The first month has most definitely been a challenge for Sandbox Interactive as a company, as a developer. The criminal activity of some groups in where stolen credit card information has seen the launch of a series of DDoS attacks that has all but crippled the game.
As we wrap up the first week of Albion Online, we faced a couple of setbacks in our plan due to the poor launch that SBI had but we’re now on an upswing from those setbacks. On day 1, SBI had a terrible launch that left a lot of people in the dark — literally! Black screens of death were everywhere and folks could not zone from one area to the next without hitting the “dark” end of that issue. Myself included. The original plan was to have me head straight to Caerleon to secure plots as I had the most accumulated gold of all of us — well over 500k. The backup plan was to have Eckhart head straight to Bridgewatch (a town we were the most familiar with from the last beta test) and secure plots there ASAP. If we got our plots in Caerleon, the plan was to sell the plots in Bridgewatch for 1 mil each right away. That plan worked brilliantly except for ONE BIG ISSUE — I did not get credited all the gold I was due once the server reset. I only got 114k and I didn’t even get my LPs. Another issue that prevented us from getting the plots we wanted was the lag and black screens — once I got to Caerleon the lag of selling gold there was almost at a dead stop. We made the executive decision to just stick with Bridgewatch since Eckhart managed to secure those plots. The good news was, we got 14 plots secured. So off I went to start setting up our shops.
A quick announcement for all concerned:
We will be running our own alliance, as primary alliance administrators. At first we will just be by ourselves or perhaps with some of our old allies, as alliances cost 250,000 silver to create, and then will only be adding guilds that can adhere to our Alliance Charter and Alliance Rules. Collectively working together by identifying guild strengths and weaknesses so that we can more cohesively push forward our goals will be the best way that we can ally together against the bigger, zergier, guilds.
In our time for Beta 1 and Beta 2, we ran the Rest in Pieces [RIP] alliance pretty fantastically until we died off due to the usual “beta burnout” in both those betas. This beta we decided to try to once again join our old friends, the Undead Lords, in their alliance Exodia. I feel I did my very best this beta to keep the allies together, keep up all the stations for allies to use after they were transferred to me, tried my earnest to defend the city of Caerleon (successfully three times over – held it for 1.5 months!)
We are so excited to be finally nearing the release of the long-awaited PvP-centric MMO, Albion Online. The early-access release for all Legendary packs is set to be on July 17th, probably early in the morning (no time has officially been confirmed yet so stay tuned!), and then for Epic packs on July 18th. All Veteran packs and new players will be welcomed on July 19th. I cannot stress how important early release is in this game. In two days you could be light-years ahead of everyone else. So I do recommend, if you financially can, an upgrade to the Legendary pack. If you cannot afford them, remember that our guild will do our best to ensure you catch up within the first two weeks.
Wanted to pop by and give an update for TLP-BDO since it’s been a few months. LOTS has changed…the TLP-BDO of today is nothing like the TLP-BDO of yesterday lol.
The biggest change is that we sort of organically grew out of our casual focus at the end of the last year. Things have been picking up incredibly fast since then (as I’m sure you’ve seen if you’ve dropped by during a war with 50 people in Discord at once).
This stuff wasn’t really a conscious choice, but more of a response to how the guild was naturally developing and what the game demands. Biggest thing is that with the way BDO is right now, we can’t survive without PVP forces…hence a lot of the changes.
Come one, come all, to the Gold Saucer! Step right up for a chance to earn MGP like never before. For a limited time only, rewards for all attractions including GATEs, minigames, and the Cactpot have been increased by 50%! We’ve also procured a selection of tantalizing prizes for this special occasion, so be sure to drop by and partake in this celebration of revelry and riches!
Once again our guild comes together to defend the city of Caerleon against incoming attacks. This time The Abyss came fully prepped and ready to rumble and it was an amazing fight! Mad props to them for a valiant effort. This is OUR strong suit though, no one really to blame there. We were BORN to do large scale PvP with massive experience in not online Ultima Online, EverQuest, Shadowbane, Dark Age of Camelot, Warhammer, World of Warcraft, and more, but also we’ve been in this game, committed to it, since Alpha 2. Having said that, however… Abyss hit us hard! They had the demon shot/meteor/mace root combo on lock down and that shit really killed the heck out of our main raid team several times over. I certainly will be looking to duplicate that shit next time!
In almost all of our previous chapters for MMO games, including UO, DAOC, Rift, and WoW, we’ve been asked to be part of the Developers Round Table. Usually these have been very specific invites, exclusive for certain pilars of the gaming community, but Albion Online has recently decided to add in all the top GMs of the most active guilds to the discussions. This is really good in my opinion! The more perspectives we have the better.
As a result of this addition, I am re-launching our “Submit Your Feedback” program. You will need to be registered on this site to do so, but you can submit your feedback and suggestions below. This form will be exported and delivered to the developers at our Round Table discussions. Not everything that you submit here will be addressed or implemented, but some of it might be. As we have done before, and as a partner with Amazon, those that submit concrete, detailed suggestions and those suggestions get implemented into the game will receive a $25 Amazon Gift Card from The Last Prophecy Gaming, Inc.
We really appreciate your involvement in this program.
Thanks,
<3 Dani
It makes me a proud to be the Guild Master of TLP-FFXIV as I announce that we have crossed another milestone in the history of our chapter. On the 25th of this month of April, our Free Company shall complete its second year of establishment. I take this occasion to thank members and friends for being a part of this journey.
What began as a small dream of two people has risen up to stand tall amongst the Free Companies on Faerie, a great establishment of The Last Prophecy. Our chapter has countless achievements and accomplishments, especially from this last year in which we achieved milestones in both leadership and membership.
Without the support of our excellent leaders, it would never have been possible. Every one of our leaders plays a very important role in the development of our Free Company. It is for your enthusiasm, support and dedication that have brought us to where we are today. TLP-FFXIV shall ever remain indebted to the contributions of those that lead the way forward.
We are also grateful to all of our members who trusted in us to provide for their in-game goals and a friendly community. Their demands, challenges and feedbacks have pushed us to go ahead and improve vigorously. Our success story remains incomplete without the support of its members. Not only have they made us a part of their lives but also helped us reach out and make and meet new friends from around the world.
On this auspicious occasion I gladly announce we have hit membership cap and tightened participation requirements in the guild; are about to offer an open raid skill based system for our members and Faerie server members to participate; and of course the start of our month long celebration with tons of events and prizes!
We plan to keep our Free Company and relationship with Faerie and the TLP Organization growing and continue to provide our members nothing less than the best. With your support, we wish to explore new heights in Stormblood and beyond!
It is in great thanks and honor that I serve. Let’s continue this journey together!
Xeno Lockheart | GM of TLP-FFXIV
There is always something to be said about the power of the internet. After so many decades doing this, the MMO thing, I can truly say that there are people in the world that will undoubtedly disappoint you. But just as stark a contrast are the people that you bump into that will also inspire you and touch your heart. I have had the amazing pleasure to make some very long-lasting friendships across the world, as part of TLP. The people you see here, in this screen shot… I am so proud to say embody those friendships. All for very different reasons! What we have here in this guild, in this gaming family, cannot be easily duplicated. And there is a real strength in that. One that far supersedes mere pixels on a screen.