Whether on the PC or on the console - computer games are part of everyday life as the Internet and television. The games industry is booming...
This idea was not conceivable without the Internet and only began to gain acceptance with the spread of the so-called Massively Multiplayer Online Games (MMOGs). We took a closer look at some of the lesser-known and more up-to-date service games for you and looked at the points in which the games have great strengths and weaknesses and, above all, what service the developers offer for these games:
1. Path of Exile
Studio: Grinding Gear Games
Publisher: Grinding Gear Games
Initial release: October 23, 2013 (PC), August 24, 2017 (Xbox One), March 26, 2019 (PS 4)
Genre: Action RPG / Fantasy
Available platforms: PC, Xbox One, PS 4
Possible game modes: single-player, multiplayer
Path of Exile is one of the prime examples of how the "Games as a Service" concept can and should work. The action role-playing game, which is produced by a relatively unknown, independent New Zealand game developer, is completely free to play. You don't have to pay to buy the game or use it. Nevertheless, the game is constantly being maintained and developed. New events or minor updates await the user almost every week. Major innovations come into play every month and at irregular intervals Path of Exile offers big surprises with completely new content. In order to finance itself, the game offers various micro-transactions, all of which are either for convenience (more bank slots, etc.) or for cosmetic purposes,
The Story of Path of Exile
The player takes on the role of a prisoner on board a ship bound for exile. He is thrown overboard and washed up on the shores of Wraeclast - the place where all Exiles end up in exile. As the game progresses, you will get to know more and more about Wraeclast and realize that there is a certain structure, a distribution of power and at the same time, an infinite amount of evil - combating it is of course precisely your area of responsibility. In the meantime, ten different acts – i.e. story sections – are playable.
game principle
Similar to the much more well-known games in the Diablo series, as a player you fight your way through legions of monsters and villains. As in many other games, attributes, as well as skills, equipment, and character level are relevant to the player's strength. But Path of Exile clearly stands out from the competition here. Because, unlike other games, it is not clearly specified which skills a character can learn. Since all the different available character classes are in a single, large skill tree - albeit starting at different points there - it is also possible to play as a barbarian with magical abilities, a ranger with a specialization in melee combat, or any other imaginable combination.
Single or multiplayer?
Path of Exile is also a wonderfully playable solo. Of course, some challenges are easier in a group, and playing with friends is always great fun, but it is never a basic requirement here. Trading with the global community is regulated easily and clearly via special websites and forums.
The future of Path of Exile
In November 2019, Grinding Gear Games made a big announcement at their in-house trade show - ExileCon. The second part of Path of Exile is coming! This one will also be completely free. That's not all - all micro-transactions that were acquired in part 1 are also automatically adapted for part two. A new, even larger, and more complex skill system is to come, new classes and a new story will of course also be included. Even if there is criticism from some quarters that Path of Exile 2 is supposed to be just another sequel to Part 1, we think that this more than the successful answer to Diablo 4 has its right to exist and we're really looking forward to it.
2. The Elder Scrolls Online
Studio: ZeniMax Online Studios
Publisher: Bethesda Softworks
Initial release: April 4, 2014 (PC), June 9, 2015 (Xbox One, PS 4)
Genre: MMORPG
Available platforms: PC, Xbox One, PS 4
Possible game modes: Multiplayer
The Elder Scrolls Online (TESO) is a classic MMORPG in many respects. The player can choose from different characters belonging to different alliances and explore a world full of quests, dungeons, and battles against other players together with his friends. However, what sets TESO apart from the crowd is the attention to detail behind it and an extremely detailed story. Because TESO is part of the larger series "The Elder Scrolls", which had already made a big start in 1994 with "Arena". From 2011, the fifth part "Skyrim" caused enthusiasm worldwide and absolute top figures in all statistics.
The story of The Elder Scrolls Online
In TESO you as a player immerse yourself again in the world of Tamriel. But unlike the single-player games, the action takes place in a previous age and thus tells the prehistory of Skyrim, Oblivion, and Co., so to speak. The evil magician Molag Bal is trying to gain control of Tamriel by any means necessary - and of course, you have to stop him will.
Game Principle
The game principle of TESO largely follows the well-known recipes for success from World of Warcraft and other MMOs. On the one hand, there are quests in which the player can start alone and have to fight against computer opponents. There are also areas where multiple players must work together to be successful. The whole thing is rounded off by fights between players and players, which in TESO are limited to wars between the three major alliances. But what sets TESO apart from other MMOs are the extremely lovingly designed quests, which always contribute to the whole history of Tamriel and the current problems. It is highly recommended that you read through the quest descriptions here at your leisure or listen to the fantastic voice acting.
Single or Multiplayer?
TESO is a classic MMOPRG and thus has many elements in which interaction with other people is absolutely necessary. Nevertheless, most of the story can also be played alone and the bulk of the world can be explored alone.
The future of The Elder Scrolls Online
In May 2019, Elsweyr, the latest expansion for TESO, was launched, in which you can explore a new area and also play with a new class. Other minor updates and new story sections have since been added. Only the guys from Bethesda know exactly what the future holds for TESO. But one thing is certain: as long as no sixth part of the single-player series has been released, TESO is guaranteed to experience some new quests, story sections, and, above all, lovingly designed events.
3. Red Dead Redemption 2
Studio: Rockstar Studios
Publisher: Rockstar Games
First release: October 26, 2018 (Xbox One, PS 4), November 5, 2019 (PC)
Genre: Action-Adventure / Western
Available platforms: PC, Xbox One, PS 4
Possible game modes: Single-player, multiplayer
The game developer Rockstar is best known for the Grand Theft Auto series, the fifth part of which is one of the prime examples of service games - after all, new orders and, above all, multiplayer variants have been added here regularly since 2013. Red Dead Redemption takes up a similar principle but takes place in the Wild West. We are convinced that with the release of RDR2 for PC, another fantastic era has begun and another incredible game is waiting for us.
The story of Red Dead Redemption 2
The single-player from RDR2 comes up with a nice story. In 1899, as Arthur Morgan, you roam the Wild West with a gang of outlaws - train robberies, bank robberies and wild shootouts with bounty hunters but also enemy gangs are the order of the day. But amidst all these escapades stands a tragic story that brings with it the end of the Wild West era and the civilization of this area.
Game Principle
You move as a player in a completely open world and always interact with the members of your gang. This is how different quests are started and information is obtained. But if you feel like it, you can also just jump on your horse, explore the world a little or go hunting for legendary animals and fish.
Single or multiplayer?
Six chapters await you in single-player mode. Here the story of Arthur Morgan and the gang of outlaws is told. The story has great attention to detail, and additional features and collectibles provide opportunities for countless hours of play.
The multiplayer mode, on the other hand, has nothing to do with the story. Here you can create your own character and, just like in GTA V, complete various missions, complete horse races or compete in shootouts against other players in different modes, alone or with friends.
The future of Red Dead Redemption 2
The big news of 2019 was the release of RDR2 for PC. After the console players, this means that another large group of potential gamers has now been served. Incidentally, a great opportunity to expand the multiplayer area was also used. Because many of the small games are only limited fun on the console – aiming with the weapons, for example, is too simplified here. We are convinced that Rockstar will take full advantage of the possibilities for the PC and, similar to GTA, will provide us with many new ideas and multiplayer variants for a long time to come.
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