I was at Fry's Electronics yesterday and got a bit of a giggle out of this seeing as how TR is now free to play and is shutting down in a few months.

Tabula Rasa on Sale for $4.99

Collectors Editions were $4.99 as well.

1)  Have the devs read their game box and provide that working content. 

2)  Add 6 months of content additions that would have been added if the game were released as advertised. 

3)  Provide a refund for the CE I bought and the months I wasted playing a broken game. 

4)  Provide a 30 day free trial to try the game in it's "as advertised" state. 

5)  Never lie to it's customers again.

Honestly, even if they did all of this, the damage is already inflicted and I probably wouldn't give them the time of day.  For me, what they did will probably keep me from ever trying any of their games in the future. 

The real question should be "What is needed for you to come back to Funcom?". 

I'd like to see a refund credit to my item mall account for the CE I bought and the months I played a broken game. 

Originally posted by Scaredgirl

Do you see a pattern here?

Anarchy Online -> bad launch -> loses subs -> fires staff -> goes Free-To-Play
Age of Conan -> bad launch -> loses subs -> fires staff -> ???

I believe MMO gamers should be able to choose whomever they want to play with, wherever they may be.  I don't fully understand the business dynamics involved with publishing a game on an international level, but from past experience, it seems that I've been able to play with people from all over the world without issue.  Why must it be any different with TCOS?  

Originally posted by Spellshaper

 

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Originally posted by Injerin
I was lvl 80, so I'm pretty sure I know the game very well. And for you to blame people for a downfall of a forum is idiotic, People have every right to post there opinions and comments about a game. I agree they need to be removed if it gets too vulger, but if you look around (not just on these forums) most of the complaints about AOC are very similar. So to me thats saying something!

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I didnt said, that there arent problems with AoC. There are, but people here trying to destroy game (and only here) and thats why they are creating useless topics, saying twisted truth or lies, making 100 same topics/week or sometimes/day and some of them didnt play game for very long time (2months+).

Imho that is not normal and that people should take a look for medical care and mmorpg.com for some forum moderators.

I think you have a valid point.  It does get old seeing so many negative posts about a game.  However, I do believe that AOC is a unique case and the phenomenon you're seeing is the direct result of the actions of Funcom.   

Whatever Funcom has or has not done has caused people to speak out about it.  The sheer number and intensity of that response from players I can understand being interpreted as rather neurotic. 

But if you really sit down and look at all the details of everyone's arguments, I think you'll find some big, and I mean BIG, reasons for this reaction. 

No one is trying to destroy this game.  AOC was a mess of a game to begin with.  Funcom has shown a track record of taking that mess and making it worse.  Everyone has their own tolerance levels and it looks as though Funcom has tested gamers patience to the max. 

People are not destroying AOC.  Funcom is destroying AOC just fine all by themselves. 

If a game company is really serious about it's game, has nothing to hide, and is ready for the long haul, it should not be afraid to host it's own forums. 

That's one point I give to Funcom.  At least they did host their own forums.  However, they did have something to hide - an unfinished product stealthed by marketing hype.  Bad, bad move for anyone, no matter if you chose to have an official forum or not. 

Tabula Rasa didn't have an official forum and now anyone can see why that is.  They also had something to hide.  They knew their product wasn't finished, released it early as well, and didn't want to deal with people complaining about it on their own site. 

It's not whether or not a company has an official forum or not that determines it's chances of success, it's what that company did prior to it's release and what they do after it's release that determines it's success.

Tabula Rasa knew that they had features they were marketing that were not going to be seen by players for a long time, if at all.  They knew their game lacked content.  They knew people were going to talk about it.  So, no official forum.  Their decision to push that game out the door left them with nothing.  Decision makers ruin games.  The legend Richard Garriot headed this game.....why Richard why?

In a way, I kind of question the sincerity of an mmo company if they don't launch an official forum. What are they trying to hide?  What is it that is wrong with their game that they don't want people communicating about on their official forum?  How are they going to communicate with their player base?

I guess the trend of no official forums is our clue that we are in for a stretch of games that are released way to early.  It must be too profitable to actually wait and release a game well made.  I mean, to have players that are actually happy, that cannot be allowed to happen I guess. 

**sigh**

Sorry for the rant....thank you.

Originally posted by mintor

why do think their no Mythic warhammer site forum ?

they learn forums can kill a mmo.

