I think a look needs to be taken at questing and dungeons for story in this game. Story can hook people up to the world, make them feel like they know it and are a part of it. The world is beautiful, incredible really, and if you had a proper way to form meaningful relationships with npc’s in game, you would find players sticking around and returning to play much longer and much more.
Do not take this the wrong way, focus on the changes players are calling for, fix the game, but you also need to create a meaningful bond with your world. This is what the major players in the mmo market ALL do.
You can do this through dungeons and new zones most effectively, as you have already somewhat botched this approach in the current game. Though not entirely; I find the lore to be very interesting as I am sure others do, but you need to flesh it out with more flair and voiced story telling that makes it feel alive. This can still be done and telling yourselves it is made and it is impossible to change is false and unimaginative. Do not spoil your chance to be one of the big players in the mmo market. A proper expansion, paid or otherwise, can save this game. I recommend at least moving in this direction with no expense to the player for maximum success.
Also incentivize open world pvp and keep your game fun, but heed my words, this is essential to make New World and known universe instead of an mmo skin people pvp in.
You still have a chance. Asmongold(not like he is some god, but a huge platform none the less) still talks about this game, people remember how great the first foray in to the world is, use that, you have an incredible base, expand your horizons. You need vision, do not try to scrape by, get writing.
Also. Transmog to gear you have made in game is necessary, you are wasting your assets by not having it. You will still sell skins, if they look cool, but add the option.
You are paying a massive price in players for not having these things.
I also think that the Faction system needs a rework as its a completely meaningless aspect currently.
The question is if factions were taken out would the PVP aspect change. The answer is no… no it would not.
Faction stories at level 60 would be awesome. Recurring quests and things to do for the solo player as well. And having a Transmog set for the Factions where you gain more tokens and renown for representing your colours would be sick.
If they could add noteable npc’s to the factions who provide slowly released story arcs for the factions, that alone would be incredible. Making those story arcs cause players to interact would be even better.
Why aren’t these Settlements bustling with NPc’s walking about interacting with one another. Why do we not see wagons being traversed from one settlement to another with a random chance of it being attacked where players could protect for a small reward of coin or something.
Would be awesome if the ship within Restless shores departed for the sea every once and a while and if lucky enough to catch it return to dock. Place NPc’s on the ship to work and prep for sail!
I agree with all of this. Prominent NPC’s you grow to like or dislike and settlement NPC’s both could benefit from some focus at some point. I think the current state stems from the original game idea being PvP, but that meant the actual environment of the settlements was lacking.
Both WoW and GW2 are good with creating long-lasting NPC’s you grow to know and like and the strong lore associated with them. In both games, and ESO, you see more NPC life in general.
I agree with this, but the framerate in towns is already so bad, they would absolutely have to fix that. I really didn’t want to point that out though because this sounds great. Wagons on the roads and attacks would be great too!
