FPS + MMO = PROFIT!

[kidalphabet]

The title is a bit of a hyperbole. Allow me to elaborationize.

Have any of you played Infantry Online (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infantry_Online)? It was developed by Sony and was essentially an MMO that required fine motor skills. There were the basic setups of classes: You could be Infantry (marine), Engineer (build turrets to setup bases), Biochemical weapon specialist, Infiltrator (go invis, sneak into base, sniper), etc.

The more kills and games you got, the more experience points you would gain, and in that sense, gain ranks (levels). With the money you earned from all of it, you could upgrade gear, weapons, etc. If you earned enough experience points you could unlock higher ranking classes, which provided you with heavier armor upgrades, more weapon choices, and so on.

I've been brainstorming how to create something similar but with a better combat, levelling, class system. Anyone interested or would have an interest in playing/working on something like this?

Any feedback would be great!

- Kid A

[Jackolantern]

The thing that I have never liked about MMOFPS style games is the imbalance between levels of players. Of course that is going to happen in any level-based MMO, but it is more acceptable in traditional MMOs because the entire gameplay boils down to how advanced and geared your character is. You just auto-attack, and hit some hot keys until the enemy is dead. But when you add FPS-style play to the mix, you are making a statement that the new twitch-based game mechanics are important to your game, and it can quickly take the focus (because there really is no gameplay focus in traditional MMOs beyond hitting hot keys). But it is frustrating to get 5 or 6 perfect head-shots on an enemy and they don't go down because they are higher level and have better gear, then they take one grazing shot at you and you die.

[Callan S.]

I think in terms of that such games would do well to allow players a certain number of perfectly balanced matches, and a certain number of 'whatever you've found' matches. In the perfectly balanced ones, everyones made the same level, with identical gear. The whatever you've found is just that, whatever level and gear you have. The reason to only give people so many plays (which restore over time) in each type is to encourage playing both, but not force them to. If you only want perfectly balanced games ever, it's possible, for example.

[kaos78414]

I'm not sure the biggest issue you face is level balance. Combat Arms does an excellent job of separating higher tiered players from the lower. To take a cue from them, you could simply create channels in your server that allow a certain range of levels, say 1-5, 6-10, 10-15, and so forth. You could also ensure that the difference in levels is minor, and more aesthetic than anything (camo, character model accessories, slight gun improvements)

That said, in my opinion FPS games face a larger issue - hackers. Security should be a large focus of yours, or your player-base will dwindle.

Since FPS is (usually) purely PVP, one thing you could consider is adding a PVE element (for instance - online co-op missions). This could also help with balance by allowing players to get to higher levels without dealing with griefers (higher level players purposely going after lower levels).

Just my two cents

[kidalphabet]

Wow, nice responses. I didn't even know other MMO FPS existed.

I think I might have left some details out. The ranking is almost purely for show, it would only allow access to more gear/weapons and open up upper-tier classes. The game would still be determinant on skill (e.g. An Infantry with starting-off items like a rifle could take out a Captain who is decked out -- it would be hard, but it could be done).

Taking a cue from Infantry Online, where big CTF games are split into 3 primary teams (you also have the option of starting your own team), the team with higher ranking players won't necessarily win. It depends on what classes are on the team and their skill.

Also, as a deterrent for cash-farming, you could switch your class around to play as other classes -- very cool feature to prevent boredom as well.

Haha, I feel like I should just go play Infantry instead of recreating it.

[Jackolantern]

Well, the real enemy of MMOFPS games is the way the internet and software architectures work. You can't make an MMOFPS with thousands of people per server and still expect to have the same twitch-based gameplay you can have with 16 or 32-player instances. Most MMOFPS games use a lot of slight-of-hand to give the illusion of having twitch-based gameplay.

[kaos78414]

Well, so long as the balance remains there, I'd play it

I have noticed that there is a large community influence. When it comes to FPS if you get yourself a really competitive community, it'll attract players who simply want to be better than everyone else. I have to admit, that's why I play CS:Source.

[Callan S.]

If I had a better connection speed I'd play them - I can't even play quake live...

Played alright on warhammer tier 1, though.

[VZdemon]

i think combining mmo with fps is not such a greate idea. see when you want to put time in to creating a game you also need to first think of who would want to play it, in you case you would want FPS players and the thing you dont know about fps players is that when they go for a game they want it now instantly and get awsome kills right away, but if you put an mmo game in an fps it would require registration and all that sort of stuff, plus it would take them time to get the weapon they want. they would soon get frustrated and leave.

sorry if i'm bringing you down alittle but thats the truth.

[Last Known Hero]

I enjoy MMOFPS.. I played Hellgate: London before it went offline (I know, not a good point) and I liked it, but when it comes to MMOs I never experience the level difference because I usually only team with my brother, and then it's the both of us levelling, and not against other players but vs enemies like in a traditional MMO.