Ok waiting for the alpha or beta test

[efz88]

Damn i want to play. This game is going to kick ass.
Who agrees!?

[Thirty]

Well, it will, but if they rush it it will turn into just another EQ or AC or UO. Im not sure where they are at, it sounds as if they are just getting ready to put in terrain and such artwork into the world. I dont know where they are at on interface, combat and spell systems, and such.

[Kymeri mac An Iolar]

Yes Efz88, everything here indicates this will be a awsome game and Thirty is right we don't want to rush Brickhouse. Their a small company and trying to put together a truily good game that won't have all the problems that others have had with theirs on release. I have only been around a few days and they are great about listening to us and our ideas about the game. :>)

[Kymeri mac An Iolar]

Originally posted by Kymeri mac An Iolar
Yes Efz88, everything here indicates this will be a awsome game and Thirty is right we don't want to rush Brickhouse. Their a small company and trying to put together a truily good game that won't have all the problems that others have had with theirs on release. I have only been around a few days and they are great about listening to us and our ideas about the game. :>) Only Fools rush in where the Gods fear to tread

[Thirty]

Actually, there is one other company trying to do the same thing (although perhaps different game system), that is, make a game without investors telling them when and what. They hired a bunch of people to make the perfect game, almost went broke, and are now getting investors (or not, in which case theyre gone), so much for the independant game company. I think its Artifact Entertainment.

Then theres another bunch trying for the perfect game on a 4 year timetable. Sounds so ambitious its probably vaporware.

Here we're waiting for the fairly good game a bit, um, sooner. A game that like makes sense, at least, and so keeps your interest, rather than one that after a while doesnt make sense.

[BelDragos]

I hope it will be as good as they say it will be. From what I've read here it sounds good. I've never been online before Sept. but I've played tabletops since 1978. Damn, I'm a 22nd level DM!!!

[Thirty]

Well, then you should know something, this is supposed to become a second generation online RPG, there are already 3 1st gen ones. Theres:

Ultima Online (UO)- Never done this, I hear its art is substandard, probably non-3D. Has lots of stuff, but some balance and other problems. I think it is the first online world, and is probably showing its age.

EverQuest (EQ)-Fair to good 3D artwork (sometimes a bit stupid looking though), funky combat system, monsters move, funky experience and death system, interesting magic system. EQ has monsters that can act in a semi intelligent way. In EQ, navigation is difficult as you cant often tell which way you are going. This can be irritating if you die, in EQ if you die you lose everything on you, and you may have a hard time finding your body to get it back.

Asherons Call (AC)-Fair 3D artwork, adequate combat, magic, experience, and death systems, monsters are static except to attack with limited AI. This is a middle of the road one, everything works fairly well unlike EQ where some things are kinda hard to do, but it doesnt look as good and the spells are kinda plain, workable, but plain. AC has no serious irritants, it all works, it isnt quite as varied magically and its monsters arent really intelligent but it all works. It doesnt have all the cool sights EQ does, but its art is OK, its navigation is much easier (you dont have to stop to load a zone, like EQ).

All 3 are medieval type, the last two require a 3D card on your computer to look good. The first two have things in them than can be irritating, I know the combat system in EQ I sometimes have to run right up a creatures back and then am told Im either not close enough or past it.

[BelDragos]

Sounds irritating. I guess I'm glad I haven't been to those games although I could use the on-line experience. My typing skills are horrible. Fingers too slow.

[Wrentia]

"Ultima Online (UO)- Never done this, I hear its art is substandard, probably non-3D. Has lots of stuff, but some balance and other problems. I think it is the first online world, and is probably showing its age."

Has a 2D diablo type view. Graphics engine about 4-5 years old. Huge balance problems, and is now either social or cut-throat PVP. Last time I looked PVP was still handled very badly. The developers are now working on a UO2 which will be 3D.

"EverQuest (EQ)-Fair to good 3D artwork (sometimes a bit stupid looking though), funky combat system, monsters move, funky experience and death system, interesting magic system. EQ has monsters that can act in a semi intelligent way. In EQ, navigation is difficult as you cant often tell which way you are going. This can be irritating if you die, in EQ if you die you lose everything on you, and you may have a hard time finding your body to get it back. "

There are pathing problems with some mobs, but most are now ok. The new expansions pushes the 2-3 year old engine about as far as it can go. Right now best eye candy of any game. I've never had any problem navigating in EQ and always use the first person view. I also don't have a big problem with corpse retrival. It seems to make a bit of sense that all my stuff would still be on my corpse. The problem with EQ is its all hack and slash....Verant seems to try very hard to stamp out all role playing. EQ has become a competition to see who can get to 60, or who can get the epic quest weapon, or which uberguild can kill all the dragon's in Veeshan's peak....2nd expansion due in December. There are rumors of EQ2....only rumors.

