I've been reading post after post of people wanting a less forced pvp sandbox and all a long I've been playing one.

I've tried to spread the word yet only about 5-10k people populate its three servers.

ON paper it seems to be what people want. The game has a skill system, totally customizable spell system, deep gathering/crafting system.  A mature and friendly community, A Game world that feels alive due to amazing weather/season and AI mechanics, a More group focused experience.

So what about Ryzom don't you guys like that you aren't playing it?

The game has a 21 day trial, a lower 10 dollar a month sub fee. Seems to be a dream mmo to many of you that disliked Darkfall, Eve and the upcoming MO.

Honestly it just seems like a shame that such a strong oldschool sandbox community havent embraced this game.

 So why dont you guys like it? Try to be specific and not just tell me "This and this suck!!!!!" Doesn't help at all.

Only because its sandbox doesn't mean it is automatically something we should like (i mean those who want sandbox). It has to be fun too. I tried Ryzom not once but atleast 5 times over the years and every time i arrive to same conclusion. its not fun and very repetitive and boring. That is my opinion of course.

Originally posted by Shastra

Only because its sandbox doesn't mean it is automatically something we should like (i mean those who want sandbox). It has to be fun too. I tried Ryzom not once but atleast 5 times over the years and every time i arrive to same conclusion. its not fun and very repetitive and boring. That is my opinion of course.

I didn't mean we should all play it because its a sandbox. Ryzom is like a throw back to old school mmos. If you play this game solo its a pretty hardcore grind.

I felt the way you did until i hooked up with my current guild.

many people on this forum talk about the old days, when going out on hunts were fun, teaming up and taking down world bosses were king and crafting something useful was the main focus.

Ryzom offers this. It's also one of those games that are only as fun as you make it. If you spend your time solo grinding mobs 24/7 yes its repetitive. But some oldschoolers still enjoy that gameplay and find it relaxing.

To each his own.

Addition: Would you mind explaining why it was repetitive? Maybe if  i get some good feed back here I could hit up the suggestion forums. MY goal is to get more people playing.  You whole "Its repetitive and not fun" doesn't really help, I have no idea how you went about playing the game.

My main reason for disliking it was the really poor UI. And the intro tutorial was quite bad as well.

Sandbox alone is not good enough reason to play a game. There has to be good gameplay too, and I saw none of that during my brief trial.

Originally posted by lowendahl

My main reason for disliking it was the really poor UI. And the intro tutorial was quite bad as well.

 

Sandbox alone is not good enough reason to play a game. There has to be good gameplay too, and I saw none of that during my brief trial.

 

Damn the mmorpg community never seems happy about anything

Originally posted by lowendahl

My main reason for disliking it was the really poor UI. And the intro tutorial was quite bad as well.

 

Sandbox alone is not good enough reason to play a game. There has to be good gameplay too, and I saw none of that during my brief trial.

 

Haha! Getting specific information out of this community is like getting blood from a stone.

What didn't you like about the UI? Last time I checked every piece can be moved around and resized.

Explain the bad gameplay in the game. Did you dislike the spell system? lack of jumping? Auto facing? what? have you played since the starter tutorial revamp?

Originally posted by knighthonor

Originally posted by lowendahl

My main reason for disliking it was the really poor UI. And the intro tutorial was quite bad as well.

 

Sandbox alone is not good enough reason to play a game. There has to be good gameplay too, and I saw none of that during my brief trial.

 

 

Damn the mmorpg community never seems happy about anything

It's their choice not to play a game I just wish they would be more specific. Having people tell me the game play is bad or the UI sucks doesn't help me at all.

Well, I gave it a short go and the reason I avoided it was....

1) Awkward UI and Tutorial left a lot to be desired

2)  No one around, this was back when it was still free and I saw maybe 5 people. 

3) I never made it off the starter island, so I never saw the actual game world or interacted with the player base.

4) While I'm not a graphic whore, they did seem to be a bit dated.

5)  I prefer non consensual PVP as found in EVE, and Ryzom doesn't offer it.

6)  Lacking proper information sources, I somehow got the impression the early game in Ryzom to make money was about mining nodes or something and there was considerable risk in even doing mining (nodes could blow up?). That didn't sound very entertaining, I hate random deaths totally beyond my control.

7) I want assurances that the development team is committed to improving the game play experience and at the time I saw no evidence of a plan to do so.  (not sure I see one now)

Originally posted by Kyleran

Well, I gave it a short go and the reason I avoided it was....

1) Awkward UI and Tutorial left a lot to be desired

2)  No one around, this was back when it was still free and I saw maybe 5 people. 

