Ever since the rise of the pen-and-paper game of Dungeons and Dragons, game designers have been rising to the challenge of creating games to match the playability, uniqueness, and options given to the players which made the game so popular. Unfortunately, it is difficult to translate such an open game into a series of computer codes and sequences: there will always be limitations. But nearly 40 years later (since its release in 1974), we have countless games on the market which no longer bear any resemblance to the original gameplay style. In fact, for many players it’s no longer about playing the game and having fun, but racing to the final level and earn the best equipment fast enough to brag to other players about it. Some claim these games have evolved. Have they truly evolved, or have they devolved?
After 14 years of playing role playing games, ranging from everything from Dungeons and Dragons, to Everquest, to World of Warcraft, to Rift, I have been very dissatisfied with the direction these games have taken. When I first started gaming, it was a real challenge. As soon as the player made their character, they were placed in the game with a knife and a note, and were told to forge their own path. The obstacles and intricacies were there in the game and were left to the player to figure out. No designated path was set. Quests were rewarded with money and experience, not upgrades. Nowadays, nearly every game plays the same: start in front of somebody who starts you off on the main objective, and everybody in between hands you everything needed, telling the player exactly how to overcome the obstacles.
Early Role playing Games
Challenged the player to find creative solutions to their problems. Made community a necessity. Didn’t create the story- only the world. Tried to stop the player at every turn. Placed the responsibility of success on the player.
Modern Roleplaying Games
Gives the player a challenge and a solution. Helps the player become a self-sufficient juggernaut. Creates a story for the player to find their place in. Aids the player’s to reach the end. Holds the player’s hand the entire way through.
Today’s role playing games are simplified versions of what games used to be when the AI honestly tried to stop the players from achieving their goals. With that being the case, how do modern role playing games earn so much success? The key to the success of modern games lies in several factors:
A Change in Target Audience
Games are no longer designed around story, but around the aforementioned players who race their way to the top of the food chain. Developers understand that these players greatly outnumber those who enjoy the story, and design their games accordingly to keep those subscriptions.
A New Generation
A new generation of gamers has arisen. Stemming from a culture of “Immediate Gratification”, these gamers have grown up in a world where everything is made readily available. Games that force the player to wait excessive amounts of time, or force them to stop and think about a situation are a waste of time in their book.
Revenue
The main source of revenue for gaming companies no longer comes from subscriptions, but from paid features. Countless gamers are more than willing to pay for smooth sailing or bonus features. This is how gaming companies earn their money now.
When all is said and done, role playing games no longer match up to what they used to be in quality. It has been simplified and bogged down with market research. They no longer focus on storyline, but on satisfying the players while keeping a challenge to the game. Unfortunately, these challenges are nothing like those that have existed when players faced their own challenges and were forced to solve them. Focus has been unfairly shifted from one group of players to another. Still, I will continue to hold out hope that a game returning to classic role play will one day exist, worthy to be embraced as the next game addiction.