Sunday 19 July 2015

My Sandbox MMO - Game Concept



Here is a sandbox MMO idea I have come up with about a year ago. The details have been stripped for IP protection and the headings were left to give you an idea of the many unique game features.

The main purpose and difference of this MMO idea is to create a living and growing world that a server-full of players can inhabit and interact with. The story is created by the players and the dynamic world, not theme-park MMO writers. I strongly believe that a sandbox MMO must be very dynamic and player-driven in order to truly be a sandbox. It should not have theme-park storytelling and quests that limits narrative content and sets a false purpose of playing the game; vertical character progression and levels that introduce the need to grind; game-economy restrictions that specify the minimum and maximum item prices; established and unchanging settlements that keep the world static; and a clear separation between PVE and PVP that creates unrealistic safe zones and undoes the purpose of a dynamic, player-driven MMO.

I am sharing this idea here to hopefully inspire some game/MMO developers. 
Enjoy!

Saturday 30 May 2015

Feature Test - Class Switching


Character classes have been a common convention in RPGs and MMOs since the beginning. However, there has been little deviation from the standard "one character can only have one class" formula. Major MMOs that have been released since 2010 like Wildstar, Elder Scrolls Online, Guild Wars 2, TERA, Star Wars The Old Republic, Rift, and Dragon Nest have all followed the standard formula. 
In this post, I would like to take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of having a class switching feature and provide some examples of its successful implementation.

Monday 18 May 2015

Realism in Games - Equipment Skins


Equipment skins, transmogrification, costume items - this game feature goes by many names. It is when an equip-able item, that has its own look when worn, changes its appearance while keeping the benefits of wearing the item. In other words, if you want to combine the protection of full plate armor and the fashion of a party dress you like, which would be impossible in real life, you can do so with this game feature. Here are some reasons for why I think this is a great feature to have in RPGs and especially MMOs even though it may be unrealistic.

Thursday 19 February 2015

ANFSCD - Monster Poem: Sea Serpent King


And now for something completely different: a monster poem I wrote for an assignment in high school. I know it has nothing to do with gaming, but I thought I would post it on the blog to share it since I think it is fairly good. Enjoy.