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Phase I of Alpha Two testing will occur on weekends. Each weekend is scheduled to start on Fridays at 10 AM PT and end on Sundays at 10 PM PT. Find out more here.
Check out Alpha Two Announcements here to see the latest Alpha Two news and update notes.
Our quickest Alpha Two updates are in Discord. Testers with Alpha Two access can chat in Alpha Two channels by connecting your Discord and Intrepid accounts here.
The Importance of Visual Progression in MMORPGs and the Case for Cosmetic Toggles
Blip
Member, Alpha Two
I know its been discussions before, and before anyone says yes i used ChatGPT to help with spelling and formating.
**The Importance of Visual Progression in MMORPGs and the Case for Cosmetic Toggles**
In MMORPGs, visual progression is a crucial element that enhances player immersion and satisfaction. This progression, which manifests through the gradual acquisition of increasingly impressive gear, allows players to visually showcase their in-game achievements. However, the introduction of purchasable cosmetics can disrupt this experience by enabling new or lower-level players to don high-end appearances, which can diminish the sense of accomplishment tied to actual gameplay progression.
**Why Visual Progression Matters**
Visual progression is integral to the MMORPG experience because it provides a clear and satisfying sense of advancement. When players see their characters evolve from basic starter gear to intricate, high-tier equipment, it reinforces the journey they've undertaken in the game world. This transformation is not just aesthetic but also symbolic of the player's growth, dedication, and mastery.
**The Issue with Paid Cosmetics**
While cosmetic items offer a way for games to generate revenue, they can also blur the lines between actual progression and appearance. Players who invest time and effort into earning gear may feel overshadowed by those who purchase similar-looking items through a cash shop. This issue is particularly acute when these items do not have any level or achievement restrictions, allowing anyone to bypass the visual journey traditionally associated with character development.
**The Proposal: Cosmetic Toggles**
To address these concerns, I propose the introduction of a toggle option that allows players to disable the visibility of cosmetic items purchased through the game's cash shop. This feature would enable players to see only in-game earned gear, preserving the integrity of visual progression and allowing them to enjoy a more immersive experience. Additionally, this toggle could be offered as a premium feature, providing an optional revenue stream for the developers while respecting player choice.
**Conclusion**
Incorporating a toggle for cosmetic visibility respects both the player's journey and the game's economic model. By offering this as an additional paid feature, developers can cater to players who prioritize immersion and authentic progression, while still benefiting from cosmetic sales. This approach could strike a balance between maintaining game integrity and supporting a sustainable business model.
**The Importance of Visual Progression in MMORPGs and the Case for Cosmetic Toggles**
In MMORPGs, visual progression is a crucial element that enhances player immersion and satisfaction. This progression, which manifests through the gradual acquisition of increasingly impressive gear, allows players to visually showcase their in-game achievements. However, the introduction of purchasable cosmetics can disrupt this experience by enabling new or lower-level players to don high-end appearances, which can diminish the sense of accomplishment tied to actual gameplay progression.
**Why Visual Progression Matters**
Visual progression is integral to the MMORPG experience because it provides a clear and satisfying sense of advancement. When players see their characters evolve from basic starter gear to intricate, high-tier equipment, it reinforces the journey they've undertaken in the game world. This transformation is not just aesthetic but also symbolic of the player's growth, dedication, and mastery.
**The Issue with Paid Cosmetics**
While cosmetic items offer a way for games to generate revenue, they can also blur the lines between actual progression and appearance. Players who invest time and effort into earning gear may feel overshadowed by those who purchase similar-looking items through a cash shop. This issue is particularly acute when these items do not have any level or achievement restrictions, allowing anyone to bypass the visual journey traditionally associated with character development.
**The Proposal: Cosmetic Toggles**
To address these concerns, I propose the introduction of a toggle option that allows players to disable the visibility of cosmetic items purchased through the game's cash shop. This feature would enable players to see only in-game earned gear, preserving the integrity of visual progression and allowing them to enjoy a more immersive experience. Additionally, this toggle could be offered as a premium feature, providing an optional revenue stream for the developers while respecting player choice.
**Conclusion**
Incorporating a toggle for cosmetic visibility respects both the player's journey and the game's economic model. By offering this as an additional paid feature, developers can cater to players who prioritize immersion and authentic progression, while still benefiting from cosmetic sales. This approach could strike a balance between maintaining game integrity and supporting a sustainable business model.
