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The MMORPGs of 2005

MMORPGDot.com has a two-part piece on the upcoming Massive games of 2005. The first article in the series touches on big name titles expected out this year like Matrix Online and Tabula Rasa, while the second article mentions lesser known small budget titles. From the big-title article: "If a list of features could make a great game, Dark & Light would be the first. NP Cube is promising some really ambitious things like a 40.000km gameworld without any loading, the possibility to become the king or conquer a town and enough goodies to whet your appetite. The question is how many of those features will actually be present at release?"

41 comments

  1. Matix Online by Moby+Cock · · Score: 1, Funny

    This game sounds like it could have promise. Of course, I though the second and third movies had promise. Moving past that though, this game really might be something great. Any beta testers out there willing to comment? I'm wondering is the game is worth a look or not.

    1. Re:Matix Online by p4ul13 · · Score: 2, Funny

      I can't comment. I'm too busy moderating!

      --
      Paul Lenhart writes words!
    2. Re:Matix Online by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting
      Having beta tested since Nov. but not having logged in for a couple weeks (to diversify my gaming experiences for a bit), it isn't anything more than any other MMOG wrapped up in Matrix style. Specifically leans toward the CoH gameplay.

      It still needs a lot of polish and optimization. Once it launches the plan is to have a flowing storyline written by Dave Gibbons. Right now that would be about the only thing that would convince me to play after beta.

      My only fear at launch is summed up best by CtrlAltDel. So far the beta community is a pretty cool bunch though.

    3. Re:Matix Online by Moby+Cock · · Score: 1

      Oddly, I had the same thought after my original post. I figured there would be a hundred Trinit33's or some shit like that. That comic is priceless. Thanks for the link.

    4. Re:Matix Online by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Once it launches the plan is to have a flowing storyline written by Dave Gibbons

      Where Dave Gibbons equals Paul Chadwick.

    5. Re:Matix Online by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      A flowing storyline?
      Would that be anything like the monthly story arc
      that SW:G promised?

    6. Re:Matix Online by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

      It has the premise to be a great game.

      - The combat system is very cool at first and it sustains enough interest (with higher abilities) as you level up.
      - There are TONS of different abilities to choose from. The special moves (in all skill trees) look awesome
      - Tons of cool clothes/items and other shit available. Where else can you find women characters with short leather minis.
      - PvP!!!
      - The missions look ok but boring since there is no live content available (to avoid story spoilers)
      - There is quite a bit to do in the game (crafting/exploring/missions/in-game parties/martial arts tournaments etc etc etc)
      - The game looks and runs good even in low settings (while still running in debug mode)
      - Monthly cinematic to advance story with chances of being in the cinematic!
      - Excellent player community.
      - Good response from devs and support staff.

      But then again, there are problems. As with EVERY game, some people will bitch about something. There are issues being resolved as we speak in the Matrix online. Some people will find some classes unbalanced. Some people will not like the flexibility of changing classes etc etc. But I for one am definitely giving it a shot with an open mind.

      peace out

    7. Re:Matix Online by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      - Tons of cool clothes/items and other shit available. Where else can you find women characters with short leather minis.

      Old Star Trek episodes?

      - PvP!!!

      MMORPG PVP always sucks. Always. Twitch shooters make sense for PVP... the better player wins. MMORPG is a contest of who "built" the better character, which mostly means who spent the most time in front of their computer munchkining out instead of roleplaying or, heaven forbid, going outside once in a while.

      - Blah blah blah

      Yeah, whatever. Sounds like Everquest in black trenchcoats to me.

    8. Re:Matix Online by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Actually, the planned year-long storyline is written by Paul Chadwick (Concrete).

      The forward progression of a world-story is intriging to me. Since only certain players will get to experience the pivotal story events, the events will published in a publish magazine...

      Not sure if I'll find this only-few-shall-experience-the-special-events frustrating or encouraging...

      I agree it is a poorly optimized. I played Wow with no problem but not so with MxO...

    9. Re:Matix Online by dhakbar · · Score: 5, Interesting

      I haven't beta tested this game, but I did live (for far too long) with a certain individual who used to work for SOE that was hired as the assistand producer for Matrix Online. This man has recently been fired from that post, but I'm quite positive that he has already caused immense damage to the production of that game.

      I agree that it looks like it has potential, but having seen the production of 2 MMORPGs from the inside, I can tell you that the potential will never be fulfilled if the project is mismanaged. The company has a deadline which will be met, regardless of the quality of their product. Since my former roommate was certainly not skilled in management, I hold very dim hopes for Matrix Online.

