Making Warhammer smoother 1.1 patch at a time
by Alexis Kassan 
Dec 4th 2008 at 7:00AM
Filed under: Fantasy, Patches, Warhammer Online
The folks over at Mythic have been epically busy on patches and fixes for Warhammer Online of late. On Tuesday, we reported on patch 1.0.6, which brought tons of changes for classes and combat. Now it seems the RvR performance issues are getting some of their previously-promised love in the form of a client update to help boost frame rate and reduce flickering effects... And patch 1.1 is live on the test server with the intention of releasing today.
With a whopping 14 pages of patch notes and development preceding that of 1.0.6, patch 1.1 promises to bring updates to nearly all aspects of the game. There will be new careers available, UI changes, the ability to hyperlink in chat, and most excitingly the new open RvR influence system. You can even get a statue of your character put up in the capital. Strike a pose!
On the flip side, since 1.1 was begun prior to the release of 1.0.6, the developers are quick to point out that it is not meant to address any issues arising from the most recent patch. Several hot fixes already went in yesterday to regular and public quests to make them function as designed since 1.0.6. There are new healers in the Dark Elf and High Elf Chapter One areas and one in the Black Crag Order war camp as well. And you should not be getting incorrect zone messages anymore either. Just don't expect 1.1 to fix all the Warhammer world's ills.
Since War specifies that you should post on your favorite fan sites about how the new client is doing, let us know what your experience has been.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
lethality said on 7:22AM 12-04-2008
Well, now if they also promise 3 months of refunds since it looks like this might be what they SHOULD have released, then I may think about trying it again. But I doubt it.
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MrGutts said on 7:35AM 12-04-2008
"Chat Hyperlinking – One of the most requested features by the community has been adding the ability to hyperlink items, abilities and quests in the chat window and now it has been added."
It's seeing silly shit like this that drove me batty, this should be a industry standard in ALL MMO's off the shelf.
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MrGutts said on 7:37AM 12-04-2008
AND another thing, why am I back to confirming comments, when I have a account to sign into?
Roar! Out of the way, I need my caffeine...
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Morph said on 7:47AM 12-04-2008
Too little, too late. You can only make a 1st impression once. Maybe some people will go back and check it out, but I am not one of em.
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Temko said on 7:51AM 12-04-2008
my thought exactly. and warhammer/Age of conan/tabula rasa/name it all gave BAD first impressions, regarless of what was tried after release. RELEASE is the only time a mmo has a chance of influence. after that it's a slow tricle if that.
Ebel3003 said on 12:17PM 12-04-2008
Seems like most people forget how much Warcraft struggled in its first year. The game was a mess for at least its first six months, but that obviously turned out alright. Give them a little credit, as far as I'm concerned, the game is in better shape than Warcraft was three months on. At least they patch it weekly and are extremely vocal about what they are doing with content/servers. This launch has been much more pleasant than any other MMO I've been involved in.
Fess said on 12:40PM 12-04-2008
Ebel3003
Who gives a flaming rats ass how WoW was *over four years ago*? Warhammer and the like are competing with WoW *now*, not four years ago. The age of half-assed launches and patching-to-perfection are over now that WoW has become the 800-lbs gorilla sitting in the corner of the room waiting to stomp a hole in any new challenge.
The sooner people stop making excuses for crap like this, the better off we'll all be.
Vincent Avatar said on 12:42PM 12-04-2008
Warcraft was a mess largely from an unexpectedly huge population. It was not a mess because of missing features and buggy code.
I distinctly remember being in a beta for Warhammer. I really do! It just.... doesn't ever look like they fixed anything from then.
MightyIdle said on 2:28PM 12-04-2008
Comparing WAR to WoW at this stage in its release is certainly valid. It's also a good measuring stick for progress being made in WAR.
By comparison, WAR seems to be much more nimble in responding to user complaints and requests. They seem intent on fleshing the game out in a responsible manner and doing so in a short time frame.
Some of the changes that are coming around in WAR would take a year in WoW. It would be nice if things were perfect from the start, but that's hardly realistic. The games, as well as the players, are quite different so nailing down features and functionality based on the WoW template probably wouldn't be smart.
Mythic takes their game and the player experience seriously, it seems. They're also fast on their feet once they realize a change needs to be made. That makes me happy.
simstim said on 8:27AM 12-04-2008
Jeeeez! some brutal comments. I say killer and keep it coming. Its a great game and its getting better.
Since when does a game this complex ship as a work of the almighty? By its very nature it is something that no amount of Beta testing is going to get right. I think ppl are being a bit hash. Neither wow nor guild wars shipped perfect.
Personally the only criteria for me is that I get a sense that the developers are listening and working hard to make a better game constantly, and I definitely get that sense from Mythic. Its when the updates STOP coming that I get worried.
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Merckx said on 8:55AM 12-04-2008
My biggest problem is that RVR is not that fun. Every single keep is the exact same, just more doors to break down.
1. break a door
2. rush first floor
3. rest and regroup
4. try to rush second floor and the keep lord.
(I say try because depending on how much defense there is it can be next to impossible due to collision detection on the stairs, everyone gets stuck while being AOE'ed to death)
-(higher levels, add step 1, 3 or 4 more times)
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MightyIdle said on 2:30PM 12-04-2008
I agree that the collision detection on the stairs needs to be thought about for the reason you stated.
It's also bad for the defenders as they can't hope to make it up the ramp to defend when a bunch of enemies are clogging the pipe, though I can see where that would be a realistic mechanic.
mikejl said on 9:38AM 12-04-2008
For me…. WAR has been fantastic and looking to get even better. I applaud Mythic’s effort, focus and patches.
