Look...how can you NOT like Eve...It's not like it's not exciting, is it?  It's not like you sit looking at a convoluted UI, accessing your treasure of spreadsheets, spending your 15 bucks per month reading a book in front of your pc screen while mining, traveling from sector to sector, only to lose your ship (insured, thank GOD!) to hungry pirates, is it?  Oh, wait.  That IS how it is. Remember, anything can happen to you. And, we all know that we like nothing better than to sit with our other nerdy friends in front of pc and feel like we're in the *real* world (only futuristic) and get scammed (several article on this, but seems rare) by some greedy, player-owned corporations (but, hey...it's cool to be scammed in a game using in-game currency, right?). I mean, this is what FUN is, right?  No? Well, then it must be the epic space battles that one can partake in....after 6 mos of grinding all the previous shit I just mentioned.  Eve is very unique, but not for most players, imo. If the subscription fee were AT MOST $9-$10, then I MIGHT consider it...again...for about 5 nights.  The game is very beautiful, though, being probably the most beautiful space game ever. CCP is considered to be one of the most-appreciated developers in the market today by the community, and it's hard to argue with that.

I just don't see how a game that has less than 500k subs (is that a close assessment of how many there are? I thought it was around 300k, but it must be more now due to the awards it keeps winning) is able to take the winning spot here.

To all you Eve players, my hat goes off to ya. It's not often that one finds a good game that they like, that has good developers, and a pretty decent/helpful community. However, it sure isn't for the weak-willed. I actually prefer something along the lines of the original Pre-CE/Pre-NGE Star Wars: Galaxies to this type of game, but that's just me.  Anyway, below is a shared video that I thought pretty much sums up MY Eve Online Experience. You may be different, but this was what I took away from it...along with my best friend's summation...and, my wife's...and, hmm...well, everyone I know that ever tried Eve to be honest.

Anyway, here's the video. And, remember, this post is all in good fun and sharing of opinion. You may disagree, but remember, to me my opinion is *right*. :P

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMSjd6HNQdY

I've played several F2P games.  Allods Online, LotRO, DDO, RoM, PW, Forsaken World, etc...

The BEST F2P (imo, of course) is Turbine's games.  DDO and LotRO, with LotRO being my favorite.  The reason is that it is the ONLY game that allows be to realistically play the game without buying anything with *real* currency.  The one thing that I love about it is that I can earn Turbine Points IN-GAME and use those earned points to purchase additional content.  Grant it, there's a lot of grind to do it, but the ability is there.  To date I have *bought* the following using earned Turbine Points:  Several Riding skills (for different toons), the Lone Lands Quest Pack (before it was included in the F2P), Trollshaws questing area, 2 additional Skirmishes, and a couple of Virtues for new toons.  All of these were with earned points in the game.  That's why I enjoy LotRO more than the others because I can truly play the game for free, albiet for more work...which is how it should be.  As a F2P customer I do NOT expect to have the same benefits as those that pay, nor should I. 

Anyway, that's my 2 cents worth.  LotRO may not be for everybody, but imo Turbine has the best F2P out of anyone out there.  It definitely did wonders for DDO and LotRO and for their customer base.

Thanks, all.

Okay...to all you referring to these jokers at Lulzsec as muppets...please don't do it anymore.  I like muppets...have ever since I was a kid.  To refer to these hacker-losers as *Muppets* is an insult to Muppets everywhere.  Please, refer to them (the hacker-losers) as *Puppets*.  Thank you.

*This message brought to you by concerned Muppet-fans everywhere.  Hug a Muppet.  Smack the hacker.*

Why would they NOT use Steam?  As someone already mentioned, they have what?  50 million subscribers with 3 million (on average) using their service daily?  What company, personal feelings about Steam set aside, would NOT take advantage of a proven, established distribution service to get their game to MILLIONS of potential users?  Sure, there are a few that don't use Steam, but why NOT use Steam?  Why spend millions of dollars to pay programmers to code, troubleshoot, and maintain a service that MAY fail miserably?  This makes no sense whatsoever.  Steam is there and READY to distribute this game to a set clientele.  Steam, for the most part, works great.  If it didn't, then this many people would not use it.

