Memory issues in RPG games

[Fleiva]

Is it me, or is the "I lost my memory" storyline getting a bit too over used?

Seems like developers use that as a way to explain why you suck at first and why you should do a tutorial, but after playing many games im like "meh" every time I run it for the first time noticing how my char, surprisingly, has lost his memory.

We all know that Aion is also approaching it the same way, memory loss, and you have to recover your wings. What I'm trying to do here is that you guys and girls post alternative ways to do this, how would you do it, without using the memory loss way?

[El Rodge]

Originally Posted by Fleiva

Is it me, or is the "I lost my memory" storyline getting a bit too over used?

Seems like developers use that as a way to explain why you suck at first and why you should do a tutorial, but after playing many games im like "meh" every time I run it for the first time noticing how my char, surprisingly, has lost his memory.

We all know that Aion is also approaching it the same way, memory loss, and you have to recover your wings. What I'm trying to do here is that you guys and girls post alternative ways to do this, how would you do it, without using the memory loss way?

I thought so too, but now I;m wondering if they have changed that angle. From the lore it sounds more like now you stumble upon your ancient history and rediscover your place as a daeva or something, still unsure though

[Midgarsormr]

Well, MMORPG's are pretty generic. I see NCSoft as having this memory loss thing as the start off of the story, so that from the start, it branches off to different Daeva-like bosses created by Aion, superior beings left and right, twists and turns.

This game has a lot of potential story-line wise because there's so much you could fill it with; depends on the Aion Team's creativity.

We all know there's going to be a huge amount of "superior beings" that were created by Aion herself that aren't the Daeva, Elyos, and Asmodians. They're probably just one being rather than a race. In short, memory loss is the easiest way to begin a story. Then it depends on how you continue the story.

[Celestin]

Anybody else open this thread expecting something along the lines of "why is it that MMOs these days constantly have memory leaks causing them to crash?" ;_;

That's what I get for being a computer architecture geek.

[Mark]

Me too, Celestin, me too...

[Shade]

Yeah, it's cliché, but I don't care... Much more interested in gameplay.

Originally Posted by Celestin

Anybody else open this thread expecting something along the lines of "why is it that MMOs these days constantly have memory leaks causing them to crash?" ;_;

We just don't say anything to seem normal

[lightwolf65]

Originally Posted by Mark

Me too, Celestin, me too...

Me three....

I have had to track down and terminate my share of memory leaks in code. It can drive you insane. I would rather weed a cactus garden.

As for Fleiva's question, Tabula Rasa had a different approach from true memory loss. You are a refuge from Earth, which has been destroyed by Aliens. The only reason you were saved is some benevolent aliens left some tech behind long ago, and alter the DNA of some humans. The altered DNA allows you to use access to special powers. You start in Boot Camp and progress from there. No memory loss scenario, just starting over on another planet. Everything you knew before is gone.

[darkenedsun9]

Perhaps your powers were taken away due to past actions, and you have to redeem yourself? (But that's been used before too >.<)
Punishment for cowardice during an important battle would be an interesting twist...

[Mark]

It would have been better to fall from one side of the world to another. It would have given you a good reason to not know anything detailed about the side of the world you arrived on.

But eh, memory loss is probably the best thing Studio 5 came up with after a bunch of meetings. It's not as if it was the first idea they came up with.

[Kitten]

Originally Posted by lightwolf65

Me three....

Me four.

As for the actual topic, I have never seen a game where your character has lost their memory.. x_x Or maybe I just haven't read some storylines along the way? >_>

[eidolonnight]

If memory loss worked for Zelda then it'll work for Aion I suppose.

[birdman]

Originally Posted by Celestin

Anybody else open this thread expecting something along the lines of "why is it that MMOs these days constantly have memory leaks causing them to crash?" ;_;

That's what I get for being a computer architecture geek.

Read my mind...

[El Rodge]

Originally Posted by Celestin

Anybody else open this thread expecting something along the lines of "why is it that MMOs these days constantly have memory leaks causing them to crash?" ;_;

That's what I get for being a computer architecture geek.

Sigh, its why I had to give up EQ2, the game was awful with that. So why is it that so many games have so many loose ends?, and when they are noted, why arent they ever fixed?

[Anuxinamoon]

I also thought it was to do with technical memory issues and not story telling

I have to agree with fleiva though. Cant people think of more imaginative ways to start a player off? Honestly. Though I am fine with the whole memory loss thing, I should be able to write my own back story in my character profile. That way I can personalise my character the way I think it should be in the world, perhaps giving the player a choice of two or three beginnings to choose from which can best suit their character. Though branching stories are always sort of frowned upon since they add more time to the development.. Sigh

[Zanion]

It is suprising to see that in every FinalFantasy Series threy have a different story and a different way to explain why things happen and every Final Fantasy fan knows what i mean...e.g the tutorial if you want me to call it in FFIX is different from FFXII so you always remember each games unique story


I think the only way to fix that is to get some people from Square Enix