The last moments of Asheron's Call

Saying goodbye is never easy. Today, thousands of players said goodbye to the friends they made while playing the MMO Asheron's Call as the plug was pulled on its servers after 17 years. We were there to document the final moments and reminisce with a few of the community's most dedicated players about their time spent in the world of Dereth.
Thanks to the following for contributing to this video:
We Sleep Talk - / @365daysofclick
Dantae - / @augie683
Joe S - / @esgtsurp
loud_lou - / loud_lou
ImmortalbobMT - / immortalbobmt
Prjkthack - • Asheron's Call - The F...
Denman17 - • Final Moments of Asher...
Rob Williams - / @robwilliamstg
Jennifer Tidmore - / @jennifertidmore
Joshatdot - / @joshatdot
Maggie the Jackcat - www.thejackcat.com/AC/index.htm
Insanely Corrupt - groups/savea...
Cadwal
Lunar_Space_Wizard
Black Heart
Snowfall (Intro) by Kai Engel is licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial License - creativecommons.org/licenses/...
www.kai-engel.com/

[@KPruchE99]

Maggie the Jackcat. Before the wikis she took the time to personally compile all the game's quests. In a game that didn't point an arrow where you should go next. She is a true hero.

[@raymanrdl74]

@40kRageGamer I always looked the her site for info when I played ! \

[@Cyan1987s]

She was legendary

[@og_tokyo]

it's pretty fucked up that AC has some of the best questing systems ever implemented... none of this marker, hold your hand crap... like finding some rando scrawled note in some dungeon, within it read some obscure shit talking about some guy you've never heard of in some town you've never been. *opens map* /Yep, just as I suspected... no marker. lol.

[@richanddarksbane1439]

Here's a thank you to Maggie

[@adam-11herbs]

It was amazing how much knowledge you could gain of Dereth just by playing without the hand holding. I remember getting hyped every month when they would show teaser pics of new features, etc in the next patch and a story to go with the current plot and you could decipher things from the snippets. I was so good at recognizing landmarks in pics I knew where some places were in the teaser pics. This all culminated to this day of me finally getting my character in Maggie's website for a quest. Joe King of Frostfall server. One of the rare few spear users. I loved that character he was a blast to play and so unique. I was "ok" at spell buffs, but was working on raising his arcane lore so high I could get my buffs off of my armor with majors and lvl 8 spells. Plus the rarity of a spear wielding char was a nice touch.

[@ianwilmoth]

I was one of the original developers of this game, I'm amazed it lasted this long.. I can tell ya blood sweat and tears went into it.

[@McGyver777ATGMAIL]

Ian Wilmoth thanks. you gave me an entirely new world to visit.

[@VictorEMusique]

Ian I'd like to add my thanks to the list - and please thank whoever it was who had the idea to include the player base the way you did - no other game went out of its way like AC to get the players involved - the defense of the Shard on Thistledown was taking place just as I was coming into the game - I remember being level 8 and all the high level (60 at the time lol) clanmates of mine were planning with several other clans on the schedule to defend the Shard... such teamwork - hundreds of people from all over the world - do you know which dev had to login and defeat us? And for that you put up a monument only on Thistledown ... even after I hit level 80 (as far as I got - no bots on me) I would pass the monument and take a moment to reflect... again.... thanks.... (now who is peeling onions?)

[@Notir072]

I was about to tell you that you look to Young on your photo for beeing one of the original developpers, but Google prooved me wrong, sorry. I Loved your game dude ! :) and i really miss it :'(

[@jaytea23]

Thank you for all your hard work Ian, I have some pretty great memories playing AC with my family!

[@thebeststooge]

You are why I played this game but the devs (2nd gen) who came after the original ones just treated it like a cash cow not the blood, sweat, tears, and soul. Pre 2004 was the best time in AC1 when the original devs were still there who designed the game because they loved it.

[@mariaemory5357]

Ah man, I never even played this game, but I feel for these people. Video games are more than just a place to waste time, you make friends, build relationships, and escape into a different world away from this drag that is reality. Even for a just a few hours every day. This video goes to show there is more to gaming than just clicking buttons. ♥ May they all, if not most, meet again in another MMO.

[@teabag8659]

NO things just wont be the same, i quit video games !!!, you never played this game its easy for you to say this !

[@skkoloa]

Desiree Emory Desiree, thank you for your kind comments. It's truly hard for us who's been playing it for 17 years to watch it die. I feel like I have the absolute right to say this, since I've gone onto play many other MMO's during its best years. None of them hold a torch to Asherons Calls worst years, it's truly hard to explain how unique the game is to people who haven't played it and I've gone onto play many MMO's. World of Warcraft, DaOC, LOTD etc..so many games I've played but none captivated me the way Asherons Call did. The storyline is truly legendary, the pvp is the most balanced PvP in history, if you beat someone you really did deserve to beat them, unlike WoW. You were scared to die, absolutely frightened because you'd get penalties, if you killed someone you could take their stuff which felt rewarding. Every MMO believe it or not tried to knit pick little things from AC, and none of them came remotely close. This is truly a master piece in gaming history, it's a crying shame it did not get as much exposure as other games

[@kailomonkey]

Yes when all your hope for real life fades, a good fantasy world to escape to, no: Live In! is bound to be an important attachment and feel close to your world falling apart. You can attempt to save the tatters afterwards but that world is gone forever somehow... But hold on to hope and keep/make friends without the game just as you did with the game. You are capable! Love and life is still there, that construct of the world is just dissipated leaving you with the knowledge and the power to take what was good about it and spread it to wherever you are.

