9/1/06, WarCry Weekly Update - The Dragonbound

[Askel]

http://df.warcry.com/scripts/news/view_news.phtml?site=7&id=64488

[alfaroverall]

The reputation system, at least at my first thought, sounds like a WoW-esque rep grind. I could be completely wrong and each quest you do to get rep could be fun.

[Dragon_fire]

O_o

Reading it right now...

[Buckk Dich]

sweet!

[kehmesis]

Thanks!

[omnigol]

Nice update. I'm having a hard time deciding between orks and alfar. I also appreciate how Darkfall lore has plainly sinister motives. As opposed to WoW in which "no side is evil, just misunderstood", that makes it feel like a kids game imo.

[Dragon_fire]

The reputation system, at least at my first thought, sounds like a WoW-esque rep grind. I could be completely wrong and each quest you do to get rep could be fun.

Hmmm ya i think it will be kind of like WoW... hopefully more stuff like this will be pumped out from Warcry weekly or atleast bi weekly.



I feel you Omni... hmm WoW was a kids game... it was too simple imo. It was like, do this and you will get that.. kind of shit. WoW was made to be kid friendly but yet mature at the same time... didnt work out. To me WoW was is a waist of time and should be vaporware...only reason why people still play is because they are caught in an endless loop of only trying to get the best gear they can get... but little do they know that they are waisting their time on a game that feel like a job more then fucking entertainment.

[Finrod]

Nice update :)

[omnigol]

The reputation system, at least at my first thought, sounds like a WoW-esque rep grind. I could be completely wrong and each quest you do to get rep could be fun.

While it would seem similar to me also. It simple can't be like WoW because Darkfall is not an Item-centric game. You'll be joining and working up the ranks, because it's what you want to do, as opposed it being what you -have- to do to get such'n'such item. I usually quit item-centric games when I realize I don't like what I'm doing, yet I HAVE to do it to progress. In darkfalls case I can't see that happening with the current mechanics.

[alfaroverall]

As players complete more and more missions for a quest faction, they rise in its ranks. A player's status influences the attitudes of faction NPCs, as well as access to special skills, equipment and prestige classes.
I skimmed over this without looking closely enough and then saw it again. Unless the quests are entertaining in the process of getting rep (unlike WoW, where it's "kill this type of mob 10000 times") this seems like it'll be quite WoW-like, especially the prestige class part. Say for example you had to do this to get the Assassin prestige class. You would have to do quests you didn't really want to do in order to become any better at stealth-type things once you had GMed all stealth skills.
Maybe I'm being overly cynical...I dunno.

[Teth]

Sounds to me that running quests for "faction" is going to lead you into conflict with nominal friendlies who just happen to be working for other racial factions. In the case of the above article, I wouldn't be surprised if an adherent of the Dragonbound ends up having to crack some Iron Ork heads somewhere along the line (and vice versa).

So the quest system seems to encourage internal friction even as necessity encourages unity against external pressures...it should be an interesting balancing act.

[kehmesis]

You don't actually have to do those missions, but I'm sure many players will. That's why DF is so great. The difference with WoW is quite simple. In WoW, you HAVE to grind. In DF, it's a player's choice.

[Rokolith]

That is so great. Thats what I so wanted to hear about the factions, I can't wait to be an evil orc priest :D

[Shaar]

Nice update. The insight on the faction system is great. Thanks for the link.

[Yuengling.OoB]

Guys, guys, guys...

There's a ruby-bound cavern and they have provided its location. Why are you talking about the quest system?!

Kidding aside, I hope these quests are more like "prevent the Iron Orks from obtaining this" than "kill 100 Iron Orks"

So who's going to be cutting off their upper lip?

[LanMandragon]

Great update.

New pictures of a different type of castle, which btw looks great. Some new info about the quests.

This caught my eye "since players are very unlikely to be a telepathic red dragon".


Very unlikely.......

[Yuengling.OoB]

Very unlikely.......

not impossible?

[Gunther TheBlack]

Great update.

New pictures of a different type of castle, which btw looks great. Some new info about the quests.


That's not the ziggurat btw. It's a "simple" tower, the ziggurat is more in the back, you can see the profile of the top in the distance on one of the pictures :D

[doma]

meh. it was ok.

[Osirus]

awesome update ... for the orks

[Maglubiyet]

Kinda cool, if your into that sort of stuff :)

[Sidabras]

Nice update overall. I liked:

[Niccoli]

That's not the ziggurat btw. It's a "simple" tower, the ziggurat is more in the back, you can see the profile of the top in the distance on one of the pictures :D

Yeah, wish we could see more of it in another screenshot. Also would have been cool to actually see a screenshot of a priest of the Dragonbound.

Overall I liked the update, lore information isn't a bad thing. And the faction insight is cool.

[DialM4Monkey]

I'm hoping the factions work more like the guilds in Oblivion, where you do increasingly harder, but mainly fun, quests to rise in the guild ranks. Where as in WoW, its just kill 100,000 of these guys.

