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There has to be a better way to distinguish MMOs from Non MMOs

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  • AndemnonAndemnon Member UncommonPosts: 179
    This type of discussion has been held numerous times, i think personally that Cameltosis has the right of it, if the game supports at least 250 players then its an MMO, i remember back when people argued over the original Guild Wars, when the developers themselves came out and stated that it was in fact a Cooperative multiplayer online game and not an MMO, old arguments but the same things hold true today, there is a very large difference between massively multiplayer, and multiplayer also agree that SWTOR doesn't really meet the criteria of an MMO, also as others have said, too many games, whether multiplayer or massively multiplayer, are played more as if they are a single player game anyway.
    Kylerannurso
  • olepiolepi Member EpicPosts: 3,017
    To me, the first M in MMO is the Roman numeral 1,000. To be rated "massive", you need to be able to host 1,000 players in an instance.

    It's kind of lost its meaning though, like "release", "alpha", and "beta", which used to have actual meanings.
    Adamantine

    ------------
    2024: 47 years on the Net.


  • SovrathSovrath Member LegendaryPosts: 32,780
    I don't see why people can't just look at the features and make that determination. "It's an mmorpg."

    great ... you look, oh wait it only supports 35 people per world, not my thing, move on.

    great ... you look, supports hundreds of people in one world. My thing.


    Andemnon
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  • GorweGorwe Member Posts: 1,593
    What is an RPG anyhow?
  • ScotScot Member LegendaryPosts: 24,273
    Gorwe said:
    What is an RPG anyhow?
    It was the thing MMORPG's first lost, before they lost Massively, for the future I am guessing they will lose Multiplayer. Once great MMORPG's will become Online Games, there will be you and there will be a cash shop, that's games getting ever better as we look to the future.
    Mendelnurso
  • GorweGorwe Member Posts: 1,593
    edited January 2023
    Scot said:
    Gorwe said:
    What is an RPG anyhow?
    It was the thing MMORPG's first lost, before they lost Massively, for the future I am guessing they will lose Multiplayer. Once great MMORPG's will become Online Games, there will be you and there will be a cash shop, that's games getting ever better as we look to the future.
    Yes, most MMOs are actually OLGs(Online Lobby Games), but that's besides. I know what is coloquially understood as sa n "RPG", but if you better je think about those words ...

    ...is something like Campaign modes of, say, Warcraft or Disciples 3 an "RPG"?

    Think now. ;)
    Scot
  • AngrakhanAngrakhan Member EpicPosts: 1,750
    "RPG" stands for Role Playing Game as in you have a role to play like in a movie or play.  That's why a "Roleplaying Server" means a server where people are trying to stay in character and "play" (as in act) their role.  This definition goes back to the table top games like Dungeons and Dragons, GURPS, etc.

    A lot of people think it means Roll Playing Game as in you roll dice.  The mechanics of the game has nothing to do with it.  However, in spite of that the various tropes that come with an 'RPG' in video games include but aren't limited to: levels, loot, talent trees, boss fights, dungeon crawls, RNG, etc.  When you see "RPG" in conjunction with a video game, that's what they are typically referring to. 

    Ideally, they refer to story as in it has a good one and you have an important role to play in it because that's what actually makes it an RPG.  However, since you can argue an action adventure game or heck even an RTS is an RPG by that definition the video game industry has adopted the loot/levels/etc meaning of RPG.
  • KyleranKyleran Member LegendaryPosts: 43,975
    Sovrath said:
    I don't see why people can't just look at the features and make that determination. "It's an mmorpg."

    great ... you look, oh wait it only supports 35 people per world, not my thing, move on.

    great ... you look, supports hundreds of people in one world. My thing.


    Too much reading....
    SovrathScot

    "True friends stab you in the front." | Oscar Wilde 

    "I need to finish" - Christian Wolff: The Accountant

    Just trying to live long enough to play a new, released MMORPG, playing New Worlds atm

    Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. Pvbs 18:2, NIV

    Don't just play games, inhabit virtual worlds™

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  • QuizzicalQuizzical Member LegendaryPosts: 25,483
    How about if we distinguish MMOs from non-MMOs by flipping a coin?  That wouldn't be more reliable than other methods, but it would sure involve a lot less arguing.
    Scot
  • AngrakhanAngrakhan Member EpicPosts: 1,750
    Doesn't it really just boil down to how you define "massively"? The rest is pretty obvious, frankly. 

    Multiplayer, got it. Online, got it. RPG, see my post above. Really, massively is the only word up for debate.
    Sovrath
  • TalinTalin Member UncommonPosts: 923
    Terminology shouldn't matter if there was clarity what the size of the persistent worlds are (if they are persistent at all). 
  • MMOExposedMMOExposed Member RarePosts: 7,400
    Talin said:
    Terminology shouldn't matter if there was clarity what the size of the persistent worlds are (if they are persistent at all). 
    but there isnt,,, for most games. Go check this out if you dont believe me. 

