Alganon: Another MMORPG... beta incoming.

[SunnyD]

So my inbox tossed me a beta key for Alganon today.

The link above goes to their about page. Honestly, it doesn't look like anything but another typical fantasy WoW MMO from what I can see so far, but then again I haven't played it. There are a couple curious bits that stand out at me though (that might make this game worth playing):

We've developed the Alganon Study System that will reward players not just for playing, but for subscribing, giving them the ability to grow their character in the "background" even while they are not engaged in the game. This benefit allows players to "compete" with power gamers so they can actively manage their subscription studies - a year down the line, even if they didn't have a chance to play 8 hours a day, they will have studies that no power gamer could achieve without having the same year of diligence.

I think they're trying to snag casual gamers here.

Alganon is designed to grow, and more importantly to change. The Alganon development team will responsed to our players. Alganon is more than a game - it's a service where upon the developers will observe and interact with players to determine what new feature to add. Alganon is not a product that we sell and then abandon like last month's magazines. Alganon is for the community, and by the community. Everything that changes and is added to Alganon has a piece of player input into its final implementation and design.

Now this is the part that fascinates me. I'm thinking this won't be apparent until much later in the game's life. But hell, if they pull it off - well either the game will be a resounding success or a dismal failure... all at the hands of its community.

Anyway, their about page really alludes to Alganon not being anything truly different in terms of MMORPGs go. I'll hopefully be able to tell you a little more about that in the days to come!

 

[Lonyo]

So a bit like WoW meets EVE?

 

[Markbnj]

EVE-style offline training just leads to another variety of complaint, i.e. that newbs can't compete because they haven't had the game for a year. I'm not sure either system is better, but I probably lean toward preferring gameplay-based advancement.

As for the devs listening to the community, they would all say they do that, and in quite a few cases I can recall from EQ, DAoC, WoW, Vanguard, etc., they maybe shouldn't have.

 

[coloumb]

Ugh..something other than orcs and elves fantasy based MMO... [plus the art work looks a lot like WoW]

 

[lozina]

OFFLINE skill training.

/unsubscribe

 

[KeithTalent]

Originally posted by: Lonyo
So a bit like WoW meets EVE?

First thing I thought.

Second thing I thought was "there are way too many MMOs coming out".

KT

 

[SunnyD]

Originally posted by: KeithTalent

Originally posted by: Lonyo
So a bit like WoW meets EVE?

First thing I thought.

Second thing I thought was "there are way too many MMOs coming out".

KT

There's a reason for that. It's called subscription cash co.. I mean revenue. If you come up with the next sleeper hit, do you want $50/box up front and that's it? Or would you rather have $50/box up front plus $15/month perpetual revenue on top of that? It's sad, but true. MMO = Massive Monetary Opportunity

 

[KeithTalent]

Originally posted by: SunnyD

Originally posted by: KeithTalent

Originally posted by: Lonyo
So a bit like WoW meets EVE?

First thing I thought.

Second thing I thought was "there are way too many MMOs coming out".

KT

There's a reason for that. It's called subscription cash co.. I mean revenue. If you come up with the next sleeper hit, do you want $50/box up front and that's it? Or would you rather have $50/box up front plus $15/month perpetual revenue on top of that? It's sad, but true. MMO = Massive Monetary Opportunity

Oh no, don't get me wrong, I completely understand the reason behind it, but that doesn't mean I have to like it.

KT

 

[Bateluer]

Looks very WoW-ish, with Eve elements mixed in. Definitely will pass on this one, just looks like another 'Me too!' MMO.