Housing/Guild Halls: Would they help make a difference to you in resubbing?

popinjay

One big thing RIFT is lacking according to players leaving is enough things to do during the game that are not combat related.

People claim there isn't enough fluff or other reasons to do much that builds a sense of immersion or cohesion among guilds and helping to retain players.

Question is: Do you think player housing/guild halls would make more of an impact on Rift?

If housing was added, would you consider staying or resubbing? Do you think they can add a missing element in the game?

Would you like Trion to include housing instead of an additional dungeon as development or just have them continue on the current path of dungeons and battle content?

Raventree

I like Rift and my subscription isn't on the line until SWToR comes out.  That being said, I think players are wanting a new game to launch with everything good that has ever been in the previous games that have already been out for a long time.  Years ago, when MMOs were still new, people didn't really know what to expect so they could be happy with what was offered.  Nowdays there are a lot of MMOs out there with a LOT of different options, so most people have an expectation of what the possibilities are.  The expectations are high and somewhat unreasonable.

I think what would help Rift the most is cranking out the additional features that players are demanding quickly, before they get bored and wander off.  What Rift really needs is an expansioin a year ahead of schedule.

popinjay

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Originally posted by Raventree
I like Rift and my subscription isn't on the line until SWToR comes out.  That being said, I think players are wanting a new game to launch with everything good that has ever been in the previous games that have already been out for a long time.  Years ago, when MMOs were still new, people didn't really know what to expect so they could be happy with what was offered.  Nowdays there are a lot of MMOs out there with a LOT of different options, so most people have an expectation of what the possibilities are.  The expectations are high and somewhat unreasonable.
I think what would help Rift the most is cranking out the additional features that players are demanding quickly, before they get bored and wander off.  What Rift really needs is an expansioin a year ahead of schedule.

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Okay, but what are your views on housing?

Zekiah

Housing is great, it will bring some people back. I just found the game horribly boring and it would not be enough for me.

Ngeldu5t

Housing alone won't  bring me back because the game will still be shallow and boring.Trion made the choice to stripped their game  of the things that made an MMO what  it is and turn their game into an fps.

GrayGreene

Housing would be nice, but without a solid crafting experience housing would most likely be generic;  The crafting in this game is too simplistic.  Perhaps housing/guild halls could be implemented as crafting evolved.  Pretty much a action mmorpg at the moment, so more action content and world events seem to be the status quo.

Raventree

Okay, but what are your views on housing?

 

 Housing is one of the fluff items that could be provided as an update or in an expansion to fill out what some people feel are missing from the game.  I, personally, think it would be a fantastic addition.  I loved my house back in Dark Age of Camelot and if done right, housing could be something that keeps players around longer.

I think what a lot of players are saying is that Rift sticks so close to the WoW formula that there is a feeling of been there done that and it would take more than just housing to make a difference.

DarbiiRue

It certainly wouldn't hurt!

Ikonic

We are resurecting your soul not to fight evil, but to build a house...

Bladestrom

Trion made the mistake of assuming that what themepark players want is more themepark but with refreshed graphics and some more twists.  Those that still love themepark will stay with the mmorg we cannot mention, and those that are fed up of themeparks are not getting anything new from Rift.  Housing is a bit of a weird one in that it is a sandbox feature - whats the point in sticking that into a themepark - themeparks players wont see the point, and people tired of themeparks aint gonna play a themepark because there is houses.

boojiboy

I loved houses and the guild hall in Vanguard.  The world was huge, crafting was incredible and the world, houses and guildhalls were all non-instanced that enviroment.  Building our guild hall was a great acheivement.

 

But I just don't see any of those things in Rift and therefore, houses and guild-halls would probably just be blah like the rest of the game.

