More Games Like Guild Wars! - Guild Wars Guru archive powered by Guild Wars Legacy

korcan

noobalicious

Join Date: Jun 2006

14 Apr 2009 at 00:22 - 1

I don't play much now. I think I've logged a handful of times in the past year, but this game was awesome when it came out.

I'm a graphics nerd, so the "fact" this game looked awesome compared to games on other platforms at the time was a bonus.

Where are all the Guild Wars clones? The game sold really well, so support for these types of games is definitely out there. Guild Wars basically created a new genre and no one has developed a game for the genre since.

I can't stand MMOs, so I'd be disappointed if GW2 caters to more of the "grind" crowd. I'm looking at all you GWAMM-ers out there.

Personally, I'd love to see Bioware stop all work on anything Star Wars MMO related and shift their attention to this genre.

Lonesamurai

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Apr 2006

Cheltenham, Glos, UK

Wolf Pack Samurai [WPS]

R/A

14 Apr 2009 at 00:33 - 2

Quote:

Originally Posted by korcan

Personally, I'd love to see Bioware stop all work on anything Star Wars MMO related and shift their attention to this genre.

Actually, the new Star Wars MMO using the Guild Wars business model would work brilliantly

Apollo Smile

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jan 2008

[LORE]

E/Mo

14 Apr 2009 at 00:37 - 3

I haven't played anything like Guild Wars. Its pretty unique.

FoxBat

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Apr 2006

Amazon Basin [AB]

Mo/Me

14 Apr 2009 at 00:42 - 4

I'm pretty sure Bioware IS making something closer to this genre PvE-wise than anyone else. A focus on narration, storyline, and customizable NPCs- traditional hallmarks of good single-player games. The business model remains to be seen, and the skill system is completely up in the air, though an "equip a limited subset of skills" approach seems unlikely.

Martin Alvito

Older Than God (1)

Join Date: Aug 2006

Clan Dethryche [dth]

14 Apr 2009 at 00:45 - 5

My suspicion is that while this is a profitable genre, it is not hugely profitable.

The development and maintenance costs are relatively high against what was sold. Compare to Left 4 Dead's 2.5 million retail copies (and God-only-knows-how-many on Steam) through the end of March - and Valve isn't bearing the server burden there. Yes, FPS games always sell well...but you get the idea.

Given that you're paying for the servers, you'd rather sell a million copies and have a quarter million subscribers paying you $15 per month for several years, than sell six million games at an average of say $40. Less server expense, about the same revenue stream, less development cost.

Guild Wars may now be a worthy intellectual property, and the company made money developing it, but the business model is not such a stunning success that companies are dying to copy the game.

moriz

??ber t??k-n??sh'??n

Join Date: Jan 2006

Canada

R/

14 Apr 2009 at 01:49 - 6

for GW's business model to really take off, they'll need to really aggressively push the ingame store for all its worth. effectively, it will make it similar to those "F2P" games that allows players to buy their way to leetness.

of course, that will have negative impacts elsewhere. it all goes down to how much they want to push it. if the upcoming update is any indication, they're starting to move down that path. here's hoping they stop before they allow you to buy gold and armor/skin unlocks.

now, if you're looking for another game at least marginally similar to GW...

there's granado espada. its art style is similar to GW, and its gameplay is also quite good, similar to a mix of GW and starcraft. however, that's where the similarity ends. it is highly equipment based and grindy as hell. it's totally free, but has the aforementioned store that sells everything from gold to really good equipment.

aTT!kus

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Mar 2006

U.S.

[FluX]

W/

14 Apr 2009 at 02:33 - 7

are there any upcoming MMO's '09/'10 that aren't monthly payments? i know most of the highly anticipated ones will carry $15 fees. I'm fine with buying the game and then paying for names changes/extra slots/extra storage...things that don't give you an edge over other players

edit...not including GW2 of course

Spyder Shadowhunter

Pre-Searing Cadet

Join Date: Jun 2006

Pirates Love Triviality [harr]

A/

14 Apr 2009 at 02:46 - 8

Quote:

Originally Posted by FoxBat

"equip a limited subset of skills" approach seems unlikely.

