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An incomplete list of differences in MMORPGs. More than some would have you believe.
ozmono
Member UncommonPosts: 1,211
I thought I'd write a list of differences in current and upcoming MMORPGs. I got bored and didn't bothered finishing it. Even as stands though, I think I've made my point that there are more differences in MMORPGs than some would have you believe. If you want to add to this list do so and I'll update it, I just couldn't be bothered doing it all myself 
Either way feel free to comment.
Combat
(Note when I say skills I don't mean player skill, I mean skills as in abilities and so on.)
1. WoW, EQII, RIFT like games.
Typical hotbar based skills. Normally tab targeting.
2. Tera, Vindictus like games.
Typically faster pace and normally active aiming (rather than tab targeting) skills based combat.
3. Firefall, divergence, global agenda, planetside 2 like games.
First person shooter combat, normally less skill based actions focussing more on players ability to aim.
4. Atlantica Online, Wakfu like games.
Turn based combat, often involving multiple characters and abilities.
5. Kingdom Under Fire II, Dyansty like games.
Real time strategy mixed with RPG like gameplay. Usually involves RPG combat whilst commanding large forces.
6. Darkfall Online, Mortal Online like games.
Similar to FPS games only adapted to medieval fantasy-esque themes.
7. Wurm like games.
More passive combat relying more on your characters skill than your own. Ability to set different stances and so on.
9. Eve, Perpetuum Online like games.
Third person control over vechiles. Normally requires lots of adjustments to different load outs and different optimizations for range and so on
Themes
(These are more obvious, so I haven't bothered naming games that fall under the different categories.)
1. Fantasy
2. Sci Fi
3. Historical
3. Real life / modern
4. Sports
5. Horror
6. Anime
7. Post apocalyptic
8. Steampunk
Business Model
(I've divided these into only three but there are so many variations on these and hybrids of these that it's not funny.)
1. Subscription based
2. Buy to play
3. Free to play
Graphics
(Again I've kept this simple but there are many variations and hybrids.)
1. 2d
2. 3d
3. Realistic
4. Stylized
5. Text
PVP
1. Consensual
2. Non consensual
3. Open world
4. Instanced
5. Objective based
6. Free for all
7. Factional
8. Duels
9. Karma/Reputation
Comments
I would add Karma based to your PvP. There aren't many of those left but they do exist. Basically FFA but you get penalties for killing others unprovoked so it is a bit different than just FFA.
Main Game: Eldevin (Plat0nic)
2nd Game: Path of Exile (Platonic Hate)
It's ironic that your mind would go there when considering your username
So does the business model
I know where this is going. Soon someone will be commenting on me getting bored and not bothering to finish it off.
Main Game: Eldevin (Plat0nic)
2nd Game: Path of Exile (Platonic Hate)
I admit nothing
Tera is good. The combat is a step up from traditional MMORPGs but it's still weighed down in other ways by tradition. For example if you don't like quest hubs and grinding I wouldn't recommend it. It's free though so you've got nothing to lose.
For combat need something for ESO/GW2 in which it uses tab target but also has a limited aim system built into tab targeting.
Edit I would also like a Sticky for this somewhere.
Dont forget
SCMORPG - Soft Cap Multiplayer Role Playing Game: WoW, Rift, Darkfall, EvE
HCMORPG - Hard Cap Multiplayer Role Playing Games : Diablo, League of Legend, Skyrim, BF4, Guild Wars 1, DnD
Philosophy of MMO Game Design
I thought about putting up a hybrid section to cover all the weird ones. ESO definitely needs one and I suppose you could argue Neverwinter and GW2 do to a lesser extent. I'm unsure where they fit in though. Even the traditional tab targeting normally has some skills/spells you can aim though, even if normally only aoe, so GW2 could probably come under that. I suppose you could argue that it has dodge mechanics.
The problem I have though, if I make a huge list that isn't distinct than I'm going to be accused of exaggerating the differences. Anyway, I'm open to suggestions but I'm still not sure where to put ESO, neverwinter and GW2.
Of course, you realize the stock answer to anything on this board is "but it is a WoW clone".
Why should we listen you when you don't even realize that Planetside 2 is not a MMORPG?
Firefall and divergence online are. It was more appropriate to put PS2 (only as one more example) there than battlefield 4 but I needed something that everyone (or atleast most) knew and understood. Bottom line is, if you want to dismiss everything than you'll always find a reason.