Jason Hall sets it straight... Anti-MXO trolls read within :P

sygmas

GameSpy: I suspect that the quest systems that World of Warcraft and EverQuest II have implemented are going to be par for the course in terms of design of future MMOs. What's your opinion on them?

Jason Hall: It's interesting to me because, in terms of quests and missions, I feel we've gone one step further than everybody else. When you take our missions, they're actually part of the overarching storyline that's being rolled on a continuous basis. They're not these isolated missions onto themselves. I always thought it was interesting that others didn't do that. Eventually, our missions will progress throughout the game's lifespan.

It's harder to make a game this way. It's been quite the challenge. We're hoping that when people MxO, they'll feel that it's a different experience, that's it not just a level grind, and that they're actually participating in an actual story. Getting that message out has been one of our biggest challenges. We're beta testing the game, but we can't put any of the story elements in. When you have a game that basically revolves around the story, and you can't communicate that vital part, it hurts the impression that a beta tester might have. When you suck the story out, all that's left is this mechanic, and then [beta testers] are expecting the mechanic to operate like WoW and EQII, because those games are basically mechanics with a bit of story sprinkled in. It's harder on us to do this beta because of that. Then when the game launches, and we pop all the story elements in, it's a whole different ball of wax.

Rock21

I feel like come of us have been trying to say that for months. It will be completely different when the storyline is finally implemented. All along we have been testing the system and the functionality of that system. We have yet to live the continuing story of the Matrix, and so many people fail to see that point. Thanks for the post, sygmas. I'll have to finish reading the article.

Roin

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Originally posted by sygmas

GameSpy: I suspect that the quest systems that World of Warcraft and EverQuest II have implemented are going to be par for the course in terms of design of future MMOs. What's your opinion on them? Jason Hall: It's interesting to me because, in terms of quests and missions, I feel we've gone one step further than everybody else. When you take our missions, they're actually part of the overarching storyline that's being rolled on a continuous basis. They're not these isolated missions onto themselves. I always thought it was interesting that others didn't do that. Eventually, our missions will progress throughout the game's lifespan. It's harder to make a game this way. It's been quite the challenge. We're hoping that when people MxO, they'll feel that it's a different experience, that's it not just a level grind, and that they're actually participating in an actual story. Getting that message out has been one of our biggest challenges. We're beta testing the game, but we can't put any of the story elements in. When you have a game that basically revolves around the story, and you can't communicate that vital part, it hurts the impression that a beta tester might have. When you suck the story out, all that's left is this mechanic, and then [beta testers] are expecting the mechanic to operate like WoW and EQII, because those games are basically mechanics with a bit of story sprinkled in. It's harder on us to do this beta because of that. Then when the game launches, and we pop all the story elements in, it's a whole different ball of wax.

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And just what exactly did he set 'straight'? Not much different then the usual promises you hear by most developers when a game is nearing release. (See: Horizons, SWG, Shadowbane, etc etc)

jackman1118

the funny thing is, the story actually is there, even some tidbits in the beta.

 

hearing morpheus talking to you is probably the best part of the game. the missions are way more involving in TMO, i havent once been told to go kill X many numbers of X monsters with the CRITICAL missions.

 

collectors are different, but there items are sucky anyways, so they dont matter.

sundog

I've been waiting for this storyline to start for months now, and I'm only anticipating better things as the day draws near - between the missions that are currently in place and the release of the first cinematic clip, setting the whole thing up, this promises to be a great story. And since they've already said that players will make the key decisions in how the story progresses through their actions at pivotal moments, it should be awesome to be a part of it all...

sygmas

It's not a false promise. WB is a huge company, they have the money to back this kind of storytelling endeavor. And there is already 1 cinematic in the game as it is, and as someoen else mentioned a variety of tiny trickling tidbits of thes toryline present.

Roin

Never said it was false. Just that developers promise alot of things during development/pre launch. Even Blizzard and SOE are guilty of that.

sygmas

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Originally posted by Roin
Never said it was false. Just that developers promise alot of things during development/pre launch. Even Blizzard and SOE are guilty of that.

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Granted -- they kind of cant fall short on this promise. They left it out of beta. If they left it out of beta and at launch it 'didnt exist' -- everyone would leave in disgust. That's not even for discussion. I sure would.

tehnoob

I really do hope they do something interesting with storylines/missions.  This game has great potential, but without what Jason just promised, this game will be nothing more than another SWG...just a crap game that had a lot of potential

 

*crosses fingers*

Harafnir

Yes.. words always outweight actual game experience.. Like commersials are always more true than the actual product..  I feel so stoopid now!

darquenblade

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Originally posted by Harafnir
Yes.. words always outweight actual game experience.. Like commersials are always more true than the actual product.. I feel so stoopid now!

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Dude, do you actually even like MMOs? The reason I ask this is I don't think I've ever seen you NOT bash a game in any of your posts. What game is acceptable to you?

Just curious

sygmas

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Originally posted by darquenblade
Originally posted by Harafnir
Yes.. words always outweight actual game experience.. Like commersials are always more true than the actual product.. I feel so stoopid now!

Dude, do you actually even like MMOs? The reason I ask this is I don't think I've ever seen you NOT bash a game in any of your posts. What game is acceptable to you?

Just curious

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Only a game that offers him to hide his troll face in a tin can helmet like his avatar :P

Razorback

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Originally posted by Harafnir

Yes.. words always outweight actual game experience.. Like commersials are always more true than the actual product..  I feel so stoopid now!

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