Hi! Here's an idea that popped into my head. Should MMORPG allow free spectatoring? To further clarify, imagine being able to piggy back on players and following them around and seeing what they see. This would add a new dimension to the game as better players would have more spectators and potential players can see what's going on. In addition perhaps allow non-members to lounge in the tavern and but only paid members can go on adventures. Some advantages -Reward for good roleplayers -Attract new players Some drawbacks -Costs -Bandwidth -Could make the game seem boring --- "Some men see things as they are and say why? I dream things that never were and say "Why not?" - Robert Francis Kennedy (1925-68), US Attorney General ||Please try alpha002.zip(663k) [edited by - BinhNguyen on January 18, 2004 8:41:36 PM]

Maybe if it was included as a sort of "trial mode" it could be feasible. Bandwidth would be the major concern.

Aye, I agree that it would be a good idea for a "trial basis" kind of thing, like if you didn''t want to give them an interactive demo to try it out.

I also think it would be pretty cool to allow that feature to be available for people who purchase the game... for instance, when I used to play Asheron''s Call, I was on a server called Harvestgain. Every month, a new big event would come out... and the ones that were really cool, the ones that everyone wanted to do, only an elite few actually were powerful enough to do. usually a group led by a guy named Sin''ath were the first ones to beat it, and thus got all of the rewards and fame. In those first few months, when only an elite few got to see the plotline for the first time, I probably would have payed my monthly subscription fee to just watch them do the quest for the first time, and maybe interact with them on some limited scale.

Then again, I was a hardcore AC addict. =) Others might find that prospect crazy. =) But if they were in the game when they heard the global announcement that the plotline has been advanced (again) thanks to Sin''ath and his crew, and they were as immersed as I was, perhaps they would''ve payed for that luxury as well. =)

Bandwidth? That all depends on what dishes out the bandwidth, it''s quite possible that the person who is the main player can recieve the packets and relay them back to people who are viewing their movements.


Go to war again, blood is freedom''s stain, But don''t you pray for my soul anymore.

I''m not a MMOG player myself but the idea of sitting in front of my computer, just watching other players play doesn''t appeal to me at all. I can''t imagine why someone who would want to do this, but who knows it may appeal to some.

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Writer, Programer, Cook, I''m a Jack of all Trades
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Chaos Factor Design Document

Well you could use the technique to find someone in the game, that would work. Then again you may have to load resourses if the player is in a different area.


Go to war again, blood is freedom''s stain, But don''t you pray for my soul anymore.

I would agree that it sounds good for a trial peek at the game but for paid members it would ruin a few options that are popular in MMORPG''s. If you have guilds and guild wars it would only make sense to have some of your people "spy" on the enemy for attacks and ambushes.

"If you are not willing to try, you will never succeed!"

Grellin

Isn''t that the healer/cleric class? Stand on the side lines watching the fight and occasionally throwing a heal towards your favorite fighters?

Live Vana''diel®, streaming video from ff11.

Also known as "spectating"...

Why not just have free trials?