EQ2 (letterboxing, interfacing, game play, Graphics)

[GoalieIDS]

Personal preference. People choose what they like better, that doesn't make them "fanbois" as Tivia puts it.

I beta tested EQ, and quit before it even got to retail. It was boring and dull to me, and lacked anything that would keep me around. I don't want to spend an ungodly amount of time playing a game to get anywhere. I saw the same trend with EQ2 so I avoided it like the plague.

WoW I heard different things about, WoW, I heard you could jump in to for an hour and actually feel like you accomplished something, and I do. My fiancee is going to be moving in here shortly, so that will cut down my free time even more. So the more soloability I have, and the more I feel rewarded for being able to put in what time I have, the more I'm attracted to the game.

The thing you're not even mentioning is PvP. As far as I know, EQ2 has absolutely none. I hear people complain that Horde and Alliance can't group... it's a WAR! What do you expect? You aren't supposed to be holding hands and frolicking in fields of daisies, you're supposed to be gutting your enemy and shoving their head on a pike. PvP and the reward system that's going in place is my end game. That's what I look forward to, the war of Warcraft.

As far as graphics... again, as people have mentioned, STYLE. Some like it, some hate it, some love it. Personally I love it. It brings back all the memories of playing through the first 3 RTS games and just has the FEEL of the world. Some of the places in the game are just creepy and fun to wander around in. Are they as glossy as EQ2? Nah, but they sure have more style in my book.

Gameplay.... so what if people already got to 60? I don't have 10 hours a day to play, but the fact that you can progress quicker means that the limited time I DO have, i can actually DO something and GET to an end game. It also gives you the chance to get MORE characters to end game. Bored at 60? Try a new class, see how it plays, learn how to counter its moves for PvP. Nothing like firsthand knowledge of how your enemies will play. Added to that, hero classes are coming out shortly, and who knows what that will add.

Play what you like, and hold back on insulting others for chosing differently than you.

[Rileyrat]

[quote="ZenGyro";p="437004"]...When we (NA) got FFXI, it was already been out for a year and a half in Japan where the endgagme stuff had more or less been implemented already...[/quote]

You're not quite on with this. When I first started FFXI, max lvl was 70, now it is 75. SE has planned from the beginning to slowly increase the max level until they hit 200, or atleast that's the projected max as of now. With the progressive EXP system, the levels get very hard to get after a while. Guess what I am trying to say is that SE is doing it this way so that they can keep creating a new endgame, and give the programmers/R&D guys time to work on it. Comming up with 5 levels worth of stuff is alot easier than 75 levels worth.

As for the other two games I can't comment, I'm content with FFXI for now, the same way I was with UO for nearly 5 years.

[Tivia]

Personal preference. People choose what they like better, that doesn't make them "fanbois" as Tivia puts it.

If that is all you gleaned out of my post, you did not read it. I did not call anyone fanboi's, I stated it as an inquiry with a hint of hoping that was not the case. the majorty of my rant was about blizzards stance toward issues in there game, and their fanbase's indifference to it. If it was simply a stylistic argument I would not bother ranting about it as I am fully aware of personal preference.

PVP...There has not been a PVP game worth playing since UO pre T2A expansion. Most players these days have no concept of what real PVP is. Shadowbane, WoW, EQ, AC, DAOC...thats all carebear crap pvp you dont lose anything..there is no risk..waste of time, but if you like it..more power to you. I would rather have zero pvp then crap halfass pvp. Its a shame UO ruined thier system, Else I would still be playing uo..But again, this is a stylistic preference nothing more and I wont debate that as its not the reason I am ranting on wow.

[GoalieIDS]

There's a difference between PvP and griefing. Stealing everyone's stuff isn't fun for anyone but the twisted bastard who enjoys ruining other people's day. Games are supposed to be about fun, not who can be the bigger jerk by slaughtering lower levels and taking all of their items.

"Real PvP" is again, subjective. You have your definition, other people have different ones.

As far as Blizzard's stance on issues such as botting or hacking, I applaud them for making public statements that they won't tolerate certain things, what's so bad about that? We'll see if there's any meat behind it, but I sure hope there is.

Rather angry person aren't ya? At least that's the impression I get from your posts.

[Tivia]

There's a difference between PvP and griefing. Stealing everyone's stuff isn't fun for anyone but the twisted bastard who enjoys ruining other people's day. Games are supposed to be about fun, not who can be the bigger jerk by slaughtering lower levels and taking all of their items.

