Alternate title for this video: *Malding middle aged manchild complains about negativity towards a scam* If you're looking for a community to hang out in that isn't a toxic cesspit then... well I can't really recommend my own discord tbh but I'll link it for you anyway: discord.gg/muwNp8NhbB

Came for the intro, stayed for the drama

I'm grateful to have such a transparent studio at all. They COULD go dark an only put out info a few times a year if they wanted to.

THANK YOU Narc. I am honestly getting really frustrated myself when I see people say that it looks bad or unfinished because it literally IS. The game is years away and they have way more important stuff to work on instead of polishing animations or graphics, when that's literally the last stage of development.

you are totally correct here narc. thank you for standing up for the integrity of the soul of the game and the type of real mmo we've all been craving

I was happy to hear the devs say they do not want “lawnmower” combat like so many have now. The slower more methodical group based fighting even on more “regular” mobs makes the world feel a little dangerous. I also love them bringing back a tanks job is primarily threat holding and damage mitigation skills and not just a DPS in plate armor.

If I could hope for one thing. Is that when the game is realised. This channel rises to the top and gets a massive boost. He deserve it

I loved everything about both recordings. At the end of the day, im not watching these livestreams to watch Steven be cracked at the game, im looking at the progress the gane has made. AND THE GAME HAS MADE SO MUCH PROGRESS, GOD IT LOOKS SO GOOD I WANT TO PLAY IT ALREADY!!. Also, love you narc❤️

Narc's opening sketches are so fantastic. I enjoy the AoC updates but I always look forward to whatever goofball and over the top flair he has to present to us. Praise that bulge!

A gameplay where you can lose if you make mistakes and you can win if you make good moves. This is so simple yet so rare in mmorpgs nowaday

You’re most important video yet imo Narc. A balanced but passionate statement about what it means to be supportive and yet helpfully critical. Bravo Sir!

Hopefully the devs realise that those who complain are usually way louder over those who are satisfied. I for one am absolutely amazed by the tremendous progres that’s been made regarding AoC.

I'll be honest, I wasn't a fan of this game for a very long time. Just not my type of game. But seeing the passion behind the project and how much work they put in to make it the best possible game of its kind is turning me into a fan. Every update they release makes me want to play it that much more

People just seem to expect too much to be presented on the live streams and tend to forget that most studios wouldn't even show us what they're doing with their time

Narc, first time I've been in full, excited agreement with you. This last livestream showing that tanking is real again, and wipes will occur when people don't run it well, sent me straight to their website to buy in. I now wish I had kickstarted it (had I even known about it, I just might have). I've been gaming since the 80s, and I was excited for New World, but it was New World, and only played for about a month, and everyone I know was gone because of the bugs, gold duplication issues, etc. Same for Lost Ark, but 4mos, and everyone abandoned it because it was a cash generator and no longer about gamplay, but resisting the temptation to buy more chances to hone your gear. I bought in on Star Citizen and 10 years later we're in alpha. I bought in to Pantheon and 10 years later we have an everquest level graphics prototype, which makes me sad. But AoC? The increase in gaming capabilities from live stream to live stream show me drastic improvement and new stuff from month to month, and I'm, despite myself, excited for something that actually looks real.

Loved the updated recording of January's gameplay footage of the tank archetype. I didn't have much problem with the first go-round, but definitely noticed the improvement when Steven and team took another pass on it. Honestly though, while I do love to see the updates each month, I want to get my hands on it in Alpha 2 and really test our beloved AOC. Keep it up Narc! Thank you for the continuous enjoyable content!

"How can a project that is putting in time and effort into abilities that affect the GRASS FFS!" Literally made me belly laugh was not expecting that hahaha

Great video. People sometimes act as if what they see in these showcases are the final product and Ashes releases within a month

This is the passion I was looking for. Keep that voice loud and proud brother

Insane intro.

I think AoC's team have shown and amazing step forward in their design direction during this stream. Maybe it's my Lineage2 nostalgia talking, but I genuinely think, everything they've shown to us looks so fkn perfect. Livestream reminded me this feeling of going out on an adventure with your guildmates to the depths of elite mobs area, to get your self some new good loot and exp. Ashes is everything I loved about L2 but better! The art style they've chosen looks magestic, the zones look interesting to explore. Mobs are detailed and different variations of them clearly stand out. Combat looks snappy and pased, every class has a clear role, and the tank kit is awesome. You can see that they are trying to add class identity in this game by building a true tank (a role that exists for recieving and mitigating damage and holding targets in place during battle) by adding skills such as Aegis and Grit, allowing you to control how much damage and from which sources you will recieve during the fight and also making CC effects such as Shield Assault and Tremoring Bellow with a neat spin on how CC affects are aplied, by making these CC effects stackable. All in all, everything we've seen shows a good direction in artistic and system sence, the fact that some abilities are not tweaked correctly, do not generate enough threat or that Steven is just bad at the game doesn't take away from the massive proggress they've made. Please remember once again, THIS IS PRE ALPHA2 FOOTAGE , all of the stats and numbers will change more than a dozen times before launch, you need to look at the design, to try and feel how it plays and then critique whatever it is you feel is wrong in their design direction.

