MMO Vets, What do you think?

[FieldMarshall]

Aside for the awesome voice acting on everything there is nothing special.

Its a really enjoyable (standard/casual) MMO game.

[DorkTrooper]

Casual gamers are a very fickle lot with a short atten

[Beansoup]

I'll give it some time, but I'm not going to pay monthly fee for a beta test in AD 2012. I really liked the story elements and voice acting. If BW gets their **** working, I certainly will be back. Edited February 14, 2012 by Beansoup

[MuzzDawg]

PvP

It sucks. The mere fact that players who haven't even learned to sprint are matched against players with access to their 41 point talent tree abilities is mind meltingly pathetic. But what's even more incredible is that it actually gets worse at 50 where you average battle resembles a 10-19 Warsong Gulch of twinks vs non-twinks.

 

The battlegrounds themselves are bland, lifeless and devoid of any lasting appeal. Huttball scoops the prize for being the worst battleground I've ever played, even managing the previously thought impossible and making Isle of Conquest look fun. The one requiring you to plant bombs is ok but never seems to crop up for me. The other is about the same, functional but devoid of anything resembling fun.

 

 

Huttball is probably one of the most fun and interactive WZ created over any of the MMOs ive played. It requires precision, communication, skill and teamwork. Something that many, many pvp related instances in games has lacked. I grew sick of cap this base, cap that base, farm xxx resources, etc.

 

At least theyve taken a gamble and tried something new instead of the generic pvp instance models.

 

It sounds to me like you

 

1 - are rubbish at HB and useless with the ball

 

and

 

2 - are getting munted by premade teams a lot.

 

Premades didnt just appear with this game. Theyve been in MMOs for years and years and no matter which one you ever play on. past, present or future. the outcome will remain the same... 'ROFLSTOMPED'

[TonyACT]

I heard the exact same complaints from the powerlevellers in every MMO I've ever played. They reach the end of content and go hey, what do I do now....

 

The fact is this is a game made by a publically traded company at large investment they had to create an easy grind(Appeal to the broadest possible market). They had to leave lots of room for exciting expansions. Pumping quarterly returns news and creating forward looking growth options...

 

MMO's haven't simply changed because of the playerbase, the playerbase being sought is dictated by the companies developing the big ticket games and the realities they must manage to.

 

Trouble is I don't think it is the power levellers alone who may leave. I really wonder what the publishers expect to have available to make anyone sub beyond 2-3 months?

[oakamp]

This is a really good PvE leveling game for casual players.

 

half-correct,

if u were in a low population server,

this is like a console game.

maybe better if it is made as KOTOR3,

but not worth $15 per month.

[Arkerus]

I think the game rocks.

I've played everything from Eve to WoW and I like where this game is going.

 

Maybe its because I am getting older but I am thankful its not a sandbox.

 

And I think the community is fine.

 

I know a lot of you are looking for some huge community simulator but personally I am not. I'll talk to people when I feel like it. I have a guild and we all get a long just fine. When I need to run a FP or whatever, I talk to people.

Edited February 14, 2012 by Arkerus

[wifeaggro]

I think its a single player game. Actually the fact they added MMO ascpects to it actually ruins the story pillar that is single player driven. they should have either made a MMO or Kotor 3. This is un appealing for the long term its missng to many funndemental MMO features.

[Drudenfusz]

SWTOR has much room for improvement, hope that BioWare will do quite some work to get the game to a level that more people would like to stay (even if they have to go f2p to do so).

[Minderbinder]

I think the reason TOR is having such a polarizing effect on gamers is because they made a creative decision to take the game in a different direction for MMOs. They added full voice-overs, attempted a cinematic story-driven experience, made crafting something unlike any other MMOs, and made companions (pets) have story, personality, and functions beyond what pets normally have in an MMO.

 

They also decided to omit certain MMO features that many people consider necessary, such as cross-server zones, dual specs, etc. Since most of my experience is with MMOs that aren't WoW, I assume most of these features are from WoW specifically, because they've never really been a major part of my gaming experiences.

 

I have to disagree with you totally there, none of those elements are polarizing, rather they are the elements that stand out because of something major that is missing.

 

As I ran through Voss, 24 people were there. I actually SAW only 3, one of which was Sith. Corellia was worse, with 18-20, I don't think I saw anyone outside the spaceport. Coruscant is somewhat populated, even a little talkative, but these servers are dead. That is 100% the problem with Star Wars ToR the MMO...you know, MASSIVELY MULTIPLAYER online game.

 

WoW is a great example here. Anyone who played WoW at launch remembers their billing, peppered with free days, because the servers were getting crushed. Blizzard stopped shipping the retail box to stores so they could get new servers up, a mess, to be sure. However, we can see the impact that rough launch had...Community. No effect on subs, but there were a LOT of people on the servers, a lot of people playing, helping and ganking each other. Ironforge chat was a madhouse, people who never have played WoW know about Barrens chat.

