I think you're dead on about why MMORPGs can get so dull. They are not skill based aside from knowing where to find a walkthrough that gets you leveled up the most efficient way possible.
I've thought about how to fix this, and I think it does involve combining a FPS with a MMORPG. But not in the way Planetside does it. In planetside, you have a cone of fire, no headshots.
What people really want it seems is for their skill to matter. For example, imagine trade skills where you actually needed some twitch responses to craft your item, and the method in which you did it was dynamic to the point where everybody would develop their own style of crafting and their creations would reflect the creator.
You want to be a blacksmith? You better know where you need to hit that hammer, how hard you need to swing the hammer (how fast you move the mouse), how long to time the cooling/heating, etc.
I don't think current computing power is up to this task yet, but it is coming, wait for it.
Imagine if battles weren't simply run up, hit a button and wait, but rather move the mouse (or sword-shaped motion controlled input device) in the way you want and fight that way.
I think this type of game would have a HUGE appeal to people from both crowds, as it gives the ability to live a characters life which you get in MMORPGs, but the ability to improve your skill at the game which you get in FPSs.
You know, I beta-tested a game like this. For the life of me I can't remember what it was called...I want to say EVE, but that would be wrong I think.
Anyways, the game was similar to Subspace in that it was a 2D top down space shooter. You could get money by getting kills, thus allowing you to upgrade your ship and level.
Certain ranks were allowed in certain arenas, and that was that. It prevented the super high level people from ruining the experience of the lower level ones. Everything remained competitive relative to your level, and it was excellent.
This post was particularly interesting to me so rather than mod, I'd like to respond.
I'm going to be a senior at an art college and for my senior project I'm considering starting an online tv network of sorts. The way I see it now, my main competition are sites like atomfilms.com, etc.
I'm curious what business models people think will work for this sort of thing. I was thinking of embedding short, TASTEFUL (think cartoon network style) ads, about 10 seconds or less into the episodes of shows, and maybe at the beginning of movies. I was also thinking maybe instead of that, offer the most current stuff for streaming for free, and offer a small subscription fee for access to the archive and the ability to pay for a DVD to be burned+shipped.
The test material for this will be stuff made by students at my school and anybody else I can work out a deal with, but I'm curious as to what people think works with this and what doesn't.
Also, I think one of the big issues of amateurs doing this is copyrights. For example, I currently need to find out whether or not I'll be held liable if someone's show that I distribute on my network uses copyrighted material they weren't granted usage of.
Not only that, but the forums are completely flooded with spam from webcam sites and escort services, so its hard to filter out the wheat from the chaff. I wonder how good Adultfriendfinder is compared to this.
"I know plenty well you guys don't buy them for the articles; but then again, neither do I.
Ya I'm a girl - do you have a problem with it, bub?"
No, but what I have a problem with is girls who make assumptions and generalizations. The fact that this got modded insightful is beyond me. Playboy has, and has always had, quality articles and interviews that are both interesting and informative.
Yeah, they have some great looking women as well, and you find it in the porno section, but honestly, I'd buy the magazine without the women as a Gentleman's Maxim that isn't as focused on products and crap as GQ or Esquire.
You know, if all the insurance companies start to do this, it would create a perfect opening for a new company to make a name for itself in the insurance industry by giving customers what they want.
What everybody has forgotten so far is that Napster just signed some VERY lucrative deals with colleges that will basically guarantee them a LARGE revenue stream. Even better for them is that it is mandatory for the students, but not all students will be using the service. So they're getting paid for large numbers of people, many of whom will not tie up Napster's resources.
Add to the fact that since they've already gotten a couple high profile schools on board, more are sure to follow. I see Napster as being profitable in the VERY near future, so perhaps this isn't as dumb a move as everybody thinks.
I think the REAL controversy has less to do with fanboys whining because their game got a non-perfect rating, and more to do with reviewers who have an "incentive" to rate games higher than the game deserves.
This is why when I look for reviews, I make sure I read as many low score reviews as possible to see both sides, and hopefully demo the game before I decide to buy. And by demo of course I mean download.
You jest, but my room with the door closed is literally 5 degrees warmer than my roommates when I have my computer on for long periods of time. He bitches and moans about how cold he gets even with the heat on and I'm laughing and start complaining about how I had to crack the window a tiny bit because of how hot it got in my room.
I think it makes perfect sense to make one because a remote controlled sailboat sails a lot differently than a motor boat. And often times the wind isn't right, but sun is pretty easy to get. I think this could actually sell.
I just recently canceled an order on a Dell computer to go with Alienware. Their staff were much more experienced at AW, however, they have been pulling shenanigans.
First, they say the graphics card I selected which guaranteed an August 6th ship date became limited availability which would delay my order. So since time is of the essence (I need it at home before I go to school to transfer a LOT of files) I switched cards to a better one, which was NOT limited now (it had been when I first configured my system) and now they're saying it MAY ship on the 9th or 10th.
On top of that Alienware had offered us a $150 rebate. Then, on the order confirmation they say its only $75. We bitch and complain, and they finally get us the $75 rebate, and a $75 coupon for Amazon, which, while we use it extensively and will have no problem with that....is STILL a very bad business practice.
Its at the point where if it doesn't ship via next day ground service at their expense, we just may well cancel the order and tell them we're getting a Dell instead.
And a tip for buying from Alienware: If you don't care about a flashy case, check out their small business computers. They're just about the same specs, and a LOT less expensive.
Ever since since IGN and Gamespy became evil (you know, before they were fledgling companies trying make it by actually providing good honest reviews and quality service for free) I've just learned to ignore what they say, and just use their product (gamespy) or look at pictures/movies (IGN). I advise everybody to do the same.
