Age of Conan Beta

[Venkman]

Yep, Necromancy. And that is how to officially kill a joke :)

[Azazel]

Alchemy is Working As Intended.

That is all.

[Slayerik]

New interview with Gaute Godager, Producer and Director of Age of Conan:

http://aoc.warcry.com/news/view/72914


Notable from my perspective: "WarCry: Awhile back you made a forum post outlining many potential server options, has anything been nailed down yet? Or is this something we'll see going into beta?

Gaute Godager: No we have decided on two types of servers, and their difference being how we handle PvP. A) Massive glorious Siege PvP in the Border Kingdoms, Tier Based Mini-game PvP and Drunken brawling as the only PvP options on the "normal" servers. As in 100% voluntary PvP. B) RPvP servers. Here you find Roleplaying and free-for-all except in hubs.

This is our decision on this (and I'm trying to coin the RPvP abbreviation of course ;p) because in Hyboria (Conan's world) there is no Role Playing without being able to kill someone. It is as simple as this, killing your friends is always in character. To explain a bit more on how this is working in detail:

We have 4 basic level tiers in Age of Conan. 1-20 is tier one. 20-40 is the second, 40-60 the third and 60-80 the fourth. If you on a RPvP kill someone in another tier, or someone much weaker than you defined in another way if this is too liberal, you will increase the chance of getting a bounty placed on your death. This will result in very untimely visits from bounty hunters, and ultimately a possible jail sentence.

You might think that sounds boring, being a player character in a jail, and we have designed this not as an actual wait-until-you-are-free sentence, but more as being in the stock doing a repetitive in-jail quest to get out. The important point with this is: we need the consequences. When the ability to fight is this liberal there must be consequences for shameless PK'ing.

WarCry: What is the risk vs. reward for PvP, is there anything to be feared in death while PvPing in AoC?

Gaute Godager: We have a ranking system we have a blood coin looting system. We want to have item looting, but haven't yet decided the exact balance for this, so it is not something I can promise right now. Will we be able to loot everything, one item, items from the back-pack? We shall see.

We want risk. As to reward, this is much better ;) We have a levelling system for PvP. We have a ranking system. We have special PvP feats and equipment. You can revel in PvP goodness. You can build your own PvP battle keep, mine PvP only resources and focus on minor objectives.

You can even drink yourself into a near-stupor and hammer your friends in a proper bar-brawl through our drunken brawling system. Isn't that a sweet reward all in itself ;)

"


Ummm...I'm an AoC fanboy, buy all I gotta say is FUCKIN A

and..."please, make this halfway cool and I'll love you forever Funcom"

[Baldrake]

This game has in the last few months moved from completely off my radar to perhaps my most anticipated release. I miss the sense of danger of an open-PvP world, but I'm not interested in getting ganked every 10 minutes, so this open PvP with consequences sounds like it has potential. And the graphics alone are going to be what finally push us all to upgrade to Vista.

Not to mention that it's FunCom. With their reputation for quality, what could go wrong??

[SnakeCharmer]

Not to mention that it's FunCom. With their reputation for quality, what could go wrong??

*cough* Anarchy Online *cough*

[schild]

Not to mention that it's FunCom. With their reputation for quality, what could go wrong??

*cough* Anarchy Online *cough*

Jumping over the sarchasm with a unicycle is often a dangerous feat. You're just another victim.

[SnakeCharmer]

I must be colorblind today.  Or my sarcasm radar is on the blink.  Or I just missed it.

Been known to happen.

[Baldrake]

Yeah, I don't do green, sorry. 

[Drogo]

The PvP options sound good on paper, I just hope that Funcom can actually get it all to work in game. I remember when Shadowbane sounded good on paper as well.

[Venkman]

I like it. AoC has been on my radar since the last version I watched played (last E3? Can't remember, before they had magic in). I like everything they're promising, and have faith in some of what has been delivered. AO is so old I gotta wonder if anyone on the AoC team even was around then. Probably, but there's no blaming Funcom for AO anymore, unless you haven't played an MMORPG since then :)

[Slayerik]

The PvP options sound good on paper, I just hope that Funcom can actually get it all to work in game. I remember when Shadowbane sounded good on paper as well.

Hell, I'm just glad they are going to try something a little more brutal. So many people are here don't think FFA type PVP will work. This game has the budget, and Funcom has the experience to hopefully give it a good run. If it fails, I will finally give in to all the haters. BTW, I'm going to make my prediction that if AoC launches on time, they will hit 750k to 1 million subs. Why do I predict this? The stars are aligning, the WoW burnout numbers are increasing daily. It is the one game that most of the people I talk to in LOTRO say 'yeah I'm playing this until Conan comes out'. My entire old WoW guild/community has been buzzing about it. The buzz keeps building up, and with PVP announcements like they made will continue to make waves.

