I wonder if posting this will lead to a game developer going bankrupt. Only one way to find out!
Destructoid boss Niero discovered a bold advertisement for one of those small-time downloadable games that you see promoted on Web sites such as ours, Atlantica Online. Billed as a strategic turn-based MMORPG, distributor NDOORS is so confident you'll like their game, that if you can build your character to level 50 and claim that you hate it, they will buy your character from you for $20.
I am in the camp of people who regularly ignore these free-to-play MMO titles, but this is quite the wager. It also looks pretty graphically impressive for something that's free. That deserves at least a little gratis promotion on Dtoid.
Anybody going to accept NDOORS' challenge? I might give it a spin myself. Either I discover a good game, or I make twenty bucks. I'm pretty interested to see if this actually helps NDOORS or bites them in the arse.
Jim Sterling serves as reviews editor for Destructoid.com, head of the Podtoid podcast, and produces a number of news stories, original features, one-of-a-kind videos. With his passionate argumentative style, controversial opinions, harsh delivery, and dedication to brutal honesty Sterling is a name that you can't help but recognize.
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Contest:
11:17 PM on 11.04.2008
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...but hey, $20 is $20.
This is kind of breath-of-fresh-air that MMO's need. If a big name developer were to innovate like some of these free-to-play's in a more focused, higher budget kind of way, than the MMO just may see the creativity boost it desperately deserves.
Usually I will pass on a game as soon as I hear free to play, because I assume it's some money making scam where you have to buy items with real money to even slightly enjoy the game. I'm going to give this one the benefit of the doubt and give it a shot. I'm downloading the 2 gig client now.
Anyone play this yet? Is it enjoyable? Is it going to keep me interested?
No one is going to play a game they hate for weeks (most probably months) to get to level 50 just for $20.
It would just mean they where stupid.
I thought you had more intelligence.
P.S. Also I bet it is one of them trick bets too, where when you explain why you did not like the game, they simply reply... 'how come you got to level 50 then and not stop playing if it is that bad'. Then if you say 'simply for the cash' they will say it's void for that reason.
P.P.S. TBH, I bet they want to boost the population of the game and would gladly pay it to peeps who get to level 50 simply for making the game look more 'busy' so others can interact.
I know, so superficial...
The way it works is that rather than the standard MMO fighting system where you click on an enemy and wait until it dies, clicking an enemy sends you to a seperate battle screen where the fight takes the form of more of a JRPG battle. I.E. your party stands on one side, the enemies on the other side so you're using something like a ATB system which makes combat a hell of a lot more enjoyable.
Failed Viral advertising.