Progress is important in online games so that players feel they are achieving something in a game. But what happens to this progress when an addon is released? Should the level cap be increased, which could lead to new grinding, or should there simply be additional content while keeping the max level untouched?
Arguments for Increasing the Level Cap
A MMORPG is not put aside after completing the story and reaching the highest level. Development studios want to keep players engaged long-term, which entails releasing updates and expansions.
Grinding as an Option to Engage Players
A relatively easy-to-implement content is grinding. A developer increases the level cap through an addon to motivate players to reach the new maximum level. This means players must grind again to obtain the experience points needed for the new level. Grinding is a way to give players something to do without requiring developers to put in too much effort.
Additionally, levels are a good way to compare oneself with other players. Those with a higher level are “better.” Therefore, it is important to level up.
New content such as new game modes, new enemies, and additional quests is often quickly consumed by players. This usually does not keep players engaged for long, despite the time it takes to develop such content.
The Feeling of Happiness that the Hero is Getting Better
However, in increasing the level cap, something else also plays a role. New, larger threats appear in the world, which players can only face if they become stronger. Thus, it is a continuous process to further improve one’s hero to feel they are advancing in the game.
This comes from the “Pen & Paper” templates. In D&D, for example, players start at level 1 and gradually improve throughout the adventures and campaigns they play.
When a new adventure is due, one wants to continue playing the beloved hero. However, they also want to enjoy a sense of achievement that goes beyond defeating the new final boss. The hero should gain something from it, and a new level is a good reward. Because if the champion remains at the same level, it will eventually become boring to continue playing them.
Therefore, increasing the level cap represents a motivation for many players to reach the new max level, and developers receive a relatively easy-to-integrate opportunity to give players something to do again.
Arguments Against Increasing the Level Cap
Level cap increases also come with disadvantages. They can distract from the actual content of a game, reducing a MMORPG to merely wanting to quickly reach the new maximum level.
It Could Be Boring and Tedious to Reach the Level Cap
Grinding is not for everyone. Because grinding can also be boring. Repeating the same content to gain EXP and possibly new items can become a repetitive and dull affair, leaving one to wonder why they are even doing it.
A grind can even question the game world and story: “If I can never defeat the evil dragon boss and he continues to terrorize the village forever, why am I fighting him?” It is no longer about making the game world feel alive and “logical” through the story but merely about accumulating EXP.
It might even take an extremely long time to reach the new level cap, which can eventually destroy the motivation to keep grinding.
It Could Also Be Too Easy to Reach the New Maximum Level
However, there is also the other extreme. Many MMORPGs cater to casual players. These often lack the time and inclination to engage in grinding for long periods. If they take too long to level up and keep up with others, motivation can wane. However, if the level cap is reached too quickly, this also negatively impacts the game.
One might reach the endgame too quickly, and the game’s content becomes boring too fast. Developers must then quickly provide new content, which can become problematic because it takes considerable time to develop such content, yet they are quickly consumed.
Older areas may become uninteresting as new zones enter the game, allowing for faster leveling. Therefore, the focus would need to be on constantly introducing new and/or repeatable content.
Your Opinion Matters
What do you think? Is it important to you that you can always level up your character in a MMORPG and that the level cap increases with addons? Or would you prefer new content that defines you? Let us know in our survey:
