Question about AoC compared to other big competing MMO´s
First, I want to say I´m a HUGE fan of AoC I have pre ordered it some time ago! I have like so maney others been waiting for a game such as AoC. I knew that since I´ve heard of it on Kickstarter that I would buy in it as soon as it becomes a reality, in other words I didn’t back it on kickstarter. But I am truly happy that other people had what it took, and that they have been this engaging over the last couple years.
But I am getting curious, I´ve been playing a lot of MMO´s over the last 15+ years. That includes games like the big ones World of Warcraft, Black Dessert Online, Blade & Soul, Guild Wars 2, The Elder Scrolls Online, Final Fantasy, RuneScape etz. etz.
As well like the smaller ones which died quickly like Runes of Magic, Warhammer Online, The Lord of the Rings Online, Aion and so on….
So I have one question based on the below. How will AoC compete with the big games that mastered certain elements persey WoW, BDO and ESO? (This is of cause my opinion)
If I take a closer look on WoW, then they managed to master the following 2 things.
Dungeons/Raids
They have an incredible amount of content for just dungeons and raids, there are different levels of difficulties. When you finished normal dungeons/raids, you move on to Heroic and then Mythic. You have a progression the hole way thought the endgame content, until of cause you finished it all.
Achievements
They implemented an achievement system that makes people want to achieve them, you get special rewards as in skins and titles. You can even compare achievement points to see who the biggest “nerd” is. It makes it easier for players to set goals for them self.
If we take a closer look on BDO, then they have managed to master the following 4 things.
Combat system
They have by far the most advanced and fluent combat system I have ever experienced in the MMO genre; I personally know of no game which can compete with BDO. Every skill you use feels like it happens in an instant, the combos are perfectly adjusted, the movement is incredible, The general gaming experience of every class is stunning due to the animations and graphics put in.
PVP
The PVP section has everything you can dream of as a player versus player focused mind. You can either be in a Battle Arena and fight 1v1 duels or other sizes which you have complete control of, you can go into a battlefield with p to 60 participants and have a blast of time, you can join either a Tier 1,2 or 3/siege Nodewar to compete in to get the full PVP experience of big blobs clashing into each other.
Life skilling / AFK-progression
If you do not like the PVP focused mindset, you can go into life skilling where you can improve yourself by gathering different materials all day and sell them for profit. You can stand the hole day and process or run around trading, heck you can even enjoy a beautiful sea content experience. All this can happen either fully AFK or semi-AFK, that is something I have never seen mastered in any MMO yet, this is an important factor for a lot of people who do not have enough time to play all day.
Graphics
This game has incredible graphics, on remastered the game runs smooth (if you have the correct gaming rig of cause) and gives you such a great immersion effect into this games world.
If we take a closer look on ESO, then they have managed to master the following 2 things.
Housing system
You can buy multiple properties and design your houses as you please. There are almost no limits, and the immersion on this particular element is one of the best experiences I have ever had yet. You can invite people to your house, where you can roleplay in peace if that is what you like.
Large scale PVP
Their Cyrodiil content was one of the best Siege contents I have ever experienced, there are three factions/pacts fighting over this huge land with forts/castles and outposts. People ride around, split up into multiple big groups to get as much land as possible and hold it against the enemy. This is an ongoing event, which means if you log out you still have your forts. Unless an other faction goes in an takes it all within minutes, due to the lack on online players in the other pacts.
Wrapping up
I gues what I wish to ask is, how on earth, do you plan to implement all of these above mastered aspects into AoC.
From what I have seen so far on all your LIVE STREAMS and YouTube, I do not yet see that you can get there. Ofcause you´re only close to ALFA one now, and I sadly first join in ALFA two.
But the graphics I have seen so far, are lacking compared to what BDO has to offer and the combat I am experiencing is yet not even close to as fluent and engaging as BDO.
I haven´t heard you talking about some sort of AFK-progression possibilities, where you can leave home for work, and let your character do some progress in the meantime.
I have heard you talk about Achievements with certain titles when you progress in your chosen religion, and I have seen some housing which so far looks good. The graphics are decent they are kind of like The Lord of the Rings Online which did die after 1-2 years.
I am in general curious about how, you are planning on going to implement the listed aspects of the mentioned games above into AOC.
I am sure you are aware of other MMO´s and keep comparing your game, and by now you should have had time to see how you can compete with them, especially since u are trying to attempt to build the best MMO ever on the market.
I am aware that what we have seen so far, is only ALFA footage but I would love to hear your thought about this question.
Best regards
MMOFalcon