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An MMORPG Without NPCs
zieen
Member, Newbie CommonPosts: 414
Do you think it would be possible? Has it been attempted in even the slightest manner? If possible, do you think it would be fun?
Assume the best. Would you enjoy it an MMORPG with your perfect setup for a situation without NPCs?
A slightly more feasible concept: What about an MMORPG without mobs?
I think it could work, if done right.
Imagine a massive world battlefield. Various territories/strongholds -- all of which are capturable. I don't believe a level system would work here, but maybe a skill system. Train with your fellow faction members (sparring and dueling) to increase your skills and assault strongholds to expand your factions territory and power.
I think a crafting system could be implemented in much the same manner as Ultima Online. Go out and mine ore, set traps to gather hides, gather wood from a forest, etc etc etc. Be a blacksmith and supply your comrades with the best equipment (beyond basic equipment provided by the barest of faction NPC merchants, crafters could be the only source of equipment). Engineer massive siege weapons to aid in conquering a stronghold.
Anyways, I feel this would be MY ultimate MMORPG. Anyone have any opinions on something like this? Do you think it could work? Could it find success? Do you think something like it will ever be made?
I view my ideal concept as a hybrid of old-style Ultima Online and Lineage 2. UO's skill-based combat and crafting with Lineage 2's siege and conquest system.
I dream of the day a game of quality similar to this concept is created.
The modern MMORPG is simply not worthy, of the acronym RPG. The straight grind and lack of atmosphere leave me with no choice. From this day forth, World of Warcraft, Everquest 2, and all the games like them shall be referred to as PIGCRAP. People In Guilds Constantly Raiding And Power-leveling
Comments
Heh, Face of Mankind is almost that. And it stinks. You cannot rely on player content unless you plan to stand around with your thumb up the corn pipe waiting for something to do
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Do I ever sleep?
this game sounds like quite possibaly the best idea ever... then the thought of how would you start? an npc isnt just there to stand around and sell you things, when the game is relesed (or goes in to beta) the players/testers primarily look to npc's to get information.
another problem occours when the lack of an automated economy system is implemented, considder that if there are 20 000 people playing, and 1000 of them are the top of the finantial economy (most likly to be the crafters and pc venders in your proposed game), when one logs off the economy effectivly nose-dives, and as the players will likly be in similar time zones there would be times at which the game is almost unplayable.
if on the other hand you can still acsess a basic economy and vendor system without an npc, ie through a personal menu system then this may solve that problem, but in doing so you may aswell have basic npc's.
a lack of mobs in game may also cause a problem, after say 6 months of relese the core players would have attained a certain level/playability that a new commer would not have, and the new player would then be at a great disadvantage and the game for them would become more of a grind than anyother mmorpg potentially creating a problem for expanding the population. this could be solved by immeadeatly placing the new player in to a social groum, a mentor system for example, but this causes problems too, some people dont get on... for various reasons...
but please fix these and make this ultimate sounding game
World of Darkness its coming are you excited?
Entropia
Face of Mankind
Planetside
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amen.
World of Darkness its coming are you excited?
Guild Wars has attributes that I would like to see in a game. Somewhat unique character development, a short walk to the top, and an emphasis on PVP. However, the three things I would like to see perhaps the most are missing. A skill-based system. 100% customizability. Like UO was/is. The dev's would have to work hard to keep things balanced, but I'd rather see them working to test and balance skills (to prevent an 'ultimate build') than completely redo the combat and character systems over and over (SWG anyone?)) Also, I really REALLY would like to see a world without instancing, in which virtually all territory is conquerable (Planetside). I said three, but I think I forgot the last one. Must not have been too important.
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Anyways, I mentioned no NPCs at first, but realized as I was posting that this would make things VERY difficult. I would like to see only the most basic NPCs. I tried to include that in the first post, to an extent.
Starting NPCs. Guidance and such for getting started in the game. As great as a game may be, many players would be driven off by being thrown right into the fight. Also, I would like to see perhaps a basic NPC vendor. Someone who sells (no buying from players) the most basic newbie equipment.
I worried about having any wildlife and how that could affect skill-training, but I think abuse of wildlife for training could be avoided by limiting skill gain to remedial levels from deer and the like.
As far as character trading goes, I've seen two systems that I think could be implemented nicely. The Auction House system seen in many modern MMO's or perhaps player-owned NPC vendors (Ultima Online). I think it would also be necessary to have a few NPC guards to protect starting locations. Nothing extravagent, but perhaps as powerful (though not as smart as) a 'maxed out' player.
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I'm not sure how balancing new and old players could work. I'm sure some sort of military heirarchy could be implemented. Perhaps a symbol of rank next to player names. I would hope that the higher ranked officers would seek each other out to eliminate their competition before moving on to the 'fodder'.
Keep in mind that players would be expected to train with others before venturing into combat. A nicely balanced skill-gain system would be great. Not so fast that you could be challenging enemy generals your first day, but fast enough that you could see him at the end of a week (say 20-40 hours to max your skills/stats?)
The game would have to be somewhat skill oriented in terms of player reaction and knowledge as well. Maybe the OPTION of using FPS style controls like those in Morrowind/Oblivion. No need to force new players to use a system they are unfamiliar with, but provide the option for seasoned veterans or FPS 'imports' (maybe the FPS mode would allow for aiming at the head, heart, etc, while 3D auto-attack could be body/limb shots).
The one thing I would hate to see is a massive difference in character quality between newcomers and veterans. It's understandable that a general would find it easier to attain high quality weapons more easily, but new players should be able to do the same with the right connections.
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And I have no idea how you would build a base community for a game like this. I suppose announcing it from concept to release and encouraging a strong forum community. It's obvious that this type of game is not what the majority of players are looking for, but I think it would attract hardcore MMORPG/PVPers. I wonder if there are 10,000 of those with access to purchase a game such as this, if it were ever created, in the entire world? (It seems 10,000 subscribers is about the minimum for big-budget MMO's)
Anyways, more food for thought I guess. It's nice to dream.
The modern MMORPG is simply not worthy, of the acronym RPG. The straight grind and lack of atmosphere leave me with no choice. From this day forth, World of Warcraft, Everquest 2, and all the games like them shall be referred to as PIGCRAP. People In Guilds Constantly Raiding And Power-leveling
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playing:
ww2online: Fader
EVE: Fader Bane
proud member of BKB http://www.bkbhq.com/
If all the existing CR5s were banned then I'd probably still play it, right now the most obnoxious nerds are Cr5
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Note: PlayNC will refuse to allow you access to your account if you forget your password and can't provide a scanned image of the product key for the first product you purchased..... LOL
Seed is mobless. It is also combatless. It is also pay-to-play Beta.
If you like politics and socializing and role-playing, it should be looked at, but for most folks, it is amazingly not for them.
Yes.
Aces High has no real NPCs, but does have computer controlled shoot fodder.
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