Showing posts with label SOE. Show all posts

Thursday, January 5, 2017

Landmark, Another One Bites The Dust

Earlier this evening I received an email and noticed with a quick glance my phone showed it was from Daybreak Games, titled Important Information Regarding Landmark. My first thought was correct, shutdown. I figured this was the case, as the development has really been slow and it seems most of the attention to the game died when EQNext was canned. Not really surprised but still sad. At this point I am also a bit annoyed, what's next on the chopping block?

Bye Massively, And SOE... General MMO Stuff

I'll miss you massively....

Farewell Joystick

Sad news for Massively and WoW Insider fans as the joystick network is being closed this week. I've been a follower since it was massively.com without the joystick part in there, and it always bothered me that AOL had somehow gotten their hooks in there. What good are they for if they don't mail you coasters anymore? My 18 year old son asked me who AOL was... LOL! Priceless. I have always been a fan of WoW Insider and Massively so it is very sad to hear that they will cease to exist.

Vanguard: SoH Sunsets This Week- July 31

This is the last week Vanguard: Saga of Heroes will be running. The game will sunset on July 31st. Telon will be dust in the wind, a mere memory that will haunt many. I never got as far as I wanted in the game, I got a late start but since playing it was always one I considered a game I always cycle through, never to leave for too long. I've had a serious itch to play for quite some time, though hearing the game would be shutting down made it too sad to log in. Until today I've logged in once, to grab some screens and create a video (which you can find here). I had planned on creating another, but it is simply too sad. Instead I will gather shots, I will be there on the last day, as I said I would. I'd kick myself forever if I wasn't!

Time, Never Enough

Sorry for the lack of posts lately. I have just been very busy and not in much of a mood to write when I did have time. Hope everyone had a nice Valentine's Day, fun with events and such. I really was slack this year with events. I just ran out of time mostly. I've been working on handmade jewelry, mostly steampunk themed items, which I thoroughly enjoy, stocking my shop on Etsy and taking pictures. It really is time consuming. I have tried to keep up a blog for it but it never works out well. I have more time invested on this one and when I sit down to write I just want it to be here. Anyhow, if you'd like to see some of my work, check it out here.

I decided to get over Vanguard being sunset and stop being angry with SOE about it, thus I have been paying a bit of EQ2. I really wanted to participate in the holiday event and got a few neat items from it. I have been playing my Brigand mostly, which I really love. It is nice being back, EQ2 is a great game for someone who likes to do something different all the time. Sometimes I work on housing or building a dungeon, other times crafting, some days I will work on quest chains and factions and then there are plenty of events to break up the monotony as well.

That being said, I also picked up one of the founders packs for EverQuest Next: Landmark. The requirements for the game seem a bit steep if you ask me. The game doesn't look as though it should require the specs it does. It looks good but currently there are not a lot of options, if you want to turn things like shadows off, you need to go into a file and change it. It is in alpha though. It runs on my computer but a lot of halting when running across areas, it runs on Dire's newer machine very well but it still has a washed out look on both machines. I think it will shape nicely into a good game. I am not as excited about it as I thought I would be, I suppose having to play it on someone else's computer probably sucked the fun out of it for me. My processor is a bit slow for the game, unfortunately.

Dire and I still play LoTRO daily. I mostly play with him, as busy as I have been I end up logging into EQ2 while he is away or I'd never get any time to play anything else. My lore master is level 30, just hit it last night and his is 32. We are also working on a better duo for dungeons and instances, he is playing a warden and I the minstrel, which are both sitting at 23. We have a smattering of other alts but really no time to play anything besides the four we have together. We both enjoy the game and it has kept us entertained this far. We picked up the bulk pack with expansions, leaving just one needed.

When I have a few moments to squeeze in I like to play Onverse still. My friend, Rak, has been playing it also and I feel bad I don't log in enough. He has really gotten some awesome stuff, he's definitely surpassed me in the cool items department, lol. I am also wanting to design more in Second Life, my sales have picked up slightly and it gives me a bit of spending money when I do play. I miss creating items, so maybe I'll utilize some time on that soon.

That's it for today, I should be back on posting in a more timely manner for now on, schedule changes for the family, busy working on my shop and just life in general sometimes get the best of me. Have a great weekend! Pics, because even if I don't write, I am always thinking about writing and sharing here!

I love wings in EQ2.

Another pic of my brig, all steampunk-y looking.

The throne is mine!

My neighborhood in LoTRO.

My character making some stupid faces.... She bugged out and kept making her face do crazy things.

Wandering around in the mist, oh my eyes.

I hope my robe doesn't get muddy...

Starry night.

My lore master! Because top hats are awesome!

Questing.

Dire and I, he is on his warden here.

Chasing the moon.... Not really.

Hanging out with Twig.

