Goblin Squad Member
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"ArcheAge features a massive, dynamic world
designed to be filled with your adventures!
All players begin their journey on either the Nuia or Harihara continents.
From there they explore the world, cooperating or competing with each other.
Remnants of the Lost Continent,
where the ancestors of the world's races lived together
in peace two thousand years ago, still dominate the landscape.
If you explore deep into the hearts of these ancient relics,
you may discover the secrets of legendary gods and heroes.
Or you may reveal more details about the catastrophe
that caused the Nuia and Harihara schism.
It all depends on your choices.
The results of ArcheAge's storytelling process
is determined by the choices you make.
You can cooperate with your enemies, win fame by helping people in danger,
or become a renowned craftsman
by making fine items or producing exceptional crops.
You can build a house and found a new town.
You can be a sailor and sail around the world.
You can be a lord of a castle and rule your territory.
Whatever kind of life you choose,
there is a place for you in ArcheAge's world.
The sea is not just a big pool you can swim in.
On the open ocean, you can hear the explosions of cannons
fired from a crumbling castle,
the roars of a dragon flying overhead,
or bawdy sailor songs echoing from a ship slicing through the waves.
You can go anywhere and can do anything.
You can choose your goal in life and fulfill it in any way you want.
Every decision you make could begin a new chapter
in the history of ArcheAge."
Now, what they lack, is... well, PATHFINDER. But as far as I can tell, this game will be the only sandbox competitor for PFO amongst a sea of titles that are simply designed to attract a different type of audience.
I think what ArcheAge is doing is setting the bar pretty high considering the media I've seen on the website which is not a bad thing. Personally, I'm really hoping PFO will be the game I call home :) It's nice to see 'sandbox' being taken more seriously again.
Archage look like "just another MMO" to me (a WoW clone that is).
I really hope they wont look at any of theese game when making theirs...
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Goblin Squad Member
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Archage look like "just another MMO" to me (a WoW clone that is).
I really hope they wont look at any of theese game when making theirs...
You said the same thing to me about a game that had mechanics nothing like Warcraft. Out of curiosity, in your opinion superfly, what makes a game a wow-clone and what would a not-wow-clone look like?
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Goblin Squad Member
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ArcheAge will certainly be a contender in many aspects. There are also others on the periphery: Dawntide, Earthrise, Xsyon, Mortal Online, Darkfall Online and more specifically World of Darkness. All of these however suffer from limitations in many aspects of production and are currently falling short. World of Darkness suffered a recent plummet with things happening at CCP, but as far as I'm aware is still on it's way. In regards to the others, PFO is only beginning development and it would be silly to assume that all of these very ambitious titles will remain in their dysfunctional states for ever.
Competition is competition and in this market particularly, being out resourced is an inevitability and you have to play to your strengths. The market is going to look a great deal different come the release of PFO with a few strong sandbox titles in the pipeline.
Paizo's competitive advantage exists in it's origins: Pen & Paper and Roleplaying. That (to me) is the pull. Second to that, the quality of the content and the design of which is evident through out their products; Paizo appeal as a personable and identifiable brand. If Goblinworks can stay true to these qualities and make a 'Paizo product' over a 'MMORPG' then the product will differentiate itself.
@Superfly: ArcheAge is, and is not a Wow-clone. Yes it follows the progression of all themepark MMORPGs in its functionality and immediate gameplay, but exists largely in a sandbox world filled with more fluffy sandbox features than you could wave a stick at. The level of content in ArcheAge almost disguises it as a true sandbox environment, but at it's core it is a continuation of more of the same.
I agree with you in sentiment that ArcheAge will look more like World of Warcraft than it will say, Ultima Online or a Neverwinter Nights persistent world. The ability to plant trees does not hide core game mechanics and gameplay outcomes. Remember also it is a Korean title, in which you can ride Jar Jar Binks and wield ridiculously massive swords.
There is no sandbox in the immediate vicinity offering what a conceptual Pathfinder Online can.
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Goblin Squad Member
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Archage look like "just another MMO" to me (a WoW clone that is).
I really hope they wont look at any of theese game when making theirs...
Did you click the link? (First line again btw) Watch the videos showcasing many of the features? The game in my opinion is in no way like WoW aside from the fact that it's an MMORPG.
Looking at ArcheAge for inspiration is in no way a bad idea imho.
@Coldman I was a bit bummed about CCP/World of Darkness.
Deacon,
Actually didn't klick the link on the first row again lol...
However I DID Youtube the game and its gameplay...HUD says pretty much...
The only positive that can be said about it I think is that it doesn't look over the top cartoonish/childish/manga like most of its similar MMO-cousins.
However the effects and animations...well...we're there again...
You said the same thing to me about a game that had mechanics nothing like Warcraft. Out of curiosity, in your opinion superfly, what makes a game a wow-clone and what would a not-wow-clone look like?
Maybe for you all theese games actually have some differences...however for me they are all alike.
