Introduction to D&D

[Tallen]

What is D&D and what is DDO?

D&D is Dungeons and Dragons, DDO is Dungeons and Dragond Online (oh, and pnp means pen and paper ).

For those who don't know much about the game, it is essentially an online version of the classic pen and paper rpg D&D. This game was the founder of popular role playing games, my first encounter was back in the 80's (i believe the original game producers were a company called TSR?) but the game has been around since the 70's.

D&D spawned a cartoon series which had limited success in the late 80's and a movie in 2000 which had a very over-the-top performance from Jeremy Irons and Richard O'Brien (of Crystal Maze and Rocky Horror fame), but was essentially crap.

D&D is the basis on which all RPG games are based, there is just no getting away from it as D&D set the foundations. As such a lot of players will be familiar with the usual mix of elves, dwarves, orcs etc (yes, I know D&D did not invent the classic fantasy races etc, my point is it was the first to create a solid system for players to play the roles) but don't be fooled into thinking this is another copy of the mmo gaming cookie cutter that is spawning endless clone titles, DDO is an entirely new proposition.

Players who's main focus in a game is pvp will not be enamoured with D&D as it has no pvp and there is no hint that there will be any pvp system implemented anytime soon.

DDO is a co-operative game.

What do I mean by this? Well, the concept of D&D was gather a party of friends and have an adventure controlled by a games master, or GM. The classic setting was usually a dungeon as it is an enclosed environment where the GM could limit all the players actions to the confines of a small area, and it worked well. DDO keeps with this concept, the game is designed around players getting together to beat the dungeon rather than each other. The only difference is that the dungeons in DDO are not controlled by a GM.

So why bother with DDO?

Probably the most common question players ask, I do not have all the answers, but I will present a few of the arguments:

DDO's dungeon and grouping system is unrivalled, the dungeons are way more than the usual hack-and-slash mindless killing orgy romp found in other games. DDO's dungeons are the main focus of the game (at least to the level i have seen) and they are designed to really test adventurers. Puzzles, devious traps and surprises are what DDO is about. You really have to play to the strengths of your group but that being said any mix of players can make a strong group as long as they play to their strengths (for example a group of wizards and rangers would use their range to beat opposition, a group of healers and fighters may just wade-in).

The dungeons are instanced which is a turn-off for many players, but there is a good reason for this, to present a decent challenge. An example would be a while ago myself and 2 friends entered a dungeon, we were in there for about 2 hours before we finally emerged victorious, the experience was unparallelled in my mmo experience. The challenge was excellent, it was very difficult and ultimately extremely rewarding.

The other thing about the grouping system is that a group are exponentially better than the sum of their parts. Once a group is formed the potential is quite incredible and you can overcome obstacles that you may not have thought possible.

DDO is NOT D&D?

Another common gripe which is mainly because of the game setting and the lack of true allignment system which defined the role-playing aspect of D&D. The game is set in Eberron which is one of the more recent expansion settings and seems to be not the most popular choice. The justification for choosing Eberron is mainly that the background is a solid setting for DDO, many do not agree but to be honest it's a pretty pointless argument.

The alignment system is a different matter, in the original D&D your actions were defined by a code of conduct called your Allignment, deviating from playing to your allignment often had terrible consequences. Many players don't see how a computer can simulate the GM aspect of D&D that made it unique and few would argue with them.

Longevity?

DDO is a strange concept, there is no pvp and no crafting so the entire gaming experience is centered around enjoying the experience. As such grinding is out, there is no point rushing to max level. One main concern about this game is whether or not they will implement regular updated content. Content is what DDO is about, it simply has no other tangible aspect other than providing a setting for people to roleplay in. No other mmorpg has tried this in the same way as DDO and with games like Vangard on the horizon, there is a question about how long this game has.

NWN online?

Probably the most common gripe about DDO is that it bears a striking resemblance to NWN and other rpg's that are playable online with no subs fee. Games like Planetside have explored this concept already and while PS is not a very popular game, it is still going strong. The real argument for having a subs fee is that even though DDO is essentially group-centric, the greater community makes for a way to meet new players and form new friendships and find groups. For a lot of players the main attraction of a mmorpg is the player interaction and it is felt by a great number of the community that with no pvp, DDO will atract a more mature comunity of gamers (note, by mature i do NOT mean older, I know a lot of 17 year olds that are more mature than their parents ).

Please note these are only my personal experiences and those of my friends, if anyone has any views or experiences please fell free to post them. The point of a thread like this is for players new to the game to get a feel for what the game is about and see other players views of the game.

If you disagree with anything I have said or have experiences to the contrary feel free to express them.

[Aada]

The whole dungeon round the corner from the inn terminates any immersion in this game, i guess its either a love or you hate it game.

I went into GAME today and they have tons of collectors edtion boxes on the shelf that haven't been sold yet.


Seriously how long can you play this game when all there is to it is run 2 seconds from the inn to find a crappy dungeon that looks pretty much the same as the last dungeon?

This game will flop big time.

[Talivar]

well ive played 2 stress tests and euro beta and now retail and still love it as much as i did at start, for ME daoc,wow.dnl,coh and rest dont even come into same league.
Maybe that i like fact its stated that u CANNOT solo for long,so i see that as a challenge and prove u can actually solo very well

[Tallen]

Originally Posted by Talivar

well ive played 2 stress tests and euro beta and now retail and still love it as much as i did at start, for ME daoc,wow.dnl,coh and rest dont even come into same league.
Maybe that i like fact its stated that u CANNOT solo for long,so i see that as a challenge and prove u can actually solo very well

Come across this quite a lot as well, it seems you can solo quite well in the game, but your progression will be a lot slower than in a group.

