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A Wild West MMO?

KeoghKeogh Member Posts: 1,099
in The Pub at MMORPG.COM

There was a thread in which the poster expressed their frustration with the seemingly endless stream of high fantasy MMO games that the consumer is supplied. I too am tired of high fantasy games, but I’m just as tired of sci-fi based games as well. You can go and look at the game list that MMORPG.COM hosts. That list is primarily fantasy or sci-fi, with a touch of real-life and what passes for historical.

 My tastes are quite different from the majority of you on this forum because my life experiences are so different from most of you. You see, I’m 20 to 30 years older than most of you that follow these boards. I grew up in a time when the cowboy was king and westerns were the main staple of every young boy’s imagination.

 I would like to see a WESTERN MMO (done properly). I’ve played every western based computer/video game I’ve every come across and all were very shallow and done poorly.

 There are ample sources of historical documentation to inspire a truly creative development team to develop a Western MMO that would please most MMO play styles.

 You have examples of solo play when you look at the unknown drifter that is fast with a gun, or skilled trappers/hunters of the Northwest that were known for their stamina and survival skills. You have ample material to supply RvR or PvP to a western, when you look at conflicts between Indian tribes, Indians and the U.S. Cavalry, cattlemen and farmers, outlaw bands and posses, Texas Rangers or even the Pinkerton men. There are also the classic “High Noon” duels out in front of the saloon and look out for the PK that bushwhacks you from an outcropping of boulders.

 There is also ample inspiration for crafting when you look the boom towns that were created by presence of copper, silver, gold, or cattle and the railroad. There any number of crafting professions that player could enjoy: prospector, blacksmith, gunsmith, carpenter, tailor, farmer, cattleman, cook, trapper, snake oil salesman etc.

 There is also inspiration for guild support, when you look at some examples like, the “Hole in the Wall” gang style hideout, Indian villages, the U.S. Cavalry outposts, or a Cattleman Assoc. building. There are also mini-games that could be created for the saloon environment like faro. Faro was by far the most popular and prolific game played in old west saloons, followed by brag, monte and several dice games such as high/low (also called over & under).

 I could go on and on about the possibilities of quests raids, classes, etc., but I’ll spare you from that.

 I just wanted to share a whish of mine with the community and maybe see if anyone else thought this would be a refreshing experience.

"Don't corpse-camp that idea. Its never gonna rez"
Bladezz (The Guild)

Comments

  • RedshayRedshay Member Posts: 8
    A Western mmo game would realy rock the world and it would realy drag players that have history and old guns as intressted and i would be 1 of them that is garenteed
  • Billr00Billr00 Member UncommonPosts: 135

     

    The things you have posted are all well and good .. but what about gear? once you have a rifle/shotgun/and a couple pistols what else do you need?

    Also how would the economy run .. you mentioned some tradeskills .. but what does a western adventurer need with a blacksmith other than the occasional shoeing of a new horse ..

    Don't get me wrong I would love a really good Western MMO .. but in my opinion the genre just isn't deep enough ..

    Also i'd think the quest lines would get pretty thin when you've tracked your 500th bandit, or whatever .. not really sure how far the quest lines could go ..

    The economy would be pretty stale to I think .. what are you going to spend your money on?

    Just a couple things to think about

     

  • RedshayRedshay Member Posts: 8
    We llmoney could be spent on buying a house farm or some kind off business or beter guns reputatuion or to hire more hands to help you run bandits or farmers away so the ide could be built on
  • TedDansonTedDanson Member Posts: 513

    There is a really good IP for this sort of game...It's Steven King's The Dark Tower. It has a high western theme, as well as a post nuclear scifi theme, and some fantasy thrown in with wizards and stuff. It could be the best MMO ever made as long as they stuck with the IP.

    If you haven't read the books, go get them now and read the crap out of them!

  • piquetpiquet Member UncommonPosts: 189

    Personally I don't like westerns all that much, but it certainly would make for a great MMO setting. IP could easily be original and still attract a lot of people solely due to the fact that there's no competition at all. I wonder why we haven't seen any game like this?

    I think it's a bit sad that mmos are all about either fantasy and/or sci-fi. I mean there are so many other genres to explore like horror, westerns, racing, ancient asia (ninjas, sumo-wrestlers, samurais and such) and I could go on....

    Personally I'm getting a bit tired of fantasy and to some extent sci-fi, and wish there were more alternatives. I'm keeping an eye on PotBS, not because I love the pirate setting really, but simply because it will be so different from the normal mmo setting and a breath of fresh air

  • FugnudzFugnudz Member Posts: 480

    There was a game called Frontier 1859 in the works, but not sure it ever got developed or found financial backing.

    But, I agree, a western MMORPG would be excellent.

    Well, that's it for now.  Got to go talk to a man about a horse.

