Should CM/Dev Events Be Mandatory in Neverwinter?

Every once in a while we stumble upon interesting articles about other games. It’s usually stuff that we pick up because we feel like “they” are doing something we’d like to see in Neverwinter as well. The most recent “Mondays In MMORPGs” blog by the Saga of Lucimia Creative Director is such an occasion.

Once upon a Time

[su_quote]Once upon a time, back in the golden era of the MMORPG genre, game masters, otherwise known as GMs (aka developers), used to be a regular presence on the servers. And in games such as EverQuest there were regular GM-led events during which the developers of the game would run around and interact with the players, as well as host a variety of special events.

Over the years, that type of interaction faded away as it became too “cost prohibitive” for companies to maintain the type of staff required to create such unique events, and these days you are hard-pressed to find a GM logged into any game, much less get customer support to answer your emails in a timely fashion. Cash shops and loot boxes are the name of the game these days. Game masters? What are those?[/su_quote]

As always, Neverwinter seems to be check all the mentioned boxes. Has to be cost-efficient, no GM, cash shop, loot boxes. Sometimes it hurts if others state the painful truth, but Neverwinter of course is a perfect example of how standard mass-market games look today. We don’t even have a full-time Community Manager. Julia’s label might be “CM”, but between maintaining the studio’s social profiles, being Thomas Foss’ personal assistant, and doing other administrative tasks, she has little time left to actually manage the community. You can see some devs on the preview server every once in a while, and Julia admittedly tries to at least get a monthly event going, but that’s about it.

Saga of Lucimia seems to take a different approach. A GM presence is mandatory for them, it’s not optional. And they don’t stop with their own game, but also insinuate that other titles should follow their lead.

[su_quote]The one thing that makes tabletop games so much fun is the continual interaction between players. A static MMORPG can only go so far at providing players with a multiplayer experience. Just like with many of the old school mechanics that we are using, we’re going back to the good old days with our game and bringing back GM events and world events for the players to participate in.[/su_quote]


What’s your take on GM presence on the server? Should Neverwinter have scheduled times for their devs to not only appear on the live server, but actually runs some events there? Or do you think that it’s not too important? Share your thoughts on our social channels, in the comments below, or visit the corresponding thread on our message board!

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4 thoughts on “Should CM/Dev Events Be Mandatory in Neverwinter?

  • March 13, 2018 at 2:42 pm
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    When I am helping new players in NW they often ask me if I am a GM or a player. They are always horrified when I tell them there are no GMs or on-line live chat help anywhere in the game. They seem to think it’s really essential.

    It can be difficult to get decent, reliable help with accurate info between the dross of Flat Earthers, Anti-Evolutioners, Armchair Philosophers and Couch Potato Politicians in Zone.

  • March 13, 2018 at 5:36 pm
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    In a word yes.

  • March 13, 2018 at 10:42 pm
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    The best experiences I’ve ever had were all in games that had a passionate and present community team.
    Good staff-led in-game community events are such a huge morale boost. They get players excited, engaged and acting as a community.
    I would be 100% behind this kind of change.

  • March 14, 2018 at 3:27 am
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    This topic remember me the old days in City of Heroes, where the mosts important NPC (Statesman, Positron, Synapse, etc.) come to life, played by Devs. showing up during Hamidon Raids, or starting some suprise events all around the game, my better memory was the day when two Devs. from the studio share with the players their marriage by an event in game written in the story line of the game.
    There are, in Neverwinter, some events (assaults on Neverwinter or Storming the castle) where Devs. can assume the role of a major NPC, like Alphonse Knox or Kravatos for ie., and stroll side by side with players caracters, that’s no big deal, but show the player the will to get close to the people.

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