Warhammer Online Head Start Dates Announced

[GameBanshee News]

Mythic Entertainment sent out a short press release this morning announcing that their "Head Start" program for Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning will begin on September 14th.

Mythic Entertainment Announces Head Start Program Dates for Warhammer Online

Get ready for the worldwide WAAAGH! Mythic Entertainment announced today that North American players who have pre-ordered Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning will be able to get the jump on creating their characters and exploring the world when the game’s “Head Start” program begins on September 14th.

The “Head Start” program offers players early access to the game and a chance to join the Realm War before the servers officially go live on September 18th. Players that have pre-ordered the standard edition of the game will be granted “Head Start” access on Tuesday, September 16th at 7am EDT. The lucky fans who pre-ordered the Collector’s Edition will be able to log in even earlier and begin play on Sunday, September 14th at 7am EDT.

Whether players choose to join the fight as an incendiary Bright Wizard or a shadowy Witch Elf, the characters they create during the “Head Start” program will carry over their skills, abilities, weapons and career rank into the game when the servers officially open to the general public on the Day of Reckoning – September 18th.

Based on Games Workshop's epic tabletop fantasy war game, Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning features revolutionary Realm vs. Realm game play that will immerse players in a world of perpetual conflict for years to come. Available for PC, WAR is rated “T” for Teen by the ESRB.

For more information, visit http://www.warhammeronline.com.

[Xandax]

Yeah - if GOA doesn't mess it up again for Europe

[Brother None]

Heh. I wouldn't count on it. :P

Man it sure is a mess, isn't it?

[Xandax]

I am seriously appalled at how GOA can mismanage this project and "get away with it".
From any aspect it is either incompetence or terrible planning, on top of arrogant and smug "community management". Some of the statements from the company in the days up to the Open Beta phase, and in the few days after are simply staggering.
I knew GOA from my days in DAoC, but I'm still very appalled by it all, I truly lack words.
I'm lucky I was in closed beta, because now - 4 days into Open Beta, my key for this phase isn't validated yet. And there are no word about when we can register keys for head start which is about 4 days away as well

I advice anybody who're interested in Warhammer to avoid the EU servers at all cost if they have a choice. I'm very close to canceling my own collectors edition preorder simply because I can't justify giving money to a company like this.

[Brother None]

Them outright called Rock, Paper, Shotgun liars was amusing to say the least, considering how well-respected the journalists working for that blog are - not to mention that it turned out they were telling the truth.

I dunno, the interest in GOA's many mistakes seems very low-key. Not sure why. Maybe because a lot is unclear? Maybe people are still hoping for a good launch day from them?

[Xandax]

Originally Posted by Brother None

Them outright called Rock, Paper, Shotgun liars was amusing to say the least, considering how well-respected the journalists working for that blog are - not to mention that it turned out they were telling the truth.

I dunno, the interest in GOA's many mistakes seems very low-key. Not sure why. Maybe because a lot is unclear? Maybe people are still hoping for a good launch day from them?

I've thought about writing a piece myself, but I'm far from endowed with journalistic skills outside writing about technical stuff (and even then... ), simply because - in my book - it is textbook example (from a gamer perspective, which experience in project planning and development) in poor planning and poor execution. The entire pre-launch phase have been shrouded in what seems like incompetence from GOA, with many people crying fire but being dismissed by either GOA or Mythic.

Unfortunately - in the MMO business most people have "short memories", so if they can get to play - even 3-4+ days too late, they quickly seem to forget.
It takes something large to break the game for people and then they remember forever, but these "minor" glitches and incompetent service is quickly forgotten.

Also because this phase is only Open Beta, and despite many people having paid for access (some which haven't got access yet), many people are appologetic for GOA with "it is only beta" - except people aren't beta testing the game - and "other MMOS have problems too" - however Mythic themselves have not had the same problems on their side of the pond.

I am very appalled.
And now head start is coming this Sunday - and GOA looks very much to be in trouble due to how last Sunday and pre-launch went.