Topic: MMORPG - What to you think of the genre?

Hi all,

As well as being a reviewer on the site and a Nintendo junkie, I'm a writer and e-publisher. As a writer I'm starting work on a new novel, and MMORPG's (Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games) are going to be part of the main character's plotline. This genre's is going to be a big part of the character's life and the plot as a whole, so I was hoping to do a bit of market research with NL users.

I'm really looking for views and opinions of the genre, and for those into these games to perhaps share why they play these games, what is most appealing, what the problems are, and any funny experiences they've had. I've listed some key questions below:

• If you play an MMORPG, which one do you play?
• Why this one over all others?
• What do you love about the genre?
• What do you hate about the genre?
• What are the funniest or strangest things you've seen in these games?
• How well do you get on, or how much do you interact, with other players?

I would love to hear some opinions and stories from the NL community.

Thanks all!

Interesting idea.

Currently writing two stories myself and I know how hard it can be sometimes to create you character.

Good luck with it dude.

• If you play an MMORPG, which one do you play?
  I actively play WoW. I have experience with Everquest, Star Wars Galaxies, DDO, LOTRO, and Runescape (Oh lol)
• Why this one over all others?
  I've stuck with WoW because of the creative freedom they have, the storytelling is top notch, and they create some of the best lore I've ever read. Now while Blizzard is known for rewriting their lore, or doing something completely against it for the sake of expanding playability, generally everything is set in stone, and there's alot of stone.
• What do you love about the genre?
  I like being able to show others my accomplishment because I'm a pretty egotistical guy (with some narcississm), and in MMORPG, you're constantly comparing your gear to others, wearing the tier you've made it to. It's competitive, but co-operative as well. Really, the best of both worlds. I've also made quite afew friends in MMORPGs, I can't say the same for playing other genres online. Also considering everyone either plays, did play, or knows someone that does, it's a common topic to come up that can break the ice for the better, or worse (Death to the Alliance!).
• What do you hate about the genre?
  The idiots. With masses,come idiots, it's to be expected, there's no way to get around it, it's always a pain to deal with them and can ruin the entire experience. Whether it's the fact they can't play their class properly and isn't willing to change, or someone that doesn't shut up, or someone who is generally useless, but won't leave anyway.
  Also, this is mostly in WoW, but disregarding the lore of the game just to add more playability to some players. It basically spits on the hard work of the writers, and shows all the captivating stories mean nothing to understanding the game better. Many times I've wanted to grab WoW by the balls, and knock them straight up it's pooper for doing this. They forget there are lore fanatics like myself that love the supporting story that is the very foundation of their product, so it pains us when you shake the foundation because the entire story (And the games meaning) crumbles.
• What are the funniest or strangest things you've seen in these games?
  I don't even know. It's generally the social aspect of the genre that create the funny and strange things in the game, and in order to understand the humour of most scenerios, you either have to have been there, or understand that games mechanics to truly find it funny.
• How well do you get on, or how much do you interact, with other players?
  I'm on everyday, just about. Either on my play account, which I have just recently became the owner of the largest guild on the server, so organizing 820+ members eats a lot more of my time then usual. Organizing raids, Arenas, Rated BGs, guild runs, the guild bank, the members, the site, the Ventrilo, a whole bunch of crap.
  My other account is for goldfarming, since it's easy to do, and nets me free money under the table. I keep my accounts separate in case my goldfarming account gets banned.

@BedCommando - Brilliant, thanks for the comments. These are just the kind of things I'm looking for. It's particularly interesting that, like every other online gaming experience, idiots can be troublesome. I like aspects such as guilds as well, where players like yourself actually run and organise a large group, that's the kind of social element that makes me interested in writing about it.

The alternative account for goldfarming is also interesting, as bending the rules is part of what my characters will do. I'll keep posting up additional comments and questions. Because I can't send private messages I can't liaise with keen MMORPG gamers privately for more in depth chats. I can only ask that we keep the chat going in this thread.

If you play an MMORPG, which one do you play?
I used to play Guild Wars. The only reason I don't is because my computer is a Mac and have yet to get windows for it. But have been playing since 2008.

