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Title: Dragon expansion announced
Post by: Arthur_Parker on March 14, 2006, 07:48:27 AM
http://www.ddo.com/

Quote
Turbine Announces Dragon's Vault Module for Hit
DUNGEONS & DRAGONS ONLINE™: Stormreach™

14-Mar-2006

March 14, 2006 - Turbine is pleased to announce the first module for DUNGEONS & DRAGONS ONLINE™: Stormreach™ (DDO). The Dragon's Vault module will provide players the opportunity to battle the dangerous Vault of Night that is protected by a ferocious guardian – the red dragon! This module, scheduled for release in April, is the first in a series of planned modules that will provide new content and features for DDO, the hit MMOG that launched February 28th and quickly became the fastest growing MMOG in North America.

The Dragon's Vault module contains 15 compelling dungeons and a new large-scale raid feature focusing on a vicious red dragon. The new dungeons provide a variety of additional content for players of all levels in the game. Turbine announced today that the Dragon's Vault module will be free of charge for all current DDO subscribers as a way to say "thank you" to all of its fans. Turbine also declared its plans to release additional modules over time that include new content, features, and other improvements to the hit MMOG.

Early reviews for DDO are enthusiastic. GameDaily.com called it "the newest and best contender for the MMO king title since the release of World of Warcraft" and early impressions from GameSpot.com say the game "combines the beloved, tried-and-true D&D rules in an action-oriented massively multiplayer environment" that "looks and sounds quite impressive."

Dungeons & Dragons Online: Stormreach is currently available in retail stores for $49.99. Additional information and assets can be found at www.ddo.com.

Was tempted to say 45 new dungeons is impressive, got distracted by the name, shouldn't it be called Dungeons & Dragon online?

Edit
Screenshot1 (http://www.ddo.com/files/80/08/58/02/879.jpg)
Screenshot2 (http://www.ddo.com/files/56/54/77/37/878.jpg)
Screenshot3 (http://www.ddo.com/files/60/88/49/24/877.jpg)


Title: Re: Dragon expansion announced
Post by: Trippy on March 14, 2006, 08:00:55 AM
Quote
Turbine Announces Dragon's Vault Module for Hit
DUNGEONS & DRAGONS ONLINE™: Stormreach™

14-Mar-2006

March 14, 2006 - Turbine is pleased to announce the first module for DUNGEONS & DRAGONS ONLINE™: Stormreach™ (DDO). The Dragon's Vault module will provide players the opportunity to battle the dangerous Vault of Night that is protected by a ferocious guardian – the red dragon! This module, scheduled for release in April, is the first in a series of planned modules that will provide new content and features for DDO, the hit MMOG that launched February 28th and quickly became the fastest growing MMOG in North America.

The Dragon's Vault module contains 15 compelling dungeons and a new large-scale raid feature focusing on a vicious red dragon. The new dungeons provide a variety of additional content for players of all levels in the game. Turbine announced today that the Dragon's Vault module will be free of charge for all current DDO subscribers as a way to say "thank you" to all of its fans. Turbine also declared its plans to release additional modules over time that include new content, features, and other improvements to the hit MMOG.
Translation: Atari made us release the game before it was ready to prop up their already sucky quarter so we weren't able to include the red dragon that was prominently featured everywhere but we're calling it a "free" module just to make us look good even though it should've been in the game originally.

Edit: changed "expansion" to "module" -- my bad.


Title: Re: Dragon expansion announced
Post by: shiznitz on March 14, 2006, 08:07:18 AM
The hit MMOG? I am sorry. Did I miss some sales figures?


Title: Re: Dragon expansion announced
Post by: Trippy on March 14, 2006, 08:13:38 AM
NPD hasn't released any sales figures for the first week of March yet.


Title: Re: Dragon expansion announced
Post by: tazelbain on March 14, 2006, 08:22:51 AM
If they can add content rapidly enough, DDO may be worth the sub.  But that is a tough nut to crack.


Title: Re: Dragon expansion announced
Post by: Murgos on March 14, 2006, 08:25:47 AM
NPD hasn't released any sales figures for the first week of March yet.


