I'm so glad this game lets me THINK!

[isabow]

AO - still the worst launch in history. The beta was awesome! The launch was a disaster! And you talk about NO response from FunCom! People actually threatened to sue these guys!

DaOC - decent game. Guilds depended on their crafters and all was well. The raids were fun and not impossible. Mobs had a range (a cut-off). But still the characters were basically the same as any other character.

SWG - God! Don't get me started! The absolute mindless grind (the macros running overnight really helped me get to Master only to discover that I had to do it all over again with another profession!) The crafters have ruined the economy in that game and the devs let it happen that way. And JTL isn't any better in beta (yup, I was there). Too many ways to absolutely destroy the economy even more!

AC (2) - Decent game. In the beginning, the lag was really awful at the portal stations due to the knotheads harking their "uber" wares that were impossible to attain for anyone near a medium-level of play. But a fun environment and I still remember my Guild leader well (thanks, Wabbit)

The Sims - God! Why did I bring this up? The beta was awful and your chia pet had no personality whatsoever. Except for the immature little whos-it at the kb. According to my sister (who's an avid player), it hasn't changed much.

Earth and Beyond - awful Beta (IMHO)

Black and White - awful Beta (IMHO)

CoH - at least the mobs had a range where the attack was broke off. But the wash, rinse, repeat of the game was soooooooooooo tiring. And anyone could have your name if they added a - or a . (I still believe my Ziggy Stardust was an awesome little gal - the wanna-be's all looked like Bowie's char - absolutely no originality there, folks). Higher levels didn't see much improvement over the wash, rinse, repeat cycles that I noticed. And no matter how much you tried, you just couldn't make a unique character.

EA Games gets rid of Motor City Online for the Sims. I don't get that. MCO was awesome! I loved building my own car (although mine looked like something out of The Beverly Hillbillies). But I could have made it fly! (with my hubby's help, of course!)

Jumpgate - played the beta 3 years ago and wasn't impressed. Maybe they've improved it - maybe not. Dunno. The graphics were there but the GUI was confusing and not user-friendly that I could see.



In essence, the games I've played (there are a few more but you get my drift) have been ruled by the players - not the devs. You let a player whine enough and the devs will buckle under the pressure of pleasing the crowd. Either that, or the devs have developed so much tunnel vision that they can't see the bigger picture that they originally started with. Lost vision = lousy game.

Now I read a thread that has 25 'pages' of changes that the players would like to see. Ok, I can understand players wanting change. That's what makes any game interesting, to say the least. But some of the changes, if the devs were to implement them, would make this game like any other -- a developer's easy life getting a paycheck by re-cycling a worn out program used by another company (for which they've probably worked for at some point). Wash, rinse, repeat. Make the player community happy by creating a game that thinks for them. Don't let the players make decisions. Don't let their characters be unique. Don't forget about the uber loot drops and the messed up economy. You really MUST have a messed up economy to have an "awesome" MMO. God save us from system "enhancements."

You know, I may be jaded but I've actually been waiting for a game that I can have at least a passable chance at creating a character that wouldn't be like everybody else's. Or to have a GM or two actually create a community environment by joining in on the fun. Events (like the storytelling night - loved it - felt like I was around a campfire listening to the elders tell the tale of our history), the challenge of fighting something that might be a bit over your head so you can improve the stanzas, weapons and armor of your character or get help from a buddy. Having the NPC's get involved with raids (even if it's only the roaming guards or the pretense of the defense of the city).

The devs may not say much but I think it's because they are busy actually WORKING on a great little game and earning their keep. Besides, it's really upper management who make the decisions. The devs could be telecommuters for all we know and never even see each other. And if you're looking for answers from 3rd party customer service reps, you're barking up the wrong tree.

I'd buy you all a beer in the tavern but don't think the barkeep has the kegger open yet.

Isabow

[elfmatic]

Not flaming here, but could you give a few more examples of how Ryzom makes you think? That was the subject line but I kinda got lost in the details of other games, etc. I've gone from Ryz-wha? To man I'm impressed! To hrmmm iono... and would like some refreshing on the differentiators of this game and what makes it great. In as few words as possible of course.

