MMORPGs-R-Us!

[Head Mutant]

So World of Warcraft finally unveiled certain details about their upcoming (probably mid-2006) expansion pack, which includes two new races, lots of new areas and content, a higher level cap, and a new profession. Which is cool! I'm still very much enjoying this game, even a year after its release (can't believe I've been playing it for a year). So I'm excited for that.

But ALSO, I was reading up on the "hand's on" impressions of the upcoming Dungeons & Dragons MMORPG, which I had previously dismissed as "eh, forget it". It's kind of changed my mind to read those articles; they seem to be going for a different kind of gaming experience. Instead of grinding for critters and XP and loot, the thrust of the game is designed to get you to team up with others (although there will be solo content) to go through instanced dungeons and areas. The idea here is that killing creatures doesn't give you any XP or loot -- your goal as a team is to finish the instance, at which point you all receive the same amount of XP, class-specific loot, and unlock tougher levels of difficulty for that dungeon (for replay value). Combat's supposed to be very fast, you don't regenerate health except at certain rest spots in the dungeon (where you also replenish your spells), and there's only 10 levels of character advancement upon release -- with a probable, eventual increase to 40 some day.

So, that all looks pretty darn cool, and different enough to enjoy so that it won't replace WoW, but be a nice alternative.

And also, it's interesting that Star Wars Galaxies is pretty much going with a "do over" with their product. They're completely overhauling the game, making it much more WoW like: 9 professions with level advancement (and you can be a Jedi from the start); quests and famous NPCs from the movies; much faster combat that's more based on skill. They're also letting anyone play the first 10 levels for free starting on Nov. 15, so that might be worth checking out. Might.

[DTH]

Now I like MMORPGs.

I played Asheron's Call for about 18 months before the grind got to me.

I played Anarchy Online for more time than was necessary to determine that it sucked.

I played Star Wars Galaxies for a while, before I realised that paying for the priviledge to have a crummy life in the Star Wars universe was not a game.

I have played City of Heroes for most of this year and, though it has bored me on occasion, I've gone back to it and thoroughly enjoyed it.

I had a brief stint on Matrix Online, however, after playing Anarchy Online, I vowed never to waste my life on trying to get a virtual door open to get in to a crappy dungeon.

I have Guild Wars on my "to play" list. It is a good game and worth checking out, but I'm preoccupied with the billion and one other games I have waiting to be examined.

I played World of Warcraft for a while and was impressed by it but having done the fantasy genre to death, I passed on playing this with any regularity.

Now City of Villains is out (I was on beta) and it impresses me, though I shan't play it. I'm not interested in being a villain, though the new archetypes are cool

Every year they announce that there are going to be whole host of new MMORPGs and I always wonder if they are actually going to be any good. The changes to SWG have potential. But then so does the new Star Trek MMORPG they've promised and I am so over Star Trek these days

I didn't know they were making a D & D game. That could be fun.

Of your list, I think I will probably give SWG a looksee. If I heard good reports from MxO, I might give that a second try.

My advice to anyone wanting to get in to MMORPGs:

1. Make sure you have friends on that game or know someone who can team with you.

2. Ensure that the game has been out for at least a year if you can't put up with lag or bugs.

3. Do some research in to the game engine of the game: some games allow casual play (WoW, Guildwars, City of Heroes), whereas others require you to be online a LOT just to keep up with your friends (Star Wars Galaxies, Asheron's Call).

Best Regards

Dorian

[dajaymann]

I've heard about the dungeon scheme for D&D prior to this, and that had me really interested. However, a combination of many factors (ancient computer, dial-up, no time for myself) keep me from getting into anything remotely MMORPG.

Except for Runescape, and I only played that because I was bored at work.

And it sucked, in case you're wondering.

[Head Mutant]

Just an update I saw about D&D: they're going to be the first MMORPG with integrated voice chat (talking between players using mikes). As I now use a third party program to chat and coordinate with my WoW guildies, it's nice to see this sort of thing slowly become the standard.

Guy in my guild last night over voice chat: "[bad word]!"

Me: "Watch it! There are ladies present!"

Guy: "Oh. I'm sorry, is your wife around?"

Me: "No, but you are."

[DocD83]

As annoying as players can be in text, I'm wondering if voice chat is really such a good thing....

[PoolMan]

I've always said the biggest problem with online multiplayer is the other people. Unless you know the people you're gaming with, you're always going to risk getting teamed up with a jerk.

[Head Mutant]

I think, from my experience, that voice chat is a bit better than fully-anonymous typing chat. People tend to be less of a raging jerk when other people can verbally chastise them or call them on what they're doing, and voice chat is soooo much quicker to coordinate group tactics when needed.

Although it does have its downsides; like when that cute female mage has the voice of a husky NJ auto mechanic with a smoker's cough.

[TheLuckyOne]

A husky NJ auto mechanic? Aren't you from the Motor City? They don't have any of those there?

admin said:

Just an update I saw about D&D: they're going to be the first MMORPG with integrated voice chat (talking between players using mikes).

To everyone who actually plays MMORPGs, this naturally raises tons of intriguing, thought-provoking ideas and questions; whereas I just wonder what the correct pronunciation of "pwned" will turn out to be. Pwinhed? Pwawned? Is the "w" silent? Poned?

MagnoliaFan: "Dude, I totally pwinhed you!"
WampaOne: "No way, man- you're teh suksore!"

Ah, you crazy kids. If anyone needs me, I'll be off playing video games with no more than 3 of my friends, as God intended.

-D

[DTH]

Dude!

This totally means you haven't played Star Wars Battlefront 2 in massive team play.

They totally upgraded the network engine and you can play like 4 people to a machine and LAN it up to other Xboxes.

Man, it is so TOTALLY AWESOME having like 8 player WARS against one another. Its the frellin' BOMB!

My mates and I, we were totally having Rebellion vs Empire dogfights in outer space. Its just A-MAZIN'.

You've GOT to get it, man!

DTH

[TheLuckyOne]

...X-Box? What is this of which you speak? Some mythical gaming system, mayhaps?

I've played Star Wars Battle.... uh, something, the one they just released for the PS2. It's pretty fun. But I've no interest in online play. I play RPGs alone, I play fighting and shooting games with friends. That's good enough for me.

-D

[Head Mutant]

I've heard some of my guildies (alas) actually say "powned." With the P. Hopefully, some day, it'll become passé.

Last night:

Guild leader: "Wow, we actually have three real girls in in the guild now."

Me: (sarcastically) "Yeah. We're just 9 shy of a calendar."

[TheLuckyOne]

Speaking of which, I've been meaning to bring it up- if we can hire just 4 more people, J, we're talking instant moneymaker. The ladies in swimsuits, guys shirtless... "Mutant Reviewers in repose," say $12 a calendar? That's guaranteed cash American, my friend!

-D

[PoolMan]

Or, we could just run Justin for 5 months. THAT'D boost sales.

[Head Mutant]

I have many hats.

[Spiderdancer]

admin said:

I've heard some of my guildies (alas) actually say "powned." With the P. Hopefully, some day, it'll become passé."

My sister claims it's just pronounced "owned." She knows people who are so obsessed with WoW that they have threads devoted to it on the web site of the Martial Arts club to which she belongs. Me, I have no idea.

Personally, I think MMORPG players should be FORCED to use microphones so that those annoying individuals I keep encountering in other venues will have to at least pretend they are capable of communicating in their native language.*

And you, my friends, are the ones who are nine chicks short of a calendar. As they say.

*Why, yes. I AM extremely grouchy this week. Thank you for asking.