"Over the last two weeks, presales of Mythic Entertainment's Dark Age of Camelot, a massive multi-player online role-playing game, have reached well beyond initial estimates of 100,000. Retailers are now indicating that it has registered the largest number of presales ever for an MMORPG." -Adrenaline Vault

The makers of Anarchy Online must be really scared. I wonder how many of those preorders were from AO customers. I know that they were leaving in droves.

I think that this must be a great moral boost for the designers of camelot and there fan base. It looks like this game might last and be sucessful if they play there cards right.

I'm still going to pass though and wait for Planetside. Is anyone going to play this game? Does it stand a good chance of doing well (sales wise)? Also, I was checking out the preview for World of Warcraft in CGW and it looks amazing! Any thoughts?

"the largest number of presales ever for an MMORPG."

This is only bad if Mythic didn't expect this kind of response. The last thing the MMORPG community needs is another crappy launch.

I personally detest nu-Blizzard on the basic principles:

A) that it (now) takes them two-three years to release a new game

B) all their games are rehashes of the same game

C) they're jumping on the band-wagon and not being innovating, plus they're using a game universe that has absolutely little to differentiate: what, am i going to even think playing 20 different classes of orc's is fun? no.

D) Diablo 2

Now, I realize all this could be substituted for Westwood. Just substitute D for Tiberian Sun and you're good to go.

But for some reason, as much as I love Blizzard products (the last good one they made was the Starcraft series, however, and that's personal bias because I don't like Diablo-style games), I think WoW will be a huge failure.

If nothing more than the fact that going up to your friend's and saying "WoW! That rocks!" will get old fast.

Trusting news from avault? I called to reserve a copy and the guy side I was the only one on the list. For fun I called a few other ebs in the area and all will have some the day it is released.

Chet

I am going to play starting as soon as I can get my hands on the game. I have my copies reserved at EB. I hope it shows up tomorrow.

From what I have read they have fixed pretty much all of the really annoying aspects of EQ like long downtimes, no ability to solo at the higher levels, quests that have little or no reward, corpse runs, etc. etc. All of this is gone in DOaC. Plus they have Realm versus Realm combat that makes sense. This way at higher levels things don't get boring.

Oh and two big things. One the dev team seems to really have put a lot of thought into this game and seem extremely organized and receptive to feedback. Also, they have a large paid GM group. Probably why it is going to cost $13 a month but I am willing to pay it for good service and a good game.

My group of friends and I are going to be on the Bedevere server in the Albion realm.

-- Xaroc

It sounds like the story is simply about the number of copies that the stores are ordering. In other words, the sell-in might be greater than 100,000, but I doubt they have that many copies already pre-sold.

I think the market's primed for a new MMORPG now. AO was a disappointment and we haven't had a new fantasy MMOG for some time now. DAoC might do well.

About World of Warcraft, yeah, I'm excited about it, even more than I am about Galaxies.

DAoC may have a smooth launch, but you don't have to be Miss Cleo to see that it's most likely going to be chaos in one way or another. As long as they can smooth it out in the first week, they're golden.

As for AO being worried, that's a myth, and a popular one, based on the assumption that the MMOG industry is a zero-sum game. It's not. No game has ever collapsed, or even been seriously impacted, by the launch of a new one. Not saying that can't change, but this is the 6th mainstream MMOG to come along, and it hasn't happened yet.

AO should be worried because they have a shitty, broken, empty game, not because of some nebulous "competition". EQ... Verant should be keeping an eye on DAoC--and I'd be very surprised if they weren't--but again, EQ isn't going to be impacted very much, if at all.

And finally, gotta give props to Mythic's PR. 100,000 alleged people are slapping down money on what basically amounts to a promise. Regardless of how the game turns out, that's a new score to beat.

Oh, Rob Funk says:
"From what I have read they have fixed pretty much all of the really annoying aspects of EQ like long downtimes, no ability to solo at the higher levels, quests that have little or no reward, corpse runs, etc. etc. All of this is gone in DOaC."

The exact same features were trumpeted about Anarchy Online as well. Keep that in mind.

"I am going to play starting as soon as I can get my hands on the game. I have my copies reserved at EB. I hope it shows up tomorrow."

And thus, games companies keep making money selling to people who can't even wait to find out whether something is shitty or not before paying their 50 bucks. Man, no wonder games are buggy pieces of shit.

Bill said,

---

Quote:

The exact same features were trumpeted about Anarchy Online as well. Keep that in mind.

---

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Quote:

And thus, games companies keep making money selling to people who can't even wait to find out whether something is shitty or not before paying their 50 bucks. Man, no wonder games are buggy pieces of shit.

---

And, you gotta admit, hiring Lum and Tweety was a stroke of marketing genius.

Rob:
'Bill, good point but I was in the AO beta, it wasn't ready for release. I haven't heard anything indicating this is in the same condition."