Actually there was a game that used this kind of approach...

Fury online.. even so it closed down because ppl actually had to use their brains to be useful (and effective considering it was a pvp only mmo).. so basically only problem with it was that most "8-14 year old stupid little wammos" phailed miseraby in it.. so they left to play brainless sh*t mmos (yes i'm talking about wow) where they dont need brains just have to sit there 24/7 and grind like a braindead chicken... all in all without enough players they had to shut down the servers.. this is probably one of the reasons why others don't try to use it.

korcan

noobalicious

Join Date: Jun 2006

14 Apr 2009 at 02:59 - 9

Quote:

Originally Posted by moriz

for GW's business model to really take off, they'll need to really aggressively push the ingame store for all its worth. effectively, it will make it similar to those "F2P" games that allows players to buy their way to leetness.

of course, that will have negative impacts elsewhere. it all goes down to how much they want to push it. if the upcoming update is any indication, they're starting to move down that path. here's hoping they stop before they allow you to buy gold and armor/skin unlocks.

I just want a game where coop is the focus and finding a group isn't a pain in the ass.

Guild Wars has been out for 4 years now and it's basically evolved into a single player experience for the most part. Anyone that picks up the game now is really missing out on what made GW a great game at launch. The random pugging when I first started playing was by far the most fun I've ever had with an online game.

FoxBat

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Apr 2006

Amazon Basin [AB]

Mo/Me

14 Apr 2009 at 03:02 - 10

Fury had a million other problems with it. A PvP-only RPG is a very hard sell right now, GW would've failed if they took that approach too. Fury just failed harder because it also sucked. Well, not even that. Very basic infrastructure was missing. Even games like starcraft and quake need a basic single-player bot campaign to teach people the ropes and get them hooked on the idea without being steamrolled in their first few matches. Still, it was the first game that was clearly inspired by GW's PvP side.

I personally love the basic premise of tons of skills of which only a few you can bring, but it's a very uncommon approach in RPGs right now. Bioware has never used it before and I don't see them embracing it for this particular project either.

UndeadRoadkill

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Feb 2006

14 Apr 2009 at 03:41 - 11

I would love a sci-fi (or sci-fantasy, if you prefer)-style game just like Guild Wars, I think that would be a blast.

pumpkin pie

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Jul 2006

behind you

bumble bee

E/

14 Apr 2009 at 03:56 - 12

nothing come even close, to be honest, although, lately its one disappointment after another.

ressurrect tabula rasa and adopt Guild Wars play and business style

UndeadRoadkill

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Feb 2006

14 Apr 2009 at 04:05 - 13

Quote:

Originally Posted by pumpkin pie

ressurrect tabula rasa and adopt Guild Wars play and business style

I wanted to try that one, but I will not pay a subscription, so I never got into it. I heard it wasn't so good.

HawkofStorms

Hall Hero

Join Date: Aug 2005

E/

14 Apr 2009 at 04:09 - 14

Yeah, about the closest you will find currently to Guild Wars is several offline RPGs (yeah! Bioware!).

As for ascetics, Aion online looks pretty spiffy and sorta similar stylistically to GW. But that a very grindish MMO.

Minako Sawai

Academy Page

Join Date: Jul 2008

A/

14 Apr 2009 at 04:58 - 15

I gave Tabula Rasa a try when it went free, thinking it might be something like a science fiction GW..... which sadly it wasn't. After giving it a few hours I knew that is not the type of game I like. Shame NCSoft dumped so much money into it, although I wish they could have done something to keep it going for those players that liked it.

I'd certainly be interested in a GW-play-style type game in a sci-fi type setting, just don't think we'll ever see it, unless ANet does something after GW2, assuming GW2 maintains that limited skills type play.

