| ESRB:GDC: Wrap Up
Today sees the launch of Dungeons and Dragons Online: Stormreach's Module 4: Reaver's Bane. Yesterday, Managing Editor Jon Wood had the chance to sit down for a talk with James Jones, the Executive Producer of DDO and Kate Paiz, the game's Producer.
As many of you may or may not know, today marks the release of Module 4: Reaver's Bane, the most recent free update from Turbine's Dungeons and Dragons Online: Stormreach. Yesterday, I had the opportunity to sit down for a conversation with James Jones, the Executive Producer of DDO and Kate Paiz, the game's Producer to talk about the release, and what players can expect from it.
It is well known that any MMORPG is a constantly growing and evolving entity. Even when a game is released, a team continues to work on the game, both fixing problems and creating new content for their players to explore. Turbine's Dungeons and Dragons Online is no exception to that rule. Numerous game play elements have been added to the game since its launch a year ago. Previous modules and updates saw players able to: solo in the game, progress further as the level cap was raised, play and meet new and different races, the list goes on.
Level Cap Increase
Module 4: Reaver's Bane promises to continue to improve and broaden the player's experience. This starts by allowing them access to new levels as Reaver's Bane raises the level cap to 14, giving players a total of 70 ranks (think of them as sub-levels) to progress through. I asked James whether they were having issues with players quickly reaching the level cap and having to wait until the next module to continue their progression. He told me that while there are some players that move through the levels quite quickly, they are finding that players are choosing to create new characters to play with and that many are actively playing a number of different builds at any given time. After all, the game play experience you get while playing a wizard is quite different from that of a Fighter (DDO allows players to create as many as five different characters on each server, with no limit for characters per account).
;)
New Enhancements
Anyone who plays pen and paper Dungeons and Dragons using the 3.5 edition rules knows that your character's abilities are divided between skills and feats. Feats allow the player to do things that are extraordinary gaining improvements here and there while skills are the every day abilities like swimming, hunting and performing. While Feats and Skills are pulled right from the pages of the Player's Handbook, Enhancements were created strictly for the online version of the game.
Enhancements are stronger than both Feats and Skills, providing bonuses in a number of different areas. They can offer: resistances to things like cold and fire, increases to your abilities (like strength and dexterity), damage increases, feat increases and the like.
Under the old Enhancement system, you were only able to have four active enhancements on your character at any given time. You could then, as Jones said, "swap it out for another one."
The new system was described to me as "more of a tree", meaning that now that Module 4 has launched, Enhancements will function more like a skill tree. Not only that, but you can now hold as many as you like. Each enhancement carries a different cost, depending on its power.
Dragons
One of the earliest complaints about Dungeons and Dragons Online was that there were no dragons. This was remedied in Module 2 when Turbine added a giant Red Dragon. Her sheer size was enough to place her as being beyond the Very Old age category and she held all of the majesty and danger that one would expect from a D&D dragon. Unfortunately, the addition of the Great Red didn't quite fill the description in the game's title. After all, this is Dungeons (of which there are plenty in the game) and Dragons notice the plural). It isn't until Module 4 that we finally "put the dragons back into Dungeons and Dragons".
;)
Three new dragons are being introduced in Reaver's Bane. Blue, Black and White, they all fit into the Juvenile age category. While still larger than a lowly adventurer, they're nowhere near the size of their enormous predecessor. Dungeons and Dragons purists will be happy to know that the artists over at Turbine have done a fantastic job of creating living, breathing versions of Wizards of the Coast dragons.
Each dragon appears in his or her own lair, specially created to take advantage of the dragon's abilities. The white dragon, for example, appears in a cavern of ice, while acid accompanies the black and as for the blue, let's just say that electricity, the blue dragon's weapon of choice, has a tendency to conduct through metal. These locations give the dragons, even if they are younger, an advantage over those who would hunt them down.
Along with the dragons, comes a new form of treasure. Dragon scales! Players will be able to collect scales from fallen dragons that will allow them to gain the fabled dragon scale armor.
