Topic: MMORPG’s

I will try to keep this posting for today rather short.

I have come to a few general observations when it comes to the subject of Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games.

First of all, usually the first MMO that you play and get into will be your favorite.  When I say get into, I mean make a considerable about of progress into, such as the first 10-20 levels or so, or the accepted equivalent for the MMO of your choosing.  This happened to me with Final Fantasy XI.  I got so far in, and I was hooked.  The first MMO later becomes the yardstick for all other MMO adventures to follow.  This is usually due to the fact that all games of this type can get complex with the controls, battle systems, and risk vs. reward.  Because we are creatures of habit, we scarcely want to put the time into learning or adjust our way of thinking to new ways of doing things.  This is also why EQ had their setup continued in EQ2, and WoW made theirs similar, as did LotR:O.

Next, when people say that a game is the perfect MMO, that should immediately be translated as the game is the perfect MMO for them.  Everyone likes different aspects of different games for different reasons.  Myself, for example could do without the overly used LotR/D&D fantasy period that the majority of RPG’s tend to fit into.

Lastly, the more MMO’s try to be different, the closer they stay the same.  The reason for this is that the games, no matter how fantasy or sci-fi based, with drastic changes to races, class, or battle systems they may be, will generally offer the player a rather similar social experience that is one of the main draws of the genre itself.  In a sense, a guild is a guild is a guild, be it called a clan, guild, or linkshell.  The group will form together to make friendships and accomplish common goals to progress through the game.