Mortal Online = darkfall + mourning?

[Draegan]

I'll save you the time to tell you not to play Aika, another FTP Korean game.

[Draegan]

So.  June 9th.

Mortal Online Newsletter May 14th 2010


Mortal Online goes live on the 9th of June

The release date of Mortal Online has now been set: the 9th of June. Please read below for more information.

Last weeks of open Beta, status and feedback

With the new engine build, we have finally solved the desync issues we suffered from in the old network solution. Earlier on we lacked the proper tools to be able to track all packages sent from server to client, but with the new software now in place we have managed to eliminate the problem. A lot of internal QA testing as well as positive feedback from our Beta testers confirm the result.

A couple of weeks ago we published a new build of Mortal Online with only a few systems enabled. The reason for this was for us to be able to track the server performance while gradually enabling all server features such as creatures and interactive objects. The systems were enabled on the server side only for testing and performance tracking and therefore not available for the players. This helped us a lot in optimizing the server load. During these tests we got a lot of reports on bugs and various lag issues from the players, which was expected at this point due to a lot of systems being disabled or partly shut down.

Collaboration with Epic Games China/Titan Studios Epic Games

China/Titan Studios has been most helpful in the launch and testing of our latest build, and thanks to them we will have a much more stable core for the release. Three Star Vault programmers have been working with Titan Studious in their office in Seattle during the last week while they were optimizing their network engine. Working together with their team with direct access to both our game and their engine made it much more effective than distance collaboration such as email and video conferences.

Titan Studious will continue to work on their network solution while supporting the development of Mortal Online. We still have one Star Vault programmer in the U.S working with their team to make communication between our two teams more efficient.

The coming patches will include server fixes for better performance, bug fixes and progressively enabling game features for the testers.

Closing open Beta for final step before release

We are now closing open Beta to be able to effectively make our last changes to the server. Anyone who has a purchased license of Mortal Online will still be able to log in and help us test the game during this period when the server is online. The Open Beta discount will end on Monday 17th of May.

We want to thank all our patient testers; without you this would have been impossible!

-The Mortal Online Team

[Pendan]

I launched my Mortal Online install a couple days ago after not logging in for over a month. Did not get any patch. So sounds to me like they are just declaring the game fixed without actually testing it with any kind of real stress load.

[Tearofsoul]

BTW they purposely set everyone to have an auto renew subscription, even those people that bought the beta almost a year ago when there was no subscription selection available. You didn't even get to choose what subscription terms you want. So if you bought into this scam way back when, you better check your account or suprise come July you will have a charge from ScamVault.

[LC]

I launched my Mortal Online install a couple days ago after not logging in for over a month. Did not get any patch. So sounds to me like they are just declaring the game fixed without actually testing it with any kind of real stress load.

You have to download the entire client again to get the latest patch. If you pre-ordered anyway. Everyone else got pushed out the door before the miracle patch went in.

[Pendan]

You have to download the entire client again to get the latest patch. If you pre-ordered anyway. Everyone else got pushed out the door before the miracle patch went in.

That was my point. Reduce your server load by 80% and get the "miracle" of no more server lag.

[Redgiant]

I got a chuckle out of the "Three Star" Vault programmers part.

Until I saw the "One star" vault programmer part, where I full-on cackled.

[Chinchilla]

For those that beta tested this... what is your take or feeling on this game?  I've been watching Youtube videos, but not sure what to think.  I'm getting a little tired of Fallen Earth and I'm really really wanting some fantasy stuff again.

[Malakili]

For those that beta tested this... what is your take or feeling on this game?  I've been watching Youtube videos, but not sure what to think.  I'm getting a little tired of Fallen Earth and I'm really really wanting some fantasy stuff again.

As crazy as this is going to sound, if you really want to go with a game like this, just go with Darkfall, for all its faults, its a lot better than Mortal Online.

[Chinchilla]

For those that beta tested this... what is your take or feeling on this game?  I've been watching Youtube videos, but not sure what to think.  I'm getting a little tired of Fallen Earth and I'm really really wanting some fantasy stuff again.

As crazy as this is going to sound, if you really want to go with a game like this, just go with Darkfall, for all its faults, its a lot better than Mortal Online.

I'm downloading the trial and patching it as we speak to give it a try.

[WindupAtheist]

Yet another Z-list indie shitpile attempt to recreate the first couple years of UO. I'm sure this will go far.

[Chinchilla]

Darkfall has its flaws, but overall its not too shabby for now.  We shall see as I progress.  I am probably going to download Age of Conan too to give that a try.  I'm just trying to find a decent fantasy game where I can craft and PvP.

[Lantyssa]

Your interests lie in the two most undeveloped areas of MMOs.  Good luck.