Outside Adventure System
Another of the complaints that players had about DDO was that there were no real outdoor areas that players could explore. Module 4 sees the introduction of two new areas for outdoor exploration. One is intended for high level characters, while the other one is meant to service characters from levels 2 - 5. These areas will function fairly well like any other. There will be kill quests, exploration, random encounters, and more, all available to players who choose to adventure under the open sky.
;)
"We wanted to get players outside of the walls of Stormreach and have them begin to explore the continent of Xen'drik," said James Jones.
New AI and Path Mapping
The interesting thing about Turbine developing two huge IP MMORPGs in both DDO and Lord of the Rings Online is that one can easily borrow from the other. When DDO integrated auction houses, the technology was moved over to the fledgling LOTRO. In Module 4, DDO borrows from its younger sister as they integrate a new AI and path mapping system into the game.
For players, this will mean that the monsters will become more intelligent. They will become more aware of their environments, and won't have to think as long about how to get to you before coming to get you.
"The monsters are smarter," Jones said, by way of description, "and they will continue to get smarter."
Wrap-Up
Obviously, the wind has not come out of the sails of this MMORPG. Turbine continues to dedicate a fairly large staff to the game, who continues to add to and improve the product. I am also told that the folks over at Wizards of the Coast are still very enthusiastic about the project and are dedicated to its continuation.
Before the interview ended, I asked James if there was anything else that he wanted to add. He said: "It's been a year since DDO launched, and we have almost doubled the content since then. If people haven't played for a while, we think that you should come back for a trial."
In all honesty, I can't play another MMO as DDO's combat is easily the best out there at the moment.
I have been playing since release, and I can guarantee new players now will be very excited about how much there is to explore.
That was my biggest complaint, lack of content: with Mod 3 + Mod 4; the content finally feels like a complete game.
The other nice thing about DDO, is that their Developers and Engineers regularly post and reply on their message boards.
If you have any questions or concerns whatsoever, people will either direct you to the information, or a Dev will respond!
Great communication; they also put up a test server so the players can get some hands on bug hunting before it goes live. This was a strong move, and shows how confident they are in there design.
If you didnt like playing DDO before, try the free trail again... you wont be disapointed!
The newer content and high level new dungeons all have random traps. Been that way for a few months now I believe. Don't know what level you were when you left.
They did not random the traps on the released dungeons that came out with release. Meaning they didn't go back and randomize the traps to all, just newer dungeons. I don't know the specific date this started.
I think you'll find that the "older" quests haven't changed much in terms of their layouts. On the other hand, some of the newer quests have plenty of random trap locations. There might be 4-5 locations which are "known" but the instance randomly decides if those locations are going to have traps. It seems only about 2 or 3 traps are "spawned" out of about the 4-5 locations from my observation.
I honestly think DDO has the best combat in all the MMO's currently on the market. It is purely dynamic, relies on some player skill while leaving the Dice Roll to the game. It's nice to play something that allows you to jump, dodge and roll for a TRUE tactical reason. The other MMO's put in lame-fairy-jumps so the kiddies can think it's real yet it has no impact on gameplay, DDO is the opposite.
Keep in mind, if you had played the older quests at launch they are still going to be there.
The higher lvl 13+ content is "gated". You have to be a certain level, lvl 10 from what I understand, inorder to enter. This serves to prevent power-leveling while making the "gold farmers" earn their keep.
Populations are not bad. I'm sure you could possibly find a low pop server, but it should be easier to find populated ones with many players and plenty of guilds with 15-30 nightly players.
I can't think of a single game that provides a similar or better gaming experiance then Dungeons & Dragons Online. OK, there's one...pre-cu Star Wars Galaxies was probably better.