[@mariaemory5357]

I'm boring :D But thanks anyway ^-^

[@kailomonkey]

if you feel you are boring other people who feel the same will relate to your videos :P

[@jackiehines6063]

Happy to have made it into this video :) My character is on screen at 3:13, in the bright green and blue Amuli armor (Zarkaz). I started this game as a 12 year old little girl after my two older cousins introduced it to me (they were in beta). I was absolutely obsessed, in some good and bad ways. I'm turning 28 years old this year and the closing of Asheron's Call really hit me hard. I spent a lot of my childhood and teenage years in Dereth, and it was nice knowing it was always there.. even if I didn't play much anymore. It will truly be missed.

[@Holret]

time to move on, dont you think?

[@Ranter_X]

Matching Amuli. *drool* :D

[@NearSightedDeath]

Lol, your character kind of looks like you too.

[@jackiehines6063]

Joe S thank you Joe! I got some video of the final moments as well :)

[@Iconoclast0w]

My character is in the footage that ImmortalBob took, we were in the Holtburg meeting hall. My Dad's toon is just in front of me as well. 3:30 to the right and middle of the screen, both doing *atoyot* =D I'm wearing the good old Hoary robe and Olthoi helm look-a-like, my Dad is wearing the first lot of mage armour to be introduced. I started the game when I was 13, turned 30 this year. Such a shame to see it go =(

[@sl1pg8r]

One of the best, and i mean best, games I've ever played. Only played for 3 years but I have the fondest memories of AC. I'll never forget when I first logged into Holtburg and was killed by a naked, unarmed, Jagori Tanna

[@jiivii3o]

Sorry bout that... - Evolution'

[@psx2rulz2]

haha, most of us were killed by a naked PC at some point...

[@epicwave7060]

Sl1pg8r - Daily Stuff and Things! Who’s the guy streaming at the end???

[@acontinuacionenla270]

There is 4 private servers , and big one , look on reddit

[@hannibalsmith12]

Lutece since 99 to 2010 on darktide. The best game I have ever played. Sad for u guys

[@DCAMM720]

That's alright, I totally felt like crying tonight. Thanks, PC gamer.

[@Luxludum23]

This kind of content is great, really well done.

[@Leon14000]

I agree. PC Gamer does have a few filler articles here and there but... this is like. Genuinely fascinating. I've never even heard of the game but their coverage already made me feel pretty cozy. A shame I can't try this out. Maybe a private server or something will pop up.

[@debs8479]

I met my daughter's father on this game back in 2001. This game has always been special to me even after I stopped playing it.

[@Papamarmottin]

I was 31 when I linked on to AC for the first time. On Frostfell. Now, at 48, I believe this may be the game I could be buried with. Love to you all, and take care of yourselves. We will meet again.

[@riod43]

I used to rock my Matt Robe in Frostfell!

[@RickandPenny]

It's not dead. You can still play.

[@freedom8154]

@@riod43 ditto Old helm and prepatch GSA armor I was in Magemerlins monarchy. 1999-2008.

[@Rustyclaw.]

My wife and I played ( Rustyclaw/ Falcongirl) for almost 16 years on Frostfell. Still from this day, we talk about the good times we had.

[@Papamarmottin]

@@Rustyclaw. I do enjoy your comment, though by the time it reached me I'm now 53. I can hear the love for this game through your words, and I only wish to find such good gamers in some other more recent format? Is there anything you can recommend?

[@wilhelmscream6834]

17 years in this game. I feel every single bit of this emotion. The games community was, by a large margin, the best gaming community I've ever been a part of. We were all family in Dereth. It was more than just some game. I've tried every major MMO since EverQuest and none of them cut it like AC did. It's a completely unique world and system. There's literally no replacement for it.

[@SirBuljo]

fuuuck.... why didn't i know about asheron's call... i would play it. I love all games.

[@BaldManBeardFace]

Hey, just wanted to say Project 99 is the original everquest if you want to try that. Also there is a AC emulator world that people still play to this day. Hope you find it

[@wilhelmscream6834]

@@BaldManBeardFace thanks Jonathan! I'm actually on coldeve in AC, so I'm all set!

[@definitelynotjasonmomoa]

@@wilhelmscream6834 hey! What's your toon on coldeve?

[@wilhelmscream6834]

@@definitelynotjasonmomoa A Wilhelm Scream, Wilhelm Scream and Pasta AL Dente. I'm not on there a whole lot right now, as I'm helping out with stuff for a popular multi-player game that was released this year, but I should be back on more this spring.

