3/3/2006 - Hey Jason, Hello?

Well, obviously the DnDorks crew likes it.  Mostly you run around doing missions at the request of local patrons as a favor or for money or to earn the trust of an NPC or the like.  There's not really a "grind" to it, as least not in the sense of running around killing things for no reason.  Even if you're "quest grinding" it doesn't really feel like you're just killing time until the next level becuase the quests feel pretty involving.  However, there's no crafting or pvp, but I don't consider that a drawback at all.

The game mechanics are about as close to actual D&D 3.5 as they could get while still maintaining their design goals.  There are dice rolls and hit points and skill bonuses and and saving throws, etc.  It does, however, required some skill on the player's part because of the "actiony" nature of it.  You have to be able to "use the keyboard" and think quickly since it isn't turn-based or anything.

Leveling is also almost exactly like D&D, with extra hit points and save bonuses and new feats and skill points.  To keep you from getting bored between levels, though, you get "ranks", sort of like "mini-levels" that let you earn action points that can be spent to aquire or swap-out special "mini-feats" called enhancements.

The game, much like D&D, is all about the grouping.  It's not hard to group and doesn't take long and pretty much every class is important to have in a group.  Grouping is a major part of the fun.

So, DDO = Fun.  (If you agree with the points above).

First of all, I'm sure we all _prefer_ tabletop games.  Some of us just like a little eye-candy once in a while and others, like myself, are separated from a decent gaming community and are relegated to getting together with friends virtually :(

And, alas, there's a $15 a month subscription fee.  First month is free though... :)

Its your right to think that you shouldn't pay fees to play games.  But personally, I'm glad they charge fees. 

Lets look at it rationally.   Games that charge subscription fees have more content, more options, and change regularly. 

Games that don't charge subscription fees usually have less content, less options, and less choices.  Further, free updates for subscription-less games are usually minor and more about bug fixes than they are about fun new options.

If you really like a non-subscription based game, after you've finished it, you might wait 2 or more years before the sequal.  With an MMO, you get to experience usually fairly constant changes.

If I were to buy enough non-subscription games to fill the time I'll spent on a typical MMO, It would cost me much more than 45+15/month.  So in many ways, its even cost effective. 

I guess I'm just a capitalist through and through, but something costing money to me is never a reason to do or not to do something, rather, I compare the cost of something to how much time I have to spend doing that something and if I feel like I get more entertainment than I spent time making the money, I'm pretty happy.

Aiden: Well, I don't actually have a phone there, and it's actually more cluttered than in the drawing, but otherwise it's pretty accurate. :)  And yes, that's the back of my halfling rogue's head as he sells religious icons to Goldscuttle the kobold.

Ben: The people I've grouped with so far have all used the built-in voice chat (which is awsome IMO) so they talked fairly normally.  It's funny though, because in both groups, the party leader sounded like the same guy :)  There were two women in my last group.  Crazy, huh?

Cerebral Ninja: Yeah, the level 10 cap and lack of Monks is a shame, but only temporary.

I like that I have yet to see anybody running around spamming the boards with "+2 Longzw0rd of R3ptian B4n3/5000 GP!" over and over.  I'm not an "RPer" exactly, but I don't like things that actively break the game's mood either.  Also, so far the character names I've encountered haven't been too stoopid yet, which is another plus. :P

Built in chat? That's like a flawless jerk detector! You've just about got me sold, but one last thing is unresolved.

Still a spot in your guild? It'd be fun to run around with some totally famous internet celebrities.

I mean, I think you're famous. So how does one join? And where? Any specific server and whatnot?

Urk.  Sorry guys, but I hated this game.   >.<

*cowers*  be gentle...