Damn...I have been roaming this site since 2004. Played every MMO there is... Looking for something ... never finding it.
Finally I gave up on subscriptions , and than on MMOs all together
But lately I got again started looking for it.
So I sit down and made a list of what I am looking for in MMO.
Sandbox , crafting , complexity ... etc
And than it downed on me. What I was looking all these years for. One single thing:
MMO where you can be unique as a character !
Not just another lvl 80 warrior with set of raid gear , with cool looking cosmetics and skills you can change on the fly to adapt to any party.
No, I want to be that guy that is only guy on server that can craft item X , or a guy to go when you need material Y ,
Or a guy that is specialist for tanking , or crazy guy that only grows cabbage all day, or only guy that uses this special weapons or skills, or only one that can talk to this faction , whatever .... something that sets you apart
What ever it is. I guess that the game has to be sandbox and skill based , have pretty wide range of activities and not be on the rails(themepark) - otherwise everyone is the same.
So what do you say people , can you suggest MMO that is even remotely close to this ?
Seeking uniqueness from a genre that specializes in mass production...
The question is, was there ever, ever a point in this genre's timeline where what you seek truly existed for anyone?
(Even your own descriptions of "unique" are hedged; "one of a handful" etc. So are most of the responses.)
Your question itself is at least as old as the genre is; we need to feel Special!
So you seek out a genre with so many players that Special is nearly impossible...
Catch-22.
Self-pity imprisons us in the walls of our own self-absorption. The whole world shrinks down to the size of our problem, and the more we dwell on it, the smaller we are and the larger the problem seems to grow.
Seeking uniqueness from a genre that specializes in mass production...
The question is, was there ever, ever a point in this genre's timeline where what you seek truly existed for anyone?
(Even your own descriptions of "unique" are hedged; "one of a handful" etc. So are most of the responses.)
Project Entropia, There, Kaneva, UO, EVE, Sociolotron and ATITD are some examples. However, each of those relies or relied heavily on the part of MMO gameplay that is ignored here because it doesn't have a hard number to chase associated with it - the social content.
There isn't a "right" or "wrong" way to play, if you want to use a screwdriver to put nails into wood, have at it, simply don't complain when the guy next to you with the hammer is doing it much better and easier. - Allein "Graphics are often supplied by Engines that (some) MMORPG's are built in" - Spuffyre
I would have to agree with this posting. Too often we get pigeon holed into a "Class" In fact I took this off the new page about an up coming game
Neowiz has released five new game play videos from its upcoming MMO, Bless. The Guardian, Assassin, Mage, Berserker and Ranger.
Again with the classes. But what I think that devs should be looking is a skill based system. Something far more open to make what you want. What happened to my choice to make an Ranger that can heal ... or a mage that can wear better than cloth armor. or what if I do not want to raid but I want to supply my guild with the tools to do that?
Or is is simply too easy to work with a cookie cutter?
Seeking uniqueness from a genre that specializes in mass production...
The question is, was there ever, ever a point in this genre's timeline where what you seek truly existed for anyone?
(Even your own descriptions of "unique" are hedged; "one of a handful" etc. So are most of the responses.)
Project Entropia, There, Kaneva, UO, EVE, Sociolotron and ATITD are some examples.
In what way?
"These games used to be different"....how were they different?
(I worked for a game that produced Unique on demand (often resold). I am skeptical about it, and it was not an MMO.) It was a fine lesson about Uniqueness, in fact, as the company often advertised uniquely scripted toys, then turned around and resold "oh, we made just five more of them" the most popular.
Definitely a price tag value associated with filling (or providing the illusion of filling) this need.
But definitely something for the more "niche" smaller player bases. "Massive" is the enemy.
Starbucks was (once) Unique. The original McD's is not too far from me.
Self-pity imprisons us in the walls of our own self-absorption. The whole world shrinks down to the size of our problem, and the more we dwell on it, the smaller we are and the larger the problem seems to grow.
1 overlord and only 1 player slay him , he don't spawn again > congratulate , you are hero that slay 1st overlord. Get his tittle and his unique skill
You can become overlord class if you want , slay people to raise your infamous level to unlock more skill and power until you get slayed by other player and get your tittle take away.
> Unique craft ? > skill needed.
music dancing game system with arrow keys " < / V > " and space bar combine
Bad , normal , good , perfect .
