While saying stats taken in this context can be of little importance, to say that they make no difference in the overall game that is Darkfall is just a little misleading.

Nice post nonetheless.

Now, whoever said that min/maxing is only for those theme park, carebear games didn't fully understand the complex system that is Darkfall. 

Originally posted by rhinok

Good job Paragus,

One Q&A stood out, though:

Is 10k players online simultaneously on 1 server still something you consider may happen in Darkfall? - Neptun y3

This is something that has already happened. The question is how much higher we can go.

When did this happen and how often has it happened? If it was during or immediately after launch, that doesn't really count, especially if it hasn't happened since then.  Isn't hitting your theoretical server cap something you think they'd advertise?  It should be big news.

~Ripper

 This answer had to have come from Tasos.

I had the same thought, but wasn't going to bring it up. I'm pretty sure that 10k concurrent users has never occurred on either Darkfall server. EU1 would have blown up f that had ever happened.

But you have to remember, this is a selling point on the web site, so it has to be true. Ahem...

Decent Q.A. session. Although a couple answers were answered with some vagueness, I thought most of the answers were informative.

"Are there any plans to further improve the economy/trading in DF? - Drasked Guillotine

Yes this is one of the things we’re focusing on actually. We’re improving monster drops and especially rare drops. We’re planning a huge itemization boost almost doubling the amount of items in the game. This will mean more ingredients, more recipes for crafting, and this should help diversify the economy significantly. We’re also planning on Clan Vendors. We’re planning on player/clan vendors in capitals and possibly in clan cities. You need to compete to secure a vendor spot in a capital, or you need to earn one.

These are just some of the direct measures we’re taking to improve the economy."

Now, I find the news of player vendors in the capitals very interesting. This will actually add a dynamic to the Darkfall economy that is needed.

"Are there plans to changing the alignment system or making it be more attractive to be a non-ARAC clan or less attractive to be ARAC? - Kasmos Melanoma

This is something we’re looking at. If we did anything it would be introduced in a mild way. We’ll also offer an option to select a different race for a small charge. Compatible race clans may already have an advantage when it comes to Dynamic Lore events."

This had to be the one disappointment answer in the whole bunch. All I can do is shake my head.

I'll give the Q.A. an overall 8.5.

I would have given it a 9 if you had posted the link with a redirect to a new window, and seen which person answered what.

Originally posted by aesperus

so, to sum up the article.

- we have legit reasons to criticize most MMOs.

- we all seem to like to generalize in how we do it.

Neat list, not sure what the point is though, really.

Most of the "Lists" published here usually don't have a point,but are purely for entertainment. Kind of like juggling cats.

Yet another good List.

#10 There's Too Much Lag

This one made me laugh. I had flashbacks of UO while still on dial-up, which was fine because most people were still on dial-up.

Problem was the college kids, via at least a T-1 connect, would log in and do what I call  " The Sweeps". They would sweep the most popular dungeons from top to bottom, killing everybody and everything. Now, unless you were on a high speed connection, you and your group would see the names incoming, see a few spells go off, then see gray. You really didn't have a chance.

But the payback was sweet when most of us in my guild finally had cable.

As someone else touched on, the use of the word "lag" for any problem is one of my pet peeves.

Well, that and the improper use of the words lose/loose.

Originally posted by tehikk

I've tried to get into several clans, but the second I tell them I'm sixteen, I'm shutdown by the phrase: "We're looking for players above the age of 18". And the reasoning is that they are somehow more mature, I've met plenty of adults, and I know that being eighteen or older doesn't make you mature. In fact, when I converse with other adults I tend to act very mature for my age.

Not to be harsh, but being 18+ doesn't somehow make a person more mature, it does make a person more mature. Now, while there are some very mature young people, having this requirement will largely eliminate the workload of any serious Clan Leader(s) with having to weed out the immature individuals.

 

Is there any clans in this game that do not discriminate based on age?

How is having set requirements discrimination? Everything is NOT discrimination, please don't use the word so flippantly.

 

Better yet, is there any casual, laid back clans? I don't want to be told to set all my settings to the lowest for the best FPS/Ping and then be told to level 2h skills and magic, I wanna do what I wanna do.

I would say that you have yourself hit one the number one problem with immature/younger players with this last statement. You state that you don't want to be told to do anything, and that you want to do what you want to do. Why would any Clan Leader want to deal with this attitude? It's hard enough to get the people that want to follow to do the right things, much less someone that doesn't want to from the start.

So yes, a laid back clan is what you are really looking for. I doubt you will find many in Darkfall, that are there for the long haul, that are THAT laid back.

My suggestion?