Friday, January 31, 2014

EverQuest Next: Landmark- Alpha Starting

This year we have a lot of new games coming out. A lot of early release access as well, more than I've seen in a long while, especially if you think of all the Kickstarters. Today the ALPHA starts for EverQuest Next: Landmark. So, if you picked up the founders pack, or if you grab it, you'll be able to play shortly. Though I do think if you purchase it today you might not get in until tomorrow. For me, I just can't see dropping down a ton of money for Alpha on a game I really don't have much to go on. I've watched videos and such, but it all still feels very vague, I still have a lot of questions and I still think the core game isn't being presented. Plus, there is a strict NDA on it, I can't share my thoughts here if I were to play it. All is well, I can hold off, if it is truly awesome, I'm sure I'll get it.

I'm not one for playing for the hell of it, I want to invest my time into a game I can come back to (a reason I will not play Vanguard in the last six months, other than to take shots and video). My time is valuable to me, I don't always have a lot of it to waste. Which comes down to matter of opinion on how time spent is considered pointless or not, that's just my personal vice. I don't want to pay to have my character wiped and test bugs. I'm not that bored. But many people are. You might claim that isn't the case, but it is, you have to be pretty bored with MMO games to go and pay to play an alpha game. But I don't blame those people, I was thinking of doing the same thing. Then I caught myself and SOE hit me hard with the closing of Vanguard, so I decided not to for many reasons. There are many great games out there currently that I could be playing, and I am doing just that. I'm not saying don't play, I'm just stating why I am holding off.

John Smedly has offered a full refund if anyone is unhappy with the game. On twitter or something, who knows where these days, I can't keep up. I think Massively has the details all in one place.That's a bold move, the refund. They must be pretty sure that it will impress. And I am sure it will be good. I wish them all the best on this endeavor! I'd like to hear more about EQN though. How progress is being made and so on, but I think Landmark will flood that away to some extent and that is a tad worrisome. If people are happy with Landmark, why rush anything with EQN? I don't mean literally rush, but say more focus goes into Landmark than we really had thought? Not a bad thing but two games split off of one title, one of them is bound to suffer. I'm speaking on track records here.

SOE is also adding weekly content to EQ and EQ2. This is interesting though, will it be high end focused or for all levels? I'd like to see it spread out, as I play many different level characters all through the brackets. Nice of them to finally pick up the ball and focus on their flagship again. I think they will continue to focus more on the EQ games as long as EQN and Landmark are doing well. If EQN bombs, I see these things fading away. I do hope to see this being a hit within both games, as both games could really benefit from new content. I have a soft spot for both EQ games. They hold a special place in my heart, I will always want them to do well and keep on chugging.

If you are in the Alpha, I do admit I am a little envious :) My first thought at the announcement was I MUST HAVE IT. Then the MMO hulk in me subsided and I thought how I really don't think I would play enough to justify it. Maybe when closed beta hits I will give it a try. I do have a lot to think on, right now I want to see how SOE continues, I'm still not quite over how Vanguard as a whole has been handled. As a customer I want to be your number one no matter what game I play, not because I play your newest shiniest game, because I've been around a lot longer than that...

Thursday, January 30, 2014

Happy Birthday Vanguard!

Today marks the 7th anniversary for Vanguard: Saga of Heroes. Bittersweet at that, it got this far and now it is close to the end. If you log in now there is a gift, a rainbow whale. Kind of an odd pet, but interesting. There is also a contest for a signed CE of the game, I still have my box sitting on my desk proudly but a signed copy would be awesome. There is also, of course 50% off SC items until the game is over (no comment here), double xp and faction. So, if you want to be there for the last six months, there is a small boost. You can check out the full page for the event and some commentary from developers, as well as the contest information on the official Vanguard site.

There is still some time to check it out, it is worth it if you have never played. The world is beautiful with a vast landscape to explore. I am sure there will be a bit to check out with the anniversary and at least a happy whale pet to ohh and ahh or simply to gawk at. Happy Birthday Vanguard, sad it will be the last.

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Milk It, SOE!

$OE milking the Vanguard player base until the very end. Hit them with a sunset and drop prices by HALF. You know, because you've already told the player base the game is going to be shutdown... why not kick them while they're down, eh? Shame on you, SOE.

Seriously, who is going to buy items for a game that is shutting down? And furthermore why even bother fixing bugs, it's going to be canned. It seems a bit pointless. How about instead drop in some changes like give everyone a level 55 with free mounts, let them see the world before it is gone?

Ugh. Just...ugh...

Game Update Summary - January 28, 2014

Discussion in 'Game Update Notes' started by Yaviey, Yesterday at 3:29 PM.

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Friday, May 24, 2013

A Change of Pace

My first LFR... Awww.

Lots going on! Guild Wars is basically going to be on autopilot, kind of sad to hear that. I mean look at EverQuest, it is still going strong beside the sequel. Guild Wars still has a decent population, whenever I log in, tons of people in the towns and cities. I suppose it doesn't surprise me after the sunset of City of Heroes. Not very impressed. But, I guess at least it is still there... For now.