 

In comparison, SWToR segregates players, provides players with all they need in support with a companion, discourages using the chat window, because you're listening to a quest, and none of the Heroic area quests are necessary for anything, save gear. Whatever you may think of the brutally hard games like FFXI, it's that very difficulty that creates strong communities.

 

We live in an era of insane sales numbers. 11 Million or whatever WoW claims, CoD and their tens of millions or whatever. Publishers all are chasing that insanity, and developing for the lowest common denominator. By nature, MMOs are expensive to develop, so I doubt we'll see real innovation in the genre again, apart from ArenaNet, but we have yet to see how their game will turn out.

 

Until GW2 hits, or something great happens that drastically improves the community here, I'll be on an alt

[Arkerus]

I have to disagree with you totally there, none of those elements are polarizing, rather they are the elements that stand out because of something major that is missing.

 

As I ran through Voss, 24 people were there. I actually SAW only 3, one of which was Sith. Corellia was worse, with 18-20, I don't think I saw anyone outside the spaceport. Coruscant is somewhat populated, even a little talkative, but these servers are dead. That is 100% the problem with Star Wars ToR the MMO...you know, MASSIVELY MULTIPLAYER online game.

 

WoW is a great example here. Anyone who played WoW at launch remembers their billing, peppered with free days, because the servers were getting crushed. Blizzard stopped shipping the retail box to stores so they could get new servers up, a mess, to be sure. However, we can see the impact that rough launch had...Community. No effect on subs, but there were a LOT of people on the servers, a lot of people playing, helping and ganking each other. Ironforge chat was a madhouse, people who never have played WoW know about Barrens chat.

 

In comparison, SWToR segregates players, provides players with all they need in support with a companion, discourages using the chat window, because you're listening to a quest, and none of the Heroic area quests are necessary for anything, save gear. Whatever you may think of the brutally hard games like FFXI, it's that very difficulty that creates strong communities.

 

We live in an era of insane sales numbers. 11 Million or whatever WoW claims, CoD and their tens of millions or whatever. Publishers all are chasing that insanity, and developing for the lowest common denominator. By nature, MMOs are expensive to develop, so I doubt we'll see real innovation in the genre again, apart from ArenaNet, but we have yet to see how their game will turn out.

 

Until GW2 hits, or something great happens that drastically improves the community here, I'll be on an alt

 

I know it might be shocking to hear...but people like you have to understand...

 

The game isn't designed for people like you. Nor do people like me want the game to change to be based on "communities".

 

I have ZERO problems with the segregated planets and zones. When I want to group I will let people know (and I do).

[chubbywan]

I have a long mmo resume like everyone else. No need to list them all but that being said........once you get over the I initial factor of this being new and voiced over.........you realize how dead the game is. See the video in my post "living breathing world" someone also posted a video in the thread that is hilarious

[knightblaster]

In comparison, SWToR segregates players, provides players with all they need in support with a companion, discourages using the chat window, because you're listening to a quest, and none of the Heroic area quests are necessary for anything, save gear. Whatever you may think of the brutally hard games like FFXI, it's that very difficulty that creates strong communities.

 

We live in an era of insane sales numbers. 11 Million or whatever WoW claims, CoD and their tens of millions or whatever. Publishers all are chasing that insanity, and developing for the lowest common denominator. By nature, MMOs are expensive to develop, so I doubt we'll see real innovation in the genre again, apart from ArenaNet, but we have yet to see how their game will turn out.

 

Until GW2 hits, or something great happens that drastically improves the community here, I'll be on an alt

 

I think the era of "community"-oriented MMOs is finished. Too expensive to make for too little return due to too few players interested in that kind of playstyle. AS you say, rightly I think, communities are built by adversity -- by need. That's not a very popular playstyle as compared with a more convenience oriented approach, and given how expensive these games are to make, I don't see big budget titles being developed for the more hardcore/difficulty/community oriented set. Indie developers may continue to explore these kinds of games, but their success will continue to be mixed due to their limited budgets, which therefore limits the talent and spend they can afford (Darkfall and Mortal Online are only two examples of this).

 

GW2 is a bit of a different market, because it is B2P. In fact, if it is any good at all, it may begin what I think is the inevitable move in the MMO market away from the P2P/subscription model towards a more diverse group of economic/financial models. The subscription model is becoming an unattainable El Dorado for everyone but Activision, in terms of ROI, to be honest.

[Andryah]

I know it might be shocking to hear...but people like you have to understand...

 

The game isn't designed for people like you. Nor do people like me want the game to change to be based on "communities".

