[MUD-Dev2] [OFF-TOPIC] A rant against Vanguard reviews and rants

[John Buehler]

Damion Schubert writes:

> On 3/2/07, John Buehler <johnbue at msn.com> wrote:
>
> >Yep.  I think that the organization system needs to be very prominent for
> >that to work.  It may be that all that is needed is a virtual
> city that all
> >players start in.  There are things to do there that are common to all
> >players, such as buying and selling items, learning systems, owning
> >property, finding teams - and finding interesting instances.  Once an
> >instance is found, an in-game mechanism such as a ship, horses,
> a doorway,
> >or whatever, then takes you to the specific game instance.  (Inspired by
> >Frederik Pohl's "Gateway" series).
>
> This was very similar to the way that Dungeons and Dragons Online
> approached structuring their world and gameplay.  One of the constant
> complaints about the game was how it didn't FEEL like a true virtual
> world.
>
> The thing about 'massively multiplayer' games is that they truly excite
> the imagination, even if they don't always meet what shows up in your
> mental image of the game.  'massively multiplayer' is just an evocative
> phrase.  Maybe if someone can find an equally evocative way to say 'door
> games', then that meme will gain traction.

Massively Multiplayer Door Games!  Woowoo!

I'd probably play up the duality of a busy central space station, medieval
island, whatever, that serves as the central hub of activity, and the fact
that at least one axis of game entertainment is predicated in taking your
group into a teleporter, on a ship, through a magical door, whatever, to
reach that entertainment.

"Come to the City of Thret and train yourself to embark on an adventure.
Work a deal with a guild, find a mentor, or just borrow the supplies you
need to 'go outland'.  That's what the thousands of citizens of Thret say
when visiting the many destinations available through the ancient portals
found in the city.  An outland spot may bring beautiful vistas, dangerous
monsters, or perhaps an opportunity to find a unique trinket or two.  The
outlands are full of weird and wonderful experiences.  You can always visit
the outlands by yourself, but taking friends with you may mean that you can
come back."

JB