[22:15:20] soccerstar2222: arhhhh have u guys ever heard of a guy named cybermonsters
[22:15:35] soccerstar2222: he killed 2 of my kings in my new set of villages
www.KingdomAges.com
I’ve been checking out different free strategy and rpg games online after toying with the idea of investing in a dev team for a game. KingdomAges is one of the games I checked out.
If you’re into games, you know the big trick is to keep long term players satisfied while still attracting new players. KingdomAges does not appear to do a very good job of this.
Several problems I identified are:
- Soldiers deprecated - There are four military types: Infantry, Cavalry, Archers and Cataupults. The infantry are no match for cavalry so no one buys them.
- Slow Army Movement - Military pieces must each be moved separately, there is no group move function. It literally can take an hour just to instruct an army to move across the map (then many, many hours for the army to move - that part is fine). But who wants to spend so much time buried in the mouse?
- Awkward coordinate entry - To move a military piece you have to highlight it individually, then click “move”, then click coordinates in TWO steps. It’s mind-numbingly boring.
- Moderators attack players - This is unbelievable to me. I had a moderator attack me just a couple weeks into the game and gloat over wiping out an entire village. It’s a setup of megalomaniacs wanting to keep control over their private game. In that respect, it will never branch out to being a long term public game. Moderators should moderate - not use their backend moderator advantages for game play.
- Lack of depth - Once you start taking over towns, there is no more depth to the game play. There is little nuance to attacks with massive armies and becomes primarily a number game. Those that want to spent their time round the clock on the game can rack up units.
- Server Crashes - over two week of game play the server crashed three times.
This game would be more fun with a piece of paper and a calculator.*NOTE - Their server keeps crashing and it takes weeks to get into this game, it’s a very slow pace. In two weeks I saw the servers crash three times.*
April 1st, 2008 at 9:37 pm
I agree, I’ve seen my share of control-freak moderators on this game. It ruins the play for everyone. Too many little kids on this game.
April 1st, 2008 at 9:44 pm
What a wonderful review, which captures the essence of KA. To sum up the game in one word would be “boring”. But it can be addicting don’t you agree?
April 1st, 2008 at 9:56 pm
Although a few points such as soldier depriciation may be accuarate, steps have been and still are being taken to improve the game. Yes the troops move slowly, but if movement and selection are done properly the awkard coordinate entry can be minimized to only once. As for the moderator attacks, from my point of view it was probably your own fault. Noobs like you arent usually attacked. The only times i have ever seen that happen is when the noob is VERY direspectful. The lack of depth issue that you had was because you got yourself killed before you could even start. Anyways that is all i have to say. Thank you for your incredibly skewed review.
April 1st, 2008 at 10:08 pm
First off, I would like to introduce myself as a moderator of this game, Stargateanubis14.
To your first statement, about the game not keeping players, that is not true. This game has a very large crowd of people, i personally know about 100 of these people, as we have kept in contact since the beginning at KingdomEras. There are many people who join, but never play. Those who actually do play, play and KEEP playing, until they die, or run out of time for the game. I have NEVER seen someone quit because the game is “boring” or “buggy”.
soldiers deprecated: Yes the game is a little lobsided. The game should have the archers weak against cavalry, and cavalry weak against soldiers…etc etc. But i can say that Gabriel is coming out with a new KingdomAges (to be released in 2-3 weeks)
Slow Army Movement: This is just a way the game was made. Yes it is slow, but there is the possibility to use tabs, and you can cut the time into a tenth of what it would have been to move troops. Also, the new KingdomAges will give you the ability to group troops into bigger battalions, and the map will be draggable, for easier mobility.
Awkward coordinate entry: Same reason as to the above stated.
Moderators attack players: first off, i would like to say that you had a bad experience… you got your butt kicked by a moderator who played the game. Also, the moderators are CHAT moderators. We do not moderate the game, only chat. We are not role models in any respect but that of the words we use. Also, i am slightly offended that you strike at all moderators of the game, just because of the action of one. There are multiple moderators for each server, and each has their own style of playing and interaction. I personally have control of the strongest players on server 2 in my kingdom, and i have morals i have established. We do not attack players with more force then they can defend with. We do not attack noobs (or players with under 4-5 villages). I look at things at several standpoints before acting.
