A Quest for the Legal Identity of MMORPGs

While the fact that MMORPGs (Massively Multi-player Online Role-playing Games), played online by thousands of users simultaneously, are light-years away from single-user CRPGs (Computer Role-Playing Games) is well recognized, surprisingly however, they are lumped together with traditional, developer-centered computer games.

Authentication Failure and other connections issues

Several user are receiving an Authentication Failure error when logging into the game. This error can be caused for several reasons and has different solutions for each cause. Please read through this thread and follow the instructions to attempt to fix this error.

No Desktop Icon in Vista

If you are running Vista and are not getting an icon created on your desktop, this is normal and done on purpose. The icon is instead placed inside of your Games Explorer section. This can be accessed by opening the Start menu and clicking on the Games section. Then you can manually place it on your desktop. Microsoft requires that all Games for Windows games on Vista not make a desktop icon and instead place it in the Games explorer section.

Patcher issues

Make sure you do not have Conan running in the background. In order to do this you can look in your Windows Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Alt + Delete. Click on the Process tab and end any processes named AgeofConan.exe or ConanPatcher.exe.

Patcher loop

If the Patcher keeps wanting to download the same small patch over and over again, you can fix this by opening up your Windows Task Manager and killing the AgeofConan.exe or ConanPatcher.exe process. Also you can fix it by restarting your computer and then running the ConanPatcher.exe again.

Do NPCs and/or players show up as 'Unknown?'

When you load into the game or change areas, you may still have to wait a second or two for everything to fully load in. Whenever you start in an area, that area is fully loading into your client and even though you may be able to target something and not see it, it doesn't mean anything bad is going on. If you give it a moment, everything will fully load in.

How do I take screenshots?

To take a screenshot in Age of Conan, you simply need to position yourself for the shot you wish to take and push F11.

MMORPGs: a study

According to a market research firm study conducted by Parks Associates, in order to keep the MMORPG realm thriving, more free games will be needed. Why? Not enough people are willing to pay a monthly fee to participate in the virtual worlds.

MMORPGs: does size matter?

A lot of gamers were rather disappointed when EA Mythic announced that they were cutting four cities from Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning in order to make the deadline. However, it makes one wonder if this was a good move on their part.

MMORPGs Should Be Done at Release

MMORPGs should be done at release. I simply do not understand where people picked up the notion that simply because MMORPGs are ever evolving and changing worlds that they can be underdeveloped and unfinished.