I , too, must agree. I've played LOTRO off and on for about  2 years. Due to an appendicitis..no insurance and lost wages...I had to cut back most luxuries. I re-activated LOTRO because ...of all the Pay2Plays...it had the most reasonable price...with it's new offers... my dollar goes a long way..the most bang for the buck. Just today...I asked many questions to re-accustom myself with the game..and tho I could have gone to the internet for answers....I was not rudely insulted or reminded of this fact. All my inquiries were kindly answered. Thinking back...this has always been the case. I am only a 21st level Burglar ....so I still have plenty to learn...What I have learned is that...tho I like other mmos and the big"W' being my mmo of choice for years...This game is extremely fun...deep with story..and simultaneously relaxing and exciting at times. The community is a big part of this...and helps to keep my  hypertension controlled...lol.  Enough rambling ....all take care.

I love the concept of Highlander. Most of the movies (with the first being the best imo) were good. The series was ok....the one anime I saw kind of sucked tho. I just don't see how this would work as an mmo....where everyone would be running around playing an immortal...like when SWG became Jedi infested...it would just seem ridiculous. Most MMO's already have the lame feeling of everyone as the hero. Maybe if they could some how make it where you could play various characters..doctors...police...occult researcher....then randomly generated actions or ahcievements would ..perhaps..unlock the quickening. This way everyone wont be immortal....and if they are...it is not immediately known. Permadeath with a skillfully acquired decapitation...etc. Even in the lore tho...it seems the quickening came pretty early in life..so I don't know how it would work. Maybe as many instanced arenas..various time periods and settings...but mainly a fighting game...where slight skill...or more plus a little luck.. could allow success over a more powerful immortal...and grant even greater power/skill increases.  Or you could just stick to even rankings..Hrmm.?..Seems like it would be hard to nail down exactly...hard to please die hard fans and general gamers alike ( tho isn't this usually the case?)....and likely become a niche game no matter how it plays out. Still.....I'd give it a go.

First Video game: Pong

First Rpg: Dungeons and Dragons

First Rpg Video Game:  Dragonstomper....a game that was for Atari 2600..but with the Use of the Arcadia Supercharger...which was an adapter that added RAM and a mini Operating system. The game had  adjustable stats and looting ..from what I remember. I know the Odyssey II had a Lord Of the Rings game and Intellivision had an AD&D game but I don't know how much they resembled an rpg. Once I obtained a Commodore 64...I played a slew of rpgs....all the AD&D boxes...Bards Tale ..Wasteland....Sword of Fargoal and Temple of Asphaii...(both games on a cassette tape)...and many , many, many more every since on various consoles and PCs.

Originally posted by Goatgod76

Originally posted by BarCrow

I don't know...a WOW clone appears to be any game ...created after WOW (except, apparently, EVE)...that involves spamming buttons from time to time. I have noticed, though, that the degree in which a game approaches the title of WOW-Clone is inversely proportionate to how much the poster likes/hates the game in question.

 

Are you saying EVE came AFTER WoW? If so, your incorrect on that one. EVE has been here since 2003. WoW released in 2004.

 

However, if your simply saying the UI isn't the same, then yeah, I agree =P. Just not sure what you mean exactly, so covering the

 

 The latter....of course I've even heard games created before WOW being referred to as a WOW-clone. EVE is definitely NOT one of them.

I don't know...a WOW clone appears to be any game ...created after WOW (except, apparently, EVE)...that involves spamming buttons from time to time. I have noticed, though, that the degree in which a game approaches the title of WOW-Clone is inversely proportionate to how much the poster likes/hates the game in question.

Someone stated previously that WOW players flaunt it's success. I really have never seen this except , possibly, as a retort to a hater  yawning "Fail" or  pulling some other rabbit out of their asshats...usually about how it will be killed by this game or that. When it comes down to it...WOW players do not need to flaunt the subscription numbers...the numbers alone flaunt themselves.

