Ultima Online was never quite the same once they created rules to restrict freedom of choice. The carebears won. MMOs going forward catered to the risk-averse player exclusively, to those players that didn't like losing stuff.
What could have been excellent societal simulators, instead became theme parks.
Until CCP released EVE Online. A game that was built upon Raph's original vision for Ultima Online. A game in which the players defined the content, where the players decided their destiny. The narrative was from the players, not thrust upon players by some corporate entity.
But this is changing. The carebear voice is getting louder in New Eden. CCP is listening. Investors grow concerned, seem to think that EVE could be bigger, much bigger, if only it were kinder, gentler. And thus the game slowly changes. We're not sure how far CCP will go, because some big names in the company, at Fanfest 2012, proclaimed that EVE will always be about player choice. EVE will always be about a community of choices.
For now, I'm relishing that I get to play in this Koster-like universe. It may change for the worse somewhere down the road. I certainly hope it doesn't, but if it does, I'm going to enjoy it while it lasts.
"Carebear theme park" is something that a risk-averse, bad player can WIN. Like World of Warcraft, no matter how much you suck, you have the shiniest stuff available, just a few weeks later than the very best.
ReplyDeleteA game can allow carebears and simply bad players to LIVE and still be a great game if the "endgame" is exclusive to good players and it includes ruthless PvP.
In simpler words: why do you care if some idiot is happily running crappy missions and mines veldspar with a Mackinaw in highsec dreaming about a CNR, while you run a capital ship and own systems? Especially since he funds your play by selling you PLEX.
"A game can allow carebears and simply bad players to LIVE and still be a great game if the "endgame" is exclusive to good players and it includes ruthless PvP."
ReplyDeleteI agree. WoW, for instance, was a better game when the very hardest raids were gated and the only the best players were able to complete them. Think Sunwell Plateau.
To answer your question, I don't care if some idiot is happily mining velspar and running crappy missions. If they are enjoying the game, then more power to them. But they don't get a free pass from the cruelties and violence of the game, either.
"But they don't get a free pass from the cruelties and violence of the game, either."
ReplyDeleteOnly now, they're starting to.
How's this for a RE-HE-HE-HE-HEEEAALLY Immodest Proposal, Susan: CCP ups the sub price by 5-10 bucks per account. BUT. CONCORD is nerfed, no more "buffs" to hisec, no more "safer" proposals for hisec, and if you have a problem with that, THERE is the door, please don't let it hit you too hard on the furry ass on your way out.
I'd go for it.
Few thousand less bears, and CCP still comes out ahead cause the several hundred thousand of us left are now picking up the difference with that extra 5-10 bucks a month.