...but I'm working damned hard. Blog will return next week.
Sorry!
Wednesday, 8 September 2010
Friday, 3 September 2010
Levelling
Starting Level: 10
I've spent the last couple of days intermittently levelling. I've stuck to my idea that I don't, just now, want to be playing all the time or too heavily. I'm stuck on an Agency mission at the moment in the subway, killing 3 of several different types of NPC's. The first lot were all right, but at level 11, the mobs past Eumendes were too much for me. I may delete it and hope it comes around again in the coming days.
I'm going to try and find some unusual places to level. I'm fortunate that, with the above idea of going slowly, I can find some unusual places and not worry about XP/hour quite yet. One of my better memories of early AO is levelling on Bull's just East of Rome. Slowest XP ever, I assure you, but it's a good memory. Finding fun like that is the whole idea.
Other than that, I've been catching up with changes to the game and with my org on my main, so time has been limited on Janneau. Some levelling has been done - but nothing to write home, or to the interwebs, about.
Roll on TL2 though!
Finishing Level: 14
I've spent the last couple of days intermittently levelling. I've stuck to my idea that I don't, just now, want to be playing all the time or too heavily. I'm stuck on an Agency mission at the moment in the subway, killing 3 of several different types of NPC's. The first lot were all right, but at level 11, the mobs past Eumendes were too much for me. I may delete it and hope it comes around again in the coming days.
I'm going to try and find some unusual places to level. I'm fortunate that, with the above idea of going slowly, I can find some unusual places and not worry about XP/hour quite yet. One of my better memories of early AO is levelling on Bull's just East of Rome. Slowest XP ever, I assure you, but it's a good memory. Finding fun like that is the whole idea.
Other than that, I've been catching up with changes to the game and with my org on my main, so time has been limited on Janneau. Some levelling has been done - but nothing to write home, or to the interwebs, about.
Roll on TL2 though!
Finishing Level: 14
Wednesday, 1 September 2010
The Agency
Starting Level: 9
My first mission for the Agency is to infiltrate a clan operation in The Longest Road, loot 8 keycards and hack them.
This went quite quickly and then the spying bit began - I swear to God it took me about 20 minutes to realise I wanted to hide next to all the rest of the cargo boxes. Durrrrr.
It was an enjoyable mission - I love how it moves the story along [I won't spoil the plot for anyone who hasn't had that mission yet - but I thoroughly enjoyed it]. Story moving missions were really unexpected and I'm delighted to see that appear. There have been a lot of positive changes in the last few years.
With that short post over, until next time.
Finishing Level: 10
My first mission for the Agency is to infiltrate a clan operation in The Longest Road, loot 8 keycards and hack them.
This went quite quickly and then the spying bit began - I swear to God it took me about 20 minutes to realise I wanted to hide next to all the rest of the cargo boxes. Durrrrr.
It was an enjoyable mission - I love how it moves the story along [I won't spoil the plot for anyone who hasn't had that mission yet - but I thoroughly enjoyed it]. Story moving missions were really unexpected and I'm delighted to see that appear. There have been a lot of positive changes in the last few years.
With that short post over, until next time.
Finishing Level: 10
Rome
Starting Level: 9
I have arrived in Rome - and I have always enjoyed this bit of the planet.
I [for once - and I bet noone else reading this has!] speak to Sydney Finn and complete her mission - which leads onto another mission killing Chirops - which leads onto a mission introducing you to Mr. Blake. I like this, it's that kind of approach Newbie Island needs.
Anyway, back to Rome. It's an interesting city - definitely the spitting image of Omni-Tek. Surprisingly a fun city to explore - there's a few unexpected nooks and crannies about there.
Anyway - I'm doing Mr. Blake's mission and I also picked up one from Freelancers Inc.
The Agency isn't new to me, I've tried it on my main and it seems excellent - a really good alternative to standard levelling.
I always forget the sense of scale you get, as well. Running around with lowlevel runspeed, I could easily be convinced you have the entire planet to explore and not one terraformed area...
I'm now writing this about 30 minutes after that last line. I got caught up doing missions - which is great. I love how one small quest leads to another to another, just the way it should be. It's immersive, which is what MMO players really want.
I'm enjoying not being hardcore, not grinding, but enjoying the game and taking time with it. This might just be the secret to my getting back into AO - treating it like the game it is. Great game, to be fair, but a game.
For now, though, we'll see how an Agency mission goes for a level 9!
'till next time.
Finishing Level: 9
I have arrived in Rome - and I have always enjoyed this bit of the planet.
I [for once - and I bet noone else reading this has!] speak to Sydney Finn and complete her mission - which leads onto another mission killing Chirops - which leads onto a mission introducing you to Mr. Blake. I like this, it's that kind of approach Newbie Island needs.
Anyway, back to Rome. It's an interesting city - definitely the spitting image of Omni-Tek. Surprisingly a fun city to explore - there's a few unexpected nooks and crannies about there.
Anyway - I'm doing Mr. Blake's mission and I also picked up one from Freelancers Inc.