If this ever happens in the US to my little brother, I will be sure to educate him, and provide him with PLENTY of insightful questions and comments about the motives behind this "education" the TRUTH about copyright laws, and some wonderful facts about the industries pushing this.
I think it would be great if someone made a list of such things that we could xerox and pass out to all the students so they can be PROPERLY educated.
Lets say I want to help myself and my friends who, while being computer savvy, do not really know anything about open proxies and such.
How can we view the Olympics online aside from waiting for it to pop up on suprnova? I really would like to know because if enough people are pissed at this, I'd love to have a solution to give them.
Well,to take your idea seriously, i think it would be cool to be able to upload a picture of yourself and use tools and the stylus to realistically alter your features and make it look photorealistic. I think there would be a HUGE market for that these days.
Congrats on a job well done Slashdotters. True, Penguin is thrilled about all the free press they're getting from this, but the ultimate goal was not to deny them sales, but to help Kate Jones fend them off. While there's no mention of whether or not the lawyer is still heckling her, I think this is a good step in the right direction.
"As fun as it is to joke about it, I assume Penguin would sue her into oblivion if she were to sell the domain to a porn company, and would tear her to shreds and demonize her in the courtroom."
Slashdot Mirror
I've thought about how to fix this, and I think it does involve combining a FPS with a MMORPG. But not in the way Planetside does it. In planetside, you have a cone of fire, no headshots.
What people really want it seems is for their skill to matter. For example, imagine trade skills where you actually needed some twitch responses to craft your item, and the method in which you did it was dynamic to the point where everybody would develop their own style of crafting and their creations would reflect the creator.
You want to be a blacksmith? You better know where you need to hit that hammer, how hard you need to swing the hammer (how fast you move the mouse), how long to time the cooling/heating, etc.
I don't think current computing power is up to this task yet, but it is coming, wait for it.
Imagine if battles weren't simply run up, hit a button and wait, but rather move the mouse (or sword-shaped motion controlled input device) in the way you want and fight that way.
I think this type of game would have a HUGE appeal to people from both crowds, as it gives the ability to live a characters life which you get in MMORPGs, but the ability to improve your skill at the game which you get in FPSs.
Anyways, the game was similar to Subspace in that it was a 2D top down space shooter. You could get money by getting kills, thus allowing you to upgrade your ship and level.
Certain ranks were allowed in certain arenas, and that was that. It prevented the super high level people from ruining the experience of the lower level ones. Everything remained competitive relative to your level, and it was excellent.
I'm going to be a senior at an art college and for my senior project I'm considering starting an online tv network of sorts. The way I see it now, my main competition are sites like atomfilms.com, etc.
I'm curious what business models people think will work for this sort of thing. I was thinking of embedding short, TASTEFUL (think cartoon network style) ads, about 10 seconds or less into the episodes of shows, and maybe at the beginning of movies. I was also thinking maybe instead of that, offer the most current stuff for streaming for free, and offer a small subscription fee for access to the archive and the ability to pay for a DVD to be burned+shipped.
The test material for this will be stuff made by students at my school and anybody else I can work out a deal with, but I'm curious as to what people think works with this and what doesn't.
Also, I think one of the big issues of amateurs doing this is copyrights. For example, I currently need to find out whether or not I'll be held liable if someone's show that I distribute on my network uses copyrighted material they weren't granted usage of.
Think about it, get a gene that gives you a bigger member. Then only the rich will have huge wangs, and then we'll all be doubly (not) screwed.
No, but what I have a problem with is girls who make assumptions and generalizations. The fact that this got modded insightful is beyond me. Playboy has, and has always had, quality articles and interviews that are both interesting and informative.
Yeah, they have some great looking women as well, and you find it in the porno section, but honestly, I'd buy the magazine without the women as a Gentleman's Maxim that isn't as focused on products and crap as GQ or Esquire.
So it's going to be rusted out and propped up on Micro Machine wheels with chrome hubcaps?
Hell, I enjoy doing trade runs, and mining resources in RPGs more than I do PvPing.
Something like this is actually appealing to me.
Add to the fact that since they've already gotten a couple high profile schools on board, more are sure to follow. I see Napster as being profitable in the VERY near future, so perhaps this isn't as dumb a move as everybody thinks.
This is why when I look for reviews, I make sure I read as many low score reviews as possible to see both sides, and hopefully demo the game before I decide to buy. And by demo of course I mean download.
First, they say the graphics card I selected which guaranteed an August 6th ship date became limited availability which would delay my order. So since time is of the essence (I need it at home before I go to school to transfer a LOT of files) I switched cards to a better one, which was NOT limited now (it had been when I first configured my system) and now they're saying it MAY ship on the 9th or 10th.
On top of that Alienware had offered us a $150 rebate. Then, on the order confirmation they say its only $75. We bitch and complain, and they finally get us the $75 rebate, and a $75 coupon for Amazon, which, while we use it extensively and will have no problem with that....is STILL a very bad business practice.
Its at the point where if it doesn't ship via next day ground service at their expense, we just may well cancel the order and tell them we're getting a Dell instead.
And a tip for buying from Alienware: If you don't care about a flashy case, check out their small business computers. They're just about the same specs, and a LOT less expensive.
Actually, a fan powered sailboat with a solar cell would be kind of cool.
I think it would be great if someone made a list of such things that we could xerox and pass out to all the students so they can be PROPERLY educated.
How can we view the Olympics online aside from waiting for it to pop up on suprnova? I really would like to know because if enough people are pissed at this, I'd love to have a solution to give them.
And what exactly would they be suing her for?