WildStar is a new MMORPG that is currently in open beta (you can sign up here) and seems to be offering a new mechanism for gameplay. Beyond race and class, they have a special system called path.
The goal behind paths is to let the individual player get more of the content that they personally enjoy. So while everyone will have to go run around doing certain quests and killing enemies as usual, the unique paths will give the player access to specific content.
The four paths are explorer, scientist, fighter and settler. These are based on the work of Dr. Richard Bartle, who found four types of players when studying video game psychology. As such, each path focuses on these personality types to a certain degree.
The explorer gains access to all kinds of hidden areas through exploration. This means that they can find different areas, as well as do those missions where you have to get from point A to point B in a set time.
The scientist is more interested in the planet and lore – using a scanner bot, the scientist also explores different areas and uncovers the meanings behind landmarks and the environment. Oh, and with enough path XP can also scan the enemies more efficiently to understand how best to kill them.
The fighter likes to kill things, and therefore gets all kinds of experimental weapons, as well as hold outs. Not to mention all kinds of mobs and bosses – lots of them.
The settler likes to build things, to take the wilds. So they get to build buff stations, camp fires and all kinds of structures – they even get path XP when other players use their buildings.
You can see a pretty nicely done video where the dev explains all this here
Or you can watch an irritating video that vaguely explains it.
I am not won over by WildStar – their game looks like someone watched the Borderlands 2 trailer and decided to make a game of their own. I’m not interested in yet another MMO. That said… I actually really like this idea of paths. I generally play rogue characters (rogues do it from behind – or far away), but it would be nice to be a special kind of rogue who builds things. Or scans things. I wouldn’t mind seeing this is my next non-MMO RPG.
What do you think? Awesome mechanic, or yet another gimmick?
Last Updated: May 23, 2013
Admiral Chief Commander
May 23, 2013 at 08:07
LOL @ “do it from behind”
HAHAHA
10 points Zoe, 10 points madam!
TechniKyle
May 23, 2013 at 08:09
This looks pretty cool!
TechniKyle
May 23, 2013 at 08:09
This looks pretty cool!
CrasH
May 23, 2013 at 08:16
beats random grinding and most people would do it in any case, so might as well get rewards for it
signed up for the beta ages ago and still waiting. i know a lot of people who want to try this.
but all of them are mmo players… all mmo lost some spark and the lastest just cant deliver and have all gone f2p micro transactions…
gw2 has no real end game, wow died for me long ago, adding more lvl and new gear is not end game just grind repeat, starwars… great story 100% no end game at all, tera was okay but friends did not like the movement, aion took too long to release its updates and was the worst crafting system to date and rift where anyone can be anything made everyone no-one. grind for gear so you can go grind better for more gear.
p.s. My numbers are bigger than yours – zero punctuation
Lesia
May 23, 2013 at 09:27
I would like to disagree on your Rift Statement.
Its not just about gear, its about spec and rotation mostly. And it is way prettier than any other MMO.
On the 12th Of June Rift goes F2P, With this, we are getting a new sliver and a map. Subscribers still get more than non subs. The raids are amazing and in 4 months or so, we are getting T2 raids.
But i am biased, tried 1 hour of GW and Wow and it sucked.
Different stroke i suppose…
Lesia
May 23, 2013 at 09:27
I would like to disagree on your Rift Statement.
Its not just about gear, its about spec and rotation mostly. And it is way prettier than any other MMO.
On the 12th Of June Rift goes F2P, With this, we are getting a new sliver and a map. Subscribers still get more than non subs. The raids are amazing and in 4 months or so, we are getting T2 raids.
But i am biased, tried 1 hour of GW and Wow and it sucked.
Different stroke i suppose…
Melasco
May 23, 2013 at 08:17
Been keeping one eye on this game, but I’ve given up on MMO’s after trying Rift, GW2 and recently Defiance… I still compare everything to WOW BC… Curse you BC!!! You destroyed my ability to enjoy other MMO’s!!
BF3 is my MMO now 😛
Theo Steenekamp
May 23, 2013 at 08:49
Nostalgia is a bitch…
Melasco
May 23, 2013 at 08:51
I know…. Mass Effect 4 will do the same to me when it comes out with different characters…. Bioware better do it right..
Umar 'Van Hohenhaim' Bastra
May 23, 2013 at 08:23
I will just choose to believe “Doing it from behind” is backstabbing …. I will not give in to my dirty mind
Zoe
May 23, 2013 at 08:26
You will succumb to the dark side 😉
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
May 23, 2013 at 08:53
That’s quite literally now… what she said….
Umar 'Van Hohenhaim' Bastra
May 23, 2013 at 08:54
I will never get on my knees for the dark side….DAMMIT ZOE!!
Trevor Davies
May 23, 2013 at 08:37
My dirty mind is teetering on the rim too, but so far I’ve managed to pull back.
Weanerdog
May 23, 2013 at 08:47
I think you mean pull out.
Weanerdog
May 23, 2013 at 08:48
Yes backstabbing, just like warriors do it in your face.
Umar 'Van Hohenhaim' Bastra
May 23, 2013 at 08:52
Warriors do it with their huge swords and Warriors always has the highest Stamina and Vitality Stat so they last longer
DAMMIT! … you making me think dirty things
Unavengedavo
May 23, 2013 at 09:21
…
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
May 23, 2013 at 08:45
This actually looks pretty cool. I’d consider giving it a shot
ElNicko
May 23, 2013 at 09:27
Colour me excited , this does look quite exciting. Just as long as there is some quality End-game content this should do very well.
GW2 came and went , was fun but didn’t keep me hooked like wow crack did.
ElNicko
May 23, 2013 at 09:27
Colour me excited , this does look quite exciting. Just as long as there is some quality End-game content this should do very well.
GW2 came and went , was fun but didn’t keep me hooked like wow crack did.