Matt_UK

Originally posted by Bladestrom

Trion made the mistake of assuming that what themepark players want is more themepark but with refreshed graphics and some more twists.  Those that still love themepark will stay with the mmorg we cannot mention, and those that are fed up of themeparks are not getting anything new from Rift.  Housing is a bit of a weird one in that it is a sandbox feature - whats the point in sticking that into a themepark - themeparks players wont see the point, and people tired of themeparks aint gonna play a themepark because there is houses.

 

I kind of agree with this. Houses never work well in themepark mmos, the houses in EQ2, LOTRO, DAoC are rubbish because they are out of the way in separate zones to the action. I would be 100% behind housing that is part of the world as it is, like it was in UO, but I can take or leave housing that is on an estate somewhere where no one ever  goes.

Crafting of house items would be nice. One thing Rift really lacks at the minute is a player economy, the auction house is pretty dead and not used by many, maybe more options for crafting will increase use of the AH.

Malevil

Originally posted by Bladestrom

Trion made the mistake of assuming that what themepark players want is more themepark but with refreshed graphics and some more twists.  Those that still love themepark will stay with the mmorg we cannot mention, and those that are fed up of themeparks are not getting anything new from Rift.  Housing is a bit of a weird one in that it is a sandbox feature - whats the point in sticking that into a themepark - themeparks players wont see the point, and people tired of themeparks aint gonna play a themepark because there is houses.

 

There is no reason why shouldn't Rift implement sandbox features just becouse it's themepark - nothing is just black and white and i dont see why player housing would be weird in any mmorpg - you know that RPG part of the name of genre ... Most ppl playing mmos don't choose mmos for being themepark or sandbox, hell most even dont know what it means.

What rift needs in my opinion is more none-raid endgame content - more open world zones, meaningfull open world pvp objectives etc. Third update and 3rd raid zone added ... not everyone wants to raid ...

Draftbeer

Originally posted by Zekiah

Housing is great, it will bring some people back. I just found the game horribly boring and it would not be enough for me.

Same.

TheLizardbones

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Originally posted by Malevil

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Originally posted by Bladestrom
Trion made the mistake of assuming that what themepark players want is more themepark but with refreshed graphics and some more twists.  Those that still love themepark will stay with the mmorg we cannot mention, and those that are fed up of themeparks are not getting anything new from Rift.  Housing is a bit of a weird one in that it is a sandbox feature - whats the point in sticking that into a themepark - themeparks players wont see the point, and people tired of themeparks aint gonna play a themepark because there is houses.

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There is no reason why shouldn't Rift implement sandbox features just becouse it's themepark - nothing is just black and white and i dont see why player housing would be weird in any mmorpg - you know that RPG part of the name of genre ... Most ppl playing mmos don't choose mmos for being themepark or sandbox, hell most even dont know what it means.
What rift needs in my opinion is more none-raid endgame content - more open world zones, meaningfull open world pvp objectives etc. Third update and 3rd raid zone added ... not everyone wants to raid ...

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The problem, from the perspective of a player who's done with Raids is that a lot of people do want to raid. Or possibly a lot of people are simply addicted to it. I was never that much into it to begin with.

I think you're right except that I don't think Rift needs something other than the endgame PvE/PvP Gear Grind(tm). I do, but Rift will get along just fine doing what it's doing.

I think Trion is capable of changing the end game up and I'd like to see them do it. Personally, I don't care if they do it with Rift or if they do it with Defiance. They just need to do it because they can.

** edit **
Housing, by itself would not be something I'd resub for. It wouldn't be something I'd consider playing a game for to begin with though. Take it a step further into land ownership, add in resource production or development on said land and I might consider it.

Raventree

Originally posted by Ikonic

We are resurecting your soul not to fight evil, but to build a house...

 Oh yes, and don't forget to go forth into the capital and jump around all day or go AFK.  THIS IS WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN RESURRECTED FOR!!!!  <thunder>

Lukain

I doubt it because they would almost without question screw it up some how .. Just like Guild Bank costing 15000 plat to open all tabs " small guild would take  years to open" so they made them elite guild only , so Housing  I bet would cost

 

Cottage : 2 Room 3000 Plat & 500 Plat a Month Upkeep ..

