I made a post about what I wanted to see in the future of RPGs (video game wise)  and even computer games in general. So here it is in verbatim (grammar and spelling mistakes included ):

Well, me? I want to see much more involving or even cinematic storylines similar to Mass Effect. RPG’s with epic storylines should try any actually make the atmosphere epic.I mean if an RPG is going to a have a storyline similar to Metal Gear Solid or Half Life, then it should have that type of atmostphere and pacing as well.

NPC’s should be a lot more interactive and involving. For example, instead of having a choice of dialogue lines, you could have a choice a type of response (agressive, weak..etc) each mapped to a different button and when you respond you don’t actually say anything (ala Gordon Freeman) and the NPC reacts to it. You could but into conversations if you press a button quick enough or have very long awkward pauses and the NPC will ask if there is something wrong with you. It’ll add so much more to the role playing.

Cities should actually feel more like cities. Developers should look into MMO’s as an inspiration to creating virtual communities in a single player RPG. I felt that GTA:San Andreas did a great job in creating a living city (except for the fact that they did noting but wanl/drive around and you couldn’t really interact with them besides killing them) and when you played the missions, you felt like you were a part of a community. Shame that you couldn’t visit your fellow ganstas outside of missions.

I wish developers were aware that you don’t actually need stats in an RPG anymore. I don’t mean that stats should be abolished or anything because some games require them but they need to know it isn’t a neccessity (like random battles). Stats were used to create a sense of realism back when we were limited by our technology. Now we can actually see where we are injured by just looking at our avatar or with visual aids. We don’t need to roll a dice to see if we have dodged an attack, we can just move our avatar away.
I know the removal of stats won’t please anyone. A few diehard fans weren’t happy when they found out that Mass Effect used a GRAW/Gears of War type of battle system. Some games will need their stats and I feel they should but games that want to be action oriented should know that stats don’t have to hold them back from being more realistic or involving.

I think there should be a blurring between the systems a RPG uses. You don’t need to have seperate screens for a battle or an inventory. We don’t have to have a battle bit, a world map bit, a conversation bit and a inventory bit. It can be more persistent. For example you could be in a shop without actually having to open a new screen. You can see the merchange physically handing a sword over to you as you give him your money. Suddenly some bandits burst in but there is not battle screen transition. You are already in battle. You fight the bandits in real time as well as talking to/ordering your party. you manage to kill most of the bandits and many of the towns people come and congratulate you. Meanwhile the merchant is hiding in the closet scared shitless. He has thrown money at you and you start to pick it up as well as the other items from the fallen bandits while your party talk to the townsfolk inquiring about the bandits. Suddenly a little boys calls out and points up the road. You see bandit riding away on horseback in the distance and your party are about to give chase. But a woman points and says “Look!” and as soon as she says that a guard knocks the bandit off the horse and engages him in battle. You see that he needs help but already one of you party members have lined up the bow and shoots the bandit in the leg. The guard lops off his head and waves to you in thanks in the distance. The townspeople cheer and throw money at you.

Yeah that’s what I want RPG’s to be like. Not too much to ask I suppose?

So yeah, I’ve been too lazy (or busy) to write anything recently. >____>  I guess my posts will be sporadic for this year while I get to my grips with my study. I promise I’ll try and write when I can!

~ by dinopoke on 28 February, 2009.