I didn't know they changed the advancement or exp rates in the game.  I thought it was only the rewards, items, gold, etc. and not actualy progression.  Anyone else get the same thing going on?  If they have made it less of a massive grind, I wouldn't be against going back and giving the game another try...

Yeah, if you mean any actual morphing, you don't get that much control over your character.  But as far as things like the face skin and hair style, you can go to NPC's and take care of that.  There's on in Bree in the Prancing Pony, and it's not expensive or anything.  I'm glad more games are coming out with the ability to make some alterations to your character's appearance in-game instead of just being stuck with the same hair style forever.  It makes more sense.

I noticed that Nexon said they did a huge update to the game last week, and I was wondering if it only affected gameplay or if they did some updates to the look of the game or its graphics.  Anyone playing this currently that has any input about the new update?

From what I've heard the "free" version of the game is extremely limited, and more like a simple trial.  I've never played it, but I have a hard time seeing why you would with the newer browser games around like Free Realms, Wizard 101, Earth Eternal, etc.

I was just bored and looking at this game earlier this week, and their website just said it was "down for emergency maintenance".  And, it's said that ever since.  Did they just shut down or something?  It's as if there is no news on this within the last six months...

Ok, there seem to be a couple things people are bringing up here:

1. They will be adding on open areas and larger battles.

If/when they do that, it might change my impressions about things.  It's definitely lacking in persistent content, and content overall as far as MMO's are concerned.

2.  The trial doesn't let you do "everything" in the game.

Ok, while that is true, the fundamental problems and lack of compelling gameplay aren't different.  And having the excuse that the game is only good at the end or high levels is a poor arguement for the quality of the game.  If it's not good for the first 10-20 levels, it's going to turn a lot of people away.  One thing that WoW got right (even though I'm not really a big fan of that game) is that a fun and entertaining start-off can keep people interested right from the start.

Why have a trial if it's just going to leave people feeling like the game is boring and lacks depth?

I will say that if they come out with some large patches in the near future that add in open areas and other interesting things, it might be worth a second look.

There was an article with an interview of my son about Wizard 101 not too long ago.  It was pretty cool looking at things from a kids view.  It's interesting how a lot of their "wants" in a video game are similar to those of adults, except on the level of complexity.  Check out Free Realms from an 8-year-old's viewpoint:

http://www.mmosanctuary.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=94:what-the-kids-are-playing-free-realms&catid=37:mmo-staff-blogs&Itemid=58

You get to hear reviews from adults all the time, but when it comes to a game that really targets younger players, you don't end up reading my articles asking THEM what they think...

It's got to be hard making a game that not only appeals to kids, but can get adults interested in it too...

Well yes, different gamers have different opinions.  But I just feel that based on the one-sided nature of the game, that it focuses solely on online multiplayer PvP (because most people say the PvE isn't significant), it doesn't have the depth of content you get in some other games of the same genre.  And many/most of the other FPS games with online play not only offer that component for free, but they often have an extensive single-play side of the game as well.  So, you're paying the full box price, but you're getting both a single-play game, and the online multiplayer experience.

Global agenda expects you to pay a full box price, with no single-player, and a multiplayer experience not much different from its cousins like Modern Warfare 2 that have the same waiting-room type of PvP matchups, without the added cost of a subscription.

Well, I should qualify what I mean by "better".  Primarily, it's my opinion.  Second, I consider a game better when it has more content: appearances, maps, buildings, items, etc.  And I felt like what was contained in Global Agenda was less than can be found in other similar games of the multiplayer shooter genre.

There's no reason to think this game is anything like what happened with Dark and Light.  They haven't done anything shady or deceitful to their fans/customers.  And I know for a fact that they aren't made by the same person.  There is staff information right on their webpage and bios about the dev team.  So...  Just stop being rude, sit back, and wait for things to happen.  Unless you've pre-ordered, it doesn't matter to you anyway.

