No need to convolute the genre with so many obscure sub genres. GW2 is a themepark mmo. If you have a hard time grasping that fact then you probably need to stop thinking themepark = bad and sandbox = good.
"Small minds talk about people, average minds talk about events, great minds talk about ideas."
I would paste you the title few more times if you want but let me break it down for you
Guild Wars 2 - The name of the game
Is not a themepark - Not in the traditional sense
or sandbox - The title clearly states at exactly this point that the game (e.g. Guild Wars 2) is not sandbox and is not considered one.
, so wat is it - The OP is asking what the players think it is since according to him it is NOT a themepark neither it is a sandbox
With that being said, your post is completely and utterly unnecessary
Actually, ladien's post closes the thread. GW2 is clearly a theme-park, there is no room for debate or discussion on this point and the rest of the posts in here are pretty much off topic chatter.
Just trying to live long enough to play a new, released MMORPG, playing New Worlds atm
Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. Pvbs 18:2, NIV
Don't just play games, inhabit virtual worlds™
"This is the most intelligent, well qualified and articulate response to a post I have ever seen on these forums. It's a shame most people here won't have the attention span to read past the second line." - Anon
I think it is still a thempark. Instead of having a quest hub with 5 questgivers with ! over their heads and 20 quests...you have 1 quest giver with a heart instead. Same concept, just less filler. It is still level based, so you are following the tracks, there are just multiple options at lower levels. Plus you down-level according to the heart area. Still a themepark, just themepark 2.0 or 2013, whichever you prefer.
I would paste you the title few more times if you want but let me break it down for you
Guild Wars 2 - The name of the game
Is not a themepark - Not in the traditional sense
or sandbox - The title clearly states at exactly this point that the game (e.g. Guild Wars 2) is not sandbox and is not considered one.
, so wat is it - The OP is asking what the players think it is since according to him it is NOT a themepark neither it is a sandbox
With that being said, your post is completely and utterly unnecessary
Actually, ladien's post closes the thread. GW2 is clearly a theme-park, there is no room for debate or discussion on this point and the rest of the posts in here are pretty much off topic chatter.
You're right, it's definitely a theme park. I think the idea though is to get beyond the stigma of all theme parks being railed, gated paths to endgame. That's why I think "free range theme park" is appropriate compared to the "gated theme park" design of a lot of other theme park MMOs.
Yes it's a theme park. No, it's not like "those guys".
I would paste you the title few more times if you want but let me break it down for you
Guild Wars 2 - The name of the game
Is not a themepark - Not in the traditional sense
or sandbox - The title clearly states at exactly this point that the game (e.g. Guild Wars 2) is not sandbox and is not considered one.
, so wat is it - The OP is asking what the players think it is since according to him it is NOT a themepark neither it is a sandbox
With that being said, your post is completely and utterly unnecessary
Actually, ladien's post closes the thread. GW2 is clearly a theme-park, there is no room for debate or discussion on this point and the rest of the posts in here are pretty much off topic chatter.
Agree.
Just because GW2 change a few features and make them work more fluid don't need to redefine the whole fabric of the universe >.<
now: GW2 (11 80s). Dark Souls 2. future: Mount&Blade 2 BannerLord. "Bro, do your even fractal?" Recommends: Guild Wars 2, Dark Souls, Mount&Blade: Warband, Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning.
Short answer - GW2 is still very much a themepark.
Long answer - Unless by themepark you mean linear gameplay, and by sandbox you mean slightly less linear gameplay.
GW2 is quite linear, and does hold your hand to some extent, with its areas having level requirements and the hearts being what most people do, while doing dynamic events as they move between hearts (which aren't really that dynamic, just timed events.)
Sandbox to me means freedom of how to progress your character and play the game. Just because GW2 doesn't have traditional quest hubs doesn't mean it's not a themepark (I consider heart quests a form of quest hub)
Yes, you can level through WvW or just not level and PvP, but most themepark games allow you PvP from the getgo or level through PvP, but we don't consider these anything other than themeparks (I'm looking at you WoW)
GW2 is about the loneliest MMO I have ever played. Just seems empty and dead, almost never any chat outside of the major city and then that is mostly trade spam.
Too many villages for any of them to be memorable.
Short answer - GW2 is still very much a themepark.
