The cliches begin the second an MMORPG trailor begins.  Two sides (maybe three) locked in mortal combat.  The world is facing disaster.  Will you be the hero who saves us all?

Look at most costly CGI created trailors for the latest MMO.  I'm NOT saying all.  But the bulk of them.  You know what the trailer is going to be like before the opening, tease has began, and yet, we still think it is going to be the greatest thing since sliced bread.  Hey, I'm culpable of doing it myself.  For once could somebody think off something different?  Christ, I bet if you went to a class of eight year olds (who had not already been brainwashed by the crap they watch), they would come out with some more original ideas.

And here's the killer point, in a lot of the AAA titles, they specifically ask, during their fancy CGI clip (with some like Ian MacKlellan, Pat Stewart, or Chris Lee) if you will be the one to save the world.  Alluding to a point that the game can be won. 

Here's a more genuine take.

The screen goes black.  The name of the prestigious company comes forth in glittering colours, with a dramatic sound.  Then a caption or two will emerge  Something about the world being torn in two, the narrater, let's give Mr Terrence Stamp this gig pipes up. 'The Orb of Johan has been destroyed, without its magical powers the forests will die, the farms will turn to desert'  meanwhile some melancholy soundtrack plays in the distance, and we see the first proper CGI.  Pictures of elves dying, of the farmers starving, etc. Then we fade to black again.  Mr Stamp proclaims, 'can nothing save the planet frp, the invidious Mordrorls?'. 

Suddenly, the CGI leaps into life again, this time the soundtrack is meanacing as various different races and classes (so we can get a glimpse of what they will be in the game) begiin to fight) oh it is so exciting and cool these fight scenes and we are getting all the info about the game we need during it (at least enough to keep the forums buzzing for months).  Then the screen fades to black again.  Just when we think the trailor is over.  Mr Stamp in the form of some glowing being proclaims; 'The Orb shall be reforged!  Who amongst you is the chosen one?'.  Dramatic music ends, we get a brief credit screen. And the executives all begin to cream themselves (especially at the initial press launch).

So now we got the same old stuff.  Two factions, fighting over this orb, which has mysteriously (by the act of an evil god say) been shattered into a million bits.  In order to 'save the world' we have tp choose our character. good or bad, race, class. And start these inane bloody quests.  'Hello there sir,' says a passing farmer  'I seem to have lost my prized, golden carrots, could you find them for me for say 3 copper?' Don't think the quests get any different just because you get more powerful. 

Anyway, so we've got our two factions, etc, probably hundreds of miles away from each other.  And this grand quest for the Orb of  Bollocks. Now if too many off one faction gets the orb, something mysterious happens and the bad side manage to retrieve a piece or two back.  It won't matter anyway, that's the excuse for the pvp.  In order to actually get on of the million parts of the Orb, you will have to go through a trillion side quests, collecting nonsense other junk which he will have to trade in.  The mayybe he will be permitted into the hallowed instance, where one of the piecies is kept.  Big raid. one side bets the boss, gets some snazzy equipment (which will be unltimately redundent when the next expansion pack comes out)  there is a world proclaimation on the server that one of the goodies retrieved a piece of the Orb.  Probably some pouncy raiding guild.

And there we go, status quo.  Is this the best we can do?  I'm bloody sure the companies will never change it whilst the subscriptions come in.

And the original question still stands?  Who is the hero/villian who is going to save/destroy the world?  Because it cretainly won't be a paying subscriber that's for sure.

I've been away for the scene for about a year.  Seems as though bugger all has changed.  When's a company going to have the balls to do something with this genre?  You know why I am angry?  Because it has the potential to be the fore-runner of every game in the future.  Think of it, 3d, or holographic vision with us in about 10 years, you'll be sitting around your compute rather than at it.  We already have real life satelite technology that can show us anywhere on the earth.  The MMORPG is the 8-bit  version of the future of entertainment.  Imagine with a plastic scope actually delving through the holograph of the actual houses of parliament, in order to thwart a terrorist. (Prob a bit more of an FPS that one, but you get the idea).

Whilst we are out grinding for gold, and talking crap to each other, just think what the devs could be doing if they had the licence.  Of course, the technology is not really going to be here for a decade or two.  Do you still want to be doing the same shit, but in 3D, and with super realistic graphics. (Actually I do, but you know what I mean).  Why do they grey suits always have to decide.  Just because they are so super greedy tp take a punt on something new.

And before anyone says anything.  I love this genre.  It has the potential to be truly groundbreaking.

I like birds with long necks and long legs....really cool, they just kind of strut around..*caw caw*.  But no, I would not like to transform or rp one.  (j/k)

Originally posted by gamer2171

I like birds with long necks and long legs....really cool, they just kind of strut around..*caw caw*.  But no, I would not like to transform or rp one.  (j/k)

Aw. You beat me to it.

