The visuals are a matter of preference. Me, I hated looking like a cartoon in WoW, and I love the realism that Rift brings to the game. I find it's easier for me to get into my character's mindset when I look like an actual person and not Bugs Bunny's long-lost cousin. On a side note, If you're looking for color, you should go to (or look up screenshots of) Ember Isle; it's a very vibrant zone.
I also gotta disagree with your statement of a "good standard fantasy world." I think both the world of Rift and Trion themselves bring something unique to the table, with their dynamic world content and even adjusting the overall storyline of the game as raid groups take down the major bosses presented in instances. In my opinion, Rift is far more than a good workhorse.
But, that's just me. Rift fits exactly what I want out of an MMO, and I realize that my personal preferences are just that--mine.
There are many, many things that make Rift stand out from other MMO's, but for me it's the speed at which content is added, the lack of bugs, and the level to which the developers listen to their customer base. I realized I took some of this for granted, which came back to bite me as soon as I left to play another game (seriously...going to TOR and encountering bugs on an hourly basis was just so disappointing). Needless to say, I am back to Rift, and loving every minute of my playtime! I am never bored in this game, which is far more than I can say for any other MMO I've tried so far.
I would refer to this difference as 'immersion level.' When I'm not fully immersed in my character, I end up thinking about outside influences like convenience and efficiency of overall plot arcs. But if I'm fully immersed in my character, their personality, their logic, or their passions are dictating plot direction...not mine. And sometimes it ends up with me having a character I don't fully understand...but that's how three-dimensional characters develop. I'd take a high degree of immersion level over comprehension in my RP any day!
Hmm...apparently less-than and greater-than symbols don't show up in text. What that previous post was supposed to say was:
I'd like to know how the research group got their funding for this study...because I have several ideas involving (state obvious fact) that could be directly correlated to (insert common public dilemma).
I'd like to know how the research group got their funding for this study...because I have several ideas involving that could be directly correlated to .
I like that Rift is already looking to the future...they clearly intend to be around for the long haul. In my opinion, Rift is the game with the most polish, the most in-game content to do both solo and with groups, the largest flexibility with character appearances, the fastest content additions, and the highest level of listening to their customer base. That's why I keep subbing.
Those who are claiming an arbitrary success milestone of "1 million players = success" need to leave their parser-driven obsession in-game...the same concept doesn't work with real life business models. It really doesn't matter how many subscribers Rift has...if they are generating more money than they are spending, they have a successful product. When they launched, nobody thought that this little-known company could ever complete in the MMO industry. But they are still going strong at the 1-year mark, and looking to expand their business to new markets. I'd call that a success.
Heck, let's vote Trion in anyway. This kind of attention to what the people are saying has been lacking in government for awhile.
All sarcasm aside, I continue to be impressed with the speed and quality of content Trion continues to give their players. Most games give you one or the other, but not both.
I think you hit the nail on the head...people in Rift don't act like jerks yet, because nobody has a sense of entitlement yet. I'm really hoping it takes a long, long time to develop (though I'm not naive enough to hope for at timeline of "never"), but time will tell. In the meantime, I plan on enjoying my time sans-prima-donnas for as long as it'll last.
The MMO Report: Where the mobs raid you
Mar 2nd 2012 10:43AM (Massively)The visuals are a matter of preference. Me, I hated looking like a cartoon in WoW, and I love the realism that Rift brings to the game. I find it's easier for me to get into my character's mindset when I look like an actual person and not Bugs Bunny's long-lost cousin. On a side note, If you're looking for color, you should go to (or look up screenshots of) Ember Isle; it's a very vibrant zone.
I also gotta disagree with your statement of a "good standard fantasy world." I think both the world of Rift and Trion themselves bring something unique to the table, with their dynamic world content and even adjusting the overall storyline of the game as raid groups take down the major bosses presented in instances. In my opinion, Rift is far more than a good workhorse.
But, that's just me. Rift fits exactly what I want out of an MMO, and I realize that my personal preferences are just that--mine.
Enter at Your Own Rift: Looking back at RIFT's first year
Mar 1st 2012 8:59AM (Massively)Storyboard: Not in control
Feb 18th 2012 1:26PM (Massively)Online gaming linked with marital dissatisfaction
Feb 16th 2012 10:59AM (Massively)I'd like to know how the research group got their funding for this study...because I have several ideas involving (state obvious fact) that could be directly correlated to (insert common public dilemma).
Online gaming linked with marital dissatisfaction
Feb 16th 2012 10:57AM (Massively)Ask Massively: Continuing dental nightmare edition
Feb 16th 2012 10:54AM (Massively)Very punny. :P This made me giggle.
Leaderboard: Tanks vs. healers
Feb 13th 2012 2:06PM (Massively)When a healer does things right, they're 'just doing their job.'
Ergo, healers are the unsung heroes.
RIFT in China: 'Biggest game deal ever' for a Western MMO
Feb 9th 2012 11:52AM (Massively)Those who are claiming an arbitrary success milestone of "1 million players = success" need to leave their parser-driven obsession in-game...the same concept doesn't work with real life business models. It really doesn't matter how many subscribers Rift has...if they are generating more money than they are spending, they have a successful product. When they launched, nobody thought that this little-known company could ever complete in the MMO industry. But they are still going strong at the 1-year mark, and looking to expand their business to new markets. I'd call that a success.
RIFT's 1.7 patch filled with content, coming soon
Jan 24th 2012 4:05PM (Massively)Heck, let's vote Trion in anyway. This kind of attention to what the people are saying has been lacking in government for awhile.
All sarcasm aside, I continue to be impressed with the speed and quality of content Trion continues to give their players. Most games give you one or the other, but not both.
Breakfast Topic: Behavior unbecoming a player
Apr 29th 2011 5:04PM (WoW)I think you hit the nail on the head...people in Rift don't act like jerks yet, because nobody has a sense of entitlement yet. I'm really hoping it takes a long, long time to develop (though I'm not naive enough to hope for at timeline of "never"), but time will tell. In the meantime, I plan on enjoying my time sans-prima-donnas for as long as it'll last.