Themepark/Sandbox combo

garry

For the life of me I cannot understand why people put the (vs) in between the two types of game design. I have recommended on several game forums that a nice game design would be a themepark with 'portals' into sandbox side lobes.

 

A sandbox does not denote size but simply means that the content is accessed by contiguous travel. Sandboxes contain instances and other attributes of an MMO, just that travel, by horse or spaceship, is needed to get to all of the content. I envision a full themepark game like SWTOR with at least a portal to a Sandbox space/planet endgame to ADD to the regular endgame content of warzones, dungeons etc...

 

You might also add 'lobes' of sandbox play accessable from the main gameline for a variety of gameplay PVE/PVP/RP. I simply do not see why the two designs cannot complement each other. Two different design playstyles combined for play - what a nice concept.  Trolls may not like it because they will have to come up with new complaints but I am betting that will be easy for them. Forums are more fun for trolls than actually playing much.

 

Anyone think this is a viable concept? Are there problems I haven't seen? Do I underestimate the antipathy between the followers of the two design philosophies? Heck, let me have it if you are bored and disagree with me.

UsulDaNeriak

i am sure that it is possible to mix up theme-park and sandbox in one game, but i doubt it is possible to just add some sandbox niches to a theme-park. the most sandbox-features are fundamental like a player driven economy or an open skill-system . on the other side, it is possible to have quests and even linear questlines in a sandbox. the difference is, that in a sandbox it is not really neccessary to follow any questline to develop your character. they are just another tool. 

regarding pvp i am convinced that ppv-ffa is not necessary everwhere, but you need at least one big area, where free territoral pvp takes place. this could be a set of planets with full pvp-ffa and permanent territorial control, while on the starting planets pvp is forbidden or not worth. EVE uses a similar approach. so in this case, your concept would work. of course you could have additionaly arenas, which are more a theme-park-style sportsgame.

if i should design a good sandpark game, i would start with a full blown sandbox and then add a lot optional theme-park elements. while the open virtual sandbox world is instance free, the theme-park elements could be instanced partially. vice versa it is much more difficult, because some important sandbox elements are fundamental and must  apply to the entire game. 

Dewm

You've got to use your brain on this one, so i'll talk slow...

People like their opinions

/thread

 

But no in reality I could also ask, why do we favor one football team over another? I like NY Giants, you like cowboys...but why do we put them "vs." I mean one team without the other would be really boring to watch. so why do we put a VS. in there? humans like there opinions, it adds competition, it makes it more fun to talk about.

 

...If everyone agree'd on stuff on  this forum...there wouldnt' be a forum.

waynejr2

It's not a new idea and in fact we have a term for it.

 

Themepark.