Also, what moderator abilities are you talking about that can be used to our advantage in an attack? We can only ban…and gabriel (the creator) watches the bans that are made, and the reasons behind them…so the only way a moderator can use their powers against you would be to ban you. (NOTE: The moderators on the new KA will be chosen very carefully, and an extensive background check will be performed)
Lack of depth: As for depth, this game’s point is to build troops… yes this will give an advantage to the player who plays longer, but so will better technology or more depth…the more playing you do, the deeper you go, and better you get. If the depth didn’t make you better/stronger, then why would anyone want to play the game? It would be pointless and boring. The troops is just 1 of 2 equally accessible road that can be taken when creating a game.
Server Crashes: This game has only crashed during times when it was expected to do so. One time was when the game was being transferred to a newer, better server. Another time was when Gabriel took the game off line to change a few things with the chat box. A third time was when Gabriel took the game off line to update the moderator abilities/add a moderator panel. A fourth time was when Gabriel took the data for his other game, White Templars, off the server (sharing some data with KA). These were all expeced server down times, but the lenght was unspecified.) Just because the server is down and you dont know why doesn’t mean that the game is crashing….assumptions are bad… assume=ass+u+ me….if you get my drift…hurts you and the person/thing you assume about when you assume.
Yes, it is a slow paced game, but that is the way it is. All games are slow paced. This is NOT a game where you start out and you sit down for 5 hours and play. This progresses at time increments of 45 minutes and longer. So many times you start, and come back an hour later. All games start out slowly, its all about your patience.
So my ending…the game isn’t the best, but its not as bad as you make it out to be. If possible, i would request that you change your review to be more accurate and unbiased. Take the fact that you lost in the game out of the story… face the fact that you lost, and judge the game as a game…not how it treated you.
April 14th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
The servers are down again. What is their problem?
April 15th, 2008 at 12:10 pm
KA servers still down. This game has been a big waste of time.
April 17th, 2008 at 5:20 am
i didnt say that
April 20th, 2008 at 4:49 pm
Stargate. I agree completely with you.
Ka is being upgraded.
And were CHAT mods.
Theres a difference.
Please dont exaggerate. Also, the game is that way. Live with it.
May 27th, 2008 at 10:19 am
why is the ka server down again? i need an answer for when it will be back on again
May 31st, 2008 at 10:22 pm
this game is just dumb
July 1st, 2008 at 2:44 pm
And now its not working for months
Can anybody give an output?
July 2nd, 2008 at 7:58 am
Good question. Kingdomages 2 was supposed to be coming out.
July 9th, 2008 at 5:57 am
ya so is ka1 gone for good?
I hope not
its not a bad game
July 9th, 2008 at 5:20 pm
I agree fully with what Stargate said, the mods are chat mods, not game mods. They do the best they can to make the game fun for everyone. Sure there are some flaws, as there is with all games. If you stayed with the game for longer and chatted with people and read forums, you would be up to date with things and the game would be more fun.
July 15th, 2008 at 5:17 pm
yes, the whole point of the game is making alliances, threatening others with your almighty forces and playing the king with power. And argueing eternally whether to ban or not ban or to obliterste or not obliterste each other.
If you want you can go sims city and not be bothered
the objective of the game is up to you ^^
When the **** is KA being reinstated???
Or at least KA2????
July 18th, 2008 at 10:20 pm
Gabriel has taken the game offline for a while, until he can find a server that has enough dedicated memory for the game (which could takea while). He was also working on KAII. KA has taken up so much time because he had to keep up the server, which wouldn’t let him work on KAII. So see this break from KA, as the next step to KAII.
There is also the other possibility that gab has gotten tired of the KA-style game, and is working on his RPG game.(He seemed to be getting tired of all the problems KA had been presenting).
