Online gaming

What's the game to play these days? I'm thinking of finally trying a mmorpg. I'm thinking Guild Wars 2. AngryJoe has me sold on it, I think. But his review is already a couple of years old. But I really like not getting hooked on a monthly payment. I see that it's on sale at the moment.

Hey, do you play with your keyboard for these things? Is that how you should play them? Or do those controllers that you plug in work well?

Still playing Eve Online, Steve? Is that still going strong?

Diablo is not an mmorpg, right?

Guild Wars 2, like the original, lost it's momentum after being out for awhile. However you'll still find plenty of the dedicated players on there grinding away. Just don't expect it to be high population.

EVE Online however is still going very strong and very populated.

Diablo III is very much evolving with their DLC Reaper of Souls and one of the first MMO markethouses where you can sell items for real money. It's a game that the 1% of players make a living from. Another game where some players make a living is called Cabal. Interesting advancement in mmo gaming. (Also yes, it is an MMORPG, but very niche)

I recommend Phantasy Star Online 2. You'll have to use a guide to make an account since the game is only in Japanese, but once you get past that you need to download PSo2 Tweaker to turn the game into english and have a blast. (Depending on you service provider they may be region blocked from the game. If it doesn't work VPN).
 
I played Ultima Online for many years and it's still the best one I ever played. It was the first really huge MMORPG. Tried playing Everquest for a bit but player crafts/trades were total garbage compared to what UO had accomplished.

Someone bought me WOW for christmas one time but I never opened it, I was afraid it would take over my life.

Currently I play Clash of Clans :P not really an RPG.. more like a warcraft type thing.
 
I played Ultima Online for many years and it's still the best one I ever played. It was the first really huge MMORPG.

I like to look at Ultima Online the same way I do Ragnarok Online... the game was great then, but has died. Yet it lives with people who run private servers that are updated PAST the game's "death" with original content and expansions.
 
Yes definitely dead. Years ago they tried to release a 3d version and after like 2 years of development on the new software they gave up and trashed the whole idea.
 
All that said, I WILL be playing this when it launches: https://keepflying.com/

Ohhhh I'm there, dude. Thanks for the tip

Guild Wars 2, like the original, lost it's momentum after being out for awhile. However you'll still find plenty of the dedicated players on there grinding away. Just don't expect it to be high population.

:(. I guess I'm still checking it out though. Hope springs eternal. =)

EVE Online however is still going very strong and very populated.

I might have to give that a try as well. Sounds like such a big playground.

Star Trek Online is a pretty fun game. I'm about to start playing that again

Watching Star Trek Enterprise has reignited my interest in the franchise. I'll look into it too.

I played , I was afraid it would take over my life.

Yeah, I hear that. I've always been concerned about that too. So not too sure I can allow myself to actually get into one of these things.


Holy crap. The GW2 download is taking a loooong time. Wasn't expecting that. Guess I should have. My speed is only up to 15 mps. (I'm sure it never actually reaches that.) But still. Usually downloads are a breeze compared to the old days of dial-up, anyway. I guess I haven't downloaded anything so large via the internet before. Oh well, I'm sure it's worth it.

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Well, I can see that I should have just turned the sleep/hibernation thing off of my PC last night. Then it would have downloaded overnight nicely. Now it's whizzing along pretty nicely: up to 63%!
 
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I play Guild Wars 2 a bit still, it's definitely lost its momentum. Love the look of the Firefly game, I'm definitely going to be playing that. Has anyone ventured into online casino gaming? I was reading a link my friend sent me ( http://onlinecasino-x.com/articles/casino-games ) about online games like slots and poker etc and have to say I'm tempted, just for a bit of fun. Anyone else used these before?
 
My first reaction having played a little GW 2 so far is that it's (MMORPGing) like CRACK!

Nah, I've managed to not play it every night so far. Don't want it to take of my life, like you said, Sfoster. How the hours can fly by, though.

Gambling is something I definitely do not need taking over my life. Lucky for me I don't seem to have the gambling bug. So it's easy for me to leave it. I recommend treading with caution on that.
 
