Something All MMORPGs Are Missing - True User Created Content...

Joel1120

Yes i've heard about Sega Of Ryzom's new expansion. However, I have looked at it and it lacks something. Still players will have limits put in front of them, they won't be the real artists and creators they should be. Sure you'll be able to customize weapons and land but you won't be able to have true freedom.

Take There for example, we've been creating cities, communities, goverments, and the world around us for over two years. We truly know what freedom is and we could be called artists. I only wish players of other MMORPGs had the ability to form their own world and be the artists and creators.

There has certain limits in place but many members are able to find ways around them. The thing is I doubt people who use this expansion would be able to create a world or map for relaxing and sitting around. You'd always be attacked by some horrned monster or alien.

If thats the case, I don't see a way to overcome it. We're meant to be the creators and artists forming a digital world governed by the members. Just because others don't play There or Second Life doesn't mean they don't deserve the same freedom of limits.

Most MMORPGs are missing that key feature. Member created content is the best kind, your able to be creative and learn from mistakes. I hope this expansion does not limit users to the same limits most MMORPGs have. The users are the artists and creators of the digital world around them, weather your in There or not.

I just wish other MMORPGs would allow for the same freedom There has...

LordMagnus

For once I actually agree with you Joel. Most MMORPGs are games where you have to follow a certain path that the developers have made for you. I want to be able to do what I want when I want, with playerbuilt cities and objects. Unfortunately, I doubt we will be seeing anything like this any time soon. There and Second Life are close but I don't think they are exactly what most MMORPG players are looking for.

Joel1120

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Originally posted by LordMagnus
For once I actually agree with you Joel. Most MMORPGs are games where you have to follow a certain path that the developers have made for you. I want to be able to do what I want when I want, with playerbuilt cities and objects. Unfortunately, I doubt we ill be seeing anything like this any time soon. There and Second Life are close but I don't think they are exactly what most MMORPG players are looking for.

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Yes, most MMORPGs have a path you must follow. Also avatar customization is a big thing as well. There has some basic elements of a classic RPG or MMORPG, such as skilling. Fun Passes are like levels and then there are the skills, such as sharp shooter or buggy rating (sub-level)

The thing developers might be worried about when it comes to member made content is if they'll make it look nice or not. In There mostly those who would do a good job tend to create stuff. The other group usually creates new mini games or activities.

That is another thing, the ability to hold events. Such as mixers or parties, and the ability to socialize without getting attacked. Every member in There has a force field or shield, which most MMO's are missing. User made content should be in almost every MMO which wants to live to see next year in my opinion.

scaramoosh

This is just a cheap advertisement for There!

I mean you update your rating every time someone rates over you!

On Jul 28, 2005 Joel1120 wrote:
Imagine a user created world where anything is possible. A world full of busy cities and calm country side. Imagine a world where there is peace and the citizens govern themselves. Imagine what you could do, imagine There.

LOL!

Geez whats the point in playing a online chat room? If you have a life you go to the pub or something :P

magicalsteve

 Scaramoosh, it's widely accepted in the MMORPG.com community that Joel is a rabid There fanatic. Hell I really don't mind his rants because he has the decency to make a proper arguement and he's always completely friendly.

So let's just let the man make his point, because he does have a good one.

Cenn

Hi Joel. I've read your "comments" from time to time.

Yes, we have a honest to goodness there fanboy It does need some i suppose to even out the millions of other fanboys for other games.

Anyway. In a way i also agree with you. But also disagree with you.

Games like Ryzom (or most other MMOGs) are themed - there are particular styles, images, etc that fit with the game, and others that do not. For eample, in second life you could create a AT-AT walker (or close approximation) next to someone dressed in armour and sword gladiator style..

THAT was my biggest gripe with 2ndLife- no continuity, just every different theme/style all in a jumbled mess.

If, for example, WoW was to introduce something similar, i for one would hope they do have limitations. If you are playing a Warcraft game you need to expect some continuity with other games - no M1-Abrahms tanks rolling around, or Chryser building, or MIG fighter etc etc. I would expect to be given a limited palette to play with, but it would take imagination to do great things with a limited pallete

Either way, your idea of "unimited player made content" doesn't truly work in a themed Virtual World, which describes any "game like" world out there,

Froztwolf

Im sorry but I tend to disagree. MMORPGs do not LACK user created content because it is usually no good. Even if there are needles in the heystack worth looking at, this type of games usually have no direction and no goals to attain. Thus, beyond the community, which can for some reason be build up around any possible type of garbage, they are very thin paper.
That said, if you do like this kind of thing, go for it. Just don't try to convince others that they will like it to.

Joel1120

In a way user made content adds to the game. You may notice this or that and think about how much work went into it. Also, you could take an idea someone already put in place and improve it thus improving the game.

User made content allows you to make more activities for other users. Maybe a stratagy game or an art gallery fitting within the theme of the game. So being able to create and build allows you to improve the game and have more activities.

I admit not every player would want to be creative and build but thats the thing about freedom. Your free to choose how you play the game and what it becomes. Thats the thing about creativity, your able to play an important role in the 'evolution' of the world around you.

Anofalye

I more or less agree with you.

 

Each player should be able to create 1 instanced dungeon/hunting area within limits and rules given with tools.  Every time players would play your instanced, it could give you a little Y data, which can be usefull to design bigger instanced and have a social bearing (like a unique look or something...maybe you could restrict a color to those with enough such points).  (POINT TOWARD CoV)

 

If you think about it, it is a little harder then instanced housing (what EQ2 offer nicely), and it could make for interesting games...yes, you would have folks doing boring and easy stuff...but you would also got nice and interesting dungeons...and the staff could be paid to recommend or reward some of those the player create (by adding a name here and there when they like a dungeon and taking this instanced inside the game permanent instanced, thereby freeing the player so he can create another instanced).  Of course it would mean that the staff would be paid to play those instanced rather then doing them...I am sure those Staff would cry at the idea to be paid to play and rate the various players creator (with hardcore tag, casual friendly tag, so players know this player usually create what type of dungeons).

 

It is NOT a priority for me, this feature is to MMO what players maps are to Heroes of Might and Magic III!

Demonicas

Joel I almost completely agree with you. User created content is a great idea, but please remember that not everyone will adhear to the same principles.  Alot of the player base out there likes the idea of playing a specific role, it is the idea of how they wish to fulfill this role that attracts them to any certain game. The aspect of being somthing or somone specific in a specific era or setting makes some players feel more comfortable with their atmosphere.

Though for those of the player populace that feel they need some excitment, and do not wish to wait for a random event or expansion provided by the creators of the game, user created content is a wounderful idea that many have already found to make a major impact in the way they exist in the virtual world around them.

However, I also feel that this concept of user created content must also be givin some limitations. When a game is created, the creators mold the game for the players and for a specific genre and era or setting to the best of their ability. If players were givin the ability to create any and everything they wished, then the entire basis of the game would be comprimised.

What I am trying to emphisize is that if you enjoy the fantasy genre, then you are typically not going to want to play FFXI if you see somone running around with a rocket launcher and jetpack on. Same as if you are playing a futuristic game like SWG, the aura of the game just wouldn't feel right with a Orc carrying a War Hammer with a Elf casting Black Magic on an Ochu that just came out of a pink 5 story tall house made of candy.