MMORPG

[Watchman-BN]

I've no idea if this is the appropriate forum for such a question... Steve, move this as you see fit.

I've wondered for a while about using the Hero System core rules to power a MMORPG. I know Steve is tight with some of the City of Heroes folks, but it just seems like Heroes is such a.... sane rule system, it would translate well into a computer version. If they can do it with D&D 3, Heroes should be possible.

So, have there been, or do you think there will be talks along those lines?

I recognize that the system is (a) too complex as is and (b) too reliant on GM judgement calls as is, to be directly portable to software.

Am I crazy for thinking it could work with a scaled down set of rules? Has this already been discussed and I just used the wrong search terms?

[MarkusDark]

Originally posted by Watchman-BN
I've wondered for a while about using the Hero System core rules to power a MMORPG

Any system is possible to turn into an MMORPG as long as you have:

a) Time
b) Money
c) Resources

All of which are too high in demand that would allow such a game to be developed. Besides, lets wait for City of Heroes to see what the general public feels about SuperHero MMORPG's.

[Steve Long]

We haven't talked with anyone about adapting the HERO System to a MMORPG, or any other sort of computer game for that matter. We're always willing to discuss it if someone wants to (after all, we certainly wouldn't mind a big pile o' licensing money), but no one's approached us about any such thing.

[Watchman-BN]

lets wait for City of Heroes to see what the general public feels about SuperHero MMORPG's

Perhaps. We know from Freedom Force that the superhero genre can be successful. At the same time, if CoH tanks, it doesn't automatically mean the public doesn't want a superhero game. It could be poorly executed and not meet the demand.

One of the computer gaming magazines recently listed some 100+ MMORPG's in development or released. Granted, Hero isn't perfect for every niche, but for Supers, for Star campaigns, and even for Fantasy campaigns, it fits pretty well.

I'm more concerned about the design philosophy question(s), "is it too (complex, flexible, prone to abuse, math intensive, etc.) to make a decent ORPG.

For instance, I read that the CoH team had to scrap their original character design process because it was too easy to create a completely pathetic character and they didn't want people to get frustrated. That's certainly possible with Hero as well.

But once you start to funnel players into Templates (as CoH has done IIRC), you take away a lot of the power of the system.

[lemming]

Ah, I remember good old Hero Software. At least they pulled Hero Maker from it.
It's not like it wouldn't be feasible, just a bit of an undertaking.

[Polaris]

I read that a MMORPG costs $25 million to develop. Just thought I would throw that into the discussion...:)

Polaris

[GamePhil]

Originally posted by Polaris
I read that a MMORPG costs $25 million to develop. Just thought I would throw that into the discussion...:)


Oh, come on, we all know the Hero's are rolling in money, I mean you go to cons and their right up there in number of games being run...

What do you mean, that doesn't matter? Drat...

Oh, well. I think I would prefer to see a regular CRPG or even an action game based on HERO rather than an MMORPG. My experience with the latter is that they end up being far too impersonal for my tastes, I want something more or less focused on myself or a small group.

I do have high hopes for Herosphere, though. All it needs is the ability to run a game networked, so as to ease scheduling difficulties among the computer savvy. That would be handy.

If an MMORPG were to ever become feasible, it would almost have to be a multi-genre game (for instance, dimension hopping adventures). Otherwise, it would likely end up only using a fraction of the full Power that is the HERO System. Still, an on-line fantasy or science fiction or, yes, superhero game based on HERO would be pretty spiffy, especially if I was on staff (I could use the work :))

[Gary Ciaramella]

Originally posted by Watchman-BN
We know from Freedom Force that the superhero genre can be successful.

Actually from what I heard, Freedom Force... while a good game and having very loyal supporters was somewhat of a sales disappointment. I hope they do make the two planned sequals.

[Ellis]

MMORPGs take a lot of developement in coding and graphics. Just based on what we're learning during the testing of a Hero System superhero MUSH (all text, nothing automated), it's very difficult to make a system like Hero work online.

There are so many variables in the system that, in order to create a close to balanced game, you have to outright deny some concepts, restrict others, and you wind up with a sort of 'molded' feel to the PCs. The alternative, which I have seen attempted, is a sort of free-for-all, which allows for greater concept ranges, but winds up killing the game with unbalanced PCs.

While I'd adore someone to create an MMORPG we could play online, I don't know how they'll be able to do it without tons of financial resources. And City of Heroes has been 'nearly there' for over a year, now. :eek: