A pleasant message from the Delta Quadrant – the MMORPG “Star Trek Online” opens its 8th season and provides a new area, new quests, and many more challenges for players to download.
Threat from the Depths
On the edge of the Delta Quadrant, a mysterious structure has appeared, identified as the Solanae Dyson Sphere. Federation, Romulans, and Klingons are all interested in investigating the sphere and claiming it for themselves, as it can serve not only as a strategic point in the quadrant but also seems to produce the dangerous Omega particles for unfathomable reasons.
Even a small amount of these particles would be enough in the wrong hands to wipe out civilizations or planets as a powerful weapon. No wonder the Voth and the Borg are also joining the fight for the Dyson Sphere. Who will ultimately be victorious remains uncertain.
The Delta Quadrant: A Dangerous Adventure
All players who have reached level 50 in “Star Trek Online” can embark on a perilous journey to the Delta Quadrant through an iconian portal to participate in the conquest of the sphere. There are various quest lines, for example, commissioned by the Dyson command, to explore the sphere and gain reputation for rare items such as Dyson tokens or certain equipment that can only be obtained from the command.
Depending on the faction, different storylines are available. For example, members of the Federation must venture into Voth territory and destroy one of their battleships, while Romulus aims to establish combat posts in the Delta Quadrant. In addition to the adventure zone, a separate combat area in the Dyson Sphere is available, where up to 20 players can team up or compete against each other in battle to secure accolades, dilithium, or rare artifacts.
Battles for a New Home
The construction in the Delta Quadrant is ancient and anything but small. It is nearly impossible to survey it in a single day. Therefore, all factions have the chance to fight for individual sectors of the sphere and establish new tactical outposts there. The conquered areas can also be fortified and expanded to better defend against enemy attacks. However, no base is permanently habitable, as there is always the risk of an attack, and even a conquered sector can fall back into the hands of opponents at any time.
Sony Online Entertainment has set out to achieve a lot with Everquest Next. The sandbox MMORPG is supposed to grant players near-limitless freedom in the game world, perhaps like never seen before in an online role-playing game. The first presentation of the upcoming blockbuster showcased impressive images a few months ago, where a character dismantled a bridge, shattered arbitrary boulders, and made the nature around a few trees poorer. The special thing about this is that various elements do not disappear forever from the scene but can be “revived” by the player once they have been destroyed.
Landmark, the sister project of Everquest Next, allows you to interact with the environment in various ways. Probably even more than in Everquest Next. However, this is primarily about building.
The trailer “World of Imagination” released a few days ago is the first trailer of the Landmark series and already makes you crave for more. It clearly shows that the focus is on exploring the world and making it more vibrant through self-placed structures, for example. By the way, I highly recommend this recorded livestream, as it reveals much more of the innovative gameplay and is absolutely worth watching just for that:
http://youtu.be/xeTv5nnq9IY
In a few months, you can also see for yourself. The closed beta will start in spring 2014 – we will keep you updated. Those who want to be on the safe side should get a founder’s package; this guarantees you access to the testing phases.
Your Mein MMO team wishes you a lot of fun with the video.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
The Buy to Play model is rarely encountered despite its popularity, especially in the world of online role-playing games, where regular updates over many years are very important. However, it is much more popular among players.
The privilege is clear: once the desired game is purchased, there is no need to worry about monthly fees or too much influence from the shop – essentially the classic business model of the gaming industry. In this sense, it combines elements of both Free to Play and Pay to Play varieties and can be seen as a middle ground.
As already indicated, there is also a reason why only a few companies in this industry can rely on such a model. An MMO depends on regular or large revenues at the beginning to continue providing improvements. The risk of suddenly running out of funds cannot be neglected. For this reason, it is observed that almost only a top title, ideally a sequel, where the predecessor was already very popular, can realize this undertaking. Good examples here are the high-profile online role-playing games Guild Wars 2 and The Secret World. Since March 2014, The Elder Scrolls Online has also joined this list (background on this step).
To have a shop, even if it is only cosmetic in nature, is probably unavoidable here – but of course not to the extent known from free-to-play games. Finally, DLCs, meaning paid content, such as additional maps or missions, are also making their way into MMOs.
Similar to pay-to-play games, the entry into the game here is unfortunately not quite as barrier-free. Unlike free-to-play titles, the product usually has to be purchased first before one can log into the game. However, there are also opportunities here to sneak a peek, as free trial days or similar promotions are a regular occurrence in such games.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
You can download and play the online game without any concerns. The limitations vary from game to game, but the great advantage is that you don’t have to think about it and can test the product extensively – Free to Play indeed. In some cases and depending on the type of player, continuous free play is even possible.
Such games usually finance themselves through an in-game shop, where boosters, mounts, vanity items, and similar virtual goods are offered. Recently, premium memberships have also started to emerge, which provide bonuses through monthly payments – these are usually time-saving in nature. For several years now, high-quality MMOs have increasingly turned to the F2P model, including well-known representatives such as Neverwinter, Planetside 2, or Star Wars: The Old Republic. Gone are the days when only hidden gems were mentioned.
The downside could be that content is offered that creates a greater imbalance among players – in technical jargon, this is called “Pay to Win”. It is viewed very negatively in the community if paying players are given higher chances of winning through powerful items in the shop. In many games, however, purchased items only influence the appearance of the controlled character, meaning that it is not the player with the deepest pockets but rather the one with the best skills who prevails.
Moreover, some players find it intrusive when they are advised to buy something from the shop. Unlike the P2P model in the “free” business model, it often suggests buying something from the shop and making microtransactions.
If certain statements can be believed, the community is also, on average, younger, as the barrier to entering the game is significantly lower. However, it is up to each individual with whom they ally in the virtual world. After all, most games have a feature that allows conspicuous players to be ignored.
