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Sandbox style
Daerus
Member Posts: 3
Heya,
So I'm trying to compile a little list of 'sandbox' style mmorpgs. What games do you consider to be 'sandbox'? So far I have Ultima Online, and Saga of Ryzom.
Are there some I'm missing?
Comments
Ah yeah, forgot about that one. I've never really played it, but heard it's more of a sandbox style mmorpg. Thanks for that.
Any others?
AC is more of a hybrid linear/sandbox game. I'd really put SoR into that category too. SWG used to be pre-cu, but definitely not after NGE.
In future games, I'd definitely keep an eye on Pirates of the Burning Sea. That looks like it's going to be a classic sandbox MMO.
Can someone tell me what a sandbox game is? I am assuming that it means PvP with battles over territory control.
But you know what they say about assuming.....
Dont go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first. (Mark Twain)
A sandbox game is a game with out any true goals. it tends to be system heavy but content lite. The stuff that the player do/build in the game becomes the content of the game. Good single player example would be any of the Sim***** games. While building the Biggest and the best may be the general goal it in no way leads to the "end"
To clarify my meaning of no true goals, there is no push to a end such as a certain instance or equipment.
"Freedom is just another name for nothing left to lose" - Janis Joplin
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The two lousiest MMOGs on the market claim to be sandbox games...EVE Online and Seed Online. So that's two strikes against the sandbox concept right there!
Using EVE and Seed as an example: the sandbox concept does two things...
1) It allows developers to avoid having to make any content...basically they sluff this off on the mostly incompetent player base.
2) It allows non-acheivers to play without all the pressure to perform and compete...no levels = no pressure.
If you want to get the skinny on either of these games you'll have to go to other gaming websites...it's not possible to get the true story at this one.
The two lousiest MMOGs on the market claim to be sandbox games...EVE Online and Seed Online. So that's two strikes against the sandbox concept right there!
Using EVE and Seed as an example: the sandbox concept does two things...
1) It allows developers to avoid having to make any content...basically they sluff this off on the mostly incompetent player base.
2) It allows non-acheivers to play without all the pressure to perform and compete...no levels = no pressure.
If you want to get the skinny on either of these games you'll have to go to other gaming websites...it's not possible to get the true story at this one.
Here come the Eve Fanbois 5...4...3...2...1...
"Freedom is just another name for nothing left to lose" - Janis Joplin
.jpg)
My guess is you're playing WoW or SWG with Coolguy20, am I right?
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As of right now Eve is the best example of this kind of game. If there was no players there would be nothing to do. WoW on the other hand has tons of quests and you don't need any other players for the game(raiding aside). SWG Pre-Cu was another sandbox game(quests didn't exist).
Upcoming sandbox games I don't know, but I like both genres. Sandbox does hold my interest longer though then non-sandbox games.
To me sandbox does not mean content lite, to me that means lazy developers. A sandbox game lets you develop the character you want to develop, customize it and play it using whatever skills you want, whenever you want. There are also the tools placed in the game to develop the content you wish, a.k.a. player driven content. The Ryzom ring is a perfect example of this, the gameplay of Ryzom satisfies my customization and player driven content part, the lack of purpose and dev created content does not.
This does not excuse the devs for having some ready made content. They have cities, they have NPC's those cities and npc's have various needs and wants, those are your quests.
Quests do not have to be kill xxx and deliver y. I have played some very in depth, and purposeful (usually quite long) quests.
My opinion anyway.
Venge Sunsoar
"Freedom is just another name for nothing left to lose" - Janis Joplin
.jpg)
bool PVP = false;
bool Sandbox = true;
If (PVP != Sandbox)
{
cout>>"You're a Moron";
}
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I guess it is a good thing we are not discussing which game is more thrilling or has better pvp, but which games are sandbox, and the definition of sandbox.
Thanks though, I have actually never tried Shadoowbane.
Venge Sunsoar
"Freedom is just another name for nothing left to lose" - Janis Joplin
.jpg)
Still not a sandbox. Lacking the major thing in sandboxes:
Skills.
That and it maybe one of the top PVP games out, but it's still PVE based. The game is based around PVE, everything in the game is based around PVE. The game tells you what to do next. It has a plot for you to follow, there are many things that do not make it a sandbox.
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------------------------------------------------------
Do I ever sleep?
Upcoming sandbox games (lets say they all make it) are Darkfall, Trials of Ascension and Conflict Omega.
Did someone say PotBS? I fail to see how a game that restarts everytime someone becomes 'king of the hill' could be a sandbox game
Still not a sandbox. Lacking the major thing in sandboxes:
Skills.
That and it maybe one of the top PVP games out, but it's still PVE based. The game is based around PVE, everything in the game is based around PVE. The game tells you what to do next. It has a plot for you to follow, there are many things that do not make it a sandbox.
That brings up another point. Are skills needed for a sandbox game? by that I mean skill based versus level. For my definition no it isn't. Levels can be just fine provided I can choose the skills that are needed.
e.g. Horizons, not really a sandbox game, but it has some good elements to it. I can choose whatever skills I want, and train them up. But it is a game based on levels, it still lets me completely customize my character.
Venge Sunsoar
Still not a sandbox. Lacking the major thing in sandboxes:
Skills.
That and it maybe one of the top PVP games out, but it's still PVE based. The game is based around PVE, everything in the game is based around PVE. The game tells you what to do next. It has a plot for you to follow, there are many things that do not make it a sandbox.
That brings up another point. Are skills needed for a sandbox game? by that I mean skill based versus level. For my definition no it isn't. Levels can be just fine provided I can choose the skills that are needed.
e.g. Horizons, not really a sandbox game, but it has some good elements to it. I can choose whatever skills I want, and train them up. But it is a game based on levels, it still lets me completely customize my character.
Venge Sunsoar
yes but how do you gain lvls? By killing monsters (dunno if this is true in Ryzom, but every other lvl based game it is), therefore you cant be a (pure) crafter without getting some fighting skills and that means lvl based game cant be sandbox.
Ryzom has no levels at all. Just skills.
To tell you the truth, I like levels except I like levels to be a representation of your skills rather than the all encompassing level. I really do miss those games where you can level up by crafting or doing other things. When I first started MMOs, the game I played it was nearly impossible to level up past lvl 5 if you didn't do some non-combat activity. I farmed, because it was the fastest and easiest. Others mined, chopped trees, etc. Everyone did somethin besides combat to level up, combat was just what the focus of that stuff was for.
Today's games go one extreme or another. Either completely crafting (Ryzom) or completely hack'n'slash. The game should be based around combat, but crafting should play a major roll in that. Neither one should be allowed without the other. But if you want to just craft or you want to just do combat, you should be able to do that too. Ryzom almost achieves it (although there is a major lack of PVP) but the problem with Ryzom is, drops from mobs are very realistic... that's cool as hell but it presents the problem for those who want to go full combat and that problem is that they are poor as dirt compared to the other players.
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"Freedom is just another name for nothing left to lose" - Janis Joplin
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