Then again, maybe it will work for them.  Maybe it will be a very successful project.  I just believe that they are making a mistake, potentially alienating some customers that refuse to use muliple download programs, especially to play one game.  However, maybe they're counting on this game being SO good that people will download anything they need to play it.  *shrugs*  I guess we'll see.

I played LotRO at beta.  I played LotRO as a paying subscriber.  I play LotRO as a F2P.  The game now is FILLED with new players, and I've yet to meet ANYONE that has caused me to have a negative view of the game.  F2P has helped LotRO's population.  Not only that, but the SPIRIT of the game is STILL there.  That means that the majority of people that HAVE come to LotRO are GOOD for the community.

Imo, those that leave *just* because it went F2P aren't giving it a chance...at all.  The F2P doesn't affect the PAYING subscribers AT ALL....other than give you FULL access to the game material you OWN.  So, ya don't like the F2P aspect?  Guess what?  PAY for it!  You then have access to full features without ANY (perceived) drawbacks that you complain about.  Give it a chance.  You might be pleasantly surprised...I know I was.  The population is *really* nice.  This wouldn't be the case if it was *just* numbers.  I'm talking about a *like-minded* population that seems to enjoy LotRO.  This makes a huge difference.  This is why I would love to see Vanguard done the same way.  It wouldn't hurt the game...well, unless they actually *change* the game like they did with Galaxies :(.

Originally posted by DLangley

This thread is very old. Please do not necro-post. Locked.

What, pray tell, is wrong with resurrecting an old post?  This is a good post and goes to show how long people have considered/offered the idea the OP was speaking of.

I agree that Vanguard should go F2P.  SOE should study Turbine's F2P model *very* closely as it is a *proven* money-maker.  Not only that, but it literally breathed life into the once-dead DDO.

Vanguard has *much* potential.  The main thing missing from this vibrant universe is players.  Telon is a world that is begging for population.  With F2P the game would gain the one ingredient that could make it great:  population.

Of course, that's my opinion.

Originally posted by Lateris

I am really not into F2P games or the milking business model that is part of the process into major suckage of my income. Have fun with that kids. 

This.  This is the kind of egotistical nonsense that ruins game communities...not because of the F2P.  Attitude that *only* kids will play a free game.

Milking business model?  In a later post you stated that Turbine has sold out...that they (companies) care naught for their customers.  Do you have any idea how a company actually works?  True, they're out to make money.  Isn't that the reason you go to work? (assuming you work...I assume you do...)  To do that they *have* to do the following:

1)  Care for their customers.

or

2)  Act like they care for their customers.  And, if they *act* like they care for us, then they're actions will prove it.  So, if their actions show that they care, even though they're *acting*, isn't the end-result the same?  I mean, if their actions are good for *us*, doesn't that mean that we have been *cared* for?

So, in synopsis we see that if we (the customers) are being cared for (i.e., getting a good product that provides us with what we want, in this case entertainment), then the company is being *good* to us because they *care*.

To be quite honest, I'm glad that the F2P will hopefully *weed out* the egotistical peeps like yourself.  Because we *want* to play a good game...for free...doesn't mean that we're kids or that we'll *ruin* you community.  Well, unless the community has attitude like you've demonstrated.  In that case, we'll be happy to *ruin* it :)

Originally posted by CymTyr

Mixed feelings on this, but not because it's going f2p. My mixed feelings are from the fact that in DDO you do not get the base game for free. As I saw on the tier chart for lotro's upcoming business model, some quests you had as part of the base game will be "pay-for" quests with the new business model unless you sub.

Okay, I know what you're going to say. Just keep subbing! But the whole point of f2p is that if you can't or don't want to pay a sub to the game for a given month, you can still play it and have a complete game. This is not the case in either of Turbine's f2p models, which is why I'm having mixed feelings.

Dude...you *totally* get the base game for free.  You download it, create an account, log-in, and play.  I've done this.  So has my son, wife, and daughter.  I'm not sure which game your speaking of, but it certainly is NOT DDO.