Sounds cool. Got some lore, some info on quest. New area to see in screen shots. Nice update.

[Sarusan]

Waah, NO(no) Alfars ! At least show the fire dragon or something interesting..

[Irodim]

I liked this update. I wonder what kind of rewards you get from the quests.

[Spades Felligan]

Sounds great. I hope that the storyline "evolves" not only from player actions, but in the lore itself.

[Slinkinator]

even just the "kill tons of these spawns" could be fun.


if it was like "destroy the camp of sadayel in the Mok'rugbar pass to help our traders" it wqould be awsome, if the camp stayed dead, because that pass would be used by actual players who can now go through unharmed.

[Phooey]

Ashaka is not a goddess I'd like to run in to in-game unless I have a sizable army along with me. :D

[V1RUS]

What do you mean it is highly unlikely I could become a telepathic fire dragon? I WANT TO BE A TELEPATHIC FIRE DRAGON #$*( @)@$. My dreams are shattered :(.

Ahem..

Good update imo. Lore is always nice to see, along with the ork factions.

[Aleviese]

Great update, I like it :)

[Atnas]

I hope the climbing in ranks wont be too mich of a WoW rank grind. Maybe PvP quests? That would kick ass!

[alfaroverall]

I hope the climbing in ranks wont be too mich of a WoW rank grind. Maybe PvP quests? That would kick ass!
One of the interviews I believe said that players of "good" alignment and players of "bad" alignment within the same race would actually get quests with opposite objectives (e.g., escort NPC X for good, kill NPC X for bad) so to an extent we already have PvP quests.

[crazyhorse]

Maybe PvP quests? That would kick ass!

that would be a great idea, having to search out and destroy a few racial players. BTW awesome update. Kinda makes me want to be an ork. Also, are there any updates like this one concerning other races?

[Preston]

I love the in-depth lore and the quest system that opens up stuff. Makes questing have a purpose.

Thanks BT!

[Elro]

We'll see. Sounds very 'grindish' to me. But I've assumed that Darkfall will be a grind like most every other game. Even if you aren't grinding experience levels, you'll have to grind out skill levels with items. Similar thing.

The update before this one with the details about conflict was outstanding. Best one I've read yet.

[Suitepee]

I continue to like the idea that the clans within each race will have 'opposing clan' hatreds; maybe even quest objectives to kill rival clans (like the Mahirim one thatwas mentioned) from the Dragonbound at higher levels?
A nice update.

[Marrock]

Thanks for letting us know about the update much appreciated, really looks like things are starting to happen for DFO, keep up the good work Dev's.

[Durable]

Looks excellent, thanks for the update

[Nalira]

Nice update. I'm having a hard time deciding between orks and alfar. I also appreciate how Darkfall lore has plainly sinister motives. As opposed to WoW in which "no side is evil, just misunderstood", that makes it feel like a kids game imo.

i agree completely, and i dont think the quests will be too much like the WoW set up for questing... im hoping it will involve random quests on random days that only certain people can do because of their rank within the quest faction.

that way the quests dont become meaningless and redundant.

[Wisperer]

Great update.

Not only new screen shots but an informational article as well.

[LanMandragon]

not impossible?

more important that means it MIGHT BE possible... think about that.

[Sachem]

Orks get more lore every time because they are the most likeable - replace the Azhi Dahaka with Ashaka to make it easier to remember the goddess's name. It's the little stuuf like that, we need it now and then, so we can be proud of the tradishuns of orksish lore.

[Teth]

more important that means it MIGHT BE possible... think about that.
No, I think they were just being a bit facetious.

As for the Azhi Dahaka -> Ashaka shift...it's usually not a good thing to rip names straight from Middle Eastern mythology without even bothering to change the name. :p

Seriously, go Wikipedia Azhi Dahaka. And while you're also at it, go hit up Marduk (the original name of Melek back in 2001) and then Melek Taus. We can't be too blatant, now!

[narbuvold]

Nice! Sounds interesting

[Old-Root]

Good news, I like the Argon map:D

[TreyDingo2020]

First of all, awesome update.

when i read this i assumed that the iron orks and Defenders of the swamp are going to be very similar to this faction of orks. They will have players in, and helping run these quests that they are given from there leader. This would mean that when the dragon bound orks go to get something they could very well end up meeting a huge group of iron orks trying to get the same thing and that would end in a bloody mess. WHICH WOULD BE AWSOME.

Also I can only imagine that at one point in the games history that the devs will actually set in motion this attempt for the orks to scorch the lands and rule indefinately over everyone. Of course though this would lead to alliances between all other races. That would be a day or year that went down in history. When all other races rose up in a commen goal to thwart the orks quest for rule over all.

Of course i dont know what would happen when the orks did win. hmmmm i guess the Ashaka and Arxanthos would just keel over at one point and its like damn they just died.......ok i guess we will go back home.

