Do you really want gameplay over graphics?

TruthXHurts

I see people on this site begging for a game that isn'ta WoW clone, that has an oldskool feel, Death penalties, and full pvp. Then why is it that no one plays http://www.starquestonline.net? This game is what would happen if Ultima Online and EvE online had a baby. There is no limit to what you can do in this game once you make your way over the learning brick wall. This game is the most rewarding, dangerous, and  in depth MMO ever made, and finally some good news. They have new developers. aT games has taken over development and promises a free to demo forever subscription base. They also claim that they will be bringing DX11 graphics to the game and of course all the bug fixes, and UI upgrades that players expect these days. I have been playing SQO for 4 years now, and I can't imagine playing another dumbed down theme park ever again.

 

 

The videos of the game on youtube don't relaly do it justice. The old developers had managed to do a tiny bit of graphics upgrades before they moved on. You can see some of my adventures at http://www.livestream.com/sqospacemadness

TheLizardbones

The conflicting list of wants from the 'old school people' is a bit ridiculous. They don't want game play over graphics, they want game play and graphics. They don't want SciFi (such as the game you've posted), or they do want SciFi, but not ships, etc. It must have blue skys, medieval fantasy setting, elves and no magic, but with some steam punk Victorian era science. It must have FFA PvP, or it must be PvE centric. And so on. As a group, the 'old school people' are impossible to please because they aren't a single group...they're a dozen different groups.

However, the game might be cool. I haven't looked at it though, because I'm not an 'old school people'. :-)

Thane

actually all i want is planetside 2

Caldrin

Its now 2012, I want good graphics and good game mechanics simple as that...

I just cant get into older games with shit graphic anymore.. but i also cant get into games with super awesome graphics and shit mechanics...

 

Starquest had some realyl nice elements to it but the graphics and interface sucked balls 5 years ago let alone now lol..

Now if they do manage to update the game with a new graphics engine and interface then ill gladly give it another go

 

TruthXHurts

I agree Lizardbones. The non mainstream players are too spread out on what they want. The fact is they can all agree that theme park rail shooters, and generally just dumbed down game play is not what they are looking for. 

 

SQO may not be what every player is looking for but it's one of the few games that becomes what you put into it.

 

A lot of bugs have been fixed, and some graphics upgrades made a couple of years ago. The game is much better off than it was then. I'm not saying that all the bugs are gone though, btu it is much more playable than it was back then.

Naowut

Space sucks.

 

I play this: http://havenandhearth.com

So yeah, gameplay over graphics.

TruthXHurts

H&H is a solid game. 

dinams

gameplay over graphics anyday

Dwarf fortress is proof enough

Arawulf

Some developers are like the farmer who bought a cow and all of the family argued over what to name it so he just used all of the ideas - they named it bessiesuefionabettybelle but the poor cow didn't survive the branding.

Some games just can't focus on what they're really trying to make they try to please everybody, which in turn - pleases nobody.

Personally, I think graphics do impact what you can do with a game.  I don't see FFXIV being able to do some of the crazy things you'll see during WoW encounters just due to the nature of how graphically intensive the FFXIV graphics are.  

I like to see a balance between gameplay/graphics.  The look of the game does matter as long as the game isn't boring.

TruthXHurts

So you think that the typical sci fi player wants a more arcade style gameplay rather than a more realistic space simulation?

Dragonantis

I want a game that has a balance of both, interactive exciting gameplay with nice graphics that are pleasing to the eye.

From what we have seen in the past year most games are trying for over the top graphics with horrible gameplay.

dinams

Originally posted by TruthXHurts

So you think that the typical sci fi player wants a more arcade style gameplay rather than a more realistic space simulation?

Sorry, but the odds are that fans of sandbox and sci fi will be playing EvE, which excels in both aspects

ikarrian

old UO:R in 2D still works to play like a charm   No issues with that. (currently playing istaria : chronicles of the gifted) also not the most fancy game out there, But still great and fun game that keeps you busy with crafting and building lairs or building. 

 

I'm a MMO vet since -96. And these days i rather go play the old games, rather trying out the "new" coming. Because they all feel the same,  -- "Same shit different name"  The MMO industry dont know what "Originality" means anymore. Its more "We mak Wurl af Warkraft Klon! We mak Moone!"

