WildStar
WildStar's two new races revealed! Find out about the Chua and Mordesh
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13 things you need to know
When most people think of a massively multiplayer online RPG their minds immediately warp to fantasy worlds. Swords clashing with shields and knights on horseback clashing with orcs and elves and dwarves. It makes sense--7 of our 10 best MMORPGs involve some degree of swords and sorcery--but there's more to the MMO genre than that.
Carbine Studios' upcoming Wildstar is a testament to that, with a giant sci-fi battle over the planet Nexus setting the stage for one of the most ambitious MMOs in years. We've seen it, played it, and talked to the developers about it, and have gathered a bunch of different facts about the game that should help you decide if it's a world worth losing a few hundred hours in.
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It's being developed by Carbine Studios, a developer full of game design royalty
Before we get into exactly what WildStar is, it's best to know who's making it. There's a good chance you haven't heard of Carbine Studios, but we'd be willing to bet you've played a number of the games its staff members have made. Formed in 2005, the studio is comprised of some big names from the game industry, including 17 lead and senior developers that worked on World of Warcraft.
Besides working on WoW, Jeremy Gaffney worked on games like Ultima Online, City of Heroes, and Asheron's Call. Though Carbine is new to the industry, its members are anything but. This isn't some rookie project--this is a team stacked with ringers.
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Combat is a giant leap forward
WildStar brings with it a few elements that should make the gameplay feel different than your average MMO. The largest change comes with the combat, which abandons the "play the interface" design of old-school MMOs in favor of more modern, action-based combat, with abilities hitting an area instead of a single target.
That puts WildStar ahead of most of its competition, but the visual indicators that show up are even more important. Not only can you see where your area-of-effect attack will land, but you can see where your allies' and enemies' will, too. Early on this teaches you to actively dodge enemy attacks and move into better positions to use yours. Late in the game? Gaffney said that, in testing, raiders used the visual indicators to see what their allies were doing, totally changing the dynamic of massive battles and allowing for new strategies to organically play out.
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Paths reward you for playing the way you want
Another way WildStar differentiates itself from other MMOs is with Paths, which are separate from classes. Paths exist to grant players different options when building their characters, adding additional quests and objectives catered to different playstyles. If you choose the Scientist path, for instance, you're going to be given opportunities to learn more about the world, finding additional lore for those interested in collecting everything. Settlers, on the other hand, can build and upgrade camps and cities, which is perfect for gamers looking for a more social MMO.
Soldiers, as you might expect, are given additional quests to slay the indigenous life of Nexus, whereas Explorers can find new routes and entrances to secret areas that the other Paths wouldn't even know existed. The Paths all work together, too, so finding an entrance to a cave with the Explorer will give the Scientist collectibles to find, the Settler people to socialize with, and the Soldier stuff to kill.
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The lore is interesting
You'll want to explore the world, too, because it's more interesting than your standard-fare fantasy romp. Most of the top 10 MMOs are deeply rooted in swords and sorcery--players run around forests as elves and orcs, attacking dire rats with battle axes and casting spells on fairies. WildStar is going for something different, with a science fiction story that makes for a more unique world, filled with encounters that simply wouldn't be possible in Azeroth or Norath.
Fast-forward to the future, where The Dominion have wandered the galaxy kicking races off their worlds and claiming them for their own. These displaced people, now calling themselves The Exiles, discovered a new planet to call home: Nexus.
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World design is paramount
Carbine is spending time making the world itself impressive, too. We saw a few different zones during our time with the game, each of which had its own gimmick to attempt to make the different elements of the world stand out.
One area was full of massive, beautiful blue crystals that shot out of the ground. That's not that unique in and of itself, but when you get near the crystals and find out they create low gravity areas, you get a memorable experience. Carbine's Jeremy Gaffney explained that this was just one example that showed how the developer is approaching world design--making something visually impressive that actually impacts the world, instead of simply settling for cool geography.
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There's end-game solo content...
According to Carbine, 60% of gamers play MMORPGs alone, and despite this, few games in the genre actually have strong end-game content for these lone rangers. WildStar will buck this trend with story-based content that will, hopefully, continue to give solo players more to experience even after they've hit level cap.
This will be accomplished with regular updates that will continually add new chapters in Nexus's ongoing story. The exact timing of this hasn't been decided, but Gaffney says that the plan is monthly story updates--at least--with ambitions to roll out content more frequently than that.
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...and cool plans for PvP...
