Without the flashy animations and particle effects you wouldn't have a clue what was hitting you from where. It's a limitation of the meduim. Some companies definitly get carried away though.

I like it. You don't. This doesn't make it stupid.

Originally posted by seniorfrito

When are MMO developers going to learn that flashy combat is just stupid? 

You mean when are MMO developers going to learn that YOU, perhaps me if you would be clear about what you consider flashy combat and others find flashy combat stupid.

I know I don't only speak for myself when I say that it removes large amounts of realism. 

You're always speaking on your own behalf, some might agree with it some might not.

Now most games you ask well what are you watching the combat for anyway because you should be watching your cooldowns?

I wonder why on earth should I look at my cooldowns? Perhaps the first few times I might take note of how long it might takes, but after those few times it's pretty automatic, unless people are really new to games they might need to focus on timers.

  But, that's another thing.  Combat is almost never engaging for these two reasons. 

For me without cooldowns it would be very unrealistic, but like I said I do not focus on cooldowns, they come naturaly, besides there are enough skills often with MMORPG so I am never forced to use one skill, yes I know many seem to use that one UBER skill most of the time, I enjoy mixing up my skills, even small damage one's

Because there's these unrealistic combat effects and/or you're watching your cooldowns.  I'm still waiting for a game that doesn't get ruined by gameplay.

How to play a game if it does not have gameplay? Please explain.

I keep expecting the next most talked about game to be a game I've been looking for only to find it's not.  Anyway, does anyone else that enjoys watching their characters in combat feel the same way?  Is all realism spoiled by simple things that the game could have done without?

I feel you might get more out of perhaps future console MMO's? or simply stick with FPS multiplayer games, that's what I also love playing when I am not in the mood for MMORPG gameplay and like I said a MMORPG without cooldowns makes them pretty unrealistic for me, but like I also said I do not focus on cooldowns, really see no reason why I should, it's the whole package of gameplay as a game without gameplay wouldn't be a game now would it.

Originally posted by Murdus

when will customers learn that not everyone shares the same opinion?

Never, because we all know that our own opinion is the only one that matters and everybody else is talking crap.

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Originally posted by Omega3

 

I find it funny when anytime someone calls for more realism in combat, there is always a brat coming up with the elves /fantasy thing.

 

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Insulting me over my opinion on the internet is fairly unbecoming when you're positing me as the brat.

That subject is brought up, quite possibly, to illustrate the fact that it's a bit silly to call for realism in a medium that is, by its very nature, unrealistic.

Maybe (maybe), one could attempt to suspend disbelief for the flashy combat in the same way that one does for the already existing fireballs and frost giants.

Regardless, flashy combat keeps combat viscerally exciting, and helps denote what's going on on the screen. Most people, as I'm aware, would rather watch something interesting than a few people bluntly bludgeoning each other.

This brings up another point: the fact that MMO combat in itself is generally unrealistic. Being killed instantly by a single solid blow is not fun. Combat systems built around complete avoidance upon risk of death are not fun given what most MMO developers have to work with when it comes to game systems.

I suppose my main question is: why do you feel realistic-looking combat is so important, but care little or not at all for the effects of combat, game world, and character properties to be realistic?

Of course, the point of flashy combat is to be interesting and descriptive, not fill your screen with light. I can agree with poorly-done combat being difficult to discern and not particularly fulfilling, but that is an issue with animators and designers, not flashy combat.

When will you learn that people actually LIKE flashy combat, and frequently could care less about realism. (see the rising popularity of anime, along with trends when people live in a recession). People play games to escape / have fun / let loose. In no where in there is there a necessity for realism. Familiarity sure, but realism not really.

Realism might be a big thing too you, but it's not for everyone. It also doesn't make you, or the game "smarter". It can be more work to pull of, but it doesn't make a game superior. Open your mind a little bit.

I don't mind some "flash" in combat, but some games do take it too far.

Some stuff demands flashy effects; I couldn't imagine playing a wizard and tossing invisible spells around; I like my fireballs to look like .. well, like a big ball of fire that explodes on impact.

By comparison though, I prefer melee combat to be more visceral than flashy.

A bit of blade-blur on a swung sword is fine and appropriate, but it never seems to end there.

I can't even play a warrior or rogue in most games because it just annoys the hell out of me when a warrior; i.e. (a dude with a sharp metal stick) does stuff like stomp on the ground and zap everyone nearby with lightning while his hands glow with red fire (because he's angry). Then an invisible rogue teleports 40 yards and stabs him.

i like plain and simple combat effects ONLY IF i can feel hard hitting impact... hard and powerful that you can really hear it and feel it. for example like in Shadow of Rome and Beowulf the game. theres no special lighting.. only simple blood splash and smutter.

no way i like simple combat with no hard hitting feel like in vanguard, wow, war.

its pretty apparent most of you have forgotten the genre you play in >>>fantasy<<<

I hate when games try to be overly realistic. 

One of the big reasons i go mage is for the overly flashy combat and animations.  I love getting killed by assasins using flashy combat, things bluring and detonating jumping all over the place.  Its how i want to go down.

Is it me or has this topic been posted before? I remember the comment ( the one like this ) a couple replies up.

Originally posted by seniorfrito

When are MMO developers going to learn that flashy combat is just stupid?  I know I don't only speak for myself when I say that it removes large amounts of realism.  Now most games you ask well what are you watching the combat for anyway because you should be watching your cooldowns?  But, that's another thing.  Combat is almost never engaging for these two reasons.  Because there's these unrealistic combat effects and/or you're watching your cooldowns.  I'm still waiting for a game that doesn't get ruined by gameplay.  I keep expecting the next most talked about game to be a game I've been looking for only to find it's not.  Anyway, does anyone else that enjoys watching their characters in combat feel the same way?  Is all realism spoiled by simple things that the game could have done without?

I would love a game with a bit more realistic and engaging combat. It seems like MO is trying this, not sure if they are succeding with it or not since I ain't in the beta.

But I would really like a historical MMO with a more realistic combat system.

MO isn't the only game trying something different however, DCU is trying to add more of console type combat into MMOs. It might work, I don't hate the EQ type of cambat that almost every MMO uses today but it is kinda sad that there isn't more diversity with the games.

The system works of course but it isn't the ultimate one and there is so many more fun ways you can handle combat.

Originally posted by seniorfrito

When are MMO developers going to learn that flashy combat is just stupid?  I know I don't only speak for myself when I say that it removes large amounts of realism.  Now most games you ask well what are you watching the combat for anyway because you should be watching your cooldowns?  But, that's another thing.  Combat is almost never engaging for these two reasons.  Because there's these unrealistic combat effects and/or you're watching your cooldowns.  I'm still waiting for a game that doesn't get ruined by gameplay.  I keep expecting the next most talked about game to be a game I've been looking for only to find it's not.  Anyway, does anyone else that enjoys watching their characters in combat feel the same way?  Is all realism spoiled by simple things that the game could have done without?

Expecting realism in VIDEO GAMES is stupid. Enough said.

I suppose I understand and partly agree with you OP.  The visual combat is not that important to me really.  I am pleased with most stuff out there, but I was perfectly fine with the way it use to be in a simple MMO like Ultima Online.  When it becomes over the top like Final Fantasy-Asian style well I absolutely draw a line.  I hate that.

There are lots of things to complain about MMOs. The idiots who play them tops my personal list. Flashy effects doesn't.