Originally posted by Sharkypal

Agreed :) I hated LotRo at first, but it has steadily grown on me to the point where there is seldom a day that I don't log in. AoC is not a bad game, but as I stated in my previous post, it won't be pulling me away from LotRo.

On a related note, I really dont like the blood in AoC either, it's kind of tacky. No doubt AoC will do very well and more power to those who like it. I still maintain that LotRo is the best PvE experience to be had at present. I'm still not sure why an IP like Lord of the Rings doesn't have more subs, but saying that, I find the server population on my server adequate and I never have problems grouping.

Regards

S

 funny...i was the same way. I hated LOTR in beta and at launch. Today it along with EVE are the two MMO's I play. LOTR grows on you for sure.

Aoc is a great rpg game but it got old real fast for me outside the starter area

I have to agree with you here. AoC feels like Neverwinter Nights. Its not really an MMO tbh. That doesnt make it bad but its in the same class as GW as far as I am concerned. We'll just have to wait and see how it evolves.

S

PS : It also feels like DDO at times.

I guess I'm on the opposite side of the fence from you guys.

I've tried LOTRO and it wasn't interesting enough for me to fulfill my RPG need after playing WoW (which I quit 2 years ago).

I've been playing AoC for 4 days now and I'm level 18 and I'm loving every minute of it.  I think the main thing I've been always craving for in an MMORPG is blood, a variety of attack animations, and realtime-combat (not the old Autoattack).  AoC seems to satisfy my needs on this front very well.  It also DOES play like Neverwinter Nights, which is among my favorite all-time RPGs.. so go figure.. :)

Since AoC , Ive seen the server I play on increase in activity, more low levels more mid levels now. Think if anything the AoC has completly boosted the number of LotRO players , it is awesome !

Originally posted by solareus

Since AoC , Ive seen the server I play on increase in activity, more low levels more mid levels now. Think if anything the AoC has completly boosted the number of LotRO players , it is awesome !

Oddly, based on this weekend so far, I would concur on my server as well.  Even my ks seems to have more folks on than usual.  Doesn't make the first bit of sense, honestly.

I dont think it will effect lotro at all and if it does, expect there to be a player spike when mines of moria comes out

I picked up AoC Thursday evening, I spent most of the afternoon playing my Minstrel in LoTRO. I will continue playing AoC off and on for the free 30 but unless it really grabs me after I get out of the starter area I will never  sub to it. it's not a bad game and has some good points but all the zoning is beginning to suck.

I was going to give AOC a try but I know I will not enjoy it, because of all the zoning/instancing it supposedly has. Theres no open world, instead the world is split up into instanced zones (correct me if I'm wrong). That is a big deal for me because it really breaks my immersion, and I like to feel the illusion that I'm a part of a real persistant world.

Yep, its true about the instancing. Don't try to tell any of the fanboi/girlz in the AoC forum that though. You'll likely get pages of pseudo sense. Statements such as "Its not the same kind of instancing as GW" etc. I played DDO and GW and the feeling I get when I play AoC is pretty similar. Im not saying its bad but its definitely not for me. I like to be able to visit the things I can see in the distance for a start and I find the feeling within AoC is one of confinement.

If instancing doesn't bother you, then by all means give it a try. I still don't really regard it as an MMO. It has MMO elements but it feels like you are on rails. That was ok in the 90s, but now I prefer something a little less linear.

Originally posted by solareus

Since AoC , Ive seen the server I play on increase in activity, more low levels more mid levels now. Think if anything the AoC has completly boosted the number of LotRO players , it is awesome !

might be that it is causing some to start seeing that their game of choice is going a bit stale and causing them to try some new MMO's. I have a lifetime sub here but have been messing with AoC and EQII a bit. I still consider LoTRO my main game though. Turbine has realy set the standard with it's content updates, makes it real hard to get bored over here :) and I have been playing over a year and a half  counting beta now.

Originally posted by Sharkypal

I have to agree with you here. AoC feels like Neverwinter Nights. Its not really an MMO tbh. That doesnt make it bad but its in the same class as GW as far as I am concerned. We'll just have to wait and see how it evolves.

S

PS : It also feels like DDO at times.

With some elements feeling like Neverwinter Nights it's probably the reason I like it so much.  The cut-scenes are definitely a nice touch.  Sadly those are supposed to go away after Tortage but I'll enjoy them while I can.  The combat at least makes solo content interesting to me.

LOTR is still solid in areas but I'm waiting for more interesting solo content.  Might not match the book content, which seems to be mostly group, but one can hope one day.

Till then I shant see why both co-existing would be horrible to either game.

Edit: DDO has a lot of grouping in it so I'm not sure what you're driving at in similarities with AoC. 

Double Edit: Ah read more.  The instance thing.  Guess I'm neutral to that.

From the sounds of it, AoC is more similar to WoW than LOTRO, i think it wont affect the LOTRO population too badly.

Originally posted by Narug

 

Originally posted by Sharkypal

I have to agree with you here. AoC feels like Neverwinter Nights. Its not really an MMO tbh. That doesnt make it bad but its in the same class as GW as far as I am concerned. We'll just have to wait and see how it evolves.

S

PS : It also feels like DDO at times.

With some elements feeling like Neverwinter Nights it's probably the reason I like it so much.  The cut-scenes are definitely a nice touch.  Sadly those are supposed to go away after Tortage but I'll enjoy them while I can.  The combat at least makes solo content interesting to me.

 

LOTR is still solid in areas but I'm waiting for more interesting solo content.  Might not match the book content, which seems to be mostly group, but one can hope one day.

Till then I shant see why both co-existing would be horrible to either game.

Edit: DDO has a lot of grouping in it so I'm not sure what you're driving at in similarities with AoC. 

Double Edit: Ah read more.  The instance thing.  Guess I'm neutral to that.

AoC is no threat to LotRo IMHO and vice versa. I bought AoC, played it for a couple of days, cancelled my sub and deleted it. It's not for me. I don't have any rabid hatred for it either. People seem to be enjoying it so more power to them. Ill stick with LotRo for now (and I just resubbed to Vanguard to see whats going on there). Turbine got more than one thing right with LotRo, but one of the best things about LotRo is the way it has been designed to follow the story of the actual books (The progression of the fellowship as it were) and the constant addition of quality content. For example, Evendim, which is enormous or Forochel. I havent seen any other companies offer this kind of free content recently (if ever) and it's the ability to constantly explore new places and see new things that, among other things, keeps me hooked.

Regards,

S