Well said. This resonated with me. I truly hope Steven and the bunch can keep their heads above water and see the trash talking for what it is. Open development at this scale is not often done. Intrepid is among the companies at the forefront of discovering all the downfalls of it.

what a great intro my man, so good , keep up the good work @Narc

Lol that intro was so good I rewatched it EDIT: Great ass video. The dissenters are incredibly entitled imo. With all their “advice” you’d think they all have doctorates in game development.

I dont write often comments, but if the Devs watch your video's and read ur comments i wanna let them now that i like the development so far and i m looking forward to play the final game! And ty Narc for adressing this.

Appreciate the video to support the ashes of creation team, ive been backing this game all in since the beginning and have never felt let down by any of their update videos. They are always something I look forward to seeing the progress they have been making every month and so excited to see the finished product as we support them and give them positive feedback to better the MMO we've been desperately needing.

The intros really are great, love watching them every time.

Well said. Glad to hear you bite back and call out the people sharing their shit takes about Ashes. The incessant negativity has become pervasive throughout media, and I don't think it is only Ashes of Creation or game development either. People are getting nastier. This collective online presence of a toxic minority, really imbues their negativity into the entire discussion and development of this game.

Those intros dude, just...so good XD.

These videos are worth watching for the intros alone

Keep up the good fight Narc!! And one of the best intros yet!

Ohh the fantasy and time that must have gone into that intro, mad respect! You must have been taking too much of that Copium.. XD

Fascinating how simping for a game became a thing. Feedback; "information about reactions to a product, a person's performance of a task, etc. which is used as a basis for improvement." Frankly negative or positive has nothing to do with anything. Better games are made as a direct consequence of feedback. Comments filled with abuse for negativity is just pure ignorance.

As I have fatal dog shit allergy, I seem to end up looking at this part of game development as "weeding out players that I wouldn't even want to have a sharts ass-length of a sniffs proximity to the game world to begin with" Let's just hope the developers don't lose heart. If they make a good game, the good players will come. They don't need any more publicity.

I don't really check the social media around this project, and I only infrequently check their forums. The demo looked fine to me. I understand this is a project in development and after some refining, this game will be really good. Hopefully Alpha 2 by the end of this year 🤷

It's not surprising people see the gameplay showcases as a finished product, it's more finished than some of the games that get released these days.

I loved the latest stream! We have come stupid far already

Am I the only one who really likes the fact that killing one enemy at a time is a challenge? I remember OG WoW how i struggled at the start since i knew nothing.

This is an absolutely brilliant video, well said Narc!

100% agree. Loved the showcase ..felt like hanging with one of the boys showing you what they made. Actually feels genuine rather than corporate bs.

Hey man, long time. Thank you for that rampage of good swings against fuckings lowlives that measure their worth in others sadness. 👏 Loved it ❤️ Keep it up. Cheers 😀

love your content Narc, keep it up man

💯, my only feedback would be continuing the work on aggro holding for the tank. I honestly loved everything else I seen. Definitely took me back to the good ole days and got me excited for the possibilities once again.

AoC need to be careful. Once they start making changes for the smaller loudest part of a community which always turns out to be a bunch of LFR legends its all down hill from there. just look at all the other Big MMO,s over the years. wrecked because of a load of cry baby want everything now plebs. Do you Steven and feck em.

It is baffling to think that the same people (seemingly) will shit on developers for not showing any gameplay in trailers and will then shit on developers being completely transparent through their entire development process. These people only want to see a finished product. Even if the game is years out it is taken at face value. I too want to see a finished product. I am one of the ones who spent 500 dollars for alpha 1 and 2 access and to support development. I have been following Ashes development since 2018. I've been waiting for 5 years. I want this game to be good and I am willing to wait even longer if that is what it takes.

I read the title and thought to myself, I have no idea what this is about. I watched the video and thought to myself, I have no idea what this is about.

