I have never tried it. Perhaps I will...

I've 'played' Gaia for a few years now, so I know a good deal about it. 'Played' is said lightly, because I never really became social on that site nor did I ever quest for items or whatever, but I've played all the games and taken part in events.

Gaia is EXCEEDINGLY chat based, and it's forums are VERY active (the forum pulse which shows the posts updated that second shows this) but I must say, some of the subsections have some very odd inhouse rules and so on. For example, the General Discussion (infamous for it's GDer's... who are an odd breed) is a very hard place to post in as it's been nicknamed a mini 4chan, and the Extended discussion is filled with learned people who expect a4 page replies on the discussions. However, there are some nicer boards.
Guilds are a very well made feature there, and you often see massive guilds for all kinds of things. Very good feature.
As for post safety, the levels of swearing in your posts and what you see can be set in the preferences. If you want to swear, you can, if you don't want to see it or swear you can change the preferences.
However, there's recently been some image security issues, and posting from "trolls" is common, so be aware you may see some X-rated material without much notice.

As for the other features, Gaia is one of the few sites I can say REALLY tries to get it's members involved. There is a weekly poll, the actual STAFF MEMBER working on glitches or whatever posts an announcement updating you VERY regularly on what is happening, and they actually ORGANISE get togethers of members at cinemas in REAL LIFE towns. They have appeared on the Morning Show (no clue what that is as I'm British and it's american) together to advertise Gaia. Basically, the staff are very very very supportive of the members and it really shows. Its lacked so much in other big places, it's nice to see.

As for gameplay, there have been VERY few games... as Gaia focuses more on the community and holds regular events (I'll talk about that in a sec). Indeed, when I joined there was only 5. Since then, only 2 more Gaia made games have been created. When I joined, they had Fishing (very very popular), Jigsaw (popular but not to the same extent), Cards (gamble based game, I don't know about popularity as I hate it), Slots (pretty popular) and Word bump (Very UNpopular, there were MANY glitches meaning you played for ages and got nothing). This was pretty bad... considering flash games are so sought after. More recently, they've introduced Rally, a car racing game Gaia style, and the hit Pinball. Pinball has become one of the members favourites. Very recently, they held a contest for amateur gamemakers to submit games (gaia related or not) to the site, and then a public vote for the hundreds of games were held over a matter of weeks. These games were then adapted to give Gold.

Gaia holds big site events more often then places like Neopets, and they are well thought out and fun most of the time. They ALWAYS fit in with the plotline of the Gaia characters (which is ongoing), which is very good. The plot is very strong on gaia, and all the characters are used to their maximum potential. Many people enjoy the NPC's upon the site, as all of them are visable no matter whether an event is on or not, as each NPC owns a shop or gaia place.

The Avatar system is good. It has some issues with the layering of items, but it seems well loved upon the site.

The towns concept is a good idea... but Gaia fails to use it to its full potential. Occationally, the towns are adapted for an event (like halloween) and they become interesting, but they are a novelty mostly.

However, the downside to the site is really that there is not alot of substance to what you do. Unlike Mrtiki or Neopets, there is no things to work towards like puzzles to get into certain areas, or finding avatars or coconuts so things become boring very quickly. Due to the lack of games, this becomes even more of a problem, as no one wants to play pinball all day (games seem to last up to hours sometimes o_o). If you do not find your social place in Gaia society, you find yourself with no one to interact with. If you aren't social, the site is incredibly boring. INCREDIBLY!

That said, Gaia is worth a 5 minute log in a day in order to check weather there are any events, and if there is one enroll in it and enjoy the temporary fun before it dies again, and then log off. If you're social, you'll find more interest in the forum if you can find somewhere that suits you, and you may really enjoy this site.

Edit: Ho crap o_o I didn't even realise I wrote that much XD

Last edited by Rowena (2008-06-22 15:40:30)

XD Thanks Volte :*
Seriously... I just enjoy ranting about those things o_O I'm a little odd.

