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Malcolmsprye
Member Posts: 28
in LFGame
Hi all,
Which MMOs would you recommend for new players? I am trying to decide on a few good MMOs - not all from the same sub-genre though. I am thinking WoW might be one as it is very easy to get in... What else? These will be alternative virtual environments students can choose to explore for a class I will be teaching. Thanks!
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Make the boring student play EVE. Then make the make the mentally unbalanced one shoot the first one. The projects you get back will be a joy to read.
Jam is sticky.
All of them have free trials, WoW, Eve, LOTRO, EQ2, Fallen Earth
Give them all a shot.
Well shave my back and call me an elf! -- Oghren
lol.. I just don't think i would be allowed to teach the course again
OK, as much as it hurts me to say this, try WoW. It is by far the best modern mmo on the market. HOWEVER, do not fall into the trap of thinking that wow defines mmos, because it does not. Wow skips a lot of mmo concepts in order to appease a large casual audience. It's still a great game, though. Just be sure to try out Eve afterwards to get an entirely different perspective on mmos. It's a shame I can't recommend any other mmos because everything running nowadays is trash except for wow and eve.
This all legitmately depends on what age group your talking about teaching this class to, and what the class is regarding.
I think with a little more info as to what your teaching and what age group your teaching it to we'd probably be able to help a little more.
Regardless, your not going to want to get caught up in a 10-day free trial that youd have to spend money on to expand upon, or have lack of flexibility with. So I'd say try Runes of Magic since it's free to play and not restrictive. us.runesofmagic.com/us/index.html
It really depends on what you are even trying to teach. Games like EVE or Darkfall are cutthroat and ruthless sandbox games that will really spark conflict and discussion. Sandbox games will also teach players to work together in order to survive, unlike themepark games where people work together to achieve a set of goals.
For players who don't know MMORPGs very well, you might want to consider tossing them into something other than WoW, only because I believe some might want to avoid the stigma associated with WoW players. Perhaps LotRO would be a good poit to enter as it provides a familiar setting to many people who only need to watch the movies to be brought up to speed.
There are also F2P MMOs like DDO that will have your students work in small teams to accomplish a number of goals, it is also a game that is easy to pick up, do a bunch of stuff, and then turn it off at hour or two hour intervals.
MMOs played: Horizons, Auto Assault, Ryzom, EVE, WAR, WoW, EQ2, LotRO, GW, DAoC, Aion, Requiem, Atlantica, DDO, Allods, Earth Eternal, Fallen Earth, Rift
Willing to try anything new
Ok.. the course is for graduate students, so 23+ I would say. They should be able to afford subscription during the semester - if they continue it is up to them really. But, of course it is always attractive to have a free play.
the subjective of the class is to explore possibilities of multi user virtual environments - both social virtual worlds like Second Life and MMOGs. Possibilities are defined broadly here. But, for example, education, emotions, relationships etc.
Ok.. the course is for graduate students, so 23+ I would say. They should be able to afford subscription during the semester - if they continue it is up to them really. But, of course it is always attractive to have a free play.
the subjective of the class is to explore possibilities of multi user virtual environments - both social virtual worlds like Second Life and MMOGs. Possibilities are defined broadly here. But, for example, education, emotions, relationships etc.
I had typed up a big long post on different games and such - then got tied up with work before i hit post and figured i should double back and see if you'd replied already...good thing i did....
This post clearly speaks of one game.
EVE Online (www.eveonline.com)
the learning curve is steep, but if your talking about using 1 game for a full semester of a college course i can think of nothing that will drive the issues your discussing better.
EVE has 1 con - it is slow paced (1 skill trained in realtime every few hours/days starting out, and weeks later). That said, it is one of the only game most folks in these forums will consider a good "sandbox" game. A "sandbox" being one in which the players create the events that unfold. It also has the most in-depth/realistic economy and politics.
Since the developers leave all the game play up to the playeres, the player created corporations (a group of like-minded players) really rule the roust in some systems of space...this leads to corporate espionage (by other player made corporations).
It also has a full Player vs player system which means anyone can destroy anyone elses ship. This can be great fun and also truly frustrating and leads to the Emotional aspects your looking to convey. On top of this, EVE is a group focused game where survival of your character generally depends on working together with others. Most folks playing are working together towards a common goal, but generally are also more about working with the group for their own goals (such as wealth, power, etc). Overall i think its probably your best bet. the only emotion not covered at all in EVE is love, but any MMO covering that you likely want to stay clear of
Ultima Online, show them the mainstream roots...
Everquest, to show them the granddaddy of 3d mmorpg...
WoW to show them the most popular
CoX to show them how fun it is to just make characters...
