What with MMOs taking off, and getting bigger, does this signal the end of single player RPGs? Does the collective feeling of slaying a massive end-instance boss compare to completing a JRPG with max stats? Or can they live side by side, attracting different people, or each taking a share of the RPG market?
It’s a big subject, but it can be broken down into sections.
Who plays each game
Simple answer; gamers. But what kind? MMOs have a stigma for attracting the geekiest of geeks. We’ve all seen the South park hommage of WoW, with the characters delving deep into the game, spouting weapons stats and buffs like there is no tomorrow. MMOs did not create this however, they merely augmented it. Stats have been a part of RPGS for as long as they have existed, indeed, the genre wouldn’t be what it is today without them. However, as MMOs are much more of a vocal game (speaking of vent/teamspeak whilst raiding, for instance), these aspects become much clearer to the average person.
I have some friends that love Final Fantasy, and other select RPGs, but wouldn’t touch an MMO, purely due to the stigma surrounding them. They see them as too geeky. When I have played MMOs, I have found quite a few of the players to be too involved with the game, playing it every waking moment, but how is that different to console gamers, who often play a new release for hours on end (see GTA IV and MGS 4 for a recent example).
So, while different players do seem to play each game, in many respects, they are the same.
Differences of gameplay
MMOs stole almost everything they have from existing RPGs, changing bits here and there to incorporate the multiplayer aspect. The result is a unique but familiar experience. Anyone who has enjoyed RPGs, should enjoy a decent MMO.
I find that while MMOs are great for the instances and free roaming aspect, they fall short on the story side. They often focus on levelling too much, drawing out the process, making sure they get their monthly fee. This means a lot of hunt and gather quests, which soon become tedious. Kill X amount of these, Collect X amount of these, and so on. Single player RPGs have less of these, and when they do have them, they usually fit in with the story well.
Story
I love a good RPG story, from the classic unsung hero and kidnapped Princess, to, well, that pretty much sums up all RPGs. Clichéd to hell now, but I still manage to enjoy them. The way the characters are brought to life, and the settings are realised, makes for an enjoyable experience.
MMOs often fall short in this aspect. Guild wars tried to focus more on the story, and to be fair, did a decent job. It had cut scenes, and mini instances that related to the story. Most MMOs have a “background”, which basically sets the premise for the game, telling you why X hates Y, for instance. This is all well and good, but there is hardly a story in there that grips you.
Market Share
MMOs make more money that single player RPGs. It’s as simple as that. WoW has over 9 million subscribers. 9 million. Thats is a ridiculous amount. Singleplayer RPGs can outsell that, sure, but at just under $10 a month, MMOs are raking it in.
So why should RPGS continue to be made, especially when people expect them to be bigger, better, and a lot more immersive? it seems easier to start an MMO, add bits as you go along, and make a lot of money.
The market for MMOs is becoming saturated, and will soon burst. We have long standing RPGs, such as Everquest II, WoW, and Eve, but there are so many new ones being released, and a shed load more in production (Age of Conan, Star Trek, Warhammer etc). The thing is, most people only really play 1 MMO, as it takes up that much time, and so most of these new MMOs are destined to dwindle, and either run off a hundred thousand users, or fail. Gamers can play more than one RPG at once, and there is no pressure to be the best, you can take your time, level as you want, and not feel the need to be on it twenty-fours hours a day.
Wrap Up
The way I see it, there is a market for both, and both will continue to thrive for years to come. Eventually, I think a new hybrid will emerge, in an way what Guild Wars was trying to do, which will relive the pressure and time consumption of the hardcore MMOs, and maybe even change the common preconception of them.
Discuss the article in depth here.
Good article, some interesting thoughts!
Steve