Neverwinter has some goodies for accounts created before, last weekend or so. For all the trouble with the economy, a seven hour rollback and whatever else, gifts in the mail. I sort of took a break after I've seen how much needs to be checked into with people doing 'stuff they shouldn't', exploiting or utilizing things that were unintended, you know, that stuff. I think I will wait until things settle down, I play so little and when I do, my time is valuable. I don't want the one time I play through the week to be rolled back on me! I'm sure it will smooth out soon.

Dragons Prophet goes into open beta sooooon! Keep your eye on that, housing, dragons, lots of nifty things to look forward to. Oh, and the dragon packs are 20% off now. You can find it all on the website. I did get into closed beta, I just have not had much time to really get into it, I plan on looking more tomorrow.

5.3 hit WoW this week. I am enjoying it. I actually got up off my butt and started gearing up. I hate waiting in queues, like last week, I wanted to buy something with justice. I needed more. I didn't want to wait in the queue so I went as a healer for my first heroic, lol. It went decently. Then I decided to work on the druid as resto, because nobody has a healer with our bunch. You can always use a healer, plus I have loved healing over the years. I really do love to heal. And you know what? It really isn't as painful as I thought it would be. Granted there is a LOT of moving around which bugs the hell out of me. But that is with ANY class/spec. ANNOYING for those of us with wrist problems.

So, yeah, been doing heroics, scenarios, and... LFR. I've never done a looking for raid...raid. I hear how horrid they are but so far they are a bit messy but not something I can't deal with. It isn't exciting as those old classic groups, I don't think anything will be that exciting. But I do enjoy healing and it is fun to be actually doing content that is relevant to the expansion again.

The raids and groups are sometimes silent. The conversation isn't there, it is weird but I cannot complain. Raiding in a pretty quick manner, group formed and ported in automatically, it is like the McDonalds of raiding! Drive through raiding. Burger King style, have it YOUR way, now you can raid and get gear for your OFFSPEC. Raid YOUR way! I like the ease, do it when I have time, so I appreciate the fact it is there. I was saying, recently, I didn't know if I'd ever raid again. If you asked me a week ago I'd have said no. But... I wanted to gear up to help everyone and I'm glad I did. Though now that I have a healer, everyone seems to be off doing their own thing :( Which makes it all kind of, well, feeling rather pointless.

The druid is not very fun to me as balance, she requires a lot of kiting and rooting to kill Pandaria champions, much more demanding than the lock. But it isn't as bad as it once was, now that I have better gear and more of an idea of what I should be doing, lol. I learned root is a wonderful tool, not that I had to use it much in the past, I do now! I like the idea of balance but the execution is lacking.

5.3 brought some changes to the way the the talent Force of Nature works. It is really great. Some may not like it but it is like free heals (as resto) and those stack up. The cooldown was changed, it is not on GCD either and it has charges. These little trees are nice. They are great with spike damage. As balance they root the mob when they first cast, then do some moderate dps. I like having them, also three charges that build up over twenty seconds. I can't complain, I think these are a great addition to how mechanics of the druid flow.

Oh, new quests, new story, new weekly, new easy epics! Yeah, 5.3 brought in some cool stuff, will be fun to see how it all unfolds. Start the quest in the vale, check your mailbox! Leads to some cool stuff, like a weekly where the mobs have some nifty drops like epic armor that can be made into any class armor or sold to other players, also a nice 24 slot bag! The armor is a reclolor of classic T1, for Death Knights it is a recolor of their starter set, the one you leave newbie land with. Don't forget the 200 valor for the quest, not too bad.

Other than that I was puttering around in Vanguard a bit. I made a Bloodmage, which I absolutely love. I slowed down playing over the last few days but I am enjoying playing when I can. The game hitches with me at times, but I think that is because the game is best run on an SSD. From what I read, the game accesses more local files more so than most MMORPGs. Makes sense, it smooths out once an area has loaded, but that answers a lot of questions I had about performance.

I do wish content would roll out more so for the game. I absolutely love playing the game but end game seems rather narrow. Is it just a game to roll many alts with? I'd like to see SOE stop throwing out so many half baked games and polish what they have. Yes, I said it, I'm not that impressed with some of the newer stuff. I mean if this is how you let some of your current games sit, what makes me think you're going to better with EverQuest Next? If it stutters and wasn't what everyone had hopes, will they stick it on life support too? Don't get me wrong, I am a big SOE fan but it really is a sad story with Vanguard Saga of Heroes. It could be worse, right? I mean at least it isn't going on autopilot, like GW is!

I don't think the flagship will actually be put on life support but it makes you wonder. But look at Free Realms, most of the cool stuff is put in the cash shop, the announcements for activities are basically gone, did their community manager go missing or something? Updates are few and far between. But... I am off topic now.

I enjoy my time in Telon. It is a bit rough sometimes, the beauty of the world is relaxing and the atmosphere is just... different. I feel fully immersed in the fantasy setting when I play. Unlike another game I play, lol. I really feel as if I am out there exploring in a game, for a change. It is a great feeling.

Anyhow, I hope to stop being so slack with posting. I'm still so much busier these days but I have TONS of things in my head, for when I do post. I always WANT to, but actually sitting down and writing is another story. Have a great weekend!