(04-26-2014, 04:13 PM)synaesthetic Wrote: That is one thing I really do like about Guild Wars 2; because your level is automatically scaled for the zone, you never go through any area feeling like you're so overpowered that you can just pull the whole zone and not die.ÂYeah, I guess I sometimes expect a lot from game developers (at least that they can come up with better ideas than we can) but that statement is as damning as you'd need a statement to be about modern MMORPG development. Â All of the really cool and interesting ways you'd think of breaking the mold of MMORPG default party mechanics, and the last thing you'd think of doing is turning it into a free-for-all.
There is actually a definite feeling of danger and exploration when you wander through the world in GW2. Now if only they could make their attempt to avoid the holy trinity not simply a gigantic zergfest...
I'll give them credit for trying. Â They failed, miserably, but they tried, and that's worth something. Â Especially for a F2P MMO. Â Such sins are unforgivable in games requiring subscription fees, but the realistic side of me wouldn't expect stratospheric development from a game I'm not going to be paying 15$ a month for. Â Oddly, Diablo 3 sort of does the same thing successfully. Â I'm kind if interested to see where the D3, Starcraft II, and all their experimentation with World of Warcraft lands Blizzard with their Titan project. Â Or if any MMORPG they make will ever match their standards or our hype. Â Not many companies would wipe the slate clean mid-process because it doesn't feel good enough.
I'd honestly kind of hope another heavy swinger shows up to make a game. Â There just aren't many companies out there with the pedigree that I'd believe they can actually pull a game like this off. Â Blizzard has always had a high standard of gameplay, considering they were making games of high quality back when gameplay would make or break your game. Â Square has that pedigree. Â Who else does that hasn't taken a stab yet? Â I know I'd like to see what From would be able to put together if they could be assed to do it. Â CAPCOM might have been able to pull it off, but with their financial issues right now and the fact that their business arm seems to be jerking the development arm behind them like a dog on a leash, I wouldn't even trust them to do it. Â Nintendo would probably be able to do it, but they have their own console issues before they could even think about it.
Who else is there that might actually be able to put together a shockingly good MMORPG right now? Â I just don't think something of that magnitude is coming from an indie developer with a kickstarter or a company that makes middling games. Â Maybe I just don't have any faith, but it seems like we just don't have very many real powerhouse developers anymore.