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View Full Version : Observations and musings of a returning player



Magusrex777
04-04-2012, 06:47 PM
A very brief history: I have been playing MMOs since UO. I have played these games very hardcore and over time much more casually(Married>Family>homeowner>Better jobs)=less and less playtime although my wife as always played with me which helps. I started playing DDO at the launch of F2P. I was very impressed and surprised because I had remembered the original launch and thought it was terrible at release(sorry Turbine) I would never have tried DDO if it had not gone F2P. I spent a good amount of time here and purchased a great deal of content. My wife and I were very happy playing the game.

I left to go play LOTRO when they launched F2P, Turbine had done it so well here I had to try it out and I had played LOTRO before and owned expansions. I love that IP as much as D&D but something about the legendaries really bothers, it is work to get a new shiny, they have since made improvements but still the itemization, I can’t really play it. I give it very high marks for atmosphere and visuals and could recommend it easily to someone, it is good product. It is just not right for me.

I went to EQ2 when they went F2P. That was another game that I thought was awful at launch. Surprisingly I found it very polished when I tried it again, this makes sense because of its age> I would say its housing and crafting are excellent. We played that for a while, they give away tons of content for free and nickel and dime you on the trivial things. This bothered me, so they got much less of my money than DDO ever did and I felt better about the money I spent with Turbine. I played all the way to the level cap for almost no money at all, once I got there the game became too much like WoW and lucky for me Age of Conan went F2P.

The first 20 levels of AoC were amazing, it dropped off a cliff after that and the female characters can run around topless and everyone seems to do it, it began to annoy my wife so we did not play that for long. We tried the first 20 levels of rift and Aion EU F2P and have nothing positive to say about either one. Then we came back here and I am disappointed I ever left. I never planned to be gone so long, it just kind of happened. I love the game, I know it has bugs but I log in and have fun every single time I play. I can’t ask for more than that. So already gave Turbine more of my money even though there is nothing I need to buy yet. I could not pass up triple points. I will use it buy the xpac and epic destinies when they show up.

I want to take this opportunity to thank Turbine for producing this outstanding game and thank the very helpful members of this community that sacrifice their own time to help people both in and out of game. I consider my time extremely valuable, and think no less of yours. I truly appreciate the generous gift you so freely offer. In my travels I can say this game has the very best community of them all. I know there are still some dark spots but good ones are so bright it is hard to notice they are there.

DarkAlchemist
04-04-2012, 07:03 PM
I tried all of those myself and agree with your assessment except EQ2x was not the same as EQ2 Live. EQ2 Live > EQ2x by a landslide and I absolutely refuse to pick up another SoE title as long as Smedley is still working there. I loved EQ2 but hated EQ1 (well, not really hated but it wasn't for me and because of that I found AC1 back in March of 2000 and never looked back) and despise Smedley.

LOTRO I just tried again a week ago (was playing that from DDO U5 to U10.1) and would have stayed (I have so much TP over there and even found one of my old friends when I logged on who left DDO to go back there when I did ironically) but the combat is so lacking. Best combat for me was Asheron's Call with DDO a close second.

So, I know what you mean but Turbine is not without its many faults either and many a time I clinch my fists and let out a huge sigh then find myself wishing I was a fly on their wall during their meetings just in hopes in understanding many things that I just don't.

Impaqt
04-04-2012, 07:14 PM
Chicks run around topless in AoC?
:p

Magusrex777
04-04-2012, 07:24 PM
Chicks run around topless in AoC?
:p

Yes they do, and have figures that surpass the most voluptuous porn stars I imagine, not that I claim to have any knowledge of such matters :)

DarkAlchemist
04-04-2012, 07:34 PM
yes they do, and have figures that surpass the most voluptuous porn stars i imagine, not that i claim to have any knowledge of such matters :)

lol!!!

Anomara
04-04-2012, 07:37 PM
While not as experinced as some, after playing EQ1 for approx 7 years, then WoW which lasted maybe 6 months I have to agree this is hands down a great time I enjoy all my time spent in game. Turbine has done a great job all things considered.