What is the best MMORPG for CASUAL players?????

anthrorob · March 2004

::::37:: By casual I mean I play no more than 4 or so hours a week. It is frustrating to log on to find the folks I was hunting with one week are 20 levels highter the next! I truly love MMORPG's but I only have so much time.

So which games do you think are the most rewarding to CASUAL players?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Anthrorob

feedtherich · March 2004

i don't think there is any mmorpg that will stop other players from advancing while you are away.

Clever_Glove · March 2004

Your mistaking MMORPG's for a game.

They are in fact a hobby. If your intent is to only play 4 hours a week, I would suggest a number of wonderfull games for the PS2 or GameCube.

-=-=-=-=-
Chess the original hardcore PvP game!

Bartle: A: 93% E: 55% S:3% K: 50% Test learn what it means here.
Yee: Ach: 85% GRE: 65% AFF: 15% Imm 15% Test Click here to learn about it.

Thoemse · March 2004

[quote]Originally posted by Clever_Glove
[b]Your mistaking MMORPG's for a game.
They are in fact a hobby. If your intent is to only play 4 hours a week, I would suggest a number of wonderfull games for the PS2 or GameCube.

[/quote]

He has a point there. How about playing Final Fantasy Series? They're great fun too.

hercules · March 2004

Originally posted by anthrorob

By casual I mean I play no more than 4 or so hours a week. It is frustrating to log on to find the folks I was hunting with one week are 20 levels highter the next! I truly love MMORPG's but I only have so much time.
So which games do you think are the most rewarding to CASUAL players?
Any advice would be appreciated.
Anthrorob

No such mmorpg exist.Any mmorpg will have people advance faster then you .

However if you are not worried about loot then I advise you to play a game that has no levels but simply skills.

SWG is excellent for a casual gamer.For instance you can become a master artitect in less then 1 hour gameplay if you have the resources.So you can place your harvestors for a week and then come back and use the resources and level up in no time.Same goes for most crafting skills.

If you are a fighter similar applies get a group.There is no limitation on who can join and just gain skill at your pace.

UO is skill based too and i remember a placed nicknamed "the wall" that you can become master GM in sword,fencer or whatever fight skill in like 6 hours gameplay.But you need to have loads of folks holding the wall to do this and with UO age doubt you find many there now.

Valkanisar · March 2004

if you have not tried planetside check it out...thats a good game for casual and long term

hercules · March 2004

Originally posted by skitzdout
if you have not tried planetside check it out...thats a good game for casual and long term

Planetside is a MMOFPS not a MMORPG.He is asking for a MMORPG.

We should actually put a sticky here telling folks planetside is a MMOFPS lol.

Valkanisar · March 2004

oops my bad lol...well if not planetside...fungwan online is another good one to check out

iddmitri · March 2004

you should try eng.pristontale.com. I'm playing it time to time like 1h/day and I'm 30 combat right now. almost forgot it's free also.

∙name: EViLD0G
∙clan: [EXE]
∙playing: EQ, SIMS, AC, AC2, DAoC, FFXI, AW, RS
∙planning: SoR

anthrorob · March 2004

The leveling desparity was just one example of the issues I have with MMORPGs as a casual player. I simply used that as an example. I realize the more you play the faster to level. I have played UO (years ago), EQ (a while ago) and DAOC (currently) and I am just disappointed that all the new content that comes out for a game is high end (for high level characters.)

Sure, they are the ones playing the most, and deserve more, but when a game fails to make lower level grinding compelling, than they risk never getting new players, right?

And when games like DAOC allow you to create new characters at lvl 30 already (if you are 50th I think) then why create a level one character and work him/her up? I have been in low level zones at prime time (Friday-Saturday) and see one or two low level characters, if that.

I have high hopes for a few games coming out soon...we shall see.

I love MMORPGS. I used to play a lot. Now my play is sporadic.

Thanks for the feedback. ::::28::

Anthrorob

ianubisi · March 2004

Horizons is very friendly to the casual player.

MrVice · March 2004

Your best bet is to wait for WOW or UO:X, both games are making great efforts to appeal to casual gamers such as yourself. Otherwise I agree with just about everybody else in saying that most mmorpgs don't appeal the casual gamer. Horizans, which was perviously mentioned on this forum isn't really worth your time, at least as far as I'm considered. Actually now that I think about, if you're looking for a game NOW, then I guess you could get AC2. The game won't hold the intrest of a hardcore gamer such as myself for more than a month, however someone like you could find yourself spending months doing all the verrious quests and having one heck of a time and just about the time your getting board of it the other games I mentioned should be out. But as I said this is just if you need a game now, serrioulsy consider waiting untill games that have serriously considered your problem are realeased, and then make your descision.

Skeltem · March 2004

I suggest playing AC2. It is a fun enough game and unfortunately there aren't so many people to compare with.

