Found an interesting video featuring Craig Alexander (VP of product development for Turbine) in which he discusses turning the corner on one year old and the upcoming expansion.
LINKY
He made several points that struck me as being of great import. These were;
1) That Turbine's franchise on the material has now been extended to run through 2017.
2) That LotRO is "the 2nd biggest MMO in North America". (does that mean they have more subscribers than everyone except WoW??)
3) That Turbine intends to continue their pattern of 5 free content updates (one every ten weeks) and one paid expansion per year for the foreseeable future.
What gems did you catch that I may have missed?
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I'm curious how WoW and LotRO subscription numbers are going to drop over the next few months with the release of AoC. I don't see it killing either game or seriously hurting either but I think they have a new powerhouse to contend with.
Source
Quote:
“Everyone in Funcom is delighted and humbled with the historical pre-order numbers for Age of Conan. If the information we have is correct, they represent the highest pre-order number for any global launch of an original PC game, ever, including the original World of Warcraft launch,†said Morten Larssen, Funcom’s VP of Sales & Marketing.
Source
I think that AoC is pointed towards a different group of people then those that play LotRO. AoC has a heavier focus on both combat and PvP while LotRO is far more quest and story/lore oriented.
So yeah, LotRO will probably take a subscription hit but I don't think it will be a big one. I think WoW which is already seeing declining numbers and has more in common with AoC will take a much bigger hit.
In the long run though, I don't think either of those games is going anywhere.
What will keep people away from AoC (if anything) is that it has a VERY HIGH hardware minimum requirement - higher even than LotRO or EQ2 and many of the people who play MMOs have difficulty playing anything more (mechanically) demanding than WoW. If your computer won't run LotRO, it sure won't run AoC!
So yeah, LotRO will probably take a subscription hit but I don't think it will be a big one. I think WoW which is already seeing declining numbers and has more in common with AoC will take a much bigger hit.
In the long run though, I don't think either of those games is going anywhere.
What will keep people away from AoC (if anything) is that it has a VERY HIGH hardware minimum requirement - higher even than LotRO or EQ2 and many of the people who play MMOs have difficulty playing anything more (mechanically) demanding than WoW. If your computer won't run LotRO, it sure won't run AoC!
I agree with OBD, AoC is catering to a slightly different player. I was tempted to try AoC out but my computer can't handle it....so.....thats the end of that.
OldBlueDragon wrote:
(does that mean they have more subscribers than everyone except WoW??)
I find it kind of interesting because LoTRO only has, what, six servers or so? I've been autojoining to Meneldor so I haven't counted. Not to diminish Turbine's accomplishment but I get the feeling that the non-WoW MMORPG field isn't an especially thick one when it comes to subscription numbers.
Belkira wrote:
Wow. Regular ol' Joph fan club in here.
Quote:
There is a 15G patch and the game is slated to take roughly 20-30G worth of HDD space.
Yeah that right there will keep me from it for a LOOOOOOOOOOOOONG time, actually never have had the slightest interest in it peroid... It seems more of a "niche" MMO than most of the others. But time will tell, I had hopes (And got burned) on Vanguard
lets hope they do better than that game did.. (Stupid $50 coaster DVD....)Jophiel wrote:
OldBlueDragon wrote:
(does that mean they have more subscribers than everyone except WoW??)
I find it kind of interesting because LoTRO only has, what, six servers or so? I've been autojoining to Meneldor so I haven't counted. Not to diminish Turbine's accomplishment but I get the feeling that the non-WoW MMORPG field isn't an especially thick one when it comes to subscription numbers.
11 servers. Also (quoted this into the OoT as well) this quote was posted by somebody on the Meneldor forums...
Quote:
PvP is capture the flag mini-games there. Or rez spot ganking if you are on a PvP server. The promised "massive" keep battles turned out to be a lie, seeing that they are instanced, and limited to 48 per side. To make it worse, you get one attempt at a keep per week. Moors PvP, while limited, is better, IMHO.
Never mind that the PvE aspect of AoC is severely lacking too. Game is so linear. Minimap has arrows to lead you right to the objective in every quest. Lack of any real death penalty leads to zerging everything. It is the most carebear major release I have ever seen.
At least they fixed most of the gamebreaking bugs in the last few days of beta. Before that, game was painful to play. LOTRO ran better 6 months before release than AoC did just 3 days ago.
Never mind that the PvE aspect of AoC is severely lacking too. Game is so linear. Minimap has arrows to lead you right to the objective in every quest. Lack of any real death penalty leads to zerging everything. It is the most carebear major release I have ever seen.
At least they fixed most of the gamebreaking bugs in the last few days of beta. Before that, game was painful to play. LOTRO ran better 6 months before release than AoC did just 3 days ago.