[@TrentCook]

Right in the feels ... argh fell asleep on the couch after putting my kids to bed .. came down to log on one final time and it was too late. :(

[@herotoall123]

You snooze you lose

[@kingcoveryepic]

You snooze you lose

[@BlackSailPass_GuitarCovers]

Lose you snooze you

[@blanco9942]

You did the right thing by taking care of your kids man.

[@21khronic]

This game had the most amazing/unique loot system, no two pieces were alike. It was easy to get attached to your account when you spent so much time putting together the perfect armor suit/weapons for your characters. That's what I'll miss the most.

[@teabag8659]

im kinda shocked more devs havent adopted the loot system.

[@Infinite_Jester]

What was the loot system like?

[@janesawyer3495]

It was amazing. Such variety. Random stats generated on items. It's so vast, you would need an AC expert to explain it.

[@darkhighwayman1757]

I liked that you could actually find amazing gear instead of only finding good stuff from quests.

[@zZParabellumZz]

I never even heard of this game and i'm crying! What the heck?!

[@jameskala7278]

Have you ever played any MMO? If you have, then you've played an MMO that tried to emulate Asherons Call. This game is the gold standard of MMO. Its considered to be the best of all time, I hope that one day it can be revived so new players like yourselves can experience what us old players from the 90s experienced with this game. I've gone onto to play many MMO's, and none were remotely close to being as good as Asherons Call.

[@wonderfulWORLD16]

same here

[@j2ehyp]

same here.

[@dustinsmith6256]

I began playing this game when I was 14 because I wanted to play with my brother who was 18. He quit kind of early on but I got him to come back after ToD. I downloaded the game on a hunch on January 30th, and after about an hour heard talk of the servers closing. I kinda thought it was a joke or people were messing and what they were really talking about was just the regular maintenance or some patch. nope. I spent the rest of my time in Dereth pvp'ing and just enjoying it while it lasted. I'm at a loss for words and just hearing other people saying they are emotional from this video... its cool. Its cool and its so freaken sad. I wish you guys were there with us to experience it. *cry*

[@cantwinnogamepr4513]

same 😂😂

[@lowpinglag]

At the time of writing this, Brad McQuaid one of the OG designers of EverQuest has passed away. Ultiama Online, EverQuest and Asheron's Call, all games that help shape the MMOs that we know today.

[@ganthore]

Maggie the Jackcat! Your site will always have a special place in my heart! Your guides to taper line ups and hours fizzling magic spells in arcane shops! ... man such great times with this game. Farewell Asheron's Call!

[@douglazar7207]

Was you on the winterseb server ganthor?

[@wompasdub]

haha I thought the same thing when I saw that was her talking

[@suminshizzles6951]

Remember the Og template with no war till 26? So you had to stand in a manapool and cast magic to raise yourself lmfao

[@kanatatsul8399]

This was the best game I've ever played or ever will play. I called Dereth, Darktide home for many years. Started out in Samsur killing drudges out by a remote tower, ran from Samsur to Uziz more times than I can count, lost my first matty coat the day I was given it by an amazingly kind patron, paid it back threefold, lived in Sawato for a while with Circle of Arms (Xanthro), got a matty robe and never wore it (too scared), crossed the Direlands as a level 22 with a horseshoe up his ass, helped the antis take and hold AB for the better part of a year, fought Blood and his 2 top lieutenants solo in Shoushi (and won), farmed the crap out of shadows and nexus crystals for shards, got my first atlan with a miracle run through the fire dungeon, fought with the House of Sagacious to take back the AB tusker den, blew Blattos and Landstalker away when that was a big deal, discovered Aerlinthe when it was new and empty, lost a famous duel there to Jmb, got my revenge later in round 2, climbed every single mountain just to see what was up it, went in every single portal to see what was in it, got lost, got found, was killed thousands of times, but always, always treasured my time with AC. I hope all of its players can find something else they love even half as much as they loved this amazing, enchanting, unique experience.

[@hannibalsmith12]

Was in shatenkind, remember fights vs blood. Blattos french player like me. So much good times in ac. Fighting for olthoi dungeon...

[@kadecooke9963]

Battles on that plateau by the portal subway... All desert had 1 little tent ontop.. Cant remember the name. God I miss this game. 😭

[@wewd]

I played from beta in '99 up until about 2006. Greatest gaming experience of my life. I made lifelong, real-life friends while playing it. Even though I haven't played it for a decade, this day is like losing a family member. Goodbye.

[@DrControversy]

Makes me wish I had tried this game out. I started in Ultima Online in ‘97 and did Shadowbane, Dark Age of Camelot, Anarchy Online, World of Warcraft. Only ever heard Asheron’s Call mentioned here and there. Seems like a good game and great community.

[@waxy1277]

It wasn't the first mmo, but it was MY first. I'm 34 now. I was 15 when I first logged in through that blue portal tunnel. I'll never forget that sound, it's burned into my memory. My brother was introduced to the game from a college friend and he introduced it to me. My brother, 3 of my cousins, an uncle and myself all got down on this game together. I've put some significant time into WOW, Everquest and Anarchy Online and even though superior in certain aspects(worse in others) I could never really invest myself into those games as much as I did with AC. I feel a little silly saying it, but Asheron's Call will literally be a part of me for the rest of my life.