EvE... then show them this diagram...
"There is only one thing of which I am certain, and that's nothing is certain."
Ok.. the course is for graduate students, so 23+ I would say. They should be able to afford subscription during the semester - if they continue it is up to them really. But, of course it is always attractive to have a free play.
the subjective of the class is to explore possibilities of multi user virtual environments - both social virtual worlds like Second Life and MMOGs. Possibilities are defined broadly here. But, for example, education, emotions, relationships etc.
The thing is, MMO's all vary widely in terms of audience and appeal, so whats your plan going to be.
Are you trying to get them to try a wide variety of games, if so, go with free to play's like DDO, Runes of Magic and some others.
You can't expect them to shell out 20-50 bucks for multiple games and maintain 15/mo subs for each.
Now, if your goal is to pick one, (or two) and use them throughout the class, your choices are a bit different.
If you go with Second Life, you will be in the ultimate virtual world, but with very little game.
You could also go with LoTRO, with its Tolken lore and good social mechanics (like ability to play music) you'd get decent social interaction and still have a game.
Darkfall, EVE, and other PVP centric games are only if your students are going to be future military generals and you want to do an experiment on how much of the game world they can conquer. (and while I do love EVE, one semester isn't enough time, you could major in or do a thesis on the game)
But assuming that most of your students will not be MMORPG players already, you really can't go wrong with WOW for terms of ease of entry, and lots of things to do, but the social side may suffer some.
And heck, nothing says you have to go with adult themed games (where theres a lot of asshattery), you might want to try a "family" game such as Magic 101 which not only is free to play, but presents interesting social intections w/o the darker side of the player base in the MMORPG universe.
"True friends stab you in the front." | Oscar Wilde
"I need to finish" - Christian Wolff: The Accountant
Just trying to live long enough to play a new, released MMORPG, playing New Worlds atm
Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. Pvbs 18:2, NIV
Don't just play games, inhabit virtual worlds™
"This is the most intelligent, well qualified and articulate response to a post I have ever seen on these forums. It's a shame most people here won't have the attention span to read past the second line." - Anon
You know - after second thoughts, LoTRO may be a better bet for folks going with 1 semester of class. Its not Real difficult to get involved in and folks who dont normally play MMO's (dunno why theyre taking this class anyways) would find it easy to get involved in (though not as easy as wow).
Definitely a cool concept for a class though - if i may ask. what major is this class a part of? - just curious
Wow works even though EQ2 or LOTRO are 2 good game that will offer you even better noob skills, they are somewhat harder to reach the max level in and that is actually a plus when you learn the ropes. If things is too easy you might get problems in later games, or when you reach the endgame.
'you should also try Guildwars and Dungeons & Dragons online. Both of them have no monthly fees but GW demands you to but a GW box to play it (it has a free trial however). DDO live by selling extra content and is besides from that free.
Then you should try a PvP game, Eve online or Dark age of camelot will do fine. Mortal online and Darkfall are also interesting but they are less noob friendly (which say a lot).
Most of these games have a free trial, except DDO that is completely free (unless you buy junk). MO and DFO doesn't, another reason why I think you should wait with them until you have gotten a bit into the genre. Of course was the first MMO ever similar but I think it is easier to try something simpler first.
Anyways, do a free trial a week until you find something you really like. If you plan to play 2 games at the same time, go for GW or DDO as the second game. The fact that they don't have any monthly fees makes them perfect as an alt game.
These are great points. Thank you. Indeed I want students to experience social aspect of MMORPGs. It might be best to assign games for pairs. I am thinking DDO as it is F2P, and I like Lotro. In fact I am doing research on these two games currently.
Dude...did you read the post? The OP isnt asking for a game for them to play as a casual side game...theyre asking for a game to teach their graduate level students with.
These are great points. Thank you. Indeed I want students to experience social aspect of MMORPGs. It might be best to assign games for pairs. I am thinking DDO as it is F2P, and I like Lotro. In fact I am doing research on these two games currently.
Two good choices indeed.
LoTRO is also persistant world (primarily) and DDO is primarily instanced areas so that adds another level of social interaction (or lack there-of).
Good luck!
You need to at least try WoW to see what the fuss is all about. While I can understanding trying DDO because it's free, or LOTR Online because it's a fairly good game, you are narrowing your experience by choosing those 2. If you want to experience MMO's, try a few, but make sure you try a wide variety. WoW is the biggest MMO on the market today, so you might as well try it and see why many others like it. It's also a good idea to try something that you know is going to be modeled after for many future games.
