Originally posted by Sovrath 

I'm starting to think that people who want this sandbox style game are really just looking for social interaction. There is no questing per se so you basically seek out other players.

They are not looking so much for a game but for online friends. If this is indeed the case it borders on a little creepy to my thinking.

Better stick with the day job Sov, psychology isn't your strong suit.

I play EVE, and yet am a fairly anti-social person/player.  I have no great loyalties, make no real friends, I'm sort of a wanderer going from place to place looking for adventure.

In my first year of EVE I've fought in Stealth fleets, helped take down player owned stations by the score, helped my corporation in mining or shipping operations, refilled stations to keep our manufacturing engines rolling, fought in large fleet engagements and been destroyed by Titans. 

I've killed many, made a decent living (by no means a rich player), avoided all mining, flown cover for others, begun building up a base of steady income that I don't actually have to work for.  I can fly scout, probe out hidden fleets, jam the enemy so they can't return fire and let loose with long range guns that others can't come close to matching.

I've fought directly against the largest empire in the game (BOB) and along side some of the games other big hitters (Goonswarm who are one crazy bunch) and Red Army (who says you need to understand your allies to actually coordinate a fight)

I've had my alliances utterly wiped from the universe, and at the same time, have been on the winning side and seen other alliances vanish from the game.

I'm currently fighting in an empire corp which uses wardecs to get its pvp fix and its added a whole new dimension to EVE for me.

The only questing I do is mission running, as I find it an easy way to make cash at times.  Ratting in 0.0 is another favorite activity, as I prefer things that involve shooting things as a means to make an income.

And yet, there's so much I haven't experienced yet.  So much to look forward in my 2nd year.  I've only scratched the surface of what is possible in EVE, and I think I've got a long run ahead of me.

Sandbox style games such as EVE offer so many more opportunities to define your own role in a game, but they are not for everyone.  I'm afraid I'm I'm damaged now, the standard, quest driven, level based, no risk/reward for pvp type game just isn't that interesting anymore. (to me)

Originally posted by Wolfkrone

Originally posted by DonnieBrasco

Originally posted by Wolfkrone

It is NOT a Sandbox. HOWEVER, unless your a fan of the Lord of the Rings book you should probably avoid LOTRO. Apart from maybe the music system (which is a minor thing, no matter how fun it is) this game does not offer anything new. That being said, the environments ARE lovely.

 

Well, I am not a particular fan of the LOTRO universe, but I think this game is excellent, therefore what you wrote is not true. Very misleading in the best case.

DB

 

Oh it's fine, but it doesn't offer anything new. What LoTRO has to offer (apart from being able to roleplay in the LoTRO universe or it's music system) is not enough to warrant buying it.

While the landscape graphics are lovely, the character models are lacking. Combat itself is boring and (suprisingly) inferior to WoW's (I am a WoW critic, I absolutely hate that game), the only thing that makes you different from somebody else in your class (combat wise) are traits. PvP is also lacking, PvMP revolves around controlling several forts in the Ettenmoors, I will admit however that LoTRO was not designed with hardcore PvP in mind. Quests, same old kill this/gather that, the storyline quests are the only relief but they don't happen enough (and are not unique either, when you compare them to other MMORPG's on the market).

Player Housing is all instanced and not something overly great, it doesn't topple the best player housing currently in a MMORPG (which is SWG, a shame they ruined that game). The Classes themselves are quite cliche for a fantasy MMO, there is only a small number of them too (when compared to some other Fantasy MMORPG's). Crafting, it's basic, simplistic and does not add to the MMORPG genre at all, it's also inferior to the best crafting currently in an MMORPG (once again, this belongs to SWG). Character creation is bare, especially when compared to games such as SWG and AoC.

There is some good points to LoTRO. The appearance system, it's good that you can choose the appearance of one item but wear a different one for stats, however, it's not unique (think Everquest II). Art Style, the art style in this game is lovely, items themselves are very well done, it's not often you'll see atrocious looking pieces of crap which plague WoW. Music System, a great idea that's executed well, it can be fun to chill out and just screw around with various notes, you can download ABC files and tell the game to play that file while sitting back and listening. Lore, probably the main selling point to LoTRO is the fact it's Lord of the fuckin Rings, probably one of the best fantasy stories ever, if your a roleplayer or a LOTR fan you will love LoTRO.

BUT, as I've said, it offers nothing overly new, it probably wasn't trying too. But if your looking for a new MMO that's creative then this isn't it, sadly, because I loved the LOTR books.

What you're desribing above is all a matter of personal taste, nothing more.

