Profile: nonjonron
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• • Does anybody here like MMOs at all?

  • I think the problem is that many of the games are similar.  What will eventually happen is that with the advance of technology and the lack of consumer demand for the current decade of MMO's, brighter minds will break through with a game that actually raises the bar to a new level. 

    Since Everquest, there has not been much that has really improved upon in these types of games.  Eve on-line is the only exception in my mind,  and it is not for everyone. 

    What will come in the next ten years?  For one thing, I believe the heavy client model is a problem.   Two much emphasis is placed on the performance of the client hardware and the purchase and installation of client software in a precise hardware configuration.  That should become outdated in the future.  A well designed game should be accessible from multiple locations and many different types of thin client devices, yet still deliver an engrossing game experience.

    Secondly, the games themselves.  Right now, two types of MMO's hold the field.  Type 1 is level based and pretty much provides a linear road from level 1 to the highest level.  Developers throw in skill trees to try and make it different.  Type 2 is skill based.  You train a skill and then train another skill, and another one, and another one.....  In both type 1 and type 2 games you acquire items, usually for the purpose of becoming more powerful.

    Permadeath does not exist in MMO games today (yeah, someone will point out some left field exception - forget it).  Sex does not exist.  Child bearing does not exist.  No one creates a world where you can become a lesser god and create a world within that world.  Real disease does not exist (the kind that will kill you in 2 real life months resulting in permadeath).  Perhaps you could then leave a will for your other characters....  Eve is one of the only games to exist on a single server (China server excluded). 

    There is so much left to be done in these games.  Step 1 however, is to pull yourself out of the structure that Gary Gygax (spelling?) and company (TSR) made famous.  Step 2 is realize that EQ was a point in time concept and implementation.  WOW improved upon that same formula.  The other games pretty much tailor that formula in many different ways, but it is still pretty similar.

    The next game that rocks everyone's world will be nothing like these games.  Look at the examples I list above (sex, permadeath, disease, child bearing, creating pieces of the world, even rule modification e.g. Magic The Gathering concepts). 

    So, I don't think people hate MMO's.  We've simply seen alot of them and we need to move on.

  • Posted: 10/26/08 3:24 PM
    General Discussion
• • Computer Component Noob

  • In response to a prior reply, I think most people would agree there are two approaches to a new PC purchase:

    1.  Go in for a low cost decent performance PC that will meet your needs now and perhaps for the next two or three years.  Plan on replacing the PC in 3 years.

    2.  Go for a cutting edge PC that will meet you needs for hopefully 4-5 years.  You can't expect more than 5 years.

    I believe in approach 1 if you are concerned about cash.  You will get more benefit for your cost over time if you take approach 1.  That said however, it will also be less convenient.  You will have to transfer files between computers, and go through the pain of shopping every three years.  I've had my current p4 for three years and am now looking for an equivalent replacement that will do the same job with current games that my P4 did three years ago with then-current games.  I paid a little more than $1000 for my p4 three years ago.  I will pay around $1000 for a new dual or quad machine now to handle current games.  That means in three years I have paid $2000 dollars for 5-6 years worth of PC usage. 

    Now, if you spend $2000 today on a PC, will it last you 6 years?  I think you will wind up upgrading in 3 or 4 years anyway. 

    Of course, if I had money to burn I would just spend $4000 on a new PC.  I don't have that kind of money.  Maybe you do.

  • Posted: 8/30/08 10:54 AM
    General Discussion
• • Should I upgrade my current desktop now or wait? Cost/Benefit

  • Any suggestions with regards to processor, graphics card, memory and sound card in the < $1000 range?  I was considering a Dell.

    How would that machine compare to my current desktop?  Thanks.

  • Posted: 8/28/08 6:42 PM
    General Discussion
• • Should I upgrade my current desktop now or wait? Cost/Benefit

  • Hello,

    I have the following hardware config:

    P4 3.0 GHZ

    1022 MB Ram

    Nvidia GFORCE 7600 GS

    I periodically upgrade to play various games.  Most of my gaming as of late has been confined to Eve On-line although I do dabble in EQ2.  There are some games coming up that hold my interest.  In the short-term Warhammer, in the long-term Diablo III.

    I try to time my hardware upgrades to maximize my benefit and minimize my cost.  Question:  will I notice a significant increase in performance if I buy a new desktop in the < $1000 range at this point in time?  If so, does anyone have any hardware recommendations?  I have fallen behind somewhat on the current state of desktop technology.  Thanks.

     

  • Posted: 8/28/08 7:48 AM
    General Discussion