Almost everyone says that they would not simply because when they roll alts they do it to try something "NEW". Now stop here for one second, in Earthrise, you do not need to create an alt to try something new, yes thats right your character can change to any other gameplay style anytime in the game, because in earthrise there are no classes, no levels, only skills, and your type of gear determines what kind of skills are available to you. All you need to make some gear changes, and here you go, you have a completely different character.
It kinda makes the whole point of creating an alt seems totally needless.
As long as the gameplay is built around the idea of a single character I actually would enjoy that alot more, I like to play one character only and even with alts I either pay full attention or dismiss them after a couple of minutes, having the flexibility to experiment a little bit of everything on your main character is tha way to go, there must be consequences for doing so ofc currency or time.
Because I cant shoot a bow as my main weapon on a character doesnt mean I have to create a new alt why cant I instead just waste time learning it, just an example unrelated to ER. People have bought MMO secondary accounts since 1999, and because of an array of reasons unrelated to being able to have alts or not, mainly due to exploiting their game play to the maximum, by having multiple characters with professions or crafting skills, a healer or buffer for your main etc...
If you can do what you can do on an alt on your main ( as in start something different at the most basic level, refer back to my bow comment) then there is no reason for an alt, even appearances can be changed in game nowadays in 90% of the MMOs so there is no reason besides name and shame AKA change your name after you have done something to piss people off to make an alt if the gameplay is thought around the concept that you CANT create alts.
Honestly, outside of randomly screwing around because I was bored with the game already anyway, I've never made an alt. I'd rather continue to focus on one character than break up my progression repeating old quests with an alt.
I already do play a game in which you can have only one character per account, and in which that one character can do anything and everything without limitation (well, almost without limitation) - I play Darkfall.
i do like the only one toon per account idea but honestly i think two would be the best that way you can try something differant to with out having to buy a whole new game or starting over.
Why.... Everyone plays games different, some like alts and some don't. Just have the option for people that like to make alot of different guys. Me I like just having one guy
It would have to be one hell of a game... The whole concept sounds like something contrived with the sole purpose of luring people to pay for more than one account at a time
Exactly!
Most people buy multiple accounts so they can play them at the same time (example: fighter+scout). Having or lacking alts really does very little on the issue of encouraging multiple accounts.
Most people? I heavily doubt that. Some people: yes, sure. But most people definately not.
Not beeing able to have multiple alts is simply the same as having a super-expensive item shop. Would you play a game, which starts with an item shop, that sells things like: "2nd character slot: 50$ and 15$ a week"?
What's next, a game where all characters start as exhibitionists, and if you want to have your character wear any form of armor or clothing, you also have to pay an additional 50$ once and 15$ monthly? Of course that would be only to drive the story, and not to make the people pay more.
It would have to be one hell of a game... The whole concept sounds like something contrived with the sole purpose of luring people to pay for more than one account at a time
Exactly!
Most people buy multiple accounts so they can play them at the same time (example: fighter+scout). Having or lacking alts really does very little on the issue of encouraging multiple accounts.
Most people? I heavily doubt that. Some people: yes, sure. But most people definately not.
Among those who buy multiple accounts, it is for purposes that can not be accomplished another way. They aren't doing it to do things they could also do with an alt, or else they'd just use an alt.
Not beeing able to have multiple alts is simply the same as having a super-expensive item shop. Would you play a game, which starts with an item shop, that sells things like: "2nd character slot: 50$ and 15$ a week"?
What's next, a game where all characters start as exhibitionists, and if you want to have your character wear any form of armor or clothing, you also have to pay an additional 50$ once and 15$ monthly? Of course that would be only to drive the story, and not to make the people pay more.
I have no idea where you're going with the item shop comparison. Perhaps you're thinking of a class based game like Wow? We're in the Earthrise forum in case you didn't notice. You can do most things on just one character.
This isn't entirely related, because the games are entirely different as far as skills and economy goes, but I also like how Global Agenda has all your alts named the exact same thing as your main. Granted, that wouldn't do any good to solve the problems I anticipate in Earthrise, but it works well for that game and could do good in other games, too.
But the main reason I would like Earthrise to have Single Char Per Server is because of the skill system and player-run economy. I don't like when everyone can do everything. I think an MMO should force players to interact with one another as much as possible.
For example, in WoW if you want to get good gear you have to group. In EVE if you want to prosper you need a Corp. Hell, back in the days of DAoC if you even wanted to level efficiently you needed to group. These have been successful MMOs.
If you look at games like WAR or STO that can be soloed from start to endgame, those types of games are the ones that fail over time. (I know WAR is all about RvR and teamplay, but honestly you can join a warband and go zerg the battlefields without even talking to anyone. It's all fairly anonymous and alternate characters do not help the matter.)
A good MMO needs inter-dependency between its players. A player-driven economy is an great way to enforce this, but my fear is that a true player-driven economy can't exist if you allow each person to roll several alts. What could happen is that people no longer need each other because everyone provides for themselves.
As others have stated, I would play depending on the type of game. I prefer a game that lets me play 1 character and continually advance that character. Having to reroll alts in order to enjoy the game is not fun IMO.
Bingo! Here we are. The gist of the matter!
Allowing alts (depending on the game) is a way for games to slack off on content.
I think an MMO should force players to interact with one another as much as possible.
Encourage, not force. I live in a democracy and I like it. I don't like the word "force." No one's going to "force" me to do anything.
That being said, MMOs should make the "art" of grouping easy. Take EQ. While I absolutely hate grind games, I had some pretty great groups in EQ (and other games as well).
I think a mix of group and solo is best because there are some days when I just don't feel like grouping.
Comments
Its a yes for sure.
