Age of Conan - October 30th Release - March 25th - May 20th

[Leon]

For Quin:

Swords.
Sorcery.
Quests.
Boobies.
Monthly fee.

There ya go.

Ah, I see 

Add Dynamic Combat
Collision Control (Arrows wont go through trees) for a more strategic and thoughtful long range combat.
Siege Warfare
Battle Mounts
Crafting
PvP on RP-PvP servers
PvE servers
(alas no RP-PvE servers)
Amazing graphics and landscapes
Good AI
Single player mode startup as a training exercise (Level cap on the solo bit still needs final decision, but initially was level 20, now may be level 5)

hehe, probably a few more titbits but that is about it if you add in Brasse's and Bear's Contribution. ;p



Leon

[Ugruk]

     Just like to let everyone know that all of you people that preordered the game you can register the game right now.  I pre-ordered mine from Gamestop and already punched in my info at the official website.  It also gives you the option to get the head start thing for an extra 5 dollars and gives you an extra 10 days of game play as well.  The headstart is 3 days before the actual release date of May 20.  This allows you to download all the game content and start playing on the island of Tortage which will allow you to lvl all the way from 1-20.  All this information can be found on the official site at register.ageofconan.com/account

[Leon]

My Pre-Order, (Yes I bit the Bullet) was from Amazon, no email yet, so not sure I can get any head starts or whatever. And, it ships something like 23rd of the month so I will miss the rush, maybe that's a good thing.

hehe, I spent something like 12 hours straight yesterday just reading the forums, they have realy gone crazy on the RP, PvP and Server type discussions/debates/flamefests. It was such good reading I could not put it down.

Spent another 4 -5 hours tonight, the posts are coming so thick and fast.

I will probably go for the RP-PvP server first, see how that pans out, and will probably go EU servers over the US ones, for convenience. Played most games on US, but last couple on EU, as late night gaming is so tiring now at my age. ;p

Leon

[Bearmug]

Good luck people. I will wait for trial version, getting tired of games that I play for a month max

[Leon]

No worries Bear, hehe, been doing same thing since I left WoW to kill boredom, and found that particular route just as boring.

I said I would wait, No, I did, I said I will wait, yup wait. Sheesh!! I did'nt wait!!

I guess I am so bored I need a hot fix, so after getting all fired up running from forum to forum to forum in the developing games networks, I thought, Sod it!, I need to get my teeth into something before I disappear up my own forum post somewhere, or I wear my favourites bar out. o.0

I think I will have a hard time with my play style on a RP-PvP server, but officialy they are the only RP servers so far. Though there is great debate atm as to why there should be a RP-PvE server. Man you can roast marshmellows and full grown wild Boars on the flames in some of the threads.

A large section of the RP community are trying to work towards tagging a normal PvE server to an unofficial RP server, much like the Feronia Vie (sp) Days back in EQ1. Last I looked they were going to try for the last Alphabetical one that is in the name list. (Names of servers may be the named after the Conan Worlds Gods so far)

Personaly I like the idea of a RP-PvP server as it will be pretty wild, but hopefully the Rules of Conduct on those servers will help a little in stopping it becoming too much of a gank fest, as I think the nowmal PvP servers will.

The PvP crowd are also crying out for a Loot all, Free For All server too.

If Rp-PvP is just too hard for my play style I guess I can scuttle over to the unofficial RP server with my tail between my legs. Or I can roll a Ranger on each and use the PvP one for getting my aggression out.

Either way, the solo tutorial part of the game should give ample time to sort out the twitchy part of the combat and the remapping that will be needed on the keyboard. Must admit I am not a twitch player either, so I think I will end up 'DedZ' more often than not if it comes to PvP, and being solo, and being a squishy Ranger. But heck, look at the challenge. ;p

So far Crafting is still only an option from level 40, but it was stated some time back that this may be open to change. Crafting being a great pass-time of mine in one form or another. Though I reckon 1-40 will fly, and 40-80 will be a long journey in comparison.

Petty Spellborn is going to be late, as those characters will rely on skills you choose rather like early SWG, over Armour and weapons, which will still be like other games in that 'Uber' stuff makes one tougher to kill, if ones not a total useless player that is anyway. O.O looks at self and gulps!! Mmmmm! I am slower these days, forget stuff quicker, have less patience. Man why dont I love Golf instead.

Anyhow, till the day, I will continue to play with Ranger and Savage in DAoC and read countless forums spanning several games and try and avoid the gardening as usual. DoH!! Nooo, I did the lawn yesterday, see, I am slipping already, gimee a game to sink my teeth into Pleeeeese.