As of right now, i just know that Gab has PURPOSEFULLY taken KA offline because he can not upkeep the game right now (for one reason or another)
Your faithful mod,
Stargateanubis14
July 30th, 2008 at 8:23 pm
*sigh* Stargate, I hope you’re right…
August 2nd, 2008 at 9:53 am
I’m always right…
August 4th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
hmm, so kingdom ages is coming back and i shouldn’t give up hope?
August 13th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
It’ll come back. Im guessing that Gab is moving it to a smaller server.
August 25th, 2008 at 8:59 pm
Ohh where, ohh where has my little KA gone???
September 2nd, 2008 at 12:19 am
I am currently working on creating a new and improved KingdomAges(with no coordination from gabriel). As of right now, thins are progressing fairly slowly because i’m starting from scratch… So far, i have a working registration/login system, a chat, and have almost finished a PM system.
I am in need of the following:
*Graphics design (for the entire essence of the site…in-game graphics, as well as backgrounds/advertisements for the site)
*Code help: php/mysql and javascript. I will need as much help as i can to get the actual game made.(mostly in javascript).
Help me make a new KA for the world to love!
September 7th, 2008 at 10:56 am
according to stargateanubis gab23 has sold all her equipment and ka will not be coming back on, however stargateanubis is creating his own version of the game that will be coming out soon stay tuned and ill keep everyone updated!!
taylor
September 9th, 2008 at 12:41 pm
STILL looking for a graphics designer…that is willing to be on and active. I may have one, but he is currently very inactive.
September 10th, 2008 at 8:22 pm
Hah, this is reminding me of our messageboards.
Without the… ya know… screaming and cursing. :/
September 15th, 2008 at 10:35 am
Hey guys! It’s me KV! ;D
Ya know… The guy who decimated you all with 2 other players on the first server.
Anyway, Anubis, I have no graphics/designing experience. But if I can help in anyway, let me know. ^^ I love KingdomAges, and would love to have it back online.
September 17th, 2008 at 6:18 pm
has anyone ever spoken to gab recently?
I dont think that KA 1 will ever come back, with the looks of things now. But thats just my theory.
Star, mabye you can get graphics from other games and stuff, like aoe or Civilazatioj
Everyones asking, WHEN?
September 21st, 2008 at 3:57 pm
Acutally, people have been saying that Gab sold his equiment. So I dont think ka will ever come back.
October 16th, 2008 at 11:44 am
lol hey people i was rlly confused but remember me from KE its good to see people like stargateanubis who have stuck to this game from KE to KA and to all those h8ers this game is good give it a try and it take like what 30 mins a day to update your stuff, hope its back!
October 21st, 2008 at 1:34 pm
This guy’s right, KA wasn’t that great, but I think Gab bit off more than he could chew. It’s a shame he collapsed it, it could’ve developed into something if he had a few helping hands that actually could’ve helped with coding and administration.
But I’m glad to see all the lads still here, and that people haven’t forgotten it. I’d be happy to help bring back KA bigger, better and patching up all these holes.
I always held out on the hope KA would one day be a game well known, for all it’s faults it had one thing, and that was a fairly solid fanbase. Star, if you’re still serious about a reborn KA, count me in.
October 26th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
when is ka back i miss it and im playing wow now but i wanna play ka as well and no ones ever on the chat room anymore go on there and talk then guys lol
October 27th, 2008 at 4:35 pm
What is KE? is it Kingdom Empires? Is it good? do I just type KE? on google? Ill try it If its same as KA. I thought KA was a very good game, for someone alone like Gab. He could get more ads and earn money. So sad, my fellow KA veterans. Anyone play AOE2 Conquerors?
October 29th, 2008 at 10:04 am
kingdom eras was the original version of kingdom ages which crashed.
Seems that the kingdom games dont have much luck.
October 30th, 2008 at 10:13 am
Whats the name of the new Kingdom Ages site cause its not working when i type in kingdomages.com. can anyone tell me what it is.
