[MUD-Dev] Blog about GDC implies changes to MMORPG population

[Paolo Piselli]

--- Michael Hartman <michael at thresholdrpg.com> wrote:
> Vincent Archer wrote:

>> If you are 3-5 levels behind people, that's not much of a
>> problem.

> If you are deliberately playing inefficiently and don't care, then
> sure. But if one person is doing quests for someone 5 levels
> lower, they are early sub-optimal xp and are also earning
> worthless quest rewards.

> A system that works only when you deliberately gimp yourself is
> not one that can be called forgiving for people of disparate
> levels.

That is a big IF.  You cannot presume optimal achievement-rate is a
gamplay goal for all players, or even a majority of players.  If
players are more concerned with socializing with friends, exploring
another world, or distracting themselves from the everyday than they
are concerned with not being a sub-optimal 'gimp', then the system
is working fine.

Even if players are of the same level, a rabid min-maxer will still
only group with other people if it results in overall better rate of
achievement, and even then would greatly prefer the best combination
of cohorts.  IMO, it is a mistake to force achivement-minded players
into a social framework by making grouped achievement-rate
significantly superior.  Let the achievers achieve and let the
socializers socialize.

-Paolo
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