Aion looks interesting, the graphics are really nice, the game seems to run fast and smooth, and the grinding isn't that bad based on what people playing the Korean release and China open beta have said. If that was released here using the GW payment style I'd snap it up in a second. Having to buy it at $50 (or $70 for CE) with $15 a month in addition.... just doesn't seem like there is enough to it that I'd put that much money into playing it, unless they offer some type of lower yearly rate or lifetime type deal. Even then, I'm not sure it is something I'd want to play long term.

korcan

noobalicious

Join Date: Jun 2006

14 Apr 2009 at 05:05 - 16

Quote:

Originally Posted by HawkofStorms

Yeah, about the closest you will find currently to Guild Wars is several offline RPGs (yeah! Bioware!).

As for ascetics, Aion online looks pretty spiffy and sorta similar stylistically to GW. But that a very grindish MMO.

Single player RPGs aren't really my thing, but the stuff from Bioware and Bethesda are amazing. I just wish I could play something from those developers in this pseudo genre.

Guild Wars was awesome, so I hope GW2 doesn't turn into more of a traditional MMO.

The only thing that has me coming back to my PC for gaming are online focused games. Coop based online games are pure fun. I love playing console games, but they can't touch what the PC has to offer when it comes to online stuff.

Horde mode in Gears is close as is Nazi Zombies for CoD, but I'm getting sick of FPS/TPS games in general, except for Valve games of course.

Cooperative RPGs! I want more of them!

faraaz

Banned

Join Date: Feb 2008

India

Hey Mallyx [icU]

A/

14 Apr 2009 at 05:11 - 17

The Star Wars MMO will be the first one I'll even try which has a pay to play model...if only for the fact that it is being developed by Bioware. That company is the best in the industry.

zwei2stein

Grotto Attendant

Join Date: Jun 2006

Europe

The German Order [GER]

N/

14 Apr 2009 at 05:28 - 18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spyder Shadowhunter

Actually there was a game that used this kind of approach...

Fury online.. even so it closed down because ppl actually had to use their brains to be useful (and effective considering it was a pvp only mmo).. so basically only problem with it was that most "8-14 year old stupid little wammos" phailed miseraby in it.. so they left to play brainless sh*t mmos (yes i'm talking about wow) where they dont need brains just have to sit there 24/7 and grind like a braindead chicken... all in all without enough players they had to shut down the servers.. this is probably one of the reasons why others don't try to use it.

And that was devs fault. If you game has lowend tier where it does not that much to win, they will stick and learn to dominate it and move on. And as you said, without players, they had to shut down.

Besides, people who end up winning 8 player free for all match just by recreating "cripshot" would quit too.

To be honest, Fury had huge design problems that put off more serious people as well:

* Skill system was too weird, equip costs meant that you got your bang for buck by equipping three maxed skills to "spike" and ton and tons of weak utility (what was actuall limit, 64 skills?). Being able to get snare/sppedboost/ranged attack/selfheal/interrupt/shaddowsteps/every single counter/godknowswhatelse in each build was quite insane
* Resource system too alien to be comfortable. And since it was all basically adrenaline that rewarded button mashing with occasional 123 spike when you got stuff fully charged, you can imagine what matches were life "spam dart -> use heavies, repeat on next target"
* Equipment was strong. Soo strong so that anyone who spent equip point on maxing equip would win by default over someone who did not because of all the insane procs (fully equipped person could AFK and win. talk about imba)
* And not even mentioning "WTF is grind here".

Misa

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Jul 2005

Right next to the armor crafter.

Mo/

14 Apr 2009 at 06:10 - 19

Aion looks a lot like gw

fb2000

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Apr 2006

14 Apr 2009 at 10:00 - 20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spyder Shadowhunter

Fury online.. even so it closed down because ppl actually had to use their brains to be useful (and effective considering it was a pvp only mmo).. so basically only problem with it was that most "8-14 year old stupid little wammos" phailed miseraby in it.. so they left to play brainless sh*t mmos (yes i'm talking about wow) where they dont need brains just have to sit there 24/7 and grind like a braindead chicken...

