General: Top Five MMO Thanks

SBFord

In The List this week, MMORPG.com's Bill Murphy tears a page from the 'better late than never' playbook and discusses the top five MMO things for which he is thankful. He runs the gamut from investors to players to in-game travel options. Check it out and then leave your thoughts in the comments below.

I know Thanksgiving has come and gone (and I’m sorry if you’re not American and don’t give two copper), and I for one have way too many things in my life to be thankful for. Sure enough, like everyone, I’ve got my ups and downs. But really, when I take a step back and look at it all, I’m pretty pleased with how things are going for me. That said, as I was sitting around the dinner table with my family last week saying my own thanks it occurred to me that I’m thankful for a lot of things about MMOs too. However no one at the table seemed to have any idea what I was talking about, so I thought I’d take some time this week and share them with you all. In the continuing spirit of the holiday season, here’s a list of five things to be thankful for in MMOs. Feel free to put in your own serious and not-so-serious additions in the comments below.

Read more Top Five MMO Thanks.

Ozmodan

I think one important one you left out was everyone involved in the computer hardware market.  Without the constant improvement in processing speeds, and the constant decline in prices, no one could afford to buy a computer that would play these games.

Isturi

5.) Expanded Travel Options

This is one of only two items on my list that deal with actual gameplay, but it's major enough that I felt the need to say thanks anyway. When I began playing MMOs, and I know this is a common sentiment these days, I had all the time in the world and I didn't care that I had to spend half of my day running from one corner of the map to another. It was part of "The Adventure". I miss that, but I also appreciate that life has become delightfully more complex as I age. Therefore I am infinitely thankful for the way in which games have become a little simpler (at least in terms of travel).

After reading this I would have to disagree, because that if a game becomes to simple then what fun would it be if everyone are on equal grounds with equal DPS to boot equal stats to kill bosses on a faster lvl? were does it end?

Vorruga

I have to disagree with the "Cross-Server Interaction" being something to be thankful for.  While I can appreciate that people without much time enjoy the feature, because it enables them to find something to do that much faster, I believe that cross-server interaction ruins server communities.  There are also games where PvP will have a direct effect on the server (I believe that in TERA, you can gain control of territory through PvP, which is done in instanced, cross-server battlegrounds.  Someone can correct me if I'm wrong.) and in those cases, I think cross-server battlegrounds are detrimental.  If I'm going to seize control of territory on my server, I should have to fight people from my server to do so.

 

While there are definite upsides to Cross-Server interaction, in the end I don't feel as though the positives outweigh the negatives. 

Senadina

I have to question your willingness to buy a "good-looking" chestpiece for RMT. That only encourages the developers to make crappy looking armor in game, and sell the pretty stuff for real cash.

nycplayboy78

lolcats @ Sound Advise picture 

 

=D

Ceridith

Cross server interaction has been executed terribly in some cases. A shardless system is the best, in the sense that every player is a part of the same general gamespace, like Eve.

Poorly done however, is WoW. While yes, BG and dungeon queues have gone much faster with the addition of cross-server instancing, it's also dealt a heavy blow with regards to community and player behavior. It's created a system where players are randomyl dumped into groups with random people from other servers whom they've have not, nor will likely again, encounter.

This is bad for two reasons. Firstly in that it's encouraged poor behavior such as ninja-looting, being a jerk, afking, etc, because there is less consequence as it is with people from different servers who cannot easy follow up with 'community' conseuqneces. Secondly, if you do happen to end up in a group with people who are good and/or fun to talk to, chances are you won't get to do another instance with them again, and can't talk to them without adding them to your realID which some people are hesitant to do because of the whole real name thing.

Kyleran

Originally posted by Ceridith

Cross server interaction has been executed terribly in some cases. A shardless system is the best, in the sense that every player is a part of the same general gamespace, like Eve.

Poorly done however, is WoW. While yes, BG and dungeon queues have gone much faster with the addition of cross-server instancing, it's also dealt a heavy blow with regards to community and player behavior. It's created a system where players are randomyl dumped into groups with random people from other servers whom they've have not, nor will likely again, encounter.

