12 replies to this topic

[monjardin]

Personally, I don't play MMORPG's because I find them too time consuming and distracting from other activities in which I would prefer to participate. I'm not trying to slight MMORPG playing, it's just not my cup of tea. If I am mistaken in my thinking, and there are quick and fun playing MMORPGs, then let me know.

In that line of thinking, I am interested in hearing about projects that users of this forum are working on that are NOT MMORPGs! :yes: What is so much less appealing to the masses about making reasonably-sized, less ambitious mutliplayer games.

Also, I considered Tribes massive-multiplayer years ago (~30 players versus typical 4-8 max) and enjoyed it, but the definition seems to have changed. What is considered massive these days?

Anyone, anyone? Bueller, Bueller? :geek:

[TheNut]

You’re not the only one to dislike MMO games =) I find the lag very distracting and an unacceptable quality. However, I think the concept of them is great. One day I hope networks become fast enough to support an infinite scale without having to attach a multi-million dollar price tag to it.

As for simple games, I wrote 4 to date (accessible via my website: see sig). 2 of them are multiplayer. I would like to eventually rewrite Air Hockey and make that multiplayer (it would be kick ass =). I’ve come a long way since then, with a much improved engine and development style. Once I finish up my distribution server and installer, I plan on revising most of these games and will provide a suite of board games and puzzle games. The best thing about making these games too is that it takes no time at all to make them! I believe the longest I ever spent was less than a week for the chess game. Scrabble was 3 days and Air Hockey was only 2.

[Jynks]

I would ocnsider MMO as games that have 100+ --> 10,000+ of players all at once... I wouldn't consider say battlefield 2 a MMO game, even though it has 32 players at a time and a collective ranking system.

[geon]

I'm fantasizing about a nice oldschool 2D puzzle game with some smooth graphics and networking.

I have some code laying around, but havent touched it in a while.

[SpreeTree]

I can quite happily say that I have never played an MMO-type game in my life (though I was tempted by City of Heros/Villians), the reward from playing it just wouldn't justify the time it takes to do anything in them.

I think there are a few non-MMO games in development on the boards, though for some reason, its the MMO'ers that make the most noise.

If you want to have a look at my (very very) none MMO project, have a look at this thread.

Spree

[Jynks]

@geon - Wicked. Puzzle games rtule the earth!!! MMO anf FPS boar the crap outa me. I like what I call "quick fix" games... short, adictive to play, and mind testing. (either puzzle of turn based strat) No reflexe skills, no 200 page manual to learn 500+ button combinations to play it. Time for my family and work and hobbies and the game.

[monjardin]

I guess it's not really fair to blame MMOs for being time consuming. Lord knows I've wasted a ton of time on non-MMO games. It's just that with a game like the one SpreeTree is making, you can put it down and come back a month later and you haven't been left in the dust by everyone else. I prefer skill to matter more than how many hours you've spent chopping wood in the forrest and making arrows.

[Methulah]

I have spent a fair while playing various MMO games, and I can tell you that at the end of the the day, it seems worth it to me. However, if you let them override your life, then you have to stop and think about whether playing becomes more important than other things. For example, if you want to go home and play instead of going out with your friends, then it is a good idea to slow down your playing a bit.

I know that sometimes it is hard to play a bit because all your friends/guildies shoot ahead of you, but really, it doesn't matter, theer will always be people your level, most of the time in your guild aswell. I find the idea is to play as much as you feel confortable with, and to make surwe that you nasty little habit always comes second.

On a more interesting note, I am making an RTS which will have a strong multiplayer focus. It has a whole bunch of new features, and the method of unit creation and advancement works really well, and as far as I can tell, it is unique.

[monjardin]

Good points, and you've peeked my interest Methulah!

[Loregoreth]

Yea the only reason im into MMO is becuase all single player games seem(to me) to be to non interactive while in an mmo you can talk to to other ppl.

[zavie]

On the other hand, what's the use of speaking with characters?
In single player games, you meet characters to acheive your quest (have you tried Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis? I loved it!), while in MMO there are just characters doing their own stuff, and with who you might chat.

[Jotaf]

The main problem with MMO is that it's coupled with RPG. As it's been pointed out, you have to dedicate hours of your life to not be left behind in these games. What's wrong with making a MMO-SOMETHING-ELSE? Planetside is a nice example. IMO, the biggest flaw of MMOs is that they rely on levels and in-game bonuses; a game that relies mostly on the player's skill would be immensely more fun and not ditch the occasional player.

BTW, loved to hear about these projects, it's inspiring! I'm working on a Freelancer kind of game (3D space shooter) that attempts to recapture the gameplay of the good old 2D shooters like Tyrian and Raptor; and although it occured to me at first to make it MMO, I decided to focus on the single player aspect only -- fun gameplay and nothing else!

[Anjel]

You know... I definately agree that MMO's are very time consuming, and if you don't play, you do get left in the dust....I have been wanting to make an online game...and i have also played a lot of mmo's but at the same time i'd like to see a game that isnt all about hunting, and as someone said "chopping wood" I'd like to actually see a game with a story line and plot that would include things that make the game harder to achieve high levels and buffness just by hunting, isnt that the original idea of a "Role Playing Game"?? to roleplay? not just to hunt until no one can touch you?