The Agency isn't new to me, I've tried it on my main and it seems excellent - a really good alternative to standard levelling.
I always forget the sense of scale you get, as well. Running around with lowlevel runspeed, I could easily be convinced you have the entire planet to explore and not one terraformed area...
I'm now writing this about 30 minutes after that last line. I got caught up doing missions - which is great. I love how one small quest leads to another to another, just the way it should be. It's immersive, which is what MMO players really want.
I'm enjoying not being hardcore, not grinding, but enjoying the game and taking time with it. This might just be the secret to my getting back into AO - treating it like the game it is. Great game, to be fair, but a game.
For now, though, we'll see how an Agency mission goes for a level 9!
'till next time.
Finishing Level: 9
Thoughts on the Island
Before I carry on this adventure of mine, I thought I'd write down my thoughts on what is undoubtebly the most important part of the game.
The beginning is what grabs you and holds you here. Previously the arrival hall hinted at the situation on Rubi-Ka, allowing you a brief introduction into our world and, combined with the Arrival Hall being a simply fantastic environment - a great panorama over Omni-1, the statue and the interesting people - and I feel the loss of this isn't great. I understand Means has said this won't be coming back, and I simply can't understand it.
The loss of any explanation as to why you appear on the Island is, also, not brilliant. For a game whose biggest selling point by far is the truly excellent story - there isn't much of an introduction. Bang, you're on a beach. Now get on with it.
That said the island has improved over the years. Provided you're lucky or inquisitive enough to speak to Brandon Thorn, things progress well from there. The missions progress well and are a challenge, and the overall gameplay remains the same. I just don't feel it provides the best introduction and I don't think it's going to hold players here very effectively.
I've heard rumours of changes incoming to this area and I welcome them.
The beginning is what grabs you and holds you here. Previously the arrival hall hinted at the situation on Rubi-Ka, allowing you a brief introduction into our world and, combined with the Arrival Hall being a simply fantastic environment - a great panorama over Omni-1, the statue and the interesting people - and I feel the loss of this isn't great. I understand Means has said this won't be coming back, and I simply can't understand it.
The loss of any explanation as to why you appear on the Island is, also, not brilliant. For a game whose biggest selling point by far is the truly excellent story - there isn't much of an introduction. Bang, you're on a beach. Now get on with it.
That said the island has improved over the years. Provided you're lucky or inquisitive enough to speak to Brandon Thorn, things progress well from there. The missions progress well and are a challenge, and the overall gameplay remains the same. I just don't feel it provides the best introduction and I don't think it's going to hold players here very effectively.
I've heard rumours of changes incoming to this area and I welcome them.
Monday, 30 August 2010
Newbie Island Pt. 2
Starting Level: 5
Picking up from where I left off last time, I'm doing a mission for Travis Molen, since he seemed the right guy to have a chat with. I do like the addition of blue names, and the changes to the ICC Guards.
I'm down at the port doing the Unicorn mission when I notice an NPC I don't remember seeing before... Adri Afeli. His mission to progressively kill NPCs and bosses seems a good addition, although we'll see what my story is after I complete it!!! In the meantime, I keep up my work for Travis Molen.
Unfortunately I'm not going to change the habit of a lifetime, so after completing the Elsa Oosta mission, I move over to Omni.Long live the corporation and all that!
I finish Adri's mission down at the docks. I think it's a huge improvement, a scaling mission like that that's a bit of a progressive challenge for a new player. Once I get enough AXP for AI2, I head back and hand in Adri's mission. The backpack is a nice touch, and I remember people crying out for these on Newbie Island years ago.
I try a few aliens on the upper level, farm enough credits for the armour, nanos and my sunglasses, and that's me for today. I've conquered the island. The real fun begins now!
Finishing Level: 9
Picking up from where I left off last time, I'm doing a mission for Travis Molen, since he seemed the right guy to have a chat with. I do like the addition of blue names, and the changes to the ICC Guards.
I'm down at the port doing the Unicorn mission when I notice an NPC I don't remember seeing before... Adri Afeli. His mission to progressively kill NPCs and bosses seems a good addition, although we'll see what my story is after I complete it!!! In the meantime, I keep up my work for Travis Molen.
Unfortunately I'm not going to change the habit of a lifetime, so after completing the Elsa Oosta mission, I move over to Omni.
I finish Adri's mission down at the docks. I think it's a huge improvement, a scaling mission like that that's a bit of a progressive challenge for a new player. Once I get enough AXP for AI2, I head back and hand in Adri's mission. The backpack is a nice touch, and I remember people crying out for these on Newbie Island years ago.
I try a few aliens on the upper level, farm enough credits for the armour, nanos and my sunglasses, and that's me for today. I've conquered the island. The real fun begins now!
Finishing Level: 9
Newbie Island
Starting Level: 0 (1 for the pernickety sods out there)
I go through the Morning Star station, just like I remember it. I should note I made my first character, Stillian, in 2004, so I'm not quite as old as they come. I pick an Opifex, reasoning their base attributes work well for MA, as does their speed and evades. I know very little more about MA's beyond those guesstimates so I hope I'm right.
