But, moving beyond fantasy, when it comes to settings I am very much a fan of using recognisable IPs. I find much greater enjoyment in MMOs where i know the IP versus ones where i don't.
I know that there are a lot of problems using existing IPs - not least of which is the cost of the license - but I think its worth it. My engagement with the world is always much better, but also I find that being in a game with likeminded fans is a good benefit. Like, playing LotRO or WAR and being surrounded by Tolkien fans or GW fans is a really good thing, even if those other people aren't necessarily big gamers or fans of MMOs.
I think there is a way to work around that,
You can make something that is similar to but legally distinct from something else and wear your influence on your sleeve.
For example Plasma Sword/Star Gladiator was supposed to be a Star Wars game but Capcom couldn't get the IP, so made their own Star Wars like universe
They even have wookies
20XX and 30XX are basically just Megaman, and say they are Megaman inspired
Mika and the Witches mountain says it is Ghibli inspired and is basically Kikis Deliver Service
That could be a way to "use" an IP but not pay for it and have more creative freedom in the long run.
I think an underwater MMO, with futuristic technology "like jetsons" but underwater.
In single player Subnautica, it had a real cool world, if you could expand on that and make that an MMO with, ridable underwater tames, more tech, economy. Probably go down the crafting route a little more.
Not sure if this is considered a fantasy or not.
I know the chance of actually releasing a GOOD MMO is a fantasy.
I meant fantasy, not in the broad sense of anything fantastical but in the specific sense of the swords and sorcery medieval fantasy like DnD.
There is SO much of that that even when a game like Baldurs Gate 3 comes out which no doubt is a well made game, I struggle to find any interest because it is Dungeons and Dragons.
There are also a lot of RPG conventions, like dungeons, character archetypes, enchanted gear etc that comes from fantasy that bleeds over into all RPGs regardless of setting. And I think different settings should have their own mechanics that suit the setting rather than just a generic list RPG features.
Well MMO themes and backgrounds are just as generic as all the other aspects of the genere. Sure you get stuff like Madworld but that is a blue moon MMO. There is reticence to even change the formula slightly. So we rarely see Renascence last in NW I think or early Dark Ages. The formula has them sitting in the late Middle Ages, with all sorts oddities like a great road network.
Increasingly today there is a reluctance to give anything other than a smattering of lore for two reasons. Lore is not deemed necessary by the baulk of players and it is easier for them to fit anything new into the MMO when there is no lore to contradict the new development.
This is true, even when a MMO does use a different setting, they end up using the same stock mechanics,
Ideally you would want unique settings and unique mechanics to suit the setting.
New World is a good example, Basically it is set in the 1600s at the earliest stages of colonization in fantasy America,
But so much of that game falls back on regular medieval fantasy, like elemental magic staves and such.
I would have loved if NW actually played into that time period more.
Instead of elemental magic which is very early medieval. Maybe actually play on the belief and superstitions of that time. Holy magic, cast from a tome (basically a Bible, like the puritans) Witchcraft (based on fears of witches) Earthen magic ( to represent native beliefs)
For other weapons, I think lean into the period more I like rapier as a weapon and the riffle and hatchet and spear. The other weapons are too medieval. Instead of great hammer, great sword and sword and shield mace and buckler, sabre and halbred Instead of bow, crossbow
Use American folklore more for fantasy creatures, Sasquatch, wendigo, skin walker, moon eyed people, wood goblins, dog men etc. Plus things imported from the fantasy old world (Europe) Demons, vampires, werewolves, undead
And lean more into settlement building and survival (not necessarily hunger and thirst bars those are annoying) A bit of colony builder would have been nice and fit nicely.
Now they have an Egyptian zone which is weird and doesn't really fit imo.
New World was originally going to be 1600s America but that was quickly dropped.
New World is more like a Bermuda Triangle thing.
For a cyber setting MMO they could just make it Tron.
I think an underwater MMO, with futuristic technology "like jetsons" but underwater.
In single player Subnautica, it had a real cool world, if you could expand on that and make that an MMO with, ridable underwater tames, more tech, economy. Probably go down the crafting route a little more.
Not sure if this is considered a fantasy or not.
I know the chance of actually releasing a GOOD MMO is a fantasy.
