So what's Mass Market Again? Conan hits 1M (shipped).

[photek]

Bah. If I only could break my own companys NDA on a system I wrote and developed which is going to annihilate the old defensive systems of MMOs, we would have better games and far more interactive combat. 

In other words, I'll believe your wonderful new idea right after I see it.   

I already have it up and running, as a prototype, and it is superior to any defensive combat system that any MMO sports currently. And this is just one of the systems. I'll see if I can make an NDA for some of you guys if you are interested in looking under the hood and testing my prototype possibly. Then you can either assist my boasting followed by or bash me till I fall.

Lantyssa : Its a bit problematic you see, I am the owner of the company 

[Merusk]

I think that while WE (the hardcore) may be ready for the Next Step in MMO Evolution, there's a fuckton of people out there with their feet wet, still proclaiming that this is awesome like we did when we first started. 

Don't forget some of "WE" still enjoy the old way just fine, thx.  I'm not alone in this, either.

Doesn't mean I wouldn't like to see something different, but "different" has to also be "well done" to get any accolades from me.  We've had different but sucky, thx.

[photek]

You mean a revolutionising combat system on top of social dynamics, combined with cutting edge AAA gameplay which will elevate simple play to a level never reached in game development?

It's easy. Leverage the console streamlining for gameplay, combine it with the combat dynamics knowhow pushed by Photek and Co, and BAM.

I think I'm onto something yes. Sounds retardedly arrogant, naive and optimistic, thats why I'm never saying a word on what I work on or do on any board as we have all witnessed the "all talk, no walk" devs for the last decade. I'll show my stuff when its done and announce when I have things completed instead of yapping my mouth about stuff that will never see daylight. PS : I'm NOT working on an MMO, neither can I financially even if I wanted, but a genre I like to call "Action-adventure inspired PvP / Multiplayer-RPG".

[Tarami]

You mean a revolutionising combat system on top of social dynamics, combined with cutting edge AAA gameplay which will elevate simple play to a level never reached in game development?

It's easy. Leverage the console streamlining for gameplay, combine it with the combat dynamics knowhow pushed by Photek and Co, and BAM.

I think I'm onto something yes. Sounds retardedly arrogant, naive and optimistic, thats why I'm never saying a word on what I work on or do on any board as we have all witnessed the "all talk, no walk" devs for the last decade. I'll show my stuff when its done and announce when I have things completed instead of yapping my mouth about stuff that will never see daylight. PS : I'm NOT working on an MMO, neither can I financially even if I wanted, but a genre I like to call "Action-adventure inspired PvP / Multiplayer-RPG".

It wasn't a reply, it was a snarky reference.

Edit;
My point was that a prototype, the world's best design document and everything else that can't count as a complete game/technology are worth absolutely nothing combined.

This is what makes Blizzard different from, say, FunCom.

[tmp]

My point was that a prototype, the world's best design document and everything else that can't count as a complete game/technology are worth absolutely nothing combined.

This is what makes Blizzard different from, say, FunCom.

I dunno; that is, i suspect out of these two mentioned Blizzard was possibly one that actually bothered with the gameplay prototypes at some stage. And if the prototype is fun then yeah it doesn't guarantee that the full game will be too ... but it's quite a step above doing straight the complete game with no tests whatsoever, and then finding out the theoretical concepts aren't really that fun at all in practice, few months after launch 

(of course, the SWG revamp is hovering there as instant counter-argument but welp)

[Tarami]

My point was that a prototype, the world's best design document and everything else that can't count as a complete game/technology are worth absolutely nothing combined.

This is what makes Blizzard different from, say, FunCom.

I dunno; that is, i suspect out of these two mentioned Blizzard was possibly one that actually bothered with the gameplay prototypes at some stage. And if the prototype is fun then yeah it doesn't guarantee that the full game will be too ... but it's quite a step above doing straight the complete game with no tests whatsoever, and then finding out the theoretical concepts aren't really that fun at all in practice, few months after launch 

You are misunderstanding me, I meant Blizzard has the ability to take a fun prototype and make it a game rather than make a prototype and then try to market it...

