Super Saturday Scheduling (2010)

[TheExcimer-500]

New Thread for Scheduling... in 2010

[TheExcimer-500]

Thanks GBM, DP - that was a galley full of fun.
http://piratesonline.go.com/#/community/community-home.html

They also have a video game called Pirates Armada coming out - probably SP though.
Typical pricing: $10/month, $50/6 months, $80/year

I could see a half-year or year gig provided we all go in on it - but I think after that amount of time we'd probably get a bit bored. That's the problem with Persistent Worlds - even though they change a bit, it's just the same thing over and over again. Sure we'll get upper levels and really be able to inflict some mighty damage but I don't see playing it for a year and remaining interested (except on Saturdays only).

Anyway, today's the last day of the free-full service, so I might just pop into the game for a bit more today.

Post here what server you're in (whoever gets in first - I've a bit more installation to do - trying to transfer my Office License today - it's a hassle).

[TheExcimer-500]

Well I need a long break from trying to fix computers (my laptop) and installing programs...

Off to Sailing and plundering...

NICADA server

[GrendelsBathMat]

Having a day to think it over:

I really enjoyed the "piratey" part of the game - the flavor was great. The fighting system was also pretty nice - I enjoyed the slashing and shooting and I thought the variations with skills and weapons was just enough to keep it interesting without over-complication. The best bit, for me, was probably the ship aspect. With a crew of players it was a blast. Slightly more realism with winds & speeds and other nautical bits and it would be incredible. The repairing part was also a bit of fun, to start, but it was getting a bit repetitive by the end. I can only imagine week after week of that    On the main bit, the constant respawning of enemies took away any illusion of progress. I get that you are supposed to duly accomplish the journal quests, but still, it just didn't feel right. The battle with all the other players was a bit of fun. It felt suspenseful since you knew it wasn't going to be balanced to our levels so "anything" could happen. The roleplaying aspect of that bit was pretty slim - it wasn't completely absent, but having so many others playing without much takes away a lot of the effect. Finally, the technical issues - the disconnects - would be really annoying if we were paying to play.

So, overall, I had a good time - it was a nice change of pace and I really enjoyed a few aspects of the game. I just can't see playing it on a regular basis. What it did leave me is with a desire to play a game that incorporates some of the same elements. Either a nautical game or a spacey version of the same. Quite a few space games have the "nautical" feel to the gameplay (Starfleet Commander and Independence War are a couple that I've run through the demos of in the past).

There's a bit to like about "Pirates" but I think a subscription to it as a service is probably a no go for me.

[TheExcimer-500]

Spot on Post.
Regarding repairs - we can put in for port and pay a few GP to repair the ship without the minigames.

Yep absolutely the main problem is the disconnects. I must have lost connection about 10 times today in only a few hours of play. Mostly during the transitions - you know when you claim your treasure for sinking ships?!?

The funny thing is I was reading your post and then just thinking "you know maybe I could see paying for one month"...no sooner did that thought cross my mind was I booted once more. So... that's that.

Dual LAN connections can't help here.
-TJ

[GrendelsBathMat]

Until the past couple of months, I'd never come across a minigame before. Mass Effect uses the "crypto-lock" mini-game reasonably effectively in my opinion. It's frequent, but not so much that it feels like you're doing it ALL THE TIME. Pirates of the Caribbean had the minigames and I enjoyed them - but you have to REPEATABLY do them to fix the ship - MORE THAN ONE TIME IN A ROW! That's just stupid. The mini-games in a battle situation, especially against other players, would rock hard - think of the pressure to get them finished quickly while being under fire. But the way they were implemented - it was more annoying than stressful fun.

That's one of the big downfalls of this game - I can see how with just a few changes it would be so nice, but the near misses are crushing.

[TheExcimer-500]

Aye - but imagine a huge crew... at the end of the free play I purchased a nice big Galleon ship. With a crew you have more fire-power, and you can have some repairing your hull. Sounds very intense. Of course, right again that if done just a bit better, how awesome would it be? Heck even with the Galleon alone I was able to do massive damage to multiple, albeit smaller, vessels.

I'd love to try a boarding party. The one time I did manage (with quite an effort) to knock down the masts and then grapple the opposing ship, well...let's say that my level 3 character did not fare very well against the onslaught of mid-level marines.

Also at the end, I learned some voodoo. Rather nifty for taking out superior foes I must add. You first need to establish a link between your voodoo doll and the opponent - so that means you need to be close enough and spend enough time so that they'll smite you once or twice. After that, you own them. The first voodoo abilities allow you to slow the opponent down. Thus, you can run away and then just keep stabbing the voodoo doll with pins to inflict additional damage from quite a distance.

-----------
All said and done I can see playing this game again, since there's nothing else pirate-ish out there that's MP. Done right, like with NWN campaign building ability, better graphics, and much less crashing this game would take off on the charts.

BTW: if there's interest in continuing - Disney is currently offering a "1st month" for $4.95 deal. And you can cancel after the 1st month. As I'm on holiday I may just go for it.

[TheExcimer-500]

Next session Saturday, August 21 at 9:00pm
-NWN: continuing Shadowlords campaign.

So far the new rig is doing alright. Still has the same problem with NWN - but I haven't worked on resolving it....  someone got me all addicted to Guild Wars 

[TheExcimer-500]

August 28th Session: 9:00pm Eastern - NWN campaign continues

---darn Guild Wars has eaten up loads of time this week
Speaking of which, any interest for running a mission or two before NWN? Maybe start at 7pm with a break at 8:30? or an hour 7:30-8:30?

[SirrahDanu]

Sorry - we got eaten by dinner conversation and ATM issues tonight, so (obviously, at this point) no Guild Wars this Saturday. Hopefully another time. I'm on board for some adventuring once I've got the Noob stuff out of the way.

[TheExcimer-500]

NWNServer is up

[TheExcimer-500]

Hmm... we didn't discuss this one I suppose b/c it's not a major holiday but:

Can we all make a Saturday Session or should we take a break for a week?

---Just FYI: Sept.11th no session.--

[GrendelsBathMat]

I'll be available for a game tonight (9/4).

Had a bit of a scare doing a repartitioning of my laptop's hard drive (adding more space for the Dragon Age bundle on Impulse ) but everything seems to be working ok now so I can make a game if we have one. I thought we did discuss this a bit last time, but I have no recall of what was said - I look over the log and post back if I find anything.

ok, checked it out - no mention about this week in the log. Guess my memory banks need error correction

[GrendelsBathMat]

Okay, it looks like we are off for tonight. Have a good Labor Day Weekend everyone!

[TheExcimer-500]

Hi guys,

I'm very sorry about tonight - fell asleep on the couch...
I've been trying to get back to my normal hours of operation for work next week - getting up around 3/4am but messed up today.

[Prophet]

Heh, you're not the only one that needs to apologize. SD and I were out helping a friend. I didn't realize how late it was. We didn't get home until well after game time, and by then we were both wiped. So, sorry for the total MIA on both our parts.

[GrendelsBathMat]

No worries - given it was a holiday and all, I wasn't really planning on a game especially with the storm etc.

See y'all for our next foray (9/18)