5 Things That All MMOs Should Have When They Launch

Sometimes, when I’m scrolling through announcements from video game developers, I’ll be a little surprised that they’re announcing the addition of certain features. Not so much by the fact that those specific features would be added to a game, but more so because it just seems like at this point, those features should have already existed in the game. It’s something that’s more surprising when coming from newer games, as you’d expect developers to learn from what came before. Yet, some games still launch without them.

Of course, I realize that devs have to decide where to put their efforts. Development costs money and time, and every feature you add just stacks on. But some features just make the game more enjoyable and more comfortably playable. They can also make the game more accessible to players who otherwise might not be able to hop in.

I’m not really talking about making everything in the game something all players will want to play. I don’t think that’s even possible, despite some devs trying to do just that. Players like what they like. You’re not going to convince all the casual players that they want to spend time in PvP or raiding. Just like you’re not going to get all the raiders into crafting and gathering.

Although, there are obviously some people who will do both. But adding standard quality-of-life options can have an impact, even in free-to-play games. And it seems to me that adding some of these things out of the gate is easier than having to go back later and implement them. Things like the following...

Easy-to-manage Inventory

There has to be a middle ground between endless inventory space that becomes so full of everything that you can’t find anything, and minimal space that only allows you one sorting option. Honestly, I’m almost always stuck with, “There are so many things here I can’t find anything,” and “My bag is so limited I have to make regular trips to the bank, and yet I still can’t easily sort anything”.

A tab system that at least lets you divide gear, crafting, and gathering, and other items like potions away from each other should be standard.

Housing

Speaking of having to run back and throw things in a bank, some games just really have those momento items that you’re stuck carrying around in your bag forever, because they never give you a place to put them all. It’s not really the kind of stuff you want to throw in a bank, even if the game lets you. You often can’t throw it away. It just lives in your bag. I suppose you can consider it some kind of hero strength training, carrying it all around.

Housing is the perfect solution to that problem, however. It doesn’t have to be anything super fancy, like full neighborhoods or islands. Those are the better options, but even just having a pre-set house with shelves you can put things on works in a pinch.

Still, it’s nice to see older MMOs adding housing, or, as is the case with Guild Wars 2, expanding on their current systems. 

Accommodations for the colorblind

I believe most games put something in for this at this point. They add symbols or something else that players can use. That said, with text and effects flying across the screen, players can miss that. In addition, some devs have a bad habit of using markers that just blend into the arena. Even people who aren’t colorblind have a hard time picking them out. A focus on creating cues that can stand out better for everyone should always be a focus, as early as possible.

Ability combos

I realize this wouldn’t work in every game. After all, some don’t require that many keys. And, it should be something players can turn on and off, and perhaps restricted some in PvP. But the fact is, not everyone can work with row after row of hotbars, and being able to combine skill combinations on a single button improves the quality of life and experience while playing.

The ability to pet dogs, cats, and other fuzzy critters

Depending on the game you’re playing, you may run across quite a few animals. Some aren’t as packed with them, but there are those that are. Honestly, at this point, if you’re going to bother putting puppies in your game, they should be petable from the start.