"Asherons Call (AC)-Fair 3D artwork, adequate combat, magic, experience, and death systems, monsters are static except to attack with limited AI. This is a middle of the road one, everything works fairly well unlike EQ where some things are kinda hard to do, but it doesnt look as good and the spells are kinda plain, workable, but plain. AC has no serious irritants, it all works, it isnt quite as varied magically and its monsters arent really intelligent but it all works. It doesnt have all the cool sights EQ does, but its art is OK, its navigation is much easier (you dont have to stop to load a zone, like EQ). "

Magic system is interesting. The death system leaves a lot to be desired. The silly glowing blue balls on a pedalstal scattered all over are both an eyesore and just plain stupid. The engine is newer the EQ's but EQ looks better. All playable races are basically human. Probably the best one of the three for a person not familiar with RPG's. When I played durring beta the mobs in the area where I hunted all looked the same....inside or outside of the dungeon....just their fur color changed....I do seem to recall better dungeon design that orginal EQ, but the new EQ dungeons on Kunark are fabulous.

Anyway to sum up my thoughts. UO is past its time, AC is great for RPG beginers. EQ is the real deal, but growing old.

New games comming out within the next year....

Arcanity.....Engine being re-worked, no world data yet....pre alpha. Developers are the coolest folks around. Great Ideas with a homey attitude. This is the one I am looking forward to the most.

Anarchy Online.....Sci Fi theme, in beta.

Shadowbane....Very interesting ideas, in alpha....going to beta "real soon now"

Horizens: being worked on by a couple guys looking for money to help development. Screenshots look awesome, but is only vapor till they get money...

Star Wars: From the makers of EQ....Let's go camp the Jabba spawn....no news on this except its being worked on

Dark Age of Camelot: Just entered a limited beta. Screen shots I've seen don't look too special. Game World is supossed to be huge. Fantasy genre just after death of King Arthur.

Atriarch: Fantasy....generating interest, I think they will enter beta around march.

Neocron: Sci-Fi. Entering beta real soon now. seems to be a spectacular 3D engine.

--------------------------------------------------------

There were a couple before UO like Meridian 59, but they didn't seem to attract much attention.

There are other being worked on, but are either only specs or have no financing.....like one based on Tolkien's Lord of the Rings...

Basically Uo tried many things, and a few were successful. Eq also tried many things and more were successful leading to the many EQ addictions however Verant seems to be very bad with customer relations and hardly ever listen to what customers have to say. AC seemed to try to take the best of EQ and UO and turned it into a mediocre game.

Anyway, those are my thoughts....

-Wrentia

[Kymeri mac An Iolar]

I have actually played all three, UO, EQ, and beta tested AC. UO was the first was alot of fun, if it were not for the immense lag, frequent disconnects, and every patch introduced more bugs than it fixed. I might still be playing that one. EQ, I love the looks, but I can't stand the camping and Verants play nice policy sucks. AC I beta tested, nice rounded game, but never got enthuiastic over it, I think mostly because of its looks and the keyboard setup.

[Rolfe]

Ya, Wrentia, I've been following most all of those games too. Who HASN'T been following Horizons? The graphics look great, but I get the strong impression that the Horizons project by Artifact Entertainment is plagued by very bad leadership. I've never seen David Allen answer a single question with a reasonable and straightforward answer. He's constantly dodging questions and his all-time favorite reply to questions begining with "Can you tell us a little about..." is "Not at this time". A typical interview goes something like:

-------------------------------------------
Jonric: Can you tell us a little about the 3D engine?

D Allen: Not at this time.

Jonric: Can you tell us a little about the Dragon race?

D Allen: Not at this time.

------------------------------------------
How about this scenario?

Rolfe: Does Artifact Entertainment have the kind of leadership to make the Horizons project a success?

D Allen: Not at this time.

Rolfe: Do any of you guys besides your artists know what the hell you're doing?

D Allen: Not at this time.

Rolfe: Can you tell me a little about anything at all remotely important to the gaming community?

D Allen: Not at this time.
------------------------------------------

I predict that IF Horizons makes it to release, we'll see great parallels between Artifact Entertainment and Verant. They're frivilous and unrealistic. Their anticipated cost of development is around 7 or 8 million dollars. That's about 10 to 20 times what it should be. The art team is great though.

