Während der CBT bis hin zu dem offiziellen Release, betrieb Cryptic eine Informationspolitik des Schweigen´s oder formulierten ihre Aussagen so das kaum bis gar keinen relevante Inhalte mehr hatten.

Nach der CBT wurde das CBT Forum mit dem offiziellen Forum zusammengeführt und natürlich wurden viele sehr interessante Threads gelöscht, in denen die User ihre Gedanken zu den Thema Cryptic und Geld gemacht hatten. Na ja, es ist ihr gutes Recht Threads zu löschen.

Ich habe lange Zeit mit mir gerungen ob ich das Spiel kaufen soll und leider habe ich nicht auf meine innere Stimme gehört die sagte “Warte noch ein wenig ab!“

Jetzt liegt das Spiel seit 2 Wochen bei mir herum und ich kann nicht einmal meine 30 tage abspielen .Denn man kann seinen Key NUR eingeben, wenn man eine Kreditkarte hat oder sich zusätzlich eine Gametime-Card zulegt. Welche bei dem Release noch nicht einmal zu Verfügung stand.

Also nachdem Du dein Spiel für 50 Euro gekauft hast sollst du zusätzlich 26 Euro ausgeben für eine Gametime-Card nur damit du deine 30 tage abspielen kannst.

Soweit so gut, das stand nicht auf der Verpackung, es stand nicht auf der offiziellen Homepage. Mit einen Trick konnte man sich registrieren auf der Homepage ohne eine der beiden Optionen zu wählen. Man klickte einfach auf Abbrechen Knopf, nachdem das bekannt wurde, wurde der Button von der Homepage unter ganz mysteriösen Gründen entfernt.

Also blieben wieder die 2 Optionen übrig, Kreditkarte und Gametime-Card, was ist so schwer eine Option mehr zu machen? Oder einfach Lastschriftverkehr, Paypal oder einfach eine Option die sagt 30 tage testen ?

Ach ja, man konnte ein Support-Ticket schreiben, welche bei manchen nach 19 tagen nicht einmal bearbeitet wurde und die Telefon Hotline? Nun, die ist so gefragt das nie einer da ist oder wenn man durchkommt,die Verbindung eine so schlechte Qualität aufweist das man das Band kaum versteht oder man einfach aus der Leitung fliegt.

Na ja, den Rest könnt ihr euch im Forum durchlesen von Champions Online, an sich ist das Spiel nett. Aber was einen echten Helden aus macht sind die Handlungen, die verschieden Entscheidungen die er während sein Kampfes trifft. Und leider fehlt das bei Champions Online, ohne den Superhelden Images ist es ein ganz normales MMO,aber den besten und größten Charakter Editor den ich bis jetzt gesehen habe.

Geht einfach ins Forum lest euch die verschieden Sachen durch und entscheidet selbst, ich für meinen Teil werde kein Produkt mehr erwerben von Cryptic.

It’s my first Blog of many to come and I don’t want to bash anybody especially not Cryptic, since they are pretty good at what they are doing – developing awesome games. And I have the up most respect for all the talented people that work there.But  like I stated in the Champions Online Forum and you don’t have to be a rocket scientist to understand that an MMO, especially an MMO needs a satisfied fan base.
It’s the driving force; these are the people who bought your game! The same people who do free marketing for you since they are telling all their friends how great your game is and that they should definitive try it out.
The same people that have your back in every forum when people try to bash your game,the same people who bought the game because your brand stands for some thing.

But the most import part is these are the same people why you became Game developer, Artist and so on in first place. You wanted that people are playing your game and experience something new and enjoyable. And we do!!!

But with the latest MT which you are trying to sell us you have reached the crossroad and now the fan base will watch which path you will take.

There are many paths and they have different names:
One road is called greedy, trying to find many ways to get every penny from your customers.
One road is called loyal; be loyal to your fan base and get totally rid of the MT idea. And your fan base will appreciate it and who knows what the future brings.
One road is called respect; respect the wishes of your fan base and don’t implement it now but leave the option open for later if necessary.
One road is called innovation; find an alternative way to get extra money.

And please don’t use empty phrases like “You don’t need to buy it”, “It has no effect on the gameplay”. If we don’t need to buy it why sell it in the first place and everything in a game has an effect on a player otherwise it wouldn’t be in the game.
I played a lot of Free-to-play MMO’s also I played several MMO’s which had subscription. When I learned one thing from Free-2-Play MMO’s its that spending money is in our nature because most F2P MMO’s the Items were only for decorative purpose but still people buying it.

Again it’s in our nature to spend money on things that we really don’t need otherwise we wouldn’t really buy any Video games. So please stop with these empty phrases!!

My personal opinion is that Cryptic has damaged their reputation now and there for also the success of Champions Online. And their marketing manager must see it too that the announcement of Microtransaction has damaged the Brand, the upcoming game and the fan base. But they could turn it all around with one announcement which would also make huge PR – No to the MT implementation.

Mhhhh, but maybe you really need to be a rocket scientist to understand it, so let’s build a rocket and get off the greedy planet.

Vielleicht kommt noch der Tag an dem die Regierung uns in die Illegalität drängt und wir nur noch Videospiele bekommen vom Dealer der Nachts nervös die Straße hoch und runter läuft und der Begriff Video-junky wird eine neue Bedeutung bekommen.