Originally posted by gamer2171

I like birds with long necks and long legs....really cool, they just kind of strut around..*caw caw*.  But no, I would not like to transform or rp one.  (j/k)

I like birds with long necks and long legs too.. chickens which just strut around.. 'caw' caw'. But no, I would not like to eat chicken for the rest of my life!

Play something other than the EQ/WOW-style MMOs. WURM, ATITD, EVE... hell, even Puzzle Pirates.  I'm not saying that EQ and WOW are bad, in fact, I find them both to be very well made MMOs. What I'm saying is that if you want to find different gameplay you need to explore beyond the DIKU-based fantasy games.

Originally posted by LynxJSA

 

Play something other than the EQ/WOW-style MMOs. WURM, ATITD, EVE... hell, even Puzzle Pirates.  I'm not saying that EQ and WOW are bad, in fact, I find them both to be very well made MMOs. What I'm saying is that if you want to find different gameplay you need to explore beyond the DIKU-based fantasy games.

The problem is that I've tried most everything out there.  But I do think you have a valid point of view, and the irony is that I am downloading EVE at this very moment, albbeit this will be my third attempt at it.  You know there is an awesome game waiting to be played, but it takes bloody forever to learn the ropes and get into it.

I suppose I want my cake and eat it.

I think there's a lot that feel the same way you do, so if you come across any MMOs that you feel break the mold and do it well, come back and post about it. Would be interesting to hear your take on them, and it might introduce some new MMOs or old diamonds in the rough to the rest of us!

Originally posted by LynxJSA

I think there's a lot that feel the same way you do, so if you come across any MMOs that you feel break the mold and do it well, come back and post about it. Would be interesting to hear your take on them, and it might introduce some new MMOs or old diamonds in the rough to the rest of us!

Before I went on my sabbatical, ahem, there was talk of a couple of things, but I did now know enough, nor care really in some instances.  There was always the continuing squabble over Darkfall, and I still have not checked it out, so I cannot comment.  Don't even know who won the arguement between the flamers and the fanbois, although I suppose it is still going on to this day.

In fact, I would not be surprised if our great, great grandchildren are picking up weapons to fight about whether Tasos is a Greek twat.

I heard something atually quite good about an ISP that would never have inspired me.  Believe it or not it was Stargate, a film I hated (although a great Scottish actor Robert Caryle is in the new one, an' ez pure barry in it by the way, any wan say i isnae an' they'll get  malkied ootside, awright?) 

Seriously though, it was apparently going to be tackled in a completely novel way, taking the gameplay away from mundane combat-centric style, to more intruiging things like puzzles or some such.  I cannot remember at the moment, and I have to run because i think some baw bag is trying to knick my 360.

No, I won't.  I hate so-called "epic" gameplay.  I don't want to save the world.  Saving the world is boring, especially if you do it over and over and over again as you do in MMOs.  Most of the epic works of fiction are the penultimate achievement in a character's life, something that comes along once and never again.  After throwing the One Ring into Mount Doom, Frodo retired, he didn't move on to the next epic quest down the road.

Originally posted by Cephus404

No, I won't.  I hate so-called "epic" gameplay.  I don't want to save the world.  Saving the world is boring, especially if you do it over and over and over again as you do in MMOs.  Most of the epic works of fiction are the penultimate achievement in a character's life, something that comes along once and never again.  After throwing the One Ring into Mount Doom, Frodo retired, he didn't move on to the next epic quest down the road.

I agree.

Being the hero is good for single player games, doesn't belong in an MMORPG.

You CAN be Frodo in a single player game, and you can throw thing ring into Mount Doom, and then it's game over, and you get the cool end game cinematic.

Then you can play again as Legolas or something, until you are bored, and that's it.

I don't think that's what we need in an MMORPG. 10,000 Frodo's tossing the ring into Mount Doom, all the while calling each other gay or noob.

Amen.

 “The mark of the immature man is that he wants to die nobly for a cause, while the mark of a mature man is that he wants to live humbly for one” ~Wilhelm Stekel

He has a lot of good quotes, but this one has always stuck with me... especially pertaining to the question. In a MMO, I don't mind being "A" hero (actually if I'm roleplaying I prefer to be a villain), but find it cheesy when a MMO depicts every toon as "THE" hero. I like to forge my own path in a game... not just be "the chosen one" and my destiny is to destroy the most ultimate of evils to save the town, because the other 99,999 people playing might just not fit the bill.

Originally posted by Lansid

 “The mark of the immature man is that he wants to die nobly for a cause, while the mark of a mature man is that he wants to live humbly for one” ~Wilhelm Stekel

He has a lot of good quotes, but this one has always stuck with me... especially pertaining to the question. In a MMO, I don't mind being "A" hero (actually if I'm roleplaying I prefer to be a villain), but find it cheesy when a MMO depicts every toon as "THE" hero. I like to forge my own path in a game... not just be "the chosen one" and my destiny is to destroy the most ultimate of evils to save the town, because the other 99,999 people playing might just not fit the bill.

