This was my very first MMO. This is what started the obsession. I played this for many years before World of Warcraft finally pulled me away from it. This game is now dead, but I have very fond memories of not only the people I knew that played it with me, but also the time spent in this game.

This game will always hold a piece of my heart, even though it is gone now. I will always treasure the memories I have of this game, and the people I knew through it.

The Game:

Originally released in November, 1999, this was the third major MMORPG to be released (after Ultima Online and EverQuest). I had heard about the game when it was in development over the summer before, and had played a little bit in beta. The game was set in a heroic fantasy world, where you could choose to be a character from one of six races, and decide what skills you would pursue. Unlike many (most?) MMORPGs, these skill choices were not either limited by class distinctions or locked once they were chosen – you were free to be whatever you wanted to be, and yes, even “mess up” your character as much as you wanted. There was a robust allegiance/patronage system, and you were linked not only to your immediate superior, but to anyone pledged to you (below you) as well. Experience could even be passed along these links.

The game had “lifestones” that you attuned yourself to, and portals all over the place that you could use to travel around a huge, open game world, finding towns and dungeons alike. There were many types of monsters, and a colorful, vibrant world that even included customizable houses and dye-able armor. Beyond that, there was a diverse questing system, and every month, the game story was updated/progressed. Some months the Devs even brought “god” or monster characters into the world and played them themselves. It was a really fun addition to the game, and the ever-changing story kept players invested in the game and it’s world.

Unfortunately, in 2017, despite community protests and people attempting the buy the IP (intellectual property), the game was closed for good. And that .. was the end of the story. At one point, they did attempt an Asheron’s Call 2, but it didn’t do well, and the first one is the one who endured.

My Thoughts:

I didn’t leave this game until World of Warcraft came out. I did attempt to come back to it years later, but – without the people that made it the safe, fun place I remembered, it just wasn’t the same, and ultimately, I went back to WoW. But, as I said in the introduction, this is not a game I will forget. Ever.