All Posts by M-Toe

I would recommend Runescape linky.  It is a game that can be played in the internet browser, so it doesn't require you to download a client to play it and it can be played on almost any computer that was made after 1995. It is free to play, but if you choose to you can pay $5 a month for the members version (larger map, more quests, more items, and opens up a few more skills). It provides a wide variety of skills and options. I like to call it the "gateway MMO", because i think it gives a pretty good overview of the many MMO concepts (combat, questing, secondary skills, etc.). 

However, as Echelons said, there are always those people that like to cross that certain line, by introducing suggestive themes or language that parents would rather their children not know, but Jagex, the developers, does what they can to prevent that.  They have a pretty good language blocker (shows "douche bag" as "****** bag").

This is just my opinion about the game though. Check it out for yourself and you determine if it is good for your kids.

I refuse to play an MMO on a console specifically because of control.  On the XBox 360 controller there are, what? 15 buttons?  With those buttons you have to be able to move, attack, call upon all your skills, and open all your windows.  You could handle the windows easily with a button to bring up a "viewer" and then  traverse screens with the triggers.  The same system could be implemented for the skills (i.e. elder scrolls).  I just don't see it being very effective in fast paced combat, or PvP.  It's too much to have to spasmodically press a trigger to get to your finisher when you could press a single button on the keyboard.

Note: I know almost nothing about AoC.  This is just my personal opinion on porting any MMO to a console.

It sounds amazing.  So much content. Ships, mounted combat, realistic bow and arrow, burning buildings =D.  Almost too good to be true.

May i get one of those keys as well?

Shadowbane is by far my most favourite PvP game.  You do get loot from them, should they be carrying anything, but there are no quests. It's pretty much a grind fest.

Runescape feels like an introduction to MMORPGs, to me.  It shows you all of the basics, and how everything works, at it's most basic form (combat for example).

The ability to be an expert combatant, mage, and archer all at the same time is like playing rock, paper, scissors.  It's just too plain, and that is why i think it loses the attention of the PvP gamers.  Well, that and the fact that you have to be in "the wilderness" to do anything against another player.

The only reason, i think, that the economy of runescape isn't totally messed up, is that the people who are playing this game are too lazy to get their skills to 99 to make full rune, or a dragonstone necklace, and that the ones who are able to do that are members and have full dragon, so they don't need to make anything for funds.

To be more on topic; i completely agree with you, Nazaros.  You can't compare Runescape to World of Warcraft, Lord of the Rings Online, or even Conquer online.  Each one of these games has a different target.  It has nothing to do with what language the code is in, or weather it is 3D or not. 

Look at World of Warcraft.  World of Warcraft is with out a doubt in my mind, the most popular MMORPG in existance as of right now.  Who does it target?  People who are old enough to pay for it (16-18+).  I'm not saying there aren't little 10 year olds begging their parents for money, I'm just saying, that is who WoW targets.  And it does it's job very effectively (not that you didn't know that)  with the endless ammount of quests, the numerous zones.  I would state something about it's PvP, but i haven't played WoW enough. 

Now look at LotRO.  It has no PvP, a very beautiful realistic (fictional, though it may be) landscape, and again the insane quantity of quests, and the Book quests.  Who do you think this is targetting?  LotRO fanbois?  Well, yes, but that isn't the only demographic.  The more mature, more prone to RP, fan base is going to be more attracted to this game.  You can't RP very well while someone is hacking away at you. 

Now, back to runescape.  Who is it targetting? Lets make our equation.  It has a very, very simple user interface.  I mean, a three year old can find their way around that.  The very calm, serene textures.  More pleasing to the 5 year old eye?  Look at blues clues, or teletubbies.  There isn't much action goin' on in the grass (is it even grass or just a green.. layer?).  I'm not saying that runescape has the graphics it has, because of the limits of Java, i'm saying that it was meant to be like this.  Another variable; the system requirements.  What, 32 mb of ram, a p2, no hard drive space required?   This seems like a reasonable computer for a child, don't you think?  membership fee: 5$ a month.  Common, who doesn't buy toys for their toddlers? do you think five dollars is far off the cost of toys?  The quests hold your hand, and the "newbie island" is an insult to anyone who has ever played an MMO.  No, close your mouth, don't hit quote, just read.  I know most games have some form of "newbie island", but they don't hold your hand like this one does.  Sure, LotRO has the whole snow thing, but it isn't teaching you how to click a tree to chop it down.. 

Now let's look at our equation.  simple UI + calm textures + low system requirements +low monthly fee(optional) = our target.  Now solve for x.  Do you honestly think this game is for anyone over 18?  It had it's time.  We all played it and loved it, but just because you realize what a waste of time it seemed like doesn't mean that you have to flame the crap out of it.  If you didn't play it, then you have no business critiqueing it, so GTFO MF.

I played LotRO.  It was simply beautiful.

I loved being able to explore the world of LotR, as little as it was at the time i played. 

I'm a big quest fan, and i never found myself stuck powerleveling, but i only got to level 30.

I did play runescape for a long time.  I don't hate it, but i don't think i could go back.  It's like the intro to MMORPGs, imho.

Rha... I am SO in the same boat you guys are in.  I went back to Shadowbane becauase i couldn't stand all the PvP restrictions and other shait.

look, if you don't want to talk about global warming, then don't come into a forum titled "Yes, another Global Warming thread"

It's another way to look at the topic of global warming.

http://www.break.com/index/tough-to-argue.html

*Edit: This is not me.

Looks like you're in a squeeze.  I recommend Shadowbane.  It is highly PvP oriented, and free.  It came out in 2003, so it's very unlikely that it would kill your graphics card, and if you choose the right server, it wont be hard to find other players.  For more info on servers and gameplay : http://www.shadow-grove.com.