Racial variety in MMOs

[TheNinja]

Greetings

One thing I've noticed is how nearly all MMOs have no variety when it comes to race, and I'm not talking about human races like African-american or whatever. I'm talking about fantasy races. Elves and Dwarves don't cut it, functionally they're basically the same as humans.
What I want to see are really different races available, and for them to have a significant and ever-present effect on the way one plays the game.
For example, a winged race that can actually fly. Actual unrestricted flight, anywhere, any-time. They would be the only ones who could fly. The draw back though, would be lower strength and constitution due to hollow bones. They would also be very light and easy to push around.

Are there any MMOs with a decent selection of races that have a large affect on how one plays the game?

[ApocaRUFF]

Shadowbane, I believe, was good about unique races. Races in QueueAge are also fairly unique from each other. Well, kinda. They each have racial effects and the Firran look different and they sprint on all fours.

Vanguard had some neat races, as well. But then again, they were are basically re-skinned humans.

Probably the best game I ever played for unique races was Istaria (aka Horizons). It had fairies, who were tiny flying creatures. Half-giants that were actually big. Satyrs that were half-goats. And then there were Dragons, which is probably my favorite race in the game and what I played most of the time when I did play.

Dragons started as Hatchlings, small and unable to fly. Once you got to a certain point you were able to participate in trials to receive a special stone that would allow you to "Ascend" into adulthood in which you gain the ability to fly, get much larger (a hutchling is already a lot bigger than all the other races), and you can partake in a questline to learn the ability to transform into a humanoid-like Dragon (put into the game simply because dragons are much to big to enter most buildings). You can also build a lair (there is other housing in the game for the "Humanoid" races), which involves finding a spot in the mountains and slowly designing/crafting your sprawling cave-lair. You also can join one of the two dragon races which have two completely different philosophies when it comes to the "bi-pedals." Eventually, when you've played long enough (and their is a minimum time requirement) and reached max level, you can ascend into Ancienthood which makes you even bigger and impressive.

Races of Istaria.

[TheNinja]

I've been playing QueueAge, and it was that game that compelled me to create this post. The only race even slightly unique is the Firran, and only in appearance. Each race has only two very inconsequential traits, some that don't even make sense. Why are both the elf traits to do with swimming? The first thing I think of when I think of elves is forests, shouldn't their traits reflect that?

I'll have look at those games, thanks for the suggestions.

[Jermatoo]

Everquest both I and II did the races fairly well even though they were all humanoid. Star Wars Galaxy also handled races pretty well imo.

[ApocaRUFF]

I've been playing QueueAge, and it was that game that compelled me to create this post. The only race even slightly unique is the Firran, and only in appearance. Each race has only two very inconsequential traits, some that don't even make sense. Why are both the elf traits to do with swimming? The first thing I think of when I think of elves is forests, shouldn't their traits reflect that?

I'll have look at those games, thanks for the suggestions.

I agree with some of the traits not making much sense - I would agree that elves should be more suited to woodlands and if anything the Firran should be the better swimmers due to the way their feet are shaped.

However there's some other things that make them interesting - including race specific languages. Tho that stuff isn't immediately apparent.

[TheNinja]

I noticed the language thing. I think it's a really good idea, though I'm not far enough into the game to see its effects so far.
With regards to the Firran, they were on the right track, but didn't go far enough; a trend I see all to often in games that I call gutless game design. The Firran should not take fall damage at all, seeing as they are based on cats, and should be able run much faster (I'm thinking +50% or more).

I remember finding shadowbane in one of my MMO searches. It looked really good, did a lot of things right. Unfortunately it's been shut down for some time now.

[Rapiidz]

I think the main reason there aren't more varied races within MMOs is due to balancing.

Devs find it hard enough to balance a game where everyone is the same race, nevermind with an abundance of unique races :P

[Jermatoo]

I agree with some of the traits not making much sense - I would agree that elves should be more suited to woodlands and if anything the Firran should be the better swimmers due to the way their feet are shaped.

However there's some other things that make them interesting - including race specific languages. Tho that stuff isn't immediately apparent.

I really wish WoW would give players the option to speak specific language types without needing a third party addon. It's such a fun concept in proper roleplay.

[Abhorsen]

Yeah. Pretty much that. If you have a race that can fly freely and a race that can live underwater, for example, why would anyone pick humans? They are like, the dullest race in every fantasy world.
Add some racial conflict and you will have a group of 5 humans battling against hordes of flying creatures.

well, since its fantasy we can like, not have humans?

[Jermatoo]

Yeah. Pretty much that. If you have a race that can fly freely and a race that can live underwater, for example, why would anyone pick humans? They are like, the dullest race in every fantasy world.
Add some racial conflict and you will have a group of 5 humans battling against hordes of flying creatures.

Well you can have a system like Istraria where the game is completely PvE too though I know that won't appeal to most people since most people enjoy being dicks to others ingame.