MMOFPS, a genre that is still without its WoW or EVE, there really isn't a 'successful' and well rounded product out there for us to play. Having reviewed the base principles behind a MMOFPS, I am left wondering why.
Planetside was in many ways a very solid attempt by Sony. The core game was playable, the mechanics worked in general and even the balancing was taken care of quite decently. However, the 'magic touch' wasn't there. Combat quickly became repetetive and simply not involving enough to keep playing. The game was also a memory hog and took up a huge amount of system resources while looking completely dated. Yes, the game is still up and running, but I'd classify the title more or less dead.
Why did this happen, then? Why weren't people happy with Sony's blend of MMO and FPS? Why did the combat become uninteresting? I personally think the genre has been approached by the developers with the 'let's blend a MMORPG and a FPS' attitude. From the onset, the developers have been looking to create a hybrid game resulting in a dull, grayish compromise. I mean, consider the possibilities. We could experience Halo-like battlefields with hundreds of players controlling static objects and vehicles while working towards various objectives, coupled with Call of Duty/Battlefield-like rank progression, item drops and talent points. I'd definitely play a game like that!
The problem with all of this is balance. If you are to create a true FPS, then character development and items should not precede player skill in deciding the result of a PvP encounter. This is extremely hard to balance. The sense of accomplishment is negatively affected if a maxed out character with the best gear available is continuously being being defeated by low-level characters simply because the player is not as a good a mouse-warrior as his opponents. However, new players will be disappointed if a maxed out character can one-shot them even if the player controlling that character is clearly inferior. What are developers to do, then?
I think traditional FPS developers have already come up with the answer. In the Call of Duty and Battlefield series your rank doesn't make you that much deadlier. It simply gives you access to new perks, weapons and cusmization options. I think this is the way MMOFPS titles should work as well. Why make level-specific areas, when you can simply create a system similar to CoD, Battlefield or EVE, where player characters are able to participate almost everywhere in the game world from the start of the game, just in a limited role. This means that the annoyance of seeing a beautiful area, or hearing of a cool planet but not able to actually experience the place until weeks later due to character advancement issues would be non-existent. People would not be forced to progress through the game in a certain manner, which would greatly improve replay value and the level of immersion.
You may think, 'but the player with the maxed out character who is just not up to par with his mouse and keyboard would still not be nullified'. You are correct. He would not be nullified. This is the essence of an FPS game, player ability is meant to be meaningful, the time spent in the game less so. Now, don't get me the wrong way here. Currently, I think there are no FPS games out there where a normal person without any physical handicaps can not become one of the elite by simply putting in the effort. This competitive aspect of FPS games is what attracts me to the genre. There is nothing like self development in 1337-skills to boost the ego of an it-oriented nerd! I simply love being able to instill some major pwnage on others.
I gather many people who actually managed to read through this monster blog were able to put two and two together. MMOFPS games are not meant to be mainstream MMO titles in my opinion. Most probably MMOFPS games will be favored more by FPS players who want a persistent game world, rather than MMO gamers who are looking for real-time combat. I'd like to hear some comments regarding this, at least my circle of friends seem to be on the same level with me regarding this. I certainly hope that there are developers out there who share this mentality.