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Originally Posted by ShadowX Then we get to WoW. You could seriously point out nearly every mechanism in the game and I could name its origin. |
Questing as a major form of experience, instead of as an afterthought (EQ1) or a way to guide you into endless grinding of mooks (CoX)? (Yes, Blizzard has some of those, but it also has quite a few quests with an obscene amount of XP, even at high levels, and a ton that involve only incidental mook kills on the way to get the McGuffin or whatever.)
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In fact, it is amazing nothing like WoW came out sooner, all the ideas were already in place.
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As we can see from the development of CoX, Vanguard, EQ2, whatever they're calling the Lord of the Rings game this week and other examples, people mostly want to do EQ1 "right," which means a handful of small changes. Hell, they're still persisting at this even though EQ1 hasn't worn the crown for quite some time.
There's a certain degree of self-confidence required to be a lead developer of a game. When it comes to MMORPGs, it seems that mostly gets transmuted into bizarre arrogance. (Witness SWG, EQ2 and Vanguard.)
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So in summary, I respect Blizzard because they bring some fundamentally sound design principles to bear, but they long ago stopped ranking as a truly innovative company.
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I don't know they were ever "truly innovative." But you never go broke giving the folks what they want in a highly refined and polished manner. Hell, that's the entire business model for five-star hotels.
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Now, excuse me, I have to go level my human warlock.
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The anti-dispel talent in the expansion that you guys get is going to be just evil in PVP.
And yet another word from our sponsors