[Metal Wolf]

Good pics and nice to see the orks will have there fare share of religious nutbags running about pillaging.

[LanMandragon]

No, I think they were just being a bit facetious.

As for the Azhi Dahaka -> Ashaka shift...it's usually not a good thing to rip names straight from Middle Eastern mythology without even bothering to change the name. :p

Seriously, go Wikipedia Azhi Dahaka. And while you're also at it, go hit up Marduk (the original name of Melek back in 2001) and then Melek Taus. We can't be too blatant, now!

I know, but we all are just nit picking now and rumor mongering so I figured that one was as good as any.

It would be interesting though, someday games will probably have that kind of interaction.

[Angry-Khan]

Sounds alot like battlegrounds rewards to me....

from wow of course.

[Solohk]

Here's to hoping that the Dragonbound and Iron Orks are mutually exclusive.

[WonderBrick]

Great update. It helped show a bit more of the game mechanics, and ranking systems. I like that this rank system is not a must, but is still good focus for those that enjoy/need it.

It looks like there might be great potential fun with some of the quest systems pitting players against specific targets with specific ranks.

[Airius Droc]

Hmmm ya i think it will be kind of like WoW...

Really? Like WoW?

Does WoW give players quests to kill off other players? Does WoW give players quests involving geo-political conquest? Does WoW give players quests that actually effect the game and change the power structure from within?

Darkfall couldn't be further away from WoW. The idea that Darkfall's quest system is even mentioned in the same sentence with WoW's is completely and blindingly retarded.

[Airius Droc]

I loved this update. The combination of the new screens and the detailed account of the Dragonbound was a very nice surprise. I hope we get more updates like this one, it's my new favorite.

I also wanted to point out how much I appreciate the devs taking the time to "spell out" what players can do, and what they can't do. Thanks!

[Merrin]

So we've seen changes in the maharim lore, now the ork lore, so what's instore for the human lore? Are we going to be worshipping Moses instead? No real sarcasm here, but I'm anxious to know what they're going to shift around on us.

[Porthios]

Sounds alot like battlegrounds rewards to me....

from wow of course. Who the fuck cares? It makes sense. You do more for your clan, you get more benefits. It's realistic, so what the fuck is the problem? Hey, WoW uses a 3D graphics engine. Guess what, DF does too!!! OMG, those cheap bastards are copying WoW AGAIN!!!!

Christ...

I thought it was a great update. Although I'm a bit concerned with how they are going to magically pass out skills without dumbing the game down. Perhaps only certain NPCs will be willing to teach those of higher rank. But even then, why can't high ranking players just teach the skill to anyone once they learn it? Oh well, not a big deal I guess.

Nice screens too. I mean, they aren't going to any art contests, but they are, at the very least, very interesting.

[Airius Droc]

Unless the quests are entertaining in the process of getting rep (unlike WoW, where it's "kill this type of mob 10000 times") this seems like it'll be quite WoW-like, especially the prestige class part. Say for example you had to do this to get the Assassin prestige class. You would have to do quests you didn't really want to do in order to become any better at stealth-type things once you had GMed all stealth skills.
Maybe I'm being overly cynical...I dunno.

You're out of your mind.

Likely Darkfall Quest #1: "Go kill off a ranking member of the Guild of Thugs we hate. The Messenger (I mean, the Mistress) has spoken). Yeah, I know it's going to start a huge chaotic inner clan gankfest, but I like that, it means more sacrifices!" What do you think the ranking member of the rival Ork faction is going to do next? Do you think he's going to be powerless here? No. He's going to use all his influence to strike back at the Dragonbound. Civil War! The Orks are going to have terriorty, and be untrusting of rival factions. There's depth here that WoW couldn't even dream of!

Typical Wow Quest #1: "Go kill off 1000 NPC swamp rats and then come back and I'll tell you to kill off 1000 NPC something else. No one will give a shit that you've killed these things, and furthermore no one will notice. But oh well, keep paying us money every month so we can tell you to do more meaningless bullshit. Oh yeah, here's something shiny with an extra adjective attached to it." What does that effect in the game? Nothing.

Likely Darkfall Quest #2: "Intercept Human caravans on the North Road. When will they be there? That's up to the players to decide, wait. Take all NPC's back for sacrifices, take all loot back for the Mistress. Kill all that get in your way." Think about the political ramifications of this, the royal shit storm that just this one faction will have on the Orks, the Humans, and all trade near or through the Orkish lands.

Typical Wow Quest #2: "Go off to some other area and recover an item to bring to an NPC that sits around getting the same item all day long. Visit fan site to find out where that NPC is, and where that item is. Complete quest, thank you may I have another." What's that effect in the game? Nothing. You're not even a cog in the machine, you're just lines of text, there's no interaction in WoW.

From this point on, if you honestly think that WoW's quests are even remotely similar in design to this, then you need mental help.

