It's amazing how groundbreaking UO and AC were at the time. It's even *more* amazing that if a modern MMO copied many of mechanics of either of these games...it would probably be considered groundbreaking today as well.
AC had jumping as a skill. A fealty pledging system. Spell ingredients randomized for your character. World-changing live events. Arrows/spells you could dodge. And let's not forget /atoyot!
UO had tameable pets. Thievery. Property you could just plop down wherever. Spirit speak. Recall runes.
@Utakata I think when people say Steampunk, they actually mean a game that evokes the same themes and principles of Steampunk, as opposed to just throwing in some rifles and clockwork robots and calling it a day.
If the opportunity ever arose, I'd love to develop a Steampunk MMO -- one that emphasizes experimentation in crafting and salvaging parts, the decadence of the upper class vs. the extreme want of the lower class, and the golden age of imperialism as world-powers look to exploit foreign resources, engaging in colony-based territory warfare and a technological arms race. You guys just designed airships? Now we have tesla cannons. You've got automatons? We have steam-powered exo-suits.
@Powerlord I admire TellTale's attempts and appreciation their dedication to a genre I've always loved...their games just aren't that good. I hope they're learning and growing -- they could be the best thing since Lucasarts if they get the execution and writing down.
@smartstep You and I both, my friend :( But I also think that really, any game that's essentially just scrabbling for my cash and selling power-enhancements probably indicates a team that's more committed to pumping out products rather than making an awesome game experience. So I'm sure we're not missing out on much.
@smartstep There is not now, nor will there ever be, a game without real money transactions. This includes UO, WOW, EQ, and every other ostensibly "subscription only" title. It doesn't matter what the game is; this thread is proof that not everyone believes games are worth the same value, and those who value the game more than their money will find ways to buy more of that experience.
You have decided you want to spend $15, because obviously playing a game is worth $15 to you; to a family in Syria, spending that much might seem like a colossal waste. People value money differently. Somebody playing the same game as you might be comfortable spending $30; or $50; or $1000, because they value the game that much relative to the value they place on money. If the game these people play *doesn't* offer micro-transactions, they'll go outside the game and buy gold, and items, and pay to get characters power-leveled. If the game does have micro-transactions they'll probably buy things like EXP increases and whatever else, and if their demand *still* isn't met then they'll still go out and buy gold and items and powerleveling until their demand is satisfied by what they can purchase.
In one system, that additional demand goes to enrich a seedy black market with reprehensible working conditions that erodes the game in question through hacks, cheats, and exploits. In the other system that additional demand is funneled into new content, systems, and better prospects for the employees involved.
Now of course if the game is super popular there are likely a few dudes in suits who get fat bonuses and a round of gold claps in a board room--and right now most of these guys are still fumbling around trying to figure out how to actually do micro-transactions that put this demand imbalance to best use without compromising the integrity of the game--but at least he or she was involved with the game. Maybe that bothers you; but it would bother me more if it went toward people who were actively trying to ruin the games I enjoy rather than the people responsible for the creation, distribution, and future, of the games I enjoy.
@(Unverified) (I work for G1) We've actually tried ,on previous games, to give free players the same service we give paying players.
Ultimately what it does is annoy everyone though. With the inclusion of free players, GMs were supporting an audience many orders of magnitude larger, and everyone got slower service. If there was a way we could extend CS to everyone without impacting the service we give to players who pay to support the game, we'd do it in a heartbeat (I also don't think we're done exploring ways to do this, but for the Fallen Earth transition, with all the numerous ways things could go wrong, we needed to make absolutely sure that we could guarantee service to supporters first and foremost).
All of this only refers to ticket support though -- if you contact a GM in-game with an in-game problem, they don't first check to see if you've paid or not; they just solve your problem. If you get yourself stuck in a post-apocalyptic rock, we'll get you out. If your mount does a nosedive, we'll get it back.
@Osmium "We need more games that encourage trial and error and mystery these days."
Gosh do we ever. Just playing through Abobo's big adventure reminds me of how thrilling it was to discover mechanics through playing a game; wondering "how do I beat this boss?" then trying something and having it work. No sudden tutorial pausing the action, flashing a pop-up at me telling explicitly what to do and when to do it every time I encounter something new.
Of course some sections of the game, as with old NES games, are mind-numbingly frustrating, but I'm a big believer in being able to achieve the former without necessarily resorting to the latter!
Also, we've just added wardrobe slots (though they need to either be unlocked in the game or purchased) which you can wear to display instead of the actual armor you're wearing, so people are doing all kinds of crazy cool customization stuff.