Doesn't matter if it is WoW, GW, LOTRO, Conan Online, SWToR or Perfect World...
Neverwinter Nights 1 on persistent world servers is not a WoW-clone/stereotype MMO....so thats what I'm playing...
Why are they all alike to you?
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Goblin Squad Member
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Deacon,
Actually didn't klick the link on the first row again lol...However I DID Youtube the game and its gameplay...HUD says pretty much...
The only positive that can be said about it I think is that it doesn't look over the top cartoonish/childish/manga like most of its similar MMO-cousins.
However the effects and animations...well...we're there again...
I see what you are saying, but just to inform you...I think when most people refer to a game as a clone of another game, they mean gameplay and mechanics are identical (or very similar). It usually has nothing to do with things as shallow as similar GUI, animations, or particle effects.
Or...maybe that is exactly what every thinks and I am using the term incorrectly, please yell at me if so.
Chuck,
- HUD looks all the same (rechargo-meters, map and so on).
- Totally unrealistic world, races and mounts/pets.
- Childish, cartoony and in worst case manga looking graphics.
- Stereotype animations and effects.
- Similar combat. Tank, DPS, healer. In worst case even theese limited roles are put into one class. All games getting more and more actiony.
I could go on...but thats the most important ones I think...
I just want to say that I come from a completely different game background than you in this thread (I think?). If anyone one of you also haven't played NWN at PW's.
If you haven't you will have a very hard time understanding what I am saying and I am sorry if I am constantly relating to NWN but personally I think at least that is better than relating to the MMO's that are on the market today...
Chuck,
- HUD looks all the same (rechargo-meters, map and so on).
- Totally unrealistic world, races and mounts/pets.
- Childish, cartoony and in worst case manga looking graphics.
- Stereotype animations and effects.
- Similar combat. Tank, DPS, healer. In worst case even theese limited roles are put into one class. All games getting more and more actiony.I could go on...but thats the most important ones I think...
I just want to say that I come from a completely different game background than you in this thread (I think?). If anyone one of you also haven't played NWN at PW's.
If you haven't you will have a very hard time understanding what I am saying and I am sorry if I am constantly relating to NWN but personally I think at least that is better than relating to the MMO's that are on the market today...
Huh, Lord of the Rings Online definitely isn't cartoonish in its graphics, nor unrealistic.
The Tank/Healer/DPS dynamic applies to NWN as well. (They are the base definitions of all classes.)
I understand what you're saying, I think that you're simply using too broad a brush.
We'll have to agree to disagree, however, when it comes to Neverwinter Nights. It never was my cup of tea for online gaming.
@KitNyx - You are using the term correctly.
@superfly2000 - You have to understand what you said sounded like to some of us here.
"Doesn't matter if it's Pathfinder, Shadowrun, World of Darkness, or RIFTS... it's all the same to me. Lots of books, funky dice, character sheets..."
(Not ripping on you, just trying to find a good frame of reference. :D )
1) Huh, Lord of the Rings Online definitely isn't cartoonish in its graphics, nor unrealistic.
2) The Tank/Healer/DPS dynamic applies to NWN as well. (They are the base definitions of all classes.)
3) I understand what you're saying, I think that you're simply using too broad a brush.
4) We'll have to agree to disagree....
1) I took a closer look. You're actually right. ONE of the MMO's failed to fulfill ONE of the parameters of my list.........
2) It is much more complicated in NWN....as it is more D&D...
3) I think I got it mostly right despite doing it fast...
4) Spot on there.
About my general way of writing I do apologize if it might look blunt. I know that if this was a normal MMORPG forum I'd get a good collective bashing for dragging all the MMO's in the dirt...so it feels good to have a somewhat open discussion so far...just hope everyone is enjoying it :-)
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Goblin Squad Member
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it feels good to have a somewhat open discussion so far...just hope everyone is enjoying it :-)
I've worked as a community manager before so I'm always a fan of pushing for a great sense of community on game forums :) I think so far, the community may not be huge but it's a good one!
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Goblin Squad Member
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I'm very aware of ArcheAge. Hard to miss the only game targeting the same segment as us plus a $50 million warchest. On the other hand its unclear to me when, if ever, this game would come to the west. Like a lot of Korean/Chinese developments it will have a playstyle (extremely grindy) that just doesn't appeal to the western gamer. The publisher does have an english-language page but it doesn't say anything about english language release dates.
RyanD
Goblinworks Founder
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I'm very aware of ArcheAge. Hard to miss the only game targeting the same segment as us plus a $50 million warchest. On the other hand its unclear to me when, if ever, this game would come to the west. Like a lot of Korean/Chinese developments it will have a playstyle (extremely grindy) that just doesn't appeal to the western gamer. The publisher does have an english-language page but it doesn't say anything about english language release dates.
RyanD
On Asian MMO grinds.
What doesn't appeal now, might become appealing in the future.
