Tabula Rasa, now with no FUN!

[schild]

Editors,

Richard Garriott, aka General British, will be holding an in-game event in Tabula Rasa tonight. The event will be held on all servers (click here for times and details).

 

General British is known for making frequent appearances in the game, to the excitement of players, but the success of the launch of Tabula Rasa has prompted this "impromptu" event to be created.

 

"I wanted to quickly do something fun in-game as a thank you to the players who have made this such a smooth launch. We have continued NCsoft's track record for incredibly successful launches and player interest and excitement is higher than we expected in both North America and Europe. The battlefields are full of players taking down Bane invaders & we're having a blast kicking alien butt."

 

Details about the event, a sci-fi trivia game where players have the chance to win in-game money (called credits), can be found at: http://www.rgtr.com/community/community_news/the_afs_scifi_trivia_challenge.html

Please encourage your readers to join in the fun. In addition to the many large content updates in the works now, the Tabula Rasa team plans to have a lot of community/dev interaction and involvement. This is just the first of many fun things to come!

TRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIVIA.

[Surlyboi]

Well, the game does have a bit of a sense of humor. In the human HQ on the second tier area of Foreas (the first planet) You get a series of announcements over the PA. stuff like, "Due to circumstances beyond our control, dinner is now being served in the mess hall" or my current favorite, a voice that sounds a lot like Christopher Walken announcing that if anyone is missing a watch, they should come see him in the infirmary to reclaim it. A game that obliquely references Pulp Fiction can't be all bad, can it?

[HaemishM]

Yes.

[tazelbain]

How well did the game launch?
A) Great
B) Good
C) Okay
D) Trivia Contest
E) Disaster

[amiable]

I've lurked for a while, but never posted.  I've been playing TR through late Beta and I think some folks are being a bit too harsh.  It's not without its problems (the lamentable lack of anything approaching balanced PvP being one), but it is not terrible.  As a helaer one mechanic I like is that healing tools require you to target (or if you are lazy just stand near someone and heal for less with the radial tools).  As someone who likes playing support characters but was driven crazy staring at health bars being able to actually watch the action unfolding on the screen is a refreshing change.

Is this the Robot Jesus of MMORPGs? No.  Is it fun and engaging?  I find it so, but YMMV.

As for launch, I would say good.  I never had a problem connecting and lag was fine (although considering there are only 4 servers, it indicates to me that not many folks are playing this game!)

[geldonyetich2]

It's not my finest hour to come in here, start a second account (because I sabotaged my first in order to break this habit) and specifically post to simply say:

Well, I like Tabula Rasa... granted, I liked Vanguard, too.  I made propaganda slides and everything.

But, well, here you have it.

Do you love me yet? 

[Rasix]

No.

[lesion]

I might pick this up while waiting for Hellgate to stop sucking technical ass. A friend of mine who went through beta with a solid "meh" says it has improved a good deal. He's playing it right now while I swear at network errors and memory leaks.

Edit: also Garriott is a dork

[Venkman]

TR is worth a checkout. It doesn't suck. I personally don't think of it as RG's "comeback game", given the copious lack of any "signature" RG stuff except the PR. I also don't think it's worth anywhere near $14.99 in its current form.

But I do think that it isn't going to be closed up anytime soon. NC really needs a success, as evidenced by the amount of marketing through at this one, and the renaming to drag as much equity as possible. And it does have a solid foundation upon which to grow in the future. I feel for the launch players for the changes that are likely to come to the game. It's touching a lot less people than SWG did, so even if they do an NGE (which I expect at some point), there won't be the millions of voices crying out thing against it.

It's just that it's no TF2, HG:L, Crysis, nor WoW. And no matter what people might say about the overall quality of those games, that is its current competition because of what they purport TR to be.

[Johny Cee]

I've been playing,  and largely it is fun.

You can do standard MMO "run quests missions and ding" or you can just sit back and mess around.  CP defenses have been mindless fun,  and there's nothing like going out and assaulting groups of lower level mobs spawning dropping in.

Shotgun, shotgun, run up and melee, shotgun.  Run through a couple hundred rounds with the chaingun just to watch the mob do the damage dance. 

