Single Player + MMORPG rolled into one?

Zaptruder · 12-11-2005, 05:37 AM

Has anyone though (or are there any games out there with) the following idea...

Making a full MMORPG game, but throwing on top of it a single player RPG using the MMORPG (albeit modified to suit the single player) game engine?

I mean, the single player portion could be used to build history and mood into the MMO, and could also serve as a hook device to get players into the genre.

It would also be cool to revisit areas that you journeyed to as a hero type in the single player game...

Is this a good idea or a bad idea? Would people spring for it? I know I'd be giddy at such a prospect; as long as the core of the game was solid.

Rune · 12-11-2005, 05:39 AM

*obligatory jab at WoW here*

WillzZz · 12-11-2005, 05:39 AM

What would probably work better, is releasing a great single player game, with a great world to explore, and then releasing an MMORPG a year later in the same world (but expanded, probably).

I could see something along those lines being cool, and plausible considering you could use the same game engine and the vast majority of the art for 2 games. At the very least, you could hype the hell out of the idea to a publisher or two.

Kasonic · 12-11-2005, 05:40 AM

I've always held the firm belief that they accidentally made Morrowind single player only.

Guild Lackey · 12-11-2005, 06:22 AM

I'm guessing Elder Scrolls might turn MMO eventually, but I rather prefer it as an offline, single player. Nice patch day or otherwise game.

It would be real hard to have a game be both single player and mmorpg. The only thing I can think of is like a starter area that can be played offline. Like up to level 5 or even 10. Think of it as a preview session, soloing a few quests, trying out different classes, etc. Be really nice if you didnt have to activate your account code until you wished to join online play. That might lure in a few out there just because they think, "Well if the first 10 levels suck I can resell it" or something. Also, then on patch day, you could start up an alt and make some progress in game.

Clericnon2boxed · 12-11-2005, 06:39 AM

Maybe Age of Conan is what you are looking for, just read the interview (link can be found in the Age of Conan thread), it is a singleplayer RPG until level 20 to hook you to the game and then you get to the MMO game with another 60 levels + pvp levels etc (with a monthly fee then).

Zaptruder · 12-11-2005, 06:48 AM

Nah, I'm thinking more along the lines of an epic single player RPG coupled with a fully fledged MMO.

Something like FFXII + FFXI in the same game...

well maybe not as lavish as FF games are, but definetly grander than just a few levels.

Moreover, the gameplay between SP and MMO would be different, with the SP allowing for much more scripted encounters as well as faster levelling and more epic small group encounters. Maybe at the end, you'd be doing with your 5 man party what the MMO players would take a full raid to take down.

Something like that.

Grez · 12-11-2005, 06:56 AM

GTA MMORPG. FTW.

Luthair · 12-11-2005, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kasonic

I've always held the firm belief that they accidentally made Morrowind single player only.

You'd have to go back to Daggerfall if you wanted an Elder Scrolls MMO, a Morrowind server could host like 50 people max, tiny world.

Oakman · 12-11-2005, 08:58 AM

This is actually the basis for the new Conan mmog coming out. You start the game in single player mode, then once you get high enough level you enter the mmo section.

forge · 12-11-2005, 09:12 AM

Speaking of GTA, I can't help but to watch all these comercials and notice how aged their engine looks. Sooner or later people will realize that their shit sucks. At which point they better have something new to bring to the table.

Zaptruder · 12-11-2005, 09:23 AM

You mean GTA4 for the PS3?

Then it'll start all over again. dayum.

Hikaru · 12-11-2005, 09:45 AM

like diablo?

Lyrical · 12-11-2005, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zaptruder

Has anyone though (or are there any games out there with) the following idea...

Making a full MMORPG game, but throwing on top of it a single player RPG using the MMORPG (albeit modified to suit the single player) game engine?

I mean, the single player portion could be used to build history and mood into the MMO, and could also serve as a hook device to get players into the genre.

It would also be cool to revisit areas that you journeyed to as a hero type in the single player game...

Is this a good idea or a bad idea? Would people spring for it? I know I'd be giddy at such a prospect; as long as the core of the game was solid.

Isn't the problem that if you store player data on their pc's, that it is more easliy hacked for when they play the MMO part of the game? I am no programmer here, but I am sure someone can explain the pitfalls.

Froofy-D · 12-11-2005, 10:35 AM

Morrowind would have been 10 times better if you could coop multi-player like Diablo 2 or NWN. That and if every mob wasnt trivial once you got a decent set of armor and weapon.