[@klimbit]

This was and is the greatest MMO ever made. This was a really well done tribute PC Gamer. It nearly made me cry. I have played this game since release in 1999 and it has seen me through so many hardships and highs. It has by far the best community and the most fun game play. AC will be missed and always reign supreme in the MMO world.

[@adhamhsherief]

Never played this game, but I'm crying nonstop. That dude at the end, and everyone else who played, I wish you the best. I love you all :'(

[@likeorasgod]

The memorial thing tells you a lot about a community. I remember a while back in another game we found out one of the big clans we been fighting had a member pass a away that weekend. When the big portable came that we where sure to win even out number and out gunned. Our group came into the battle. Did a broadside shoot and exit the battle. I contacted the other side and told them we will have a 48 hour seize fire as long as they respect it too. It blew them away that would would stop our for sure victory for a player on the opposite side that most knew only for capturing his cargo ships all the time (guy was full PvE in a PvP game). It was out of respect cause we know how it can some times effect us to loose a long time friend online. Every one respected the cease fire and than when 48 hours was up we returned to war. The majority of my guys in my clan where older long time MMO players and have lost friends before than. Since than it's been many years and I have found out I lost a lot more of my old gamer friends from other games.

[@Immortalbob]

I see some of my video in there, glad you used it.

[@Nallenbot]

I'm sure I remember you!

[@skipmcilvaine]

Great job PC Gamer! And THANK YOU TURBINE!! This is the game, and the community, that made me a PC gamer. Asheron's Call will always be the greatest gaming experience I've ever had.

[@connorquimby9099]

i havent played since 2002 or so but this hit me right in the feels.

[@TheSentry66]

I never played AC, I hail from Everquest, but that didn’t stop my eyes from watering as I watched this well produced video. Safe journey and peace to the people formerly of Asheron’s Call.

[@skkoloa]

MY HEART IS SO BROKEN. 16 years of my life I gave to this wonderful world of Dereth. Asherons Call is the greatest and most legendary MMO of all time

[@Wojak369]

[@bitmau5]

Asherons Call was the first MMO I played. In 1998, I was in the Beta version before release. It was my first MMO, it will always have a place in my heart. I was a player on release and I was an Advocate in game for support calls. Next to the passing of my mother last week, discovering that AC is gone is equally saddening. My condolences to the community. You will be missed.

[@jardinsst-sauveur6359]

Holy shitballs. I don't know what dragged me here.. havn't played in years. I started at the end of the beta testing phase. Best. Game. Ever. Spent every second of my teen years drinking the nectar of countless moments of pure awesomeness. It was phenomenal.

[@krowwweee2918]

agreed

[@Ech0Chamber]

This is something I missed out on in life that I was never made aware of until now. These people cared, and I can feel the pain in the loss of their home.

[@Echoplex25]

it's good that PC gamer did a video on this game.

[@joeross6540]

more than WB would do

[@xogmaster]

it's not even a joke, they literally didn't do it.

[@RobWilliamsTG]

Thanks for using my timelapses! That brought a grin to my face.

[@wilhelmscream6834]

First thing I noticed man. Nice work! Told you they were baller :-P

[@taylorjones9548]

This game had a tremendous impact on my life, a great chapter. I am going to miss this game more than any other. Thank you for the video, PC Gamer. You guys are the reason I picked it up in the first place back in 1999 when I was subscribed to your magazine.

[@Spazticspaz]

Spazman here from Solclaim. R.I.P Asheron's Call. Love that you guys got Maggie the Jackcat, I remember referencing her website for my father as a kid. AC was a huge part of my childhood and it's left me with a nagging nostalgic emptiness. Cathartic, to say the least. Shout out to Wicked Stick and the Slam Monarchy.

[@burnout02urza]

All these moments will be lost, like tears in rain. Time...to...die...

[@imperium2079]

*lets go of bird*

[@metalmayhem3622]

There will never be another AC. I still remember my first patron's name. I was 16 then, I'm 32 now. I remember almost every person I met in Asheron's Call. I don't remember 1 person from WoW, or any other game I've played. There was something special about the way allegiances worked. You had a bond with your patron and vassals. The first time I saw my monarch, it was like meeting a celebrity. It was the best community one could hope for, considering the randomness of online interactions. The game engine was one of a kind. The monsters, the sound effects, the armor, everything was great. I saw the matty robe and pre-patch olthoi helm in this video, and I got goosebumps. I really appreciated the ability to do things solo, or with friends. I had more fun pressing delete, end, and pgdn, than I did with all the abilities of all other games combined. Any other games mages are GIMPS. Most of all, I'm going to miss the unrealistic run speed and jump height. In today's 'striving-for-realism' environment, I don't think there will ever be another game similar.

