the game, which is analogous). It is seriously hurting the game. A lot of companies eventually conclude that live events cause more trouble than they are worth.

 

As for the second part..  All games cater to one section of people more than another.  It is unavoidable.  I think the big hoop-la over Eve is just because they're catering to a group most people don't now of days.  If Eve stops being good to that group and focuses on another (because it is impossible to please everyone at once) then they will lose the people that aren't unhappy.  Any way a company goes, it smells of failure in one section and success in another.