Best invention ever in an mmo

delete5230

We all have our reasons for loving mmos.  I'll not list them because the list would be long, besides you already know.

For me it's Dungeon crawling.  You need a good " social panel ".

I remember watching players spam chat for hours looking for that particular class, or anyone for that matter.  I would right click on that person to see what level or class he was.  Then I would open up the " Social panel " and do a search for them only to find no healer or tanks at all in his range......I would think to my self, the poor guy is wasting his time and doesn't even know it........Often times I would politely let them know.

Here is something else.

- No one reads open chat or very little. This is the worst way to find others.

- Guilds, the second worst way to find others.  Lets do a little math.  Your guild has 200 members, 40 online during prim time and 16 online at off peak times. Your level 22 ranged dps.........How many healers, tanks or even dps do you think you would find at YOUR LEVEL RANGE !

Even so, have you ever been in a situation where all dps say yes, and the tank is silent ?...... I've been their more often than not, picking 3 more dps and telling everyone else no.  Now your the bad guy.

Every mmo has a " social panel ".  They all have filters to help search.  Developers never seem to encourage there use.  I've seen a few mmos with quest to get a group together, yet no explanation on how.  This would be irritating.

Vanguard later made a trial island, a well thought out starting zone.  I'll admit, it was well done.  They had at least three sections in the 1-10 area where you were encouraged to group.  Most players like to solo a new mmo for ten levels to get a feel, but Vanguard was an exception, it flowed nicely.  This could have been because everyone were trapped on the island and everyone was like minded.  The social panel was not really needed in this case........But as players fanned out and filled the world grouping became a problem.  No one used the " social panel ". 

Early Dungeons & Dragons Online encouraged the use of the " social panel " and everyone used it !.....This was my inspiration in all mmos. Grouping was never a problem in ANY game after that.

They went beyond with a message board.  An easy excisable feature to list your intentions with filters and an area to type a few lines like " new players are welcome ".  It would also display who was already in the group along with classes, this neat little trick in it self was great.      

  

delete5230

Hints :

- Look over your guild first (just look)

- Search for healers and tanks using the social panel (look over the full situation)

- Always get tanks and healers first. (in private ask Guild tanks and healers first, then social panel)

-  Ask quickly in open chat. At times others may have alts that are tanks and healers, (don't expect much)

-  Once tanks and healers are established, ask in guild for the rest.

- Use the social panel to fill your group.

This process should take ten minuets.  Remember, no tanks or healers no dungeon.

sh33pish

I used to do something similar with EQ back in the day, but used the /who all <class> command.  

Dullahan

I'm fairly certain that a good social panel with LFG functionality will exist in Pantheon. I believe they've said as much.

filmoret

WOW, SWTOR, Rift, GW2 all solved this problem years ago. 

Ravensworth

Somewhat it was solved if. But wasn't that for mostly dungeons only? In many games there are group only quests that don't involve instances? Does wow have a Quest group finder? I know LOTRO has something like this.

Xeno.phon

The ban hammer.

Dullahan

filmoret said:

WOW, SWTOR, Rift, GW2 all solved this problem years ago. 

If you consider megaservers that create almost complete anonymity and break down the very fabric of community as was originally found in the MMORPG, yes, they did an excellent job.

filmoret

Dullahan said:

filmoret said:

WOW, SWTOR, Rift, GW2 all solved this problem years ago. 

If you consider megaservers that create almost complete anonymity and break down the very fabric of community as was originally found in the MMORPG, yes, they did an excellent job.

Now I can spend more time enjoying content and less time waiting for my guild to login.

Keeno

Id like to see a social panel that held more info on the player so you have a better idea of who and what you are actually getting. Gear, Skills setup, and something along the lines of a like/dislike counter from previous parties that plays would get to vote up or down their party members at the end of the party then have these counters fall off after a month or so. That way if a player is trash and gets his act together his dislikes wont haunt him forever same goes for a good player turning into a bastard.

delete5230

Keeno said:

Id like to see a social panel that held more info on the player so you have a better idea of who and what you are actually getting. Gear, Skills setup, and something along the lines of a like/dislike counter from previous parties that plays would get to vote up or down their party members at the end of the party then have these counters fall off after a month or so. That way if a player is trash and gets his act together his dislikes wont haunt him forever same goes for a good player turning into a bastard.

