Since I’ve pretty much given up on PvP in SWG, gave up EQ long ago (and would rather pull my eyes out and stomp on them than sit around waiting for a raid to begin), and I don’t feel like running winky dinky missions in CoH, I’m spending a lot of time looking at game release calendars.
I understand why game developers want to release their new! and improved! stuff just before Christmas, but that sure is hell on the rest of us that are weary of the same old, same old.
Incoming!! (as always, game release dates subject to changing whims)
August 3 – Doom3. Not an online game, but it’s Doom. AT LAST!! And I can get an action figure with the box too. Can’t say enough good things about an included action figure.
September 13 – EverQuest expansion: Omens of War. Who cares. But it’s cute that they think I do.
September 21 – Final Fantasy XI: Chains of Promathia expansion. w/e. I’m not a fan, I’d have to get pretty desperate to buy this and crack open the box.
October 11 – The Matrix Online. Again, being desperate might loosen my wallet. As many have written before, I just don’t see this as being a viable storyline for an enduring MMOG. Hope they prove me wrong. (ya, right.)
Armageddon – November 15 – No small coincidence that World of Warcraft and EverQuest II are currently scheduled to go live on the same day. WoW is a must buy & try and, if my interest flags, I’ll scoop up EQII to torture net noobs. If I hear even ONE COMMENT that EQII is too catassy, I’m out.
February 7, 2005 – GuildWars. I got to take this bad boy out for a spin during E3’s free trial and I liked what I saw. Didn’t spend too much time with it, but I like the fluidity of professions and the group PvP emphasis. (please o please, don’t screw this one up…)
February 15, 2005 – Middle Earth Online. I’m on the fence about this one. The genre is obviously broad enough to support a MMOG (Hail, EverQuest!), but it would be so easy to fuck this one over. I’ll be on the fence eavesdropping.
Shit, August to mid-November sure is a long time. Here’s hoping Doom3 has some unprecedented replayability as I fear the consequences.
Could I get desperate enough to return to EQ? God, I hope I never have to find out.