Zeraph

They already have (original EverQuest), its just most people missed out on it for several reasons. 1. most didn't know about it. 2. it wasn't socially acceptable at the time 3. most of the expansions ruined it, especially planes of power so it only existed for a couple years or so, 4. most don't know roleplay, and 5. most don't get PvP


The problem with today's audience is that they expect roleplaying to be handed to them ala a set of hard coded options because they have no experience roleplaying themselves. If a developer creates a proper MMORPG with all the tools and open endedness a good roleplayer needs the rest will follow. We shouldn't have too many problem teaching the newb elite raiders how to have fun

Old EQ was such an adrenaline rush. I remember this one zone that you could only travel during the day because the undead came out at night and killed anyone they caught. This led to socializing at the safe area/zone entrance until daybreak, huddling together in the night. It was picture-esque roleplay. Instead of seeing it as an impatient omfg what a waste of time thing it was a chance to meet new characters.

Before all the crazy expansions that game was about having fun, people weren't as obsessed with stating out and leveling, etc.

I remember coming across a (PC) roleplaying an evil cleric that would heal his orc (NPCs) "allies" when you fought them, but he was part of my racial alliance (this was one of the pvp servers) so I had to find someone else of another race to form a temporary alliance to take down the evil cleric and "banish" him from the zone. Instead of crying to a GM about griefing this was instead turned into an awesome roleplay experience and was fun instead of "nerdrage omfg /wrists." Instead of getting phat loots which I'd replace in a few levels from this I got a memorable experience.

Another time a high level troll warrior came into the low level starting zone and started going to town on anyone who ventured out alone. Again, instead of /nerdrage: oh noes a challenge, the entire zone of lowbies banded together and took him on like some epic raid encounter! He got many of us, corpses littered the ground, but in the end we brought him down. So much fun, and someone even got some nice loot (one of the pvp servers that allowed looting).

I literally have dozens of these *very* memorable experiences from original EQ. I played WoW just as long and can't remember even one nearly as good. I *really* hope another open ended/challenging/roleplayable MMORPG comes out again so the rest of you can know what a true MMORPG is all about.

PS Shauk I'm a little surprised at some of your comments after hearing your positive review toward Demon Souls being a nice challenge.