Neocron chugs along- you can now create an account!

[Cheddar]

Bummer.

Should have been the perfect storm of awesome.  Strippers, pew pew, and cyberpunk.  How did it all go so wrong?

Bad leadership.  Paging Hartsman!!!

[BigBlack]

Alright, this is officially on my 'will play when I get the chance' list.

[DarkSign]

And then it will be on your "wtfbbqomg why did I ever play this" list. Seriously. About the only thing they get right is the ambiance. The rest of the game is either cliched or crap. Mobs pop up right in front of you after you've killed them 90 times. PvP is a gankfest of epic proportions. The hacking? It's a puzzle mini-game that's totally crap-tastic.

Dont even get me started on all the shady dev shit with helping favorite guilds and the database problems where characters were wiped.

[Slayerik]

And then it will be on your "wtfbbqomg why did I ever play this" list. Seriously. About the only thing they get right is the ambiance. The rest of the game is either cliched or crap. Mobs pop up right in front of you after you've killed them 90 times. PvP is a gankfest of epic proportions. The hacking? It's a puzzle mini-game that's totally crap-tastic.

Dont even get me started on all the shady dev shit with helping favorite guilds and the database problems where characters were wiped.

Jeez man, sounds like you have never played a PVP game before. Neocron's PVP being a 'gankfest' ? Well of course it is, you are fighting over outposts versus other gangs. I have plenty of one on one or two on two fights, I think its pretty unfair to call it a gankfest of epic proportions. Overall, your sentiment about the game is pretty much on...but the knocking of the game's PVP is off target, IMO. It was the main thing it had going for it.

I havent played in a long time though, I may just be defending old memories of a game.

[Hoax]

Yeah I'm not sure wtf your talking about w/ the pvp, the hacking was sort of cool also, at least as cool as AO's cyberspace was.  The problem was the very mechanics of the game sucked.  Why go through all this trouble making a setting that is so far from the diku norm and then trying to shove it back into a diku gameplay experience?  Morons.  See Neocron & AA for why taking original concepts that demand new core gameplay and forcing them into a mold derivative shit is a bad idea.

The second my gun couldn't fire where I was aiming the crosshair, by that I mean the bullet wasn't even on a similar trajectory to where I had been pointing.  Because apparently I wasn't skilled enough to aim better then I can in real life with two trips to a firing range under my belt...

Fuck off.
Just fuck off and die.
Idiots.
Stupid german idiots.
I wanted to play Neocron, they wouldn't let me.
Also the severe information overload and lack of any central place to find the answers to basic newbie questions was bad, mkay.

[Cheddar]

Yeah I'm not sure wtf your talking about w/ the pvp, the hacking was sort of cool also, at least as cool as AO's cyberspace was.  The problem was the very mechanics of the game sucked.  Why go through all this trouble making a setting that is so far from the diku norm and then trying to shove it back into a diku gameplay experience?  Morons.  See Neocron & AA for why taking original concepts that demand new core gameplay and forcing them into a mold derivative shit is a bad idea.

The second my gun couldn't fire where I was aiming the crosshair, by that I mean the bullet wasn't even on a similar trajectory to where I had been pointing.  Because apparently I wasn't skilled enough to aim better then I can in real life with two trips to a firing range under my belt...
I wanted to play Neocron, they wouldn't let me.
Also the severe information overload and lack of any central place to find the answers to basic newbie questions was bad, mkay.

Perfect review.  I disagree somewhat with the aiming portion; it did not take much to get a weapon that you could handle.  Lack of information really hurt the game more then anything else.  They should have boosted noob character somewhat and had a central location for information.

[DarkSign]

And then it will be on your "wtfbbqomg why did I ever play this" list. Seriously. About the only thing they get right is the ambiance. The rest of the game is either cliched or crap. Mobs pop up right in front of you after you've killed them 90 times. PvP is a gankfest of epic proportions. The hacking? It's a puzzle mini-game that's totally crap-tastic.

Dont even get me started on all the shady dev shit with helping favorite guilds and the database problems where characters were wiped.

Jeez man, sounds like you have never played a PVP game before. Neocron's PVP being a 'gankfest' ? Well of course it is, you are fighting over outposts versus other gangs. I have plenty of one on one or two on two fights, I think its pretty unfair to call it a gankfest of epic proportions. Overall, your sentiment about the game is pretty much on...but the knocking of the game's PVP is off target, IMO. It was the main thing it had going for it.

I havent played in a long time though, I may just be defending old memories of a game.

