OK Devs & Fellow Players, I'm here for 14 days, talk to me

[raynes]

1) I've seen people talking about content, is there enough and is more added often enough? Also what's the quality of content like?
Right now there isn't enough and their really hasn't been added for quite some time now. But I was lucky enough to see the major feature of the next content update in person, that being the outposts. They also hired someone to straighten out their content problems. So my answer to you is that as a new player there will be enough to keep you occupied for at least a few months. I am 100% sure within that time there will be some major updates.



2) Is the game restricting in any way if there aren't enough people to form groups with or can you solo if you want to?
When you get higher up in level it becomes a problem. Under level 100 I don't think it is.


3) Are there a lot of bugs/exploiters that take away from your enjjoyment?
Bugs are much better now than they used to be. I don't think there are really any that cause huge game play problems. I also don't think that this game has really ever had a problem with exploiters.

4) If you had to name only 1 real problem and 1 favourite thing about the game what would they be?
Problem: the lack of a decent mission system.
Favorite Thing: Exploration. It's the first MMO that I have felt like I was really exploring the wild, not just some zone dev made up.

5) Is this game fun for casual players or a grind fest requiring 6 hours at a time to get anywhere?
Depends on your goals. I think you could play a few times a week or an hour a day and enjoy it.

I'm not a dev, but I play one on TV (well not really but I am going to try to answer some of these).

1) Paid expansion packs, extra free content or fixing existing content, with limited manpower how do you make the decision of where to focus your labor?
Pass, ask Jessica this.


2) At E3 this year my co-worker saw your booth but said he walked past it without stopping because he'd never heard of the game, how do you feel about that? Do you consider yourself a different market segment from WoW or SWG?
I was at E3 and wondered about their closed booth status, so I asked the following and got the following answer:

>>>>>>At E3 you guys had a closed booth off to the side. I am curious why that decesion was made. Also why didn't you guys pass copies of the game out to show attendees?

Mainly, our press relations people did a great job of scheduling press interviews and meetings with clans, along with the busness meetings we had set up, so I asked that the door to the booth be kept closed to keep out walk-in traffic, while we gave demos and had meetings and interviews.

We did give away the game at the reception desk, but they went so fast, there times when the desk was clear.

This answer does make sense. The booth they had was setup like a livingroom/conference room. She is right that they could of never given one one one demos and interviews if it had been an open booth.


3) MMORPG communities are notorious for being unhappy, SoR seems to be pretty happy from what I've heard, how does a Dev team keep that going? How will you avoid the 'Dev's versus community' rift?
Well I think many people calmed down a bit after I reported what I saw at E3 concerning outposts. Other than that I think many of the players simply want to see an underdog MMO with amazing vision behind it succeed.

4) Big community or happy long-term community???
Right now the community is rather small. The ones that are here are mostly likely long term players. I have also asked about the small community and what is being planned to fight it. I was told they are VERY aware of it and do have things in the works. They did not elaborate on what those were.

[basicart]

Right now the community is rather small. The ones that are here are mostly likely long term players. I have also asked about the small community and what is being planned to fight it. I was told they are VERY aware of it and do have things in the works. They did not elaborate on what those were.

Hope there not gonna do another merge

[raynes]

Hope there not gonna do another merge

I doubt that is what they have in mind. My guess is they want to have outposts on the servers and working, then work on getting more people here.

[larwood]

I doubt that is what they have in mind. My guess is they want to have outposts on the servers and working, then work on getting more people here.

I think that getting the outposts on the servers and working will get more people here. A huge leap in game development will result in a lot of excited players... who will talk to friends about it, as well as online gaming posts... word gets out, more players come... they get excited... good ratings... etc..... blessed cycle.

But that is pending that the outposts are well done and improve the game. If they are layered with bugs and glitches, and require more effort than is worth... it may just have the opposite effect... and players leave, write bad reviews... etc.... vicious cycle.

So, this may be a gamble for Nevrax. And maybe I had too much tuna for lunch. Mmmmm tuna sandwich.

Well thats just my 2 dappers.

[mmatto]

I think that getting the outposts on the servers and working will get more people here.

Sure, but a little advertisement campaign would not hurt

[larwood]

Sure, but a little advertisement campaign would not hurt

/scary on

OOGA BOOGA!!!

/scary off

I think so too. But I want them to devote their funding and attention to completing the outposts and other crucial developments before spending dapper on big ad agencies and tv spots etc etc etc.

[andreaw]

You are very welcome Untamed

You can probably ascertain, from the replies that you've received, that this is a community beyond comparison. We welcome newcomers with open arms.

Let me quote a random review from mmorpg:

This is a fantastic game full of incredible people and never-ending fun. One of the finest aspects is the class-less skill system. Any character can learn any and all skill trees. Contrary to what some may think, it does not lead to tons of identical characters. Because there are so many options, it's imperative players specialize in what they find most enjoyable. At the same time, you are always free to dabble in anything and that brings it's own rewards. Most noticeably, you can team and earn experience with practically any player of any level you meet. If your main skill is too high for their abilities, use a lower one. Also, the same exact team can shuffle around roles (healer, melee, afflictionist, elemental) as they play so the experience never gets repeitive. It makes for a game of limitless fun and always new experiences. The environment and animals of the world are absolutely stunning and incredibly realistic and believable. Every player you meet is friendly and helpful, it's often that I wish I had more time just to get to know every homin I meet. The crafting system is incredibly deep and immensely rewarding. The ability to edit your skills and customize them adds depth to some of the simplest things (only if you're interested) For example, I have eight or so variations of my basic heal spell, but could survive using only one if I wanted to. The upcoming content to be released promises to add even more depth and levels of enjoyment. The price listed on this site isn't entirely accurate. I picked the box up at the local video came store for $15 regular price.Try this game, and you won't be able to go back to any other.

