Ren wrote this incredible article about MechScape.
There are a few things that cross my mind from time to time while playing the game. One of which is what would ever happen if the game ended? Would I continue to keep in contact some way or another with my friends in the game? Am I so different from them that if we take away the one common factor we have, is there enough there to continue on that friendship?
I have to admit it, I’m not big into MMORPGs. I tried EverQuest for about a week and hated it. I really have no interest in World of Warcraft. One of the things that drew me to Runescape was it being browser-based. However the more important aspect of it was that it was incredibly less pretentious than the other major MMORPGs. With EQ, I felt like I couldn’t get a handle of it, on top of that I was being killed about every 2 seconds and taunted. I’m sure if you had been playing for years its fine, but starting off, it doesn’t necessarily make you feel welcome.
The more and more I read about MechScape, I find the more it appeals to me. It seems like it is going to be geared towards an older crowd. I’m also more into a sci-fi setting than I am of a more Renaissance era type. As interested in times that pre-date guns, cars, etc which Runescape has gotten me in, the possibility of a futuristic setting is more to my personal liking. However, this brings up a number of issues. The first of which means that I would either try MechScape and not like it, try to do some sort of balance between RS & MS or just stop playing RS entirely. I can never understand how people play 10 different games at once or even have 5 RS accounts. I have enough trouble finding time for my one character on one game.
There will inevitably be a huge flood to MS as it is released, being that a lot of people want to be the first to do certain things. With this, at least everyone is starting out on the same level. This is very appealing to me. This takes out a big chunk of the intimidation factor. Also, one of the reasons I hated doing quests was that there were so many of them. Each needing about 4 other quests as a requirement. Now that I’m done, its not hanging over my head, I have no problem with staying current with them. I know some of my RS friends would probably try it. I’ve already lost a few in game friends to FunOrb and Arcanists. However MS is even more split up with 4 different races. Will inter-race communication be allowed? Who knows.
I also don’t want to think that all the development I put into RS has gone to waste. It’s a game I worked hard at for years, I feel proud of it. Not only of what I’ve accomplished, but how I’ve accomplished it. There’s no release date yet, which makes me think this will be something not happening in 2009, but in 2010. It just feels like there’s this weird impending break-up looming and I’m not sure what to do about it. Until its released I’ll just go about my business.
Still no computer to play from. It’s easier to write a quick blog at work than it is to try and get away with playing. Been sneaking on for about 2 mins each day though to buy staves. For some reason I feel really drawn to Woodcutting. Not exactly why. I find it relaxing, much like Fishing. I’m split between better xp of the SC hatchet and getting bonus Firemaking experience using the adze. Any thoughts on using either?
Also, I figured out the problem with taking screen shots I was having. Look forward to them once I'm back online.