twenty-sided
Latest
Are we renting our MMOs?
If you think about it, we're basically renting our MMO experience anyway. This is especially true for games that offer free software, yet charge a monthly fee. So would a rental service for MMOs really work?In a recent article over at Twenty-Sided, Shamus explores the avenues of renting your multiplayer and single-player game experience. This is highlighted in what he says he expects to see in the future: a move towards more single-player games with simple online functionalities, like a chatroom. "Certainly an MMO denies you ownership," He explains. "But I wouldn't expect to be able to 'buy' an MMO any more than I'd expect to 'buy' cable television for a one-time fee and use it forever after." Some games have successfully achieved the opposite approach (Guild Wars) while others are doing just fine maintaining what is essentially a rental of their service. So what are your thoughts?
Nitpicking WoW to death
If you've ever played World of Warcraft, there may have been times when the game experience was less than ideal. Yeah, we know it's hard to imagine, but stick with us here for a minute. In a recent post over at Twenty-Sided, Shamus shares his top frustrations with the game, and how much they bother him. Sure, blog posts that nitpick WoW's gameplay are a dime a dozen, but this one comes from someone who recently got into the game, and might have more of a fresh perspective than an old veteran.These eleven points are all very viable, even though a few overlap and apply to many other games than just WoW. However, check out this example from his first point: "Like, you want 3 bear claws? Then I should have to kill one bear, because a standard-issue bear has four of them. There is nothing like having a wild bear rend your flesh in battle, only to loot the body and find the animal has... not a single claw? Just like the last 5 you killed."
Understanding Guild Wars gameplay
Some MMOs are fairly straightforward, and we have come to expect a certain formula. Create a character, gain levels as quickly as possible, cram as many skills as you possibly can on your modded interface and get that phat lewt before the next guy, right? Well, what happens if someone comes along and introduces a new type of game? is it difficult to acclimate to this new type of gameplay?A great example of this is with Guild Wars. The gameplay is based on strategy and working with what you have available to you at that time. This is a point that Shamus Young over at Twentysided has admittedly just realized. In his recent post about GW strategy gameplay, he explains that eureka moment he had when he realized that GW is not like the games he's used to, but it's more like a card game, where the skills you have in your 8-slot skillbar are the only ones you can use once you leave for a quest or mission. His new-found respect for the game is inspiring, as you can tell from the comments. If you find yourself confused on the purpose of GW gameplay, check out this post.
A glimpse into Guild Wars gameplay
In the continuing adventures of Shamus over at Twenty-Sided, his latest blog entry treats us to his further impressions of Guild Wars: Prophecies. This time he delves into the gameplay and how much he appreciates a real story in an online game. He also touches on leveling, skills, crafting, looting and a slight revisit to exploration.We find Shamus' recent discovery of Guild Wars interesting, as it seems so long since someone has truly discovered this game for the first time. His opinions, while not always positive towards the game, are truthful and thorough. During his final paragraph, he makes the very valid point that if there was a better trial period for this game (aside from buying a 10-hour trial disk at a store for $2), more people might realize that Guild Wars could possibly be the cure for those who dislike the traditional RPG/MMO formula.
Guild Wars: The best solo quasi-MMOG out there?
Three glorious years, over five million boxes sold. Guild Wars has come along way in that time, and it's no surprise that NCsoft's darling is still managing to stake out new players. Shamus from over on Twenty-Sided is one latest victim, in his post: Guild Wars: Massively Single Player, Shamus delves into Guild Wars with fresh eyes and posits about why it's a great single player experience. Of course, solo players use their own henchmen and heroes to help unfold that epic story. When EverQuest reigned king long before WoW, soloist proponents were booed away with a common message: "Go play a single player game, MMORPGs focus around grouping and solo content has no place here." Today, most MMOGs offer solo play but in such a way that progression is meaningful, but grouping is still encouraged for the best rewards.