 

I have ZERO problems with the segregated planets and zones. When I want to group I will let people know (and I do).

 

I agree.

[grueber]

I know it might be shocking to hear...but people like you have to understand...

 

The game isn't designed for people like you. Nor do people like me want the game to change to be based on "communities".

 

I have ZERO problems with the segregated planets and zones. When I want to group I will let people know (and I do).

 

The planets are awful on repeat play. Apparently I'm not the only one who feels that way as most of the planets are empty.

 

If you like questing solo through empty worlds then swtor is the game for you.

[BCFlood]

I miss silly things like having iconic music playing when you enter the capital and zones (I still get shudders listening to Ironforge's and Stormwind's music years after leaving the game), sitting in chairs and lying in beds (I always had my toon go to sleep when I logged out in inns. Stupid, I know, but it was a fun ritual), swimming, cooking, defending your capital's king, gag items (shrink ray, mechanical chickens), and so on. I miss that spark that makes the game its own unique creation. Mind you, I had my fun in WoW but have moved on looking for the next great fun MMO and won't go back. I don't miss some of the rep and gear grinds present there.

 

The environments here feel very empty of action and small even on large planets. Quests all have very similar goals (kill or click on something). I don't like not having a non-combat way to play the game. I have enjoyed PVP some what but it could use some help.

 

I really want TOR to be a success but it just feels like it is a good shell waiting to be filled with great contents. Voice actings is cool, space could be cool if redone, there are lots of fun mini and side games and environmental ambiance that could be thrown in but are glaringly absent. It is kind of like showing up to a party two hours early wanting to have a good time.

[mrbiggggy]

My thoughts are in the link in my sig (http://www.swtor.com/community/showthread.php?t=216855). To that post, add this:

 

- No day/night cycle

- No swimming

- No housing

- No Pazaak, Sabacc, Dejarik, races, casino, etc...

- Dumbed down character creation

- No post-creation character customization

- No appearance tab/outfit system

- No high res textures

- No environmental interaction (chairs, walls, doors, etc...)

- Simple combat with static enemies

- Unconvincing and stiff animations

- Empty dead worlds with not enough NPCs moving around

- No collision detection

- No stats on resources

- No crafting customization

- Restriction in choice of starship

- No ship decoration

- Dumbed down space combat

- No multiplayer space combat

- Removal of many races

- No faction change/neutrality

- Restriction and instanced planets by faction

- Less planets than announced

- Planets rated by levels with no reason to go back

- No GM events

- Removal of choice to kill companion

- Removal of possibility to talk to other faction at all times

- No RP tools

- Nothing to do post-story

- Endgame consisting on waiting in fleet

 

pretty much everything this guy listed are my major gripes with the game, these are pretty standard things you would find in an mmo or **** in any rpg game

 

 

theres little to no immersion..... In swg i felt like i wanted to do RP and im not even the RPing type

Edited February 14, 2012 by mrbiggggy

[Halvos]

I think the era of "community"-oriented MMOs is finished. Too expensive to make for too little return due to too few players interested in that kind of playstyle. AS you say, rightly I think, communities are built by adversity -- by need. That's not a very popular playstyle as compared with a more convenience oriented approach, and given how expensive these games are to make, I don't see big budget titles being developed for the more hardcore/difficulty/community oriented set. Indie developers may continue to explore these kinds of games, but their success will continue to be mixed due to their limited budgets, which therefore limits the talent and spend they can afford (Darkfall and Mortal Online are only two examples of this).

 

GW2 is a bit of a different market, because it is B2P. In fact, if it is any good at all, it may begin what I think is the inevitable move in the MMO market away from the P2P/subscription model towards a more diverse group of economic/financial models. The subscription model is becoming an unattainable El Dorado for everyone but Activision, in terms of ROI, to be honest.

 

I think The Secret World is trying to bring the community back into MMOs. Whether it works or not remains to be seen, but there still are developers out there with this type of thing as a goal.

 

I love all the people who say they are glad this isn't community driven. It's funny, because that's basically just a single player game, which is what SWTOR is. The fact they charge a monthly subscription fee is just pathetic, in my opinion.

[Romiz]

We can thank WoW for that. No, really...

 

Sad to say but that is so true.

 

"In context the poster was responding to the game being too easy"

Edited February 14, 2012 by Romiz

[Chromiie]

I think The Secret World is trying to bring the community back into MMOs. Whether it works or not remains to be seen, but there still are developers out there with this type of thing as a goal.

 

I love all the people who say they are glad this isn't community driven. It's funny, because that's basically just a single player game, which is what SWTOR is. The fact they charge a monthly subscription fee is just pathetic, in my opinion.

