Originally posted by Cephus404

Let me know when you come up with a non-fantasy idea.  Until then, screw the elves.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEMbHm7pJ6o

There are no elves in WoT.  It's closer in some ways to Game of Thrones, but less dark/adult/depressing hehe.

Personally, I don't think the genre needs saving, as we have some really great games coming out this year that are changing the genre for the better.  GW2 and TSW plus possibly a few others under the radar at the moment.  Also, I'm a MASSIVE fan of WoT and would play anything based on it, so it's definitely an IP with vast potential.

However, I hope the developers for the WoT MMO are watching the genre and getting ideas on what to do right and what not to do instead of pulling an EA/Bioware mishap with a great IP just because the $$$ looks so sweet from that giant elephant across the way, WoW.  Look at WoW but then look at Rift, Lotro, Eve, FFXI, GW2 and TSW and games coming out in the next few years as well as companies going under like 38 Studios.  Watch and learn and deliver the best game you possibly can and don't be afraid to take a risk or start out small but with a hefty content update plan, like Trion has done.  

WoT MMORPG will not save htis genre, but I would like to see a WoT MMORPG.

In my opinion what could save this genre is when this genre stops being online combat games and actually bring the RPG to the online world, and not in the limited on rails story you can progress with as some seem to think it brings RPG to this genre.

A MMORPG should go beyond that what a singleplayer RPG delivers,for example what  the business NPC's do in SPRPG should be things players should be able to do. Yes this genre needs PVP, but PVE should be made allot more social. Everything should be optional. Yes a MMORPG should have a story but that should be just that a story, where in a SPRPG you might want to follow the story, a MMORPG should be about your own story that you make into that world

But then again this is asking that gamers actually can come up with things to do as lets be honost the majority of today's players are very spoiled in being led where to go and what to do. Meaning the majority should change the way they play games in this genre and actually try and play each genre as how what ever genre is intended to be played, YES I KNOW NOT GONNA HAPPEN :P  But I do believe the new majority just treats this genre as common online games, and yes I am aware today's generation of MMO's are not really anything more, but it just could so much more then that.

I want to play an Ogier. With a Hammer ;) We havent seen them actually fighting in the books, but legend has it they are FIERCE when enraged

I agree that the genre doesn't necessarily need saving. Rather I think it needs to continue to grow and develop. Some studios are better at that then others. No surprise there.

Didn't read the whole thing but just skimmed a few things so don't get all bunged up if I missed something somewhere.

I like the idea of getting away from the two or even three faction system. A world with a lot of factions and alliances is both more interesting and more realistic. Plans withing plans if you will. Vanguard actually did this very well. The complexity of factions and diplomacy in that game was breathtaking. I would love to see a game bring that idea back to front and center.

The only potential problem I can see with using an existing IP is that what makes a great story doesn't always make a great game. Magic works a certain way in that world and it is not clear if it would translate well into a game system. I am only saying this in general though. I don't know if that would be the case for  WoT. I only read the first book and that was a long time ago. Wasn't this the story were only women could wield magic? Or maybe that was just the way it was in the first book or books. I dunno. I don't mind there being difference between genders and what they can do. I am old fashioned that way. But I do know it bothers the crap out of a lot of people so I don't know if something like that could fly.

Originally posted by Divion

The way  I see it – A major flaw to the MMORPG industry is lack of direction.. the backbone of the MMORPG is the Fantasy based (Sword and spell) MMORPG – Most of these have strong roots in Tolkien/Norse standards, and lore – YES EVEN WoW! –

 

I think people are tired of seeing Goblins, Ghouls, Orcs, Minotaurs, Elves, Dwarves, and all other such played out races, and the story lines are typical the same –

 

For example most games tend to embrace simple Tolkien standards in racial portrayal, that is getting quite old, quite fast – Examples – High Elves being regal, mystical/majestic graceful creatures that think themselves above all else – Dwarves.. Short, hairy drunken men who are motivated by greed, and live subterranean lives, or of course Orcs, shamanic, brutes, savages with an insatiable bloodlust.