Many players rely on the Free to Play model
A large portion of gamers obviously welcomes the choice to enjoy an MMO for free and invest in the shop depending on their mood and wallet size. Free games are very much in trend (no surprise). But keep in mind that maintaining ongoing online games at a high level is far from cheap for the operators, and without support, this leads to a decline in quality, if not even the definitive shutdown of servers.
In the Pay to Play model, the player pays a monthly fee to participate in the events. Usually, this also requires a purchase of the online game itself. Typically, the subscription starts in the second month, so the first month does not demand any additional payment. In comparison to the Free to Play model, a free entry into the game is only possible through certain actions that allow testing the game for a limited time – for example, by inviting a subscriber or in the form of trial days.
Operators of high-quality online games, which have already consumed millions of euros in their development, mostly rely on a paid model. P2P games are generally popular for their good support. Due to the regularly generated and thus predictable revenues, developers may also find it easier to create content on a more future-oriented basis – this can bring advantages both in the quality of the content and in the update cycle.
Another advantage is that one can completely avoid the influence of a shop – it is not possible to rise to the top with real money input here. Furthermore, the average age is higher than in the free variant, which may lead players to encounter more like-minded individuals. The cost of a monthly subscription amounts to about 12 euros. Especially successful in this regard is World of Warcraft by Blizzard, an MMORPG that has been able to bind several million subscribers for many years. The providers of P2P games see the challenge in creating a game where consumers see the advantages of this model and consider a monthly payment justified due to the quality. Another example of how it can work well is shown by Square Enix with Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn.
The P2P model is on a downward slope, or is it not?
However, in recent years, there have been rather negative headlines because quite a few projects had to abandon the P2P model in favor of the F2P model (including Tera, Aion, Rift, and Star Wars: The Old Republic). They either could not retain enough players to remain profitable or faced the conflict of paradoxically being able to earn more money with a free model. Players criticize the Pay to Play model for its lack of flexibility, and the competition that relies on a free entry is now at a very high level in terms of quality.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
The video game scene is constantly changing and is exceptionally fast-paced. A rapid technological advancement means that there are always new developments, and the graphics become increasingly sophisticated. One trend follows another, providing the community with non-stop action, adventure, and fun.
Highly popular among gamers are particularly MMOs (Massively Multiplayer Online), games that can be played exclusively via the internet with many other players. People find the often family-like community, consisting of like-minded individuals that often leads to lifelong friendships, particularly attractive. The interaction and competition create a unique appeal and bring a social character to the world of video games.
The best-known and most successful MMO of all time is World of Warcraft. The MMO(RPG) was released in November 2004 and has continuously evolved since then. Various expansions provide players with new and extensive gameplay content that is enjoyed worldwide. With over seven million registered players, World of Warcraft holds the top spot and even has an entry in the Guinness Book of Records.
However, it is by no means the only successful MMOG on the market.
Monetization in Online Games
Developers from around the world are working on various games that should bring variety and joy to gamers. They are well-paid for this and invest a lot of energy and passion into their work.
Since the development of an MMO is an enormous effort and costs a lot of money, companies think a lot about how they can market their product and achieve the largest possible profit. There are generally three common business models:
Each of these three business models offers the player some advantages and disadvantages. Which one is preferred is certainly a matter of perspective, and opinions differ here.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Now it’s official – the next expansion of World of Warcraft at a glance
The suspicion of many gamers has been confirmed. This year’s BlizzCon announced the new addon for WoW. The next expansion for World of Warcraft is titled Warlords of Draenor. What will be new there, you can find summarized here at Mein MMO.
The World of Draenor
Draenor is reminiscent of the shattered world known from The Burning Crusade and consists of seven zones. Some sights may be familiar, while other areas deviate significantly from The Burning Crusade. For example, Hellfire Peninsula will become a jungle and Shattrath will be a coastal city. Thus, Draenor offers more beautiful areas that invite exploration. Additionally, there will be hidden quests besides the regular ones, which are not relevant to the main storyline but can provide attractive rewards.
The producer of Allods Online announced in an official statement that the release of the new expansion Wind of Changes is expected in early December. In addition to the winter program filled with events and festivities.
Many guilds will be pleased to know that a very popular and competitive feature, the so-called Dominion Championship, is being fundamentally revised for fairness reasons. This now also offers smaller guilds the opportunity to compete against equally strong opponents – thus frustration should now be limited. A system similar to the Swiss System paves the way for this.
But this is not the only innovation in PvP, as the Scarlet Fortress opens its gates with the expansion, which also introduces a new type of combat – 6 against 24 – a quite unusual “pairing”, but this is probably what makes it exciting. Players will need to cooperate and act tactically to capture the fortress and seize the flag of the castle. According to the producer, the opponents they will face will be “our deadliest players.” A challenging level of difficulty is therefore guaranteed.
The Winter Program
Another treat in the winter program is the introduction of new mounts. Promised are among others a Titan, a hoverboard, a manta, a dragon, and a spider. Furthermore, a Kelpie also sees the light in the Shattered World – this powerful being can transform into any mount you already possess – with the advantage that its stats, e.g. speed, will adapt to the best “horse” in the stable.
This shapeshifting mount can therefore immediately and permanently enable old mounts to become a rank-6 mount. Regarding mounts, the producer also talks about the possibility of establishing PvP mounts in the game. He mentions reasons why this has not been the case until now, but also states that a lot has changed in this regard and that Allods Online now fundamentally has the capability to introduce PvP mounts. He ultimately encourages the community to discuss the topic and states that the Titan is likely to be the last non-PvP mount (though with the caveat that the Titan of the new generation is also subject to this). Furthermore, a new Goblinball Championship and a Prophet Card event are planned for the winter program, where further fantastic creatures await as rewards.
By the way, the recently introduced subscription server seems to be steadily growing and generating enthusiasm among players of a certain group. The P2P model is slowly regaining favor among players after its weak phase.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
What we gamers have long known and scientists have finally confirmed 🙂
Video games are part of our lives, and of course, we gamers have long known that they constantly make us smarter, more beautiful, and better people. Okay, that’s dripping a bit with self-irony, but the following insight isn’t really surprising for us, is it?