 

I really don't get why people wouldn't want a community driven experience. Why the **** would they play a Massively Multiplayer Online game?

 

And I have to read up on the Secret World I know except the writer(s) from Dreamfall are working on it. Got any links for extensive reading?

 

 

This is why I love CCP.

 

"Helps to make friends and not enemies in game as you can not get to the top of the food chain without networking and having friends to assist you."

 

"Can get to Prince level power without killing a single thing, all done via networking, politics and friendships"

 

 

http://www.wodnews.net/Home/tabid/41/ctl/ArticleView/mid/401/articleId/69/New-WoD-MMO-info-from-The-Grand-Masquerade-UPDATED.aspx

Edited February 14, 2012 by Chromiie

[darthtoph]

My biggest knock is the game is too easy and forgiving. Gear is gained too easily. Content is cleared too easily.

 

You know what the most funny part about that is? Peeps still cheat. You know what's even funnier? BW doesn't even permaban peeps. Go read some of the underground gaming aka cheat/hack/exploit sites, they all report how they only received a 3-7 day ban for using the miscellaneous speed and telehacks, space/crafting/affection/warzone bots, duplicating credits etc. Ahh, the irony.....

Edited February 14, 2012 by darthtoph

[Halvos]

I really don't get why people wouldn't want a community driven experience. Why the **** would they play a Massively Multiplayer Online game?

 

And I have to read up on the Secret World I know except the writer(s) from Dreamfall are working on it. Got any links for extensive reading?

 

 

This is why I love CCP.

 

"Helps to make friends and not enemies in game as you can not get to the top of the food chain without networking and having friends to assist you."

 

"Can get to Prince level power without killing a single thing, all done via networking, politics and friendships"

 

 

http://www.wodnews.net/Home/tabid/41/ctl/ArticleView/mid/401/articleId/69/New-WoD-MMO-info-from-The-Grand-Masquerade-UPDATED.aspx

 

I'd just recommend checking out their main site. They have links there to all sorts of articles as well as a lot of videos where they talk about various aspects of the game. For the most part the community over there is extremely helpful, so you could poke around on the forums as well.

[Lithomed]

I wish they would have made KoToR 3 instead of this game. I never thought I would say that, its makes me sad.

[Fikkan]

For the price, this would have made a decent single player game... if I'd have waited for the price to come down.

 

As an mmo, I don't see it lasting long before it's driven into the "free to play" market.

 

On the other hand, I seem to have come full circle in my own mmo travels.

 

Started out with EQ1 at about the same time Kunark expansion went pub.

 

I recall being a bit bent on the loooonnnngggg travel times to get from one area to another, especially if boat travel was included.

 

I recall hating sitting in zone doing the LFG shout out waiting from some group to need a new puller/tank warrior.

 

I recall thinking it taking a week or so of steady work to ding a level to be a bit much. I also recall being a bit miffed over the whole "unding" aspect of trying to solo a warrior.

 

I hated corps runs, especially when a necro wasn't available and my bod, with all my raid gear, was stuck in the bottom of The Hole or the Plane of Hate or wherever. Oh, and I really hated having to pay Magikers and such to bind my char near the hunting area or for a port from where ever to where ever else.

 

I did always find the hunt for my corps in a new zone at early levels when my compass wasn't leveled up and no online maps were available ingame to be frustrating but funny.

 

Now though, I miss all the rough edges of play where the game made me feel like I'd actually earned something when I got it, be that something a decent piece of gear, a level, or simply surviving a hunt or being able to recover after character death.

 

Games these days, except for those like Eve Online, which are rare as hens teeth anymore, give me no sense of having earned anything at all. They can be fun wastes of time for a bit, but the shiny wears off way too fast anymore.

[Arugess]

My thoughts are in the link in my sig (http://www.swtor.com/community/showthread.php?t=216855). To that post, add this:

 

- No day/night cycle

- No swimming

- No housing

- No Pazaak, Sabacc, Dejarik, races, casino, etc...

- Dumbed down character creation

- No post-creation character customization

- No appearance tab/outfit system

- No high res textures

- No environmental interaction (chairs, walls, doors, etc...)

- Simple combat with static enemies

- Unconvincing and stiff animations

- Empty dead worlds with not enough NPCs moving around

- No collision detection

- No stats on resources

- No crafting customization

- Restriction in choice of starship

- No ship decoration

- Dumbed down space combat

- No multiplayer space combat

- Removal of many races

- No faction change/neutrality

- Restriction and instanced planets by faction

- Less planets than announced

- Planets rated by levels with no reason to go back

- No GM events

- Removal of choice to kill companion

- Removal of possibility to talk to other faction at all times

- No RP tools

- Nothing to do post-story

- Endgame consisting on waiting in fleet

 

ouch!