Will you go back to DDO or any other MMO?

[Medeor]

Posted today by Turbine are some pretty impressive improvements to Dungeons and Dragons Online, but are they enough to pull you back?

Quick updates from Turbine:
Adding Hirelings for players to use as henchman (yes, similar to Guild Wars) to make playing solo a little easier for those of us that are pug-phobic.
Adding graphic support for DirectX-10 - while I'm not sure what this means in actual looks, I'm sure they spent a lot of time on it.
Module 8 Prisoners of Prophecy which adds more content to the overall game and a whole new starter experience.

This is all good stuff, but will it draw you back? I was drawn back to LotRO a few months ago and found that I really enjoyed how the game had gelled. This latest announcement from Turbine may get me back to DDO too.

We've all seen the short Hollywood styled honeymoons that have sent AoC onto the tabloids, but the companies with staying power like Turbine might be able to make meaningful improvements that bring players back. Maybe.

Will you go back to DDO or any of the other games with big expansions/updates coming out?

[Mikes]

For me - no, I wouldn't.

I tried to go back to EQ2 a while ago. It was my first MMO and I loved it to bits. Was invited by some real life mates and had a complete blast and it's still the best MMO I've played, IMO.

But, real life friends stopped playing and I moved country and moved over to WoW. I tried rebooting up EQ2 not too long ago, and the game was still great, if not better.... but, something was missing. While I knew on an intellectual level the game was better, I was chasing the fun i had with some RL friends, so with some sadness I cancelled my sub and uninstalled the game for the last time.

It's true what hey say, you can never go back home.

[Medeor]

I've heard that so many times "EQ2 is a great game, it has all the best things I could want from an MMO, but I don't play it anymore."

If I were SOE I'd be so bummed. It's like a film that gets critical acclaim but flops at the box office. What happened?

I agree with you though, you go where your friends hang out. One thing that my friends and I agree on is that we could play online tic tac toe and have fun as long as we could give each other crap about getting pwned.

[Sarr]

Hi. What are you guys talking about?

This is article about Turbine and it's games, also very positive about changes in D&D Online: Stormreach, of which I'm a proud player .

No Ever Quest here...

Module 8 is coming to DDO EU on November 13th, so I invite everyone to try out it's new experience. Just remember, Module 8 with New Player Experience, new character generator, new started areas etc. is coming on November 13th!

There's DDO Trial on DDO EU page, come and check it . It's on the right.

So, see you in game .

PS: I need 5 posts to post urls, sorry guys... Maybe later.

[Ralsu]

Originally Posted by Medeor

I've heard that so many times "EQ2 is a great game, it has all the best things I could want from an MMO, but I don't play it anymore."

If I were SOE I'd be so bummed. It's like a film that gets critical acclaim but flops at the box office. What happened?

Add me to the list. I think it's a terrific game but do not subscribe.

Originally Posted by Sarr

Hi. What are you guys talking about?

This is article about Turbine and it's games, also very positive about changes in D&D Online: Stormreach, of which I'm a proud player .

No Ever Quest here...

Eh, we're just talking about whether or not improvements can pull us back into any MMOG. I worked on DDO for a full year. It's an interesting game for sure, but it did not deliver the D&D experience I was hoping for. I can tell the game is steeped in D&D rules, but to make the combat twitch-based just sent everything downhill for me. I might try it again someday, but I could never see myself playing to the new level cap.

[kitsunegirl]

I tried D&D, didnt care for the perpetual dungeon-crawl though. Sure its DUNGEONS and Dragons, but even then the stories in the books werent always in caves and whatnot. >.>

I liked EQ2 alot as well... I just dont care for the play-doh look of the characters. The newer ones like the fae/arasai and the sarnaks look cool. But I hate that the fae kneel when you use sit. >.<

[Mikes]

Originally Posted by Medeor

I've heard that so many times "EQ2 is a great game, it has all the best things I could want from an MMO, but I don't play it anymore."

If I were SOE I'd be so bummed. It's like a film that gets critical acclaim but flops at the box office. What happened?

Humph, serves 'em right for abandoning PlanetSide

[Sarr]

Originally Posted by kitsunegirl

I tried D&D, didnt care for the perpetual dungeon-crawl though. Sure its DUNGEONS and Dragons, but even then the stories in the books werent always in caves and whatnot. >.>

In DDO is isn't always in caves too . You seem to have played DDO long ago, but much has changed since then. There are many outdoor areas, very original non-dungeon environments, etc.

Just check it with Mod8. New starting area is totally revamped, being big open island (Khortos) with very interesting quests and a challenging outdoor area. Yes, outdoors from the start.

Mod8 in now online on DDO US, and will be online on DDO EU on November 13th. So don't get fooled, before that date there's still an older starter area .

New character generator is also very helpful for those not knowing D&D rules. It's now entirely possible to play without any such knowledge, thank to character path system. But you will get more familiar as you progress.

Then, in next few weeks Turbine will do in-game, live events which will finally bring hirelings to DDO. They will help those who like to solo, or help you fill that needed spot in a group.
I like soloing myself, but with these improvements, it's going to be an awesome experience.

I'm WoW, GW, UO veteran, among other games. Recently played WAR and LotrO, but nothing beast DDO for me . After some years of playing and searching, I've finally found the best MMO for me.

And yes, I tried DDO before. It was nothing like it is now, that's why I joined with Mod7 and not earlier.
But Turbine plans to improve the game experience with each new mod. More revamps are coming, some PVP love, new races (half orc and half elf being priorities), and new classes (druid will come first, with animal companions using modified hireling AI).
There's also a thread in DDO US where players put their feedback on 'what new spells you want to see in game'.

Now level cap is at 16. But plan is, that Mod9 (next mod) will have final level cap of 20 and the content to support it. There was some talk about siege of the castle, etc. Next, they want to implement epic levels.

And there's this secret project Turbine's working on for DDO. They never spoke in details on that topic, we only know it's referred to as "Vast and Mysterious". Paid expansion, or something? No one really knows. We must wait and see.

And combat system... . Damn, that's probably most advanced system in fantasy mmogs. It's hard for me to understand why someone wouldn't like it. It's more based on skill and environment - you can manually dodge spears, arrows, fireballs, etc. There's also a collision system, which no WoW clone really has. So, you can literally guard a mage or cleric with your own body, and nothing will come through as long as you stand.

Also character customization is by far the best... So, I advise you just give it a chance again. I found out it's well worth it, maybe someone will get to love this game too.
Yes, DDO is different, but this also means unique and original.

[kitsunegirl]

Too bad they dont allow you to buy two accounts like SOE does. Or have DDO discounted if you have lotro on life-sub.

Oooooh.. this is set in Ebberon! I love that setting, one of their best I think.

[Morvelaira]

I'd feel more comfortable if it was in Forgotten Realms. I'm more familiar with that one.