In a joint study by scientists from the Max Planck Institute and the Psychiatric University Hospital of Charité (Berlin), an adult group of people was required – and now pay attention! – to play SUPER MARIO 64 every single day for a whopping TWO MONTHS, for HALF an hour. WOW!
“Holla, the forest fairy playing video games!”
Source: Mike E. Perez from Dallas, Texas, USA (Wikimedia)
– one might almost exclaim and naturally wonders what the outcome of this phenomenal test might have been!? Oh, you should also know that a second group of adults was not allowed to play. 🙁 This grown group is therefore called the control group. Well, anyway. The afflicted hardcore gamer group had to endure half an hour of Super Mario with outdated graphics every day, and guess how this affected their brain functions? That’s right, those who enjoy video games experience certain brain areas ENLARGING. These mentioned areas control among other things memory, spatial orientation, and the fine motor skills of the hands (WoW incredible!). Naturally, the control group was completely mentally stunted after two months without gaming, which, however, was not further mentioned.
So what do the scientists now plan to do with this groundbreaking insight? Well, they hope to find new treatment methods for mental disorders like (MMORPG) schizophrenia or even diseases like, uh……, oh yes, Alzheimer lags.
Alright, those who don’t want to believe this entirely can be forgiven. But the study does actually exist. You can find it here and read at least the abstract (in English). Personally, I’m not so sure whether playing Super Mario for half an hour daily (for two months) is particularly significant, but I admit I only studied biology for three semesters. At least we gamers now have a new excuse for why we MUST pursue our favorite hobby so frequently and intensely.
In this sense,
Your brain training Björn 🙂
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Brilliant sci-fi MMO like Wing Commander and probably much more than that!
Well, let’s be honest, who of you still knows the cult game Wing Commander? The legendary multi-part sci-fi flight simulation with a really good story and a massive fan base? Does it ring a bell? Surely! As a starfighter pilot, we were members of the Tiger’s Claw and fought side by side with our various wingmen against the feline Kilrathi. Those were the days! Even people like me, who never really liked flight simulations, had a great time with the game and longed for a continuation of the brilliant story. And that, as you know since reading the headline, will now be available in the foreseeable future.
Today, the online role-playing game Rift, which has been free to play since this year, has launched the new update “The Song of Dreams.” Version 2.5 brings numerous adjustments and innovations to the world of Telaria – so this is not a minor update.
Among the so-called innovations is a mysterious mini-saga, where it is essential to uncover a new threat on Ember Island. Expedition groups seem to be disappearing without a trace, making an on-site investigation necessary. This doesn’t happen just anywhere, but in the lake, or better said: underwater. Players familiar with Rift will perk up at this. Indeed, the story slowly leads you to the element of water, which will play a significant role in the major expansion 3.0 and introduce fresh gameplay mechanics.
Noteworthy are the very long notes on class adjustments, and one can be curious about how much they will influence gameplay. Interestingly, starting from November 13, for 1.5 months, as part of a gift campaign by the fairies, a new version of a previously known level 60 dungeon will be released every week, including community-selected favorites.
Additionally, it is now possible to acquire the new dimension “Gateway of Infinity,” upgrade your PvP set to the third tier, and allocate points in the advanced Nexus Water, Ash, and Storm alignments. Improvements to graphics settings and various services like the shop are also noteworthy. But that’s not all – for those who want to learn more about the changes, just follow the source.
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The character has been created and is ready to be unleashed into the role-playing world? But… you don’t quite know how to behave in role-playing to even connect with others or be taken seriously? Don’t worry, with this handful of tips and guidelines, we will give you the necessary tools to find your way around.
As mentioned last time, it should also be said here: These rules are not set in stone, and different role-playing groups may tighten or completely omit them, yet they are still considered “general averages” to which one can always refer.
But let’s go back to the individual points in detail:
1. Player Knowledge and Character Knowledge
Once you dive into your role-playing adventure, you must clearly distinguish between the knowledge you have as a player and the knowledge your character has. That may sound trivial, but especially newcomers often tend to let their player knowledge flow into the role-playing – much to the detriment of their fellow players. This can be best illustrated by a few examples:
As a player, you know that the character in front of you is named “Remson” because the game displays his name above the avatar’s head. However, your character does not know this until someone tells him his name. Your interface may also reveal that your counterpart has the class “Jedi Scholar,” but if the corresponding character has nothing with him that clearly identifies him (such as a lightsaber), then your character cannot recognize it.
Moreover, the class being played does not necessarily have to correspond to the character portrayed in the role-play. You might be playing a mage while leveling and questing, but in the role-play, you simply embody a baker’s apprentice without any special gifts.
The short rule for this paragraph would be: Use knowledge that you derive from the game interface, not for the role-play.
2. “Hello, I am a Sorceress!” – What to Better Keep Under Wraps
Every player strives to give their character story life, and a common beginner mistake is to share this with others at all costs. We want to warn against this strictly, as depending on the circumstances it can have severe consequences. The worst-case scenario could be that other players ignore you or treat your character as if they were invisible. Why is that?
There is hardly a worse idea than standing at a bar in a world where magic is strictly monitored and saying “I had a funny story with my succubus today. Oh, by the way, I am a sorceress.” Just as questionable would be to announce to everyone that you are an agent of the imperial secret service – because those who do so are not doing their job very well. But here too, there is the perfect solution for all dilemmas: the lie.
Many role-players (not just newcomers!) do not simply expect that their character would be blatantly lied to. That requires a bit of practice, but if you are a member of a secret sorceress society, then you should have a good lie ready about what you actually do in your spare time.
3. Emotes, Abbreviations, and Spelling
In short: Emotes and abbreviations have no place in role-play, the following example should clarify this:
“I greet you, Sorceress. 🙂 How were your studies on Arcanophysiology? ^^ Would you like to go have a drink together or maybe take a walk? :D”
An example from GW2: How will the conversation partner react?
