What do you like about MMOs?

jusomdude

I'm having trouble coming up with things I like about MMOs that I can't find in other games.

I used to like them for large scale PvP battles, but I now pretty much hate large scale MMO PvP. I guess dungeons can sometimes be fun with other players... but this gameplay can be found in small coop games also.

With that out the door I don't know why I'd keep playing them.


What do you like about MMOs that you can't find in other types of games?

wiennas

I like character development, group & role play, wonderful environment to explore, dungeons...Although new mmos are kinda limited by this or no longer offer this:(

GrumpyHobbit

What type of MMO are you talking about?

MMORPG
MMOFPS
MMORTS

Octagon7711

I like to think of other players as sophisticated AI's.  If they ever developed NPC AI to be so good you couldn't tell an NPC from a real player there would be little reason to play MMO's.  

Lyrian

I like that they momentarily fill the crippling black void in my heart with a shred of excitement and challenge before I fall back into the monotony of being a meager wage slave in Real Life as each grey day passes by.

Phaserlight

Briefly...

Virtual worlds that continue existing and evolving whether or not I'm playing, virtual societies and economies in which I can choose to compete as a virtual business for virtual currency, interactions with other players on a massive scale, the feeling of 'being elsewhere' in a place that really exists if even on a server cluster somewhere, the ability to help others, the ability to build up and sustain a reputation, the ability to develop mastery of certain gameplay aspects among thousands of others, the ability to have a sustained presence in a digital world-space as part of a game.

alzoo

Octagon7711 said:

I like to think of other players as sophisticated AI's.  If they ever developed NPC AI to be so good you couldn't tell an NPC from a real player there would be little reason to play MMO's.  

I think that's right.  The promise of MMOs is emergent gameplay.  While they typically don't deliver on that promise, the interactions with other users are currently the only hope of really extensive emergent gameplay.  But if AI was good enough, then the multiplayer aspect of the games wouldn't be needed.

Kabulozo

Open world pvp-pk, guild wars over open world spots-bosses.

Vermillion_Raventhal

Interdependency and virtual worlds.  

Gitmix

I like the progression based game play in a persistent world filled with hundreds of other players.
Beyond that, sandbox or themepark, PvP or PvE centric etc. doesn't really matter as long as the game play is heavily addictive.

Agent_Joseph

I love massive & multiplay & it is online 

Nayr752

I like PvP and PvE in MMORPG's. I also like large scale PvP battles.

phoenixfire2

Grouping mostly.  Not raiding, grouping.  There hasn't been a good group game since EQ classic IMO, and even EQ has devolved into purely a raiding game now.

Kamandi777

Twinking--facerolling noobs because I have better gear and buffs

ceratop001

I like exploring areas and crafting.

Octagon7711

alzoo said:

Octagon7711 said:

I like to think of other players as sophisticated AI's.  If they ever developed NPC AI to be so good you couldn't tell an NPC from a real player there would be little reason to play MMO's.  

I think that's right.  The promise of MMOs is emergent gameplay.  While they typically don't deliver on that promise, the interactions with other users are currently the only hope of really extensive emergent gameplay.  But if AI was good enough, then the multiplayer aspect of the games wouldn't be needed.

I like what Skyrim does with being able to add NPCs and followers.  I have a follower that's always saying funny stuff and will look into your inventory and ask why you're carrying a skull or other items around.

cameltosis

• Open World PvP - e.g. WAR's pvp lakes, LotRO's Ettenmoors. Its out in the open, its pvp, but it is consensual and I prefer it when there are objectives to fight over, like keeps. Can have fun solo, small grp, normal grp or raid in these sorts of zones. Can't seem to get this in any other genre, though admittedly most MMORPGs suck at it too. 
• Combat Mechanics / Metagame - I like tab-targetting, I like complex rotations, I fecking love strong group-based skills and interdependency. I also love the meta-game, from working out optimal rotations, best gear combos, best tactics for bosses, best group combos etc. Can't seem to get that level of depth and complexity anywhere else (though, again, can hardly find it in MMORPGs anymore). 
• Grouping - Virtually all things in life are better when done together. MMORPGs give me the best possible chance to play games with friends and, wherever possible, spend all my time grouped. MMORPGs do their best to make grouping easy and fun, even if they are turning more and more solo....
• The worlds - Single player games rarely put in the effort to create massive worlds with loads going on. There are, ofc, still a decent amount of large worlds to explore but RPGs have been going up their own arses with too much focus on story that they feel like im playing an interactive movie, rather than a game. MMORPG generally have very large worlds to explore and get excited about (even if, again, they have been turning more linear...)

Thats it. Essentially, I like to group up with friends and kill stuff and MMORPGs are the best way to do that. 

nariusseldon

jusomdude said:

What do you like about MMOs that you can't find in other types of games?

some IP & gameplay.

For example, there is no other PC game that let you play so many marvel characters with ARPG combat except Marvel Heroes. 

kjempff

Character progression and persistence. Long term commitment. Virtual world and escapism.

freegames

Watching numbers go up and once they hit s sweet spot, watching them show up even faster

Yanocchi

Going about your business unaware that you have caught attention of one of the dungeon masters on the server. Doing you daily stuff and running into a story, encounter or event organised by a dungeon master.

Amathe

It's like attending a concert or sporting event. I may only get to know a few people, but it's nice to share the experience with many others.

iixviiiix

What i like about MMORPG ?
I able to meet people who have same hobby with me and be friend with them without have to meet them face to face ( i rarely went offline party)

Gaming are one of my hobby but i don't tell it for people around me

Katabelle

Yup same here, Roleplay and also I just love making friends and I think some of us agree its easier to do that online while you're both involved with doing the same thing. You can tap someone and say "Hey! Wanna kill this stuff together?". Because its massively multiplayer!