Actually,  my whole enjoyment of the game might be due to the fact shotguns give you KNOCKBACK.  Fuck yah!

Unlike LOTRO,  they seem to have made combat fun.

[geldonyetich2]

You can't trust me.  I'll play a 6.5 ranked game and call it 'worthwhile.'  I'll hype the most recent buggy hell spawn of Brad McQuaid because, despite being yet-another-fucking-EverQuest-clone, it seems to innovate in a couple ways I find neat.  What's more, I'll mean every word.  Why?  Because I'm a genuine gaming enthusiast.  One who, despite served crap time and time again, still loves gaming.  Likely more than whoever I'm arguing with, and therein lay our point of contention.

Though you should be brimming with confidence over my credibility at this point, I have to say that I like Tabula Rasa.  I like it because, like City of Heroes, you can knock dozens of enemies back with your shotgun and, through the sheer skill of you the player alone, live.  I like it because cover works, you can crouch behind something can have your incoming damage reduced by a great amount.  I like it because you have these awesome epic battles over Control Points that, once captured, make a meaningful change of the game world because now there's quests and shops there where there wasn't without you. 

I not only like the game for what it is now, but what it could become, once they get around to "adding the end game" and ironing out little bugs like "getting /stuck" or "certain abilities operating at 1/5th of their potency due to incorrect coding".  Yes, this game has some very valid problems right now, even I notice it in my apparent game lust.

As others have said before, this game is not crap, and it does innovate in some impressive ways.  However, I have to acknowledge, it wouldn't be hard to build a case to the contrary.

[Johny Cee]

You can't trust me.  I'll play a 6.5 ranked game and call it 'worthwhile.'  I'll hype the most recent buggy hell spawn of Brad McQuaid because, despite being yet-another-fucking-EverQuest-clone, it seems to innovate in a couple ways I find neat.  What's more, I'll mean every word.  Why?  Because I'm a genuine gaming enthusiast.  One who, despite served crap time and time again, still loves gaming.  Likely more than whoever I'm arguing with, and therein lay our point of contention.

I'm saying this to be constructive:

Maybe you wouldn't exasperate people here so much if you included less narcissistic meandering in your prose?

[Triforcer]

Its Geldon time of year again?    

[Rasix]

He seems to have found the italics tag.  Air quotes on the fucking internet.  Clownshoes, ahoy.

[Margalis]

Geldon has never really annoyed me. He's a good backwards weathervane.

[Rasix]

Falconeer serves the same purpose.

Anyways, yah, TR.  How long until the free trial?

[Johny Cee]

I actually had to wait in a queue for about 5 seconds logging in tonight.

[Ratman_tf]

I actually had to wait in a queue for about 5 seconds logging in tonight.

It's the next WoW, bitches...

[schild]

Falconeer serves the same purpose.

Anyways, yah, TR.  How long until the free trial?

I was pretty sure you got to play for 10 days free with a preorder. They announced it 30 days before release. I called it the fastest free period ever, -30 days.

[geldonyetich2]

Maybe you wouldn't exasperate people here so much if you included less narcissistic meandering in your prose?

Hey now, I thought I was dumping on myself so the proper perspective would be shown on my Tabula Rasa impressions.

*grumble grumble* (Can't do anything right and Pedobear keeps staring at me.)

 

[Arthur_Parker]

I'll hype the most recent buggy hell spawn of Brad McQuaid because, despite being yet-another-fucking-EverQuest-clone, it seems to innovate in a couple ways I find neat. 

Neat enough to continue to play it?

[geldonyetich2]

Funny enough, two or three months ago I got bored of City of Heroes and picked up the SOE All Station Pass with Vanguard and EverQuest 2 in mind. Vanguard wasn't bad, a lot of the stuff I liked about the game was still there, lots of bugs had been ironed out, and the recent server merges had (at least temporarily) boosted the population to a reasonable level...yet, it wasn't meant to be, I soon head back to City of Heroes. 