Role-players could read the following from this sentence in the worst case:
“I greet you, Sorceress. Colon Parenthesis Close. How were your studies on Arcanophysiology? Circumflex Circumflex. Would you like to vee el el go have a zet es em drink together or zet Point be Point take a walk? Colon D
This example is intentionally exaggerated – most role-players will overlook a smiley, but they drastically disturb the atmosphere when they appear too often. Just avoid them, and there should be no problems.
Spelling must also be mentioned, as unfortunate as this topic is on the internet. Role-playing consists largely of written texts. Hardly any person would be able to read an entire book where every word is written in lowercase, no commas are placed, and every third word turns into a guessing game because of misspellings. Role-playing is more laborious, and each sentence requires more effort than a “lfm 2 mages 4 strat, then go.” It is not about being perfect in any way, but one can make an effort to make one’s texts more attractive to fellow players – they will thank you for it.
4. Logical Perception
Basically, two to three chat channels are used in RP: /say, /whisper, and, if available, /emote (or /me). However, depending on which MMO you are currently in, the say channel may have an absurd range of 40 meters or more. In such cases, try to incorporate the surrounding environment of your character into his perception. In a crowded cantina with a hundred or more people, it would be nonsensical to be able to hear exactly what the young lady is currently saying to the doorman standing several dozen meters away: Just because you can read it as a player does not mean your character can hear it! I refer again to the point “Player Knowledge and Character Knowledge,” as it also applies here.
5. OOC – Out of Character
From time to time, it may be necessary to speak in role-play not as a character but as a player to regulate the RP and clarify ambiguities. In such a case, it is an unwritten rule to set what is said in “double parentheses,” such as in this example: “((I just had a disconnect, can you repeat your last sentence?)). This enables communication among players without completely breaking character. However, this should be kept to a minimum – if possible, it should not be used at all or only resorted to in emergencies, as it can significantly disturb the atmosphere.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
This affects F2P players and players with preferred status
If you’ve checked your emails recently, you may have already been informed. In Star Wars: The Old Republic, your character names may be in danger. Depending on your current player status in the game, how active you’ve been lately, and which level you’ve reached with the respective character, under certain circumstances, the names you have chosen may soon be made available to other players.
This is called “Character Name Renewal” and offers active players from November 12, 2013, the possibility to potentially reuse long-held, but unused desired names. Whether this is really necessary is up for debate. However, if you are among those who have played the game Free2Play or with preferred status and are currently taking a break, make sure to check the information below to see if you are affected. Generally, you can save your names by simply logging in with the affected characters once by November 12, and you’re done. This can be done without any costs, as we know.
For those who would have liked to have new names anyway – well, just wait and you could rename a character for free. Otherwise, the campaign can surely be summarized easily under the motto “Inactive Player Mobilization”.
Your Mein MMO Team.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
From today, dragon lovers can look forward to another update that brings many new features to the free role-playing game Dragon’s Prophet. The biggest attention is likely to be on the introduction of the first raid dungeon, the “Dragon Heart Temple,” which goes beyond the normal group size and offers challenging bosses for up to 10 players.
In the Patch Preview, it was already hinted that the story revolves around preventing the resurrection of the mighty ancient dragon Kronos. Apparently, he is a very evil, evil dragon who could cause great turmoil. This must now be addressed in the new region of Alentia – however, be careful, this area is teeming with surrounding lava and other dangers.
Furthermore, the level cap has been raised again, by a full 10 levels! This almost reminds me of older MMORPGs, where the hunt for experience points never seemed to end – at least it hardly felt like you were “finished.” On the other hand, there can also be a feeling of not being able to keep up. However, I noticed while leveling that the experience bar fills up very quickly, and you progress accordingly swiftly.
Numerous Improvements in Dragon’s Prophet
In addition to the raid, the level increase, and the mentioned region of Alentia, three new adventure dungeons are now also accessible. It is also worth mentioning many new quests and numerous bug fixes that are intended to enhance the quality of the game.
The pace at which new updates are released is quite impressive. The developers from Taiwan probably fly the patches to Europe with their dragons. Quite practical. Nowadays, it’s almost a requirement to keep up with the fierce competition.
The crazy SciFi-Fantasy comic MMO WildStar is slowly approaching the finish line. A larger beta test is already planned for the winter, where you can take a look at the status of the game – of course just to report any bugs, to make the servers glow, and especially to observe highly intelligent rabbits with 2 pistols 😉
If you haven’t heard anything about this or have no idea what’s happening on the planet Nexus, you can soon get up to date with the help of livestreams, videos, and so on, as a lot of that will be released in the coming months. The video briefly explains, in a fast-paced manner, what information we can expect. By the way, the release is planned for spring 2014. Have fun!
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It affects all genres, every group constellation, and is becoming more relevant – guilds, teams, clans, simply all MMO groups are put to the test as more members decide to switch games. Players who want to stay are deeply disappointed, and those leaving reluctantly leave behind friends and reliable companions. This might sound a bit theatrical now – but damn it, it can be! Gamers are just humans who get to know and appreciate each other through their favorite hobby (some even love!) and when it comes to saying goodbye, one person’s path to another virtual world often signifies the end of that friendly relationship.
A painful farewell – the blood elf paladin Kelthrion hands over command and will soon leave the guild for good
I have experienced it in one way or another multiple times, and I have to say, it was sometimes very sad. Sure, fundamentally one could (and does this to some extent) stay in touch, but the actual basis for the “friendship/acquaintance” is simply taken away. Not the end of the world – no question – but still often quite sad.
Well, and these, let’s call them virtual-social breaks, are occurring more frequently. Why? Well, because the great eras of Ultima Online, Diablo I and II, or even World of Warcraft are coming to an end. I am not condemning these games, but it seems at least that the time is passing when one would cling to the same game for many years. The trend is quite clear: a new game comes onto the market, offers great and new content as well as innovative possibilities, is played intensively for a few weeks or even months, and eventually is condemned by the masses.