Wise words richy. I don't think I have the gambling bug, I guess I'm just curious as a lot of my friends are into it. Everything in moderation!
 
So what about The Secret World?

Trailer

I've played a LOT of MMOs, really a LOT. When The Secret World came out I was REALLY excited and didn't mind too much for the subscription fee method, even though I generally disliked that with so many quality free to play ones.

However my computer died on me a little before The Secret World came out and I didn't think my laptop could handle it. So I put off getting it. Then eventually I watched as subscription based mmo started going to buy to play or straight to free to play, The Secret World followed.

Needless to say that when a game has to go the route of changing their business model post final launch... well that's a bad sign to the quality and playability of the game. Now I avoid those games overall.

The Secret World is a great concept that was badly implemented. Nice mechanics that don't mix well. Character customization that sounds great, but created a small number of ultimate archtypes, which are almost required to stay equal level PvE. If you're not archtype, don't even consider playing the game for it's semi-fun PvP.

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Also I'd like to point out that if you do follow archtype you could solo 90% of the main story (which is why most people play the game).... with that being said.. if you're into MMOs for you know... the MMO part... The Secret World has an average of 600 players on daily and an all time high of about 3.6k players on. In comparison EVE had it's peek at around 60k players.
 
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Wo. Thanks for the cautionary info. EVE sounds more and more appealing.

May I ask what exactly you're interested in playing richy? I've played almost every genre (and format) of MMOs lol... I'm sure I could recommend some games that'd match what you're looking for.
 
Not sure. I've started playing GG2 and like it. EVE sounds interesting. WoW, I would, but what are the subscription costs? Something for mature audiences and perhaps on the dark side would be nice. Scifi, fantasy, horror, that sort of thing.

Too bad this fell through:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vnoa2YygTbg&feature=related
 
Okay richy, and anyone else interested, I'm going to go very indepth in my recommendations for you since you're not sure. I'll try to hit those few things you did specify to the best of my knowledge XD

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World of Warcraft - Better yet why not play a clone game for free that has a playerbase that will outlive WoW?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdqFYBeTUac

Runes of Magic holds the record for most spent to make an MMO (2.2billion I do believe?) and has expanded greatly beyond that. The game is a literal clone of World of Warcraft with improved PvP and a Multi-class system. With a total of 66 different possibilities of class mixing the game has become a staple of customization. As well as stealing WoW's players.

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Looking for blood and amazing fantasy combat? Action Combat is an interesting genre of MMO in which you actually have real fighting physics and need to aim your swings and spells. It's no longer a point and click world! Nothing captures this better than one of the first games to have this feature.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tM2yfu_IqV4

Vindictus is a top rated MMO that has been a favorite of gamers since it's release. Although it has a limited number of gender locked characters... each one has a completely different play style and two different very varying weapon trees. I believe the current numbers to pick from is 7. The game has a very dark cinematic feel with loads of blood and fast paced combat. It's a TRUE MMO, without social interaction you won't get far. Also having to actually aim your attacks makes this a game where skill is required. Although, I haven't tried the PvP, I hear it's amazing! (Plus playing this, I'm more than willing to meet you in game when I don't have class! This has been a favorite of mine for years!)

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Science Fiction? EVE is a good game for that, but if you want some nostalgia I have to recommend you go a little advanced in route and play Japan's number 1 MMO of the famous science fiction series Phantasy Star.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=az7gD1wCguQ

Phantasy Star Online 2 is an extremely unique game. Pick a race from the classics of Phantasy Star, as well as a new corrupted race, enjoy the vast character customization, and jump into a universe that would be all too familiar with anyone who played Phantasy Star on the PlayStation 1 or Phantasy Star Online on Dreamcast. With the ability to change your main class in the lobby anytime and even subclass to mix in skill and weapons it's a game that will never tire. Play one mission as a Third Person Slasher (Semi-Action Combat like Vindictus), play it as a Third Person Shooter, or play it from the back as a true DPS force user! The game is in it's Episode 3 chapter and has recently made it so ALL classes are unlocked right from the start. Great time to join the game.

