1-15 Revisit. Thank you Turbine

In an era where mmo’s are rushing to add content, and we are all glad they do, it is refreshing to see a company take time to revisit the starting content.  I’ll be the first to admit it, I am an alt-a-holic.  When I found out that upgrading to Mines of Morea gave me 2 extra character slots per server I was very excited.  That meant I could roll a couple new toons and try out the new classes.

So I roll an elf warden, go through the starter instance *yawn*, I have done this instance a million times.  Get to level 6, leave the final instance, enter the live world and . . .yep . . jump a horse to Breeland.  I am one who HATES the elf/dwarf starter zones.  Now before you get all upset at me that I don’t like the zone know that my wife loves them.  I hope that will suffice.  But for me. . . they bore me.  AND they have way to much running around for my likening. 

Well good news.  Come book 7 that will be fixed.  In the latest Developers Diary, Senior Designer Allan “Orion” Maki, fills us in on what and why they have decided to revisit the starter zones.

I encourage you to read the full article for yourself.  However let me stress a few areas that need to be brought up loudly.  Why loudly?  Because of those who do not read and want to cry about what they are screaming being a nerfbat.  As if Turbine’s sole purpose in life was to make their lives miserable. 

So, where was I?  Yes;

As a game developer, I often find people asking me tough questions about the future.

Recently, however, I have been spending my time peering into the past — as if through Galadriel’s mirror — reviewing early game play experiences. From this analysis we are making changes to better acclimate both those new to the wonderful world of Middle-earth and those new to MMOs in general.

It has been an extraordinary experience, one that I hope will be well-received by all our new visitors as well as anyone planning to play through the game again from levels 1-15.

A New Way of Thinking

When we carefully considered the experience that we needed to create for new players, 4 goals came to the forefront.

The game play should:

• Capture and engage players’ attention
• Provide interesting and varied questing and activities
• Introduce players to the game, rather than overwhelm them with detail
• Most importantly, be FUN!

To be honest, as a somewhat veteran player, rerolling is exciting and boring at the same time.  To do the same quests over and over is a pain.  But not everyone playing has been around since beta.  If you read other blogs from other mmo’s like wow and war you will see a trend of people leaving those games looking for something to play.  So we have an influx of new players from other mmo’s.  And then we have completely new players who have never played a game like this.  It is crucial for new player success to be engaged into the game.  I think Orion nailed it on the head with the 4 goals.

I must be honest, I have to refrain from reading the official forums during a time like this.  Some of a communities more  . . self centered . . players tend to get vocal when things change from their preserved norm.  But I, and others have confidence in what Turbine is doing. 

It’s about balance and fun!  And I for one say thank you.