Star Wars Galaxies

[CleBrownsfan]

Anybody plan on playing SWG? I'm getting it hopefully by Friday.

If any of you are plan on playing we should get up on the same server...

[Samdari]

I am getting it on launch. Hopefully tomorrow. I am planning on registering several characters, so can play on any server. I will post names (if successful).

[Bearcat729]

I want to know what the system requirements will be. If I have to upgrade my PC it will take some time before I get to play it

[Easy Mac]

Computer
100% DirectX 9.0 compatible computer
Operating Systems
Windows 98 SE, Millennium, 2000, and XP

CPU
Required: Intel PIII 933 MHz or AMD Athlon 900 MHz
Recommended: Intel P4 1.5 GHz or AMD Athlon XP 1500+

Memory
Required: 256 MB RAM
Recommended: 512 MB RAM

Graphics Card
Required: 32 MB 3D Graphics card with Hardware Transform and Lighting (T&L) Capability
Recommended: 64 MB 3D Graphics card with Vertex Shader and Pixel Shader (VS/PS) Capability

Sound Card
Required: PCI, USB or Onboard Audio Device

CD-ROM
Required: Quad Speed CD-ROM drive

Input Device
Required: Keyboard and mouse

Connectivity Requirements
Required: 56K modem or faster Internet connection

DirectX
Microsoft DirectX 9.0 is included on this CD. NOTE: DirectX may require the "latest" updates for your operating system. This may also include the latest drivers for your particular motherboard, sound and video hardware.

Installation
Installation requires 2.0 GB of free hard drive space. It is recommended that you have at least an additional 500 MB of free space available after installing the game for the Windows swap/page file and additional patch downloads.

Supported Chipsets at the time of release:
ATI Radeon 7200/7500
ATI Radeon 8500/9000
ATI Radeon 9500/9700
Matrox Parhelia
NVIDIA GeForce 256
NVIDIA GeForce 2 family
NVIDIA GeForce 3 family
NVIDIA GeForce 4 family
NVIDIA GeForceFX family

Additional Chipsets supported.

[Easy Mac]

dola, I have DirectX, Sound Card, RAM and CD-ROM, otherwise, I'm out.

[Neuqua]

I got my preorder in today (I've had it reserved for well over a year now.) I think servers go live tomorrow.

I think my main is going to start off on the Chilastra server (with my PA.)

[CleBrownsfan]

Originally posted by Neuqua
I got my preorder in today (I've had it reserved for well over a year now.) I think servers go live tomorrow.

I think my main is going to start off on the Chilastra server (with my PA.)

I will also start on the Chilastra server. Post your in game name and we can hook up. You know what race you plan on starting?

BTW what is "PA"??

[damnMikeBrown]

PA is a player association, otherwise more commonly known as a guild.

[sabotai]

I hope someone here plans on writing up a lengthy review of it. I want to play this game, but what I fear is an EQ clone with an even crappier battle system.

Basically, I will buy and play this game if it is possible to not have to fight all the time (like in EQ). I know you can be a farmer, or weapons maker, or healer, but if you have to fight to gain specific materials, that takes the point out of being in a class that is not a fighting class.

[CHEMICAL SOLDIER]

How much does the game cost ?

[Bishop]

Originally posted by sabotai
I hope someone here plans on writing up a lengthy review of it. I want to play this game, but what I fear is an EQ clone with an even crappier battle system.

Basically, I will buy and play this game if it is possible to not have to fight all the time (like in EQ). I know you can be a farmer, or weapons maker, or healer, but if you have to fight to gain specific materials, that takes the point out of being in a class that is not a fighting class.


I beta tested it, so can give you a general run down of my thoughts... Although I never played EQ so can't compare the two.

The combat is very linear to me.. Basically you target whatever it is you wanna kill, or it targets you... then run around in circles if you wanna but that just decreases your accuracy.. You can just stand there and go away an the outcome will still be the same.

They give you 'styles' to use, like heart shot, body shot, ect ect but I never found them effective... and supposedly are optional I believe...

Graphic wise the game is great, it's everything you see in the screen shots.. even on a geforce 2 ultra it ran well (with dsl and p4 1400) and looked good. A little sluggish at times in populated areas but nothing too bad.

The sun rises and drops, can see the other planets in the sky from the planet your on... and it's all pretty detailed.. has a good feel to it.

I personally didn't get to delve into the crafting system, so can't comment too much on that other then what others I know have done.

Crafting is done more like UO (ultima online) opposed to something like DAOC.. you've gotta gather your resources and such and use those to craft..

downside of that is, the Artistian is EVERY crafter into one. Basically if you don't wanna hunt, you are gonna be an artistian because he has every single crafting skill on him..

which I personally think ruins the economy in the sense that there aren't gonna be miners selling materials because all the crafters are miners essentially. Someone else may be able to comment more on this, because like I said, I didn't get to test it myself.

The over all star wars feel is there for some, and isn't for others.. I'm a pretty casual star wars fan, I've saw the movies and such but never been a die hard... so it was fine to me but others have complained.. Could just be nitpicking.

Overall though I'd say it has promise, but it isn't a game you HAVE to get on release... because it really isn't *ready* for release, it's playable but there just isn't a whole lot to it right now.. I found myself more interested in playing other games that I've played much longer then I did in playing SWG...

It, like most other online games, has to grow... but unlike other online games... you're really not gonna have an advantage by starting now then later... just more frusteration..

I won't be purchasing it anytime soon, if at all... because I'm content with the games that I already play, and feel that SWG doesn't really offer anything different in terms of gameplay..