The reason I say this is because the current MMO market is stagnated by instant gratification. There is no grind when you can reach maximum level in two weeks and spend the rest of your time climbing the gear ladder. What happens here? The gear ladder becomes the grind. We could very well be only years away from seeing the pendulum swing from instant gratification back to the hardcore days of EQ and UO. I know I'm bored of the current games on offer and I don't spend much more than 30 minutes to an hour or two on the PC when I get home from work.
I am hoping that by making this game semi-sandbox that you guys can find a good balance. I am a "western gamer" and I have no dramas with "grinding" for resources if it leads to some form of community building.
I have no problem with spending 3 months at level 4 (in Pen and Paper terms)if I have plenty to do in a persistent world. Heck, level 4-9 was my favorite level range from 1st ed AD&D all the way through to pathfinder because you were just powerful enough to be heroes but not powerful enough to take over the world. 4-10 was the best.
I am definitely interested in seeing how you guys go over the next few years. I am extremely interested in the concepts you have put up on the Goblinworks site. Call it a refreshing change in a stagnating genre.
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It's an opportune time for a new mmo, World of Warcraft is imploding in the eyes of a number of long term players, including myself. (It reminds me a lot of 4e, focusing the game on new players and ignoring the loyal fanbase it had developed). Pandas and pokemon - not on my computer. I'm looking forward to the new Star Wars game.
I'm very aware of ArcheAge. Hard to miss the only game targeting the same segment as us...
RyanD
Wait...sorry to be blunt...but a WoW-clone is targeting the same segment as you??
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Goblin Squad Member
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I'm very aware of ArcheAge. Hard to miss the only game targeting the same segment as us...
RyanDWait...sorry to be blunt...but a WoW-clone is targeting the same segment as you??
I think you might want to do some actual research into that 'WoW clone' because you're really mislabeling it, imho.
The recharge-o-meters in the HUD where enough research for me...
This is the "wheel" that they should be re-inventing instead:
Besides, I thought we already agreed on that the biggest problem we have is the unwillingness of the companies to re-invent the wheel and make something truly different for the genre...
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Goblin Squad Member
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This is the "wheel" that they should be re-inventing instead:
Besides, I thought we already agreed on that the biggest problem we have is the unwillingness of the companies to re-invent the wheel and make something truly different for the genre...
I'd say please give us point and click over wasd movement but I'd get shot down by the conventionalists.
YOU CANNOT DO THAT! IT'S NOT......DONE!
Umm...Coldman...what are you talking about? ...or are you just a crazy european like me? :-P
If you are remotely speaking about NWN I want to point at that it has BOTH point and click and WASD control...
Umm...yeah...most do...if you're not a n00b to NWN that is :-P
In no way insinuating this would be your case *hint, hint*
Actually the combo is quite nifty...sometimes you need to move fast and most of the times it is just more convenient to use WASD, as you can for example...just walk a long way...don't have to click all the time...
While in some areas...that maybe are cramped or something you just click and it walks...
...the best of two worlds...
It is too early too tell who will compete against Pathfinder Online (PFO?) since the MMO is in development for the next 2-3 years. Today, the following MMOs will challenge Pathfinder Online:
1) Lord of the Rings Online (LOTRO)
2) Star Wars: The Old Republic (SWTOR)
3) World of Warcraft (WoW) (statement regarding WoW filtered)
4) Fallout Online (Project Vault (v)13)- Either from Interplay or Bethesda\Obsidian Entertainment if Interplay fails to deliver next year.
Just because some of the above MMOs are not fantasy based, does not mean they will not draw player base away from Pathfinder Online. In fact, I personally know some SWTOR players who were LOTRO players and others are dividing their time between LOTRO and SWTOR. In addition, I see some LOTRO players I do not know in the forums making full transition to SWTOR because of its P2P model, grinding lite game play, and the list goes on.
Dungeons and Dragons Online Beta Tester\Player
Lord of the Rings Online Beta Tester\Player
Star Wars: The Old Republic Beta Tester\Near Future Player
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Goblin Squad Member
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I'd say please give us point and click over wasd movement but I'd get shot down by the conventionalists.
YOU CANNOT DO THAT! IT'S NOT......DONE!
That's because point-and-click movement is really a sub-par option. First, you're adding another job to the mouse, rather than giving movement its own set of dedicated controls. Second, WASD movement is more precise (allowing for a greater degree of control) than point-and-click. Third, the potential for mis-clicking is very high, and has been a source of mild to moderate frustration in every point-and-click game I've ever played.
Sorry to burst your traditionalists-hate-new-things bubble, but there are reasons WASD is the preferred movement setup.
Yes, no point-n-click! You can get into a lot trouble with point and click and there will be no space bar pause to save your butt.
Only WASD or a combination of holding both mouse buttons down or using WASD and the right mouse button.
Somebody heavily in favor of PvP is advocating point-and-click movement?
Seriously?
Stick with the standard WASD/mouse and let me feast on keyboard-turners any day, please.