[Airius Droc]

So we've seen changes in the maharim lore, now the ork lore, so what's instore for the human lore? Are we going to be worshipping Moses instead? No real sarcasm here, but I'm anxious to know what they're going to shift around on us.

I didn't notice a great deal of lore change. Maybe it was too subtle for me, or perhaps I don't care much about Orks. :)

Maybe the names and places have changed, but weren't the Orks always going to have a bloodthirsty religious faction that killed and hated everyone that wasn't actively sacrificing stuff for their dragon ruler?

[Airius Droc]

I thought it was a great update. Although I'm a bit concerned with how they are going to magically pass out skills without dumbing the game down. Perhaps only certain NPCs will be willing to teach those of higher rank. But even then, why can't high ranking players just teach the skill to anyone once they learn it?

I was thinking the same thing. How do they limit the number of "higher level" players in a faction? It's not going to be fun for the higher level players if EVERYONE is in the same boat as they are. At some point, I'd rather see people leave the faction and start their own off shoot clans because they can't get promoted anymore...I think that's more healthy to promote than it is to just allow everyone a high rank.

[Airius Droc]

Seriously, go Wikipedia Azhi Dahaka. And while you're also at it, go hit up Marduk (the original name of Melek back in 2001) and then Melek Taus. We can't be too blatant, now!


I caught on to Marduk a few years ago, and thought "I guess they're just history buffs." I suppose it's better to have original names.

[Mhorham]

I guess Im a little dence but does this update show how alignment is manifest in faction and effects your day to day life within the racial capitol?

[Airius Droc]

I guess Im a little dence but does this update show how alignment is manifest in faction and effects your day to day life within the racial capitol?

Not for me it doesn't. I don't think this is about alignment much at all. Instead, it shows that if you belong to a racial faction, that holds good and bad weight. In the example, the Orks faction known as the Dragonbound are religious zealots that appear to have a one track mind. This focus is at odds with all the other races and even their own race. It doesn't matter what your alignment is to the Dragonbound, you're either an "infidel" or you're not. :)

Unlike any other game that I'm aware of, Darkfall provides in-game support for in-game roleplaying, and this update confirms that the level of detail is going to be unmatched.

[Khael[SUN]]

Man what a bad ass looking orc :D

http://df.warcry.com/scripts/images/view_image.phtml?id=80076&site=7

[alfaroverall]

']Man what a bad ass looking orc :D

http://df.warcry.com/scripts/images/view_image.phtml?id=80076&site=7
Holy crap, nice. I never zoomed in like that.

[Ayyric]

Decent read, many thanks as per usaual.. im glad that warcry has a separate update from which new info trickles... :rolleyes:

[ObsiDian_Osiris]

beta please

[rilleh]

bah i wanna play this game so much now :sly:

[BlackVolgan]

pretty cool

that orc is a gurl right?

[Porthios]

I was thinking the same thing. How do they limit the number of "higher level" players in a faction? It's not going to be fun for the higher level players if EVERYONE is in the same boat as they are. At some point, I'd rather see people leave the faction and start their own off shoot clans because they can't get promoted anymore...I think that's more healthy to promote than it is to just allow everyone a high rank. Personally I think that rank should go down with time, unless the members of this group (along with nearly any other NPC group) maintain their high rate of quest accomplishments. I mean, anyone can complete a given number of quests in a game where we have infinite lives. This is not possible in real life, which is why those who have attained a static number of "quest" completions are regarded with such honor -depending on what they've done. However, the same does not hold true in DF, or in most MMORPGs for that matter. Therefore, there should be a slight change in this mechanic. Rank should be determined by rate of quest accomplishment and the difficulty of the quests; not just the total amount of accomplished quests.

[Shadow Walker2020]

This is a great update. Interesting info on the orkish lore. Excelent screen shots of that port. It makes me want to play this game even more. I might even make an orkish character after reading this.

[Scottc1988]

With every update I want darkfall more and more.

[Jeffrey199]

Ahhhh now I'm confused as to where my Loyalties lie... I have always thought of myself as being huma, however... Dragon's are clearly the greatest being in all of history ever! I may become an Orc just to join the Dragon bound... What to do what to do I'm so confused... :bang:

[Killuminati]

Very Awesome screens but snorefest info.

[B1acksun]

Eh, I am not a big fan of static quests that do not really change anything. I was hoping that Darkfall would break that barrier. I hate how all mmorpg developers always say "The best thing about our game is that it all depends on what the players want it to be" but never really give players the tools to affect the world. I would like to see the higher rank faction leaders ability to create and give quests for instance. Static quests = bleh. I hope DF does not focus too much on them.

[Wisperer]

I'm a quester so i don't mind static quests. But i do hope that once you complete a quest that the npc's do not try to offer it to you again.
There has to be more dialog, more things that npc's can say, then the same things over and over.
It would be nice to have the npc that trains you in a skill to give you a little job or quest to help you practice the skill.