Long answer - Unless by themepark you mean linear gameplay, and by sandbox you mean slightly less linear gameplay.
GW2 is quite linear, and does hold your hand to some extent, with its areas having level requirements and the hearts being what most people do, while doing dynamic events as they move between hearts (which aren't really that dynamic, just timed events.)
Sandbox to me means freedom of how to progress your character and play the game. Just because GW2 doesn't have traditional quest hubs doesn't mean it's not a themepark (I consider heart quests a form of quest hub)
Yes, you can level through WvW or just not level and PvP, but most themepark games allow you PvP from the getgo or level through PvP, but we don't consider these anything other than themeparks (I'm looking at you WoW)
Just a quick FYI... hearts alone don't give nearly enough experience (by design) to level up through the zones. It's unfortunate they were added because people needed initially to have their hands held (thanks quest hub MMOs... ), but at least we won't be seeing new ones added to the game as we go along.
Short answer - GW2 is still very much a themepark.
Long answer - Unless by themepark you mean linear gameplay, and by sandbox you mean slightly less linear gameplay.
GW2 is quite linear, and does hold your hand to some extent, with its areas having level requirements and the hearts being what most people do, while doing dynamic events as they move between hearts (which aren't really that dynamic, just timed events.)
Sandbox to me means freedom of how to progress your character and play the game. Just because GW2 doesn't have traditional quest hubs doesn't mean it's not a themepark (I consider heart quests a form of quest hub)
Yes, you can level through WvW or just not level and PvP, but most themepark games allow you PvP from the getgo or level through PvP, but we don't consider these anything other than themeparks (I'm looking at you WoW)
Just a quick FYI... hearts alone don't give nearly enough experience (by design) to level up through the zones. It's unfortunate they were added because people needed initially to have their hands held (thanks quest hub MMOs... ), but at least we won't be seeing new ones added to the game as we go along.
I thought they were added to guide people between dynamic events? Otherwise people would be running around missing them all the time, the paths between hearts are usually were the dynamic events are.
Also, have ArenaNet actually stated they won't be adding more hearts? If so, thats great! The game would have been so much fun without hearts (and without PoI's/Vistas showing on the map) exploration would actually be more fun that way!
I think a more realistic point would be themeparks in general are evolving. Most new themeparks are offering more variety of things to do than before. Personally, I feel that if you add enough types of "rides" to a themepark it can become a sandbox. I'm not saying more of the same ride, mind you. I'm talking about new ways to approach the game when you log in.
Now if I were a GW2 dev, Id say I was playing the best sandbox ever. I get to create permanent storylines every couple weeks. I get to coordinate pvp with esport tournaments. I get to control the economy with the cash shop. I get create new items like kites and additions to cities. But all those things, unfortunately, are just constant reminders to players that they are little more than onlookers.
I think a more realistic point would be themeparks in general are evolving. Most new themeparks are offering more variety of things to do than before. Personally, I feel that if you add enough types of "rides" to a themepark it can become a sandbox. I'm not saying more of the same ride, mind you. I'm talking about new ways to approach the game when you log in.
Now if I were a GW2 dev, Id say I was playing the best sandbox ever. I get to create permanent storylines every couple weeks. I get to coordinate pvp with esport tournaments. I get to control the economy with the cash shop. I get create new items like kites and additions to cities. But all those things, unfortunately, are just constant reminders to players that they are little more than onlookers.
No, you aren't an onlooker.
You are a player.
People want to become directors and game creators when they mention sandboxes.
Different roles.
An analogy.
Some people want an empty book where they can write a few lines or pages and then someone else write a bit more and so on.
But many just want to read a book with a beginning and an ending.
Currently playing: GW2 Going cardboard starter kit: Ticket to ride, Pandemic, Carcassonne, Dominion, 7 Wonders
I think a more realistic point would be themeparks in general are evolving. Most new themeparks are offering more variety of things to do than before. Personally, I feel that if you add enough types of "rides" to a themepark it can become a sandbox. I'm not saying more of the same ride, mind you. I'm talking about new ways to approach the game when you log in.
Now if I were a GW2 dev, Id say I was playing the best sandbox ever. I get to create permanent storylines every couple weeks. I get to coordinate pvp with esport tournaments. I get to control the economy with the cash shop. I get create new items like kites and additions to cities. But all those things, unfortunately, are just constant reminders to players that they are little more than onlookers.