The one game that really looks the most interesting to me personally so far is Camelot. The graphics don't blow me away, but the development team seems really down to earth, really normal, really realistic about what they're doing, and the ideas they have for the game look fun. I'm not saying that Dark Ages of Camelot could possibly be as fun as Arcanity... maybe someday if they work hard on it, and even then only MAYBE. I'm just saying that Camelot looks the best of the other MMORPGs for overall game play. Just my personal opinion.

[Wrentia]

Yes, Camelot does look interesting, and Shadowbane has interesting concepts as well. Camelot's graphics look "chunky" to me. The character models look especially chunky for some reason, and what ever font they are using over character names has GOT to go. Shadowbane's graphics are probably the best of those games that are destined to be released for sure. Unfortunatly they have attracted the worst part of the PVP crowd and there will be difficult growing pains.

I'm dying to see images from Arcanity's new engine. Arcanity is most interesting to me for several reason...

1. The developers listen and talk to us. Of course there are only about 100 of us registered on these boards, but I feel Brickhouse want to go out of their way to deal straight up with the public. Quite refreshing in the MMORPG world.

2. The little information released so far has really gotten me to take notice. Most of all is the "no spawn points". "Camping" is a big problem so far. It didn't really effect the MUD world cause there just weren't enough people on, but with games like EQ topping out at 2500+ people per server durring prime time, camping has become the way to play....

3. "New" races. Like the Ack...Not a standard fantasy race. Totally new. EQ has every normal fantasy race you could think of, and even divided up humans into three races (human, barbarian, erudite), but nothing really new. AC has three different "human" races, nothing new. UO I can't talk about, didn't play it....but do people really "play" UO?

4. Setting. Fantasy setting, with a chance for ultra rare instances of a bit of tech. should be fun...

-Wrentia

[Kymeri mac An Iolar]

I agree with you Rolfe, I have been out scouting all the new mmorpg or mow's as some are calling them now. Of all I have found you named most. Hero's Journey is another, but its vapor right now, they lost their funding. One that looks very interesting is Dawn, its going to have premanent death though, so we'll see how that one goes, it quite a was from beta yet, but I'm in the list for beta testers on that one. I'll probiliy try Dark Ages of Camelot, One of my favorite areas is Gaulish history, which is what this game is centered around.
I agree that Shadowbane looks interesting Wrentia, but from everything I have read it will leave very little room for those who don't want to PK or be in a guild. I will be very agressive clans wars game.
I will fight another player when necesarry, but I like the option to not have to if I wish it.


[Edited by Kymeri mac An Iolar on 10-30-2000 at 11:52 AM]

[BelDragos]

Seriously, what would you suggest for a newbie to test his teeth on?

[Kymeri mac An Iolar]

If your talking about a mmorpg that out now, for you to get a feel for the genre. I would suggest Ashron's Call or Everquest. Ac is less static at times than EQ. If your talking about upcoming ones. My personal pick is Dark Ages of Camelot or Shadowbane, but from my above post that's for personal reasons. Some of the others are of course Arcanity here, Horizons looks interesting, and so does Atriarch. The screenshots from Horizons are amazing.

[BelDragos]

Thanks for the advice. I'll try some of them when I get the chance. :)

[Kymeri mac An Iolar]

No problem Beldragos. I have played the big three that are out now. UO, EQ, and beta tested AC. I have quit playing all of them. I am looking forward to DAoC, because I'm a Gaulish or Celtic History and Mytholoy buff.

[efz88]

wow this topic i put up realy got some responces

[Kymeri mac An Iolar]

Aye, it sure has efz88, everyone is looking forward to whats coming up and when is it coming out. Dark Ages of Camelot just announced ith will be accepting apps for Beta testers on Nov 8. I would really like to be in on the beta test of it.

[BelDragos]

How do you go about applying?

[Kymeri mac An Iolar]

Not sure of the exact process yet, they stated that they would be posting on their site on Nov 8. The url is
darkageofcamelot.com, check it out on the 8th, thats when apps will start to be accepted and I expect it to fill up quick.

[BelDragos]

I hope it will be posted before I go to work at 6:00 or I might not get regestered in time. How many playtesters does it usually require?

[Kymeri mac An Iolar]

They have a couple of hundred already, that was for their closed beta. Now they will start with a set number. Maybe a couple hundred more and keep increasing the number to see how there system handles the load.

[BelDragos]

I guess I can only hope I get lucky enough to be picked.

[Kymeri mac An Iolar]

Ok the skinny on the beta test is this. Beta test starts on the 15th. They're going to pick 500 playtesters and they will start accepting apps on Nov 8.

[BelDragos]

Thanks Kymeri.

[efz88]

I think not only should they chose people who are most qualifyed to beta test this game but also people who have been posting and giving there opinions on many of yhe topics.

