The community of the MMORPG Shroud of the Avatar has been discussing random encounters in the game for some time. Do they make sense in an MMORPG?
Random encounters are perhaps known from Japanese role-playing games like the Final Fantasy series. The hero wanders through the landscape, and suddenly a battle occurs out of the blue. This should have provided excitement in the past, but it also always brought frustration. Especially when trying to quickly reach the next town with only a few hit points left, enemies would suddenly appear out of nowhere and finish you off. These random battles were already present in The Bard’s Tale games from the 1980s – so they have a tradition in the RPG genre.
Random battles in MMORPGs?
In the upcoming online game Shroud of the Avatar, which is already being tested in Pre-Alpha, such random encounters also play a role. You wander alone or in a group across the world map, and suddenly you are pulled into a scene where you have to face some bandits or skeletons. This leads to ongoing discussions in the community, as it raises the question of whether random battles can even work in an MMORPG.
A nice surprise!
Random encounters always bring an element of surprise and a certain tension. You can never be sure if you are being lured into an ambush. However, it also throws all planning out the window. You are well-equipped in the group, have prepared everything for the next boss fight, and suddenly you are confronted by some skeletons. All that planning is then in vain. Generally, a well-thought-out tactic is important for many MMORPG fans.
You want to be well-prepared, as many are not satisfied with just defeating the boss. They want to do it as effectively and quickly as possible. The strategy must succeed.
If you are then distracted by random encounters, it is annoying – in addition, you cannot prepare for them and must act spontaneously. Quickly coordinate the group and ensure that you are effective despite all the surprises. This can lead to frustration on one hand, but on the other, it can also offer a new challenge.
Random encounters in an MMORPG can thus work and bring tension to the game. However, not all gamers will like this feature, especially those who prefer to plan every battle well.
