Difference between MMO and Single player RPG

[willyande]

This has been bandied about for ages on this site, but I feel some very basic clarification may needed.



Single Player RPG

Linear, pre-fabricated storyline with some branching decision points.

World is a back drop or merely a set for scenes.

"Think of a line (or a path) as a metaphor for such a game."



MMORPG

Free destiny for players. Their dynamic in-game realities become their stories and need not be pre-written or overly guided.

World is the environment.

"Think of a circle."

 

[NOPROBLEM]

not really. single player sandbox games have no pre-written or guided story and can be single player. i think its mostly about the mass multiplayer environment.

 

[Eli2]

Depends on the game. There are single player RPGs that have MMO qualities. To me, I think the difference in them is really the fact that you play with other people from around the world in a MMO rather than playing on your own.