Jeez man, sounds like you know nothing about me. I'm a 100% PvP aficionado. UO, EQ, Shadowbane, RF Online, Silk Road ... you name the MMO..I've griefed someone on it. But I still have problems with Neocron's PvP system. There's a difference between a slim chance of being able to compete and no chance based on GM fuckwittery and dumb game mechanics.

the hacking was sort of cool also,

If you like dumb ass connect the pipes mini-games...then sure. It's loads of Disney fun. But hacking could be so much better. Check out Hacker Evolution or google DarkSign, Uplink, or StreetHacker. You want to impress me? Make hacking an integrated part of the game, not connect the fucking dots.

EDIT: Link fixed

[Rendakor]

If you like dumb ass connect the pipes mini-games...then sure. It's loads of Disney fun. But hacking could be so much better. Check out Hacker Evolution or google DarkSign, Uplink, or StreetHacker. You want to impress me? Make hacking an integrated part of the game, not connect the fucking dots.

Your link sends me to Wikipedia.  Too many http://'s

[DarkSign]

Fixed.

I guess the main reason why I hated Neocron pvp (ignoring all the other problems) was that there are no binding rules and also the storyline doesn't properly allow you playing a killer. There were virtually no coherent storyline punishments for just randomly ganking someone. When somebody's answer to why they are doing something in an MMORPG is 'because I can' then you know that you've cocked it up. I expect more.

[Cheddar]

I guess the main reason why I hated Neocron pvp (ignoring all the other problems) was that there are no binding rules and also the storyline doesn't properly allow you playing a killer. There were virtually no coherent storyline punishments for just randomly ganking someone. When somebody's answer to why they are doing something in an MMORPG is 'because I can' then you know that you've cocked it up. I expect more.

This is 100% inaccurate.   There is a system in place called Soullight- when you kill people it drops (FAST) and will lock you out of certain "safe" areas.  Also the faction system is also in place; kill someone from Tangent and they start hating you- going so far as NPCS taking potshots at you and all. 

If anything Neocron has the best PvP mechanic I have ever seen, it was one reason I loved it.

[DarkSign]

Well that shit wasnt in when I played the damn game. And I played it up until just after Neocron2. If it had, I wouldn't be bitching.
Come to think of it, yeah I would. With all the server / db fuckups that screwed people's characters and the retarded mob spawning the game is still crap except for the ambiance.

EDIT: Soullight has always been in the game, but not in the form you describe. It was a panicky addition after all the safezones were deleted.

[Slayerik]

I played NC for longer than most I guess, and I never experienced anything I thought was fishy from the GM side. Thats not saying that it didn't happen, but we could always compete with or beat STORM ... the German Clan

And ... um yeah Soullight had been in for a long time and I'm pretty sure you didnt want to be too far negative. One of the biggest PVP bummers was how bad vehicles were. I remember getting a tank and expecting it to at least be worthwhile, but it was horrible.

I tell ya, I had as many random PVP scraps in this game per hour as I did even UO. You could find fights easily when you wanted, and avoid them as well. I always thought the faction system they had was kinda weird but allowed for a lot of fighting, and eventually caused some hate between sides. It drew battlelines very well. Outpost fights were great. Not much else for me to say.

[Cheddar]

Evidently people with accounts created already get to play for free.  There was a big meltdown behind the scenes and the developers of Neocron dumped the people handling billing and whatnot.  I figure I would check out the changes and see whats going on!

[Cheddar]

My account automagically works!  Not sure if you can create new accounts, but I bet the admins would if you asked.

I am a sick, sick man.

[Slayerik]

Since i was unable to recover my old account, I wont be firing this bad boy back up :) I just can't go through painfully bad PVE anymore to get to the good stuff, especially an old ass game.

[Cheddar]

I am actually have a good time.  Made some new friends, started as a spy.  We will see how things progress - the unfuck patch has really made a difference this go around.

[Ratman_tf]

Bargle. I figured I'd get around to trying this out, but I think the middle of a billing crisis is a bad time to start.

I can't get an account registered.

[Cheddar]

Bargle. I figured I'd get around to trying this out, but I think the middle of a billing crisis is a bad time to start.

I can't get an account registered.

I would sign up in the forums and PM a GM.  They have a quick response and may be able to hook you up on the fly.

[Cheddar]

http://forum.neocron.com/showthread.php?t=142990  == New accounts

[Ratman_tf]

http://forum.neocron.com/showthread.php?t=142990  == New accounts

Yeah. My problem was Click2Pay said I wasn't in a country that qualified for the transaction. (I live in Washington state, USA...)

Thanks for looking that up.

[Triforcer]

Know why its bad to necro threads?  Because I see a post from geldonyetich2, think he's back, and die a little inside.  DON'T DO THAT. 

[Cheddar]

Now that KK is officially bankrupt the development cycle has continued (I know- ass backwards).

