I think that what folks want has changed through the years. Initially we were all just awed by the chance to play with many many others in a game that supported social interactions as well as game-play (guilds, parties, trading etc..). Such things are now part of the baseline, along with looks, feel, lore, storytelling etc..
With more games to choose from it becomes easy to shift and follow the easy gratifying content, and even with RP to engage in the newness of a new game. So what was a rather static captured market for a game became more nomadic.
What this does is disrupt the communities, and it is the community that is at the heart of an MMO. For roleplay it is even more important, if not the most important.
I have recently been away from FFXIV, and played a few other MMORPGs looking for something that is not out there. Essentially what I experienced was small RP communities clinging onto a game, which works at a guild level but is very thin at a world level. I am sure there are other out there but I didn't find em.
This is also why FFXIV/balmung I think is unique at present (or at leasts viable). It has a large possibly sustainable RP community. That size alows many folks to find a suitable fit for their RP as well as there being just enough content to keep you engaged (maybe).
As for the next big thing, I am sure something will come along. Maybe with VR and such to change the dynamic of the way folks play. But for RP we don't need all that I expect and it comes more down to how they handle the community.
FFXIV is not perfect.
With more games to choose from it becomes easy to shift and follow the easy gratifying content, and even with RP to engage in the newness of a new game. So what was a rather static captured market for a game became more nomadic.
What this does is disrupt the communities, and it is the community that is at the heart of an MMO. For roleplay it is even more important, if not the most important.
I have recently been away from FFXIV, and played a few other MMORPGs looking for something that is not out there. Essentially what I experienced was small RP communities clinging onto a game, which works at a guild level but is very thin at a world level. I am sure there are other out there but I didn't find em.
This is also why FFXIV/balmung I think is unique at present (or at leasts viable). It has a large possibly sustainable RP community. That size alows many folks to find a suitable fit for their RP as well as there being just enough content to keep you engaged (maybe).
As for the next big thing, I am sure something will come along. Maybe with VR and such to change the dynamic of the way folks play. But for RP we don't need all that I expect and it comes more down to how they handle the community.
FFXIV is not perfect.
Char:Â [Nebula Stardancer] Â FC: [East Eerie Trading Co]
Link Shells: [Hugs & Cakes] Â [Witches' Wyrd Web]
