Here are some things that Zoopy and I have been discussing over the past week. Some things have become more clear with the launch and other's still have to be figured out. So first with the questions:
1.) Guild Name - What do we want?
-- I'm all for going away from Focused Gaming and using something more in line with the game lore. I still want us to represent -F- in game, but I've always been one that wanted names of guilds and characters to actually "Fit" in with the setting.
(Though if the overriding feeling is to keep Focused then that's cool as well.) We'll throw up another thread for guild name suggestions.
2.) Home Server - Is everone going to be happy with a PvE server?
-- Right now we're on Zug though a few of us have made characters on Doomsayer and Cimmeria. For me personally, I want to go PvP and I don't think I'll enjoy the game as much without it. Seriously, this game just SCREAMS for PvP due to the setting, massive amounts of carnange and the combat system.
I understand the reason's against it, but after playing on Cimmeria and talking with some level 20's about their impressions, I feel even more strongly about it. Yes, there is ganking, but most people just want to do what you do, and that's enjoy the game and have fun.
People start policing themselves after a time and there is ZERO death penalty for PvP deaths. No rez sickness and no long corpse runs. Add in that the general asshat levels on RP servers is usually a lot lower and I just think it would be more fun.
I guess my main concern with staying PvE is just how much and how important the PvP aspects at the end game are going to be. It all sounds great in theory, but it's also very limited. There are only 8 Keeps allowed on the server and those are only held by the strongest guilds. Yes, you can Merc yourselves out to fight, but it's not the same as having a stake in things. So will it be enough?
Now I realize that PvP is not for everyone and I'm in no way going to try and force anyone to play a style they don't like. Which brings me to the next question.
3. Do we try and form our own Guild or join another?
-- I'm all for doing our own Focused thing if we have the participation. But I really feel that if we're going to make it work, then it has to be unified and on one server. Splitting us up into 2 guilds will only be an epic fail. (IMO anyway.) But how do we make everyone happy?
3a. Make one guild and join another on whatever server isn't our main?
-- Problem here is people get attached to characters and if we're on a PvE server but you love PvP, you'll probably be over there more anyway. So are we back to the same problem as trying to have 2 guilds?
3b. Need to make a decision NOW.
-- I know Kat and cg and maybe even Hopes are at or around level 20 already, so if we do change it would have to be before anyone get's any higher or it wouldn't be fair to ask people to move. Though the ability to get 20 levels in one day does take some sting out of it, but you get the point.
So if you want a say in this, speak up. We've tried polls and what have you, but I want people that are 100% going to play and be active to have a voice. But you have to do it quickly...like TODAY.
4. Just forget a guild and hook up with another group.
--Easy to do and let's everyone play where they like, but the whole point in this is to play with your friends so is it really a solution? I know TG has got like 27 guilds running so we can always work something out there, but it really just isn't the same.
Though it does solve the issue of "where do we all play and be happy?"
Answers:
1. This game ROCKS. Graphics are amazing, gameplay is silky smooth (so far) and it seems like they've optimized the engine since the beta ended. Just has atmosphere to spare and is true to the lore of the source material.
2. Combat is where it's at. Collision detection means that you can actually tank. A formation of warriors can actually block an enemy group from passing until killed, moved or flanked. Which means that group tactics in PvP just went up 10 notches.
--The Fatalty animations are freaking killer. Nothing better than lopping someones head from their shoulders in blood spraying awesomeness.
3. You can solo to level 20 without ever playing with a group. Night missions are 100% single player and move the main story line along. You can almost get to level 20 just by doing those if you so choose. Or you can skip them and group to 20 doing other quests. Just keep in mind that certain NPC's, actions and events are specific to group or single player settings.
4. The storyline in single player mode is similar but different depending on what class you're playing.
5. Did I mention the blood?