 

I think these basic play mechanics are really silly – The developers are tying their hands behind their own backs as to what they are apt to introduce.

 

 

The Wheel of Time (WoT), for those of you uncultivated heathens… is a High Fantasy series often considered to be the modern face lift for the Tolkien standard of fantasy literature.  A few things worth considering as to the effect it could have :

 

• The series is not yet complete, and is rather long at 14 books ( I do believe that will be the final number).
• It incorporates a very unique magic system, in which the benefactors of such power – rather then materialize, or create comics energies, actually simply just redirect, or channel a pre-existing perpetual power, and then learn to manipulate that power into the basic elements often found in High Fantasy magic systems (Earth, Fire, Air, Water, Spirit, Death) – Each channeler has a limit as to how much power their body can withstand to endure (A limit that is usually lifted, or made greater by the use of rare artifacts, each artifact with varying levels of strength to that end)                                           
• The series has also thrown out the typical (and VERY over-used) notions of Tolkien/Norse inspired creatures, and races opting for a more unique approach to none-humans within the WoT world. A quick example would be the Trolloc, which unlike it name would imply seems to be some sort of hybrid of a Kobold, Eaglemen, or even Satyrs, and maybe even a bit of Orcish traits – They are blood thirsty, but cowards, they only kill when the kill is assured (Unless motivated by other greater dark creatures), and tend to eat their kills whether it be animals or people – Which implies a Troll’s diet, but a Goblin persona.
• There is no superfluous amount of deities or cults, there is simply the Shadowspawn, or minions of the Dark Lord (A demi-godlike creature of evil), and pretty much everyone else.
• They different divisions of humans are known for the weapons they use, and often will not cross racial bounds, which open the door for very interesting class creation ideas (Aiel Spear Maidens, Wise Ones Compared to Warders, and Aes Sedai)
• Binary Faction overplay is driving everyone nuts in MMORPGS these days – people are sick of it.. The positive? WoT has oodles of nations, factions, cults, affiliations, each with unique cultural, military set ups (Class set ups?), politics, social structure, ect
• ITS FRESH, I can’t over-state this enough, this is a fresh – but polished world.. whether it’s Tolkien inspires, Star Wars inspires, Star Trek, or some other established IP – These IPs have been around for so long that every is a self-proclaimed expert on their respective worlds, and thus tend to –over- evaluate the games, driving developers to over-develop, and thus ruin the IP value of these established titles – WoT has a strong, but still relatively speaking new fan-base, none of us are experts as the only man who could claim that.. Passed on from this world (and may he rest in peace). – That means we would all be explorers in this world regardless if you are familiar with the books or not.

 

I might be way out in the wrong field with this.. but I feel like what this genre needs is both fresh material, but also strong value – Even though some MMORPGS are creating –fresh- worlds (Aion for instance), they are not really established and relatable in regards to their value to the average fan. Just my $00.02

WOT was already developed as a game an RPG and it flopped majorly!

Also since Robert Jordan died in 2007, you will have to deal with his estate for the rights (can get messy). Many of the WOT boks were not written by the original author.

I dont think this will do anything to save MMO's. A truly new idea needs to come up. One without zombies, elves, dwarves or any other common MMO character.

An EQ Next, UO2 or DAOC 2 will likely save the industry.  Getting back to the roots of what worked, coupled with advances in U.I., graphics, pace of advancement, etc....

Wheel of Time has a following, no doubt.

Accurately incorporating all the factions, possible classes, nations, giving them appropriate amounts of territory, making up the rulesets for PVP, and creating quests which are appropriate to each class, WITHOUT compromising the lore or immersiveness of the world (which I consider to be far and away the most interesting aspect of the game) would be such a colossal undertaking that I doubt any developer would be willing to jump on that grenade. I bet only blizzard or some comprable company (are there any?) would be capable.

