Welcome to the 1,113th Edition of Loading...
Loading... is the premier daily MMORPG news and commentary newsletter, only from Ten Ton Hammer.
Skill-based versus level-based - which character development system offers more opportunity for long-term fun? A level-based game guarantees you some progress for your time, while skill-based games typically allow you a better chance at coming out on top in any given encounter. A look at where we're at on the skill vs. level spectrum and where we're going in the coming months in today's Loading... Skill vs. Level!
geeked, Ten Ton Hammer's semi-weekly webcomic by Bill Murphy, puts a satirical spin on MMO news and computer culture. Check out the latest comic: geeked: "Critical Hit to the Ego"
The PulseYou vote with what you view at Ten Ton Hammer, and the result is the Ten Ton Pulse (What is The Pulse?). Here's today's top 5 Pulse results for today:
Biggest Movers this week :
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Recent MMO Releases
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Important Dates
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Upcoming Releases
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Loading... Daily
Which offers players more opportunity for long-term fun: a skill-based or level-based character development system? That's the conversation we're touching off today, starting with a new premium article featuring a full harvest of dev and player quotes and a new geeked comic.
As in most debates of this kind, the jargon doesn't serve us very well. Obviously you have to have skill to do well in a level-based game, and skill-based games all have measures of prestige and power that serve just as well as levels do (such as the equipment you're able to carry or the powerful ship you're able to fly). Nonetheless, fundamental differences between these systems exist, and to me the biggest difference is the disparity between new characters and mature characters. Levels are ultimately a restriction on your potential, whereas in a skill-based game, in any given encounter you have a chance, however slim, of coming out on top.
Here's what I mean. In World of Warcraft, you don't have a prayer as a level one facing off against a level 80 decked out in purple gear. When players are all on a similar level and equipment wavelength, i.e. arenas and raids, WoW becomes a skill-based game. But take a game like CrimeCraft, in whichich I spent some good quality time with yesterday, a new character does have a chance against a veteran character. CrimeCraft does use levels, another example of how easily things get muddled in this debate but, using my "in any given encounter" operational definition above, I'd put it squarely in the skill-based category. That level 50 might be wearing better armor and carrying a rocket launcher, but if you get the drop on him, well, a point-blank shotgun blast to the head knows no level.
CrimeCraft Senior Designer Mike Donatelli proudly noted that the whole game was balanced so that a level one character could kill a level 50. So long as there's a good reason to keep leveling, I like this. Many game designers might disagree, but to me it's not our soloing mightiness but our soloing fragility that ultimately makes online games into more cooperative, truly social experiences.
Though I personally think a skill-based game offers more opportunities for social involvement - no game can beat the skill-based (or maybe "knowledge"-base) EVE Online for massive scale battles and corporate intrigue - obviously both models are viable. The trick for a level-based game is to constantly assure players that they're powerful and unique despite all the level-based evidence to the opposite. Games that rely solely on levels for character development may mandate that you spend a certain amount of time grinding quests, mobs, and instances, but at least you're guaranteed something for your time. The trick for a skill-based game is to provide plenty of reasons and rewards to keep playing past the initial skill gap without cheapening the abilities developed later in the game. These games should always provide players some basic direction on what their options are, lest players start to drown in the sandbox.
But really, it comes down to playstyle. What's your preference? What's the prevailing preference of gamers these days? Tell me in the Loading... forum, or feel free to email me!
Shayalyn's Epic Thread of the Day
From our Articles, News & Events Discussion
Brad McQuaid Talks About His Mistakes With Vanguard
Regrets...he has a few.
A
while ago the Epic Thread talked about Brad McQuaid's return. Now we're
talking about McQuaid's Vanguard Post-mortem (part 1) which he
published on his newly revamped and re-opened personal site. Although
he claims that any finger pointing is mostly going to be at
himself, the first installment of this blog seems to target a "regime
change" at Microsoft.
Do you agree with McQuaid's assessment
so far? Why didn't Vanguard succeed? How do you feel about seeing Brad
McQuaid back and discussing MMO gaming? Talk about it!
==============================
Awesome Quotes from the Epic Thread
"A lot of time has passed since the Vanguard clusterfeck, so I am going to wait a bit longer before being too judgmental.
What
I am waiting to see is if [Brad McQuaid] will grow a pair and take
ownership of the part he personally played in the demise of Sigil. I
would actually like to see if he substantiates any of the rumors that
were floating around about his drug abuse and being out of touch
with the development studio for long periods of time."
- Annatar
==============================
Have you spotted an Epic Thread on our forums? Tell us!
6 new MMOG hand-crafted articles today! 10 in July! 775 in 2009!
New MMOG Articles At Ten Ton Hammer Today
Exclusive Articles:
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Gangland Gankage - A CrimeCraft Hands-On Preview
Seeking to take the best elements from two genres, CrimeCraft combines the persistent world, social nature, and loot from MMORPGs and combines it with the intense action of a shooter. We met with Vogster's Mike Donatelli and Matt McErney recently for a little hands on time with the game, and learned how Vogster's Ukraine-based powerhouse of a studio and focus on player feedback to drive future development make CrimeCraft almost a crime not to read up on. Plus, we'll get a hint or two on the game's pricing model, what's in store for future phases of beta, and Vogster's post-release plans in this in-depth CrimeCraft preview. -
Exclusive Aion Screenshots - The Asmodian Tour: Part II
The next Aion closed beta event is coming up this weekend and Dalmarus is here to whet your appetite in anticipation. Check out the second part of his Asmodian tour with this new set of exclusive screenshots. -
Summertime Gaming - Recent Releases
Still looking for something to play this summer? We've already touched upon the golden oldies of MMO gaming and the free-to-play hidden gems now we are going to check out the newer releases that you should be checking out this summer! -
geeked: "Critical Hit to the Ego"
Skill does not always beat level! Ten Ton Hammer's very own satirical webcomic on all things Geek is back once again with a lesson for all those players whose ego often outreaches their true ability... or level. -
World of Warcraft: PTR Patch 3.2.0 Hunter Changes
Earlier this month Blizzard released the official Patch 3.2 PTR Notes which will introduce a new 5, 10, and 25 man instance, as well as a new 40 man battleground. Along with these new additions are big and small changes to every class. -
World of Warcraft: How to Heal in a Raid
A guide for many holy priests who have never been to a raid before. Yadiera breaks down the different roles for a healer, Main Tank Healing, Off Tank Healing, Raid Healing and Floaters. What spells are best to use depending on your role to use, and what to expect from your healing assignment.
Hot Content - Or, what I took a fancy to:
- Gangland Gankage - A CrimeCraft Hands-On Preview
- Champions Online Power Set Interview – Telekinesis, Force, and Telepathy
- Exclusive Aion Screenshots - The Asmodian Tour: Part II
- Age of Conan Game Update 5 Funcom Interview
- Ten Ton Hammer E3 2009 Awards
- EVE Online: Sins of a Solar Spymaster #17: The Archive of Tears
- Aion Archetype Preview - The Warrior
- Ultimate Soccer Boss Prize Pack Giveaway
- WonderKing Beta Key Giveaway
- geeked: "Critical Hit to the Ego"
Thanks for visiting the Ten Ton Hammer network!
-Jeff "Ethec" Woleslagle and the Ten Ton Hammer team
To read the latest guides, news, and features you can visit our World of Warcraft Game Page.
