Hi all,
As a game developer myself, one of the key things I look for in a game is how the different gameplay loops feed into one another. For example, in a traditional MMORPG the gameplay loop is usually killing mobs, completing quests to get better gear to go on to kill bigger mobs to get better gear, etc. which eventually allows you to move into the end game loop - usually raids or something similar where you play the loop over and over to obtain the best gear.
In Horizons, I saw a core loop of making money (through missions, trading, mining, piracy, etc.) to get better ships, that didn't seem to have an end game loop. It looked as though with the introduction of a Thargoid threat that the end loop was going to be an intersystem war that you would need the best Xeno killing vessels but that never appeared. So once you have a fleet of death-dealing machines there is nothing to unleash them on.
With Odyssey I see the same thing happening. The core gameplay is more similar to a traditional MMO - grind to get the gear needed up to the highest tier, but for what reason? Once you get there, there is no sign or mention of that end game loop anywhere. Or did I miss it? Can someone explain what it is?
This isn't a pop at Frontier for the game they have made, it is a technical feat, even with the roughness of this release which will eventually be sorted out. What I am seeking is, for what reason am I doing all this work? Why am I grinding to get grade 5 weapons and suits beyond the 'because it's there.' mentality? Is there going to be a war with the Thargoids? Will we get to pick a path of whether we specialize in space or ground combat? Are we going to have raids against human outposts who start worshiping their new Thargoid masters, and we have 2 factions developing who cannot live harmoniously?
The potential is there - I am just not sure it has been explored. Thoughts?
As a game developer myself, one of the key things I look for in a game is how the different gameplay loops feed into one another. For example, in a traditional MMORPG the gameplay loop is usually killing mobs, completing quests to get better gear to go on to kill bigger mobs to get better gear, etc. which eventually allows you to move into the end game loop - usually raids or something similar where you play the loop over and over to obtain the best gear.
In Horizons, I saw a core loop of making money (through missions, trading, mining, piracy, etc.) to get better ships, that didn't seem to have an end game loop. It looked as though with the introduction of a Thargoid threat that the end loop was going to be an intersystem war that you would need the best Xeno killing vessels but that never appeared. So once you have a fleet of death-dealing machines there is nothing to unleash them on.
With Odyssey I see the same thing happening. The core gameplay is more similar to a traditional MMO - grind to get the gear needed up to the highest tier, but for what reason? Once you get there, there is no sign or mention of that end game loop anywhere. Or did I miss it? Can someone explain what it is?
This isn't a pop at Frontier for the game they have made, it is a technical feat, even with the roughness of this release which will eventually be sorted out. What I am seeking is, for what reason am I doing all this work? Why am I grinding to get grade 5 weapons and suits beyond the 'because it's there.' mentality? Is there going to be a war with the Thargoids? Will we get to pick a path of whether we specialize in space or ground combat? Are we going to have raids against human outposts who start worshiping their new Thargoid masters, and we have 2 factions developing who cannot live harmoniously?
The potential is there - I am just not sure it has been explored. Thoughts?
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