Decoupling player appearance from progression

by Malagate , Sea of Tranquility, Sunday, March 31, 2013, 07:40 (4044 days ago) @ RC

Aesthetics and stat-changing gear should be in separate camps. We've already seen this put to good use in Reach. If stat progression is part of the deal, HP increases, power cooldowns, etc. that are inherent to the character will differentiate higher-level players easily. However, these differences would need to be ignored in competitive play, or would simply factor in to matchmaking considerations. Making all the aesthetic items require a particular effort will give the completionists a goal and an appropriate level of reward, while weapons and other stat-changing gear can be designed to be either visible or invisible, but to have minimal impact on the player's appearance, and can generally be granted to the player on different terms.

Blizzard's approach sounds like retrofitting the game, breaking mechanics that should be inherent. I think that adds a degree of confusion to the experience that need not be there.

~M