You can now make accounts (download client, click on account management) and server population has been better then I have seen since 2004.  The test server is live and they are going through bug fixes at the moment.

Still rough to get the hang of for new players- but here ya go.  Oh, and free to play.

[Scold]

Now that KK is officially bankrupt the development cycle has continued (I know- ass backwards).

You can now make accounts (download client, click on account management) and server population has been better then I have seen since 2004.  The test server is live and they are going through bug fixes at the moment.

Still rough to get the hang of for new players- but here ya go.  Oh, and free to play.

Is this subsidized by some European government or something? I am... a little unclear on the cause and effect behind the developments in your post.

[5150]

I'[ve always had a soft spot for this game (despite the devs best attempts to screw it up) and I was worried it would go under when I heard about Black Prophecy but I have no idea how they have managed (or will manage) to keep it running without a sub (they toyed with in game advertising like Anarchy Online did but I dont think anything came of it)

[Cheddar]

From what I have pieced together- and a lot is scuttlebutt- the IP has reverted back to the original creators/developers.  New company formed under http://nukklear.com/.

The product has changed hands many times.  Once Black Prophet went full on they had a complete stoppage of any development to the game.

Kirk and Martin have been very fanatic about it over the years.  Makes me wonder how much interferance they have had over their beloved game.

[Baldrake]

Where can you actually get it? The web site said there is a demo of the browser version, but didn't give a link!

[Dark_MadMax]

Hmm that thing still going on? Wow lol. I must give credit to reakktor   -game they made were innovative in many ways even if lacking for long term commitment.

[5150]

Where can you actually get it? The web site said there is a demo of the browser version, but didn't give a link!

The demo is/was offline and 100MB, I have a copy dated 2004 (probably hasn't been updated since then tbh) if you really want a copy and can come up with an easy way for me to get it to you I'm happy to oblige.

I'm not sure now indicative it is of the current game though (the graphics should be the same) some aspects of gameplay (Psi Monks for example) are notable different now than they were at launch

[Cheddar]

Where can you actually get it? The web site said there is a demo of the browser version, but didn't give a link!

They hid multiple mirror sites under the "Down Load Now" Link- here is one such from Gamers Hell

What fucking sucks is they banned some hackers/dupers and are now suffering massive DOS attacks.  The servers have been mostly offline during primetime- they are struggling to get everything backup.  Since this is a work of passion with zero corporate support its taking them awhile to work through these issues.

I am, for some reason, very very very itchy to play.  Goal this time around is crank out my crafters then focus on other stuff.

Be warned: you do not get walked through things.  Neocron city is just a tiny part of the world!

[Kitsune]

Did they ever improve the whole hacking part of the game?  I was in the original Neocron beta with high hopes of being the 1337 hax0r, only to find that hacking was just a little minigame to open some boxes.  You can't have good cyberpunk without good hacking.  Anarchy Online similarly falls flat on that front.

[5150]

Did they ever improve the whole hacking part of the game?  I was in the original Neocron beta with high hopes of being the 1337 hax0r, only to find that hacking was just a little minigame to open some boxes.  You can't have good cyberpunk without good hacking.  Anarchy Online similarly falls flat on that front.

Hacknet got added, its basically a variation on fast(er) travel, You hack a GenRep and immiediately go to your faction HQ Hacknet zone (regardless of where the GR was) and can then travel through HackNet to any other GR (which you dont need to have tagged in the real world). But youll need to be a high level hacker or the mobs will make short work of you.

There was also something in there about getting faction blueprints but I never bothered to look that up as I dont play a Spy so I'll never get a high enough hack skill

[Scold]

Is the PvE less of a slog now? That seems like the biggest thing they'd have to take on if they're going to get people back.

[5150]

Is the PvE less of a slog now? That seems like the biggest thing they'd have to take on if they're going to get people back.

I'm inclined to say its worse but I can only qualify that by saying that they did make some changes (they moved the Aggy Captain cellar in NC for example) and I seem to recall they made it harder (which means you end up having to run more shitty 'kill roach/radiated roach/sewer rat' missions before you can face the Aggy captains

They also made Outzone 2 (IIRC) almost impossible to get through for lowbies by having it swarming with mutants (no idea if this was a bug or intentional)

[Cheddar]

Gameplay is similar to what you remember.  What is exciting is the development going on.  New servers should be up this weekend and they have an announcement coming out within the next 24 hours.

The team has already isolated the cause of numerous bugs (focus of patch 175 is to fix broken stuff) and are really being productive.

Problem is- damned game still down during peak hours because of the DDOS attacks.   

[Baldrake]

Thanks Cheddar and 5150. I'll just wait until it's open. Man, I wonder if I have my own old disks somewhere.