DDO is definately improving but still needs more charactor customization (four tanks standing next to each other with the same uber armor is boring).   I don't like zerging either.  If the earlier posters want a more slow moving easy guild send me a message (definatey not power gamers and look for easy to get along with mature decent gamers - although we have one power gamer and give him a hard time).   A note about zerging, DDO has done a little anti zerging with dungeon alerts/warnings that attract mobs.    Zerging has its uses if you are leveling a toon and that is your only goal.  So let people up front know you are interesting in seeing the dungeon not zerging or at least tell the leader you need help through because you are simply new to the dungeon and will simply not be able to keep up.   

One interesting new feature is the instances are now scaleable.   Makes soloing easier.

The F2P has made DDO really more into two communties. One that plays limited amounts and purchases  as little as they want  as they go   The other is like me where I pay $60 every six months. I play with people I know and I don't worry about where I go and how much time I have left on a timer I have to buy.  Both are fine ways to play.   Both communites exist side by side.

The new DDO  appears to be very sucessful for Turbine (are consoles next? Harry Potter rumor for  Turbine?).   My own guildees are wanting more servers to spread the many additions out.

And for the people who are anti F2P (and i understand your view)  look for this in other MMOs.   After all the pursuit of money makes the MMO wheels grind.

I agree.  DDO is the best combat system.     By comparison, WOW, Age of Conan and like are just cheesy comic-like fighting systems that makes the kiddies happy.  What really stands out is the working and easy to use voice system thats comes with the game.  Having a working mic and making tactical decisions in a group is the heart of DDO.  

Hello

Again rumer.  I heard that one too.  Harry Potter was the likel.y guess.

I am trying really hard to reserve judgement until mod 10 is released (not just the unlimited release (mod 9) that is coming).  The reality is if the money flows then any MMO maker puts resources into mod releases (both quality and quantity).

Turbines success or lack of may well be the decider in how you are playing/paying in the nex two years.   I bet all the MMO makers are going to watch this model closely. 

Turbine has made mistakes in the last two years, but I heard of a very large investment in Turbine not that long ago.  I really think this is a trial by Turbine on their smaller MMO before (guessing) they move to consoles.

Turbine is a very closed mouth company about what they are up to until they annouce it.

The question is where Turbine is heading.  My guess is that if the free to play/subscription blend is successful (i.e. profit) then LOTR is next.

I have heard rumors about console versions on the horizon.  The free to play (and buy what you want as you go) would work well with console versions of DDO or LOTR (I thinking about the massive Asian market potential).

As far as the present subscriber DDO base is concerned  I can see guilds formed that simply do not allow members do buy anything at the store  nor allow free to play members in their guilds (much like most some guilds do not allow kids in their guilds now or players form static groups).

The most telling point is what mods/updates DDO releases in the six to eight months after DDO unlimited is out.  If DDO follows their present model they will alienate their subscriber base (further than it is now) by delaying mod 10 for six months.

Boredom is the biggest killer of MMOs (listen up bean counters).  By not rolling out regular updates players move on to new games.

If you want quests based on player groups then try DDO.  Active and growing player base with relatively few bugs.  The game is supported by Turbine and the latest Mod 9 is due out. It takes the players up to level 20.

FYI I hate farming games like LOTR (boring).

Hello

Does anyone have any details about why Mod 9 is delayed for DDO?  I have heard rumers including a lawsuit but still just rumers.  Thanks.

Hello,

I have been playing since Beta.  Mainly because I have a core group in my guild that I have no problems grouping with and I can get join pug groups with ease.

Answering a couple of your questions. 1. no to cloaks showing. yeah i wiish.  2.  The last mod has a great new area.  It could use a few more quests in my opinion. but that is wishful thinking. Probably because turbine is wrapped up in the lord of the rings game.  YES TURBINE PAY MORE ATTENTION TO DDO.

This is still not a single player game.  Although some do try and make it though some though stuff solo.   And ddo did make some areas easy for solo.  The rental toons probably will make it ok for solo play up to high level dungeons but not raids.  For the power gamer in a post above.  You simply find a power gamer guild and join it.  Believe me, you are not alone in being a power gamer that plays ddo.   DDO has made some recent raids where u really have to farm it for the items you want (u cant just do once and be done).

This game is still mostly  based on groups and friends. Although in the last couple of months our guild now has adult's parents join. Yes retired parents now play with their middle aged kids.   One was devoted wow player and has now dropped wow because he loves ddo better.  Another is a retired mom who was a pen and paper player and now plays ddo daily.

DDO has its down side. and could use some more enchancements.  Like Druid and half orc on the horizon I believe.  But it is still the best fighting system out for a MMO and you don't get much of the annoying kid tying to challenge your toon like you do in other mmos (except in taverns where u can choose to fight other toons).

I agree with the summary about DDO in particular needing more races classes.  However it is interesting that Turbine is slowly  but surely putting more investments in the game.  Mod 8 (oct 08?) adds more high level content and a new intro area and the ability to high NPCs to help. Mod 9 (Dec 08 or Jan??) is level cap increase and very high level content (going to the devil planes) which should be interesting.  Rumer is by next spring maybe druid or the half races (like have orc) will show up.   Also another toon slot is coming with mod 8.

I guess my point is that the game might have a slow build but it works has great content , good fighting ability and the ability to group (kinda like pen and paper - don't laugh). 

Even though LOTR is turbine's baby DDO is by far the superior game.

hey

I have been a player since beta . This is a great game.    If you do sign up don't get turned off by pug groups in the beginning.  Everybody goes through that pain.   Find a good guild with a few people you like and can regularly group with.   Just remember this game is desgined for groups.  

I understand your view.  This is not a solo based game.  The mod 8 preview showed the clear necessity to help the new player - which is why the new beginning desgin.    Also the design of the game is based on a cooperative group.   You either love it or hate it.   I have been playing since beta and luckly joined a guild that I can get grouped fairly easily.