How players make progress in their games often varies. In some online worlds, one is lured by constantly improving equipment, while other games rely purely on the skill of the respective player. We ask: Which of these systems do you prefer?
And the spiral turns …
In every MMO, there are different incentives to play as much as possible. In some, the social component is particularly decisive, others enjoy the graphics especially, and yet others appreciate small details, such as the options for character creation. However, no feature seems to attract as many players as the improvement of their own hero. Whether through new talents or increased attribute points, when the character deals a little more damage or heals more effectively, the gaming heart beats faster.
The best examples of this are probably classic MMORPGs like World of Warcraft or SWTOR. Through regular patches and expansions, characters are continually improved and never reach a “perfect” state – at least not for longer than a few weeks.
A duel of pure skill
Other games rely entirely on fair, competitive gameplay, meaning: All characters have the same values and the same number of improvement options, creating an objective fairness. Who wins in a duel is solely determined by the skill of the respective player. Such games include Guild Wars 2 (at least in mist PvP) and most MOBAs like Smite and Heroes of the Storm also fall into this category. No matter how much time someone invests in these games, the character will never improve – only the player.
Cortyn says: I am now displeased with the endless item spiral. A few years ago, I enjoyed collecting new items and dealing a bit more damage than during the last dungeon visit, but now I find this mechanic boring. I certainly see its usefulness and necessity in classic MMORPGs – but not in the PvP area. Much too often, while playing, I have the suspicion: “My opponent just barely won because he already has the equipment from season 26336.” It shifts my focus, more or less consciously, onto the items and not on what I can actively improve.
In the PvP of Guild Wars 2, I knew with every defeat: “The guy was simply better” or “I used my ability incorrectly”. Furthermore, the “skill” acquired in a game is hard to lose, whereas long-farmed equipment ends up at the enchanter within a month.
And so we come to the question for you: What type of game do you prefer and why? Do you enjoy being able to endlessly improve your character through new items? Or do you prefer to constantly learn as a player and compete against enemies that, based on starting values, are on the same level as you?