I did not mean to debate those, I merely countered your argument, in which you said that only fans of the LOTR universe would enjoy that game. That is not true, myself being one example of the opposite.

DB

Originally posted by DonnieBrasco

Originally posted by Wolfkrone

Originally posted by DonnieBrasco

Originally posted by Wolfkrone

It is NOT a Sandbox. HOWEVER, unless your a fan of the Lord of the Rings book you should probably avoid LOTRO. Apart from maybe the music system (which is a minor thing, no matter how fun it is) this game does not offer anything new. That being said, the environments ARE lovely.

 

Well, I am not a particular fan of the LOTRO universe, but I think this game is excellent, therefore what you wrote is not true. Very misleading in the best case.

DB

 

Oh it's fine, but it doesn't offer anything new. What LoTRO has to offer (apart from being able to roleplay in the LoTRO universe or it's music system) is not enough to warrant buying it.

While the landscape graphics are lovely, the character models are lacking. Combat itself is boring and (suprisingly) inferior to WoW's (I am a WoW critic, I absolutely hate that game), the only thing that makes you different from somebody else in your class (combat wise) are traits. PvP is also lacking, PvMP revolves around controlling several forts in the Ettenmoors, I will admit however that LoTRO was not designed with hardcore PvP in mind. Quests, same old kill this/gather that, the storyline quests are the only relief but they don't happen enough (and are not unique either, when you compare them to other MMORPG's on the market).

Player Housing is all instanced and not something overly great, it doesn't topple the best player housing currently in a MMORPG (which is SWG, a shame they ruined that game). The Classes themselves are quite cliche for a fantasy MMO, there is only a small number of them too (when compared to some other Fantasy MMORPG's). Crafting, it's basic, simplistic and does not add to the MMORPG genre at all, it's also inferior to the best crafting currently in an MMORPG (once again, this belongs to SWG). Character creation is bare, especially when compared to games such as SWG and AoC.

There is some good points to LoTRO. The appearance system, it's good that you can choose the appearance of one item but wear a different one for stats, however, it's not unique (think Everquest II). Art Style, the art style in this game is lovely, items themselves are very well done, it's not often you'll see atrocious looking pieces of crap which plague WoW. Music System, a great idea that's executed well, it can be fun to chill out and just screw around with various notes, you can download ABC files and tell the game to play that file while sitting back and listening. Lore, probably the main selling point to LoTRO is the fact it's Lord of the fuckin Rings, probably one of the best fantasy stories ever, if your a roleplayer or a LOTR fan you will love LoTRO.

BUT, as I've said, it offers nothing overly new, it probably wasn't trying too. But if your looking for a new MMO that's creative then this isn't it, sadly, because I loved the LOTR books.

What you're desribing above is all a matter of personal taste, nothing more.

I did not mean to debate those, I merely countered your argument, in which you said that only fans of the LOTR universe would enjoy that game. That is not true, myself being one example of the opposite.

DB

Alright. I'll change my statement to 'you would enjoy yourself in a more 'fleshed out' MMORPG'. ;)

Originally posted by Wolfkrone

Originally posted by DonnieBrasco 

 

Alright. I'll change my statement to 'you would enjoy yourself in a more 'fleshed out' MMORPG'. ;)

Better... :) but would still be more fair using the first person: "I am enjoying myself myself in a more "fleshed out" MMORPG" :) Noone can speak for other's tastes in great confidence!

Glad you got my point though :)

DB

Originally posted by Sovrath

Yeah, that's what I heard. A friend of mine played SWG and told me it was like a virtual job.

I'm starting to think that people who want this sandbox style game are really just looking for social interaction. There is no questing per se so you basically seek out other players.

They are not looking so much for a game but for online friends. If this is indeed the case it borders on a little creepy to my thinking.

People seeking social interaction is creepy? That's a novel view.

Just to offer a different one, what distinguishes sandbox style games from eg. games like WoW, is the emphasis on players. It is, like you say, less about coded game content (or questing as you put it) and more about other players.

Quests are a bit like single player offline games. The only difference is they're set in a world you share with other players, and you can interact with those players while completing the quests.

Sandbox style games create a world environment in which that player interaction is the game, eg. via:

• pvp
• player control of the gameworld (building structures, politics, ability to affect the game's story etc.)

The advantage of sandbox games is that they're less predictable. The disadvantage is that they're less predictable.

Supposedly you're less likely to get bored, because players are less predictable. On the other hand, it's very difficult to control the quality of the game experience. IMO, this is why there aren't any really successful sandbox mmos on the market. Players are complex and unpredictable, and designing environments in which they will provide a quality game experience - without any game content and to suit the tastes of a broad audience - is nigh impossible.

