For those taking this post seriously, I'm going to go out on a limb and say this is meant as a satirical response to threads such as www.mmorpg.com/discussion2.cfm/thread/258073/Why-EVE-sucks.html (and similar for the other games).

Originally posted by fergull

Today, I received two mails.The first was "Battle.net Account - Password Change Notice‏" , but still, I hadn't changed my password, being out all the day. That e-mail was quite confusing. Then, I was breathless as I saw the second : "World of Warcraft -- Account Closure Notification -- Exploitative Activity Found‏".

Looks like I was doing exploitative activities and didn't even know!

No, seriously, is there any chance of getting my account back? : (

 

(I sent a message to blizz support explaining the situation)

Have you tried logging in since you got the emails? What you are describing sounds a lot like the emails discussed in www.mmorpg.com/discussion2.cfm/thread/256822/Fake-emails.html.

Is this really a problem?

I would think that first-off, we need more games with free placement of housing :P.

Otherwise, I can only speak from experience with SWG and I didn't find urban sprawl to be that bothersome. Sure, some places were crowded, but limiting factors were already built in and these were the space that a building occupies and terrain. Why would you want to limit it more if we are talking about a sandbox game? Other factors which might include paying maintenance or some form of decay could also limit the amount of "dead" structures that could litter the landscape.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not knocking your ideas as they seem pretty well thought out. I just think that when you look to implement a system of limitation you start to drift from the concept of sandbox. Whether the trade-off works or not is likely a matter of play-testing :)

"The reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated"
-Mark Twain

Originally posted by daarco

Huge difference between EVE and DF.

This is the problem with a trial in DF. I dont say im agenst it, its just how it is.

Right when you have created a character, it is on. You can turn to the left and attack someone. You and two friends can walk up to a crafter in the city and just kill him. Its happens all the time. A few hours work gone in 12 seconds. But you find your revenge later.

If this is done by "trials" its no fun anymore. Every hater of DF will make  a character just to mess with people. And you wil never be able to hunt them down and kill them....because they wont be in the game for long : (

Just curious, but would it hurt less if it was a paying character that eliminated that few hours of work? Unless they were running around with a big sign over their heads that said "TRIAL", how would you even know if it was a new or experienced player that killed you? Wouldn't you use the same tactics to determine whether you should fight or avoid someone regardless of their account status? For a "hardcore" pvp game, there seems to be a lot of fear around fighting new players.

I think an isolated "island" (maybe like Ryzom) would be a good way to go just to keep older players from greifing the trial accounts, but at the same time, DF being non-instanced, you would figure the island would still be reachable unless it were its own server. Also, there would probably need to be some mechanics to keep people from signing up multiple trials thought I think a CC might not be the best approach for reasons mentioned already.

Originally posted by Staatsschutz

someone please show me the link where ccp announced a releasedate for 2007, or 2008, or 2009.......

Fact is, they never did. Anything else is just player rumours.

But this time, CCP announced a planned release time for the first time ever. They said (word by word) "We´re hoping to release Incarna in 2010". So there.

relax....it was a joke....

Fact is, we've all been talking about the various incarnations of Walking-in-stations for, what seems like, forever. It was widely expected that it was going to be implemented Q4 of this year just like it's been widely expected to be implemented at various times in the past. Just like anyone who has to deal with customers though, CCP has made a good practice of CYA and not commited beyond  "when it's done" (as far as I am aware).

Like I said, I'm looking forward to it. I think it'll be a great addition to the game and another example of CCP expanding and innovating with the game they've created. However, I'm not holding my breath that it will be on time and I'll just enjoy it when it gets here. Or, maybe a month after it gets here so the bugs can be worked out ;)

Originally posted by Gyrus

I thought CCP did make some changes after the Goon Swarm vs BoB coup?

 

But in any case, EvE is not a good example for many reasons.
The alliances in EvE are totally different as is the way they work.  As well as that the EvE Universe does not end and there are no winners (so all EvE players are losers??? :P)

In games where the RvR is critical sensible developers DO put rules and protection in place about multis.

If anything, the changes would be to the ability for one person to dissolve an alliance, but there have been no changes (that I am aware of) to the ability to have an alt and spy/sabotage a rival corp.

That said, my original response wasn't meant to distinguish whether EvE was a parallel to PoTBS, but moreso to answer the previous posters thoughts as to whether "multi-nation" activity was frowned upon in EvE. Both games have their unique circumstances that warrant different approaches to ensuring a semi-fair/fun gaming experience.

Originally posted by whpsh

 I'd be curious if they consider having a second account used specifically to infiltrate another corporation and destroy it a breach of some kind.

I'm pretty sure that would be met with a pat on the back and an "good job" for the person that pulled it off. CCP would not consider that an issue at all.

Originally posted by metalhead980

Last expansion of 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 will be incarna (walking in stations).

While I am looking forward to Icarna/WiS/<whatever its called next>, I believe it when it gets here :P

To the original topic, that is pretty neat. It's pretty cool to see a company consistently trying to keep their game relevant.

Also some discussion on that topic in www.mmorpg.com/discussion2.cfm/thread/255465/Interested-in-the-game-Two-questions-beforehand-though-.html

Originally posted by Transmet .

1.) Is this game casualty...err...casual-friendly? To be more specific: regarding income.

2.) Newb-friendly corps and my timezone.

1.) I think that it can be. I think it's easy to get discouraged at first while you are grinding up corp rating to get higher level missions, but once you hit Level III and Level IV missions, the income from bounties and salvaging can be pretty healthy. For me, salvaging has been a great source of income and I would recommend you train it or make friends with someone who has it trained.