This is bad for two reasons. Firstly in that it's encouraged poor behavior such as ninja-looting, being a jerk, afking, etc, because there is less consequence as it is with people from different servers who cannot easy follow up with 'community' conseuqneces. Secondly, if you do happen to end up in a group with people who are good and/or fun to talk to, chances are you won't get to do another instance with them again, and can't talk to them without adding them to your realID which some people are hesitant to do because of the whole real name thing.

Bingo. Couple that with the fast travel options and gameplay mechanics designed to reduce player dependency and downtime and you've got the terrible communities of most modern MMO's.

But what I'm thankful for, well, despite the continued underachievement of almost every MMORPG in the past 5 years, there are still people willing to keep trying to bring us newer, better games.  Who knows, one day they may actually even get one right.

malrod

IMMERSION!!!! thats what will bring me back to MMO gaming. A game that is CHALLENGING which will cultivate a strong sense of brotherhood(sisterhood too) a true community of players working together. ahh, i know i long for the good old days where you felt proud to be a player in a game, and you were surrounded by others that felt the same way. it wasnt just about gathering STUFF, but the PROCESS of how you had to work together to achieve STUFF. OH well, i digress a little off topic but all the things discussed in this article is the exact opposite of what i think is important.

Death1942

I'm just gonna throw it out there but if you thanked the suits with the money...why did you not thank the people that spent years of their life toiling away at a computer to make the games that you play (Developers) and then bare the brunt of the backlash when the suits retarded decisions come to light and the fanbase goes nuts (or goes away, in that case the suits are the ones yelling at you).

n3verendR

I don't know man... there were a pair of boots in EQ1 that were highly sought after and even more highly contested and treasured.

Journeyman's Boots. They were the first "Mount" that I can remember in EQ, and man were they awesome. I would still to this day take a quest to do/find something like these in the place of my ratty old level 40 mount in WoW. In fact, I would consider it a big deal at that.

Benthon

Journeyman's Boots. CLICK CLICK CLICK CLICK CLICK CLICK CLICK CLICK.

 

Casting anything as a Warrior made you feel special.

erictlewis

Cross server interaction,  that's not something to give thanks about that usually messes stuff up.  I.E. Battlegrounds.

Now lets talk about subscription options,  the new hybrid model I am not a fan off,  so no thanks for that either.

Kezzerdrixx6645

Lmao.. I was about to bring up the old EQ days and someone mentioned Journeyman boots... Loved them as a wizard as it made me feel special that i had an instant cast.. Woohoo!!.. Anyways, i do have to say, i don't agree with the travel.. Honestly, that's what made EQ fun. Taking hours to get across the karana's, stopping and talking with people there that were farming (mages's remember the pegasus? )  ect ect.. That's what built communities. Any more though, the travel systems pretty much leave everyone to their own thing unless instancing.

That brings up my second agreement. The instance finders/cross server chats/pvp, ect ect is.. meh.. I've seen more ninja looters on WoW in the last 2 months than i have in all 5 years i played pre-wotlk. Now while most would say "just go find your own group on your server then.", I hear the opposite almost every time from the server's community.. Just use the instance finder... I honestly am greatful for it for those that don't like to find the groups, but I'm not for those that actually want to build a decent community on the servers.

That's just my two cents... now... CLICK CLICK CLICK CLICK! FABLED JOURNEYMAN BOOTS, AWAY!!!!!

NeoPlasmaX

The fact that MMOs don't feel like a real RPG anymore but yet more like a collection of carnival games is why I don't like the direction of how MMOs are headed.  No real exploration, the fact you can simply que up for prettty much anything without leaving town to do just about everything in the game or not even having to know anyone is taking the experience all the wrong way specially in a time where social networking and interaction is at a high point.  Why automate that stuff and remove socializing? Instead implement a lot of it and make it more socially interactive.

flynnkd

"" Thank you, those people looking to make their millions into even more millions, for keeping my hobby alive. ""

Arthasm

You're right, we hate u about 3rd expression.

