Originally posted by BlackWatch 

Dx10 content vs correcting performance issues and improving overall performance in the games current state.  While I like the idea of what Dx10 can bring to the table, I'd rather the current game ran better and the bugs were gone.  

Well, actually I agree with you, content should always have priority over graphics. My comment about the DirectX 10 were more meant as a sidenote of interest, as I already think this game is looking "good enough" at the moment. The downsides of AoC are surely in other areas.  

Playing the game, and having fun so far. I'll admit though, I haven't leveled very high yet, so I'm sure I'll run into less content, the higher I go. I'm not much of a power-grinder though, trying to enjoy the content as it arrives, so I look forward to the additions being implemented over this summer season.

It's also gonna be interesting to see the DirectX10 stuff being showcased in August. :) 

While I think that some of the OPs examples are a bit on the extreme side (MMOs that are unplayable due to bugs, or do offer extremely poor performance usually sell much less in the longer run), I do agree with the general consensus that many players generally accept a lower standard as far as polishing goes, when dishing out money for early reservation tickets for blockbuster MMOs.

Indeed, that release date was just set up for the pre-orders, since we're likely looking at a fall release. The exact date hasn't been confirmed yet.

NCsoft made the game, and they want to have control over it. What's else to discuss, really?

If people want to play for free, fine, do that. But don't try to justify your actions, because that's just silly.

Totally agree with the OP. People are waaaay too obessed with having their next precious MMO "beating WoW". Really, what does it matter? As long as you're having fun and it's financially stable, leave it at that. There will always be people with different tastes, and all the "our MMO vs WoW"-threads are boring anyways.

Yeap, it's sad each and everytime stories like these emerge, though it isn't exactly uncommon. However, that doesn't make it acceptable behaviour from the devs side, right? So I don't see the problem with being unhappy about it, and the "take it or leave it" attitude is kinda lame. It's like saying that it's totally fine that stuff like this happen, which of course it isn't!

Edit: I'm not an EQ2 player though, just saying.

If I remember the old SwG days correctly, you would examine an enemy to see whether it was considered difficult or easy for you to take down, instead of showing its level directly. That, to me, was a nice touch.  :) I would definitely like to see that expanded, for example, removing the health bars completely and doing it "BG style" with "Badly Injured" and "Near Death" during the fights... perhaps that has been done in MMOs before though, I've admittedly not played near as many titles as I would've liked.

Originally posted by vingvega

AOC hands down.  Aion looks like another hyped up Asian MMO.  Everyone will hype it up like they did with 2Moons. "Oh Man 2Moons is AWEWSOME! It will be the next MMO that dominates the WORLLLLLD!"  Every asian MMO looks like the same artist does the drawings.   Wouldn't put it past me they utilize item malls or some junk.  So I will wait for AOC.  I will never touch another asian tital again.

Just want to point out that 2moons was a f2p grind-game, while Aion is on subscriptions and more focused on questing and PvPvE. That alone is quite the difference. They're also aimed at different markets, since 2moons is basically a direct port of the korean game Dekaron, which wasn't developed with the western market in mind at all. Let's not compare two games with such distant mindsets. 

Originally posted by Hugh01

AOC will crush Aion.  Aion looks really asian and gay and AOC has nipples and blood and gore... which would you choose? LOL

With that being said, AoC definitely have many good points, like sieges and the player cities, and the graphics are nothing short of amazing for MMO-standards. However, I'm more attracted to Aions artistic style though, and the Abyss-concept definitely has potential. May they both grow old together.

I would say Guild Wars, I love Jeremy Soule's tracks'. I remember Archlord also had some nice music.

I could also recommend AO, have had some fun in it, especially with friends to group with. Not playing myself anymore, but it's still free without the exansions I believe.

Yes, it was indeed very neccesary to start whining about Tabula Rasa in a thread about Aions release date... really.

Anyways, it seems Korea will see Aion sometime during late Q2, and Europe/NA in Q3-Q4. Though it will release later over here, they've always expressed that they want the time in-between the releases to be as short as possible, so let's hope for Q3.

Originally posted by Deioth

Having thousands of quests doesn't make a game story centric nor immersive nor roleplayable.  WoW is the perfect example of that, based on my experience.

Well, that's where the cinematics kicks in ;) Something that is amiss in WoW.

Hmm, it's hard to say... I guess it's a combination of all the things they've said; The Stigma system, guild fortresses, PvPvE, group chain-attacks, deep character creation (even voice!) stellar graphics, awesome music and a compelling history and world... eeh, well they basically seem to be doing a lot of things right. And because it's NOT just another korean grinder.

Originally posted by Mithrandolir

I took it to mean "many interesting points for someone reading your post who might not have tried beta yet". or something along those lines :) I could be wrong though.

Yes, that is exactly what I meant, thanks for clearing that up. For someone like me, that didn't really got into the beta (I had an account, but compability issues denied me any longer play sessions) it's nice to read a bit more about the game before an eventual purchase. Wasn't meant any other way :)

Well written! While I neither hate, nor love this game yet, it's refreshing to read something not ridiculously positive, neither full of hate Many interesting points for someone that hasn't tried the game yet.

Yes, it's definitely a step in the right direction, even though they would've needed a bit more time than that. I'm currently in the beta, and have found quite a few glitches, but it's not like the games development is gonna stop on launch day either. I stay optimistic.

Originally posted by sinjin

Personally anyone that uses that excuse is a very sad person indeed.  Serious, you feel the need to judge a pixelated toon? Very sad excuse indeed.  I would never look at my toon in any videogame with the mindset of, is it sexy or not.

Watch much anime?.

  <--- Hai hai, while it wasn'tdirected at me, I watch anime, yet doesn't play girls in games because of any sad excuse you mentioned. For me it's more simple than that... I play it after which class I'm going for, how the overall look of the character is, and how the universe is in the game I'm playing. Then again, people put too much emphasis on the gender of players. For many, playing a male or a female isn't much more of a drama decision than choosing between Warrior/Mage, Human/Orc or Good Side/Evil Side.  I doubt there's a really high percent that is actually using their chars to cyber with, though that exists.

I'm always in for p2p games, since I invest a lot of time in them anyways. While it's natural that people live on tight budgets, it's definitely a mistake to miss out on something as good as Aion because of a monthly fee... It's gonna be worth it. Believe it.