Also, once you buy an *area* or dungeon to quest in, it's yours for the life of the account.  Period.  You don't have to re-buy it, or anything like it.

In LotRO, you have access to the *ENTIRE game...just not the content within the areas.  Playing a free account?  Want to play up until the Lone Lands area?  Then, just talk to the first quest-giver in Lone Lands, and purchase the content in the entirety of the Lone Lands.  VOILA!  Now, the Lone Lands is open to you.  Want to adventure in the Trollshaws?  Guess what??  *See above steps.  Repeat.*

It's a *very* easy process.  F2P is the future.  We old fogies are gonna have to *get with it*.  :P

*Depending on whether or not you own the expansions, that is...*

Seriously, what I absolutely LOVE about most posts/comments on this article is the sheer about of misinformed statements made regarding this new decision by Turbine.  I am now going to explain what this means to people that do NOT want to play F2P LotRO:  Keep paying the subscription fee.  Seriously.  That's ALL you have to do.  The changes you WILL see are the following:

1) Increase in population.

You either like this idea or hate it.  If you don't like an increase in player-base, then why on earth on your playing a MASSIVE MULTIPLAYER game?  Larger population has many perks, the most-important one this:  MONEY.  More money for Turbine equals more content for LOTRO, better maintenance, more issues addressed, etc...  However, larger population also means that there will be a larger number of people to ruin the game...if you let 'em.  My advice is to NOT let this Rt@rds ruin a game you play.  Find a good kinship...stay in that kinship...avoid the riff-raff.

2)  Minor UI changes.

The changes I speak of will, of course, be the LOTRO store access.  People have complained that you will be able to buy your way to the top of LOTRO using the in-game store.  This is a misconception.  For those that believe this go play DDO...right now...seriously.  You will find that it, in fact, does NOT ruin the game in any way.  In fact, it's pretty cool/interesting.

3)  More chat in General, Regional, OOC, and/or Advice.

Seriously, the chat at the moment is pretty bad...at times.  The first thing I do when creating a new character is immediately leave the General, Advice, OOC, and Regional channels.  People may say to this, "Yeah, well it's going to get worse, pal!"  Well, it won't for me because....you know...I don't *listen* to those channels anyway.  This falls under the *Not Letting Others Ruin My Game* section.

Folks, if you don't like what Turbine is doing with LOTRO, then just continue (or start) paying the 15 bucks per month.  It allows full-content access, with no limitations.  Don't make this out as something bad.  This can only help LOTRO.  This game will still be LOTRO, which still isn't for everyone.  This is because of the LORE.  The Lore is what makes this game more for adults, and/or serious-minded teens (if those exist, that is...I've heard rumors :P).

Also, to the one that stated that F2P games are only made up of riff-raff and the *wrong* type of players is completely off-base. Stop being an egotistical jerk and come to realize that just because you *enjoy* paying 15 bucks per month (no matter if you play less one month than on other months), doesn't mean that those of us that enjoy playing a free game periodically are somehow *detrimental* to the community in some way.  We work for our money same as you, bub.  We just like enjoying ourselves for free if there is a way.

I think we all need to give this a chance BEFORE criticizing it.  All the DOOM and WOES being thrown around are completely unfounded.  I, for one, am looking forward to this change...and, so does my wallet.  :P

Peace to all.

 I love the idea of Warhammer Online.  It is the most-appealing game to me at this time.  The pvp/rvr aspect is better than any other mmo I've ever tried, including DAoC.

However, the technical problems with this game is what is going to cause this game to fail beyond recovery.  Some might argue that it's already there, but I believe that Mythic could pull subscribers back with one improvement:  Fix the game stability.  I am growing exceedingly tired of the number CTD's since patch 1.3.  Even worse is the lack of communication between Mythic and it's ebbing community.  If you WANT a game to fail, you do these two things:

1) Make the game unplayable due to bugs/instability.

2)Never communicate with the community that pays your salaries.

Cool armor sets, awesome weapon sets, etc is all moot when you crash to desktop (CTD) every 1/2 hour or so.  First, you must fix the core game.  THEN, you can begin improving the eye-candy of the game.

