The Daily Grind: Does MMO magic need a revolution?

I believe that magic use is at its popularity peak in games currently. With the new graphics available to improve the overall looks and effects of spells, people love to see it in action.

However, it is mostly the same. In the next few years people will become bored of it, and currently, I can't think of any alternative.

It's funny, magic is something that has been a convention in gaming, and specifically MMOs since the beginning of the genre, that it's something I took completely for granted. Magic, and the way it's designed aesthetically and mechanically just seems like a staple to me, and it's never anything I've questioned. Now that I think of it, it would be interesting to see the mechanic get an overhaul. Whether it needs one, I'm not so sure.

Hero's Journey. If they ever get off their ass and release it. You will draw an Arc in the ground and that is where it will cast a wall of fire...stuff like that.

I agree.
(This is all my OPINION, I'm not stating it's fact)
They need to go more in depth with the magic system, put science (strange, but true) behind it, how it would ACTUALLY work if it existed. When summoning monsters, could you just summon them from a dark abyss? Or would you have to have enough concentration to make your own creation appear and stay there. The thing about magic is that it isn't by mana alone, but concentration for a spell, if that mage is a professional, he won't be distracted by getting sliced at, but a newbie will so the newbie wouldn't be able to cast the spell.

If you look at naruto (hear me out before you start flaming), they actually did it close to what it would be like. With the walking across water thing, they had to keep their "mana" concentrated on their feet so they could do it. Naruto had to concentrate his "mana" to do that little ball of explosioness thing.

Books aren't correct either, I think it's wands (Yes like Harry Potter). Wands help you concentrate your mana to the wand so it's easier to cast a spell. The thing with saying the spell is that it helps you concentrate on the spell and not go on a whimsy (from Eragon).

You may call me a nerd, but remember, we're in a discussion on a news site for MMO games.... you can't say ****.

I will not be content until my necromancer actually has to draw out her pentagrams and trace them with lines of powdered thyme and dried blood. Until her incantations parallel the 20-minute building vocal frenzies of a true summoning, I shall not rest.

srs: I would really like more complexity to magic systems and a more thorough look (even just in a little pamphlet or something, or even on the game's wiki) at exactly how the magic of a world works.

I agree, magic systems in MMOs need to be more original. I recall an earlier post where you were talking about how there were only four elements to choose from in an MMO. Modern MMOs are beyond the point of fire and ice balls. We need something more..magical.

I play casters. A lot. Don't mess with my favorite class choice or we'll have a problem.

Heheh, anyway, while I enjoy most game's caster types, some could use some work or have a nuance to them never seen before. If any of you have read Brandon Sanderson's books(he's the guy finishing the Wheel of Time series), he tends to build a giant magic system for each story/world. Some of them are really cool and almost seem to have designs that would fit better in a video game.

For example, his Mistborn trilogy has a magic system that hinges on the attributes of certain metals. Those who can use the metal, basically ingest slivers or nuggets and they then "burn" it and certain magical qualities come out. Like burning Iron in order to enhance strength in their bodies. It is more developed then that, but you get the idea.

Another interesting magic system is the Jim Butcher series, Calderon's Fury, where people have an elemental being, Furies, come to them at some point in there life and each enhances certain aspects in creation.

Earth enhances strength, Air allows one to fly, Water allows one to heal and manipulate features, and so on. I can imagine a game where the magic system is this deep, of course I think it would fit better in skill based games.

Anyway, I'm rambling. I think persuing this idea would help many a "shallow" game become deeper. Also, read those books devs, if you want some awesome magic system ideas.

E=M*(C^2), solve for Magic. :P

Magicka has a nice magic mechanic, you have 8 elements keybinded to 8 different keys. Certain elements nullify each other, but it offers millions of combinations to perform dozens of spells.

On another note, i always wondered why, with ASWD movement in most games nowadays, and where your mouse controls the view, why you can't use the mouse to also "carve" spells in the screen so you can cast them. I always thought this would be an interesting take on mages.