The thing is, Vanguard was still too much an EverQuest clone despite what made it unique.  It's been nearly a decade since EverQuest came out, and I've had to endure so many clones that I'm pretty sick of a game that resembles it overmuch.  World of Warcraft?  Didn't last me more than 4 weeks.  Lord of the Rings Online?  A lost cause.  These days I need something a bit more interactive than, "Engage Auto-Attack and Tap Hotkeys."  That's why City of Heroes and (now) Tabula Rasa have my attention.

I don't know what to say about my hyping Vanguard here.  I think in my zeal to point out that Vanguard wasn't total crap, I might not have realized that it's functionally worthless if you're as sick of EverQuest clones as I am.

[Lucas]

I find Tabula Rasa very nice myself: have been playing it since last february and still no sick of it. It looks like that it's performing better than expected, sales wise. Looking at the website and the content they plan to implement (as seen a few pages back, called "elder content") they seem to have a precise and promising roadmap stuck in their head. I hope they stick to it and make it real.

The two things that are bothering me the most are the limited class system and relative skills, something that should *at least* be mitigated by the planned release of "hybrid" races (which are going to be humans but with more "alien" abilities), and also the current loot tables, which I find repetitive and VERY far from the quality of WoW's, at least from lv 1 to 20.

Beside those two aspects, I find the game pretty addictive and with a nice storyline: Devs seems also involved in the game by playing some key NPCs themselves, like the "cover girl" Sarah Morrison and others, instead of making them robotic quest givers. In other words, they're aiming to get the players more involved with the world itself and the plot in general, which is a step in the right direction: I agree with what Darniaq used to say regarding the lack of a "connection" with your surroundings, but their plans are an indication they're definately working more on this particular aspect.

In conclusion, I see myself playing it for a long time, and I think the game will do pretty well, building a solid, no matter if not extremely large, fanbase.

[squirrel]

Ok folks, as a Jaded ex-everyfuckingmmorpgoutthereplayer - I have to interject.

Good enough is not fucking good enough. Dear god, we have people in this thread saying "Well, it's kind of fun." No offense to those folks, but kind of fun is a really fucking low bar.

I have no opinion on Tabula Rasa - none. I haven't played it or the beta, so I can't intelligently speak about it. But I can say that when we have discussions that end up with the usual comparison to WoW (see last post), defining DIKU, and wondering why stat based combat doesn't feel like an FPS we have gone wrong. It may be a wonderful game, I have no idea. But if not -CALL IT. Cause folks the MMORPG genre is sucking wind big time. It's a Canadian soldier in Kandahar with no pot and a flat tire. And if we don't call it noone will. DON'T BUY IT IF IT SUCKS. Please. I beg. Same goes for War BTW.

[Lucas]

I think that "try it for yourself then decide" is the best approach, personally (bar time and/or money restrictions, of course).

I'm not convinced by the now so common "bash the latest MMOG on the market" because you (in general) supposedly care for The Greater Good of the Industry, like you are on a crusade or something, probably out of boredom.

Hey, no problem in discussing something, but with a more constructive approach, instead of the insult to our intelligence that is now the silly duels Haters vs. Fanboys.

[Modern Angel]

I think that "try it for yourself then decide" is the best approach, personally (bar time and/or money restrictions, of course).

I'm not convinced by the now so common "bash the latest MMOG on the market" because you (in general) supposedly care for The Greater Good of the Industry, like you are on a crusade or something, probably out of boredom.

Hey, no problem in discussing something, but with a more constructive approach, instead of the insult to our intelligence that is now the silly duels Haters vs. Fanboys.

Maybe sometimes things just suck. Not TR in and of itself because it's so hideously average I have absolutely no opinion either way but just things. And when things just suck leave the critique at the sublimely simple "This game fucking sucks."

[amiable]

I don't play games to make a statement about the direction of an industry.  I play games to have fun.  If it ceases to be fun, I cease to play and they cease to get my 15$ a month. 

Is TR mediocre?  I can't really say, there are some things I like and some I do not.  The only other MMORPGS I participated in at launch were WoW and LOTRO.  My impressions:

1.  This game has roughly the same polish WoW had at launch.  Seriously.  WoW at launch did not have customizable UI's, decently balanced PvP (my druid would chain root every melee class and nuke them into oblivion, my warlock could chain fear folks all day), or any semblance of an endgame. 

