What keeps CoX from being the TOP MMO?

Twilight_Snow · 03-23-2010 07:44 AM

The setting of the game is about Western heroes. it's not very appealing to me at the beginning because I'm from Hong Kong. I sort of facepalm seeing everyone in tights running around. But well, I get used to it now.

I think the underlying main design of the game is to have fun through stories, and fast-paced fun combat. And it avoids the main traditional MMO element that revolves farming/camping for uber equipments (designers try to make boring things interesting by having complicated skill systems to interact with the huge item database). The problem is that no matter how interesting the stories and combats are, they will get boring with time. While other games are as boring, the "fun" persists as you acquire uber stuffs.

Sarrate · 03-23-2010 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeyondReach

I think one thing dominates it, at least in my opinion of what makes an MMORPG good. Well, at least something that other MMORPGs have managed to pull off. And yes, this will probably attract a horde of people arguing a moot argument against me, but CoH is not a skill-based game. CoH has click-it powers. You don't need to have skill to play CoH. Personally, that is what I think keeps people playing MMOs that are skill-based - though they are a dying breed -

-Let me just quickly jump in here and clear up any confusion. By Skills I don't mean an alternate name for click-it powers, like Staff Strike and Fireball, I mean the actual, non MMO definition of skill-

the players feel that they are good at something, and so persist at it. Whereas beyond a certain boundary, you can't really be "good" at a game with click-it powers.

Now, I know WoW is the most succesful game out there and every ape can play it, but when I say TOP MMO(RPG) I mean the best MMORPG. I like CoH the way it is. A casual relaxation for people who have the majority of their lives outside of the game. And that's the way I'd like it to stay. But that won't make it the best MMORPG.

Just a clarification, but when you say the "best," you mean has the best mechanics/etc, not necessarily most popular, right?

At any rate, I vehemently disagree with your assesment that games with "click-it powers" don't require skill. You can argue whether they need more or less skill, but skill is definitely a factor. How would PUG horror stories exist if any ape could pick up the game and play it? (Btw, any ape may be able to solo in the game, but not any ape can play the spectrum of content the game has to offer successfully.)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Myriad

Another aspect is functional clothing. It adds some realism to your costume. If you see someone in plate armor you'll know that he's less squishy than the person wearing a robe. The tradeoff is flexibility in costume creation. WoW is a bit extreme here by not allowing any customization to clothing parts. In CoX the goal was to allow players to create an iconic superhero look which resulted in our wonderful costume creator. The tradeoff is realism and to some degree even immersion factor. A huge character with heavy tech armor could be anything in CoX, still many would expect a tank, scrapper or brute and not a plant/storm controller. The most important aspect of functional clothing is probably the show factor. I believe most players want to shine with their character. Just by looking at them you should see how buff they are. In CoX this isn't possible. But when you see a toon in WoW with spiked shoulders, shiny armor, glowing weapons and whatnot it will give you a clue to the characters power. Especially if you're able to recognize the weapon or the armor pieces. It's a bit as if you had your leet badges and super cool uber enhancements on the outside. And I believe this aspect is more important that it seems to be on first glance.

I think this is an interesting point - as much as I like the customization in CoX and the ability to make a character look exactly as I like, there is also something about earning something that really distinguishes me. When I was making my newest character, Ohmni Slash (Claws/Elec Brute), there were several costume options I wanted to add to her that I couldn't unlock until later (some Vanguard / Roman pieces). I ended up making a first costume, then a second when I earned more pieces and kept adding to it. When the costume was finally complete, it really did feel good to sit back and look at it.

I'm not saying I want every costume piece to be unlockable, but there is something about being able to earn something through your game experience that alters how you look.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Myriad

And lets not forget the end game. In WoW it's almost as if the real game begins when you hit L80 (the current max). Even if it's mostly a grind for better equipment, it gives players a goal and something to do. In current CoX the end game is to farm 2Bn influence to buy that Gladiators Armor +Def unique IO and that's it (more or less).

Absolutely. One thing that strikes me about WoW is the fact that you almost always have something to strive for. It may be more uber loot, leveling crafting, PvP, gathering non-combat pets, achievments (badges), mounts, or other unique items.

While earning IOs and making a build is one thing for our 50s to do, besides badges there isn't much to do beyond that in terms of actually progressing your character. My favorite character (Brimstone-Preacher, WP/Fire Tank) is pretty much "done." His build is essentially complete and suits me perfectly. He is a blast to play, but it really is a bummer that there's nothing more I can do for him. I'm very eagerly awaiting to hear what Posi has in store for the "end game" system.

Sailboat · 03-23-2010 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Catwhoorg

Ontop of that WOW had a huge player base from the previous Blizzard games to get started, now it has critical mass going for it.

This. WOW is unique among MMOs, and owes almost all of its popularity to Blizzard's successful predecessors setting the stage. Particularly key in this was Diablo 2's "no monthly fees" business model. D2 (although not really a true RPG) became wildly popular and primed a ton of gamers for Blizzard's next offering. Starcraft and Warcraft were real-time strategy games, a different genre, but also hugely popular, and Warcraft provided the story setting for WOW.

As a result of those three titles, Blizzard had three critical things as WOW was being prepared:

1) a huge number of loyal fans
2) a reputation for good game design
3) a big damned pile of money

Although WOW isn't my personal cup of tea, it's not bad for what it is -- but it's more successful than its features should otherwise have made it, because of the advantages of a fanbase, a reputation, and a mountain of money.

If we are to die, let us die like men. -- Patrick Cleburne
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The rule is that they must be loved. --Jayne Fynes-Clinton, Death of an Abandoned Dog

Lucky · 03-23-2010 08:06 AM

Asians, they got more population then us north americans and they love their grind for whatever reason. That's why WOW is so popular, I think the game that has the best shot at beating WOW is AION to tell you the truth.

Go NCSoft!

cp2_4eva · 03-23-2010 08:28 AM

AION? REALLY? Why do I not believe this? Maybe I am looking to much at now and not the expecation for growth in AION. I seen the gameplay of AION and it doesn't look shabby at all. I may give it a go in between my CoH off time. I'm taking a short hiatus because I am playing God of War 3 on hard mode. A game that truly takes so skill and reflexes.

But back to the thread. I played WoW a long time ago for like a week. Man, I just did not get into the whole dungeons and dragons theme. But i do find their pet interesting. And it's cool that their costume pieces actually mean something. I love my CoH though. I grew up reading comics and collecting the comic cards. What can I say...this is my "niche" but I'll be damned it I run around my real life city wearing tights. LOL!