Thanks XD
It seemed no one else knew much about the website... so I thought I'd fill people in XD

I'll now add back onto Argeth's post with info XD

There are ALWAYS massive server issues during events, but the staff 'seem' (seeing as I don't know how they work) to do their upmost to get things going again. A good example would be the most recent "prom" event... where when I first checked it out you weren't even ABLE to join the town-based area's for the overload. Finally, I managed to, but it ran so slow that when you tried to play the game (Kind of a slightly different styled dancemat-via-keyboard game) the notes weren't even moving o_O However, I closed it from the crash it caused my computer. And I went back on to find that the version "2.2" had changed to "2.6" within a few minutes (meaning 2.4 had been put on quickly and then changed because it caused further issues). By the end of the evening (in my time, no clue what that is in america) the event was playable and ran quickly for most people.
I don't say this as a Gaia fangirl either XD I'm genuinely impressed at the way Gaia updates it's members on issues, and fixes them when they arise.

Those "super special" items are called "Donation letters." They are pretty nifty, and they ALWAYS sell for a great deal on the trades/auctions. However, Gaia has done it in such a way that it DOES NOT put free paying players at an advantage.

I'll simply say Argeth is right about the economy, but luckily not being able to get some of the really rare items doesn't aggrivate too much.

As for the battle system, recently there seems to be some movement. Last year, they released an official website holding information on whats going to be in it. It looks like a VERY extensive battle system, and people are very excited about it.
Here's the official site : http://battle.gaiaonline.com/

ive never seen it but it sounds intersting i might try it one day.

I used to play gaia, a friend a school put me on to it a loonnng time ago, it was alright then, I enjoyed it for a while, but there's not too much to do (just talk and fish, and buy stuff) but the community kept me occupied, but I left.  I came back to check it out a few years later... that was a mistake.  Although it had a ton of new things but their community, well it got overrun with the emo-type.  I couldn't really find anyone to relate to so I figured I'd move on.

Lis, for the fishing features... it qualifies as a 'game'. Its fishing in the same POV you have when you fish on Mr.Tiki but very different gameplay. HOWEVER you are able to chat to people as you do so which is fun ^^

The upcoming battle system (don't know when it is coming) may be like runescape seeing as its an MMORPG... but for now, the only bit thats anywhere MMORPGish is Towns which is... erm... where you can wander around towns and chat to people? O-o

Their community is very good if you are prepared to post ^^ Gaia is somewhere where you need to find your niche (its got extensive forums) and stick to it. The posting moves VERY quickly there... I personally never got into the community, but a friend of mine did XD *pokes TBHF*

It seems rather... time consuming.

well,I've played gaia recently..There's been a lot of changes since I've join it 2 years ago..
yeah,sometimes going around talking and chatting around the towns really bores me.but it is the best way to make friends there besides random PM's and profile comment..I'm loving gaia online b'coz you can be who you want to be there..from anime characters until fav actors/actresses..besides you can show-off your avatar(if you really think ur avi is cool enough) and the best avatar of the week will win golds!Talking about golds..gold are really easy to get in gaia..U can either play games,surf the site,vote at the arena,sell or trade items,posting in forums,shake the trees and rocks(at town) or simply by commenting on a profile..My currently favourite game on gaia is Pinball..The game was easy n' I gain a lot of golds just by playing that game.The best thing about gaia is the monthly or sometimes weekly quest..It sometimes give free items and golds(if you do accept & accomplish the quest)

Later,this year gaia held a prom night..n' it was a really fun event..Dancing!!I managed to be a a Dance Queen after playing 20 rounds non-stop,each round with different level of accuracy..n' I won a limited edition crown,a bow tie,ribbon, and a watch..the crown is the best part b'coz u can decide whether you want to wear it gold or silver on your head.

hmm..actually I'll write more about gaia online..so,

- to be continue-

Read the post above you. It contains some ways to get golds.

Gaia is a very forum-oriented community. It probably shouldn't be counted as a MMO, but a massive forum with some games tossed in.

It shouldn't be treated as a game, such.