I'm sticking with WAR at least another month, because it is truly a fun game...while it works.  Grant it, 5 CTD's in an hour are rare, but boy do you get ticked when it occurs EVERY TIME that you're in a SCENARIO/BATTLEGROUND.  And, to add insult to injury you're flagged as a *QUITTER* for WAR booting you out of the scenario/game.

I believe that Mythic needs to focus ENTIRELY on the bug-fixing, stability-improving aspect of this game so that we the players can truly enjoy what WAR offers.

Originally posted by elocke

Second, you mentioned community very quickly. I have to point out, that for me, how the community is in AoC is currently the major flaw in the game. I have not seen a worse community in all my mmorpg travels yet. Not sure how a developer fixes that, but well, there it is.

Elocke,

A lot of this has to do with the difference of player-types between PvP and PvE communities.  I agree with your statement regarding PvP server(s).  The wife and I came back to reevaluate AoC, but decided to go a different route and try playing on a PvP/RP server (keyword being RP, as in my experience it seems that there is a larger number of more-mature players on RP-ing servers, whether they RP or not).  Big mistake!  The community was nothing short of horrible.  I mean, some of the worst Global Chat that I have ever seen, coupled with the fact that no one wanted to help one another.  On the contrary, it was just a *noob-slaughter-fest* from level 10 on.   I finally got my assassin to 16 and hit Tortage Underhalls (after being absolutely man-handled on White Sands by bored 12-year-old level 20+ Rangers that had nothing better to do than pick-on...scratch that, *pick-on* is not a good enough description...pierced to death, chopped to pieces, etc... my character as I attempted to quest).  While attempting to quest there, I discovered no less than 5 higher levels (lvl 20+ casters) that weren't interested in questing, but only in preventing questing of any type.    So, instead of being able to quest and gain levels, I was forced to join forces with 3 others (lvl 14 and below) that were being smacked, slapped, and spanked like red-headed step-children and continuously camp the rez spot and attempt to turn the tables.  I grew very bored with this very quickly, as this measure did nothing to help my charcter other than a number increase of PvP kills.  I believe that having PvP in Tortage of any type should be a huge no-no on the devs list.  I think that Tortage (including Acheronian Ruins, Tortage Underhalls, and White Sands Isle) should be PvP *safe-zones, as we're all escaped slaves attempting to escape a blockade.  I think PvP should start *after* you leave Tortage.  Bleh, I'm getting off-topic.  What I'm attempting to say is this:  PvP = Bad Community (until you find a good guild).

After deciding that PvP wasn't for me (as the RP wasn't evident early in the game), the wife and I moved to Wiccana Server.  Now, unknown to us at the time was that Wiccana (Normal) Server is considered as the *unofficial* RP server (as it was, at one time, an official RP server).  The community was/is terrific.  Of course you have the immaturity in Global Chat at times.  What game doesn't?  However, we found the community to be great.  So great, in fact, that we moved our lvl 68 and lvl 70 from Set to Wiccana (using Free Character Move, which took only 30 mins, btw...one of the fastest I've ever seen in a MMO).

So, try your hand at a Normal server, preferably Wiccana.  Remember, every server has PvP.  The Border Kingdoms are free-for-all PvP, so if that's your bag you'll get your *fix* even on a normal server.

If you like PvP such as I mentioned in the first paragraph, then I'm afraid you will have to suffer the immaturity, as PvP servers draw the most-immature crowds.  That's true in just about any MMO (with few exceptions).

Good luck, and I hope you find a good community soon!

 I'm curious as to what the author has to say about a *General Feat* build.  I'm leveling my assassin using nothing but the General Tree.  I have increased stamina regen, increased armor, increased protection, and some damage increase.  It seems to be a decent build, but i'm just curious as to the opinion of going this route.

 To those out there thinking that WoW is *stealing* this idea from WAR, you are WAY off-base.  This topic of having XP-gains from BGs appeared *years* before WAR went live.  Although the implementation is new, the topic (in WoW and WoW-forums) has been around a long time...long BEFORE WAR hit the scene.