There is a good chance that it was the top selling MMOG for the week/day it was released.  That would make it a 'hit' to any marketer worth his salt, heck thats enough evidence for a marketer to go off into things like "The Best Selling MMO" or "#1 rated MMO".

edit: we should change the name of this forum to "Dungeons & (Coming Soon) Dragon Online"


Title: Re: Dragon expansion announced
Post by: Trippy on March 14, 2006, 08:46:48 AM
NPD hasn't released any sales figures for the first week of March yet.
There is a good chance that it was the top selling MMOG for the week/day it was released.  That would make it a 'hit' to any marketer worth his salt, heck thats enough evidence for a marketer to go off into things like "The Best Selling MMO" or "#1 rated MMO".
Given that WoW is their only real competition that probably is true. On the other hand WoW was the #2 selling PC game in February behind Star Wars Empire at War and has typically been at #1 or #2 every week since its release so I would be hesistant to bet against WoW for total sales in March. Turbine can still claim to be the "fastest growing" MMOG though, even if they lose out on total sales for the month.


Title: Re: Dragon expansion announced
Post by: fatboy on March 14, 2006, 09:59:43 AM
Translation: Atari made us release the game before it was ready to prop up their already sucky quarter so we weren't able to include the red dragon that was prominently featured everywhere but we're calling it a "free" expansion just to make us look good even though it should've been in the game originally.


I'm sure you hit the nail right on the head there, Trippy!!!!!

Black Isle did the same thing with Icewind Dale Expansion....they had a free expansion download cuz they pushed it out the door too fast.


Title: Re: Dragon expansion announced
Post by: Yegolev on March 14, 2006, 10:06:47 AM
I am neither surprised nor upset.  We all know that nothing is really fixed in beta, for whatever reason, so pushing this thing out the door and patching in the fun later is fine with me.  I have dissociated my expectations from an ideal and just can't be bothered to care about early releases anymore.

I am watching DDO, actually, because I think I might give it a go sometime next winter.  By then, it will either be more fleshed-out, the catasses will have left and I can enjoy the game as I think it was intended, or it will have undergone a Combat Upgrade and I can forget about it.


Title: Re: Dragon expansion announced
Post by: jpark on March 14, 2006, 10:21:15 AM
Right now the combat feels like MMORPG combat I have always known - but with no auto attack.


Title: Re: Dragon expansion announced
Post by: Merusk on March 14, 2006, 10:21:40 AM
I am watching DDO, actually, because I think I might give it a go sometime next winter.  By then, it will either be more fleshed-out, the catasses will have left and I can enjoy the game as I think it was intended, or it will have undergone a Combat Upgrade and I can forget about it.

Someone around here had a rule about MMOs:   Don't buy it in the first 6 months.  Peronally, I amended it to add, "Unless you were in the beta and it absolutely amazed you enough to pay for 6-months."   It's a good rule, generally.


Title: Re: Dragon expansion announced
Post by: shiznitz on March 14, 2006, 11:12:26 AM
Paying for 6 months is NEVER a good idea. Everyone takes at least one extended break from an MMOG within the first 6 months.


Title: Re: Dragon expansion announced
Post by: HaemishM on March 14, 2006, 11:26:05 AM
Paying for 6 months is NEVER a good idea. Everyone takes at least one extended break from an MMOG within the first 6 months.

He wasn't saying PAY for 6 months, he was saying WAIT 6 months before diving in. If you're lucky, the client will be half release price.


Title: Re: Dragon expansion announced
Post by: Soln on March 14, 2006, 11:44:55 AM
So less than 1 month, 4 weeks from launch, and they are already hyping an expansion?

/looksaround

oooookay

so no one in the "media" is non-plussed by the fact here's a game that is already working on retention a few weeks from launch?  hmm


Title: Re: Dragon expansion announced
Post by: HaemishM on March 14, 2006, 11:53:17 AM
Actually, this "expansion" is the extra content they were working on during beta but knew they wouldn't get done for release. They've had this planned since at least January? Maybe earlier.


Title: Re: Dragon expansion announced
Post by: Calandryll on March 14, 2006, 12:13:02 PM
They've had this planned since at least January? Maybe earlier.
Right. We even talked about the timing of this update in the PC Gamer article that came out during Beta. I don't think we called it an "expansion" - it's obviously not an expansion. We're using the word "module" instead of patch or publish though, it's just more D&D. As far as working on retention...we start thinking about and working on retention on day one of launch. No reason to start any later.