I meant fantasy, not in the broad sense of anything fantastical but in the specific sense of the swords and sorcery medieval fantasy like DnD.
There is SO much of that that even when a game like Baldurs Gate 3 comes out which no doubt is a well made game, I struggle to find any interest because it is Dungeons and Dragons.
There are also a lot of RPG conventions, like dungeons, character archetypes, enchanted gear etc that comes from fantasy that bleeds over into all RPGs regardless of setting. And I think different settings should have their own mechanics that suit the setting rather than just a generic list RPG features.
Well MMO themes and backgrounds are just as generic as all the other aspects of the genere. Sure you get stuff like Madworld but that is a blue moon MMO. There is reticence to even change the formula slightly. So we rarely see Renascence last in NW I think or early Dark Ages. The formula has them sitting in the late Middle Ages, with all sorts oddities like a great road network.
Increasingly today there is a reluctance to give anything other than a smattering of lore for two reasons. Lore is not deemed necessary by the baulk of players and it is easier for them to fit anything new into the MMO when there is no lore to contradict the new development.
This is true, even when a MMO does use a different setting, they end up using the same stock mechanics,
Ideally you would want unique settings and unique mechanics to suit the setting.
New World is a good example, Basically it is set in the 1600s at the earliest stages of colonization in fantasy America,
But so much of that game falls back on regular medieval fantasy, like elemental magic staves and such.
I would have loved if NW actually played into that time period more.
Instead of elemental magic which is very early medieval. Maybe actually play on the belief and superstitions of that time. Holy magic, cast from a tome (basically a Bible, like the puritans) Witchcraft (based on fears of witches) Earthen magic ( to represent native beliefs)
For other weapons, I think lean into the period more I like rapier as a weapon and the riffle and hatchet and spear. The other weapons are too medieval. Instead of great hammer, great sword and sword and shield mace and buckler, sabre and halbred Instead of bow, crossbow
Use American folklore more for fantasy creatures, Sasquatch, wendigo, skin walker, moon eyed people, wood goblins, dog men etc. Plus things imported from the fantasy old world (Europe) Demons, vampires, werewolves, undead
And lean more into settlement building and survival (not necessarily hunger and thirst bars those are annoying) A bit of colony builder would have been nice and fit nicely.
Now they have an Egyptian zone which is weird and doesn't really fit imo.
New World was originally going to be 1600s America but that was quickly dropped.
New World is more like a Bermuda Triangle thing.
It's really more "the gods were aliens" which allows them to do absolutely anything and any culture.
They can do Aztec zone next, or Norse... whatever they want using their mythology.
This new expansion actually pits you against one of the "gods" who stayed behind.
"Social media gives legions of idiots the right to speak when they once only spoke at a bar after a glass of wine, without harming the community ... but now they have the same right to speak as a Nobel Prize winner. It's the invasion of the idiots”
― Umberto Eco
“Microtransactions? In a single player role-playing game? Are you nuts?” ― CD PROJEKT RED
Warhammer 40k is long overdue for a proper MMO. Dune is getting one I believe, so they'll be taking my money. Cyberpunk 2077 would be a great IP for an MMO. They always do action horror, but Resident Evil I think could be a cool setting. Your party against Umbrella Corp and all their bioengineered monsters in a post apocalyptic setting. Could be cool.
Warhammer 40k is long overdue for a proper MMO. Dune is getting one I believe, so they'll be taking my money. Cyberpunk 2077 would be a great IP for an MMO. They always do action horror, but Resident Evil I think could be a cool setting. Your party against Umbrella Corp and all their bioengineered monsters in a post apocalyptic setting. Could be cool.
I would want to be part of Umbrella Corp who could utilize monsters to do their dirty work vs the other factions who could actually "be" the monsters, perhaps one more humanoid and the other like the "Zerg"
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
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
I know, how about a MMORPG with red neck, space fairing humans vs highly advanced aliens vs a bloodthirsty hive minded giant insect like race?
That sure sounds like it might be fun, shame no developer ever thought to do something like it.
Yeah I am surprised Blizzard didnt turn Starcraft into an MMO. However if they did try, it would probably be full PVP, which they probably have crunched the numbers and realize that wont drive WoW type numbers.
I think a good chunk of native American folklore has become integrated into the general folklore of modern America
Everyone knows what a sasquatch is. And a big chunk know what skinwalkers and wendigo are.
