Which gameplay features actually have "mass appeal" ?

[AlexiaKidd]

I think something that would give the sense of camaraderie and accomplishment as well as something story-driven. Something the escalates, has it's rough patches, has struggle/turmoil, has a pinnacle, and has something that feels like a real conclusion to it.

I think I wore myself out on that roller coaster ride...I better go lie down. =p

This is why I hope they add something like Campaign from FFXI into FFXIV and really flesh it out and make it better. The idea behind it was right just needed better execution.

If they get it right then it could be truly great and have somethin for everyone casual, hardcore, solo and party.

[Verecund]

Basically the game has to be funner than watching TV.

[viion]

SE does need to hurry up and fix things and get some mandatories implimented (delivery box, ls controls, chocobos etc)

Then work on what they are good at, Story. That is all this game has, it has nothing else unique other than being able to switch classes without rerolling but tbh no one cares about rerolling haha. SE are good at making stories (even if XIV's current is crappy) and when I say stories I also include Cutscenes, which is an obvious score for SE. When they can work full time on content evolved around a story then I think we'll have something good. Otherwise its going to be same old shit for a long time. TERA has its action-adventure no stat driven combat+gameplay, Guildwars has.. destructible/buildable environments and large server fights (idk what else hah), XIV needs something to stand out also. Even all of TERA's cutscenes are voiced, i thought this was going to happen in XIV but it didnt

[Shiyo]

The masses enjoy having everything handed to them with little to no work. Examples: extremely easy instances, questing solo 1-level cap, everything being instanced, high drop rates, 0 respawn times, 0 use for gil or gil being handed to us like candy, crafters being useless so all loot can be high drop rate 0 respawn loot from INSTANCED nms, etc.

This is how MMOs are created now.

I like story based progression, gear that never gets outdated by newer content, no gear resets, long FUN challenging group based leveling(Like 2003 FF11), world dungeons, some instanced content but not having everything instanced, world NMs, crafters making VERY good gear, and taking up the majority "best in slots" for classes, NMs dropping 75% mats to make gear, 25% completed gear that's untradable/unique. I also enjoy challenging and memorable content, the feeling of earning things, the feeling of accomplishment, etc.

[Cairdeas]

Tear-jerking Epic Storylines.

[Physic]

gear that doesnt get outdated is kinda ehhh, i get tired of wearing the same thing all the time, and seeing everyone else wearing the same thing. also i enjoy developing my chr further.
The materia system has some potential though, especially if it allows people to keep specializing gear that they like, with some difficulty of course, but if you really like a certain sets look, and you can make it compete with new gear by boosting it incrementally, that would be hot.

[AuctionGirl]

You know more than 50% of MMO players (now a days) don't want a challenge, they want to enter the game get the best items without working for it. Be able to gloat to their friends they have XYZ item etc.

Top 10 Requirements to make a fun MMO that people don't get bored.

#1 Challenge - This really needs to be in the game, there is no reason everything is so squishy. Screw the population that thinks everything should be easily obtainable. Its like real life, if you work harder you are going to get more than someone else.

#2 Improbable to obtain Weapons/Armor - Make some items that are AWESOME something to strive for. Make it take a long time to achieve. This doesn't mean that this would be the only thing to achieve, but something to maybe build/upgrade and ALWAYS something else beyond that if someone achieves this.

#3 Story - Without a good story behind the quests the game feels empty. A plot goes a long ways and can lead up to something great.

#4 Group Events/Play - Without groups and Linkshells, this game will get boring. Start enforcing people must team up to do things. This encourages teamwork and making new friends, along with sharing experiences. This creates experiences people remember

#5 Road Blocks - Blocking/Detouring the ability to grow without finishing XYZ etc... This creates the need to do the Quests and/or other requirements before you can continue to grow. This promotes people gathering to do these quests and/or other requirements.

#6 - New Equipment/Items - Always adding new items/equipment in the game will keep the game fresh for years to come. When a person is stuck with a certain armor/weapon for years it makes the game feel OLD. This gives old and newcomers something to shoot for.

#7 New Areas/Quests/Content - I grouped these together cause they all are equally important with each other. Its important to have new areas to go to, to do new quests and content. Giving new quests in the same old areas still makes those quests feel not as important.

#8 Exploring/Hidden stuff - People love to explore and find out the cool "hidden eggs" in a game, so they can share it with their friends. Having these change every once in awhile and new stuff appear etc, will keep people always hunting for more. The best part of MMO's is sharing your experience with friends in game.

#9 Side Quests - Important for people who have less time, but still want to do some quests. These quests can be simple as kill X and get Y. But shouldn't be limited to that. There are players who prefer this type of quest and there are others who don't.

#10 Music/Graphics - Eye catching things will keep people coming back, boring plain old maps/terrain gets old quickly. So adding new areas and/or changing old terrain by adding items or anything to it, keeps the game appearing fresh.


Lets face it, if you expect handouts you get what you get. But when you work for it, you get what you want. Keep this in mind, hard work should be paid off with better things.

[AuctionGirl]

yeah I forgot 1 in the list above...

#11 Sense of Accomplishment - This must be in the game, making you feel like you did something rare or something hard that others have challenges with. This can be as simple as smaller goals too... Just need stuff that makes you feel like you EARNED it.

[Nipa]

You forgot number #0 A decent engine and interface. The average player will have some 3 years old mid-range computer, will be used to some intuitive mouse-based interface and probably won't even try to play the game if those conditions are not satisfied.

This won't stop more hardcore people (as they will upgrade their computers and learn even a terrifically bad interface), but this will definitely make the average MMO player run away.

[Eekiki]

The masses enjoy having everything handed to them with little to no work. Examples: extremely easy instances, questing solo 1-level cap, everything being instanced, high drop rates, 0 respawn times, 0 use for gil or gil being handed to us like candy, crafters being useless so all loot can be high drop rate 0 respawn loot from INSTANCED nms, etc.

This is how MMOs are created now..

[citation needed]

I think AuctionGirl and Nipa nailed it.