Leon

[Bearmug]

I noticed, and even posted in one RP-PVE thread. For now, I am sticking with Lotro: they actualy have most things i missed in wow, and as such, I am getting lifetime sub. If for nothing else then so I can get back at any time. That game really relaxes me, although it might be the kin I joined  . And it is funny to see a lvl 16 loremaster with 'Master Jeweler' above his head ;P.

For now, it seems I will have same billing problems with AOC as I did with EQ2 and lotro. Luckily, lotro accepts paypal, we'll see for AOC. Also, looking at the forum at the moment, community seems to be even worse than in wow. I hope the idiots clear up in a month or so, so another reason to wait .

Another thing: temperature is FINALLY above 15 (and actually above 20), clouds and rain are gone and I don't expect to spend much time at home till july (when all the tourists come and all the natives wait for them to leave - without any cash preferably ).

[Leon]

hehe, as I mentioned in MSN, I will keep you updated on how it pans out. hehe.

My son is thinking of a lifetime Sub on LoTRo for similar reasons, so he can come and go as interest wanes and comes back with expansions and such.

I did like the game as I mentioned. But I have been hanging on till the new game spawns. I feel the need to properly commit to one game or another for a couple years or more. I am glad in a way that Spellborn was put back, this means I can spend some time on AoC RP-PvP and RP (Unofficial or otherwise)- PvE and test it out whilst Spellborn is being polished.

As you say, the forums are just full of hotheads, flamers and Trolls atm, with more than two camps hammering away at the RP-PvP/PvE angle for all its worth. Plus the Gnkers are getting their wind-ups in and stirring things up. It's funny in a way, but hope it's not a sign of things to come longer than 3 months into the game.

Weather here [ast 2-3 days has been great too. I drive for a living and its been heaven after months of dull, cold rainy days. I am in and out the van around 60 times a day some days and its nice to get sunblasted instead of windsweaped for a change.

Hehe, I always get the suntan mainly down one side as most drivers will testify.

Anyhow, I will be signing in again daily on MSN again, now I am closer to a proper gaming experience, plus my SiS in Oz hinted at setting up a video linke with her, so I may set that up some time next week too. Not seen her in 10 years, hehe, just emails. Must get her MSN linky, it never even crossed our minds to do this until now, but then I dont think she has had a decent set up for long, as her old machine was her husbands work laptop I think.

Anyhow, enjoy Lotro Bear, and I will keep the AoC posts coming soon as I am in.

Leon

[Bearmug]

The whole RP-PvE really disheartens me just for the reason devs refuse to put it in: there is not enough interest.... They ignore their own forums, they ignore the fact that RP-PvE servers are usually most populated and they didn't show even outlines (not to mention results or if it even exists) of any reserch, just 'there is not enough interest'...

[Leon]

Indeed, Bear.

It's Like developers have not moved on in the past 10 years, well some anyhow.

The forums testify to the fact that plenty people do want rp servers, and that's only those that frequent game forums. Many don't. I thnk the only problem is that having RP-PvP and (Unofficial) RP-PvE servers will split the RP community, (well it already is doing never mind think), and this means that the population of RP'ers diminishes on both servers. Don't know what the answer to that one is, some prefer PvE, and some PvP.

Plenty people, especially the Gankers and spoilers will create alts on the unofficial RP PvE server just for the 'Hoot', and the RP player base wont have a leg to stand on on that server, as there will be no RP specific Rules of Conduct. It will be the community having to police the server alone without any backup whatsoever. Only fallback will be on normal rules governing regular harassment cases.

There will also be a smaller yet similar problem on the RP-PvP server, but at least they will have the Rules of Conduct, plus there are several mercenary Guilds ready to take a firm hand on troublemakers who spoil it for the community there.

I will probably roll a character on each server just to test the water, but do like the idea of the RP-PvP server, as I rarely normally PvP, so will be novel for me, well, until my 20th Gank.

It will be hard to get numbers for any popularity on the (U)RP-PvE server to, due to the fact many will not be RP'ers, so proof of interest will not be solid either, come a later request for a properly designated server.

All this could have been handled a lot better, and quite some time ago. Pity, but interesting to see how things unfold a month or three down the line.

Leon

[Ugruk]

      Well the majority of people that play MMOs don't like to roleplay and use them more for social interaction than playing the actual personae of their character.  If you want my opinion, I think the best way to roleplay is to get some friends together and start your own campaign using any rpg module available.  Besides dedicating a whole server to a minority of people is just rediculous.  Why spend the time and money to out resource to only a small portion of subscribers when you could very well make another to accomidate to the masses?  Yall may say that developers aren't listening and that it is always the same stuff being put into games.  I beg to differ,  I think for one the developers at Funcom are listening and they are including all the things that make a MMO great and also putting in more to boot.  Besides, the game is still in beta testing and hasn't even been released yet.  I say if you're scepticle about the game then give it about 3 months after launch to see how it improves or deminishes.  As for me I'll be playing on the 17th getting that headstart so my Cimmerian Barbarian will be at least lvl 20 before launch 

[Leon]

Well the majority of people that play MMOs don't like to roleplay and use them more for social interaction than playing the actual personae of their character.

