MMORPG Theory Question

Doppler · 2004-09-11, 08:26 PM

I was debating somethings about MMORPGs the other day. In my mind the make or break points for a good MMORPG are always going to be the following.

PVP
Crime
Balance
Niches
Diversity
Economy

PVP:To have it or not is the biggest question you can ask when doing up a PVP. A pvp that starts without it, and then adds it later can be so horribly screwerd up.

Crime:Whether you have PVP or not crime is a major issue for any MMORPG. If your in a multifaction system where ganking any ships/guards/shops etc is ok as long as you dont expect a warm reception in their systems great, but if you want to live totaly above the law and prey on everybody your choices of safe resting spots should be severly restricted.

Balance:No class/combo/build should be siginifigantly less usefull then any other.

Niches:The flip side of balance, every class/build/whatever should have a few things it does better then anybody else. The problem here is limiting things that are good in groups but worthless without one, or awesome to solo but never can find a group.

Diversity:Take a look at City of Heroes, theres enough diversity there to keep everyone happy, even among the same class. Try and avoid "Random Half Elven Ranger 0000002"

Economy: Economy is another hard thing to balance, you want currency to have value, yet is easy enough for new players to get good gear for their level that they dont become disenfranchised. In my mind limiting gear by level seems about the best solution.

Thoughts?

Corrosion · 2004-09-11, 08:31 PM

A free WoW.

That would be the best MMORPG EVAR.

JetRaiden · 2004-09-11, 08:44 PM

Originally Posted by Corrosion

A free WoW.

That would be the best MMORPG EVAR.

speaking of which, corr we need to set up that little purchase your friend is making.

IM me sometime.

ObnoxiousFrog · 2004-09-11, 08:51 PM

I liek candy

Corrosion · 2004-09-11, 08:53 PM

Originally Posted by JetRaiden

speaking of which, corr we need to set up that little purchase your friend is making.

IM me sometime.

Roger dodger.

Doppler · 2004-09-11, 09:31 PM

*sighs* can you guys please stay on topic?

Dharkbayne · 2004-09-11, 09:37 PM

HAH! PSU on topic?! FAT CHANCE!

Warborn · 2004-09-11, 10:03 PM

Most important parts of an MMORPG for me are PvP, and diversity. PvP is self-explanatory, but with diversity, I mean different ways to play the game. One of WoW's big flaws in my opinion (and bear in mind, this is after playing it since March, so you may not realize this yet if you've only played it a couple weeks) is the lack of variety in gameplay. Though questing is much more welcome than grinding, it's still not very fun. I really wish there were alternative ways I could gain exp, especially if those alternatives consisted of PvP. I'm hoping the battlegrounds will give me that option, but that's another thread altogether. PvP and diversity of gameplay are absolutely key to me.

Originally Posted by Corrosion

A free WoW.

That would be the best MMORPG EVAR.

Nah, because it would become so hideously unprofitable that they'd have to close it down after a month.

Setari · 2004-09-11, 10:10 PM

first of all the game needs to keep my attention for a while. And I enjoy games that arent based solely on combat. WoW does a good job with this by having lots of side jobs. IMO there need to be alternate ways to gain experience aside from combat because combat can get boring fast if that's all that is available to do.

SDM · 2004-09-11, 10:41 PM

The single most important thing for me (like Setari) to have something to do besides combat. Also, I want to be able to go solo if i choose. The thing that killed EQ for me was in the high end game, to get anywhere you had to be involved with massive raids with like 50 idiots that lasted 8 hours. fuck that.

I Hate Pants · 2004-09-11, 11:36 PM

MMO games usually lack content. If it can keep my attention for more than 3 months. Than it's doing something right.

Indecisive · 2004-09-11, 11:41 PM

Originally Posted by Corrosion

A free WoW.

That would be the best MMORPG EVAR.

Negative, that would be the worst mmorpg ever. I would be scared for my life.

2 words:

Bnet community

For me, combat, diversity, and the "exploration" factor. Need to look at neat things.

I Hate Pants · 2004-09-11, 11:43 PM

Originally Posted by Corrosion

A free WoW.

That would be the best MMORPG EVAR.

RUNESCAPe!!!!!!

JetRaiden · 2004-09-11, 11:48 PM

Originally Posted by I Hate Pants

RUNESCAPe!!!!!!

:stab:

FearTheAtlas · 2004-09-11, 11:50 PM

I think the actual Roleplaying takes precident over all of that, followed by GM support, balanced classes, fun quests, interesting lore, etc. etc. Then again, that's coming from a roleplayer scarred from SWG