I had high hopes in that retrospect because I use to be big on the Ultima Online style of play... where there wasn't an experience treadmill, but in SWG there is... just like all online games now.

Graphics just aren't enough to sell me, and that's the only thing that is a huge step for me in SWG... sure there are other little things, but they don't add up enough for me to wanna buy it.

If you got any questions, cause I know there is alot I didn't really get into.. I'll try to anwser them.

[Bishop]

Originally posted by CHEMICAL SOLDIER
How much does the game cost ?

49.99 on purchase, then after the free month of subscription to the game... 15 bucks per month.

[mckerney]

Damn. Most poor college students like myself can't afford that

[Havok]

I had high hopes in that retrospect because I use to be big on the Ultima Online style of play

ahhh the good ole days. Before UO turned into a care bear game. I'll never forget my days as "The Dread Lord Havok". The great battles at the cross roads between Blues and reds. The great Castle sieges when we'd get a guild's castle/keep key, The slaughter at Britian Graveyards before the server would go down.

Those were the days man..... those were the days :)
Most fun i ever had playing any online game.

Actually UO is still alive and kicking. They keep upgrading the graphics and the gameplay. I was just looking at screenshots the other day. Its seems like a completely different game. But im pretty sure they still have massive penalty's for Pk'ing and that turns me off. I never could figure out how poeple have more fun killing the stupied A.I. monsters all day instead of fighting real players.

I beta tested EQ and played it for a little while on the PvP servers, Then i quit. But then they opened up the good/evil/neutral server where they actually kept track of your kills on a website. I played that for about 2 months but lost interest when everyone hit level 50.

sorry for the rambling, you just made me think of my PvP days :)

[daedalus]

Originally posted by Havok
I never could figure out how poeple have more fun killing the stupied A.I. monsters all day instead of fighting real players.
Because the prospect of ruining someone's day or having their day ruined isn't appealing to everyone.

For many, it is the social interaction while playing a game they like that they find appealing. A hypothetical situation given a setting like this may be, say, a sport game of some sort. To pick a random sport, let's say it was soccer. And let's just say, by some odd chance, we both happen to be playing in this hypothetical game. Now, in the truest sense, we would be competing in that we would both aim to reach the highest level available to us. On the other hand, this hypothetical competition would be in the realm of who can "achieve" this objective, not be about how well I can ruin your chance or you mine. It would be about how well or how poorly various decisions on personnel, tactic and other choices, mine and yours, has turned out, not about how well I can ruin the practice field at your park or how well the thugs you sent out managed to Gillooly'ed my latest and greatest young player. The best part for many would be in the sharing of the joys or tribulation at the improvement shown or not shown by their charges. Or perhaps even how a decision made has worked out or not worked out, possibly, say, something like a choice in the type of training or a purchase. You can do well and I can do well. We can both enjoy the game without one of us having lost the work that we have put in . . .

No, wait. You're right. That does sound stupid. How could anyone possibly enjoy such a creation?

[Bishop]

Originally posted by Havok
ahhh the good ole days. Before UO turned into a care bear game. I'll never forget my days as "The Dread Lord Havok". The great battles at the cross roads between Blues and reds. The great Castle sieges when we'd get a guild's castle/keep key, The slaughter at Britian Graveyards before the server would go down.

Those were the days man..... those were the days :)
Most fun i ever had playing any online game.

Actually UO is still alive and kicking. They keep upgrading the graphics and the gameplay. I was just looking at screenshots the other day. Its seems like a completely different game. But im pretty sure they still have massive penalty's for Pk'ing and that turns me off. I never could figure out how poeple have more fun killing the stupied A.I. monsters all day instead of fighting real players.

I beta tested EQ and played it for a little while on the PvP servers, Then i quit. But then they opened up the good/evil/neutral server where they actually kept track of your kills on a website. I played that for about 2 months but lost interest when everyone hit level 50.

sorry for the rambling, you just made me think of my PvP days :)

Yeah it's still 'alive' but it's not the same game anymore... not to mention I could never get back into it when they don't understand the concept of an expansion... to them an expansion is completely redesigning the game, and making what everyone has done over the last few months completely useless...

First two years or so were good then it just went down hill from there, but yeah it was alot of fun.

[Bishop]

Originally posted by daedalus
Because the prospect of ruining someone's day or having their day ruined isn't appealing to everyone.

For many, it is the social interaction while playing a game they like that they find appealing. A hypothetical situation given a setting like this may be, say, a sport game of some sort. To pick a random sport, let's say it was soccer. And let's just say, by some odd chance, we both happen to be playing in this hypothetical game. Now, in the truest sense, we would be competing in that we would both aim to reach the highest level available to us. On the other hand, this hypothetical competition would be in the realm of who can "achieve" this objective, not be about how well I can ruin your chance or you mine. It would be about how well or how poorly various decisions on personnel, tactic and other choices, mine and yours, has turned out, not about how well I can ruin the practice field at your park or how well the thugs you sent out managed to Gillooly'ed my latest and greatest young player. The best part for many would be in the sharing of the joys or tribulation at the improvement shown or not shown by their charges. Or perhaps even how a decision made has worked out or not worked out, possibly, say, something like a choice in the type of training or a purchase. You can do well and I can do well. We can both enjoy the game without one of us having lost the work that we have put in . . .

No, wait. You're right. That does sound stupid. How could anyone possibly enjoy such a creation?