TruthXHurts

Well if you like sci fi, and an oldskool style then Starquest will be the only game you need. EvE online has a better economy, but SQO is just way mor efun. I enjoy being a person and boarding enemy ships much more than clicking my ship around, I like that I have a human bridge crew that I can play with. It makes your ship more of a home.

FrostWyrm

I'd like a game to look pretty. That doesnt necessarily mean a bajillion polygons, though. As dated as it is, I still think FFXI is a beautiful game.

The game mechanics take the front seat, though.

Kaynos1972

Graphics are 2nd by far, gameplay is always first.  If graphics was 1st, minecraft would not be so popular right ?  We all agree  on one thing, we are sick and tired of WOW clone.   In my book the best old school MMO's (by that i mean launched before WOW) are Asheron's Call and Anarchy Online, both launched in 1999 and 2002.  I wish developpers could create MMO based on these games and leave WOW alone.

 

Icewhite

I think TruthX has been elected to promote "tiny games no one's ever heard of" this week :P

But yes, if graphics really don't matter, why aren't you playing UO or EQ?

TruthXHurts

Those are the only games I like. My recent purchases include:

 

Zombie Pandemic

Unreal World

Loktofeit

I think the lack of advertising and lack of news about it contributes a lot to why many that would probably like it aren't playing it. I also couldn't find dub price anywhere. If it's the same price as other subscription sandbox games then they would need to pitch a compelling argument why people should play that over other sandbox games for the same price.

TruthXHurts

Currently it's a free 30 day trial. If things go as scheduled the game will be shuiftingto a free to demo forever play model in February. I agree. I pretty much have taken it on myslef to run an advertising campaign for the game using various social networks and gaming sites.

 

I really hope that the F2P model breathes new life into the game. 

fenistil

Sorry there have to be graphics AND gameplay.

 

I don't understand it myself ,but while I can for example replay Baldur's Gate 2 or Fallout 2 (I did recently) and have great time even though graphics are well bad. I also played UO when there were others mmorpg's with much better graphics

BUT

For new games I need certain quality of graphics.

I does not have to be top notch ,but I can't stand playing new game with graphics looking like poor 10 year old game. Sorry.

ThomasBPG

Ive been playing MMOs since m59 and the realms. I basicly want a 3d person  UO T2A... A skill system that is hard but not to hard for some of the basic stuff. Strong community interaction but the ability to be a loner. Crafting that matters, Full or Partial loot.

 

 

Basicly I want Darkfall with more depth skill caps, and generally more things to do other then go kill your neighbor.

TruthXHurts

Originally posted by Lynxeyed

Ive been playing MMOs since m59 and the realms. I basicly want a 3d person  UO T2A... A skill system that is hard but not to hard for some of the basic stuff. Strong community interaction but the ability to be a loner. Crafting that matters, Full or Partial loot.

 

 

Basicly I want Darkfall with more depth skill caps, and generally more things to do other then go kill your neighbor.

If a few bugs and SNES graphics aren't too big a turn of fthen I think Starquest would be just what you are looking for.

Wizardry

To ask the question of game play over graphics,ask yoruself if you would come to this website if it was all words ,no pictures?

There is no reason to not have quality graphics anymore,you do not need to make game engines,they can be licensed.A large part of game play is to actually SEE it play out,otherwise why bother to make a game if we are just going to imagine it in our mind?

You can go back 50+ years,people played board games with visible objects,they didn't just imagine it all.Even simple games like Monopoly or RISK have added graphics,the times of MUDS are long gone,they are museum pieces now.

There is a simple take on game development.Sure you can go the cheap easy route and offer it up for f2p,but when a developer takes the LONG term high cost approach it sends out a flag that they are SERIOUS about their game.The less serious approach means the developer is not so confident in their product ,so they are keeping the cost/risk down.

TruthXHurts

No one is suggesting that we go play MUD's. Sadly the MMO industry has proven time and time again that good graphics tend to equal lackluster gameplay. Currently the most in depth, creative, and challenging mmo's all have horrible graphics by today's standards.

 

The fact that developers are too lazy to make their own game engines speeks very loudly for my arguement.

Zekiah

Gameplay > Graphics

Graphics are important but if we're going to spend $200M on a game, it would be nice if they threw most of that at gameplay. If I want to watch a movie I'll go rent one.