RedRebelCork
Ahrendee Mercenaries
Legacy Rising
37
   |
Posted - 2012.11.29 09:37:00 -
[1] - Quote
To answer this question we need to define an MMOFPS. We all know what constitutes an FPS, but what puts the MMO into an MMOFPS?
If it's player count then this 'MMOFPS' has less players per battle than many traditional FPS games. So that can't be it.
If it's interaction with another console/platform then this is the only 'MMO' ever. So that can't be it either.
If it's having a persistent universe in which every battle contributes to the game universe then we're getting closer to Dust514 being a true MMOFPS. We have that already, albeit in a strictly controlled manner.
By my reckoning Dust514 is indeed an MMOFPS, however it barely meets the minimum requirements to be considered such. Having thousands of players fighting simultaneous battles at the same time is nothing novel, all the AAA rated FPS games have that already. Having interaction with EVE is an industry milestone and I have massive respect for the future implications of this design choice. However from the perspective of Dust what difference does it make to the average player if the orbital strike someone called in was initiated by a player pressing a button or an algorithm in the game? In practical terms none. It's like playing chess via sending your moves to someone on another continent via telegrams. We don't see them, they don't see us. It's blind interaction. Imagine if we could take boarding vessels up through the atmosphere and through the viewports see an EVE battle in progress as we approach an enemy carrier to begin boarding action. Now THAT would be interaction! Some day perhaps but I'll be the first to admit that this kind of interaction is a long way off for any game.
So, back to what Dust has on those games: a persistent universe underlying it in EVE. The problem here though is we can't interact with our world in the way you'd expect in an MMO. If you've played EVE or WOW or any of the other MMOs you'll know what those games involve. You can fly around (or walk), you can mine minerals, you can craft items, you can travel between trade outposts and play set-piece PvE missions with rich content. You can roam the wilderness and stalk another player, take them down and loot their shiny gear. You can equally be ambushed on your own and suffer the same fate. We have none of this. We get scheduled battles via contracts or we quick queue for games that will not really matter worth a damn.
Is it an MMOFPS? Strictly speaking you have to say yes. Is it the MMOFPS that it could and SHOULD be? Not yet, not by a long shot. We're still in Beta, our purpose in this beta is to point out the shortcomings to the devs to help them make a great game. Just ask yourself this: Does it feel like you're playing an MMO? If the answer is no then let CCP know before it's too late. |