I'm assuming you've played UO... anyway

Once they added the new zone, with no pk'ing, no stealing, no anything... it unbalanced the game because then people would just goto trammel and farm gold all day... and UO was never designed to be that.

It wasn't meant solely as a PK game, but they helped keep the game balance, and more realistic. It was designed to be a world with thieves, and killers, adventurerers, crafters, ect ect.. All the penalties and everything got silly, why even have it in the game at all if you start losing your skills and go perma red.

Now everyone has their 7x GM chars, their 50 million gold and everything else... of course that's not all because of trammel, but it was the start of it all.

[Havok]

yeah, i by no means was a griefer. i never slaughtered newbies or guys just trying to mine. But if i caught your ass hunting in a dungen and you were rocking some nice shinny plate armor, it was on. And if they caught me hunting in a dungen you can bet your ass i was gonna get attacked :) Alot of reds at more honor then blues.

I played on a few player run servers and they were fun. But the main problem with them was lack of people. A good one usually only had 100-200 people on at any given time and that just wasn't enough.

Im sad those days are over, but The Dread Lord Havok lives on in my memories!!!! :)

[Samdari]

Sorry to interrupt the UO thread with SWG commentary...

The store just called. My copy is in. Leaving work when the servers come up...

[Samdari]

Well, I am a dunce, left work early, and 4 hours later, still can't register.

[Neuqua]

I've been trying since 10am central, still haven't gotten through.

:(

[Samdari]

Well, you've got a few hours on me.

As bad as most MMOG launches have been, this might be the worst.

Are you getting to the license agreement page, then getting an error. Over. And over. And over?

[Neuqua]

Yep.

I did once get past that page to where I had to put in the credit card information, but after I clicked "Next," a big red "Error!" screen popped up and brought be back to step 2.

Fudge.

[Samdari]

Got to the credit card screen once myself. It felt like breaking out of prison. Then the 'time out' page that came next felt like getting caught 30 seconds later.

[sachmo71]

Today was the actual launch? And they are having problems? :eek:

[Calis]

I told you all! Did you listen? Nooooo.

;)

Guru3d SWG Review (http://content.guru3d.com/article.php?cat=gamereviews&id=49&pagenumber=1)

Pretty scathing review here, but most of it is spot on if you ask me, although I think a bit of it is blown out of proportion. Overall though, pretty much sums up the game.

[Samdari]

You don't like it, we get it. Now go away.

[sabotai]

heh, typical mmorpg launch I suppose. I feel for you guys.

On the issue of PvP, my ideal solution would to have it all be PvP. BUT, each part of land would be owned by a "government" (or a player). And they would set up rules. Like no killing. If you are caught killing, the cops come after you. And it wouldn't be like after a week, you're not wanted anymore. You go on the list as a murderer, and you stay there forever.

This would leave basically the areas close to the cities or owned by other people as basically safe zones. The element of danger is still there, but if you die, you know all you have to do is report the crime and he could never show his face near a guard from that "government" again.

And this would leave the area far from the towns as high danger.

At least, that's how I would like it. One of the things Eve Online did good (I was a beta tester) was this. The "newbie areas" would have high security levels. Which mean is you attacked someone, the cops would be on you quick. But there were systems that were low level, which basically meant you better watch yourself.

[Calis]

Sorry for voicing an opinion about a game in a thread about said game, whatever was I thinking? I guess the emotiwink didn't convey the sarcasm well enough.

Actually that's a really good idea on PvP Sabotai. I never was around in the UO days, but from playing Dark Age, I've really found PvP to be the redeeming factor in all the tedium associated with MMORPGs. It's basically the Shadowbane expaned a bit and refined. I'd play a game set up like that.

As for the poor launch, can't knock SWG for that. :) DA was the only one I played that went smoothly overall for launch. Anyone play AO at launch? Now that's horrible. WWII Online supposedly is pretty neck and neck with AO as well, although I didn't take part in that.

Oh well, hope they get the issues fixed soon for you folks playing it, that sucks to be REALLY anxious to try out, and not be able to. It's a neverending cycle, MMORPG makers KNOW it's going to crash and burn on release, yet they always release it. Time after time. I guess you can only beta so long before the higher ups start getting antsy.

[Samdari]

Was that expressing an opinion? Gosh it sounded a lot like "Nyah! Nyah told you so! You should have listened to me instead of making your own decisions."

[JAG]

I have never read a more acid-laden review than that one. Whew.

[Calis]

Apparently as I said the wink emoticon has lost any and all meaning.

You see, it was a comment said in jest, not an actual attack against anyone who purchased the game.

The humor actually involves my reasoning for saying to pass on the game has absolutely nothing to do with what the problems folks are having today, I guess that was completely, alas...I tried.

Next time I will be sure to add several dozen LOL's and a half a dozen or so smileys, so as make my intention clear.

[Calis]

JAG, yeah as I said..the review is a bit over the top.

Thing is, everything they complain about is a pretty valid complaint. They just chose to completely ignore the good qualities of the game, which is too bad, makes the whole review look bad.

Anyhow, it was just meant as a frame of reference for anyone undecided, as I'm sure there'll be more than enough reviews that do the opposite, always happens with titles of this caliber. So you can find one of those, and mix it with this one for a pretty in depth review. :)

[JAG]

Well, regardless I refuse to pay this kind of price for a game, even if I had the system specs to run it. :) I do remember reading about it a long time ago (in a galaxy...stop that!) and it sounded excellent. Still, I shy away from MMOG's...from what I have seen, too time-intensive and not challenging enough.

JAG

[Havok]

from what I have seen, too time-intensive and not challenging enough.