3) I never made it off the starter island, so I never saw the actual game world or interacted with the player base.

4) While I'm not a graphic whore, they did seem to be a bit dated.

5)  I prefer non consensual PVP as found in EVE, and Ryzom doesn't offer it.

6)  Lacking proper information sources, I somehow got the impression the early game in Ryzom to make money was about mining nodes or something and there was considerable risk in even doing mining (nodes could blow up?). That didn't sound very entertaining, I hate random deaths totally beyond my control.

7) I want assurances that the development team is committed to improving the game play experience and at the time I saw no evidence of a plan to do so.  (not sure I see one now)

 

Kyleran I would like to thank you for contributing to my thread, you never disappoint.

With that said I understand your gripes, Saga of Ryzom isn't really targetted for the ffa pvp crowd. Which is a good thing since we have other kick ass games like that.

I am happy to say that the games graphics have been bumped up, Tutorial has been improved, more people are willing to team up and guild new players.

Your random deaths concern is understandable but if you spent more time with gathering you would see that mechanics are in place to stop a node from doing that. its called careplanning.  You can run missions,sell animal parts and crafted good for dapper (money) early on no need to dig.

I think if you tried it again and got off the tutorial island you would be pleasantly surprised. If you do let me know im in an alliance with the biggest guild on the server. I can show you around a bit.

I don't know for sure.

I participated in the Beta of the game and put a few hours in on it.  Main thing I remember was the crafting part was hard to get going or understand.

Then also when I tried to leave the first/starter area the mobs just outside it were to hard to kill.  I got the best items I reasonably could, then just got one shot.  Never could get going in the thing  Finally just uninstalled and said good riddance.

Granted that has been some years ago and things would have changed by now.  I think Ryzom even got shut down and restarted again? 

http://www.mmorpg.com/gamelist.cfm/game/36/view/screens/display/5659

this game?

If so, whats the features hyped the most?

Originally posted by knighthonor

http://www.mmorpg.com/gamelist.cfm/game/36/view/screens/display/5659

this game?

If so, whats the features hyped the most?

The stanza system, It lets you fully customize spells and abilities. Take a simple missile spell and toss a AoE effect on it, add a Dot, reduce range and increase power, change the spell fundamentally to use Health instead of Sap(Mana). No two players have the same spell.

Open non instanced Game world, Challenging mobs with AI that is unchallenged by todays AAA mmo standards, Roaming mini and raid bosses, uninstanced lairs with thousands of enemies, Dev run events that have the player change the lore forever.

Out post wars, Guild vs guild pvp, Arena pvp, FFA pvp zones, Faction pvp.

The Ryzom Ring, Give players the power to create scenarios, entire quest hubs and Rp events.

I can go on dude. On paper this game is pretty wild this is why i want feed back from you guys maybe Some of the complaints could be brought to the attention of the devs.

Any of you graphic guys/gals worried about ryzom looking too dated.

Check this fan submitted photo out  Link

If that isn't impressive for a 5+ year old game I dont know what is.

Addition: looking through the other photos have me wishing I had a better PC. On my old system Ryzom is comparable to SWG and DAoC in graphics. Those pics make the game looks freaking crazy. Easily comparable to EQ2, War and a few newer games.

First let me say this...I'm a huge fan of Ryzom and am a current subscriber.  Also, I appreciate a thread like this as I have admit the OP's initial query has crossed my mind on numerous occasions.

In addition, while I can appreciate the OP's desire to have specific descriptions and explanations for why sandbox MMO'ers haven't flocked to Ryzom, I don't think rebutting every reply is the way to get across what a fun game this is.

Here's the long and short of why Ryzom hasn't been a commercial success...compliments of my humble opinion:

1.  No Elves, Orks, Dragons, Spaceships, or radiation.  In summary, the lore and storyline of Ryzom is SO different that it's actually off-putting to many gamers.

2.  Lack of any marketing.  When was the last time you say anything, even a simple web banner, attracting players to try the 21-day trial?

3.  Gamers, like any cross-section of the world's population, want their decisions to be validated.  Was Avatar the best movie ever made?  Is WoW the best MMO ever made?  Is American Idol the best television program of the past decade in the United States?  (blog.newsok.com/television/2010/01/12/decades-top-125-most-watched-tv-shows-2000-2009/) 

Now, I'm not trying to imply that Ryzom is the best MMORPG.  Instead what I'm trying to say, is that people, on the whole, like to have the feeling that the activity they are participating is one in which the majority enjoys too.

4.  Where are the quests?  I need my quests!!  What's this skill-based thing?  I wanna be a MAGE DAMNIT!!  And why can't I bunny-hop?  Where's my loot?!  WHERE IS THE AUCTION HOUSE?!?!?!?!?!