Start your own clan, then you can do what you want to, at any time, with impunity.

Here is a good read to get an idea about the "Original 5" and Darkfall.

Darkfall Interview
August 29, 2001

As far as bringing the game to life, I'm reminded of things ranging from Quake all the way through Oblivion.

Earthrise, IMO, is the only game that shows any promise of offering something different in the MMO world.

Now, if it doesn't make it in 2010, that's fine with me also. Heck, I am finding the integrity of publishers to be of more importance than any list of game features could ever be.

Thanks for yet another entertaining "list".

Even though I don't entirely agree with some of the choices, I can hardly sit here with a straight face and, with any seriousness, tell you that your personal choices are entirely wrong and have no place in an opinion piece.

Anyway, the subject alone promised a quick and dirty derailment from the word go. No amount of indemnification on the OP's part would have changed that.

Originally posted by lethys

I was really anti-Darkfall for a while, but I have to admit when I am wrong.  I was completely wrong, and the devs have impressed me.  A revamped website and even boxed versions can only mean success on some level.  Since Mortal Online looks like a complete failure, I am wondering if it is just too late for me to get really good at this game.

 

Also, I want to know the kind of time investment I need.  I don't have too many hours to give to Darkfall, but I do have some.  I just can't stand the grindfest like Aion had. 

Could you elaborate on how you were completely wrong, and Aventurine has somehow impressed you enough to make you do a 180 in regards to Darkfall?

They paid a few Euros and had the website updated. I suppose that it being severely outdated by the time they got to updating it could be considered impressive.

As far as a boxed version, as far as I know, it is no more than a rumor that it will be coming out in Greece. I do understand that there are a couple Greek gaming magazines with some trial Drakfall codes available in them, but that's about as far as it has gotten.

Maybe this info has changed in the last few days, I haven't been over to the official forums lately, what with the holidays and whatnot.

Also, last time I checked, Mortal Online can hardly be considered a complete failure, when it hasn't been released, much less a release date.

Anyway, as far as if it's too late or not? Just look at it this way, the sooner you start, the sooner you will truly know the answer for yourself. Then again, you have waited this long, what's a few more months with the hopes of a trial maybe getting released?

Originally posted by Hotjazz

Originally posted by Realbigdeal

So between those games (Darkfall, UO, Shadowbane Asheron call) What are the grinding gap compared to darkfall to be competitive on pvp vs the vets on small group fight or 1 on 1?

Its only a question that vets can answer i guess.

 

 

In UO you got your stats done in two nights afk macro for 6-9 hours. Magic resist was the hard thing, but you got halfway in 10 min  by running through a flamewall. A few weeks to get combat ready.

 

While what you state may have been possible AFTER stat/skill locks where put in place, coupled with PH and see-sawing skills, the first few years of UO was a tough grind by anyone's standards.

You could have months of work literally go "up in smoke" in a matter of a few seconds of not paying complete attention to your surroundings at the local bank.

Originally posted by Arcken

Originally posted by Raizeen

Originally posted by DarthRaiden

Congratulation Darkfall for

 

Best PvP in a 2009 MMO Staff Choice Award

at massively.com

"Best PvP in a 2009 MMO - Darkfall
"I'm really not a Darkfall fan... but even I can't deny the game its rightful award: Best PvP. When you cross an FPS with an MMO, you're bound to get something that's worthy of PvP. Beyond that, Darkfall features city sieges, territory control, full loot drops, and enough character customization options to keep the PvPer happy for a good, long time." - Seraphina Brennan"

 

sorry but i couldint help but lol at that part

 

I did too. To me it reads. "Well we didnt have any other good choices, so we might as well give it to these guys."

It was worth a smile from me also. Considering that it is Seraphina Brennan making the statement made it worth an actual laugh . When she states she is not really a Darkfall fan, she means it.

But hey, kudos to Darkfall for grabbing the Staffs Choice for the Best PvP in '09.

It seems the Readers Choices were pretty much a sweep by Runes of Magic.

Again, grats to Darkfall.

Yes, there are hacks in Darkfall. Are they being used as blatantly as they have been in the past? No.

Aventurine does what they can, given the resources available to them, but they will never stop the use, or ban all that choose to use them.But as long as they can show a strong presence and stance towards hacks/cheats, I feel that themost damage has been done already, and the amount seen in the first few months are long behind Darkfall.

Are they game-breakers? I suppose that really depends on who is answering the question. There are those that refuse to play along side cheaters of any sort, those that swear that hacks don't exist, to those that justify it "because it is done in every other MMO out there".

Originally posted by Azdul

Originally posted by Respit

So, only the forumfallers from '02 and a select few clan leaders call the shots over at Aventurine? 