I agree with the time-intensive thing. But to say they arn't challenging is a little off. There is no greater challenge in gaming then playing against a living, breathing person. Not some retarded, easily overcome computer A.I. :)

Is there gonna be PVP in SWG??? Or is it another carebear game??

[Calis]

The challenge IS the time involved. ;)

There is SOME PvP in SWG, it's narrowed to a very small area though. There's some exceptions occasionally, for hunting Jedi, Bounty Hunters, etc...but this is definitely not a PvP oriented game. It's very much an EQ-like focus on PvE with a splash of PvP thrown in.

That being said, with a combat system which is imo, more simplistic than even EQ's was, the challenge from fighting another player is pretty much nil.

So, I would say it falls into the Carebear category. I don't believe they have any plans for a more PvP related server yet, although someone else might know for sure? I know they had a said two months ago or so they didn't, but that might change.

I'm actually really curious to see how this game does sales-wise, it was hyped up to no end, it's frigging Star Wars, very anxious to see if it brings in a whole new batch of people to MMO's.

[daedalus]

Originally posted by Bishop
I'm assuming you've played UO... anyway
I did not. That's why I quoted the particular line I did.

Once they added the new zone, with no pk'ing, no stealing, no anything... it unbalanced the game because then people would just goto trammel and farm gold all day... and UO was never designed to be that.
That would, indeed, be silly. Changing a game midstream (after launch, in particular) would definitely make a mess of how the game was designed to be played.

[Samdari]

Originally posted by Calis
Next time I will be sure to add several dozen LOL's and a half a dozen or so smileys, so as make my intention clear.
Or perhaps be funny?

Just a thought

[daedalus]

Originally posted by Havok
yeah, i by no means was a griefer. i never slaughtered newbies or guys just trying to mine. But if i caught your ass hunting in a dungen and you were rocking some nice shinny plate armor, it was on. And if they caught me hunting in a dungen you can bet your ass i was gonna get attacked :) Alot of reds at more honor then blues.
I don't have a single problem with folks playing a game in that manner with other players who have the same intention. I liked how DaoC handled it with letting players declare their intention to be a PvPer and let those players go at it.

[daedalus]

Originally posted by Calis
As for the poor launch, can't knock SWG for that. :) DA was the only one I played that went smoothly overall for launch. Anyone play AO at launch? Now that's horrible. WWII Online supposedly is pretty neck and neck with AO as well, although I didn't take part in that.
I didn't join from Day One but I believe DaoC had a clean launch.

[damnMikeBrown]

DAoC was clean technically. Content wise it was woefully unfinished. Nerf wise, well, the nerfs had yet to even begin. At this point, most peoples chars are covered in so much foam, that they could bungee, withough the cord.

[Calis]

Yeah, Dark Age had a clean launch for the most part, in fact, I'd say it was cleaner at launch than it is in it's present form. (That's what I meant by DA, just shortened it out of lazyiness.)

I hear Planetside has went pretty smoothly as well, though no idea.

I've decided that I'll give any MMORPG that comes out 6 months or so to get settled in before I even think about buying it. It's not worth the hassle to go through that, and actually it's probably not worth the hassle to play a MMORPG at all. I usually let my friends talk me into playing though.

Samdari- Ok you win, I'm terribly sorry. My deepest apologies to any and all people who purchased SWG who I so greatly offended. I'll be sure and run all my posts through you in the future, so as to ensure they meet your QA :rolleyes:

[Neuqua]

I finally got in :)

For those of you wondering, I'm on the Chilastra server with the name Imok Neu'qua.

Send me a /tell and we can get together.

[Raiders Army]

I got it this afternoon, and have yet to play it. I finally got my sony station account set up, and my credit card transmitted, when it hung on me on the character generation...this is going to be a long night...

[daedalus]

Originally posted by damnMikeBrown
DAoC was clean technically. Content wise it was woefully unfinished. Nerf wise, well, the nerfs had yet to even begin. At this point, most peoples chars are covered in so much foam, that they could bungee, withough the cord.
I heard they did a LOT of nerfing. (I left before the magic craft came in. I just didn't have enough time and ran out of patience trying to play with a 56K connection.)

I take it you didn't care for it very much? Which part?

Originally posted by Calis
(That's what I meant by DA, just shortened it out of lazyiness.)
Upes. For some reason, I thought there was a different one frequently referred to as DA. My bad.

[Samdari]

I'm with dMB on DAoC. After two years in EQ, I loved some of the things DaOC did, in terms of game mechanics. It seemed to me that they read the EQ boards, and made a game that addressed the biggest complaints there. I quit after two weeks because there was nothing to do with those mechanics (and I missed my EQ characters).

From reading Calis' (and contrary to your opinion of me right now, I did appreciate your review from Beta) and others' opinions from Beta, SWG is looking much the same way right now. Because I am George Lucas' ideal customer (blindly throwing money at any product labeled Star Wars) I will probably give this one six months to catch me.

Did anyone actually ever get a character into the game world last night? About 10:15 last night, I managed to get registered, but like RaidersArmy, got hung up in character creation (actually hung up after I had spent a half hour creating one, grr) and went to bed. Found out early this morning that was the right call. I am guessing the "hung up in character creation" and database problems are related.

From what I have heard, WWII was actually the worst launch ever - and they only had about 5,000 people trying to play.

[Calis]

SWG News Flash! (http://www.theinformationminister.com/)

edit: Bah, looks like it might be random what one you get, anywho, there's some funny SWG in there somewhere.