To be fair, though, WAR may have been one of the reasons for the implementation of this considered idea.  What better way to *test* a system without changing your game than look at how it's received in another game?  However, there are differences in the PvP-Experience-Earning in WoW compared to WAR.  No XP for killing other players?  Bad idea, imo.  I believe that you should give XP for not only capturing the flag, but also killing players.  If you don't, then you encourage the twinks to PROLONG battleground battles (avoid the *acts* that gain you XP, because what twink wants to risk losing their twink-status?) and encouraging 4-hour kill-da-noob festivities.

Concerning PVP, it gets no better than WAR.  WAR implemented an awesome PVP system, imo.  It actually made (for me) PVP *fun*.  If WAR had more PVE substance, I would definitely drop LotRO...or WoW...or Vanguard...or whatever I'm *in the mood* to play (which is LotRO, atm...if you've not checked it out lately, are a huge PVE fan, you should check out the 10-day trial and the $10.00 offer for LOTRO and MOM with 30 days play, packaged into one beautifal price of 10 bucks...i am being pleasantly surprised at the new content, the game changes made since beta/launch, etc...), to go back to WAR.

I don't mind seeing players of multiple MMO's.  Hey, us MMO players want a fun game packed with interesting quests, pvp scenarios, etc.  However, I have a definite problem with *fan-boys* of a specific MMO bashing another MMO (and it's players) with false statements like those made above.  Just because you don't like a specific MMO, doesn't mean ya have to create lies about it to further your hate-mongering agenda.  Look....either play the game, or don't.  Every MMO out there has implemented ideas from one MMO/game or another.  To *not* do so would be the essence of stupidity.  You take what works and use it.  Sure, you have to come up with new content, new playstyle, to keep it fresh and interesting.  Otherwise you begin to alienate a large number of consumers which means less income, which in essence leads to the death of MMO's.  There's a reason that World of Warcraft has performed well over the years.  Sure, there are things that are aggravating about it, but WoW does what *most* MMO's do *not* do:  appeal to a LARGE number/different types of players.  Ya don't like PVP? Great!  WoW offers excellent selection of PVE material.  Ya like PVP?  WoW offers PVP starting at level 10.  Like being able to SOLO to 80?  WoW gives you that capability (I've done it with several different toons).  More of a group-oriented player?  WoW offers dungeon-delving available as low as level 13 (Horde), or 17 (Alliance), depending on which faction you play.  Another feature of WoW is having a cut-dry, clear-as-crystal, two-faction system.  This is one thing that appealed to myself from the beginning.  You either play Horde or Alliance.  That's it.  No complicated system to figure out.  It's Horde vs Alliance, a throw-back to the original RTS of WARCRAFT, the first game of it's kind on a massive scale (Game of the Year, 1995 I believe).  Not only that, but within each faction are numerous options available to the players (each has different races and classes).   Now, this is also what I love about WAR.  I think that Mythic went a step further and bettered the situation, though.  I love that WAR allows a player to choose only ONE faction per server.  This is definitely an idea that WoW needed to implement years ago.  However, Mythic did it first (to my knowledge...I may be wrong about the first, tho) and kudos to them.  However, I do like the Order vs Destruction (liken unto the tabletop game without the Tomb Lords, Vampire Counts, Skaven, etc).

I've ranted long enough.  But, I had to point out that this wasn't a "Hey!  Ya know, we should steal...er...borrow Mythic's idea and give xp for battlegrounds!".  Nope, I see it something more akin to "Guys?  Ya remember that topic that the players came up with on the forums...oh, I don't know....like 2-3 years ago regarding xp in battlegrounds?  Well, I think it's time.  Kinda like what they're doing over at Mythic/WAR might be something to look at...or, we could just give Honor for certain actions...like Flag Capture, Tower Destroying, Objective's Taken, etc..."

Regardless of *who* or *how* Blizzard came up with it, it's an idea that's been long overdue.  It will be interesting to see how well it's implemented, and how it's received by both Hardcore PVP'ers vs Casual PVP'ers.

