Re: How Easy For A Newbie?

On Wed, 28 Sep 2005 13:36:37 +0100, Sean Black
<sean@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:

Hi Sean,

>In message <2gskj1dkdkp5s97u6tqbsa2et86kg1j5ed@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>, Barnacle Bill 
><away@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> writes
>>On Wed, 28 Sep 2005 08:34:38 +0100, Sean Black
>><sean@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
>>
>>>I've never played a mmmorpg before, don't really fancy WoW, looks a bit
>>>cartoony for my tastes, so thinking about giving DAOC a try, as the
full
>>>back (game + 3 expansions) can be had for around £18.
>>>
>>>How easy is it to get into for a complete noob?
>>>
>>>As this group seems very quiet any where else recommended for more
>>>discussion or any beginners tips?
>>
>>DAoC isn't the most newbie friendly but it has got a lot better
>>recently. It's far more rewarding though that the easier, shallower
>>games like WoW. Also the community is very mature and usually very
>>friendly and helpful. I wouldn't think you would have much trouble
>>picking it up.
>>
>To be honest most of the comments I've read about WoW are of the WoW is 
>awesome, everything else sucks and if you don't agree you're wrong, no 
>debate or it's great up until you hit level 20 and then it sucks.

Wow is a fun game, it's just MMORPG-lite in my opinion and in the
opinion of many other seasoned players. One of the problems for
experienced MMORPG players is that leveling is too quick and easy.
It's not after level 20 it sucks, it's really after level 60. Even if
you hadn't played a MMORPG before, but you are a gamer, you would hit
level 20 in no time. I had a level 60 and a level 50ish in my first
free month of play, and I'm not a power gamer by any stretch of the
imagination (family man).

>>One tip though. I take it you are in the UK as you quote the price in
>>Sterling? I would strongly advise you to avoid to avoid the European
>>DAoC. Euro DAoC is run under license by a French company called GOA
>>and not by Mythic themselves. There were two English language servers,
>>Prydwen and Excalibur, but these have recently merged due to low
>>player numbers. As a newbie you would struggle due to the fact that
>>all established players will be level 50 and the newbie areas will be
>>deserted. The European DAoC English language servers are doomed in my
>>opinion.
>
>I am in the UK. I take it from that you can't buy the UK version and 
>play on a US server?

No. The US servers are run by Mythic, the game developers, themselves
whereas GOA France run the European servers under license. The client
software is different, so you must have the correct version.

>>I am in the UK also, but I shelved my European accounts some time ago
>>and now I'm back playing on the US servers where I started. I would
>>strongly suggest that if you want to try DAoC download the fourteen
>>day free trial from Mythic and play on the US servers. The population
>>on the US servers are far higher than on the UK servers even during UK
>>peak times and Mythic have recently introduced "classic" servers which
>>are proving very popular and the newbie areas on these are teaming so
>>you will always find folks to play with and to help you out. There are
>>many other reasons why the Mythic run US servers are better. Aussies
>>and Kiwis play on the US servers as well as US and Canadian players so
>>many time zones are covered. Most Brits play on the US servers now as
>>well ;).
>>
>Now I've locate the trial I'll start downloading it when I get home, all 
>1.8gbs of it, dontcha just love broadband :-)

Aye, 'tis a wonderful thing :).

>>If after running the fourteen day free trial you fancy staying in the
>>game then you can upgrade to Catacombs with it's excellent graphics
>>and faster advancement op****tunities. You can pick up the US full pack
>>plus Catacombs just as cheaply as the UK version.
>
>Do you just upgrade the trial version or do you finish the trial and 
>then buy the full game? If you do have to buy the full game, do you 
>start from scratch or can you use your trial character?

As someone else has said you can upgrade so you won't lose your
characters from the trial.

>Any suggestions where to pick up the US full pack? I buy plenty of US 
>DVDs but I'm not sure where to start when it comes to games, Amazon? 
>Ebay? Anywhere else?

Mythic are apparently starting to offer digital downloads sometime
soon. The new expansion Darkness Rising will be available as a digital
download and I believe they will offer the full package this way as
well in the near future. Amazon US do not ****p software to Europe, I'm
afraid. Have a look at www.dvdboxoffice.com as they will probably be
far cheaper than EBGames etc.

>>Hope this helps. Feel free to ask if you have any further questions.
>>if you do decide to play I'm on Gareth - Hibernia mainly and would be
>>happy to meet you online and help you get up and running. I've played
>>just about all the MMORPGs available at one time or another but I keep
>>coming back to DAoC. The Realm versus Realm is just so much fun.
>>
>>BB
>What's the monthly fee? Can you just cancel it if you want to take a 
>break and re-activate the same character at a later date?

The monthly fee is $14.95, works out at just over 8 quid. Yes you can
cancel and take a break anytime and you will not lose your characters.
Mythic have not deleted any characters in the four years DAoC has been
running and it's their policy not to.

>Thanks for your help.

You're welcome. Remember I'm on the Gareth server playing Hibernia if
you want someone to get you started. I have characters on most servers
though so just give a shout if you need help.

BB.