A discussion on MMORPG – what works – what doesn’t work – and suggestions for better. We begin with an introduction and the elements of a MMORPG.
In introduction
I am Quil. I’m not sure when Quil became my name. It’s one of many names I have used for my toons. Yet, somehow, it is the one that stuck. I don’t mind. I’m very comfortable as Quil. I’ve been gaming online for perhaps 5ish years and before that I played computer games and before that I spent several years as a DM and a player of the original DnD. I’ve also tried my hand at writing the Sci-fi/ fantasy shorts with some success.
My first MMORPG was discovered quite by accident with the help of my cat. I was out on the web searching for info on the care of baby opossums ( I was a licensed Wildlife rehabber at the time – but that is another story ) when my beautiful Jazz Kitty attempted to land in my lap. She missed – landing rather abruptly on the desk sending my keyboard flying in one direction, the mouse in another and my cat, startled, went straight up in the air and down on top of me. I caught my cat, put the desk back together and was startled to find myself staring at my first gaming site. Curious, I downloaded the game and this series of thoughts is the results.
The elements of a MMORPG
What are the elements of a MMORPG ? On the surface it’s an expanded computerized DnD game consisting of maps, monsters, quests and adventures. The worlds vary, from fantasy to outer space, but the basic concept is the same. Within this framework are many elements and structures. I will address mostly Fantasy games as that is what I prefer to play.
When you first enter a game you choose a class. These are broken down into 3 groups – physical damage, magical damage and heals. Physical damage is either melee or ranged. Magical damage is ranged. And the healing class is support doing either physical damage or magical damage depending upon the game. Each class is assigned base stats consisting of things such as strength, wisdom and intelligence among others. Strength is your modifier for physical damage. Wisdom is the modifier for healing. And Intelligence is the modifier for magical damage. Unlike the original DnD, where each player rolls a random set of stats to begin a character, most games set all beginning stats the same for each class. In this way all players start equal. (Though I swear there are games where the female toons start with a slight disadvantage given weaker stats.) One of the objects of the game is to build your character to match your playing style.
- UI showing beginning assigned stats
Shaiya is one game that builds toons on a player controlled point system. The beginning points are assigned. Each new level earns a set number of points the player must place. The weakness to this system favors the experienced player over newbies. You need to know and understand how to place your points or end up frustrated with a failed toon.
If I built the world…
If I built the world I would include an advanced feature giving the more experienced player control over these stats. You would begin the game with a set allowance of points to place and each level or rank going forward would gain an additional set number of points. New players would have this done automatically for them as most games do now with the option of turning on the advanced feature again after level/rank X ( somewhere early/mid game ). This would eliminate the disadvantage and frustration while giving players the option for more direct control over their builds.
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