MMOG Choice?

[Anrhydeddu]

Time for our monthly discussion of MMOG/MMORPG.

As some have seen, I'm in the mood for something really different game-wise and am interested in trying out a MMOG (never had done one before). You know I love Gothic and v.2 won't be here until this Fall (probably) so I want something to tie me over. My choice for a MMORPG is strictly limited to FP-type games, so that rules out games like NWN. It seems the whole world is playing SWG right now but I have never been a fan of SW (or scifi for that matter). I also had in mind Dark Age of Camelot, esp. since they just released a Gold Edition. Not only am I looking for a FP game but also something that is not hardcore (or something that a newbie can get into). How would you compare these two games and what recommendations you guys would have?

[GrantDawg]

My MMOG choice? Never again.

[Bishop]

Dark Age of Camelot is a good choice to start, If you get on the right server (preferably a Roleplaying shard) everyone is very helpful and nice... Since the realms have to work together against the other realms, usually everyone is pretty nice to each other.. Although all online games have the usual jerks.

Advancing can be pretty time consuming though, especially after about level 30 but they have the group system implied well enough to make it as easy as possible. Also traveling from place to place can be time consuming.


SWG seems to be the opposite in that manner, most people have already maxed out themselves in a particular skill and moved onto maxing a secondary skill and so forth... Advancement is much easier. It's more of a casual gamer friendly to an extent, but all online games require atleast an hour or two of play time.

I had a harder time getting into SWG then I did DAOC, so after playing through SWG beta and about a week into the release I dropped out... To me, since I already still play, and still enjoy DAOC... There wasn't enough in SWG to make me wanna switch, and also go through the long drawn out process of bug squashing and lack of content updates while they fix what they didn't do right on release..

DAOC had some similiar issues on release, most online games do... but with it being out about 2 years now, it's advanced past those stages an they add new content/suggested additions on almost a weekly basis.

They also released an expansion(Shrouded Isles, comes with gold edition I think) that was very strong, along with another one planned for the end of the year...The box expansions usually run about 20-30 bucks, but the one they released last year was really worth it... New housing zones was released as an 'expansion' but as a free update... They also have an RVR 'expansion' planned for this year which will also be a free update.

That's my two cents... I'm sure someone can probably give you more insight on SWG that still plays.

[sabotai]

I would suggest starting with Dark Age of Camelot, if only because it's a mature online world and SWG is not. There's a lot of imbalance in SWG, as well bugs, things that should be in but are not, the economy is bit whacky right now, etc.etc.

Don't get me wrong, _I_ like it. But I can see how any of these issues would really effect someone playing the game.

Case in point, I have played EQ on two different time spans. I had much more fun playing it the second time because the world was more mature. The bugs were gone. The balance was there.

So if you are just starting out in the MMORPG world, try DAoC first.

[Anrhydeddu]

Thank you, that's what I will do. I've read the FAQ on DAoC and it sounds very similar to Gothic. I think the Gold Edition comes with a Beginners Guide so that will help.

[Bishop]

www.camelotherald.com main DAoC site... Even has the beginners guide for download..

http://daoc.catacombs.com/

http://camelot.allakhazam.com/

http://daoc.warcry.com/

http://camelot.rpglore.com/


Some other links with some useful info if you get the game and start playing.

[Coffee Warlord]

Gotta give you the bad side of DAoC too, just to warn ya. :)

Now, admittedly, when I started playing it (release day), and several months after, it was enjoyable.

The problem I have with it, is it suffers from 'what's the point' syndrome. In the beginning, you level to 50. Period. If you want to RvR with the big boys, you have to be 50. That alone takes a good chunk of time (and utter, utter, utter boredom. Faster than EQ by a lot, but also WAY more boring).

RvR gets stale...fast. Why? You soon realize it's the same thing day in and day out. There's little challenge. You zerg (the term for running around with 100 other realmmates and killing things) until you get out-zerged, or you get your little 8 man gank group and hunt down the stragglers.

Keep taking for anyone but rogues and a few casters: Pointless. You can do almost nothing while attacking or defending. To further that, there's no real point in taking keeps, other than because you can. (For the vets of DAoC, admit it: Relic raids can be accomplished without taking any keeps, and for the surprise factor, it's almost a better idea.)

Keep taking for the other classes...casters spam AE blast, rinse repeat. Dull. Rogues have the best time (although since this is the case, everyone and their brother has an assassin), as they can do the most in RvR.

Yes, it was fresh and exciting once upon a time. Go ahead and get it if you like, but just be aware it does have some signifigant playability problems.

Oh, and if you get it, and happen to choose Guinevere - Albion, inquire to the guild Deus Vincit, and tell them Aestus says hello (and if you like, Aestus says Ooga Chaka). They are a very cool bunch of people (some of the oldies are still there).

[Anrhydeddu]

Thanks, knowing my style of play and lack of long term focus, I sincerely doubt that I will reach any high levels in my lifetime.

I just got back from Best Buy and found the Gold Edition which includes maps, manuals, original game plus the expansion pack for $24.99!

[condors]

as a person who has played everquest, daoc, uo, ao, the game that i stuck with is asheron's call i just find it the most enjoyable (the first one)