Tabula Rasa didn't have any official forums.  So what killed that game?  Sure wasn't official forums or other game forums.  Could the reason have been some of the same problems that AOC has?

The fact is that if a game sucks, people who play it and encounter that suckiness are not going to play that game anymore when there are better games out there.  The only thing that official or unofficial forums do is allow players to communicate with each other and the development house of said game.  If a game is of true quality both technically and professionally with it's player base, it will succeed.  Failing in either of those categories will lead to a downward spiral for that game, no matter what is said on an official forum or otherwise. 

Once again.....Tabula Rasa......no official forums.

Some people seem to believe that what others say is more important than the actions of a company.  I'm sorry but actions speak louder than words.  People will experience those actions for themselves before believing what some blockhead on some forum somewhere says about said product.

However, if that product experience of that person matches what that blockhead said, lookout, because the masses do speak.  Which is why I believe that what Funcom did with AOC lead so many people to have a bad experience that the masses did speak.  

It is Funcom's actions that lead to what we are all seeing on forums now, not the existence of forums that is the cause of AOC's demise.  It is Funcom's fault AOC is in the shape it is now.  No one else is to blame, period. 

 Edit:  Acually, I believe that if a development house is really serious about it's game, it will not be afraid to host it's own official forum.  Forums don't kill games.  Decision makers kill games.  One point I give to Funcom is at least they did have the balls to launch their own official forum.   

Have they really?  Why?

As you can see by my join date, I've been a member of these forums for a few years.  Also, you can see by my number of posts, I've basically been a forum lurker or just wouldn't even view forums for months at a time. 

I've never really spent much time on official or unofficial game forums, except when looking for answers to problems I've encountered.  I have been able for years to filter past negative posts to find the answers I need. 

***So, I fall into that category of gamer that plays the game and has fun doing it, outside of the influence of forums or feeling the social need to frequent forums.  I'm representative of that other 80%.***

I've seen my fair share of negativity on forums concerning mmo's I've played over the years and it was always understood by me that there are just some people that are not going to be happy with certain game elements ongoing. 

However, until experiencing Age of Conan for myself, I have never felt so compelled to warn others about a game.  Funcom lied to everyone.  They continue to lie in interviews.   They did so many gamers wrong it is not even funny.  No company should get away with this kind of behavior in any market or with any product. 

So, the OP's argument of the forums ruining the game is not true.  In fact, the game itself brought gamers, who don't frequent forums, out of their shells to share their stories of frustration so others would not have to experience the same. 

In the end, if the crime is bad enough, the masses will rise for their voices to be heard. 

1.  False advertising

2.  Carrot on a stick - leading players on with lies and false promises

3.  Basic game elements are still broken when they should have been working at launch.  

I expect bugs in any mmo launch.  Funcom literally knew the game wasn't finished and threw it together hoping no one would really notice.  Boy were they wrong.  

In the how-to's of mmo business and game development, there will forever be a chapter devoted to the case study that is Funcom and Age of Conan.  Believe me, it wil not be a flattering chapter.    

The only way to find out if you'll like a game or not is to try it.  Although there are some serious things wrong with this game, there are people that like it and still play it. 

I would personally say there are better MMO's out there now or coming soon, but if the lure is too much for you, I'd say go for it if you just can't stand it. 

The worst thing that will happen is you will lose money, time, and move onto another game.

Have fun best of luck.

Everything you listed is all the things I loved about AOC as well.  Unfortunately, they weren't enough to keep me interested.  The eye candy is great, but beyond that, it's a hollow depthless game, for me anyway.  At the end of the day, there's nothing really to get excited about. 

Your question can be best answered with a movie quote:

"Give them nothing!  Take from them EVERYTHING!"

There is nothing I would have hoped for more than for AOC to have been a great game.  I'm still scratching my head wondering why all of this had to happen with AOC and Funcom. 

It's like watching someone destroy themselves with drugs, alchohol, or food.  You don't want to be around them, their actions dumbfound you, there's nothing you can say or do to sway their minds, and they continue to dig their grave until the day they die.  However, sometimes amidst little hope, miracles do happen. 

Originally posted by woody1974

Originally posted by barfman

Originally posted by woody1974

Originally posted by TheHorror

 

Just picked up AoC to see what all the fuss was about first hand.  Hopeuflly I will enjoy it. 

