Fallen Earth fan: "Don't play Fallen Earth"
by Eliot Lefebvre 
Oct 18th 2009 at 5:00PM
Filed under: Sci-fi, Fallen Earth, New titles, Opinion
You should most definitely not be playing Fallen Earth. How can you tell? Why, because Bio Break recently posted a long article explaining exactly why you shouldn't be playing it. And this isn't coming from a fan who's just disgruntled about a certain update or class rebalancing (though the latter would be pretty funny) -- it's from one of the game's most adamant fans who has no shortage of good things to say about the game. So why would he tell you not to play the game?
One of the best things a fan can have is perspective. In his piece, Syp outlines all of the reasons that most players, even if they've been enamoured of the game's press, might want to use extreme caution stepping into Fallen Earth for the first time. Technical problems such as the server instability issues, of course, are likely to be improved -- but the game's unforgiving character-building system, its dwarfing sense of scale when the players get started, and the survivalist attitude that the game tacitly enforces are all part of the charm of the game. Of course, he's not suggesting that the game is bad -- but giving everyone a much-needed dose of perspective on a game that's really not well-suited to everyone.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Temko said on 5:34PM 10-18-2009
i've said it during beta, i've said it when release was announced...
..this game was release at least 3 months to soon and more likely 6 months to early. lack of balance, performance and any coherent form of "end-game" or economy makes me wonder where they are taking it.
i het a AoC feel, but without the blatent lies.
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Lagwolf said on 5:41PM 10-18-2009
What Temko said...
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Graill said on 5:53PM 10-18-2009
I lasted about 1 week in the closed beta, closed minded devs that already had what they wanted, all the betas were nothing but stress tests that went badly. I had a lengthy discussion with a dev about the economy, no doubt from the game today it was filed and you can also see the result of advice thrown away, i imagine tens of folks had these discussions and they too were ignored.
The blogger covers several points,i want to cover one, economy in FE.
To have an economy, whether ingame or in real life, resources MUST be finite and seasonal, items must degrade and break or wear away to the point they are no longer useable. In an MMO along with the player run eceonomy there must be a game run or computer controlled model to compliment the player run model. This keeps asshats from trying to corner the market in something you are supposed to be enjoying, leaving the game with only the D type assholes thinking they run the game. The computer run model (supposedly managed by devs with common sense) will be the relief valve, players can still profit on the player run model, they just wont be able to become Bernies.
Everyone being able to craft anything is fine, not everyone will want to do that, as people are naturally lazy in most cases, and this attitude, built into the nature of humans will assist the player run model and does in some of the smaller MMO's like EVE for example.
We can see from the hundreds, if not thousands of posts still on the beta forum (if not wiped) giving great ideas to how the economy should be ran, the devs did not listen, why? Because the devs already had what they wanted implemented and they wouldnt change it, as they did with most aspects of the game and now they are paying for it (grin).
Good blog read by the way.
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burdenday said on 5:57PM 10-18-2009
I'm not sure if the previous posters played EverQuest when it first came out, but after having played Fallen Earth since its release, the two games have a very similar feel to them for me.
Namely, many of the original zones in EverQuest (EK, SK, NK, WK) were epic in size, the economy was run completely in the East Commons tunnel, and the end game originally consisted of one or two end-game zones with mostly group content.
Reading the actual article on Bio Break, there is a definite sense of promise in the game.
Was it released too early? Probably... but as an entirely different take on the MMO genre, I think it arrived at the right time and will bloom instead of bust.
We'll see if time proves me right.
-Joe
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HouseDecados said on 5:59PM 10-18-2009
I can't believe that massively actually linked to this article.
Where were all of the links to articles that were critical of how Champions Offline was doing when it launched?
I guess that would have required them to stop fellating Bill Roper for a minute.
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Scarecrowe said on 6:09PM 10-18-2009
Whether I agree with it or not, your last sentence made me spit coke on my monitor!
Tristik said on 7:15PM 10-18-2009
They didn't have to, all the people that played it posted harsh comments on most of the articles about the game. :P
Shawn Schuster said on 8:09PM 10-18-2009
This is my favorite part about being an MMO blogger. When you love a game, it's obviously because you're being paid or offered imaginary sexual favors by that game's devs. When you hate the game, it's because you're obviously being paid or offered sexual favors by *another* dev. It's like being a rockstar!
I'm so flattered that you all see us as rockstars.
maika said on 9:48PM 10-18-2009
everyone blogger and you-tuber is a rock star these days. It's not flattering, it just means that rock stars are getting lame.
Just like when the monarchy began to dole out peerage titles like candy. It just cheapens the title, it's not really a symbol of respect.
Humorous last-sentence aside, however, House's reply was a little strong. Fact is, many massively people probably liked Champions better. They are people, after all. Can't remove bias 100%. Besides, I recall casual mention of problems at launch. *shrugs* Frankly it's a lot easier to get excited about a shiny superhero game, than a depression post-apocalyptic game.
ScytheNoire said on 9:59PM 10-18-2009
Massively, in general, kisses the butt of most of the gaming companies out there. So I am kinda surprised they would post this, because they usually avoid posting the truth about how bad many released games are.