"Real PvP" is again, subjective. You have your definition, other people have different ones.

I never have, and never will support grief pking..I agree with you here. I was referring however to true 1v1 skill vs skill. I was a pk, however I never attacked anyone that did not have "Lord" title in UO, And i am sorry but I firmly believe in accountability. If I died I expected to lose all my stuff, and visa versa. Spoils of victory, agony of defeat. Games like wow, EQ, etc cannot have that type of system because items are too difficult to come by. Items are too difficult because gear makes the charcter in these games, not skill. this is why I do not support pvp in these types of games, they were not designed with pvp in mind..it was an afterthought. But That is my preference of pvp, to those that prefer it, kudo's to them.

As far as Blizzard's stance on issues such as botting or hacking, I applaud them for making public statements that they won't tolerate certain things, what's so bad about that? We'll see if there's any meat behind it, but I sure hope there is.

I dont applaude for words, I applaude for actions. Blizzard has been making public statements since early beta, there has yet to be any substance. I personally got to where i would not be supprised if they hired the iraqi info minister as their PR person. Ill say it like this. "Talk is cheap" And blizzard has done alot of talking since early beta..but thats about it. Where is the action? based off past record, I wont hold my breath.

Rather angry person aren't ya? At least that's the impression I get from your posts.

Nah, just at blizzard right now for Playing their customers for fools and trying to cram a crap unfinished product down our throats and expecting us to pay with a smile. I have been a blizzard fan loyally since Warcraft Orcs and Humans...WC3 i bought, but I cant say it left me with the warm and fuzzy..but i figured crap happens from time to time. However I consider WoW a flat out slap in the face to those of us who have supported them for so long. So yea, Im angry..Im insulted, and offended at their indifferent attitude towards their Fan base. Now for the first time in many years, I am not eagerly anticipating their next game release, I will not be preordering anymore, I will no longer stand for hours in line on release day to get my product. I will view everything they do with an extremely critical eye.

[Hatsumi]

[quote="GoalieIDS";p="437320"]I don't want to spend an ungodly amount of time playing a game to get anywhere. I saw the same trend with EQ2 so I avoided it like the plague.

WoW I heard different things about, WoW, I heard you could jump in to for an hour and actually feel like you accomplished something, and I do. My fiancee is going to be moving in here shortly, so that will cut down my free time even more. So the more soloability I have, and the more I feel rewarded for being able to put in what time I have, the more I'm attracted to the game.[/quote]

I feel the same way about my time and how I spend it. I am a full time ICS student, have a full time job, have a husband, a 5th grade son, and I play video games. And when I said that I didn't sleep in an earlier post, I was kidding. True, my main EQ2 character isn't very high yet (only 18 ), but her artisan level is 17 and I have 3 other characters at level 10 or so with level 10 artisan, also. (I'm really enjoying the crafting thing.) On top of that, I've completed over 150 quests, have decent armor, and am not completely broke (5 gold!).

I rarely spend more than an hour a day playing EQ2, but in that time I can usually easily complete a quest or two, solo a bunch of stuff for some exp, and make a couple of backpacks or something to sell to other players. I still make dinner every night, do the laundry, go out with my best friend to dinner and a movie, go to Halo 2 parties at my friend's house, have romantic evenings with my husband, and play Dead or Alive Ultimate with my son. Not to mention my obsession with watching anime and all things Star Trek.

In EQ1, I'm capable of soloing somewhat because of the gear my husband manages to wheel and deal for in the bazaar for me. But EQ1 is not nearly as soloable as EQ2 (or WoW, for that matter). That's why I like EQ2 so much.

When I play FFXI on the other hand, I have to allot a certain amount of time to it. I can't just pick it up and put it down. If I want exp past level 10, forget solo. And finding a party is a time-consuming process. That's why even though I've been playing since US launch, my highest level is still only 41 and I'm only rank 5.

As far as your PvP argument goes, I'm not a PvP fan. (I have to suck it up when I play Halo 2 with my friends or fighting games with my son.) I find no pleasure whatsoever is beating up another person, even if they are in the guise of a computer-generated character. However, I know a lot of people who enjoy it. I don't really consider EQ1's or WoW's PvP to really be PvP. It's still kind of toned down. To me, PvP is something better left to FPS's as a sort of no holds barred kill everyone thing.

So, anyway, this went on a little longer than I meant it to. Just wanted to share my experiences with the whole time thing. I completely agree that you should play whatever makes you happy.