Jake Bloodworth
Molon Labe.
General Tso's Alliance
414
   |
Posted - 2014.02.11 21:47:00 -
[1] - Quote
The Dust forums have become filled with an alarming amount of calls for CCP to implement artificial systems and limitations into the game. While things like matchmaking, tiered matches, tankless matches, and more seem attractive in the short term, they are a distraction and/or a deterrent in regards to the long term health of the game.
I believe Dust and Eve should possess their own unique personality. Dust is not Eve, and should not be developed without some creative license of its own. However, if Dust copies nothing else from Eve, it should copy the player driven nature of Eve online. Eve makes headlines in the main stream media. Eve generates a ludicrous amount of free press with these headlines. Why?
Eve is an aging game with many broken systems. Giant, news making, battles boil down to assist mechanics and pressing F1. The UI is a mess of right and left clicks that reveal hidden, undocumented menus. The standard overview is capable of providing vitally important information on targets, but new players must scour forums and wikis to even know this. Eve is cantankerous mistress that always appears more attractive then it truly is. But, Eve tells stories. Everyone loves stories.
The mechanics and systems of Eve are nothing more than the pages and margins that stories are composed within. The players and their stories are really the only thing attractive about Eve. This is what drives the headlines... The subscriptions... The battles. CCP simply built a compelling playground.
Dust needs to be a compelling playground. Players that cry for regimented, inorganic systems are simply doing so out of ignorance or selfishness. Matchmaking sounds attractive, but really it's a limitation, a crutch, a damp blanket over the fires of player creativity. Matchmaking can't tell stories. Nor does it provide a compelling framework for stories to be created. Have you ever managed to win a match against a proto squad with just blueberries? Do you remember the excitement? The sense of accomplishment? How silly that a lobby shooter should illicit such a response. Yet... It did.
Matchmaking will make those stories go away. Players will play their balanced games in ignorance and fear of the unknown... Of the compelling. Dust will stop telling stories, and instead rely on its mechanics and content to maintain a player base. How soon before the death knell is sounded then?
The player who requests that artificial systems be introduced to Dust are trying to rebuild the game in their image. That would be a shame. Dust is like a classic car sitting in a field. Yes, it's rusty, ugly, and has no wheels. Some of us can see past that. A little polish, a little paint, four wheels, suddenly I have a machine that can take me places... That I can create stories with. |
Jake Bloodworth
Molon Labe.
General Tso's Alliance
415
|
Posted - 2014.02.11 22:19:00 -
[2] - Quote
True Adamance wrote:Certain artificial systems are required though for this game to flourish.
FW faction and faction standings restrictions are a must, to put and end to the farming nature of FW, and bring it more in line with what it is EVE side.
If you're talking about having to commit to a single faction while other faction standings tank, I agree. I don't see that as artificial though, because it is informed by lore and common sense. You standing with Amarr should plummet if your fighting for their former slaves. That is a story telling framework driven by player choice. You have to choose your side of a war.
My issue is artificial frameworks that limit the world of Dust. Matchmaking makes no sense in a merc world. Arbitrary limits on gear usage make no sense. Matchmaking can be achieved organically with greater risk and reward gameplay that encourages vets to play against vets. New players can be protected from vets by providing limited risk PvE gameplay.
Matchmaking will simply fragment a small community and rob new players of the chance to play with "legends". I crapped my pants the first time I went against chicagocubs as a baby heavy. I also learned a lot. |