October 30th, 2008 at 10:18 am
Does anyone know the new Kingdom Ages
October 31st, 2008 at 7:39 pm
Great to see you guys again and wow. i been talking with star and helping him with the game. and hey king V
November 7th, 2008 at 5:23 pm
star can you tell us name of the new game please man
November 7th, 2008 at 7:21 pm
star made a new game that is still in beta
November 11th, 2008 at 7:45 pm
KA was a good and addictive game yes there was a great deal that could have been improved on. as stargate was saying it is fun when you had firneds and allies to tlak to and stuff bu tit is a war game and ppl get annoyed when there kingdom is crushed
homzi20
2nd largest player on server 2
November 15th, 2008 at 4:31 am
Whoa, Hi guyz, this is the playa from KA (the original). I gotta get in touch with u guyz again. Ganna try getting my hotmail back and getting ur contacts again.
As for the comments on KA, KA is one of the very best games I’ve played(and I’ve played a dang lot). Had been playing it for months, but unfortunatly quit because of the amount of time it took from me. Hope it comes back soon though, better and improved
November 15th, 2008 at 10:02 am
Hey! whats up King V? What do you want to help with?
November 23rd, 2008 at 9:29 pm
So i herd start new game is up and running.. Wow there is many old faces on this bulletin… So what is the site to star new game.?
November 25th, 2008 at 7:35 am
It doesn’t look like KA is gonna be back up…i’ve been looking for any contact information…but EVERYWHERE gab went, the places he’s registered with say he requested to not be able to be contacted….
on a brighter note, the domain name KingdomAges is reserved until 2010 and it was renewed not too long ago. So there IS a chance gab is still out there working on it.
November 29th, 2008 at 4:40 am
hi ben nearly a year since i seeen u guys and please make another KA soon
December 1st, 2008 at 6:05 am
Hey all!!
How is everyone??
any news on KA starting
December 1st, 2008 at 3:17 pm
no news yet on any new KA…last official thing was that it would be a few years….
anyone got any contact info so we can stay in touch?
December 6th, 2008 at 4:05 am
hi people what happened to ka?
December 6th, 2008 at 11:52 am
READ THIS TO FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENED TO KA…
this is the last time i’m telling you all
(this is what is believed to be true and is said to be from gab)
Kingdomages server crashed, causing gab to lose all of his data. Thus, in order for KA to come back, he would have to re-make it. He says this will take several years, since he has other things in life he’s doing.
So..
Q: what happened to KA?
A: The server crashed causing all data to be lost
Q: When is KA coming back?
A: If it comes back, it will be a few years
Q: Is there any thing LIKE KA out there?
A: Not YET.
December 14th, 2008 at 7:20 am
I agree with everything except the mod thing. Mods on KA are just chat mods. They don’t have any power that a regular person doesn’t have. (except banning people who break rules in the shoutbox) I was a mod on that game and I attacked people. What’s the point of playing if you can’t attack people?
The mass movement, coordiant imput, weakness of non-bk & lb’s, lack of depth for advance players, and getting attacked on vacation, and sever problems were the problems of the game.
The lack of depth and the incredible time of making bk’s and moving bk’s is why I quit. I wish I knew a place where I could chat with my old friends from KA.
This place is the closest I’ve come so far.
December 14th, 2008 at 11:14 am
wuts sup guys
December 20th, 2008 at 8:58 pm
if the moderator for this site would permit me to,i would like to post my sites address to get a KA reunion…i would be willing to put a banner or something up for this site….
January 1st, 2009 at 10:39 am
the last time the KA site crashed, It said that KA 2 was 15% finished. When you typed in Kingdomages.com, it said KA was 15% finished, only 5 months ago. What the heck happened then? Was that a lie to keep the players occupied?
By the way, how old is Gab now? It always questioned me. I heard hes 16 or something. If he gets old enough to make time to make KA or KA2, we would all die of old age.
Good thing people still have their KA spirit here.
Happy New Year!