EQ1-AC1-DAOC-FFXI-L2-EQ2-WoW-DDO-GW-LoTR-VG-WAR-GW2-ESO
It might be against terms of service of WoW but I might bought an account for the class and install it on one of the computers on game lab, they wouldn't be able to play with each other but can experience how WoW is all about. I agree that it might be a good idea to have them experience just because WoW is very popular.
I like this chart. I may actually use it at some point. I like your sampling of games. I have EVE online from a random draw at a gaming event, CoH and CoV from a game design competition. I have my own WoW account but I wouldn't want students to play with my characters and sell my gear : O
I like this chart. I may actually use it at some point. I like your sampling of games. I have EVE online from a random draw at a gaming event, CoH and CoV from a game design competition. I have my own WoW account but I wouldn't want students to play with my characters and sell my gear : O
Right on lol...
The games I listed, with the exception of EvE... should be ok to run on "college level" computers that are at the schools and not choke on performance.
*note There was mention of DDO... which would be a good one to show of how a P2P game when F2P... what a "cash shop" is and show a different form of attacking mobs (as in not just auto attack)
"There is only one thing of which I am certain, and that's nothing is certain."
Ok.. the course is for graduate students, so 23+ I would say. They should be able to afford subscription during the semester - if they continue it is up to them really. But, of course it is always attractive to have a free play.
the subjective of the class is to explore possibilities of multi user virtual environments - both social virtual worlds like Second Life and MMOGs. Possibilities are defined broadly here. But, for example, education, emotions, relationships etc.
I had typed up a big long post on different games and such - then got tied up with work before i hit post and figured i should double back and see if you'd replied already...good thing i did....
This post clearly speaks of one game.
EVE Online (www.eveonline.com)
the learning curve is steep, but if your talking about using 1 game for a full semester of a college course i can think of nothing that will drive the issues your discussing better.
EVE has 1 con - it is slow paced (1 skill trained in realtime every few hours/days starting out, and weeks later). That said, it is one of the only game most folks in these forums will consider a good "sandbox" game. A "sandbox" being one in which the players create the events that unfold. It also has the most in-depth/realistic economy and politics.
Since the developers leave all the game play up to the playeres, the player created corporations (a group of like-minded players) really rule the roust in some systems of space...this leads to corporate espionage (by other player made corporations).
It also has a full Player vs player system which means anyone can destroy anyone elses ship. This can be great fun and also truly frustrating and leads to the Emotional aspects your looking to convey. On top of this, EVE is a group focused game where survival of your character generally depends on working together with others. Most folks playing are working together towards a common goal, but generally are also more about working with the group for their own goals (such as wealth, power, etc). Overall i think its probably your best bet. the only emotion not covered at all in EVE is love, but any MMO covering that you likely want to stay clear of
Thank you for your input. I really like your perspective. Once upon a time I had tried to get into EVE online but I was too impatient among other things. I think I will try EVE first to get some experience on gameplay. As I will be covering economy, user ownership in virtual worlds, EVE's realistic economy might be great. Out of topic, but I am looking forward to CCP's new MMOG World of Darkness
Agreed! WoD (if implemented correctly) will be a great MMO!!
I would actually suggest getting a footing in an "easier" MMO such as WoW, the PvE side of GW, or something of the likes before barging into something complex such as a sandbox like EvE or Fallen Earth. If you're not familiar with how stats and the skills they affect work, it's way too easy to screw up your character in one that relies on stats and the skills they affect for strength.
However, some excellent F2P games are Spellborn, Face of Mankind and Dungeons and Dragons Online.
Check out the MUD I'm making!
Thank you... I decided to use WoW and DDO for sure. Right now, I am just assuming students will not have any experience with MMOs. But, if there are any one played MMOs before, I might assign her/him to a little complex ones - may be EVE if s/he likes challenges.
Although the game itself is very "iffy" and has a large population of younger people, Runescape has much to offer in regard to your request.
First of all, you can play free or get a cheap subscription for $5/month. Getting your students to pay $15/month for 3 months is a bit to ask of a poor graduate student.
Runescape's game world is relatively small, and new players always seem to be in abundance. Since it's small, there are a few regular social hubs where people will be, for better or worse, very social. So learning about the people who play is not a huge chore
There's a wide range of people from young to old, from helpful to out and out criminals who will try to get you to cheat or download malicious software or steal your account information. It's not a total hive of scum and villainy, but you've got them there.
A lot of training in RS is done in a single spot for long periods of time, so folks tend to get bored and chat. Again, that's not always a good thing, but for your purposes it might be insightful
Older games tend to have most players at end-game, and it's not a terribly social environment. WoW was definitely such a case, so in games like that it might be hard to break into the game's social structure. For folks at end-game, if you're not helping them raid or run heroics, you're going to have to f*** off and they've no time for you.
Just my two cents.