Dark Days Are Coming - New Funcom Project

[Lantyssa]

Lies used to sell you.  I stand by my rebuttal.

[tmp]

It's Star Wars, though. That's like advertsising blow jobs -- you may skip showing anything but people will still whip themselves into frenzy over their mental idea of the idealized version of the act.

[Modern Angel]

Blizzard trailers? The original AoC trailer? There's a pretty long list of non-gameplay footage getting people going. Saying that a trailer isn't advertising isn't a serious statement, either.

[Bzalthek]

There's a difference between advertising a product and lying or at the very least misleading people into thinking your product is something it is not.

[Modern Angel]

There really isn't. And even if there were, what exactly is the trailer lying about? It's there to get you stoked about something you haven't played. Or are you getting worked up over the three good scenes in Clash of the Titans being strung together in its trailer only to find out it was excrement? Advertising is at BEST gross exaggeration, at worst out and out lying. I'm not saying it's GOOD that this is the way it is but this is what the world's like.

[Bzalthek]

Oh, I know.  I'm just as jaded as the next guy.  But I refuse to call what companies do to sell their products as advertising.  That's just whitewash for what it really is; lying.  Sure, that's the way the world works, and I'm just as susceptible to a hype machine as anyone else, but I'd rather just be an asshole about it.  They're all filthy fucking liars until proven otherwise.

[Lantyssa]

That's a difference of opinion in the meaning of the term 'advertising'.  To me they are synonymous.

[UnSub]

Truth in gaming advertising is: this title is just distracting you from how crappy your life is. It is cheaper than drugs though, but less cool.

[Ollie]

God, that was grim. You haven't considered a career in motivational speaking, have you? You could work the French existentialist angle and build your speeches on paralyzing despair with a pinch of misanthropy thrown in for good measure. 

Occasional bouts of fake indignation and high-horsing aside, I can't seem to get worked up by games advertising anymore. Perhaps because it's been a few years since the last MMOG launched with a highly visible marketing figurehead. We clearly need another guru of Barnettian proportions to act as a lightning rod, so we can pile on the wrath of the righteous.

[Malakili]

Truth in gaming advertising is: this title is just distracting you from how crappy your life is. It is cheaper than drugs though, but less cool.

Hey, I've got no issues with that.  Thats why I'm so for virtual worlds.  Virtual worlds are a place I can go.  Games are a thing I do here.

[Modern Angel]

Perhaps because it's been a few years since the last MMOG launched with a highly visible marketing figurehead.

If it gets you excited I'm fairly certain that fat sack of shit Erling Ellingson is still at Funcom. He should be cranking up the machine any month now.

[Ollie]

In all those live pre-launch AoC podcasts, EE never struck me as terminally retarded, just greedy and naïve. Unlike stupidity, those two can be cured by time. A smart salesman learns not to bite the hand that feeds him. So call me a buzzkill, but I somehow doubt EE will reach the same delusional levels of hype as he did with AoC. He took a lot of flak for misrepresenting the game in a cynical attempt to move boxes. Something tells me he has since realised he works for a service provider, not a retailer, and that profits come from long-term customer retention.

I'm not basing my estimation on anything tangible, mind you, it's just an irrational gut feeling I have. I'll gladly wear the dunce cap when EE proves me wrong.

[Lantyssa]

Buzzkill.

[Ollie]

I know, I actually kind of defended EE of all people there. I must be going insane. 

[Draegan]

He can defend himself.

[Cadaverine]

Wow, that's some cask strength douche-nerd there.

[Ollie]

The things we do to make a living. Imagine him explaining that picture to his wife, though. "It's airbrushed! I'm not really wearing makeup, I swear! I have no idea who took your lipstick and eyeliner!"

Also, part two of the community Q&A with Ragnar Tørnquist is out. My last copy-paste looked a tad messy, so I'll put it in spoilers this time around. The usual fluff and softballs abound, but there are a few worthwhile bits in there.

[UnSub]

Original thread here. Also, in tried and true TSW fashion, there was a hidden message embedded in the thread:

Did I miss something important on the spoiler?

[Ollie]

Nah, just the info on when the second part of the article is out. I spoilered it just in case someone desperately wants to solve every TSW puzzle without help. Long shot, I know.

[tmp]

It would be much more reassuring if there was at least one question in there answered with "No, this is something we won't have."

[Jamiko]

In this video the developers behind the modern-day massively multiplayer online game 'The Secret World' gives you a unique glimpse into the starter experience for players who have chosen to start out as a Templars character in London. Game Director and Executive Producer Ragnar Tørnquist and Lead Designer Martin Bruusgaard explains some of what players will encounter, from the origin story to the first group battle.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9I0UwV5vec

[Surlyboi]

Yeah, I'm playing this when it launches.

[Mrbloodworth]

Sold. + Voice overs = love.

I notice a lot more new MMG's are using them, imagine that. 

[Brogarn]

Funcom; Do not be mislead. Don't say "sold" until you've actually seen it and played it. Even then you should still be skeptical.

[Draegan]

The game's look seems dated already.  The combat portion of the video where there are a bunch of people running around reminds me of 2002.

[Kageru]

Love the setting, but it cries out for subtle handling and that's not an MMO strength... plus it's funcom.

I'd be delighted if it turns out to be good.

[Typhon]

I hate to pick on the shiny when the game isn't even in alpha, but I have to agree with Draegan, the animations were very stiff and turned me off.

Also, with no levels I have to imagine that they'll go F2P with microtrans or risk the same fate as Planetside or Global Agenda.

If they go that model, I wonder what they'll sell?

[HaemishM]

The combat looked ok (at least the subway combat) but the player models seemed decidedly low-poly compared to the world. And well, Funcom.

[PalmTrees]

The combat looked ok (at least the subway combat) but the player models seemed decidedly low-poly compared to the world. And well, Funcom.

Yeah that scene where she's sitting on the bed, her legs attach to her body in a very 'low-poly' manner.

With no classes or levels I guess advancement comes from unlocking and upgrading  skills. They mentioned returning to the hubs to visit trainers. 8 active, 8 passive sounds like a nice mix for some min-maxing fun without having a zillion hotkeys to organize.

Cautiously optimistic.

[Surlyboi]

If they use something akin to the original, pre CU/NGE SWG skill model, I'll play it 'til they turn the servers off.

[Sauced]

Looks like City of Heroes with Lovecraft juice sprayed on it.

[PalmTrees]

Looks like City of Heroes with Lovecraft juice sprayed on it.

I've watched enough anime that when she was walking under those tentacle beasties hanging from the ceiling I was expecting some Lovecraft juice. 

[Bzalthek]

There should be an NPC off to the side calling out "Relax, this is London, not Tokyo"

[Zzulo]

I find the concept of the game intriguing but the execution is, so far, pretty lacking. At least if those videos are any indication

[SnakeCharmer]

Looks like City of Heroes with Lovecraft juice sprayed on it.

I've watched enough anime that when she was walking under those tentacle beasties hanging from the ceiling I was expecting some Lovecraft juice. 

I thought they were barnacles from Half Life.  When the chick walked near it, I half way expected a long tongue to shoot down and pull her to the ceiling.