Former best friends. Then one became a Sith and the friendship with the other was lost.
Both factions now need understanding. Those who want to stay because their time has not yet come and those who are bothered that others want to tarnish the game. And those who leave, looking for new content, do not want to stay in one place “forever” and simply have higher demands. By the way, the total playtime of both factions is not always that far apart; some just consume faster.
But where is a solution? Where is the possibility to find a common gaming basis? – a rhetorical question, I know, the answer is already in the title, but it just sounds more dramatic. 😉
Hey! We were young and needed….those ugly green gnome robes. Besides, it was a huge fun! Uh, and just to clarify, I was the one in the middle!
MultiGamingClans – keep your friends close and beloved enemies… will simply be assimilated!
They could also be called guilds, groups, or teams, but that wouldn’t matter much. MultiGamingClans is what many players call them who are already part of such a cross-game organization. Well, and what is it about? The name says it all – you create a group or join one that is not only active in one game but explicitly plays multiple games and provides all members a basis in each of those games. The nice thing is, a huge tradition is built that spreads across many different virtualities and can naturally also make a name for itself. Yes, and not least, you remain connected with friends or also deliberately chosen in-game enemies. A nice side effect for those who are left behind is that the return rate to familiar games increases significantly. Or conversely, some old friends may eventually follow you because their time has come to leave as well.
Admittedly, it only provides limited comfort over the loss of regularly doing something with certain people. But since you are maintaining, let’s say, a more traditional connection, bridges are built that cannot be torn down quickly. A great example is the MultiGamingClan page. Here, everyone who belongs to the huge family congregates and they can continue to exchange ideas about their shared hobby, the multi-massive-online game itself. The same applies to communication bases like the Teamspeak server, where everyone still meets. This also makes it much more reasonable to invest proper time and effort into an appealing fan page or to cover server costs for years.
The MultiGamingClan, folks!
At least consider it before you start the umpteenth guild in the next-gen MMO. I dare say, if you really want to set something up, there is no way around it. Plan your groups more long-term! Become a legend in Azeroth (WoW) AND on Coruscant (SW:TOR), defeat your enemies from the New Conglomerate (Planetside 2) and soon crown your MultiGamingClan leader the Emperor of Tamriel (TESO), show the enemy on the battlefield of the future what it means to mess with YOU (Battlefield 4) and play Hello Kitty together in hard mode!…………uhm, okay, maybe that doesn’t necessarily have to happen.
In this sense, may you not only add your online friends on Facebook and Google+ but surf together through a sea of virtuality!
Your MMO-MultiGamingClanGuildGroupTeamBuilder Björn 🙂
P.S. As the website is still a delicate plant in growth and needs much water and sunshine, we would really appreciate if you would love us (like), share, comment, and whatever else goes! Go for it, ladies, until the next time!
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
How much Multi Massive Online would you like, please?
MMO(G)s are designed for group players, that is no question at all!
– Right?!?
Yes, that is a valid question that can be asked, and it must be asked! For gamers who enjoy playing solo and want to experience a really good story like in Mass Effect or The Elder Scrolls, it is often recommended to stick with the single-player game. However, much to the delight of many gamers, online games are also becoming better at storytelling. For example, Star Wars: The Old Republic can be wonderfully experienced as a solo player as well. Great class stories are told here, and the player can participate interactively. The game offers countless hours of fun for solo players and the option to experience great group content. A must for Star Wars fans; for everyone else, give it a try! It’s already free-to-play! 😉
The Sith Lord Xaphyr on his way to becoming Darth.
But what does the combination of solo and MMO gaming lead to? Of course, it creates added value for all players, but it also means that players who are fundamentally single players now stream into online worlds, and they often have nothing against experiencing some content together with others. Why not?
However, in numerous fixed groups (guilds, teams, clans, etc.) there is already a typical topic of contention – how much and what kind of MMO does each player want, and to what extent can their ideas be reconciled with those of the group?
YOU are the leader! Group harmony is your task!
Finding the right balance is your task! You are the leader or perhaps one of his deputies, a council member, maybe an officer. It could be that you don’t really care whether all your group members are satisfied, but then that wouldn’t really be the purpose of a group. Successful gaming requires a significant degree of group harmony, and let’s presume for now that you are interested and your group has this harmony for whatever reasons.
You are the leader
Back to the problem: Some in your group absolutely want to participate in end content, meaning they want to tackle and master the usually most difficult content (e.g., raids) in a reasonable time. A second subgroup of players only wants to engage in group content like instances, dungeons, or team PvP occasionally and “in a casual setting.” A third department, on the other hand, might occasionally like a group event but is not keen on engaging directly (Teamspeak or whatever) with you.
And you? Yes, you are the one who has to somehow bring all these different visions together without (and this is very important!) losing your own enjoyment of the game.
Do you HAVE to do that? No, you actually don’t have to at all. But what you should do is to set a direction together with your group for where the shared journey should go. Clear conditions keep all parties from disappointment. However, too many rules and regulations can scare off players – it’s about finding the balance here. Nevertheless, rule number 1 in this case is: clear announcements.
If the group is particularly interested in intense end content gameplay, then newbies and casual group players, as nice as one might want to be, are often not well-suited and should (in most cases) be categorically excluded (for your and their benefit). The disadvantages: Recruitment from your own ranks essentially doesn’t take place, and some nice and actually well-suited players may be sustainably scared off. Advantage: The skill level of the group remains relatively constant, and the group becomes a more cohesive team faster.
[pull_quote_left]We accept all players![/pull_quote_left]
Okay, “categorically excluding” sounds a bit harsh and doesn’t sound particularly harmonious. True, for groups that are about “hard at the limit”, gaming is much more than just amusing entertainment – it is competitive sports. Therefore, those who don’t like that should leave the supposed pro gamers among themselves. Play how you want! Intense group gaming, as long as the harmony is right, is really fun, but it’s just not everyone’s cup of tea.
