Are MMOs and storytelling incompatible?

[Theodric]

I daresay we've reached a point where even dignified characters such as Y'shtola and Aymeric will be made to behave like idiots in lieu of having any real stakes or tense moments in the story.

Y'shtola suddenly talking like a baby and Aymeric walking around in an elephant costume honestly made me think I'd accidentally ingested something I should not have.

I used to like following this game's story and characters but these days it just seems to be plagued by the same problem World of Warcraft is often criticised for. Namely that large swathes of established lore will be changed on a patch by patch basis and characters will refuse to stand by their supposed ideals unless the plot demands that they glare angrily at a clear antagonist and blame them for something they have absolutely no problem doing themselves.

[Thorio]

Well XIV is the one that did it the best so far imo. It's far from perfect and pretty hard to compete with story-driven single player games but hey, it's a noble effort.

[KayRadley]

I bet ten gil OP believes Sylvanas Windrunner's entire story arc is peak MMO storytelling.

[Theodric]

I bet ten gil OP believes Sylvanas Windrunner's entire story arc is peak MMO storytelling.

What makes you believe as much? Especially when a decent chunk of players speaking out against some of FFXIV's storytelling decisions just so happen to have left WoW a long time ago due to seeing similar lapses in quality and consistency...

[andrealfus]

I daresay we've reached a point where even dignified characters such as Y'shtola and Aymeric will be made to behave like idiots in lieu of having any real stakes or tense moments in the story.

Y'shtola suddenly talking like a baby and Aymeric walking around in an elephant costume honestly made me think I'd accidentally ingested something I should not have.

I used to like following this game's story and characters but these days it just seems to be plagued by the same problem World of Warcraft is often criticised for. Namely that large swathes of established lore will be changed on a patch by patch basis and characters will refuse to stand by their supposed ideals unless the plot demands that they glare angrily at a clear antagonist and blame them for something they have absolutely no problem doing themselves.

[BigBossCL]

more like "No humor!" LOL

[BigBossCL]

What makes you believe as much? Especially when a decent chunk of players speaking out against some of FFXIV's storytelling decisions just so happen to have left WoW a long time ago due to seeing similar lapses in quality and consistency...

"decent chunk" you mean "tiny minority"

Honestly not worth the feedback since people actually come TO play the game because of its story. Its one of the biggest compliments for the game, and its won actual awards for it.

[IdowhatIwant]

"decent chunk" you mean "tiny minority"

Honestly not worth the feedback since people actually come TO play the game because of its story. Its one of the biggest compliments for the game, and its won actual awards for it.

I will be 100% honest, it is cheaper and slightly less time consuming to watch Endwalker story on youtube, than to buy and play Endwalker. There is very very little game play involved in the EW story as a whole aside from talk to x walk with y sneak behind z. So I am not sure why we keep priding ourselves on how great this games story is when it's game play for the story severely lacks. It is no wonder why people that complete the story still have no idea how to play the game cause you don't do that much aside from a dungeon every couple levels, your occasional duty, and talk to people / watch cutscenes. If you play any other video game there is a very healthy balance between the story where by the end you have learned mechanics of the game, you understand the combat of the game, there is increased challenges to complete the game. FFXIV severely lacks this, and the player base for some reason prides itself on this lack of interactivity between the game play and the story. If you want to experience the FFXIV story.

And the tiny minority thing is not a fact. Just because people don't give discontent does not mean they like it. Just because it is not your opinion does not mean it is the unpopular opinion or vice versa. My opinion, nothing was more disappointing than in 6.1 when I started gathering the Scions again, I am ready to move on from these characters already. I was told before EW released that 6.1 would introduce a new character that we would be traveling with. Where was he/she?

[Bearded]

Story has to be part of an MMO but like it or not players will complete the story much faster than the devs can ever put out new parts of it - that's never going to change unless an AI generates story as you progress.

Story should be the framework and other content the filler between chapters - much like how FFXIV does it right now.

[Caurcas]

The format limits narrative. However, if a MMO focuses more on world building then it can work. Most don't do this, and most players don't seem to care for this sadly.