[freejack]

I agree efz88. It will be interesting to see what the criteria is for choosing the 300+ beta testers. But the game does look promising.

[Useless]

Man.. I just heard about this beta release and I can't wait! I am going to sign up to\day and hope to GOD they pick me! I tried to post a couple days ago, but my computer was being mean... =\ so... HERE I AM!!!

<align center><font color=blue size=+3>Hello World</font></align>

[Kymeri mac An Iolar]

Ok guys if you want to sign up for the Beta of Dark Age of Camelot (DAoC), their accepting apps. It started yesterday and they are not saying for how long they are going to be accepting apps. They say that people will start hearing back as early as today by email. The site is darkageofcamelot.com

[Kymeri mac An Iolar]

BTW, Greetings to Useless. Welcome to the boards.

[Generic]

It appears the signup period for beta testers is over. Oh well.....

You win some and you lose some, and some you just don't get to play....

[BelDragos]

I missed out too!!!!

[Wrentia]

But have not heard anything yet....Its only been a day though.

-Wrentia

[Kymeri mac An Iolar]

I got mine in to, and I haven't heard anything back yet either. Realisticly I expect a few days before they sort through all the apps.

[Generic]

Good luck and keep us informed about the game...

[Kymeri mac An Iolar]

Thanks Generic, I will. I am happy I got the app in, but I haven't actually heard yet wether I made it in. [sigh]

[BelDragos]

Got my fingers crossed.

[Kymeri mac An Iolar]

Fingers, toes, legs... hmmm bathroom break needed I think. I am at a friends house for the weekend so won't check my email til Tues. Although, I have heard checking out the DAoC boards that people with a reference are getting in first, so don't know how I'm going to far.

[BelDragos]

Then I'm doomed.

This is my first game.

[efz88]

i have sent in my app no responce as of yet.
dont worry if it is your first or not i have beta for many games and have been rejected from many more. HEHEHE.

[BelDragos]

It was said that they are taking people with references first. Since this is the first game I am participating in obviously I don't have any references to give me an edge.

Like I said earlier

I'm doomed!!


Oh well, This game should be better.

[efz88]

well if you dont make it you can play off my account if they let me make more then 1 charicter

[Thirty]

I signed up to, no word. Only problem was, I mentioned the other stuff I beta-ed, but forgot to mention my knowledge of stuff medival and mid-eastern and such, which is fairly large. Ill probaly get beat out but some 11 year old kid who just wants to play and wont submit a single bug report (at least not a coherent one).

I already looked at what I could on the site, as usual, they got the mid east stuff wrong. Their Saracen "scimitar" is actually a European falchon, a more non mid eastern weapon could'nt be found. And of course their Viking stuff doesnt look all that viking.

Despite the fact that it looks like an only mildly upgraded EQ, I'd kinda like in just to see if maybe I can push em to go a lil farthur. Heck, if they go farthur, their competition will hafta go farthur, etc. Maybe I'll check out any boards they have and throw a few suggestions out.

[BelDragos]

Thanks for the offer. Maybe I will take you up on it.

[efz88]

assuming i get a account. hehe

[Kymeri mac An Iolar]

Well one of Mythics people popped up a answer to all the posts about the references. States that it is random draw from all the qualified apps, so you knows mayhap we all get in.

[Wrentia]

I also printed out the 6 page NDA, and have mailed on to them. I then get to download 50 MB of files....

This will do fine till Arcanity is ready....

-Wrentia

[efz88]

nope didnt make it. Im going to get so board!

[Thirty]

I hate you Wrentia :) (don't let that stop you from eating me)
In fact, I'm sure we ALL hate you (unless WE get in to) (dont let that stop you from eating us ALL either)

Ok, personally, from what Iv seen, I wont be actually playing this thing, but it would be a nice wait-till-Arcanity thing. That and the fact I think I could actually contribute some.

Still, all I need is an email, to the DAOC team, and I could send something. I could'nt find anything on their page at all, or any local forums, to do so.

For instance, their "Saracen" stuff, viking shields instead of the ones they have, stuff like that. Might not make a less bug free game, but it would look a lot better. And if their combat system is unrealistic I could help, although they might not be into that anyway.

[BelDragos]

Have fun Wrentia while we are all Jonesing from withdrawls from gaming.

[Generic]

Hey...how can you be withdrawing? I thought this was your first game :)

[BelDragos]

It is.

I was referring to the rest of us who didn't make the drawing.

[Kymeri mac An Iolar]

Way to go Wrentia, have fun with it. I haven't heard a word so I assume I'm out for now, but maybe I'll be with you in a few months when they add more testers.