 

Rift is the first MMO I have goon from loving to loathing in a 2 month period , It has zore re-playability , monthly events are stupid & allways bugged , No endgame "ok now 1 endgame dungeon" that we cant see for another month , smallest Game world in history , Bland zones , No addon support ,  Devs that have no imagination

Events one : Lets add more rifts , dailys & a new currency with rewards that most people allready wear better

Event Two : Hmm ? Lets add more rifts , dailys & a new currency with rewards that most people allready wear better + 1 dungeon

Event Three : Can you guess? Lets add more rifts , dailys & a new currency with rewards that most people allready wear better + 1 dungeon

 

see the pattern

Unknown

Originally posted by Bladestrom

Trion made the mistake of assuming that what themepark players want is more themepark but with refreshed graphics and some more twists.  Those that still love themepark will stay with the mmorg we cannot mention, and those that are fed up of themeparks are not getting anything new from Rift.  Housing is a bit of a weird one in that it is a sandbox feature - whats the point in sticking that into a themepark - themeparks players wont see the point, and people tired of themeparks aint gonna play a themepark because there is houses.

 

I disagree. They haven't made a mistake. They have made a damn successful game.

 

Rift is bashed on these forums quite a bit - what game isn't? - but it is going strong and has retained a strong subscriber base to build from. The way they are releasing new content has many players smiling, including me. Really, what other MMO has done this lately?

 

On housing, I think it would make no difference for me (not that I am gong anywhere). My experience of housing in other games is it is an expensive, grindy affair and as another poster said (referring to LOTRO among others) too distant (tucked away in an instance) from the actual world for me to genuinely care about.

Ryukan

No, housing and guild halls would not bring me back.

Calerxes

Originally posted by Strap

 

 

I disagree. They haven't made a mistake. They have made a damn successful game.

 

Rift is bashed on these forums quite a bit - what game isn't? - but it is going strong and has retained a strong subscriber base to build from. The way they are releasing new content has many players smiling, including me. Really, what other MMO has done this lately?

 

 

 

The game has had free server transfers within 4 months of release because many of the servers were dead within 3 months of release so now you have two or three very high pop servers on both EU & NA regions with the rest being deserted, yep a strong population base to build on I'm sure.

 

It really is a shame as the concept was very interesting as a game but the execution was the definition of bland and repetative, so really housing will not make me sub and I imagine many other lasped subs, the problem is the core game mechanics and speed of leveling which is an effect of the lack of any real content or world size. They for me have driven themselves down a cul-de-sac and cannot turn around without removing the houses ie the games underlying mechanics. The only thing they can do and is shown by the world events and updates is to add more of the same in a vertical fashion, more raids then more zones and levels and then more raids and so on.... housing in other games like EQ2 & LotRO was designed in from the get go and is an integral part of the game and world, housing in Rift would be just a band aid solution to a game that really has no imagination in it to keep people playing in the first place, add to that a very lackluster and pointless crafting system you have to ask yourself whats the point.

 

 

Cal.

Ryukan

Originally posted by Calerxes

Originally posted by Strap

 

 

I disagree. They haven't made a mistake. They have made a damn successful game.

 

Rift is bashed on these forums quite a bit - what game isn't? - but it is going strong and has retained a strong subscriber base to build from. The way they are releasing new content has many players smiling, including me. Really, what other MMO has done this lately?

 

 

 

The game has had free server transfers within 4 months of release because many of the servers were dead within 3 months of release so now you have two or three very high pop servers on both EU & NA regions with the rest being deserted, yep a strong population base to build on I'm sure.