I kind of doubt that. And if it is the criteria used, then there isn't a whole lot left for Darkfall to offer. 

 

One example: It took exactly one week to add cooldown for multiple whirlwinds, when clan leaders requested this. And problem with DOT spells and transmuted weapons making you "gray" for 2 mins (instead of 5 sec) exists since launch - and we are still waiting for fix.

Clan leaders push for more possibilities of player created content, ignoring solo / newbie experience.

I understand AV approach: Would you rather listen to guys following your game for 8 years, paying for subscriptions since launch, and creating such major in-game events like fall of Hyperion empire, or some random guys on the Internet ? If you'll alienate your core audience - it'll end up just like Star Wars Galaxies.

I can understand the point you are making, but to be honest, I would rather Aventurine listen to their playerbase as a whole, and implement new ideas/suggestions based on what they feel will benefit Darkfall the most, without abandoning the core principles which Darkfall are based upon. I just can't see the benefit of excluding good ideas, because you may "piss off" a few "vets". I'm not talking SWG piss them ALL off, but I think you can grasp my meaning.

Last time I checked, $50 is still $50 dollars.

As a note, I really doubt that cooldowns were put in because of any suggestions that were made. I would rather like to think that Aventurine were able to come up with that solution on their own, considering that it was a flaw in the system since day one of release. It is, after all, what they are supposed to be good at. No?

It's pretty obvious that whoever recorded this was well aware of the synchronization issues taking place. The chat log shows that he was dealing/receiving damage up until he started recording, then then it magically de-synched only to clear up once the "Beta Suicide" button was pressed.

The argument could be made that it was all self induced.

Personally, I have a feeling that the OP of the video was expecting to be playing a released game, given his disgruntlement at the cost to him and to earlier beta participants, even though it is clearly stated that Mortal Online is in controlled beta until further notice.

Originally posted by Azdul

Originally posted by Respit

Besides, Avenurines willingness to listen to it's playerbase has long been touted as the best in the industry.

 

AV does listen to DF players, just not to all of them.

When you'll see reasonable suggestion of someone who joined forums in 2002, and few clan leaders supporting it - you'll find suggested change in next patch or expansion. I could give hundreds of examples - from renaming bags to raising physical protections on full plate.

AV won't make game much better for solo players, and won't improve NPC cities considerably. Why bother - solo experience in WoW is much better, and will stay much better no matter what AV will do.

 

So, only the forumfallers from '02 and a select few clan leaders call the shots over at Aventurine?

I kind of doubt that. And if it is the criteria used, then there isn't a whole lot left for Darkfall to offer.

And for the life of me, I still find it amazing that irregardless of content, WoW almost inevitably makes into near each and every post here.

Originally posted by raysie

ooh come on mmorpg.com has got to be payed by turbine to keep lotro at the top of the most popular list mybe in the form of advertising it happens come on slap me with a ban stick i dont care just deny it !!!

Yep, that's it. It has to be, couldn't have anything to LotRO being a good game. Not to mention that Turbine stays as true to the lore as can be expected, and that the player-base it has seems to be quite happy with the game.

Now, couple that with the fact that Turbine doesn't have any problems dropping the advertisement dollars, and it is pretty obvious as to why LotRO stays at or near the top of said list.

But hey, your theory is so much funner!!

Originally posted by ozy1

All the point the OP made where non factors tbh.

While the OP concerns may not be factors to you, or to a handfull of others, it seems that they are more than non-factors to quite a few people on Darkfall's own forums.

To think that they will go away by ignoring them, or by patronizing the poster, is at best being disingenuous.

Besides, Avenurines willingness to listen to it's playerbase has long been touted as the best in the industry.

Nice review Sandblox. And to actually write it without the usual diatribe or hyperbole one usually associates with these "reviews". Kudos!!

 While being for the most part objectionable, you still touched on what you feel to be valid concerns,without feeling the need to try and justify these concerns by comparing them to what other games have done or are doing.

Now, I am sure that what it really comes down to, is the fact that, "you aren't playing it correctly", or, "Darkfall is apparently not for you, go back to XxX."

You just aren't aware of it yet.

Cya in a few months, maybe we can hook up then.

Originally posted by quiarrah

How in the heck did LoTR and Guild Wars make the list and not EQII?? 

I know alot of people have a mental block when it comes to SOE qand EQ but they deserve to be on the list more than GW and LOTR.

Who's writting these anyway??

Because it is an opinion piece, and in the OPs opinion, it didn't make his cut?

Basically works the same as you saying EQ2 deserves to be on the list more than <insert whatever game title here>.