Ultimate Game Design : Building game worlds

Building Game Worlds
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U L T I M A T E G A M E D E S I G N
speeds and thus have different server-to-client update speeds. This means that player 1
could have performed an action and run around the corner before player 2 even
knows what player 1 has done. Doesn’t exactly make for a fair or playable game,
does it? Often times latency issues can produce delays so distracting that a game
becomes fundamentally unplayable. This is a critical point for our discussion in this
chapter.
Modularity
Since most MMOGs are using a subscription model, game developers want to be able
to update the world with new areas, regions, or entire sequel packs on a regular basis.
This demands modular design. Your worlds and game environments by definition
need to be extensible. Most importantly, your tool set must allow you to build in this
fashion. If you have to undo prior world information details (in other words, geometry
updates) to add on more world areas, you’re in trouble. You want your environment
to be entirely modular.
Monitoring
You need to plan for and build in a monitoring system in your game. You also need
an offline test environment to try out your design changes and modular expansion
that replicates real-world play conditions (including latency issues).
Tools Support
Tools support for MMOGs is not a luxury, it’s a requirement. The power of your
construction tools literally helps to make or break your title. If you have a monitored
game environment, your game monitoring tools need to allow for player warnings
and dismissals.
Special Events
One of the cool features of MMOG titles is the possibility of hosting special events
within the game. Having this ability for a game-master or monitor also requires powerful
tools support. Tournaments, special give-aways, or events related to holidays
can all take place within the game world. These kinds of events are really new to gaming,
and have only begun to grow inside some of the live MMOGs available.
Pace and Balance
Including proper pace and balance is a huge issue for MMOGs. Obviously, due to a
subscription focus, developers want to keep you busy in the game world for extended
periods of time. However, this can and does go overboard. There is a balance
that must be found between keeping players active, happy, and subscribed, and