TOG - The Older Gamers

MaeEye · 18th January 2006, 01:31 AM

Hello everyone.

First off, I just want to say that I'm new here at TOG. I found out about you guys through someone that posted at the mmorpg.com forums. I thought that having a mature gaming community is the best things since sliced bread. So I decided to give you a look up.

Ok, first off. I'm in a MMORPG brawl right now. I can never decide which MMORPG is best for me and always end up just staying in one for a month or so, then getting tired of it and leaving for another. I've played them all too. Starting off with the Ultima Online beta long ago, around '97 I believe. I got tired of UO mainly around 2001 because of the poor decisions EA had made for the game. Ever since I've been trying to look for a great game to stick with. To make a long story short, it came to the point where I've played WoW and EQ2 and am currently trying to decide which one I should stick with.

WoW...I played this for about 3 weeks and got really bored with it. I thought the graphics were boring (mind you I'm not a fan of the cartoony look).

EQ2, this is what I'm currently playing right now. I like the graphics right now (althrough my computer can barely handle them at points). I think the battles are very exciting and the sound is quality. But the zoning gets on my nerves sometimes, if only it was a streaming world.

Now, I know it seems like I hate WoW and Love EQ2, but that's not the case. I was wondering if I could get a run down of your favorite MMORPG that you are currently playing and maybe a review of it. I really appreciate your help in advance and I'm looking forward to gaming with you guys.

Thanks

MaeEye

JuJutsu · 18th January 2006, 05:38 AM

Welcome. If I were you, I would post something similar in the EQ2 forum and a WoW forum and ask the people what they like, don't like et cetera. I know that the EQ2 players will give ya an ear full and I suspect that those poor mis-guided TOGers that play WoW instead of EQ2 will as well :P

Smash · 18th January 2006, 07:46 AM

I would look at EVE online. It is a fun, complex, challenging game. Take a look at the EVE forum for info or go to www.eve-online.com to get your free 14 day trial.

I've played a TON of MMO's myself including the 2 you mention, but this game has held my intrest now for well over 6 months which is my normal cutoff.

Sente · 18th January 2006, 12:56 PM

Anything in particular you are looking for in an MMO, what makes it exciting?
Was it just the graphics in WoW that ticked you off, or other things?

I'm currently playing both WoW and EQ2, more EQ2 than WoW. Started with December 2004, got annoyed with it after a while and went to WoW. Just recently reactivated my EQ2 account. I like it better now overall, although I agree with you on the zoning...

Both games have elements that I like and I have probably had more play time in WoW than any other MMORPG I have played so far. Currently I like EQ2 more, but that is after 11 months with WoW and starting all over again in EQ2 felt refreshing.

I like both in that they have lots of quests and lore and storylines to follow. EQ2 graphics is definitely the winner in my book, but I like WoW graphics too - it works well given its style.
I think WoW overall is a bit nicer in terms of travelling, seamless zoning and more variation in starter areas. But on the other hand, I like that EQ2 can be more dangerous to travel in - I remember the first attempts to cross Nektulos forest as deadly but exciting.

I like the crafting in EQ2 better - more time consuming, but more fun overall. WoW crafting is simple, relatively quick in making stuff, possibly a bit time consuming in gathering resources and not very exciting.

For PvP WoW is the clear winner at the moment. Same goes for user interface enhancements. Both have them, but WoW has much more in this area in numbers and diversity.

SOE seem to add content, expansions etc at a faster rate than Blizzard.

They are both great games right now, in my opinion.

MaeEye · 18th January 2006, 01:34 PM

I'll agree with you Sente. I think the problem with WoW for me was that it was just so hyped up before the release, that when I bought it...it wasn't really exactly what I was expecting it to be.

I have been looking at EVE but have not gotten the chance to be able to download the trial.

EQ2 is a really fun game though...as for WoW was.

I think my main problem with MMO's is that I get so bored with them because I never really have someone to play with. My friends don't play game really, I join Guilds, but most of them are so unactive.

I've been thinking about sticking with EQ2 for a bit more, but have been keeping my eye on this new Dungeon and Dragons Online game coming out. I thought that maybe starting fresh with a new game would be a big help. And I'm sure some of you from TOG will be playing it.

But, about WoW and EQ2

I think what I didn't like in WoW was the fact that most the quests weren't really anything but go kill this and that. Also, the point that there is no real "Dangers" to dieing kinda made it boring. I want to be able to travel around and be scared and cautious of where I'm going to run. Hence, Pre-EA Ultima Online, with the looting. You never know what kind of things you would run into and what could happen. In WoW, you'll die, then respawn being ok. So I think that threw the game out of my window.

EQ2, doesn't really have much different than WoW...I do think the quests are a bit more fun. The graphics are more realistic, which I like. The sound is awsome in the game too. But I think the reason why I'm sticking with EQ2 is that there is atleast a bit of a death impact when you respawn. But I do think that in the future, hopefully when DDO comes out, I will end my EQ2 account. I just don't see myself sticking with it too much longer.