Or maybe I'm just a fanboy who longs for some FFA PvP. :)

[cmlancas]

Or maybe I'm just a fanboy who longs for some FFA PvP. :)

I read your WUA Trammel post multiple times a month for a good laugh, so I think this is pretty spot on.

[Slayerik]

Or maybe I'm just a fanboy who longs for some FFA PvP. :)

I read your WUA Trammel post multiple times a month for a good laugh, so I think this is pretty spot on.

Yeah, I'm a bad-ass and I know it...what can I say :)

[Merusk]

Yes, you're fanboi-ing.  We've seen "yeah just playing until XXX comes out" stories since UO, just replace the newest game.  Fuck, I remember folks doing it in SWG for FFXI, two more divergent games I can't think of.

I expect Conan to do well (provided they don't AO on us), but not 1m subs.  Lots of folks say they want more FFA pvp but they've never really experienced it.  Hell, half my current guildies went to reroll on a WoW pvp server and were back inside of two weeks.  The dream is always different from the reality, and in PvP the reality is a harsh bitch with better reflexes and more time than you'll ever have, so find good places to farm because you'll be replacing early and often!

[Slayerik]

Yes, you're fanboi-ing.  We've seen "yeah just playing until XXX comes out" stories since UO, just replace the newest game.  Fuck, I remember folks doing it in SWG for FFXI, two more divergent games I can't think of.

I expect Conan to do well (provided they don't AO on us), but not 1m subs.  Lots of folks say they want more FFA pvp but they've never really experienced it.  Hell, half my current guildies went to reroll on a WoW pvp server and were back inside of two weeks.  The dream is always different from the reality, and in PvP the reality is a harsh bitch with better reflexes and more time than you'll ever have, so find good places to farm because you'll be replacing early and often!

I fanboy because AoC seems to be the only game trying to step out of the box some. I give high points for that.

You're current guildies are carebears and should have stayed on the PvE server where they belonged. I did like your "pvp the reality is a harsh bitch" line...props on that one. Should be quite interesting to see how they proceed though. I will fly my fanboi flag high until then, dreaming the dream of PKing miners random FFA world PVP again!

[Signe]

Wait.  What?  This is what the features on the official site say:

Will there be PvP options?

Yes PvP, or Player versus Player will be a central part of the gameplay in Age of Conan, and we are truly focusing on this part of the game to make fun, brutal, action filled and fair. There will be three main forms of PvP:

Drunken brawling is a hilarious, unique and very “Conanesque” PvP form where every player, regardless of their level, can fight it out in the bars and taverns of the world. Your fighting ability here depends on how much you drink, and what you drinkJ The more you drink the more pain you are able to endure, but the less chance you have of hitting!

PvP mini-games is a selection of mini-games, like Last man standing, King of the Hill and so forth (as you know from FPS games), but with a unique Conan twist, of course. These fights will take place in areas of the world dedicated or designed for PvP combat. To level out the fact that many friends have different abilities and levels, we also have a PvP-leveling system where we have divided the 80 levels into 4 PvP tiers, where you will be auto-leveled up to the max level of that tier during the PvP fight.

Massive epic battles – This is the ultimate large-scale PvP form where guilds and coalitions of players can build their own cities in the border kingdoms, and fight it out in massive battles. Just think of it! Engines of war, mounted warriors charging on horses and camels, formations of players struggling for every inch of land, tearing down walls or breaking through the formations of the enemy!

How does this sound like FFA PvP?

[Merusk]

You're current guildies are carebears and should have stayed on the PvE server where they belonged. I did like your "pvp the reality is a harsh bitch" line...props on that one. Should be quite interesting to see how they proceed though. I will fly my fanboi flag high until then, dreaming the dream of PKing miners random FFA world PVP again!

Yes, they are.  That was my point.  They got a taste of PvP with the BGs and Arenas and thought, "Hey this is fun, let's do a PvP server where we can do it ALL THE TIME!"  Lots of folks THINK they can compete, until they try and find they were delusional.  At that point they can either suck it up and slog through in the middle of the pack somewhere, or find another game.

As time goes on, however, attrition of the lower end perpetual losers means the middle of the pack eventually moves beyond you and YOU become the perpetual loser.  That's the flaw I've yet to see full-on PvP anywhere game designers overcome.   Even EVE gives you some carebear space because folks need a break and place to reorganize.