If npc say's something like "i might have something for you to do later" that the npc actually WILL have something for you to do at a later time.

[Kilmoran]

Is it just me..or did the article suggest that perhaps the missions may be generated based on thigns happening i nthe game (Seeming random missions) i beleive was how they put it... i wonder... If you do get missions based on thigns that are acctually happeningi n the game...then this is not at ALL like WoW or any other MMORPG i've ever played.

[LanMandragon]

I think that is a distinct possiblity.

One of the references is that monsters, big demons and shit wont respawn once killed. There might be a different one that rizes but that one is dead.

Thats my understanding at least.

[Sabrok]

Hey, at least the screen shots are semi-interesting this time around.

[Porthios]

Eh, I am not a big fan of static quests that do not really change anything. I was hoping that Darkfall would break that barrier. I hate how all mmorpg developers always say "The best thing about our game is that it all depends on what the players want it to be" but never really give players the tools to affect the world. I would like to see the higher rank faction leaders ability to create and give quests for instance. Static quests = bleh. I hope DF does not focus too much on them.

So who is stopping you? Go get rich, start a clan, and then go and start giving people quests. For crying out loud, you people are just as uncreative as the devs you hate.

Anyway, the information given indicates that the quests could possible lead to the re-awakening of the godess. And I'd say that this would be a pretty world changing event, wouldn't you?

[iza]

As players complete more and more missions for a quest faction, they rise in its ranks. A player's status influences the attitudes of faction NPCs, as well as access to special skills, equipment and prestige classes.

:(

[LanMandragon]

what makes you frown about that iza?

Seems good to me.

[iza]

I never liked quests, and from that it seems quest-grinding is going to be required to be able to create the character you really want.

[LanMandragon]

I never liked quests, and from that it seems quest-grinding is going to be required to be able to create the character you really want.

Thats not what I get from that. You will be able to have a totally viable character without ever questing imo.

To me it sounds like they are going to have a fair amount of fun tough quests.

[Porthios]

I never liked quests, and from that it seems quest-grinding is going to be required to be able to create the character you really want. Here is where you are wrong. You assume that "quests" in DF will be exactly like the shitty quests found in EQ and WoW. But we really don't know what the hell we'll be doing, now do we?

[Salazar[SG]]

Good update pretty indepth and the quest system looks very nicely done.

Notice how its signed by BT Oren? :)

[paade]

goddam this game just keeps getting to look better and better, lore and such are far more interesting than in any other game ive read so far.
Fuck, if DF turns vapor, im quitting MMORPGs for good.

[DragonHunter42]

This siimply looks awesome! This migght get me to finally cancel my WoW acct. Can't wait for this to come out!

[DragonHunter42]

I never liked quests, and from that it seems quest-grinding is going to be required to be able to create the character you really want.

I'll be happy so long as if you choose to, you can solo or go as a group. That was what turned me off of the D&D MMO when I read that you are forced to group wether you wanted to or not to play much of the game. Be a disadvantage if you're a night owl and the majority of your clan are day people.

[G.Struepp]

Personally I think that rank should go down with time, unless the members of this group (along with nearly any other NPC group) maintain their high rate of quest accomplishments.
No decrease please. If there is one thing i hate than it's the feeling that i have to play an do this or that, because otherwise i'd going to loose something achieved, like this rank.

However, i agree that we can't have 90% of all Orks being High Heralds.

What about a different system: Once you've succeeded your Quests on Flameherald level and your qualified to reach the next rank you have to kill one of the current High Heralds to get his spot. There could be some other options, maybe an insignia for the current Herald which has to be stolen, etc.

[LanMandragon]

No decrease please. If there is one thing i hate than it's the feeling that i have to play an do this or that, because otherwise i'd going to loose something achieved, like this rank.

However, i agree that we can't have 90% of all Orks being High Heralds.

What about a different system: Once you've succeeded your Quests on Flameherald level and your qualified to reach the next rank you have to kill one of the current High Heralds to get his spot. There could be some other options, maybe an insignia for the current Herald which has to be stolen, etc.

FUCK YES. Thats a great idea.

Thats the kind of not carebear content that is player created and would ROCK.

[WonderBrick]

Is it just me..or did the article suggest that perhaps the missions may be generated based on thigns happening i nthe game (Seeming random missions) i beleive was how they put it... i wonder... If you do get missions based on thigns that are acctually happeningi n the game...then this is not at ALL like WoW or any other MMORPG i've ever played.
That is also the sense I get. There will probably be plenty of static quests also, but between this article and some past statements(spawn a dynamic quest for elves to go kill a known killer-of-elves, etc), there seems to be a dynamic quest generator there also.

[alfaroverall]

Or PvP quests, such as a Dragonbound member is ordered to kill 10 Iron Ork players. Although grind-esque quests, PvP grinds aren't bad in my book.

