TOG - The Older Gamers

Mourir · 9th April 2006, 09:35 AM

Hi all,

Well, I've been playing MMORPGs for a few years, now (and, I must say that finding my way to TOG has made the whole experience that much better!). I've realized that I have been looking for "that perfect toon" in "that perfect game." I now suspect I will never find this, and may have to switch from month to month or so between the MMOs I like.

I do have one question, though. I think that for me what makes a game a true *role playing* experience is having a true story line that includes a conclusion. An ultimate goal, if you will. Think of Baldur's Gate or Diablo. In these games, especially in BG2, there were a lot of side quests (like there are in pretty much all MMORPGs), but there was always the main story you had to live out and finish; the main problem/mystery you had to solve; and, the main "bad guy" you had to kill. This provided for a true sense of accomplishment!

Are there any MMOs out there with this element, or are they all basically glorified hack-n-slash, with acquiring levels/skills/equipment/etc., being the only real "accomplishment?"

Thanks a lot!!

Sente · 9th April 2006, 10:13 AM

The only MMOG that I know of has a definite end is A Tale In The Desert, which I believe has run a few times now, from start to end.

PeteG · 9th April 2006, 08:24 PM

Yep, ATITD is probably about the only one that has a conclusion, the second telling should be complete in about two weeks apparently (the conclusion is after players have completed a long series of tasks), with a beta of the third telling kicking off then (if it hasn't already ...). The game isn't everyone's cup of tea though, most would probably find it a little on the boring side.

You're right about most MMOs having no sense of accomplishment other than levelling / lewt. The obvious reason for that is that their content is static but they still want your $13 per month, so telling you "congratulations you've completed the game, there's no point playing now" doesn't exactly encourage you to continue your subscription.

Grue · 9th April 2006, 11:18 PM

I will have to disagree here a bit that all MMOs out today are hack/slash fests with no storyline to complete. I just find that most players in MMOs are too busy trying to get the brass ring to notice the tales along the way. And every MMO I've played has certainly had an endgame tale that concludes with an ultimate evil to be vanquished, etc.

What MMOs don't do is evolve or change due to your choices in quests. They stagnate due to nothing changing no matter what you do. Your choices have no impact on the game, which is what so greatly differentiates an RPG from an MMO. In an RPG, Rufio the scalping merchant can irritate you and your party to the point that you finally mug him and take back your gold. And the local militia will demand answers. In an MMO, all you can do is smile and say, "Thank you sir, may I please have another!!"

FYI, WoW is doing the same thing with it's expansions, it seems. A series of tasks required to trigger a game world event that opens up / changes some of the game content. But there can be only one outcome, and I think it's this lack of choices that prevents me from finding that MMO that suits my needs at least.

Ijs · 10th April 2006, 12:11 AM

It's about the journey, not the destination.

MMOs defy the logic of a final conclusion. Their economic model depends on you playing and paying on a longterm monthly basis.

Single player games, it's up to you. If you want to win it in 2 days, you can. If you want to win it in 2 months, up to you. But you'd miss the interactivity of MMOs... the "journey with friends".

I don't worry about the perfect toon (I always create countless alts), or the perfect game (currenly on six-month MMO hiatus)... I worry about being in the perfect guild. A guild that envelopes any MMO I want to play.

Grue · 10th April 2006, 12:35 AM

I do have to agree about guilding. With my screwy schedule, I don't get to play with guildies really, which is why I'm between MMOs right now as well.

Janissary · 10th April 2006, 06:43 AM

There's another non-combat MMORPG coming out next month called 'Seed'. While it has an open story without a designated end, it looks like it will at least have definable chapters.

The devs will be making the content of their expansions determined by the actions of the majority of the players. Thus, these will be the culmination of much research, politicking and social conflict that leads to expanding the colony into the ground, reaching the abandoned space station or spreading out onto the planet. If the game is successful it may never end, but it won't be static and repetative either.

EVE Online also comes close if you like PvP. They move the political history of their galaxy forwards with each expansion (although not directly based on character actions), and if you get involved with a player corporation/empire it can be a long struggle of conquer and retreat that, most likely, will end at some point.

Mourir · 10th April 2006, 08:36 AM

Thanks Sente and Jan. I do have to admit, though, that neither Tale nor Seed sound like my play style. (Gotta have combat

)

Oh well. Guess I'll try switching around; that might keep my interest....

Thanks again!

french frogg · 10th April 2006, 06:43 PM

I think you must keep an eye on WAR it could be a good surprise for you.

i don't think that MMOG and "end content" could co-exist, because of the difference of playing time of each player.

I can't imagine a game where i can play with friend and because i'm not playing a lot they "finish" the game without me.
My only problem with MMO is that player actions didn't have any results on the world, WoW seems to try to do some world event, WAR seems to be on the same way.