[Samdari]

Very amusing. A near coffee-spitter.

If you watch the first random one, then hit continue, then top 50, there are a number of SWG related clips. I am going to link these on the SWG forum and see if I can get banned before ever entering the game.

[KWhit]

Funny stuff.

[Samdari]

Neuqua,

What planet/city did you start in?

[3ric]

Is there something like a demo you can download to see if your PC can handle the full game?

[Neuqua]

I'm in Mos Entha on Tatooine.

Imok Neu'qua

[sabotai]

After a full day of trying to get through and what seems like a bad start, is the game finally playing for everyone? No problems getting in? Staying on?

(I ask cause I'm thinking of getting it...just not quite sure yet)

[Havok]

C A R E B E A R !!!!


Im joking of course :D .... keep us updated on how the game is. If you ever get to log n that is.

[illinifan999]

And what was that about enterin your credit card info? Is that mandatory?

[Easy Mac]

you have to pay somehow

[illinifan999]

So they don't have the prepaid cards like EQ? I would look into getting this game if they had that.........

[Samdari]

They may get them illinifan. The game may even be stable by then. Neuqua, I am, not surprisingly, Samdari on Chilastra. It would only let me start on Naboo however, as I was told transport to other planets was impossible.

[Neuqua]

Hey guys since they opened up the server I initially was going to be a part in (Tarquinas) my PA made a quick switch to that server. My character wasn't advanced at all so it's no problem for me to start over but just to let you know I had to switch servers.

[Samdari]

Name?

[Neuqua]

It's the same: Imok Neu'qua

I should've probably told you guys that we were switching earlier.. Sorry about that..

BTW, if anyone is interested in joining a PA use me as a reference at: www.starsendexploration.com

Send me a /tell when you're in game.

[sabotai]

Sorry to keep bugging you guys, but how is the game playing so far? Still have problems logging in? Find any major bugs in the game?

[Neuqua]

Well I think they've settled down the bugs to log in. I haven't had a problem in the past two days or so. They've opened up a few new servers now and to my knowledge they're all running alright.

I've mainly concentrated on harvesting resources and making clothes and modifying weapons for some of the newbies. I'm working to eventually become an architect.

The game is very similar to the last beta obviously, so if you don't think you would've liked it before I don't see you liking it now. Although I'm having a great time.

[sabotai]

Well I didn't beta test SWG so I have no idea what it's like. I'm a huge Star Wars fan and I'm really hopign this game works out. Even if it is just EQ in the SW universe, I can see myself liking it for a few months before it got old.

[Neuqua]

That's basically the situation I'm in. I've always loved Star Wars and I really think this game does a great job of putting your avatar "in the Star Wars universe." Whether you want to go meet Jabba (after doing some missions for him) or if you're lucky enough to see Han or Chewie in a cantina, the excitement factor can get quite high.

I'm probably going to buy the plan for 3 months, and re-evaluate if I want to extend it or not. I'm sure in the 3 months I'll have more than enough things to do and places to see.

Right now like I said, I've made a solid business selling to newbies and solid prices, eventually however I plant o expand to more expensive areas.

[Samdari]

Wow, I am really loving this game. I like the skill advancement, compartmentailized experience this more than any character building scheme I have seen. As far as feeling "star warsy" (i.e. immersion factor) I would say that I get that immersion most of the time in cities (especially with shuttles flying overhead/landing at ports). Out in the wilderness surveying/hunting, it is less so, as we never really saw the characters do that in the movies.

Most of the complaints I am reading thus far deal with high end content, and this is not a problem for me (not bieng high end yet). Many of the other complaints from beta testers were about stability issues, and once they got past the horrendous issues with the subscription server (which beta testers were not hammering repeatedly) the game was "highly available" all weekend. Some people had problems with the game crashing due to video/sound/driver issues, but seemingly a pretty low number, and that is something you always have with PC gaming.

Nequa, I started a second character on Tarquinas, who is going to be my 'artisan' character (much like EQ, I will probably never have a high level character, but will have a low level char of every type - I do the mmog sampler platter). His name is Nostramus, and is based in Mos Espa. I have not advanced him in any skill but surveying yet, as I have mostly been playing the pistoling Samdari on Chilastra. I may make him into a non-carebear Havok, as that is what people are saying there is to do at higher skill levels.

[Neuqua]

Having your artisan character on Tarquinas sounds good to me. Like I said, my main on Tarquinas has been concentrating on being an artisan as well and so when you think you're ready for some skill advancement, let me know. The name's Imok Neu'qua and I should be able to teach you some skills.

I was in beta, and admittedly didn't think the launch would run quite as smooth as it did (save June 26th.) This weekend I got on whenever I wanted and played at different times during the day.

[ctmason]

I don't mean to threadjack, really I don't.

I've never played one of these types of games before, but is this cost a little higher than most? I know LucasArts doesn't exactly equal "Family Value," but when I read that cost my jaw hit the floor...

[Calis]

Yeah, the cost is a bit higher than most. Most of the MMO's now fall at about 12 dollars per month.

So a bit of an increase, but you're dealing with Sony AND Lucas so they can do that. :)

[Samdari]

Yeah, it is a bit of a price increase from most (which are 12.95) but why not, there is no shortage of people willing to pay, and $2 is a marginal difference to most people.

If DaOC can usher in an industry wide price increase (which they essentially did, from $10 to $13/month) why not an even more highly anticipated game?

The $15/month is quite a shock if you've never played an MMOG before, but no big deal if you have paid $13/month for several different games in the last year, trying new ones out.

