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Setting a Learning Curve In MMOs
Ten Ton Hammer has an article looking at the learning curves of modern MMOs. Many of the more popular games, such as World of Warcraft, go to great lengths to make learning the game easy for new players. Others, such as EVE Online, have had success with a less forgiving introduction. But to what extent do the most fundamental game mechanics limit the more complex end-game play?
"The current trend in MMOG's appears to be make the game so easy and interest-grabbing right out of the gate that even a person with the attention span of a monkey chewing on a flyswatter will be able to keep up and get into the swing of things. Depth of game mechanics is still possible with a system like this, but it needs to be introduced not only clearly, but later in the game, after a player has played enough to be hooked and is willing to put in some extra time to learn about the more intricate game mechanics available to them."
famous eve learning curve graph
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-kfg
Eve isn't designed for casual, rubbish players. In fact, if they got 500,000 casual, rubbish players, they'd simply be driven off by Eve's more unsavory elements in a matter of months anyway.
Eve isn't a hack-and-slash for morons; it's actually designed from the ground up to be tough. And it's designed for tough people - people who are tough mentally and who are tough emotionally.
CCP has enough challenges scaling Eve with the playerbase as it is. With it growing slowly and steadily, CCP is able to develop and test the technologies that put other MMOs like WoW to shame at a rate that ensures quality and stability.
So WoWbabies can go play their little kiddie game all they like. Me? I like something that requires intelligence, that provides a challenges, that provides freedom, and that sits on the cutting edge of technology both in graphics and in scaling.
You know I think I found THE game for you!
Its called 'The Big Blue Room', also known as IRL.
The graphics are absolutely amazing, its completely open ended yet has a finishing goal, amazing how they got that to work.
Its a total challenge, especially when your trying to mix gear upgrades with achievements.
You should try it some time, you might be pleasantly surprised.
GPLv2: I want my rights, I want my phone call! DRM: What use is a phone call, if you are unable to speak?
Suddenly, it all becomes clear: the economic crisis was actually caused by EVE rejects who, having no outlet, decided to re-enact the game with the real stock market.
Forget magic. Any technology distinguishable from divine power is insufficiently advanced.