PS.
Yeah, I'm trolling a bit.

[Musashi]

I think that while WE (the hardcore) may be ready for the Next Step in MMO Evolution, there's a fuckton of people out there with their feet wet, still proclaiming that this is awesome like we did when we first started. 

Don't forget some of "WE" still enjoy the old way just fine, thx.  I'm not alone in this, either.

Doesn't mean I wouldn't like to see something different, but "different" has to also be "well done" to get any accolades from me.  We've had different but sucky, thx.

Yea i think we're in the same boat then.

[Calantus]

Told ya.
15 years old and all. Age of Conan's step forward when it comes to combat has just turned in a step back. Yay autoattack, boo circlestrafing. Yay EQ1/WoW combat, boo Age of Conan's broken and unrealistic one!

You guys redefine awesome from time to time.

You don't get to take the high road in a MMO discussion ever. Have we forgotten Vanguard so soon?

[Falconeer]

Don't tap my poetic vein, Calantus. I'd destroy you. 

And no, we haven't forgotten Vanguard. That's why I am better than you: I know when I lose, you don't.

[Tarami]

The Vanguard "discussions" were what melted my frigid heart to these forums.

Much .

[Calantus]

This isn't about winning or losing. This is about your pattern of fanboish defence of your FoTM MMO while overlooking its flaws. You were wrong with Vanguard. You know you were wrong, and you admitted it. Yet you still have not learned. I fear you may never learn.

[Slayerik]

This isn't about winning or losing. This is about your pattern of fanboish defence of your FoTM MMO while overlooking its flaws. You were wrong with Vanguard. You know you were wrong, and you admitted it. Yet you still have not learned. I fear you may never learn.

Some people like our FOTM MMOs. You like WoW, we get it. The jab at Falc for his fanboism is deserved, yes.

It's ok for people to like different things. I logged on AoC last night and had fun. A lot of people aren't. At this point, calling him out of his FOTM love I could just as easily call you out on your WoW love. It is not a great game either.

[Calantus]

(I am poking teh fun, hence the panda)

[Lakov_Sanite]

Couple things, first off never give falconeer a compliment, it's gone to his head.

Secondly saying a game is great or not is truly a weak argument. You can't say either without opening up the discussion to several back and forth both extolling the virtues of and denouncing the failings of that game. Games are sadly art, not 'quite' the same but close. You can't tell all the people that loved the sims it was a shitty game, or the people who like wow or halo or street fighter or the GTA series or final fantasy.  Those series are all well hated and well loved by many for different reasons but to flat out say they aren't great is complete bullshit. You can say they are poorly made but after that it's just your opinion and your opinion much like mine doesn't mean shit.

[Merusk]

You can say they are poorly made but after that it's just your opinion and your opinion much like mine doesn't mean shit.

Until you realize folks have said "AOC was made like shit" and then still get lambasted because they don't see the great glory of the game.  It's not complete, what IS complete doesn't work well, if at all and it is firmly in the "shitty game" on my list because of this.  This apparently means I'm just a plebian who doesn't see its greatness because of my purely pedestrian tastes.

Whatever.

[cevik]

Also, not to mention that the swings arent really collision, it just checks if people are in range at the beginning of the swing. On white damage you cant tell this, but when using combos with a cast time (HoX) if some one runs up to you after you have started your swing, you wont hit them. This isnt a huge deal, but it is a little frustrating.
I also think the fact that combos get longer each time you level up skill is stupid. By max level all my combos are 5 swings, and the most effective way for me to PVP is to stay away from the person while winding up the combo and then just getting in range for it to land. I think this is broken.

Current testlive patch notes:

* For each attack in the combo chain that you do without a valid target, your end damage (on the combo finisher) is reduced 15% per miss.

[Lakov_Sanite]

You can say they are poorly made but after that it's just your opinion and your opinion much like mine doesn't mean shit.

