Post by Morreion on Jan 13, 2009 14:35:33 GMT -5
When I look at a list of upcoming MMOs, I am encouraged by two different trends...
Different Settings
The first thing one notices when looking at the above list is that science fiction is finally coming to MMO land. Outside of AO, SWG and EVE (is Neocron still around?)- all niche titles at best- this is a relatively untapped market. Star Trek, Star Wars: the Old Republic and Stargate are big upcoming franchise names in this area.
There are 2 post-apocalyptic games on that list as well- in the near future, society has collapsed and the survivors are picking up the pieces (think Mad Max). This is a perfect setting for an MMO.
There is even a contemporary espionage game and a quasi-steampunk Victorian setting on the list as well.
Different settings are a great trend because, really, how many more games can we play with haughty elves and grumpy dwarves? A change of pace does everyone good. Plus, you get to use guns!
Skill-Based Sandboxes
There are a surprising number of games on the list that do not have levels- they have skills you can develop by actually using the skill in question. For example, the more you shoot a pistol, the better at shooting a pistol you get. The more you try to hide, the better you get at hiding, and so on. This is the old UO model, and the advantage of this system is that you can create your own character with the strengths you want; you are not pigeon-holed into playing a pre-set role.
often going hand-in-hand with skill-based games is the fact that the world tends to be a sandbox instead of a theme park. A theme park is a game that takes you from point A to B on a pre-set path- you go from Noob Village through Nasty Swamp and the Dry Mountains to get to Endgame City. A sandbox gives you no pre-set path; it gives you lots of places of interest where you can do what you like. Say you want to live in the woods alone and be a great bowman who hunts beasts. Go do it. Or if you want to be the best thief in the city, start picking pockets and see what happens. You have your own self-directed career that you choose.
Skill-based sandboxes have a different philosophy of play. That doesn't mean that they are better; they are merely different. And different is what the MMO industry sorely needs. Variety is the spice of life, and of gaming.
I'm hoping that at least one alternate-setting skill-based sandbox game does well. I'll be there!
Different Settings
The first thing one notices when looking at the above list is that science fiction is finally coming to MMO land. Outside of AO, SWG and EVE (is Neocron still around?)- all niche titles at best- this is a relatively untapped market. Star Trek, Star Wars: the Old Republic and Stargate are big upcoming franchise names in this area.
There are 2 post-apocalyptic games on that list as well- in the near future, society has collapsed and the survivors are picking up the pieces (think Mad Max). This is a perfect setting for an MMO.
There is even a contemporary espionage game and a quasi-steampunk Victorian setting on the list as well.
Different settings are a great trend because, really, how many more games can we play with haughty elves and grumpy dwarves? A change of pace does everyone good. Plus, you get to use guns!
Skill-Based Sandboxes
There are a surprising number of games on the list that do not have levels- they have skills you can develop by actually using the skill in question. For example, the more you shoot a pistol, the better at shooting a pistol you get. The more you try to hide, the better you get at hiding, and so on. This is the old UO model, and the advantage of this system is that you can create your own character with the strengths you want; you are not pigeon-holed into playing a pre-set role.
often going hand-in-hand with skill-based games is the fact that the world tends to be a sandbox instead of a theme park. A theme park is a game that takes you from point A to B on a pre-set path- you go from Noob Village through Nasty Swamp and the Dry Mountains to get to Endgame City. A sandbox gives you no pre-set path; it gives you lots of places of interest where you can do what you like. Say you want to live in the woods alone and be a great bowman who hunts beasts. Go do it. Or if you want to be the best thief in the city, start picking pockets and see what happens. You have your own self-directed career that you choose.
Skill-based sandboxes have a different philosophy of play. That doesn't mean that they are better; they are merely different. And different is what the MMO industry sorely needs. Variety is the spice of life, and of gaming.
I'm hoping that at least one alternate-setting skill-based sandbox game does well. I'll be there!
