WAR - another newsletter - more RvR, less sport PvP

[schild]

I'm surprised this isn't crossposted in that thread Mark posted in about the countdown.

I hope they enjoy the clock.

I tried linking to this over at Only-war, but it was immediately deleted by their head mod.  That board is tightly, tightly controlled.

I love administrators and mods who don't know their place in the gaming infrastructure.

[Triforcer]

You're all exited about this?  

Exclusive quest? That's complete bullshit.

224 page hardbound book and a miniature?  I'm a suck for that sort of stuff. 

[schild]

I wonder why they deleted it since they tried to leak it unsuccessfully before:

http://www.only-war.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=53

Edit: In fact, they link directly to something that has, practically, ALL of the information in it:
http://war.onlinewelten.com/uploads/News/03_08/cover_4.jpg

Edit 2: Oh man, it includes a spot in the OPEN BETA. Which begs the question, are Europeans just daft? Do they go for stuff like that? The Gamestop email didn't even mention silliness like that, and Gamestop is pretty stupid.
http://war.onlinewelten.com/uploads/News/03_08/cover_3.jpg

[tmp]

I hope I didn't just steal some super minor thunder from GOA.

Bonus In-Game Item - The Librams of Insight - Special Use XP-Gain Modifier.

Hmm, another round of "is RMT eveel" in the gaming blogs everywhere.

edit: also, Warning - while you were reading 8 new replies have been posted. You may wish to review your post.

hawt topic 

[UnSub]

I didn't see a cloth or paper world map in that CE list.

Everyone knows when you are giving the players cheap, crappy and practically useless exclusive items, a world map is a must.

[rk47]

.......sigh  that's alright. I'll just grind harder than you guys. I'm awaiting news on Oceanic server anyway, wouldn't want to play in a half empty server during my online hours.

[Signe]

I'm a suck for that sort of stuff. 

Are you from Roma?

[Triforcer]

I'm a suck for that sort of stuff. 

Are you from Roma?

Nope.  Ohio.  Things like artbooks give me a warm and fuzzy feeling about the MMO I am imagining in my mind, which cushions the blow of inevitable reality.   

[Signe]

Whoooosh!

[rk47]

You're all exited about this?  

Exclusive quest? That's complete bullshit.

There's quite a lot of goodies in there, not just in-game stuff. Lore artbooks and comic, a figurine. I'm not really into it but I can see why a lot of people would want to shell out more not just for the in-game stuff.

[Xerapis]

Limited CE numbers make me stabby.  No brick-and-mortar option for me here in Kekelaland.

Ah, well.  Wasn't sure if I wanted to try it anyway.  I was accepted into beta and couldn't get their horrible client to download correctly and never ended up playing it.  Tried to go back later and was told my link was outdated and they were making a new version and I had to wait.  WTF?

So far, not impressed.

[Comstar]

Delayed again?

Electronic Arts has announced that PC MMORPG Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning won't be released until the autumn.

so 3 months turned into 6 months before release? Glad they're waiting, but not a good sign they need more time?

[Dash]

Definitely good if they are taking more time.  From the leaks I've come across it had been pretty meh and boring, but a lot of people seem to indicate it's definitely improving as they iterate and add shit. 

More time is never a bad thing anyway imo.

ETA:

http://www.warhammeralliance.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31118

Folks,

So, I'm going to go ahead and create a topic here in which I'll be happy to talk about the change in release day and other associated subjects. As usual, I'll ask people to be polite and I will be so in return. Below this paragraph I have included some questions I expect you'll ask with some answers in advance. Please take the time to read this Q&A before asking me a question in return. I hate to be rude but I don't want to have to answer the same question again and again. Also, please read the entire thread (or at least my responses in it) before asking a question for the same reason.

And please, if you are going to use this thread to either outrage, disappointment and/or anger (real or feigned), I ask you please to do that in another thread. This topic is for people who want to talk to me about the delay, the reasons behind it, the effect on WAR, etc. As I said in the Eurogamer thread I expect lots of visits from trolls (just as we got the last time) from other games looking for an opportunity to pile-on because of this announcement.

Mark

1) When’s the release date? We are only prepared to say that the game will launch Fall 2008. Given the highly competitive nature of the MMO industry right now, we feel it is best not to establish a set launch date at the present time.