That being said, if done correctly, that would be the coolest game ever made. It would also break the mold of any game ever made. I would imagine it being largely PVP-centric, with the focus being on nation vs. nation. PVErs would be relegated to the Borderlands, two rivers hunters, or aiel fighting whatever the hell lies beyond the desert. The scope of this world would be so epic, it would probably appear quite daunting to anyone unfamiliar with the lore. But I could just imaging there being so... so much coolness in this game it would be mind blowing. Its a nice thought, but I feel like theres a reason one hasnt been released already

Originally posted by Deathage

Accurately incorporating all the factions, possible classes, nations, giving them appropriate amounts of territory, making up the rulesets for PVP, and creating quests which are appropriate to each class, WITHOUT compromising the lore or immersiveness of the world (which I consider to be far and away the most interesting aspect of the game) would be such a colossal undertaking that I doubt any developer would be willing to jump on that grenade. I bet only blizzard or some comprable company (are there any?) would be capable.

That being said, if done correctly, that would be the coolest game ever made. It would also break the mold of any game ever made. I would imagine it being largely PVP-centric, with the focus being on nation vs. nation. PVErs would be relegated to the Borderlands, two rivers hunters, or aiel fighting whatever the hell lies beyond the desert. The scope of this world would be so epic, it would probably appear quite daunting to anyone unfamiliar with the lore. But I could just imaging there being so... so much coolness in this game it would be mind blowing. Its a nice thought, but I feel like theres a reason one hasnt been released already

EQ1 did all of that, and without being on-rails.  DAOC, too.

No IP will save the industry. The industry is eating itself. I'd say make a Dark Tower MMO, but they would just bastardize that as well.

Originally posted by BigHatLogan

Originally posted by nariusseldon

1) The genre does not need "saving". It is a growing market. If you mean "i don't like the current MMOs and i want one that i like" ... well that is not "saving the industry".

 

2) A particular setting/lore is not going to be that important. Games are all about gameplay mechanics, and implementation. You can have a WOT with very well designed systems, and impeccable polish, or you can have a WOT with shitty half baked gameplay and bugs all over.

The genre sucks.  It is growing in a bad way.  New MMORPGs are simple rehashes designed with as many addicting mechanics as possible to keep gamers slaving away at it to get their fish biscuit rewards. 

A wheel of time MMORPG could save the genre if done correctly.  I played WoTMUD back in the day and it was a lot of fun.  Multi faction open world pvp, no damn battle grounds.  Classes would be hidden.  Male channelers would need to hide their powers.  Trollocs that killed enough humans could eventually become a Fade but Fade's could only die a certain number of times.  Lot's of great stuff, one of the better MUDs I played.

Sucks for you. Fun for millions. If the problem is that you like games no one else like, it is NOT the genre's problem, it is your problem.

"Done correctly"? You have funny ideas of what "correctly" mean. People LIKE battegrounds. People like to see all the numbers about characters. MUDS are niche. Great for you .. boring and uninspiring for others.

Originally posted by elocke

Originally posted by Cephus404

Let me know when you come up with a non-fantasy idea.  Until then, screw the elves.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEMbHm7pJ6o

There are no elves in WoT.  It's closer in some ways to Game of Thrones, but less dark/adult/depressing hehe.

Personally, I don't think the genre needs saving, as we have some really great games coming out this year that are changing the genre for the better.  GW2 and TSW plus possibly a few others under the radar at the moment.  Also, I'm a MASSIVE fan of WoT and would play anything based on it, so it's definitely an IP with vast potential.

However, I hope the developers for the WoT MMO are watching the genre and getting ideas on what to do right and what not to do instead of pulling an EA/Bioware mishap with a great IP just because the $$$ looks so sweet from that giant elephant across the way, WoW.  Look at WoW but then look at Rift, Lotro, Eve, FFXI, GW2 and TSW and games coming out in the next few years as well as companies going under like 38 Studios.  Watch and learn and deliver the best game you possibly can and don't be afraid to take a risk or start out small but with a hefty content update plan, like Trion has done.  

You know what I mean.  No more fantasy.  I'm sick of fantasy as a genre.  I detest magic.  I want a hard-core, sci-fi game that isn't just a fantasy game with a thin veneer of sci-fi draped over it.

Turtles.