Should Computer Games Adapt To the Way You Play?

Source:    http://games.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=09/10/13/078247

jtogel writes"Many games use 'rubberbanding' to adapt to your skill level, making the game harder if you're a better player and easier if you're not. Just think of Mario Kart and the obvious ways it punishes you for driving too well by giving the people who are hopelessly behind you super-weapons to smack you with. It's also very common to just increase the skill of the NPCs as you get better — see Oblivion. In my research group, we are working on slightly more sophisticated ways to adapt the game to you, including generating new level elements (PDF) based on your playing style (PDF). Now, the question becomes: is this a good thing at all? Some people would claim that adapting the game to you just rewards mediocrity (i.e. you don't get rewarded for playing well). Others would say that it restricts the freedom of expression for the game designer. But still, game players have very different skill levels and skill sets when they come to a game, and we would like to cater to them all. And if you don't see playing skill as one-dimensional, maybe it's possible to do meaningful adaptation. What sort of game adaptation would you like to see?"


I think adaption should only be applied in a portion of the game, eg.  the start/intro, then the game adapts, and further on when you get better you actually get rewarded for getting relative better than you were before.

Ten Most Misused Words in MMOs

Editorial - Ten Most Misused Words in MMOs - MMORPG.com.

This article points the 10 most misused words in the MMORPG game genre. Most of these words goes on the 'outside' of a MMORPG, like the development and status of a game and not much in-game and more technical misused words like lag, hack and nerf/overpower <=> balanced.

Eg. balance:

Most MMORPGs are builed upon algebra formulas in one way or another, even if not intended. These formulas are the goals to acheive for hardcore gamer in many cases. Because of this, there are alot of buzz when MMORPG developers/companies balance the systems to a more even way. This is mostly done because of 2 reasons: new features or balancing issues. There must be balance in a MMORPG to accommodate all players and to have more real fun. It must be more satisfying to beat someone when knowing the balance is even compaired to win when overpowered. There must be some pride in that, or does other hardcore MMORPG gamers out there not possess pride at all?

hint: MMO != MMORPG ;)

StarCraft II Now Accepting Beta Signups!

StarCraft II Now Accepting Beta Signups!

This Sign up is hard to resist <(O.o)>

Huxley: The Dystopia Now Accepting Closed Beta Signups

Huxley: The Dystopia Now Accepting Closed Beta Signups

This upcoming MMOFPS is about to get tested. Sign up to test the happy trigger fingers in a massive 'Ureal'-graphic-engine

Aion : Daeva Interview - Aion for PC at MMORPG.COM

Aion : Daeva Interview - Aion for PC at MMORPG.COM.

The interview is all about the upcoming MMORPG Aionand its features like flying, skills and yet again wings :)

There are much new (and old) in this new MMORPG where wings are part of the combat system.

This fantasy MMORPG takes the traditional Final Fantasy turn based RPG approach and put it into an MMO, but it does more than that. It also has an item mall that can be accessed from the web, nice guide system with auto-move which can take you to any known NPC, quest location or mob which are known to you.



You also gain intel of monster which will give you advantages like auto-move and enhanced damage.

The battle setup is a group style turn based strategy RPG first known from FF. You chose several allies (mercenaries) which you place in your formation, and then you are ready to battle. A turn cycle contains selecting characters then you can use items, use weapon action, loot, cast spells, move, wait or defend. Anything costs action points for each character, and each turn has a time limit which give an extra intensity and strategy element.





One of the main features is the free play with micro transaction. Not that it matters much to my decision on selecting a MMO game, but it's nice to see the this business model in MMORPG's like Atlantica.

Most af the other aspects are more or less standard in MMORPGs anno 2009.

At the bottom its not a game I would play for years, but it's really nice to se this turn-based feature and in-game path guides in an free MMORPG. I can only recommend this nicely MMO title, which gives the genre a fresh taste of old school RPG.

More info can be found at the official site: http://atlantica.ndoorsgames.com

Watch Video

I'm really looking forward with anticipation to play the MMORPG Earthrise. I have played many other MMO games and only a few did really impress me.

I really like a skill based system if the skills are diffenciated and earned in a dynamic process where both small and big acheivements are earned in the entire game play process. The different stances and blocking of skills is a good way to let all skills be more useful. The limited number of active skills look kind of what Guild Wars has done, but this look like its done in a more dynamic way which I think is good.

All in all this MMORPG is a game I look forward to play in final release, it has many innovative features.

Atlantica Online : Strategic Turn-based MMORPG micro review

This fantasy MMORPG takes the traditional Final Fantasy turn based RPG approach and put it into an MMO, but it does more than that. It also has an item mall that can be accessed from the web, nice guide system with auto-move which can take you to any known NPC, quest location or mob which are known to you.



You also gain intel of monster which will give you advantages like auto-move and enhanced damage.

The battle setup is a group style turn based strategy RPG first known from FF. You chose several allies (mercenaries) which you place in your formation, and then you are ready to battle. A turn cycle contains selecting characters then you can use items, use weapon action, loot, cast spells, move, wait or defend. Anything costs action points for each character, and each turn has a time limit which give an extra intensity and strategy element.





One of the main features is the free play with micro transaction. Not that it matters much to my decision on selecting a MMO game, but it's nice to see the this business model in MMORPG's like Atlantica.

Most af the other aspects are more or less standard in MMORPGs anno 2009.

At the bottom its not a game I would play for years, but it's really nice to se this turn-based feature and in-game path guides in an free MMORPG. I can only recommend this nicely MMO title, which gives the genre a fresh taste of old school RPG.

More info can be found at the official site: http://atlantica.ndoorsgames.com

Earthrise: First In-Game Footage

I'm really looking forward with anticipation to play the MMORPG Earthrise. I have played many other MMO games and only a few did really impress me.

I really like a skill based system if the skills are diffenciated and earned in a dynamic process where both small and big acheivements are earned in the entire game play process. The different stances and blocking of skills is a good way to let all skills be more useful. The limited number of active skills look kind of what Guild Wars has done, but this look like its done in a more dynamic way which I think is good.

All in all this MMORPG is a game I look forward to play in final release, it has many innovative features.