Really just the times they come out.

Typically, a technology comes out in waves: There were a bunch of 1st gen DVD players (for example) that were expensive and sucked (ugh. Remember the video/audio sync problems?), sometime later, 2nd gen that were cheaper but still sucked, and now 3rd gen and 4th that are finally starting to get it right.

where did u saw that ref?

Personally,

I consider the MUD, MUSH, MUCK, DikuMUD, etc programs First Generation to MMORPG, but usually that''s now what they talk about it and instead go based on how one game concept captures users (never seen a MUD with over 100,000 users) =(

Then there are the first graphical online systems, like the D&D one (what was its name?) and Meridian54(graphical, right? Never played it personally). I would consider these 2nd Generation.

3rd Generation I would place on UO, EQ, DAoC, AO, etc. I really don''t see anything that technically interesting between them all (except that UO->EQ was a much improved jump in performance and stability, if not in gameplay).

But, usually when you hear First gen, Second gen, it''s spouted by the Marketing departments and they seem to usually speak this way:

First Generation = UO
Second Generation = EQ
Third Generation = AO, DAoC, Shadows of Luclin

To be honest, it''s all marketing talk, since most consumers respond well to the latest-greatest, everyone wants to be Generation X+1 =).

I''ll stick to my list:

First Generation = Text based RPGs
Second Generation = Early online graphical RPG games
Third Generation = The new 3D crop with in the last few years

I don''t think we''ll see fourth generation until someone comes up with some new paradigm in gameplay, technical specs, or graphical system (VR games?). Personally, while I love Online games, I''m starting to find the gameplay for the newer MMORPGs very repititious and similar to past games, just different graphics, different class names, and slightly different spells.

I did hear something about a RPG-FPS that might come out of the makers of EQ (was it them?) that might be a fourth-gen MMORPG, but haven''t heard much else since then. Personally, I think it might be doable with a good concept, but it''s probably going to hvae a very imbalanced player base. Hope not though.

R.

quote:Original post by Rube
I did hear something about a RPG-FPS that might come out of the makers of EQ (was it them?) that might be a fourth-gen MMORPG, but haven''t heard much else since then. Personally, I think it might be doable with a good concept, but it''s probably going to hvae a very imbalanced player base. Hope not though.

I know of a certain FPS MMORPG called Neocron. It''s being developed in Germany I believe, so I doubt it''s by the same people as EQ. A friend of mine is a beta tester, and he says the game''s pretty good but has its problems like any game does during testing.


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