     I just found out friends that moved to other states...have found eachother on Facebook and  have united on a WOW server to play. I, in turn, ran into one of them on Myspace.  I , being on another server and faction,  put in for a faction change...It took less than 5 minutes. I then put in for a server change....it took less than 25 minutes. I figured I'd just go whole hog and change my name...since I'm no longer a Blood Elf and am now Human.  It took .......less than 2 minutes....So ...in around just a half-hour...and for a total of $65.00($10.00+$25.00+$30.00)...I was ready to hang out with old friends in WOW. Do I wish it was free?...sure...but still well worth it and little to no downtime for my (new) toon. The only thing i'll miss is my wolf mounts (*sniff)...I hate the elekks. Another good point...I always wanted a Gryphon mount...beats the hell out of those ugly assed Pridewings...or manticores...or what ever those flying abominations were called on Horde-side.

Originally posted by metalhead980

The real question is why do all the other fans of other games need wow to be "killed" by other games sub wise?

If you like a game, go play it and stop wishing for the downfall of other games people enjoy.

      I  agree. I play other games , as well as WOW. I don't need any of them to have several million subscribers...I just need them to be entertaining for me.

People love to shit on anything these days. It's an OPTIONAL service ...you do NOT have to pay any amount of money if you CHOOSE. I don't see how this is greedy or how it should be included in sub fee. Name one MMO (and there may be one of which I am unaware) ....that allows you the option to retain all your items ..(achievements ..xp..etc) and switch factions (sides...teams..whatever)..at all. Free of charge or otherwise...and not have to start all over again.  Really..what is the problem?

  I've always had a fondness for Green Lantern myself....but, yeah....the color yellow..which means Big Bird could whup his arse. I wonder how this game will play out overall. I like Champions Online...and hope this has similar options as far as designing your super..but with better play style and a more open world.

 I will definitely buy Champions Online. It is a perfect secondary or tertiary game. When I want to devote some time I have other mmos like AOC...LOTRO or WOW. I doubt that any mmo will perfectly satisfy everyone...so why limit yourself to finding THE LAST WORD in MMOs...

 I like both DDO and LOTRO...but do you think Turbine  planned for all this in order to sue Atari and incorporate full DnD mmo rights into the settlement?... I mean..perhaps they realized Atari was not in the position to go whole hog into advertising..so they set up an agreement for the F2P and extension on the license..knowing Atari would default on their end...so to speak?. Kind of like what the banks financiers did with housing loans to low income families.

Originally posted by chaod1984

I really think the disagreement lies in taste rather than the game itself.  What this game offers is:

1.  Character control - creation and skills.  With that, it doesn't go too overboard with skill control which is nice.

2.  Solo friendly - At this point, it can sometimes be too solo friendly, but I really do think they'll do what they can to fix this.  What I mean by fix though, is that they'll put a little bit more group stuff in at the beginning.  Not that they'll revamp the game so that it's only group friendly.

3.  It's a PVE first game - for those that love pvp, go play some more FPS games...I hate it when PVP'ers cry for balancing only to unbalance PVE combat. 

4.  It's a Super Hero game - This means that the idea is to make you look and feel like a superhero.  I think they've done an outstanding job of doing this, but I don't think that everyone will dig it.

5.  It's brand new - this means that its about 200 patches and 3-7 expansions behind WOW and other long tenured games.  The fact that you might expect it to have the same unlimited content as these games is unrealistic.

Please read over these and check off what you dont like...if you find that you checked off 2 or more, than I'm willing to be that this game does not suit your taste.  Once you find that out, maybe you'll stop talking this game down like it's the next Tabula Rasa or something.  It's a great game with just the right elements for my taste but I dont expect it to be for everyone.

                  It is mostly solo friendly....there were some areas in the 2nd phase of the canada missions..where I died more than a dozen times tho. Whether this was intended to encourage grouping or a little unbalanced... I don't know. Agree with the "Superhuman feel". ...big success  in that regard.  So although combat is still pushing keys....the  character on the screen gave me the sensation that I was a master of ass-kickery. 