Title: Re: Dragon expansion announced
Post by: Yegolev on March 14, 2006, 12:38:42 PM
I like the use of "module" actually.  I want to see where that goes.  We should all understand the power of regular releases.  Releases of something, anything.  Refer to EVE Online and Penny Arcade.  Shiney can generate retention, and you really don't need much, just be consistent and don't make me wait too long.  That's right, Arena.Net, I am talking about you, and to Valve if they are listening.


Title: Re: Dragon expansion announced
Post by: HaemishM on March 14, 2006, 01:19:55 PM
and to Valve if they are listening.

Don't kid yourself. They aren't.


Title: Re: Dragon expansion announced
Post by: Merusk on March 14, 2006, 01:31:37 PM
Paying for 6 months is NEVER a good idea. Everyone takes at least one extended break from an MMOG within the first 6 months.

Hey look, you just caught part of the reason I decided you have to be willing to pay for 6 months.  If you're amazed enough by the game at beta to plunk-down $135, then by all means buy at release.  Otherwise, just put a hold on that itch for the new shiny. 

Oh, and not EVERYONE takes an extended break.  We're at what, 1 year and 3 months for Wow and I haven't lapsed yet for longer than a week or so.  Getting close to that point, though.  Some folks just find it that much fun.


Title: Re: Dragon expansion announced
Post by: CmdrSlack on March 14, 2006, 03:46:18 PM
Quite honestly, I think the "module" thing is a great idea for DDO.  When EQ2 announced their mini-expansion micropayment deal way back when, I thought it was similar to modules in D&D. 

But then again, more content in April = more stuff I haven't seen or played thru yet, so maybe I'm biased.  I'm playing the game and liking it.  It's too bad that more of you didn't like it, because I've had fun playing other games with some of ya.  Ah well, I never played WoW, so maybe I'm missing some kind of frame of reference thing the rest of you have.  I'm playing a game that I knew would require a group, playing with a huge group of gamers who are cool folks, taking my time and enjoying the adventures for what they are, following the plot, etc.

It's actually really refreshing.  It's (for my needs) a fantasy game version of CoH/CoV.  I can pick it up when I want, put it down when I want, etc.

As far as teh funnay and dragons, there's a joke that's quickly being beaten into the ground.  Even playing PnP D&D as a kid, or the BG and IWD series of CRPGs, there were only a small handfull of dragon encounters.  I get the humor, but I just think, "Well, yeah, duh, dragons are rare."

Besides, riffing on names is kinda formula.  You had SWG, which launched with no stars, no wars, and really, no galaxies.  Everquest, with very few worthwhile quests.  I think someone even tried to do the same thing with WoW.  Oh well.

I guess I'm just getting old and stuff.


Title: Re: Dragon expansion announced
Post by: Margalis on March 14, 2006, 04:22:00 PM
There's no Warcarft in WoW.

But anyway, free content is free content. No possible way to turn this into a complaint.


Title: Re: Dragon expansion announced
Post by: Venkman on March 14, 2006, 04:31:15 PM
Quote
The Dragon's Vault module contains 15 compelling dungeons and a new large-scale raid feature focusing on a vicious red dragon
I read "raid" there and started thinking repeatable boss mobs for rare loot. Is that going to be the case? If so, I think it's a good idea for the endgamers. I can't see it as sustainable a rate of 15 new dungeons a month :)


Title: Re: Dragon expansion announced
Post by: schild on March 14, 2006, 04:38:50 PM
I'm more worried about the fact D&D was never ever about raids.


Title: Re: Dragon expansion announced
Post by: Venkman on March 14, 2006, 05:54:36 PM
Neither was Warcraft  :-D


Title: Re: Dragon expansion announced
Post by: Trippy on March 14, 2006, 09:08:49 PM
Besides, riffing on names is kinda formula.  You had SWG, which launched with no stars, no wars, and really, no galaxies. 
Which in a nutshell is why it failed.


