Poll: Could you play an MMO if...

[Nazulu]

Sorry for the incomplete title, I wanted you to be curious. That doesn't bother any one, right?

Any way, Could you play an MMO if you couldn't trade items with other people? That includes dropping items as well. Of course you can still enjoy finding rare items and everything else that's usually in an MMO.

This is not based on recent events, I've been meaning to ask this question for awhile. A couple of my friends believe it's an idiotic idea and I should put away for even thinking of it.

Lets think about it though. It's a lot of trouble controlling farmers and bots, they exist to either make money and cheapen the experience by avoiding a lot the challenges. Then there are those who are capable of breaking into other peoples accounts to steal their stuff, it's happened in all MMO's I've played.

However, I don't think they would have any purpose in an MMO where they couldn't trade. Probably the bots would but they could never hide very well.

Or do you think it's a stupid idea too? Or that hackers would find a way to still mess it up somehow?

You are possibly thinking "that's what single player is for, duhhh!", but I'm talking big MMO's as well, such as WoW.

My answer to my own question is, 'yes', I could as long there are plenty of fun missions to break up the grind. I know there will always be grinding but that doesn't bother me.

What say you Escapist? Look back on your favourite MMO's and imagine if you couldn't trade.

Edit: Please mention any MMO's that have done this already, because I don't know any.

 

[Smooth Operator]

Remove the entire economy system because of farmers? Well it's not the most brilliant approach to be honest...

And what's next, remove all combat systems when griefers show up?

 

[Scarim Coral]

Maybe but that MMO game will become a very grinding game compared to others for removing that feature. I suppose to counteract the grind is the game will reward you the rare item from a mission/ quest.

 

[Angelazreal]

I played ff11 for years I dont think I ever traded with anybody. The auction house system was pretty sweet before inflation hit.

 

[Aris Khandr]

EverQuest had a system where certain items were unable to be traded, and I thought that worked out nicely. There is very little reason to be unable to trade/sell a dagger you picked up by killing a random orc in a random forest. But the enchanted sword of the werewolf king? Yeah, that should be something people have to go get on their own.

 

[skywolfblue]

WoW already works that way for most blue and purple items. (Soulbound)

Making the smaller items like craftables or gems un-tradeable would be kinda problematic. The game would have to flatten out professions so that each gives an equal benefit or allow players to take every profession.

It would remove a lot of guild interaction though, no longer could your fellow guildmate give you some gems or potions.

It would also make leveling alternate characters more difficult. And more boring, you'll have to grind all your professions again because you can't transfer any items to your alt.

It could "work" yes, but it would be annoying, not fun.

 

[evilneko]

Nope. Sure couldn't.

Then again I wouldn't play an MMO anyway. I just don't have the time for them.

 

[Nazulu]

EverQuest had a system where certain items were unable to be traded, and I thought that worked out nicely. There is very little reason to be unable to trade/sell a dagger you picked up by killing a random orc in a random forest. But the enchanted sword of the werewolf king? Yeah, that should be something people have to go get on their own.

Yeah, that would make more sense.

Did they ever have any problems with farmers and what not?

 

[kortin]

I'm pretty sure Planetside 2 won't have any looting systems. So yes.

Oh wait, do you mean MMORPGs? Because there are other MMO-genres.

 

[Simskiller]

Infinite inventory? Yes.

Limited inventory? Hell to the no.

 

[Don Savik]

We're to caught up thinking about how old mmos work. We all think they need some kind of economy to keep players going.....and they don't. We have so many more interesting things we can do with gameplay these days that we don't have to make mmos a second job. Sometimes I just want a really really big multiplayer game. I don't think no trading would work, but just trades between friends. That forces player communication and doesn't turn a couple dedicated drones into money machines simply because they know how to work the auction house.

 

[Navvan]

It really depends on the MMORPG to be honest. Some MMORPGs (like EVE) could not possibly work without some sort of in game economy. However I could see WoW being more enjoyable without it to some extent. I still think craftable items like potions or vanity items would be more beneficial than just cutting the economy completely. Adds a feel of immersion into the game that it would otherwise lack.

So yes if an MMORPG was specifically designed not to have an economy I could see it working and would play it assuming it fits the same standards I hold for an MMORPG with an economy.

Also as somebody mentioned I assume you meant MMORPG's since there are MMO's that don't function with in game trades.

 

[Twilight_guy]

Sure I could play it. Aside from having to find your own stuff, it'd be pretty much the same game. Dividing loot would probably cause more arguments though, maybe. I don't think its a good solution as its curing a disease by killing the patient but I could play it.

 

[Nazulu]

WoW already works that way for most blue and purple items. (Soulbound)

Making the smaller items like craftables or gems un-tradeable would be kinda problematic. The game would have to flatten out professions so that each gives an equal benefit or allow players to take every profession.

It would remove a lot of guild interaction though, no longer could your fellow guildmate give you some gems or potions.

It would also make leveling alternate characters more difficult. And more boring, you'll have to grind all your professions again because you can't transfer any items to your alt.

It could "work" yes, but it would be annoying, not fun.

Huh, I usually played certain MMO's because it was fun to level up.

There is always something I'm not thinking of, what if you could trade little things such as potions?

 

[Nazulu]

I'm pretty sure Planetside 2 won't have any looting systems. So yes.

Oh wait, do you mean MMORPGs? Because there are other MMO-genres.

Oh bugger, I don't know the difference

 

[CarlsonAndPeeters]

I said depends because it sounds like a reasonable idea, but nonetheless my answer is no, I could not play said MMO because I don't play MMO's. But I do look into them from time to time, just to see whats going on, and it seems like your proposal might work.

 

[80Maxwell08]

Well this game does exist. It's called AQ Worlds. My experiences are posted below.

 

[Nazulu]

I play EVE, and that would just fuck over all the market PvP, so no, your friends are right, off to the loony bin for you!

Not again!

Infinite inventory? Yes.

Limited inventory? Hell to the no.

I don't quite understand, sorry.

We're to caught up thinking about how old mmos work. We all think they need some kind of economy to keep players going.....and they don't. We have so many more interesting things we can do with gameplay these days that we don't have to make mmos a second job. Sometimes I just want a really really big multiplayer game. I don't think no trading would work, but just trades between friends. That forces player communication and doesn't turn a couple dedicated drones into money machines simply because they know how to work the auction house.

I should of mentioned that because that's what I was thinking as well. The game play I've seen in some MMO's are intense, just like COD.

The trades between friends only is not a bad idea, but it will still give a purpose for jerks hacking into other accounts. Maybe if they could only make friends out of the server, like on their email, yeah I know that sounds drastic but I'm trying.