As a new player, I was curious... how much longer do you think L2 will be widely played? Also, what is the server population like right now? I've seen the 14M stats, but obviously thats not representative of the current player base.
If history is any indication along with the press releases by NcSoft, at least another 4 years (2 updates per year) and then another 2 - 4 years after it goes on auto drive with maybe another 2 - 4 years as the hard core leave.
So maybe 12 years or so, all things being equal.
I am assuming this from Lin1 and watching it die now. They are keeping it up and going, but there are talks now about combining servers since the populating here in the states is waning...
I hate to say this but we have to include the political situation in the Korean Peninsula. If the nukes start flying then L2 could end prematurely. After that L2 will be the least of our worries.
As long as L2 continues to dominate in the graphics field and in the simplicity of play, I'd wager they'll be around for a long time. Newer games may have good graphics, but they usually have alot of game mechanics that means you have to have the dexterity of a chigger monkey to play the game. L2 is just point and click. If the game had any real content instead of just being a virtual sandbox it would be nigh unstoppable.
If history is any indication along with the press releases by NcSoft, at least another 4 years (2 updates per year) and then another 2 - 4 years after it goes on auto drive with maybe another 2 - 4 years as the hard core leave.
So maybe 12 years or so, all things being equal.
I am assuming this from Lin1 and watching it die now. They are keeping it up and going, but there are talks now about combining servers since the populating here in the states is waning...
People have suggested this, only because the world has grown at a faster pace than the server population.
I hate to say this but we have to include the political situation in the Korean Peninsula. If the nukes start flying then L2 could end prematurely. After that L2 will be the least of our worries.
I doubt that will have any measure on gameplay. Though on new updates, yes.
The problem is this game does not appeal to the NA gamer unless they abuse the rules (ebay/pwrlvl/bot) and even then there is not enough population on any of the servers to enjoy even the best parts of this game (sieges/clan wars).
Hero skills have destroyed this. Last weekend had the best siege and PVP stuff I've ever seen on the servers.
Also, as for your clan war problem, join a good clan. :p
As a new player, I was curious... how much longer do you think L2 will be widely played? Also, what is the server population like right now? I've seen the 14M stats, but obviously thats not representative of the current player base.
I live in Sweden and I can say for a fact that NCSoft did a bad job advertising atleast in Sweden. L2 is an epic game, the best I ever played. L2 deserves space in Swedish gaming magazines and the game will be around as long as the superb Korean devs want it to be around.
L2 is pretty much a never ending story.