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What makes you want to play an MMO?
Winterleaf
Member Posts: 4
Good Afternoon,Morning or Evening all.
I know that I'm asking a generic question, one that's probably asked a lot on here.
However, I'm currently doing some market research for an upcoming indie MMO currently in pre-production- we're hoping to get an Alpha Demo out just after Christmas. I'm not here to advertise it or shove it down your throats- all I have are Questions!
So I'm just going to jump straight in:
When looking for a new MMO to play what draws you in?
What do you like when it comes to UI/HUDs? Got any examples of what you would call the perfect UI experience?
What do you hate about MMOs that you wish they would just stop doing? (Just so we know what we can try to avoid!)
What is your all time favorite MMO, and why.. if you can explain it in words.
I believe that's all I have for now, but I'm sure more will follow.
Thank you for your time, and I'm looking forward to your answers!
Comments
-If i look for new MMO , the features draw me then the graphic make me decide to in or not.
If it 3d then i prefer toon type like team fortress 2 , Right toon design will make your game's lifespan last longer
-UI less but enough is better , if the window get block by many stuff then it ready bad.
But it depend on game so i can't say what's best
-My hate for quest hub in linear and bad level design that isolate me in MMO is max lol.
My newest experience is ArcheAge , i just offline for few days and get big level gap so i get left out from rest of guild active .
Then next is nothing to do. At lest the game must have some mini games that break the boring.
Then again , go to forum to collect market info wasn't good . IMO
If you want something mainstream then there are a lot place that offer reliable info .
1) Fun combat. Since that is the activity being done most, it has to be fun. I prefer action combat but others may vary.
2) Any UI in a blizz game is good. Give optional "theorycraft" type information (like DPS, effective health .....)
3) Long travel time, lack of game mode, no solo content .... think about it as a game with multiple things to do, and it is convenient to get to those gameplay stuff.
4) Diablo 3 .... not a MMO by some definition, but close enough for me.
For me it's intuitive skills/abilities...things that are a bit of a cut away from the cloth of the norm and offer a more unique and interesting playing style in their classes.
Good PVP design is also a must.
8 years and counting addicted to
Avalon: The Legend Lives - the longest running online RPG in history
only tip i can give to a developer is to ask yourself would i enjoy this?
asking on forums such as this you wont really get a clear picture of what players want.
I had fun once, it was terrible.
Adventure
Player control over own actions
A really, really, really big map to play on.
No bullshit
Proper environmental effects, like rain, proper snow etc. Preferably seasonal changes.
Not the bs rain seen in Arma/DayZ.
I'm not really after a 'clear' picture, I'm after different people's opinions because sometimes there's a hidden gem in there. We know what game we are making, the style and how it will play. I like asking for opinions on different gaming styles so we can compare and go "actually, that's a really good idea- why have we not thought of that?!" or "eeeeh, we have that in ours, maybe we should remove it", we still want the players to enjoy playing, just because a Dev likes a feature doesn't mean it should go into a game if the user's don't.
I know everyone has different gaming styles, and no game will please everyone, but there is no harm in asking what people like.
Environment! That was another question I wanted to ask about.
How many gamers here actually like that? I personally enjoy weather changes if the environment calls for it such as snow on a snowy mountain, but I think a whole season change would be pointless unless materials and mobs, possibly even quests change along with it- that's going to be a lot of work, but could create an amazing immersed game.
1) As long as it's new I'll try it out, usually F2P things atm or betas.
2) Being able to customize things, move bars around, make it look appealing, something like WoW, even though I use addons to move the bars around, the general UI is great.
3) Bad animations, rushed games with clunky controls/bad tutorials. You can tell a lot of games are rushed and/or have a larger purpose than just being a good game.
4) WoW. Lots of content, a large playerbase, decent updates, you can customize everything while still keeping it fairly simple to figure out, class diversity, pacing of the game, ect.
I'm not too sure how hard it is to actually make but I definitely prefer a game where the weather is changing all the time while you play. It just can't be too slow or too quick I guess.
I think one of the reasons WoW has been so successful is the amount of love and care that's been put into the mythos. It gives Azeroth a feeling of depth that draw you back to it, whereas with a lot of CRPGs, MMO or not, you feel the designers have basically sat down and said, "OK, we'll have Elfland over here and Dwarfland next to it, and stick some mountains around somewhere". The result is bland, characterless, and the player is not persuaded to care about it.
As for the rest:
1) What draws me in?
The world and how the features "fit together." I enjoy crafting, but just because an MMO has crafting does not mean I will jump on its bandwagon.
2) UI/HUDs
Player adjustable is best. I like the center of my screen clear with the middle sides also clear. The rest depends on what combat system you use.
3) What do I hate?
The LACK of meaningful non-combat activities and mini-games. I want "downtime" between fights and I did not log on to play "Plants vs Zombies"
I also HATE GW2's "deleveling" aspect. "How to make a player feel useless" is what I call that mechanic. I can go from beating on baddies in Orr and step through a "zone" and suddenly some "Champion Spider" is killing me. Pointless.
I also dislike the general playerbase these days whose first thought is "I gotta BEAT this game!" Nothing developers can do about that, though
4) All Time favorite MMO and why?
City of Heroes, though more for the community it had than the game, itself.
