Question about Browser-Based Games

[OldRod]

I've been doing a lot of Googling the past few weeks, trying to see what's out there in the way of Browser-Based games. I am currently working on a text-based multiplayer browser RPG and was just curious what the environment looked like

What I'm seeing (besides a ton of mafia/crime based games) is a lot of games where you can only do so many clicks/action points/encounters/whatever per day, and after 3-4 months, the game resets and everyone has to start over.

Anyone know why that is?

Is there something about browser-based games that requires such a system?

[hallsofvallhalla]

no, game/media companies seen a spike in those games and everyone and their brother began making them. I hate those style games. Going to try to keep all mine play all you want and no automatic quest crap.

[OldRod]

That's what I figured, just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something obvious

[twgi]

Yes, in my list of pbbg games, a lot of them are mafia/crime theme based, and I think they derive all from the same code.

About your question, limits on clicks or energy or requiring some time to executes an action it's mandatory for putting a cap on resources;

I don't like though games that resets because all the player effort will be thrown away.

[hallsofvallhalla]

I wouldn't say mandatory. There may not be ways to keep players from grinding but there are ways to keep them from power leveling or getting too many resources too fast.

Time limits really drag the game for me. You don't have time restraints in regular mmos why have them in browser ones? I can understand the point behind but personally can't stand the idea of limiting players play time.

[twgi]

Yes, you're right, it's not mandatory, i wanted to say it's a way to do it.

By time restraints you're meaning that the player can't login or that for building an item takes one hours?
I've seen another method, but was taking off energy from the player instead of keeping him busy for x hours.

[OldRod]

Still searching for games to try out... found one called Faery Tale Online and signed up for it.

Would tell you how it plays, but I don't know yet. Apparently new players have to wait in a "birth queue" to be born. Very strange system - I was #166 in the queue last I checked... hope I don't lose interest in the game before I'm "born".

[Gustava]

Would tell you how it plays, but I don't know yet. Apparently new players have to wait in a "birth queue" to be born. Very strange system

Lol, sounds a little disturbing from my view.

[hallsofvallhalla]

haha yeah thats very strange and that is more of what I was talking about. Players lose interest when they have to wait.

I can understand a building queue but not a play restraint like in the hospital for 3 hours or your turns are over, wait 30 minutes for more turn. Not saying its a bad system. I just personally don't like them.

I have used a stamina system. All of your actions take stamina. I also made it very easy to regain stamina without any time restraints.

[Jackolantern]

You don't have time restraints in regular mmos why have them in browser ones?

Because scripting browser control is extremely easy, and one leveling script floating around the community can bring your servers to their knees. I don't like time limits that makes players wait for minutes, but any highly populated game is going to have to have some kind of timer to make sure that all input is actually human-generated as a means of security.