I’ll add a few words.
#1: Is there still an incredible grind?
It’s only a grind if you make so… there is no reason to rush in this sandbox, so the grind is what you make of it. With the double XP for sub accounts there practically isn’t any. I’ve been here for seven (give or take a few months out of game) and only have one master. So the grind can only get to you if you let it be the only thing you do in game. Fortunately there is plenty to do so is not easy to get bored doing the same thing over and over. Just don’t expect to reach master levels in a week.
The mainland is nothing like Silan – what you find in Silan is the basic tools to get you familiar with the game. The mainland is the real game! Joining a guild, making friends, asking for team will make playing much more fun in the mainland. Read the guild listing and try and find a guild that shares your game style, team with members, and see if they are the fit for you. There are plenty of good guilds, old and new, and every one of them enjoys helping new players learn to play Ryzom.
#2: How many people are still playing?
With the server merge I find the world more populated. Granted not everyone speak the same language, but I think that adds to game positively. There are channels for each language and help is always available if only with words of encouragement if you feel stuck. There are some hours in the day when it feels like you are the only one in world, but that depends on your time zone, and the world is quite large – so there may not be someone in your region but somewhere on Atys a homin is being chased by kitins, exploding a node, or brown-nosing the groomer at the stables – finding players to team with on your time zone is a plus, and the only way to do this is by being social.
#3: Is PvP still fun and useful?
You can have PvP 24/7 if you want it you just need to flag up. Work your fame, join a cult and join a civ, and smack that PvP button ON and you will have a KOS macro with your name before you can say WTF! There are zones dedicated to PvP, these zones are max level areas, with the meanest agro, and the sweetest materials in game. You don’t go down there for a stroll in the park, you go there to fight or survive. Just don’t complain if you are PvP active and get killed. I hate when players complain of getting killed when in PvP zones or flagged, just as much as I hate guilds owning OP and then complaining when their OP gets attacked or taken away. If you are flagged or in a PvP zone expect to die, and if you own PvP content expect to fight for it.
There are good and bad apples on both sides of the coin, so if you have a bad encounter that is clearly against the TOS you report it – don’t complain in Uni channel about it. PvP guilds/PvP players enjoy PvP zones and PvP content, if you don’t want to be part of that then stay away from it. Very simple!
#4: Is the economy healthy and a functional part of the game?
Hahahaha! Hahaha! Haha! Ha! Aaaargh!
#5: How is the end game?
What end game? It never ends; it continues and continues, like a long stem that keeps expanding and sprouting new tendrils.
CU in the rootball
Trixie ~
#1: Is there still an incredible grind?
It’s only a grind if you make so… there is no reason to rush in this sandbox, so the grind is what you make of it. With the double XP for sub accounts there practically isn’t any. I’ve been here for seven (give or take a few months out of game) and only have one master. So the grind can only get to you if you let it be the only thing you do in game. Fortunately there is plenty to do so is not easy to get bored doing the same thing over and over. Just don’t expect to reach master levels in a week.
The mainland is nothing like Silan – what you find in Silan is the basic tools to get you familiar with the game. The mainland is the real game! Joining a guild, making friends, asking for team will make playing much more fun in the mainland. Read the guild listing and try and find a guild that shares your game style, team with members, and see if they are the fit for you. There are plenty of good guilds, old and new, and every one of them enjoys helping new players learn to play Ryzom.
#2: How many people are still playing?
With the server merge I find the world more populated. Granted not everyone speak the same language, but I think that adds to game positively. There are channels for each language and help is always available if only with words of encouragement if you feel stuck. There are some hours in the day when it feels like you are the only one in world, but that depends on your time zone, and the world is quite large – so there may not be someone in your region but somewhere on Atys a homin is being chased by kitins, exploding a node, or brown-nosing the groomer at the stables – finding players to team with on your time zone is a plus, and the only way to do this is by being social.
#3: Is PvP still fun and useful?
You can have PvP 24/7 if you want it you just need to flag up. Work your fame, join a cult and join a civ, and smack that PvP button ON and you will have a KOS macro with your name before you can say WTF! There are zones dedicated to PvP, these zones are max level areas, with the meanest agro, and the sweetest materials in game. You don’t go down there for a stroll in the park, you go there to fight or survive. Just don’t complain if you are PvP active and get killed. I hate when players complain of getting killed when in PvP zones or flagged, just as much as I hate guilds owning OP and then complaining when their OP gets attacked or taken away. If you are flagged or in a PvP zone expect to die, and if you own PvP content expect to fight for it.
There are good and bad apples on both sides of the coin, so if you have a bad encounter that is clearly against the TOS you report it – don’t complain in Uni channel about it. PvP guilds/PvP players enjoy PvP zones and PvP content, if you don’t want to be part of that then stay away from it. Very simple!
#4: Is the economy healthy and a functional part of the game?
Hahahaha! Hahaha! Haha! Ha! Aaaargh!
#5: How is the end game?
What end game? It never ends; it continues and continues, like a long stem that keeps expanding and sprouting new tendrils.
CU in the rootball
Trixie ~