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EQ2 Voiced By Hollywood Actors
An anonymous reader writes "Sony is going to have well known actors voicing major roles in its upcoming Massively Multiplayer Online Game. Christopher Lee is doing the voice for the Evil Lord Sir Lucan D'Lere, leader of the city of Freeport, and Heather Graham is doing the voice for Antonia Bale of the good city of Qeynos. An interview with Christopher Lee is also available on the Sony site." It will be interesting to see how this affects the fight between EQ2 and World of Warcraft, which are rumored to be coming out on the same day.
Does anybody really want to hear actors in a game? I personally think that money could be spent in a better way. I would rather see that money go toward physics engine or graphics or anything else. Or maybe, they could just give that extra money back to us in terms of lower game pricing? Do other people think that paying actors will add that much value to the game?
I just don't say myself saying "But it has voice acting made by Christopher Lee! I MUST buy it!".
In my opinion, it would have been money better spent elsewhere. Like reducing the horrible monthly price they ask for this. And I don't even talk about the time investment required to 'do good' in these games... I saw numerous friends lose their life (job, wife, friends) to EQ1, playing 6pm-3am everyday. For 20$ (CAN) by month, I'll pass my turn, thanks.
Of course, if he (they?) did it for free (which I doubt), then I have nothing about this...
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Countless times playing City of Heroes, I've wanted to hear SOMETHING other than blips and zaps and pows. Hearing the enemies call out and taunt you, or hear NPCs thanking you for rescuing them, or even screams of terror when people run around... voice beats no voice, hands down. As long as the acting is reasonably good and doesn't stand out for being Resident Evil levels of horribleness then it can add to the atmosphere in the same way great graphics do.
An MMORPG which nails great graphics, an interactive musical score ala old Lucasarts games, and good voice acting... well, then you've got one heck of an experience. As is MMORPGs seem to focus completely on the graphics. The audio side gets third billing at best.
Wow, I didn't know that having a life equaled to slacking.
Hardcore gamers will still level up more than casual gamers, but that system will prevent the casuals from being completely overwhelmed. I for one think it's a good thing.
...and the immersion shatters the second anyone utters anything about phAt l00t. Thanks, but I think I'll pass. MMORPGs have this nasty habit of being really cool until you let the other players in =)
Okay, so the voice actor comes into the studio one day, records fifty lines he or she has never thought about before, and leaves. They might sound good the first time around, but these will get so tired, so fast.
First encounter at the camp: "Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more; Or close the wall up with our English dead. In peace there's nothing so becomes a man As modest stillness and humility: But when the blast of war blows in our ears, Then imitate the action of the tiger; Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood, Disguise fair nature with hard-favour'd rage; Then lend the eye a terrible aspect; Let pry through the portage of the head Like the brass cannon; let the brow o'erwhelm it As fearfully as doth a galled rock O'erhang and jutty his confounded base, Swill'd with the wild and wasteful ocean."
The next day, arriving at the camp. "Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more; Or close the wall up with our English dead. ... " yeah, yeah, whatever, gramps
Ten minutes later, walking past. "Once more unto the breach, ..." shut UP already
Five minutes later, walking past. "Once more ..." mute button
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Ahem: Blizzard has publically stated that there will be some way for guildmates to play with each other internationally some time after the European launch.
Nobody claimed it was a perfect solution. The European launch will be much later than the US launch, probably delayed by 4-5 months. I'm not exactly thrilled about that. No doubt that Vivendi has something to do with that.
But, all you need a North American billing address to play the US version of the game. It shouldn't be too hard for trans-atlantic guilds to figure that one out.
Why ? Look at what Sony is putting there money in. Actors, fancy graphics and marketing.
... AGAIN. They really don't care what people think, or problems with the game.
Mean while, there combat, quest system, (no PVP) are all badly under developed. EQ2 is Alpha quailty marked with Beta. This game would not be ready for at least another year and a half.
Sony and there great ideas, have decied they are going to release EQ2 on the same day as WoW, ready or not. They don't care if the game works or not. They are going to pull another SWG.
Blizzard on the other hand, is making it right the first time. They aren't going to release until the game is ready, end of story. So far, WoW (yes, I am in the beta) has a serious edge on EQ and EQ2. They fixed all the serious MMO problems. For example: Instead of killing the same mob all day, for 2 weeks straight in order to get 5 levels, you get most of your exp from quests. PVP already works 50 times better then EQ PVP. (I played on SZ for 3 years)
The biggest problem Sony has is QA and customer service. It takes them 8 - 10 hours to respond to an ingame ticket. Meanwhile, Sony cuts there GM force down by half
Blizzard DOES care. I get a response from a GM within 2 mins. The listen to the customers on what they would like to see. Hell, I have personally suggested at least 5 large changes that made it into the game.
With EQ1, there are large problems with the game that have been there for over 4 years. They KNOW how to fix it, they just don't care.
This is why I could careless about EQ or Sony. They will continue to release shit until the end of time.
until (succeed) try { again(); }
That's Christopher REEVE who died recently. Not Reeves.
First, Superman could fly. Then, Superman couldn't even walk. And now, Superman can fly again. Peace be with you, Christopher.
Yeah because the whole Diablo series has never been a time sink.
Sniker..Sniker
I have been alpha testing EQ2 for about 4 months. I've also been an alpha tester of EQ2 for about 11 months (anon coward as simply posting here is violating NDA)
The voices in EQ2 are terribly annoying, and if I do every play this game I hope there is a "turn voices off" option. It's annoying to run by a dwarf and have him try and get your attention, "Oi Lassie, take a look at me wares!"
I don't see how anyone who has played both games could do anything other than play World of Warcraft. It's good that SOE is getting celebrity voice actors, because gimmicks like this are all they've got.