In this article I will be discussing and comparing the characteristics of 3 different MMO games. I will be discussing and comparing individual aspects of the three games World of Warcraft, DC Universe Online and Guild Wars 2. I will comparing different assets, attributes and aspects of these 3 games and comparing what each game consists of and how they are structured.
The games
World of Warcraft
DC Universe Online
DC Universe Online is an MMO based on he DC comics, in which it brings beloved DC characters such as Batman and Superman to life while allowing you to create your own character and choose your own class to master so you can battle world bosses, raid bosses and other players. This game is set in a more modern/futuristic setting in which varies on where you are located in the in game world.
Guild Wars 2
Guild Wars 2 is very similar to the game World of Warcraft though it is much newer and the in game structure and graphics are a lot more up to date. Similar to World of Warcraft it is set in an old style world with some modern aspects to it. Throughout the game Guild Wars 2 you have to level up and battle against other NPC's and players while progressing your skill and knowledge of the game, this is typically a standard layout for MMO games.
Structure, gameplay, interaction, and themes
Structure and gameplay
Most aspects such as the structure, interaction, gameplay and themes of these 3 games in which I am comparing a very similar. Each game involves achieving the highest possible level and when you reach that level you have to acquire the best gear for you customized character which depends on which class you have chosen for your specific character.
At the beginning of each of these 3 games you are instructed to crate your own character and choose your own class which will determine what gameplay you will encounter throughout your in game experience and how your gameplay will be affected by the play style you have to develop. Below ae individual screenshots of the character creation screens use are prompted to use and alter to your own needs at the beginning of each of the three games I am discussing.
World of Warcraft character creation:
DC Universe Online Character creation:
Guild Wars 2 character creation:
As you can see, each individual game has very similar character creation screens in which the player can alter their character that they will be using for the entirety of gameplay unless they make a new character later on. The character creation screen in all three of these games is also where you get the opportunity to choose which class you wish to play as throughout your gameplay when playing that character, which determines your entire experience and how you progress throughout the game while playing as this chosen character.
Each of these character creation screens, though very similar, some have a lot more or a lot less features than the other. World of Warcraft typically has few aspects of your character which you can alter, meaning it is quite hard to have a character that looks significantly different than someone else's character. DC Universe Online and Guild Wars 2 have much more customizable aspects of your character, making your character more unique and decreasing the likelihood of finding another character that looks the same as yours.
When you have completed the character creation the structure of MMO games, specifically the three I am discussing is relatively straight forward after this. The structure for the continuous gameplay after this stage is to complete various activities such as quests and instances which you can que up for to play with other players, this is the same for all MMO's. After you have completed the levelling aspect of the game and you have achieved maximum level, you then go onto focus on instances in which you are rewarded with gear for your character and your aim in all MMO's, especially the three in question, is to get the best possible gear and to have completed all content before waiting for the next expansion for the game so you ca repeat the process.
Interaction
Within MMO's, interaction with the UI and in game features is usually very straight forward and the same structure of interaction is often replicated within all MMO's. In all three of these games, there are quests which you can receive from NPC's which you gain experience points, (XP) in order to help you to level up. In all three of these games and most if not all MMO's, you also have the choice of choosing to take part in instances both in PVE and PVP which you can que for whenever you like using easy to find buttons that are always visible on your screen which let you jump straight into action. As you can see in the pictures below, the UI's that make interaction an ease, are very smilar with your powers and abilities at the bottom with all other options and the features used to que are located in the same or similar positions.
World of Warcraft UI:
DC Universe Online UI:
Guild Wars 2 UI:
As you can see, the UI for all three of these games is very similar and each has features very similar if not identical features in the same position as another. The most common structure for interaction within the game is for the chat box in which you use to communicate with other players to be on the bottom left, the map to be on the right side and the bar with your powers and abilities is always located at the bottom of your screen.
Themes
The themes for each of these games and most MMO's are typically the main aspects that differ between MMO games though many aspects of gameplay are similar. Guild Wars 2 and World of Warcraft are two examples of games that are very similar, each is based around old style worlds that revolved around historic methods of battle and besides the magical aspect to them are often quite realistic and gritty.
DC Universe Online on the other hand has a very different theme to the others, it is based in a more modern time which revolves around the actions of super heroes and villains featured in the famous DC comics and content is based on defeating these heroes or villains depending on your personal preference and has much content relevant to modern humour and society.
Genre characteristics
Typical characteristics of MMO's always include a set layout that is always found in these types of games. Throughout an MMO you always have the goal of levelling up and you are always trying to achieve superiority over other players, typically by achieving the highest level and having the best gear for your in game character possible. In MMO's you will always have the option of partaking in different types of activities, the main two are PVE and PVP based content. In PVP you are playing to win certain game modes in order to beat the opposing team. In PVE you group up with other friendly players to take on content in which you play against NPC's (non player characters) usually to achieve ar for your character and notoriety within the gaming world, these are characteristics of MMO's which are always predominantly featured within these types of games.
World of Warcraft PVP content
World of Warcraft PVE content
Guild Wars 2 PVP content
Guild Wars 2 PVE content
DC Universe Online PVP content
DC Universe Online PVE content
Narrative structures
The narrative structure of MMO's is typically pretty basic, you quest to level up while narrative text and cut scenes are scene throughout teaching you about the game and the character within, always leading to the defeat of a high ranking boss to end the current narrative of the game before a new narrative is introduced with new content.
Representation of characters
In MMO's characters are available to play and to battle against, you have a wide range of choice with characters and their abilities. For example, in World of Warcraft when you begin the game, you are prompted to create a character, as with other mmo's you choose your race and class which you will complete all further content with.
Wow character creation
In MMO's, charterers are often represented as often quite mysterious and sometimes lifeless personalities as their goal is to complete content and follow orders of others, with little say on whether or not you complete certain content.
Some of the characters within MMO's often have exaggerated appearances, typically because of the target audience of these types of games, the females are often quite stereotypical looking, especially in DC Universe Online, as he female characters usually have over sized breasts and skimpy clothing, where as the males are more covered up and made to look fierce and threatening. As players of MMO's are typically male, the looks of the characters are often based off there interest and lifestyle, for example, a male would much prefer to have a female player with large breasts than a male character with a prominent groin.
Female character in DC Universe Online
Male character in DC Universe Online
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