[MUD-Dev] A list of MMORPG Questions

Wed Dec 6 07:50:03 CET 2000

With the help of the new forum for SW:G, I have put together a
(tentatively ongoing) list of questions every new MMORPG should consider
having an answer to before going public. It all depends, of course, but
I find it helps to understand the development process of the MMORPG
paradigm.

The forum is here
http://www.station.sony.com/starwars/starwars_boards.html
Registration for "the station" is required to post.

my post being here
http://boards.station.sony.com/ubb/starwars/Forum3/HTML/000537.html

You can view the list here for later updates and further breakdowns. 
http://www.enkanica.com/MUD-DEV/MUDquestions.txt

The current list:

Common questions

1. What is the background story for this game?
2. How can I affect the story of the game?
3. Will there be in game events?
4. How will in game events be handled as not to cause lag of death?
5. How can I make my dent in this new game world?
6. How much control will I be given over the environment in the game, will it be like shadowbane?
7. Will there be multi-lingual in game translation support options, such as in UO:R?
8. What are the perks for being a member of this community (aka do I get in beta)?
9. How will you make use of the community?
10. In this game, what is not analogous to Asheron's Call, Everquest, Ultima Online, Meridian59, and others that would inspire me to play this game?
11. What is it about this game that will attract the role-playing crowd?
12. Will there be blood and gore in the game?
13. What will the maturity rating on the game be?
14. Will there be shards in other time zones?
15. Will there be shards located on different leased lines?
16. What type of system will the game be released on? (PC, PSX, DC, etc.)
17. What will the servers consist of?
18. What is the target population per server?
19. Will there be maps available of the areas in design?
20. Will I be able to own land?
21. Will I be able to own a house?
22. What tools will be available for player-operated governments?
23. Will guilds be available?
24. Will I be able to own a guildhall?
25. Will I be able to design my own guild logo?
26. Will I be able to rent an apartment?
27. Will banks share the same vault?
28. Will it be possible to raid the bank?
29. What communication model is to be available between players?
30. What alternative methods to in game communication will be available? (VOIP?)
31. Will in game IM services be available?
32. Will in game E-mail services be available?
33. How will marriage be implemented?
34. Will there be a parthenon or suitable role for cleric-type classes?
35. How will the religion be structured?
36. Will GMs be given special powers and their own home?
37. What kind of customer service will be available and during what hours?
38. Will lum the mad like the game? ;)
39. What options will be available to customize my character to make it unique?
40. What options will be available to customize my GUI?
41. What options will be available to custom tailor my gaming experience in the MUD?
42. What is your policy towards auction sites such as ebay?
43. What will be done to ensure a large number of quests are available (autoquest generation)?
44. How frequently will expansions be completed?
45. How frequently will need content be added?
46. What developers are working on this product?
47. What do your job responsibilities entail?
48. What is your experience with online gaming?

The Core Game Mechanic

1. What level of AI will be present in the game system (NLP, etc)?
2. Will a lower level character be capable of grouping with a higher level one?
3. Will PC attribute stats have more bearing to my character's development?
4. What is the Player-Versus-Player (PVP) environment scope; or, what is the PVP implementation you have in mind?
5. What is the Player-Versus-Everything (PVE) environment scope? (Ex: Will a player be capable be capable of tearing down a house)
6. What is the Player-Versus-Monster (PVM) environment; or, will there be static spawns, named spawns, rare spawns and so on?
7. Will SW:G implement a Level-based, Class-based, skill-based, or a combination of these systems?
8. How will player death be handled?
9. How will monster death be handled?
10. How will named NPC death be handled?
11. How long will corpses persist in the game world?
12. What are the supposed unkillable NPCs in the game world? 
13. What player capable races will be slotted for the game?
14. What attributes and abilities can we expect from these races?
15. How will the concept of "classes" for characters be handled and maintained?
16. Will there be a faction, reputation, or other political measuring system for players within the game?
17. Will there be an aging system?
18. What is in place for the casual gamer to ensure a fun experience for them?
19. What is in place to keep the power gamer in check?
20. Will swimming be available?
21. Will flying be available?
22. Will other forms of transportation be available besides running/walking around?
23. What vehicles will be present in the game?
24. Will I be able to pilot any of these vehicles?
25. Will there be a spell system?
26. Will there be a focus on grouping, as in EQ and AC?
27. What might the "end-game" look like?
28. Will there be pets and how will they be implemented?
29. Will I be able to get drunk and use other star-warsish drugs?
30. Will sex of some nature be supported in game?
31. What about other romantic aids?
32. Will there be any way to score arena battles?
33. Will it be possible to go underground or off planet?
34. Will there be name enforcement?
35. How will player backups be handled?

Economy
----------------------------------
1. What do you have planned to keep the economy from getting out of hand?
2. Will there be item decay?
3. How long will items persist in the game world?
4. Will there be a focus on trade or craft skills?
5. Will players be able to setup their own stores?
6. How will you make sure that tradeskills are more fully developed than say, those of EQ during initial release?
7. How will you handle twinking?
8. Will you provide anything so players can hold bazaar?

Graphics/Moosh Effects
-----------------------------------
1. What kinds of graphical interfaces will we expect from the client(s)?
2. Will the engine support spawning of things beyond creatures and items, such as buildings, cities, volcanos, or mountains?
3. Will the 3D client support alt-tabbing?
4. Will the rendering engine have implemented actual planetary movement and lighting, such as in UO: Origins?
5. What will be done to ensure the technology is scalable?
6. What are the base system requirements to play this game?
7. Will I be able to use my PDA/PDQ or other electronic device as an accessory to the gaming experience?
8. What kind of statistical game mechanic data can I expect to see from the client? (damage on weapons and so forth)
9. Will there be graphical representation of my HP, EXP, MANA, and so on?
10. When will screenshots be available?
11. How often will they be made available?
12. What game views will be supported, such as 1st, 3rd, or ... ?
13. To what extent will I be able to customize the look of my character?
14. What kind of animations will be available to the avatars?
15. Who will be producing the music?
16. Who will be producing the sound effects?
17. Will the game engine support an in-game mp3 player?
18. Will I be able to run my mp3 or cdplayer without corrupting the game?
19. Will there be fighting arenas?
20. Will zoning technology exist?
21. What kind of atmospheric effects can we expect?
22. Are comets in the formula?
23. Will rain and snow have an effect on my character?
24. Will there be an identifiable star pattern?
25. Will the universe be modeled in 3D?
26. Will there be moons on the planet I'm on?
27. If it is cold outside, will I be able to see my breath?
28. What are the different types of terrain available for me to explore (underwater, lava pools, etc)?
29. Will gravity be 'realistic', such that if I jump off a cliff I become a pancake?

--Eric

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