5
Comments
I would even pay a monthly subscription to get such a toggle option.
Same here!
Why not a toggle to hide all other players while we're at it? Or just play a single player game?
You could just choose to not buy the paid cosmetics in order to not harm your visual progression. How does other players choices affect your own visual progression?
I personally usually think it's more fun and rewarding to earn my gear, it gives me reasons to do specific content but I'm not bothered at all by seeing people wearing paid cosmetics.
I know for me personally, this is not the case at all. Hell, I might actually look down on players wearing cash shop cosmetics. I certainly wouldn't feel overshadowed, I would feel like I'm overshadowing them.
This reminds me of WoW Classic Burning Crusade, where Blizzard decided they needed to taint the original experience by adding a cash shop mount. A lot of people bought it. But a lot of people hated the idea of a paid mount infringing on their nostalgia so much that they'd /spit on anyone they saw riding that mount. Soon after, Blizzard made it so you can't /spit on other players. Totally unrelated, I'm sure.
I'm not sure this is the kind of game Intrepid wants to make currently. Steven has expressed a desire for imperfect information in PvP, exhibit A being the segmented health bars. Not knowing someone's gear fits a similar style.
But in other threads people complain that cosmetics on this store are ugly.
Me too. That's why I offer to pay to hide them than not paying anything.
Free money, to replace the ugly cosmetics with default cosmetics!
This alone is worth $375
Ugly cosmetics is subjective. Some like, some dont. Point still stand.
I got no idea what your talking about there hehe.
I agree with the fact that I would much rather see people in towns and be like "oh, looks at that guys gear. He most have done something awesome to get that!" rather than "ah that guys got a fat wallet". I disagree that my immersion should be locked behind a pay wall tho, I feel that this kind of toggle should be mandatory in game.
You buy cosmetics because you want to look at your character with a certain look, not because other people are going to see it. I mean you literally are buying something tones of other people are buying, no ones gonna see it and go "WOW that cash shop cosmetic is amazing" or in my opinion that's what I think.
There is a LOT more feeling behind seeing someone with hard to obtain gear than seeing someone with a £30 skin that I saw 15 times in the town in the last hour 😂
Considering that "Ugly is subjective", if I want to avoid being punished with some visuals and I also want to pay, then you agree it should be possible?
( that screenshot was from this stream
https://youtube.com/watch?v=-oSBNQ8VjTo&t=550s - I was not serious ofc, just a side joke )
It all depends on the developers. But I really think the toggle function is unnecessary.
And as long as AoC does not end up like GW2, I really do not care about toggles personally.
In my opinion it should work like this:
Costumes would basically overlay your gear, either as one costume overlaying all items, or like costume that comes in 2-3 parts, that overlay certain parts of your character. These would be obtained via cash shop.
There should also be transmog, where each individual piece of gear can be changed, but you can't really toggle that on or off (other than there being a setting to only see default player appearance).
This stuff should be obtainable in-game only.
Basically, default appearance and transmog are shown under the costume. You can choose to wear a costume over it to mask appearance of your gear.
Now whether there should be a toggle to display costumes, idk. If you ask me, I would like it, but some people maybe wouldn't (I don't care that you spent money on cash shop costume, I'd care more if it was earned in game).
People pay money for cosmetics, and in doing so expect their character to be displayed to others in the manner in which they intend. It would be kind of wrong for Intrepid to have this deal with players on one end, and then kind of backhandedly take money from other players to go against that first deal.
If nothing else, it would be a massive loss in trust in Intrepid if they did this, even if it is something I would personally want.
I agree with that, but on the other side of the coin, it respects the integrity of the in-game achievable stuff. Nice to see we can be so civil here and discuss this.
And I'd be inclined to retract the paid toggle option, but instead have the devs state that cosmetics can be toggled off by other players. Then you can make a choice if you want that skin or not.
But hey, they can't please everyone, and we don't want them to try either.
And even worse : another Thread i think i understand about Thirty to Fourty Percent out of Hundred and the whole rest of of me is just Y~OOL~OO ... ... * yodeling in People don't have enough to talk about between the monthly Presentations * .
Someone beg on their Knee's for Sir Steven to announce the Character Creator Feature around the next Life-Stream. (AARG.
✓ Occasional Roleplayer
✓ Guild is " Balderag's Garde " for now. (German)