Putting the RPG Back into MMORPG

[CybrSlydr]

http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/08/...ck-into-mmorpg

In a genre that thrives on cutting and pasting the best aspects of other games, The Secret World has done something more than a little different. It has taken the MMO and given it a distinctly single-player sheen, concentrating more on the narrative content and open character development than on the more traditional limited role, loot grind model. There are still elements of traditional MMO mechanics in place – the holy trinity of tank, healer and DPS still rules the roost when it comes to instances and the end game still devolves into running and re-running the same dungeons until geared – but for the most part, The Secret World asks players to approach the game in a manner different to pretty much any other by putting the RPG back into the MMO.

You're all but forced to watch the cutscenes and absorb the information contained within. You need to pay attention to the quest dialogue and the frequent books and notes you're tasked to read. Sometimes you even need to think entirely for yourself, deciphering Morse code, translating runes, working out passwords and locations from cryptic clues and generally immersing yourself in a world of conspiracy, ancient magic and intrigue. You're given the ability to adapt your character for any situation you might come across and not locked into the same archetype you originally chose to play. It's a fascinating approach, one that is all but new in the MMO space and hugely enjoyable to boot, but it can be argued that the conventional MMO structure has been successful for a reason. The Secret World tells a great story but how do you keep people interested in a story once the story is over? Let’s take a look.

[hostage67]

There are still elements of traditional MMO mechanics in place – the holy trinity of tank, healer and DPS still rules the roost when it comes to instances and the end game still devolves into running and re-running the same dungeons until geared – but for the most part, The Secret World asks players to approach the game in a manner different to pretty much any other by putting the RPG back into the MMO.

That makes it sound exactly like every other MMO out there, they are simply asking you to view it differently, not that they made it differently.

You're all but forced to watch the cutscenes and absorb the information contained within.

This is always irritating.

[Maniac]

Originally Posted by hostage67

This is always irritating.

I think you misunderstood... the article is saying that the cutscenes actually contain relevant information in them.

[hostage67]

Originally Posted by Maniac

I think you misunderstood... the article is saying that the cutscenes actually contain relevant information in them.

I read it, I just didn't believe it lol. They all try to claim that the story is relevant. But when it comes down to it they force you to sit through all these ******ed cut scenes that are usually worthless.

That ended up being one of the major issues with SWTOR, they focused so much on telling the story and invested so heavily into the voice acting that they ended up totally ignoring the core game play mechanics.

I'm all for bringing the story back into the game, I think that's important. But so far everyone claiming to do that has failed pretty miserably and that leaves me a bit skeptical of anyone else claiming the same thing. Most companies idea of bringing the story back is trying to force the players to watch cut scenes or something similar. Instead of making it optional but relevant enough that the player actually wants to watch them.