Manage to clean 1h hammer your space bar (not metal bar) with 100% perfect hit ?
congratulate you crafted a unique weapon
>Unique stats build ?
Just give player free to build they stats .
Mage with armor fine , but he can't use high level skill because lack of intelligent
High intelligent warrior ? congratulate , you can learn magic
But i don't think this kind of game will sell well in current casual age , well , not only current age , because it a mess haha .
If im unique but game or comunity is garbage NO THX then hehe
Heh, come to think of it, I bring a special uniqueness and joy to any MMO community I happen to inhabit, but alas few other seem to recognize or appreciate their great fortune at interacting with me.
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
Seeking uniqueness from a genre that specializes in mass production...
The question is, was there ever, ever a point in this genre's timeline where what you seek truly existed for anyone?
(Even your own descriptions of "unique" are hedged; "one of a handful" etc. So are most of the responses.)
Project Entropia, There, Kaneva, UO, EVE, Sociolotron and ATITD are some examples.
In what way?
"These games used to be different"....how were they different?
(I worked for a game that produced Unique on demand (often resold). I am skeptical about it, and it was not an MMO.) It was a fine lesson about Uniqueness, in fact, as the company often advertised uniquely scripted toys, then turned around and resold "oh, we made just five more of them" the most popular.
Definitely a price tag value associated with filling (or providing the illusion of filling) this need.
But definitely something for the more "niche" smaller player bases. "Massive" is the enemy.
Where did I say it was only in the past?
As for Massive being the enemy, I don't think it is. It just shifts uniqueness more toward the social and creative gameplay, which in itself is both a filter of sorts and a far shift from the progression and advancement of most MMOs.
There isn't a "right" or "wrong" way to play, if you want to use a screwdriver to put nails into wood, have at it, simply don't complain when the guy next to you with the hammer is doing it much better and easier. - Allein "Graphics are often supplied by Engines that (some) MMORPG's are built in" - Spuffyre
Seeking uniqueness from a genre that specializes in mass production...
The question is, was there ever, ever a point in this genre's timeline where what you seek truly existed for anyone?
(Even your own descriptions of "unique" are hedged; "one of a handful" etc. So are most of the responses.)
Project Entropia, There, Kaneva, UO, EVE, Sociolotron and ATITD are some examples.
In what way?
"These games used to be different"....how were they different?
(I worked for a game that produced Unique on demand (often resold). I am skeptical about it, and it was not an MMO.) It was a fine lesson about Uniqueness, in fact, as the company often advertised uniquely scripted toys, then turned around and resold "oh, we made just five more of them" the most popular.
Definitely a price tag value associated with filling (or providing the illusion of filling) this need.
But definitely something for the more "niche" smaller player bases. "Massive" is the enemy.
Where did I say it was only in the past?
As for Massive being the enemy, I don't think it is. It just shifts uniqueness more toward the social and creative gameplay, which in itself is both a filter of sorts and a far shift from the progression and advancement of most MMOs.
Uh huh. I think you ducked the question.
The social aspect is the players making themselves unique, neh? Performing bards have a little experience with art, social => unique. I believe the op was looking for the magic "I am different!" button to press, a mechanic.
Were "I am socially outstanding, therefore different" enough of an answer for him, that answer could be used even in the most cookie-cutter generic four-class six-models MMO system around, yes?
Self-pity imprisons us in the walls of our own self-absorption. The whole world shrinks down to the size of our problem, and the more we dwell on it, the smaller we are and the larger the problem seems to grow.
If its the ability to have a unique stat or colored stick, then I agree, that's not really going to happen in any way other than what xxixixivixivxiiiiiii described, and those systems have proven to just create animosity among the playerbase, if not direct claims of favoritism aimed at the devs in some cases, so I doubt we'll see more of that in newer MMOs.
There isn't a "right" or "wrong" way to play, if you want to use a screwdriver to put nails into wood, have at it, simply don't complain when the guy next to you with the hammer is doing it much better and easier. - Allein "Graphics are often supplied by Engines that (some) MMORPG's are built in" - Spuffyre
Originally posted by Loktofeit if not direct claims of favoritism aimed at the devs in some cases...
Company with cojones can stand up to (and police) those just fine.
Remember, you're providing a premium, unique-to-your-title service here...and that's worth some very real $US$ coin.