No, you aren't an onlooker.
You are a player.
People want to become directors and game creators when they mention sandboxes.
Different roles.
An analogy.
Some people want an empty book where they can write a few lines or pages and then someone else write a bit more and so on.
But many just want to read a book with a beginning and an ending.
GH - very apropo post - I totally agree with it.
The problem with players writing the book is you end up with stuff like, "Snakes on a Plane'.
Short answer - GW2 is still very much a themepark.
Long answer - Unless by themepark you mean linear gameplay, and by sandbox you mean slightly less linear gameplay.
GW2 is quite linear, and does hold your hand to some extent, with its areas having level requirements and the hearts being what most people do, while doing dynamic events as they move between hearts (which aren't really that dynamic, just timed events.)
Sandbox to me means freedom of how to progress your character and play the game. Just because GW2 doesn't have traditional quest hubs doesn't mean it's not a themepark (I consider heart quests a form of quest hub)
Yes, you can level through WvW or just not level and PvP, but most themepark games allow you PvP from the getgo or level through PvP, but we don't consider these anything other than themeparks (I'm looking at you WoW)
Just a quick FYI... hearts alone don't give nearly enough experience (by design) to level up through the zones. It's unfortunate they were added because people needed initially to have their hands held (thanks quest hub MMOs... ), but at least we won't be seeing new ones added to the game as we go along.
I thought they were added to guide people between dynamic events? Otherwise people would be running around missing them all the time, the paths between hearts are usually were the dynamic events are.
Also, have ArenaNet actually stated they won't be adding more hearts? If so, thats great! The game would have been so much fun without hearts (and without PoI's/Vistas showing on the map) exploration would actually be more fun that way!
They were added for both reasons. To help transition people off quest-hub MMOs (because players need more direction), and to help guide newer players towards areas where events are happening.
They have also said that they aren't adding more hearts, and they also aren't needed.
One of THE most common misconceptions about GW2 is that you need to follow the hearts to advance through the game. This is where a majority of the claims that 'GW2 just has the same old questing' comes from. Unless you are going for 100% map completion (or a legendary), there is absolutely no need to do hearts at all.
Early on, hearts do give decent EXP, so there is that incentive, however GW2 offers FAR more choices for lvling than any other MMO I can think of. You can do hearts, you can explore, you can gather, you can craft, you can do WvW, you can do your personal story, you can do dungeons, you can hunt for events. All of which give you substantial exp.
At no point are you forced to choose any one of those methods of lvling over the others. They are only optional. The only restrictions is via what you can handle at your lvl (you are welcome to go and try the higher lvl zones, but you will mostly get wrecked). However, even at the lower levels, you have multiple (5) zones to choose from, and this continues all the way to 80.
I think a more realistic point would be themeparks in general are evolving. Most new themeparks are offering more variety of things to do than before. Personally, I feel that if you add enough types of "rides" to a themepark it can become a sandbox. I'm not saying more of the same ride, mind you. I'm talking about new ways to approach the game when you log in.
Now if I were a GW2 dev, Id say I was playing the best sandbox ever. I get to create permanent storylines every couple weeks. I get to coordinate pvp with esport tournaments. I get to control the economy with the cash shop. I get create new items like kites and additions to cities. But all those things, unfortunately, are just constant reminders to players that they are little more than onlookers.
No, you aren't an onlooker.
You are a player.
People want to become directors and game creators when they mention sandboxes.
Different roles.
An analogy.
Some people want an empty book where they can write a few lines or pages and then someone else write a bit more and so on.
But many just want to read a book with a beginning and an ending.
GH - very apropo post - I totally agree with it.
The problem with players writing the book is you end up with stuff like, "Snakes on a Plane'.
Actually you end up w/ stuff that's much, much worse.
While I absolutely enjoy community-generated content, it definitely comes at a price (one which most people seem to have forgotten about, or never knew). Especially true in an MMO setting, you not only have to deal with 'snakes on a plane', but you have to deal w/ people that can't make interesting content, but try hard to anyway (and don't know they are bad at it). Even worse, you deal with people who inject their bad story onto yours. (Hey! who slipped 'snakes on a plane' into my 'shawshank redemption'?)
