11-12-2009, 10:42 PM
A lot of what I'm writing has already been discussed in other threads, but wtf, I got a good buzz going. I think that whatever the progression system is (levels, skill trees, something else) a noob should always have a chance against a maxed out guy. Sure, maybe the max has to be afk, standing next to a cliff, almost dead already, or a complete retard, but there has to be a chance. 2 noobs versus 1 max? Decent chance. 3 or more? Max better be good. In most mmos, Noob hits Max for 1 dmg, 1 out of 10 tries. That's too much separation. You should be able to jump in game at level 1 and kick it with your buddies trying to kill level 50s. Will you get your ass kicked? Probably. But if there's a bunch of you, you're organized and they're not, you should win.
So, if you agree with the above at all, the question is, how do you allow that, yet also allow the cornerstone of RPGs: character progression that is meaningful and rewarding? I think that is your question Slamz?
I don't know shit compared to most of you geeks, but I'll spew anyway. Early SWG had a non-level based progression system that I thought had some merit. It was a progression tree based on weapon specific bonuses, defensive bonuses and new attacks. There just weren't any level based bonuses you normally get. Noob has 50 hit points and Max has 10k? IMO that's lame. Instead, how about Noob has his grandpa's .22 and a dirty T shirt. Max has fancy attacks, fancy armor, fancy weapons, fancy accuracy, and dodging bonuses.
It is a tough question. How do you balance character progression with plug and play pvp? You guys can figure it out I'm sure.
So, if you agree with the above at all, the question is, how do you allow that, yet also allow the cornerstone of RPGs: character progression that is meaningful and rewarding? I think that is your question Slamz?
I don't know shit compared to most of you geeks, but I'll spew anyway. Early SWG had a non-level based progression system that I thought had some merit. It was a progression tree based on weapon specific bonuses, defensive bonuses and new attacks. There just weren't any level based bonuses you normally get. Noob has 50 hit points and Max has 10k? IMO that's lame. Instead, how about Noob has his grandpa's .22 and a dirty T shirt. Max has fancy attacks, fancy armor, fancy weapons, fancy accuracy, and dodging bonuses.
It is a tough question. How do you balance character progression with plug and play pvp? You guys can figure it out I'm sure.