The reality pvp line is something I've said since pre-Shadowbane when J. was all fanboi about it. (Just worded a little differently)  At one point the question came up, "well come on it's pvp, how long do you actually have to play to be effective vs time in the carebear pve games."  My answer was, "5 minutes longer than the guy sieging you."  It was taken as a 'ha ha funny' joke, but I was serious when I said it and it proved very true in the long run.  It's as true now as it was then. 

[Slayerik]

Wait.  What?  This is what the features on the official site say:

Will there be PvP options?

Yes PvP, or Player versus Player will be a central part of the gameplay in Age of Conan, and we are truly focusing on this part of the game to make fun, brutal, action filled and fair. There will be three main forms of PvP:

Drunken brawling is a hilarious, unique and very “Conanesque” PvP form where every player, regardless of their level, can fight it out in the bars and taverns of the world. Your fighting ability here depends on how much you drink, and what you drinkJ The more you drink the more pain you are able to endure, but the less chance you have of hitting!

PvP mini-games is a selection of mini-games, like Last man standing, King of the Hill and so forth (as you know from FPS games), but with a unique Conan twist, of course. These fights will take place in areas of the world dedicated or designed for PvP combat. To level out the fact that many friends have different abilities and levels, we also have a PvP-leveling system where we have divided the 80 levels into 4 PvP tiers, where you will be auto-leveled up to the max level of that tier during the PvP fight.

Massive epic battles – This is the ultimate large-scale PvP form where guilds and coalitions of players can build their own cities in the border kingdoms, and fight it out in massive battles. Just think of it! Engines of war, mounted warriors charging on horses and camels, formations of players struggling for every inch of land, tearing down walls or breaking through the formations of the enemy!

How does this sound like FFA PvP?

Signe , did you read my post from the Lead Director and Producer of AoC from like 3 days ago ? I would think he might have an idea where his game is going...but maybe some old FAQ is right on. ;)

[Signe]

I did but 3 days ago is like 3 lifetimes ago in my weary brain.  Sorry!   

[shiznitz]

 Even EVE gives you some carebear space because folks need a break and place to reorganize.

How does EVE actually handle this? I know that have 1.0 to 0.0 space, but what are the mechanics that keep 0.8 space from becoming gank city? Basically, could EVE's system be applied to a land based game?

[Slayerik]

 Even EVE gives you some carebear space because folks need a break and place to reorganize.

How does EVE actually handle this? I know that have 1.0 to 0.0 space, but what are the mechanics that keep 0.8 space from becoming gank city? Basically, could EVE's system be applied to a land based game?

Basically 1.0 -0.5 is a CONCORD (police state). If you attack someone, they will WTFPWN you eventually (and usually very quickly). Im not sure if there are more concord that show up in 1.0 than .5 , but they will kill you.  .4 has no concord, but stargates are protected by sentry guns that will fire upon aggresors. Tankable usually for a time. 0.2 or .1 might have one sentry gun, that many ships could tank a long ass time.

It is one of the systems that I think would be great to steal...just make there less police state area. maybe 1.0 - 0.7 being "GUARDS!" kinda area.

[Slayerik]

I did but 3 days ago is like 3 lifetimes ago in my weary brain.  Sorry!   

Signe, I could never stay mad at you. You will soon post a korean Dress up Game MMO and all will be forgotten. 

[Vinadil]

I am a fan of EVE's system too, and it could quite easily work in any current game.  WoW basically does this when you go attack NPC's in a starter town...they insta-spawn guards who will eventually kill you.  Of course, in EVE death carries a MUCH larger penalty, as you lose your ship.

You need to have a place that is a) semi-protected and b) "away" from the frontlines in any PvP game.  That is yet another thing SB showed us.  There were NO areas that were "safe" (safe does not equal PvP turned off) and NO way to get away from your enemy.

[palmer_eldritch]

  Even EVE gives you some carebear space because folks need a break and place to reorganize.

How does EVE actually handle this? I know that have 1.0 to 0.0 space, but what are the mechanics that keep 0.8 space from becoming gank city? Basically, could EVE's system be applied to a land based game?

Basically 1.0 -0.5 is a CONCORD (police state). If you attack someone, they will WTFPWN you eventually (and usually very quickly). Im not sure if there are more concord that show up in 1.0 than .5 , but they will kill you.  .4 has no concord, but stargates are protected by sentry guns that will fire upon aggresors. Tankable usually for a time. 0.2 or .1 might have one sentry gun, that many ships could tank a long ass time.

It is one of the systems that I think would be great to steal...just make there less police state area. maybe 1.0 - 0.7 being "GUARDS!" kinda area.

Although you can be killed in "safe" space in Eve. If you transport expensive goods around, it's possible someone will kill you, perhaps suiciding by cop but having a friend pick up your cargo. I found this out the hard way. I kind of admire the fact that Eve allows players that kind of freedom, although it was one of the things that caused me to quit the game.