 

It really is a shame as the concept was very interesting as a game but the execution was the definition of bland and repetative, so really housing will not make me sub and I imagine many other lasped subs, the problem is the core game mechanics and speed of leveling which is an effect of the lack of any real content or world size. They for me have driven themselves down a cul-de-sac and cannot turn around without removing the houses ie the games underlying mechanics. The only thing they can do and is shown by the world events and updates is to add more of the same in a vertical fashion, more raids then more zones and levels and then more raids and so on.... housing in other games like EQ2 & LotRO was designed in from the get go and is an integral part of the game and world, housing in Rift would be just a band aid solution to a game that really has no imagination in it to keep people playing in the first place, add to that a very lackluster and pointless crafting system you have to ask yourself whats the point.

 

 

Cal.

 Trion made a game which seemed pretty decent and sold well, but cannot maintain a subscriber base equal to the box and digital sales of the game. They came up with some great, unique and interesting gameplay systems (the soul system, the rifts and monster invasions) and unfortunately tacked them onto a a rather lackluster and overall copy-and-paste core game concept.

The game is pretty fun early on and I really enjoyed it, but within a month I was bored with it and had hot lvl cap already and what there is to do after level cap is the same ole same ole gear and rep grind as every other game out there. The level grind to level cap is far too quick, the game world is way too small, the PvP is uninspiring and repetitive and the raids just aren't that awesome.

Sorry, but I don't see this retaining a strong subscriber base. Heard plenty of talk about ghost town servers and folks quitting. The free server transfers is just the first step in them trying to deal with the diminishing populations. The free server transfers are here because they don't want to move to server merges this early in the game's existence. But I would be that the server merges are not far behind.

Golelorn

No. I want to group with other players.

With the severe lack of any interest in the tank class this leaves the LFG queue to be as reliable as a 1960 Ford.

Calerxes

Originally posted by Ryukan

Originally posted by Calerxes

Originally posted by Strap

 

 

I disagree. They haven't made a mistake. They have made a damn successful game.

 

Rift is bashed on these forums quite a bit - what game isn't? - but it is going strong and has retained a strong subscriber base to build from. The way they are releasing new content has many players smiling, including me. Really, what other MMO has done this lately?

 

 

 

The game has had free server transfers within 4 months of release because many of the servers were dead within 3 months of release so now you have two or three very high pop servers on both EU & NA regions with the rest being deserted, yep a strong population base to build on I'm sure.

 

It really is a shame as the concept was very interesting as a game but the execution was the definition of bland and repetative, so really housing will not make me sub and I imagine many other lasped subs, the problem is the core game mechanics and speed of leveling which is an effect of the lack of any real content or world size. They for me have driven themselves down a cul-de-sac and cannot turn around without removing the houses ie the games underlying mechanics. The only thing they can do and is shown by the world events and updates is to add more of the same in a vertical fashion, more raids then more zones and levels and then more raids and so on.... housing in other games like EQ2 & LotRO was designed in from the get go and is an integral part of the game and world, housing in Rift would be just a band aid solution to a game that really has no imagination in it to keep people playing in the first place, add to that a very lackluster and pointless crafting system you have to ask yourself whats the point.

 

 

Cal.

 Trion made a game which seemed pretty decent and sold well, but cannot maintain a subscriber base equal to the box and digital sales of the game. They came up with some great, unique and interesting gameplay systems (the soul system, the rifts and monster invasions) and unfortunately tacked them onto a a rather lackluster and overall copy-and-paste core game concept.

The game is pretty fun early on and I really enjoyed it, but within a month I was bored with it and had hot lvl cap already and what there is to do after level cap is the same ole same ole gear and rep grind as every other game out there. The level grind to level cap is far too quick, the game world is way too small, the PvP is uninspiring and repetitive and the raids just aren't that awesome.

Sorry, but I don't see this retaining a strong subscriber base. Heard plenty of talk about ghost town servers and folks quitting. The free server transfers is just the first step in them trying to deal with the diminishing populations. The free server transfers are here because they don't want to move to server merges this early in the game's existence. But I would be that the server merges are not far behind.