Sadly, this means also, that u are playing alone most of the time ::::40::

Cheers,

Skeltem

[Edit: Spellies]

OkayDoood · March 2004

I was just reading the news on mmorpg.com and one of the main issues about MMORPGS is the appeal to the casual gamer. I have summed up that the games worth your time (designed for the casual as well as the hardcore gamer) are:

Guild Wars
This game is designed to get rid of the leveling grind to appeal directly to the casual gamer. As the article states, "Our primary design goal with Guild Wars is to create a game that provides meaningful competition. In other words, we are not trying to find arbitrary mechanics to ensure that a casual player has a shot at defeating a hardcore veteran. Instead, we focus on designing the combat mechanics around player skill rather than the number of hours you have invested in the game." Skill over time-based leveling. That's a plus. Also, the game has NO MONTHLY CHARGE!!!!!

Ultima X: Odyssey
The combat system is similar to what I have stated for Guild Wars. It is geared towards both the casual and the hardcore gamer through a skill based system. The combat system for this game is unique. It uses a fighting game style battle system, where you can charge up a type of power meter for special charged attacks that can be stacked for combination moves. Also, players have the ability to instantly find a group anywhere on the map, and get transported to their party's location instantly !

In both of these games, the combat system and the appeal to casual gamers is emphasized. I believe both of these will be extremely fun for the casual gamer.

---------------------
Final Fantasy XI
Name: Rosencranz
World: Titan

Riotgirl · March 2004

Originally posted by Clever_Glove

Your mistaking MMORPG's for a game.
They are in fact a hobby. If your intent is to only play 4 hours a week, I would suggest a number of wonderfull games for the PS2 or GameCube.

Sharp observation, Clever_Glove and the precise reason why even though I wouldn't mind returning to the MMOG fold, I am ambivalent if I am willing or able to devote the time required to play.

Personally, I play MMOG's for the social experience i.e. if they were single player I wouldn't play for more than a week period. Hence, once you find a good group of players, you generally try and log on the same time to group together etc. Form guilds yada yada yada. I personally don't mind grouping with randoms, but like in RL it's far too hit and miss.

Like yourself, being a casual player (although my personal definition is having no set playing time and I use the EQ definition of casual i.e. a couple of hours per day) in the past it has been difficult logging on a week or weeks later to find your group a couple of levels above you. Sometimes even more.

All of a sudden, you no longer group or really communicate except to say 'Hi' over guild chat or PM because most communication is done during downtime (ah! East Commonlands!) or shooting the breeze during pulls.

Have to agree 100% with Clever_Gloves.

Regards,
Riotgirl

P.s. Dare I say it? The SIMS! <flippant remark alert>

"she's like this cleavagey, slut-bomb walking around going 'oh, check me out. i'm wicked cool. i'm five by five'."

hercules · March 2004

Originally posted by MrVice
Your best bet is to wait for WOW or UO:X, both games are making great efforts to appeal to casual gamers such as yourself. Otherwise I agree with just about everybody else in saying that most mmorpgs don't appeal the casual gamer. Horizans, which was perviously mentioned on this forum isn't really worth your time, at least as far as I'm considered. Actually now that I think about, if you're looking for a game NOW, then I guess you could get AC2. The game won't hold the intrest of a hardcore gamer such as myself for more than a month, however someone like you could find yourself spending months doing all the verrious quests and having one heck of a time and just about the time your getting board of it the other games I mentioned should be out. But as I said this is just if you need a game now, serrioulsy consider waiting untill games that have serriously considered your problem are realeased, and then make your descision.

Time to stop listening to developer's propaganda bro.

Name one just one mmorpg that did not promise to appeal to the casual gamer since DAoC?Just one.

Its like an automated part of Q & A which all mmorpg developers have said since 2001,

Heck even DAoC said they had a system that would appeal to casuals way back in beta 2000.

So why do you think WoW or UO:X would succeed.

Atm there is only one game that i can think of that meets your requirement -SWG.

Billius8 · March 2004

I hear there is a game called "THERE" that is more chatroom than game. I would think that would be a cool game for the casual player. Also heard you can meet some pretty interesting folks online in that game.

thegravyboat · March 2004

Actually, I checked out "There" and all in all, for a casual gamer it would rock. Ya just do a bunch of mini games, get new items, and explore. Really a different experiance then one would expect. But, as for me, Im not a casual gamer, thus, ill stick to my fav mmorpgs!

~Best thing since sliced bread

Xaldor · March 2004

My opinion on this subject :

There is, and most likely never will be, an mmorpg that appeals to the "casual" gamer. I say this because rpg's require time invested by the player due to the fact that one must gain skill/exp....and this takes time. If I want to play the piano, I need to invest some time in practice in order for me to get better, and enjoy playing. I think what you want is an online fps like CS or BF1942....I play those all the time...great fun, and no character devolopement needed...xaldor

Vorthrax · March 2004

City of Heroes is supposedly going to be very good for casual players.

