AQ2D 2023 Insight!

[IfOnlyYouKnew]

https://aq2d.com/posts/aqwu_2023/
The new game platform is on its way, and the AE team seems to be managing it fine and giving us pleasant insights! Thanks AE! I guess I'll have to start thinking more outside the box.

[[MPGH]meme]

I'm not holding my breath. While I think they have no choice but to actually finish this time (unlike the server rewrite), I don't have any confidence in them to get it done right. They seem to be already wasting time on pointless shit before the game is even playable. I'm probably just jaded, but the amount of times we have been told a feature or change was coming only for it to never be released is beyond the joke at this point.

I don't know if it's just me, but seeing Artix walk side to side in BattleOn Spawn once a month doesn't seem like much progress. Obviously I know there can be development behind the scenes that can't be visualised, but when there is functionality discussed in this update that could easily be shown (if it is truly at the development stage they claim), I become sceptical when it is not displayed in any capacity.

I also concerned about the art style, now this is more of a personal preference, but I'll bring it up anyway since I think it's worth talking about. AQW has become a complete mess of different art styles, themes and tone, with anything ranging from intentionally stupid poorly drawn comedy items to highly detailed works of art. I think there is just a complete disconnect from the game when nothing meshes together. I'm not sure what the plan is regarding art replacement, but given they have already changed the Draconians which are some of the most well known monsters from the early days of the game, it seems they are at least aiming to update most things. I am worried that replacing all of the original artwork will drop the nostalgia factor for this game, which I think we can fairly safely say is carrying a fair amount of the load for AQW at least. I just think there's a good chance we end up with a similar situation to Runescape where the majority of players still prefer the old school game.

I've rambled long enough, I just hope they make the right choices and we don't see another opportunity pissed away. At least they aren't asking for a shitload of donations in return for some cosmetics this time, although that does at least hold them accountable for putting out a completed game.