Quick question while I install the client though:

What is the difference between the pve and pvp servers? Will I get horribly horribly massacred in the pvp servers and be forced to stroll on my knees through swamps looking for rats to kill to level up because all the main mob areas are full of bloodthirsty 8 year olds? Does it enhance the experience or detract from it?  And what is this culture pvp about?

 

Pay no attention to these Drama Queens and Trolls on these Forums, they love posting comments on a game they quit months ago. Which means they really don't have any insight on the games status.

Their new mmo is a Forum game called "Drama Queens and Trolling"

The object of this game is to see who can post the most screenshots, stock price info, false facts and who can gang up the most on people who enjoy a game they hate. You can gain bonus points if you group up.

You can play only 2 characters, either a Troll or a Drama Queen

Trolls are the Tanks,  their job is to go around and try to Taunt other people into the circle of hate. Trolls do massive damage with the "Funcom lied to us" ability. Trolls love attempting to offend people especially people who don't agree with everything they say.

Drama Queens are a caster class, they use their mana pools to conjur and stir up the negative energy and conflict, they add fuel to the fire and then they revel in it. Drama Queens love to cast the "Stocks are down" ability and they will also debuff you with the "Blowing things out of proportion" ability. Drama Queens will also attempt to mind control you and convince you that a voodoo 3DFX card is a top of the line video card that should run Age of Conan flawlessly.

Do not join their game though, if you let their likes and dislikes dictate yours, I promise you will spend many of your days and nights doing what the Drama Queens and the Trolls spend 99.99% of their time doing, posting garbage on these forums instead of having fun and playing games.

Most of the Drama Queens and Trolls can be identified with a Tattoo with the words "Fail Com" on it.

Anyone who is considering this game, and that goes for the OP also, please ignore people who discount other posters for warning others of the lies and deceipt of Funcom.  Do not get AOC!  As others have already stated, you have been warned.  The game is a literal waste of money.  Investigate for yourself before buying and you'll find out the truth about AOC and Funcom.  Yes I wasted money on AOC.  Do I wish I hadn't? Yes.  Will I recommend it to others ever?  No.  Will someone else buy it?  Yes.  Will they eventually regret it?  Yes. 

Search and you will find facts.  Others don't want you to, but those facts are there.  Just look through the AOC forums here and wonder why it is that so many people talk badly about AOC and Funcom.  There are many legitimate reasons why. 

 

Ok so let me get this straight..Your telling others including the OP to ignore people who discount other posters warnings. ummmm isn't that essentially what your doing too, discounting other posters who still play and say the game is fun and they enjoy it.

Nice job on practicing what you preach.

Sorry, but no, you're missing the point and the bigger picture here. 

1)  I'm telling people don't buy a game because one person calls all other negative posters AS A COLLECTIVE drama queens AS JUSTIFICATION for a green light to buy a game - that's basically the gist of what woody is posting.  I'm suggesting to people to investigate WHY IT IS that so many people are posting negative points about AOC and Funcom.  I would hope that others would at least INVESTIGATE THE CLAIMS of other's negative posts CONCERNING ANY GAME before buying.  

2)  I'm telling people my opinion of this game after playing it since beta and only quitting here recently.  It's a POS game, period.  Excuse me....a POS game with nice graphics. 

3)  As to why I say it's a POS game, see point 1. 

4)  The case with AOC and Funcom is rather unique due to the amount, let me repeat - the amount, of lies, deceipt, and misdoings on record, not to mention a pos game itself.  Anyone can find this information for themselves.  I'm telling people to do this before buying AOC or any other game for that matter.  However, I believe it's even more important to investigate AOC because of the history of what players have had to endure with Funcom.  IMO it is above the norm and acceptable level. 

I'm sorry but what Funcom has done to MMO players who followed their hype was just plain wrong.  And what they've done to their player base after launch is wrong as well.  If you're having fun playing AOC, then more power to you.  However, to join a game because a few are enjoying it doens't necessarily mean you'll enjoy it as well. 

So, if you enjoy financing a company who could care less about what you think, doesn't mind lying to your face time and time again, is only concerned about hiding the truth from players to ensure continued profits and new subscribers, all the while leading you on patch after patch with promised hope for a fix for this and a fix for that, then go right ahead and subscribe your tail off.  Maybe with your continued support the game might actually come out of beta. 