2.  LOTRO was far more polished at launch, but the complete lack of world PvP and god-awful slow gameplay ruined it for me.

Is TR fun?  I find it fun.  The base assualts are great, combat is interesting and world PvE is usually more than pressbuttoning the same 3 abilities (which quite frankly is all I did in WoW, save for my Warlock where I press buttoned 4 or 5).  Positioning and cover are actually important, and can allow you to take on larger gorups than you should be able to if executed right.  It certainly is refreshing to have a healing character that is not totally gimped in combat.  But it is different, and I can understand why folks who are used to a particular FPS style and a particular MMORPG style may not like it, so I don't want to give a ringing endorsement because I acknowledge it may not be for everyone. 

I'm not sure why you are throwing all this hate at TR, I've played quite few MMMORPGs and this is far from the worst.  Did Richard Garriott kill your parents or something? 

[Arthur_Parker]

Did Richard Garriott kill your parents or something? 

I know next to nothing about TR, I have seen a single screenshot of this game with the words "Seriously: you should try this game" overlayed.  I think your comment would be a good addition to that screenshot.  It's a good starting point and if people continue not to treat TR with the respect it deserves you can then wheel the big guns out.

[amiable]

I know next to nothing about TR, I have seen a single screenshot of this game with the words "Seriously: you should try this game" overlayed.  I think your comment would be a good addition to that screenshot.  It's a good starting point and if people continue not to treat TR with the respect it deserves you can then wheel the big guns out.

I mentioned that only because Richard Garriot is bat-shit insane, and there is the rather good possibility he has killed some folks parents.

[Miasma]

DON'T BUY IT IF IT SUCKS. Please. I beg. Same goes for War BTW.

The exact same sentiment could easily be applied to the six month Hellgate subscription you just bought and the lifetime sub you are trying to get.  The hellgate launch was an unmitigated disaster, there are bugs everywhere many of which make the game unplayable, subscription was down the first week, they took down the servers at primetime on launch day for an optional patch FFS, etc, etc.  We shouldn't be supporting games coded that poorly either (even if the game itself is fun) so that in the future developers know they won't be able to get away with it.  But let's be realistic, they can.  We payed for a game that barely rises to early beta level quality.  I bought a lifetime sub to HGL despite its clusterfuck of a launch.  My guild decided to try Tabula Rasa so I'm playing it too.  It's not as bad as I remember in beta, the game definitely sucks to start but gets much better once you start running instances with friends, defending/assaulting control points and get your third tier career choice at 15.  My biggest complaint is that the itemization sucks.

[Ixxit]

It's not as bad as I remember in beta, the game definitely sucks to start but gets much better once you start running instances with friends, defending/assaulting control points and get your third tier career choice at 15.  My biggest complaint is that the itemization sucks.

Picked this up  on the weekend, cuz yeah i pretty much have to try every MMO.  I really knew nothing about the game, except that a lot of people were saying that it was competent yet underwhelming.

I would say that sums up the training missions at the beginning, but not what I have experienced  in the main game.   The most impressive thing about the game is that you do feel that you are in a theater of war.  Mobs don't just wander around  aimlessly but get dropped in by Bane ships (with that distinctive sound)  and attack you, other players and squads of AI soldiers.  What I found interesting is that there doesn't seem to be a problem or concept of kill stealing.  The Bane come in and you work together  to repel the attack even though you aren't grouped. Everyone gets experience if you damage a mob.   Sometimes it's cool just to sit back and watch this stuff as it happens.  Add an addtional layer of attacking and defending outposts from invasion  and  what you have  is a somewhat convincing facsimile of being at war with an enemy that is trying to take and hold ground destroy any resistance.  At one point, I was exploring the map,  found myself in an area way above my level, and happened accross a full scale attack by the bane on an allied outpost.  Control was lost by the allies, and then taken back.  I wasn't sure what compostion of allied soldiers were actual players or AI (I imagine it was both), as from my vantage point it all looked pretty convincing. Whether there is some dynamic campaign going on or it is just random smoke and mirrors, this aspect of TR is definately notable, unique and most importantly enjoyable.  Hey even FUN.

