Realm Wars ideas/questions, please read
by Brian Newton · in General Discussion · 03/23/2002 (3:10 pm) · 5 replies
Hi all,
I am very excited about the possibilities of this game. A fantasy based, action MMORPG is seriously lacking in the current online market. And having the community not only put in ideas but develop the game has many opportunities to shape this into a game that people will really want to play.
Given this, I have some questions about just what Realm Wars is seeking to be. I have been playing Muds for about 10 years now, and have tried every major MMORPG that have come out on the market. Like a lot of my friends, and I think a lot of people out there, my favorite video game genres are Computer/console RPG's, Fighting games, and FPS's. I've decided that the reason is, I love to be able to play a role, and develop a character, but I also love pulse pounding action, mainly when it's pitting my skill directly against the skill of another human being in an action oriented setting.
Until now, I've had to look in different places to satisfty these needs. The current glutted MMORPG market has very little roleplaying, and almost no skill pitting action. The wildly popular Dark Age of Camelot, which both of my roommates are hopelessly addicted to, involves player based combat, but a) that combat is unavailable unless days and weeks of mindless monster killing is accomplished. b) the combat itself is rather simplistic and unbalanced. c) There is almost no chance to play a role, you are part of a large group, almost no roleplaying occurs, and you can't even talk to the other side.
So far in my experience, these two genres have only been melded in certain Muds. I recently actually went back to a mud I used to play, called Achaea for this reason. You have a character that is entirely developed and customized by you. You are almost forced to play a role, the game has a lush history, and there are even player controlled "gods" vying for power in role, and forcing the players to choose sides, factions, cities and guilds, all playing a role in large confrontations. The combat is some of the most complex and balanced I've seen, as well as adrenalin pounding. Instead of just hitting "kill" and sitting back, when you perform an action, there is a 2 or so second "balance" before you can do something again, meanwhile you are curing what they are throwing at you, setting up other attacks/defenses, all in real time. It really does combine the skill pitting action of say a fighting game, with the character development and true role playing of an RPG. And until now, this is the only place I could find this.
But this game seems to have that potential. Right now from what I've read it seems like it might be mainly a fantasy based online FPS, sort of a fantasy Tribes, or Wolfenstein. But it seems like with a little modification, this game could turn out to be so much more, and fill this role that seems almost entirely ignored and totally vacant in the current online market.
I've read there will be large scale persistent battles. That is neat, but how about gaining experience and items from killing people? Raising skills, allowing advancement, that truly helps one identify with one's character, and feel a sense of accomplishment. Also having a variety of classes that aren't just combat based. Sort of like a medic in Wolfenstein, but more complex, allow a class that can make items, and healing potions, and can heal, sort of like a medic in Wolf, mixed with a forger from most MMORPGS. And even thieves, who can hide, sneak around, get backstab attacks, even the ability to steal items from other players, pick locks etc.
I think that this game has so much more potential than the simple design document allows it. Think about playing a game with the addictiveness and long term fun factor of Dark Age of Camelot, but with the action in FPS skill based form. It would even make monster killing exciting and thrilling. Monster killing has been a fun action based past time in games all the way from the original Doom to modern FPS's. And if Melee could be worked in as well, you could truly have a real, action based, player vs player, MMORPG, which would be something entirely unique, and what a lot of people have truly been yearning for all these years, as I have.
Please let me know your ideas/responses.
Thanks.
I am very excited about the possibilities of this game. A fantasy based, action MMORPG is seriously lacking in the current online market. And having the community not only put in ideas but develop the game has many opportunities to shape this into a game that people will really want to play.
Given this, I have some questions about just what Realm Wars is seeking to be. I have been playing Muds for about 10 years now, and have tried every major MMORPG that have come out on the market. Like a lot of my friends, and I think a lot of people out there, my favorite video game genres are Computer/console RPG's, Fighting games, and FPS's. I've decided that the reason is, I love to be able to play a role, and develop a character, but I also love pulse pounding action, mainly when it's pitting my skill directly against the skill of another human being in an action oriented setting.
Until now, I've had to look in different places to satisfty these needs. The current glutted MMORPG market has very little roleplaying, and almost no skill pitting action. The wildly popular Dark Age of Camelot, which both of my roommates are hopelessly addicted to, involves player based combat, but a) that combat is unavailable unless days and weeks of mindless monster killing is accomplished. b) the combat itself is rather simplistic and unbalanced. c) There is almost no chance to play a role, you are part of a large group, almost no roleplaying occurs, and you can't even talk to the other side.
So far in my experience, these two genres have only been melded in certain Muds. I recently actually went back to a mud I used to play, called Achaea for this reason. You have a character that is entirely developed and customized by you. You are almost forced to play a role, the game has a lush history, and there are even player controlled "gods" vying for power in role, and forcing the players to choose sides, factions, cities and guilds, all playing a role in large confrontations. The combat is some of the most complex and balanced I've seen, as well as adrenalin pounding. Instead of just hitting "kill" and sitting back, when you perform an action, there is a 2 or so second "balance" before you can do something again, meanwhile you are curing what they are throwing at you, setting up other attacks/defenses, all in real time. It really does combine the skill pitting action of say a fighting game, with the character development and true role playing of an RPG. And until now, this is the only place I could find this.