[@Graybush18]

Damn dude i know it's 2 years later but you really hit it with this comment. Meeting your monarch for the first time was like meeting a celebrity, and you got to tour their giant mansion! I for one really miss the different types of casts to use in PvP. Spending hours on slide casting to break animation will always be one of the coolest skills I learned in a game.

[@Wojak369]

word

[@Wojak369]

@@Graybush18 same!

[@jensmansson9224]

This feels so unreal.. I always tell people that AC is best mmo ever and i actually miss it and there are ppl that i'll never forget. Yesterday i was going to check how i could make my way back to Dereth for a visit to memory lane and i found this!?!?.. today i watched it and it really made me cry rivers and i really feel for the community. I got into ESO few months back, wanted a name that fitted eso-world so.. "Bael Zharon" lives on as a memory in eso-pc eu in form of a khajit nightblade. Love to you all from a Leafculler that never will forget this world and the fellow adventurers.

[@janesawyer3495]

I started out on Winterfell, and then eventually went to Thistledown. I started playing just after the beta. Played for 5 years. I did go back a few years ago, but RL stuff made it hard to play. I'm very sorry I wasn't there when it shut down. Awesome game.

[@suminshizzles6951]

AC lives on in emulators. A lot of people contributed a lot of their time so we can play on. I dont want to drop names in case i miss some but they all deserve the credit. Most of th enames you are familiar with anyway due to their involvement in either plugins or decal. I played this morning. I went and got my 40, 60,90 and 120 hive capapaces. The game in the emulator is at mid 2007 state so in essence almot half way done in just about 4 years now of developement.

[@lHasRage]

I started playing this game in 2001. I LOVED playing. I have yet to find anything that is as enjoyable. I miss playing.

[@KatamariDemocracySA]

Asherons Call was my first MMO. It's sad to see it like this

[@nicholasaussem7731]

I remember signing up for the beta and being so salty about not being able to play in till the open beta I have played over 50 MMO's over the last 20 years and this is the only one I have ever returned too regularly I played it for 8 years in a row before going to one game for 6 months returning to AC for a year ect ect.. nothing had what this game did … the freedom to be what ever you wanted to be the ability to fail dust yourself off and re roll.. no other game would let you shoot things with a spell while whacking things with a staff.. while raising your bow skill.. things were hard and challenging rarely ever handed to you. I really never thought this game would die in 50 years let alone 17..it may have been pixels but its members were family like no other game I have seen.. to all of my AC brothers and sisters carry this place with you in your heart you will never see anything like it again.

[@x3k0]

Thanks for this video it's spot on the feels. Had very good times in Dereth!

[@mikemustdash]

My heart will never let Asherson's Call go

[@emmathepony1992]

now to wait for fans to make unofficial servers

[@Gyva02]

Too bad they didn't pass the code to someone that would be willing to host it on their own server, that way everyone could keep their characters.

[@wilhelmscream6834]

There are people working on it.

[@NukuDoi]

yea... still waiting on the Dungeon Runners unofficial servers... ;_;

[@mtpstv94]

I'm sure you'll be happy to enjoy it when it's working in about 10 years.

[@wilhelmscream6834]

I'm pretty sure you don't know the AC community brother. :)

[@Henlarious]

AC was the best MMO every! No MMO has come even close to being able to allow players to build a strong community like AC. I played AC 1999 through 2004. It was one of the most fun things I have ever done. LOVE Maggie the Cat! Used to use her site to figure out the new updates.

[@soarcam1432]

I was David Bow E on Frostfell. I played since Beta until 2006 or so. So many hours of fun. So many friends. See you on the other side of the portal AC!

[@MarkyDav]

Fantastic video, thank you.

[@verisimilitudeteller]

I spent hours and hours playing it during/post-911. I played from December 99 to the end but took a couple little breaks inbetween. Just an amazing game I wish I could experience all over again.

[@hel-ham733]

I'll always miss this game! I had my New-character pattern down pat! It was pretty much the first character path i ever took in Dereth and never really changed it up lol! Level 1-10 Rithwick drudges Level 1-15 Run from Rithwick to Easham on the path out of town. I spent Actual summers of my life on the beaches of Eastham, out by the beach hut where we would hit the grommies and run back to the hut. I remember piles of newbies inside the hut cowering when a "Buff Grommie" or Reedshark would own several people and lay their cleaved in twain bodies on the ground. One summer after running the opposite end of the beach for the farthest Id ever gone into the wilderness of dereth i found a portal To Al-Jalima..what would become my new home for many years, the town I knew the most. The town that belonged to those who Lifestoned in it, it belonged to me and my friend in that time, in our minds. Level 15-18 Al-Jalima catacombs As a newb I had the most fun in "The Catacombs" which isnt even the name of the dungeon, i swear i spawned the name hahah. It was Metos for the lower levels, and every once in a while some guy 10levels higher than everyone would decide he wanted the catacombs for himself. This is when the AC community would kick-in, and kick his ass and his level 50(high as hell at the time) cronies out of town, heroes would show up, higher level characters with morality who would help the newbs hold the catacombs. Good times. Level 18-25 after Al-Jalima and leveling in Metos, me and my friend would run a shortcut from Al-Jalima straight to Zhakial, where we would farm armadillos for our new trendy coats and i would usually run the fire staff quest and sit on the drop for a little until i got mine and whoever else showed up From there it was Othoi, black and red drudges, the snake dungeon with the acid stone, DIrelands etc..all the stuff i can't recall well, can't portal recall well aha! Much Love for DARKTIDE! Grean, Grean II, T o N e, Acera, Acera-x, Acea-x