Point taken. I'll continue to be skeptical, if that's okay with you. ;)

Anonymous:
"And, you gotta admit, hiring Lum and Tweety was a stroke of marketing genius."

Sure, for the tenth of a percent of their potential buyers that actually knows what that means. Or cares. :)

"And, you gotta admit, hiring Lum and Tweety was a stroke of marketing genius."

what does this mean?

I am really excited to play this game. But i have doubts about a smooth launch. I'm expecting havoc the first week. The patch server will be flooded, and im sure its going to bring it to its knees! beyond that, id expect the game to be pretty smooth (EQ smooth) by early middle next week. Numerous beta testers have accounted to the games very playable state, minus the usual class balances and missing content.

I'm just hoping that they continue to add to the game... I really think the downfall of this game will be if players decide they dont like RvR and want to play PvE... and if Mythic continues to make advances to RvR while neglecting PvE. Though, either way, i think this game is going to be a success.

BTW, what server are you all playing on? Maybe we could start a Qt3 semi guild? Wouldnt that be cool?!?

I was thinking of starting in Hibernia, but then it seems Albion has the most content right now... actually I might as well stick with the Elf land... i like the Celtic mythos stuff... its just so gaelic!

etc

I've played DAOC in beta for 3 weeks and it absolutely kicks butt, IMO. I played both UO and EQ for periods of time but this is simply a better game than either. The beta was actually quite stable: although a variety of bugs appeared, they seemed to be quite specific and usually corrected within a day or two. I didn't see any major instability or major broken features or major gaps in the game, as was said about AO.

Overall I am optimistic: looks good, plays great, tons of fun, solid beta, and a dev team that at least sounds like they have a clue.

So I will be one of the horde clamoring for a copy on release day.

Dan (aka Sharpe)

The melee skills in DAoC make it so much more cool too! i was reading up on all the melee skills and the game is said to be as complex or even MORE complex for melee players then spellcasters. This is a major upgrade to all the other mmrpgs out. Considering in EQ (pre 50) fighters usually have only taunt, kick and slam.... Monks get something every five levels, and Rogues... backstab.... in DAoC you get a new melee skill almost every other level! (depending on class).

and the specilization in DAoC is almost similar to Diablos character developing. You can see characters of the same class have a different variations... though there will always be an uber template (like AC) ... its just cool that you have more options that will be playable.

anyways, regardless if this game beats EQ or Uo or doesn't... it looks like a solid game that will be here for awhile. I mean, look at EQ and UO they are STILL going strong (and AC) after a couple years and more.

also, i still look at AO as an option... if they fix it a few ... i guess... but for now, Camelot will get my playtime!

etc

Yeah basicly each melee class has weaponskills "blunt sharp ect.) and every so many levels you can get a new skill useing one and you can use that or link it with another in battle. The Mechanics in this game are really good and interesting Everyone should give the homepage a look.

Only thing I really dont like is the pk is a bit soft for my liking. (no real conequences from death cant loot) But I soppose that will be one of the best things. I'll buy it that is after I upgrade my system I dont soppose any of you know how much a pentiumIII and 200 ram goes for these days?

$30-40 for 256 MB of PC133

$50-$200 for a PIII. I picked up a PIII-800 for $150 a few months ago.

I picked up an AMD-1.2 ghz/motherboard package for $179 a couple of weeks ago. I hate to admit it, but I bought it entirely because I read that the recommended system for DAoC was a 1ghz P-III.

As for the game itself, I have been nothing but impressed with the way Mythic has handled all aspects of development and testing. I think the game still needs another few weeks to get the last few patch items out, but they won't hurt the game by not being in right away. I'm experiencing a bit of fanboi syndrome that hasn't hit me since the early days of EQ.

I'll be playing a Firbolg Druid on the Percivel server with a few friends of mine. The idea of the RP server just appeals to me right now. Sounds like Mythic is going to be pretty iron fisted when it comes to RP enforcement.

I was going to buy my wife a p3-800 just yesterday (181 after the converter card for slot 1 plus shipping). Then I came to my senses and bought her an Athlon 900 with fan and mb (Abit KT7a) for the same price. It is insane that you can buy a faster processor and a newer faster motherboard for the same price as an older cpu. Philisophically I just couldn't buy the p3.

Of course if you want it to be as completely easy as possible (no OS reinstall etc.) grab the p3.

Thanks! Thats a relief I knew ram was really cheap wasnt sure about processors. If I can ask though where do you guys do your computer shopping?

I picked up my motherboard/Athlon combo at a local store here called DITCorp (www.ditcorp.com). They sell things mailorder, but I think you could get the same prices for less of a shipping cost at Buy.com.

I like www.newegg.com.

But I don't really have any kind of loyalty. I go where the price is right.