Originally posted by botrytis Originally posted by Gaia_HunterOriginally posted by FoomerangI think a more realistic point would be themeparks in general are evolving. Most new themeparks are offering more variety of things to do than before. Personally, I feel that if you add enough types of "rides" to a themepark it can become a sandbox. I'm not saying more of the same ride, mind you. I'm talking about new ways to approach the game when you log in. Now if I were a GW2 dev, Id say I was playing the best sandbox ever. I get to create permanent storylines every couple weeks. I get to coordinate pvp with esport tournaments. I get to control the economy with the cash shop. I get create new items like kites and additions to cities. But all those things, unfortunately, are just constant reminders to players that they are little more than onlookers.
No, you aren't an onlooker.You are a player.People want to become directors and game creators when they mention sandboxes.Different roles.An analogy.Some people want an empty book where they can write a few lines or pages and then someone else write a bit more and so on.But many just want to read a book with a beginning and an ending.GH - very apropo post - I totally agree with it.
The problem with players writing the book is you end up with stuff like, "Snakes on a Plane'.
Ok so in GW2 you guys just had an election, right? What was it, two npcs offering various perks and conveniences or something like that? You guys got to choose which one won and then reap those benefits. Pretty cool feature.
Now in SWG, players could choose to be a politician. They could run for mayor of player made cities. The citizens of those cities (other players) voted other player into office. Mayors could literally shape the city from the ground up. Placing monuments, setting tax rates, pushing the city into a more militaristic state or a crafting focused community. They could employ other players as officers who could enforce city bans. And Im just scratching the surface.
Originally posted by FoomerangI think a more realistic point would be themeparks in general are evolving. Most new themeparks are offering more variety of things to do than before. Personally, I feel that if you add enough types of "rides" to a themepark it can become a sandbox. I'm not saying more of the same ride, mind you. I'm talking about new ways to approach the game when you log in. Now if I were a GW2 dev, Id say I was playing the best sandbox ever. I get to create permanent storylines every couple weeks. I get to coordinate pvp with esport tournaments. I get to control the economy with the cash shop. I get create new items like kites and additions to cities. But all those things, unfortunately, are just constant reminders to players that they are little more than onlookers.
No, you aren't an onlooker.You are a player.People want to become directors and game creators when they mention sandboxes.Different roles.An analogy.Some people want an empty book where they can write a few lines or pages and then someone else write a bit more and so on.But many just want to read a book with a beginning and an ending.
GH - very apropo post - I totally agree with it.
The problem with players writing the book is you end up with stuff like, "Snakes on a Plane'.
Ok so in GW2 you guys just had an election, right? What was it, two npcs offering various perks and conveniences or something like that? You guys got to choose which one won and then reap those benefits. Pretty cool feature.
Now in SWG, players could choose to be a politician. They could run for mayor of player made cities. The citizens of those cities (other players) voted other player into office. Mayors could literally shape the city from the ground up. Placing monuments, setting tax rates, pushing the city into a more militaristic state or a crafting focused community. They could employ other players as officers who could enforce city bans. And Im just scratching the surface.
These are the differences Im talking about.
I understand that, but how many people actually reach that level?
How many hours do they have to sink in it?
How many thousand of players have no influence in the MMO world for each that actually has?
Sure it is cool, but for many people it makes no difference if it is a player deciding or a developer deciding.
Sandbox vs themepark seems more of hobby (person that plays ONE game that is his/her hobby) vs game (person that play SEVERAL games as its hobby).
Currently playing: GW2 Going cardboard starter kit: Ticket to ride, Pandemic, Carcassonne, Dominion, 7 Wonders
Well for me the only term I can think of to classify this kind of gameplay is freepark.
Themepark gameplay is to follow the quest hub from A to B till the end and raid till you are blue in the face while sandbox is more free play.
GW2 you are not forced to follow A to B to C in the manner you have to in a themepark game but yet you cant roam the world how you see fit.
GW2 falls in the middle of these to gameplays in my opinion, so is freepark a new genre being born in your opinion?
The game, at launch, was closer to the mid-point between the two extremes when it launched than most theme park MMOs have ever been. The problem now with the game is that the majority of new content produced this year has been very to extremely themepark, while ANet seems to have abandoned the evolution of the Dynamic Events across the game world almost entirely.
