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Ombwah @ombwah.bsky.social

It's Saturday, but I'm working so I made #tea #MMORPG makers, giving players XP boosts is a trap, and a bad idea. It teaches your players that level == score and that prgoression is the goal. Both bad lessons.

apr 19, 2025, 8:53 pm • 1 0

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Jason Maltzen @jason.maltzen.org

Basically all XP-based progression systems in MMOs have one of two outcomes: * players reach max level and get bored and leave or cause trouble * need for a constant escalation of power and content at the top end, which chases away new players

apr 19, 2025, 8:57 pm • 1 0 • view
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Jason Maltzen @jason.maltzen.org

The second of those is what leads to thinking XP boosts are a good choice, because "It gives the new players a chance to catch up"

apr 19, 2025, 9:02 pm • 1 0 • view
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Ombwah @ombwah.bsky.social

Which reinforces the idea that "IF you're out of level band you shouldn't play together" - which is more misinterpretation of gating and power-scale. It's an avelanch of misunderstandings that make for a wholly new game experience. and it sucks.

apr 19, 2025, 9:28 pm • 1 0 • view
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Jason Maltzen @jason.maltzen.org

It has the added flaw that those new players getting the "catch-up" bonus end up skipping a lot of the existing content meant for new/low-level players. So then what's the point of having the low-level content?

apr 19, 2025, 9:59 pm • 1 0 • view
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Jason Maltzen @jason.maltzen.org

I've lost count of the number of times I've stopped playing a MMO because my group of friends had different play hours/styles, so some would advance to the point they couldn't play with the others.

apr 19, 2025, 9:29 pm • 1 0 • view
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Ombwah @ombwah.bsky.social

Seems like a flaw, right? Can you think of another hobby where mentorship isn't a thing, and new devotees can't at least learn, if not directly participate in the hobby with the more experienced hobbyists?

apr 19, 2025, 9:31 pm • 1 0 • view