I hope this clears up the confusion. 

Originally posted by sfallmann

I don't begrudge anyone who enjoys the game on the basis of enjoying the game.  Where I do have a beef with them is that they are rewarding these sons of bitches for giving eveyrone who bought this game the shaft.  It's one thing to have bugs, and server problems at release.  It's another to sell one thing and deliver another.

Agreed. 

Lie.  Then cover up that lie with another lie.  Thrown some spin out there to distract from the previous lies.  Rinse and repeat.  Next thing you know, you don't know what lie is which and you're left with a big mess.  Welcome to AOC. 

I hope Funcom and AOC go down in the MMO book of business DO NOTS.  I'm sure other MMO developers are watching and taking notes.  At least I hope so and not jotting down ways to screw over the sheeple. 

Originally posted by woody1974

Originally posted by TheHorror

 

Just picked up AoC to see what all the fuss was about first hand.  Hopeuflly I will enjoy it. 

Quick question while I install the client though:

What is the difference between the pve and pvp servers? Will I get horribly horribly massacred in the pvp servers and be forced to stroll on my knees through swamps looking for rats to kill to level up because all the main mob areas are full of bloodthirsty 8 year olds? Does it enhance the experience or detract from it?  And what is this culture pvp about?

 

Pay no attention to these Drama Queens and Trolls on these Forums, they love posting comments on a game they quit months ago. Which means they really don't have any insight on the games status.

Their new mmo is a Forum game called "Drama Queens and Trolling"

The object of this game is to see who can post the most screenshots, stock price info, false facts and who can gang up the most on people who enjoy a game they hate. You can gain bonus points if you group up.

You can play only 2 characters, either a Troll or a Drama Queen

Trolls are the Tanks,  their job is to go around and try to Taunt other people into the circle of hate. Trolls do massive damage with the "Funcom lied to us" ability. Trolls love attempting to offend people especially people who don't agree with everything they say.

Drama Queens are a caster class, they use their mana pools to conjur and stir up the negative energy and conflict, they add fuel to the fire and then they revel in it. Drama Queens love to cast the "Stocks are down" ability and they will also debuff you with the "Blowing things out of proportion" ability. Drama Queens will also attempt to mind control you and convince you that a voodoo 3DFX card is a top of the line video card that should run Age of Conan flawlessly.

Do not join their game though, if you let their likes and dislikes dictate yours, I promise you will spend many of your days and nights doing what the Drama Queens and the Trolls spend 99.99% of their time doing, posting garbage on these forums instead of having fun and playing games.

Most of the Drama Queens and Trolls can be identified with a Tattoo with the words "Fail Com" on it.

Anyone who is considering this game, and that goes for the OP also, please ignore people who discount other posters for warning others of the lies and deceipt of Funcom.  Do not get AOC!  As others have already stated, you have been warned.  The game is a literal waste of money.  Investigate for yourself before buying and you'll find out the truth about AOC and Funcom.  Yes I wasted money on AOC.  Do I wish I hadn't? Yes.  Will I recommend it to others ever?  No.  Will someone else buy it?  Yes.  Will they eventually regret it?  Yes. 

Search and you will find facts.  Others don't want you to, but those facts are there.  Just look through the AOC forums here and wonder why it is that so many people talk badly about AOC and Funcom.  There are many legitimate reasons why. 

When WOTLK and Warhammer are released, AoC will experience even greater failure.  Why would SOE, or any one else for that matter, invest in a game that cannot compete? 

Basically the game needs so many fixes that there's no way they can get what was promised launched in time to effectively compete with what's to come.  You can't advertise bananas when you have rocks, finally screaming when you have bananas and expect people to come running. 

I expect any game company wouldn't in their right mind want to have anything to do with what Funcom has published at this point. 

Like most people here, I had high hopes for AoC.  I wanted it to be that next game. 

However, most often, you really only get one chance to prove yourself to others.  Telling the truth will get you more mileage and understanding out of many people.  It's unfortunate that the decision makers at Funcom took the route they did.  There's enough scams and ripoffs in the world without it seeping into our gaming world as well.  It's certain that the AoC and Funcom story will go down in the MMO books forever. 

Hopefully none of us will have to experience a blunder of this magnitude again.  (Lesson to learn all you other MMO developers)