The current Queen's Jubilee content is the most extreme theme park content the game has seen to date and given how proud some of the devs seem to be over it, sadly I think we can expect a lot more of the same in the year ahead.
Would you like to come and try Orr or Southsun Cove if you think it is such a noob walk in the park? I don't think you could handle it as you would need you 10 skill bars or your plant and use mechanics or you would need a healer since you are used to the Trinity.
Originally posted by Gaia_Hunter Originally posted by FoomerangOriginally posted by botrytisOriginally posted by Gaia_HunterOriginally posted by FoomerangI think a more realistic point would be themeparks in general are evolving. Most new themeparks are offering more variety of things to do than before. Personally, I feel that if you add enough types of "rides" to a themepark it can become a sandbox. I'm not saying more of the same ride, mind you. I'm talking about new ways to approach the game when you log in. Now if I were a GW2 dev, Id say I was playing the best sandbox ever. I get to create permanent storylines every couple weeks. I get to coordinate pvp with esport tournaments. I get to control the economy with the cash shop. I get create new items like kites and additions to cities. But all those things, unfortunately, are just constant reminders to players that they are little more than onlookers.
No, you aren't an onlooker.You are a player.People want to become directors and game creators when they mention sandboxes.Different roles.An analogy.Some people want an empty book where they can write a few lines or pages and then someone else write a bit more and so on.But many just want to read a book with a beginning and an ending.GH - very apropo post - I totally agree with it.The problem with players writing the book is you end up with stuff like, "Snakes on a Plane'.Ok so in GW2 you guys just had an election, right? What was it, two npcs offering various perks and conveniences or something like that? You guys got to choose which one won and then reap those benefits. Pretty cool feature.Now in SWG, players could choose to be a politician. They could run for mayor of player made cities. The citizens of those cities (other players) voted other player into office. Mayors could literally shape the city from the ground up. Placing monuments, setting tax rates, pushing the city into a more militaristic state or a crafting focused community. They could employ other players as officers who could enforce city bans. And Im just scratching the surface.These are the differences Im talking about. I understand that, but how many people actually reach that level?
How many hours do they have to sink in it?
How many thousand of players have no influence in the MMO world for each that actually has?
Sure it is cool, but for many people it makes no difference if it is a player deciding or a developer deciding.
Sandbox vs themepark seems more of hobby (person that plays ONE game that is his/her hobby) vs game (person that play SEVERAL games as its hobby).
Im not disagreeing with you on your points. Im just saying the points I raised are what constitutes a more sandboxy game. Whether people want to or not, or have the time or whatever doesnt make it less true. For each of your questions you raised, you could go either way. How many hours? Sometimes a lot, sometimes less. How many thousands of players have no influence vs how many thousands who do. Sure to people it makes no diference, but it also does to many people. I play several games and enjoy sandbox elements over themepark.
Originally posted by jesteralways It is not sandbox, it is not themepark, how about "noobfeeder" then? a new genre that helps noobs walk in the park?
Would you like to come and try Orr or Southsun Cove if you think it is such a noob walk in the park? I don't think you could handle it as you would need you 10 skill bars or your plant and use mechanics or you would need a healer since you are used to the Trinity.
Like we don't have self healing dps class in trinity based mmorpg that can do all.
Boobs are LIFE, Boobs are LOVE, Boobs are JUSTICE, Boobs are mankind's HOPES and DREAMS. People who complain about boobs have lost their humanity.
Originally posted by InFlamestwo I think GW2 is a themeboxpark. Park isn't always obvious but in some areas of the game there's park and some areas in the game there's box.
Comments
"Small minds talk about people, average minds talk about events, great minds talk about ideas."
Actually, ladien's post closes the thread. GW2 is clearly a theme-park, there is no room for debate or discussion on this point and the rest of the posts in here are pretty much off topic chatter.
"True friends stab you in the front." | Oscar Wilde
"I need to finish" - Christian Wolff: The Accountant
Just trying to live long enough to play a new, released MMORPG, playing New Worlds atm
Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. Pvbs 18:2, NIV
Don't just play games, inhabit virtual worlds™
"This is the most intelligent, well qualified and articulate response to a post I have ever seen on these forums. It's a shame most people here won't have the attention span to read past the second line." - Anon
You're right, it's definitely a theme park. I think the idea though is to get beyond the stigma of all theme parks being railed, gated paths to endgame. That's why I think "free range theme park" is appropriate compared to the "gated theme park" design of a lot of other theme park MMOs.