Highly complex PvP games (I havent played Fury at all, nor even seen it , just a couple of pics i think) tend to have small communities, which in turn translates to low returns, hence close to no company does that any more. Most of these "skilled" games are pretty much the results of modders/free time coders showing their love towards an old game - quake has some for example

. There are also those like Warsow, using freeware engines with quite limited graphics, but fairly complicated gameplay options (warsow isnt that to my taste tho :x dont like the ammo options

). If you think about it, most people these days care more about the way the game looks that its gameplay.

I've seen people diss amazing games with in my eyes quite decent graphics, just because "meh, this looks shit compared to xxxxx" (where xxxxx stands for a sucky game with a good engine..). I'm quite sure a lot of people bought GW because of its fairly good graphics at the time. It also tended somewhat to those of us liking a bit more complex gameplay (not the case any more imo, anet simplified everything so much)

distilledwill

Forge Runner

Join Date: Sep 2006

Blighty

The Legion of the Blue Blade

R/Mo

14 Apr 2009 at 10:26 - 21

I always feel like GW is the underground MMO; barely any profit, fairly good player-developer interaction, easy to pick up - difficult to master, constantly changing.
The business model will probably not be a huge success. After the initial purchase spree when the game comes out, the income probably levels off at a low point where there are a few new players each month and a few current players purchasing something from the ingame store - but not a reliable monthly intake.

Unfortunately, its not a hugely stable system. At any point it could just bottom out - a new game offering the same plan but with better perks - game breaking crashes, bugs, hacks etc. It would be nice to see new games with the same plan, but if they're better than GW then GW would probably see itself die. (Im of the firm belief the game isnt dead as it is).

Xinix

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Jun 2007

Knights of the Keybord Order

E/

14 Apr 2009 at 10:41 - 22

Some people are playing Runes of Magic, some kind of wow clone but it's free.

Lonesamurai

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Apr 2006

Cheltenham, Glos, UK

Wolf Pack Samurai [WPS]

R/A

14 Apr 2009 at 10:56 - 23

Quote:

Originally Posted by UndeadRoadkill

I wanted to try that one, but I will not pay a subscription, so I never got into it. I heard it wasn't so good.

There are rumours of a fan revival on tabula rasa

Shall I post up any info that I get about it?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xinix

Some people are playing Runes of Magic, some kind of wow clone but it's free.

I'm trying to play it at the moment as all my guild officers are RAVING about it... but I hate grind

all13d

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Aug 2007

R/Me

14 Apr 2009 at 12:56 - 24

Quote:

Originally Posted by korcan

I just want a game where coop is the focus and finding a group isn't a pain in the ass.

Guild Wars has been out for 4 years now and it's basically evolved into a single player experience for the most part. Anyone that picks up the game now is really missing out on what made GW a great game at launch. The random pugging when I first started playing was by far the most fun I've ever had with an online game.

With the people we've got running around nowadays, who wants to PUG? 9/10 times you get a bunch of idiots who go and get themselves killed 5 minutes out of the gate. And then blame you for it.

It just isn't worth the trouble. Some of us like to play without rolling the dice on whether our allies will be marginally competent.

cellardweller

Likes naked dance offs

Join Date: Aug 2005

The Older Gamers [TOG]

14 Apr 2009 at 12:58 - 25

Been through chronicles of spellborne and warhammer since winding down my GW "career", and spend most of my time thinking "I wish this was more like guildwars".

My hopes are pinned on champions next, but I'm sure I'll be dissapointed.

fusa

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Mar 2007

14 Apr 2009 at 13:13 - 26

Quote:

Originally Posted by korcan

Personally, I'd love to see Bioware stop all work on anything Star Wars MMO related and shift their attention to this genre.

