Grutger Buckner
Kill For Sport
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Posted - 2014.01.02 18:55:00 -
[1] - Quote
Bottom line up front: As of now, casual players have little future in Dust 514.
To put some things about Dust in perspective I'm putting forward this hypothetical: Try to picture how successful EVE would have been if the only option for players was nullsec ops. If that had been the case, today EVE would be only be played by cliques of people with too much time, money, and (probably) more than a few personality disorders (ie: God complexes and many other exciting anti-social tendencies). Today it would be a wasteland of dysfunction and have been relegated to the long list of dying MMOs which were almost good ideas.
This is the path that Dust is on. Casual players are getting shouldered out of the way to make room for elitist corps and their minions. EVE's saving grace is the capacity for casual players (care bears) to enjoy the game and the economy at their own pace without being subject to the criticism and demands of the high-tempo, performance based value systems of the nullsec corps. Those who want to play Mad Max: Space Edition can dwell in nullsec, those who want to explore a vast gaming universe as their schedule permits can play in highsec. But in Dust there is no such option. You must either jump into a mosh pit with hyperactive players/corps, or... well, I guess that's about it.
EVE's high sec, low sec, and null sec have a symbiotic relationship that keeps the game fresh and flexible and deserves most of the credit for its continued success. In the realm of MMORPGs, a long run time like EVE's is unprecedented, and Dust seems to be abandoning that model.
My recommendation is to expand the available systems for planetary conquest so smaller corps can get a piece of the war, add PvE assault/defense missions to keep the casuals engaged in the game (ie: 'rat/sleeper attacks, whatever else), and merge the markets already (laissez faire never fails).
I'm a huge fan of the Dust 514 concept. I've spent money on Aurum and BPOs to support the project. But until you all start building on the foundation that casual players can provide, Dust 514 will continue to be a backfiring jalopy instead of the monster truck it can be.
Keep the faith, it can be done! |