Why this one over all others?
I generally get bored of MMOs quickly. This is a high quality game that does rival WoW. I don't feel like paying $15/month knowing how I play my MMOs. Guild Wars is just a different MMO and it's the right one for me. Arenanet was right- it's a game for those who love mmos and for those who hate mmos. The action is more fast paced and it doesn't do things that I find annoying in other MMOs.

What do you love about the genre?
I'm not even sure. Maybe the persistent world. Interacting with players. There really isn't nothing I love about it.
What do you hate about the genre?
Mostly the repetition. And some people who love ruining everything for their fun. And most of the time, just how boring it gets for me and the fact you have to pay $15/monthly. I understand that, but I wish more games had something like "Pay XXX $ amount for XXX amount of time." Very few do that, which is a shame.

What are the funniest or strangest things you've seen in these games?
Arguments. I was on a vent-focused Guild and the drama over the game was pretty funny. But really stupid. Go on youtube, and you'll see plenty.
How well do you get on, or how much do you interact, with other players
That's the thing. I BARELY interact with players. In Guild Wars, when I'm out and about, I'm mostly solo with henchmen. I like having my own little world when you're out in the 'wild'. With Guild Wars 2 coming, it'll be interesting how they work things around. I'm really stoked for that game.

• If you play an MMORPG, which one do you play?
  Global Agenda and Spiral Knights.
• Why this one over all others?
  I chose Global Agenda because it seemed to be a class-based MMO shooter, which is much different than many other MMOs that I know of. And I play Spiral Knights because it's free and has a very retro-game feel to it.
• What do you love about the genre?
  I'm actually VERY new to MMOs (Global Agenda is my first MMO), but I love how most communities in MMOs are willing to help out other players.
• What do you hate about the genre?
  I hate how it takes so long to make ANY progress in most MMOs. Sprial Knights is a different story though, which fixes most of that problem.
• What are the funniest or strangest things you've seen in these games?
  Well, in Spiral Knights, I've seen players execute these special animations for various reasons (falling asleep in town when the player is away, dancing around when you're happy, etc.) and in Global Agenda, I've seen some strange things occur when there is some lag (like players with half of their bodies showing through a wall.)
• How well do you get on, or how much do you interact, with other players?
  In Spiral Knights, I interact with other players very often, especially when playing with friends online (which is the best way to have fun on the game). In Global Agenda, I interact with other players when going on Player VS Enemy missions. Otherwise, I stick around the desert by myself and complete smaller missions to level up my character.

@irken

I'd get into Spiral Knights when I get a better mouse. Because the one I have is malunctioning and I love the controls in that game.

@Interesting topic here ThomasBW84. Other than Console games the only PC games I play are MMOs. Just a little backgroud here before I answer your questions. I have been playing MMOs for 6 years now which compared to some isn't that long. In that time I have played Dungeon and Dragons Online, Lord of the RIngs Online, City of Heroes, Tabula Rasa, Warhammer Online, Everquest 2, Star Wars Galaxies and World of Warcraft. The longest being Dungeon and Dragons Online, Lord of the Rings Online and World of Warcraft. Anyway heres my answers.

• Right now I play World of Warcraft and have been for the past 2 years.
• The reason I play this one over the others is cause it is the most developed MMO I have played. The Lore of the lands is completely new and orignal its not taken from something else like Lord of Rings Online, Starwars Galaxies or DC Universe Online. Also it helps that I am in a great guild with friendly mature players.
• The thing I love about this genre is the social aspect. I love the fact that you meet other players like you and that each person in your party is a living breathing person not a computer controlled character like other games. You can coordinate a strategy against a boss with other people you can ask someone to craft you something if you need it made. Or you can sit around a tavern and just talk with people. Also another thing I like about this genre is that the game is always evolving and content is added so there's something that I can always do that's new and fresh. There are so many console games out there that I have played and I would say were good but I dont know I just dont get that same feeling when I play it over again since I know whats going to happen.
• This is going to sound weird but again the thing I hate the most can be the social aspects of the game. Some people just like in real life can be rude as heck. They are immature people who think of nothing but themselves. The leave a dungeon group once THEY get they weapon THEY wanted they have no interest in helping others just helping themselves. Also I hate with a passion the Goldfarmers. Personally I wish that they would do something about them put them out of business or something. To me they are just two bit con artists who just want to ruin the game for honest players like me. If you cant play the game they way its meant to be played than dont play it. Goldfarmers to me are equivalent to someone throwing a baseball game or something along those lines.
• I cant really describe any fun or strange things I have seen mainly cause you have to be there to understand it. Usually those things happen when you are in a guild group running a dungeon or something and someone says or does something totally off the wall. If you want an example look up the famous Leroy Jekins video.
• I get on almost every day for a few hours and since I am in one of the biggest guilds on my server I interact alot with people. Sometimes its just chit chat like hows your day going or about movies we just say or whatnot other times its about in game stuff like how to tackle a dungeon or talking about crafting something for someone. The social aspect for me a a big thing.

