SOE's Free Realms

[Xhar]

So I've watched a lot of video for this, and it looks like a strong title for the intended demographic. If I were young, I'd pretty much eat this shit up. It's like EQ for the young who won't/can't access titles like WoW. I really hope this does well, as it is a step into a much needed different direction.

[Cuppycake]

Originally Posted by Palum

Yea, SoE has been a non-stop juggernaut of amazing titles since EQ. Unless you're referring to bond rating or something. Oh, wait I lol'd.

AAA has nothing to do with the game's success, it's the money spent on developing the game. SOE have big budgets = AAA.

[Flight]

Color me cynical about the formula of 'SoE + Card Game' after the disgusting way they've handled Legends of Norrath. I could give a two hour presentation on how unethical they've been with that.

I'll be surprised if this doesn't turn out to be on par with McDonalds introducing Happy Meals, in the stakes to bring peace, joy and happiness to the life of our little ones.



Yes, of course the bottom line is the $$$ and that is what this is all about. But, this is something else and, knowing Smed and SoE, something more insidious.


My Predictions :

1) watch for the loot items in the card packs to be 95% stuff the kids won't care too much about, 4% 'ooh, I'd like one of those' and 1% ' I gotta have that, even if I have to steal out of dads wallet to buy enough packs to get it.'

2) a new card expansion every few months, just to really screw the knife in all those addicted 12 year olds. Honestly, the first time the CCG habit kicks in its like crack to kids. And SoE are finally targeting kids with their vrtual CCG rip off machine. (I have no problems with CCGs or virtual CCGs or MMOs having a strong business model - rather I know how much SoE have screwed people over with their existing virtual CCGs).

You heard it here first.

[Xhar]

Originally Posted by Cuppycake

Come on, there are better reasons for NDAs other than "hiding features". Generally, they coincide with press embargos.

I'm going to have to agree that they are really just a form of damage control these days. Companies will never run dry on "unique" information to feed out to the press, so I don't really see your argument there. It takes just one person to leak out all the details of a game to the rest of the public, and there will always be at least one person who will feel compelled to do so from now until eternity. NDAs/closed betas create a sort of barrier, that in the case of a terrible game, will prevent the bad news from appearing "true" to the masses. There will always be a handful of people who will shit on any given game, but if you see a couple hundred shitting? Yeah, you are less apt to put down the $60+ for a game.

Though, I guess it's expected that a company would hide their terrible game with a veil of closed beta and NDAs from a business standpoint. I mean what other option do they have? But, isn't it also then expected that in today's "try before you buy" world of digital media, people are getting more and more cynical of such veils, and maybe are starting to view them for what they are, deceit?

[PosterOfStuff]

Originally Posted by Xhar

I'm going to have to agree that they are really just a form of damage control these days. Companies will never run dry on "unique" information to feed out to the press, so I don't really see your argument there. It takes just one person to leak out all the details of a game to the rest of the public, and there will always be at least one person who will feel compelled to do so from now until eternity. NDAs/closed betas create a sort of barrier, that in the case of a terrible game, will prevent the bad news from appearing "true" to the masses. There will always be a handful of people who will shit on any given game, but if you see a couple hundred shitting? Yeah, you are less apt to put down the $60+ for a game.

Though, I guess it's expected that a company would hide their terrible game with a veil of closed beta and NDAs from a business standpoint. I mean what other option do they have? But, isn't it also then expected that in today's "try before you buy" world of digital media, people are getting more and more cynical of such veils, and maybe are starting to view them for what they are, deceit?

Blizzard rewrote the book on that one. Wow's development was so open they set a standard (and I don't play wow).

If your under a year to go until release and you still have a closed beta, then yes you are hiding something, and the current releases over the last year or so seem to back that up.

[PosterOfStuff]

Originally Posted by Cuppycake

AAA has nothing to do with the game's success, it's the money spent on developing the game. SOE have big budgets = AAA.

Its a good market to go after, and hey those 10 to 12 year olds are not going to be anywhere near as jaded (not too mention as bitter) as some of us who have very very low opinions of SOE (which in alot of cases are based on fact).

It does sound like SOE have thought out of the box on this one, so good luck to them.

[Flight]

Originally Posted by PosterOfStuff

Blizzard rewrote the book on that one. Wow's development was so open they set a standard (and I don't play wow).

If your under a year to go until release and you still have a closed beta, then yes you are hiding something, and the current releases over the last year or so seem to back that up.