I started with EQ and enjoyed myself for over 3 years there. I disliked the fact that around level 17-20 I HAD to group to get anything done. However, the world was vast an interconnected. Factions abounded. There were lots of activities (besides combat) to do.
I also spent time in WoW, enjoying their old class quests (like the Hunter's Pet quests and Druids animal forms quests).
- Al
Personally the only modern MMORPG trend that annoys me is the idea that MMOs need to be designed in a way to attract people who don't actually like MMOs. Which to me makes about as much sense as someone trying to figure out a way to get vegetarians to eat at their steakhouse.- FARGIN_WAR
(like) skyrim type world design / crafting / freedom
(ui) i think wow nailed the UI thing really - apart from having two many damage skills flashing away on multiple tool bars - but that's more to do with the combat system
(hate) linear quest conveyor belt
(faves) EQ - lots of problems but lots of freedom, SWG ditto
Personally I think seasons would be the easiest way to create a dynamic *seeming* world without it actually being dynamic but as you say you'd have to change quests and mob spawns to get the effect. It wouldn't have to all change just some of it but it could make the game very replayable if it was enough e.g. on one character a player might level through four zones when those zones were in spring - summer - fall - winter mode respectively and then another time do the same thing but this time when the zones were in their fall - winter - spring - summer mode.
Similarly with a day / night cycle - on it's own it's not that great but when different mobs spawn at night then it makes the world feel dynamic even though it's not really.
If you had weather you could have different mobs then too in a few cases e.g. djinnis during sand storms in a desert.
Challenging strategic gameplay, possible to solo though difficult, but easier to group i.e. optional, not forced.
Exploration.
Open World.
Active Community.
Oh and loot......lots of loot.
For me it's a huge seamless virtual world with good gfx and performance for a2014 MMO , great lore and questlines (it's the story that makes game unique), horizontal progression, lots of 5-10 man instances, gear cap, with skin advancement so balancing is not screwed and all thise instances Don't get overgeared. Node sharing, great battlegrounds, masses of skills and builds. No damage meters or gear scores, fully customisable housing where rewards can give items for your house.
rpg/mmorg history: Dun Darach>Bloodwych>Bards Tale 1-3>Eye of the beholder > Might and Magic 2,3,5 > FFVII> Baldur's Gate 1, 2 > Planescape Torment >Morrowind > WOW > oblivion > LOTR > Guild Wars (1900hrs elementalist) Vanguard. > GW2(1000 elementalist), Wildstar
Now playing GW2, AOW 3, ESO, LOTR, Elite D
http://jamesykai.hubpages.com/hub/my-top-5-mmorpgs
"anti-MMO"? May be "anti-ancient-MMO". Certainly that is not "anti modern MMO".
Its been done before, and quite a while ago by Saga of Ryzom
"The game also features changing seasons and weather. Weather effects include rain, snow, and wind. Tied to the season and weather changes are the movements of animals and availability of harvestable materials. For example, a certain type of sap may only be harvested during spring rains and be unattainable during other seasons or weather conditions. Weather conditions can change minute by minute. Each game season (spring, summer, fall, and winter) lasts four realtime days."
"True friends stab you in the front." | Oscar Wilde
"I need to finish" - Christian Wolff: The Accountant
Just trying to live long enough to play a new, released MMORPG, playing New Worlds atm
Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. Pvbs 18:2, NIV
Don't just play games, inhabit virtual worlds™
"This is the most intelligent, well qualified and articulate response to a post I have ever seen on these forums. It's a shame most people here won't have the attention span to read past the second line." - Anon
Pretty much the promise of everything that was in FFXI.
Lots of hotbars,I do not want to choose 5 skills from the 70 I know,I find this lame and aimed at people who can't manage skills.Don't listen to people that say 'if I have 50 skills i just press 1,2,3,1,2,3 anyway',these players are useless and have no idea and will move onto the next 'big thing' before their first 30 days sub is over.
Also some sort of online leaderboards is also great,I don't just mean a pvp one,I mean pve kills vs deaths,amount of money,status,spell damage,melee damage etcetera.
You going to have something just after Christmas? You must be very far in already. Good Luck!
What draws me in? A community and environment draws me in. Role players (I use that loosely) like to be whoever or whatever they create with little restrictions by a game. Little restrictions draw in alot of people with different interests.
Likeable UI?HUDs? I like a great variety in zones with changing and interactive scenarios i.e. weather, daylight, etc. PLEASE PLEASE don't limit me to having access to only 7-8 powers with extremely limited variations. Stackable hotbars! I like auras and the graphic effects of debuffs/buffs etc.
What do I hate about MMOs? Stand and shot, limited control of your character and their story. Traveling forever! If I must do so (and I can see the benefits in having to do so), make it fun! Sigh...clicky clock clicky clock. Yea we get it. It's a horse. *yawn* Flight is cool!
My all time favorite MMO? CITY OF HEROES! Loved it! A great community. Soooo much flexibility. So many variations! Great task forces (dungeons). Strong encouragement with powersets to team. Teaming just made sense. Can you tell I like teaming? The setting of a present day modern metropolis with little restrictions on character creation makes it possible for the knight and alien to exist and fight side by side (or against each other). I do like WvW in GW2 except for the schleping when you die. Frequent rez powers encourage team play.