What is that saying… A star that burns twice as bright dies out twice as fast? Maybe it is good the hype is not out of control.

By Werit on Jul 9, 2008

glad to see that even though your a fanboy you can still be objective about this I personally wonder how much these factors will come into play. For me (as evidenced by the article I wrote in it) its just trying to figure out whats so special about warhammer that makes people look to it as some kind of saving grace. Certainly nobody should expect a flawless launch with an unspotted game that has no defects whatsoever. People aren’t perfect and last time I checked people are what makes games. If AoC disappoints though I don’t believe it will put too much of a damper on trying something new for those who were brave enough to drop money on it in the first place. Hope springs eternal for MMO game playing type persons

By Thallian on Jul 9, 2008

I play AoC as I wait for the relase of war. I tryed the pvp server to about level 21. I was a free for all. You had level 70’s the the starting isle killing level 5 players. The game was just released to early and now they are playing the price.

By Ran on Jul 9, 2008

In my humple opinion. No AoC’s problems aren’t really going to effect WAR too much. It might scare some people away from the genre as a whole but if that occurs oh well. The players who quit WoW for AoC and then quit AoC to go back to WoW will most likely do it all over again for the next MMO to catch their eye. Regardless of their experience with AoC there is a reason they quit WoW in the first place. This reason will creep up again and they will go hunting for the next game to try.

I played AoC. It was a completely unfinished game in every aspect of the concept. That is why its having so many problems. Its also been a long time coming and rehashed numerous times. Everytime I hear something about WAR, I hear about progress. I hear about the end goal of the game coming into focus more and more. I never really heard that about Conan, even though I knew people in the closed beta. They either didn’t like the game or they were rabid fanboys who tried to skirt any problems when discussing the game.

All games will have problems in the beginning but you have to atleast make sure your major selling points are in the game and playable at release. Don’t call yourself a PvP game with large scale pvp/seige warfare and then have it be completely broken.

AoC’s problems shouldn’t really come as a suprise. I had no interest in the game as soon as I heard Funcom was making it. I’ve played Anarchy Online. I thought it was a horrible game. On the other side, I’ve played Dark Age of Camelot. I thought it was the greatest game of its time. I bought AoC because I let myself be lead by all the hype. I listened to all the stuff they talked about having and then went to experience it and found out… apparently they were talking about a different game.

AoC might become a good game if it can stay a float long enough for the developers to finish the game.

If WAR makes the same mistakes then their launch will not be a pretty thing. However, if they have the key points of their advertising working (they might have bugs but atleast they are useable/playable) at launch I will be 100% satisfied.

However, no matter what people are going to complain. Accounts are going to be canceled. Petitions and flame wars will erupt. I’d like to say these go away after the game becomes established but they don’t. In fact, they might even get worse. Its just a part of the genre.

As for the Collector’s Editions. Generally, its for hardcore gamers that want the headstart or its for Lore Jockey’s that love the IP. Neither one should be effected by AoC’s failure. However, your average user might not be so willing to shell out the extra dough again for bonus’s that don’t really help a casual player too much and lore they maybe read once in the bathroom.

By Bo on Jul 9, 2008

If WAR is going to be really successful in the long run, it won’t be because it launches huge and stays that way. It will be because people play it and like it and tell their friends to quit playing DAoC or CoX or WoW and come play WAR with them. AoC’s failures or lack thereof (I have no opinion on AoC; I’m still happy in WoW) really won’t have a big impact on such factors. It may launch a little smaller because of AoC’s shaky launch, but that hardly corresponds to a failed game (which is one of the reasons that I don’t like all the people calling AoC ‘failed’; if Vanguard and AO and Shadowbane are still accepting new accounts, then AoC isn’t even close to failed yet).

By NBarnes on Jul 9, 2008

I agree on most points, however I wouldn’t worry too much about people comparing AoC’s pvp to WAR’s, it will be way off. As soon as the NDA drops they will see for themselves.

Oh and I wrote something about how AoC could affect WAR in a POSITIVE way on my blog, inspired by your post.

By Regis on Jul 9, 2008

Warcraft did not become the phenomenon it did because it had smooth marketing or a flawless launch. Warcraft became a phenom because of word of mouth and the fact most computers could handle running it.

WAR will be the same, but pre-orders are a different beast. I do think that CE sales will pick up (and sell out) once the NDA drops and people start to see what this game is all about.

I just hope the majority of people pick up WAR a month or two after release, once my friends and I are firmly entrenched in our keep

By Koroh on Jul 9, 2008

How many MMORPG’s do you consistently hear good things about? In my experience, there are only three : WoW, EVE Online, and LOTRO.

If WAR is as good or better than any of those games I expect it to be a wild success.

By boatorious on Jul 9, 2008

I have been watching for WAR before I even knew there was a Age of Conan game in the works. So for myself I will take my CE copy of WAR and enjoy it regardless of AoC.

But that is just my point of view lol

Bo said it quite well “The players who quit WoW for AoC and then quit AoC to go back to WoW will most likely do it all over again for the next MMO to catch their eye. Regardless of their experience with AoC there is a reason they quit WoW in the first place. This reason will creep up again and they will go hunting for the next game to try.”

Folks who play MMO’s are by there very natures are a fickle bunch. There will always be players who will move back and forth between games. To me what seems to be a cornerstone of survival for a game is for the company to keep all promises to its player base and to provide enough diversity in over all content to cater to the varying tastes of the majority of players.

It has been said that WoW was successful due in no small part to being playable on almost any “Normal” computer system. This allowed almost anyone to pick up a copy and give it a shot. AoC seems to of gone quite deep into the other extreme and focused on eye candy and system eating (don’t get me wrong game looks awesome) graphics.

By all accounts WAR will follow the WoW mindset, with current but middle of the road system requirements that will alienate almost no one. But unlike WoW, WAR has a depth of background to draw from that is awesome.

IF they are able to balance RvR and PvE enjoyment I will have found my new home.

Personally I think AoC’s launch and current issues will not affect WAR in the long run.

By Tempest on Jul 10, 2008

Remember what I said? They just hurt themselves. Only 2 cities and the removal of 2 Melee dps and 2 tanks. The only saving grace is they admitted to it well before the release and did it honestly. Koodos to them but its still sad news.

Now all the orcs will be black orcs.

By Bo on Jul 11, 2008

I bought AoC and have played DAoC, EQII, WoW and the worst game ever PotBS which I cancelled after 12 days. AoC started out ok but by the time I was lvl 30 I realized it had to many problems and just another hack and slash game which boasted big names. I think It Sucks royally. As War Hammer has supported Pirates of the Burning Sea I think your taste in quality games is in question seeming you back who ever gives you press. PotBS is worse then AoC not by much but you knew that.

By zoryxx on Jul 18, 2008