Lets be honest here, the model on how Bioware games are made hasn't really changed much since, well... ever? Sure there are distinct differences between Neverwinter Nights and Mass Effect, but throughout every game we've always had the illusion that we're in an open world when we're really not. Everything is based on a variety of small zones that need to be loaded everytime the player requests it. This was a good model to have when game development was first being experimented with, but now its really showing the reasons why its so flawed. I shall explain.
1: The world around you is dead.
The main reason why games like Oblivion do so well is because there is a living, breathing world that is open to the player from the moment the disc loads up. It keeps the game interesting and makes people want to actually go out and explore this virtual world to see just what it holds. Humans by our very nature are curious and that thirst needs to be sated to keep people entertained longer than what is permited or even designed by the developers. Games like Red Dead Redemption or GTA rely heavily on this model because, lets be honest, Rockstar doesnt have the writers that Bioware does (yes thats a compliment)... but nor should they! They have mastered their own little niche and really paved the way for games like Oblivion, Fallout 3 and New Vegas. How so?
So who here remembers GTA 3? Now if you went back and played that game now you probably wouldnt be that entertained by it because you've either A: already played through it enough to make your eyes bleed or B: you're used to much more advanced games the use the same system better (GTA 4?). The point is GTA 3 was really the game that gave Rockstar the name that they have today. Its equal to what Doom is to Call of Duty when talking about an open world "sand box" game. Why was it so successful? Because it gave the player, really for the first time, the freedom to break off from the main story of a game and do whatever the heck they wanted. In Oblivion for instance, I cant go around mowing down prostitutes in a car, but I can run around and find things that are interesting including quests that I wouldnt have seen otherwise... and thats an explorers dream! At this point however, we're getting into the difference between an RPG and an action game with the same design structure so Ill stop.
2: There is NO Freedom!
We play Bioware games because of the seemingly endless outcomes that any one decision could have on the world around us. Bioware, much like Rockstar, has become masters of their niche. The dialogue system that they use is unique to them and a few other very poorly designed RPGs. Regardless, the point is there is only so much FREEDOM that those choices can include. For instance, you have maybe 4 possible outcomes for any given dialogue yes? Well, what happens when the player has exhausted those 4 options (which many players do on a single play through by reloading saves)? In an open world he/she would go out and explore.. but if you're still using a system that doesnt allow that the game is basically done until DLC or mods are introduced.
Now let me ask you Fallout 3 players a question. How many of you have actually explored every part of that game? So when I say explored I mean you went over everything with a fine tooth comb yes? You have seen everything in that world. Not many I wager. The fact is the majority could pop in Fallout 3 right now and within 20 minutes find something that they havent seen before. Thats an impressive feat considering how old that game actually is. You simply cant say that about a game like Kotor or even Dragon Age 2.
3: Loading...
Loading times. Nobody likes them. As a designer you want to limit them as often as possible while still being able to make the world around you look and act the way it should. So with a game like Dragon Age, loading times are an unfortunate necessity because every area must be reloaded as its used. If you were to compare Oblivion, which in itself is an older game, to Dragon Age 2, this is the first thing you would see. Sure there are still loading times when entering a city or house, but the majority of the world is loaded as you explore it. Loading times are necessary, but cutting them out whenever possible is always beneficial.
So now the question is why would Bioware, a company that has already proven its worth and has become successful with their current formula, want to change up their style and use us as their lab rats? YAY labe rats! Well, we're already seeing them do it now with them brancing off into a genre that, at the beggining, they had no experience with at all.
Tor is a completely different animal compared to a single player RPG ..especially when you're dealing with such a high failure rate that the mmo market currently has. As of now, nothing has even come close to the numbers that World of Warcraft is pulling in on a daily basis and yet companies still continue to try to release that "wow killer". What they fail to understand is that you simply cannot throw a copy and paste attitude around the juggernaut of the market and expect it to compete in the long run. What you're seeing is a market that has a high introduction rate, especially through profit earned for new mmos, but next to nothing that can tred water. Developers like Cryptic have taken full advantage of that bubble of "advertise until it fails" while working on their next bust. STO is a FINE example.
The point is, Bioware is very capable of experimenting and becoming an even more versatile company than they already are... especially with the talent and funding of EA and Mythic behind them. My honest oppinion? You release an rpg like Bioware has been doing with the open world design of a Bethesda game and you have the highest selling rpg on the market. Id even be inclined to suggest a split release between the two companies if only to learn exactly how its done. If you actually take the time to do it right and not rush it out the door, there is simply no way to fail.... again in my oppinion.
The RPG market is evolving and with it you have to adapt. We've already seen Bioware attempt to do this by bringing more action into their games. Long dead are the days of the DnD roll by number combat system. That too has evolved and thats just one example. This is not a thread about how god almighty Bethesda is either because in all honesty, they're horrible at actually patching their games and testing them to begin with. This is about having a passion to create the best games in the world and bringing two very different styles together to do so.
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