I live in the Appalaichan mountains, so you hear all kinds of folklore, from monsters to hauntings and faery lights.
When is the last TV or film that you can think of that used that lore? I can think of some from like twenty years ago, but say something from the last five years?
I think a good chunk of native American folklore has become integrated into the general folklore of modern America
Everyone knows what a sasquatch is. And a big chunk know what skinwalkers and wendigo are.
I live in the Appalaichan mountains, so you hear all kinds of folklore, from monsters to hauntings and faery lights.
When is the last TV or film that you can think of that used that lore? I can think of some from like twenty years ago, but say something from the last five years?
Not explicitly fictional shows, but there are a lot of paranormal investigation shows with those elements in them.
I think an underwater MMO, with futuristic technology "like jetsons" but underwater.
In single player Subnautica, it had a real cool world, if you could expand on that and make that an MMO with, ridable underwater tames, more tech, economy. Probably go down the crafting route a little more.
Not sure if this is considered a fantasy or not.
I know the chance of actually releasing a GOOD MMO is a fantasy.
I meant fantasy, not in the broad sense of anything fantastical but in the specific sense of the swords and sorcery medieval fantasy like DnD.
There is SO much of that that even when a game like Baldurs Gate 3 comes out which no doubt is a well made game, I struggle to find any interest because it is Dungeons and Dragons.
There are also a lot of RPG conventions, like dungeons, character archetypes, enchanted gear etc that comes from fantasy that bleeds over into all RPGs regardless of setting. And I think different settings should have their own mechanics that suit the setting rather than just a generic list RPG features.
Well MMO themes and backgrounds are just as generic as all the other aspects of the genere. Sure you get stuff like Madworld but that is a blue moon MMO. There is reticence to even change the formula slightly. So we rarely see Renascence last in NW I think or early Dark Ages. The formula has them sitting in the late Middle Ages, with all sorts oddities like a great road network.
Increasingly today there is a reluctance to give anything other than a smattering of lore for two reasons. Lore is not deemed necessary by the baulk of players and it is easier for them to fit anything new into the MMO when there is no lore to contradict the new development.
This is true, even when a MMO does use a different setting, they end up using the same stock mechanics,
Ideally you would want unique settings and unique mechanics to suit the setting.
New World is a good example, Basically it is set in the 1600s at the earliest stages of colonization in fantasy America,
But so much of that game falls back on regular medieval fantasy, like elemental magic staves and such.
I would have loved if NW actually played into that time period more.
Instead of elemental magic which is very early medieval. Maybe actually play on the belief and superstitions of that time. Holy magic, cast from a tome (basically a Bible, like the puritans) Witchcraft (based on fears of witches) Earthen magic ( to represent native beliefs)
For other weapons, I think lean into the period more I like rapier as a weapon and the riffle and hatchet and spear. The other weapons are too medieval. Instead of great hammer, great sword and sword and shield mace and buckler, sabre and halbred Instead of bow, crossbow
Use American folklore more for fantasy creatures, Sasquatch, wendigo, skin walker, moon eyed people, wood goblins, dog men etc. Plus things imported from the fantasy old world (Europe) Demons, vampires, werewolves, undead
And lean more into settlement building and survival (not necessarily hunger and thirst bars those are annoying) A bit of colony builder would have been nice and fit nicely.
Now they have an Egyptian zone which is weird and doesn't really fit imo.
It is interesting you mention American folklore, my impression of US entertainment is that is always tiptoes around anything Native American. But its a rich source of material and underused in my eyes.
The Secret World drew some inspiration from that folklore in one of their areas.
Depends on what we define as fantasy. If that means "introducing things that did not, does not and according to our knowledge - could not - exist" - almost all games are fantasy.
My two cents: a cozy game where you are, say, farmer, growing normal vegetables/fruits, gathering wood for winter, repairing your fence, feeding your sheep, building home that you like.
Real history mmo could not be, since we did not have, say, 5000 city mayors, each of whom became an Emperor.
The Secret World drew some inspiration from that folklore in one of their areas.
My impression of such political correctness across the world is that TV is the most effected, then films, then games and finally books the least effected. But good to hear some has been on TV.
