(Re: King’s Quest Online) Hello!
The future of gaming is indeed online. As technology improves and high speed internet connections becomes more of a norm rather than an oddity, the demands of players have increased. Players want to play games that enable them to play a game and have social interactions at the same time.
The problem with a lot of games though, is the simple fact that a lot of developers simply slap on a multiplayer component onto their game without really implimenting it properly. A lot of games that have multiplayer components suffer from the “follow the pack” mentality. They saw it work for game x so they figure they gotta have the same thing. Oftimes this isn’t even the developers decision. If a publisher (who slaps out tons of money to fund the development and distribution of a game) wants their game to have a multiplayer component, thats what they will get, otherwise they’ll pull the plug.
A Massively Multiplayer Adventure Game can be done, but it must be done right if it is to be fun and enjoyable entertainment.
To answer your question about buying an ebook that had a multiplayer component… In the mid 80’s there was a series of books called “Choose your Own Adventure”. The books were kinda small (only 100 pages or so), but as you read through the story, you had to make decisions (go left or go right) or (slay the monster or run) or (investigate the well or open the dusty book on the floor). Each branch led to a different outcome. So in a sense, the reader controlled the story and could re-read the story making different decisions each time and get a different story to
read each time.
That is the type of game I am trying to make (in it’s simplest form).
So imagine a scene from KQVI (since this was cited as an example). The player is in town at the bookshop. The genie is there as well, disguised as a hooded traveller, but keeps an eye on the player’s character. The player knows that it’s the genie, but the only option the designers gave the player is to ignore the genie. Eventually he leaves (after the player obtains the magic book).
Now imagine that same scenario only with different options. You can ignore the genie. You can confront him and prod him until he reveals himself. You can nonchalantly throw a book at him to get him to leave. You can wait and come back another time when the genie is not there. All of these options have the same goal of getting the genie out of the shop so you can conduct your business without him spying on you and reporting back to the vizor. Each option has it’s own pros and cons. Each option also has the opportunity to branch out into other areas.
You see where I’m going here, right?
😉
-David Reese
Link:lordcorenair@netscape.net (mailto:lordcorenair@netscape.net)