Asheron's Call

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I recall a friend of mine ranting on about a game you play entirely over the internet called Asheron's Call. He seemed to make out it was another AD&D rules based game that was like the then, soon to be released Neverwinter Nights.

Anyone know what the big hype i was forced to listen to is all about??

[ September 25, 2002, 20:05: Message edited by: Taluntain ]

 

This is a bait, right?

One of you guys is just messing with me, Damona, Sorvo, Seawind and ArtEChoke, right?

Just in case no, let me respond:

Asheron's Call is a MMORPG, Massively Multiplayer Online Roleplaying Game. On a typical night there are 1300 people playing at a time. It's not based on D&D rules, but it is a fantasy world with magic and swords, monsters and quests, and things that go bump in the night.

Several of us who frequent Sorcerers Place have gotten drawn into it since that fateful day when ArtEChoke and I said, "hey, let's check out a MMORPG." After looking at EverQuest, Ultima Online, Anarchy Online, Dark Age of Camelot, and a couple of others, we settled on Asheron's Call as the best combination of price, graphics, and customizable characters. (Well, that was my criteria. Don't know about ArtE.)

I wrote a review of it already: http://www.sorcerers.net/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=15;t=000363

And there's a story set in the world of Asheron's Call at http://www.sorcerers.net/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=12;t=000171.

There's also a lot of information at http://cod.xrgaming.net. The official page for the game is at http://zone.msn.com/asheronscall/start.asp.

I can't be enthusiastic enough about this game. I never finished BG or BG2 because after a while it was just the same old "go fetch" quests with limited interaction with NPCs. With games like Asheron's Call you are free to explore a huge world populated mostly with real people and mosters, who are trying to kill you. And the ability to customize your character down to facial features is just kewl.

 

BTW Intentioner - NWN has been out for some time now...

 

Slim, he said the THEN soon to be released. He was relating to the past.

[ September 27, 2002, 11:33: Message edited by: Z-Layrex ]

 

Thanks Z-Layrex.

Like i said Slim, the THEN soon to be released NWN. I just suddenly remembered about the conversations (all be them one-sided) from my mate who was big on Asheron's Call and wanted to know what it was all about!

Simple enough Slim?!

As for the main question, i think Shralp handled that just fine, cheers. Unfortunately, the only internet access i get is when i'm at work, as i am now, so don't really get much of a chance to play those kinds of games

 

There's no reason to talk to him like he's thick intentioner. He was trying to help you, he just miss-read your post.

[ September 27, 2002, 11:43: Message edited by: Z-Layrex ]

 

Wasn't, and i appreciate the help. Purely just re-iterating on the aforementioned point.

Appologies ALL if it sounded like i was being derisory.

 

Asheron's Call~! The only game I ever beta tested. Ahh, it was great.

Then the open beta started, and my minimum-spec computer started running it so slowly that I'd often walk into town, have the game freeze, and then discover ten minutes later that I'd somehow fallen off a cliff and died.

Haven't played the finished version. I'm really not an MMORPG guy, as experiences with Everquest and Anarchy Online have shown.

 

Well, Shralp, after reading you're review, you've intriqued me enough to make me want to play it!
My question now is, should I wait for Asheron's Call 2? Or should I get AC1, and upgrade (is this an option?)
BTW, the link does not seem to have a "free download" option.

[ September 30, 2002, 06:55: Message edited by: Nutrimat ]

 

Hmmmm. Not sure where the free DL is nowadays.

Anyway, to your question about AC2: You need to have a good, up-to-date computer for it. Right now (in the beta) you need at bare minimum a GeForce 2 video card. I had an nVidia TNT which just didn't cut it. Also at 64MB RAM, it runs very slowly. I'm upgrading to 256 or so. I'm not sure how well a dial-up connection will work with it either.

Despite all of that (and the fact that it will cost more both per month and for the retail version), it looks like an excellent game. The graphics of the original just don't compare. AC2 is of the NWN/DAoC generation of graphics. There are pluses and minuses to the new character generation process, leveling, skills, in-game economy, etc. They all change a lot.

But you get the chance to start at the beginning, whereas if you join the original now you'll see lots of lvl 100 characters running around. You'll never be uber.

Opinion is split as to whether most of the AC people will join the sequel. Most are now beta testing it, and reviews are mixed. Some seem to fear learning a new system after 3 or more years on AC. Some just think that their friends will remain on AC and so they will too. (Turbine and MicroSoft have said that they will continue supporting AC so long as enough people are willing to play it.)

Even among our SP contingent of AC groupies, it looks like some are leaning towards AC2 and some want to say with the original.

But it's not scheduled for release until November, and it's doubtful that it'll actually be finished then, judging by what I see on the beta. So join us for a couple of months and then decide what to do.