Personally, I'm thinking this game will be a lot more popular than the developers had expected, and that may be the major problem they encounter.

I think their developers have been pretty open with the fans about what they've been doing, and what they have accompished.  I don't know why some people are flaming this game or being so critical of it.  It's an independent MMO, it looks pretty good, and so far there is no basis for insulting the game or its dev team.

I personally don't think this game is as good as many of the sites are stating it is.  I don't know what exactly they're basing their comparisons on, or what motivation they have to rate it so high.  But I definitely don't agree.  I recently went in for their trial, and there are LOTS of better online shooters.  And I don't see why you would want to pay a monthly fee for it.  Personally, I agree more with the rating at MMO Sanctuary that gave it a 6/10 and said "While this MMORPG seems very unique in the beginning, the game quickly becomes repetitive in PvE and PvP."  The article is here: http://www.mmosanctuary.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=90:global-agenda-review&catid=34:game-reviews&Itemid=56  They want you to pay a full box price AND a monthly subscription for this?  Why do that when you can play Bad Company 2 or Modern Warfare 2 for no subscription?

Sounds shady to me, and giving it almost a 9/10 on a gaming site (IGN I think) sounds shady as well...

My son has been playing Wizard 101 for a while now, and I noticed there aren't many interviews or blogs that actually let the kids talk about the game and get their point of view.  He's only 8, but he's pretty darn good with games, and he LOVES MMO's (like his parents).  If you want to check out his comments about the game, read this blog:

http://www.mmosanctuary.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=73:what-the-kids-are-playing-wizard-101&catid=37:mmo-staff-blogs&Itemid=58

I wonder how the developers get kids' feedback to decide on their ongoing development goals.  Do you think they have surveys or focus groups for them?

While it's not really a bad thing to let members "vote" on games, it's really not reliable.  When you can create any number of free "member" accounts you want, the rating system just goes out the door.  You're better off just reading reviews, asking questions, etc.  Keep it simple...  There's a site called MMOSanctuary.com that just started out that doesn't do a bunch of the rating crap and lop-sided voting...

Claiming that an item is being sold for a particular price and properties until a certain date, then changing the "sale"/advertisement constitutes false advertising according to U.S. Law.

"Any advertising or promotion that misrepresents the nature, characteristics, qualities or geographic origin of goods, services or commercial activities" (Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C.A. § 1125(a)).

By declaring that Star Trek Online was available at a $10 discount, with an additional 60 days free game time (which was advertized on the main www.startrekonline.com website AND plainly visible in the store), this constitutes and advertisement for the sale of goods. That same advertisement also specifically said that the price and conditions would be available until March 3, 2010. However, on March 1, 2010, the details were changed to disclude the previous free 60 days of game play time. This specific act represents false advertisement, most similar to practices of "bait and switch".

In the U.S., consumers are entitled to protective measures including filing with the Better Business Bureau (www.bbb.org), The Federal Trade Commission Bureau of Consumer Protection (http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/index.shtml), or assistance of U.S. bar certified attourneys.

Maybe next he can sue the IOC because he wasn't able to enjoy the olympics fully because he couldn't see the events.

Or, he can sue a movie theatre because he wasn't able to enjoy the entire movie because he's blind.

Maybe, he can sue VolksWagon because he's unable to drive their cars safely.

...There are many things to like about the USA, but it's crap like this that wastes our time, taxpayers' money, and the time and money of the companies/individuals being sued for completely ridiculous reasons.

Personally I hope they start passing regulations to make it possible to counter-sue for legal fees when someone with a blatant B.S. case loses like this.

Some friends and i have had a pretty good time playing around in the game so far.  We intended on continuing to play as well.  However, IF the prices they have in their item shop are going to stay so high, there is no way any of us will continue.  On the other hand, it could just be a mistake and incorrect placement of the decimal, like many are saying.

It seems like most things are available in the game, and that items from the shop will mostly make things a little easier or faster for people, without creating a massive imbalance.  So, if they get the prices where they belong and don't put game-altering items in there, it should work out fine.  The devs at gPotato aren't stupid, I'm sure, and they'll get things cleared up.

