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Bear
03-24-2002, 12:17 PM
Saw a reference on rpgvault for a concept called Archaen. Went to their website and saw a lot that looked suspiciously familiar.

Shades of "Dawn". Is it just me, or does this seem like a pipe dream? Sure, the idea is wonderful. But is it doable? As a non-programmer, I would like to ask you game god types to tell me if it is remotely feasible that something like an MMOW could actually be done, given the limitations of modern technology. Especially since they are talking about populating an entire world with independently controlled NPCs, each with their own life to lead and their own motivations. What kind of supercomputer would you need to run such an environment?

I would also love to get opinions about whether or not something like this could work, based on past experience with MMOGs. I know a MMOW would be different in many ways from traditional MMOGs, but still...people are people. Would anyone go for this kind of thing? Would it be viable long term? What happens when large numbers of people start failing to achieve their goals and get frustrated?

I am just thinking that a nice concept does not make something achievable. The devil is in the details.

Bear

Jed Norton
04-23-2002, 07:58 AM
they are talking about populating an entire world with independently controlled NPCs, each with their own life to lead and their own motivations.

yes Bear - but what that actually means, under all the techon-babble and PR-speak is this:

NPCs will move from location a to location b in a random fashion - as opposed to standing rock still all their lives... and thus provide a huge leap forward in NPC interactions within the genre.


It doesn't actually really have anything to do with a virtual world...

heres an interesting link for you though:

www.shadowpool.com

Bear
04-23-2002, 02:39 PM
Originally posted by Jed Norton


It doesn't actually really have anything to do with a virtual world...

heres an interesting link for you though:

www.shadowpool.com

uh...Holy Shit!

Bear

Jed Norton
04-23-2002, 02:41 PM
Thought you might find that one interesting ;-)