But this game seems to have that potential. Right now from what I've read it seems like it might be mainly a fantasy based online FPS, sort of a fantasy Tribes, or Wolfenstein. But it seems like with a little modification, this game could turn out to be so much more, and fill this role that seems almost entirely ignored and totally vacant in the current online market.
I've read there will be large scale persistent battles. That is neat, but how about gaining experience and items from killing people? Raising skills, allowing advancement, that truly helps one identify with one's character, and feel a sense of accomplishment. Also having a variety of classes that aren't just combat based. Sort of like a medic in Wolfenstein, but more complex, allow a class that can make items, and healing potions, and can heal, sort of like a medic in Wolf, mixed with a forger from most MMORPGS. And even thieves, who can hide, sneak around, get backstab attacks, even the ability to steal items from other players, pick locks etc.
I think that this game has so much more potential than the simple design document allows it. Think about playing a game with the addictiveness and long term fun factor of Dark Age of Camelot, but with the action in FPS skill based form. It would even make monster killing exciting and thrilling. Monster killing has been a fun action based past time in games all the way from the original Doom to modern FPS's. And if Melee could be worked in as well, you could truly have a real, action based, player vs player, MMORPG, which would be something entirely unique, and what a lot of people have truly been yearning for all these years, as I have.
Please let me know your ideas/responses.
Thanks.
#2
I think making it work like CS is good, i.e. instead of buying weapons, you buy stats, skills, and magic.
just an idea
03/23/2002 (6:23 pm)
hrmI think making it work like CS is good, i.e. instead of buying weapons, you buy stats, skills, and magic.
just an idea
#3
03/23/2002 (8:49 pm)
thats exactly what i meant, although use character points or XP instead of cash.
#4
Well gosh, I couldn't agree more, but I'm still surprised at how many everquest clones are still on the horizon, and NO games of this kind. Anyone want to help me with this, or give me someone I could just poke and say, "Hey man... everyone likes Everquest right? Everyone likes online fps's right? How bout making everquest, but with action?" I mean come on. :)
04/10/2002 (2:46 am)
Yeah, I think those are all good ideas. My main point though, is an ACTION based MMORPG in a fantasy setting. I'm entirely surprised that this hasn't been done yet. With the two most popular online genres being fps's and MMORPGS, I'm incredibly surprised they haven't blended the best aspects yet. I was reading Gamespy's aticle on the future of online RPG's, and they didn't even mention this possibility. I hear all sorts of developers saying things like, "If the genre is going to continue, they had better innovate, and stop making Everquest clones."Well gosh, I couldn't agree more, but I'm still surprised at how many everquest clones are still on the horizon, and NO games of this kind. Anyone want to help me with this, or give me someone I could just poke and say, "Hey man... everyone likes Everquest right? Everyone likes online fps's right? How bout making everquest, but with action?" I mean come on. :)
#5
Jeff Tunnell GG
04/10/2002 (10:01 am)
Um. We have an entire forum devoted to Realm Wars. Why are we posting in the over populated General forum?Jeff Tunnell GG
Torque Owner Jeff Highsmith
as far as leveling goes, it has to be done right. the usual model is you gain xp by killing opponents/accomplishing goals, kill/accomplish enough and you go up in level. or the experience system is skill based where you improve a skill by using it. both lack gameplay. in order to keep the most options open, i think a point based system works best. you go kill/accomplish, get a xp reward, and can immediately use that to up your score or learn a new one. this way its much more open ended.
i think classes are a good thing until theyre the only thing. then theyre a crutch. want a brutish barbarian or a wholesome healer? the classes are there for you. want to make up your own specialized unique character? the option should always be there.
whenever you design a skill for an rpg, you should always check all the options. for instance, i think having special combat moves, and skill with weapons should be entirely graphics based, controlled by the player. in tekken, for instance, you determine who's better by duking it out, not by comparing sword skill stats. if you, as the player, are a better hand to hand combatant, it shouldn't matter who is the high level player. strength is a score that makes sense. sword skill, im not so sure about. other than maybe increased likelihood of fumbling with an unfamiliar weapon, etc.
maybe experience can gain you new moves or something, but i doubt this would be cool either. i envision a 3d combat system where you pick your fighters moves (a lot of them), practice a bit, and you can swing with the best of them. not button mashing like tekken, more like UFC tapout, but with weapons. this would leave xp for things like increasing your speed, stamina, strength, etc.
magic could be done in a similar way. anyways, let me post this before my comp crashes again. ill probably be posting again in a minute, but i haaaate losing long posts.