Idk how u can hate a game in development that's like hating a piece of art that still being painted

It’s surprising to see this video, I only follow the progress when they do the monthly streams but most months I’m very impressed by how much progress there is. I’m feeling hopeful for this project and I’m cynical af.

That Final Fantasy X background on the intro just made my crush on you even bigger

To be honest i genuinely liked the chaotic display of the livestream version, although the redone version is so much better. The chaotic version reminded me of the very first time i did deadmines. For the showcase itself, i can see great oppertunities for MT, OT, PVP and many archtype combinations, that before the showcase i wouldn't have thought of, and this is with only lvl 15 skills. With my background of gaming, i still prefere the classic wow pace and difficulty, and this showcase showed that this will likely be so. So personally i'm verry content.

They actually seem to have quite a bit done... really looking forward to this one.

okay that intro is too good how the hell

ashes of creation do your thing, we will support you, give us the real MMO

Keep up the good work Narc.

@narc I'm very excited for this game and it's potential but I think it's more than fair to be critical of what we're seeing especially when they're asking for it. I think criticism is fair as long as we keep in mind this game is still in alpha.

The showcases hurt the game more. It's upsetting seeing a game at this level, it looks almost finished but it's still years off. Like seeing a PC update stuck at 99 percent for a hour. At least that's the feeling I get watching the showcases.

Good video. Forgot to include the subscribers vs. non-subscribers pic at the end there.

I watched Asmongolds take on the tank showcase and a lot of the toxicity is driven by people who don't realize that this MMO just isn't made for them. They basically clamor for convenience features and think that the exclusion of these features is an oversight rather than a conscious design decision. It is unfortunate, but the larger the community grows, the more of these types of people you are going to find. Things will only settle down once the game releases and people get to try it out. After that, people who can't stand the heat will have to get out of the proverbial kitchen.

your intro scetches are getting to the next level lad!

guys, I am starting to become seriously suspicious and concerned about Narc not actually opening a cope-a-cola can at the beginning of each video. like, it is obviously cutting to the exact same, old footage of the same can being opened every time. how can we trust someone who doesnt even consume The Cope like we do?

Honestly, I think the game looks pretty good for where it is in the development process. Even though I'm not a huge fan of the flashy weapon swings, the new development stream actually made me excited for the game again

If you want a good game. Then you would HELP the people who are making it. A lot of people don’t know what it means to actually help. Telling someone their cake idea is awful. K. Don’t eat the cake. Telling someone they should make a cake according to YOUR tastes? The cake isn’t just for you. And if you think it should be, you’re being selfish. Someone offers you a slice of cake and asks how they can make it better? You don’t berate them when it’s still baking. Either they don’t want a good game, or they don’t know what it means to help.

keep up the good work mate! =)

It looks as good as it should look. I wouldn’t expect to be blown away by level 12 gameplay even if the game were done. Looks great for in a work in progress.

I don't know if you missed it, but Steven already did hint that players will be able to test things out in 2023 so I would assume he meant Alpha 2

Ten thumbs up. Every show case has shown major advancements and information. I think the game looks better and more finished than half the stuff on offer now and just think they are working to improve upon it even further.

In the future when Narc has 1m subs and an entire film crew to make his intros im always going to remember the good ole days of a green screen and some nasty pepsi can and pizza box stacks in the back

I find their relaxed attitude during demos kind of endearing. On the other hand, it makes sense to put some effort into presenting things well.

Thank you Narc. Me and my partner are still having to try hold back the hype every time there's a new livestream! I don't understand the negativity in general, it's still in progress and really does sound like Intrepid want to do as much as they can to make a great game. Anyway the hype is too much, purchasing this month. See you in Alpha 2!

Spot on. Thank you for making this video. I feel the same frustration on all the negativity. They can continue with Ashes of Creation for as many years they want (I hope Steven took an immortal potion) as long as they get it right. So many of my boxes ticks correct so far and nice to be able to follow this project so transparent.

Woooooo.... Narc took off the gloves for this one 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

This is your best intro ever.. Love you Narc..

YOUR INTRO SKETCH IS🔥🔥🔥

That intro gives me hope for; “Narc, the action movie” ;)

Thank you Narc for saying somthing I don't understand why people can't just be patient, we want the game to be good not trash like New World.

Totally aggree with you and everything that was said, and thank you for reminding me of Ashes's passionate worth and the hard work performed by Steven and his team, it's hard not to get influenced when the majority of the community so far are blind haters.

Keep fighting the good fight Narc!

