What are other's thoughts on this? I personally think the MMO model is a crowded market that I refuse to take part in. I would much rather a better quality non-MMO game.

http://www.gamehead.com/article/1465/pa ... ine-mmorpg

Sounds like they want to add some RPG to the MMO. Mentions building markets and castles. I REALLY hope so. I want a game where I can actually AFFECT the world. Sick of the EQ clones where everyone does the same thing over and over...

That company was just formed this year--probably just for this particular game. So, I don't expect to see an actual product out before 2014/2015. And by then the MMO market will be even more crowded. Don't get me wrong, I hope they do it and I hope it's awesome, but I don't have high hopes for it. I play MMOs at times, but they just can't replace good role playing.

I have yet to see a good Sandbox MMO, a few others have tried. I'd be happy to see them do it successfully, but will reserve final judgment until they release something.

Based on the names ; Mark, Ryan and Lisa, I think this might have a chance. CCP has done some great stuff, EVE is a nice space MMO where what you do matters in a real way. And well Lisa gets Path finder.

Probably still won't play it but I think it will okay.

I think they're covering all of their angles. I too think it is an overcrowded market, but if they have the $, I can see why they would do it - it brings in many non-rpgers in that might not know about PF.

Do you know of any videos or links regarding that "affecting the world" approach for Guild Wars 2? I've played most MMOs and it's tough for me to get into them much because even after you "save the town from the marauding bandits" it still looks like all the bandits are still harassing the town. It never seems like you have an actual affect upon the world. RIFT has this...somewhat...with the rifts and invasions from other planes. If the players don't join together to stop the invasions, they sweep through an area and attack the NPC quest givers and either kill them or chase them off. But those situations are fairly localized and are always somewhat generic mindless looking monsters. They're never mobs with character and a goal.

Not sure if there are any videos, but they've been implying the exact opposite of what you're talking about. Similar to RIFT where merchants etc will be chased off, but my understanding is that if players (not one group, but large numbers of the) don't respond to the event the town/location will be permanently(ish) changed to reflect their failure. I think the only way to undo it would be to finally fight back against the ever expanding threat and eventually force them out.

They're selling a pretty good spiel, whether reality lives up is another matter. But without a sub fee you're only out of pocket the cost of the game.