      I like the game. The combat can be fast paced..which is good...but other than blocking and the ability to use more than one power at the same time..(if u time it right)   ...the combat is not much different than any mmo. Essentially..like most mmos..unless you're botting or can set up routines as in EVE...you are typing specific action keys..Expecting this..I can say that I only consider this after I log off...because while playing I was having fun. Although objects can block line of sight ..also good....in the open attacks will home-in on your target when it moves..which I do not like. They should tweak the targeting a bit..somehow..to avoid the arcing energy blasts. Especially if the character has no auto-target ability.  I wish they could make some animations smoother..especially with regards to items u can interact with. e.g...when picking up an item to throw...your toon will strain and do a military press...then the item appears in his hands...or sometimes floating just above his hands....wish they could make it look a little better..But generally I think its a decent game so far...good for quick in and out sessions or longer periods.  I really like the art style and most other animations. It runs relatively smooth and the customization...as expected...is fucking phenomenal ...and I'm sure more is to come. The avatars look incredible.  I think this is definitely an mmo I will buy and play. Just the kind of game that can fit into my new school schedule.

Originally posted by twrule

Originally posted by BarCrow

This sand...sure keeps...my head...nice and warm!

 

Lol :p just messin around.

I never said it was going to be a "WoW killer" or that Blizzard employees will be going through alleyway dumpsters in search of their next meal once Aion launches.  No game is going to make them panic, nor did any other game dev/publisher panic when WoW announced it's new expansion.  These are corporate professionals here.

I was saying though that, being a successful corporation, Blizzard has to keep tabs on all the competition.  They wouldn't be where they are if they didn't.   Aion is an AAA mmo, so if they were going to pay attention to anything else coming out this year (which they are) then they should be paying attention to this.  It's just plain good business sense.

You're entitled to your opinion, as ignorant to modern business practices at it may be :p.  I just hope for your sake you aren't shooting for a job as a producer or marketing supervisor for Blizz anytime soon :p.

Sorry...I didn't realize I needed a P.H.D. in marketing to voice my opinion based on lifetime experience..observations...and the ability to read the information of papers..magazines and various forums. Especially after plainly expressing that it is all pure opinion.   But the gag quote thing..that was funny....Using a few periods in between phrases....Its a bad habit incorporated from near half-a-century of stream of conscious writing. You're the only one who ever commented on it though.

 OH well, I'm glad I don't need an English degree just to  write in forums. 

I'm not Originally posted by chunky_slice

Is this the first Blizzcon (QuakeCon 1997, yet another idea Blizzard have "borrowed" from other game developers) you've paid attention to?

Every 2nd year Blizzcon hypes the new expansion. Maybe I'm just old but I've been hyped once too often and have become cynical. But I envy your excitement.

But just like when your favorite band releases a new album you buy (yes, I am that old I still buy music) even though their last couple of albums were crap I'll be checking out cataclyscm.

    I'm not saying Blizzard doesn't borrow liberally (steal) other game ideas and put their spin on them. but C'mon...They stole the QuakeCon idea and now have BlizzCon?...lol...I know you realize that there have been product and genre convention for decades right?....Insurance companies have had conventions for ages..usually with their name included...Comicon ...which now covers everything it seems has been around since the 70's.....DragonCOn...WizardCon.. Gencon...PlumbersCon. O.k. ...I made up the last one but I would not be surprised if the name exists.   Blizzard did not steal the idea of a convention to promote their products. ...

Originally posted by Wickedjelly

Originally posted by BarCrow

 correct...but I never said they pay no mind to every company with a new mmo...merely that every mmo is not a concern and they focus on those that they percieve as a true threat. I also stated that ..imo...Aion is not one of them. Again..strictly my opinion based on the many mmos in existence or announced for future release. Aion seems like a lot of other games out there already. Then again..most people seem to believe most mmos are wow clones..so what would they have to worry about ..since they are apparently the benchmark. Not saying it's a good thing. Just the way it is at the moment.  Many chains make hamburgers...but I doubt McDonalds worrys about  Joes hamburger Shack..and focus more on the likes of Burger King..Maybe Wendys . Sonic perhaps....and at one point checkers was kicking all their asses. McDonalds still reigns ...for the most part.  I think Blizzard is definitely sweating over TOR...maybe STO...perhaps even Champions ONline and DCUO.

 

Huh?  By your own analogy Blizzard would be concerned about Aion.

By the way, am I the only one that gets irritated to no end by the constant need to use analogies on forums? 

Whatever stoned out hippie made the use of analogies as a mainstream debate tactic can kiss my ass.  Most of the time they don't even correlate properly when people even try using them for christ's sake.