You have said it all there "don't have the experience or budget" . I don't think this company can ship a complete working quality product

💯! Great video. ❤️

Can we talk about that editing holy-

Narc, there are naive people backing AoC who do not understand the game is years away. I know people who think Ashes has content behind the scenes in spades that they are not showing us because "its not polished yet" The reality is there are entire systems in Ashes that aren't even created yet. We're talking about a lot of work that needs to be done.

I felt this way when certain large "influencers" started to say their "opinion" on what they saw

You're right, there is a constant need to point out what's new. Nothing being shown is groundbreaking, it's all basic shit that is just expected by the viewers. People aren't aware what the differences are month to month if Steven doesn't specifically talk to it. People aren't analyzing it for content like you are, they're just casually watching a showcase that doesn't showcase very much. I appreciate your in depth analysis videos. We need people like you to literally be like X thing is new, x things is new, etc. as Intrepid are falling to do it.

The comments or suggestions we make should be to improve the game and give us the best game possible. Its ok to critique presentation of monthly content. I know it's a work in progress, but it was rushed this month and the 2nd video was better. Also, tone down the effects for all of us as well especially for presentations. Instead of telling us we can dial down the effects, tell us we can dial them up if we want. Environment looked good and weapons and armor looked pretty good. Long way to go but its looking good and better. UI as well.

I will say that a lot of people were saying the graphics looked like shit BECAUSE for some reason whenever Intrepid stream their gameplay, the video is almost always blurry and low res due to like bandwidth or the video was just recorded in low quality because its long or something. Having played Alpha 1 without UE5 I can say that it looked better actually playing it than what you see on stream a lot of times

The only gripe i had with the livestream that they did recently was that the abilities looked very flashy, i was reminded of "Viva La Dirt League" and their "Epic NPC Man" series where a tank just wants to taunt the boss while the three mages blind him so he end up hitting a tree for the duration of the fight and not being able to see anything, eso has probably made me want less flashy abilities as abilities in that game tend to be more nature/element based, no giant magic hammers being cast off of a greatsword like one of the player in this livesteam. Great video, i didn't know there was any drama surrounding the first livestream, and don't worry about being over expressing yourself, sometimes it's good to get that pasion out there. Thank you.

I feel you Narc, have been saying the same all over reddit and youtube since the last update, and all I get is pushback from iditos. But well, it's a matter of time before they realize that wow hasn't changed, that ffxiv puts the same content every year with exactly the same schedule and that T&L and AA2 will be highly monetized trash. And then you have some content creators that think they are looking at the final product, further spreading stupidity.

Can you drop Ashes of Creation and just be an anime skit channel already ur so good at making them

Intros are getting better and better.

This video isn't really about scalding the brainchild of toxicity at all. It's a representation that we as gamers, who often struggle through life in MMORPG-like ways, are firmly staunch in wanting to experience the Perfect MMO in our lifetimes, at least. You're of the analysis that the game won't be perfect and that kids shouldn't expect this game to be our perfect one, and I agree. I think the perfect MMO is merely decades away and won't be toxic towards any publications of any game studio other than to publicly push game designers to remember the Ambition.

I couldn't agree with you more. The only MMO I play anymore is ffxi classic servers because they capture that old school great mmo feel unlike anything in years. I can't wait for this game and hope people stop bashing a game that is literally in development, not a finished product.

No mmo growing eh? This just in...Albion Online is adding a 2nd MEGA server in Asia. Narc(mistakenly) doesn't count it as an mmo, but it is, and it has been consistently growing ever since they properly integrated mobile into the game. Indie company that actually takes community feedback seriously.

Waiting patiently to pioneer Ashes of Creation's version of Golshire as soon as they let me into the servers.

Don't know how your intros keep getting better

5-star rant Narc! ^_^ Give 'em hell!

That intro was the best thing i ever seen.

every presentation should start with reminding people the fact how long does it take to make good MMORPG and put some exact numbers of how long did it took to other popular MMORPGs to develop

Just made the entire experience more down to earth and tangible imo

An uneasy peace between myself as a kickstrter and Intrepid. I cannot refund money because the JAG (I'm a US military retiree) said denial of service must be proven. Hence, I cannot ask for a refund for partial service IF I am not banned completely. Again - An Intrepid BAN is really a shadow ban. Can I say that? The longest game development in history.

You talked about the "infinite block" stance in other videos. What do you think about that 4-second block at 4:34? Is it acceptable or too long? I couldn't notice any skill in cooldown nor any decrease of his mana/stamina.