However I warn, although this is Japan's #1 MMO in terms of income for Sega and population... but it is also full of Anime cross-overs and other Japanese culture... the game is Region locked. It will require signing up for a Sega.jp account, getting the English patch, and depending on your service provider using a VPN to play. Due note, although it's technically bannable, Sega.jp has announced they are fine with American players as long as they don't harass the native players. Ship 2 is FULL of English players, JP players have called it the "Devil Ship".

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Mature? In-Depth? I've not personally played it yet... but my friend has and I've enjoyed researching the game.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNFSw107MQs

Black Desert is the future of MMOs. Everyone is excited for this revolutionizing world in which you come as close as possible to that of .//hack or Sword Art Online. It's a simulated world in which you can do anything, even being communities with the uniquely functional real estate system. This will be a game where you can live life as a merchant or a monster hunter. Plus the game is one of the most visually appealing that will be releasing soon. It also follows the amazing Action Combat system that all MMOs are switching too.

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Horror is the hardest... The best I can come up with for MMO.. and it's not even a full MMO is DayZ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=waFpwpDHY3c

DayZ is an interesting mmo in that it includes permadeath. That makes this a game of mass hysteria and paranoia. Once you've invested an amount of time into a character you will start to fear going into towns, not only because of the zombie hordes, but of other players possibly being player hunters (aka Bandits). The game is the best survival game out there and although the MMO is limited depending on which version you play, the game still has the social interaction enough for me to consider social.

Your options however for this vary,

DayZ Standalone - The standalone version of DayZ has released. It's in Alpha, but it's good. The engine is strong, the graphics are better, and overall it WILL be better than the mod when the dev team finally gets off their asses. Biggest cons are the lack of content and the max 40 player servers.

DayZ Mod - This version is maxed out in possible content. Things from building bases to vehicles that are missing in the Standalone. Not only that but there is a program which allows you to MOD THE MOD! Adding even more content and game modes... overall for playability the mod is far better, for now.

Both of these however, unlike all others of these recommendations, cost money. DayZ Standalone I do believe is 30$ on Steam. For DayZ Mod you'd need to buy ArmA 2: Operation Arrowhead (which is an Army simulation mmo also, so it's kinda two birds one stone if you're into army simulation).

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Lastly, it doesn't exactly fit what you're looking for, but it is my personal interest at the moment. This game has been in-development for at least 2 years (most likely at least 4 since 2 years ago was just the last trailer), but the style of this game and it's Action Combat system looks very interesting. I will CERTAINLY be getting it once it drops.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCTMoMueRr8

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Those are my recommendations... All of which are extremely active and have mature players. You'll find less mature players on point and click games (like Runes of Magic sadly), as they have an easier time just mindlessly playing the game. Action Combat is honestly becoming a standard in modern MMOs thanks to Vindictus... and more mature players seem to stick to those nowadays.
 
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Those all look really cool. Black Desert really does look like a nerdgasm. Well, they all do. Thank you very much for the in depth recommendations. It really is amazing what's available and what's being created. Lot's to think about and explore. :)
 
I've been playing MMORPGs from as far back as I can remember - my day seems to be incomplete without them! Some of my all-time favorites are: Guild Wars 2 - wherein players gang together to fight in rolling events; Planetside 2 - a huge, persistent open world filled and fought over by thousands of players, some on foot, some in tanks and quad bikes and jeeps and jetpacks, others in bombers and air transports and air fighters; Rift - where you can choose whether you want to specialize into one specific role or to branch out into multiple roles; Lord of the Rings Online - where you get to pick from one of the four great races and on your adventure, meet some of the epic characters that make up the story, along with being tasked with several important missions. Apart from these, I also enjoy playing relatively lighter multiplayer games which are not that taxing, for instance, virtual pet games like these. In a nutshell, any game that has an entire virtual world inside it which needs to be explored interests me.
 
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