I glanced at the lower shelf of my desk the other day and saw my unopened, still-in-the-shrinkwrap box of Age of Conan lying there. Collecting dust. I said “hmm…”
Openedge (can I ditch the “1” if I’m name-dropping?) suggested I download the new client rather than installing from DVD but I installed anyway. Patching up took less than 2 hours, so not bad overall.
I made a new Bear Shaman on Wiccana and… Holy Crap! Did the system requirements go up after launch? I could play Tech Beta no problem, but even on the absolute lowest settings of everything the framerate was too low to be playable. Looks like Hyborea will have to wait until fall when I update my system… Shame, too, because for some reason I was really looking forward to giving it a shot. I blame Openedge for that one too. 
I had forgotten how awesomely gorgeous AoC’s soundtrack is.
I guess I’d better start making a list of which AMD CPU’s and which videocards I’m interested in over the next couple months…
on 
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Ok I’ll bite:
“AMD CPU’s”
There is your problem
OMG dude…WTF are you running?
I have one system, a 2.4, with 2 gigs and a 3870 video card that can run this game at a steady 30+ FPS with peaks up to 50/60 (that would cost all of 200-300 bucks if built…lol)
Now I am scared to hear what you tried to run…DX10?…Intel graphics?
Anyways…wow, wish I would have know so I could tell you…”Just say no to 5+ year old hardware”
(I’m joking…but seriously…what did you think? What DO you have?)
@openedge1: Same system I played beta with — AMD X2 5200, 7950GT, 2GB. In beta (and first month of Testlive) it would run Tortage and the first few “real” zones on Medium just fine. I could switch to High for screenshots where it slowed to the point of being unplayable. Roughly where it’s at now at minimum settings. Perhaps DX10 somehow got enabled? I didn’t touch the DX10 page since I assumed the game would auto-detect that I was running a DX9 OS and card and just grey out all DX10 stuff.
@openedge1: By the way, I’m not giving up on AoC. It’s on my top priority list once I upgrade my system in a few months. Your articles have made all the difference and made me curious to check it out for real and maybe even see end-game.
Any server suggestions? I thought I’d heard (granted, last year) that Wiccana was good but I loaded onto the shore of Tortage where a conversation was already going on the global chat. The first line of text for me was “fuck off and go back to WoW” O.o
You good sir have found the “eval” global chat system. People purposely have come back to do one thing…deride the game on all fronts.
The game is 100% not like that…and please note…lets say someone goes into WoW and says AoC is a good game…what do you think the response will be?
We agree?? Naw
I have seen many people think that AoC is unique in this attitude on global… and it confuses me. If you don’t like it…global is easy to turn off..lol..
I usually do not have to…but since re-eval has taken place…mine is off in fear of being pulled into those discussions.
Good thing you are not reading their forum…some major stupid crap there.
As to your system, did you by chance upgrade your DX software? They made updates and you MUST have the latest DX as well as drivers due to enhancements to the game.
Also, that vid card is really not that good, and I am shocked you were able to run that…like I said, I have an ATI 3870 which is just one step up from the 7x series, and it runs a good 30fps…so, I am shocked if you got anything past 20.
Finally, an option to turn off shadows would do a world of good. (and PS:…no the 7x series cannot do DX10, so I know it was not on) and try not to run above 1280×1024…if that res even.
Good luck…and to upgrade for a low cost? get 2 more gigs and a ATI 4850
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102824
Cheers
@openedge1: Ya know, several months ago you wrote a few articles about the 4850 and almost had me willing to try my first ATI card ever. Then you wrote something else and said you picked up an Nvidia that worked where the ATI did not. Or something. So I’ll probably end up with the new Nvidia GTX280 or whatever it’s called.
I actually prefer global chat. At least in LOTRO, I enjoy the hell out of the Global LFF channel (which is an unofficial user channel that all servers have adopted). But that’s because the LOTRO playerbase isn’t the WoW playerbase and even when it degrades into normal gamerchat, it’s never offensive (to me). It was just strange popping into a game and immediately reading very hostile chat.
I actually have 2GB sitting on the table next to the desk but my motherboard didn’t like having it installed. I have a higher power motherboard (the Fata1ity one) in the closet I’ll probably use for the new system and will pop the extra 2GB in. Basically I just need to decide which CPU to get. Probably a 6400 or so, I haven’t really checked what’s out there in quite some time.
That is right. The ATI cards worked horribly with LCD TV screens. Scan for szie, etc, seems to not work as well. So, as long as you do not plan to plug into an LCD TV, you are good.
But, I also wanted a direct HDMI, so I just bought a new 4890 (arrives today) that has HDMI direct connection, which should eliminate this issue also,
Anyways, Bang for Buck, the 4x series is better than the 2x series of Nvidia…but, Nvidia is more…compatible.
So, your choice.
As to LOTRO chat, well, we have to look at the audience.
Older audience who want more RP = better Global (EQ2 is another example of flawless, awesome Global chat)
Also, keep in mind, no PvP ALWAYS equals better chat in my opinion. If the game has some sort of PvP, it seems to bring in the lunatics. Thus, AoC’s crowd..
And finally the free time allows those who hate on Funcom and AoC to start riots and make the game look bad as well…once that time is gone (for the retrials) the chat will get back to normal.
Anyways…add that 2 gigs to start, and good luck in the video card search!
Wait…you LIKE listening to GLFF? Never took you for the masochist type…
First, I need to make a big retraction! No idea what was happening that first day I installed AoC but I logged in today and it’s amazing — Set to high, shadows off, and I’m getting 40-80+ fps. So far I’m having fun with my Bear Shaman so for now I think I’ll keep the sub active since I don’t have any other subs at the moment.
@openedge: Ok, I ordered a slightly overclocked 4890 a couple days ago. First-ever ATI card so do I get to blame you if I’m not happy? hahaha
@Jason: GLFF on Arkenstone *usually* isn’t bad, but it has its moments. I don’t think it’s ever degraded even close to what you’d see in WoW though.
Heya…
Just came back to this post…and BTW? I ALSO got a 4890 a week ago..
WOW it so rocks…you will love it
Later!
Wait, is this the same AoC with DIKU mechanics?
I hope you have fun with it. Openedge does make a good evangelist. It’s still not my cup o’ tea, but I wish those who enjoy it well.
@Tesh: Yep, the one and the same with DIKU mechanics!
While I’m not all on board *any* DIKUMMO at the moment, my “Done With DIKU” was meant to say I was no longer jumping on the bandwagon for any future DIKUMMOs. Ones I already own, I don’t mind stopping by every so often. I imagine I’ll reinstall Vanguard at some point, assuming SOE keeps the servers going. Someday I can possibly even imagine revisiting Warhammer. But it needs to be awhile longer before I’ll even consider that. But something like Aion? No way am I paying for any more new boxes of games I’ve essentially already played.