To each their own!  Kudos to all that have found an MMO-Home!  It's not easy to find a game that can hold interest and keep interesting the gameplay for an extended period of time.  If WoW is your thing, go for it.  If you prefer WAR, more power to you!  I (at this time) will continue my trek through Middle Earth, attempting to foil the plans of the Witch King, while making the arduous journey to the Mines of Moria!

Later!

Originally posted by Ciano

Well as Tasos said. Essentially he doesn't care what any of you think. Gamer's always say they want one thing and then when they get it, they figure out they didn't want it in the first place. Then they decide they want somthing else.

 

Personally I am 100% behind a developer that tells the consumer to get jacked and that they will release a product when they are good and ready. MMO's these days suffer from too much "I want" "I want" "I want" syndrome. Half the problem with games these days is they try to cater to any loud whiner they come across. If Darkfall isn't ready to launch it isn't ready to launch. If they launched tomorrow half of you whiners would be out rioting and setting fire to cars once you ran in to your first bug.

Darkfall will launch when it is ready. Darkfall will be Darkfall and no amount of whining will change it. You will either like the product and it will sell or you will hate the product and it will flop. At least I can rest assured that it will be what it was meant to be and not mutate into whatever the flavor of the month is on the MMO scene.

Totally agree.  I love how people say that they are looking/hoping for a great game/MMO, then totally lose it when the company pushes back the release date/launch.  We all know that if a game launches too early what happens:  People play for 2 weeks, get sick at their stomach for the *beta* that they are paying to *test*, and then leave the game.  This is all followed up by a forum-troll-flaming ceremony that involves visiting all forum sites dedicated/mentioning the aforementioned game (and the company that developed it), and telling everyone to avoid at all cost because it sucks so much.

On the other hand, you have....this.  You have people that begin the flame-war against the company/developer for NOT releasing a product that the company feels is not ready to launch.  This is the epitome of immaturity and idiocy.

The reasons for this delay seem to be legitimate (notice I used the word *seem*).  This past year has suffered one of the worst economic crisis we've seen/experienced in this generation, affecting GLOBAL economy.  Maybe, just maybe, some of these economic *woes* have affected the industry to a point where previous plans no longer will work, and other measures must be taken.

Well-done on company's part, I say.  And, to the person that mentioned something about lack of product marketing?  Marketing is a sinkhole of money.  Maybe they made the decision to use their money more wisely than sinking it in massive marketing.  And, they've not done too bad for themselves as Darkfall was the most-anticipated game for early 2009.  So, the word is out there in the MMO community.  Whether it's mentioned by those that guffaw at the idea of Darkfall, or those that sing it's praises the word is in the community.  Maybe at launch or after launch the advertising/marketing will pick up to target the few that haven't heard of it.

Peace.

Originally posted by gorgondo

Originally posted by Royou

From the majority of post's I get the feeling that most of you have never had to deal with suicide with a family member, friend or somebody close, if you had your views on it would be considerably different.

Let me ask you a question, what would be your reaction, to a school kid that is bullied, beaten up on a daily basis, is ridiculed by everybody, who has tried to get help, can't tell his parent as the are high on drugs or drunk all the time, and they are not interested every time he has approached them, what would your comments be then, that he was a weak twat and did not deserve to live? who are we to judge whom should or should not live, I myself if approached by him would do all that I could to help him, if he still did take his own life, the I would morn his loss, and feel that I had failed him. It takes a lot of guts to take your own life, and is not an easy act, our natural instinct is for self preservation and this goes against that, for many suicide is to them their only option, I say give them help and compassion and help them work through and over their problems.

Let me give you another instance. What would your comments be, to a girl of 15 that has been abused for all her life, physically and sexually, has been forced to have countless abortions, she has tried to get help, has told the teachers, but they didn't believe her, so she stopped going to school, has tried many times to run away from home, but is found and then dragged home, beaten then abused, is told that if she tells the police that she will be killed, her mother is an alcoholic and a drug addict, what would you say then if she saw the only way out, was to end her suffering? what would you view of this be?

