I'm sure this has been brought up before, but I am doing it again...because I want to :P
So, what type of MMO would you make? I think with the plethora of clones nowadays, creativity would be the key. Yes there are a lot of Fantasy MMOs, so a new one would need to go way outside the box. The biggest downfall with current games in my opinion is the lack of challenge in accomplishment. The biggest reason for the simplicity is the boredom that derived from past challenge based games like EQ. I believe a dose of realism, I mean real physics realism may alleviate some of these issues. I will explain below with my three ideas below.
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My first idea is pretty bandwagon even though it was thought of after the first movie. Transformers the MMO. In all honesty though, for this game to have even an inkling of respectable seriousness, it needs to be pretty hardcore and gritty. Obviously, the opportunity for customization at character creation is huge. Character building can be hours of fun like City of Heroes was if done correctly. What types of vehicle are you going to transform into, what weapon options can you design that are compatible with your transformation, etc.
Now I am not a big fan of PvP mainly because in its current jackrabbit bouncing LOS ridiculousness, it is ludicrous and silly, but the concept is obviously there....Autobot vs, Decepticon. Even though I don't enjoy it, that doesn't mean it shouldn't be included for those who do enjoy the concept.
Now in most games with opposing factions, a mutual opposing force is needed for PVE and I think some freedom with the lore is necessary, so perhaps even though in the latest movie Decpticons were their allies, in the game a falling out could be devised and both Autobots and Decepticons could be at war with The Fallen. Heck, create and all new opposing faction, the options are limitless.
The game world should be…duh, the Earth. All of it. You have battles on Aztec temples, streets of New York, canals on Venice, etc. All of the Earth should be created with accessibility. Financially, it probably would be impossible, but imagine if you could literally drive or fly your transformer around the earth and move through all of the environments and it took you hours to accomplish.
Above is just a drop in the bucket and much much more is needed to flesh it out, but it could certainly be a fun game as long as it wasn't designed as a movie based game which almost always suck. Let a reputable gaming company with the resources run with the idea.
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My second thought is another Fantasy game. Yea yea I know, not another one. I am a hardcore lover of Fantasy based worlds, so I have to have at least one.
The difference with this idea is focused on realism in physics. One of the big things that always bothered me in a lot games was that the mechanics of fighting would most of the time be silly. For example, you enter a dungeon and your group attacks a target(s) and the next set of targets within view not 20 feet away would stand there twiddling their thumbs while you killed their buddies. Change this concept. Institute a new mechanic where a class like Assassin or Ranger is responsible for taking out lookouts with special skills like Throat Cut or Neck shot, to prevent the NPC from sounding an alarm. Here is a scenario for reference. Your group is about to enter an Orc fort and around the entrance are door guards and in small towers are lookouts. Your group must stay hidden behind shrubbery so as to not be seen and raise the alarm. To successfully enter the fort, a plan needs to be developed. To prevent an alarm from being sounded, the lookouts need to be taken out quietly and both guards need to be neutralized. The rogue or Ranger will need to use stealth to kill the lookouts first. The rogue can sneak (no reduced speed sneak, take too long for group to sit and wait) up to assassinate both lookouts or the Ranger can use their special long range attacks to kill the lookouts. Once they are eliminated, the group attacks the guards with the priority being not letting the guards run inside for backup. Special skills are necessary for this to work like movement impairment spells or skills, and strategic attacks to kill the targets efficiently.
The point I am trying to make is, implement real strategy into fights. Different classes require different strategies. Obviously, pure realism can't be implemented, as it would take the fun out of the game. Realistically, one good sword slash and someone is out of the fight dying or dead, but having the necessity of starting a fight with a hamstring attack or snare to prevent movement adds more risk and thrill to a fight. I am sure many remember what it was like in EQ when you failed to prevent a MoB from running to his friends!
Also, remove preconceived class roles. In the past you were required to have a Tank, Healer and DPS, you still need to fill these roles, but these roles are not limited to a class. A tank is only a tank if he/she is wearing plate armor. Removed the plate and put lighter armor on and they can become a DPSer. Healers change armor and equip weapons and can DPS. A rogue can put on plate and use a shield to taunt and they are a tank. Now you may be asking, why even have classes then? Classes provide the special skill sets. A tanking Rogue in plate cannot sneak up and assassinate and a Paladin in leather doesn't have the ability to assassinate to prevent a shout TO ARMS, but they can DPS. Classes will be necessary to accomplish certain objectives in a campaign.
The next thought from many will be, so finding specific classes to do a dungeon is going to suck. Variety and options is your friend. The key to making this work is putting in a variety of options to accomplish the same goals but with different group make ups. For example, in the fort scenario, let’s say you couldn't find a rogue or ranger. Your group was composed of a warrior, Paladin, two healers (not implying two healers are needed), a Wizard and some other magic caster. This group could move to an unguarded portion of the fort wall and use group shadow step (which is directionally controlled by the player) and move the group inside the fort. Of course, there is the risk of not knowing what exactly you are shadow stepping into. On the other side, there may be a whole platoon of Orcs training and you just landed in the middle.
Anyway, I could go on for pages, but hopefully, the idea is getting across. On to the next idea.
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My final idea is Real Life. Create the game as current world. Character creation is anything you can find in the real world and something only an imagination can create. This character creation system would entail something never attempted. A man in a business suit with a green Mohawk. Make a hairband character with hairspray hair and chaps with cut off jean shorts. Once you make your character, you are not limited to spend the rest of your character life looking exactly the same. In game, visit a barbershop or salon and get your hair cut emo style or go shopping for a wetsuit. If you got the cash, redesign your character as many times as you want however you want.
So what do you do in this real world? Any and everything. Find a map in an old library, go purchased supplies, gather friends and venture into the Amazon and discover a lost city that may or may not be filled with treasure. You better be prepared for the trek though, because you may encounter cannibals, wild animals, disease, booby traps or even an earthquake. So just like in real life, you need to be prepared for anything or pay the price.
How about you are walking down the street or taking a taxi to meet some friends and you come upon a bank robbery in progress. Do you watch or do you try and be a hero and stop it? Or how about a building or house is on fire. Is there a hero in you? Do help put out the fire or do you try to save any people inside?
Go fight terrorists or become a spy and an infiltrate a foreign governments and try to steal secret plans.
What if you don't want any action in your life? Start a business selling clothes or start a dog farm and sell players their pets.
Housing. Earn enough cash to rent an apartment or buy a house. Or really save up and build a house based on your design.
Buy a car or even buy an 18 wheeler and do jobs hauling merchandise for money!
Go scuba diving! But first, you got to get certified!
Go skydiving!
I could go on and on and on. Basically, this game lets you do anything in the world you want to do, but are too financially or time limited to be able to do in real life. Want to be Rock star and tour, be a Rock star. Want to be a Farmer, be a Farmer.
Is this game feasible? Probably not, at least for quite awhile. Closest thing we got now is Sims, but damn it is fun to dream of a game where anything and everything is possible in a lifetime :)
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The above ideas are simply a brief synopsis of my ideas because to detail everything would be a novel in length.
Share your thoughts or MMO ideas.