The next 20% of MMO players are in it for the thrill of player-versus-player combat, and WildStar has ample options for those interested in slaying their fellow man. Besides being able to fight the enemy faction nearly anywhere in the open-world, you're also able to engage in organized combat via arenas, which consist of small teams of either two, three, or five players. Battlegrounds provide larger fights with 30 combatants duking it our, but things start getting really crazy with Warplots.
So far, Carbine's description of Warplots are as incredible as they are vague. What we know is that they'll allow for massive battles between 80 players, and that you're given one to customize when you reach level cap. You can add structures, walls, and even enemies to your own personal Warplot, but that's all we know. See? Incredible and vague!
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...as well as big ideas for end-game raiding
The final 20% of MMO players are raiders. They play with friends, they get to the end of the game, and they consume every drop of content to be found by getting into massive groups and destroying huge bosses. This is usually the bread-and-butter of MMO end-game, and WildStar will come equipped with some new concepts that may make for a more enjoyable raiding experience.
Gaffney explained that the current system of end-game raiding is sort of broken. After the first guild takes down the biggest boss, they post a video of it--then everyone watches it and copies it, following a synchronized dance to defeat the foe. Thanks to WildStar's combat system, it's possible to beat bosses without watching strategies online, just by having a responsible, organized team. Carbine also plans on frequently changing up raids to allow for "server firsts" to happen more frequently, allowing hardcore, competitive guilds to continue to attempt to best their rivals.
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It has a sense of humor
MMOs are serious business. Usually, their lore involves angry people giving speeches about war, and the trailers all revolve around saving the world from any number of evils attempting to destroy it. While WildStar doesn't look off-the-wall zany, it certainly appears to be having more fun with things than other games in the genre.
We smirked as NPCs ran through humorous dialogue, and laughed out loud when we picked up an oversized rocket and shot down an enemy ship flying overhead. It's not that the game features an overtly comedic tone--more that it's infrequent that we see an MMO that allows itself to relax and be a little silly. Even the game's trailers are funny, and we're looking forward to getting involved in a universe that doesn't take itself too seriously.
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Its business model will be revealed soon
How will Carbine Studios make money off WildStar? Will it carry a monthly fee like World of Warcraft, have an up-front cost and then nothing else like Guild Wars 2, or be totally free to play like Neverwinter? Well, that's the question, isn't it. So far, absolutely nothing has been revealed pertaining to the game's monetization strategy, but that blank will soon be filled in.
Early in July, Jeremy Gaffney said that it had a big reveal coming before the end of August, explaining that details would be coming soon. "We're trying to find our own sweet spot in this market where people aren't feeling like they're getting screwed over," he explained, making us think that it won't be strictly free-to-play. That said, in 2013 going forward with a full-blown P2P game doesn't make sense, leading us to believe that it'll either follow Guild Wars 2's path or do something unique.
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Let's fly
So, what will it be? Will it be the biggest game ever? Ever ever? Maybe. It's certainly ambitious, and in a genre full of safe choices and licenses, it's great to see a massive, original IP go for broke.
And if you're looking for more, check out the best MMORPGs and new MMORPGs for 2013 and beyond.
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Frieza - July 20, 2013 9:46 a.m.
I want to play this game so bad! Maybe if I stomp my feet and flail my arms, it'll be released quicker! I wonder what the requirements for this game will be, as well as how demanding it will be? I may or may not be able to play it depending on what laptop I get... -
ObliqueZombie - July 21, 2013 5:12 p.m.
Honestly, judging from the stylized nature, you should be fine. However, given the stylized nature, it's a VERY pretty and round (not so many polygons compared to some others) game, so probably not for years-old, non-gaming laptops. The specs may be released if you search the web, or you can check canyourunit(dot)com and see if they're added that yet. -
Danomeon - July 20, 2013 8:28 a.m.
I'm so, so, so excited for this game. The combat is unique, the path system is cool, the housing system rocks, the classes are interesting, I like the art style, I like the sci-fi, and I enjoy that there will be an emphasis on raiding. I also enjoy the, "It'll be ready when it's done!" approach that the developers are taking to the design of the game. I hope it's released in an unbuggy and rushed state. This could hit it big if players start to catch on to how many neat new things are packed into this title. I predict that the game will become buy-to-play. The subscription model is on life support, with its biggest supporters faltering. Rift went Free-to-play, and WoW is now including an in-game cash shop. I don't think Wildstar has nearly as many interested players (yet) that it would need to support itself through a subscription model. There needs to be a cash shop here. I think buy-to-play is also the best option, considering how well Guild Wars 2 managed to pull it off. Considering the same company is publishing both games, I'd wager this is what will happen. Either way, I have high hopes for this game considering the level of love the developers seem to be showing for it. -
tehtimeisnow - July 20, 2013 5:22 a.m.
did nitedno make this gane?thats what it looks like cuz it has bad cartoon grafics and is probeblly rated e. i only play real games thats y i play on xobx and ipad. call of duyt is beter then this game -
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raven8er - February 22, 2013 6:34 a.m.
