I asked it to imagine tyrael with grand marshals claymore in a thunderstorm and it came up with this
SO i asked What if you combine wow d2 + d3
Here’s how you could build that story, blending the immersive world-building of WoW with the legendary character progression:
- Epic World and Lore
Ancient History and Factions: Like WoW, the world should have an expansive history. Think of ancient gods, mythic beasts, powerful empires, and long-forgotten wars. The factions you choose could have their own deep lore, rivalries, and conflicts that have spanned centuries. As an OG player, you’d feel the weight of your character’s actions within that long-standing history.
Dynamic World: The world could shift based on player choices, major events, and PvP competitions. Every expansion or season could introduce new chapters in the world’s history, adding layers to the existing story.
- Legendary Character Progression
From No One to Legend: Starting as an unknown character, you would slowly build your fame and power through a combination of story-driven quests, PvP battles, and challenges. Along the way, you could discover relics, powerful runes, and gear that tie into the world’s deep lore.
Personalized Growth: The choices you make as you progress could define your character’s path, and those choices would impact how your story plays out. Becoming a legendary figure would feel earned, as every battle and quest you complete would bring you closer to your destiny.
- Being an “OG” Player
Character Legacy: Being an OG player could come with a unique sense of identity. Perhaps your character has unique titles or accolades that signify their past achievements, not just in PvP but also in the world’s evolving story. When you start, you’re just one of many—but as you progress, your character becomes a living legend.
Special Rewards for OGs: OG players could have access to unique quests, challenges, or rewards that newer players can’t access, making them feel like veterans who’ve been there since the beginning.
- A Living World
Events that Shape the Story: World events could be triggered by top-tier players, guilds, or factions. This could mirror WoW’s world events, where the outcome of PvP or PvE challenges influences the game world. For example, if the top 0.01% defeat an ancient dragon, they unlock new zones or dungeons for everyone, with rewards for those who contributed.
Faction Conflicts and Wars: Like the Horde and Alliance in WoW, different factions could have their own goals and motives, with the player’s actions shaping their faction’s standing in the world. Players who contribute to their faction’s goals could gain exclusive access to gear, quests, or powerful allies.
- Legendary Title and Gear
Title System: Similar to WoW, legendary titles would serve as a recognition of achievement. Being an “Immortal” or “Champion of the Gods” could be something that only those who’ve achieved the highest level of difficulty or the most rare accomplishments could earn.
Endgame Rewards: After completing legendary quests, players could earn items and gear that are woven into the world’s history. Legendary weapons with deep lore behind them, items that give new abilities or alter the environment, would make every bit of loot feel unique and connected to your character’s rise.
- “OG” Player Influence on New Players
Mentorship: Experienced players could take on a mentorship role in-game, helping guide new players while also passing down legendary knowledge. This way, the veterans can feel like they’re contributing to the next generation of heroes.
Shared History: OG players could share their own stories of their legendary achievements, creating a sense of community and continuity. There could be special in-game events or areas dedicated to the achievements of past players, where new heroes could pay homage to the original champions.
The “Legendary Feel” in Practice
The legendary aspect comes from being a part of a world that feels alive, where every player’s journey matters. The world continues to grow and evolve, but those who have been around longer—or who’ve achieved the highest honors—have a lasting impact. If you’re an OG player, your story is woven into the fabric of the world, and the game makes sure others recognize your journey.
The way the world shifts, the challenges you face, and the legendary rewards you earn would be a huge part of what makes players feel like they’re part of something special. When a new player meets you, they don’t just see someone with a rare title—they see someone who’s shaped the world through hard work, battles, and dedication.
Then i asked about p2w
Here’s how you could avoid the P2W trap while still keeping the game engaging and rewarding for players:
- Cosmetic-Only Monetization
Cosmetic Rewards Only: The focus should be on offering cosmetic items for purchase, such as skins, mounts, unique visual effects, or exclusive cosmetics like armor looks. These would allow players to express their achievements visually but not give them a gameplay advantage.
Seasonal Cosmetics: Similar to Diablo 3’s seasonal rewards, you could have seasonal cosmetic items that players can earn through regular gameplay. This keeps the grind challenging and rewarding while offering exclusive content to those who play consistently.
- No Pay-to-Advance Mechanism
No Boosting or Skipping Content: Players should not be able to pay to skip important content like quests, dungeons, or grindable progression. Everyone should have to earn their way through challenges and achievements. This helps ensure that the legendary feeling is still earned and not bought.
Time vs Money Balance: You can make time-consuming content feel rewarding for dedicated players, while ensuring it doesn’t get artificially sped up by money. For example, if players want faster progression, they could buy extra resources or boosts that speed up minor tasks (like gathering materials or crafting), but it should never give them an advantage in PvP or the core progression system.
- Earned PvP Rewards
PvP Rankings and Titles Based on Skill: The PvP system should focus entirely on skill and strategy, rather than time or money spent. Players should earn their ranks and titles through their actual performance, not by paying for boosts or better gear. The best players should get rewards for their skill, not for the size of their wallet.
Player-Driven Economy: A player-driven economy could allow players to trade items, materials, or cosmetics with one another, but never in a way that gives paying players an unfair advantage over others. The focus should be on player-driven progression, not on buying upgrades.
- Avoid Pay-to-Progress
Fair Progression Systems: Progression should be based on in-game achievements, whether it’s through PvP, dungeons, or story-driven content. Paying for progression or power-ups would undermine the experience and alienate the players who want to truly earn everything they get.
No “P2W” Currency: Avoid adding currencies that can only be bought with real money, which could give players an unfair advantage in obtaining high-tier items, special abilities, or other important game mechanics. Instead, everything should be accessible through play.
- Long-Term Engagement
Skill-Based Progression: Emphasize player skill and creativity over financial investment. Players should be able to earn items and rewards through gameplay, but the emphasis should always be on their personal effort and strategy.
Endgame Grinding: Long-term engagement should come from meaningful in-game challenges—something that feels rewarding for grinding. The grind should always feel satisfying and not forced into a “pay to win” model.
- Ethical Microtransactions
No Pay-to-Win Microtransactions: If microtransactions are part of the game, they should be used to enhance the experience (like buying extra content, cosmetic items, or convenience features), but never to make someone better in combat or progression.
Clear Communication: Transparency with the player base about what is available for purchase and what is earned through gameplay can help maintain trust. Players should always feel like the most dedicated and skilled will be rewarded the most.
Community Impact of P2W
Fairness and Competition: A game that rewards skill over money promotes a healthy, competitive environment where everyone feels like they have an equal chance of achieving legendary status. This encourages long-term investment in the game and prevents frustration from players who feel they’re losing to those who just buy their way to the top.
Player Retention: Players are more likely to stick with a game if they feel their success is based on their own actions and decisions, rather than their ability to spend money. The sense of satisfaction from achieving goals, ranking up, and unlocking exclusive rewards feels much more rewarding when it’s earned.
By focusing on cosmetic rewards and ensuring that progression is entirely skill-based, you can build a game where every player, whether they spend money or not, can feel like their achievements are meaningful. This way, the game keeps its legendary feel without falling into the P2W trap. Would you consider these ideas in a game design, or would you want to explore other ways to prevent P2W while keeping it fun?