In my wanderings on the net, I’ve noticed quite a few columns and forum topics discussing MMOG’s and how repetitive they’ve become. Players are becoming frustrated at the lack of innovation in MMOG’s or are tired of rehashing the same formula in a different format. I know I’ve said a few things about the way things are going MMO wise. I’ve discussed in a separate article how inundated the market has become with fantasy based MMO’s waiting for the inevitable crash as MMOG gamers stop chasing the rainbow. For the most part, I think that most of these frustrated gamers are right; there’s not much new in the MMOG scene. Yet I’ve seen a growing trend in these opinions that cross the line of reasonable and become full blown hate rants. Reading just one too many of these made me ask; Are MMO gamers getting tired of what developers are making or are they getting tired of what they’re playing?
The MMO formula: Business Strategy or Classic Format?
The baseline complaint that I’ve seen concerning MMOG’s is the rehashing of the same formula: Linear systems, 
Tiered areas, Kill Quests, all of it. Eventually, you, the player, gets tired of it and then looks to the horizon for the new MMOG coming out. Finally the day comes and you’ve been teased with so much eye candy that you’re practically bursting at the seams to play. You plunk down your $50, give them your credit card number and load up the game of your hopes. Lo and behold, after only a couple of days of playing, it’s all back again. Same formula, different outfit.
Some parts of that formula are outright time sinks that need to be kicked to the curb(it is a subscription based game after all).But some of these constantly repeated elements should stay and be expected in future MMOG’s. For starters there’s the classical ‘Quest’ lines that appear in every MMOG to date. Quests are ‘content’ for gamers who want to do something more than kill/make X Y Z. These gamers want to be part of the story, like the heroes or villains they’ve read about in books or seen in movies. You might get an MMOG that’ll put a different spin on how it’s presented but in the end, it’s always going to be there. The ‘quest’ is a Fantasy/Mythology hallmark. Even your ‘Sandbox’ MMOG should have them.
Another item you’re going to see in just about every MMOG out there is some sort of level system. Not just as a time sink, but again following the classical heroic themes in literature. Everyone starts out weak and through trials and tribulations grow strong. It can be level based, it can be skill based, it can even be a simple as ranks but in the end, there’s a minimum and maximum. These types of systems serve as an underlying structure to games; a baseline where all players begin and how they can relate to their gaming environment. It’s a path of rewards that everyone can aspire to and expect as they experience the game world. Those gamers who put time in the world are rewarded for their efforts.
And last but not least, there’s the story. Any MMOG worth its salt is going to have some kind of story or background to it, usually reflected in the quest system. You’ll have your protagonists, antagonists, and those in between. Of course you’ll get varieties on those themes but you’ll still have something, usually revolving around some kind of conflict. Playing a MMOG game in a world where everything is all peaceful and dandy is well, kind a boring. (No offense Second Life players! Just ain’t my cup o tea). It sets the stage for the players, letting them know what they can expect and how to act.
Innovation or Reinvention?
Innovation. This word gets used a lot, even from yours truly, when MMOG critics review the next best thing. It’s like a bat that we like to wield when we want to tear into a game that gave us hope and dashed it on the rocks. Players get tired of the same old same old and want something new. When they don’t get it they’re not happy and go elsewhere. As I said earlier, every MMOG game is going to follow a basic formula or premises when designing their MMOG’s. I can accept that. Since investors are plunking down something around the dollar amount of $40 million to build the game, I can’t fault a bit of conservatism on their part. I understand completely that you can’t reinvent the wheel. BUT…you can make it better.
Since every MMO game is going to have core elements in common, it’s the one that manages to put a new and interesting spin on things that’ll attract gamers. The options are countless that developers can put into their MMOG’s without requiring a ton of work or cash (More on that later). Remember devs, the formula is the baseline to work from, how its put into play is what you can change
Did I Err?
It’s easy to criticize something harshly, especially if its something you care about. What’s hard is admitting to 
ourselves of our wrong doings or misperceptions. While I think the MMO gaming industry has much to improve and innovate, there’s also going to be some standards to accept. If I’m getting tired of a game or genre, is that the game’s fault? Yeah there are some things in games that turn me off and when I get too much of it I just bail. Does that mean it’s design flaw?
What we have to do, as gamers, is get down to the root of what is making us unhappy about the game we’re playing. Is it something that can be fixed within the realm of reason? Is it something on my end or the way the game is made? If you stop and think just how many hours you put into MMO games, is it any surprise that you can get tired of it and want something different? Honesty is the best policy here. The only one who suffers otherwise is you, the gamer.
Sometimes a MMOG is just an MMOG
What MMOG’s are is a method for thousand of players to get together and have fun. While that part is shared, how they go about it is specific to each and every player. If the game you’re playing isn’t doing for you, through design or repetition, it’s time to start looking for something different. Laying blame is not constructive and won’t get anyone far. Instead, do what you need to make things fun and go from there. If you’re MMOG is lacking, try making polite (yes Polite!) suggestions to the developers to make things better. If that doesn’t work then when they see the dollars going elsewhere they’ll get the message. If you’re tired of the whole MMO scene, then take a break from it. Try other games, watch movies, read books, what have you. Absence makes the heart grow fonder!
Darke