I just had to highlight the ridiculous understatement of this characterization. Turbine (DDO) is no exception? Frankly, Turbine IS the exception. They are one of the few MMO companies actually adding frequent, substantial content. Most MMO's these days are pathetic when it comes to adding new content--you know, the business model our subscription fees are supposed to pay for? I can count on one hand the number of MMOs that offer frequent and substantial content updates, and the leader in this offering IS Turbine.
But the problem is that DDO is a game that has to be populated to be even playable.
Unfortunately I dont think this is the case. Perhaps there is number of people at high levels.
But because of game mechanic it is needed to play with people of same low level. And i think this is almost imposible
to find right now.
In my oppinion Turbine should make some kind of "station pass" so people would be able to play LOTRO and DDO
This would bring lot of new blood to DDO and surely improve the retention
Well Mod four is nothing short of amazing and has me even more addicted to a game that I have been enjoying for over a year. It's nice to see that all those that predicted doom for DDO was wrong, if anything the game is stronger than ever. Turbine has quietly improved the game over the past year and has not only brought back many that left but also has brought in a lot of Never played a MMO gamers. This has given DDO one of the most mature communities in the genre. I can't wait to see whats in store for DDO in year 2.
The new module has exploreable wilderness and there are solo quests up to Level 6.
I agree mod 4 is pretty good from what I messed with last night. I am not lvl 10 yet on my main so couldn't get into the gianthold just the quest area. But, my lvl 2 pally loved the Hills open area. Was pretty good experience and loot wasn't to bad.
I saw a lot of people hanging out both open area gates getting parties together. They need a mid-range level open area now. I think getting one next month.
Thats one of the reasons why I hold Turbine in such high reguard at times, they start out with small ideas then constantly add in more and more content and quality into their games and doing so without making it's playerbase shell out more cash to do so, unlike people like Blizzard who yes offer 'free' content but when it came to payed content it was very dissapointing, like Sony who practally ask for cash for every little pixle change or on the other side offer too much to start with and fall flat on their face with broken promises and subpar quality (DnL, Vanguard and Darkfall have or will fall under this.. Sigil I'm more dissapointed with I thought they knew better).
Hence why NCsoft, CCP and Turbine will always have strong playerbases in the long term they take their time and not in that much of a hurry to have a 'massive' titles and more likly to offer a better quality of game the longer it sicks around.
Also would also LOVE a 'station pass' idea with either Turbine or NC, but LOVE the lifetime option in LOTR, it's certanly allows much more casual play then as it drops the 'i must play this to make it worth the subcription costs', if you can afford the lifetime at the time it's well worth the money long term, it's just a shame it's a limited time offer and it's not open for both titles, I'll glady throw money at a lifetime for both it'll set me up quite nicely for gaming for a long time
Sorry, the level of new content addition in Asherons Call 2 was depressing.
Going slightly OT but how can you rate WoW as having the 2nd 'best' content adding with TBC's complete lack of value for money...
For a payed expansion TBC IMO is the WROST value for money MMO expantion ever because:
Content wise what does it actally give you:
A whole new zone to use
Increased level cap
New instances
Unlocks two EXSTISTING classes
Content like Arenas 'supposidly' for the expantion released within the orginal game as well
All this for a small sum of £25 RRP...
Where as the content itself can justitfy a price tag and not a 'free' update, the price is just stupid.. take for instance Guild Wars the highest priced 'expansions' (£30) they themselfs have new worlds to play with but have brand new classes to deal with plus whole new content EXCLUSIVE to that perticual update, then take Sony with Everquest smaller priced at £10-£20 offers increased level caps, new areas, new races or classes however doesn't offer that many 'free' content updates but the quality of the expansion justifys it's cost sometimes..
However in every case BUT TBC every expansion can be played standalone or includes the orginal game, this is the huge factor in TBC as it requires the orginal game to be purchased, still priced between £15-£20RRP, so any new player into WoW would have to fork out a whopping £40-£45RRP to have both WoW and TBC..