[BelDragos]

Maybe I could get in also.

[Wrentia]

I'll have to go over the NDA to see what I can mention, but I played for 4 hours yesterday without a crash.

I also started a beta on a product called Jumpgate, which is a Massivly Multiplayer Space Opera thingie. If you look around http://www.netdevil.com you should be able to find the beta app for Jumpgate....they just added a bunch of people but will add more soon.

-Wrentia

[Thirty]

Well, I signed up for it, and I'm sorta in this thing called Mankind, another space opera, but since Iv downloaded and installed it, the servers havent worked for days, so I have yet to even see what it lookes like yet.

BTW Wrentia, is there a place to email the DAOC for bug reports and such? I have info to send them that could improve the look of their Vikings and Saracens. If nessissary I could send it to you to pass on.

Its mainly based on what Iv seen from screen shots, especially from the shots of the weapons and shields. Right now their shields are barely even good as generic ones, and they have NO "scimitar" as such, although they think they do.

I do wonder about their combat. The whole thing looks awfully EQ like, and EQ has this thing where its practically impossible to hit anything unless your standing on top of it, and sometimes not even then. That and all EQ ranges being almost point blank, even for spells and missiles.

Can you say one thing, does it act like EQ?

Oh, and can you EAT people there?

[BelDragos]

I hope not.

[UBIK]

good job wrentia, i got picked along time ago for it, i didnt play much cause it had a really sharp learning curve, the graphics are pretty nice, maybe you'll have better luck then i did with it

[Kymeri mac An Iolar]

Aye, I checked out Jumpgate, I'm just not into the Sci-Fi enough to want to Beta test any of the ones that are coming out.
Glad the start of your Beta with DAoC is going good. Keep feeding me teasers. Maybe in a few months when they start adding more Beta testers I'll be joining you.

[efz88]

lol i play Man Kind (very good as soon you get your base set up) and i am beta testing for JumpGate (fun but confusing when you start). Ill let some one play off my account if they want.

[BelDragos]

What is JumpGate like?

[efz88]

Jumpgate is fun when you can find alot of friends to flyaround with. Collect wepions money etc..

[BelDragos]

Where is it and how do you play?

You can E mail me at Yahoo if you want.

[Useless]

You know me, man...why was I not informed that you were currently beta testing and were offering demoz?

oh yea...and is there any plans for a schueduled group of beta users for any of the game components yet? can people fight eachother in the game yet? is that engine working? whats it like?

BTW....arcanity just bought themselves a web name.... they are currently building arcanity.com =)...or so I've heard from good sources...brickhouse...wanna ratify the rumors?

[Rolfe]

Beldragos@yahoo.com

[BelDragos]

Yep, that's my address.

[Generic]

Did someone say Beta testing????!

[BelDragos]

I thought I heard that echo also that's why I asked for info.

[efz88]

I am beta test alot of games. Such as Infaltry (fun 3rd person shooter in open beta). Shatered Galixy (sci-fi stratigy realy fun once you get more exp on your charicter been playing sence beta 1 now in open). and some more but there all closed but i might hook some people up with acounts if they want.

[BelDragos]

Something to play until Arcanity begins.

[Useless]

So...you guys at brick house gunna say anything? I don't mean to pry or anything, but is it not true you just bought Arcanity.com for the Arcanity stuff?

any any info on demoing or beta-ing engines or game play?

[Generic]

Heres the info...all public..this should answer your question.........what their going to do with it who knows

Organization:
Brick House Trading
Jason Jacobitz
3380 shallow pond dr.
Las Vegas, NV 89117
US
Phone: 702-228-3437
Email: rolfewiz@yahoo.com

Registrar Name....: Register.com
Registrar Whois...: whois.register.com
Registrar Homepage: http://www.register.com

Domain Name: arcanity.com

Created on..............: Thu, Sep 28, 2000
Expires on..............: Fri, Sep 28, 2001
Record last updated on..: Thu, Sep 28, 2000

Administrative Contact:
Brick House Trading
Jason Jacobitz
3380 shallow pond dr.
Las Vegas, NV 89117
US
Phone: 702-228-3437
Email: rolfewiz@yahoo.com

[Useless]

so...it appears that everybody already knew that cept me... and my info is a little old...oh well...

[Useless]

so...it appears that everybody already knew that cept me... and my info is a little old...oh well...=Þ

[Useless]

oops...

[Generic]

I didn't know until you mentioned it..but once I had the web site name the info was easy to acquire from a link right on the Arcanity.com page....

I have the site bookmarked now..eagerly awaiting whatever they put there.... :)

[BelDragos]

Let us know as soon as you find out anything new.