2) Will you still be able to launch the European and North American versions of the game simultaneously? That’s always been our plan for WAR and nothing about this delay endangers that at all. Actually, it gives us a little more time to make sure that everything is ready to go at launch.

3) How’s the beta going? It’s going quite well. We’re getting tons of great feedback and overall, we are quite pleased with the game’s progress. Given the rather complicate nature of MMOs in general, and the fact that WAR is both a PvE and an RvR game, getting it right at launch is paramount to the game’s success.

4) Do you think you are going to hit this release date? About as sure as we were the last time, which means that we’ll be sure that we’ll hit the date when the game goes gold master. Our confidence only increases the longer we are in beta.

5) It seems that WAR is taking a long time to develop, is this true? Mythic began work on WAR in Fall 2005. Even with this delay, if the game launches within the new window it will be only a three-year development cycle. That is far less than most other MMORPGs ... other than Dark Age of Camelot, of course.

6) How does EA feel about this delay? They feel the same way about it that we do, sad but supportive. We all would have loved to release this game in the 2nd Quarter but it wouldn’t have been a great game at launch we know it can be. A good game absolutely, but not great. Our CEO has been a vocal proponent within EA and spokesmen outside of it of the need to improve the quality of all games, including EA. We are thrilled to be happy to help meet his trumpet call.

7) It’s going to be a pretty crowded couple of quarters in the MMORPG space, why do you think WAR is going to be able to stand out? One of the lessons from developers like BioWare and Blizzard is that you can’t rush a great game to market. By taking the necessary time to make WAR a great game, we feel it will be able to stand out in any season. We would rather release a great game in the fall then a good one any other time.

Do you see any positives in the delay of the game’s release? Yes, lots of them. Extra time for polish, more time for iteration and a chance to be one of the standout products of the biggest selling season for the industry.

9) Why did you announce the date now? We could have waited to announce a delay, and in doing so take advantage of the hype surrounding the of the Collector’s Edition to sell a ton of copies. However, that has never been the way we’ve done business and that is not about to change now. We’ve always told the community that when a delay was necessary we would tell them right away, and we’re doing just that. I wish I could say all other developers do this but the fact is that they don't. We did what's right for the game but delaying the release and what's right for the community by announcing it now.

10) Will this have any effect on any other overseas launches for WAR? This has no impact on our plans for Asia.

[Triforcer]

Bleh.  I guess I have to order AoC now to pass the time...

[Nebu]

More time is never a bad thing anyway imo.

It is if you're paying the salaries.  Especially for a game like Vanguard, Tabula Rasa, etc. 

Time doesn't help every project.  Let's hope that Mythic has the experience to put it to good use.  6 years still wasn't enough to fix the issues with DAoC, so I'm not entirely optimistic.   

[Triforcer]

A thought:

doesn't this put the WAR release right around WOTLK?  That would be...bad. 

[fuser]

Sigh, my ebgames has no idea about the collectors edition.

[murdoc]

I always thought this was coming out in the Fall. My sources were ahead of their time I guess.

[Dash]

More time is never a bad thing anyway imo.

It is if you're paying the salaries.  Especially for a game like Vanguard, Tabula Rasa, etc. 

Time doesn't help every project.  Let's hope that Mythic has the experience to put it to good use.  6 years still wasn't enough to fix the issues with DAoC, so I'm not entirely optimistic.   

I had a lot of fun in DAoC.  Vanguard and Tabula didnt get worse with more time though, so it's not like they took too long and that's why they sucked.  It's only been in development 3 years, that's not too long at all by MMO standards.  I still say it's a good thing.

[Triforcer]

If a three year development time really is the norm, Mythic's only real sin was implying they could do it in 1.5-2.  Which can still result in substantive harm in public perception, but its not nearly as worrisome as "omg we have a game that completely sucks, delay delay."   

[tazelbain]

I thought 5-year disasters was the norm.

[tmp]

I thought 5-year disasters was the norm.

They kinda are. I wouldn't take the 'new' autumn date for granted although they might be tempted to ship it around holidays come hell or high water, just to get something before WoW launches next expansion..?

[HRose]

For those (everyone) who will imply that a delay is "good".

It means the game will cost more money, so, to be successful, it will also need to be more popular. Delays rise the stakes.

