Freelancer, Sucessful as an MMORPG?

doobster

Hail,

I would like to talk a little bit about Freelancer (Not an MMORPG, hardly even an RPG).  I thought this game would be totally Awesome as an MMORPG.  It had some great ideas but it never really delievered and i was never really THAT satisfied with the game.  If a developer picked up on these ideas i think they could make a great game from it.

For those of you who dont know, Freelancer is a space game where you get put behind the wheel of a ship, and can basically do whatever you wish (hence the name, freelancer).  Even though all of this is true, i really feel like i HAVE to follow the story-line, otherwise its just weird.  Its still a great immersive game, and in between major plots in the story you have to freelance around and do whatever you want.

The game felt like an offline MMORPG, and even when im online playing, the servers are hosted by players (like diablo, UT) and really didnt have enough people for how big the world is.

If anyone has ever played Freelancer i think it would be an awesome MMORPG (by making the planets more navagateable and bigger, and more types of hostile things in space)

Feel free to give your thoughts.

Koltrane

Interesting idea.  I played Freelancer, but never put the RPG hat on while I was playing it.  EVE The Second Genesis is an attempt to do the same thing, but ship control is less joystick/gamepad/arcade-ish.  Freelancer was more of a space shooter with a large space story wrapped around it.  EVE is a space based RPG.

Another Space Shooter MMOG is Earth & Beyond.  I know very little about this game having never played it, but it may be kind of what you're looking for.

Freelancer could work as an MMOG, but the universe would have to be many times larger and a greater amount of diversity would have to be introduced to keep players interested.  Still, since Microsoft has had only marginal success with their MMOG offerings, perhaps they should consider spinning Freelancer into something larger.  If they could pull it off, it would be incredible.

Lasciate ogne speranza, voi ch'intrate. (written on the SW:G CD)

SatansDisciple

freelancer was originally supposed to be an mmo, but it changed developers im not sure how many times, so they just made it alot of people per server. the games online play is not much fun though... it lags alot, and that just makes it unplayable. single player is fun though.

"This is the beginning of a new day. You have been given this day to use as you will. You can waste it or use it for good. What you do today is important because you are exchanging a day of your life for it. When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever; in its place is something that you have left behind...let it be something good."
- Unknown Author

odinwise

I think this game would make an excellent MMORPG, but it needs two major changes.

1) Make the universe larger

2) Planet locations and cities should be open areas where your character can walk around freely (sort of like SWG)

Hmm...now that I think about it, that sounds just like SWG.  Either way, when I bought the game I was expecting option 2 for sure.  Sort of like a space version of Morrowind.  That's what I want to see, regardless of if it's multiplayer or not.

Pune!
For the Horde!!

doobster

Exactly odin,

Also thanks guys for all input.  I really do believe with the possible exception of AC1 (Thats Microsoft right?) that they really dont suceed in the MMORPG genre.  Also i really think it would be a good game, i love traveling thru all the stuff and exploring around in sectors, you could find anything space stations to worm holes ..... it really was a cool game .. if it was a lot bigger it could work! and be fun!

 

(i was also expecting to be able to walk about on planets aswell .. oh well)

Admin

I think the game you all are looking for is called Online Universe (or X2 Online). 

http://www.online-universe.com

X and X2 are EXCELLENT space games based on a game that I was massively addicted to as a young lad called "Elite".  All they need to do is convert the new X2 game (just released) to MMO format and they will have the ultimate MMO space sim.

X2 is now available in stores and any space-freaks should check it out...we will be adding online universe to our list as soon as they can get me some in game screen shots.

- MMORPG.COM Staff -

Koltrane

Admin, you may be as old as me!

Elite was an incredible game.  I know Freelancer tried to base its model on Elite to a degree, but it didn't measure up IMO.  I'm going to have to look at X2.  I've never heard of it, but if it's a modern day Elite, then I imagine it will devour all my free time.

Lasciate ogne speranza, voi ch'intrate. (written on the SW:G CD)

odinwise

I want another Wing Commander!! Prophecy was ok, but III and IV were better. I really like the space sims with live action dramas. If not a wing commander game, then a new series like it. *sniff* I miss wing commander....

Pune!
For the Horde!!

Oltzu

You should try Earth and Beyond its a great game where you can do whatever you want and gives u a good feeling after you have been on a long trading trip and you come back to the docking station or whatever they are called and sell your stuff and you get money, you upgrade your ship and you can on all sorts of missions. Well i maybe have somethjing wrong here but that is how i remember it. The last time i played it was 1 and 1/2 year ago.