You’ve scoured the websites reading forum after forum. You may have even broken down and bought both games just to see which is better. So after all the debate, the heated arguments, the powerlevelling, and the dyed clothing a winner has finally emerged………

You!

It’s not the classic chicken and egg argument. Asheron’s Call definitely came first, but then Dark Age of Camelot appeared and it was an egg sired by AC, and UO, AO, and EQ, and a plethora of other acronyms that came before it. So what happens when you get to make a product based upon the successes and failures of your predecessors? Well, you get a better game of course. But what does DAOC really have going for it other than being the new kid on the block?

Mythic has figured out that the gamers want an input and they want to be heard. Mythic specifically employs Internet relations personnel to scour the DAOC related websites and forums and to make sure that we feel as though are ideas are being heard and to make sure that nasty rumors about Mythic and DAOC are quickly quelled.

Mythic has nothing to do with Microsoft. For some reason many of the online gamers have a problem with a game that is in any way related to the monopolistic practices of the software giant and have decided to show their contempt in their choice of venue. The sentiment is definitely understood, but the only loser really is the gamer. MS isn’t hurting for funding and AC has stood as a great escape from EQ for the past 3 years.

Grouping in EQ was necessary. Grouping in DAOC is fun. Now there are arguments, of course, about which realms in DAOC may have the more balanced characters and better grouping capabilities, but it comes down to the amazing fact that we actually seek to involve ourselves with others online. AC being most of the solo players hunting grounds for the past few years, many of those converting to DAOC are finding a renewed sense of enjoyment in online gaming.

Finally, all of this means DAOC wins, right? Well, no. It means AC2, City of Heroes, Neverwinter Nights, and all those who want to play, design, or build these massively multiplayer online games win. DAOC may be on top in the US right now as far as pure excitement about its improvements over EQ and AC, but only companies that truly listen to the desires of us gamers and those that can capture the passion, excitement, and addiction we have to these games will ever succeed in the long run.

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