 True...i was hesitant to click "post message"...especially with an McDonalds analogy...I could have gone with a "Britany Spears" vs. "Traffic" or "radiohead" ...or no analogy at all...but I did post it so....I deserve your contempt in that regard. I however I have not been stoned since the 80's and never was a hippie....lol

Fair enough...I do know of the numbers in Asia. Wow also has large numbers in asia..at least did ..not sure if they resolve the issue with internet  revenues and the chinese government tho...but millions play there too. I think the main money market is in NA/EU...and there are asian mmos that have a great following in the asian market but hardly any in the west. Aion has a better chance than most of those I admit....and has garnered much support  from its beta release. I still don't think it's enough to concern Blizzard to much of a degree. A cursory glance maybe...and they may even steel some ideas from it....but I doubt they are waving their arms and running in circles.....fearful of a falling sky.  Again...you have your opinion based on the subs in the asian market ...personal experience(?) with the game and the support from many beta testers....and I have mine based on past translations of mmos from asia to the west....my personal beta experience and others who do not feel ethusiatic for  Aion. Anyway...again...strictly opinion..and everyone has one.

Originally posted by logangregor

 

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Originally posted by BarCrow

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O

ith for years.

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To think that Blizzard pays no mind to other companies and what they do is not only silly but its ignorant. They are all competition. AION got game of the year in Korea and game of the year in Europes largest gaming convention. Thats hard to ignore.

How do you think they decide when they are going to release there expansions?
You think they flip a coin and that its all random?

 correct...but I never said they pay no mind to every company with a new mmo...merely that every mmo is not a concern and they focus on those that they percieve as a true threat. I also stated that ..imo...Aion is not one of them. Again..strictly my opinion based on the many mmos in existence or announced for future release. Aion seems like a lot of other games out there already. Then again..most people seem to believe most mmos are wow clones..so what would they have to worry about ..since they are apparently the benchmark. Not saying it's a good thing. Just the way it is at the moment.  Many chains make hamburgers...but I doubt McDonalds worrys about  Joes hamburger Shack..and focus more on the likes of Burger King..Maybe Wendys . Sonic perhaps....and at one point checkers was kicking all their asses. McDonalds still reigns ...for the most part.  I think Blizzard is definitely sweating over TOR...maybe STO...perhaps even Champions ONline and DCUO. I'm sure they were concerned with WAR and AoC..but we all know how that went. Will Aion take away subs from WOW..most likely..but I dont think it will be enough to sweat over. I believe the main focus on sales is the western markets. Sure...the asian markets have tons more players..but WOW has to give away graphic cards with boxed sets just to guarantee the subs..as well as charging pennies per hour with what the get in the west at $15.00 a month. I think they even give away the boxed sets for next to nothing ..and make up on pure volume in the eastern markets. The revenue from both west and east are not to far off...relatively speaking.

Originally posted by logangregor

 

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Originally posted by theratmonkey
I think most of you are putting way too much thought into this.
 
Blizzard is probably not concerned with Aion or any other game.  

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I dont think your putting ENOUGH thought into this.

When AOC/WAR were released, WOTLK was released soon after.

And now when more quality MMOs are soon to be released than in the last five years Bliz goes above and beyond with this expansion.

Coincidence?

I think not.

Guild Wars 2 Star Wars Final Fantasy Fallen Earth Champions Online AION
Earthrise Star Gate Worlds Global Agenda

And Im sure I missed at least a couple. Thats a solid 3 blockbuster titles and a couple possible break out hits.

Please tell me, as a whole or even on there own those games pose no financial threat to WoW. And Im not talking about "LOSING" subscribers. It also includes business they might not receive.

    I do not doubt  your points and you may very well be right.....but MMOS come out constantly..it really is hard to pin down..in most cases...why or if Blizzard releases patches or xpacs to counter other mmos...sure they added elements that other mmos had...that's just noting the trends in what many gamers are apparently looking for or at least..where some interest may rest.  I really think there are only a few mmos Blizzard even takes a serious concern over...and imo..Aion is not one of them...tho a beautiful game..it very similar ..upon first impressions to many other F2p games and some P2P.  Nothing new to what WOW has been competing with for years.