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ethereal.wolf said on 10:22PM 10-18-2009
I've noticed in the last few weeks they're getting a little more objective with the state of mmos in general. Maybe they're trying to remake their image.
snowleopard233 said on 10:41PM 10-18-2009
I enjoyed them posting something like this. It kind of shows what everyone means by a "niche" mmo. Fallen Earth somewhat of an arduous experience, which seeks to simulate that very feeling of living in a world without any of the luxuries we take for granted. It's a genuine and well thought goal but its not necessarily one many gamers seek to envelope themselves in. Therefore, its important to be honest about what the game is. Saying "best mmo out there" is a subjective and useless concept. Telling us who its best for is much more helpful.
dargondarkfire said on 12:53AM 10-19-2009
well i can tell theres people who are mad, but theres to much bashing.
the article states theres nothing that bound to the person who wears it so it can be sold back to players forever. this is not true, once you start getting into trade skill made equipment of 75+ alot of it becomes bind on equip.
yes the game was probably was released to soon, however you must also look into the fact that many people anymore are looking for 2 things in games 1# graphics, i have seen people proclaim a game to be garbage just because of its graphics look like something from a ps1 or ps2 or n64.
2# there are many people who believe when a game is released that it should have no bugs, glitches, or problems at all and all content should be available at launch.
as for end game, i can't stand raids, they take hours and very few people get rewards from them. with the way the game works currently and with the way the devs do things I don't think they plan for actual raids.
I belive it will be just a organized massive grouping system for large dungeos with large groups of mobs or faction/guild wars.
the only thing id like devs to do is:
1. reduce the crosshair size and the chance to miss as shooting something at close range and missing is very anoying.
2. fix the broken quests.
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Lok1 said on 9:42AM 10-19-2009
The guy must be high on something. He says the player is left clueless... but i saw at once the quest givers, so you're babysitted, as with all the OTHER wow clones.
even if there's something slightly different(the territory battles maybe) and few measly details, they're absolutely crushed by how paramount the quest system is.
In the end it's always about farming quests, kill rats, put points in the skills window. It's always the same game, imo.
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Diaz said on 3:40PM 10-19-2009
Seriously, are you playing FE?
When you step out of the pod FE leaves you totally clueless. Sure there are quest givers but if you want to.. say make ammo for your zip gun there is nothing there to tell you how. There isn't even an ammo book at the ballistics trainer. FE is the most unforgiving title I have seen (and that's a good thing).
Jaiyeson said on 11:10PM 10-19-2009
I haven't tried this game nor do I plan to since they do one paticular thing I hate. Force you to stick with your talent choices you made at low levels and were still learning the game. I think that is lame and a cheap way of trying to force you to replay/subcribe longer to the game. As you have to roll a new toon to attempt to get things right etc.
I am just going to kick back. Wait for Dragon's Age Origins to come out and play that and a few other games till Star Wars MMO comes out.
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Brawler said on 6:43PM 10-19-2009
When you step out of FE you are clueless... BUT don't give up. You don't have any quests besides "go to another city when you're a higher level". Just accept a few quests and... in an hour, you will be cooking with gas (probably literally). This game is NOT THAT complicated... Sure, it's above WoW or GW, but nowhere near as overwhelming with stats and numbers as Eve is... Fallen Earth actually is pretty simple, the crafting system is pretty self explanitory and if you have a question, you have help chat opened at the start of the game and the mods/people there are REALLY helpful. I just started 2 days ago and I'm now lvl 8, have a nice horse, crafting like a beast, and I now have a full set of clothes that isn't the starter jumpsuit.
Whatever you do... BEFORE you start playing the game, look up what class you want to make (Massively has a nice posts detailing a bunch of different formats) and read Bio Break's (the guy who is telling you not to play) 20 tips.
His comments on endgame are confusing at bests... he's lvl 13 and he's worrying about what life will be like at level 45. The game is out, that was the developer's first task and honestly, did WoW have endgame when it first game out? No, they built it up as everyone finally started hitting 60.
Sure, server stability is bad once a week but they are working on it. Besides, it'll give you an excuse to go to the forums and meet the community. FE is not a bad game, far from it and if you like STALKER and want an MMO version of that, come check it out.
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Jaiyeson said on 11:10PM 10-19-2009
MMO's no longer get the "did WoW have end game content when it first came out " excuse. WoW is getting close to its 6th year mark. New MMOs dont get to act like, who would have known they would want some kind of end content or thats what alot of players would expect etc.
Also people shouldnt have to look up a bunch of BS online in order to make a character in game. It should be a natural progression with the game setting you up for success untill you get the gist of it. When you make it to end game if you really want to stand out amongst your peers then thats when researching and data crunching etc should come in. But not when your lv 15.
Lastly End game is where the majority of players will spend their time in an MMO. So telling a lv 13 guy not to worry about end game when he cant respec in kinda BS.
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Brawler said on 2:37AM 10-20-2009
I know you aren't playing FE, so you're analysis in relating how the endgame "should" work out doesn't matter aka isn't relevant. Crafting your own items is half the game, takes up half the time, and leveling takes days... not hours, and yes, I'm talking about life in the single digits. Months, and I'm talking January at the earliest, when we're still crafting our asses off and wondering what we're working for, then we can talk but I can betcha the devs have the later sectors all planned out for endgames sake (and you're like, what's a sector? LOL).
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jawbox said on 8:49AM 10-20-2009
Syp writes a freaking article like this with every new game. It's nothing but a scam to get attention and traffic. Clever, but I'm not buying the BS.
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