[@drymacchiato]

AC was my first MMO, played for 14 years , on MT...I still remember hanging out in the tavern in Eastham... running as a newbie on the beach..selling my pyreal mote to the merchant not knowing what I had..Your first Mattekar Coat..and your first Hoary Mattekar Robe..the friends you made over the years. It was truly special. The stories are endless, the adventures, the victories and the defeats..your first trip to The island of Aerlinthe with the Coral and Diamond Golems...all the wonderful quests.. I miss AC.

[@RhadaGhast100]

Hardly played the game but damn, this was depressing to watch :( I also like how the makers of the game shut down the website, not even saying a Thank you to the players who kept the game alive for years and years. Makes me sick.

[@michaeljohnson4457]

Warner Bros have shown time and time again that they are utterly heartless. They sit on Reid Flemming too and plan on doing nothing with that as well.

[@RhadaGhast100]

@GingersCan'tBePirates Oh shit never got notified. Yeah thats fucking bullshit, the game is perfect for shit like private servers. I would love to be able to play this game with my dad (The man who got me into the game in the first place)

[@RhadaGhast100]

@@michaeljohnson4457 Yeah, they really are, even three years later I'm still fairly disgusted.

[@ElesdeeGaming]

Maggie the Jackcat! I'll forever remember her website.

[@the69fury]

My first MMO and did meet many players through the game IRL. Thanks for all the good memories!

[@RichardAspdenOfficial]

Wow, that was so sad, especially the livestream at the end. :(

[@suminshizzles6951]

Maggie! Thanks for your input. That was nice about Ned Cleversun. A piece of me died with this game.

[@suminshizzles6951]

Those mass log-offs made me cry. I could not log on to do it. Mine died where they were. In cyberspace. DI LS

[@Ruko]

Nerd Slayer brought me here, i love MMOs and this seemed like a very special one.

[@ralphso5567]

Same. I was curious with all the halabalu

[@ChodeMaster]

Damn i was asleep during the final moments, didn't even get to say bye to my battlemage

[@CharlieJapan]

This makes me nostalgic for a game I've never played.

[@Sin2577]

I was on a business trip the final days, I left my main in the Holtburg tavern on MT

[@brucemundt8419]

What was really cool was all of the friendships I made during my AC play time...I still keep in touch with four or five friends thru FB today... :)

[@MrMacavity]

AC1 was a great experience as a young gamer. It was quite fantastic to be able to play with alot of people from all over the world.

[@johnhoward3042]

Maggie the Jackcat, I actually remember that name.

[@Kalazar88Gaming]

Very well made, this game had a very large impact on my life in so many ways.. I'm glad I was a part of it. And shout out to Maggie for the site! I used to love sending in information on patch days, skipped school a few times to do so lol.

[@voltagebinary1006]

This was my first MMORPG back in Winter '99. I had, and still have so much love for this game. It dared to dream and be something amazing that would shape gamers lives for years to come. Darktide was my home, and there was no feeling like logging in and not knowing WHAT might be going on. Games today still can't capture the magic that was AC. So long, old friend. And thanks for the memories.

[@christianblair8663]

Still one of your greatests videos and articles PC Gamer. Makes me really feel a heart string brake.

[@Andre-tl7gy]

As a Resident of Norrath since Vanilla Everquest, My condolences. I cant imagine

[@StuartWood1965]

Great video ... thanks PC Gamer for this fitting and wonderful showcase of our game and its amazing players. Also a very very sad video and was hard to watch .... have to buy a new box of Kleenex now .....

[@bigwinslow6274]

I only just heard about this game from this video and it broke my heart. I hope all of you wonderful people get an unofficial server and can play together again.

[@maxcaysey2844]

Its amazing how people can connect through a game! I have never played this myself, but played WoW alot. Never had anything even remotly resemble the community feeling these people are talking about in that game. Sure, some even alot might have, but this Asheron's Call community seemed very special!

[@Tyzen7]

One day, this will happen to WoW and Runescape. Gone forever

[@Maxhavlish1]

one of my favorite gaming memories of all time was doing the Atlan Weapon quest. Ill never forget how much hype there was when I first acquired it.. the cool glowing orbs that surrounded it, the lack of loss on death, the following quests needed to get the stones for it. Big thanks to my Patrons, Maggie The Jackcat and that crazy yet super helpful man Tinc Metals for all the memories. Reallly reallly REALLLY hoping Pantheon can deliver an experience as unique as this.