 

This is so true but many people around this board cannot see this coming and its better they realise it now as it will be easier to deal with later when the populations drop of even more due to the release of games like Tera, TOR & GW2. These free server transfers also make it easier for Trion to merge when the time comes and as you say, I feel as well, thats going to be sooner rather than later. There is very little they can do to Rift to make it more popular unless they redo the underlying base game and that would take lots of effort from Trion and I don't think they really want to go there with two other games in development. Lets just hope they learn their lesson and make Defiance a game with staying power. 

 

 

Cal.

 

Clywd

Originally posted by Calerxes

Originally posted by Ryukan

Originally posted by Calerxes

Originally posted by Strap

 

 

I disagree. They haven't made a mistake. They have made a damn successful game.

 

Rift is bashed on these forums quite a bit - what game isn't? - but it is going strong and has retained a strong subscriber base to build from. The way they are releasing new content has many players smiling, including me. Really, what other MMO has done this lately?

 

 

 

The game has had free server transfers within 4 months of release because many of the servers were dead within 3 months of release so now you have two or three very high pop servers on both EU & NA regions with the rest being deserted, yep a strong population base to build on I'm sure.

 

It really is a shame as the concept was very interesting as a game but the execution was the definition of bland and repetative, so really housing will not make me sub and I imagine many other lasped subs, the problem is the core game mechanics and speed of leveling which is an effect of the lack of any real content or world size. They for me have driven themselves down a cul-de-sac and cannot turn around without removing the houses ie the games underlying mechanics. The only thing they can do and is shown by the world events and updates is to add more of the same in a vertical fashion, more raids then more zones and levels and then more raids and so on.... housing in other games like EQ2 & LotRO was designed in from the get go and is an integral part of the game and world, housing in Rift would be just a band aid solution to a game that really has no imagination in it to keep people playing in the first place, add to that a very lackluster and pointless crafting system you have to ask yourself whats the point.

 

 

Cal.

 Trion made a game which seemed pretty decent and sold well, but cannot maintain a subscriber base equal to the box and digital sales of the game. They came up with some great, unique and interesting gameplay systems (the soul system, the rifts and monster invasions) and unfortunately tacked them onto a a rather lackluster and overall copy-and-paste core game concept.

The game is pretty fun early on and I really enjoyed it, but within a month I was bored with it and had hot lvl cap already and what there is to do after level cap is the same ole same ole gear and rep grind as every other game out there. The level grind to level cap is far too quick, the game world is way too small, the PvP is uninspiring and repetitive and the raids just aren't that awesome.

Sorry, but I don't see this retaining a strong subscriber base. Heard plenty of talk about ghost town servers and folks quitting. The free server transfers is just the first step in them trying to deal with the diminishing populations. The free server transfers are here because they don't want to move to server merges this early in the game's existence. But I would be that the server merges are not far behind.

 

This is so true but many people around this board cannot see this coming and its better they realise it now as it will be easier to deal with later when the populations drop of even more due to the release of games like Tera, TOR & GW2. These free server transfers also make it easier for Trion to merge when the time comes and as you say, I feel as well, thats going to be sooner rather than later. There is very little they can do to Rift to make it more popular unless they redo the underlying base game and that would take lots of effort from Trion and I don't think they really want to go there with two other games in development. Lets just hope they learn their lesson and make Defiance a game with staying power. 

 

First, they built their game around the formula of WoW, that means Rift is not a World, but a game. See Wolfsheads post: http://www.wolfsheadonline.com/?p=5610#ced59 (interview with WoW lead designer).

Second, they cannot change the underlying mechanics of the game without killing the game, see Rubenfields post: http://rupturadraconis.de/gilde/index.php?articles-show-31  (lead designer of UO and SWG on the NGE-issue).

Basically, Rift is doomed to live from casual gamers coming in faster than leaving. That is what made WoW a success story, and that is why you see these advertising for the Rift trial everywhere. They need to constantly invest into marketing, because their servers cannot be sustained by a longterm-oriented playerbase that keeps games running for years without any further investment (because they lack this kind of players).