Even the smurf-like Chiss in SW:TOR we accept! 😉
Well, that’s nice and good, but you and your group don’t want to commit too much and provide a base for all player types – this has numerous advantages, as the pool of players you sympathize with is logically much larger than with more limiting requirements. It would be important to instill this maxim in every newcomer: “We accept all players!” Anyone who joins the group now knows that the community can accommodate any type of player. This neither excludes a successful PvE endgame or PvP group nor interesting role-playing events. However, it means that different types must get along, and the group leadership, which is striving for harmonious coexistence, should pursue a somewhat sensible strategy.
A sensible strategy for group harmony?
Yes. Let’s assume your group has exactly these three factions: players who are primarily interested in PvP, those only focused on PvE end content, and let’s say a handful of role players who enjoy meeting in the tavern and acting out their characters. Of course, there are numerous players who utilize all aspects of an online game, but in our example, the fronts are already a bit hardened. So, what to do?
The answer to the question depends, how could it be otherwise, on factors such as group size, the respective faction size, and the engagement of your co-leaders (officers, etc.). The latter hints at the ideal solution. As a leader, you should engage with all three subgroups and ideally even be part of each faction. However, since you want to play too, it is simply sensible to share responsibilities.
In nearly every social group, an informal leader emerges sooner or later. This is not necessarily the actual leader of a group but the one whom most others listen to – this can have various reasons (e.g., social or professional competence). Following this principle, such a leader will also crystallize within your three factions. In many cases, it is simply one of the more experienced players. You grab that gamer and make him the faction leader of his interest group, for example, a PvP general in your guild. The advantage is that he has already informally led his faction, and since you have now entrusted him with this responsibility, he (if he wants to) will take on this task enthusiastically. Moreover, an alternative leader no longer has to assert himself against the informal leader, which can minimize tensions. You, on the other hand, demonstrate leadership competence to other members by making him the faction leader, as most would have elected him anyway. The solution doesn’t always work out, of course, but it is a sensible approach.
The actual division of responsibilities ensures that each interest group now has a direct contact person who belongs directly and can work on their concerns within the group. If the entire group or one of the subfactions is large enough, new subdivisions may be sensible. For example, one player could lead the PvP group, another train new recruits, and yet another organize the supply for the faction (potions, boosters, etc.).
Regular meetings of the individual factions help organize overarching themes and events and clarify tensions between individual interest groups.
First conclusion (as far as it goes):
In summary, the diverse types of players can be quite well brought together with a somewhat thoughtful strategy. However, it can also be part of the strategy to directly forgo certain types. Sounds a bit harsh, and nice is known to be the little sister of… uh, what I want to say is, clear announcements made collectively help all members and those who might want to join or those who no longer want to (and whom you don’t want anyway). *puhh*
More information and interesting facts about the MMO group will follow in any case soon. If you liked the article, feel free to share, love, and comment.
With that said, may you lead a harmonious group or simply help shape one!
Textbook example of a down-to-earth group leader
Your MMO-Ultraübermegametagruppenchiefcommanderhäuptling (short and sweet MMO-UÜMMGCCH) Björn 😀
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
The MMORPGs (Massive Multiplayer Role Playing Game, often simply referred to as “online role-playing games”) are probably the most well-known representatives and a subgenre of MMOGs. Games like “World Of Warcraft“, “Aion“, or “Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn” fall into this category, yet there are also significant features that differentiate them from other forms of MMOs, but they are not necessarily required. After all, the boundaries are not closed, and so overlaps naturally also occur.
This listing can and should only provide a brief outline, as computer games of this type, now increasingly found on consoles, are very complex and offer many opportunities for players to express themselves. This also includes different ways of thinking about what constitutes a role-playing game in a virtual world.
In this genre, one usually controls only one character at a time, as one embodies the “role” of this avatar. Within the given possibilities, the character can be customized, and we can give him a – more or less – unique appearance. It is usually possible to create more than one character and play separately – but never two at the same time. Your alter ego is accompanied by a backstory that follows you throughout the gameplay.
It is important to mention that social features represent a significant part, allowing you to interact with other players in various ways. This part is particularly strengthened by, for example, guilds or group-oriented content.
The interpretation of this is quite broad, as there are political systems, for instance, that allow you to levy taxes during a ruling period – these also affect other adventurers in the world. On the other hand, this point may also include content like decorating shared guild houses or fighting together against an enemy faction, conditioned by a historical background. However, it should be noted that you are rarely forced into this until the endgame, more about that later.
MMORPGs often have collection quests as a long-term incentive, which can vary in weight from more to less significant. This can involve simply accumulating experience points to reach the next level or gathering resources to equip yourself or other characters with new gear or various buffs. This is frequently associated with crafting professions, commonly referred to as “Crafting” in the jargon.
4. The Endgame
All games of this genre feature group quests, particularly in the so-called “endgame”. This often implies the conclusion of the main story and the “condition” that your character no longer becomes stronger through experience points but only through better gear. An alternative might be, for instance, the appearance of the equipment, which does not necessarily make your character more powerful but earns more prestige.
The best items are usually obtained only by teaming up with other players to tackle the most challenging gameplay tasks. Depending on focus or game orientation, this happens by fighting AI-controlled bosses or proving oneself in player-versus-player battles, known as PvP.
In addition to the usually challenging group tasks, there are also other areas that provide long-term motivation. Good online role-playing games are expected to keep players engaged even after countless hours of play, referring to hundreds of hours, in the world. Of course, this happens, among other things, with the help of regular game updates, as an MMORPG is continually developed. The group content mentioned earlier also plays a significant part in this, but that is not all.
Very popular among developers and accordingly among players are the so-called “dailies,” which are found in almost every MMORPG. Essentially, they are collection quests already mentioned in point 2. Often, the background is to increase reputation with a faction or party. However, this cannot all be done at once, as otherwise the engagement would be rather short depending on the player type.