So, no levelling or advancing, aside from getting promoted by another player...

Or, you can make money, which would assumably make you more "powerful" (much like real life).

You can attack your enemies cities, and I believe I read they can be taken control of. But again, the only benefit gained would be... money.

There's combat, but there doesn't seem to be much of it (aside from getting ganked).

This sounds rather like Second Life, with guns.

What's the point to playing if your character always stays the same? You might as well play Battlefield 2 (you get ranks there too).
 

I recently spent some time trying this game out, as the idea of open crafting, politics, war,.. all sounded good to me.  A rather sandbox style game.  However, after having played it for a few days, and speaking to players who were online, I have decided it's not worth playing (for a number of reasons).

1. The tutorial video doesn't really provide a real look at how the game is going to be when you get in.  There are some objectives available for you to complete, or you can just randomly walk off and start mining/crafting/fighting...  But really, you can't.  Everyone around is likely more powerful than you, so if you try to near an enemy city, you're going to be dead the moment your feet touch their soil.  I was even given 3 of my starting 5 objectives telling me to head to a KoS city where I had no chance to survival.  I wasn't even given a weapon in my backpack to start.

2.  People are out there to gank new players just to irritate them.  It's pretty clear when you're wearing one of the starter outfits and wandering around one of the city hubs.  I was browsing the market terminal in Paris, and was shot in the back and killed.  There's no safety anywhere, and no one around to help or prevent it from happening.

3.  The game is a ghost town.  I only visually saw players occassionally, and even the faction chat was very limited.  They seemed willing to answer my basic questions, but no one was willing to help me, mentor me, or get me going in the right direction.

4.  The political system doesn't involve all the players.  Hell, the new players aren't even told what's going on with the political system, so I wouldn't be surprised if I met whoever is in charge and spit in his face.  It seems like new players aren't important to the developers.  There's nothing for them to do.  Can I sit there and grind out 1,000 medkits over and over to make some money?  Maybe, if I didn't get shot in the back.  Maybe I could call the police!  Wait, nope, none of those.

5.  Did I forget to mention I didn't see any NPC's either?

Overall this game didn't seem to have anything to offer.  No way to advance (apparently you need another player to promote you?)  Unless I had some friends already playing this game, I was pretty much out of luck.  So, I can't recommend this game to anyone without a group of people you know already in the game.  You'll just end up getting nowhere.

Originally posted by AgtSmith 

???  Heavy use?  STO has ZERO persistent world, it is entirely instanced and nothing more than a series of semi private maps.  I am not saying this alone ruins the game but be accurate in discussing the game, it doesn't 'heavily use' instancing it is 100% instanced with no world to speak of.

You think the game would function with hundreds of thousands of players in the same location at once?  NO game is capable of that.  Even EVE Online has separate zones, all of which have a population limit.  Once that limit is reached, you are completely locked out of the zone.  And most of the systems in EVE are just copies of each other.  The same space backdrop and planet designs are used over and over again.  And in Empire space, nothing is permanent, so therefor not persistant.

Other games separate players in a different way: Servers.  World of Warcraft limits the number of players in a giver server to mere hundreds at once.  If the limit is reached, you're stuck in a queue.  And if it's during a holiday you could be waiting hours to get into the game.  Is this optimum?  In STO, you can play with ANYONE who has the game.  You can change freely between zone servers.  You and your group will stay in the same zone server once together.  It allows for many players to be together, without limiting who gets to play with whom.

Every game has some way of breaking up server load.  All modern MMORPG's have high server stress, and the graphics quality of the games requires limiting how many players are on the screen at once.  If you tried having everyone on the same zone at the same time, there is no machine in the world that could run the client (and this is true for any recent AAA MMORPG).

If you have a better way of allowing all the players to interact without locking up both server and client, you better patent it because you're going to be rich!