We Fly Spitfires – MMORPG Blog

Although I play a variety of classes, my “main” class archetype has always been the Warrior-like melee classes. It’s odd because in my first bout of Everquest I only played spell casters, specifically an Enchanter and then a Cleric (OK, yeah, so they’re technically a healer…) because I always viewed the melee classes as dull and boring. That had a lot to do with the fact that Warriors and Rogues only got about two abilities and special attacks so combat literally consisted of pressing Auto-Attack and then going AFK to make yourself a cup of tea.

About two years into my EQ adventure, I took a plunge and rolled a Shadowknight, thinking that if I was going to try melee, I might as well try a hybrid and get some spells in the mix to keep my busy. My gamble paid off and I was hooked. Since then I’m predominantly played melee classes, usually tanks, in every MMORPG I’ve tried. I don’t know if it’s some deep, subconscious need of mine to be the biggest, dumbest meat-bag in the room or if I just like smashing stuff. Part of it is certainly my desire to control the flow of the groups I’m in and tanks are certainly the best suited for that as they decree the pace of experience and momentum of the team. I guess all of those terrible groups in EQ, spending 10 minutes waiting for a tank to pull a single mob because he was too chicken-shit to take a risk, had a bigger effect on me than I realised.

Although I occasionally dabble with other classes (such as my new Hunter alt in WoW), I’m always drawn to the tanks like a moth to the flame. But I’ve been wondering something – is that normal? Do most players tend to stick to a specific class archetype like tank, healer, DPS or caster? My guess would be yes, they do, as I’d imagine that each play style and class feel attracts a certain type of personality and that it’s hard to switch back and fourth between them all. I find it very hard to play healers now or even spell casters because I’m so used to being up close and personal with the creatures I fight. It took wading through 53 levels with a Priest in WoW to realise that I can never go back now.

So what about you?

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One PC game that’s caught my attention lately is Cities XL, essentially a MMO version of Sim City although I don’t think they are related in any legal way (even though the resemblance is incredible). I haven’t played this sort of game in years but I like the online aspect to it and I’m going to download the demo to check it out. The full game comes out in a few days.

As you can imagine, Cities XL sees the player in the role of the city mayor (aka supreme overlord) and they have build up their landscape, attract residents, manage resources and deal with all of those fun issues like trade agreements, global warning and education policies. Awesome. Not sure if there will be a way to invoke the wrath of God like in the original Sim City games (cause let’s face it, half the fun was building up a huge empire and then watching it burn to the ground) but I’m curious to find out. Personally I want to try and see if I can create a city with a vast divide of wealth between native, rich bankers and lawyers and poor, uneducated immigrants and then see if I can re-create the Credit Crunch. Call it a social experiment if you will.

Perhaps the most interesting thing about Cities XL though is it’s online capacity. You can play it completely offline just like a normal game or you can take part in what’s called the Planet Offer. This allows you to build your cities in a completely online, persistent planet occupied by thousands of other players. You can collaborate, trade and interact with them, attract or send tourists, or create an avatar and wander around them as a human being etc. Sounds pretty fun and, to me, it’s a big draw to the game even though the aspect does come with a monthly subscription fee. Money aside, this persistence gives a lot more meaning to the game and, in many ways, validates the time you spend playing it. Other people can experience and interact with the city you build and that’s way, way cool.

It’s also interesting to see the developers come up with a new take on the MMO model. The fact that you can play Cities XL as a standalone, single player game without being forced into the subscription model is fantastic. It offers a lot more variety and flexibility. I wonder how long it will be before we start to see this sort of thing effect more traditional MMORPGs. Maybe one day we’ll be able to play World of Warcraft offline for free? I wouldn’t rule it out.

Next time you’re playing Aion keep your eyes open for signs of inbreeding. You’ll probably be surprised at how abundant and rampant it is. Typical signs of inbreeding include avatars who are exceptionally large and brutish or utterly minuscule and tiny. These represent the two extremes of inbreeding known as gigantism and dwarfism. The more ugly and disturbing form of inbreeding though can be seen in a few cases when the avatar is fantastically deformed with hugely disproportionate limbs. Their name may also be rather strange and be either an attempt at comedy or reminiscent of redneck America.

A classic example of inbreeding can be seen below.

Inbreeding In Aion

Unfortunately this sort of thing is inevitable when there are so few races available to encourage inter-breeding. Without the option to select an Ogre, Gnome or Dwarf, avatars are forced to be created in their desired style which often goes against the nature of the race in question. The result is of course is an immediate break from whatever immersion is currently being felt as one is reduced to fits of laughter over the poor, disfigured soul.

In all seriousness though, if you wish to see an example of a heathly, non-inbred population even when faced with limited race options, travel to Hyboria in the Age of Conan. There one can witness a diverse culture that has managed to thrive in the face of endogamy and produce attractive offspring and a large variety of uniquely appearing avatars.

P.S. Just in case you’re into this sort of thing, best check if marrying your cousin is legal in your state before booking the venue.