[@sthuvbot]

My dad and mum played it when they were younger and I played it too when I was old enough. I miss it so much ;-;

[@jamesedwards6173]

Lovely video. Great seeing familiar names. (I imagine some might even remember mine if they used very many dungeon maps in the old days.) I'm feeling a bit nostalgic for the good AC times. :) ~Eskarina of MT

[@markymark3668]

People talk about WoW, but man this game was the best MMO that ever existed. Gonna miss this game. Have a lot of great memories from childhood playing this game.

[@hel-ham733]

I ALMOST FOROT: For any AC fans who actually read the comments and enjoy them! I spent a summer LS in the Banderling Fort out in the mountains near Zhakial. This was a hard LS that my Monarch at the time was choosing to hold, you'd have to run upstairs as soon as you got to LS or risk getting kicked in the chest by a Tusker and having to ask others to buff you so you could get your loot off your corpse. The Patron/Vassel system was one of the most unique and player-driven systems I've seen implemented in any game to date..save Star Citizen, which i know not and haven't played. There weren't any official factions or groups, the players made them. When i first started playing the main "PK" monarchy was 'Red Devil'..who i guess would later become the infamous "Blood" lmao, that name makes me laugh. I remember banning together with countless individuals to "kill the bloods camping metos" or whatever other dungeon the "Antis" wanted to play in. Monarchs i played under/remember 1. Hakok 2. Adnan 3. Jack on Jill 4. Khaos 5. Archmage Nephilim DT4E

[@davidzambito6111]

This was hands down my favorite game of all time. I remember the hours spent hunting for singularity keys, hollow minions!!! The first time we saw those scary scarecrows, huge raid, came running in one shorting all the mages in their buffed up robes. We had no idea what was going on, it was chaos! I think that was one of my favorite parts of the game. So many secrets, so much to discover that you never had with other games. Hands down the best!

[@gourmayo]

Well I'm crying

[@ps1laracroft989]

Dont worry all these memories are still saved in one hard drive and in its players hearts

[@Artaud1957]

I played from 1999 off and on until the end. This video made me cry but really, what I miss most about AC isn't the people. The game had too many jerks, too many d00d types with offensive names and the apparent need to insult others in local chat. The only friend I had in AC was the co-worker who introduced me to the game. What I miss is the beauty of the world. The fact that I could go anywhere and do anything I wanted. I never cared about leveling. At the end I had a beautiful cottage in the desert, near the sea. I had all my bows and crossbows hanging on the walls in the hope that someday I would be powerful enough to use them. I knew AC was dying because there was hardly anyone else in my settlement. What a wonderful fantasy world.

[@homsarpshoo3975]

Asheron's Call is truly one of the greatest games ever made. I don't say that lightly, and not with rose tinted glasses. Every system in the game, from experience, to skills, to loot, to crafting is like a beautiful symphony of mathematical precision, creativity, depth, and balance. It's the attention to detail and love that went into this game that sets it apart from the competition. I was Falcon of Fury on Leafcull.

[@KsAdventures]

Extremely insane that WB did this to us.

[@gregoryk7114]

Maggie the Jackcat is famous for all AC players. Awesome website with a lot of info. I used to play on Solclaim from 2001 to 2005. I met a lot of nice people there, there were not a lot of French...

[@Gyva02]

Roll a character on Project 1999 it's classic Everquest with a great community.

[@duncanc4660]

Also there is the Everquest Project 2002, all files hosted, (no searching) up to PoP expac. Old school fun.

[@gimli4205]

It's nice to recommend P99 to people, although I don't think some people wanna pay more than 100 dollars to get EQ titanium for the server who have probably never heard of Eq.

[@battlefinder]

Project 1999 is horrible. Everything is overpriced as the server economy cant/ wont move past Velious.. Stay away

[@Gyva02]

Dwight: False

[@battlefinder]

Oh it's true. Rolled 4 60s there, raided with Taken and Awakened for over a year. It's cancer. The entire 1-60 adventure, if you can call it that, ends abruptly with nothing but a wall. Pay for gear, or face a farm crew exactly where the items you seek are dropped. P99 is absolute garbage now. The king is dead, long live the king (if one ever comes along)

[@Instar_nine]

Best game I ever played Amazing community I'll never forget it Brings a tear to my eye seeing videos around like this God bless you all 🙏

[@SantoRedeemer]

I understand, the same thing happened to me on City of Heroes, I miss the game and community, I have never found a replacement, and haven't gamed since. It is a hard reality when they turn off the servers. I hope you all stay in touch with the friends you made. Peace.

[@Latchfpv]

Awww man so sad to see it go. Guess I'll finally have to remove the two instances of AC I have installed on this PC. My first, and still favourite MMO, nothing's ever come even remotely close, though I've tried many across the years. RIP AC. You were fantastic, and deserved so much more.

[@keirstonAKAkiki]

I had no idea this happened! I as just talking about this game today about how much I loved playing it as a kid before I even started getting into World of Warcraft this was my go to! Man I am teary eyed. Such a great game!

[@MA-we6fy]

Something so strange to me about watching these types of videos. Last moments in games people really felt connected to. Seeing everyone in a server together saying their goodbyes in chat to people they've spent time with on there. Some they may not even see again. Crazy.