I agree, many do use the rp for many reasons other than RP. But I also think that the rp player base is larger than a lot of people realise, just that only a small proportion are vocal, and there are still many others who dabble and feel somewhat threatened, wrong word but can't think of the one I want atm, by the RP Nazi and Elite Brigade.

If you want my opinion, I think the best way to roleplay is to get some friends together and start your own campaign using any rpg module available.

I am sure a large proportion of RP'rs will go the Feronia Vie route, congregate on an unofficial server, and many may well do as you say. Many also will roll with the situation as it arises, some may go the route you mention too, and others may well go too far the other way, the elitist RPers. Time will tell on that one. The rp player base is just as diverse as any other in my experience.

Me personally, I like to stay IC but my RP is generally not heavy and is situational.

Yall may say that developers aren't listening and that it is always the same stuff being put into games.  I beg to differ,  I think for one the developers at Funcom are listening and they are including all the things that make a MMO great and also putting in more to boot.  Besides, the game is still in beta testing and hasn't even been released yet.  I say if you're scepticle about the game then give it about 3 months after launch to see how it improves or deminishes.

After forum camping over the past week, I get the impression that the Devs are quietly sitting back and stress testing the servers in normal ways, but also in subtle ways. This is why they are not responding. I think they are not stupid, after all they have been in the game some years. I believe they are observing how people are reacting to the situations as they are presented on the servers.

An example would be the PvP weekend. They made all servers FFA, and this caused all sorts of problems with ganking/camping from part of the player bases perspective. But from a developers perspective, I thought it was a good idea. They could stress test starter areas, spawn points and such, they could see both sides of the spectrum in FFA play. The would get and are getting massive feedback instead which has to be good. Plus by sort of encouraging this they have had extra time to observe class balancing, since any major or minor tweaks since Closed Beta.

The overall feel from a lot of posters is that the devs are not listening, but tbh, I personaly think the devs are missing nothing at all, and playing a canny game in order to make choices and decisions after gold, that may or may not please the majority, but will make at least the larger population feel more accomodated.

I wont make headstart Ugruk unfortunately, so some feedback if you get chance, hehe, (you'll be too busy enjoying yourself damnit, hehe , probably) for us poor peeps waiting on the 23rd deliveries.

I have hooked up with a casual guild/clan with a small population of casual RP'ers for the time being, and hope to start on a RP-PvP, but may well roll a (U0RP-PVE char too. I love the other aspects of the game too much to get too bogged down in conflict 24/7, though I bet on the RP-PvP servers once they settle down, there will be some great rp and PvP opportunities. Time will tell.

Leon

[Ugruk]

     You make some good points.  I have been to the official forums a couple of times but I must say most of the people on there whine about stuff all the time instead of actually taking the time to make a legitiment statement.  And I totally agree with what you said about the developers making the last couple days of the beta open PvP..   It really will give them all the feedback they need about making an actual server that is open PvP.   I'm kinda biased in this area cause the only PvP I haved played in a MMO is Ultima Online but that was because I didn't have a choice.  Then again that is why I play FPS like Team Fortress, that is all the PvP I ever need in a game. 

     Oh and yes I will be keeping everyone up to date during the 3-6 day headstart period.     

[Bearmug]

       Besides dedicating a whole server to a minority of people is just rediculous.  Why spend the time and money to out resource to only a small portion of subscribers when you could very well make another to accomidate to the masses?

They have RP-PvP server, they have PvE server, putting them together and making RP-PvE server is not in any way a problem, unless they really messed up the software design part. And if they did that, they will have bigger problems very soon. And second... well from forums and from other game's experiences, RP-PvE crowd is relatively big group. 3/11 Lotro servers are RP, no idea how many in wow (and not eager to count), and some in EQ2 (haven't played much so don't remember).

I just haven't seen a good reason not to add a server.

Edit: a part of RP-PvE population are actually people that prefer 'more mature' atmosphere of RP-PvE servers but don't RP themselves. Smaller population are 'look at me' and 'my RP is best so all of you are wrong' RPers (we actually had one that said  'I am in 3rd year of RP university and I am always right'). The majority is somewhere between.

[decarian]

Kinda nice to have dual daggers again...

[Ugruk]

     Now that all the server listing is up for the early access I would like to announce that I will be playing on the Set server.  My in game name will be Ugruk and will be playing a Cimmerian Barbarian.  If anyone would like to contact me about starting a guild or just some casual grouping please contact me through my e-mail with the subject of Age of Conan.  I will have some of my real life friends playing the game with me  but we don't have enough to start a guild.