And this is why I play solo. It's MY gametime, and no one gets to tell me how to play. RIFT actually gives me the ability, thru rifts and invasions to play with others WITHOUT them getting to tell me what to do. Do I miss out on dungeons? Sure. But that is the trade-off for freedom.

Unlike the O.P, I want all the flexibilty I can get. I love hybrid classes, as a soloer I gotta do it myself. Don't take away the flexibilty, take away the ability of other players to tell me how to play.

Thanks for the definition. Definite oversight Bill. I am not at all interested in these games either, but that article was pretty declarative. Whether we like it or not, MMORPG is gonna cover them. So there. :p

Originally posted by jacklo

I disagree with the comments about F2P games being of lower quality.

Some I would say are better than many subscription based games.

Look at Xyson and Mortal Online to name just 2 games that I can't believe have a subscription due to the poor quality.

I think one of the only problems for most F2P games is the lack a a big IP behind them.

You can't deny the quality of games like Perfect World / Forsaken World.

 

 Actually yes, yes I can deny the quality of Forsaken World. It's a grindy, boring game that has auto-pathing and endless repeatable dailies that you must do to have any chance of levelling. It's a typical FTP ploy to slow levelling until the player is so frustrated they buy those XP potions.

There is a world of difference between games like Lotro going "freemium" and a traditional free-to-play game. These conversions were developed with subscriptions in mind and are of far higher quality than a true FTP. I think having an option for subscription alongside the free option is the only way to insure this quality. Which only proves that purely FTP games are inferior in quality to PTP games.The only, and very large downside to these conversions is the erosion of the game's community. It has happened as predicted in Lotro. The solution to this is to have seperate servers for the paying customers and the freeloaders. Not everyone has done that yet tho.  An item mall in and of itself doesn't have to spell doom if only cosmetics like costumes and pets are sold. Even XP potions don't impact those without them. But buffs, potions, or any items that affect battle will have the anti-ftp crowd frothing at the mouth, with good reason. micro-transactions are a slippery slope that understandably concern a game's community. Just look at the recent EVE debacle. We can only trust the devs not to screw us in the item shop, and that's a lot of trust that's usually misplaced.

No more beta tests for me. For all the reasons you stated. It takes the luster off the game and only leads to frustration and wondering "what if?".

My problem is, I already bought the game once and didn't get my money's worth. Certainly not doing that twice. Fool  me once.....yadda yadda.

Originally posted by Robokapp

Originally posted by Mastaccolli

Why oh why do Professional writers use the word "an" in front of "MMO"?  "An" is used in front of a word that begins with a vowel, last I checked, "m" was not a vowel, (I even checked with Vanna White, she does not sell m's). 

 "m" begins with a vowel in spoken language. you write 'm' but pronounce "em". if you can pronounce 'm' without any vowels in front of it like in the word "Matrix" then its with an A.

 

trust me.

 

my english - being my third language - isnt strong enough to think of a word that actually starts with a vowel in pronounciation but not in spelling, and i'm not sure if they exist but if "mmorpg" was a word -and its not - then it would either have an E at begining or receive the 'an' since there's an e-sound there regardless of spelling.

 

spelling reflects spoken language not the other way around.

 

 I was just contemplating this the other day and reached the same conclusion. It sounds like 'em', a vowel, so it needs "an" in front of it. " A MMO" sounds so wrong and awkward.

Yes, the plate armor looks amazing now. Wasn't expecting a graphical update, pleasantly surprised.

Not being a SWG player, my first thought ( after the mild regret I feel when ANY MMO closes), was that TOR must be coming out end of Dec then. Not such an unlikely thought considering the somewhat random date. Why not close on Dec 31? Why the 15th?

CoX2. With less instance repetition. I couldn't go into one more cave, sewer, or warehouse that looked just  like every other cave, sewer and warehouse.

Looks like Fallen Earth, a game I was sooo hyped for and so disappointed in. Hope this game can do it better.

The Secret World sounds like the MMO I have wanted for years based on the real world/paranormal/horror setting alone. Add classless, levelless, appearance only wardrobe, 3 factions and the room to personalize your character seems immense. Then top it off with story and puzzles and this is my dream come true. IF they can pull it all off. Fingers and toes crossed.

Well there is a HUGE difference in combat between Tera and Aion. People on these boards seem to want an action combat MMO, but look at Chronicles of Spellborn, DCUO and now Tera. I really don't think the majority of players want that kind of combat. Just wild speculation on my part, but there is real evidence in the lack of success so far for this type of game.

Originally posted by umcorian

Defiance by Trion, huh? They are already moving on to new MMOs after Rifts only been out a few months?

I really hope Trion doesn't become another Funcom, spitting out medicore/incomplete MMOs every couple of years. They did a commendable job with Rift, but it's clear Rift is plateauing in a hurry... and a clear reason why is a lack of communication/decent content.

Now, I sorta see why.

 

 Trion announced all 3 games, Rift, End of Nations and, at the time an unnamed  MMO/ TV show with the sci-fi channel. All 3 have been in the works all along. It's not like Trion is abandoning Rift and moving on. It's all part of their plan.

Wizard101 and Runes of Magic have gotten very good press, both free to play. Zentia was cute and cartoony, too Asian for me but also FTP.

Well done Isabelle. I had chuckles. Although just from reading your columns we know about most of these relationships, especially your first love Asheron's Call. Very cute piece.

I'm thoroughly enjoying L.A. Noire except for the car chases. I SUCK at them so badly, I have one success and about 6 failures. And they all run! On foot isn't a problem, but when I see them hop into a car I actually groan.

Of course, I couldn't play GTA either for the same reason, but had no problem with the horses in Red Dead. Then again, the horses aren't traveling 80 MPH and there are very few walls to  ram into.

6/7, best I've ever done on one of these quizzes. Of course, I kick ass at Scattergories too.:)

Your option that GW2 is not an action game makes me laugh. Have you seen the gameplay? Have you seen the dodging and evading?  What about the moving to put your tank physically in front of the squishy? Or any of the other positional skills? Looks pretty "actiony" to me.

I've been anxiously awaiting the announcement of the gun toting class, and the engineer actually makes sense to me. Look at the pictures in the article, nothing looks too high tech, quite rustic actually. I'm not that into bombs and grenades tho, so I have mixed feelings. Not exactly what I wanted, but can't say it doesn't make sense to make the gun wielder a demolitions expert too.