/cheer
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JP said on 9:47AM 12-04-2008
You want my experience w/ the new client? I’ll be happy to explain. And for all that is holy, I hope to GOD Mythic is reading this…
I’ve been a loyal player for the 3 months of release. I’ve seen many great additions and changes, that were bigger deals to others then they were to me. I was still having lots of fun, even w/ some broken mechanics. The RvR aspect of the game (that I was sold on) was large scale, 100 v 100 player RvR. This is what I looked forward to more then anything.
Game changing events can happen as a faction progresses. The lakes and graphics I’ve felt were amazing, and I loved how the game was simplistic enough for most decent systems, yet gorgeous (no AoC, but still) for those of us w/ nice systems. I didn’t even balk at the gear grind that was implemented. While not my favorite, players w/ out the wards can still contribute.
Then, I finally get the awesomeness that is T4 RvR. My *first* server, Drifting Castle in the early days had a sizable Destruction force that was able to get to a fortress… only to have the server crash. Ok. No Biggie, I say. It’s early and they’ll improve it.
My *second* server (after a Xfer), Averhiem, had stormed Altdorf, and crashed the server prior to me transferring there. Then, Order organizes and makes our way through Chaos Wastes, and get to the fortress. The server crashes. I’m a little disappointed at this point, b/c all our effort to organize and get to the “meat and potatoes” of the game is for naught… again.
On my *third* server (after another Xfer), Ungrim the same thing happens. But this time, I’m pissed. It happened yesterday. ONE DAY AFTER Mythic says they’ve improved stability and the damn server crashes at the fortress. Not once. But twice.
I’m about to cancel the game. I’m a mostly reasonable person, but this game was touted as RvR action all day, all night. I’m playing when there are plenty of people to flip zones, and more then enough action, and what’s the issue? THEIR hardware.
Now, I love WAR’s concept. I have a blast in this game w/ PvP, and I personally enjoy the setting and lore a lot. But, for Pete’s sake, I’m not going to endure this much longer. The game revolves around ORvR, and it’s not working worth a dick. I’m pretty sure that if I see another “we’ve improved stability” and my specific server crashes again, I’m done. If they’ve worked on some servers, and not others, then Mark and the rest of his team need to get there asses on the forums and explain that trying to flip zones on this server or that server isn’t advised.
TL;DR - I guaran-damn-tee that I’ll drop this game if I’m told again that they “improved stability” only to have my server crash at a fortress the next day
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Neurose said on 10:14AM 12-04-2008
The lack of communication directly with the community is a major turn off for me. It seems like what things are going good you hear from the directors and community managers of the game 24/7. Then when things start to go south Mark Jacob and his cronies hide in the corner pretending there isn't a giant flame war afoot on nearly every warhammer message board and blog imaginable.
The momentum of launch was so strong that I didn't even think of anything that could possibly throw it off. But in reality broken ORvR has. If you haven't reached 40 yet you may not feel as if this game is in that bad of shape, but for most of us at 40 we are not too happy with our options to push foward.
There is some obvious fixes that need to be implemented soon or this game will go the way of a plaync title.
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Vincent Avatar said on 12:46PM 12-04-2008
One of the most dubious decisions made by Mythic was the decision to not have official forums. Need help with a class or have a problem? Better take your pick of under-frequented fansite forums and hope someone knows what they're talking about! Want to make a suggestion, or call attention to a problem (percieved or real)?
Tough shit. Post it on the fan forums, scrub. Who knows, maybe someone at Mythic got bored at work and will see it some day.
While I freely admit that the WoW forums can be and generally are a cesspool, they also build a community and provide a place for dev. feedback--Ghostcrawler, I'm looking at you!
Tyson Nielsen said on 1:28PM 12-04-2008
@14
Not really true - you aren't out of luck if you have a problem or suggestion for a class. You obviously haven't played WAR as you'd know thats all in-game.
Why not eliminate the lame trolls from commenting on crap when they don't even own the game, but provide a place that everyone can give their feedback with ease?
I have used the in-game feedback several times - it's much easier than going on a forum and bitching! I love it~
MightyIdle said on 2:20PM 12-04-2008
I think no official forums was the smartest thing they ever did. Surfing the WoW forums was a suicide inducing experience. Surfing through the waves of flaming, trolling, fighting, and backbiting just to find a nugget of information was enough to make you slash your wrists. An innocent person searching for help was an instant target for the murder trolls.
The only people who enjoyed the WoW forums were the ones who got their jollies tormenting others and showing their collective asses.
JP said on 3:16PM 12-04-2008
yep. no official forums will be the standard, I think.
1) It allows them to allocate the money they'd spend on mods & software, on other things.
2) They can let fansite's people mod (or not) their posters, and the community team just has to float around, picking and choosing where to comment. Instead of sifting through thread after thread of trash and playing "disciplinarian".
I'm more of a fan of no official forums.
chriskovo said on 3:09PM 12-04-2008
Seems like there are alot of negative nanceys on today. Dont know why they are bitching so much but so far i like this game even with the lag i have been getting. I havent topped any characters but i have been playing with 3 differnt classes from the 31 to 20s ranges and its a blast. Also thouse complainging about the crashes i remember burning crusade crashing like every hour the first week. The war staff seems to be far more responsive to people and to problems with the game then wow ever was. So honestly quit your whinning if you dont like the game and skip the articles on this site about war.
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