Yes it's a theme park. No, it's not like "those guys".
Oderint, dum metuant.
Agree.
Just because GW2 change a few features and make them work more fluid don't need to redefine the whole fabric of the universe >.<
now: GW2 (11 80s).
Dark Souls 2.
future: Mount&Blade 2 BannerLord.
"Bro, do your even fractal?"
Recommends: Guild Wars 2, Dark Souls, Mount&Blade: Warband, Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning.
Short answer - GW2 is still very much a themepark.
Long answer - Unless by themepark you mean linear gameplay, and by sandbox you mean slightly less linear gameplay.
GW2 is quite linear, and does hold your hand to some extent, with its areas having level requirements and the hearts being what most people do, while doing dynamic events as they move between hearts (which aren't really that dynamic, just timed events.)
Sandbox to me means freedom of how to progress your character and play the game. Just because GW2 doesn't have traditional quest hubs doesn't mean it's not a themepark (I consider heart quests a form of quest hub)
Yes, you can level through WvW or just not level and PvP, but most themepark games allow you PvP from the getgo or level through PvP, but we don't consider these anything other than themeparks (I'm looking at you WoW)
Pretty sure you are on some low populated server.
Just a quick FYI... hearts alone don't give nearly enough experience (by design) to level up through the zones. It's unfortunate they were added because people needed initially to have their hands held (thanks quest hub MMOs...
), but at least we won't be seeing new ones added to the game as we go along.
Oderint, dum metuant.
I thought they were added to guide people between dynamic events? Otherwise people would be running around missing them all the time, the paths between hearts are usually were the dynamic events are.
Also, have ArenaNet actually stated they won't be adding more hearts? If so, thats great! The game would have been so much fun without hearts (and without PoI's/Vistas showing on the map) exploration would actually be more fun that way!
I think a more realistic point would be themeparks in general are evolving. Most new themeparks are offering more variety of things to do than before. Personally, I feel that if you add enough types of "rides" to a themepark it can become a sandbox. I'm not saying more of the same ride, mind you. I'm talking about new ways to approach the game when you log in.
Now if I were a GW2 dev, Id say I was playing the best sandbox ever. I get to create permanent storylines every couple weeks. I get to coordinate pvp with esport tournaments. I get to control the economy with the cash shop. I get create new items like kites and additions to cities. But all those things, unfortunately, are just constant reminders to players that they are little more than onlookers.
No, you aren't an onlooker.
You are a player.
People want to become directors and game creators when they mention sandboxes.
Different roles.
An analogy.
Some people want an empty book where they can write a few lines or pages and then someone else write a bit more and so on.
But many just want to read a book with a beginning and an ending.
Currently playing: GW2
Going cardboard starter kit: Ticket to ride, Pandemic, Carcassonne, Dominion, 7 Wonders
GH - very apropo post - I totally agree with it.
The problem with players writing the book is you end up with stuff like, "Snakes on a Plane'.
They were added for both reasons. To help transition people off quest-hub MMOs (because players need more direction), and to help guide newer players towards areas where events are happening.
They have also said that they aren't adding more hearts, and they also aren't needed.
One of THE most common misconceptions about GW2 is that you need to follow the hearts to advance through the game. This is where a majority of the claims that 'GW2 just has the same old questing' comes from. Unless you are going for 100% map completion (or a legendary), there is absolutely no need to do hearts at all.
Early on, hearts do give decent EXP, so there is that incentive, however GW2 offers FAR more choices for lvling than any other MMO I can think of. You can do hearts, you can explore, you can gather, you can craft, you can do WvW, you can do your personal story, you can do dungeons, you can hunt for events. All of which give you substantial exp.
At no point are you forced to choose any one of those methods of lvling over the others. They are only optional. The only restrictions is via what you can handle at your lvl (you are welcome to go and try the higher lvl zones, but you will mostly get wrecked). However, even at the lower levels, you have multiple (5) zones to choose from, and this continues all the way to 80.
Actually you end up w/ stuff that's much, much worse.