They're working on Dragon Age http://dragonage.bioware.com/ It was suppose to be released already but looks like it was pushed back to end of the year. I was looking forward to it, but now that EA owns Bioware, I am doubtful I will buy it. Atari did a good job at ruining the Neverwinter Nights line of products (especially for online) and I'm sure EA won't be much more competent.

therangereminem

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Jan 2007

R/Mo

14 Apr 2009 at 13:15 - 27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Misa

Aion looks a lot like gw

its hardly anything like guildwars at all beenplaying it for a week now , and i will play it more whenit comes out in us , but its nothig n like guildwars at all more like wow kinda in someway linage in others and diablo in other ways kinda brings the best at of mmo's together,

Another Felldspar

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Sep 2006

Alchemy Incorporated

Mo/E

14 Apr 2009 at 13:40 - 28

The instancing seems to me to be the biggest difference between GW and all of the other MMO's out there. I started with Guildwars and I just can't get into the persistent worlds -- if I kill a monster I want it to stay dead, and not respawn on my face when I'm fighting the next one. I hate spending long minutes walking somewhere; map travel is a killer concept. Those 2 things coupled up in the traditional MMO's -- spend several minutes walking to a dungeon, kill monsters along the way, finally get to the big guy and while fighting it in a prolonged battle have the respawn from behind tip the scales and player dies -- rez back in town and begin the whole process over again, having to walk/fight back to the dungeon again...

It just isn't my kind of fun.

When I say I want a game like Guildwars I'm talking much more about the way it plays than I am about the business model -- I'd gladly pay the subscription fees -- there just aren't any that I've found.

MuleGoon

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: May 2008

Me/

14 Apr 2009 at 16:48 - 29

As was mentioned earlier, Runes of Magic (http://www.runesofmagic.com/en/index.html) is a free game that seems to have aspects of WOW and GW1 (I only played a couple of hours in it, so I can only say what I've read about it).

For the sci-fi (or sy-fy for the younger generation) interest, Anarchy Online is now available for free (both to download and play). It's an old game, but I played it religiously for years. Check it out at http://www.anarchy-online.com

Yichi

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Sep 2005

Guild Hall, Vent, Guesting, PvE, or the occasional HA match...

Dark Alley [dR]

14 Apr 2009 at 16:54 - 30

Theres a few friends I played GW with that are now playing Cabal Online. Similar to GW and free. I just don't have the time to invest right now to get that heavily into a new game.

Empress Amarox

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Dec 2008

Above you.

Mo/W

14 Apr 2009 at 16:55 - 31

I'm kinda looking forward to Aion, but not looking forward to a monthly fee.

keesie

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: May 2006

Hoogkerk

You Failed [uF]

Mo/A

14 Apr 2009 at 16:59 - 32

runescape 123456789

Shadowhaze

Nothing, tra la la?

Join Date: Oct 2007

14 Apr 2009 at 17:07 - 33

None of the games I've played have been like GW. I think that's one reason I haven't abandoned GW. I do still play it, though not as much as I used to. Other mmos never hold my interest. And eventhough I've done most everything in GW on multiple chars, I still love the game. I just cannot for the life of me get into any others. I'm not sure if it's because of the grind, playstyle, or what...but they just can't grip me the way GW did.

I've been watching the new Star Wars game, but I really don't feel like pay to play something like I used for another game. The time I spent on it and it's cost per month wasn't worth it for me.

Sora267

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Dec 2006

14 Apr 2009 at 17:29 - 34

The business model as it is probably isn't very successful, since it relies on constantly releasing new content. It hinders your developers from working on another game, and the only way to get any work done on a new game would be to ditch the older game entirely, which is what we're starting to see with GW. The concept of GW is great, but we're not going to see any GW clones with a similar business model.

Quote:

Originally Posted by fusa

They're working on Dragon Age http://dragonage.bioware.com/ It was suppose to be released already but looks like it was pushed back to end of the year. I was looking forward to it, but now that EA owns Bioware, I am doubtful I will buy it. Atari did a good job at ruining the Neverwinter Nights line of products (especially for online) and I'm sure EA won't be much more competent.

