Instanced Game Play: Right or Wrong for MMOGs?

By Ralsu

One of the features that makes Dungeons & Dragons Online (DDO) stand apart from the myriad massively-multiplayer online games (MMOGs) that glut the market today is that DDO provides 100% instanced quests. For sure, it was one of the elements that convinced me that DDO was going to change MMOGs forever. In case you're a little foggy on the details, an instance is a special version of a zone or quest created specifically for you and your group (or raid party...or opponents for player-vs-player combat). While it's true that Guild Wars did fully instanced game play first, DDO became the pioneer for games that frequently provide free updates and use instances for all quests.

In the 6 months since DDO's release (February 28, 2006), I've noticed a debate surfacing regarding the value of instanced gaming. Tonight I will explore that debate and ask for your input.

The Case for Instances

Ever work your way through a fierce dungeon only to find the dragon at the bottom has not spawned for the day? Or how about navigate a difficult maze fraught with unfriendly creatures only to discover that another group is currently fighting the giant minotaur at the end? It can and does happen all too frequently in many MMOGs. Instanced dungeons ensure your boss monster will be there for you. You won't have to argue about rights of engagement or get on a silly list to kill raid monsters as I had to do when I played EverQuest Online Adventures.

On occasions with lower stakes but no less frustration, I have engaged a meager skeleton in MMOGs only to have some power leveling maximized paladin come along and pull all the skeletons in the zone (including mine!) to his camp of level 4 wizards. Sigh. Sometimes people can be downright rude. An instanced game like DDO makes kill stealing more difficult (I won't discuss the DDO XP system this week). Usually you still get experience for a kill so long as anyone in your party does the deed. Thus, you can focus more on strategy and efficient killing in an instanced zone.

The Case for Free-for-alls

Have you ever set off to explore by yourself, encounter a group that needs one more, and find yourself adding 5 new people to your buddy list at the end of the night? Or do you recall the fun in seeing all the people you know from your server while out on a hike through the XP Mountains? A game with only instanced quests takes away from the social aspect of a MMOG. I mean, don't we play online games to interact with people? Instances might let you avoid a few jerks, but it will also cause you to avoid some really great potential friends. If the potential downside of instances are enough to convince you, let me point out two definite flaws with the system.

When you need only to group for an hour or two with someone to complete a quest and you know you may never encounter that person again, you're not as inspired to be on your best behavior, Okay, may you're always on your best behavior. But how about the jerks you were hoping to avoid in an instanced game? Just because the game has instances doesn't mean jerks stopped playing, They're out there, just one blind invite away from bringing chaos to your party. Additionally, if your party is in danger of a wipe, there is a 0% chance of a rescue from nearby good Samaritans. In an instance, you are on your on.

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Now it's your turn to speak on the issue.

VOTE IN OUR POLL! Do you think fully instanced game play is right for MMOGs? For sure! I want the dragon to be there when I arrive. I want some instances, but I like bumping into friends while out adventuring. Maybe only raid encounters should be instanced to avoid fighting in the end game. I say open up the whole world! Survival of the fittest, and let players' good natures shine through. VOTE HERE