The answer is what it so often is - a middle road. Most of the big mmos in development since WoW's release have tried to offer both, which is the ideal. If there's quest content + elements of sandbox gameplay, and players can pick or choose as they like, then that's the safer bet.

Pure sandbox mmos are not.

Like others have pointed out, Middle Earth Online was going to be fairly sandboxy. LOTRO sits much closer to WoW.

If you really want a sanbox game. Try Roma Victor.

Originally posted by ketrine

No.

 

There aren't any good sandboxes on the market right now IMO.  Eve doesnt count because you have to be a cold piece of textured metal floating in a vacuum of space instead of a character.

EVE Online is a sandbox. Just because you have been obliterated in it doesn't change simple facts. It also counters barbie playing men like yourself.

Originally posted by ketrine

Originally posted by unherdninja

Originally posted by ketrine

No.

 

There aren't any good sandboxes on the market right now IMO.  Eve doesnt count because you have to be a cold piece of textured metal floating in a vacuum of space instead of a character.

 

Ok sorry for the double post and off topicness but I just need to respawned to this.  I dont see why you would say that at all. Your not a peice of metal floating in space. you are a pod pilot which is a character that fly's a ship. Second, a sand box is a sandbox no matter if it's an rpg, rts, fps, or what have you.

 

Two things:

1.) I said there arent any GOOD sandboxes on the market now IMO.  Eve is a sandbox, granted, but In my very very humble opinion it is not a good one because my character has no legs with which to jump.  I need legs before its a good MMO.  You cant put on pink shoes without feet, and I hate outer space unless I can run around the spaceship decorating it.

2.) A spaceship is a metal chunk of electronics floating in space.  (as far as I am concerned)

 Personal opinion doesn't change the fact it's a sandbox. PERIOD.

EVE Online is a very good example of a sandbox and probably the ONLY good sandbox out right now. You are completely arrogant, or if you aren't... then you are simply a troll. Take either one, let's hope it's the latter because if not, you have some real mental issues. =)

I find it hard to believe players such as yourself exist then again you may be a wannabe gamer. All in all, have a good day.

Originally posted by Lizard_SF

Originally posted by unherdninja

Originally posted by Lizard_SF

Originally posted by unherdninja

First, please learn to slow down and correct typo's in your sentances.

 

Dude, you just pegged my irony meter.

 

Ok first what's wrong with the word typo? Second I’m not talking about little mistakes like putting an a instead of an e in sentence. The OP butchered his whole post. You have to agree. If you don’t then your just being argumentative.

 

You do not use an apostrophe to indicate plurals.

Apostrophes are used to indicate contractions (It's==It is) or possessives (The bee's knees). It is not used to warn the reader that an 's' might be coming.

Also, it should be "you're just being", that is, "You are just being". "Your" is used to indicate possession, again, "This is your boat". On the other hand, you *could* have said "Ur just being", so, props for not doing that.

It is a fundamental rule of the internet that any post critiquing grammar or spelling will, itself, contain such errors. It is unavoidable. I just found your (not you're) post especially amusing.

And of course I'm being argumentative. This is the Internet.

(And I know you shouldn't start sentences with and. But I do it anyway. Also, you shouldn't start sentences with but. The irony continues to mount...)

 

You are my new God.

Originally posted by Sovrath

Originally posted by tfox2k1

Do people even know what a 'sandbox' style game is?    Apparently not since they keep asking for one.   A sandbox is an open environment where you build the entertainment.     Something such as Second Life.   UO is fairly sandbox, no quests.   SWG was sandbox, again no questing just running around exploring.

Know what?    SWG sucked at release, there was NOTHING to do except craft and explore huge empty areas.  

 

A sandbox MMO is one with just a world and nothing to do in it except explore.   Thankfully LOTRO has nearly limitless activities and goals to accomplish.   If you want LOTRO to be sandbox, just avoid all the developer made goals and create your OWN!

The vast majority of the world is entirely open for you to explore and sandbox.   Take your sandbox to the three Trolls turned to stone from the books and have a tea party.   YEAH!  Sandbox play!

 

 

 

Yeah, that's what I heard. A friend of mine played SWG and told me it was like a virtual job.

I'm starting to think that people who want this sandbox style game are really just looking for social interaction. There is no questing per se so you basically seek out other players.

They are not looking so much for a game but for online friends. If this is indeed the case it borders on a little creepy to my thinking.

MY irony meter is pegging. [-1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-]   (11)

Hint: You just posted that on a forum dedicated to online-only video games.