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There are wants, and there are needs, in a server.
Needs are things a server will fail, or not do as well as it could, if not addressed correctly.
Of course, you know what I'm going to say -- gameplay. Broken gameplay is a broken server. It's as simple as that. Why would I want to play a game with a bunch of glitches for players to abuse, and just terrible gameplay overall? Remember, you're playing a game. So give the players something good to play.
I also include content in this... some servers can get away with a lack of content, but not for long. Take GK for example. While it provides a lot of content at first, it quickly runs out... now you have a dead server.
There is also updates. A server that is created, then left stagnate is a very boring server. You need to give players a reason to keep coming... updates are one of them. Without updates, content becomes old and there's nothing new for the players to do. With an online game where there is no ending, updates are key. I personally would love to see a server do a weekly update. It will make me come back every week to see what's new.
I'd also like to throw in accessible design and interface. If an interface is a pain in the ass to use, I don't think I'd stick around. I want to be able to access stuff quick and easy... not go through 20 menu's just to drop an item. This ties in with gameplay and go hand in hand.
Then there are wants. These are just things that are nice to see done well, but won't necessarily kill a server.
Graphics are at the top... ugly graphics can harm a server, but mediocre graphics not as much. Zodiac is a good example of this. Good graphics, however, can hook players, and the rest will hopefully keep them.
Originality is also a high want. An original concept can pull players in just as much as good graphics... but players won't really ignore a good server that is completely unoriginal. I mean, why would I not play a great RPG server just because it's just like Final Fantasy?
Music is just one of those things that fall short on Graal. You'll hardly find a server with music on Graal, so I don't think it makes much of a difference... But, bad music will just force players to turn off their sound. Either do it right, or don't try it at all.
And then there's also story... It's just one of those things that can give you a good experience with a server. But you have to make sure it's not demanding. Remember, this is online. Don't lock the world off and make them do quest after dumb quest to unlock it piece by piece. This isn't an offline RPG, it's all about the world and surroundings. Take that away and you're taking away most of the experience(ya, I'm looking at you, Classic!). Though, most online game stories, not just Graal servers, just fall to the background. You could probably find it, but most just ignore it. Just make sure you have something that gives the players a reason to even be there, but it has to be flexible... You can't have a, "You're the only one destined to save the world!!!" when there are 50 other players around you doing the same thing.
And I think that's about it... I'm sure I'm forgetting stuff though. |