PVP:Yes | Distribution:Download,Retail | Retail Price:$19.99 | Pay Type:Subscription
Desktop Client | System Req:
A Look At Essential 2009 Game Changes in Asheron's Call
MMORPG.com Asheron's Call Correspondent Stephen Williams writes this look at some of the more essential changes and fixes that have come to Turbine's Asheron's Call since the beginning of 2009.
The first three patch updates of 2009 have brought us multiple bug fixes, tweaks, and exciting additions to the world of Dereth; and many of them have been a breath of fresh air for the players. Unfortunately there are still many players out there who are completely oblivious to many of these important changes, and as many of us know by now a basic understanding of recent changes can dramatically enhance your character and your overall enjoyment of Asheron's Call.
;)
While many of the bug fixes I mentioned are minor, there are indeed plenty of them. A quick look at the release notes from Turbine will give you an idea of what has been fixed, but it is worth noting here that among these minor bug fixes there have been a few hot fixes that are important to note.
Chief among these is the Deru Tree Quest. This quest, which can be completed by a sole player (not requiring a group), yields a two use Mana Forge Key (used to open the top loot tier chests), and a nice experience reward. Some devious players had found a way to exploit this quest, and once this was discovered Turbine acted quickly by implementing a hot fix which will now allow you to run the quest again as it was intended. So if you have been holding off on running this quest there is no longer a need to wait. Get out there and get your keys!
Another popular quest that has run afoul of exploiters recently is Aerbax's Prodigal Tusker - more commonly referred to as Dark Bobo. The most notable quest reward here is the Tusker Paw Wand, which is an essential addition to any mage's arsenal. As of this writing the NPC, Jilna Fullgood, has not been fixed, however it is worth noting that you can still complete the quest and receive the item rewards, however you will not be able to receive the experience and title reward (Prodigal Tusker Slayer) until Jilna has been fixed.
;)
So, other than some minor bug fixes what are these important game play changes and additions you may ask? Well, let's get to the meat of it, shall we?
Topping the list among the recent additions is the new Rare Exchanger that can be found in all of the casinos (Casinos can be found in Yaraq, Shoushi, and Holtburg). What this NPC allows you to do is exchange any rare gem for another random rare gem. There is also a small chance you will receive a grand casino chest key. The basics of how this works is simple: You give the Rare Exchanger one trade note (MMD), and then the rare you wish to exchange. The Rare Exchanger will then give you another random rare (or possibly a key) in return. You may continue to exchange rares until you get only the ones you want, or run out of money (which seems to be my problem most of the time). This is a dramatic addition to the game, as it makes every rare valuable. Yet at the same time there is a buyer beware scenario in place here as well. Many players are currently attempting to dupe other players out of their useless rares by offering to buy them; while yet other players have reportedly invested thousands of MMD notes with the Exchanger (Personally I have had fairly good luck with the Rare Exchanger, and rarely have to spend many MMD notes to get a decent rare - although it can be a money sink at times). What is important to remember here is that any rare you have is now valuable; as it can potentially be turned into that much needed rare you have been looking for (although you will only receive rare gems in exchange - high tiers rares are excluded). So use caution when selling your rares to others, and common sense when exchanging them.
;)
At the top of the list for recent game tweaks there are two that are truly outstanding. The first is the ability to get an augmentation gem every 21 days, instead of every 27. This addition was adopted in February 2009, however I still see people on a daily basis who are not aware of it. This should essentially allow characters to augment themselves in a timelier manner. So if you are still going off your old 27 day timer you are selling yourself short.
The second major tweak that has many players excited is the reduction in time between Monster Fights and Carenzi Races. If you are not yet familiar with the fights and the races, the premise is fairly simple; you show up at the correct location (North of Sanamar for the Monster Fights, Ayan for the Carenzi Races), at or before the next event and give the Bookie at the location 5 MMDs to buy a ticket which in turn allows you to bet on a particular Carenzi for the races, or a specific monster for the fights. If your monster or Carenzi should win the contest you give the ticket stub back to the Bookie and in exchange you will receive a Grand Casino Key. The Grand Casino Keys open the Grand Casino Chests and are excellent for alternate currency (Mhoire Coins, Colosseum Coins, Small Olthoi Venom Sacs, or Pristine Mana Shards). The problem with the races and the fights in the past is that they only occurred once an hour, making it an unappealing time investment for players. With the March 2009 patch the time between these events is now every 15 minutes which should lure more players into participating. To me this is a tremendous boost to this new game concept, and I plan on spending much more time in game gambling my hard earned gold away.
;)
Other than the major tweaks, additions, and bug fixes listed above there has of course been other content introduced in 09'. There is a new Tactical Defense Game for Society members, a monthly game hunter (Rand) in Holtburg, the Dereth Exploration Markers, improved loot profiles in chests, new clothing at the alternate currency vendors, upgraded Colosseum rings, new magic casting tomes, a new powerful unarmed weapon called the Fist of Enlightenment, new creatures on Dark Isle, multiple weapon upgrades, and of course a slew of new locations and quest updates, just to name a few. Sometimes it makes me wonder how Turbine can fit it all in - but when you have passion for a game it shows.