Self-pity imprisons us in the walls of our own self-absorption. The whole world shrinks down to the size of our problem, and the more we dwell on it, the smaller we are and the larger the problem seems to grow.
I quite like Anarchy Online for allowing high level of customisation. Though in the end there is the builds that are superior. Though it do allow quite large diversity and there might exist some paths that really aren't fully exploited yet. Not that they were superior. I think there is need for more games with such diverse mechanics and gear choise...
Damn...I have been roaming this site since 2004. Played every MMO there is... Looking for something ... never finding it.
Finally I gave up on subscriptions , and than on MMOs all together
But lately I got again started looking for it.
So I sit down and made a list of what I am looking for in MMO.
Sandbox , crafting , complexity ... etc
And than it downed on me. What I was looking all these years for. One single thing:
MMO where you can be unique as a character !
Not just another lvl 80 warrior with set of raid gear , with cool looking cosmetics and skills you can change on the fly to adapt to any party.
No, I want to be that guy that is only guy on server that can craft item X , or a guy to go when you need material Y ,
Or a guy that is specialist for tanking , or crazy guy that only grows cabbage all day, or only guy that uses this special weapons or skills, or only one that can talk to this faction , whatever .... something that sets you apart
What ever it is. I guess that the game has to be sandbox and skill based , have pretty wide range of activities and not be on the rails(themepark) - otherwise everyone is the same.
So what do you say people , can you suggest MMO that is even remotely close to this ?
Well, what you're describing is essentially 2 different types of 'uniqueness'. I know it's taboo, and judging from your post you've already tried this, but in all ways but crafting, GW2 is the one game where I've found everyone is truly unique.
Cosmetically, build, skills, weapons, etc. To this day when i go out and fight bosses I don't think I've ever come across 2 people that look the same. I know that's less true at lower lvls, but with 80 you have so much customization that the only way to not be unique is if you don't care / aren't trying. There's just too many options.
I have 80s for every class, and I still haven't found any duplicates of any of my characters. Thanks to transmute stones you can mix/match how you want, and then dye them for additional looks.
- That said, you also mentioned crafting. And that's where your expectations get a bit unrealistic (sorry to say). And heres why:
The only games in which you will literally be the only player on the server who can craft X or Y, are going to be games that limit you to 1 crafting profession, and have almost no one playing the game. It's just simple math. Any game that has significant crafting (and there are a few), has many people who can craft a given thing, provided they have a healthy population.
It would also be a very bad thing for a game if only one person could craft an item. What if he was always afk, stopped playing, or just picked it up as a troll so that others couldn't craft it? It would be a nightmare. So, you will never find such a feature in a game nowadays.
That isn't to say you can't craft, but it typically isn't the primary definition of your character. The closest (newer) game that has this would be FFXIV, but everyone kinda looks the same. However, you can still identify yourself as a crafter, if that makes sense. Another one would be Eve, but again, many people can craft the same things. It's not a form of uniqueness, but it can be a form of identity.
GW2 also has a similar issue. You can be that guy that crafts a lot of useful things (especially if you're a chef, jewelcrafter, or weaponsmith), but you will hardly be the only one. However, for things like chef, most people haven't discovered all the recipes, so if you are one of the few, then you will be in the select few on that one.
- Lengthy response, I know, but hopefully it all makes sense.
And than it downed on me. What I was looking all these years for. One single thing:
MMO where you can be unique as a character !
Not just another lvl 80 warrior with set of raid gear , with cool looking cosmetics and skills you can change on the fly to adapt to any party.
No, I want to be that guy that is only guy on server that can craft item X , or a guy to go when you need material Y ,
Or a guy that is specialist for tanking , or crazy guy that only grows cabbage all day, or only guy that uses this special weapons or skills, or only one that can talk to this faction , whatever .... something that sets you apart
What ever it is. I guess that the game has to be sandbox and skill based , have pretty wide range of activities and not be on the rails(themepark) - otherwise everyone is the same.
So what do you say people , can you suggest MMO that is even remotely close to this ?
Istaria - can do everything on your list. Not skill based - but can multiclass - can make unique character in terms of skill and being able to craft whatever, or if in the game long enough rare recipes (they occasionally take some out but if you have it you can still use it).
Just because you don't like it doesn't mean it is bad.
HUGE amounts of customization of skills, and there are alot of them.