Thats not value for money compeared to other payed expantion titles, now if the game would to be bundled with WoW for like £30 it would be somewhat ok.. but compeared to the 'free' content given within WoW offering 'better' content plus the price of other pay for titles compeared to TBC it's got the worst value expansion title in my books (and please don't say 'well they're relasing 'X' instance' becuase that techally isn't part of the title expantion thats actally 'free'' content via your sub), hence why I will not consider Blizzard offering 'one of the best' for offering content, they were untill they practically scammed player out of £25 (IMO of course)
FYI the most value for money pay for atm happens to be FFXI every time an expantion is released it's bundled with the orginal game PLUS every expansion to date for £20, only L2 and DAoC come close as they offer everything but the lastest with theirs..
Sorry, but putting Blizzard above Turbine in the "content addition" category is absolute idiocracy. There's not even a worthy comparison to support such a fanboi effort. I sincerely hope you're not comparing their single TBC addition to all the modules of Turbine.
CCP and Turbine are at the top... I'd put Blizzard / WoW somewhere near the bottom.
I agree. When I said count on one hand, I had CCP, NCSoft, and Turbine in mind.
Frankly with the amount of profits Blizzard is pulling in, you'd think that they'd be churning out massive content updates. But then again, why should they if the players are too naive to know that they deserve better, and that companies do exist that offer such content.
As far as instances go, it offers 6 level 70 5-man instances and one 25 man instance.
Arenas.
All for a sum of £18. I bought mine from amazon.com, I recommend you do the same, I saved 7 quid!
Actually if you go back a few years to DAoC or EQ, the expansions they released all required you to buy the original version first. Granted that now they do give it away free, thats after over 7 years of sales and WoW hasnt even reached this point yet. As far as buying the entire package for £30 goes, you can buy it cheaper, look!
WoW Original £8.
WoW TBC £14
Totalling £22.
Most of your post appears to be opinion. Frankly if your going to attack my opinion it would be nice if you provided some facts to try and dissuade me. But all you provide is the ranting of a WoW Hater.
So nice to be called a Fanboi. I shouldnt be surprised with these forums. Personal insults; the tool of an individual who has no arguement to debate.
Good day sir!
Where did I call you a fanboi? In fact, I haven't insulted you at all. WoW introduced millions of new players to the MMO genre. Those are the naive players I'm speaking of, which isn't really an insult if you think about it. I'm sorry if you took that to heart.
Oh, and btw, DDO has these smaller patches as well, just like WoW. Nothing new there. The modules are nearly on the scale of full-blown expansions, a step up from EQ2 adventure packs (which you have to pay for in that game).
I quit because of the complete lack of game outside the instances ... the horrible downtime in the taverns ... the obnoxious community where every PUG is full of know-it-alls who can't believe that not everyone has played every dungeon at least 3 times ... the same know-it-alls who are more than happy to tell you the "best" way to build your character and play your class ... the city that's insanely spread-out, boring and static, yet you are forced to run through it and experience its joys dozens of times every time you play.
Somehow, I suspect they haven't come out with a patch for the rotten community.
what you say does happen once in a blue moon but generally speaking I find the community above average for quality for an mmorpg. Damning a game for its town centre which you can run across in five mins indicates there is very little wrong with this game - if it has any fault it is that soling is not an option really...but being an mmorpg the concept is playing together with groups. Plenty of pc games where you can play it alone!
Doesn't happen to me. I am almost always in a PUG as my guild is small. The community in DDO is about the best I've seen. Every group I been in everyone has been helpful if it was my first time running it.
I'm having a lot of fun in DDO. I would have to say PUGs are good because it is where you meet people of other guilds. So every so often I will have met friends from other guilds and get tells from them asking if I would join their group for a dungeon instead of seeking that class in the LFM window.
"As far as adding content goes, I'd say CCP is top notch with WoW coming in second and Turbine third."
As they say ignorance is bliss.
Just to educate you, Turbine has provided more free content in it's stable of MMO's than all the others combined and it is not even close. Much of Blizzard's free content is content that was supposed to be included in the original game or the expansion, including the upcoming patch. While CCP does only free content releases, you are lucky to see 2 a year, hence while they have good quality, their content quantity is not that high.