Characteristic is that the tasks are updated daily or even weekly and can only be approached again after a certain time to “slow the pace” of the game. As rewards, better gear and vanity items like cute companions, stylish mounts, or pretty outfits await you. In addition, features like housing, achievement hunting, or continuing the story also provide incentives to stay in the game longer – in any case, there are several options available.
Finally, an important point is that MMORPGs are continuously and extensively developed over a long period, which is also referred to as Games-as-a-Service.
The core of every MMO(RPG) is combat, whether against monsters or other players. Often, characters only progress by killing opponents, become stronger, and loot treasures and riches.
There are two different design philosophies regarding how combat should be structured and what task is assigned to the player: one is the classic method, a semi-turn-based combat system, and the other is the more modern one, which is more action-oriented.
Semi-Turn-Based Combat System
In the classic method, the target enemy is selected with a mouse click or the tab key. Normal hits (auto-hits) or special abilities (skills) are used against this target. Healing works similarly: the healer selects their target through the in-game interface, healing spells affect exactly this target. For some healers, more complex fights in this system sometimes resemble an Excel spreadsheet.
The combat primarily revolves around which abilities can be used at which point, as the individual abilities have different cooldowns. The abilities are activated using hotkey buttons. Usually, there is an optimal sequence in which the different cooldowns are taken into account. This is referred to as a “rotation”.
Even in games that use this classic method of combat systems, you will find elements of action combat systems with area-of-effect skills (AoE) and in more complex boss fights. Some of these games also introduce elements of the newer system (like the monk class in World of Warcraft for example). It is to be expected that the “tab” combat system will become increasingly rare in its pure form. However, this variant is still appreciated for its diverse tactical options.
The action combat system generally places much more emphasis on the positioning and movement of players. Players can now dodge normal attacks, not just area-of-effect abilities. Players are more compelled to actively participate in combat, especially as aiming gains importance (usually a crosshair is then employed). It is more important to pay attention to the screen and the opponent than to the hotkey bar. Usually, there is also a collision detection.
The action combat system also typically knows an ideal rotation of abilities. In practice, the transition between combat systems is fluid. The action combat system is less a revolution of the classic design method but more a consistent evolution. However, this does not necessarily mean that this variant is better. It is still a matter of taste and should be experienced by everyone individually.
Moreover, one should be aware that it also depends on the direction in which the developer is heading with their work. Perhaps you could take a look at the “MMO Search” and click through the games to recognize the differences between online role-playing games. This way, you will get a feel for what might suit you better after some time.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
The game has already been selected in which you want to try your hand at role-playing, but you lack access or are afraid of making a bad impression during your first attempts? We will remedy that now! Thematically, today we will focus on creating your first role-playing character, but we must say in advance: These tips are not set in stone, but they will greatly facilitate your entry.
Character creation is the foundation of your role-playing experience; much is already decided for the future, so one should proceed very carefully to avoid putting obstacles in one’s own way right from the start. The creation process doesn’t have to be time-consuming, but it’s essential to take some notes, and at its core, you need to be able to answer five questions for the character to dive into the game.
But let’s detail each point:
1. What has my character experienced so far? (Family, friends, background)
To answer this question, it is essential to already know a little about the background story of the game world. Usually, this information can be obtained for free from the internet; otherwise, ask in forums about details you consider important – or ask that one “lore nerd” we all have in our friend list. You should never fill your own gaps in knowledge with assumptions, as this generally leads to complications.
Need an example? You might consider playing a Draenei who was raised among humans in WoW. Experienced players will weep and cover their faces with their hands, because the Draenei have only had contact with humans for a few years.
Another important point in the story: Stay grounded! Nothing is more boring than a background story that explains why your character is an absolute superhero. It may be true that you have defeated 19 dragons and 254 undead in a raid instance – but that has no place in role-playing.
The role of a simple baker, a somewhat clumsy mercenary, or a humble farm boy has much more potential and does not frighten other players. No one is perfect in real life, and no one should be in role-playing, because that only leads to one thing: loneliness.
But the other extreme is incredibly boring as well: Newcomers often tend to develop a background story that is dripping with drama. The character’s father was murdered by your personal arch-nemesis, the mother died at birth, and now the broken, helpless, and naive girl has to beg in the streets, where she keeps falling for bad men and their promises.
It’s very tempting to want to play something very special in a fantasy world, but unfortunately, thousands before you have come up with the same idea and flooded the role-playing servers. It’s boring and only leads to frustration for your fellow players.
The historical entry is especially easy if you work it out together with a friend. Your two characters could be brothers or good friends – work out some shared memories that connect your characters, and you’re good to go.
2. Where are my character’s strengths? (Skills, “soft skills”)
As mentioned before, it’s incredibly monotonous if your character is the best at everything they do. No one can simultaneously be the legendary dragon slayer, the world’s greatest blacksmith, the most successful charmer, the most elegant artist, and the sturdiest fighter. It’s best to choose one or two things that your character is really good at; it doesn’t have to be anything world-shattering. Small things like “He is good with children” or “She always stays calm, even in the hottest arguments” make a character much more interesting than “He is unbeatable and kills every enemy in two seconds.”
When selecting strengths, you should also pay attention to another detail: only choose strengths that you can portray as a player! It’s simply not very convincing if your character is a “very good blacksmith” but you, as a player, have no idea what a forge is, for example. This makes your character unbelievable and leads to frustrating moments for you. The golden rule that can be derived from LARP here is: Play only what you can portray.
3. What are my character’s weaknesses? (Bad habits, deficiencies)
Just as important as the strengths are the weaknesses of your avatar. Basically, the same rules apply as with strengths: Choose a few things that your character simply cannot do well. These don’t have to be anything practical; social disadvantages are also possible. To give a few examples again: a burly blacksmith who is afraid of dogs of any size, or a spice merchant who cannot help but grant overly generous discounts to handsome Twi’lek men.
