I'd like to recommend you to read a few Q&A session on the game Deus Ex 2. I
read one which dealt exactly with what you talked about here, and though I
never played the first game, it got me really interested in this sequel.

/Robert

----- Original Message -----
From: "Dan Pinal" <danp--massmedia.com>
To: <<Address Masked>>
Sent: Tuesday, September 16, 2003 10:25 PM
Subject: Roleplaying was Re: ring tones! / new games


> I think a lot can be said pro and con about RPG vs. MMORPG roleplaying,
but
> mostly it's con. I really haven't found one yet that really allowed
> freedom in creating an actual personna, and I've tried several.
>
> In single player games you are typically stuck in a particular story path,
> with various "enablers" on the road to completion. Enablers are specific
> things the player must do in order to continue the story path. Maybe I
> don't want my character Darth Darth Binks to rescue the princess. Maybe
he
> got pissed off at the king who gave him this quest and wants to steal her
> from her captors for his own nefarious scheme. Or maybe he's simply an
elf
> who would never consider leaving open ground and going on some excursion
> deep under ground. Simple things that would make an actual role playing
> experience for the player just don't exist yet.
>
> In Ultima Online the best example of roleplaying I ever saw was a player
> called Magical Bubba. As a high level villain he would block roads with a
> "Stand and deliver!" and allow victims to hand over their goods before
> hitting them with the "Bubba Bolt". "Prepare to do the Bubba Dance!..."
> cor por... This was pretty much the best attempt that you could actually
> call roleplaying. This player was ultimately responsible for changing the
> whole alignment system of UO.
>
> Most fantasy MMOGs have what they called roleplaying servers. However,
> this generally means everyone goes around talking with "thee" and "though"
> like rejects from a renaissance fair and swiftly bring down the wrath of
> customer support on anyone attempting "l33t speak".
>
> This is not saying I haven't enjoyed playing UO, Everquest, DAoC, Baldur's
> Gate, Neverwinter Nights, etc. I just can't call them roleplaying
> experiences. The closest for me personally are the Final Fantasy games
> from Square. They don't pretend to give you any choices but alternatively
> attempt to bring you into the story by making you feel more like an actor
> and hopefully getting you lost in the script.
>
> I'm currently burnt out on the "level grind" type of game, there's really
> no reason for it. I don't really enjoy getting killed from a paper cut at
> level 1 and withstanding nuclear blasts at level 50. Sucking a player
into
> months of level building is misdirection to cover a lack of content and
> roleplaying.
>
> I'm waiting for the roleplaying game that actually allows me to
> roleplay. It's doable, but no one is willing to take the risk.
>
> Dan
>
>
>
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