     

  • BernoullyBernoully Member Posts: 174
    Like all the other MMO genres beside grinding fantasy, there's indeed a lot of room to explore and improve upon. I believe the Old Western genre will be a late bloomer, especially if they add everything from the Native American folklore into the stew. As of now, there's no MMO title that's spearheading this genre, but I think you might find these two titles relevant to the subject:



    - Frontier 1859, a fairly realistic-style one in development (big aims, even with plans to Asian market)



    - Bang! Howdy, cartoonish and looks fun, from the good folks at Three Rings (Yohoho! Puzzle Pirates)



    Perhaps they can do something. Let's drop them a message of ideas through e-mail or blogs. Viva la Revolución!
  • KeoghKeogh Member Posts: 1,099
    Originally posted by Billr00


     
    The things you have posted are all well and good .. but what about gear? once you have a rifle/shotgun/and a couple pistols what else do you need?
    Also how would the economy run .. you mentioned some tradeskills .. but what does a western adventurer need with a blacksmith other than the occasional shoeing of a new horse ..
    Don't get me wrong I would love a really good Western MMO .. but in my opinion the genre just isn't deep enough ..
    Also i'd think the quest lines would get pretty thin when you've tracked your 500th bandit, or whatever .. not really sure how far the quest lines could go ..
    The economy would be pretty stale to I think .. what are you going to spend your money on?
    Just a couple things to think about
     

     

    A Western Themed MMO could have just as robust an economy as any MMO and could be as deep as deep as any high fantasy game out there. Just do some reading on western legends and history.

    Not all players would want to be gunfighters, as someone else mentioned. If for example the game was done giving players the ability to build or own property, there could be guild or single player owned ranches, saloons, banks and other shops.

    You asked what a blacksmith could do besides make horse shoes. Well they made metal straps, hinges and nails to build with, tools to farm and prospect with, branding irons to mark livestock, they repaired wagons.

    What about gear? What does it have to be so much about gear. Many people complain about grinding for gear. However, there is always the opportunity to upgrade you r gear (guns, mount, tack for your mount, ammo, clothing). Then, you can try to raise enough cash to buy your own saloon. At the height of the California gold rush, a plot of land in Frisco that you could put up a canvas tent saloon/gambling house on, cost $46,000 dollars in advance and in gold dust to open. I think you could stay busy trying to raise the money to open a saloon or buy a cattle spread.

    As far as quest:

    • Spiritual Indian themed quests
    • Search for the Great White Buffalo
    • Eldorado (Lost City of Gold)
    • Great buffalo hunts
    • Land wars between cattlemen and farmers over water and land
    • Banks, stage coaches and trains to rob or protect
    • Raid sized quest that protect a wagon train, save a town or cavalry patrol from annihilation
    • Epic elite gunman to fight, like Wild Bill Hicock, Jesse James, or the man with no name, etc.

     

    The comments you mad about a western could just as easily be made about all MMO's

    "Don't corpse-camp that idea. Its never gonna rez"
    Bladezz (The Guild)

  • karr1981karr1981 Member Posts: 59
    Originally posted by Keogh


    There was a thread in which the poster expressed their frustration with the seemingly endless stream of high fantasy MMO games that the consumer is supplied. I too am tired of high fantasy games, but I’m just as tired of sci-fi based games as well. You can go and look at the game list that MMORPG.COM hosts. That list is primarily fantasy or sci-fi, with a touch of real-life and what passes for historical.
     My tastes are quite different from the majority of you on this forum because my life experiences are so different from most of you. You see, I’m 20 to 30 years older than most of you that follow these boards. I grew up in a time when the cowboy was king and westerns were the main staple of every young boy’s imagination.
     I would like to see a WESTERN MMO (done properly). I’ve played every western based computer/video game I’ve every come across and all were very shallow and done poorly.
     There are ample sources of historical documentation to inspire a truly creative development team to develop a Western MMO that would please most MMO play styles.
     You have examples of solo play when you look at the unknown drifter that is fast with a gun, or skilled trappers/hunters of the Northwest that were known for their stamina and survival skills. You have ample material to supply RvR or PvP to a western, when you look at conflicts between Indian tribes, Indians and the U.S. Cavalry, cattlemen and farmers, outlaw bands and posses, Texas Rangers or even the Pinkerton men. There are also the classic “High Noon” duels out in front of the saloon and look out for the PK that bushwhacks you from an outcropping of boulders.
     There is also ample inspiration for crafting when you look the boom towns that were created by presence of copper, silver, gold, or cattle and the railroad. There any number of crafting professions that player could enjoy: prospector, blacksmith, gunsmith, carpenter, tailor, farmer, cattleman, cook, trapper, snake oil salesman etc.
     There is also inspiration for guild support, when you look at some examples like, the “Hole in the Wall” gang style hideout, Indian villages, the U.S. Cavalry outposts, or a Cattleman Assoc. building. There are also mini-games that could be created for the saloon environment like faro. Faro was by far the most popular and prolific game played in old west saloons, followed by brag, monte and several dice games such as high/low (also called over & under).
     I could go on and on about the possibilities of quests raids, classes, etc., but I’ll spare you from that.
     I just wanted to share a whish of mine with the community and maybe see if anyone else thought this would be a refreshing experience.


    QFT
  • Nightshade44Nightshade44 Member Posts: 58
    I'd definitely be interested in a wild west MMO, but ONLY... if it were for a mature audience and of course, well developed... No elves or orcs pls. When I think of a western MMO, I can't help but think of the movie 'Unforgiven' with Clint Eastwood and Morgan Freeman, if an MMO were to be made with that movie in mind, I'd definitely be game.