I remember seeing a nanomage (typical magical/sci-fi race) having the profession of an enforcer (typical tank class) once.
with the implants, nano buffs, gear that buff stats and the possibility to distribute the skillpoints wherever you like, I don't know any other game that allows for so much character customization when it comes to skills.
I don't know, does it have to be an MMO? most of what everyone describes here you can pretty much do in Skyrim. You can be a heavy armor mage, or a light armor beserker or maybe a legendary enchanter. If you add modding to the equation then you can be truly unique. Make a unique weapon, armor, character race etc. then mod it into the game and you'll be the only who has that. If it's recognition from others that you crave then just make a video or take screenshot of it and post it online. You'll be the only one who ever played Skyrim to have that weapon, armor, shout etc. That's pretty unique in my book.
Or take even a step further and be an exclusive modder that makes unique items for others. You'll have people swarming you with requests, which is pretty much what you want. hey you might even land a job with Bethesda
I have yet to meet an MMO where that isn't possible.
There are always playstyle choices. Stripping off all armor and running nude through town square is a playstyle choice.
Problem seems to come from defining it negatively; "This game does not have the right playstyle choice, like the one [GameX] offered back in 19XX."
Do you really want to play GameX again, or have you already played it?
Self-pity imprisons us in the walls of our own self-absorption. The whole world shrinks down to the size of our problem, and the more we dwell on it, the smaller we are and the larger the problem seems to grow.
Again. I am not talking about unique looking character (as for example GW2)
What I mean is being unique by playstyle choice.
For example In Parallel Kingdom (mobile MMO) , my character is only having oil wells and crystal mines. Everything I do Is aimed at that. And you can be sure when you buy oil or crystal at AH some of it will be mine.
This is just one of 1000 ways your player can progress trough the game.
Same in EVE online, with skill books example. Or Wushu translator example.
Games that let you choose your way , no mater how silly it is.
So you're not unique then. Other people are doing the same thing as you.
EVE is your best bet. Everyone is unique. Your history is always with you, whatever you do - it is only yours. And crafting system (economic too) - as complex as one can be.
I have yet to meet an MMO where that isn't possible.
There are always playstyle choices. Stripping off all armor and running nude through town square is a playstyle choice.
The difference is in whether it is a supported playstyle or if you are actively working against the design of the game to enjoy your playstyle. For example:
You *can* be a dedicated crafter in any MMO, however not many MMOs really support that.
You *can* pretend you're a tavern owner in most MMOs, but only a few actually give you the tools to build, maintain or run a tavern.
There isn't a "right" or "wrong" way to play, if you want to use a screwdriver to put nails into wood, have at it, simply don't complain when the guy next to you with the hammer is doing it much better and easier. - Allein "Graphics are often supplied by Engines that (some) MMORPG's are built in" - Spuffyre
Any game that's moving away from class-based design to a more open skill-based system is going to improve options for individuality, but min-maxing still has a deleterious effect on perceived play options. I think a key part of encouraging individuality is not giving players too much numerical feedback. Don't tell them exactly how much damage they're doing, how many hit points they have, etc. These encourage a min-max mindset that makes creative individuality choices just seem "sub-op." A game like DAoC actually had quite a lot of customization options with all the different classes and usually at least a few spec lines within each, but "op-ness" definitely cut down viable options quite a bit.
Also, definitely check out the Innovations system planned for Trials of Ascension, I think it's a really interesting idea, whether or not you like the game overall. They also have 40 independent skills planned, with different techniques within each (or most, at least).
To have a truly unique experience and a Truly Unique Character there will have to be a few requirements in an MMO
My personal requirement
1) Instant travel is rare and getting from one region to another would take a long time
2) No healing spells or weapons that doesn't break
3) Healing requires Herbs/potions , weapons needs to be repaired (durability/sharpness) consumables
4) Potions , repair stones can be crafted easily ( upper tier requires more items )
5) Camping required to log off ( Shelter needs to be found )
6) No Safe zones after the Castle with Guards
7) Travel equipments have different speeds and parts for customization
8) Gear have parts for customization ( Short range, long range, damage, accuracy , size , requirements ( Higher level more room )
9) Mobs migrate and mate, creating more different mobs as time goes by ( if no one is at a zone, they over populate and decimate the area )
10) One Server
11) PVP is tournaments , no more meaningless fights ( each character gets to select skills for their tournament roles , so regardless if you are healer or tank, you get in there with roles to play) You get famous for doing good at the role you play
12) Developers that won't mind that not everyone is created equal and is okay that some players is better than others and will become more famous than other players.
