31 Days and Counting

[GoldyGopher]

Today we are one month away from the Third Anniversary of Dungeons and Dragons Online: Stormreach. In the past few months we have been promised something vast and mysterious, well worth the wait, and a number of other positive adjectives with the upcoming Module. As module 9 is “supposed” to be near the anniversary date that means some time in the next 31 days.

I have been cautiously optimistic about the upcoming module; yet as we approach the anniversary date and we get little if any information on the upcoming module my optimism is fading. Today, probably because we are now a month out, I feel I crossed the gradient and started down an even steeper slope as far as my optimism is concerned.

It’s an exaggeration to say we have had nothing. Besides Tolero and Tarrant telling us they can’t tell us anything, Eladrin has been providing with small snippets of information concerning the upcoming Capstones and Prestige Enhancements. That little dribble of information is not enough to continue to hold interest of the players. Today I said so long to a couple of long time players who “might” be back in a month.

I realize today’s media has been increasing harsh with game companies. In the past week a good two dozen upcoming games have taken solid, and repeated, bashings as they have released everything from Concept Art to Screen Shots, Stop Motion and full motion video. I personally believe the failures of the last half-dozen major releases has contributed to this unkind reception by the media to upcoming games.

All that said I can’t help wondering where is the concept art, the screen shots, the interviews with MMORPG, TENTON Hammer, WarCry and other online resources. We need more positive motivation to drive our incentive to play ddo. What is going to keep us in our butts in the chair and eyes glued to the computer screen in the next module?

Information doesn’t have to be specific, but general information: We expect to provide X number of hours of game play on February X. And X may vary slightly and more specific inforamtion will be forthcoming as we closer to X. A Screen shot of the new marketplace, and more images of teh new "Fantastic" Raid we have been promised.

Anything would be helpful.

Very Respectfully.

[ArkoHighStar]

Only time will tell, my friend, the forum down time, with "additions" sounds promising and maybe we will see something there. but yes the clock is ticking, and I think everyone wants to start seeing the additional promotion and super secret whatever it may be.

[WeaselKing]

Only 31 days to the Pirate King then, I can't wait.

[VirieSquichie]

Information doesn’t have to be specific, but general information: We expect to provide X number of hours of game play on February X. And X may vary slightly and more specific inforamtion will be forthcoming as we closer to X. A Screen shot of the new marketplace, and more images of teh new "Fantastic" Raid we have been promised.

Anything would be helpful.

Very Respectfully.

Your Mileage May Vary. Seriously. They can't even estimate because player skill levels and play time efficiency are all over the board. What will no doubt take uber-elite, over-equipped power zergers half a dozen hours to run into the ground will keep laid-back casual gamers busy for months. There's simply no way to give a number in those conditions.

Slightly more specific information within weeks (presumably) of a content launch would just bring down a hail of criticism, just like every other time they've opened their mouths - figuratively speaking. They get flamed for giving us information, they get flamed for NOT giving us information. They can't win, so why play the game? At this point their best option is to not give people concrete data to whine about, let 'em speculate and then say, "We never promised anything like that!"

A new screenie or two of a new raid would whet people's appetites, I'll give you that. Odd we haven't even gotten that yet. But then, with all the negativity lately I'm guessing there's not a whole lot of happy thoughts about the forumites in the halls of Turbine.

[Barumar]

I too am excited that the three year anniversary of DDO is almost here!

I believe it is officially early March, but to me is will always be February 24th - first day of pre-release and the day I rolled my Paladin Barumar and first Sorcy Zedadiah.

Planning to re-roll Barumar on the 24th, as I am excited to see the changes coming for Paladin's, and I have many regrets with his build, not to mention the extra +4 points :).

Anyway, I hope that they include a welcome back weekend (or week) as part of their plans, as I always like to see the old players back - even if for just a short while!

The only other suggestion (besides more new quests) is to give - or allow us to earn - another bank slot or two! I ran House K favor with my Bard last Sunday with my Guildies and it reminded me of the month or three where every time you opened your bank you would see five 'tabs' and then only three. Well they fixed that 'glitch' - but it sure makes you wonder what we gotta do to get them to open one or both of those up! I don't know about the rest of you, but I got a LOT of stuff to keep banked - and more and more of it is bound to me so can't sent it back and forth to mules (ironicially two of my best are those two first day characters :rolleyes:).

