Best Quests in MMOs

I was thinking about this Tip.it article which talks about variability Jagex started to introduce into Runescape quests. Tried to imagine where it could lead and how such variability could enhance questing experience. And then I thought, wait a second, this is really pushing the boundaries of MMO questing. Has anybody else done it?

Well, naturally, I went out searching. Nope, no one did it before. Jagex is indeed leading the way in this area. All possible types of MMO quests are represented in Runescape, but what is more important apparently Runescape quests (while still within the same limits as the rest of MMO quests) are the best out there!

Just a few quotes from various "MMO questing discussions" (not from RS forums!):

"My first mmorpg was runescape, i loved the quests but when i moved to wow clones mmorpgs i tough: “what the hell this quests are very stupid and too easy” i really felt they were the same,” kill this kill that kill this and go collect that”
Because while you are doing a runescape quest you are knowing the story step by step
When you are doing a wow quest you know the story of the quest right from the beginning"

"Runescape has the best quests ever(No I am not saying it has good graphics-.-)Lots of story line and the quests are interested plus theres LOTS of quests.I don't know how much quests there are but if I took a (TRUTHFUL) guess I would say like 100-150 quests. May not seem much but the quests are a bucket load of fun. I don't think theres even 1 single quest on runesape that is like "kill 50 of these and return to me" ^^ the quests can take a long time too but there still fun. Quests in other games are boring and don't last long."kill 10 of these and get 10 of these ores" they last like 10 minutes. I've known players(with lives) spend 1 week on a quest."

Also take a look at this post about "lack of variety in MMO quests". The part that cought my attention was:

"So how do we solve the problem of 'deja vu' questing in RPGs? Sadly I don't believe we can. Quest types in RPGs will always be limited to the same four types. There is however hope in reducing the questing 'deja vu factor' through clever disguises. I've seen techniques like creative story telling, appealing quest UIs, cinematic cut scenes and clever NPC interaction used to make receiving a quest more entertaining and enjoyable. "

All of the techniques listed above are being used in Runescape quests (almost in every one of them).

So yes, I believe that we are getting the best MMO quests in Runescape. Of course, I have biased opinion about Runescape in general, but in this case I think it's rather objective one.

Runescape and Recession

Rather controversial, yet interesting article from Tip.it about MMOGs getting more popular during times of recession. The point being made is that MMOGs (Runescape included) through their addictive nature are serving as a perfect escape from harsh reality. And maybe they are for some. Perfectly logical.

Yet, I dare to think that it is not the main reason. I can hardly imagine that people who lost their jobs due to 2009 layoffs would out of a suddent turn to an MMOG and make such substancial impact on the number of players. What I think is happening is that high speed internet getting even more common, so more people get exposed to MMOGs, plus less people quit MMOGs due to small cost of playing. Event WoW with $15 per month subscription fee is relatively cheep if you compare it with console or PC games. If I wouldn't play Runescape I would go through 4-5 PC games in one year, which would cost me about $100 and I am not a heavy player by any means. Instead I am paying $60 for Runescape and have all the RPG experience I need. Makes sense finacially, doesn't it? Especially in time of recession.

Gold Selling in MMOs

Very, very interesting and educational series of articles about RWT (or RMT), how it affects MMOs and how it is perceived by players and gaming companies. Don't miss.

Adult MMO players are fit – physically if not mentally

Finally, I stumbled upon a study that argues against a myth about adult MMO players all being nerdy "coach potatoes". I kind of suspected it all along, as not a single adult player I personally know would fit into a profile of "coach potato". But now I have an independent study to back it up. EverQuest was used to conduct the study upon, but I am sure similar Runescape study would yield the same results.

P.S. If you ask me, I'd say TV is much, much more dangerous for people's health and way bigger time waster. IMHO, that is.

Online vs Offline Games and how Jagex operates

This article is not about Runescape, but it does reveal some very interesting details about the way Jagex (and other online MMO game studios) operate and do business.