Certainly somewhat of an advancement to the glut of mmo's with completely static PvE content.  Oh look.... here comes Fippy Darkpaw again.

[Venkman]

The AAA DVD-ROM fullscreen side of this genre has become like any other semi-mature genre. Sure there's a whole bunch of stuff that the developers could try. But they're not because what works has been defined enough so minor tweaks can sell games. Like other genres. Every new game does not need to be an omgrecordsmashkillEQ1again experience. In fact, this genre is terrible for that hit-driven mentality anyway. Other genres can afford the OMGBioshock to OMGCrysis to OMGMassEffect one-time-purchase progression. MMOs need all that money to continue to pour into one game.

DAoC is fine. CoX is fine. There's a crapload of "fine" games out there with a relatively few "gotta check outs" coming. Nothing says mature genre better.

[Ratman_tf]

Ok folks, as a Jaded ex-everyfuckingmmorpgoutthereplayer - I have to interject.

Good enough is not fucking good enough. Dear god, we have people in this thread saying "Well, it's kind of fun." No offense to those folks, but kind of fun is a really fucking low bar.

I have no opinion on Tabula Rasa - none. I haven't played it or the beta, so I can't intelligently speak about it. But I can say that when we have discussions that end up with the usual comparison to WoW (see last post), defining DIKU, and wondering why stat based combat doesn't feel like an FPS we have gone wrong. It may be a wonderful game, I have no idea. But if not -CALL IT. Cause folks the MMORPG genre is sucking wind big time. It's a Canadian soldier in Kandahar with no pot and a flat tire. And if we don't call it noone will. DON'T BUY IT IF IT SUCKS. Please. I beg. Same goes for War BTW.

If anything really negative can be said about TR, it's that there's nothing really negative to say about it.

Tabula Rasa is bland. If you're bored of other games and just want a different quest chain, or a new virtual landscape to explore, Tabula Rasa won't kick you in the nuts.

Personally, I don't have a problem with that. If you're looking for the next Zowie! game, or the next train wreck, move along, cause Tabula Rasa ain't it.

[squirrel]

DON'T BUY IT IF IT SUCKS. Please. I beg. Same goes for War BTW.

The exact same sentiment could easily be applied to the six month Hellgate subscription you just bought and the lifetime sub you are trying to get.  The hellgate launch was an unmitigated disaster, there are bugs everywhere many of which make the game unplayable, subscription was down the first week, they took down the servers at primetime on launch day for an optional patch FFS, etc, etc.  We shouldn't be supporting games coded that poorly either (even if the game itself is fun) so that in the future developers know they won't be able to get away with it.  But let's be realistic, they can.  We payed for a game that barely rises to early beta level quality.  I bought a lifetime sub to HGL despite its clusterfuck of a launch.  My guild decided to try Tabula Rasa so I'm playing it too.  It's not as bad as I remember in beta, the game definitely sucks to start but gets much better once you start running instances with friends, defending/assaulting control points and get your third tier career choice at 15.  My biggest complaint is that the itemization sucks.

But Hellgate doesn't suck. And you'll notice I didn't say TR sucks, I haven't played it and have no opinion of it. Both of which are unlikely to change anytime soon. I just said IF it sucks - don't buy it. HG:L has huge issues but c'mon - it's a tonne of fun.

[Moaner]

I've played both.  HG:L wins IMO because you actually get shiny loot after hours of clicking.  But, they both are underwhelming.  I was hoping for so much more. 

I may try TR again after a few weeks of HG:L.  I think it has a lot of potential (more so than HG:L) .  Right now though it feels like a skeleton of a game.

I really want a new MMORPG, but they all suck.  WoW makes me stabby, I've played EQ for 6 years, EQ2 is too much like EQ, Eve is not for me, etc.  I just want a fucking persistant online Diablo, 3rd person isometric.  Hopefully Mythos kicks my ass.