http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=6556&Itemid=2
So he says that MMOs these days are following the Old Code of Online Gaming, that the gameplay is lacking and everyone is too busy watching statistics to have fun.
I gotta say I agree, to a certain extent.
Being able to see yourself get more powerful has always been a big draw with MMOs. It’s the power factor - that orc that turned you into a grease spot three levels ago is now a challenge, and in three more levels it’ll be his turn to be grease. That spell you just cast, with two more intellegence, will do 8 more points of damage! Whoopie! Huzzah! But is it real character development? Does that little boost equate to good gameplay?
He says that Tabula Rasa isn’t going to be the best thing since sliced bread (smart man, lest TR become the next Daikatana) but he hopes for it to be a blueprint for the next generation’s games, with choices that really affect your character. While some would argue that you’d not be able to experience the full game if you’re limited by that, well… them’s the breaks. That character made that decision. You sided with the Pink Flamingos and now you’re an enemy of the Purple Trousers. You killed that character instead of saving him, congrats, you have the “merciless” quality and moved two points to the WTF alignment. I’m all for having characters be able to switch sides and be a traitor to your other team but I’d like to see some big choices made story and character-wise that really matter other than picking a realm/city/faction.
One can hope, at least.