Almost everyone says that they would not simply because when they roll alts they do it to try something "NEW". Now stop here for one second, in Earthrise, you do not need to create an alt to try something new, yes thats right your character can change to any other gameplay style anytime in the game, because in earthrise there are no classes, no levels, only skills, and your type of gear determines what kind of skills are available to you. All you need to make some gear changes, and here you go, you have a completely different character.
It kinda makes the whole point of creating an alt seems totally needless.
As long as the gameplay is built around the idea of a single character I actually would enjoy that alot more, I like to play one character only and even with alts I either pay full attention or dismiss them after a couple of minutes, having the flexibility to experiment a little bit of everything on your main character is tha way to go, there must be consequences for doing so ofc currency or time.
Because I cant shoot a bow as my main weapon on a character doesnt mean I have to create a new alt why cant I instead just waste time learning it, just an example unrelated to ER. People have bought MMO secondary accounts since 1999, and because of an array of reasons unrelated to being able to have alts or not, mainly due to exploiting their game play to the maximum, by having multiple characters with professions or crafting skills, a healer or buffer for your main etc...
If you can do what you can do on an alt on your main ( as in start something different at the most basic level, refer back to my bow comment) then there is no reason for an alt, even appearances can be changed in game nowadays in 90% of the MMOs so there is no reason besides name and shame AKA change your name after you have done something to piss people off to make an alt if the gameplay is thought around the concept that you CANT create alts.
Honestly, outside of randomly screwing around because I was bored with the game already anyway, I've never made an alt. I'd rather continue to focus on one character than break up my progression repeating old quests with an alt.
Bans a perma, but so are sigs in necro posts.
EAT ME MMORPG.com!
yes
I already do play a game in which you can have only one character per account, and in which that one character can do anything and everything without limitation (well, almost without limitation) - I play Darkfall.
I would and I do. I play Darkfall.
i do like the only one toon per account idea but honestly i think two would be the best that way you can try something differant to with out having to buy a whole new game or starting over.
IN THE FACE!
Why.... Everyone plays games different, some like alts and some don't. Just have the option for people that like to make alot of different guys. Me I like just having one guy
Freaking absolutely!
I believe alts are a large part of the downfall in current MMOs.
Alts kill community.
No more re-logging when I need something.
Exactly!
Most people buy multiple accounts so they can play them at the same time (example: fighter+scout). Having or lacking alts really does very little on the issue of encouraging multiple accounts.
Most people? I heavily doubt that. Some people: yes, sure. But most people definately not.
Not beeing able to have multiple alts is simply the same as having a super-expensive item shop. Would you play a game, which starts with an item shop, that sells things like: "2nd character slot: 50$ and 15$ a week"?
What's next, a game where all characters start as exhibitionists, and if you want to have your character wear any form of armor or clothing, you also have to pay an additional 50$ once and 15$ monthly? Of course that would be only to drive the story, and not to make the people pay more.
Let's play Fallen Earth (blind, 300 episodes)
Let's play Guild Wars 2 (blind, 45 episodes)
Exactly!
Most people buy multiple accounts so they can play them at the same time (example: fighter+scout). Having or lacking alts really does very little on the issue of encouraging multiple accounts.
Most people? I heavily doubt that. Some people: yes, sure. But most people definately not.
Among those who buy multiple accounts, it is for purposes that can not be accomplished another way. They aren't doing it to do things they could also do with an alt, or else they'd just use an alt.
Not beeing able to have multiple alts is simply the same as having a super-expensive item shop. Would you play a game, which starts with an item shop, that sells things like: "2nd character slot: 50$ and 15$ a week"?
What's next, a game where all characters start as exhibitionists, and if you want to have your character wear any form of armor or clothing, you also have to pay an additional 50$ once and 15$ monthly? Of course that would be only to drive the story, and not to make the people pay more.
I have no idea where you're going with the item shop comparison. Perhaps you're thinking of a class based game like Wow? We're in the Earthrise forum in case you didn't notice. You can do most things on just one character.
Yes, as long as there is no skill cap.
(I play Eve. I also played SWG pre-NGE.)
I would prefer an MMO that only allows one character per server.
At this point sounds intressting, but it depends on alot of things and how the acual gameplay is.
This isn't entirely related, because the games are entirely different as far as skills and economy goes, but I also like how Global Agenda has all your alts named the exact same thing as your main. Granted, that wouldn't do any good to solve the problems I anticipate in Earthrise, but it works well for that game and could do good in other games, too.
But the main reason I would like Earthrise to have Single Char Per Server is because of the skill system and player-run economy. I don't like when everyone can do everything. I think an MMO should force players to interact with one another as much as possible.
For example, in WoW if you want to get good gear you have to group. In EVE if you want to prosper you need a Corp. Hell, back in the days of DAoC if you even wanted to level efficiently you needed to group. These have been successful MMOs.
If you look at games like WAR or STO that can be soloed from start to endgame, those types of games are the ones that fail over time. (I know WAR is all about RvR and teamplay, but honestly you can join a warband and go zerg the battlefields without even talking to anyone. It's all fairly anonymous and alternate characters do not help the matter.)
A good MMO needs inter-dependency between its players. A player-driven economy is an great way to enforce this, but my fear is that a true player-driven economy can't exist if you allow each person to roll several alts. What could happen is that people no longer need each other because everyone provides for themselves.
Bingo! Here we are. The gist of the matter!
Allowing alts (depending on the game) is a way for games to slack off on content.
Encourage, not force. I live in a democracy and I like it. I don't like the word "force." No one's going to "force" me to do anything.
That being said, MMOs should make the "art" of grouping easy. Take EQ. While I absolutely hate grind games, I had some pretty great groups in EQ (and other games as well).
I think a mix of group and solo is best because there are some days when I just don't feel like grouping.