I started to mature as a musician when my concept of music changed, and it was basically when I could feel my space within the piece of music I was playing. Music at the essence is just sound in time, and I wish that I could relate that to gaming.
I like persistent worlds, but they all seem very out of phase. Others have mentioned that more realism could be built into the concept of what the world is trying to deliver to you, and I completely agree. I think that I lot of us here are frustrated with being spoon fed.. we want something a little more complex that allows us to grow into the world as we become better players, and as our knowledge of the game increases.
I would really like a game that has seasons, events and quests that happen on a calendar cycle, and a dynamic world where a mob doesn't occupy the same 3x3 meter space for hours on end. I would like to follow up on rumors in towns, maybe stumble across events in the wilderness, and your understanding of local lore has rewards and consequences... basically is your quest log.
I think that I'm just looking for meaningful gameplay, and a personal connection to a character that I can build over years.. almost like I felt a long time ago, in a galaxy far far away.
All players don't know what they want in one way or another, and confuse both themselves and game developers. The key point is being specific about what you want out of a game.
I'll actually make a post about it since it can be a bit long. I can write a whole research paper on it, but this is only a reply so this is where it ends.
I think you're looking in the wrong places. try a Neverwinter Nights or NWN2 Persistent World instead of an MMO. You might just get the engaging experience you are looking for - or not! It depends if you are impossible to please or not
I am one of the many malcontents haunting these forums waiting for an MMO that gets me addicted again...
Some of us want Sandbox... pre-cu SWG style.... Some of us want EQ1 risk/fear/challenge.... Some of us want full loot open PvP.... Most of us want something new... there are many theories as to what might provide a new experience...
All of us want to recapture that feeling we had when we played our first MMO. I've seen many people say we will never recapture it... but I did once already and that gives me hope that I will again. My first amazing MMO experience was EQ.... I particularly think that the lack of maps made the world seem vast and mysterious.. and the death penalty made the world seem intimidating and scary. I think the dumbing down of EQ started with instant travel being made too available (player ports were fine) first with SoL, then really badly with PoP. I had a great experience with SWG, but to be honest it didnt last that long... maybe 6 months to a year. The population dropping (due to lack of things to do and broken pvp) killed the worlds alive feeling. My next real MMO obsession was WoW. I found the world immersive... the new angle on quest grinding camoflaged the grind for a while..... five man instanced dungeons were fantastic... world pvp (pre BG's) was good.... five man tactics and interdependence was the best I'd ever seen. The game's only real fault was that it was too easy (excluding extreme end game 40 man content).... which meant we sortof finished it in a relatively short time... In EQ max level seemed like a nearly impossible goal... in WoW it was an easily reachable guarantee. Eventually the shine of WoW wore off... the grind became a grind again.... everything began to look and feel the same as everything else... Since that happened I have not been able to enjoy any other MMO at all for more then a very short while. Vanguard was the promise.... but even if it hadn't crashed and burned I think I would still have been too burnt out to really enjoy it.
What's my point? What do I want? Some kind of new revelation in MMO gaming that hides the grind for a while again... something to give a fresh and new experience. I would love for this game to include some or all of my favorite past MMO features (housing, death penalty, no maps, 5 man content, challenge).. but the truth is WoW worked and it didnt have any of my favorite old features... We just need innovation. Aion looks like it might be the next great MMO, but it doesnt have anything to make it a totally fresh experience. Right now I'm waiting for Jumpgate Evolution because at least its something different, but I'm sure it wont satisfy my MMO craving.
I've been playing MMOs for nearly 10 years, and I have come to the conclusion that MMOs are like Heroine. They are addictive but never give you that first time high again.
Comments
I started to mature as a musician when my concept of music changed, and it was basically when I could feel my space within the piece of music I was playing. Music at the essence is just sound in time, and I wish that I could relate that to gaming.
I like persistent worlds, but they all seem very out of phase. Others have mentioned that more realism could be built into the concept of what the world is trying to deliver to you, and I completely agree. I think that I lot of us here are frustrated with being spoon fed.. we want something a little more complex that allows us to grow into the world as we become better players, and as our knowledge of the game increases.
I would really like a game that has seasons, events and quests that happen on a calendar cycle, and a dynamic world where a mob doesn't occupy the same 3x3 meter space for hours on end. I would like to follow up on rumors in towns, maybe stumble across events in the wilderness, and your understanding of local lore has rewards and consequences... basically is your quest log.
I think that I'm just looking for meaningful gameplay, and a personal connection to a character that I can build over years.. almost like I felt a long time ago, in a galaxy far far away.
My answer is NO, imo we are not impossible to please but rather harder to please.
Yes, impossible.
Every MMO player has their vision of the perfect MMO and when a new release doesnt fit their standards they complain ....endlessly.
All players don't know what they want in one way or another, and confuse both themselves and game developers. The key point is being specific about what you want out of a game.
I'll actually make a post about it since it can be a bit long. I can write a whole research paper on it, but this is only a reply so this is where it ends.
At this point, yes very much so.
yes we are...Oh yes! complains bout this and that.
I would happily play pre-cu SWG again.
I think you're looking in the wrong places. try a Neverwinter Nights or NWN2 Persistent World instead of an MMO. You might just get the engaging experience you are looking for - or not! It depends if you are impossible to please or not
I've been playing MMOs for nearly 10 years, and I have come to the conclusion that MMOs are like Heroine. They are addictive but never give you that first time high again.