One thing that struck me, is that this game seems to be played from a traditional third person angle... but at the same time Funcom talked about using firearms in combat. The third person angle kind of leads me into thinking that the game will use a lock on targeting mode, like traditional MMO's, instead of the nowadays quite popular FPS-style targeting of for example Darkfall, Earthrise, Fallen Earth and Mortal Online.

If that is the case (traditional targeting), won't that be quite boring for those preffering to play with firearms? If they choose to go with an FPS-style system... how do they solve magic and melee? If they go with a mix, how do they balance it? Questions, questions... and after just a few hours :)

You can't have really fully truly FPS style combat working in a MMO environment due to current server technologies. Which is a good thing for me. I want autotarget, and almost turn-based global cooldowns for things. I prefer to think rather than aim in real time.

you dont have to use a lock on target system even if its in 3rd person.

Originally posted by sandolainen

One thing that struck me, is that this game seems to be played from a traditional third person angle... but at the same time Funcom talked about using firearms in combat. The third person angle kind of leads me into thinking that the game will use a lock on targeting mode, like traditional MMO's, instead of the nowadays quite popular FPS-style targeting of for example Darkfall, Earthrise, Fallen Earth and Mortal Online.

If that is the case (traditional targeting), won't that be quite boring for those preffering to play with firearms? If they choose to go with an FPS-style system... how do they solve magic and melee? If they go with a mix, how do they balance it? Questions, questions... and after just a few hours :)

Maybe they should do it like Hellgate.  Make it both FPS and 3rd Person view options (leave the choice of view to the user's preferences).  And keep it "Free-lock" (my own term from FPS style end-user/manual targetting... my appologize if someone else coined the term before me).  At least I hope so as that is the style of gameplay I prefer for my mmorpgs to date.

Originally posted by Thillian

You can't have really fully truly FPS style combat working in a MMO environment due to current server technologies. Which is a good thing for me. I want autotarget, and almost turn-based global cooldowns for things. I prefer to think rather than aim in real time.

Planetside anyone?

Originally posted by Harabeck

Originally posted by Thillian

You can't have really fully truly FPS style combat working in a MMO environment due to current server technologies. Which is a good thing for me. I want autotarget, and almost turn-based global cooldowns for things. I prefer to think rather than aim in real time.

Planetside anyone?

Although the graphics are quite dated,  Neocron anyone?  Considered the first Cyberpunk MMORPG, and in a huge, persistent/semi-zoned world.  Also uses FPS (WASD controls and "Free-lock" targetting).

Yup, older MMO's already proved that hitscan FPS combat works on large scales. And then we have successful games like Gears of War (and many others) that have proven that 3rd person shooters work very well as well.

Conceptually, I see no flaws here. Yet.

Unfortunately, what's easily forgotten are the hindrances that arise when FPS-esque combat is implemented. The opportunity for strategic encounters is decreased, as the twitch aspect is increased. In addition, you're less likely to socialize during combat. Not because you're more challenged in the game, but because your mind is forced to focus on mechanics and your communication/technical abilities become limited. Having the target-lock combat as a base isn't as limiting or boring as some believe.

The issue with it up to this point has been the direction it was taken. I'm not a fan of "button mashing" at all, unless I'm using specific abilities/skills/spells for strategic purposes. However, the last thing I ever want to be concerned about in a MMORPG is whether I'm going to miss a target in a persistent virtual world, with 1 or 2 thousand people online while I'm discussing the encounter or any other game/non-game related subject.

According to Ragnar, "We are a game and we are focusing on the social aspects of the game.". According to the fact sheet, we'll "Experience a reactive, fast-paced combat system.". Another article states "First and foremost, TSW will be an action/adventure styled MMO appearing on both the PC and Xbox 360" and "Combat is going to be one of the main focuses of the game. The team wants combat to be fun, reactive, and enjoyable rather than being total button mashing or slow and sluggish. The want players to come home and have fun with the game rather than feel like playing the game is all about grinding work. While we were unable to get a clear look of the combat, we were assured that it would be closer to an action/adventure game's combat system rather than the traditional MMO system.".

At this point, it's difficult to discern what any of this means. Regardless, potential players will be turned off by their decisions concerning combat and other areas. I for one, am really excited to watch this game develop. Once they've released detailed information on combat, if it resembles anything remotely close to combat in AoC, TSW will drop off my radar and I'll never look back. I'm sure there are those who feel the opposite. All any developer can do is make the game they want to make and roll the dice.

im guessing they will follow AO, so with a lockon, no crosshair or anything.. and amazingly the most played prof in AO is the soldier =)

but yea they might go for a 3rd person shooter mmo, altho tabula rasa showed how boring that is

  We have not been shown ingame footage, we don't have any idea how would things work as of now.  it can be Fp/3rd person mix, it could be traditional style, it could be anything, the screenshots don't even show any ranged combat, so far, but there is gonna be, as modern weapons have been directly mentioned.