Barumar

[Beherit_Baphomar]

Only 31 days to the Pirate King then, I can't wait.

Dude....dude.....






Very well put OP Mr OP. Very well put.

[deathtouch]

Things that would be nice.

Xp weekend, come on im fed up trying to level a re-roll.
More bank space.
Chance to buy a subscription at a reduced rate, like what they did last time 6months for $50?
5 Free scales per year you've been here :)
Free WOP rapiers for all!

[Rog]

I too am excited that the three year anniversary of DDO is almost here!

I believe it is officially early March, but to me is will always be February 24th - first day of pre-release and the day I rolled my Paladin Barumar and first Sorcy Zedadiah.

Planning to re-roll Barumar on the 24th, as I am excited to see the changes coming for Paladin's, and I have many regrets with his build, not to mention the extra +4 points :).

Anyway, I hope that they include a welcome back weekend (or week) as part of their plans, as I always like to see the old players back - even if for just a short while!

The only other suggestion (besides more new quests) is to give - or allow us to earn - another bank slot or two! I ran House K favor with my Bard last Sunday with my Guildies and it reminded me of the month or three where every time you opened your bank you would see five 'tabs' and then only three. Well they fixed that 'glitch' - but it sure makes you wonder what we gotta do to get them to open one or both of those up! I don't know about the rest of you, but I got a LOT of stuff to keep banked - and more and more of it is bound to me so can't sent it back and forth to mules (ironicially two of my best are those two first day characters :rolleyes:).

Barumar

/SIGNED NO LOOT WEEKEND NEEDED just welcome back WE HIT 20

[ThrasherGT]

Quick comment:

"Around the Anniversary" (Which is Feb 28 IIRC) for release of mod 9 IMO means:

3% that it will happen before the 28th.

22% that it will happen on the 28th.

75% that it will happen after the 28th.

Just My 2cp...........

[Lorien_the_First_One]

Quick comment:

"Around the Anniversary" (Which is Feb 28 IIRC) for release of mod 9 IMO means:

3% that it will happen before the 28th.

22% that it will happen on the 28th.

75% that it will happen after the 28th.

Just My 2cp...........

28th is a Saturday, I'd say 0.000001% of the mod dropping that day (although a special event is possible)

[Jondallar]

But then, with all the negativity lately I'm guessing there's not a whole lot of happy thoughts about the forumites in the halls of Turbine.

of course the negativity comes from boredom, unmet expectations, and an overall player malaise. The last 2 content updates have not been met with much enthusiasm because Turbine keeps hyping things they cant deliver.

This super secret info better be good because that card has been played before by Turbine and it did not meet expectations. They have "new" tech for on the fly changes of landscape and have done 2 events since it has been implimented one of which was the devil invasion of the market which was the unvieling. Month content updates were scrapped in favor of "larger quarterly" content updates which infact have turned into trimesterly updates of less content than the original monthly updates were. Many people have left for greener pastures that say they will return, however they have all said they will be returning for 1 month with no guarantees of staying.

I personally do not care if they release any info about the up coming module (except that advertising it would presumably draw in more people both old players and those new to the game). What I really want is for Turbine to deliver. Myself and my guildies expect the 6 person content to be large enough to level up to cap without requiring n/h/e in all the quests, we expect multiple involved raids like the Shroud, or atleast one "big raid" and a couple smaller ones; atleast 2 new explorer areas similar in size to the vale and subterrain one of which should allow 12 person teams; and some nice fluff such as guild housing/banking/interfacing or armor skin/hair customization and some nice favor rewards.

[nytewolf]

I have an idea how about lowering our monthly subscription rates to $9.99 like the people over at Lotro. Playing 10 day free trial there and was looking at upgrade price and saw sub rate is $9.99 a month. Yet Turbine charges $14.99 a month for this game. Now that would be a good gift for the anniversary.

[Strakeln]

Month content updates were scrapped in favor of "larger quarterly" content updates which infact have turned into trimesterly updates of less content than the original monthly updates were.Ding Ding Ding!

Hello, Turbine?

[DelScorcho]

No on the extra xp. Whenever that happens, we suddenly get way more than our share of rogues who can't spot traps, bards that can't perform, and 8sorc/8wizard puggies. Give us enhanced loot, a souped up Birthday cake, or a new spot for the founders fountain.