I hope that helps you out anymore question feel free to ask.

Why do you hate goldfarmers so much? Or better yet, why do you view them as con artist, or like they're throwing a game? I put more time into the game than most people considering all the work I have to do with my guild. In general, I work harder and more than others, and for that, I actually get paid.

Because they screw up the in game market by overpricing stuff on the Auction house. They are rude beyond all. They dont help people at all what they do is they steal peoples accounts and sell off everything that person has worked for. Do you know how much trouble I had to go through cause one of my guild members had their account hacked by a goldfarmer. The barsteward cleaned out a bunch of stuff from the guild bank not to mention about 10 of that persons characters. I compare them to throwing game because its cheating. They are con artists and thats that. I can go into more but I was asked not to by a mod besides this is not the place to discuss it.

Tasuki, i really think you have gold farming confused with something else as pertains to the account thievery and guild infiltration. the economy part of it could go either way, but gold farming doesn't involve breaking into accounts and selling everything off — not that i've ever known it to be, anyway.

Well whatever the case I have my reasons and you guys have your thoughts. As I said I can go into it but I dont believe this is the place to do it no offense TBD or BedCommando. I dont have anything further to say so if we can lets just drop this I dont want it to turned into a flaming thread.

• If you play an MMORPG, which one do you play?
  Two I have played more are LOTRO and Runescape(why do people hate this game?)
• Why this one over all others?
  I like Runscape better because it's creative and fun. There really are no cheap quests they are all really fun to complete and many have puzzle elements added to them. The minigames are one of the best parts of the game just because they're creative and fun. Skills are also better. you have a lot of them and advancing each skill is different and usually fun.(standing in one place and chopping trees gets boring)
• What do you love about the genre?
  Every MMO(well most of them) is addicting and keep me coming back also playing with thousands of players is great plus MMO's have much better co-op than most games.
• What do you hate about the genre? Paying monthly fact is I usually get bored of MMO's after a while and I start playing less so for me its kind of love-like-bored, love-like bored and starts all over agian
• What are the funniest or strangest things you've seen in these games?
  noobs
• How well do you get on, or how much do you interact, with other players?
  depends on the game. In LOTRO you NEED to interact which is one reason I quit(people really hated me!) On Runescape it depends if I wanna play something cooperative or not. When I played a lot more I had a bunch of friends but after a while they all quit. Of course with a new clan system I bet that would change.

(gosh my grammar sucks)

Actually, I think that Thomas may find your discussion quite interesting and possibly relevant to his story. I also think he should share some of his experience

I have a love/hate relationship with them. I love them because I like character/level progression. I hate them because they're usually slow and boring. So I will usually pick one up; play it for a few days; uninstall a week later when I realize it's wasting space. I've never payed for one (thank little baby jesus for that!), but I have wanted Guild Wars for a while and am particularly drawn to Guild Wars 2. It doesn't have a monthly fee.

It's interesting in terms of how people chat in their guilds about every day stuff like movies, TV etc. It does sound like Goldfarming and hacking/stealing accounts are really different things. Certainly goldfarming is a touchy area, though I think it's important to address what general goldfarmers do, ie accumulate gold to sell, rather than the actions of a minority of hackers. I think there is a distinction. Ravage is right, I'd be interested in a discussion on it, but only as long as it's a sharing of fair opinions, and that no-one is directly linking goldfarming with outright hacking.