Actually, EA's been showing a lot of competency lately, Madden games aside. A lot of their recent releases have been quality over quantity, so I'm pretty sure that Dragon Age will be pretty good.

Minako Sawai

Academy Page

Join Date: Jul 2008

A/

14 Apr 2009 at 18:02 - 35

Runes of Magic (F2P, item shop with rentals

) does have a dual profession system, but it is very limited compared to GW. I don't play WoW, but everyone I've talked with in RoM says the game is very very much like WoW. It is fun in its own way, but the combat is rather clunky compared to the fast paced multi-monster / limited skill bar design of GW. Has a much more involved crafting system for runes, weapons and armor, compared to GW.

If you enjoy combat with heroes/pets, then Ether Saga Online is a lot of fun. Another F2P (item shop, but just for vanity stuff mostly), but the pet part of the game is similar to using a hero, but you can fuse with it to gain its attributes, meld pets together to create something new; playing with just 1 at a time, but having 4 total available to use, can give them skills and equipment. Similar to charming animals in GW, you capture your pets, difference is just about all of the monsters can be captured and used a pet. Not sure if I'd want to see that in GW2 or not!

Oh, and the graphics are "ultra cute", but they grow on you. Besides, my little Shenzu Ranger is just so adorable.

Atlantica Online has mercenaries, but uses semi-turn based combat like a strategy game. Again, F2P with Item shop, very little character customization (at least so far for me), nice combat graphics, but the other graphics are so-so and the interface is a bit old fashioned with tiny text.

I haven't found much else that is very GW-like so far.

Painbringer

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Jun 2006

Minnesota

Black Widows of Death

W/Mo

14 Apr 2009 at 18:47 - 36

Most investors want to follow The World Of Cashcraft. The “It’s free monthly” is a hard sell to a bunch of financial investors.

Oblivion is my new toy

Yeah its old but 20.00 bucks and a new challenge is fine for me for now. I still am FA now and then.

Lonesamurai

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Apr 2006

Cheltenham, Glos, UK

Wolf Pack Samurai [WPS]

R/A

14 Apr 2009 at 20:34 - 37

Damnit... my guildies talked me into trying Runes of Magic today and I just realised I had been playing for 10 hours... FFS...

on that note though, its actually not bad (god damn I feel dirty for saying that)

CyberNigma

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Jan 2006

San Antonio, TX

W/R

15 Apr 2009 at 00:33 - 38

I've been trying out RoM as well. It seems pretty neat. The idea was take wow and try to improve on it by changing some of the less desirable stuff in it. There are still Kil x quests though as with many mainstream MMOs. I am really hoping they don't go overboard on any grind/trademill to push the RMT. I would like to see a balance as I get further into it. I don't mind RMT to a point because it allows me to play catch-up rather quickly to other people I pay with when I have only a limited time to play and they can play most of the day. I just don't want to be able to 'win' the game by either paying RMT or by spending the most time.. Skill at the end would be nice. That makes it worthwhile to either RMT or TimeGrind because then you know those at the end still had to use some form of real skill to beat it/get endgame stuff.

RMT can be a good way to balance those with and those without jobs/infinite time/etc. Guild Wars did it very very well (balance those, not RMT) with Factions and Nightfall, even better with Prophecies than most MMos I've played. I'm only talking about play and progression in the game, not titles of course which cater to the ones that do have time and like to grind stuff like that.

Empress Amarox

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Dec 2008

Above you.

Mo/W

15 Apr 2009 at 00:50 - 39

If GW1 is this bad now, imagine when GW2 is out and they're working on GW3... Instead of a 2 person Live Team we'll have a like... Half a person in their free time 30 mins a week Live Team.

Zahr Dalsk

Grotto Attendant

Join Date: Aug 2007

Canada

15 Apr 2009 at 01:00 - 40

I do wish there was another MMO that placed skill over time played. Monthly fee would be alright, as long as there was no high grinding requirement and such things were purely visual (or if there was a Thief class, done proper Garrett-style :P ).