18.1.13 Is there a way to combine the challenge of EverQuest with the fast start of Star Wars: Galaxies?

Indeed there must be; and what's more, there has to be a way to use such a mechanism to also accelerate and make easier those eventual bonds you describe where you are known and therefore welcomed into groups as someone people recognize and appreciate.

One of the grave dangers instancing represents is what's already been seen in games that use it extensively: you come into the game, jump into a mission or some such, group up with people in a very transient way, finish up in 30 minutes, an hour, whatever, and then it's on to something else. You either log off, or do another mission, but the people you just worked together with are irrelevant -- they were just tools to help you finish a temporary goal.

Add a total elimination of any downtime to this equation and you don't even have a chance to really talk with these people outside of 'attack that mob!' and 'help!'.

The result is no one gives a crap who you are nor has any reason to remember you, your name, your contributions, your skills, etc. It's so incredibly anti-community building.

So there has to be a way to improve 'lead times' without destroying the community. There MUST be.

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