Greg ‘Ghostcrawler’ Street, a veteran in the MMO genre known for his work on World of Warcraft and League of Legends, recently expressed his views on the practice of allowing players to rapidly level up to the endgame in MMOs. Street believes that streamlining the leveling process, which lets players quickly reach the level cap, is a mistake.
He argues that the journey through levels is a crucial aspect of what engages and invests players in their favorite MMOs and that reaching the level cap should feel like a significant achievement rather than a minor event.
Street’s perspective stems from his extensive experience in MMO design, where he observed that many games fail when they offer a compelling leveling experience but a lackluster endgame. He emphasizes that while the endgame is essential, it is equally important that the leveling process presents a reasonable challenge and requires effort. Street believes that this approach not only enhances the player experience but also contributes to a more rewarding overall game design.
Despite Street’s stance, there seems to be a contrasting approach within the industry, as evidenced by recent trends in games like World of Warcraft. In WoW’s latest expansion, players have managed to reach the new level cap in a remarkably short time, indicating that for many, the level cap has become more of a brief milestone rather than a substantial achievement.
Blizzard, the developer behind WoW, appears less concerned with the rapid progression compared to Street’s emphasis on a more gradual leveling experience.
Street is currently focused on his own MMO project, Ghost, and has been sharing some insights about it. He has hinted at an innovative class system for the game, which may incorporate elements reminiscent of MOBA games. With his extensive background in MMO development, Street’s new project is highly anticipated, though details about the game are still emerging and it will be some time before it is fully revealed.
Street’s comments highlight a broader discussion within the MMO community about the balance between leveling speed and the quality of endgame content. His perspective offers a reminder of the value in creating a meaningful journey for players, while also addressing the need for a compelling endgame to ensure long-term player engagement.