So that is it for this feature instalment, and I think it is time for me to head to back to the fights. See you all in game!
Bummer, when i saw the article, i was hoping these fixes would have included some vista tweaks. I'd love to play AC again but i'm not willing to have to disable 56 things and play with my routers ports just to play a game.
I had posted this in another thread in the MMORPG AC forums but I will reiterate it here. Microsoft released a hotfix for Vista which fixes the AC issues, since this was a Vista problem. The link to the hotfix is http://support.microsoft.com/hotfix/KBHotfix.aspx?kbnum=961775&kbln=en-us
This seems to have resolved all Vista issues for AC players, you no longer have to disable or uninstall anything. You should check it out.
Amazing (or maybe not so amazing) that AC has survived Lo These Many Years based on strength of Gameplay and Storyline and Immersion.
MMOG Developers take heed - IMITATE LONG TERM SUCCESS - this is what leads to a long and profitable game world, NOT cheap fx and pandering to the peeveepee degenerates.
I tried going back to play again, like maybe the third or fourth time over the years since it came out. The other periods I was able to get into it, at least for awhile, but the last time had nothing for me. For me it is over. Would be nice if there was a sequel that was not D&D or LotR. :D Yeah, I know, wishful thinking.
so true
Actually AC has always had some decent pvp, you can even drop decent items if you are not careful. The open pvp server has been a long time standby for the pvp crowd even to this day.
I had posted this in another thread in the MMORPG AC forums but I will reiterate it here. Microsoft released a hotfix for Vista which fixes the AC issues, since this was a Vista problem. The link to the hotfix is http://support.microsoft.com/hotfix/KBHotfix.aspx?kbnum=961775&kbln=en-us
This seems to have resolved all Vista issues for AC players, you no longer have to disable or uninstall anything. You should check it out.
Its up to developers / publishers to patch their software to accomodate a new operating system not for microsoft to appease everyone by forcing their operating system to accomodate the thousands or millions of software variations out there.
Vista and the other windows operating systems are standards therefore is up to everyone else to create fixes to resolve issues with operating systems since everyone is far more likely to use the same operating system than all of us play the same game.
I noticed you threw out an unecessary comment, "since this was a vista problem" in an effort to lay blame. Vista probably caused a problem but its up to turbine to provide a fix. Its in their best interest. The more vista users can play the more potential customers they have. Turbine can benefit from a fix, microsoft does not benefit from more asherons call subs.
Its up to developers / publishers to patch their software to accomodate a new operating system not for microsoft to appease everyone by forcing their operating system to accomodate the thousands or millions of software variations out there.
Vista and the other windows operating systems are standards therefore is up to everyone else to create fixes to resolve issues with operating systems since everyone is far more likely to use the same operating system than all of us play the same game.
I noticed you threw out an unecessary comment, "since this was a vista problem" in an effort to lay blame. Vista probably caused a problem but its up to turbine to provide a fix. Its in their best interest. The more vista users can play the more potential customers they have. Turbine can benefit from a fix, microsoft does not benefit from more asherons call subs.
Why are you defending Microsoft?
They made a choice to put out a patch to fix an issue with their product, good for them.
I think your going way overboard and reading into things. Expecting a game as old as AC to have to fix its client to work with newer technology is a lot more unrealistic than hoping Microsoft will make their new product backwords compatable.
I don't even see why you would take such a strong stance in this argument, it seems silly.
microsoft does not own the rights to ac any longer they sold it to turbine long ago when ac2 was still around
Bingo!! Game is old and done.. should be free now - if it was, I'd gladly pay the $20 for the box version but $12-15 a month for this? Come one... a game that was glorious way past its prime..
i love the rare changes
loved the game the "upgrades" killed it for me less WoW prz!! would love to see a rebeta of AC
Its up to developers / publishers to patch their software to accomodate a new operating system not for microsoft to appease everyone by forcing their operating system to accomodate the thousands or millions of software variations out there.
Vista and the other windows operating systems are standards therefore is up to everyone else to create fixes to resolve issues with operating systems since everyone is far more likely to use the same operating system than all of us play the same game.
I noticed you threw out an unecessary comment, "since this was a vista problem" in an effort to lay blame. Vista probably caused a problem but its up to turbine to provide a fix. Its in their best interest. The more vista users can play the more potential customers they have. Turbine can benefit from a fix, microsoft does not benefit from more asherons call subs.
Lol spaz much? It WAS a Vista issue. Odd how the game works with windos xp and windows 7 betas but not vista the most disfunctional system ever created. Microsoft found a BUG in the vista code that was causing confusion with some older networking software and anti-virus programs. Vista put out a hotfix to fix the BUG in THEIR code. AC wasn't the only software having these issues because it was an opertaing system bug.