Don't say that I've made this up, in my line of work we hear of incidents like this on a weekly basis, most have a good out come, but there as still the sad few that slip through the system.
 

 

I had an uncle commit suicide, we weren't particularly close, but we did share a roof.

Now that that's out of the way, while I don't view it with quite as harsh an opinion as others, I do firmly believe that those who would (or do) commit suicide deserve no sympathy, no special treatment.  If they are willing to selfishly give up and leave those that love them behind to pick up the pieces and trudge on with that added emptiness, then they deserve the death they have bestowed upon themselves and should be thrown out with yesterday's trash.

I find that I'm still angry with my uncle 8 years after the fact.  He left a family behind who almost lost everything because they were thrust into a financial pitfall.

Let the weak fade, and pray they don't drag the innocent down with them.

So, the aforementioned girl that's been abused her entire life is weak?  I think your response is weak, friend.  You may think that your uncle was selfish, and he very well may have been.  But, you may change your mind after a few years are behind you.  Then again, you may not.  It's different for everyone.

Thank goodness for caring people in this world, because *ANYONE* can be pushed over the edge... anyone.  All it takes is constant pressure.  Nobody withstands constant pressure...nobody.  EVERYONE has a breaking point.  Some just withstand better than others.

Peace.

Originally posted by RipperLord

Blizzard being concerned? NO. Its Blizzard avoiding another sue over another BS suicide. Thats why they have a zero tolerance policy on this kind of stuff. They have to take their finger out of their own ass, and smell the sh*t that they made since WoW's release.

I'm saying, in this situation I'd ignore the little turd. Those who cheat are obviously not the ones that are obsessed with it. Because, they simply don't care about the game (if its going to be broken over your cheap ass cheating). Getting police and lawyers involved in this trash, I swear, its something that makes me want to go and nuke the buildings that house the servers.

I used to respect Blizzard, before they became a mindless, money raking machine (anti-sue policies are just another measure to make sure the money goes straight in the greedy little asses). Before they started make sh*t game (yes, I mean WoW as it is now) and banning/suspending people for the most utterly ridiculous reasons. They've just about given GM/Moderator powers, to THE most retarded people on the face of the planet.

All they have going for them is WoW, once that dies (and yes it will). They will turn into nothing. Though they will be a pile of nothing with tons of cash.

Sounds like you were someone that was banned.  Blizzard GM's are people, bud.  The guy that called 911 made the correct call.  Who's to say that he wasn't concerned for this young person?  No one knows.  By the way, if you're hoping for WoW to fail, and that right soon, I'm afraid you're in for a long wait.  11 million subscribers will guarantee this mmo life-giving breath for sometime.  I'm currently not playing WoW, but I can see why it's successful.

It never ceases to amaze me that people blame Blizzard for *everything* once their account gets banned.  Blizzard doesn't ban accounts for no reason.  But, it's their right if they did.  It's their game.  I played from 2006 to 2008 and never once ever worried about my account getting banned.  But, a friend of mine who can be very abrasive, made some *colorful* remarks to GM's (not the smartest action to take), which almost ended his playing there.  He had his account banned for short periods of time (weekend here and there), until they threatened to ban it permanently.  However, it has yet to be banned.  This has happened not to long ago, so Blizzard is showing pretty good restraint here.

But, you have a right to your opinion.  Some of your *facts* may be wrong, such as WoW the *only* thing Blizzard has going for them (Diablo 3, Starcraft 2 anyone?), but you have a right to not like Blizzard.

Peace.

Originally posted by jmwiens

What if he really was suicidal?  Would they still have arrested him instead of getting him help?  Threatening suicide should get you a trip to the hospital not jail.

Jmwiens,

As a former corrections officer in the local county/city jail system of my area, I can tell you they did the correct thing here.  It is a misdemeanor to commit suicide...sounds dumb, but that's the law.  What happens is that when an inmate is brought into the intake of the local jail, he/she is placed immediately on suicide watch and the local psychiatric ward is contacted.  The inmate is removed of all clothing/items to prevent themselves from being able to hurt themselves and placed in solitary until a representative from the nearest psychiatric ward has a chance to interview/evaluate them.  The inmate is then either admitted to the psychiatric ward or allowed to bond out/remain in jail.  It's a process that allows the victim protection, solitary confinement, and the chance to get help (if needed).  There's small percentage that *actually* need help.  Most are punk kids that want attention/drugs, but a few are in serious need of help and this is the only way that they could get it.  I just thought that I'd clear up the process that's involved.  I had no idea how it worked either until I was responsible for more than one case, personally.