Title: Re: Dragon expansion announced
Post by: schild on March 14, 2006, 09:11:05 PM
Nah, it could've launched with all 3 and still not have been fun. Really, it doesn't matter what the game is, if it's not fun then oh well. Of course, Funcom has it the toughest. They have the word FUN in their name. One can only hope Dreamfall is fun.


Title: Re: Dragon expansion announced
Post by: Trippy on March 14, 2006, 09:11:36 PM
Neither was Warcraft  :-D
That's cause it was an RTS. With PnP D&D once your characters got too high level you retired them and started over.


Title: Re: Dragon expansion announced
Post by: Nevermore on March 15, 2006, 06:09:11 AM

Screenshot1 (http://www.ddo.com/files/80/08/58/02/879.jpg)
Screenshot2 (http://www.ddo.com/files/56/54/77/37/878.jpg)
Screenshot3 (http://www.ddo.com/files/60/88/49/24/877.jpg)

Why is that dragon in outer space?


Title: Re: Dragon expansion announced
Post by: Wasted on March 15, 2006, 06:24:23 AM
Looks like its in some seperate dimension/plane/realm thing

Or maybe the environment gets added in the May Module


Title: Re: Dragon expansion announced
Post by: Yegolev on March 15, 2006, 09:30:14 AM
Of course, Funcom has it the toughest. They have the word FUN in their name. One can only hope Dreamfall is fun.

I think "fun" must be Norwegian for "assrape", and "com" means "yo mamma".  I haven't taken the time to look it up, I'm just assuming.


Title: Re: Dragon expansion announced
Post by: Jamiko on March 15, 2006, 06:39:21 PM
Why is that dragon in outer space?

It's night time, and the dragon is flying off the ground. It's the night sky. Or it's the space expansion module.


Title: Re: Dragon expansion announced
Post by: Velorath on March 15, 2006, 10:34:02 PM
Why is that dragon in outer space?

It's night time, and the dragon is flying off the ground. It's the night sky. Or it's the space expansion module.

Maybe they're trying to get ex-SWG players with a Spelljammer expansion.  :-D


Title: Re: Dragon expansion announced
Post by: Trippy on March 16, 2006, 02:19:39 AM
Here are the sales rankings for the week ending March 4 from NPD:
Quote
1. Sims 2: Open For Business - Electronic Arts
2. Star Wars: Empire At War - LucasArts
3. Lord of the Rings: Battle for Middle Earth II - Electronic Arts
4. Dungeons & Dragons Online: Stormreach - Turbine/Atari
5. World of Warcraft - Blizzard
6. Lord of the Rings: Battle for Middle Earth II Collector's Edition - Electronic Arts
7. The Sims 2 - Electronic Arts
8. Age of Empires III - Microsoft
9. Zoo Tycoon II - Microsoft
10. Civilization IV - 2K Games

Even though that represents less than a full week for DDO, the Sims 2 expansion and the LoTR game were both released on the same day as DDO. So an okay start but of course they have the fastest growing MMOG in NA! (Of course if they sold only one copy of DDO they would still have the fastest growing MMOG for that week since they started at zero).


Title: Re: Dragon expansion announced
Post by: schild on March 16, 2006, 02:27:56 AM
World of Warcraft slipped, but I'm sure it'll climb back up. If LoTR Collector's edition took 6th place, as it was a preorder thing, that's pretty week sauce. I would kill to see actual numbers PC titles.


Title: Re: Dragon expansion announced
Post by: Arthur_Parker on March 24, 2006, 12:28:27 AM
Uk Charts http://www.gamesindustry.biz/charts.php?tag=charts_pc_full

