A better Sci-Fi MMO

Anarchy Online, Neocron (1&2), Eve Online, and several others have tried, but why isn't there a top-tier Science Fiction MMO out there right now? I'll tell you what I think...

Author: BigDaddyTee

I mentioned in my last blog that I would be more specific about my desires in the future.  So here we go...

First, I think that character creation is the crux upon which the rest of the game rests.  So, to that end, I think we have to start by looking at an in-depth character creation system.  I like the old, Ultima-style of asking questions to help you find the type of character most suited to your playing style.  I also think that alot of people know what they want and just want to get down to it. 

CHARACTER CREATION

• Physical - The physical strength of the PC.
• Agility - The character's ability to dodge and perform melee-based actions
• Constitution - The character's ability to withstand damage and gain health
• Intelligence - The ability of the character to understand complex technical issues and gain skill points
• Wisdom - The character's ability to retain knowledge
• Charisma - The character's ability to interact with NPC's
• Humanity - A measure of how human the character feels.  Limits the cybernetic upgrades allowed

Characters would be based around a few standard templates or they could make their own.  The basic templates allow you to choose a general direction at the begining of the game but doesn't restrict your ability to head elsewhere later in the game.

Soldier Template

• PHY - HIGH
• AGI - MED
• CON - HIGH
• INT - MED
• WIS - LOW
• CHA - LOW
• HUM - HIGH

Soldiers begin the game with all basic weapon and armor proficiencies.  The core ability of soldiers is that their initiative meter refills faster than other templates.  This allows them to inflict more damage in combat and to make attacks more often. 

Hacker Template

• PHY - LOW
• AGI - MED
• CON - LOW
• INT - HIGH
• WIS - HIGH
• CHA - MED
• HUM - HIGH

Hackers begin the game with only pistol weapon proficiencies and no armor proficiencies.  The core ability of Hackers is the Menu ability which allows them to process the net better and gives them more options when in the net.  While this is not nearly so important in a fire-fight, they can still be useful as healers using the medic trait and applying stimpacks and bandages to frontline fighters.

Cop Template

• PHY - MED
• AGI - MED
• CON - HIGH
• INT - MED
• WIS - LOW
• CHA - MED
• HUM - HIGH

Cops begin the game with pistol, rifle, and shotgun weapon proficiencies as well light and medium armor proficiencies.  Their core ability is Authority or the ability to gain access to secure areas and to detain NPCs.  Cops are good at combat and are second only to Soldiers at dusting up the opposition.

Well, that's it for today... I've got that whole "WORK" thing to attend to.  Note, that alot of this is based off the idea of a Cyberpunk-type setting and none of this is realistically going to happen.  Just me shinin' off some time at work...