At first the party voting idea sounded interesting, but thinking deeper how this could get exploited in either direction.

Girls will be running around giving guys ++++

Guys will be running around giving everyone ----- just be cause that's what guys do.

Guild disagreements and splits will be out to sabotage reputations.

People will be paying gold for others to give them +

The list of exploits could be endless.

However an automated amount of time spent in groups for each player may work, but that would be a lot of effort and work for developers trying to get the game itself working.

jmcdermottuk

Best invention ever in MMO's? The Nerf Bat. Look at how much entertainment we've had with all the forum drama. Priceless!

[Deleted User]

The user and all related content has been deleted.

Warlyx

old LFG were a pain in the rear , searching for tank healer...and if support , support  , then DPS , by the time u get the 1 dps , the tank says !$$! it and drops...1s later the healer follows suit....and there u are alone with that dps that of course Drops .......

if u have a "grouping" game u need to make it so is easy and fast to get groups going on....

delete5230

This example may not hold true for all mmos, but something to keep in mind.

Vanilla World of Warcraft - Many didn't like playing Tanks or Healer classes because they were :

- Boring

- Hard time soloing

With all mmos :

- Tanks, many are afraid of the responsibilities of being in charge.  It's a stigma that tanks are in charge, in most cases they are, so this is justifiable.

Incomparable

The UO type of combat for a mage with a lot abilities and using the keyboard as an extension of that character.

Not many games offer that kind of depth except some MMOs.

Thats what I like in mmos is the combat in that certain style.

Wizardry

Best idea i have seen that nobody else has ever done was when Square added language translator to FFXI.The word list was large,good enough to be able to converse with someone from JPN not knowing any of the language.
One of my fave friends from the game was from JPN "Shanco" a fisherman ,he knew little and understood little of the game and it's complicated design but via the translator i was able to help him out and went on to be a pretty good player and even learned to make a good bit of coin for himself in game.

Stuff like that puts a smile on my face,when two complete opposites, nobody understands the other at all can come together to have some fun in a game.

delete5230

Wizardry said:

Best idea i have seen that nobody else has ever done was when Square added language translator to FFXI.The word list was large,good enough to be able to converse with someone from JPN not knowing any of the language.
One of my fave friends from the game was from JPN "Shanco" a fisherman ,he knew little and understood little of the game and it's complicated design but via the translator i was able to help him out and went on to be a pretty good player and even learned to make a good bit of coin for himself in game.

Stuff like that puts a smile on my face,when two complete opposites, nobody understands the other at all can come together to have some fun in a game.

Good little story Wiz......... It's nice when you have a rare situation where you can help someone, or simply have a very good exceptional day playing an mmo.....Stuff that stands out and puts a smile on your face

Thane

delete5230 said:

We all have our reasons for loving mmos.  I'll not list them because the list would be long, besides you already know.

For me it's Dungeon crawling.  You need a good " social panel ".

I remember watching players spam chat for hours looking for that particular class, or anyone for that matter.  I would right click on that person to see what level or class he was.  Then I would open up the " Social panel " and do a search for them only to find no healer or tanks at all in his range......I would think to my self, the poor guy is wasting his time and doesn't even know it........Often times I would politely let them know.

Here is something else.

- No one reads open chat or very little. This is the worst way to find others.

- Guilds, the second worst way to find others.  Lets do a little math.  Your guild has 200 members, 40 online during prim time and 16 online at off peak times. Your level 22 ranged dps.........How many healers, tanks or even dps do you think you would find at YOUR LEVEL RANGE !

Even so, have you ever been in a situation where all dps say yes, and the tank is silent ?...... I've been their more often than not, picking 3 more dps and telling everyone else no.  Now your the bad guy.