    Lets use SWTOR. Tell me where they tell consumers the total number of people in a single zone. I am googling it right now and cant come up with a straight direct answer to that question. SO How am I suppose to know this answer without buying the game and playing it. Which you would have to do this with every single game that falsely identify as a MMO btw, which is a lot of time and money.

    Philosophy of MMO Game Design

  • AdamantineAdamantine Member RarePosts: 5,093
    Gorwe said:
    What is an RPG anyhow?

    Why, a roleplaying game where you (role)play a character.

    That means your game avatar is a fictional person with history, background, specific skills etc. Much of this is however usually not supported by computers. People still enjoy filling in these blanks, too.

    In terms of game mechanics, specifically on a computer, its a game where you can decide what your character does, but how successful the character in question is at an action is decided by the characters properties.

    That specifically means someone who isnt that brilliant at science can play a scientist, someone who has no reflexes can play a ninja, etc.

    This is opposed to an action game, where all that matters is usually how quickly you can react to events.

  • KnightFalzKnightFalz Member EpicPosts: 4,522
    Gorwe said:
    What is an RPG anyhow?
    Originally it meant role-playing game, but the use of the acronym has spread to games that don't necessarily include much if any role-playing. As such, it has come to mean many things so effectively means nothing without further qualification.
  • KyleranKyleran Member LegendaryPosts: 43,975
    Gorwe said:
    What is an RPG anyhow?
    Originally it meant role-playing game, but the use of the acronym has spread to games that don't necessarily include much if any role-playing. As such, it has come to mean many things so effectively means nothing without further qualification.
    Context is everything...



    KnightFalzAndemnonGorwe

    "True friends stab you in the front." | Oscar Wilde 

    "I need to finish" - Christian Wolff: The Accountant

    Just trying to live long enough to play a new, released MMORPG, playing New Worlds atm

    Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. Pvbs 18:2, NIV

    Don't just play games, inhabit virtual worlds™

    "This is the most intelligent, well qualified and articulate response to a post I have ever seen on these forums. It's a shame most people here won't have the attention span to read past the second line." - Anon






  • delete5230delete5230 Member EpicPosts: 7,081
    Sovrath said:
    I don't see why people can't just look at the features and make that determination. "It's an mmorpg."

    great ... you look, oh wait it only supports 35 people per world, not my thing, move on.

    great ... you look, supports hundreds of people in one world. My thing.


    Exactly..... Honestly I don't understand why this is a topic ?
  • DarkhawkeDarkhawke Member UncommonPosts: 212
    Talin said:
    Terminology shouldn't matter if there was clarity what the size of the persistent worlds are (if they are persistent at all). 
    The persistent World is a must have IMO. And not many ( hrmmm) MMOs actually have a Persistent World.
       Eve, DAoC , Anarchy and UO for example all have persistent worlds.Where your actions continue and endure while affecting other players experience ,AFTER you log off.. 
    Kyleran
  • cameltosiscameltosis Member LegendaryPosts: 3,832
    Gorwe said:
    What is an RPG anyhow?

    Why, a roleplaying game where you (role)play a character.

    That means your game avatar is a fictional person with history, background, specific skills etc. Much of this is however usually not supported by computers. People still enjoy filling in these blanks, too.

    In terms of game mechanics, specifically on a computer, its a game where you can decide what your character does, but how successful the character in question is at an action is decided by the characters properties.

    That specifically means someone who isnt that brilliant at science can play a scientist, someone who has no reflexes can play a ninja, etc.

    This is opposed to an action game, where all that matters is usually how quickly you can react to events.


    Role =/= character

    If you are just playing a character, it's not necessarily a roleplaying game. E.g. all the Zelda games you get to play Link, but Link is a character, not a role, which is why the Zelda games are not called RPGs, but action / adventure games.



    The essence of a roleplaying game is that the player gets to interact (i.e. play) with the role, and then seeing how those choices about the role play out within the larger game world.

    Its about choices. The more choices the player gets to make about their role, the more of a roleplaying game it is.




    Easy example: LotRO's combat roles.

    You get to choose your class, which gives you access to one or more combat roles

    You get to choose your specs, which lets you refine your role

    You get to choose your gear, which can enhance or detract from aspects of your role

    You get to choose your skill usage in combat, which then affects your effectiveness at performing that role.



    That's a lot of different layers in which the player is making important choices about their combat role. And thats before we even begin to touch economic roles (crafting / AH), social roles (guild leaders / officers, event organisers) or personality roles (lightside/darkside etc)




    I do feel that the action combat era has dramatically reduced the amount of combat roleplaying. Not only because there are less roles, but the roles are much shallower and so the decision making about your roles is easy.