Wizardling6

I'm not thankful for cross server instancing as IME it leads to poorer play behaviour since it's unlikely you'll end up playing with the same people twice. I am thankful for shard-less systems like Eve's which does encourage community.

I'm also doubtful that removing boats in EQ and giving out mounts at the drop of a hat in WoW (to give just two examples) or anything that allows an MMO to be played in small chunks of time is positive. Not only does it help destroy the epic quality of being inside a huge world, it negatively affects community when people no longer meet each other on the boat, or experience random meetings as they travel the world (and the sometimes delightful interactions that spawns). Instead everyone can just instantly portal anywhere, with no need to bump into one another. It helps turn an MMO into a solo game that the player can pick up for 15 minutes, kill a few mobs, and retire without ever having to socialise.

No, I'm thankful for MMOs, and especially thankful the older ones survive, but the 'casualisation' of MMO play has severely impacted the fun have today, as compared to even five years ago. Hey - let casuals have their own MMOs. They should have options for their definition of fun too. But give me what I want too. Don't just try to lump all MMOers together. We're not all alike, and if hybrid models and SOE's Station pass have proven anything, niche MMOs can survive and be profitable. So how about specifically catering to niche markets a little more, please? :-)

BillMurphy

Actually this list was made by somebody who generally thinks the above-mentioned things are good for the genre.  You don't have to agree.  They're just my opinions.

Also if one reads the entire article, there are valid reasons for me appreciating these things.  Just as some posters have valid reasons for refuting my claims.

In short: We don't HAVE to agree.  Smile folks.  It hurts less than frowning.

Isturi

Originally posted by BillMurphy

Actually this list was made by somebody who generally thinks the above-mentioned things are good for the genre.  You don't have to agree.  They're just my opinions.

Also if one reads the entire article, there are valid reasons for me appreciating these things.  Just as some posters have valid reasons for refuting my claims.

In short: We don't HAVE to agree.  Smile folks.  It hurts less than frowning.

It is a good read Bill Ty for that. And you are right to voice your opinion for being thankful. One of the things I agree with you on is the guild system. Unfortunately good guilds are harder to fine better guilds are almost impossible unless you start the guild yourself and are on top of the guild in ever aspect of the word. I know Ive been a GM twice and gave away my guild Twice because it seem like taking care of a puppy that never grows up. lol

Now if you can get into that right guild and stay there then yes being in a guild is a thankful thing.

Dinendae

Originally posted by Isturi

5.) Expanded Travel Options

This is one of only two items on my list that deal with actual gameplay, but it's major enough that I felt the need to say thanks anyway. When I began playing MMOs, and I know this is a common sentiment these days, I had all the time in the world and I didn't care that I had to spend half of my day running from one corner of the map to another. It was part of "The Adventure". I miss that, but I also appreciate that life has become delightfully more complex as I age. Therefore I am infinitely thankful for the way in which games have become a little simpler (at least in terms of travel).

After reading this I would have to disagree, because that if a game becomes to simple then what fun would it be if everyone are on equal grounds with equal DPS to boot equal stats to kill bosses on a faster lvl? were does it end?

    Travel options make the game too simple? That's where that choice thing comes in; you can choose whether or not to use the travel options. You also seemed to have failed at reading comprehension; at no time did the author mention everyone should have the same equipment or DPS, he merely was thankful for having a wider selection of travel options as opposed to spending an hour or so just to get from one spot to the other. 

MimiEZ

I agree with the travel one, I don't like instant travel options, though. I love how WoW did the travel options, though it has flaws here and there: like the portals in Dalaran and Shattrath, no mounted combat, however it's great for the most part. I personally would adjust the flight path ones, making more like airplanes, wait a minute or whatever, then get on the giant gryphon with everyone else.

With the Cross-server thing, I agree with most people here that it is bad for the community, it shouldn't exist or should be a worst and/or  last choice kind of thing, not the better choice.