Until you realize folks have said "AOC was made like shit" and then still get lambasted because they don't see the great glory of the game.  It's not complete, what IS complete doesn't work well, if at all and it is firmly in the "shitty game" on my list because of this.  This apparently means I'm just a plebian who doesn't see its greatness because of my purely pedestrian tastes.

Whatever.

Actually I'm one of those people saying AoC was horribly rushed and unfinished. My point is arguing good/bad is meaningless and only leads to fanboism on either side. It's nice the aoc is trying to fix things but I think it's too little too late to aquire the kind of subsricber base they were hoping for.

[rk47]

i'm still waiting for price drop b4 giving it a run. let's hope the 'robo jesus version' comes out when the box is half price.

an empty combo hit? lolz. i can't believe cyclops jumping fierce battery from Marvel v Capcom made it to MMO. wtf seriously.

[Morfiend]

Also, not to mention that the swings arent really collision, it just checks if people are in range at the beginning of the swing. On white damage you cant tell this, but when using combos with a cast time (HoX) if some one runs up to you after you have started your swing, you wont hit them. This isnt a huge deal, but it is a little frustrating.
I also think the fact that combos get longer each time you level up skill is stupid. By max level all my combos are 5 swings, and the most effective way for me to PVP is to stay away from the person while winding up the combo and then just getting in range for it to land. I think this is broken.

Current testlive patch notes:

* For each attack in the combo chain that you do without a valid target, your end damage (on the combo finisher) is reduced 15% per miss.

So what your saying is that I was right when I said it was broken, and Funcom agreed with me? 

[troll] What does that say about everyone who jumped on me for having that opinion? [/troll]

 

[cevik]

[troll] What does that say about everyone who jumped on me for having that opinion? [/troll]

 

Luckily for me, I had no opinion.

[Morfiend]

Now a little more in depth. I feel this is a good start to fixing some of my problems with the combo system, to stop the jousting. But I think this is going to require some serious tweaking of the HoX class as jousting was pretty much the only way for them to survive in PVP, as the Hox just doesnt have the armor of HP to sit in melee range for the amount of time it takes to get off one of our combos. Also its going to slant a lot of PVP even farther in favor of casters. I honestly don't see an easy way for them to balance caster vs melee in the game.

[Falconeer]

I like the planned changes, including the upcoming "nerf" for casters:

* The distance to your target while casting a spell is checked again at the end of your spellcast, with a 25% bonus to your range.
* Line of sight to your target is checked again at the end of your spellcast.

That is MUCH needed, and makes a lot of sense. But it'll make so many casters cry whine as it definitely nerfs their unnatural pwning skills.
Plus, meleers are getting a 25% range increase for finishers. So it sounds like a good rebalancing effort for melee vs. casting too.

[Falconeer]

This deserves a necro, especially the day Warhammer launches.

Godager RESIGNS (is not sacked).

Funcom appoints new Producer and Game Director for Age of Conan

Funcom announce that Craig Morrison has been appointed as the new Producer and Game Director for Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures.

Durham, USA – September 17, 2008 – Funcom announce that Craig Morrison has been appointed as the new Producer and Game Director for Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures. Craig Morrison has served as the Producer and Game Director on Anarchy Online for several years, as well as working as the Funcom Community Manager prior to that. Funcom believes he is the perfect candidate to take Age of Conan to the next level. Mr. Morrison will replace former Producer and Game Director Gaute Godager.

 

Prior to starting at Funcom in 2004, Craig Morrison worked as an Operations Executive at the Telegraph group, the respected UK newspaper, taking care of operational aspects related to IT and Customer Service. Due to his passion for MMO games he simultaneously worked as an Associate Editor at IGN’s Vault Network, managing dedicated websites for several MMO games. He has extensive experience in managing various sized teams and complex projects across large media based environments. He has also played, written about, managed, produced and directed MMO games for over a decade by now. With his passion and unique skill-set he brings proven MMO experience to his new position, and during his years as Producer on Anarchy Online he has shown a unique ability to tailor development according to the needs and requirements of the players.