Is the chat in these things generally text or speech? Does it matter? Seeing as socialising and interacting is a big part, I guess this is important! My own experience is non-existent, in fact this thread is my first tentative step into market research. The character in the novel will be a gamer initally, but will get into MMORPGs later on, so I'm trying to get an understanding of the genre from those who are familiar with it before I find one of these games (probably a free one!) to try myself. Any advice on the best options are also welcome.

The comments so far have been a big help. Any info on the communication query above would be great. I'm also interested in a reasonable debate about goldfarming, but as I said above only if everyone is respectful of each other and doesn't accuse goldfarmers of hacking activities that they're not involved in.

Thanks to everyone so far!

I will admit goldfarming is a gray area. Genreal from my experience these goldfarmers tell you to go to a website to get their "services" you go their input your game info as well as payment info and supposedly they send you the gold and or items. The thing is though they use the info you give them to get into your account and steal all your items and such they even go as far to use your character as a "farmer". That is how they are able to offer their clients thousands of in game currency. I mean how else are they going to keep themselves stocked up for all their clients. Sometimes they dont even need your info sometimes their sites are full of viruses and malware stuff to get your passwords and info through keylogging and just visiting their sites dooms you already. And I know this cause this happend to a few people I know both in game and real life.

As far as the chat thing goes in game I do both. If I am in a guild group for like a raid or a dungeon we use a VoiP program called Mumble that way we can communicate through talking rather than typing cause its faster. I mean you can say Look out of that Dragon quicker than typing it and when you are in a raid you cant necessary stop what you are doing like attacking or healing to type. Now if I am off doing my own thing like building levels with my character or crafting something than I just converse in guild chat using text. Sometimes what my guild will do is we will have a room set up in Mumble and people will just gather in there doing whatever it is that they are doing in game and we will just shoot the breeze that way.

If you are looking into an MMO for research but dont want to spend the money might I suggest Lord of the Rings Online. That one right there is probably IMO the best free MMO out there, although keep in mind there are different types of MMOs out there, so you might want to figure out what type of MMO your character in you story is going to play.

Heres a list of some good MMOs of different genres for you do to do research on and they are all free.

Fantasy: Lord of the Rings Online
FPS (First Person Shooter): Global Agenda
Super Hero: Champions Online
Historical: Pirates of the Burning Seas

YOu also have a bunch of F2P (Free to play) MMOs that come out of Asia I dont really know of any of those since I stay clear of F2P MMOs.

Also there are games out there like Warhammer Online and Age of Conan that have a limitless trial offer where you can play as long as you want but you can only go to a certain level I think its level 10 without paying for anything. Those are good too if you want to do some research without paying cause even once you get to level 10 theres still stuff you can do without going past level 10.

I hope this all helps for your research.

i don't have a problem with discussion of it either, so long as no one is attacking any user here for they choices they make. that's what i was warning you about before, Tasuki — popping off and blaming one person for everything bad that's ever happened neither solves whatever problems you and/or your friend(s) have suffered, nor does it serve any purpose here at NL other than to start a fight, which we don't need. :3

Well I think MMORPGs are a fantastic ways to get players together and complete complex or difficult challenges. Like WoW raiding, hard modes and such are fun and it feels so good when you and your guild down a boss.
Time consuming but you almost never run out of things you can potentially do. Addicting.

I chose World of Warcraft over the other games, because the story is vast and incredible and the art style is beautiful. Plus you don't need a mega PC to run it. You could say it's becoming dated but not necessarily the case. It's an old game but Blizzard does their best, and often succeeds to keep things fresh content wise, as well as welcome graphical updates.

In WoW I do communicate with people often and really try to make alot of new friends. That's what the MMO experience is all about, especially if you're a Roleplayer. Participating with other users to take down challenges and just to enjoy the game together. It's socially acceptable and almost always best to cooperate with others than to be a lone wolf, I know by experience.

WoW used to be my main game, but i'm giving it a break do due console/handheld games and well...non-gaming activities as well

Guild Wars 2 yo. I'm guessing it's coming next year

You are absolutely right TBD. Which is way I am being careful on what I say. So if I refuse to comment dont take it personally I said what I had to say about Goldfarming and I am leaving it at that.