PC Full Price
Now Last Wk Title Publisher
 1 1 THE SIMS 2: OPEN FOR BUSINESS ELECTRONIC ARTS
 2 2 LOTR: THE BATTLE FOR MIDDLE-EARTH II ELECTRONIC ARTS
 3 3 STAR WARS: EMPIRE AT WAR LUCASARTS
 4 5 THE SIMS 2 ELECTRONIC ARTS
 5 6 FOOTBALL MANAGER 2006 SEGA
 6 7 WORLD OF WARCRAFT VIVENDI UNIVERSAL GAMES
 7 - COMMANDOS: STRIKE FORCE EIDOS
 8 8 ROME: TOTAL WAR - GOLD EDITION SEGA
 9 10 THE SIMS 2: NIGHTLIFE ELECTRONIC ARTS
 10 11 AGE OF EMPIRES III MICROSOFT
 11 12 BATTLEFIELD 2 ELECTRONIC ARTS
 12 9 GALACTIC CIVILIZATIONS II: DREAD LORDS KOCH MEDIA
 13 14 TOCA RACE DRIVER 3 CODEMASTERS
 14 15 GUILD WARS NCSOFT EUROPE
 15 16 CIVILIZATION IV TAKE 2
 16 4 DUNGEONS & DRAGONS ONLINE: STORMREACH ATARI
 17 13 F.E.A.R. VIVENDI UNIVERSAL GAMES
 18 19 THE SIMS 2: UNIVERSITY ELECTRONIC ARTS
 19 17 CALL OF DUTY 2 ACTIVISION
 20 20 THE MOVIES ACTIVISION

DDO falls 12 places in a week.


Title: Re: Dragon expansion announced
Post by: Trippy on March 24, 2006, 03:32:07 AM
Hot off the presses, best selling PC games in the US for the week ending March 11:

1. The Sims 2 Open for Business (Electronic Arts)
2. Star Wars: Empire at War (LucasArts)
3. The Lord of the Rings: Battle for Middle-earth II (Electronic Arts)
4. World of Warcraft (Blizzard)
5. The Sims 2 (Electronic Arts)
6. Dungeons & Dragons Online: Stormreach (Atari)
7. Age of Empires III (Microsoft)
8. Civilization IV (2K Games)
9. The Sims 2 Nightlife (Electronic Arts)
10. Battlefield 2 (Electronic Arts)


Title: Re: Dragon expansion announced
Post by: shiznitz on March 24, 2006, 07:47:15 AM
An LotR license captures all the D&D nuts plus others, it seems.


Title: Re: Dragon expansion announced
Post by: Cheddar on March 29, 2006, 04:16:19 PM
Hot off the presses, best selling PC games in the US for the week ending March 11:
<words>
4. World of Warcraft (Blizzard)
<words>

Jesus christ the beast is still in the top ten?  Dunno why I am surprised, but goodness.


Title: Re: Dragon expansion announced
Post by: Arthur_Parker on March 29, 2006, 04:53:10 PM
UK Top 20 PC Games again. (http://www.gamesindustry.biz/charts.php?tag=charts_pc_full)

Now Last Wk Title Publisher
 1 - THE ELDER SCROLLS IV: OBLIVION TAKE 2
 2 1 THE SIMS 2: OPEN FOR BUSINESS ELECTRONIC ARTS
 3 2 LOTR: THE BATTLE FOR MIDDLE-EARTH II ELECTRONIC ARTS
 4 - THE GODFATHER ELECTRONIC ARTS
 5 4 THE SIMS 2 ELECTRONIC ARTS
 6 6 WORLD OF WARCRAFT VIVENDI UNIVERSAL GAMES
 7 3 STAR WARS: EMPIRE AT WAR LUCASARTS
 8 5 FOOTBALL MANAGER 2006 SEGA
 9 7 COMMANDOS: STRIKE FORCE EIDOS
 10 8 ROME: TOTAL WAR - GOLD EDITION SEGA
 11 10 AGE OF EMPIRES III MICROSOFT
 12 9 THE SIMS 2: NIGHTLIFE ELECTRONIC ARTS
 13 11 BATTLEFIELD 2 ELECTRONIC ARTS
 14 - COMMAND & CONQUER: THE FIRST DECADE ELECTRONIC ARTS
 15 14 GUILD WARS NCSOFT EUROPE
 16 15 CIVILIZATION IV TAKE 2
 17 17 F.E.A.R. VIVENDI UNIVERSAL GAMES
 18 13 TOCA RACE DRIVER 3 CODEMASTERS
 19 18 THE SIMS 2: UNIVERSITY ELECTRONIC ARTS
 20 19 CALL OF DUTY 2 ACTIVISION


Title: Re: Dragon expansion announced
Post by: SpaceDrake on April 25, 2006, 10:20:40 PM
Aaaand gone. That was quick.

Thing is though, isn't Codemasters handling the distro for D&DO in the UK? Why was Atari listed as the publisher in that list?