Quote:
Role-playing games started from paper and pencil games which were about... well... endless destruction of the local fauna and leveling up.
Now, let me be clear, not saying you're not justified in wanting another sort of MMO experience, but expecting an MMORPG to be about something other than leveling is a little silly. You're basically asking it to not be an RPG.
Now, let me be clear, not saying you're not justified in wanting another sort of MMO experience, but expecting an MMORPG to be about something other than leveling is a little silly. You're basically asking it to not be an RPG.
An RPG is just a game where you play a character trying to do well for themselves in a virtual world. They needn't involve leveling or killing or any other particular aspect of historical titles. I would happily play a game that involves neither of these if it provides an element of long term challenge. Indeed, I have absolutely no interest at this point in time in monster hunting. I'd rather be involved in industry, trade, development, diplomacy, etc. right now.
In contrast a lot of MMOs feel less like RPGs and more like online action games. It's hard to ascertain your character's place in the world when economic interaction is very basic and one just goes around rampaging most of the time. Even in D&D the point is to experience a meaningful adventure with your companions, certainly not "endless destruction of the local fauna and leveling up". It is of my opinion that incremental reward based mechanics are just a way of keeping people addicted to a game that they otherwise wouldn't want to play. While young consumers are quick to take this kind of bait, I think the WoW generation is growing up and becoming a bit cynical about this kind of thing.
I'm not expecting anything new from FFXIV, by the way, just stating my hopes about the future of the industry. Hopefully EQ3 will be good.
Edited, Jun 25th 2013 12:54am by Dizmo