Every mmo has a " social panel ".  They all have filters to help search.  Developers never seem to encourage there use.  I've seen a few mmos with quest to get a group together, yet no explanation on how.  This would be irritating.

Vanguard later made a trial island, a well thought out starting zone.  I'll admit, it was well done.  They had at least three sections in the 1-10 area where you were encouraged to group.  Most players like to solo a new mmo for ten levels to get a feel, but Vanguard was an exception, it flowed nicely.  This could have been because everyone were trapped on the island and everyone was like minded.  The social panel was not really needed in this case........But as players fanned out and filled the world grouping became a problem.  No one used the " social panel ". 

Early Dungeons & Dragons Online encouraged the use of the " social panel " and everyone used it !.....This was my inspiration in all mmos. Grouping was never a problem in ANY game after that.

They went beyond with a message board.  An easy excisable feature to list your intentions with filters and an area to type a few lines like " new players are welcome ".  It would also display who was already in the group along with classes, this neat little trick in it self was great.      

  

like the dude put it so eloquently once:



for you it might be random PUGs, imo that is about the worst that can happen.
not knowing the guys you fight with is a thing i don't like at all ^^

you know, back "in the days" dungeons even didn't zone you, they were public, people used to farm certain mob grps (and other people were not comming to take their kills and went like "haha, why you no hit last!?"), or work together in teams to decent deeper.

i kinda miss spindelhalla

delete5230

Thane said:

delete5230 said:

We all have our reasons for loving mmos.  I'll not list them because the list would be long, besides you already know.

For me it's Dungeon crawling.  You need a good " social panel ".

I remember watching players spam chat for hours looking for that particular class, or anyone for that matter.  I would right click on that person to see what level or class he was.  Then I would open up the " Social panel " and do a search for them only to find no healer or tanks at all in his range......I would think to my self, the poor guy is wasting his time and doesn't even know it........Often times I would politely let them know.

Here is something else.

- No one reads open chat or very little. This is the worst way to find others.

- Guilds, the second worst way to find others.  Lets do a little math.  Your guild has 200 members, 40 online during prim time and 16 online at off peak times. Your level 22 ranged dps.........How many healers, tanks or even dps do you think you would find at YOUR LEVEL RANGE !

Even so, have you ever been in a situation where all dps say yes, and the tank is silent ?...... I've been their more often than not, picking 3 more dps and telling everyone else no.  Now your the bad guy.

Every mmo has a " social panel ".  They all have filters to help search.  Developers never seem to encourage there use.  I've seen a few mmos with quest to get a group together, yet no explanation on how.  This would be irritating.

Vanguard later made a trial island, a well thought out starting zone.  I'll admit, it was well done.  They had at least three sections in the 1-10 area where you were encouraged to group.  Most players like to solo a new mmo for ten levels to get a feel, but Vanguard was an exception, it flowed nicely.  This could have been because everyone were trapped on the island and everyone was like minded.  The social panel was not really needed in this case........But as players fanned out and filled the world grouping became a problem.  No one used the " social panel ". 

Early Dungeons & Dragons Online encouraged the use of the " social panel " and everyone used it !.....This was my inspiration in all mmos. Grouping was never a problem in ANY game after that.

They went beyond with a message board.  An easy excisable feature to list your intentions with filters and an area to type a few lines like " new players are welcome ".  It would also display who was already in the group along with classes, this neat little trick in it self was great.      

  

like the dude put it so eloquently once:



for you it might be random PUGs, imo that is about the worst that can happen.
not knowing the guys you fight with is a thing i don't like at all ^^

you know, back "in the days" dungeons even didn't zone you, they were public, people used to farm certain mob grps (and other people were not comming to take their kills and went like "haha, why you no hit last!?"), or work together in teams to decent deeper.

i kinda miss spindelhalla

" not knowing the guys you fight with is a thing i don't like at all ^^ "

PUGs can suck for sure, it's a gamble.  However in all cases 4 out of 6 are nice, if not all ( maybe it's my luck ).

Friends list is your friend :

After a dungeon run or whatever. Stick around and chat, or a little private conversation on the side, than add that guy to your friends list if you click.