[JimLad]

Auw more lore stuff, zzzzz :bang:

Decent update, just not really my thing.
I like the shots though, more ships please! :sly:
And it is good to hear about inter racial conflict, it's like they said "You know what, we could do with some more people to fight..."
I bet you go into The Drunken Axe and Orks are just bar fighting 24/7 :D

[Fatduck]

... but little do they know that they are waisting their time on a game that feel like a job more then fucking entertainment.

MY WoW guild actually paid its members a Salary, so we could raid more, and farm less.....

And we were considered employees, not members.... I quit shortly after this was instituted.

[alfaroverall]

MY WoW guild actually paid its members a Salary, so we could raid more, and farm less.....

And we were considered employees, not members.... I quit shortly after this was instituted.
Paying you in gold or RL money?

[Fatduck]

Gold... but it was alot, we got approx 30-70g per raid... and most repair bills were around 20g per raid, mine were always much lower tho, because hunters are cheap :)

[Airius Droc]

Personally I think that rank should go down with time, unless the members of this group (along with nearly any other NPC group) maintain their high rate of quest accomplishments. I mean, anyone can complete a given number of quests in a game where we have infinite lives. This is not possible in real life, which is why those who have attained a static number of "quest" completions are regarded with such honor -depending on what they've done. However, the same does not hold true in DF, or in most MMORPGs for that matter. Therefore, there should be a slight change in this mechanic. Rank should be determined by rate of quest accomplishment and the difficulty of the quests; not just the total amount of accomplished quests.

I like the idea of maintaining rank. I'm not sure how it fits into the business model though. There has to be a way to "take a break" from the game and return without having to start over.

[Ymir9]

According to the FAQ, there will be static spawns assosciated with quests, this and probably other types of static NPC escorts we're familiar with. I'm sorry guys, but I don't see how they can synchronize players from opposing factions into PVP quests. The very fact that a player will never be able to decide a faction's alignment is very dissapointing to me, indicative of a kind of theme-park world seen in EQ, DAOC, WOW, and now LOTR online, WAR, and others. I wish MMORPG developers, especially those interested in PvP, would have the guts to structure their games like massive, slower-paced RTS's in a truly dynamic world.

[alfaroverall]

I'm sorry guys, but I don't see how they can synchronize players from opposing factions into PVP quests.
Work with me here. At least 10000 people on the server at a time. Each race has about 17% of them (yes, I realize that makes 102%) thus that makes about 1700 people on the server per race (assuming they are equal, again, work with me). If each one has 6 factions like the Mahirim (and, again, they are equal) and you HAVE to join one (i.e., you pick one at character creation but you can change factions with maybe a rep penalty, alignment hit, or something), that makes 283 members of each faction within a race on the server simultaneously. Why would it be very difficult for a Dragonbound Ork to have to kill 10 Iron Ork players when there are 283 of them on all the time?

[|Thanatos|]

I really liked that update, and I'm generally not into game lore.

[pureshok]

This update sounds awesome. I for one enjoyed some of the aspects of the wow quest system. It gave you another reason to go out and explore and with dfs rich pvp system its going to be great. You can pk all day and still be just as good as the guy who chooses to quest all day =)

[Zakke]

Nice update, almost made me want to become an orc in the Dragonbound!

[Decius]

I like the idea of maintaining rank. I'm not sure how it fits into the business model though. There has to be a way to "take a break" from the game and return without having to start over. If there are too many high heralds and maybe flameheralds, they could just have the Messenger spit out some tasks that become harder and more frequent (like raiding Sanguine) or as mentioned earlier killing other heralds (nice idea). Fail to complete these tasks by the deadline and you lose status (rank).

If you're not around to play you shouldn't keep others from advancing into (hopefully) limited ranks. They may even knock some out who are trying to complete the tasks in order to open up several spots for new blood.

[Satan]

can i play it yet


also, groups that already hate each other is alright but i think the players can make up their own conflicts.

[Nazertheen]

I have to agree with the above poster.

Killing those above you to reach the final ranks in the guild seems like a good and plausible idea to me.

Considering that these Dragonbound are into religious sacrafice and power, you can just role play it as, those High Heralds who have been killed were too weak to hold thier positions and thusly could not serve Azhaka properly.

Internal clan conflict, while having external clan conflict, while also having external world conflict. Hmmm... getting better all the time.

[Spellmaker]

Looks good

[WonderBrick]

I was thinking the same thing. How do they limit the number of "higher level" players in a faction? It's not going to be fun for the higher level players if EVERYONE is in the same boat as they are. At some point, I'd rather see people leave the faction and start their own off shoot clans because they can't get promoted anymore...I think that's more healthy to promote than it is to just allow everyone a high rank.
I think as long as they limit the benefits to just simply more options, like Planetside does, then balance can be fairly well maintained. In Planetside, having more Certs just gave more options, but those additional options were balanced with everything else.