I disagree. Betas have become one of two things :


i) a publicity/PR gimmick;

ii) a no-win, rope around the neck for the developers.


Either way, most of the people in the beta are just looking to get a head start for launch, find broken strats and play the game for free. It has nothing to do with testing, improving or fixing, for the vast majority.


If you are launching a quality game then you don't need the PR or the sales pitch. Blizz will prolly carry on the whole beta thing, but I think they are making a mistake. Further, even the term 'beta testing' is farcical. The whole concept of 'closed / open beta' testing should be done away with.

[Kirun]

Either way, most of the people in the beta are just looking to get a head start for launch, find broken strats and play the game for free. It has nothing to do with testing, improving or fixing, for the vast majority.

The day that the developers/publisher start paying me to potentially make them money, is the day I start giving a shit about submitting feedback, crushing bugs, etc. Until then, I'll use betas as a glorified demo.

[Flight]

Originally Posted by Kirun

The day that the developers/publisher start paying me to potentially make them money, is the day I start giving a shit about submitting feedback, crushing bugs, etc. Until then, I'll use betas as a glorified demo.

There you go.

You just triple underlined everything I said.

[Itzena]

Originally Posted by Siddar

This game has basicly stolen 90% of EQ devs time sense the launch of SoD.

Give EQ back it devs damnit!!

Why? This is going to make SOE more money that EQ ever did.

[Zarcath]

After seeing the Production-side of Development, NDA's can also provide exclusive sales points. You can't sell Gamestop an exclusive look at FreeRealms Starting Zone if RandomDude01 already datamined the fuck out of it and posted it on FreeRealmsHead.com

[Mist]

Originally Posted by Cuppycake

Come on, there are better reasons for NDAs other than "hiding features". Generally, they coincide with press embargos. Companies have a PR responsibility to involve the press and give them premium information, which is nearly impossible if your testers have said everything there is to say about the product already. Games wouldn't be shit without any press behind them, and they wouldn't get any if they didn't promise articles and news to big outlets. Unfortunately, in the gaming industry - no one really gives a shit and they just blatantly ignore them. It's a lot different with web products.

Companies *do* go after NDA breakers from time to time. I'm responsible for going after NDA breaches for my company, so I know what I'm talking about. It can get into serious business...

People actually listen to what the 'gaming press' has to say? They're more full of shit than the real press. Gaming is one area which would actually be improved if gaming publications disappeared and all reporting was done by bloggers.

[Flight]

Originally Posted by Mist

People actually listen to what the 'gaming press' has to say? They're more full of shit than the real press. Gaming is one area which would actually be improved if gaming publications disappeared and all reporting was done by bloggers.

Well said. There was more freedom of speech and independent thought in Stalins Russia than in most of today's gaming press.



Studio head : So you want to come out to the studio to see the game, man ?

Journo : Yuhuh, do bears crap in the woods ?

SH : So what score are you going to give us ?

J : You have free beer and hot chicks ?

SH : We have beer and a weekend in Vegas for you.

J : Thats an 8.1/10

SH : We could throw in some babes for a photo shoot with you.

J : Dude, you just made 9/10 and this months cover and classic game accreditation.

[XadionDarkborn]

So a "Friend" got an "Email"

and "my friend" tells me that its not exactly web based but you download a "plug in" and log in via their website and then the website loads the game that is a normal other non ie window- so its kinda "browser" based.

From my..."friends" first impression - SoE will be makeing the moneys hand over fist with this one...if only they now put this much effort into EQ3...or 1.5 whatever.

From working at this public library and the computer section- the amount of "kids" playing online runescape and shit indicates this will grab the money- the games client is exceptionaly lightweight- took me...myfriend only mere moments to download and be running- longer than runescape etc etc

[Siddar]

Originally Posted by Itzena

Why? This is going to make SOE more money that EQ ever did.

Because Im tired of paying for all of SoEs other games with my EQ subscription.

SoE has one non welfare game that being EQ (maybe EQ2 has finaly hit break even I dont know) and all the rest have been feeding off EQ profits for the past ten years. Free Realms is the lastest SoE welfare baby to arrive the problem is EQ isnt the cash cow it used to be so in order to find resouces for Free Realms most of EQ Dev time has simply been shifted to Free Realms while EQ continues to pays there salary. Come november when the next EQ expansion is due were going to see the cost of this.

Its all based on the gamble that Free Realms will suceed unlike every other game SoE has released sense EQ the only difference is this time they have made a descion to harm EQ in order throw the dice on Free Realms.