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Question for MMO vets re: Housing
Hopfrog
Member Posts: 90
I've played a ton of MMOs but really nowhere near close to all the games that are listed at this site so I was hoping to get some feedback from players who have played a lot more than I have.
One of the things I really liked about Vanguard was the ability to build my own house that existed right there in the game world for all to see whether I was logged in or not. Not instanced, but actually a physical presence in the gameworld.
My question is, what MMOs have offered player housing that was not instanced, but was an actual physical presence in game?
The only two that come to mind for me are UO and Vanguard. Yes I know there can be problems with players housing (the mess of houses in UO), but I also think it can be done right (Vanguard). Obviously these can often end up looking like ghost towns when servers aren't active, but I always thought this to be a cool feature and was wondering what other MMO has done this well.
Comments
I've been looking for this as well and cannot find one.
Also, add ArcheAge to your list of MMOs to look at. This game should have everything you're looking for.
You can basically build a house wherever you want. On the side of a cliff, next to waterfall, etc.
Star Wars Galaxies and A Tale in the Desert had/have open world housing.
swg didn't just have housing it had player created cities.
Ah good call. I normally run when I hear "Korean MMO", but taking a look at it based on your suggestion. Looks like they might have something with this. Found a video of a house being created and furnished in the game world from their korean beta test.
warning.... hit the mute button, it is made by a very annoying young korean girl
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=01F0VHXHbDM
Hahah, I've seen that one! I muted her pretty quickly.
I used to run from Korean MMOs but some are pretty solid. I'm not a huuuge fan of the artstyle but this game doesn't go crazy with it. Secondly, it has way too much of what I want in an MMO to pass it up.
I've watched so many streams of the beta tests and I've been blown away every time.
Wow, I thought the exact same thing. I always hate the cartoony/freaky looking style of characters in Asian games, but I also thought they toned it down enough to keep me interested in it. Gonna follow this one now as well. As an aside, any other games currently in dev that will have oped world housing?
So far, only 4 have had open world housing?
Vanguard, UO, SWG, and Tale in the Desert
As far as I know. Which is a shame, in my opinion. Open world housing is one of those things that catch immersion for me.
Basically why I'm looking forward to ArcheAge. Plus, it's beautiful graphically.
NEED MORE OPEN HOUSING! haha
I've always been of the "fun once" mindset with regards to homes.
After building your first one, and fiddling with it to your heart's content; it becomes less important as a must-have feature.
How much time does your home actually spend being used/occupied? Would affect how you feel about homes in general, I suspect. In most games, the homes are just empty spaces, not terribly useful, not necessary, not even fun (after it's done being built).
Self-pity imprisons us in the walls of our own self-absorption. The whole world shrinks down to the size of our problem, and the more we dwell on it, the smaller we are and the larger the problem seems to grow.
Vangaurd does have an interesting take on housing; however, keep in mind that Vangaurds housing is static, meaning yes you can build in an uninstanced area but from what I can see it's pointless (has zero function).
EQ2 housing is of course is instanced but you have many more options (placement and function).
WURM Online would have to be over the best regaurding housing (please look it up because it's simply to much to list here) but I would call this a strickly a survival / crafting mmo.
There are others available; however, imo these are the currently the best released. Vangaurd and EQ2 are Theamparks, WO is a sandbox; ie., no hand holding..lol
Ryzom, ATilD (don't recommend unless you want to start over ever 18 months) are also crafting mmo with better than average housing.
RoM also has instance housing options, They say is F2P but we all know the truth (not really sure who their trying for kid).
Thats all I can think of now
Ultima Online and Star Wars Galaxies are two I know of like that. SWG cities were something to behold! Walking down the streets and seeing people selling droids, other shoppers, etc...man that was magic.
"Censorship is never over for those who have experienced it. It is a brand on the imagination that affects the individual who has suffered it, forever." - Noam Chomsky
Mortal Online
Dawntide will when tis released
Xyson - Has player built everything.
Quite a few others as well..
DAOC had housing zones, but they weren't instanced. So does LOTRO. Althought in DAOC, the neighborhoods are much larger, and customization options a lot more extensive. Best compromise I've seen in an MMO, of open world housing, that doesn't get in the way of the regular open world.
When I want a single-player story, I'll play a single-player game. When I play an MMO, I want a massively multiplayer world.
Horizons/Istaria has open world plots, though what you actually construct is used more to boost functionality rather than as buildings you put stuff into and arrange. For example on your plot you can build a house, some silos, a crafting building, etc. The house has little purpose beyond storage.
For the sake of clarity, this list here includes games where individual players, as opposed to guild or factions, can own and manipulate territory in the open world.
Vanguard
Ultima Online
A Tale in the Desert
EVE Online
Puzzle Pirates
Darkfall
Mortal Online
SWG
Xsyon
Asheron's Call
Shadowbane (closed)
Uncharted Water Online
Horizons/Istaria
edit: updated. I can't believe I left the one with housing that includes Dragon Dens out. Thanks, Venger!
There isn't a "right" or "wrong" way to play, if you want to use a screwdriver to put nails into wood, have at it, simply don't complain when the guy next to you with the hammer is doing it much better and easier. - Allein
"Graphics are often supplied by Engines that (some) MMORPG's are built in" - Spuffyre
Horizons (Istaria)
Someone allready stated it.