[sabotai]

$15 a month is a price which I think will be the standard for quite awhile. I really don't see any other game out there that could push it up any further. I'm sure that $15 a month is the cap for most people out there. At least it is for me. :)

[Radii]

Worlds of Warcraft might have a shot if it's done well, and completed within the next 10 years. Still... $15 a month is definitely raising the bar a lot

[Calis]

Bah, reading through this again. I realize I'm going to have to play a MMORPG soon, whether I like it or not. It's like a disease!

Completely changing the game subject for a minute, anyone played Eve Online? I got invited to the beta, but never bothered to DL it and try it. I have a friend playing now who's really enjoying it. I like the idea of the game, but I'm curious if it pans out well, as I really liked Shadowbane's ideas on paper, just not in execution.

[sabotai]

I beta tested Eve Online. It was a fun game, but was not ready when it was shipped. They may have ironed it out by now and I have been thinking of getting it.

THe thing about Eve is either make sure you get in a corp with active people to talk to or have a TV in the same room. It's not an action game by ANY means. It can be a very boring game at times.

Also, make sure you have a pretty good computer. I was on the beta back when I had "just" a GeForce 2 MX (32 MB RAM) and 256 Megs or RAM and it ran pretty choppy at times and the delay the choppiness caused between my actions and the game's reaction was pretty bad.

Now that I have a Radeon 9000 with 128 MB of RAM, it should be fine.

The best thing about Eve IMO is that nothign gets written down in stone. What I mean is if say a corperation want to control an entire system. Like be the only ones that can mine the belt. They have to have people in their corp with a fighter ship to patrol the belts. To make sure no one comes in and mines the belt.

What I mean by "written in stone" is there is nothing in the game that records that you own the system or the belt or the station or the jumpgate, etc. etc. YOU have to have the fighters in your corp and YOU have to patrol and police it. The game does not help you at all. There is nothing in the game that says "This belt is owned by So And So Corperation." Your fighter is the one who says it. And if people decide not the head your warnings. You blast them.

There ARE NPC corps however. There'd have to be to help the noobs out. There is somethign called a security level in each system. A high security means that it's policed very well and what you do here will have an impact on your security level ("a bad personal security level means the police will be after you.")

THe are also NPC pirates and stuff. They basically frequent the low security systems. It's these low security systems that corps will usually claim and take control of. If they tried to control a high security system, their security level would go bad.

But that's another great thing about this game. If you want to try to control a high security system, you can. I don't know how successful you'll be at it, but you can try it.

Sorry for the long windedness. :)

Basically it was a fun game when you have people to talk to. Join a corp, basically. The in game action it self is rather boring. But when you are in a corp and talking to your corp members, it's fun. And the graphics are GREAT.

If I had to put a label on this game, it woudl first and foremost be a commerce game. Not an action game or a RPG. It's definatly a commerce game (A commerce game where corperations can go to war with each other. :D )

The only reason I have not bought it and played it is because as I said, it was not done when they released it. But I may just have to pick it up now. :)

[sabotai]

After going back and forth for a few days on to get Eve Online or SWG, I finally decided on SWG for the simple fact that I think SWG has better developers and better interaction with the community.

Rarely does a complaint get answered on the Eve forums.

Also, I'm not sure if Eve will last til the end of the year. So I got SWG. One of my characters is on Tarquinas and I started him in Mos Entha. Sabotai Shraan. He's an artisan.

[Samdari]

Just curious if anyone knows this - have any of these MMOG's folded after launching? I know some have been cancelled after minor development after not finding a publisher. But I know some which very much operate with "niche" level subscriber numbers around (wwII online, AO, and soon Shadowbane).

Is anyone aware of any that just gave up for lack of subscribers?

[Calis]

Motor City Online is the only one I can think of that completely died off. It lasted about a year though.

[sabotai]

There have been several, Motor City Online is probably the most well known. *goes to find magazine*

*finds it*

MMOG that have died:
Black Moon Chronicles
Sovereign
Majestic
Motor City Online
Fighting Legends
Lost Continent

[Calis]

Wow, I haven't heard of almost all of those games.

Anyway, to further degrade this thread from a SWG-thread to a general MMORPG thread....

Anyone here tried A Tale in the Desert?

I just nabbed it last night, and have been playing most of the morning. It has some really cool concepts, I love the way they did a lot of things. I'm just not sure how it'll hold up in the long run.

Seems like a neat idea though, I'm having fun, and probably the friendliest MMORPG I've seen yet. I guess part of that is to raise your Leadership skill you have to mentor noobs. :) I really like the fact that progression is based off interaction, not your normal exp-style.

For example, I'm going to work on gaining the first rank in Conflict. So I have to build a Sevenblades Arena, and then defeat seven people in it. I'm not sure exactly WHAT Sevenblades is, but it's some sort of strategy/bluffing game. Anywho, it's neat for a change of pace.

They're doing firework shows and competitions most of the day today, I'll have to see if I can't find one of those.

[sabotai]

I think all MMOG's are doing fireworks today. At least, SWG is doing it today too. And they had "fireworks" in EQ all the time. I'm sure they having them too.

[Blackadar]

SWG is one of those games that I'd play except for the camera "perspective". I hate the over-the-shoulder 3rd person thing.

[Neuqua]

You can make the game into first-person view, along with a variety of other camera angles if you wish.

[Calis]

Actually one of the really cool things about SWG I thought was the way the camera worked. I liked how you zoomed in with the scroll wheel, and transitioned right into first person...neat stuff.