 

“Taking on the position as Producer and Game Director on Age of Conan is a great challenge but also one I welcome. I have a clear conviction I can lead the further development in a good way, evolving Age of Conan into something even better. My main priority now is therefore to listen to, and act on, player concerns, while ensuring we add additional great content to the game,” said Craig Morrison. “At heart I will always be a gamer, and the coming changes and additions to Conan will always be done with the gamers in mind. Together I am certain we will shape an amazing future for Age of Conan.”

 

Former Producer and Game Director Gaute Godager has chosen to resign from Funcom after working on Age of Conan since the initial conception, and he leaves the company after 16 years. Godager was one of the original founders of Funcom, and leaves a large legacy, having contributed to making Funcom the largest MMO company in Europe. “I have done my very best making this fabulous game, but I have concluded there are elements which I am dissatisfied with. I have decided to act on this, and as a result I have chosen to leave Funcom. It is time to get new, fresh eyes on Age of Conan, and I wholeheartedly support the appointment of Craig. I have had a fantastic time these last 16 years, and I am very proud of the many things Funcom has achieved. Funcom and Conan will always be a big part of me, but as I now look to new ventures outside the gaming industry I am certain Age of Conan’s future is in the best of hands.”

[Trippy]

You dup'd yourself. Which one do you want to keep?

[Falconeer]

That isn't right, is it?

First I thought it belonged to the Conan subforum because no one cares about it anymore.
Then I thought it wasa good general MMO stuff.
I'd say this one is better. Delete that one, please, which is basically invisible.

[schild]

Someones gotta take the blame for making an MMOG with zero stickyness. Glad he fell on his own dagger. Knowing other people there, this is reasonably poetic.

[Falconeer]

We all know "resignation" can be a gimmick.

But the claims that he's dissatisfied with elements? That is obscure and makes want to lounge for my tinfoil hat. He was the director, shouldn't he be kinda unsatisfied with himself?
What is going on there, other than an unsotppable subscription hemorragy?

[Hawkbit]

Seppuku has been performed for far less serious infractions. 

[Slayerik]

A long time AO player and friend of mine warned me that Gaute 'ruined AO'...He refused to even try AOC.

I coulda saved some cash by listening to em...ah well, was fun for a while.

[UnSub]

A long time AO player and friend of mine warned me that Gaute 'ruined AO'...He refused to even try AOC.

I coulda saved some cash by listening to em...ah well, was fun for a while.

True, but the standard position of any MMO player on the lead dev is that they have ruined / will ruin their game. Players accept the successes of the title as their own, but blame the lead dev for every minor thing they don't like.

[Falconeer]

Meanwhile, PVP patch launched today.

[Slayerik]

A long time AO player and friend of mine warned me that Gaute 'ruined AO'...He refused to even try AOC.

I coulda saved some cash by listening to em...ah well, was fun for a while.

True, but the standard position of any MMO player on the lead dev is that they have ruined / will ruin their game. Players accept the successes of the title as their own, but blame the lead dev for every minor thing they don't like.

Most the time I'm with you, but this particular friend had a very long history and strong hatred for Gaute, for whatever reason. Enough so that he didn't support Funcom in AOC, after playing AO for ages. Sounds like he had some decent reasons to me.

[sam, an eggplant]

I can't believe the guy would actually quit after 16 years saying it was because the game he created sucked and funcom would knowingly put that in their press release! I assume something was lost in translation there.

[Mrbloodworth]

Every single bit of flack was put on him by the players (and non), everything, he was the face. Most likely he knew, he could never come back from that, warranted or not. So he stepped down.

He was no longer a viable figurehead or spokesperson.

[Tarami]

Every single bit of flack was put on him by the players (and non), everything, he was the face. Most likely he knew, he could never come back from that, warranted or not. So he stepped down.

He was no longer a viable figurehead or spokesperson.

Considering he's saying that he's leaving the game industry altogether, it's likely you're, in general, correct. I don't have anything personal against him, but he always appeared kinda clueless about the state of the game he designed... and other things.