Are Mini Games Important in MMORPGs? | One Good Roll | MMORPG.com

System · December 2022

Are Mini Games Important in MMORPGs? | One Good Roll | MMORPG.com

Do MMORPG's need mini games? Which activities have actually enriched your time in game? Steven looks back at some of his favorite games and wonders what they would be like without their mini games.

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vegetableoil · December 2022

some mini games are ok, but I do hate jumping moving platform like I'm in a mario games. I always ask my self why do I have to be tortured in games?

Sovrath · December 2022

I think having other types of activities is very important.

I wish there were more "mini-games." But not just throwing in game like stuff for the sake of it but stuff that is part of the world, makes sense to the world.

My preference for crafting is that it has more game like components. Heck, a game called Potion Craft: Alchemy Simulator is on Steam.

Along with Fantasy Blacksmith, I'd love to see more of this type of stuff.

Not just collect x of y and press a button.

I'd love to see more puzzles and puzzles that changed so once solved a new one was created but I don't think many people like real puzzles.

eoloe · December 2022

The problem with minigames is really how they are implemented versus their impact.

BDO is awesome to present a sh1tload of sh1tty minigames to the player = the perfect example of bad minigame design.

GW2 is better in that regard.

[Deleted User] · December 2022

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[Deleted User] · December 2022

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Quizzical · December 2022

A good minigame should first and foremost be a good game. A collection of 100 shovelware games that are all terrible is not fun to play. Minigames that are fun to play can add a lot to the broader game, though.

Nebless · December 2022

Warhawke80 said:

Minigames are for MMo's that can't stand on their own.

Well I don't know about that. Since a mini-game is just something inside the larger game having or not having it won't break the bank so to speak.

Fishing in LotRO, the OLD farming system in LotRO, the puzzles you find in DDO and the gambling setup in Titan Quest: AE they introduced with the Atlantis DLC since everyone ended up with millions of gold and nothing to do with it and the 'stand your ground wave attacks' both TQ: AE and Age of Conan have, give you something else to do while you take a break.

Really nothing different than playing a different game for a bit for a break from normal questing. Heck you could almost say the various Holiday events games hold during the year are a form of mini-game.

McSleaz · December 2022

Gold Saucer MOFO!

DigDuggy · December 2022

Warhawke80 said:

Minigames are for MMo's that can't stand on their own.

Mini Games are part of the MMO.....integrated. It is the MMO, so it isn't a matter of standing on it's own. It is it's own 'Own'

Like Blue said, MMOs are a collection of mini games. However, I know what the article is getting at and yes, I think they're very important. Particularly in games that I like to play which aren't overly structured. It give you options to participate in activities separate from any quest chain type of setting.

For instance, A game which I really enjoyed, but that I only found near the end was Vanguard. It had a good crafting system that was a mini game and a diplomacy (I think that's what it was called. Really fun card game style), which I was starting to focus on. There are a lot of examples, but those were two that I thought were really well done and wish someone else would take inspiration from.

Theocritus · December 2022

vegetableoil said:

some mini games are ok, but I do hate jumping moving platform like I'm in a mario games. I always ask my self why do I have to be tortured in games?

Jumping minigames or quests are the absolute worst.

Angrakhan · December 2022

WoW had/has that homage to Joust in it. I thought that was clever. Other than that they pretty much universally annoy the hell out of me.

cameltosis · December 2022

As with all gameplay systems, it totally depends on how well the mini-game has been designed and implemented.

I am of the opinion that the strongest MMORPGs are the ones that appeal to a diverse playerbase, not a niche one. I feel that a diverse community is a strong community, which in turn leads to a healthy MMORPG with great retention rates.

In order to appeal to a diverse community, you need diverse gameplay options. This is not only so that each market segment has gameplay suited to them, but also so that the game can deal with the changing preferences of their players.

I am definitely a combat-focused player, but there are times when I don't want to deal with the intensity and just want to relax. There are times when I want to do something easy with friends. There are times when I want something "light and fluffy". If the game is niche and only provides one activity, then when I get bored or burnout, my only option is to turn the game off and play something else.

But if the game provides multiple playstyles, then when I burnout on my main activity I can just do something else whilst remaining in game. I can continue to have fun, whilst still chatting with other members of the community, providing advice, running the guild and importantly for the studio: paying my sub.

This is where mini-games come in: they're a way to provide a quick dose of fun when I'm bored with the rest of the game.

Favourite mini-game in an MMO is definitely hobnanigans in LotRO. Sadly I didn't get to play it much, I got a bunch of games in when it was first launched but it caused severe performance problems on the servers and so Turbine shut it down.....and didn't bring it back for years.

Favourite mini-game in any game is probably Tetra-Master in Final Fantasy 9. And enjoyable card game, didn't take much time, involved collecting stuff and still involved some skill.