But to tear down my own arguement, there is also a difference between Planetside and DF. In Planetside you could only bring a certain number of those options to the battlefield. In DF, all those options may be available at anytime, at once.

[cybernegy]

Is it just me or are the graphics in this game underrated? That has got to be the number one complaint, besides the development time, and I really don't see what everyone is complaining about. I know they aren't the best graphics but for a zoneless/instanceless game they are pretty solid.

[Shokras]

It would be nice if a player died at any time and did not get resurrected, then they lose their loot and their rank. Maybe a bit too hardcore, but it would make bounty hunting and assassinations much more prominant in the game. If players did lose their rank, then having a high rank would have to have awesome benefits.

[elric]

No decrease please. If there is one thing i hate than it's the feeling that i have to play an do this or that, because otherwise i'd going to loose something achieved, like this rank.

However, i agree that we can't have 90% of all Orks being High Heralds.

What about a different system: Once you've succeeded your Quests on Flameherald level and your qualified to reach the next rank you have to kill one of the current High Heralds to get his spot. There could be some other options, maybe an insignia for the current Herald which has to be stolen, etc.
That's a fine idea.

[alfaroverall]

No decrease please. If there is one thing i hate than it's the feeling that i have to play an do this or that, because otherwise i'd going to loose something achieved, like this rank.

However, i agree that we can't have 90% of all Orks being High Heralds.

What about a different system: Once you've succeeded your Quests on Flameherald level and your qualified to reach the next rank you have to kill one of the current High Heralds to get his spot. There could be some other options, maybe an insignia for the current Herald which has to be stolen, etc.
I missed this post when I read through.

This is actually cool. Instead of just grind to get ranks, you have to fight to have the rank. This is especially effective with the "3-4 noobs can down a vet" aspect of DF, because you'll need some bodyguards to prevent being usurped. Make high ranks into something to be proud of; the only real thing that I can think of that (to a faint extent) has this is the WoW PvP ranks (not so with the BGs at this point) and the Diablo 2 ladder.

Only problem that I can see with this is that there would be a guy who got High Herald, then left that account (if chars are linked, if not, then char) dormant and played another account/char. Why would he do this? Just to be an asshole. As for there being more than one alleviating this-monopolization is still possible. To alleviate this, you could give rep quests that High Heralds get that are used to have them KEEP their rank that, if they don't do, cause them to lose their rank at a (slower than the in-game, but still significant) real-time rate.
Edit: To clarify, these quests wouldn't just be quests that they have to do to maintain rank, they'd also be the same quests that High Heralds get for their accomplishments and that reward them.

[G.Struepp]

[...]Only problem that I can see with this is that there would be a guy who got High Herald, then left that account[...]To alleviate this, you could give rep quests that High Heralds get that are used to have them KEEP their rank that, if they don't do, cause them to lose their rank at a (slower than the in-game, but still significant) real-time rate.
[...]To avoid this the High Herald could be provided with a quest to kill a "ready to promote" Flameherald. If he doesn't succeed within a given amount of time he gets demoted. This would force each High Herald to seek the fight aswell.

Though, while imho this would perfectly suit to the idea of Darkfall, it might be a bit much effort to implement and balance just for a simple rank in one npc-fraction of several others.

[AllmightyEOD]

Sounds to me that running quests for "faction" is going to lead you into conflict with nominal friendlies who just happen to be working for other racial factions. In the case of the above article, I wouldn't be surprised if an adherent of the Dragonbound ends up having to crack some Iron Ork heads somewhere along the line (and vice versa).

So the quest system seems to encourage internal friction even as necessity encourages unity against external pressures...it should be an interesting balancing act.

Not so sure I agree. The whole quest system is too much like WOW and is ALOT like a grind. What attracted many players to DF is no grinding whatsoever other than skills. With that said, This is a crappy move IMO and now the more the game comes along the more it seems like another WOW. Not impressed with this update. :(

[Malishan]

I think as long as they limit the benefits to just simply more options, like Planetside does, then balance can be fairly well maintained. In Planetside, having more Certs just gave more options, but those additional options were balanced with everything else.

But to tear down my own arguement, there is also a difference between Planetside and DF. In Planetside you could only bring a certain number of those options to the battlefield. In DF, all those options may be available at anytime, at once.


Not completely... The prestige classes at least will limit some of the skill choices you can take.

[Porthios]

I like the idea of maintaining rank. I'm not sure how it fits into the business model though. There has to be a way to "take a break" from the game and return without having to start over. Well if rank was determined by the type of completed quests, the number of completed quests, and the rate of quest completion, I think we could work out some sort of happy medium.

I just think it should take a very large amount of completed quests to allow someone a high rank if they haven't done shit for the Dragonbound for a long time. However, I think that it should be feasible to attain high rank if you have, in the past, accomplished an insane amount of quests.

However, I do really like G.Struepp's idea of having a limited amount of Flaming Heralds, so that upcoming Flaming Herals must kill a current Flaming Herald in order to assume his position. Great idea.

