Megaserver - Step toward instanced zones?
The Megaserver concept for me thinking, would this be a viable way to instance certain zones like Orr, allowing “past” and “present” versions to maintain the story’s timeline without worrying about empty versions of each zone? I’m just thinking aloud here, but the implications of the Megaserver system could end up going far beyond simply consolidating maps to increase player density.
I hope not as I think it would be a step back for A.Net.
I mean, I suppose it’s theoretically possible that this mega-server would allow for an instance or two of a reasonably populated “old Orr” for Personal Story purposes while the bulk of the player base could tool around with a “restoring” version.
So I suppose my answer would be a definite “Maybe?”
The way TESO does phasing makes that world seem more living than GW2 despite it being less of an open world.
Jade Quarry [SoX]
Miranda Zero – Ele / Twitch Zero – Mes / Chargrin Soulboom – Engi
Aliera Zero – Guardian / Reaver Zero – Necro
Miranda Zero – Ele / Twitch Zero – Mes / Chargrin Soulboom – Engi
Aliera Zero – Guardian / Reaver Zero – Necro
How is Gw2 more of an open world than TESO?
GW2 doesn’t have an open world, every zone is instanced on it’s own and has a 150 player cap
Professional noob guardian
Every building is instanced in ESO and every new area is also. The loading screens in that game make GW2 look bloody fast.
GW2 doesn’t have an open world, every zone is instanced on it’s own and has a 150 player cap
It is an open world. GW1 was instanced, GW2 is zoned. Please get that straight.
for those who didn’t play eso, their concept of phasing was something like this:
you are in the same zone as lots of other players and initially see the same stuff. once you progress through your quests the zone can change quite a bit, but only you see the different content. other players entering still see the ‘vanilla’ map.
wildstar does pretty much the same thing.
it’s a nice concept to not split up the playerbase too much, but I think it can also lead to confusion if done improperly.
as for orr.. lets just use the living story and cleanse it for good. people playing their personal story now see a different lions arch then when I did, so ANet seems to have decided the living story can move forward while the personal story plays in the past.
The megaserver concept is not any more (or less) capable of doing this than what we already have.
Actions, not words.
Remember, remember, 15th of November
Remember, remember, 15th of November
GW2 doesn’t have an open world, every zone is instanced on it’s own and has a 150 player cap
It is an open world. GW1 was instanced, GW2 is zoned. Please get that straight.
If it was a truely open world I wouldn’t have to run through portals to get to a new zone. GW1 was instances, and so is GW2, just with bigger instances
Professional noob guardian
GW2 doesn’t have an open world, every zone is instanced on it’s own and has a 150 player cap
It is an open world. GW1 was instanced, GW2 is zoned. Please get that straight.
If it was a truely open world I wouldn’t have to run through portals to get to a new zone. GW1 was instances, and so is GW2, just with bigger instances
No – With GW1 you could not port into an area, you had to run through the gate. With GW2, since it is not instanced, you can portal in (pick a TP you have found click and go). They cut up the world to make it easier to run on the servers and your PC. Just think how it would chug if it was one open world?
The megaserver concept is not any more (or less) capable of doing this than what we already have.
That is true but with the megaserver a population split would not be as big of an issue.
The Megaserver concept for me thinking, would this be a viable way to instance certain zones
Zones are already instances. Technically speaking anytime an MMO introduces multiple copies of a world they are instancing the world as there is no longer one copy. So, yes, even having servers means a world is instanced. GW 2 zones have a maximum cap that fluctuates by map, but averages around 150 players. After that cap is hit a new zone is created called an overflow zone (if one doesn’t exist already). Players that enter maps that have reached the cap go to the next available overflow. This concept is not changing with the megaservers, as overflows will still be created, they just won’t be called overflows.
Other MMOs don’t have instanced zones, but instead use other techniques to control population (such as more servers and world queues). Since those MMOs tend to have an end-game focused on instanced dungeons that eventually becomes less of a problem as most of the population isn’t in the open world, but hidden away in dungeons. GW 2 chose to go with instanced zones to eliminate queuing in the open world.
GW2 doesn’t have an open world, every zone is instanced on it’s own and has a 150 player cap
It is an open world. GW1 was instanced, GW2 is zoned. Please get that straight.
If it was a truely open world I wouldn’t have to run through portals to get to a new zone. GW1 was instances, and so is GW2, just with bigger instances
No – With GW1 you could not port into an area, you had to run through the gate. With GW2, since it is not instanced, you can portal in (pick a TP you have found click and go). They cut up the world to make it easier to run on the servers and your PC. Just think how it would chug if it was one open world?
Other MMO’s can do a real open world just fine, I really don’t see why GW2 should have a 150 player cap per map
Professional noob guardian