That, combined with the massive size of the game, and the fact that my machine probably couldn't run the graphics (which seem to be the MAJORITY of the game at this point) means I'll likely never try it, let alone buy it.
Paradox wrote:
11 servers.
Belkira wrote:
Wow. Regular ol' Joph fan club in here.
I never had any interest in AoC for the simple fact that it is not geared towards me, hehe. It is very PvP heavy and the system requirements are sick, I have become very casual in my old age and games like that just don't appeal to me any more.
Another aspect is that it is a Funcom game, I hate them.
As far as WoW and LotR:O go, number will always go up and down, bet ya dollars to donuts that both will see big numbers in new or renewed subscriptions when the expansions come out, it's the nature of the beast. Bottom line is both companies put out a good polished well made product, Sony hasn't done that in a while and the mess that was Vanguard speaks for itself.
Another aspect is that it is a Funcom game, I hate them.
As far as WoW and LotR:O go, number will always go up and down, bet ya dollars to donuts that both will see big numbers in new or renewed subscriptions when the expansions come out, it's the nature of the beast. Bottom line is both companies put out a good polished well made product, Sony hasn't done that in a while and the mess that was Vanguard speaks for itself.
I was never much of a Conan fan when I was growing up so that part of it has no effect on me and in all honesty I hadn't even looked at the game until about two weeks ago.
The main things that are drawing me towards the game are that it seems to be pulling away from the cartoonish style of WoW and to a lesser extent, LotRO. Also, it seems to be more of a challenging/hardcore game while still remaining casual friendly.
Although I know it's just a delusion, I am hoping the M rating will keep some of the more annoying kiddies away. Logging into LotRO this morning and being shadowed by a player named Josheyboy, having him attack every mob I pulled or running off and bringing mobs to me so I could help him for nearly an hour just ruined any enjoyment I may have had while playing. I don't feel I should be forced to play babysitter to these kids or suffer possible penalties if I say something.
I have heard a lot of mixed reports about this. One thing I have heard several times is that it's comparable to Oblivion.
Nowadays the specs listed as recommended aren't that high. I picked up a HP last January for about $600, put about $400 worth of upgrades into it and I am sitting at the recommended specs, higher in most categories.
All games are a niche game in one way or another. The big thing is that this niche hasn't had a good game come along in awhile. Most of those players are being forced into WoW, LotRO, EQ2 or being pushed back to EQ. Look at all the hype behind Vanguard, that was a major niche game. Poor programming killed Vanguard, not the player base it was geared towards. Even SOE threw a fit when they realized what a cluster@#%^ they purchased.
I hated Turbine for what they did to DDO but still gave LotRO a shot.
Edited, May 20th 2008 3:07am by Raolan
The main things that are drawing me towards the game are that it seems to be pulling away from the cartoonish style of WoW and to a lesser extent, LotRO. Also, it seems to be more of a challenging/hardcore game while still remaining casual friendly.
Although I know it's just a delusion, I am hoping the M rating will keep some of the more annoying kiddies away. Logging into LotRO this morning and being shadowed by a player named Josheyboy, having him attack every mob I pulled or running off and bringing mobs to me so I could help him for nearly an hour just ruined any enjoyment I may have had while playing. I don't feel I should be forced to play babysitter to these kids or suffer possible penalties if I say something.
OldBlueDragon wrote:
What will keep people away from AoC (if anything) is that it has a VERY HIGH hardware minimum requirement - higher even than LotRO or EQ2 and many of the people who play MMOs have difficulty playing anything more (mechanically) demanding than WoW.
I have heard a lot of mixed reports about this. One thing I have heard several times is that it's comparable to Oblivion.
Nowadays the specs listed as recommended aren't that high. I picked up a HP last January for about $600, put about $400 worth of upgrades into it and I am sitting at the recommended specs, higher in most categories.
Quote:
It seems more of a "niche" MMO than most of the others. But time will tell, I had hopes (And got burned) on Vanguard 
lets hope they do better than that game did.
lets hope they do better than that game did.All games are a niche game in one way or another. The big thing is that this niche hasn't had a good game come along in awhile. Most of those players are being forced into WoW, LotRO, EQ2 or being pushed back to EQ. Look at all the hype behind Vanguard, that was a major niche game. Poor programming killed Vanguard, not the player base it was geared towards. Even SOE threw a fit when they realized what a cluster@#%^ they purchased.
Quote:
Another aspect is that it is a Funcom game, I hate them.
I hated Turbine for what they did to DDO but still gave LotRO a shot.
Edited, May 20th 2008 3:07am by Raolan
Raolan wrote:
I am hoping the M rating will keep some of the more annoying kiddies away.
Belkira wrote:
Wow. Regular ol' Joph fan club in here.