[UnSub]

You're current guildies are carebears and should have stayed on the PvE server where they belonged. I did like your "pvp the reality is a harsh bitch" line...props on that one. Should be quite interesting to see how they proceed though. I will fly my fanboi flag high until then, dreaming the dream of PKing miners random FFA world PVP again!

I'd respect a FFA PvP game if not only had permadeath, but uninstalled the client every time you died and wouldn't accept the same credit card number on your player account.

FFA PvP is just a war of attrition where the players willing to behave the worst dominate. That would happen in the above setting too, but suicide ganking would be a much more costly option.

[Numtini]

I still think one of the reasons that Eve PVP works as well as it does is that it is dominated by older European gamers. The game has a high learning curve and a slow pace, which tends to eliminate a lot of griefer kiddies. That's a lot of what makes it work.

If you had the same PVP rules and put the average mmo player in it, it would be a cesspool like most places.

I still remember the polite completely PK-free Lineage 2 beta I did on the Taipei servers compared to the red cesspool of the American ones. Community makes a huge difference in whether or not something PK works.

[Slayerik]

I still think one of the reasons that Eve PVP works as well as it does is that it is dominated by older European gamers. The game has a high learning curve and a slow pace, which tends to eliminate a lot of griefer kiddies. That's a lot of what makes it work.

If you had the same PVP rules and put the average mmo player in it, it would be a cesspool like most places.

I still remember the polite completely PK-free Lineage 2 beta I did on the Taipei servers compared to the red cesspool of the American ones. Community makes a huge difference in whether or not something PK works.

Who wants polite, PK free stuff in their FFA MMO? Gimme a red cesspool anyday, cause I roll with friends and we enjoy fighting. You win some, you lose some.

Remember Shadowbane? I'm hoping certain things translate over to AoC. I always liked that if you PKed or got PKed, it could escalate into war under the right circumstances. Just because it was a FFA ruleset did not mean that you could kill with impunity, there are consequences to your actions that aren't even hardwired into the game. As well as AoC having additional consequences being planned, I'm doubting that its going to be a 'cesspool of reds'. But, fanboi blinders can distort. I havent played it, and I am not designing it. I have had a lot of experience in FFA games, from UO to SB to Neocron, and I'm excited once again at the prospect.

[Vinadil]

I still think one of the reasons that Eve PVP works as well as it does is that it is dominated by older European gamers. The game has a high learning curve and a slow pace, which tends to eliminate a lot of griefer kiddies. That's a lot of what makes it work.

If you had the same PVP rules and put the average mmo player in it, it would be a cesspool like most places.

I still remember the polite completely PK-free Lineage 2 beta I did on the Taipei servers compared to the red cesspool of the American ones. Community makes a huge difference in whether or not something PK works.

The community definitely makes a difference... but there are a couple of other things that make the EVE PvP work really well too:

1) LARGE cost to dying.  Losing everything is not something the average joe can do, and even your random ganker crews lose, which causes people to form alliances, etc.

2) Long travel times.  This is what keeps the above alliances from ruining the playground for all of the "other" people.  I have not spent a ton of time in 0.0 areas, but of the time I HAVE spent there I have never seen a group of more than 3-4 people ganking at gates.

FFA PvP works out just fine when you put a decent ruleset in place that promotes Consequences for Actions.

[Xuri]

Boobage (from Friday-update). But will there be nipples? That's the question everybody is asking. For some reason this gives me a flashback to early Shadowbane days. Can't remember why though.

[Lantyssa]

That's their definition of half-naked?

[SnakeCharmer]

Boobage (from Friday-update). But will there be nipples? That's the question everybody is asking. For some reason this gives me a flashback to early Shadowbane days. Can't remember why though.

Something is wrong with that chicks leg

[Drogo]

I wish Funcom would drop the half-naked shit and stay focused on giving us a good PvP game. Who gives a crap how much clothing is on a mob or character except cyberfreaks and kids. The artists should be making sure that the blood from decapitations looks right not whether both nipples are aligned on a given mob.

[Merusk]

And they say Americans are too focused on violence.

Boobage (from Friday-update). But will there be nipples? That's the question everybody is asking. For some reason this gives me a flashback to early Shadowbane days. Can't remember why though.

If I haven't fallen into the sarchasm here, I can answer why it does.  I have this sensation of falling, though...

[Xuri]

By all means, refresh my memory, Merusk. I honestly can't remember, it's just the succubus + breasts part that rings a Shadowbane-bell somewhere in the distance. :P

[Megrim]

That's their definition of half-naked?

They are from Yurop. Though, in their defence, Diablo had topless succubi.