Ultimate Game Design : Building game worlds

Defining Titles
C H A P T E R 8
In the short history of the MMOG, some of the defining titles include Ultima Online
(www.uo.com), Everquest (http://everquest.station.sony.com/), and Asheron’s
Call (www.microsoft.com/games/zone/asheronscall/). These titles have been large
experiments in attracting and keeping players excited about playing and unfolding
their characters within these persistent worlds. To date, the most successful titles
have been entirely character oriented. These games provide a social network or aspect
that is unequalled by any other form of electronic gaming. For anyone unfamiliar
with these game titles, they offer vast lands to explore as a lone player or in collaboration
with other players, all the while focused on character growth, positioning, nuances in
ability, efficacy, and social/power-oriented rankings.
How Is the MMOG Player Different
from the Console Player?
Typically, it has been assumed that there is a sizeable divide between the console
player and the PC/MMOG player. The rationale is that console players prefer fast action
and sports games, while PC players prefer FPS, RPG, and strategy-oriented titles.
There is significant sales evidence to back up this idea. The PC audience has made the
MMOG successful. However, there is a bridge to the console world, as MMOG titles
that have proven successful on the PC are becoming available on the consoles, primarily
through the move of the Xbox and PlayStation 2 into the online universe.
In the recent past, players did tend to gravitate toward either console or PC play,
while many of the die-hards played both with equal passion. These days, younger
players have no fear of the PC, and therefore no reason to play exclusively on the easier-to-use
consoles. The divide between the two kinds of players seems to be diminishing.
Not entirely, however.
You still come across many players with strong platform preferences. Many players
who prefer console gaming are not as eager to play PC titles, for a variety of reasons.
The MMOG titles released to date have done a very good job of providing
content that is pleasing and familiar to PC-oriented players. Whether these titles will
make it over the bridge to the world of online console play remains to be determined.
From a design perspective, any title you envision as an MMOG may increasingly
have to serve two masters. First will be the obvious need to connect with PC/MMOG
players. This is your established audience. Second may be the need to understand
more about exactly how the title will play for the online console audience.
189
Design Considerations for Massively Multiplayer Multiplayer Online Games