J Lav
Lost-Legion
28
   |
Posted - 2013.02.03 17:31:00 -
[1] - Quote
I used to play another game, a lot. And there was something in that game that killed it. Made it no fun, and drove people away. Here's what it was: Level up = better gun, better armour.
The best games I've played work this way: Level up = different gun, different armour.
The trend in the requests I'm seeing is that "I invested time in skilling up, or playing, therefore I SHOULD have a better gun/armour."
I feel this kind of entitlement would result in a terrible game, with high level players destroying others just because of what they have, and without it being a difference in skill or teamwork. Time invested and even money should result in you having more options, and your real world skill will improve your ability to play.
The sad thing is, that this is exactly what I'm seeing in the market and format of the game. Skilling up and unlocking expensive weaponry makes it do more damage, take less resources from your dropsuit, and skilling armour grants armour levels for dropsuits that are higher than vehicles. The variation of weaponry I'm seeing is choices like bring a shotgun, or bring a forge gun, or an assault rifle, not decisions of which assault rifle to bring, or which shotgun to bring. There's an obvious scale of superior weaponry, rather than different weapons being distinguished by their nuances of play. For example, more costly Assault rifles like the Gek are obviously better than less expensive ones. Makes sense on the surface, but doesn't work for a game when the other player cannot use the Gek but instead have to use obviously inferior options.
As an idea, skilling and training should open doors to different kinds of weaponry, assault rifles with underslung launchers, or other attachments. Different sights for different ranges. This would make training make more sense since every assault rifle basically operates in the same way, but different equipment would genuinely need training, and would create even more customization. |
J Lav
Lost-Legion
28
|
Posted - 2013.02.03 18:47:00 -
[2] - Quote
I agree, I think that is what they're going for. I also think that playing smart is definitely rewarded. I'm happy that the teamwork aspect is so strong in the game. As it is, I'm seeing a lot of players go 30-0 regularly. I'm not convinced that it is due to out maneuvering or out thinking an opponent. It's not what I'm seeing in the games, and it isn't due to teaming up with corp groups either. Teamwork is happening and I like that it works. But when a lone player joins a game, spends the entire game running around on their own, and cannot be killed, it's certainly not a level playing field, nor is it going to inspire new players to keep on playing. At the moment, I'm seeing 1 in 10 pub games being remotely close. That's a good indicator that something is out of balance when games are overwhelmingly one-sided.
This is just what I'm seeing, it could be that this is exactly how the game is intended to work. If so, I am concerned that it won't be very friendly for casual play. Will this be a hardcore only game? Most MMO's have "player killers" or PvP at a certain level, or in designated zones, allowing casual players to play too. Perhaps that is what the promised PVE will do to the game? I don't know, I'm still wondering if I want to play this game, since sometimes it's fun, and most of the time (even when winning) it's just not fun to steamroll the other team because one of our guys can solo through 5 of the other players who are shooting back, before I even need to repair him. |