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The actual Next Gen MMO?
Baghira87
Member Posts: 8
Lately I've been noticing the term "Next Gen MMO" being used as more people are finding the need for a game that re-writes the MMO formula so to speak. When I first started hearing the term, I assumed that it was a fantastical idea that would never come to fruition, as the world of MMO's has become a clone war of different WoW variations. I remember the first time I sat down to play FFXI, and then World of Warcraft, both presented brand new experiences expanding the definition of the term MMORPG. But as time went on, the games got repetitive. After 5 years or so, my vigorous involvement in this new experience had run itself dry. and the games no longer posessed that magical ability to make me want to explore this new form of living through gaming.
After this happened I went out looking for another MMO to play something "new". I bought a few new games trying them out, but something wasn't right. It felt like I was running in circles trying to find that feeling I once had, only to realize that they were all the same game. The world of MMORPG's had flourished after the success of World of Warcraft, so I figured that out of all these new games there must be something new, but I realized the only reason the MMO world had flourished was to capitalize on what WoW had presented. People weren't making games to deliver a new type of gaming experience, people were making games to make money.
So let me cut to the point. FInal Fantasy 14. Huge title. Huge reputation. No experience. No levels. Could this be it? When I first started hearing about FFIX it was about how it "differed" from what we knew about MMORPG's, and people weren't sure about that. But the fact that these controversial differences are the primary focal points of discussion, It means that this game might just be the "new" experience that we've all been waiting for. SE and many other Japanese titles tend to create games that do differ quite a lot from the americanized gaming experience we're all used to. So after watching the latest 8 minute in depth discussion with the creators, I just get this feeling that this might be it. To me what "No exp and no leveling" means is expansion on freedom. What do you guys think? apologies for rambling on.
Comments
To me what "No exp and no leveling" means is that instead of leveling our characters we will be leveling our skills based on amount of use. It's the same thing in the end.
I pretty much agree with the rest of your opinion, though.
"There is as yet insufficient data for a meaningful answer."
No such thing as a *Next-Gen* MMO. By the time a game these days is released within a week is is nothing more then the norm regardless of it's high end graphics or end game content. Or honestly it's just a rehashed crap with a different set of paint.
Major problem with idiots today is they will buy anything with a fancy bow. If yeah want something different then stop paying and playing developers games. It's a matter of business. If there no giving what you want why support there product. A bigger concern is over hype. Developers, yes, they try different things. But in the end they either screw something horribly up, buggy and filled with lies, or just go back to the generic formula. Funcom, Tasos, and SOE(or in there case just shit all over there product and make it a fucking mutated freak) are but examples. Yet people undeniably still support there horrid products. Only way your gonna get a different product is either wait or change it now.
It's bound to happen but remember, IT'S NOT HAPPENING OVER NIGHT though.
When did you start playing "old school" MMO's. World Of Warcraft?
If one has played any FF game, especially 11(as it had many expansions) SE has proved its ability to be innovative... even with something proven to work.
So expect nothing except more of the same.
WOOT
www.eorzeapedia.com
(Great FF14 source)
The industry has been using the term "Next Gen MMO" for awhile now. Really, a game that doesn't use levels wouldn't be revolutionary either, it just isn't done often, hasn't been done for awhile, or usually isn't done well. No experience points however, that might be something new if its not a disingenuous statement. After making a statement like that, they'd better expect that putting in any kind of point-based progression system will earn them a negative PR backlash.
I'm willing to give SE the benefit of the doubt though, and I'm interested to see what they will come up with. It may not be the sandbox type game that a lot of MMO vets are hoping for, but the prospect of getting away from the ancient level system is exciting.
There will still have to be some form of character progression still, of course (or it wouldn't be an RPG). We don't really know if it will be mostly gear based, stat based (i.e. wield a greatsword for x amount of time will increase strength, while a staff would increase intellect, etc), skill based (making choices along branching skill trees ala old SWG - though that used xp still), or something we haven't seen before. Hard to say, guess we'll see eventually.