A question from a starcraft player

[Battlecruiser]

I am a starcraft player but mostly like action games like Halo and Battlefield 1942. The only RPG I have played so far is Star Wars Knights of the old Republic. I never played an online RPG but I think this one is. Is this a game like everquest? Will there be any subscription fees? ANd do you think I will like this game? Also I want a game where my friends and I can play together. We ussually play starcraft but it is starting to get old and we are searching for new games to play together. WOuld this game meet that requirement?

[Graeme]

Guah, some great questions asked there. . .

MMORPGs are infamous for, and geared towards exactly what you want; a game that's easy to play with friends. I have never had so much fun playing a game with friends, then when I've played MMORPGs with them. Even if you're not wandering around the dungeons, slicing up monsters and such, you can just hang out in a public tavern and chat it up with your friends. Some of the grandscale raids and battles also require a great amount of teamwork, so it's great to have good friends to play with :).

Honestly, if you want a game where you can hang out with your friends and have fun, MMORPGs are the way to go. Hell, I've spent hours just talking to friends, and playing around with the dance emotes and musical instruments.

This game is somewhat like Everquest: I mean to say, it's the same idea, a massive world where you roleplay a character and go through quests with other people playing in the world, etc. But the difference is that WoW will be so much better, in so many aspects. I encourage you to read up on some of the basic elements of the game, and what Blizzard is doing to make it enjoyable for all types of players.

There are going to be monthly subscription fees, though the pricing on them has not been determined yet. Most speculations are around the $10 USD a month range, but we'll see.

Now, as for whether you will like this game or not. . . . I can only assume yes, because it has so much to offer, but it really comes down to your preferences. At times it may seem slow going, since you seem to be geared to the FPS type games. But if you stick with it, and get the hang of it, I can assure you that you'll realize it's as fast-paced as you make it. It can be so exciting being the first one to complete a quest, or the first one to get an ultra rare item, or the first one to uncover a secret in the game.

In short, if you're willing to pay the monthly fee, at least give it a shot, I'm willing to bet that you'll enjoy it.

[Achelus]

Is this a game like everquest? Will there be any subscription fees? ANd do you think I will like this game? Also I want a game where my friends and I can play together. We ussually play starcraft but it is starting to get old and we are searching for new games to play together. WOuld this game meet that requirement?
It is in the same genre as Everquest, so you could say it is to EQ what StarCraft is to Command and Conquer.

Personally, I don't like the style of EQ, and I think Blizz has done a much better job setting up WoW to be less time dependent. That is, even if you don't have 2-3 hours you can get on and play for a bit, which really isn't true with EQ. That said EQ seems to be a richer game with more depth, and I am not sure how Blizz is going to address PvP and the economy.

Yes, there will be a monthly subscription. No, they haven't said how much, and yes everyone is just guessing.

Your friends and you could potentially play this game, however, MMORPGs are a totally different flavor than what you guys are used to, and I will be surprised if you all like it.

[Battlecruiser]

Wow thanks guys. I didn't expect a reply that fast but they sure had a lot of quality in them.I think I will get it as long as the subscription fees are low. Like under 10 dollars a month. I like playing challenges and the idea of becoming famous in the virtual community. Like people will be saying "Wow! Did you hear that Battlecruiser (or whatever name I keep for my self) got the super ultra rare diamond edged axe". That would be so cool. I can't wait to get it.

ONe more question. I never played and of the Warcraft games before and know very little about them. Will that affect how I play?

[Achelus]

Not really. It's just the history of the world, it'd probably be more entertaining if you did know all that stuff though, and it might help you marginally.

[BSTRhino]

Gosh guys, you didn't leave any questions for me to answer!

I haven't been a huge WarCraft fan either Battlecruiser. The most I know is there are two factions, the alliance and the horde. "Can I make it any more obvious?"

The real selling point for me on WoW is the fact that it's going to have a two year storyline that everyone will play a part in. I'm hoping that I won't have to know what's gone on before to understand the storyline. I'm sure Blizzard will consider the fact that a lot of people are like me and were too young to either play the game, or understand the storylines in WarCraft 1 and 2. And perhaps 3.

You know, when I first started researching into WarCraft 3 I tried to find some other MMORPGs to play to see how it works. So far, the best I've played is...

http://www.starcraft.org/bstrhino/Astonia 3.jpg

Astonia 3. With the help of a walkthrough it was kind of fun, yet repetitive. I got my character to level 13 by killing and killing and killing some more. I've tried a -few- others, but since I'm on dial-up, I don't like downloading large 20 MB files. Feel free to go and find some MMORPGs to play for yourself.


I have no doubt that...

http://www.starcraft.org/bstrhino/WoW.jpg

World of WarCraft will far surpass all the MMORPGs that exist to date. And like I said in that little sig image thing, go read the official FAQ and the official website for lots more information.


(that was fun, I got to use two of my sig designs in that post! woohoo!)

[Battlecruiser]

so after 2 years the game will be over?

[Graeme]

so after 2 years the game will be over?

No, no, not at all. The storyline they have planned thus far is two years long though. After that, they'll likely add onto the storyline from there.