"you will notice that Blizzard release a patch every 2-3 weeks" now that is funny, most of those patches are to fix errors introduced in a prior patch, the ones that contain content are few and far between.
Next time post something that does not cause most of us to pity your lack of knowledge.
Just to state the obvious without sounding too negative. People are tired of shit.
There is only two kinds of business, the first is the business that has something truely new, unique and original and the second is the business that copies the first.
A lot of games are the second kind of business and people are tired of that. DDO... falls into the second category.
What did DDO copy then? Instances? Dungeons? Orcs? Swords/bows?
I think DDO also copied this great thing called quests, adventures, guilds, class trainers and NPCs; I think they might've copied water as well. DDO is such a copycat game. How dare they copy quests and water!
Nah, seriously, I liked DDO, but I only played beta and a trial. I never got past level 6 I think. I would've loved to subscribe, but I was uncertain if it would be a game I could play for a long time span. In Beta I was positive about buying DDO, but I held back to see how it feels to me in a later trial. So I played the trial and on the first day, I found it rather irritating and frustrating to not find a group I can play with, since most players were on higher levels. And yes, for all you smartasses out there, I put up the LFG thing, searched for groups myself, walked around asking, and "telling" to people.
On day 2, I stopped searching for groups after 20 minutes.
Day 3, I found a group consisting of, how can I put this? hmm... yeah, well, frankly 4 immature "kids", although they vouched they were all older than 21. It didn't make fun at all since no one sticked with the team and simply rushed to the objectives. When I told them nicely to stick together and also asked them, if it would be possible work on the quest as team, I was told to "STFU" and leave the group if I don't like efficiency gaming.
Ok, they didn't say efficiency, since their explanation included a lot of F-bombs and telling me how big a "Newb" I am, but I think they tried to tell me that they hate story lines, but like to raise their level in a record fashion.
On day 6, I gave DDO one last chance and put a group together myself which "only" took me about one and a half hours, hence the low level population wasn't that great in numbers; and it was in a bloody trial phase! I played about an hour with that group till half of them logged off and I was back to square one.
It was then when I snapped and destroyed my screen....
No, that was just another joke....
Honestly, I was dissappointed, disgruntled, another dis-word I can't remember right now, but in the end it felt like I put a lot of hours in a trial period of a game I was sure to buy and ended up disliking it due to the low population on high populated server.
Low population on a high populated server? Sounds odd, but to me it's the truth I sadly experienced.
Now I would looooove to see someone proving me wrong about the things I just wrote. Please, enlighten me!
This is for all the players that have tried the game and where not happy with the low level groups and or players they encountered.
Sorry for the poor showing.
I have been playing DDO since beta and have taken a few breaks here and there to play other MMO's. In all fairness, there is not a single MMO out there that i have played that i have not encountered the very same flaws you have described. Most games that have been out a while have a low body count for low level starter people to group with. Most games also have a fair share of buttheads that tell you where to go, what to do and how to play your charicter. I can say this in all confidence, the DDO "trial account" came at the same time as a celebration gift from turbine where the loot in all chest where improved by one level. so naturally all the players wanted to play there mains to get a chance at better items. Leaving the low level charicters on the shelf for a long time. Bad timing to be a starter player. One more note.. some servers have a larger population at certian times depending on what coast most people play. I play on the Sarlona server and i belive it has a larger west coast population. Other servers are more populated at different times. while no one game can say they do not have problems, i belive DDO's population in general is more mature than most. As with any game where you group with random straingers, its a mixed bag. That is why people join guilds, To play with like minded players. Six days is not a fair shake for almost any game on the market to base a conclusive opinion on. Look me up on Sarlona, we are always looking for great people who ejoy making the journey more than the getting to the destination.
Indigorain
14 pally
Ecks
1 sorc/2 pally