I have solo'd instances that I have struggled when duoing, soloing is very possible, you just have to be a lot smarter about how you do things and a lot more aware of what is going on around you.

Cannot comment really though as no players have even seen most of the higher content currently. I am led to believe the tougher stuff will require a group, but who really knows for sure.

[Tallen]

Originally Posted by Aada

Seriously how long can you play this game when all there is to it is run 2 seconds from the inn to find a crappy dungeon that looks pretty much the same as the last dungeon?

Another common gripe, but again beta players never really scratched the surface of the game so it's difficult to justify such sweeping statements.

Once again heresay reigns and im lead to believe there is a lot more to the game than just this, most i speak with refer to stormreach as the "starter" town, but again, I don't know for sure.

Time will tell.

[Aada]

Originally Posted by Tallen

Another common gripe, but again beta players never really scratched the surface of the game so it's difficult to justify such sweeping statements.

Once again heresay reigns and im lead to believe there is a lot more to the game than just this, most i speak with refer to stormreach as the "starter" town, but again, I don't know for sure.

Time will tell.

I don't know many people that really enjoyed the game tbh most played the beta because it was free as usual it will be really interesting to see how the game is doing 6months down the line.

I just couldn't stand the game from the word go the whole instanced thing reminds me of GW. No great loot/crafting/being able to wonder outside town the game just has disaster written all over it. People will eventually get bored with the subpar gameplay the game has to offer.

This is the type of game we should be seeing on consoles tbh.

[JBP|]

Originally Posted by Aada

I just couldn't stand the game from the word go the whole instanced thing reminds me of GW. No great loot/crafting/being able to wonder outside town the game just has disaster written all over it. People will eventually get bored with the subpar gameplay the game has to offer.

I suspect then,that it has never occured to you that some people don't like to craft or go on epic journeys across the virtual world for no apparent reason other than to have a look.

As for great loot,i suggest doing the waterwork quests a few times as there is enough loot in there to keep you busy for a fortnight.

[Fana]

I started DDO today and must say im, so far, very pleased with it. I absolutely love the way it plays in dungeons, with the dungeons masters voice telling you what you smell and hear etc, and the traps, the need to sneak around and employ tactics - just a simple thing like mana and health not regenerating normaly makes the game that much more tactical all of a sudden, and every mob becomes a threat you have to vanquish in a skillfull manner to save your power. Also enjoy the semi-twitch style where you have to manually block and move and the mobs try to flank you etc.
Also think Turbine has done a nice job on the atmosphere etc, and the game is very scalable on the gfx side.
Its also refreshing that you can adventure together with people several levels higher than you and be usefull (and bear in mind that there are only 10 levels), and that gear doent matter that much (so far anyway), but skill and cooperation does.

[Starman]

I too am enjoying DDO and I am in total agreement with comments made so far

Seleya, the cleric of The Lost Exiles - Aureon

If anyone cares to join myself, and JBP on Aureon - feel free

[Aada]

No offense but how many times have you enjoyed a game when you first get it? after the honey moon period is over you then start to see the niggles that a game has.

What will you do at lvl 10?

I remember when i got PDZ for the 360 i thought the game was the best thing since sliced bread.. it was only when i got to the 4th/5th map that i finaly said to myself this game fucking sucks tbh.

I could say the same about a few MMORPG.

Everquest 2

Matrix Online

Guild Wars

Everquest 2 looks great but i got sick to death of the constant loading everytime i went into a city/town/home because the game is instanced! the worse thing to happen to MMORPG.

[Fana]

Well, some games you can at least say after the first couple hours (or even minutes) that they arent for you. This game isnt one of them for me at least. Im having fun with it now and frankly i dont really care if it is still fun in a month. If it isnt then ill stop playing and will still have had good value from it tbh (many people spend more on a night of going out and drinking than what a pc game costs etc). At least its nice to have something that makes me not want to log into WoW anymore, for however long - that can only be healthy.
Also, Turbine have stated the first content update will be at the end of march, so i might not even have hit level 10 by then, as im not in any hurry to powerlevel. The fun part is the playing itself, and not the accomplishment of getting a new level. As ive understood it they will raise the level cap regularely by 1-2 levels until level 20.

[Starman]

As Fana said I am also not in a hurry but am enjoying the quests as they come but I have noted that some people are already level 8 on my server but I guess some have to rush just for the chance of being first!.

[Fana]

Originally Posted by Starman

As Fana said I am also not in a hurry but am enjoying the quests as they come but I have noted that some people are already level 8 on my server but I guess some have to rush just for the chance of being first!.

Which is just so silly when there is no PvP endgame in which they can "own" people of lesser level etc

[Tallen]

Originally Posted by Fana

Also, Turbine have stated the first content update will be at the end of march, so i might not even have hit level 10 by then, as im not in any hurry to powerlevel. The fun part is the playing itself, and not the accomplishment of getting a new level. As ive understood it they will raise the level cap regularely by 1-2 levels until level 20.

I think this is a great comment, the test will be how often they implement new content but so far they seem committed.

[Tallen]

Originally Posted by Aada

Everquest 2 looks great but i got sick to death of the constant loading everytime i went into a city/town/home because the game is instanced! the worse thing to happen to MMORPG.

Instancing is a bit of a controversial topic, the reason so much in DDO is instanced it to maintain the challenge. Not much challenge if you can zerg a dungeon designed to really test groups.

I'd agree it doesn't work in some mmorpg's, but for DDO i think it works well.