Comments on: Why Fantasy MMOs?

By: TheGooMan

TheGooMan — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 13:45:59 +0000

As what others have commented here, it’s all about “believability”. In a fantasy setting, players are more inclined to believe that they can survive things that come at them. In a scifi-setting, a blast from the DeathStar is enough to blow up a planet, so that can pretty much end a person’s gaming experience. And a “real-life” MMORPG has way too many limitations, from characters’ appearance to their actions and their INTERactions with the environment.

For sci-fi gamers, don’t fret. There are a number of MMOs bringing in the Sci-Fi element these days. RF Online, Hellgate: London, Huxley, and Tabula Rasa come into mind.

By: Why Fantasy? « Adventures in MMO Community Management

Why Fantasy? « Adventures in MMO Community Management — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 23:41:01 +0000

[...] 2007 at 1:40 am (Musings) (design, fantasy, psychology, stuff) Shamelessly nicked from loads�of people. Richard Bartle asked the denizens of Terra Nova why fantasy games are disproportionately [...]

By: Mythilt

Mythilt — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 04:20:00 +0000

I also think it is because thanks to the movies and most books, we actually think it is more likely to survive a sword blow than a gunshot. In Sci-fi its usually one hit and you are vapor. Also, plasma cannon aren’t up-close and personal like daggers and swords are, and lets face it, only Star Wars will be allowed to have force swords (never mind they existed in Science Fiction novels looong before the light saber was visualized.)
So, Sci-Fi games are the FPS’s, while fantasy are the RPGs, it all comes down to what is most ‘believable’ to the general public.
(Though I’ve had ideas about SF MMO’s, and I’d love to see a Gamma World like one, but with a larger scope.)

By: Jean-Paul Lapointe

Jean-Paul Lapointe — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 17:16:50 +0000

I think, and I’m just guessing, that it may be related to suspension of belief (or is it disbelief, I can never remember). Any ways, I think we have an easier time buying into the concept of a fantasy realm, where anything that doesn’t fit with our real world experience is obviously magic, and that’s ok.

On the other hand, if we were looking at a cold war era game, stuff that doesn’t work like the real world is obviously wrong. That makes it hard (harder anyways) to swallow. The effect, I suspect is enhanced in games where you need to make game play consesions.

By: The Fantasy Question Again « The Ancient Gaming Noob

The Fantasy Question Again « The Ancient Gaming Noob — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 20:44:30 +0000

[...] other sites, Moorgard offered up his own views on the subject, while over on Nerfbat, the simple truth was [...]

By: Jeff Freeman

Jeff Freeman — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 07:05:20 +0000

Ohhhhh…

By: JuJutsu

JuJutsu — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 03:49:14 +0000

heh heh. Short and to the point