Scot · December 2022

The problem with mini games is that they should be there to add spice, not there to cover up all the deficiencies of the MMO as a whole. If they do that then players will just notice how boring the grind is and not want to return to it. I remember how popular scenarios were in Warhammer Online, too popular, the main gameplay may have suffered for that reason and WO was not boring, the scenarios were just better.

Incomparable · December 2022

I would say repetable content that is not dailies (simple quests) or side quests, is better to have as content overall.

So imo the content I would enjoy is pvp, story (if its worthwhile and not long winded - aka no side questing or menial tasks to move the story along), and somewhere among that there should be other 'end game' content that is repeatable. That could be classified as 'mini games' as well.

A lot of people might enjoy filler content, and spend an extra 100 or 200 hours to get to end game. I am personally done with that, so imo that is what I am looking for in a game and therefore would put mini games in that category, but since most developers will spend their budget on filler content, as a result the mini games are poorly developed and are more like a 'mini mini' game instead of a proper system within the game.

So its hard to support something that has not been realized properly, and when there is some effort done towards that direction in a themepark MMO it has its own 'twist' that I would not categorize as the same thing as a mini game within the game.

user298 · December 2022

They're definitely important (since they can be a part of casual socialization experience as well as provide player-vs-player challenges that do not involve combat) but not in the way most people think. Meaning the developers should NOT be adding their own cringe, repetitive, static grindfests masked as "mini-games", they should instead provide enough tools for players to come up with their own player-run minigames. For example, player-run casinos (which already exist in every popular MMO, even though developers aren't providing enough convenience tools for players to properly run and advertise those), or player-created puzzles and mazes (where players are free to design their own unique puzzle/maze), or player-created racing events (where again, players are free to design fully custom racing tracks), all with player-provided prizes.

Amaranthar · December 2022

user298 said:

They're definitely important (since they can be a part of casual socialization experience as well as provide player-vs-player challenges that do not involve combat) but not in the way most people think. Meaning the developers should NOT be adding their own cringe, repetitive, static grindfests masked as "mini-games", they should instead provide enough tools for players to come up with their own player-run minigames. For example, player-run casinos (which already exist in every popular MMO, even though developers aren't providing enough convenience tools for players to properly run and advertise those), or player-created puzzles and mazes (where players are free to design their own unique puzzle/maze), or player-created racing events (where again, players are free to design fully custom racing tracks), all with player-provided prizes.

I agree, but I do like the idea of chess boards that allow players to play chess, archery butts with a scoring system to use for tournaments, and that sort of stuff.

A good simulated world design allows players to come up with things, so I see that as important here as well as for the overall feel of the game world.

Iselin · December 2022

Only if they tie in solidly to the core part of the game.

The Antiquities system in ESO is that type of extra activity done right with solid tie-ins to the gearing part of the game.

I don't want or need extra fluff like the card game they added with High Isle. I haven't touched it any more than I touched Gwent in the Witcher 3.

[Deleted User] · December 2022

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Valdheim · December 2022

vegetableoil said:

some mini games are ok, but I do hate jumping moving platform like I'm in a mario games. I always ask my self why do I have to be tortured in games?

Guild Wars 2 PTSD! I feel ya xD

Ayin · December 2022

I absolutely detest mini-games.
Optionally, for fun, where you can completely skip them, the more the merrier. I know some people like them.
Mandatory, for progression in the main storyline, or character development, such as gaining a class upgrade, NO THANKS.

tenz_an · December 2022

Ayin said:

I absolutely detest mini-games.

Optionally, for fun, where you can completely skip them, the more the merrier. I know some people like them.

Mandatory, for progression in the main storyline, or character development, such as gaining a class upgrade, NO THANKS.

how to disagree? I hated minigames of world quests in wow, they ruin the immersion. But if for minigame we speak about something like catching or training horses in BDO, then they make more sense.

Aeander · December 2022

My opinion on mini-games is that they aren't necessary in either MMOs or single player RPGs. Or much of anything else that isn't explicitly a party game for that matter. In fact, games are usually better if they stick to their wheelhouse. I don't play Guild Wars 2 to do jumping puzzles. I don't play Dragon Quest or Yakuza to gamble. I don't play Fire Emblem to do fucking workout minigames. I didn't pick up a Batman game to spend half the game in barely functional batmobile segments. I don't get action games wanting tacked on stealth segments. And so on and so forth.

KroxMalon · December 2022

I prefer them to tie into the game nicely with context to the game.

Witcher 3 is not an MMORPG, but it's an RPG. I think Gwent and Dice Poker worked very well in this instance. I love playing Dice Poker and enjoy Gwent in game more than the stand-alone game itself.

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