[illicit]

Good update, glad to see some of you ghans still managed to find something to bitch about from it.

Tards.

[LanMandragon]

Not completely... The prestige classes at least will limit some of the skill choices you can take.

A good portion of people will not be taking a prestige class. And they have said that will affect maybe 5 percent of the skills. 5 percent probably for each prestige class.

[Porthios]

In Planetside you could only bring a certain number of those options to the battlefield. In DF, all those options may be available at anytime, at once.

As long as inventory is limited, I think that people will have a limit to how many PvP related skills they can bring to the field of battle.

[Malhavok]

I really hope these quests aren't retarded. I'm so sick of every Joe Bob getting the quest to bring back the ultimate artifact of wtfpwnage. Hopefully these will be unique objective quests "Go retrieve this UNIQUE (as in... theres *gasp* only ONE, not one for each player!) item that has spawned upon the Lich Lord Pwnzinator". Even better if more than one opposing faction gets the quest.

[LanMandragon]

I really hope these quests aren't retarded. I'm so sick of every Joe Bob getting the quest to bring back the ultimate artifact of wtfpwnage. Hopefully these will be unique objective quests "Go retrieve this UNIQUE (as in... theres *gasp* only ONE, not one for each player!) item that has spawned upon the Lich Lord Pwnzinator". Even better if more than one opposing faction gets the quest.

Ah truly unique items. We can dream cant we?

[Gutter]

The only real way to have a dynamic quest system that gave quests based on what was happening in the world would be for the devs to constantly (like, every day) analyze what's going on and make up quests based on that.

EXAMPLE: Racial faction leader is an actual player (not player as in subscriber, player as in dev employee). This racial leader has some of the stock quests that he can just give out to players for them to do something, but he can also ask players to do something that actually affected something. For example, he might ask an ork player to listen in on an important human leader council (that would actually happen in game at a specific time), and then come back and tell him what he heard. Based on the player's report, the racial leader (the dev employee) would spend a small amount of time planning out the next quest, and then would commence a war rally to destroy such-and-such a human encampment before they attacked such-and-such an ork settlement, as his spy told him the humans discussed.

Would that be possible? Yeah, it would. But you'd need hire someone to do that, and that person would literally have to live the game.

You can make that experience more rich by adding other things, and you can cover up the flaws of it with certain precautions. Possible? Yes. Gonna happen? Probably not.

[LanMandragon]

The only real way to have a dynamic quest system that gave quests based on what was happening in the world would be for the devs to constantly (like, every day) analyze what's going on and make up quests based on that.

EXAMPLE: Racial faction leader is an actual player (not player as in subscriber, player as in dev employee). This racial leader has some of the stock quests that he can just give out to players for them to do something, but he can also ask players to do something that actually affected something. For example, he might ask an ork player to listen in on an important human leader council (that would actually happen in game at a specific time), and then come back and tell him what he heard. Based on the player's report, the racial leader (the dev employee) would spend a small amount of time planning out the next quest, and then would commence a war rally to destroy such-and-such a human encampment before they attacked such-and-such an ork settlement, as his spy told him the humans discussed.

Would that be possible? Yeah, it would. But you'd need hire someone to do that, and that person would literally have to live the game.

You can make that experience more rich by adding other things, and you can cover up the flaws of it with certain precautions. Possible? Yes. Gonna happen? Probably not.

Other companies have touted as bringing out dynamic quest systems recently. I dont think it would be impossible for them to do, its just another wish list item. I fully support having one sorta paid gm though, someone to guide the flow. It does sound like they have plans for world wars and massive npc events like invasions. I look forward to that.

[DragonHunter42]

No decrease please. If there is one thing i hate than it's the feeling that i have to play an do this or that, because otherwise i'd going to loose something achieved, like this rank.

However, i agree that we can't have 90% of all Orks being High Heralds.

What about a different system: Once you've succeeded your Quests on Flameherald level and your qualified to reach the next rank you have to kill one of the current High Heralds to get his spot. There could be some other options, maybe an insignia for the current Herald which has to be stolen, etc.

Now that sounds Great!

[DragonHunter42]

I think as long as they limit the benefits to just simply more options, like Planetside does, then balance can be fairly well maintained. In Planetside, having more Certs just gave more options, but those additional options were balanced with everything else.

But to tear down my own arguement, there is also a difference between Planetside and DF. In Planetside you could only bring a certain number of those options to the battlefield. In DF, all those options may be available at anytime, at once.

That could be interesting (3 Year PS player myself.) Set an upper limit and you have to unlearn some skills to aquire others. On PS it does work pretty good. You have those who like the big guns and those who like picking people off at a distance while others use stealth.

I guess you could have it so that you have to pay ex-amount of gold to an NPC to un-learn some skills/talents to be able to get different ones so that we don't fill the game with Uber players who will kill you with a flick of their finger.

[KillSwitch]

Good stuff.