In my opinion the things that make F2P bad are 1. the items they offer in the item shop and their effect on games' economies; 2. the focus that F2P place on those items (they sometimes make them almost necessary to compete with endgame content); and 3. the lack of new content that should be delivered on a regular basis given the emphasis they place on item shop purchases. Don't get me wrong, I whole-heartedly think that if you like a game, you should support it's development and advancement financially. But not at the expense of of keeping the game interesting and innovative. Too often, you end up buying the touted game shop items, only to find they come out with more stuff to get you to keep spending that really doesn't add any real content to the game. If you are going to have an item shop, stock it with mostly convenience items that doesn't affect your ability to advance in the game or compete at the upper levels. Most end-game content in F2Ps are driven purely by item shop purchases, which is totally against the purpose of trying to grow your character. I agree with the statement above about someone new to the game catching up with me at my endgame level purely by buying the right items. They should have to work and sweat their way to the top just like i did. That is one of the main things that drive players away from games. That, and lack of new content and the ruination of the game's economy. Take a hint from WOW guys. No item shop items that can't be gotten though diligent gameplay. -
Danomeon - July 20, 2013 8:18 a.m.
I absolutely WOULD NOT recommend taking a hint from WOW here. did you know that the game is actually implementing a cash shop IN ADDITION to the P2P model? The most popular subscription MMO is STILL going to have a cash shop. Do you see what this means? Cash shop is inevitable in this game. Even the most popular P2P MMO has one. Also, F2P isn't inherently bad. I personally like the buy 2 play model given out by guild wars 2. Buy the game once, with minimal in-game cash shop ensuing afterwards. It's a nice balance: Cash shop items are generally convenience and never affect gameplay in any way (and you can use in-game gold to purchase cash shop items, too) and the game actually releases a new content update every two weeks. These two games have the same publisher, too, so this is what I'm guessing will happen. -
Cruddi - February 7, 2013 5:42 p.m.
Am I the only person who'd rather have pay to play? I might have the concept wrong of F2P but having someone join a game late in it's cycle but being able to run with the big boys by buying everything turns me off F2P (like I said before i might have concept wrong) -
Danomeon - July 20, 2013 8:24 a.m.
You've got it a little bit wrong. If F2P games are designed "correctly", then you don't have to buy anything to get to max level or do anything of the sort. Generally a well-run F2P game will rely mostly on cosmetic improvements that make your character look impressive, but won't have a strong affect on gameplay. Also, pay to play for this game just isn't happen. The model is nearly dead, even WoW has to use an in-game cash shop for support now. -
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Cruddi - February 7, 2013 5:43 p.m.
Am I the only person who'd rather have pay to play? I might have the concept wrong of F2P but having someone join a game late in it's cycle but being able to run with the big boys by buying everything turns me off F2P (like I said before i might have concept wrong) P.S. Sorry about double post... it's bloody 0145 here in the UK lol -
Saelyn - February 9, 2013 11:23 a.m.
F2P is a model for games that have gone to shit to put it lightly. Many times games try to start out as P2P for the sole purpose of preserving an amazing game and for the players, but when the game goes down hill, it turns F2P to try to keep it alive. F2P is the most profitable, but it's the one that brings in the worse community of people possible, and pure buy to win that makes nothing fair for anyone. The worse games I've ever played have been purely F2P models, and every good game I've ever played has be specifically P2P. I hope this game is either buy to play or subbed, because otherwise it'll be a shit show. -
Danomeon - July 20, 2013 8:22 a.m.
I think the subscription model is dead, considering its biggest supporter (WoW) is still losing customers, and just recently implemented a cash shop. Let me say that again. It's a subscription model, and it STILL needs a cash shop to be supported. I think that's telling. I don't think F2P is too bad a deal, really. Tera and Rift have gone the way of the free-to-play, but neither of them have obscene cash shops to speak of. The same can be said of LoL, which mostly deals in cosmetics. that being said, B2P is definitely the best option for this game. It worked well for Guild Wars 2: the game is still doing pretty fine, supported by a cash shop that doles out in-game conveniences and cosmetics (which can also be purchased with in-game money) and the game is receiving content update every 2 weeks. The game has had a new content patch every month since October, actually. That's pretty nuts.