Maybe a noble lady who has horrifically bad taste in fashion? Anything is possible, and every strength can be mirrored as a weakness – the palette is nearly limitless. Additionally, your character may not even be aware of their own weakness yet because it hasn’t shown itself in any situation – it may only reveal itself during the RP.
4. What are my character’s goals? (Especially long-term)
This point is especially important to ensure your own enjoyment of the game. It’s not necessary to write a whole essay about what your character wants to achieve or how they plan to achieve it – a single keyword may suffice. For this purpose, we differentiate between long-term and short-term goals. The long-term goal is the most important, as it helps you, as a player, to pick up the “red thread” of your own story in difficult situations and offers you a decision-making aid.
Of course, your character does not have to pursue this goal non-stop; it is, however, extremely important for their life plan. And a great advantage is: Goals don’t have to be realistic. Your apprentice blacksmith can very well have the goal of eventually being allowed to forge the king’s armor or to become the best blacksmith in the world – even if you, as a player, know he can never achieve that. A broader term like “a free life” would also be a legitimate goal that a character can strive for.
Short-term goals are, as the name suggests, more spontaneous in nature. They usually arise simply from the role-play and require little further explanation. For the off-duty city guard, a goal could be to flirt a little with the cute waitress over there and perhaps find out where she lives, while the waitress might try to squeeze as much tip out of this obvious lecher as possible.
Finally, it should be noted that goals can change; they are not fixed or irreplaceable. Role-playing itself continuously shapes your character, and even if your mercenary has always dreamed of a free, unbound life, it may turn out after a few weeks that this one pretty magician has turned his head so much that he might prefer to marry and settle down.
5. What does my character look like? (Muscular, skinny, scarred)
For the appearance of your character, all previous points must be considered and intertwined. If your character is a blacksmith, then it’s only logical for him to have a muscular physique; likewise, the mage apprentice is likely to be skinny, as he may never have had to lift anything heavier than his schoolbooks.
Make sure that your background story, strengths, weaknesses, and (not always) goals reflect your character’s appearance. Appearance is the first thing other players will see of your avatar – it should roughly reflect what defines them. No one will believe you if you want to portray a battle-hardened mercenary but have such flawless and scar-free skin that one might think your only effort so far has been to bathe in milk every evening.
Many games make it relatively difficult for us role-players, as character customization options are limited. Often, each race and gender has exactly one body model, so anyone wanting to portray a somewhat plump elf or a tall human woman runs into a problem initially. However, you shouldn’t be discouraged by having a limited selection of customization options or abandon your character concept – the appearance does not have to perfectly match the actual appearance – small details like being overweight/underweight or scars can also be easily mentioned in role-play.
Of course, there are also online role-playing games, such as Aion or Guild Wars 2 (image above), that come with a fairly extensive character creation and offer you a wide range of possibilities.
Conclusion
If you can adequately answer these five questions, then you should discuss your concept with someone else – preferably with a role-player who knows the setting well. If you don’t have anyone in your friend circle who fits that description, you can also simply ask for opinions and help in the appropriate forums – as a newcomer, you have nothing to lose, and people will usually give you good advice on what you should change or reconsider.
Just remember: you will soon be playing with these people, so it’s also important to them that you are well prepared and do not represent a burden, but rather an enhancement to the game world.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
One of the fundamental components of nearly all MMOs are guilds, teams, or other grouping options. You team up with friends and like-minded individuals – it’s about having fun together, achieving common goals, glory and honor; it’s about items and loot, it’s about defeating virtual and real opponents that wouldn’t be conquerable alone, and so on – in other words: It’s about a whole lot! It’s about the MMOG itself!
The fact is: Even if it’s not absolutely necessary for every player, MMO groups are still one of the cornerstones of the multi-massively-online game!
Whether voluntarily or forced by the architecture of many MMOs, even dedicated solo players cannot entirely do without other players or groups in most online games. At least if they want to experience all the game content that they typically paid for in one way or another.
And the MMO creators themselves? Yes, they want you to play together too! Taking the classic example of the vintage game World of Warcraft, some almost mandatory measures stand out that are intended to “excite” players about the benefits of playing together: guild bonuses, group achievements, and a multitude of instances that are hardly manageable alone, to name just a few examples. The actual background story of WoW cannot fundamentally be followed as a solo player without participating in some form of group play.
And now let’s be honest, why not? In the past, it was said that these freaky gamers would one day sit alone with square eyes in front of their machines and cry because they have no real friends left (or never had?). Well, think again, today half the world is “on the line” and hardly any smartphone owner can imagine a life without Facebook, Twitter, and who knows what other apps. So, get out there and form groups!
Success depends on many factors
OK, I admit, bad experiences with lousy groups can really spoil the fun of the game. Grumpy raid leaders who play dictator in Teamspeak, know-it-all pro gamers who have to mock every newbie, and stinky ninja farmers who snatch loot right in front of you can really get on your nerves. 😉
BUT, despite that – a really great group can enhance the enjoyment of the game for months and create unforgettable moments. And if the “foreign” grouping doesn’t work out, well then just create your own and do it better! Grab your friends, keep an eye out for other players you can cooperate well with, be selective, but also give others a chance to become part of your community.
Those of you who have already been leaders or at least officers in an administrative role will probably groan out loud and say: “Ohh, man, if it were only that easy!” And all we can say to that is: “You’re right!” – the success of a well-functioning group, a guild, or a team depends on many factors and does not necessarily come overnight. And that’s exactly why, because we love MMOs and know that groups are a fundamental part of what we love, we’re making this a major topic here. 😀
This area will focus on how to successfully form your groups, which tools, add-ons, or other aids can help you, what you can do to keep the guys and (not to forget!) the girls engaged, and what makes your members damn well go to the darn fanpage and even be active there. 😉
In this spirit,………..may the group power be with you!
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
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