Howdy, Stranger!
It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!
Quick Links
MMORPG Longevity, or keeping the game alive
Billius8
Member Posts: 574
As a veteran EQ and DAOC player, I can say the main thing, in my opinion, that is hurting these games is the fact that the low-level experience is gone. Just aren't any low level players anymore (well, some, but very, very, very few). I think for a MMORPG to last as long as possible, the low level game needs to be kept fresh. There needs to be more to starting out a new character than the thought of "here's the old grind again". Instead of continous high-level content, I wonder if these games need to focus more on the lower levels. After all, when folks quit, their replacement customers are... lower levels. There is nothing more disheartening than to start out a character in a game to find out you're not going to get into groups for about 20 levels or so.
Comments
Here Here!! I totally agree. I remember, even after I quit EQ, all the new expansions, and reading about them and seeing all the higher lvl content, and whenever I try a new game, I usually quit early because it sucks to just have nothing fresh or cool as a new player. Anyways, this idea needs to spread to the developers : )
Play Rubies Of Eventide Because Its A Great Game!! Please Just Try The 10 Day Trial!
Can't Find A Game Worth My Time That Doesn't Bore Me..I Need Help Or Something...
*Notice: The views expressed in this post are solely those of the author... got sick of holding backspace.
-----------------------------------------
ParaTrooper, That guy that used to mod the MMORPG.com forums.
You make a good point. I think the problem is much more stark in EQ than in DAoC, but both of them are having their issues. EverQuest has apparently killed the old, original lands. When places like Oasis and the Karanas are deserted, you know there's a problem. One idea would be to add new loot to the old areas. Maybe the next expansion could include new mobs/loot for older areas, which might drive players back there.
DAoC has its deserted areas, too. Humberton and Ludlow are generally empty in Albion, but Camelot and south stay pretty busy. I think DAoC has done a better job with its expansions of keeping the game fresh to new players. With SI, quests were added for all levels, not just the 40+ players.
The biggest problem with most of these games is that they all seem to be looking forward to next gen versions. EQ is looking toward EQ2. UO has UXO coming up. AC2 was a bust, but AC is apparently static now that it is released. Mythic is planning to release Imperium, which may detract from Dark Age, although Mythic insists it won't. Regardless, when the next big cash cow is looming on the horizon, it's hard to dedicate resources to keep an aging MMOG fresh, especially for new players, who certainly don't make up the majority of subscribers to an aging world.
Lasciate ogne speranza, voi ch'intrate. (written on the SW:G CD)
A: 73% E: 73% S: 40% K: 13%
-----
Old timer.