13) AI vendors only offer basic materials and weapons but their stores are open for rent ( Players can rent for a certain amount of time, if time runs out, the store becomes available for others to rent ) You become store owner
14) Players can buy materials to build their own stores in the wilderness ( monsters can attack at various times )
15) Mail system takes up to an hour depending on which zone your character is vs where its coming from.
16) Characters can only die a certain amount of Time ( example: 5 lives per play , every 6 hours a new life is given up to 5 total )
these are just some of the requirements that I think would satisfy any player that is seeking a truly unique experience and won't be horrible for the Casual players.
Life is a Maze, so make sure you bring your GPS incase you get lost in it.
@OP, have you taken a look at Trials of Ascension? It's not out yet, it's trying to get it's funding on Kickstarter atm, but it seems to fit the bill that you laid out. If nothing else, the guide might ease your sweet tooth some to read:
Comments
Seeking uniqueness from a genre that specializes in mass production...
The question is, was there ever, ever a point in this genre's timeline where what you seek truly existed for anyone?
(Even your own descriptions of "unique" are hedged; "one of a handful" etc. So are most of the responses.)
Your question itself is at least as old as the genre is; we need to feel Special!
So you seek out a genre with so many players that Special is nearly impossible...
Catch-22.
Self-pity imprisons us in the walls of our own self-absorption. The whole world shrinks down to the size of our problem, and the more we dwell on it, the smaller we are and the larger the problem seems to grow.
Project Entropia, There, Kaneva, UO, EVE, Sociolotron and ATITD are some examples. However, each of those relies or relied heavily on the part of MMO gameplay that is ignored here because it doesn't have a hard number to chase associated with it - the social content.
There isn't a "right" or "wrong" way to play, if you want to use a screwdriver to put nails into wood, have at it, simply don't complain when the guy next to you with the hammer is doing it much better and easier. - Allein
"Graphics are often supplied by Engines that (some) MMORPG's are built in" - Spuffyre
I would have to agree with this posting. Too often we get pigeon holed into a "Class" In fact I took this off the new page about an up coming game
Neowiz has released five new game play videos from its upcoming MMO, Bless. The Guardian, Assassin, Mage, Berserker and Ranger.
Again with the classes. But what I think that devs should be looking is a skill based system. Something far more open to make what you want. What happened to my choice to make an Ranger that can heal ... or a mage that can wear better than cloth armor. or what if I do not want to raid but I want to supply my guild with the tools to do that?
Or is is simply too easy to work with a cookie cutter?
In what way?
"These games used to be different"....how were they different?
(I worked for a game that produced Unique on demand (often resold). I am skeptical about it, and it was not an MMO.) It was a fine lesson about Uniqueness, in fact, as the company often advertised uniquely scripted toys, then turned around and resold "oh, we made just five more of them" the most popular.
Definitely a price tag value associated with filling (or providing the illusion of filling) this need.
But definitely something for the more "niche" smaller player bases. "Massive" is the enemy.
Starbucks was (once) Unique. The original McD's is not too far from me.
Self-pity imprisons us in the walls of our own self-absorption. The whole world shrinks down to the size of our problem, and the more we dwell on it, the smaller we are and the larger the problem seems to grow.
Unique character , you mean ?
> Unique story > one time event
1 overlord and only 1 player slay him , he don't spawn again > congratulate , you are hero that slay 1st overlord. Get his tittle and his unique skill
You can become overlord class if you want , slay people to raise your infamous level to unlock more skill and power until you get slayed by other player and get your tittle take away.
> Unique craft ? > skill needed.music dancing game system with arrow keys " < / V > " and space bar combine
Bad , normal , good , perfect .
Manage to clean 1h hammer your space bar (not metal bar) with 100% perfect hit ?
congratulate you crafted a unique weapon
>Unique stats build ?
Just give player free to build they stats .
Mage with armor fine , but he can't use high level skill because lack of intelligent
High intelligent warrior ? congratulate , you can learn magic
But i don't think this kind of game will sell well in current casual age , well , not only current age , because it a mess haha .
Game need to be fun and relaxing.
If im unique but game or comunity is garbage NO THX then hehe
Hope to build full AMD system RYZEN/VEGA/AM4!!!
