Weekly Newsletter 11_19_07: Choices

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Updated Fri, Jan 02, 2009 by Dalmarus

Weekly Newletter

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Choices

November 19, 2007 - By Dalmarus

This week we ran a fun “What If” poll. Assuming everything in the game as it currently stands was fixed, the Ancient Port Warehouse and permanent flying mounts were both live, what would you like to see added/changed in the game next?

The majority of voters (over 50%) stated the first thing they want added to the game is an AA (Alternate Abilities) system. This addition would create multiple “fixes” for various aspects of Vanguard as it now stands.

The first would be the ability to give the numerous level 50 characters currently in the game something to do, thus preventing boredom and possibly even departure. An addition of an AA system would give something new for everyone in the game to strive for. It would eliminate the worry of “Now what?” when maxing out a character’s level. Not only will it provide a great reason to continue adventuring, but it would also provide a very needed sense of character individuality.

The second thing an AA system would provide may be a bit of a release valve for the overcrowding pressures I expect the Ancient Port Warehouse raid area to experience for quite some time once it goes live. There are a large number of end-game characters that are already equipped with the best equipment currently in the game, and are bored senseless. It’s fairly safe to assume that the majority (if not all) of them are going to hit the APW as soon as it goes live. At the very least, relationships in the early days of the APW are going to be strained similar to packing a ton of rats into a box.

The amount of flexibility an AA system would provide each character cannot be overstated. It’s the excitement of continually striving to achieve personal goals within the game that are the key to its success at earning a long life.

Since the induction of MMO’s to the gaming world, players have clamored for choices. Choices in their character features, abilities, and play styles. Since the early days of Ultima Online and Everquest, companies have gone to great lengths to provide as much flexibility in these categories as they could. Those that have done so continue to thrive and grow today, while those that have not have gone to the great Zapper in the sky.

Comic used with permission of GUComics.com

This week’s poll also had another interesting side effect. I thought it was interesting that not a single voter chose “Remove or change the XP Loss Death Penalty”. That’s right, not one single vote for that, while choices such as “The UI needs to be improved immediately”, “Give me some relaxing side activities such as fishing”, and “Other” each garnered multiple votes.

If I had listed the choice simply as “Removing the XP loss death penalty”, I would understand that I might be in the minority of wishing the death penalty to stay the same. As it was worded though, no one chose to even have the XP penalty changed.

Personally, I think that’s a significant indication that of all the things players want to add or change in the game, the death penalty is currently at the bottom of most people’s list.

For me, MMO’s are all about choice. Currently, Vanguard gives me more than any other game I want to play, so I’m here for quite a while. In my opinion, adding an AA system will not only help retain a large number of players, but it may also lure back the majority of level 50 players that have already left.

What do you think?