    But other sorts of roles are still in the games. I dont know if this is just observer bias, but I feel like a lot of the Asian MMORPGs put a stronger emphasis on economic roleplaying than we do in the west.
    Currently Playing: WAR RoR - Spitt rr7X Black Orc | Scrotling rr6X Squig Herder | Scabrous rr4X Shaman

  • MendelMendel Member LegendaryPosts: 5,609
    kitarad said:
    I don't actually look at the tags or labels when I cruise for games. I check out youtube videos on upcoming games or if I see anything interesting on Steam I go to youtube or Twitch to check how the game plays. 

    I don't consider what others label a game as important since I often find interesting games when I discard labels. They are never as important as your own analysis after watching the game for an hour. There are some streamers I often check out but ultimately if you're are depending on these definitions you will miss out on gems.
    but if Youtubers call the game a MMO as well, how can I tell which games are and arent MMOs? 

    Youtubers is slang for whippersnappers, right?



    Kyleran

    Logic, my dear, merely enables one to be wrong with great authority.

  • QuizzicalQuizzical Member LegendaryPosts: 25,483
    Gorwe said:
    What is an RPG anyhow?
    RPG stands for Ruchnoy Protivotankovy Granatomyot, which basically means handheld, anti-tank weapon.  People not aware that it was a Russian acronym created the backronym Rocket Propelled Grenade for it, but that isn't really an accurate description of what the weapon is.

    Well, you asked.
    GorweKyleranMendeldelete5230
  • GorweGorwe Member Posts: 1,593
    Quizzical said:
    Gorwe said:
    What is an RPG anyhow?
    RPG stands for Ruchnoy Protivotankovy Granatomyot, which basically means handheld, anti-tank weapon.  People not aware that it was a Russian acronym created the backronym Rocket Propelled Grenade for it, but that isn't really an accurate description of what the weapon is.

    Well, you asked.
    Hats off, my good sir, you've earned it! And I sorta asked for it. :)
    delete5230
  • DigDuggyDigDuggy Member RarePosts: 694
    First you have to agree on definitions.  Put a post on here and ask 'for your definition of MMO'.  You're gonna stir up a hornet's nest of bickering on what an MMO is.  Once people agree or some influential group puts out a definition that people begin to refer to, then you can start weeding out what is and what is not an MMO.

    In the current atmosphere in the country, feeling trumps data, science, physics...  Until that changes, what people feel is an MMO will win out over any definition.

  • ScotScot Member LegendaryPosts: 24,273
    Kyleran said:
    Sovrath said:
    I don't see why people can't just look at the features and make that determination. "It's an mmorpg."

    great ... you look, oh wait it only supports 35 people per world, not my thing, move on.

    great ... you look, supports hundreds of people in one world. My thing.


    Too much reading....
    I am seriously waiting for players to say "there was too much voice acting" in a game with great voice acting. It does not matter how good it is, why am I waiting to play? :)
  • KyleranKyleran Member LegendaryPosts: 43,975
    Scot said:
    Kyleran said:
    Sovrath said:
    I don't see why people can't just look at the features and make that determination. "It's an mmorpg."

    great ... you look, oh wait it only supports 35 people per world, not my thing, move on.

    great ... you look, supports hundreds of people in one world. My thing.


    Too much reading....
    I am seriously waiting for players to say "there was too much voice acting" in a game with great voice acting. It does not matter how good it is, why am I waiting to play? :)
    SWTOR...way too much voice acting for my tastes, I loath being "read to"

    Time to get busy with my killing....

    Murder hobos don't play MMORPGS for their stories...

    ;)




    cameltosisBrainyScot

    "True friends stab you in the front." | Oscar Wilde 

    "I need to finish" - Christian Wolff: The Accountant

    Just trying to live long enough to play a new, released MMORPG, playing New Worlds atm

    Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. Pvbs 18:2, NIV

    Don't just play games, inhabit virtual worlds™

    "This is the most intelligent, well qualified and articulate response to a post I have ever seen on these forums. It's a shame most people here won't have the attention span to read past the second line." - Anon






  • GorweGorwe Member Posts: 1,593
    Kyleran said:
    Scot said:
    Kyleran said:
    Sovrath said:
    I don't see why people can't just look at the features and make that determination. "It's an mmorpg."

    great ... you look, oh wait it only supports 35 people per world, not my thing, move on.

    great ... you look, supports hundreds of people in one world. My thing.


    Too much reading....
    I am seriously waiting for players to say "there was too much voice acting" in a game with great voice acting. It does not matter how good it is, why am I waiting to play? :)
    SWTOR...way too much voice acting for my tastes, I loath being "read to"

    Time to get busy with my killing....

    Murder hobos don't play MMORPGS for their stories...

    ;)




    Don't do every single quest, you're gonna burn yourself out. If doing just the main story, with some extras here and there, how can SWTOR have too much VA? I love fully voiced, different Protags, for one.
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