Junky: Hey alter haste was, ich brauch was neues, ich nehme alles egal was !!!
Dealer: * Lacht * Du scheinst es recht nötig zu haben. Aber du hast Glück, frisch eingetroffene Ware, frisch aus dem Presswerk. Das ist der Shit, das lässt dich abgehen wie Schmitz Katze, glaub mir ! Aber alter zocken nicht zu lange!
Junky: Wie viel willste dafür haben? Ich habe nur ein Fuffy !

Ihr lieben Politiker wie geht ihr eigentlich mit uns um? Wie geht ihr mit der Videospiel-Industrie um? Trotz dieser sogenannten Finanzkrise boomt der Markt und ihr wollt das einschränken? Nur damit ihr die Stimmen einiger senilen Leuten habt? Vergesst nicht die angeblichen Zoclern von Killerspielen, werden auch in dem alter kommen, wo sie ihr Kreuzchen machen müssen auf dem Wahlzettel.

The Clue is that the MMO game is set up like a story and every story has a beginning and an end. It would mean that you could participate in the MMO-Game for a certain time, until the end is reached. After that the story would reset and the next players could start the journey.

For Example:
Just imagine you would experience the odyssey of Battlestar Galactica for one year, this event had a beginning, just previously to the outbreak of war and an end, the discovery of the planet earth.

And you would experience with thousands of other players, this odyssey. You start as a cadet and work yourself up in the ranks; you would have to protect the civilian fleet with all the other players through the whole year.
You would play in a closed community for one year and all the players have the same goal the protection of mankind.

The game environment would constantly change since storyline keeps moving forward. The quality of the content of the game could be held high since you don’t have to wonder what will happen in the next 5 years because this game doesn’t change.

Depending on the numbers of players that are currently online the game master can trigger events. The function of the game master will be as in role-plays; he manages and guides the game.

Edit:This way you could create games that have a storyline that moves constantly forward because after a particular time the game/story has to come to end, just like in any single-player game.

Total Recall 2070
It’s a mix of I,Robot and Blade Runner, the TV show is kept in a dark and cold ambient. If you liked Blade Runner, you will love this show.

Cleopatra 2525
The first time is seen this show I thought I am gone get blind because of all the funky bright colors. After a little while you’re Eyes readjusts and you can enjoy a great funny TV Show. Either you like the show or you total dislike it. I for my part, I just love the show!
Just looking at the Intro makes me want to watch some episodes again.

Jeremiah
I believe Jeremiah belongs to the best post-apocalyptic TV-Shows, if not the best. The creator was J. Michael Straczynski who also gave us Babylon 5. The storyline is great, the character are great and this is a must see TV-Show.

Lexx
Weird, surreal but very entertaining Sci-Fi Show, that’s what you can say about Lexx

First of I’m a total Sci-Fi nerd, I mean I will watch everything what has some sort of futuristic content.
So at the moment I am following the story of the Dollhouse, which was created by Joss Wheadon. Who also create one of my all-time favorite TV Show called Firefly.
Firefly and Dollhouse are TV Shows with an incredible cast and a good storyline.
Especially Firefly it had everything humor, action, passion – everything. Since that show I am huge Summer Glau Fan, she played River.
Now for the second time I have the chance to meet her on the Sci-Fi Convention, the biggest in Europe it’s called – Fedcon.
The first chance was when I won a contest and I got 2 Premiere Tickets for the Firefly movie. The whole Cast of the movie was attending also Director and Creator Joss Whedon was there.
One day before the premiere I got sick!

Well now I have a new chance and I already went to a couple of convention and this year the Star line-up is just great!

First of Summer Glau, would be a dream come true to meet her!
Then we have Edward James Olmos (Commander Adama, Battlestar Galactica), Michael Hogan (Colonel Tigh, Battlestar Galactica),
James Callis (Gaius Baltar, Battlestar Galactica),
Richard Hatch (Cap. Apollo, orig. Battlestar Galactica)

Also from another favorite TV Show of mine,
Colin Ferguson (Jack Carter, Eureka) and
Jordan Hinson (Zoe Carter, Eureka)

The only thing that keeps me home is the price of the VIP-Ticket (what I usually take). This year it costs 499 Euros for 3 days. Ok, all the signatures of the stars are included but a few years back I paid 220 Euros. Half the price! I am not gone pay 499 Euro for the Tickets, 200 Euros for a Hotel and around 150 Euros for Train. And don’t forget the food!

Here are some pictures from the last convention! So many friendly Storm troopers, Jedi’s, Star Trek Red shirt’s, etc. all concentrated on one point in the universe. That has to be awesome and let me tell you it is.
For me the convention is a plays to relax you are surrounded by folks that have the same interest and we Sci-Fi Geeks, we can party till the roof comes down. ^^

So if I get a VIP Ticket cheaper I will defiantly go! If not I will pissed for a couple of days but it won’t be the end of the world ^^

May the force be with you!
Mono75

My best CBT Experience was Granado Espada from IAHGames. It was packed with friendly people and the game itself was great. I spend a big amount of time in the CBT and met great people; one person was the Community Manager Hrin. Which I personal think belongs to the best Community Managers out there. She and her team made the CBT’s to a good and positive Experience.

Some upcoming CBT’s that I already signed up for:

Mortal Online (coming soon)
Battleforge (released)
Battlefield Heroes (in progress)
Champions Online (coming soon)
Shin Megami Tensei: Imagine Online (very soon German client)
Twelve Sky 2 (coming soon)
AION (No doubt there are some real high expectations)

If you know any good CBT please leave a comment !