MMORPG Leveling -- A visual timeline. Predictions?

[Millimidget]

Solo grinding has been around as long as the genre.

Also, it's ironic that open world activity is inversely proportional to the incidence of pk. An untold world of QQ never would have taken place if you could easily disregard the open world in classic MMOs as you can in current MMOs.

[Caraway]

Accessibility has been the name of the game since 2009, and that hasn't really changed.

Don't get your hopes up for themepark MMOs becoming more like sandbox MMOs. If you want that kind of gameplay, go play a sandbox MMO. They do exist, you know.

Too much 'accessibility' can be a bad thing. MMO developers want to keep people paying so they want to keep people playing. Making too much available too easily kills revenue so time sinks are necessary.

And I'm not familiar with any true modern sandbox MMORPGs out there. Even ESO looks like it's going to end up being pretty theme-parky from what I've experienced in the betas.

EQNext will certainly be more open and encouraging of a sandbox style game but that's not due for at least another year. Additionally there is Brad McQuaid's Pantheon that is on Kickstarter now but that won't be likely to even hit alpha until 2015 either.

[mindful]

Too much 'accessibility' can be a bad thing. MMO developers want to keep people paying so they want to keep people playing. Making too much available too easily kills revenue so time sinks are necessary.

And I'm not familiar with any true modern sandbox MMORPGs out there. Even ESO looks like it's going to end up being pretty theme-parky from what I've experienced in the betas.

EQNext will certainly be more open and encouraging of a sandbox style game but that's not due for at least another year. Additionally there is Brad McQuaid's Pantheon that is on Kickstarter now but that won't be likely to even hit alpha until 2015 either.

EVE is the only true sandbox game so far.

[Nahara]

EVE is the only true sandbox game so far.

Admittedly it's not out yet, but Pathfinder Online is set to be a sandbox game as well

[BoomerOU]

Admittedly it's not out yet, but Pathfinder Online is set to be a sandbox game as well

I always see it discussed as a hybrid sandbox/ theme park.

[Anjian]

Too much 'accessibility' can be a bad thing. MMO developers want to keep people paying so they want to keep people playing. Making too much available too easily kills revenue so time sinks are necessary.

And I'm not familiar with any true modern sandbox MMORPGs out there. Even ESO looks like it's going to end up being pretty theme-parky from what I've experienced in the betas.

EQNext will certainly be more open and encouraging of a sandbox style game but that's not due for at least another year. Additionally there is Brad McQuaid's Pantheon that is on Kickstarter now but that won't be likely to even hit alpha until 2015 either.

In addition to EVE, there is also Age of Wushu aka Age of Wulin.