I'm not trying to defend AC, I'm pointing out where the bug was you microsoft fanboi.
I haven't played it since DAoC first launched but AoC is still the most fun in a MMORPG I've had. Wish Turbine would bring us a new generation of AC without losing the soul of the original.
pesto126:
Oh man, that would be great! I'd play it all the time then. They wouldn't even have to monthly events anymore. That game is so rich with accumilated content it would take you years of casual gameplay to do everything. :D
No doubt. I'd be all over that. :D
No doubt. I'd be all over that. :D
This...this would RULE!
I enjoyed the fact that as an archer, you crafted your ammunition. You had different arrow heads with different damage types to use on different mobs. You could have an alchemist create oils to apply to your arrows to add different damage types still.
I enjoyed the housing, and the mansions with the "hooks" so you could display trophies and whatnot.
If they could, as you say, bring us a new generation of AC "without losing the soul of the original", I would play it for years.
This...this would RULE!
I enjoyed the fact that as an archer, you crafted your ammunition. You had different arrow heads with different damage types to use on different mobs. You could have an alchemist create oils to apply to your arrows to add different damage types still.
I enjoyed the housing, and the mansions with the "hooks" so you could display trophies and whatnot.
If they could, as you say, bring us a new generation of AC "without losing the soul of the original", I would play it for years.
Why not just play the one that is out and still has those things? Just because the graphics are older?
This...this would RULE!
I enjoyed the fact that as an archer, you crafted your ammunition. You had different arrow heads with different damage types to use on different mobs. You could have an alchemist create oils to apply to your arrows to add different damage types still.
I enjoyed the housing, and the mansions with the "hooks" so you could display trophies and whatnot.
If they could, as you say, bring us a new generation of AC "without losing the soul of the original", I would play it for years.
Why not just play the one that is out and still has those things? Just because the graphics are older?
The graphics issue does not bother me in the least. I have come back a couple times since 2005, and each time the population was abysmal. I'm sure if I made an effort on forums and whatnot, I could find a group of people to play with, but when I resubbed and logged in, the world was just so empty (of other players, definately not content).
I feel a "new skin on an old classic" would bring about new advertising, and attract old and new players for a healthy population. The population as it stands is obviously strong enough in total, else Turbine would not continue development and support; but for me, it felt aweful lonely.
This...this would RULE!
I enjoyed the fact that as an archer, you crafted your ammunition. You had different arrow heads with different damage types to use on different mobs. You could have an alchemist create oils to apply to your arrows to add different damage types still.
I enjoyed the housing, and the mansions with the "hooks" so you could display trophies and whatnot.
If they could, as you say, bring us a new generation of AC "without losing the soul of the original", I would play it for years.
Why not just play the one that is out and still has those things? Just because the graphics are older?
Yes. :D
Why not just play the one that is out and still has those things? Just because the graphics are older?
The graphics issue does not bother me in the least. I have come back a couple times since 2005, and each time the population was abysmal. I'm sure if I made an effort on forums and whatnot, I could find a group of people to play with, but when I resubbed and logged in, the world was just so empty (of other players, definately not content).
I feel a "new skin on an old classic" would bring about new advertising, and attract old and new players for a healthy population. The population as it stands is obviously strong enough in total, else Turbine would not continue development and support; but for me, it felt aweful lonely.
I started playing MMOs with Asheron's Call in January 2000 -- game had been out a few months by then and strange words like "beta test" and "non-player character" and "mule" were Greek to me.
But, Asheron's Call, after all that time is still without doubt the game in which I had the most fun, was scared the most, thrilled the most and enchanted the most.
If they take the majority of the game mechanics (the new stuff is generally an improvement to some of the old mechanics) and add a brand-new graphics engine to the game I would be back like a shot.
The last time I went back to play, I looked around and almost never saw a living soul. Fort Tethana was deserted, except for the NPCs. Starter towns were empty. Houses were vacant.
Old AC was so freaking crowded we got portal stormed out of towns! Certain dungeons were just mobbed with people (and mobs too). I would run far off into the wilderness just to get away from the crowds and have some good spawns for myself.
If Turbine ever decides to toss some of that LOTRO (which I play) cash into old AC and make it graphically a NEW game again, I would happily pay my money for that experience and end my ceaseless wandering from one unsatisfying MMORPG to another.
Here here!
Asherons Call was my first love and I supsect it will be my last.
I to remember portal storms, and for me nothing since has even come close to the zoneless enviroment provided by AC, or the thrill / fear I felt as my first Carrion Shreth chased my lost newbie butt through the landscape just outside Holtberg, and in the middle of a thunder storm!
I guess your first love really is your true love :)
This is like on the my main prayers up there with world peace...AC + some new stuff + new graphics = Nirvana..err Heaven..err
I go back and look around from time to time but the graphics and feeling like the only person in the world is truly disturbing.
Oh well back to my knees to pray some more..