Syfy + Trion = Defiance MMO Action Shooter (PC 360 PS3)

[satael]

I was going to buy it since it's buy-to-play but somehow when they started to advertise buying 5 dlcs for the price of 4 (as a season pass) even before they release I got the feeling that any free content updates would be very sparse (if they exist at all). Maybe GW2 has skewed my current view on this (and how they are not making all new stuff into dlcs).

[Falconeer]

And still, this is going to be the first "traditional MMORPG" (meaning big huge open world) that is firearm-based and works like a shooter. It should not be disregarded so easily.

At the same time, with the large amount of high quality free-to-play MMOs out there, I feel almost sorry for them hoping to sell boxes/keys at 49$. Looks like another project that will under-perform regardless of its quality.

[Malakili]

And still, this is going to be the first "traditional MMORPG" (meaning big huge open world) that is firearm-based and works like a shooter. It should not be disregarded so easily.

I just don't know if I can stomach another quest grinder, regardless of the mechanics.

[Mrbloodworth]

I know I can't. Not MMOPRG style anyway.

[Pendan]

Still under NDA after open beta weekends is a not good a sign. You know they are not doing NDA to keep secrets from the competition. Under NDA with less than a month before release is a bad sign. Under NDA when selling the product to the uninformed is just dishonest.

[Hoax]

Still under NDA after open beta weekends is a not good a sign. You know they are not doing NDA to keep secrets from the competition. Under NDA with less than a month before release is a bad sign. Under NDA when selling the product to the uninformed is just dishonest.

Yeah this. Has the NDA test ever failed us badly?

I want to like these guys for having the balls to take on this kind of game but Rift was underwhelming as fuck so I'm not expecting them to do a good job.

[Fabricated]

Rift was above average in pretty much every respect IMO but the IP itself was just not interesting. I have a hard time getting invested with generic fantasy schlock I've known for years, much less stuff thrown together for what they figured was a technology test (that turned into a pretty successful MMO).

[Malakili]

Given that this thing is going to run simultaneous to the show, it could be that the NDA is for story elements.  But then again, I am likely being too generous.

[luckton]

The trend is usually that late-lifting NDAs = bad/mediocre launch.  But then you throw Trion into the mix, and, well, that rule kinda faults a bit.

I think if anything this will fail due to Syfy's manipulations.

[Nija]

And still, this is going to be the first "traditional MMORPG" (meaning big huge open world) that is firearm-based and works like a shooter. It should not be disregarded so easily.

First once since Tabula Rasa was shut down.

It does have a TR vibe to it.

[Falconeer]

I thought about Tabula Rasa, but the combat, except for shotgun, never felt really right. It really wasn't a shooter. This is pretty much Tabula Rasa done right. Not necessarily a good thing enough anyway.

[Miasma]

Is it tab target plus action bar or like a real fps?

[satael]

Is it tab target plus action bar or like a real fps?

real fps (or atleast alot closer to real than tab-targeting)

[Hoax]

Rift was above average in pretty much every respect IMO but the IP itself was just not interesting. I have a hard time getting invested with generic fantasy schlock I've known for years, much less stuff thrown together for what they figured was a technology test (that turned into a pretty successful MMO).

It was a well above average imitation of WoW. Everyone else trying to reskin WoW couldn't find their own dicks with help apparently but every part of Rift that was supposed to be something more was so lackluster that you couldn't say they had added anything to the equation of note except the soul/class system. My point is what they did well is not what this game is doing this game is trying to break all new ground practically which is exactly what they failed at last time.

Remember how cool rift battles and rifts opening up and attacking the world sounded?

Remember how cool they actually were?

[Ghambit]

To be clear, this IP is a helluva lot more appealing than Rift's and I liked/disliked Rift for all the same reasons everyone else did, therefore logic dictates I drop some monies on Defiance.   Failure will come because they will likely fail to truly link the show with the game.  I still see no indication of if/how that is supposed to happen in any way like was stated in the original prospectus from way back before Rift was even an idea; aside from the simple easter-egg ego codes.

That being said, if Defiance fails I believe Trion goes bye-bye.  This thing has always been their "white buffalo" so to speak.  Heads will roll.

Is it tab target plus action bar or like a real fps?

real fps (or atleast alot closer to real than tab-targeting)

It's an action bar RPG-based FPS.  Like TR, your dmg., reticule speed, etc. is determined by statted ability.  However unlike TR, you can't tab target except  .  I cant comment on hitboxes and the like 'cept to say there are obviously head-shots. (just like in the vids I linked).

To be clear, Tabula Rasa was a great game with simply not enough content.  Rushed to re-completion after Garriott scrapped NCSofts original shitty korean grinder ideas.  Trion is banking on, as Falconeer says, pretty much doing Tabula Rasa "done right."  More content, better theme, tighter physics, and more in-game reason to play.

Is it the game I want though?  Nope.  

[Falconeer]

It's a good TPS (Third-Person shooter). There are definitely a few hitboxes, aiming for mobs' heads does more than just shooting them everywhere.
Also, rifts and dynamic spawns are here too and they seem to be a somehow improved version of the Rift's one.

What I think it's really not giving the game a chance, especially considering how unknown it is, is the business model.

[Stormwaltz]

And still, this is going to be the first "traditional MMORPG" (meaning big huge open world) that is firearm-based and works like a shooter.

Fallen Earth?