MB:Asus V De Luxe z77
CPU:Intell Icore7 3770k
GPU: AMD Fury X(waiting for BIG VEGA 10 or 11 HBM2?(bit unclear now))
MEMORY:Corsair PLAT.DDR3 1866MHZ 16GB
PSU:Corsair AX1200i
OS:Windows 10 64bit
Heh, come to think of it, I bring a special uniqueness and joy to any MMO community I happen to inhabit, but alas few other seem to recognize or appreciate their great fortune at interacting with me.
"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
Where did I say it was only in the past?
As for Massive being the enemy, I don't think it is. It just shifts uniqueness more toward the social and creative gameplay, which in itself is both a filter of sorts and a far shift from the progression and advancement of most MMOs.
There isn't a "right" or "wrong" way to play, if you want to use a screwdriver to put nails into wood, have at it, simply don't complain when the guy next to you with the hammer is doing it much better and easier. - Allein
"Graphics are often supplied by Engines that (some) MMORPG's are built in" - Spuffyre
Uh huh. I think you ducked the question.
The social aspect is the players making themselves unique, neh? Performing bards have a little experience with art, social => unique. I believe the op was looking for the magic "I am different!" button to press, a mechanic.
Were "I am socially outstanding, therefore different" enough of an answer for him, that answer could be used even in the most cookie-cutter generic four-class six-models MMO system around, yes?
Self-pity imprisons us in the walls of our own self-absorption. The whole world shrinks down to the size of our problem, and the more we dwell on it, the smaller we are and the larger the problem seems to grow.
There isn't a "right" or "wrong" way to play, if you want to use a screwdriver to put nails into wood, have at it, simply don't complain when the guy next to you with the hammer is doing it much better and easier. - Allein
"Graphics are often supplied by Engines that (some) MMORPG's are built in" - Spuffyre
Company with cojones can stand up to (and police) those just fine.
Remember, you're providing a premium, unique-to-your-title service here...and that's worth some very real $US$ coin.
Self-pity imprisons us in the walls of our own self-absorption. The whole world shrinks down to the size of our problem, and the more we dwell on it, the smaller we are and the larger the problem seems to grow.
I quite like Anarchy Online for allowing high level of customisation. Though in the end there is the builds that are superior. Though it do allow quite large diversity and there might exist some paths that really aren't fully exploited yet. Not that they were superior. I think there is need for more games with such diverse mechanics and gear choise...
Well, what you're describing is essentially 2 different types of 'uniqueness'. I know it's taboo, and judging from your post you've already tried this, but in all ways but crafting, GW2 is the one game where I've found everyone is truly unique.
Cosmetically, build, skills, weapons, etc. To this day when i go out and fight bosses I don't think I've ever come across 2 people that look the same. I know that's less true at lower lvls, but with 80 you have so much customization that the only way to not be unique is if you don't care / aren't trying. There's just too many options.
I have 80s for every class, and I still haven't found any duplicates of any of my characters. Thanks to transmute stones you can mix/match how you want, and then dye them for additional looks.
- That said, you also mentioned crafting. And that's where your expectations get a bit unrealistic (sorry to say). And heres why:
The only games in which you will literally be the only player on the server who can craft X or Y, are going to be games that limit you to 1 crafting profession, and have almost no one playing the game. It's just simple math. Any game that has significant crafting (and there are a few), has many people who can craft a given thing, provided they have a healthy population.
It would also be a very bad thing for a game if only one person could craft an item. What if he was always afk, stopped playing, or just picked it up as a troll so that others couldn't craft it? It would be a nightmare. So, you will never find such a feature in a game nowadays.
That isn't to say you can't craft, but it typically isn't the primary definition of your character. The closest (newer) game that has this would be FFXIV, but everyone kinda looks the same. However, you can still identify yourself as a crafter, if that makes sense. Another one would be Eve, but again, many people can craft the same things. It's not a form of uniqueness, but it can be a form of identity.
GW2 also has a similar issue. You can be that guy that crafts a lot of useful things (especially if you're a chef, jewelcrafter, or weaponsmith), but you will hardly be the only one. However, for things like chef, most people haven't discovered all the recipes, so if you are one of the few, then you will be in the select few on that one.
- Lengthy response, I know, but hopefully it all makes sense.
