This game has no class…

 Today I tackle the topic of classes in games.  Are they a requirement or are some games better without them?  I look at my two current favorite MMO’s and compare their approach to classes, which are very different. Which is more appealing, a game with many specialized classes or a game with many jack-of-all-trades?

The two MMO’s I am referring to are World of Warcraft and Saga of Ryzom.  As all of the readers here know, WoW is generally considered to have specialized classes.  While not absolute due to the many hybrid classes or classes that can do more than one thing, it is still a class driven game.  For example, no matter how hard you try, a warrior just can’t heal successfully, and a Priest can’t tank (although I have seen a few poor misguided souls try).  This is pretty much the standard for MMO’s.  There are a few specialized classes and a few hybrid classes, but all have very well defined roles and limitations.

Saga of Ryzom is a little different.  While you are asked to select a focus when you first create your character (fighting, caster, gatherer, or crafter) all that your initial choice affects are the skills you start the game with.  No matter what you have chosen you can learn all the other skills at any time in the game.  In fact each ability has its own separate level, so you could be a level 100 warrior, 75 caster and 20 in gathering and crafting.

What are the advantages / disadvantages of each method?

 Each of the systems described briefly above has it’s advantages and disadvantages.  Let’s look at each system in a little more detail.

Games with specialized classes are pretty much the norm in MMOs.  Almost all games have some sort of pre-defined class system.  Most in fact have the same classes, with just minor changes to the name of the class.  How many games don’t have a Warrior, Mage or Priest?  There are some definite advantages to the system though, they are:

• Uniqueness of class – You know you are different from all other classes
• Specific Role – By your class you know roughly what you are supposed to be doing
• Easily identifiable to other players – Other players know what your character is capable of doing by your class

There are also some downsides to having set classes, such as:

• No flexibility – most classes are very specific at what they do well.  The hybrid classes that have options, very rarely do any of them as well as a single role class.
• Role may not be needed – By having a single role you are limited in groups by their need for that role.
• Could get boring long term – If you can only do one thing, then your character can get boring and repetitive.

Some games have what is called a Jack of All Trades class system.  This system is rarer than the specific classes found in most games.  It has some very positive aspects to it, when done correctly.

• Highly Customizable – your character can do or be whatever you choose.
• Never outdated – If you decide to do something else, your character can change as you go along

While it gives the player great flexibility it does also have some downsides.

• Identity - It is hard to identify what others are good at when forming groups
• No single specialty – While you may be ok at everything what do you choose to do right now?
• Can get or feel muddled – It is not always clear what your role is in a group since everyone can potentially do everything

So, what’s better or more appealing? 

 I think it really comes down to the game and how you play it.  I play WoW almost exclusively in groups, so I prefer defined classes and roles.  When I am in a raid, I want to know what I have to do, the fact that my character by definition of his class can do it, and what everyone else is doing.  When I solo, I am a lot more forgiving on this, and really like the hybrid classes (Shaman, Druid, Paladin) or the Hunter class because they offer you the ability to deal with a lot of situations all on your own.

On the other hand I normally play Ryzom by myself so the jack of all trades system of character development works just find for me, just like the hybrids in WoW.  I think if I played it more (which I would love, but just don’t have the time) then I would specialize and spec in just one way to maximize my level.  Currently I play it mainly just to see new things and explore so that I can work on new adventures in Ryzom Ring (the scenario creation utility that they just released to beta).

Sorry to sit on the fence on this one…  Normally I have a strong opinion on EVERYTHING either one way or the other (usually the way that pisses the most people off!), but on this one, it really depends on the game and my expectations for it.

Have comments or suggestions? Found an error? We would love to hear from you! Please email me at messiah@tentonhammer.com.