MMORPG improvements

Many of us have been playing MMORPGs for almost 10 years as we come up on 2008. We've experienced a number of MMORPG elements that work well and a number that have just fallen flat on their faces.

What element of MMORPGs do you feel needs the most improvement in future games?

I voted Solo Content, even though I really feel we'd be better off with more....extensive....immersion.

Personally, I want to have an MMORPG where my brain IS the client software - I just plug in or put on a funny wired hat or something, and thought takes over. True virtual reality.

I finally voted Class Design, though I feel a lot of elements need to be improved upon if the genre is to progress forward

...

Oh, and phat lewtz. Can't forget about phat lewtz!

While I eventually said character development, I was really torn on this one.

All of these are really important for MMO's. The problem is trying to focus on all of them, you run the risk of doing it all in a mediocre fashion (or goodness forbid, poorly), but if you narrow your focus, you alienate gamers.

As a Role player, character development is very important to me. At the same time, I'm mostly a soloer and if the world is not developed properly or the classes are unbalanced, my interest wanes as well

I chose immersion. If you can immerse yourself in a game alot of the other things can be a little less than perfect and it doesn't matter.

Originally Posted by Naiya

While I eventually said character development, I was really torn on this one.

All of these are really important for MMO's. The problem is trying to focus on all of them, you run the risk of doing it all in a mediocre fashion (or goodness forbid, poorly), but if you narrow your focus, you alienate gamers.

As a Role player, character development is very important to me. At the same time, I'm mostly a soloer and if the world is not developed properly or the classes are unbalanced, my interest wanes as well

I agree with Naiya...I need to be able to get into my character fully or I will get bored with it. Probobly why I go through so many alts outside of my normal Rangerly main. I want to feel like I am part of a whole different world where I can get away from the real one and all it entails for just a bit.

Originally Posted by McTaggard

I chose immersion. If you can immerse yourself in a game alot of the other things can be a little less than perfect and it doesn't matter.

I'm with you... it is quite close to World Design to me.

I voted Combat. I'm tired of the conventions of auto-attack and its style of waiting gameplay that always pairs itself with the MMO genre. I think technology has come to the point where developers can afford to make a game that is always fun to play, rather than fun on a basis of player interaction and rewards gained. I want every battle to be enjoyable and to look forward to logging on for the actual game, not just the people.

Originally Posted by Kuraine

I voted Combat. I'm tired of the conventions of auto-attack and its style of waiting gameplay that always pairs itself with the MMO genre. I think technology has come to the point where developers can afford to make a game that is always fun to play, rather than fun on a basis of player interaction and rewards gained. I want every battle to be enjoyable and to look forward to logging on for the actual game, not just the people.

Massively Multiplayer Counter-Strike? What did you have in mind?

More cowbell.