(This might be a bit long, so apologies and pls bare with me!)
MMO's have changed the gaming industry in such a major way that many non-MMO games have started adopting their mechanics - in even the smallest ways - and they're proving quite popular for this (COD4 is a good example).
I think implementing some kind of overall goal (other than world rank) could make the game more engrossing for a lot of players as they are given something beyond the current 10 minute match to aim for.
My suggestion is implementing some form of 'grindable' goal that doesn't affect gameplay in any way, but still gives the more hardcore players something to work for.
Skill based ranks:
What if players could earn (and maybe lose) specific named ranks, fitting in with the universe-at-war theme that UT3 has adopted?
Let's say players earn points based on their performance, and their team's performance (bonuses for winning a round, capturing nodes, etc. - the things that don't currently affect rank but are crucial to gameplay) and can purchase named ranks with those points?
Those ranks could be displayed in-game beside the player's name. Say, <Private> or <Sergeant> or <Commander>. The player who has earned the reward gets bragging rights of course, but it could also serve the greater purpose of giving people a chance to better match themselves against those with equal skill.
If I logged into a server where the average rank was <Commander> (this could even be displayed in the server browser), then I know I'm going to get destroyed. Similarly, the more competetive, skilled players could avoid joining a server full of beginners and destroying them with no challenge.
Server admins could even set up 'beginner only' servers, allowing those new to the game a far more gentle introduction than the massive obliteration that usely occurs. Warhawk on the PS3 used this model, and imo it worked extremely well! Perhaps even the servers could be color coded from <EASY> to <DIFFICULT> based on the player's current rank.
At the very least, awarding spendable points for teamplay achievements might serve to emphasise and encourage team work. I can't help feeling the existing model mostly encourages free-for-all gameplay, where the K : D ratio is the most important factor.
Novelty ranks:
Maybe on top of the named ranks, there could be the inclusion of novelty ranks, for those who play a particular gamestyle to the point of it almost becoming roleplay.
Say, <Sniper> or <Rocket Jockey> or <Pancake Princess> or any number of descriptive, but almost tongue-in-cheek rewards for playing a particular style of gameplay.
This could probably be combined with the named ranks, where instead of a rank like <Commander> the player could earn the badge which would constantly be displayed beside their name. Then the player could have the badge as well as the novelty rank.
Custom appearances / taunts:
Custom appearances would also be something great to grind for - not just in terms of custom body parts, but also color options for free for all gametypes, or special taunts - but the problem with these is that players quickly 'hack' the ini and those appearance options are immediately available - unless it could be controlled at a server level to only display custom body parts if the player is of the correct rank. I'm not sure how that would work.
At any rate, I know at least for myself that while I love UT3, a lot, I'd really find it much harder to log out if I could work towards earning ranks or custom cosmetic updates.
Thanks if you bothered to read this far
MMO's have changed the gaming industry in such a major way that many non-MMO games have started adopting their mechanics - in even the smallest ways - and they're proving quite popular for this (COD4 is a good example).
I think implementing some kind of overall goal (other than world rank) could make the game more engrossing for a lot of players as they are given something beyond the current 10 minute match to aim for.
My suggestion is implementing some form of 'grindable' goal that doesn't affect gameplay in any way, but still gives the more hardcore players something to work for.
Skill based ranks:
What if players could earn (and maybe lose) specific named ranks, fitting in with the universe-at-war theme that UT3 has adopted?
Let's say players earn points based on their performance, and their team's performance (bonuses for winning a round, capturing nodes, etc. - the things that don't currently affect rank but are crucial to gameplay) and can purchase named ranks with those points?
Those ranks could be displayed in-game beside the player's name. Say, <Private> or <Sergeant> or <Commander>. The player who has earned the reward gets bragging rights of course, but it could also serve the greater purpose of giving people a chance to better match themselves against those with equal skill.
If I logged into a server where the average rank was <Commander> (this could even be displayed in the server browser), then I know I'm going to get destroyed. Similarly, the more competetive, skilled players could avoid joining a server full of beginners and destroying them with no challenge.
Server admins could even set up 'beginner only' servers, allowing those new to the game a far more gentle introduction than the massive obliteration that usely occurs. Warhawk on the PS3 used this model, and imo it worked extremely well! Perhaps even the servers could be color coded from <EASY> to <DIFFICULT> based on the player's current rank.
At the very least, awarding spendable points for teamplay achievements might serve to emphasise and encourage team work. I can't help feeling the existing model mostly encourages free-for-all gameplay, where the K : D ratio is the most important factor.
Novelty ranks:
Maybe on top of the named ranks, there could be the inclusion of novelty ranks, for those who play a particular gamestyle to the point of it almost becoming roleplay.
Say, <Sniper> or <Rocket Jockey> or <Pancake Princess> or any number of descriptive, but almost tongue-in-cheek rewards for playing a particular style of gameplay.
This could probably be combined with the named ranks, where instead of a rank like <Commander> the player could earn the badge which would constantly be displayed beside their name. Then the player could have the badge as well as the novelty rank.
Custom appearances / taunts:
Custom appearances would also be something great to grind for - not just in terms of custom body parts, but also color options for free for all gametypes, or special taunts - but the problem with these is that players quickly 'hack' the ini and those appearance options are immediately available - unless it could be controlled at a server level to only display custom body parts if the player is of the correct rank. I'm not sure how that would work.
At any rate, I know at least for myself that while I love UT3, a lot, I'd really find it much harder to log out if I could work towards earning ranks or custom cosmetic updates.
Thanks if you bothered to read this far
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