Istaria - can do everything on your list. Not skill based - but can multiclass - can make unique character in terms of skill and being able to craft whatever, or if in the game long enough rare recipes (they occasionally take some out but if you have it you can still use it).
Again. I am not talking about unique looking character (as for example GW2)
By nature the game should not limit you in progression choices.Anarchy Online,
HUGE amounts of customization of skills, and there are alot of them.
I remember seeing a nanomage (typical magical/sci-fi race) having the profession of an enforcer (typical tank class) once.
with the implants, nano buffs, gear that buff stats and the possibility to distribute the skillpoints wherever you like, I don't know any other game that allows for so much character customization when it comes to skills.
Or take even a step further and be an exclusive modder that makes unique items for others. You'll have people swarming you with requests, which is pretty much what you want. hey you might even land a job with Bethesda
I have yet to meet an MMO where that isn't possible.
There are always playstyle choices. Stripping off all armor and running nude through town square is a playstyle choice.
Problem seems to come from defining it negatively; "This game does not have the right playstyle choice, like the one [GameX] offered back in 19XX."
Do you really want to play GameX again, or have you already played it?
Self-pity imprisons us in the walls of our own self-absorption. The whole world shrinks down to the size of our problem, and the more we dwell on it, the smaller we are and the larger the problem seems to grow.
So you're not unique then. Other people are doing the same thing as you.
The difference is in whether it is a supported playstyle or if you are actively working against the design of the game to enjoy your playstyle. For example:
There isn't a "right" or "wrong" way to play, if you want to use a screwdriver to put nails into wood, have at it, simply don't complain when the guy next to you with the hammer is doing it much better and easier. - Allein
"Graphics are often supplied by Engines that (some) MMORPG's are built in" - Spuffyre
Any game that's moving away from class-based design to a more open skill-based system is going to improve options for individuality, but min-maxing still has a deleterious effect on perceived play options. I think a key part of encouraging individuality is not giving players too much numerical feedback. Don't tell them exactly how much damage they're doing, how many hit points they have, etc. These encourage a min-max mindset that makes creative individuality choices just seem "sub-op." A game like DAoC actually had quite a lot of customization options with all the different classes and usually at least a few spec lines within each, but "op-ness" definitely cut down viable options quite a bit.
Also, definitely check out the Innovations system planned for Trials of Ascension, I think it's a really interesting idea, whether or not you like the game overall. They also have 40 independent skills planned, with different techniques within each (or most, at least).
To have a truly unique experience and a Truly Unique Character there will have to be a few requirements in an MMO
My personal requirement
1) Instant travel is rare and getting from one region to another would take a long time
2) No healing spells or weapons that doesn't break
3) Healing requires Herbs/potions , weapons needs to be repaired (durability/sharpness) consumables
4) Potions , repair stones can be crafted easily ( upper tier requires more items )
5) Camping required to log off ( Shelter needs to be found )
6) No Safe zones after the Castle with Guards
7) Travel equipments have different speeds and parts for customization
8) Gear have parts for customization ( Short range, long range, damage, accuracy , size , requirements ( Higher level more room )
9) Mobs migrate and mate, creating more different mobs as time goes by ( if no one is at a zone, they over populate and decimate the area )
10) One Server
11) PVP is tournaments , no more meaningless fights ( each character gets to select skills for their tournament roles , so regardless if you are healer or tank, you get in there with roles to play) You get famous for doing good at the role you play
12) Developers that won't mind that not everyone is created equal and is okay that some players is better than others and will become more famous than other players.
13) AI vendors only offer basic materials and weapons but their stores are open for rent ( Players can rent for a certain amount of time, if time runs out, the store becomes available for others to rent ) You become store owner
14) Players can buy materials to build their own stores in the wilderness ( monsters can attack at various times )
15) Mail system takes up to an hour depending on which zone your character is vs where its coming from.
16) Characters can only die a certain amount of Time ( example: 5 lives per play , every 6 hours a new life is given up to 5 total )
these are just some of the requirements that I think would satisfy any player that is seeking a truly unique experience and won't be horrible for the Casual players.
Life is a Maze, so make sure you bring your GPS incase you get lost in it.
@OP, have you taken a look at Trials of Ascension? It's not out yet, it's trying to get it's funding on Kickstarter atm, but it seems to fit the bill that you laid out. If nothing else, the guide might ease your sweet tooth some to read:
http://trialsofascension.com/guide/
If my undead panda's don't get you...