Anti-Aliased: The Mailbag Edition
Hey there, intrepid Massively readers! Instead of listing my usual complaints in one column, this week I decided to do something different. This Monday, I opened the possibility of a discussion on everything MMO related on the Massively Facebook fan page as well as the Massively Twitter, and my personal Twitter. You guys did not disappoint and certainly sent me more than a few interesting e-mails.
For the past three days I have been working on answers to these questions that have been awaited in my email. What questions did my intrepid readers want me to answer? Which e-mails did I choose from the plethora of text I received? What is an African Swallow's speed of flight? This and many other questions (except the swallow one, which has been over and over again. Go Google it, or find something else) will be answered once you take a look at the video. Thundercats, hoooooooooo! The first question, at the top of the list: Dear Sera,I do not know if this is a question for Anti-Aliased or not, but it's an MMO-related question and I'm unable think of a better website to post it to...Outside of EVE Online, are there any other MMOs that eschew level?-MCC Student
McStudent, this is definitely an Anti-Aliased question! Every question is for Anti-Aliased! Unless it's about baked beans. Anti-Aliased isn't going to be asked the question. That's more of a question for the talking dog in the commercials.
So, to answer your question, yes there are certainly a few MMOs that throw the leveling system right out the window beyond EVE Online. Let me recommend some for you.
"Would you be upset if in the upcoming MMOs they only allow you to play as a man if you were a guy?"
Darkfall might appeal to you If you're an avid player (which you may be, given that you mentioned EVE in your question), Darkfall is all about PvP but it's also about skills and not levels overall. When you take actions in the game, such as striking your sword or mining, your skill in the specific activity will improve.
If you're looking to go old school and go back to the beginning of the game with Ultima Online. The game is still running well (they have a new expansion coming out, Stygian Abyss) and it still holds to a system of utilizing skills over levels.
If you want to be cheap about it, check out PlaneShift or RuneScape. RuneScape is a popular hang-out for all players, especially those who can't handle games with intense graphics, and has a very active community. PlaneShift is much smaller than RuneScape, enforces all players to roleplay but isn't fully-featured at the time of this article. But hey, something is better than nothing, right?
And, finally, two games that place a lot of emphasis on skills but still utilize an unofficial leveling system are Asheron's Call and Fallen Earth. Fallen Earth, which is newer, puts more emphasis on the skills rather than the actual level. This allows you to have a variety of options to customize your character. RSWIKI Asheron's call uses one of the most innovative games I've played -- a general or specialized experience system. When you engage in combat, you gain general experience, which counts towards a "level." However, the experience is allocated by you to your particular abilities. Although the game has levels Your experience is continuously used to improve your abilities.
Now, this is just a small taste of the games that are based on skill. There's Mortal Online and Earthrise to look for in the near future.
Next question! Next question!
Hi Sera,I used to play an older MMO called Ragnarok Online which would only allow players to play as the gender you indicated you were when creating your account on the web site. If you were a male player, you could only make male characters in the game. You think that this is something that should be encouraged to get rid of off G.I.R.L. (Guys In Real Life) (Guys In Real Life?) Do you think it's part of an older method of looking at things and is very out of date? Would you be upset when new MMOs just allowed players to play as a man if you were a man?
Ahhhh Ragnarok... I had to create two accounts in order that I could use my female avatar... great times.
Matt you have a great question. I find it too boring to make fun of your name So I will answer it honestly, "Does it really matter?"
Online men are scared of female avatars. It's just a set pixels that has no bearing on anything. Unless, of course, you're trying to find real love in an MMO. My advice? Don't try to find true love in an MMO. If you find love, you find love. If you search for it, you will find men wearing dresses.
Page 2 of Anti-Aliased>>