Sunday, July 19, 2009

Just an idea

I had an idea. Actually, this isn't a new idea, but rather one I had well over a year ago, I just never wrote it down. But then, considering its doubtful that I'll ever work in MMOs, let alone videogames in general, I don't think I really need to write this down. But I will anyways, because its late (locally), I'm bored, and my internet is acting up and kicked me off BF:Bad Company. So there.

So why did I mention MMOs, you ask (only in my mind, anyways... *shifty eyes*)? Well, the idea involves using things that already exist in them in a way that hasn't been really thought of yet.

Well, we already have instanced content. For the uninformed (and anyone reading this shouldn't be), instanced content is pretty much where the game servers create an additional "instance" of an existing area that is seperate from the rest of the game world and usable by only the players within it. The reason for this is so that more players can experience more content without having to compete against other players to do so. It is typically (but not always) used with storyline or chain-quest areas, and are almost always very large and involved (for various reasons).

Then, of course, we have PvP. IE, the videogame answer to people's need to kick the crap out of eachother, and it takes different forms depending on the type of game its used in. No real need to explain it beyond that.

So my new, supermegaultracrazy idea, is to take both of these elements and find a way to smush them together. But MMOs that have PvP already have instanced areas designed expressly for PvP. How does this differ from those? Well the difference is purpose. Instanced PvP areas are basically similar to control-point style maps in online FPS's, with the basic idea revolving around killing opponents in order to get to and takeover said control points. While the areas could easily be repurposed into standard PvE content, they are purpose built specifically for handling a specific kind of PvP battle, which is almost always the big-freaken'-melee (even if players are smart enough to avoid that).

Now, when someone says the word "instance" in MMO terms, they usually refer to the first definition (and use a different term for PvP instances), which takes the form of a semi-linear dungeon. This is where I think PvP can be added. Just about all MMOs that have any form of large-scale PvP involve dev-created opposing factions. As well, in those games the world and quest lines are designed to bring those players into conflict. So why can't the devs find ways to bring these two things together in more interesting ways?

That's the idea. Bring dungeon instances and PvP together. This is still hypothetical, but since both factions are opposed, create an instance that plays to that. Have players from the two factions have quests that require them to enter instance. When entering, faction A starts at one entrance, faction B at another. The players run along doing their quests on seperate paths, but the paths will intersect at several points, designed around forcing the players into conflict. But then, make a quest requiring the conflict, and if there are no players, spawn higher level enemies in the room instead, to fulfill the quest requirement.

So when players are killed, they should respawn within the instance. But then, this could potentially lead to players griefing players on the other side. Well, the only real solution to something like that isn't something that will be popular. Since a quest requires defeating enemies (bots or opposing players), then "shove" them out of the chokepoint as soon as the reqs are met. And then there's the problem of bringing along a high-level friend, or even a full group of them, well that's only really solvable by the infamous thing known as level-caps. To keep from inconveniencing said high-level players, have a simple equipment balancing system introduced alongside the level-capping.

Admittedly, this is just the basic idea. Hell, I spent more time building to it than stating the idea itself. Ohwell, take it for what you will.

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

While I've been around, I obviously haven't posted anything in about 2 weeks. Just really haven't had anything to talk about. So forgive me if this is rather rambling and uninteresting. That is, unless I end up finding a subject at some point during typing.

I'll start off saying that I haven't really been playing anything new recently. Just going through Dead Space again, playing the new Fallout 3 DLC (Point Lookout), with The Conduit (Wii) being the sole actual new game (besides wondering why I haven't picked up Punchout! yet...). I've actually had the hankering to pull out and play Project Sylpheed again, if only for the thought of being in a fighter that performs various forms of asset denial (IE, blowing shit up). For that matter, I should pull out Star Ocean 4 again, if only to finish up the main game, since I'm on the final dungeon anyways.

As some videogame podcasts have put it, I have a very large "pile-of-shame". The term refers to games that one has had for a considerable amount of time and either played but not finished, and/or games that haven't even been played. As much as I like RPGs, they, and the considerable amount of time they take to play, are the primary cause of my pile. I'm not going to even get into what's on the list.

As for pulling out Dead Space and Project Sylpheed after having already completed them, well, I guess I am an achievement whore on the level that I like getting achievements in the games I have. I AM NOT an achievement whore on the level that I do not buy games specifically for the achievement points (Avatar will never appear on my gamertag! XD). This is a problem when playing RPGs though, especially the handful of JRPGs, which are known for their excessive use of sidequests, hidden areas and bosses, and general miscellaneous crap that requires you to play considerably large amounts of time for things that aren't related to the main quest. Some side stuff is okay, but sometimes theres so much that it just gets assinine (I'm looking at you, Blue Dragon and Tales of Vesperia).

Anyways, Fallout 3 DLC. Called Point Lookout. Of all the Fallout DLC packs, this one is on level, potentially better, with the previous pack, Broken Steel. Broken Steel allowed you to reenter the world after the ending, with additional quests and raising the level cap. Point Lookout, though, simply adds new map with its own seperate plotline, but it does it much more skillfully than the two DLCs before Broken Steel. Instead of being (primarily) linear, pathed experiences, Point Lookout is completely open to exploration from the getgo. As well, the area contains quests that are not actually part of the primary plotline. As well, all the plotlines fit well into the overall mythology of the game world. Moonshining hillbillies, Chinese (in this case communist) spies, and drug using hippies being led by a brain in a jar. Not to mention being in a bayou. The only issue I found is that Point Lookout is supposed to be in southern Maryland, but it has a distinctly Louisiana/Alabama vibe to it. Ohwell, I still give this particular DLC 5/5.

Now, The Conduit, FPS for the Wii. YES, THE WII. As much as I hate using the caveat, I have to, but this game looks great for a Wii game. I need to play more, but I've seen enough to impress me (I've only played up to halfway before accidentally deleting my save file >.<). The customization of the controls makes it possible for anyone to tweak it enough to be comfortable (but can't turn crouch into toggle instead of button hold, grrr...). Like alot of the reviews out there, though, I have to agree with comments on lackluster area design. Also, while the game isn't supposed to be difficult, there are occasional spots where the difficult gets to wallbanger (IE, Wii-Mote chucking) levels. My current replay has me stuck at one of those spots, and its not nice. Not nice at all. And the area is the Jefferson Memorial of all places too.

Ohwell, I think that's all I got for now. o.O