1) Soloability: Very easy to solo. Grouping is more rewarding of course as usual but soloing is just as viable.

2) Sidekick system: They have a system in place so that a high level player can take on a sidekick temporarily. What htis means is that the lower level player retains the abilities and powers of their own level but fights at the same level as their mentor. This is not really useful for power-leveling either due to exp gained being scaled back to the individuals actual level. So if your friends get 10 or 20 levels ahead of you, you can still group with them and be effectual in their group, albeit with fewer/less dynamic powers and abilities.

Brahm · March 2004

What about AC (Asherons Call) for right now? Sure the graphics are somewhat dated but for a casual player its great. Playing for a few hours is still enjoyable and the rewards are not too shabby.

MrVice · March 2004

Originally posted by hercules

Time to stop listening to developer's propaganda bro.

Herc, I respect your opinions and read your posts, obviously you don't keep track of mine because if you did you would realize that I never give into dev hype without my reasons.

Name one just one mmorpg that did not promise to appeal to the casual gamer since DAoC?Just one.

Final Fantasy XI

Its like an automated part of Q & A which all mmorpg developers have said since 2001,

agreed

Heck even DAoC said they had a system that would appeal to casuals way back in beta 2000.

LOL true, I forgot that they actually promised that. That lines even funnier now, at least after the realiese of TOA.

So why do you think WoW or UO:X would succeed.

UO:X is expessaly geared tword casual gamers, and actually that was Orgins basic design plan for the game. Sure you're not going to be all that great in UO:X's pvp if you play only ever once and a whle, but the easy group search and the group teleportation make it easy for the casual gamer to get into a group and have times right away, thus our boy here doesn't have to spend half of his four hours looking for a friggen group.

WOW simply for the great deversity in the number of quests in the game, and the fact that blizzard has taken the time to colour code them, so casual gamers can not how much of their time they must devote inorder to finish said quest.

These are just singular expamle of how WOW and UO:X will appeal to the casual gamer, I would post more, but thats a whole diffrent thread.

Atm there is only one game that i can think of that meets your requirement -SWG.

I think AC2 is a better fit actually, swg it gets way to easy to get lost in the dust of hardcore players.

Anofalye · March 2004

Originally posted by anthrorob

By casual I mean I play no more than 4 or so hours a week. It is frustrating to log on to find the folks I was hunting with one week are 20 levels highter the next! I truly love MMORPG's but I only have so much time.
So which games do you think are the most rewarding to CASUAL players?
Any advice would be appreciated.
Anthrorob

Check for a game with level caps(that bring someone to level and not prevent him from been in zone) and very well defined class edges, those are the casuals friends. Especially if they find motivation for all players to go in old dungeons and be the lower level to work on something.

ATM I would say none are very nice to casuals, none dare enforce level caps and have strongly defined class, and you really need both.

Avoid all skills based MMORPGs, they are the worst thing a casual want!

I would humbly recommend that you try to bear EQ and never level higher then 60 if you can bear it, I know I could not myself, but I see a few casuals doing this and really enjoying it. EQ have no real level cap, but at least they have very well designed class with class edges, this is a start. Saddly, if you level higher then 60 (and 60 is really the limit, at 61 you will enter another world, if you can be 57 or 58, would be better, but you can afford 60), at 61+ EQ is the worst game for casuals, dont even bother to play it past 60!

- "Coercing? No no, I assure you, they are willing to bring my bags and pay public transportation just to help me, it is true!''

Oakstead · March 2004

Middle Earth Online!

Why? Because it will raise levels in real time. No grinding! You just have to decide on the skills to train. If all players picked the same skills then both the casual and hardcore will have the same abilities one week later and can group together for MOB fights (to gain wealth and drops).

So when you log on you can do the fun game things and not waste your time grinding.

Anofalye · March 2004

Well...

A casual need a edge to be welcome in a group, a class give him this edge...

Skill system dont give him this edge and some very hardcore player will earn more stuff and make him useless...

Think in edges. A class is 1 edge and many flaws, but the casual can use all edge he could.

For exemple, if the best tank is ALWAYS a warrior, then a casual warrior is more welcome then the most hardcore paladin to tank (not the case in EQ, just a rhetoric exemple) as for the class to tank the mobs, this is something that help the casuals get groups and be welcome. If the best healer is a cleric, then a casual cleric is more wanted then the most hardcore druid in a group as far as the class matter, no matter if the cleric have no AAs and the druid is AA maxed, I mean, as long as the group need a healer(the case in EQ here).

- "Coercing? No no, I assure you, they are willing to bring my bags and pay public transportation just to help me, it is true!''

KaSuYa · March 2004

there's no such a mmorpg of your demand.. i would suggest a not-online RPG to save your game and allways keep your char upset

newayz 4 hours a days is not that much :S

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