    10. Re:Matix Online by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      one big downer for matrix online is the scenery -- a gritty cityscape, right?

      last screenshots i saw, the windows on all the buildings looked exactly alike; no windowshades up or down, no glass windows, no interesting angles.

      it's like everything was made, pre-fab, by General Steel Inc. if it remains ugly, it will never attract a large, long-term audience. they need to hire some professional architects to design good, varied buildings, so that the city can be dark, dirty, and utterly impressive to the eye.

    11. Re:Matix Online by dhakbar · · Score: 1

      "MMORPG PVP always sucks. Always. Twitch shooters make sense for PVP... the better player wins. MMORPG is a contest of who "built" the better character, which mostly means who spent the most time in front of their computer munchkining out instead of roleplaying or, heaven forbid, going outside once in a while."

      Spoken like someone who didn't experience MMORPG's until EverQuest... (old school) Ultima Online PvP, in my opinion, is unparalleled in its high requirements for skill to win, since a competitive character could be made in 2 or 3 days of macroing. PvP was fantastic until EverQuest came along and introduced the world to the Care Bear garbage we can't seem to get enough of these days.

    12. Re:Matix Online by gonzoxl5 · · Score: 1

      I tried the beta for about 20 minutes, totally failed to see any attraction in the game and didn't log back in after that.

      I'm afraid that has summed up my experience so far in MMORPGs, still waiting for a good one.

    13. Re:Matix Online by ameoba · · Score: 1

      20 min is barely enough time to get through the tutorials in most games.

      And yes, you should go through the tutorial at least once.

      --
      my sig's at the bottom of the page.
  2. The most important feature in an MMORPG is... by MBraynard · · Score: 3, Insightful
    Other players. Otherwise it becomes a single player RPG.

    That's part of the problem with so many coming out. It doesn't matter how great the game is AS MUCH as it matters if you can find other people to co-operate with/fight online, or as much as it matters as that is the game your friends are playing. Hence the importance of marketing the game - something small developers can't afford to do well and players may not have the patience to wait around for word of mouth to succeed.

    Case in Point: Allegiance was by far the best MMO I have ever played - but it died due to lack of players because MS dropped the ball in marketing it.

    1. Re:The most important feature in an MMORPG is... by Lord_Dweomer · · Score: 1
      Bingo. And people only have so much money to spend on these outrageous subscriptions. Personally, I think that the trend will be towards finding ways in the game to help people connect and group etc. Features that will give players more of a sense of being around other players.

      --
      Buy Steampunk Clothing Online!
    2. Re:The most important feature in an MMORPG is... by MBraynard · · Score: 1

      Right. PErhaps SOE's all game pass that lets you play all of their games is a good idea (though all their games other than PS are lame.)

    3. Re:The most important feature in an MMORPG is... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Allegiance was by far the best MMO I have ever played - but it died due to lack of players because MS dropped the ball in marketing it.

      Then the idiots open sourced it! What were they thinking?!? Oh, wait...

    4. Re:The most important feature in an MMORPG is... by dracocat · · Score: 2, Interesting

      But this isnt as important as you might think.

      For example, FFXI has (or at least had) 500,000 people on 30 different servers. Who needs 500,000 people if you will never know about them? A quick jump over to my microsoft calculator just told me that if you have only one server and 16,000 people it would be the exact same gameplay. I would rather play an MMO that I really like, than one that is popular. Especially considering you only need 16,000 people playing it to fill up a single server.

      Obviously of course if you cant even come up with the 16k number then it will be useless.

    5. Re:The most important feature in an MMORPG is... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Allegiance is not dead!

    6. Re:The most important feature in an MMORPG is... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      Case in Point: Allegiance was by far the best MMO I have ever played - but it died due to lack of players because MS dropped the ball in marketing it.


      Case in Point 2: World of Warcraft was by far the best MMO I have ever played - but it died due to too many players because Blizzard dropped the ball in getting their servers to support it.

      That's in the past tense because I have come from the future to tell you this. Trust me, the Disembodied Head of Gene Roddenberry in a Jar said you should.
  3. Re:Matrix Online by quadra23 · · Score: 1

    I've played the Matrix game and if the online version improves on the gameplay I wouldn't doubt it being a great sell. Personally I think the MMORPG would live up to its promise. The game was awesome so this would probably be the one I'd be most interested in hearing about features and map size.

  4. Re:meh.... by Quill_28 · · Score: 1

    Quite a unique game eh?

    Go to my store and bet on the new england/philly game.

    I need meat!

    Search for cheap blue pixels and Lookie the Bookie!

  5. Size != Content by nick_davison · · Score: 5, Insightful

    NP Cube is promising some really ambitious things like a 40.000km gameworld without any loading

    You know, with a fractal algorithm and high enough precision location variables, I could give you a ten bajillion square mile game world next week. It'd suck as there's be nothing to do there except go up and down some hills and mountains, maybe occasionally swim across an ocean or screen, but it'd be huge.