I always develop a list of 20 friends quickly .......It's better than a Guild, because they are dungeon minded and always around my level instead of spread out.

Flintsteen

Had to think a while for this.  Mods.  Getting the comunity involved is a good thing and a great mod helps personalise my mmo. The best mods even make it into the games. 

I will agre though that some mods have taken it too far,  but things like UI mods, Calendermods for planning guild events and such non combatmods is realy in my view only a good thing.

In wow i once had a mariomod. (not for long though,  it was just too silly) It had classic mariosound when i jumped and mounted and such,  that made me chuckle. That's more of a grey area though,  but i dont see the harm in that. It was just abit of fun.

The more combat related mods like a bossmod that warns when timers are up for certain boss abilyties are even darker grey imo,  but as long as you dont allow mods to play the game for you i guess it's not too bad.

i prefer the game itself to have clear warnings when bad shit is going to happen though, either via visuals or audibles.

Anything to get the comunity more involved is a good thing. Tbh that's a place where imo swtor could have done alot better. I came from wow to swtor,  and while wow was having mods that were clearly in the darker category imo,  it had alot of great addons. I think it was a big mistake not to try to get the modding comunity more involved in swtor. (cant even make a makro for emotes in swtor)

Amathe

I would love if Pantheon had a simple feature as part of the in game friends list that lets you jot a note next to someone's name. "Met John at Karnor's Castle."  Only you can see those notes, but it helps to have that reference. It's also nice to have note making ability on your ignore list. "Jane is a KSer." Yes, I could always write it on a piece of paper. But who wants to stop playing to do that. 

Hrimnir

delete5230 said:

This example may not hold true for all mmos, but something to keep in mind.

Vanilla World of Warcraft - Many didn't like playing Tanks or Healer classes because they were :

- Boring

- Hard time soloing

With all mmos :

- Tanks, many are afraid of the responsibilities of being in charge.  It's a stigma that tanks are in charge, in most cases they are, so this is justifiable.

That mentality really did stem from EQ.  Basically between the tank and the puller (if you had one) were expected to know all the mobs, know the spawn times, spawn locations, etc etc etc.  Unfortunately in later MMO's it didn't persist as well but the stigma as such did.

CalmOceans

Amathe said:

I would love if Pantheon had a simple feature as part of the in game friends list that lets you jot a note next to someone's name. "Met John at Karnor's Castle."  Only you can see those notes, but it helps to have that reference. It's also nice to have note making ability on your ignore list. "Jane is a KSer." Yes, I could always write it on a piece of paper. But who wants to stop playing to do that. 

That's a good idea, for any game really.

delete5230

Hrimnir said:

delete5230 said:

This example may not hold true for all mmos, but something to keep in mind.

Vanilla World of Warcraft - Many didn't like playing Tanks or Healer classes because they were :

- Boring

- Hard time soloing

With all mmos :

- Tanks, many are afraid of the responsibilities of being in charge.  It's a stigma that tanks are in charge, in most cases they are, so this is justifiable.

That mentality really did stem from EQ.  Basically between the tank and the puller (if you had one) were expected to know all the mobs, know the spawn times, spawn locations, etc etc etc.  Unfortunately in later MMO's it didn't persist as well but the stigma as such did.

Guild wars 2 tried to remove the trinity to ease the pain and reduce the fear. 

As with so many new and modern tools being invented to make life easer this idea flopped terribly too. 

Dungeons were hectic with everyone feeling like #1 in the group.  I for one hated the idea of running in and blasting everything.  Sure dungeons had other protocol's the teems had to be aware of, but it was still obnoxious. 

Modern changes in newer games have consequences ( cause and effect ).

If seems developers ignore ramification's, JUST SO THEY CAN IMPLEMENT SOMETHING COOL !  Then the player has to live with it and make do.

Change is good.......but everyone so far SUCKED, and in many cases game breaking.

kitarad

Really I would beg to differ from your definition of failure. Isn't GW 2 a huge success? Your reality seems to be a bit warped.