daveywavey wrote: »
akabear wrote: » Interesting summary > Here's a timeline highlighting the evolution and popularization of the term "tank" in MMORPGs: 1974: Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) is released, introducing the concept of character roles, including the tank-like "fighter" class. Tank roles in tabletop RPGs begin to establish their prominence. 1996: Meridian 59, one of the earliest graphical MMORPGs, is released. While not using the term "tank," the game features character archetypes with high durability and defensive capabilities. Late 1990s: MMORPGs like Ultima Online and EverQuest gain popularity and introduce the classic trinity roles: tank, healer, and damage dealer. Players start using the term "tank" to describe characters who protect the group by drawing enemy attention. Early 2000s: World of Warcraft (WoW) is released in 2004 and significantly contributes to the widespread use of the term "tank." WoW's emphasis on class roles and group dynamics solidifies the importance of tanks in MMORPGs. Mid-2000s: MMORPGs such as Final Fantasy XI, Guild Wars, and Lineage II continue to feature tank roles, further establishing the term's usage within the genre. 2010s: MMORPGs like Star Wars: The Old Republic, The Elder Scrolls Online, and Final Fantasy XIV maintain the tank role, keeping the term "tank" prominent in player discussions and group compositions. Present: The term "tank" remains firmly rooted in MMORPG vocabulary, used universally by players to describe the role responsible for absorbing damage, drawing enemy aggro, and protecting the group. Throughout this timeline, the term "tank" has evolved and adapted as MMORPGs have evolved. While the core concept of a durable character fulfilling a protective role remains constant, specific mechanics, abilities, and class names may vary across different games. Nonetheless, the term "tank" continues to be widely recognized and used by MMORPG players to refer to this important role in group-based gameplay. And a deeper dive even earlier > Between 1913 and 1974, several developments in gaming and storytelling influenced the evolution of RPGs and, by extension, the tank archetype. Here are some notable highlights during this period: Pulp Fiction and Adventure Stories: In the early to mid-20th century, pulp fiction magazines gained popularity, featuring adventure stories filled with heroic characters and daring exploits. These tales often included brave warriors or defenders who fought against overwhelming odds, inspiring the concept of durable characters in future RPGs. War Games and Miniature Battles: War gaming continued to evolve during this period, with games like Chainmail (1971) and Little Wars (1913) introducing rules for large-scale miniature battles. These games allowed players to control armies and deploy heavily armored troops, including tanks, which influenced the strategic and tactical aspects of future RPGs. Early RPG Precursors: Before the official release of Dungeons & Dragons in 1974, various gaming systems and influences set the stage for RPGs. For example, Dave Arneson's Blackmoor (1971), a precursor to D&D, featured elements of role-playing and character progression. Additionally, the fantasy literature of authors like J.R.R. Tolkien and Robert E. Howard shaped the themes and settings that would later be incorporated into RPGs. Tabletop Board Games: Traditional board games during this period, such as Avalon Hill's Tactics (1954) and Chainmail (1971), integrated elements of warfare and strategic decision-making. While not explicitly RPGs, they contributed to the development of character roles and the tactical aspects found in RPGs, including tank-like characters. Science Fiction and Fantasy Novels: Iconic works of science fiction and fantasy literature released during this time, like Isaac Asimov's Foundation series (1951 onwards) and Ursula K. Le Guin's A Wizard of Earthsea (1968), expanded the imaginative worlds and heroic archetypes that would later be embraced by RPGs. While the exact term "tank" as it relates to RPGs may not have been used in this timeframe, the cultural influences and developments during this period laid the foundation for the RPG genre and the tank archetype that would emerge later. The combination of pulp fiction, war games, literature, and strategic board games all played a role in shaping the concepts and mechanics found in early RPGs, including the enduring archetype of the tank.
Marcet wrote: » TANK trainer: "Hello brave TANK, here are you TANK skills so you can TANK better! Go forth and remember you have to be TANKING, your job as a TANK is to TANK!!"
Noaani wrote: » Marcet wrote: » TANK trainer: "Hello brave TANK, here are you TANK skills so you can TANK better! Go forth and remember you have to be TANKING, your job as a TANK is to TANK!!" Unless a part of becoming a given class involves joining a specific organization, I wouldnt expect any NPC to refer to any player classes at all. Ever. Class names are a device for players, not a roleplaying device.
SunScript wrote: » Noaani wrote: » Marcet wrote: » TANK trainer: "Hello brave TANK, here are you TANK skills so you can TANK better! Go forth and remember you have to be TANKING, your job as a TANK is to TANK!!" Unless a part of becoming a given class involves joining a specific organization, I wouldnt expect any NPC to refer to any player classes at all. Ever. Class names are a device for players, not a roleplaying device. Related to this, I have realized that due to my perspective being heavily influenced by FFXI, I sort of expect most if not all classes to involve belonging to an organization.
I want to leave you all with a question. When I find myself a humanoid mob whose class is Tank, is the mob name going to be "Kaelar Tank" or is it going to be something less jarring? If the answer is the latter, then why not apply the same standard to the player characters?
Depraved wrote: » the actual tank
daveywavey wrote: » Depraved wrote: » the actual tank Wow, I bet that thing could take a hundred hits from a world boss! Ooooh, I know! That'd be a cool archetype name!
