Your Next: Playing Cards
A look at how Magic the Gathering influences EQN
Often this column is only very loosely formed around EverQuest Next and/or Landmark, and I sometimes feel a little guilty about that. I’m prone to getting wrapped up in ideas and discussions of broader trends, when I’m sure that many of you would rather have a chat about those cool games we’re all excited about.
So this week, I’m not going to get derailed by what’s going on in the industry at large, even if it’s thinly wrapped in the context of EQN and Landmark. I don’t think this is the place for it, and other people have already done a much better job of it than I ever could.
If you’re not sure what I’m talking about, look for the word ‘gamer’ in the mainstream press. In fact, it’s probably best not to, it’s just embarrassing.
Instead, we’re going to talk about some great things that are happening in the development of EQN and Landmark right now! I know you don’t come here for news either, so hang tight and brace for opinions.
There’s been an update to combat in Landmark, and with it some of the basic ideas that form the foundation of what will follow; not just in Landmark, but in EQN also. It’s great to see more of the systems being fleshed out, and I’m personally very happy with the way this one is going. Slowing the pace of combat and adding more opportunity for tactical decision making is a positive step, and the systems used to do it are encouraging.
Creating depth without becoming bogged down in complexity is always a great challenge in game design, especially with horizontal character advancement, and it looks like SOE has some great sources of inspiration in place to facilitate it. Specifically, we can already see the influence of Magic the Gathering on character building:
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Collecting more options can be very helpful, but isn’t required to engage with the content
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Enormous variety is possible, but you don’t have to understand or even be aware of everything to be strong
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Conversely, by understanding how the different elements can be used together a player can become more powerful through understanding, not just by the numbers on their gear
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While it’s possible to make a very strong build, the large possibility space means that nothing is the best solution to every problem
This approach to character builds is a strong departure from what is considered the norm in MMOs, when used in conjunction with the action combat it puts the power in the hands of the player, it doesn’t hide it in mathematical formulas. Of course, this system isn’t automatically more ‘fun’ or necessarily any ‘better’ objectively, but it’s a system that allows us to keep learning and adapting.
How many MMOs have you logged into for the first time and immediately felt like you were going through the same motions you did before? Again, different is not automatically better, but learning the ins and outs of a system and mastering the mechanical skill required to overcome its challenges is a big part of what makes games so compelling.
Of course this argument does not apply to some games, but for a game the designers are hoping we’ll play for years, it’s close to essential. After all, it already happens in other games, the constant shuffling and tinkering with abilities and equipment is not just for the sake of balance.
The ability of the devs to keep us on our toes when it comes to learning what’s possible is a neat trick to keep the game fresh, that coupled with the Storybricks driven systems of content delivery means a new challenge is never far away.
While the updates have many additions, alterations come too - some of the changes to existing items seem like they incorporated direct player feedback, and while much of the criticism of the way heroic movement and combat worked together was pretty obvious, it’s encouraging that the team are clearly listening and on the same page as the players.
Systems are taking shape, we’re starting to see some meat on the bones of Landmark, and with so many new systems just around the corner I think it’s fair to say we’re going to have some wonderful new toys to play with over the holiday season.
LockSixTime