I could not agree with you more bud, 

Also the two previous posters were in my opinion spot on as well.  They don't want to be the grandiouse saviour.  It does not fit in with the epic scale of an MMO.  However, there are roles for these players.  My 'dream game' is for an MMORPG to mean quite literally that; a Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game.  What if instead of the standard hero and villian classes, you had support roles.  A herald who had to travel to enemy terrain.  He would face many dangers, but perhaps another class could be a mercenary, paid to protect him.  And what if the quests were dynamic and actually meant something to the game?  If the herald and mercanary succeeded to  get to the enemy, then they would have to perhaps deal with an enemy class, the diplomat.  Whose ultimate decision could result in a battle or skirmish.  There are loads of these scenerarios and it would make for a vibrant colourful world.  The dev's would instead of working on new emotes, or silly mounts, could provide contigincy clauses.  The herald scenerio would be one that could be done in several places, without having to actually have to change the entire game.   The introduction of subclasses, like kidnapper, or burglar for the rogues class would add further dimensions.  Imagine having to kidnap the said herald before he reached the diplomat in the first place?  A lot of this we could do in a slightly sandbox environment, whilst the devs kept the main story lines running.

You would still have your hardcore enthusiasts catered for.  Who is going to run the armies?  Clear the forests and lands of creatures so the lesser combat classes could progress freely?  Gear?  Each class would have it's own versions of how to better itself.  The assassain who managed to slay the Orc King and get the awesome drop of the century; the cloak of kings, so she could be invisble for a while, and also show off a unique piece of gear.

Gold farmers could be tax collecters, chasing the poor villagers around for their money.

DM's could enter the game with unannounced but worldwide events.  Or merely come through the promenade as the king, giving every top ranked assassain the chance for glory.

The ideas are endless, and with all of the revenue companies like Blizzard get, they could be created.  Forego graphics if it is going to demanding technically.  I am sure we would gladly sufffer a WoW or EQ2 that played like that.

Originally posted by Majestico

Originally posted by Lansid

 “The mark of the immature man is that he wants to die nobly for a cause, while the mark of a mature man is that he wants to live humbly for one” ~Wilhelm Stekel

He has a lot of good quotes, but this one has always stuck with me... especially pertaining to the question. In a MMO, I don't mind being "A" hero (actually if I'm roleplaying I prefer to be a villain), but find it cheesy when a MMO depicts every toon as "THE" hero. I like to forge my own path in a game... not just be "the chosen one" and my destiny is to destroy the most ultimate of evils to save the town, because the other 99,999 people playing might just not fit the bill.

 

I could not agree with you more bud, 

Also the two previous posters were in my opinion spot on as well.  They don't want to be the grandiouse saviour.  It does not fit in with the epic scale of an MMO.  However, there are roles for these players.  My 'dream game' is for an MMORPG to mean quite literally that; a Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game.  What if instead of the standard hero and villian classes, you had support roles.  A herald who had to travel to enemy terrain.  He would face many dangers, but perhaps another class could be a mercenary, paid to protect him.  And what if the quests were dynamic and actually meant something to the game?  If the herald and mercanary succeeded to  get to the enemy, then they would have to perhaps deal with an enemy class, the diplomat.  Whose ultimate decision could result in a battle or skirmish.  There are loads of these scenerarios and it would make for a vibrant colourful world.  The dev's would instead of working on new emotes, or silly mounts, could provide contigincy clauses.  The herald scenerio would be one that could be done in several places, without having to actually have to change the entire game.   The introduction of subclasses, like kidnapper, or burglar for the rogues class would add further dimensions.  Imagine having to kidnap the said herald before he reached the diplomat in the first place?  A lot of this we could do in a slightly sandbox environment, whilst the devs kept the main story lines running.

You would still have your hardcore enthusiasts catered for.  Who is going to run the armies?  Clear the forests and lands of creatures so the lesser combat classes could progress freely?  Gear?  Each class would have it's own versions of how to better itself.  The assassain who managed to slay the Orc King and get the awesome drop of the century; the cloak of kings, so she could be invisble for a while, and also show off a unique piece of gear.

Gold farmers could be tax collecters, chasing the poor villagers around for their money.

DM's could enter the game with unannounced but worldwide events.  Or merely come through the promenade as the king, giving every top ranked assassain the chance for glory.

The ideas are endless, and with all of the revenue companies like Blizzard get, they could be created.  Forego graphics if it is going to demanding technically.  I am sure we would gladly sufffer a WoW or EQ2 that played like that.

"Gold farmers could be tax collecters, chasing the poor villagers around for their money."

I lol'd hard. Actually good points with the post. In a world where everything is "Standardized" it's hard for people, especially those who wish to make money, to break out of the box and come up with new ideas. Those are good, and I totally agree with "foregoing graphics"... because honestly, I'm sick and tired of the next biggest lens flare fest or ultra realistic skin pores on my avatar. When I'm playing a game, I don't need "realism", just a fun medium to entertain myself in.