What is it About an MMORPG's Early Game that Hooks You?

I hate tutorials. No, I won't mince words. Look, we have so many MMOs today that share nearly identical control schemes and character creation systems that it all starts to feel like filler content. Yet, despite my personal disdain for uninspired tutorials, their importance can't be overstated. The introduction and early game of an MMORPG aren't just padding, they're critical hooks that determine whether players stay or bounce off into the ether of Steam refunds and abandoned accounts. But just how much do these opening moments matter?

Let's start where the player journey begins: character creation. Most MMOs try to hook you here, and rightfully so. There’s something undeniably compelling about the way different games handle this initial interaction. Some of the most immersive and distinctive systems rely on question-based choices. Guild Wars 2 is an excellent example of this, weaving background narratives that immediately give players a stake in their character's personal journey. Even more intriguing, upcoming titles like Dune Awakening promise deeper choices-not just about your class, but your faction allegiances and personal ethos.

However, there's often a disconnect. While early decisions can feel significant, MMORPGs rarely manage to carry these initial narrative choices meaningfully forward. No matter how elaborate the backstory you crafted at character creation, you inevitably find yourself on the same on-rails path as countless others, diminishing that early sense of individuality. It’s a harsh reminder of how ephemeral initial immersion can be, especially in games with a strict narrative.

This dilemma naturally leads to another crucial component: tutorial zones versus open-world starts. Instanced tutorials do offer undeniable benefits. They create safe environments to master controls, understand combat mechanics, and lay down early narrative foundations in a safe space unmarred by dozens or hundreds of other players who are just slightly ahead of you.

Yes, MMORPGs thrive on the presence and interaction of other players and there's something innately captivating about logging into a bustling starting area, packed with fresh-faced adventurers gathered around quest-givers. It certainly reinforces the communal essence of the genre-or rather it's the defining feature. That's why, while instanced tutorials help polish the new player experience, shared-world intros better emphasize what truly sets MMOs apart, a vast community. Which one you like best is probably personal preference, but I will say the learning curve on a game like Albion Online, with hundreds of people spawned in a starting zone as I try to navigate to the various shops and complete my quests, is anxiety inducing. 

The final hook, and perhaps the most delicate, is early combat progression. Many MMOs struggle here. I remember City of Heroes, despite their cult following, had a notoriously slow ramp-up in power acquisition. Players would grind through multiple levels, slowly unlocking abilities, until combat finally clicked. For players accustomed to immediate gratification, this slow drip can be fatal. I absolutely hated having only two or three abilities on my bar, blowing all of them on a trash mob and waiting as they recharged. 

On the other hand, Guild Wars 2 offers a masterclass in early-game engagement. ArenaNet's approach of quickly unlocking weapon skills gives players immediate choices and power, dramatically improving the pacing. Players quickly feel capable, powerful, and invested. It’s this blend of simplicity and immediate engagement that makes Guild Wars 2’s early experience exemplary.

That's precisely why upcoming titles like Dune Awakening and Soulframe excite me. These games seem to draw similarities to Guild Wars 2's successful balance of immediate accessibility and meaningful character development. The industry recognizing and evolving this approach suggests brighter futures and fewer player drop-offs.

Ultimately, MMORPG introductions, be they tutorials, character creation, or early gameplay, aren’t just necessities but rather critical first impressions that shape player retention. Simple yet engaging systems, immediate empowerment, and community visibility are a familiar and necessary MMO hook. But that's just my take. What's an MMORPG tutorial or early-game experience that hooked you? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.