[Luke]

so is this game still on? I think all my buddies already completely lost interest

[netburnr]

This whole safe zone crap is making me loose interest too :\

[Ambrosius]

Don't most games take a few years (at least) from announcement to launch?

[Luke]

I'm not holding my breath for any games coming out in a few years either. The only exciting thing about Jumpgate Evolution is the possiblility that it will be as good as Jumpgate was in the beginning. So many things can go wrong though, heh.

[daslog]

March 2009

[Ambrosius]

Originally Posted by Luke

I'm not holding my breath for any games coming out in a few years either. The only exciting thing about Jumpgate Evolution is the possiblility that it will be as good as Jumpgate was in the beginning.

Well Jumpgate should have a somewhat-shortened development cycle because there was some groundwork existing at the beginning.

Regarding "it will be as good as Jumpgate was . . ." I'd say the same thing as I say about people who talk about "fun." For instance, if PvP is changed in a way to create a more leveling effect, would Nazguls see that as "good" --- a universe where they could not be nearly as uber? Even if that same universe had tons of PvP opps and huge fleet battles every night?

"Good" like "fun" is a very relative term.

[biteme]

Well judging from the chat last night it sure seems they have a long long way to go.

[Luke]

I get excited about very few games and hooked by even fewer. Jumpgate Classic was one of them though. What I need is a loooong learning curve that allows for continuously improving one's skills and strategies. I need a goal that's hard to reach yet obtainable. If the game is easy, shallow and requires only a massive investment of time and/or numbers I won't consider it fun. I don't look for a chatroom or graphics or a place to kill time in a game. I look for something that I acctually PLAY. Sorta like a competitive sport. PvE gameplay is automatically out since it's too dumb and not challenging. I'll only suffer through it as an instrument required for PvP.

As for Nazgul being uber, it was actually quite boring, it's the reason we quit in the first place. Good challenge and rivalry is far far better. ie: -DSA- and TBH and we always welcomed it.

[skipjack]

sep09

[daslog]

Originally Posted by Luke

I get excited about very few games and hooked by even fewer. Jumpgate Classic was one of them though. What I need is a loooong learning curve that allows for continuously improving one's skills and strategies. I need a goal that's hard to reach yet obtainable. If the game is easy, shallow and requires only a massive investment of time and/or numbers I won't consider it fun. I don't look for a chatroom or graphics or a place to kill time in a game. I look for something that I acctually PLAY. Sorta like a competitive sport. PvE gameplay is automatically out since it's too dumb and not challenging. I'll only suffer through it as an instrument required for PvP.

As for Nazgul being uber, it was actually quite boring, it's the reason we quit in the first place. Good challenge and rivalry is far far better. ie: -DSA- and TBH and we always welcomed it.

You actually hit on a tough problem any game developer faces. The Hardcore players are important to keep your game alive, but it's tough to keep the hardcore challenged and interested. Furthermore, you also have to balance the wants of the Hardcore vs the wants of the Casuals, since the casuals are where most of your revenue comes from.

Not an easy task.

[Ambrosius]

Funny, I always considered myself a "casual" player.

[daslog]

Originally Posted by Ambrosius

Funny, I always considered myself a "casual" player.

I haven't looked into the numbers in a long time, but something like 80% of MMOG subscribers never even log in to the official forums, never mind fan site forums like this one.

You are not casual by any means.