Moving the Genre Forward - A Look at Innovative Game Mechanics - Page 2

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Updated Wed, Oct 14, 2009 by Martuk

Instancing can also be a benefit to quests as they offer an entire area for scripting events to take place. The open world isn't always the best place for complex game scripts that an instance is better suited for, but Vanguard once attempted a mechanic that may have helped provide that benefit to an open world with their A.E.S. (Advanced Encounter System). Unfortunately, the system was never developed for the game's initial launch.

Instancing provides plaers with an area to experience detailed scripts and storylines.

PQs (Public Quests) – WO, CO
Public Quests are a fairly new and innovative concept for MMOGs. Players can cooperate to achieve a goal with or without being grouped. Events are set up around the world in a number of places and take place on given time intervals. At the end of the event there are often rewards given to those that took part in achieving the goals. WO and CO use this mechanic in several areas and it’s a great way to get some cooperative play and a little loot in the process. In some cases there are PQs in PvP areas, and that can become really chaotic. PQs may be one of the newest innovations to gameplay to be incorporated into an MMOG and it can certainly be one of the more fun things to experience.

Diplomacy – Vanguard: Saga of Heroes
Diplomacy was a very creative concept and one that offered players a way to influence towns by driving the diplomatic sway in the region to cause certain benefits to a number of skills. While not everyone enjoyed the way the Diplomacy system of Vanguard was implemented, it is a great concept and one that would be a welcome addition to future MMOGs. The ability to influence a region by diplomatic skill rather than sheer brute force adds a nice layer of depth to Vanguard not found too often in other games.

There have been many great innovative mechanics brought to MMOGs over the years. Innovation is a slow process and not all of what could be potentially great ideas catch on. The genre continues to move forward, new ideas emerge, and we, the players, continue to watch for the next innovative idea that will enhance our gameplay experience and make our MMOG worlds just a little bit more fun.