The banner ad (as seen on the Allah home page just before I've logged in) reads;
"You'll never forget... your first decapitation"
/shudder
I have a feeling that the game will be filled with 14 year olds who have convinced their parents to let them borrow the family's visa card!
And may each and every one of them find a happy (and permanent) home as they stand there, drenched in blood!
"You'll never forget... your first decapitation"
/shudder
I have a feeling that the game will be filled with 14 year olds who have convinced their parents to let them borrow the family's visa card!
And may each and every one of them find a happy (and permanent) home as they stand there, drenched in blood!
Having just left the starter area and entering the starter city, I am still running around 30-35FPS with decent graphics.
Vista
AMD Athalon 64 x2 4200
2Gig of Ram
Nvidia GeForce 8800GT
Basically a $600 system with roughly $400 in upgrades over the last year. Nothing major by todays standard.
The gore is a bit excessive and the nudity is unnecessary but I am actually liking the combat system. I actually see the nudity becoming an issue, regardless of the M rating.
Their are both PvE and PvP servers so thats not an issue.
They botched the release a bit and the game still seems a little rough but all MMOs are at release. Better then EQ2 was at release IMO.
I have just started but it seems a bit more linear then I expected.
I'll give it the 30 days before I make my decision.
Vista
AMD Athalon 64 x2 4200
2Gig of Ram
Nvidia GeForce 8800GT
Basically a $600 system with roughly $400 in upgrades over the last year. Nothing major by todays standard.
The gore is a bit excessive and the nudity is unnecessary but I am actually liking the combat system. I actually see the nudity becoming an issue, regardless of the M rating.
Their are both PvE and PvP servers so thats not an issue.
They botched the release a bit and the game still seems a little rough but all MMOs are at release. Better then EQ2 was at release IMO.
I have just started but it seems a bit more linear then I expected.
I'll give it the 30 days before I make my decision.
I wanted to try AoC just to see what the hype was about and check out the graphics. But I agree that WoW is likely to lose subscribers to AoC than LoTR is.
I'm still waiting for the giant turtle that delivers mail to New Zealand to get here (on the 27th) so i can pick up my pre-ordered copy of AoC.
I'm really looking forward to giving it a whirl, and if what I'm hearing from my kinnies from LoTRO who are playing it is anything to go by, then its gonna be a lot of fun.
Having said that, Im also going to get the Lifetime Sub for LoTRO.
I'm really looking forward to giving it a whirl, and if what I'm hearing from my kinnies from LoTRO who are playing it is anything to go by, then its gonna be a lot of fun.
Having said that, Im also going to get the Lifetime Sub for LoTRO.
"If you have selfish, ignorant citizens, you're gonna get selfish, ignorant leaders". Carlin.
Just trolling on the AoC official forums (you need a game account to view their forums. Why?) there is a thread asking people what game they came from.
A cursory looks shows WoW, EQ2, and Guild Wars to be the top replies along with Vanguard and CoH. LoTRO is actually pretty far down the list in terms of number of people listing it as their previous MMO.
A cursory looks shows WoW, EQ2, and Guild Wars to be the top replies along with Vanguard and CoH. LoTRO is actually pretty far down the list in terms of number of people listing it as their previous MMO.
At the moment, there isn't much to do in WoW until WOTLK comes out. Sure, there is Sunwell, but only the hardcore will do much there and one guild on my old server is already at the last boss there.
More interested in seeing what Warhammer does.
More interested in seeing what Warhammer does.
Quote:
More interested in seeing what Warhammer does.
I've been stopping in and checking on Warhammer every now and then. It seems to be getting slammed left and right by the beta testers stating the game is extremely boring and the devs refuse to listen to anything the testers are commenting about.
Borehammer seems to be the unofficial new name among the beta community.
Having played EQ, EQ2, FFXI, WoW, and most recently AoC, I can say for now AoC has a short life span. I chose Dark Templar as my starting class. Level 55 atm, all solo'd/quested. This is from release date till present, all on a class that is supposedly broken. Enough with that.
AoC = Rush to lvl 80, PvP, RvR, craft, quest, ect.... No story line that grips you. No incentives to stay. Maybe with future updates, but for now it's a trial game at best.
With that being said I think anyone leaving their current MMO will be back after a couple of months, if not sooner. AoC has potential to be great. Maybe not WoW subscriber great, but none the less a beautiful game with casual gamers in mind.
AoC = Rush to lvl 80, PvP, RvR, craft, quest, ect.... No story line that grips you. No incentives to stay. Maybe with future updates, but for now it's a trial game at best.
With that being said I think anyone leaving their current MMO will be back after a couple of months, if not sooner. AoC has potential to be great. Maybe not WoW subscriber great, but none the less a beautiful game with casual gamers in mind.
Ugh, necropost.
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