So there you go, I guess what I want in a game is dangers, being able to have everything taken from you like that. (I've heard EVE has a massive death pentalty) I want to be able to go anywhere in the world, not like in Guild Wars. I think mainly what I want is a Re-amped Ultima Online with the old rules as there were before. Which I know will not happen. But that's kind of my guildline I follow when trying to shop for a MMORPG.

So if any of you have some games you know that I would like...or maybe have an idea of what Dungeon and Dragons Online is going to be like...let me know. (by the way, I love DnD, so that's why I'm looking at that game). Thanks alot for you concerns and I appreciate your help.

MaeEye

RnR · 19th January 2006, 01:23 AM

We have around 100-120 active players in Eve. From all around the world, playing 24/7. The PvP is unsurpassed in Eve, as is the economy since all ~80k players play on the one server. They are currently upgrading it with 64bit machines to make it the first gaming server to break into the top 500 most powerful clusters in the world.

In regards to the death penalty in Eve. Yup its there. And this makes the heart pound, the palms sweaty and a huge high when you win. Not so good when you lose, but its fun nonetheless because of this excitement. Eve is for people with patience, cunning and a disregard for steep learning curves. Average age is around 28 years. That last stat probably tells it all

Valkazon · 19th January 2006, 02:01 AM

Firstly hi and welcome.

I've had similar experiences as to what you have said, I too started with UO. Dark Age of Camelot was probably my longest lasting game (played both Euro and US servers) - spent years with that. Went back to it a few months ago and it felt and looked so dated I left after a few sessions.
Tried so many others of different genres and like you never really found a good one to settle on because something was missing that I enjoy about playing these games, or something I didn't enjoy.
WoW was ok, but found it a bore after a while with having problems getting groups. CoH is fun but lacked the additional things I enjoy like crafting etc - good bunch of people though.

At the moment I play BF2 and have just started EQ2 in the last few days. Never played this one before and so far it seems alright.

PotBS looks good and has me interested, but I'm however holding out for Dungeons & Dragons online - looking forward to this one, and I because I'm such a fan of the old pen and paper system, I will hopefully stick with it even if it doesn't have everything I love about these games.

Ijs · 19th January 2006, 03:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valkazon

PotBS looks good and has me interested, but I'm however holding out for Dungeons & Dragons online...

You should give PotBS beta a look.

ToG has been awarded 25 beta spots, so that should give us a very healthy representation in the game and a real chance to influence beta.

They sent out the first wave of 23-24 people (beta officially started in December), then a second wave of 200ish early January. I imagine the 3-4 guilds that get the 'special' invites will be the third wave.

It's only beta, but hey, what have you got to lose, right?

MaeEye · 19th January 2006, 05:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valkazon

Firstly hi and welcome.

I've had similar experiences as to what you have said, I too started with UO. Dark Age of Camelot was probably my longest lasting game (played both Euro and US servers) - spent years with that. Went back to it a few months ago and it felt and looked so dated I left after a few sessions.
Tried so many others of different genres and like you never really found a good one to settle on because something was missing that I enjoy about playing these games, or something I didn't enjoy.
WoW was ok, but found it a bore after a while with having problems getting groups. CoH is fun but lacked the additional things I enjoy like crafting etc - good bunch of people though.

At the moment I play BF2 and have just started EQ2 in the last few days. Never played this one before and so far it seems alright.

PotBS looks good and has me interested, but I'm however holding out for Dungeons & Dragons online - looking forward to this one, and I because I'm such a fan of the old pen and paper system, I will hopefully stick with it even if it doesn't have everything I love about these games.

Yea? I've played Dark Age of Camelot before too, was a pretty neat game, but just wasn't what I was looking for. I could go on, on the MMO's i'ved played.

I've never tried BF2 out, but was kind of eyeing it...although I only have 1 gig of ram and don't feel like upgrading right now, since it would be around $300 for me. (I have x2 512ram and only those 2 slots). As you, I'm excited about DnDonline, hopefully it will live up to the PnP version of the game. The problem with DnDonline right now is that there is so much negative it's hard to see the positive. But that is why I'm going to try the preview that starts tomorrow =P Right now I'm pretty satified with EQ2, kinda slow game and the zoning sucks, but I can deal with it for now. I'm thinking about giving up MMORPG if DDO isn't good and when Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion comes out. We'll see, I might just stick to the FPS games. Anyways, back on topic.

I've been thinking about trying EVEonline out, I've heard so many good things about it (except some people complain about the death, which I think is awsome). I want a game that gives me the high when i win, and makes my heart pound when I'm about to get killed or in a battle, like UO used to be like. So far EVE holds that, we'll see though.

Right now I'm just hoping that DDO lives up to it's potentials, or even better. Until then, I'll stick with EQ2. BTW, which EQ2 server do you play on?

Ok, one other question. How do I join TOG? Am I automatically a member here, or are there things i have to do to be able to become a member? Heh, sorry...but thanks in advance.

MaeEye