For what I was buying newegg.com had the best deal between price and shipping and having the selection. For memory I buy from Crucial.com. Their memory is top notch and they often times offer free shipping.

Like right now.

--- Alan

Hey you DAoC players, tell me how the launch is going?

I've got a few questions for those of you in the know.

1) What is the cost per month? Is it the standard $10 US or is it wacky like AO?

2) Are there regular updates to the game (a la Asheron's Call) or is the world essentially static barring occasional expansions (Everquest)?

That's actually about it. I've been playing AC since launch and am in love with the monthly update system. I've never played a game this consistently for 2 straight years before. The main reason I stick with it is for the monthly updates. I wouldn't necessarily mind getting into another MMORPG but I need to know that I'll actually be getting something for my $15 (Canadian) a month.

Thanks,
Brock

Mark, I will update you on the launch once I actually get out of work and get home with my copies. :)

Spigot:

1) It is 12.95 a month (US) unless you buy in quantity then you can get it down to like 9.95 a month I think.

2) I think it is static. But there is a the RvR portion of the game at higher levels which sounds like it could be a lot of fun.

Played for about 2 hours today and it has been smooth as silk except for 1 hiccup. FedEx showed up at 8:30 this morning (surprising since I ordered 2 day air instead of the rush delivery). Read the manual, had a 4.3 meg patch (not bad at all), made a character, and started playing around 9:30. At 10:00 the servers were taken down for 30 minutes for an emergency server side patch, but from 10:30 until 12:30 (when I had to go into work for a few hours for a little corporate emergency), things worked perfectly.

Getting used the the new controls is going to take a while. The key setup is so different from EQ that I get a but flustered sometimes.

All in all, a much better launch than I experienced with UO, EQ, or AO. The real test will come at 5:00 this evening when the after work and after school crowds hit in full force.

(all time are in Central standard)

"The real test will come at 5:00 this evening when the after work and after school crowds hit in full force."

Probably this weekend too. A lot of people won't get the game today but will have it by the weekend.

Well, the servers crashed at 5:15 today and Mythic isn't sure why. The patch server is running fine, but all of the world servers crashed at once.

Didn't take the after work rush long to kill it. :)

Heh. Keep the updates coming. I appreciate it.

I just tryed to login, says they'll be up 8:30 pm EST.. doing maintenance work!

BTW, since i didnt play it yet, just wanted to say the map that comes with the game is nice. Plus they give you a huge poster. and a manual and a cd! The manual is pretty cool and smells good. i like the smell of new printed paper... sniffffff.

also, im surprised i got the game today as well, shipped for two day got it one day... nice job EB!

etc

Got mine too... Didn't get to play it much, I'm still stuck in my submarine, but after I get that done I'll be a full-time hunter in Mordheim.


Discovery Channel presents the adventures of Dragon Hunter:
"Alright group, see that dragon over yonder? Ok, I'm gonna run over there and stick my thumb up his bum to agro him... then you wizards blast the bloke down, would ya? We'll put a tag on him and let him go."

Managed to play from 7:45 CST (when the servers came back up) until 12:30 a.m. (damn, I'm going to be meat tomorrow at work).

I had a bit of a problem with the textures all of the sudden. Anytime it would rain, the ground would turn into this rainbow hued acid trip until the rain stopped. I had to log out and switch from Standard D3D to the Voodoo D3D setting that they have set up. That fixed the problem right up, but I was a bit disappointed to see that every card in the world is supported by default...except for all Voodoo cards (I'm running a Voodoo 5 5500 right now with the latest DX8.0a drivers).

It's working great for me right now, but the little lady of the house is still having problems. Her old Voodoo 3 3000 is getting its butt handed to it. Every now and then it just locks the whole system up. Looks like we'll be investing in a GeForce 3 this weekend.

Interesting. This is sorta off-topic, but my wife's computer (which, I don't think has a 3D accelerator at all, and if it does, it's certainly not name-brand) does that with NOLF. Sorta fitting, given the '60's style, but pretty annoying when we go for multiplayer games...

But, it's very trippy.

After the emergency patch the servers were promptly back up and running at 8:30 and very smoothly. A friend of mine joined the server at around 11:30 and said 2100 people were on our server (Bedevere) at that point. I played until about 12:15 or so with no problems then logged out for the night.

It is a very nice looking game and seems to be very stable and well thought out. I can't wait to play more today. I will hit 5 and become a Friar rather than just a plain acolyte. Then it will be time to school a few monsters quarterstaff style. :)

Just a note about their initial comments on how the game exceeded pre-sell expectations...I was at the EB at lunch today and there were no DAoC boxes anywhere. If they got it in, it sold out. The guys were too busy to ask or I would've gotten confirmation on that.

This does look like a successful launch of an MMORPG. If it continues this way, Anarchy Online is going to get very empty IMO.