You can either use the G1 live downloader (this uses a P2P connection so it's usually fastest), or you can click Direct Download and grab the client directly from us (but make sure you're using Firefox, Chrome, or an up-to-date version of IE)
Leaderboard: Ultima Online vs. EverQuest vs. Asheron's Call
Apr 2nd 2012 1:54PM (Massively)It's amazing how groundbreaking UO and AC were at the time. It's even *more* amazing that if a modern MMO copied many of mechanics of either of these games...it would probably be considered groundbreaking today as well.
AC had jumping as a skill. A fealty pledging system. Spell ingredients randomized for your character. World-changing live events. Arrows/spells you could dodge. And let's not forget /atoyot!
UO had tameable pets. Thievery. Property you could just plop down wherever. Spirit speak. Recall runes.
The Daily Grind: Which non-existent MMO genre would you play?
Mar 16th 2012 1:40PM (Massively)If the opportunity ever arose, I'd love to develop a Steampunk MMO -- one that emphasizes experimentation in crafting and salvaging parts, the decadence of the upper class vs. the extreme want of the lower class, and the golden age of imperialism as world-powers look to exploit foreign resources, engaging in colony-based territory warfare and a technological arms race. You guys just designed airships? Now we have tesla cannons. You've got automatons? We have steam-powered exo-suits.
Yesterday's gritty, gutsy style makes us excited for tomorrow
Feb 24th 2012 2:50PM (Joystiq)The Daily Grind: What's the highest sub fee you'd pay?
Feb 6th 2012 3:26PM (Massively)The Daily Grind: What's the highest sub fee you'd pay?
Feb 6th 2012 2:58PM (Massively)You have decided you want to spend $15, because obviously playing a game is worth $15 to you; to a family in Syria, spending that much might seem like a colossal waste. People value money differently. Somebody playing the same game as you might be comfortable spending $30; or $50; or $1000, because they value the game that much relative to the value they place on money. If the game these people play *doesn't* offer micro-transactions, they'll go outside the game and buy gold, and items, and pay to get characters power-leveled. If the game does have micro-transactions they'll probably buy things like EXP increases and whatever else, and if their demand *still* isn't met then they'll still go out and buy gold and items and powerleveling until their demand is satisfied by what they can purchase.
In one system, that additional demand goes to enrich a seedy black market with reprehensible working conditions that erodes the game in question through hacks, cheats, and exploits. In the other system that additional demand is funneled into new content, systems, and better prospects for the employees involved.
Now of course if the game is super popular there are likely a few dudes in suits who get fat bonuses and a round of gold claps in a board room--and right now most of these guys are still fumbling around trying to figure out how to actually do micro-transactions that put this demand imbalance to best use without compromising the integrity of the game--but at least he or she was involved with the game. Maybe that bothers you; but it would bother me more if it went toward people who were actively trying to ruin the games I enjoy rather than the people responsible for the creation, distribution, and future, of the games I enjoy.
Free for All: A second look at Fallen Earth's free model
Jan 18th 2012 9:34PM (Massively)Ultimately what it does is annoy everyone though. With the inclusion of free players, GMs were supporting an audience many orders of magnitude larger, and everyone got slower service. If there was a way we could extend CS to everyone without impacting the service we give to players who pay to support the game, we'd do it in a heartbeat (I also don't think we're done exploring ways to do this, but for the Fallen Earth transition, with all the numerous ways things could go wrong, we needed to make absolutely sure that we could guarantee service to supporters first and foremost).
All of this only refers to ticket support though -- if you contact a GM in-game with an in-game problem, they don't first check to see if you've paid or not; they just solve your problem. If you get yourself stuck in a post-apocalyptic rock, we'll get you out. If your mount does a nosedive, we'll get it back.
New XCOM: Enemy Unknown screens should be reassuring
Jan 13th 2012 6:19PM (Joystiq)Gosh do we ever. Just playing through Abobo's big adventure reminds me of how thrilling it was to discover mechanics through playing a game; wondering "how do I beat this boss?" then trying something and having it work. No sudden tutorial pausing the action, flashing a pop-up at me telling explicitly what to do and when to do it every time I encounter something new.
Of course some sections of the game, as with old NES games, are mind-numbingly frustrating, but I'm a big believer in being able to achieve the former without necessarily resorting to the latter!
Wasteland Diaries: Launch 2.0
Oct 15th 2011 7:26PM (Massively)Please don't make me feel bad about commenting on the game I work on :(
Wasteland Diaries: Launch 2.0
Oct 15th 2011 6:53AM (Massively)Also, we've just added wardrobe slots (though they need to either be unlocked in the game or purchased) which you can wear to display instead of the actual armor you're wearing, so people are doing all kinds of crazy cool customization stuff.
Fallen Earth launches F2P, postpones world events
Oct 12th 2011 2:17PM (Massively)You can either use the G1 live downloader (this uses a P2P connection so it's usually fastest), or you can click Direct Download and grab the client directly from us (but make sure you're using Firefox, Chrome, or an up-to-date version of IE)