Another point to the time -vs- income is that it might go quicker with a buddy, or group of buddies. Sure you will be splitting the income, but you'll be burning through missions quicker and you will open up other options (Wormholes, exploration sites, etc).

2.) Sure though I can't speak specifically for EvE university. Might be a good idea to look at the EvE forums and check the recruitment channel in game.

Another thing to do, if you haven't already, is post in the 21-day trial thread in these forums. This will give you a longer trial and a lot of people who hand out invites in that thread will also help you get started (as they are rewarded as well if you subscribe).

Originally posted by metalhead980

Specializing, I wont be at a disadvantage if I only trained up Archery an melee while another guy has magic, archery and melee.

I've already tested this out I kill people just as much as I die as an archer with decent melee skills for oh shit situations.

Anyway last time I checked it does take quite some time to skill in everything, this is not something you could do in a couple months believe me. Actually I dont think we have any players in game that naturally skilled everything (by naturally I mean not macro botting).
 

I think you touched on what I was implying with my "easily circumvented" comment. I mean, in EvE, you can train learning skills and get implants, but otherwise, you're not going to accelerate training really. These are in game mechanics meant to 'naturally' assist in training as quickly as possible. One of the main gripes (posted on these forums at least) is the ability to "cheat the system" and I think that is where the idea that someone could max out across the board comes from.

Regardless, this is diverging a bit from the topic of sandbox or not and I think just about every argument that could be made has been made on that topic :P. The sandbox crowd will decide with their wallets and ultimately, if it meets each players personal standards then for them I suppose it's a sandbox. For me, I think it's done better by CCP, but I'll keep my eye on this as I think things are moving in the right direction.

Originally posted by metalhead980

im sorry but someone like me will never be all 99.9 in everything. Some of us just dont play enough and honestly most of use will skill in shit that helps us improve our character in our own playstyle.

I dont even like casting in DF so I've basically just used archery and Melee and im fine with that. Every fucking troll on this forum tells people everyone is the same and thats just bullshit.

Honestly why level up archery skills if you hate using a bow? why bother with magic if you like archery? Why would I waste my time raising every stupid freaking skill if I dont intend to do everything?

The game gives me the freedom to do what I want, If i wanna specialize I can, If I want to be everything I could do that also that is freedom.

 

Just a "devil's advocate", but if everyone can grind to 99.9 skill or max out everything, then are you specializing or handicapping?

edit: just to expand a little, I think a skill decay system or a significant time sink that is not easily circumvented would really contribute to the idea of specializing. Sure, a game like EvE allows you to train all skills to max, but there is a significant barrier to reaching max skill based on the time required. As a result, specialization is the norm.

Originally posted by stine96

Wow this made me respect this company even less now. And people wonder why there is so much drama with this company, scamming GM's , etc. They look like they have the mentality of junior highers and could care less about it's players.

Wow. I completely didn't see it that way. But, I enjoy the game and am probably a bit biased.

For me, it just seemed like another way CCP found to entertain customers (and potential customers). I think it is nice to be able to see some personality with a company and it was neat to see they included all their offices and not just a few employees goofing around.

The "walking in stations" reference was sorta funny too :P

Originally posted by Daffid011

Originally posted by mklinic

I totally can't wait to buy XP potions and booster packs for in-game items! just kidding :P

I'm certainly interested in a PlanetSide 2, but like many others, a bit hesitant given the company involved. Cautious optimism I suppose.

 

That reminded me of this comic from Penny Arcade

While I wouldn't relate shit-filled donuts to a video game I don't ingest, I got a chuckle out of it. :)

I don't think there's anything wrong with being "cautiously optimistic" about a decent IP. If SOE weren't involved I would probably go right past cautious to full on "eagerly anticipating".

That said, while I make jokes, I worry that SOE will try a subscription + TCG + item mall for the game which, for me, would be a major turn off. I'm also concerned that the same management who oversaw other changes I disagreed with are still running the show. That is where my "caution" comes from when I discuss optimism about this game.

I totally can't wait to buy XP potions and booster packs for in-game items! just kidding :P

I'm certainly interested in a PlanetSide 2, but like many others, a bit hesitant given the company involved. Cautious optimism I suppose.

Originally posted by Gutboy

"Post NGE, a CH would have....stuffed house decorations?"
 

That turned in the most desirable pets in the game like the Kimo or crystal snake or flit any of which are worth today hundreds of millions in credits or make the best pets in the beast master profession.

When I went back to the game to check it out, I had the option to stuff my pets. That was pretty much all I could do with them at the time. Therefore, my progression was essentially erased which I believe is relevant to the topic. If the BM profession makes use of those stuffed pets, then good for those who stuck it out.

That said, out of everyone's responses, it has to be a bit disheartening that you can only refute one.

I am totally going to make a quest about zombie stormtroopers! It's gonna be awesome!

I kid, I kid.

Originally posted by Gutboy

The question that comes to mind for me now is, "how can an MMO possibly hope to survive when the people running it wipe out their players' progress in so many ways?"
 

 

So in other games the gear you get at max level before any expansions, lets select WoW for instance is still viable?

People are still running around with it, or have they moved on to the newer better gear available since then, which by your statements "wipes out players progress"?

 

Correct me if I am wrong, but in a game like WoW, the underlying mechanics to continue progressing (be it level cap, crafting skill cap, etc) does not change from one expansion to the next. There are generally buffs and nerfs, but the game is still fundamentally the same.

As a more relevant example perhaps; A hunter in WoW will still have his/her pets post expansion right? Post NGE, a CH would have....stuffed house decorations?

edit for typos...yay

looks neat. That's a pretty minimal interface (always a good thing in my book).

I'll have to give it a shot when the NA 360 version comes out.