I guess I should've clarified on the fireworks show in A Tale in the Desert, it's not so much a show as a competition. People can make their own various kinds of fireworks, and then everyone votes on who wins.

[sabotai]

"I guess I should've clarified on the fireworks show in A Tale in the Desert, it's not so much a show as a competition. People can make their own various kinds of fireworks, and then everyone votes on who wins."

That's cool. In SWG, I think all they're doing is just "encouraging" players to set them off. No competition or anything.

And I think the camera thing is cool too. If I feel like switching to 3rd person, just a little movement of the mouse wheel. THen right back into first person.

[Samdari]

Oh, yes MCO did launch and die, I remember that now. But Majestic was not really an MMOG, and Sovereign never launched. Black Moon Chronicles was cancelled in after reaching Open Beta as well.

I tried the free trial of ATID, and it looked like I was playing Adventure on the Atari 2600. A lot of people like it, as it gets away from a kill to get exp so you can level up and kill more kind of treadmill. But it seems there is a be trained by someone so you can teach other people to train the 4th generation kind of treadmill. I never understood what one was supposed to be learning it, only that it was important that one learn so one could teach others. I didn't get it.

[sabotai]

"Oh, yes MCO did launch and die, I remember that now. But Majestic was not really an MMOG, and Sovereign never launched. Black Moon Chronicles was cancelled in after reaching Open Beta as well. "

I didn't know what was what, I just went down the list of RIP in PC Gamer. I didn't think Majestic was a MMOG, but they listed it so I thought I might as well put it in.

[Calis]

Hehe Samdari, after playing it a bit more. I'm inclined to agree with you, it all seems well and good in theory, but I think it'll become EVEN MORE tedious than the killing grind.

They do a few things really cool though, I like the law system in the game, among a few other things.

I was blinded by the thought of a MMORPG actually breaking away from the mold, which it does, but now I've come back down to earth. I'll give it some more time though, before I decide for sure.

[Blackadar]

Originally posted by Calis
Actually one of the really cool things about SWG I thought was the way the camera worked. I liked how you zoomed in with the scroll wheel, and transitioned right into first person...neat stuff.

I guess I should've clarified on the fireworks show in A Tale in the Desert, it's not so much a show as a competition. People can make their own various kinds of fireworks, and then everyone votes on who wins.

What I want is a stable, 3rd person isometric view. Much like Baldur's Gate or Dungeon Seige.

[sabotai]

"What I want is a stable, 3rd person isometric view. Much like Baldur's Gate or Dungeon Seige."

Sounds like Ultima Onlien is the game for you. I think it's the only one with a view liek that. Oh, Lineage too. But I think Lineage II is going 1st person.

[Blackadar]

Originally posted by sabotai
"What I want is a stable, 3rd person isometric view. Much like Baldur's Gate or Dungeon Seige."

Sounds like Ultima Onlien is the game for you. I think it's the only one with a view liek that. Oh, Lineage too. But I think Lineage II is going 1st person.

Yea - I played UO for a while, but it got old. The other views give me motion sickness. With all these 3D games, I can't understand for the life of me why they refuse to give me control of the camera.

[daedalus]

For those of you who feared Verant/SOE may limit PvP too much, here's a recap (http://www.gonegold.com/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=013070) from someone on GoneGold about his experience:Sorry to start another SWG thread, but this was really cool and made me appreciate the game on a whole new level.

A bit of background for those unfamiliar with the way PvP works in the game. You can declare affiliation with the Rebellion or Empire and be covert or overt. Covert means you can only PvP in designated battlefields. Overt means you can PvP anytime, anywhere, against Imperial forces.

I was sitting in the cantina watching the dancers when I get a tell in my chat window. "We're about to take this Imp out. You want in?" I look up and sure enough, there is an overt Imperial player sitting there watching the show.

"Sure" I reply, and carefully make my way over to this fellow. He groups up, then tells me that a dancer will keep the Imperial occupied while we go declare overt status.

We quietly leave the cantina then go to the Rebel recruiter, where we declare overt. We head back to the cantina, and I come in guns blazing. The Imperial doesn't see it coming, and by the time he can react I've dented his health a good bit.

He thinks he can take me, so he starts melee fighting. Soon enough the other guy comes from behind and starts blasting. The Imperial falls to the ground, incapacitated, while I stand over him and deal a deathblow that puts him out of his misery.

A bunch of people in the cantina who had watched the excitement jumped up and thanked us, and we of course sat there a moment and gloated over the kill.

It was really intense, and my adrenaline was pumping big time. I think what makes it so much more exciting for me than in other games is that I can relate to the hatred between the Empire and Rebels. I don't feel like I'm killing another player of a different "tribe" - I feel like I'm killing a mortal enemy!

I wasn't very interested in PvP before this incident, but now it has really opened up a new aspect of the game that will probably keep me playing even longer than I normally would have.
THIS kind of PvP, I can definite dig. You can choose to play PvP if you want to. And, if you don't, then you don't have to. Cool.

[sabotai]

That's a cool story. And I like this form of PvP just as much as the form in Eve Online. I've been playing SWG pretty much non stop (for those on the Taq. server and are in Mos Entha, buy some of my Shraan Spiced Tea from the Bazaar Terminals...shameless plug).

Anyway, the game has so much to offer.....so far. I just sat outside the cantina in Mos Entha talking to a couple of creature handlers. One had these 2 huge ass cat like creatures. We basically hounded him with questions about them. Where did he find them, how fast did they grow, where they good fighters.