    _________________________________
    Currently without MMO

    Anticipating: Aion - Tower of Eternity
    Veteran: Star Wars Galaxies
    Veteran: The Matrix Online

  • MuffinStumpMuffinStump Member UncommonPosts: 474

    Anyone remember the mmorpg Priest?

    "Priest is a massively multiplayer online roleplaying game (MMORPG) set in a twisted Lovecraftian vision of the American Wild West based on the best-selling Priest manga series."

    I can see something like that working in the right hands. The American West combined with a low level of mysticism/horror.

    I realize part of the desire for a Western game is a revolt from the myriad fantasy games out there but the 'tall tales' and history of the West is filled with the same kind of wonder that prompted early explorers to label sea monsters on their maps. The unknown and uncivilized.

    Here be Monsters

  • Nightshade44Nightshade44 Member Posts: 58
    A cool twist to a wild west MMO would be something modeled after Trigun perhaps, like a semi-futuristic space-western. Almost like a western mixed with some Final Fantasy.

    _________________________________
    Currently without MMO

    Anticipating: Aion - Tower of Eternity
    Veteran: Star Wars Galaxies
    Veteran: The Matrix Online

  • MuffinStumpMuffinStump Member UncommonPosts: 474

    Originally posted by Nightshade44
    A cool twist to a wild west MMO would be something modeled after Trigun perhaps, like a semi-futuristic space-western. Almost like a western mixed with some Final Fantasy.

    Well, Firefly is being developed into an MMORPG and that is a western-themed sci-fi...at least as far as the 'outer planets' and most of the scope of the series is concerned.

  • doskzorakdoskzorak Member Posts: 1
    Originally posted by MuffinStump


     
    Well, Firefly is being developed into an MMORPG and that is a western-themed sci-fi...at least as far as the 'outer planets' and most of the scope of the series is concerned.
    That's just what I wanted to hear! Firefly on MMO, just awesome!!! Can't wait to hear more about it.
  • BattleshipBattleship Member Posts: 62


    A few of us were discussing this in the Devs corner forum a few weeks ago. There have been several attempts at making a western mmo but not by anyone serious or big enough yet.



    http://mmorpg.com/discussion2.cfm/thread/123040



    Personally, I think if it were done professionally and well polished it would be extremely popular and successful.
  • NarlhNarlh Member UncommonPosts: 18
    As much as I'd love a Wild West MMO (I seem to buy every Wild West shooter that comes out) I can't help but think fantasy/horror variants would appeal much more to the general public.  In particular, there was a RPG (then later a card game) named Deadlands that mingled horror and the wild west quite well.   I'd love to see that developed.
  • LifePositiveLifePositive Member UncommonPosts: 130
    Shane Hensley, former lead writer for City of Villains, left Cryptic Studies and let slip that he's going to work on a Deadlands MMO.



    As far as I'm concerned, Horror-Steampunk-Western is a damn fine bit better then generic American Western regardless of how you feel about the fantasy genre. There are a lot of design problems to overcome when making a "realistic" type of game... I don't think any of the failed attempts ever really figured out how to deal with them.



    Deadlands is going to fucking ROCK!

    “How do you kill that which has no life?”

  • DKShadowDKShadow Member Posts: 116
    If only someone would bring this baby back to live: http://www.wildwestsim.com/
  • treed0223treed0223 Member Posts: 84
    I've been wanting a western MMO to come out for a while now too.  I think it would be a great sandbox style game.  You could have factions such as Native Americans,, U.S. Calvary, Townspeople, Bandits, etc.  There could be plenty of proffesions, like Gunsmith, Carpenter, Miner, Blacksmith, Farmer, Rancher, the list goes on.  This would set up the perfect system for a player economy.  You could set up your own homstead and grow some crops, some bandit could come steal something, then you could become a vigilante or put up a bounty for other people to hunt him down.  Classic duels could happen in the middle of town, posses could form at the drop of a dime, a bar fight could break out over a game of cards.  The possibilities are huge for a game like this, I don't know why developers haven't tried this yet!
  • Da_CowinatorDa_Cowinator Member Posts: 17

    Yeah it could be fun and free. i would enjoy something like a shootout for the PKing, and not point and click, but player controled.

    Runescape- ACOWWITHADS
    Travian- cowinator

  • DarkmenaceDarkmenace Member Posts: 2
    www.frontier1859.com - hopefully this game will get off the ground soon!
  • transparent7transparent7 Member Posts: 31
    Ya i think a western would be fun.  I want to be Billy the kung-fu kid.

    image
    hee ma brudda!

  • PrebThorPrebThor Member UncommonPosts: 452
    If developers ever needed an excuse to implement a good ol' bordello, then this would be a good time. Booze, bucks n' bitches! Joke aside; an MMO in the vein of "Outlaws" from LucasArts for example, could be highly entertaining: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outlaws_(game)
  • weg886weg886 Member Posts: 318

    Well make one !

    Problem solved there teacher !

    WWIIOnline The Real War!

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