[@johngrizz3984]

Hiraq'Khan from dt definitely missing the game & people in it. Have alot of great memories with ac. Played since 99 had alot pre patch items. Missing my eye candy!!

[@lesstanthree]

Man, I miss this game and I miss the people! Had a lovely group of people I played with on Harvestgain (Defenders of Honor). Played for a long time but lost access to my original account/character my Life Archer Morpheius'. Met a lot of friends that I stayed in touch with for years after and many more that I lost touch with: Wizlet, Kai-tao, Shadow Hsishi, Nickodemus, Dark al-Slaayr, Lindela and her husband Hiro, and her grandson (can't recall his name)...and so many more character I have forgotten the names of over the years. This was a formative experience in my life, one of the first online communities that felt like an extended family. I know there are ways to access the game, but it really isn't the same as it used to be, the memories will always remain precious to me. RIP Dereth

[@lyyamamoto]

OMG! Maggie the Jackcat! I loved that website! Played on MT here under clan Elder

[@Darthzaroc]

This is exactly how I felt when SWG shut down. Hopefully someone is able to start a private server one day.

[@subject153]

You should look up the Star Wars Galaxies Emulation Project there are quite a few different teams working on bringing it back apprently.

[@augie683]

Yes there are a few groups that have the game up and running. SWGemu. and a few private servers running off that code too. The last server I spent a lot of time on is swg reckoning. If you have your original CD's you can install that and then the server client and there you go, you are in swg.

[@awesome9174]

Zach Sweet People are playing SWG as we speak.

[@havocgr1976]

Stopped playing that when I met one of the very rare Jedi players, apparently he lived 2 kms from me!!!Realized he was a university student that hasnt left his house in years, only playing online all day,and decided to stop.It was a good game.

[@jeremylilly4218]

When i heard, over all the years on darktide and peeps.. passed and living.. breaks my heart it ended but many of us moved on to others games and have kept these friendships, dont let this stop you guys keep those bonds. I hope public gets the code and opens the game. It was great.

[@thtuskey]

Although I have moved on to admittedly better games, I still say that my fondest memories from any previous MMORPG were from Asheron's Call. I played from Launch, for about four years. Definitely not a hold-your-hand game, this was true exploration, with a real sense of fear getting killed out in the open that modern MMO's just don't have. I miss my good old friend Skippy Skullcrusher. Thistledown. The Crusaders was our Alliance.

[@joneal93454]

It was fun ride, in since 1999 had 2 accts for awhile all on Leafcull. So cool to see Maggie The Jacket who I think we all went to for help and the time she spent updating on her ole website! RIP AC

[@lordandrew1973]

Great video, so very sad.

[@PaulDoe79]

Played this game from 2001-2006 on Darktide. Mr Spears was my name

[@davidtrogdon577]

Been thinking about this game the last few days. Thought I would look it up to see what was happening only to find it is gone. Oh well. I started playing about a month after it went live. Think that was December and I started playing in January. It was a new world. I had a mage named Dei Ray. Early on I was terrified to even go through a portal because I had no idea where I would end up. Then, you lost some gear on death and if you could not find your body to loot it, it was gone. There were no addon's to give you coords. Your ran everywhere and you memorized land marks to find your way around. One of the first ventures running between towns, you could hear the thump, thump, thump of a Reedshark chasing you and it was terrifying. Later I met up with a group called the K Crew led by Kummuntai with other adventurers like Punji and Purple Peril. There was a real sense of community. I you got in trouble, people would drop their own adventure to come help you. People hunted together, guest together, laughed, and some even made real life friends. Got symbolically married in game, at least a few got married in real life. I wish I could remember some of the other great players. I Mt Dew was a regular that was a ferocious warrior that would take you anywhere. There was another that specialized in creating matching armor I dealt with times. Anyway, after playing for about 10 years, I finally fell out of the game. I am sad to know it is now gone but nothing lasts forever. Salute to the classics, game and players all.

[@jedisquidward]

Very very very very very very very spectacular video.

[@davidgriffin926]

i played this game from beta -2003 under alot of different names. some of them were drid and i'll make it all. had to take time to raise mt wonderful daughter. my first go around i wasnt a very social player. came back in 2009 as dryde the crossbow. met some great people. thank you insane absinth for taking the time to teach me some of the finer points to playing. i eventually came to be one of the most powerful players on solclaim server. even when i was not playing i always thought about AC. it was my first mmo and i have never found another game like it. i will miss the small island of dereth

[@nicovanbellinghen51]

I feel sorry for all of you guys, I've never palyed Asheron's call but I've been trough a few game-ends in the past too and I know it hurts. I hope for you some dedicated community members will find a way to provide a new private server in one way or another. I remember when Papayaplay gave Uncharted waters a 3rd rebirth I was like the happiest person on earth just to know the game wasn't gone forever. I felt the same when the Flyff was "dying". Fortunatly, however the original Flyff gold server still exists, I remember how much it hurts to miss those odd nostalgic and Epic days with friends.