I pick my name with surprising ease [rumours of a name clearance might have been true?] and Janneau is here.
Where is here? Exactly? How the hell did I end up on this beach? That's got to be the worst intro ever.
I spend a few minutes fixing my settings. I'm not an innocent here, and I'm very OCD about my GUI [budum-tish] but I finally get it the way I like it. I talk to Brandon and get my first level. This I question as well. How the heck are you supposed to know to talk to Brandon?
Anyway. Leets and Reets I kill for a few levels. This is great, Q, Q, Q, Q, Q, Q, 1, 2, Q, 1, 2, B, good old AO gameplay!
I notice I distinct lack of Take me to the Shop's, which were always a nice wee boost. I'm hoping there's a replacement out there, since I want to start well and continue that way! I remember Leet Bones aren't very valuable, but I've never seen these seashells before so I've taken a few to see how much they sell for.
I get a few levels in and fire into my IP expenditure. I first notice the Suggested Distribution button. Interesting, and at a glance seems reasonable for a new player. Not sure how it would do in the long term though. I up all the usual skills for a level 4 and move onto doing Things™ for Brandon. His missions seem pretty straightforward and as I remember them, a reasonable introduction. I still question how visible he is though.
With the missions done, I face the first challenge of any AO player. The snake! Fortunately I'm successful in my... oh I crashed. That's the AO we know and love. Quick login again and I have some reasonable loot. Time to go see Antonio with this belt.
I sort out my belt, and sell my stuff to Antonio for a quick buck.
I don't want this post to become long and unreadable, so I'll drop it here for now. It's nice to be back in AO and to enjoy it all over again. I'll just have to see how that continues.
Finishing Level: 5
I go through the Morning Star station, just like I remember it. I should note I made my first character, Stillian, in 2004, so I'm not quite as old as they come. I pick an Opifex, reasoning their base attributes work well for MA, as does their speed and evades. I know very little more about MA's beyond those guesstimates so I hope I'm right.
I pick my name with surprising ease [rumours of a name clearance might have been true?] and Janneau is here.
Where is here? Exactly? How the hell did I end up on this beach? That's got to be the worst intro ever.
I spend a few minutes fixing my settings. I'm not an innocent here, and I'm very OCD about my GUI [budum-tish] but I finally get it the way I like it. I talk to Brandon and get my first level. This I question as well. How the heck are you supposed to know to talk to Brandon?
Anyway. Leets and Reets I kill for a few levels. This is great, Q, Q, Q, Q, Q, Q, 1, 2, Q, 1, 2, B, good old AO gameplay!
I notice I distinct lack of Take me to the Shop's, which were always a nice wee boost. I'm hoping there's a replacement out there, since I want to start well and continue that way! I remember Leet Bones aren't very valuable, but I've never seen these seashells before so I've taken a few to see how much they sell for.
I get a few levels in and fire into my IP expenditure. I first notice the Suggested Distribution button. Interesting, and at a glance seems reasonable for a new player. Not sure how it would do in the long term though. I up all the usual skills for a level 4 and move onto doing Things™ for Brandon. His missions seem pretty straightforward and as I remember them, a reasonable introduction. I still question how visible he is though.
With the missions done, I face the first challenge of any AO player. The snake! Fortunately I'm successful in my... oh I crashed. That's the AO we know and love. Quick login again and I have some reasonable loot. Time to go see Antonio with this belt.
I sort out my belt, and sell my stuff to Antonio for a quick buck.
I don't want this post to become long and unreadable, so I'll drop it here for now. It's nice to be back in AO and to enjoy it all over again. I'll just have to see how that continues.
Finishing Level: 5
New Adventure
It's been a while since I played AO, or took part as anything more than a spectator. I came back and found myself woefully out of date. I went from being, circa 2006, a well-respected and competent Doctor, to an unknown at the bottom of the pile. It's disconcerting how much things have changed.
I've decided to work myself through these changes. Janneau is a Martial Artist, which I've always thought to be a middle-of-the-road profession. With her I'm going to work through the game, commenting on the changes I find and other things that may be of interest.
Where previously when making a new character I'd skip Newbie Island or other places asap and give myself help from my main, this won't happen much [at all if I can help it.] I'm going to work through the game from the eyes of an innocent.
This might be what it takes for me to get back into the game I love, because even so little as a year-ish away has left me dumbfounded and unmotivated upon my return.
I hope you find this interesting, and I hope I do too.
I've decided to work myself through these changes. Janneau is a Martial Artist, which I've always thought to be a middle-of-the-road profession. With her I'm going to work through the game, commenting on the changes I find and other things that may be of interest.
Where previously when making a new character I'd skip Newbie Island or other places asap and give myself help from my main, this won't happen much [at all if I can help it.] I'm going to work through the game from the eyes of an innocent.
This might be what it takes for me to get back into the game I love, because even so little as a year-ish away has left me dumbfounded and unmotivated upon my return.
I hope you find this interesting, and I hope I do too.
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