Peace.

I have been reading (on and off) the Wheel of Time since it first came out in 1990.  I was in the 8th grade at the time, as some friends of mine all started reading them the same time as I.  As the years flew by (and the series became longer than originally intended) a friend of mine said something I'll never forget, "Ya know what's gonna happen? He's gonna up and die before the series is completed."  That was back in 1996-7.  Little did we know how *prophetic* that statement was, even with the knowledge that Robert Jordan had started becoming ill even at that time.  As even more books and time went by we became even less-interested in the series, as it seemed that there was no end in sight, and that Jordan had lost his mind with all the *tangents* he was exploring with more and more characters.  So, I stopped reading the series.  About 2 years ago I was looking at my bookshelf and saw that I still had several of the books (I think had about 8 books then), and I decided to re-read them.  Now, I had re-read the series about 3-4 times (through book 5) about 4 times, but I had forgotten so many of the details that I started over.  Needless to say I fell in love with the story all over again.  It wasn't until about book 6 or 7 that I started to get worried that I was going to *run out* of reading material soon, so I started looking online for the last few books in the series.  It was at this time that I discovered that Robert Jordan had succumbed to his disease only 2 months prior.  I was in total shock.  I forwarded the site announcing his passing to all the friends of mine that began this wonderful adventure in the WoT so many years ago with me.

I have now finished book 10, and have ordered book 11.  I await it impatiently.  All things seem to be building up to a very climactic ending.  Whether for the good or bad of the world, we'll just have to wait and see.  I for one will be one of the millions waiting to open the cover with both anticipation and regret.  Regret that these characters...and this story...that I have come to love will soon be ending.

For those that haven't read it, read it.  I think fantasy-lovers will like it.  But, if you don't that's fine.  There are over 40 million of us that do :).

P.S.  I have hoped/longed for an MMO set in this setting for a good while now.  Many people are worried about them screwing this up, and they have *every* reason to be worried.   Most MMO-makers are interested in one thing...money.  I hope that the developers of this MMO have a true desire to make an MMO and games that do justice to the story...and the spirit...that Jordan has gifted to us.

Peace.

"We rode on the winds of the rising storm,

   We ran to the sounds of the thunder.

We danced among the lightning bolts,

   and tore the world asunder."

---Anonymous fragment of a poem believed written near the end of the previous Age, known by some as the Third Age.  Sometimes attributed to the Dragon Reborn.

Originally posted by Midori86

*sigh* What you guys need to understand, is that Knight of the blazing sun was not intended to be the mirror of Chosen.

I don't think we were asking for a *mirror* of *anything*.  The point we were attempting to make is that in PvE and starting EMPIRE PQ's having no tank seriously hinders/cripples us (empire-players).  DPS is awesome to have, but without a tank you're going to go down pretty quick, Warrior Priest or not.  And, seeing as how the early PQ's are near-empty, it's hard to find *large* groups to complete these.  The need for numbers diminish big-time when there's a tank, dps, and priest in a group.  The tank (with healer) makes all the difference.  That's all we're saying.

From what I've played of this game, I can say it has the potential to be one of the greatest MMO's ever made.  But, there has to be balancing of every races' classes'.  Ironbreakers are awesome...if you play dwarves.  However, if you want to play a kick-ass damage-soaker-tank as Empire?  Sorry, you're out of luck (and, let's not forget the Dark Elves).  I just think it was a mistake to not allow one of each class in every starting area.  As I said, this doesn't mean as much in later-game as it does in early/starting game, but it's still there.  I just hope they add these 2 classes in for the Empire and Dark Elves. 

Peace.

Ah...I see.  Thanks.