--Dave

Played some earlier today. This has to be the most lag free mmorpg i have every played. I guess the real test will be when I team up with someone else and see how close we can follow each other.

I like that they dropped the collision detection between people. No dumb people stacking or getting stuck on people.

Chet

I bet this just about kills AO.

I'm still wondering how big the MMOG market can get. Is DAoC going to expand it, or will it just tap into the base of current and former MMOG players?

I dont see what DAOC brings to the table that isn't already there. It will bring in some new people I'm sure (some mudders alot of people who already play mythic games) But thats probably a pretty small number. Not to say I'm not excited about this it does seem to be alot better then EQ and as soon as I upgrade my comp I'll probably play it till shadowbane comes out. Also didnt the game just go gold this month?

Awesome game so far. All I have to say is it isnt as much like EQ as everybody thinks it is. Alot of the game reminds me of Asherons Call meets EQ with character specialization ala Diablo 2.

I also like how they have the limited shouts in the game... it really cuts the clutter of inane "leet" talk. As well, the loot code in the game is similar to AC moreso EQ, which is a good thing since i had ALREADY foung a magic necklace AND ring on normal newb spawns, they really give you stuff to use from loot (and im only up to level 5 warden on Hibernia in Morgan Le Fey)! Monster AI resemebles AC (mobbing and random spawns), with some EQ flavor in grouping (though i grouped very little so far).

And on the graphics engine... imagine an AC engine using the colors and character models (better models) then EQ... thats what you get! its awesome to get a few skills in melee specs for any class you want as well! they have specific graphics for each use! also wanted to say that the no zoning makes a HUGE difference as does dying and keeping your loot.. it saves a HELLUVA amount of time ingame. and regaining health and mana (or power) at level 6 is less than 15 seconds! this reminds me of AC revoup time... not EQ's!

Oh and on those using a V5... I had ALOT of graphical and sound lag when i first started up.
What i would suggest is a reboot after you do a install + patch it worked wonders for me, and i have been going smooth since (i also have the beta dx 8 drivers from late nov 2000).

And on leveling, its easy once you get used to it (at least the early levels). My first character is a level 6 warden now on Morgan Le Fay Hibernia after just about 3 hours of play (and a third of that time was questing)... But i may restart on another server since i just got a friend into it!
anyway, love the game so far... it seems to have everything you need for a hack n slash game PLUS the added addition of future pvp... will see how that goes!

also another server seems to have gone up... Bors or something...

etc

BTW, my names on Morgan Le Fey Hibernia realm are Qaveth Human Female level 3 Mage (she purrty!)... and Kafkala Level 6 Warden same place!

Also, the melee in Camelot is friggin fun. the added combos that used endurance make melee players have some more fun! im planning to make a melee as well!

etc

damnit. i do NOT want to be interested in this game at all. :( i am, but i'm trying very hard to stay away from all of it's (so far) good word of mouth.... i play AC ['addictively'], and with the 2 accounts i have there to support the different characters i play, i'm already out $20/mo with that..... i don't want to have to buy a new game and pay $13 more a month on top of AC.. or worse yet, cancel/throw out my investments in characters, time, loot, fun and -FRIENDSHIPS- i have there to start in a new world. :(

someone say something bad about DAoC now!... please?

- mike - addicted to spuds -

How is combat handled? Is it EQ like, AC like, AO like, Death by the Sword like, or what?

--- Alan

"I dont see what DAOC brings to the table that isn't already there."

The biggest thing it brings to the table is a mporpg that's stable and completely playable on day 1, which hopefully alters the industry landscape forever. From now on, no game in the genre can be excused for not being playable right out of the gate.

People have been saying the combat is like EQ... imo its closer to Asherons Call with EQ balance between classes. The biggest thing being you cannot cast while being attacked in melee... which is almost similar to AC. You can but if your hit in melee you will almost always get interrupted. There is a time delay to casting like EQ. Overall combat is like EQ but the system they use resembles AC. its hard to explain unless you try it out. i would say balance wise its like EQ, but mechanics wise its like AC.

Also, the mobs dont give XP, ala EQ, if you are too high level, opposite AC. Its surprising that about half the players ive met never played EQ but plaed AC alot... so it shows that DAoC must have something on AC.

Also, ive heard mention of a lot of different server type in the future.. from casual to pve only to more roleplaying servers (which there are two now). But im glad they let the basis of the normal servers be RvR... it sorta forces players to try out PK if so inclined.

The best thing about the game... its more casual oriented (at least the early levels so far). For some reason i dont have a feeling that im competing with other players for loot or levels... this is a BIG change from other mmrpgs... At least on two day impressions....

The game is solid for at LEAST the free month of play. You dont have to touch RvR for a month and youd still have a good time in DAoC with its PvE imo.

etc