~Elf

[aylwyne]

Isabow, would you happen to have been Izabo/Kachina in Earth and Beyond?

[sadneb]

Isabow, would you happen to have been Izabo/Kachina in Earth and Beyond?

No,that wasn't me

[danadita]

Isabo/Kachina - is that you, hon?

BTW - yes, I did enjoy how Ryzom made you think. The wealth of choices in creating your action stanzas created a real depth of experience for me. Some could see that as a confusion of decisions. What I did created my levels, not the other way around, which meant some where down the line you could open up another tree of experience. Plus I did not perceive there being an end to the game.

Yep. That was yesterday ... Not too sure how I feel about the game today.

[danadita]

No,that wasn't me

Oops - saw that too late. I didn't mean to pester ... I just miss my old EnB guildmates.

[sadneb]

Not flaming here, but could you give a few more examples of how Ryzom makes you think? That was the subject line but I kinda got lost in the details of other games, etc. I've gone from Ryz-wha? To man I'm impressed! To hrmmm iono... and would like some refreshing on the differentiators of this game and what makes it great. In as few words as possible of course.

~Elf

Hey, Elf!

Well, I'm still relatively new but have a level 50 armor crafter and just came over to the mainland. I like having the different mats that give off different properties that can make differences in whether you'll get an adversary parry mod or just a regular parry mod. Or a speed mod or a color choice. No matter the q-level, the armor can have subtle differences. This, I like.

And the stanzas - you can change/improve them at will and you get to learn about the different ways to create them. Nothing set in stone but ever-changing or if you find something that works for you, you can stick with it a while. Room to grow.

And you aren't by-passing the system by being in a guild that gives you uber loot to make uber armor (thus, power-leveling thanks to your all-mighty guild). You have to stay within your level and give your character a chance at creating something within a passable reach and, if the devs continue on their current path, perhaps something that your character can uniquely create given the special mats or stanzas that will possibly be created (you'll have to ask the devs about this but this is the rumor).

For the first time in a mmo, I'm beginning to feel as if I'm actually part of a "changing" environment. A place where I can feel I can contribute even at the lower levels. I'm not a power-leveler by any means. Never have been. Never will be. I like to take my time with a game and get a good feel for the nuiances of the gameplay. I don't like getting to uber-level and feel as if I've missed out on the experience of the game.

IRL, I'm a by-passer of the norm. I find loopholes in my job and at home (especially when I'm cleaning house) and do everything in my power to exploit them in order to get management (or me in my home) to create a better system (all at the expense of the fame and glory for which I get none). It's a challenge to find them but once there, I find it extremely boring. I want this in my money-grubbing attitude towards my RL job - but not in my hobbies and game play. This game allows me to take my time and actually enjoy the experience.

Flame away but you can't fault me for being honest.

Isabow

[isabow]

Oops - saw that too late. I didn't mean to pester ... I just miss my old EnB guildmates.

Oh, no pestering! I'd love to find some of my old AC guildmates

(and I responded on my hubby's computer on the last response - sorry for the confusion)

Isabow

[ctusk]

The wealth of choices in creating your action stanzas created a real depth of experience for me. Some could see that as a confusion of decisions. What I did created my levels, not the other way around, which meant some where down the line you could open up another tree of experience. Plus I did not perceive there being an end to the game.

I used to have that impression when I started playing. Once you get used to it though it becomes very repetitive with not much room for strategy. The magic lines are very basic and essentially pretty dull. The combat lines do not offer a lot of variety either. The body-part hit stanzas are totally useless so far. The whole game is reduced to "blind, heal, use increase damage". Not much thinking nor strategy required at all ...

Leaves a lot to be desired/improved IMHO.

[elfmatic]

Isabow don't worry, like I said before I am NOT nor will I try to flame you.

I just seem to have lost what you have since I left level 50. I'm not going to pnume your thread though with all the details.

~Elf