[Senses]

I've been trying out Darkfall too, it really isn't half as bad as I was expecting.  But Chinchilla, I think the best option for you with those two aspects in mind is clearly Fallen Earth. Crafting and PvP in ample supply.

[Nightblade]

I've been trying out Darkfall too, it really isn't half as bad as I was expecting.  But Chinchilla, I think the best option for you with those two aspects in mind is clearly Fallen Earth. Crafting and PvP in ample supply.

This was my initial impression as well. As a matter of fact; I actually liked the game for about thirty minutes... Until reality set in.

Things like having to chop wood / do menial tasks for five months to get stats high enough maybe possibly pose a threat to an afk veteran, no role diversity, "Too many fucking buffs" syndrome, shoddy engine, sound effects engineered in a truck stop bathroom, a community that makes the X-box LIVE playerbase seem pleasant by comparison, NPC servers going down every night at the same time, and probably more crap I failed to mention.

[LC]

I've been trying out Darkfall too, it really isn't half as bad as I was expecting.  But Chinchilla, I think the best option for you with those two aspects in mind is clearly Fallen Earth. Crafting and PvP in ample supply.

This was my initial impression as well. As a matter of fact; I actually liked the game for about thirty minutes... Until reality set in.

Things like having to chop wood / do menial tasks for five months to get stats high enough maybe possibly pose a threat to an afk veteran, no role diversity, "Too many fucking buffs" syndrome, shoddy engine, sound effects engineered in a truck stop bathroom, a community that makes the X-box LIVE playerbase seem pleasant by comparison, NPC servers going down every night at the same time, and probably more crap I failed to mention.

Don't forget the overly simplistic (boring) implementation of many features. What kind of sandbox game lets you turn grass (you spent 10 minutes waving a sickle at a bush to acquire) into a tamed horse with the click of a button?  

Their head developer dude does read F13, and has asked me what I think the game is lacking. At least that's a step in the right direction. Much better than listening to some of the delusional fanbois that inhabit their official forums.

[ashrik]

Whew! Updating Mortal Online as we speak! ETA 1 hour and 20 minutes until sandbox gaming nirvana 

[Falconeer]

Release.

Dear Community, fans, friends and business partners,

we are very proud to announce that Mortal Online launched at 16:00 GMT+2 today, June 9th 2010.
It has been a rough ride for both you, our loyal fans, as well as the team here at Star Vault.
We have come a long way from the first days of Block A and "Lake Sausage", the time of imba-spears and chars with maxed out skills and now, finally the point we are at today, with all promised features implemented, the beatutiful and dangerous world of Nave.
Without your great support this would have never been possible and everybody here at Star Vault is proud to be a part of this great community.
The ride isn't over yet - there are still a few milestones ahead in the next months. As all of you know the game is not as polished as we wanted it to be but we will continue - with you vital support - to make this an awsome game.

[Nonentity]

The thing that pisses me off most about this game is that if you pre-ordered it, your free month started yesterday. No saving it until they actually make the game work.

As of right now, their website and forums are down, and the patcher won't connect.

Progress!

[ashrik]

Whoops, more patches. 2 and a half hours to go now.

[HaemishM]

You know, you paid these people for this privilege. What the fuck is wrong with you?

[Lantyssa]

He paid for Darkfall, too.  Do you really need to ask?

[Chinchilla]

Your interests lie in the two most undeveloped areas of MMOs.  Good luck.

Any other suggestions?  I am just looking for a fantasy game that has good PvP (preferrably full pvp... the whole zone thing does get tiresome).

I've been trying out Darkfall too, it really isn't half as bad as I was expecting.  But Chinchilla, I think the best option for you with those two aspects in mind is clearly Fallen Earth. Crafting and PvP in ample supply.

The problem is that I am right now playing Fallen Earth.  I am just getting tired of the sci-fi setting.  I really miss the fantasy / swords and sorcery thing (don't know why, but I do).  Maybe I just need a different clan or something... I don't know.  I'll see how I feel after this 2 week trail is up.

[ashrik]

He paid for Darkfall, too.  Do you really need to ask?

The only difference being that Darkfall was actually a game and I had a pretty good time playing it.

But it's not like I'm the first person to have more money and curiosity than sense.

[Speedy Cerviche]

I'm not playing this or anything, but it seems like there's a real train wreck going on there.

http://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=3165434&userid=0&perpage=40&pagenumber=94

[Goreschach]

I'm impressed this game even launched.

[Chinchilla]

I was really hoping to try this game out, but after reading all that stuff I'll just wait to see if they release a trail or something.  20% off isn't enough for me to go and buy it.

[DLRiley]

call me when this is free, oh wait....

[Wasted]

So apparently this game has just gone F2P.  Did anyone actually try it?

[Cadaverine]

I gave it a shot.  It's still bad.  Still plenty of bugs.  Archaic, ass backwards systems, clunky combat, and sub-par graphics.