[RentonsHouse]

What game do you think would be more popular 3 months after launch?

1. An AoC Relaunch (after 8+ months of dedicated development)
- Bring some new dev's into AoC that listen to the community
- Make some of the changes/fixes to PVP and PVE that people have asking for forever.
- Make PVP about fighting, not gear/AA (i.e. original vision)
- Add new quest lines
- Remove some or all of the changes that dumbed down the game
- FFA PVP, Factional PVP, PVE, and RP servers

2. TSW
3. GW2
4. Tera

With a new GD and the right people making the decisions, I think a relaunch of AoC could easily beat all these games in population. The biggest difficulty would be getting people to trust Funcom again.

[Bukkithedd]

Sorry to say it, Renton, but you couldn't get people to trust Funcom again even at gunpoint, relaunch or not. That Funcom is the company in charge of TSW is something, and usually the ONE thing, that keeps many people away from the game all together, and to be honest, that's not going to change regardless of who's in the Captain's Chair.

Beating Tera in terms of population for both the EU and US versions won't be too hard. Remember that Tera has just launched, and that they're still a few months out from the first major point of attrition (the 3-month mark from launch). Once there, you'll see people getting fed up with the grindyness post lvl 40 and the artstyle and thus leave. I'd also dare say that the same 3-month benchmark will come into effect for both TSW and GW2. And the more people hype those two games, the stronger my belief in that rule becomes, simply through experience.

Sad to say it, but AoC isn't an MMO for the masses, if there is such a thing. AoC is, just as AO is, a niche-game where you're either a fan or you're not, without much middle ground in between. That being said, I do agree with much on your list, especially that Funcom seriously needs to listen more to the community AND start communicating more. I'd say, however, that they should merge all US AoC-servers into one, implement PvP-flagging and systems such as factions to fight for and against, as well as Open-world PvP-objectives.

I believe that only then would you see any sort of large increase in the population.

[Noir-]

heh niche community...nice way to put it out , maybe thats why many that hear about AoC from the outside (players that just heard of it or slightly tested it) always talk down on it...which is somehow understandable cause of detrimental update progression but still to this date i yet have to see a MMO that i enjoyed as much like AoC , also the combat system of this has maybe ruined any other great upcoming MMOS combat systems for me (although i think gw2 will be worthy)

[Bukkithedd]

Originally Posted by Noir- heh niche community...nice way to put it out , maybe thats why many that hear about AoC from the outside (players that just heard of it or slightly tested it) always talk down on it...which is somehow understandable cause of detrimental update progression but still to this date i yet have to see a MMO that i enjoyed as much like AoC , also the combat system of this has maybe ruined any other great upcoming MMOS combat systems for me (although i think gw2 will be worthy)

You've got the gist of it, Noir It's ironic that one of the games that are innovative is also one of the games that are reviled as much as it is due to the company that runs it, despite that company being just about the only one that's willing or brave enough to break out of the WoW-mold and do something different (for better or worse). Hell, for me just about every single MMO I've tried after AoC came off boring due to the combat being so static. The only thing that comes close to giving the same kick is Tera, but there you'll have to deal with the fact that it is, in essence, an Asian game with all that entails.

But yeah, it's interesting to see other MMO'ers reactions when you say that you play/have played AoC for many years. There's that glint of both shock and awe. Shock that one is willing to subject oneself to it for that long, and awe because one has held on for as long as we have :P

[EmperorNorton]

Originally Posted by Noir- heh niche community...nice way to put it out , maybe thats why many that hear about AoC from the outside (

Not really, fanbois of a RPG have always talked down other RPG. This has gone on long before computer gaming. This has less to do with the merits of the game and more to with how much the player has vested themselves in their character.

[RentonsHouse]

Originally Posted by Bukkithedd Sorry to say it, Renton, but you couldn't get people to trust Funcom again even at gunpoint, relaunch or not.

I think you are right, it will be interesting to see how TSW goes (although I won't be playing it).

[Bukkithedd]

Originally Posted by RentonsHouse I think you are right, it will be interesting to see how TSW goes (although I won't be playing it).

I'll try TSW. Got into the beta-weekend starting tomorrow, which will go a long way in deciding if I'll pick it up or not. Just wish Funcom would actually honor their promise of giving those that got a yearly sub the beta-access, although I don't hold my breath for it. Been promised far too many things by FC in the past to believe it before I see it

[SerDaNoite]

Originally Posted by RentonsHouse What game do you think would be more popular 3 months after launch? 1. An AoC Relaunch (after 8+ months of dedicated development) - Bring some new dev's into AoC that listen to the community - Make some of the changes/fixes to PVP and PVE that people have asking for forever. - Make PVP about fighting, not gear/AA (i.e. original vision) - Add new quest lines - Remove some or all of the changes that dumbed down the game - FFA PVP, Factional PVP, PVE, and RP servers 2. TSW 3. GW2 4. Tera With a new GD and the right people making the decisions, I think a relaunch of AoC could easily beat all these games in population. The biggest difficulty would be getting people to trust Funcom again.

They should just sell AoC to Blizzard. They know what to do.

[i-be-conan]

It will take new leadership and direction. I like Sil with what he did with PvE tho the process was slow as hell and I can bet the slow dev'ing is not entirely his fault. Now I am not saying the new GD needs to be uber PvP minded but at least have plans to improve it as well as improve what the game is lacking to make it more appealing.

If something is on the decline it falls onto the shoulders of the person in charge. No one can guarantee that a new person will turn things around but typically companies will change leadership in hopes to return to profitability. At this point I think FC is content with how AOC is at this point with TSW around the corner thus no changes. sigh

[malakhi70]

Originally Posted by RentonsHouse What game do you think would be more popular 3 months after launch? 1. An AoC Relaunch (after 8+ months of dedicated development) - Bring some new dev's into AoC that listen to the community - Make some of the changes/fixes to PVP and PVE that people have asking for forever. - Make PVP about fighting, not gear/AA (i.e. original vision) - Add new quest lines - Remove some or all of the changes that dumbed down the game - FFA PVP, Factional PVP, PVE, and RP servers 2. TSW 3. GW2 4. Tera With a new GD and the right people making the decisions, I think a relaunch of AoC could easily beat all these games in population. The biggest difficulty would be getting people to trust Funcom again.

It would have been AOC hands down, but they would have to put the communication with Facebook in there. Once numbers dwindled, they would add twitter, then once numbers dwindled more they would try myspace and bebo together. If it got really desperate AOC would communicate with adultfriendfinder. I think we would get mass subscribers then, seeing as the game has mature content.