[barecm]

Well, as a long time player of this game all I can say is that Mod 9 better be good.... really good. I have waited to see the end game lvl 20 and the time is almost here. So three years in and all I can say is I hope it is good. If not... adios. Not sure where I will go or what else I will play. But like any bad marriage, enough will be enough. The last few mods were ... how do you say... crappy? a let down? Anyway, even though this has some of the best features of any game I have played; combat system, character development, multi-classing and so on, but the lack of content is just too huge to overcome. I just can't continue to pay to play a game that has slowed the development down to a slow trickle.... at best.

Lately, I have found it difficult to log in. There is simply nothing left to accomplish with this game. I no longer have fun running the same old, same old.

[GoldyGopher]

I have played a number of online games over the years and I can honestly say my favorite, thus far, is DDO. There are so many things to like about DDO. To me its positives generally outweigh its negatives, but that is just an opinion.

DDO has an interesting trend/cycle that is all together different from every game: The number of players that leave the game shortly before the release of the next update. I am not talking about people who look at an upcoming change and say this nerf is nto for me, but rather those that leave right before the preview. In some ways I understand it, but I find interesting that this occurs in a larger context on DDO than say other games.
I have looked back over the past two years and I think the number of players who leave the game (even those who the intentions of coming back when the new module is released) is greatest just before the next module.
With the next module 30 days away (at last report) I can say this cycle is no different. Through November and December I said good bye to only two players (either Guildies or acquaintances who play the game) but since say the middle of January six players have said “So Long and Thanks for all the Fish” and several more are having trouble logging in because of the boredom factor that I don’t expect to make it the next module.
It is depressing. And yes after a couple of messages yesterday I am fully in a malaise about it.

I hope that the Next Module is more than what the Hype is, but I have a hard time continue to be optimistic about it.

[Wade]

I have an idea how about lowering our monthly subscription rates to $9.99 like the people over at Lotro. Playing 10 day free trial there and was looking at upgrade price and saw sub rate is $9.99 a month. Yet Turbine charges $14.99 a month for this game. Now that would be a good gift for the anniversary.

they are lowering it to $ 9.99 :)

i just want the cap raised to level 20 once that is done i believe more players will return to the game

[Whippy]

Well said mr OP, been wondering the same myself about the screenies and the snipits of information leaked to online gaming sites. Not to mention the fact we are about bang on now for an entire year with no level cap increase.

[Eternity25]

What is the date in February that is the day of the 3 year anniversary? I want to make sure I'm on that night or close to then incase its like the 2 year anniversary with all the nice Event items. :)

[dopey69]

Well, as a long time player of this game all I can say is that Mod 9 better be good.... really good. I have waited to see the end game lvl 20 and the time is almost here. So three years in and all I can say is I hope it is good. If not... adios. Not sure where I will go or what else I will play. But like any bad marriage, enough will be enough. The last few mods were ... how do you say... crappy? a let down? Anyway, even though this has some of the best features of any game I have played; combat system, character development, multi-classing and so on, but the lack of content is just too huge to overcome. I just can't continue to pay to play a game that has slowed the development down to a slow trickle.... at best.

Lately, I have found it difficult to log in. There is simply nothing left to accomplish with this game. I no longer have fun running the same old, same old.

C-ya

[GoldyGopher]

And still nothing....

Something sure feels wrong.

[smatt]

LOL, why would they promise or even say anymore than they have..... If they said Feb 27th, and it happened on Feb 28th all hell would break loose. If they said Feb 27th a bug showed up that they needed to fix pre-release... And heaven forbid they moved it to March 10th Double all hell would break loose.... If they said oh it's goign to be about 10 hours of playtime, then the never ending stream of posts saying "I did it in 7 hours, and you promised 10" posts would rear they're ugly heads.

They said sometime around anniversary, and I'm sure they would love to do it on the anniversary or very close to it. They haven't said anything, because they're playing it smart, they want to be pretty darned sure...... Big Mod lot's of play testing, and hopefully, since they've been working on it a long time, "MAJOR" bugs will be at a minimum.

I guessed March sometime all along.... End of tha is :D That way when they get it out around the anniversary or a bit later I'll have lowered my expectations and I'll be happy :D

[GoldyGopher]

LOL, why would they promise or even say anymore than they have.....

