Today, hardly any MMORPG exists without instances. But which game introduced these enclosed game areas?
Why were instances introduced in MMORPGs? As we already explained in the article “Why did players have to wait in line for bosses in MMORPGs?” , dungeons were open to all players in the early days of MMORPGs.
This led to players constantly getting in each other’s way, and players had to queue for boss encounters. Sometimes it took a long time before it was their turn to defeat the boss.
Moreover, many players simply wanted to be “THE hero” who defeated the evil boss monster. This is naturally difficult in an MMORPG, as everyone wants to achieve this. Likewise, the housing situation was slowly becoming a problem. In Ultima Online, for example, players littered the wilderness with their houses, which harmed the atmosphere.
Instances became important for MMO fans
What is different about instances? The introduction of instances allows individual players or groups to explore a dungeon undisturbed. Everything that happens in the instance occurs only for those who are present there. There are no “strangers” running around to defeat the boss as well.
Often, the boss does not respawn after the fight, creating the impression that the heroes have accomplished a great deed and defeated the monster once and for all – at least as long as the instance is not repeated.
Which MMORPG introduced instances? The MMORPG The Realm Online is considered the online game that introduced the concept to the genre. The Realm Online was released in 1996. The game published by Sierra Online resembled the graphic adventures of that time. It was played from a side-scrolling perspective, similar to the King’s Quest or Space Quest games. However, it is an MMORPG.
The special aspect of the game was its combat. Not only were the battles turn-based, but they also took place outside the open game world. Players would enter an instance where only the participating players could fight against the monsters.
This was, of course, a very rudimentary form of instances, which later made their way into more and more MMORPGs.
- In Runescape, instances are used in quests so players can complete their tasks undisturbed.
- In Guild Wars, nearly the entire game was instanced. The cities consisted of several districts, and the areas were entered by each group alone.
- In World of Warcraft, instances are created for raids so that larger groups can focus on their tasks.
- In The Elder Scrolls Online, instances play a very significant role. Decisions can change the game world. Depending on the choices you made, you find yourself in an instance with players who made the same decisions as you.
- The Lord of the Rings Online offers housing in a special instance.
Not everyone likes instances
However, instances are also criticized: Some MMORPG fans believe that instances go against the nature of an online role-playing game. MMORPGs should be designed to allow as many players as possible to adventure together.
The more instances an online RPG has, the more players are isolated from each other. The social interaction and togetherness become less significant. For this reason, the upcoming MMORPG Pantheon: Rise of the Fallen will not offer any instances. Nonetheless, they have become indispensable in the genre today.
What do you think of instances? Are they a must in an MMORPG, or do they hinder the experience?