[BSTRhino]

No, no, not at all. The storyline they have planned thus far is two years long though. After that, they'll likely add onto the storyline from there.
Exactly. They've have a whole two years to plan another storyline. Although, by that time, I might be sick of the game. Unless they drop the price after that or something.

[Battlecruiser]

well I decided that if the game's fee is 5 dollars a month then I will get it. Atleast it will waste my time till halo 2 comes out. If the fee is 10 dollars a month and if I play 1 year that is 120 dollars. If I play 2 years that is 240. 240 is more thatn enough to buy a console and by that time possibly two consoles such as xboz or ps2. ALso the game cost will be around 50 dollars. I don't see why it could possibly 10 dollars a month. Even xbox live is 50 dollars for a year and I thought that was expensive.

[BSTRhino]

That sounds like a reasonable plan Battlecruiser. I was hoping World of WarCraft wouldn't be too expensive. Really, really hoping.

[Graeme]

It will likely be a minimum of 10 dollars. That's the regular price for most MMORPGs now'a'days, sorry to say.

[TheDarkCaller]

Simply put, it costs a lot of money to keep up the infrastructure that allows tens of thousands of players to be in the same world at the same time interacting with one another, in a totally bug-free environment. Add in tech staff, bandwidth usage, servers, storage space, upgrades, tech support, GMs, content designers, etc., and you've got a hefty monthly price tag for the company that can only be alleviated by a $10-20/month subscription.

It's probably a bit too high for me to afford right now, but I CAN see why :(

[Duddits]

You're assuming that it's tens of thousands. With the poularity of Warcraft and Blizzard, it may just surpass known limits to reach a health hundreads of thousands of users.

I doubt the game would be $50 though. Most MMORPG's that I've seen were norammly about 75 - 100$ range when they come out. The thing better be adfree, that's all I have to say.

[Battlecruiser]

That sounds like a reasonable plan Battlecruiser. I was hoping World of WarCraft wouldn't be too expensive. Really, really hoping.
Me too

I really don't know why they do that. I like to buy games with a flat fee. Not on how much I use it. I would gladly put up 80 dollars to be it as long as I don't get charged monthly. I think they are almost making to much money of us. I want to play as long as I want and forever if I wish, without paying one more cent for how long I play. Also add in the part that my parents really don't want me playing too many computer games so the chances of me playing this game are VERY low. I think I would rather just get some console games and wait for Halo 2 to come out. I can't believe Blizzard would dissappoint a lot of people (I am sure I am not the only one who wants to buy the game but money is a factor, a very big one in this case). Also I am only 14 so I can't pay the monthly fees myself and probably some time during when I am playing this game my mom will get fed up and won't buy me any more subcription cards.

[BSTRhino]

Yes, same with me Battlecruiser.

If you purchase 12 months in one go for another MMORPG, how much is it? Anyone know?

[venom03]

are u guys talkin about warcraft. i havn't been a big fan of warcraft. im more of a fan on starcraft, even though there sort of the same game ( i was told). i've only played warcraft once that was like five yrs ago. i didnt like it much. but when i played starcraft i liked it, and im still playing.

Is there more fans on warcraft or starcraft?

[TheDarkCaller]

Right now, Warcraft is more popular, because it has the latest game out - Warcraft 3

And all of you guys bitching about the monthly cost really need to read my last post. They're not doing it for profit - running an MMORPG is EXPENSIVE. You guys know as well as I do that Blizz is a good, honest company, and they're going to keep that monthly fee as cheap as they can, but there's only so much you can do.

I mean sure, the 100 dollar initial cost thing sounds nice, and for the guy who will play the game for a few months, it works for Blizz, too. But what about the guy who plays religiously for 5 years? Tying up bandwidth, server storage space, GM help time, and content for all that time? Then Blizz is losing serious moolah on the whole affair.

Expect to see the game come out in the 40-50 dollar price range in the US with a 9.99 - 12.95 monthly cost. It screws out a lot of kids, but I promise you - EQ doesn't have 300,000 people playinga day for nothing - there are plenty ofpeople who CAN afford it and gladly pay.

[Achelus]

Most MMORPG's that I've seen were norammly about 75 - 100$ range when they come out.
If by 'most' you mean, none that I've ever heard of... yeah you're right. Assuming we're talking about USD here, and why wouldn't we be, expect the game to be no more than 60, likely less.

[venom03]

If by 'most' you mean, none that I've ever heard of... yeah you're right. Assuming we're talking about USD here, and why wouldn't we be, expect the game to be no more than 60, likely less.
i agree. at least thats how it is here in Arizona. no game here cost more than $60. thats all type of games: PS2, PC, XBOX, GAMECUBE, ETC...
i think $75 and up is alot for a game.

[Battlecruiser]

And all of you guys bitching about the monthly cost really need to read my last post. They're not doing it for profit - running an MMORPG is EXPENSIVE. You guys know as well as I do that Blizz is a good, honest company, and they're going to keep that monthly fee as cheap as they can, but there's only so much you can do.

I know that too but I don't give money out to companies just because I like them. It really doesn't matter what they are using the money for, only the amount does and in my case it's too much.