MMORPGs...explain.

Okay, so I'm an itinerant gamer. I can never quite stick to one thing, but I like a little about it all. I do enjoy traditional RPGs, (mostly for the stories that go along with them) but I don't know enough about MMORPGs to foray into the unknown. Given a moderate perusal of the basic internet sources I'm still left with a few questions I was hoping some of you more experienced persons could address. Quite simple things really, but they're always danced around and never quite stated.

How do you start a game fairly? Isn't there a huge discrepency between people who have been active for months and years and those just beginning? I mean, I don't want to log on and be immediately slaughtered by some guy on a peon killing spree. Stated simply, how do these games equalize the skill levels among different players?

How does the story progress? Do quests reappear to be done over and over again by lower-level players? Is there controlled character building, or do you just jump into wherever your server places you and try to survive? Is there one generalized, central story line? And if so, since there are people coming and going all the time, is it possible to beat it?

Can you enjoy these games without getting caught up in inane person to person pratter? I don't want to log on and be forced to endure juvenile comments about my manhood or incomprehensible computer speak. I just want to have a good time. How in depth does peer to peer interaction have to be in order to be successful? Are there controls to make sure people can't mess up your experience outside of normal combat type scenarios?

The sum of my questions is this: can someone who likes to keep to himself start from scratch and enjoy this kind of a platform? I'm a master at wasting my time, but I'm always lookings to perfect my art. Any comments you might offer to this end would be helpful. Thanks.

 

basically everyone starts somewhere..people who started a year ago, or even a month ago, will have more experience then you, and will most likely be better then you.

take FFXI for example..you start at level 1 with very little knowledge of how anything works..but by level 10, you know more about your class, and you start grouping. you learn the basics of the party system, and how each class functions in a party..

the good thing about FFXI is that there are a few basic jobs, then "advanced jobs" that you unlock through quests when you hit level 30. then to level those jobs, you go back to level 1 and go through the same process to level. it is long and tedious, but very fun along the way.

in any MMORPG skill is very important to do well. the more skill you have/learn, the better you are..in FFXI when you are an excellent tank (the person who soaks up the damage so no one else gets hit), people love having you there since they know you wont get them killed..i have gotten quite a few invites as soon as i enter a zone from random people, from "person xxx says your a great tank...care to join us?"..the better you are, the more people know you and the easier it will be for you to level.

most quests are fun..some are get this from X, and bring it to Y. you decide where to go, what to do, and how to do it. in an MMORPG there is a very general storyline..since there are soo many quests. there is no "beating" a MMORPG, since they always add content to the game..there is always something to do, and most people quit before they do everything there is to do.

MMORPG= Massively MULTIPLAYER Online Roleplaying Game..basically you will need to talk to people, and to be honest..it gets very boring if you dont.

most MMORPGs are very fun..most are addictive..there will be some you like, and some you dont..up to you to find the ones you like..and what you will be playing for a month or 6 years..

hope this helps.

pb,out.

 

It's hard for me to make a generalized statement regarding MMORPGs; while many elements of the genre are similar, the execution in each game varies a good deal. Here goes anyway.

I think most games are fairly "newbie friendly" from the start. Developers know that introducing brand new players to Mr. ZOMG733TGANKWTF-guy with his +43099999 Sword of Griefing isn't the best way to attract and retain a playerbase. Indeed, for games like World of Warcraft, the option to choose a PvE or PvP server is your first option; even if you were to go PvP, starting territories are "friendly" (Enemy faction guy can't fight you unless you attack first), with the neutral and enemy territories further away. FFXI doesn't even have a PvP in that sense; you have to enter a sporting-type event to get your pwnzering on.

There's usually a general storyline going about, with some progressive plotlines and the such. Though the world in general does not change after beating those. The world never truly ends; you just kind of continue existence until the next storyline/content is added. Of course, getting _everything_ done is going to be a good time-waster.

Interacting with others (for good or bad) is inevitable. It can be annoying at times, but can be a blast as well. Some games in the genre may require more grouping than others, but that doesn't mean you are required to spend every minute with other people.

You can certainly master your art with an MMORPG; most games offer alot of good points, to go along with things that might appeal less. I think it's more a matter of finding the one that suits you best.