    A large gameworld is utterly meaningless without content. Gameplay is about density of content. Once you have a good density, sure, more is always good.

    I'd rather play a game with 4km^2 of content with five really well considered pieces of content per meter than a 40,000 km^2 world with one automatically placed generic feature every 10m. Sure, it may technically have even more content than the smaller world but the quality and density of content will make me choose the smaller one.

    At the end of the day, do you really want to play in a huge 1:1 simulation of Nebraska or would you have more fun at a much smaller, well designed theme park?

    1. Re:Size != Content by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Besides, "40.000 km^2" of content?

      That's like 8.000 x 5.000, isn't it?

      Let's see... converting to regular American units from communist ones, that's about 4.880 miles by 3.050 miles, or 14.884 square miles.

      What's so special about that? I think the original Everquest was probably a lot bigger.

    2. Re:Size != Content by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      In your conversion from "communist" units, you neglected to account for the European method of using a period instead of a comma to break up the number. It's actually 40,000 (forty thousand) km^2. Stupid communists.

    3. Re:Size != Content by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Maybe if I said "godless communists" my sarcasm would have been a little more obvious. I'll keep that in mind for next time.

    4. Re:Size != Content by Moonshadow · · Score: 1
      This is exactly correct - I've personally implemented a data generation algorithm that generates highly shapable terrain heightmaps, and the datafiles are something on the order of 60 bytes per patch. A player would only need 800 bytes or so of terrain data at any given time. A patch's size is insignificant, since you can add as much detail as you like fractally. In my calcluations, I could model a terrain the size of Earth's surface at something like a 3m resolution in approximately 260GB. Large terrains mean nothing, unfortunately. The thing that makes a game is what you can do out in those terrains. Without content, they're just space.

      If you want proof that large terrains without content suck ass, just look at Star Wars: Galaxies. Very large terrains with very little content, and it was boring.

    5. Re:Size != Content by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      spoke the executive that worked on Doom3...

  6. Roma Victor correction by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative


    The article is a bit thin on the features and details and also incorrectly indicates that Jolt is the publisher. It's an independent and largely community-driven project.

  7. laff by rwven · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    lol, i wonder how many people actually believed this article before reading the "satire" label at the top of the page. newsflash: it aint real..

    1. Re:laff by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Obiously that was the entire point of it being posted on /. It wasn't particularly funny or interesting, it was just trolling for some stupid responses from people who didn't RTFA.

    2. Re:laff by rwven · · Score: 0, Offtopic

      actually, my post was a reponse to the wrong thread :)

  8. Guild Wars by Shatrat · · Score: 3, Informative

    Of all the games in TFA Guild Wars is probably the only one I will buy. 3 are automatically disqualified because of being published by SOE. Anyone who plays Everquest will probably understand why, even if they dont agree with my personal boycott. Guild Wars game play is very innovative and you can read about that in the article, but the most impressive thing to me is how good the game looks. Arenanet has managed to make extremely good looking graphics run even on lower end video cards. Anyway, im in the Beta now and I cant wait for the release. Maybe Ill see some Slashdotters there?

    --
    09 F9 11 02 9D 74 E3 5B D8 41 56 C5 63 56 88 C0
    1. Re:Guild Wars by ReverendLoki · · Score: 2, Funny
      As I understand it, you'll see a lot of /.ers there - I've been playing the betas since the E3 event (er, or was that technically an alpha?).

      Now, anyone want to start a /. guild, see if we can break the guild system, or perhaps find an upper limit to how many can join a single guild?

      --
      09 F9 11 02 9D 74 E3 5B D8 41 56 C5 63 56 88 C0
  9. Face of Mankind by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I tried signing up for Face of Mankind, which was mentioned on slashdot a few days ago.

    I downloaded the 800mb client. Then I installed it. And I created an account on their forums/website/whatever. But I can't figure out how to login to the game. It wants a username and password, but the only username and password I have is from my fomportal.com website login - and that doesn't work for the game itself.

    There's no explanation in the forums, faq or elsewhere on the site that explains how to get into the game. Not much of an open beta is it, if you can't figure out how to . . . you know, be part of the open beta.

  10. Tabula Rasa? by SirBruce · · Score: 3, Informative

    Despite the text to the contrary, there's no entry for Tabula Rasa in either part of the list. They also list the expansions for AC1, AC2, and EQ1, which is hardly exhaustive. 2005 will likely see the release of more than one expansion for EQ1, expansions for DAoC, UO and WWIIOL, and possibly EQ2 and WoW. Not to mention several other Asian games that are likely to be released: A3, Fairyland, Hello Kitty, etc. Bruce

  11. Re:Matrix Online by ZephyrXero · · Score: 1

    If you are refering to "Enter the Matrix" it's a completely different game made by a different developer.

    --
    "A truly wise man realizes he knows nothing."