The state of MMOs

Aesdyn2

 

 

 I've been thinking about my own personal experience with MMOs, and since the start of my gaming time with MMOs back in 1996 with Ultima Online, I've decided that it really has been fun but I doubt there will be an MMO that will ever be the same as Ultima Online and Everquest were to me. These games were very individual driven despite the group content, I felt proud of my acomplishments and in many ways, I think the imbalances in the game made it even more fun, or I should say that there was a sense of wonder as you witnessed two level 50 players, one hardly holding his own, and another mopping floor with monsters in Lower Guk.

 And it was the players that made it fun for me, I know this now. It was not the uber elite items, but that was important to an extent, as long as it gave the players the power to create the drama and experience I desired, the adreline rush to make your mark, or honor those who did, and see them rise to glory of the "old days." I honestly think one of the major reasons I'm driven away from MMOs is quite simple, I'm not sure they are for me anymore, as I just can't get into games as much these days.

 The only form of game development I enjoy now is playing around with building my own graphics engine, beyond that, going back to school has been my focus, I have to say most likely for the best that there is not an MMO that I play as much as I used to, however despite the negatives talked about, playing games like Everquest have helped me in other ways that I greatly appreciate. These games really let us interact with each other, and in a very personal and meaningful way, grow from each other. I have to say also, that the sad part about MMOs is meeting people that then disappear later. I still login to Ultima Online and run around in Trinisc and other places, and remember the people, the magic.

 There are a few things, mechanic wise that I think many game designers in general are moving away from, and though there are exceptions to the rule, I could say a game I would absoutely love to play, and that is one like Diablo, but only if it involves the same adreline rush, of grouping with your friends and fighting another team, or even simply hacking away at legions of monsters. My dream MMO would be one that combined both the lucrative reward system of dangerous fast killing slashing horror, with a crafting system like UO, where you can make items and do that soley if you choose, and be just as viable. In a way I also would love to see rune systmes like UO in a game. I wish for so many reasons that Vanguard could have offered a rune system, but many would disagree.

 Anyway, have fun.

 

 

 

 

Slow

I think for the vast majority of MMORPG players, their first seriously time-invested MMO will always hold that special place in their mind such that no other game will really ever be as special.

Although I never played it, I know exactly what you mean when you say you log into Ultima Online and remember the old people you used to play with.  I too had been doing that over the past few years with a few of my first MMORPGs.  But the sadness of seeing old friends' names in your Guild/Clan List and Friend's List in that  light gray color indicating they're not online anymore  (the ones you spent days, weeks, months, maybe even years playing with) kills the mood to play.

I have learned it's just a game and to move on and stop thinking about the past.  I know I will most likely never get that "high" of my first MMO gave me, so for me, I doubt I will really get into the genre again, no matter how "good" the gameplay might be or graphics might be of future games.

MMORPGs were always about the interacting between players and I'd always be comparing any new ones I play with my special ones. I sometimes wish I could go back years ago and relive it all again.  The state of MMORPGs is something I curiously follow with a distant eye...

SEANMCAD

Originally posted by Slow


I think for the vast majority of MMORPG players, their first seriously time-invested MMO will always hold that special place in their mind such that no other game will really ever be as special.
Although I never played it, I know exactly what you mean when you say you log into Ultima Online and remember the old people you used to play with.  I too had been doing that over the past few years with a few of my first MMORPGs.  But the sadness of seeing old friends' names in your Guild/Clan List and Friend's List in that  light gray color indicating they're not online anymore  (the ones you spent days, weeks, months, maybe even years playing with) kills the mood to play.
I have learned it's just a game and to move on and stop thinking about the past.  I know I will most likely never get that "high" of my first MMO gave me, so for me, I doubt I will really get into the genre again, no matter how "good" the gameplay might be or graphics might be of future games.
MMORPGs were always about the interacting between players and I'd always be comparing any new ones I play with my special ones. I sometimes wish I could go back years ago and relive it all again.  The state of MMORPGs is something I curiously follow with a distant eye...

 

I am an older person with a great deal of gaming experience and I consider myself extreemly self aware. I have had moments in my gaming life (like NOW, as in today) where I know I am playing games that have hit the sweet spot and I will remember for a long time to come. I also recall long peroids of time where I couldnt find any game that had that spark. I also recall times in the distant past where the game was a sweet spot.

When looking at games intellectually I can see that the during my dry peroid in gaming the games I was exposed to lacked very speicific elements that games I liked had. It was direct and measurable.

So with all that said, I am a perposing that perhaps its actually true and its actually NOT a case of the 'good old days' gamers.

Again, the changes are direct and measurable in LESS content and features in some gaming areas, specifically single player games.

Cortes2141

Man I can not agree with you more...Ultima Online was by and far the best and will forever remain the best MMO to me...im still seraching for that MMO that is not lvl/xp based... i hate the daily grind to be the highest lvl.. only to have a new patch increase the lvl cap...games like wow only entertain me for a few months at best...and i completely agree with you about the people and interactions making the game what it is. UO was the best because you were free to do what ever the hell you wanted to do...it was a life away from life. Todays MMO's only offer grinding and more grinding...we've just become slaves to the XP lol...I hope that someday another mmo will come along with the freedom, and skill lvling system that UO had...The irony of this post is that you opend this thread 5 years ago..and i doubt that this post will ever even be read....oh well..