5.  The average MMO gamer has less time than they used to to spend on one specific game.  Nevermind the fact that over the past 7 years since Ryzom's release, the number of MMO's has increased from roughly 10 to 250.  Add to that the increasing popularity of console games, and the sheer diversity of options is bound to have an effect on most MMO's.

So, although I admire your efforts, Rockgod99, I do question your methods in this thread.  If you really want to help promote this great game that we both enjoy, I suggest showing, describing, encouraging, and enlightening.  Bashing those that have responses that don't fit your precise criteria will do very little to encourage any gamer to come to Atys.

And it's too bad...because it's such a fun place to hang out!

I've always felt the game was well put together, except my first pre-release experience long ago. It was really bad then..

After that the game really did improve, it has a very dynamic world and AI system. The skill system was the normal fare you should expect in a good skill based sandbox. The harvesting was done well, most things within the game are.

From a game play stand point I have few gripes about the game to be honest. The only reason I have never been able to stick with the game is the theme. I have just never been able to attach myself to my character in Ryzom. Which is the most important thing to me about any MMO. Whether I feel a connection to the theme (lore) and artwork of the game-world greatly effects whether I stick with a game or not. Sadly with ryzom I have just never been able to.

Take everything from the game/gameplay, and create something with an appeal to me in an aesthetic sense, I'd definitely stick around.

Originally posted by Rockgod99

So what about Ryzom don't you guys like that you aren't playing it?

I just don't like how I can't be a space ship. I mean, great, a humanoid avatar and all that, but I just can't relate to it. If they added the ability to be a spaceship, this game would really take off!

..err I mean, I played the game for a bit. It was free at the time and I think it had just been brought back from the dead so not sure what has changed since then. For me it was a fun little time waster, but I never really felt connected, to the game and community, like I had in SWG or EvE. Maybe the short answer is that I just didn't find it compelling enough to pay for it at the time.

Edit: Just to add, one thing I found really cool was the implementation of seasons and migration of animals and such. It did make the world feel more dynamic then most MMOs out there.

I don't mean to reply to every post. I just get excited when it comes to Ryzom.

I apologize... My intentions were only to collect some data for my next post on the suggestion forums.

Ryzom really is a great game I don't mean to come off like i want to butt heads with everyone for that once again I apologize.

From the trial or open beta WAY, WAY back.

1.Terrible animation 

2. Lousy UI 

3. Boring, simplistic combat

4. Little to no IN-GAME explanation as to what the point of the game even was.  You just exist?  Hehe...OK sure.

5.  Races just didn't click with me.  Not exciting or interesting.

6.  I recall nasty lag as well.

If you can't get the basics right, what the hell is the point?  I don't pay a monthly fee to "hang out" in a virtual world.  I pay to play a fun videogame.  Hanging out and chatting with avatars became boring 10 years ago.  You need something FUN to do.  Ryzome was NOT fun.   I'm not alone in this opinion.  Most people find it a dreadful bore.  Maybe it is better now.  I'm sure it is.  But I don't care.   If the first 30 mins arent fun the next 30 hours aren't going to be fun either, not to mention 30 days, ect.  First impressions are EVERYTHING.  You don't get a second chance.

Originally posted by Rockgod99

I don't mean to reply to every post. I just get excited when it comes to Ryzom.

I apologize... My intentions were only to collect some data for my next post on the suggestion forums.

Ryzom really is a great game I don't mean to come off like i want to butt heads with everyone for that once again I apologize.

No need for apologies Rockgod99!  I share your enthusiasm for Ryzom, and some of the frustration that there's not more players.  Still, I think at this point of its lifespan, the developers at Winch Gate have very limited resources to make any dramatic changes to the game.  Not that suggestions aren't valuable, I just question whether they have the resources to implement most of them.

That doesn't mean we can't continue to do our part in making gamers aware that the game exists.  I have to admit that I didn't know a thing about the game until early February when I stumbled across the 21-day trial.  What a game-changer! (pardon the pun).  In fact, now that we've chartered a small guild of new players, the game has even become more enjoyable.

So I'll leave with this.  Ryzom is a lot of fun.  Sure it has its issues...all games do.  But if you're looking for something "outside of the box" but inside a "sandbox", why not run around Atys for 21 days for free and see if you like it?

Originally posted by Josher 

First impressions are EVERYTHING.  You don't get a second chance.

 

 

 

Josher I am extremely glad not everyone shares your opinion. If they did not many games would have made it passed their first 30 days (not even WoW).