So far there hasn't been a MMOG that has had this kind of immersion factor. In EQ, everyone did the same thing, just in different ways all with everyone else. In SWG, everyone does different things in different ways with everyone else or by themselves.

So far I haven't had to group with anyone yet. I have been out in the wilderness collecting resources, making items and then selling them.

I am mainly an artisan, but I also have skills in Marksman and Scout professions.

This game has so far been everything I wanted in a MMOG. A good, working PvP system. A 100% player ran economy. The ability to play and advance by soloing. Never having to fight (except to defend myself). The game has many bugs still in it, and a lot of quirks and tweaks to be made. But so far this game is by far a winner in my book.

But I have only had it for the weekend. The real test will be if it holds my attention for the next week. Usually, for me, if I'm still playing a game a week after I buy it, it usually has be hooked.

[daedalus]

Nifty. Keep us up to date. :)

There is a thread on GoneGold where some folks are sharing Tips and Hints (http://www.gonegold.com/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=012936). Might be worth reading.

An interesting thread for folks on the fence might be this thread (http://forums.station.sony.com/swg/board/message?board.id=Development&message.id=47639) on Sony's board about people becoming "bored" with the game already.

Things to consider. :)

[Samdari]

Calis, I only gave ATID about an hour, and figured out that it was NOT for me. There are times when people just piss me off, no matter what I do, and I need to be able to go do my own thing. There is nothing to do there. And there may have been a point to learning things there, but I never figured it out. They were original at least. Pointless, IMO, but original.

I agree with Sabotai. So many different things there attract my attention, and so many professions look cool, I have trouble figuring out which is most interesting, and play about 4-5 different characters.

I have never liked PvP in an MMOG before, but I have one char as a rifleman who's a rebel and was in a massive firefight as some PC Imperials tried to invade Anchorhead on Saturday. Laser blasts completely filling the screen, it was just awesome.

And further, for those on Tarquinas, I strongly suggest you do not buy sabotai's spiced tea, as that from Arborio is clearly superior.

[Thadaleus]

After playing most MMPORG's, beta testing Asheron's Call and Shadowbane, I settled on DAoC.

But the best lesson I learned.. is that I liked parts of all of them, and disliked parts of all of them.. INCLUDING Motor City Online!

Point is, there is a MMPORG for everyone out there.. unfortunately, no one can tell you what one is best for you.

I could be like many others and jump to the defense of DAoC, but why would you want someone, who isn't enjoying themselves, in a world where you exist?

I'll try SWG when I get my much needed hardware upgrade.

But if you're wondering what to play.. read as many reviews as possible.. get as many different opinions as possible.

Some games like Anarchy Online let you play for free for a few days. (at least they used to)

And if anyone here is on the Percival (Albion) Server in DAoC, let me know.

[sabotai]

"An interesting thread for folks on the fence might be this thread on Sony's board about people becoming "bored" with the game already."

I read that thread although I tend to avoid "official" forums. Reading through that thread shows you why. Somone actually complained that they don't have enough skill points to be a brawler/marksman/artisan/scout/medic.

"And further, for those on Tarquinas, I strongly suggest you do not buy sabotai's spiced tea, as that from Arborio is clearly superior."

Last time I checked, my tea was the only tea available in Mos Entha. If Arborio wants to sell his tea in Mos Entha, Arborio will have a war on his hands. ;)

[Neuqua]

Keep your eyes on the lookout for the new "Imok" series guns at your local bazaar!

:)

[sabotai]

Bah, Imok nothing! Shraan is branching out into all areas. And will soon dominate the market! Mwahaha....um, unless you're a weaponsmith. Then you'll kick my ass. :)

[3ric]

http://pvponline.com/archive/2003/pvp20030707.gif

Fun stuff.

[sabotai]

Haha. THat's histarical.

In case anyone cares...I know you don't but...I am going to delete my Sabotai Shraan character. I was basically using him to learn the game. Now that I have, I'm going to start over and basically do better now that I know everything that wasn't in the manual but should have. ;)

(Plus, Shraan is now on Yavin IV with no way off because it costs 3000+ cr to get off and no one is there. And I messed up and he has a bad rating with the locals. Something about...murdering a few of the settlers there. Just a misunderstanding. Really. :) )

Also, if you're on Wanderhome server, I have a character named Vilith Densetsu on there. He's my marksman character. I also have an entertainer, but forgot what server he's on.

[Mustang]

I'd have to agree. There is a MMORPG out there for everyone. I really wasn't into any of the online games that were out there. I played UO for a bit, same with WWII online and Motor City online but, none of those caught my attention. Guess that changed with Star Wars. I've logged about 30 hours since I bought it last week. I haven't been this interested in a game in a long time.

Of course, you can turn to the next person and they possibly hate SWG. Definitely to each their own.

I'm on Wanderhome if anyone else is on that server. Nevvik Zek.

[Anrhydeddu]

Believe it or not, I getting tired of playing strategy games and want to do something different for a while. I'm thinking about getting on board with this, which will be my first MMOG ever. I hope it won't too much of a culture shock for me. My best friend and gaming partner is playing this now and he has sent me all of the pertinent links. I'll read this thread over and decide whether I can handle something like this.

[SplitPersonality1]

Oh no, the Curmudgeon is getting on the MMORPG bandwagon!

First, Quiksand creates a poll, now this. What is happening to this board!

:)

Actually, when I am ready to dive into the MMORPG morass, I will probably choose this one as well. It seems well thought out and doesn't seem to have many of the problems that most of these games have.