[petej]

Originaly posted by raynes

Right now the community is rather small. The ones that are here are mostly likely long term players. I have also asked about the small community and what is being planned to fight it. I was told they are VERY aware of it and do have things in the works. They did not elaborate on what those were.

They will patch in NPC "1337Bois" at the same time as outposts these will automaticaly adapt and buffer the lvl of real players in the game...

[mrozzy]

1) I've seen people talking about content, is there enough and is more added often enough? Also what's the quality of content like?

I've been playing/testing this game since december 2003. And to be honest, it still keeps me busy. In the summer outposts will be added, so that again will give us more to do. When we have grown tired of fighting about our outposts, Ryzom ring will be live, wich will allow us to add content ourself. To add to that, the game world is very big, I still see new things .. even after over a year of playing.

2) Is the game restricting in any way if there aren't enough people to form groups with or can you solo if you want to?

There are enough people around to have fun with. I've played solo for 3 months straight, so that managable to.

3) Are there a lot of bugs/exploiters that take away from your enjjoyment?

Nothing major, there are a few minor one, but there is nothing that drives me crazy.

4) If you had to name only 1 real problem and 1 favourite thing about the game what would they be?

Biggest proplem: I'd say the steep learning curve and the newbie island. The game is difficult to master, and a lot of questions rise when you log on for the first time, adding to that, you'll find yourself in a pretty empty newbie isle .. that ain't very good to attract new customers. But, word is out they are working on a new solution.

Best thing: That must be the skill system, you can do what you like, when you like it and how you like it with the same character. But I must admit to that the community really adds a huge value to this game, so its a very tight second

5) Is this game fun for casual players or a grind fest requiring 6 hours at a time to get anywhere?

Its fun for both. I have people in my guild who only are online for one hour or so a day. Still they seem to enjoy it very much and are able to contribute to the community/guild. You really don't have to play for hours on end to really make it in this game.

And my questions for the Devs - again please just answer fairly, honestly and stay away from corporate 'generic' speak.

I strongly suggest you post these questions in the Q & A (sticky topic in this forum). Thats the "official" way to contact the devs. You can also try to find Vince in klients chat, he's rather anonymous and afk a lot, but if you are lucky you'll catch him. Vince is sortof the gm's boss and he's the one who guided the beta players trough closed beta.
Since I got a pretty good idea of what the devs have in mind I'll try to answer these questions the best I can.

1) Paid expansion packs, extra free content or fixing existing content, with limited manpower how do you make the decision of where to focus your labor?

About half thier dev team is devoted to Ryzom ring. It's a free expansion wich allow you to make some new terretory, scenario's, ... of your own. It allows you to use the same software as the devs to to make the Ryzom world with very little to no restrictions. Using Ryzom ring is free, but putting your own content on the live servers won't be. If you make a popular map, and if the devs feel it will contribute to the game, you'll be compensated (paid I guess, or free subscription) and the content will be added to the "official" game world.
The other half is dedicated to the new content. From the day the game was launched untill about march 2005, the devs added content to the game at an insane rate (1 or 2 new patches EVERY week!!). After that they were holding a spring clean, cleaning the code to reduce the risk of new bugs. Now thier patch release prosses has been altered significantly. It's going trough some heavy testing before it makes it to the live servers (there is a post from Xavier about it .. someware). So, content, updates, ect .. are added a bit slower now, but pretty bug free (or just some minor bugs). For example latest patch has been postponed, because someone identified a new bug.

2) At E3 this year my co-worker saw your booth but said he walked past it without stopping because he'd never heard of the game, how do you feel about that? Do you consider yourself a different market segment from WoW or SWG?

Its the same type of game (its an mmo) but I think Nevrax is aimed more at the adult hardcore gamer. I think the average age of the SoR players is about 10-15 years older then the average age of the WoW or SWG player. Its pretty rare you find someone under 18 in this game.

3) MMORPG communities are notorious for being unhappy, SoR seems to be pretty happy from what I've heard, how does a Dev team keep that going? How will you avoid the 'Dev's versus community' rift?

Well, the customper support is, hmm, pretty decent. I never had to wait more then 5 minutes to be contacted. A lot of Nevrax employees are dedicated only to the customers or the customer - dev relations.
And if I can add to that .. they've made a great game, there is not much to complain about

4) Big community or happy long-term community???

It seems they try to keep everyone for a long time, with a slowely growing customer base.


Anyway, have fun with your trial. Don't be afraid to ask around ingame.

[hans1976]

I will just answer the questions about love/hate, the rest is discussed at length already.
Love: The skillsystem and the community.
Hate: The heavy load on my system. I dont like this because I can act upon this and is thus within my reach of improvements. No need to complain about things I cant change