It's the same situation of Mythic selling out to EA. Sure, they got money and time, but it also means that every move requires greater payback. Consider it a loan. It's not free money and great games.

The higher you fly, the harder the fall.

But the truth about people liking delays is simply that they like to still hope. If the game isn't out you can imagine it anyway you want.

[Montague]

But the truth about people liking delays is simply that they like to still hope. If the game isn't out you can imagine it anyway you want.

Much in the same vein that the most popular player on a losing football team is the backup quarterback.

[HaemishM]

Collector's edition gives you exclusive quests, quest rewards, AND an XP-gain modifier?

Fuck that in its earhole.

[Mrbloodworth]

Collector's edition gives you exclusive quests, quest rewards, AND an XP-gain modifier?

Fuck that in its earhole.

You don't really think all that will be worth something in game do you? Most CE goodies are always marginally useful.

[HaemishM]

XP-gain modifier will most definitely be worth something.

[Triforcer]

XP-gain modifier will most definitely be worth something.

Er, you did see the "three uses" part, right?  Three hours of +10% xp gain isn't going to get you to level 40 even hours ahead of anyone else.

[Morfiend]

XP-gain modifier will most definitely be worth something.

Its a 3 time use item, at one hour each time. Thats really not a huge advantage worth getting worked up about.

As to the delay, I think it is a very good thing. I have several friends in beta (damn them) and they all echo the same statement. The game is pretty good right now, they could launch and it would be decent. But every patch its getting much more polished and more fun. So, if Mythic can keep that up and not just muddy the game, I think its great they are delaying. Even though I want to play it right now damnit.

[Nevermore]

If they need to entice people with exp bonuses, then they're saying the game isn't fun because you'll want to skip to the end as soon as possible.  Grind? In a Mythic game?  Unpossible! 

[Dash]

For those (everyone) who will imply that a delay is "good".

It means the game will cost more money, so, to be successful, it will also need to be more popular. Delays rise the stakes.

It's the same situation of Mythic selling out to EA. Sure, they got money and time, but it also means that every move requires greater payback. Consider it a loan. It's not free money and great games.

The higher you fly, the harder the fall.

While that's true that it's more cost and risk it has nothing to do with failure rate.  Hi2U Blizzard?

But the truth about people liking delays is simply that they like to still hope. If the game isn't out you can imagine it anyway you want.

Nope.  Not sure how big you are into PC gaming but early buggy releases for the loss and such.  More time doesnt guarantee quality but if it's a choice between shipping a buggy half done product and working on it more, from a consumer perspective... work on it more.


I'd also like to rant about EBGamestop here since they want me to go to one of those shitholes to pre-register.  Fuck that motherfuckers.  I hate those places.  At least the one by me.  The people there are fucking obnoxious, at least the owner is.  The stereotypical goth/emo/gamer girl is nice to me and so is one of the other employees.  The other people that work there, especially the owner, are pricks and I dont want to give them my business. 

[HaemishM]

XP-gain modifier will most definitely be worth something.

Its a 3 time use item, at one hour each time. Thats really not a huge advantage worth getting worked up about.

It's enough to piss me off, especially if I can't get the same item through a quest or other means, and it's dangerously close to "pay money for quicker leveling/more power." That there's bad mojo, IMO.

Granted, I'm pretty easy to piss off, but still. 

[Mrbloodworth]

XP-gain modifier will most definitely be worth something.

Its a 3 time use item, at one hour each time. Thats really not a huge advantage worth getting worked up about.

It's enough to piss me off, especially if I can't get the same item through a quest or other means, and it's dangerously close to "pay money for quicker leveling/more power." That there's bad mojo, IMO.

Granted, I'm pretty easy to piss off, but still. 

Then again, if you were buying the collectors edition, and something like that was not there, you would be pissed about there not being anything of "Worth" in the box.

[Ratman_tf]

Then again, if you were buying the collectors edition, and something like that was not there, you would be pissed about there not being anything of "Worth" in the box.

Shit. Just throw a pewter dragon holding a crystal ball in there. Every cool nerd needs a pewter dragon on their computer desk.

[HaemishM]

Collector's edition are generally worth fuckall, IMO. I don't need a cloth map of a world I'll never visit in any way other than through a computer. Blizzard's useless pets was about as close to anything useful in-game as I ever want to see.