12-11-2005, 05:37 AM	#1 (permalink)
Zaptruder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 201 +0 Internets	Single Player + MMORPG rolled into one? Has anyone though (or are there any games out there with) the following idea... Making a full MMORPG game, but throwing on top of it a single player RPG using the MMORPG (albeit modified to suit the single player) game engine? I mean, the single player portion could be used to build history and mood into the MMO, and could also serve as a hook device to get players into the genre. It would also be cool to revisit areas that you journeyed to as a hero type in the single player game... Is this a good idea or a bad idea? Would people spring for it? I know I'd be giddy at such a prospect; as long as the core of the game was solid.

12-11-2005, 06:22 AM	#5 (permalink)
Guild Lackey Samurai Blue Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Omaha Posts: 334 +0 Internets	I'm guessing Elder Scrolls might turn MMO eventually, but I rather prefer it as an offline, single player. Nice patch day or otherwise game. It would be real hard to have a game be both single player and mmorpg. The only thing I can think of is like a starter area that can be played offline. Like up to level 5 or even 10. Think of it as a preview session, soloing a few quests, trying out different classes, etc. Be really nice if you didnt have to activate your account code until you wished to join online play. That might lure in a few out there just because they think, "Well if the first 10 levels suck I can resell it" or something. Also, then on patch day, you could start up an alt and make some progress in game. __________________

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12-11-2005, 05:39 AM	#2 (permalink)
Rune Bonafied Misanthrope Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: ATX Posts: 905 -1 Internets	obligatory jab at WoW here

12-11-2005, 05:39 AM	#3 (permalink)
WillzZz Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: San Francisco Posts: 972 +1 Internets	What would probably work better, is releasing a great single player game, with a great world to explore, and then releasing an MMORPG a year later in the same world (but expanded, probably). I could see something along those lines being cool, and plausible considering you could use the same game engine and the vast majority of the art for 2 games. At the very least, you could hype the hell out of the idea to a publisher or two.

12-11-2005, 05:40 AM	#4 (permalink)
Kasonic dumb Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 2,627 +1 Internets	I've always held the firm belief that they accidentally made Morrowind single player only.

12-11-2005, 06:39 AM	#6 (permalink)
Clericnon2boxed Up Syndrome Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Bärlin Posts: 1,413 -2 Internets	Maybe Age of Conan is what you are looking for, just read the interview (link can be found in the Age of Conan thread), it is a singleplayer RPG until level 20 to hook you to the game and then you get to the MMO game with another 60 levels + pvp levels etc (with a monthly fee then).

12-11-2005, 06:48 AM	#7 (permalink)
Zaptruder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 201 +0 Internets	Nah, I'm thinking more along the lines of an epic single player RPG coupled with a fully fledged MMO. Something like FFXII + FFXI in the same game... well maybe not as lavish as FF games are, but definetly grander than just a few levels. Moreover, the gameplay between SP and MMO would be different, with the SP allowing for much more scripted encounters as well as faster levelling and more epic small group encounters. Maybe at the end, you'd be doing with your 5 man party what the MMO players would take a full raid to take down. Something like that.

12-11-2005, 06:56 AM	#8 (permalink)
Grez Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 276 +0 Internets	GTA MMORPG. FTW.

12-11-2005, 08:58 AM	#10 (permalink)
Oakman Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 462 -2 Internets	This is actually the basis for the new Conan mmog coming out. You start the game in single player mode, then once you get high enough level you enter the mmo section.

12-11-2005, 09:12 AM	#11 (permalink)
forge CTW! Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: at work Posts: 447 +0 Internets	Speaking of GTA, I can't help but to watch all these comercials and notice how aged their engine looks. Sooner or later people will realize that their shit sucks. At which point they better have something new to bring to the table.

12-11-2005, 09:23 AM	#12 (permalink)
Zaptruder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 201 +0 Internets	You mean GTA4 for the PS3? Then it'll start all over again. dayum.

12-11-2005, 09:45 AM	#13 (permalink)
Hikaru I love pajama pants Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Colorado Springs Posts: 288 +0 Internets	like diablo?

12-11-2005, 10:35 AM	#15 (permalink)
Froofy-D upper management material Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 2,000 +8 Internets	Morrowind would have been 10 times better if you could coop multi-player like Diablo 2 or NWN. That and if every mob wasnt trivial once you got a decent set of armor and weapon.