No, in the last 4 months they've probably lost 60% of their VIPs (based on people not playing anymore on Khyber who I know are VIPs, so this number is subject to wild variation, but it's definitely a big number).

i'm not sure I think F2P was ever good for this game. Look at AC/AC2 and how long that game has lasted, I imagine due in large part to people with subscritpions who just stick around. If DDO had taken care of it's subscribers, it could have lasted the same way for a long time.

Oh well, maybe this will just hasten a DDO2

You make the mistake of thinking WB gives even one single fuck about DDO.

Memnir wrote on Dec 20^th, 2013 at 11:47am:



I figure the Turbine purchase was, for WB, like buying LOTRO as a 1992 Ford Taurus, and DDO was the beat-up leather jacket they found under its spare tire.

Starkjade wrote on Dec 20^th, 2013 at 2:25pm:



Definitely.

WB wanted the Middle Earth computer game license to consolidate it with all the other Middle Earth licences they already own. ( and have more weight when negociating big money with Saul Zaents )

DDO ( and AC ) were just siding on the plate. WB don't give a shit about DDO ( well not really they still look at the bottom line and as long as it's positive they leave it alone ).

I know nothing about LOTRO. Why is it so much bigger, more popular and (presumably) more profitable than DDO? Is the game really good, or is it that middle earth is a more popular setting/game basis  so you start with a (much) larger potential player pool than the much more niche D&D player pool.

Or is it something else entirely?

Time to make a D&D movie then?

Meursault wrote on Dec 20^th, 2013 at 9:56am:


Nah your wrong!!! This game just keeps going from strength to strength!!! You are playing it wrong thats why it appears there are less people playing, or your memory  is faulty.

And if there is any drop off in numbers its because of things that cannot be helped you know because the game is old, old engine, old graphics people get bored and move on. Not in the slightest does it have to do with the recent changes or actions of the dev team and others at turbine!!!!

swampshape wrote on Dec 20^th, 2013 at 7:36pm:


LOTR movies where block busters...................D&D movies............wait there was D&D movies?......hey son your into D&D im going to watch some D&D movies to see what its all about............................er don't watch those!!!!

Osharan Tregarth wrote on Dec 21^st, 2013 at 6:41pm:

The second one was ok. The first one, however, hoo boy. 

majmalphunktion wrote on Dec 22^nd, 2013 at 12:36am:


Gonna have to disagree with you about this.

When Rowan states that the three critical hits are Enhancements, Stormhorn and Epic Reincarnation and the players disagree, then it wasn't a very good year.

Enhancements are unfinished since many classes are still missing three trees. There was no new racial prestige classes added. The core abilities and capstones lost power so small splashes utterly destroy pure classes. The monk splash went from being very handy for the evasion to essential to play Epic Elite. There is something very wrong with Enhancements.

Stormhorn is pretty. Getting to two of the quests in Stormhorn is worse than Chain of Flames, since it's more windy that an analog clock. The non-p2p teleport helps a little, but the run still sucks donkey balls. And the p2p teleport is full on jizz dripping Tijuana donkey dick.

Epic Reincarnation sucks in a multitude of ways. The ComValor pay out is too little while the Heart cost is too high. Many of the bonuses suck for the classes that should get the most benefit, like the total of 27 PRR for tanks do squat shit but monkey monks and casters get enormous benefits from it. And this doesn't even get into the epic fail of the Iconic Reincarnation, as the Sun Elf past life gives benefits to a total of two classes. Hot Fucking fudge sundae up my ass with a coconut! TWO FUCKING CLASSES! Really makes people want to run those bastards, right?

And let's not forget that the quests and packs that came out this year all blow more than the entire employee roster of Vivid Entertainment, including past and present. Hell, if it wasn't for making Epic Gianthold, the quality of quests would suck and those were rehashed fucking quests that everyone runs anyway.

It might have been a good year for Turbine, but the playerbase currently is applying ointment on their rectum because they got rode hard and long without any lube. Pass the word to QuartermasterX that a coupon for free inflatable donuts are needed for players before the New Year. Thank you.

Barkabout wrote on Dec 22^nd, 2013 at 1:22am:


Nice summary. Can even add several more. So many bugs after so many years. Oh and the Shadowfail. Such a waste of money. No new end game items to match the lvl cap. Lootgen making so many old EE items obsolete. Etc.

For what it is worth, I am happy with the start of communication. But to accept it as a success, I will wait for the results. For now there is some correspondence between staff and player base for new ideas and comments. But we need to see what the staff understand these and if they make good use of them. I hope they are not only listening just to look like listening. Applause is reserved until I see actions.