Goods polls, the results looked mostly how I thought they would.  I'm gonna run out and buy me a new taste card for my computer so I can get ready for all the new thing in gaems.

Wow I actually completed it! Very nice poll, I can tell a lot of work went into it.

Some of the questions were like 2 parters, and I found that I really had to read all the answers (even had to use some process of elimination) What is this the ACT!?!?!?!? lol jk.

Very nice job!

---axehero

#19 was a bit difficult for me. As a lover of range in games, I look at it a couple different ways. First, with skill and training, a ranger should be able to hit more critical areas. If a player, in full armor and a shield, would be hit from behind or in an area that his mail is not covering by an experienced ranger, it should be a good hit. I would like to see a skill called "Achilies shot" for use against difficult tanks that may stun them, so that you can either flee, or if you wanted to commit suicide, take up arms with a dagger, and go hand to hand.

Just the same, perhaps a Tank with a shield, who has not learned to use his shield well, would be hit a little harder, or much more, than a person who is trained with a shield.

nice poll, I got through all the answers...interesting to see that I was in the majority for about 85% of the answers.

Originally posted by biofellis

I have to say that quite a few of the responses surprised me- personally, I always hated that you couldn't ever 'see over the hill' so to speak due to the short range for updates. I always thought the themes of 'Look! There's smoke over the hill- that's Hearth'sfire village!", and "My god- look at the size of that army!" would be good in an MMO.

Is it that people would rather have 32 types of shirt instead of 4 and 16 types of eye, nose, and mouth, sword, hat (ect) instead?

Is it a trade off for uniqueness vs playability?

Responses, please.

You'll see that massive army all of a few seconds before it moves on and/or mows you over. You'll have to stare at your own character for hours though if we're dealing with a 3rd person view. Not to mention, it's the face you put forwards to others. By including the ability to customize, you're appealing to alot of different groups. Ones that want to portray themselves as they are, ones that want to portray themselves as they wish they were, and people who wanna make something pretty to stare at. I know men that make female characters just for the sake of staring at them from all angles and taking screen shots. I also know women that play men for the sake of not dealing with people hitting on them.

I once played a game where there were all of three appearance options, and everyone within 5 levels of eachother had the same armour within their class. The admins ended up with a rash of Killing Stealing reports when all that was happening was people couldn't tell which clone was in their party or not.

Personally, I don't think the good appearance/far sight thing should have been in the same poll. They shouldn't be a trade off. They can both be included. Customization just helps avoid less grief and boredom later.

  I like the fact you took the time to present a poll. It shows the diversity of interest in both yourself and the gamers. Several of them however were not as specific as they could have been, and may have corrupted the answers. But I see several were commented on. Spelling things out to corner a perticular subject or thought  would have led to a lot more writing. Perhaps making specific results more understandable by both sides.

But most importantly you show initiative in doing this. We have all seen the results of people having made games that were just thrown out there.  Diversity with options is the key. Good luck.

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First time posting here, and I have to say, bravo Biofellis - I have not seen many people on some other forums take much time out in planning their game.  Most do seem hell-bent on just announcing the next "Best thing" since sliced bread without anything to show for it.  A little research can go a long way, and I commend you on taking the time out to work on this to help you get an idea of what to expect down the road.

- Bradyhawke

Originally posted by biofellis

NoUrbanLight, Your first sentence revealss the problem with current MMO server dynamics.

'I look cool... Whoa...  Wow look at all those guys killing me'

isn't what I want. As far as including them in the same poll is concerned- it's a very real limitation of the current generation of graphics hardware, and networking. The more 'unique' data that must be sent, the shorter the range of what can be itemized. Even worse, it's a geometric expansion. In an open field, inside of, lets say- 10 yrds you can have (as an example) 314 items to nicely detail (pi*r*r). move out to 20 yards that goes up to 1256, 30= 2826, 40=5024 and so on. For static structures- that's no big deal- just update the map (patch the client)- for moving textures/details (customized characters) all that data needs to get sent on the fly. So- that's why the questions were on the same poll. Both can't be done 'best' You have to prioritize your trade-offs.

Some creative coding can really help fight issues like that... some games have a radius around you where only when you come within range of an object or creature does it load. Problem is, sometimes you get a nasty lag spike once the magic line is crossed. What could help is loading portions of information from a further distance, adding the more detailed layers as things get closer. You wouldn't be able to see that distant army in shocking detail from afar, things would be blurred. You could load details like elaborate armour and facial features as a player closes in.

Another idea that has been introduced to me that is more challenging is line of sight. In a city, if someone is on the other side of a wall, I don't need my computer to be sent the information of all their emotes 'cause I can't see it... little things like that.

I'm a mediocre coder at best, so I don't know what's really plausible. It's nice to dream of hairbrained things though instead of just waiting for internet connections to evolve.

Cheers mate, and good luck.

I can't decide what is more interesting...  my reflections to determine my answers, or other people's answers.

There was some questions without answers I would like but anyhow I am crazy about polls!