<SNIP - See Above>

I guessed March sometime all along.... End of tha is :D That way when they get it out around the anniversary or a bit later I'll have lowered my expectations and I'll be happy :D

As stated in the OP I believe DDO is currently hemorrhaging players. The loss of player base so close to an expansion, in my experience, is a unique phenomenon with DDO in comparison to other MMOs that I have played. Again in my opinion while DDO is at an equilibrium in terms of active accounts it seems that keeping players around at least long enough to see the next expansion would be of higher importance to the staff at Turbine.

I have never asked for anything specific, I truly believe I have only asked for non-specific information. Screen Shots, Video, comments, okay well anything that will keep players interested. If they want to layout a schedule I am all for it, but I don’t expect that, just screen shots, Video, Commentary…. You get the picture.

[Deadz]

I seen TONS of new players on argo, new to the game as a whole.. i don't think it's hemorrhaging subscriptions by any means. Add in the fact you can now buy an account key online for 2-4 dollars from lots and lots of websites....

[Zoetic]

To think that we might still be waiting for this module for another month makes me sad. I recall when they first announced it as "right around New Years". I knew that was ambitious, but to slip it three months without an interim release is disappointing to say the least.


And now to figure out what to get my characters for their third birthdays...

[Turial]

To think that we might still be waiting for this module for another month makes me sad. I recall when they first announced it as "right around New Years". I knew that was ambitious, but to slip it three months without an interim release is disappointing to say the least.


And now to figure out what to get my characters for their third birthdays...

Halflings make nice pets...just make sure they are declawed and spayed/nutered.

[GoldyGopher]

I seen TONS of new players on argo, new to the game as a whole.. i don't think it's hemorrhaging subscriptions by any means. Add in the fact you can now buy an account key online for 2-4 dollars from lots and lots of websites....

I too see tons of new players on Khyber all the time. The issue is after the trial is over what is the success rate in keeping those players. I am guessing not as good as we the player base would like.

As I have said we are at an equilibrium point or slightly downward as we get ready for the next module. I think it is just sad to lose players this close to an expansion.

[smatt]

As stated in the OP I believe DDO is currently hemorrhaging players. The loss of player base so close to an expansion, in my experience, is a unique phenomenon with DDO in comparison to other MMOs that I have played. Again in my opinion while DDO is at an equilibrium in terms of active accounts it seems that keeping players around at least long enough to see the next expansion would be of higher importance to the staff at Turbine.

Hmm, I'm not 100% sure, but at least on Ghalandra, I think there are more people playing than there were 6 months ago. It seesm they might've actualyl picked up players over the last 8 or so months. I kwo some longtime peeps have left,a nd soem that have left are planning on coming back from other games. I had a bit of a "discussion wiht a guildie who insists he can with reasonable accuracy esitmate the DDO population, even with such a vast amount of players annon. I chalenged him to show me his formula for coming up with such statistics, he said it would invovle higher math :eek:.. With presumably many unprovable assumptions involved. So much for such an estimate...... Lame... I can only go by the LFM panel and how many people I see runnign around at various times and how many instances I see on my server. I think this "doooooooo" everybody is leavign thing that has been going on since I started playing 2 1/3 years ago is a bunch of namby pamby stuff. Many have left only to be replaced, sometimes by people that are a little less of the jerk persuation than were here :D, although it seems some are filtering back in :rolleyes:


Needless to say, I think the population is at least static if not on a slight growing trend.


I have never asked for anything specific, I truly believe I have only asked for non-specific information. Screen Shots, Video, comments, okay well anything that will keep players interested. If they want to layout a schedule I am all for it, but I don’t expect that, just screen shots, Video, Commentary…. You get the picture.

Ya, a little something would be nice... But again I offer that around this joint there's way to many jerks in general that grab any chance to fire needless shots over the bow... Creates more hassle than it's worth. Nothing wrong with a bit of critisism.. But man some of the people around here are just plain childish and pathetic.

[GoldyGopher]

And while we have seen an uptick in information from Turbine Staff (Kudos on that by the way) we still haven't seen screen shots, new splash screen (Coming Soon rather than a date), no video, no nothing in the multi-media catagory. How about interviews with the major MMO sites.

I am soo depressed by the lack of information to get people who aren't playing DDO excited.

Please lets get new people excited.

[Ollathir]

I like the post, nicely put. I just don't think anyone from Turbine is going to step on their **** at this moment.