[Ghambit]

It's a good TPS (Third-Person shooter). There are definitely a few hitboxes, aiming for mobs' heads does more than just shooting them everywhere.
Also, rifts and dynamic spawns are here too and they seem to be a somehow improved version of the Rift's one.

What I think it's really not giving the game a chance, especially considering how unknown it is, is the business model.

W/o breaking NDA, there's no way to tell yet how "improved" the dynamic spawns will be.  It really boils down to how desperate the devs want the players to feel.  Personally, I always felt Trion fucked up in Rift when they dumbed-down the spawns initially.  Again, it's that "reason to fight" issue.  If they limit the spawns to not being a factor for anyone (especially with near zero travel time), then there's no point to having them.  Concurrently, if you can level w/o participating in the spawnfights then wtf is the point save to collect Arkfall?  So they'll have to get that part right too.  Note:  Questhubs are also less needed in a sci-fi game.  Much will be done via comms and so forth, so spawns will have to be location dynamic as was in Rift at times.

The game definitely has a more collecting/explorative feel just from studying the design.  They really want you to get into the act of finding tech., building shit with it, selling, or using it...  for whatever boutique reason you can find.  If they DLC in real reasons, e.g. gear-based endgame and/or plot-moves in the show (which wont happen during the first 5 epis obviously since they've already been made yes?), then good. Otherwise they'll fail to retain any players.

[Falconeer]

And still, this is going to be the first "traditional MMORPG" (meaning big huge open world) that is firearm-based and works like a shooter.

Fallen Earth?

Right. You got me. Fallen Earth didn't feel "right" to me shooter-wise, but I guess it qualifies as a first. Unless we want to count some other minor attempts from around 2005.

[Lantyssa]

I don't consider Fallen Earth a shooter simply because their mechanics were so... awkward.  I hated combat mode, and that's ultimately what ed me to stop playing and not pick it up once they went f2p.

[Falconeer]

You know what's between sad and pathetic? That with only twenty days to launch they had gathered up only 15% of the *first* reward tier for peroders.
How could it be any different though?

Game is widely unknown.
Game is based on an unknown intellectual property.
Game is tied to an unknown, unreleased TV show.
Game is still in closed beta, so no one can try it.
Game is still under NDA, so no one can talk about it.
Game is fucking 50$/€ upfront.

This is not my job, but I'd really really like to have a word with whoever is in charge of marketing and business here. I mean, if I were Trion CEO and wanted to tank a game just for giggles, the above steps are exactly the ones I'd follow.

It sucks cause this game is no miracle, but it deserves better.

[Lantyssa]

The Steam page doesn't make it clear, and I can't remember if I've asked... is there a monthly sub?

[Pennilenko]

  on this is very very frustrating.

[Tearofsoul]

I am not sure where this game is now, but by recalling what I played two months ago. Hmmm, I highly recommend that anyone who is planning on pre-purchasing try to get into a beta phase before they may or may not be throwing their money into the toilet.

In fact, you might just wanna throwing your money into the toilet instead...

[Falconeer]

No subscription. You only pay the box. It's the Guild Wars model.

[satael]

No subscription. You only pay the box. It's the Guild Wars model.

...but with dlcs ($9.99 each, $39.99 for a season pass of 5 dlcs) in addiition to cash shop.

[Hoax]

Fuck these guys. Their whole approach seems based on the assumption that people were impressed with Rift and should be lining up to eat out of their hands. Instead I look at them has halfwit Blizzard, incapable of making truly daring game design choices but not talented enough to execute well. With a dash of big dreams and plans that amount to nothing in the end.

They fooled me once, I thought Rift was going to be a new game doing interesting shit. It was not that. I honestly wish Funcom had been making this game. At least they seem to earnestly try to make new exciting games.

[Rendakor]

I'm pretty much the opposite Hoax; I thought Rift was good enough that I'd gladly give Trion some more money. This is an FPS though, which isn't really my cup of tea; if it was TR done right I might give it a shot, but with the up still no one can really talk about it and the betas are always weekend events that I haven't had time for even when I did get in. Those who are skirting the NDA line here have been posting pretty negative comments, which means I probably won't buy it day 1 (and for most MMOs if I don't buy them day 1, I don't buy them at all because I like that new car smell).

[Falconeer]

For what it's worth it, my NDA-covered comment is positive.

[Lantyssa]

Shit.  That means don't buy.

[Falconeer]

Well, I said "don't buy" a few posts above. Regardless of the supposedly positive comment.

[Venkman]

So the game hasn't interested me at all (Rift was ok but bland), but the concept of the show tie-in kinda. And at least one review thinks the first three episodes don't suck, even if they're steeped in tropes and suffer from Firefly-ness.

Perhaps Trion doesn't have the freedom to promote this independently of the studio or SyFy. I don't know how tied together the businesses are. But with the narrative tie in as described, chances are it's the studio that calls the shots (for a variety of reasons from ego through precedent through their creative vision driving the entire IP).

[Ginaz]

MMORPG.com is giving away beta keys in case anyone is interested.

http://www.mmorpg.com/giveaways.cfm/offer/424/Defiance-Beta-Key-Giveaway.html

[luckton]

MMORPG.com is giving away beta keys in case anyone is interested.

http://www.mmorpg.com/giveaways.cfm/offer/424/Defiance-Beta-Key-Giveaway.html

Thanks for that.  Grabbed a code, will see what happens.

[Signe]

Oh good.  Thanks Ginaz.  This helps a bit.  I signed up for the 360 beta.  I wonder if that was a mistake.  Everything is just so much easier on a console.  And I hate my laptop.