I think a good chunk of native American folklore has become integrated into the general folklore of modern America
Everyone knows what a sasquatch is. And a big chunk know what skinwalkers and wendigo are.
I live in the Appalaichan mountains, so you hear all kinds of folklore, from monsters to hauntings and faery lights.
When is the last TV or film that you can think of that used that lore? I can think of some from like twenty years ago, but say something from the last five years?
The Hallow uses Lore.
As does Troll Hunter, Rare Exports, Thale, and Draug.
Like Skyrim? Need more content? Try my Skyrim mod "Godfred's Tomb."
Depends on what we define as fantasy. If that means "introducing things that did not, does not and according to our knowledge - could not - exist" - almost all games are fantasy.
I meant fantasy in the narrow sense,
Medieval, swords and sorcery, Dungeons and Dragons esque fantasy with elves, orcs, fighters, rogues, mages etc. I think we are all super familiar with that. And even if MMOs don't do that exact formula, they stick pretty close to it.
Fantasy in the broad sense could be anything, limited only by imagination. That is what we need more of.
I think a good chunk of native American folklore has become integrated into the general folklore of modern America
Everyone knows what a sasquatch is. And a big chunk know what skinwalkers and wendigo are.
I live in the Appalaichan mountains, so you hear all kinds of folklore, from monsters to hauntings and faery lights.
When is the last TV or film that you can think of that used that lore? I can think of some from like twenty years ago, but say something from the last five years?
The Hallow uses Lore.
As does Troll Hunter, Rare Exports, Thale, and Draug.
All using Native American lore? If you are sure, I will take your word.
I don't think you should exclude fantasy as a whole. There are probably specific areas that could use something. I think a lot of people are being to broad. SciFi and things like that cover too much.
For me,
A Mech MMO
An Ancient MMO (Rome, Egypt...) Would have colossal expansion potential
A Planet based scifi game. Most are focused on spaceships. Give me something Anarchy like.
An aztec, incan, pre discovery americas. I was hoping for new world, but it just feels like a skin as opposed to an actual new world setting IMO.
Comments
You can make something that is similar to but legally distinct from something else and wear your influence on your sleeve.
For example Plasma Sword/Star Gladiator was supposed to be a Star Wars game but Capcom couldn't get the IP, so made their own Star Wars like universe
They even have wookies
20XX and 30XX are basically just Megaman, and say they are Megaman inspired
Mika and the Witches mountain says it is Ghibli inspired and is basically Kikis Deliver Service
That could be a way to "use" an IP but not pay for it and have more creative freedom in the long run.
They can do Aztec zone next, or Norse... whatever they want using their mythology.
This new expansion actually pits you against one of the "gods" who stayed behind.
“Microtransactions? In a single player role-playing game? Are you nuts?”
― CD PROJEKT RED
"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
That sure sounds like it might be fun, shame no developer ever thought to do something like it.
"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
Going by your description I'm guessing you mean a Starship Troopers MMO.
The Secret World drew some inspiration from that folklore in one of their areas.
My two cents: a cozy game where you are, say, farmer, growing normal vegetables/fruits, gathering wood for winter, repairing your fence, feeding your sheep, building home that you like.
Real history mmo could not be, since we did not have, say, 5000 city mayors, each of whom became an Emperor.
http://www.mmoblogg.wordpress.com
Godz of War I call Thee
As does Troll Hunter, Rare Exports, Thale, and Draug.
Godfred's Tomb Trailer: https://youtu.be/-nsXGddj_4w
Original Skyrim: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/109547
Serph toze kindly has started a walk-through. https://youtu.be/UIelCK-lldo
Medieval, swords and sorcery, Dungeons and Dragons esque fantasy with elves, orcs, fighters, rogues, mages etc.
I think we are all super familiar with that.
And even if MMOs don't do that exact formula, they stick pretty close to it.
Fantasy in the broad sense could be anything, limited only by imagination.
That is what we need more of.
1. Sci-Fi
2. Superhero
3. Pre-historic
4. Historic
For me,
A Mech MMO
An Ancient MMO (Rome, Egypt...) Would have colossal expansion potential
A Planet based scifi game. Most are focused on spaceships. Give me something Anarchy like.
An aztec, incan, pre discovery americas. I was hoping for new world, but it just feels like a skin as opposed to an actual new world setting IMO.