Some Things Never Go Out of Style
In what is certainly a meme waiting to happen, Lum posted a response to an old MMO wishlist put together by disgruntled players/avid fans (it’s all a matter of perspective, you know) who want to see some changes brought to this genre.
Although many bloggers will no doubt want to enthrall you with their own answers to each of the points raised, I’ll spare you this agony by simply saying that I agree with most of what Scott says. My favorite line is a classic Lummy bit of snark that rings so true to those who get it:
“Design in the absence of any technical limitations is cool! Also, we should have ponies.”
Good stuff. Read the linky.
This is my personal favorite of what he said. Was laughing so hard I managed a tear.
” Death must be permanent. Perhaps lower level characters could be able to respawn, until an average level.
You know, this could be a great interview question for a game designer. “Do you think permadeath in a persistent world, giving the customer a dialog box that says “You have lost the game, all your work invested in your character is history, you should stop giving us money now†is a good idea? You do? Thank you for your time, we’ll be in touch.†”
And I am STILL laughing >.
Perma death is a very bad idea, unless of course they could implement it in a way that perhaps you took over a child or something and carried on the family lineage.
Putting player houses just anywhere is bad.
I like the idea of being struck down by lightning in game. I also hate when a bear drops a hammer or sword.
“Putting player houses just anywhere is bad.”
Never understood the big draw on player housing. Even in games where it has been available i’ve never used it. I have no desire to spend time “decorating” a virtual place I would hardly ever see thanks ot being somewhere else on that particular game world’s continents. If I am in the game I want ot be playing the game ot make my avatar better, unless housing does that in some way. Oh and forcing me to buy a house and use as a bank because you gave crappy bag slots/limitations does not count as making my avatar better. It makes you a tool for giving me very limited slots to hold all the necessary crap (extra resist gear for fights, quest items, etc) you make me hold on to.
The only player housing I ever liked was when AO added player cities to the game…but not because I liked the cities or having a house (never used my apartment)..only because they served a purpose and gave our Org bonuses to various skills depending on what was built there.