Nefarious Means

I'm up to no good. I want to get that out of the way right from the beginning, just so there are no questions later.

Author: madeux

I truly believe that this is what the MMO Genre needs.

Simply put, MMO's are just too expensive to make.  With the astronomical costs involved, the risks of innovating are likewise astronomical, which is why we keep seeing the same "clones" over and over.  The best we can hope for is the standard clone with a new arm, maybe some different hair, but anything past that just can't happen.

I was thinking back to the good old days of the Quake Mod (Yes, I'm old).  I don't know how many of you were aware of, or involved in, the Quake Mod community, but it's something I haven't seen since.

Quake was pretty cool as a game, but the mechanics behind it were phenomenal. id Software, in their infinite wisdom, opened up the game to modders and allowed us to essentially create our own games.  You could literally do anything you wanted and put it out there for everyone to play as long as you gave it away.  And for those who wanted to sell their creations, they made that easy as well.  Many people forget, or never knew, that Half-Life and Counterstrike were just glorified Quake Mods.

Why can't we have that with an MMO?  Let us create our own worlds, develop our own quest chains, and design our own leveling system.  Do you want full loot PvP?  No instances?  Skill based?  The ultimate sandbox? 

I'm not talking about simple tools that will let a bunch of morons put out a bunch of garbage.  I want the framework available so that people with some skills (programming, graphics, animation, music, etc) can come together and put together a niche game that would otherwise be impossible, and then see where it goes from there.

Being able to block users is a great option, one that I have to admit I don't use often enough.  But I would like to see an auto-block option, a filter of sorts, that would just eliminate any post that has certain specific terms.

I'd start with carebear, sandbox, themepark, and fail.

Do you have keywords that automatically tell you that the post is going to be worthless, so there's no need to even continue reading?

I solo quite a bit.  When I'm in a hurry and can't wait for a group.  When I'm just not in the mood.  When it's an easy quest and I don't want to bother others who don't need it.

I also group up quite a bit.  When I play with friends.  When guild members need help.  When I can't do something on my own.  When I'm in a hurry and it would take too long to do it alone. When I'm bored and can help someone else out and I've got nothing better to do.

I read often from people getting upset at those who start in a group and then have to leave.  I hate it too, and even more I hate being that person.  So my answer to that is to solo... of course, then I have to hear from people complaining that solo players are ruining their game.

Games can, and do, offer a combination of solo and group play.   These are virtual "worlds", right?  And in the real world, people choose to do some things alone, and some things in group.

Let's take mountain climbing.  Thousands of people can all decide to climb the same mountain.  Some people will choose to take a trail, either alone or with some friends.  Some will show up with friends while others will just walk up and enjoy a friendly conversation with however else might be on the path.  Others will group up in order to take a more adventurous route, even going so far as to tether themselves together for safety.  Others may go right for a flat face of the mountain, facing it one on one for a good climb.  Friends may be there, at the bottom or top, offering encouragement or advice, but when it comes down to it, their on their own.  And some may just hang out in a wooded meadow at the base of the mountain, cooking, playing games, or singing songs around a campfire.

It's one mountain, with so many ways to enjoy it.  Is there any need for the rock climbers to bash those on the trail for not enjoying the mountain properly?  Well, that would just be stupid and mean, right?  Just as there is no need for those at the campfire to mock and tease those that are risking their lives on top of the mountain while seeking a sense of accomplishment.

And there's certainly no need to criticize the God who created the mountain for adding all of these great features that let everyone get some enjoyment.

The recent ranting and whining from those who feel the need to call themselves "hardcore" in order to build their egos would have many of you believe that the MMO industry is in a shambles, that no progress has been made in years, or even that negative progress has been made.

Don't fall for the hype.

This talk is coming from a bunch of elitist children who have to have everything their way.  Anything different, anything that doesn't cater to their every whim, is automatically a "fail".  They ignorantly assume that since no MMO company is bending over and kissing their asses, that we should all feel as empty and unfulfilled as their own pathetic existence.

They fail to look at the number of great MMO releases that have come and gone.  They fail to grasp just how much time and effort goes into making an MMO, and what that ultimately means for the rate of change in the industry.  And they also fail to realize that it is their own rantings and behaviors that are bringing the industry down.

MMO's, when done properly, take years to come to fruition.  This means that change to the industry is going to come slowly.  That's just the way it is.  Of course, when a company attempts change and gets bombarded with negative rhetoric from a vocal minority because the change isn't the one they wanted, because it went to far or didn't go far enough, any further changes are going to be even slower in coming forth.  When forums, both this and others, are flooded with this type of garbage, and anyone who likes the game gets flamed for being a fanboy, potential users who many not be as informed are scared away.

How does anyone benefit from this attitude?

Positive reinforcement is what the industry is lacking, and that's a failing of the users, not the developers.  If you don't like a game, don't play it.  Find a game you like and support it, financially and vocally.  Applaud companies for the good things they do.  Don't whine and cry just because you got your hopes up and the game didn't turn out just the way you wanted it.  Let those who enjoy it have their fun, there's no need for you to go shitting on their parade.

MMO's are about community, that's what makes them really different from a standard RPG.  If it's a community of assholes, no matter what the devs have done, the game is going to suck.

Calling for change in the industry is great, but how we go about it is what matters most.