I like hybrid sub model thing too, though I will probably always be a subscription person, having limiting models, just limits the amount of people that will play the game. I would prefer a model that combined b2p and p2p options, as I like those way better then f2p.

I like the players too, though I could care less about investors, I think players and developers are way more important.

[Deleted User]

The user and all related content has been deleted.

Isturi

Originally posted by Dinendae

Originally posted by Isturi

5.) Expanded Travel Options

This is one of only two items on my list that deal with actual gameplay, but it's major enough that I felt the need to say thanks anyway. When I began playing MMOs, and I know this is a common sentiment these days, I had all the time in the world and I didn't care that I had to spend half of my day running from one corner of the map to another. It was part of "The Adventure". I miss that, but I also appreciate that life has become delightfully more complex as I age. Therefore I am infinitely thankful for the way in which games have become a little simpler (at least in terms of travel).

After reading this I would have to disagree, because that if a game becomes to simple then what fun would it be if everyone are on equal grounds with equal DPS to boot equal stats to kill bosses on a faster lvl? were does it end?

    Travel options make the game too simple? That's where that choice thing comes in; you can choose whether or not to use the travel options. You also seemed to have failed at reading comprehension; at no time did the author mention everyone should have the same equipment or DPS, he merely was thankful for having a wider selection of travel options as opposed to spending an hour or so just to get from one spot to the other. 

I read and comprehend it just fine. OP eluded to the fact that because of this the game and I quote "became a little simpler (at least terms of travel.) I just gave a little extra thought to how much more simple certain games (WOW) have become and to what end will (WoW) get?

Ginaz

Originally posted by Isturi

5.) Expanded Travel Options

This is one of only two items on my list that deal with actual gameplay, but it's major enough that I felt the need to say thanks anyway. When I began playing MMOs, and I know this is a common sentiment these days, I had all the time in the world and I didn't care that I had to spend half of my day running from one corner of the map to another. It was part of "The Adventure". I miss that, but I also appreciate that life has become delightfully more complex as I age. Therefore I am infinitely thankful for the way in which games have become a little simpler (at least in terms of travel).

After reading this I would have to disagree, because that if a game becomes to simple then what fun would it be if everyone are on equal grounds with equal DPS to boot equal stats to kill bosses on a faster lvl? were does it end?

Yes, because taking an hour to travel from one place to another is awesome fun.  You remember fun, right?  The reason we're supposed to be playing video games?  If anyone finds walking great distances that takes up a great amount of your time fun, well....different strokes I guess.

And LOL at all the neckbeards talking about how much better it was in "the old days".

Isturi

Originally posted by Ginaz

Originally posted by Isturi

5.) Expanded Travel Options

This is one of only two items on my list that deal with actual gameplay, but it's major enough that I felt the need to say thanks anyway. When I began playing MMOs, and I know this is a common sentiment these days, I had all the time in the world and I didn't care that I had to spend half of my day running from one corner of the map to another. It was part of "The Adventure". I miss that, but I also appreciate that life has become delightfully more complex as I age. Therefore I am infinitely thankful for the way in which games have become a little simpler (at least in terms of travel).

After reading this I would have to disagree, because that if a game becomes to simple then what fun would it be if everyone are on equal grounds with equal DPS to boot equal stats to kill bosses on a faster lvl? were does it end?

Yes, because taking an hour to travel from one place to another is awesome fun.  You remember fun, right?  The reason we're supposed to be playing video games?  If anyone finds walking great distances that takes up a great amount of your time fun, well....different strokes I guess.

And LOL at all the neckbeards talking about how much better it was in "the old days".

if you go above one post you see what I meant by my comment. Or better yet since you are not a Neckbeard I will re quote myself so maybe you understand what I meant.

I quote "I read and comprehend it just fine. OP eluded to the fact that because of this the game and I quote "became a little simpler (at least terms of travel.) I just gave a little extra thought to how much more simple certain games (WOW) have become and to what end will (WoW) get?"

Get it got it good. ty

Oh by the way having a REAL neckbeard gets the ladies dont you know? oh you don't oh well to bad for you.