While I absolutely enjoy community-generated content, it definitely comes at a price (one which most people seem to have forgotten about, or never knew). Especially true in an MMO setting, you not only have to deal with 'snakes on a plane', but you have to deal w/ people that can't make interesting content, but try hard to anyway (and don't know they are bad at it). Even worse, you deal with people who inject their bad story onto yours. (Hey! who slipped 'snakes on a plane' into my 'shawshank redemption'?)
GH - very apropo post - I totally agree with it.
The problem with players writing the book is you end up with stuff like, "Snakes on a Plane'.
Ok so in GW2 you guys just had an election, right? What was it, two npcs offering various perks and conveniences or something like that? You guys got to choose which one won and then reap those benefits. Pretty cool feature.
Now in SWG, players could choose to be a politician. They could run for mayor of player made cities. The citizens of those cities (other players) voted other player into office. Mayors could literally shape the city from the ground up. Placing monuments, setting tax rates, pushing the city into a more militaristic state or a crafting focused community. They could employ other players as officers who could enforce city bans. And Im just scratching the surface.
These are the differences Im talking about.
I understand that, but how many people actually reach that level?
How many hours do they have to sink in it?
How many thousand of players have no influence in the MMO world for each that actually has?
Sure it is cool, but for many people it makes no difference if it is a player deciding or a developer deciding.
Sandbox vs themepark seems more of hobby (person that plays ONE game that is his/her hobby) vs game (person that play SEVERAL games as its hobby).
Currently playing: GW2
Going cardboard starter kit: Ticket to ride, Pandemic, Carcassonne, Dominion, 7 Wonders
The game, at launch, was closer to the mid-point between the two extremes when it launched than most theme park MMOs have ever been. The problem now with the game is that the majority of new content produced this year has been very to extremely themepark, while ANet seems to have abandoned the evolution of the Dynamic Events across the game world almost entirely.
The current Queen's Jubilee content is the most extreme theme park content the game has seen to date and given how proud some of the devs seem to be over it, sadly I think we can expect a lot more of the same in the year ahead.
Want to know more about GW2 and why there is so much buzz? Start here: Guild Wars 2 Mass Info for the Uninitiated
Would you like to come and try Orr or Southsun Cove if you think it is such a noob walk in the park? I don't think you could handle it as you would need you 10 skill bars or your plant and use mechanics or you would need a healer since you are used to the Trinity.
GH - very apropo post - I totally agree with it. The problem with players writing the book is you end up with stuff like, "Snakes on a Plane'.
Ok so in GW2 you guys just had an election, right? What was it, two npcs offering various perks and conveniences or something like that? You guys got to choose which one won and then reap those benefits. Pretty cool feature. Now in SWG, players could choose to be a politician. They could run for mayor of player made cities. The citizens of those cities (other players) voted other player into office. Mayors could literally shape the city from the ground up. Placing monuments, setting tax rates, pushing the city into a more militaristic state or a crafting focused community. They could employ other players as officers who could enforce city bans. And Im just scratching the surface. These are the differences Im talking about.
I understand that, but how many people actually reach that level?
How many hours do they have to sink in it?
How many thousand of players have no influence in the MMO world for each that actually has?
Sure it is cool, but for many people it makes no difference if it is a player deciding or a developer deciding.
Sandbox vs themepark seems more of hobby (person that plays ONE game that is his/her hobby) vs game (person that play SEVERAL games as its hobby).
Im not disagreeing with you on your points. Im just saying the points I raised are what constitutes a more sandboxy game. Whether people want to or not, or have the time or whatever doesnt make it less true. For each of your questions you raised, you could go either way. How many hours? Sometimes a lot, sometimes less. How many thousands of players have no influence vs how many thousands who do. Sure to people it makes no diference, but it also does to many people. I play several games and enjoy sandbox elements over themepark.
Same for me.
Like we don't have self healing dps class in trinity based mmorpg that can do all.
Boobs are LIFE, Boobs are LOVE, Boobs are JUSTICE, Boobs are mankind's HOPES and DREAMS. People who complain about boobs have lost their humanity.
Premium MMORPGs do not feature built-in cheating via cash for gold pay 2 win. PLAY to win or don't play.
How about a themesandpark?
Steam: Neph