Quote:
Originally Posted by Endrance
The problem is that in most MMOs all you do to archieve something doesn't seem to be and in fact isn't worthwhile compared to playing a strategy game, an offline RPG or whatever. The experience is just more useful in the end and way less frustrating and time consuming. People play MMOs cause it has people... ...The focus should be on gaming, on RPG, not MMO. Of course, this is also what makes it good in the end, but it can also make the game much worse. And in fact, this is what many companies do. An illusionay and people basis with a little game as extra. I want alot of game and a little people oriented features...
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First off, I had no idea that MMOs weren't worthwhile! Guess I'll have to stop playing them. (On a side note, your opinion about MMOs in general casts a weird light on your glowing posts about FFXI... Perhaps you don't know how to lose an argument gracefully?)
You are right about the fact that people play MMOs to interact with other people, and that, in general, the gameplay can get lackluster. However, the fact is that the sociological aspects of the game weigh very heavily on the gameplay, and separating the two is virtually impossible. Lets make an example out of a game that we are probably all familiar with; FFVII.
As Cloud, the player is driven forward throughout most of the game, with limited options in terms of where to go and what to accomplish next. You cannot choose not to get on the train in the beginning. You cannot choose to invade Shinra HQ instead. This is ok for most players, as one of the main player motivations is finding out what happens next. Story driven play is impossible in an MMO, because everyone playing the same story is pointless and creating an individual story for each player is impossible. Therefore reaching catharsis and climax in a traditional storytelling manner is impossible.
In terms of gameplay, the devs of single player games have a huge advantage. When you fight the Midgar Zolom for the first time the devs know EXACTLY every item that you can acquire to that point. Encounters in MMOs are designed to be for a certain level, but there are often so many items available by the time the player approaches halfway to the cap, that balancing these encounters is way more difficult. In the end game, there are so many possible combinations that exploits are bound to happen. Not to mention the fact that you never have to fight another Cloud, who's combination of gear in relation to your combination is an exercise in chaos theory.