Why I’m Frustrated with MMO Dialogue and Cutscenes

Dear MMO developers, I beg you to skip the one-minute or even one-second cutscenes and long dialogues. I just want to dive straight into the action and enjoy the game with minimal interruptions. While narrative can enhance the environment, it’s essential that MMOs focus on gameplay above all else. In today’s world of social media, where everything is vying for your fleeting attention, spending time on exposition before engaging in the fun will surely lead to uninstalls before I even start.

MMOs shine when they foster dynamic interactions among players. The genre falters when it aims to replicate single-player RPGs filled with dramatic camera movements and lengthy speeches. I’m not here to read a novel. In fact, I haven’t read a book since college. Books are for nerds. I’m here to grind. The essence of MMOs is certainly not sitting through an NPC lecturing me on why I must undertake a particular quest. I’m not interested. Just give me the task and the rewards after I eliminate those five boars messing with your crops.

Titles like Warframe and Tower of Fantasy understand this perfectly.

In Warframe, for instance, you’re thrown into action almost right away. There’s a larger story at play, but the game typically doesn’t hinder you with mandatory cutscenes. Most early dialogues can be skipped, and major cinematic quests are optional until you choose to engage with them. The core gameplay loop — shooting, looting, and fast-paced movement — is always front and center.

Tower of Fantasy also doesn’t take too long before providing you with a jetpack and allowing you to explore its open world. While it includes some anime-style narrative moments, you can generally skip through them and return to grinding gear and adventuring with friends.

These games cater to their audience: players craving a power fantasy, quick progression, and total flexibility.

Conversely, there are story-heavy MMOs like Final Fantasy XIV. While it’s celebrated for its rich storytelling, it completely misses the mark for me. The endless dialogue boxes, unskippable cutscenes, and sluggish pacing make me feel punished for wanting to play. Many players enjoy it for the story, but that’s not what draws me to an MMO. I don’t want to devote countless hours just to unlock basic features because the narrative dictates so.

What truly defines MMOs is their community. Your fondest memories won’t stem from a cutscene; they will arise from spontaneous player interactions. That one time your raid wiped and everyone laughed instead of feeling defeated. The guild tensions that unfolded over loot distribution. The stranger who helped you complete a quest and then disappeared without a word. These are the moments that count, and they can’t be scripted.

When developers overemphasize story, they risk stifling what makes MMOs distinct. Games like RuneScape grasp this concept. There’s lore available if you seek it, but players aren’t forced to watch lengthy intros or navigate through dialogue trees. You craft your own story, whether grinding for hours, staking your gear in PvP, or selling freshly caught fish in the market.

I’m not suggesting that MMOs should lack a narrative entirely. What I propose is that the story should enhance the game, not overpower it. If your cutscenes exceed the length of your dungeon queues, you’re doing it wrong. Give me the mission, provide the loot, and let me advance. Got it? If I’m intrigued by the lore, I’ll check the Wiki or watch a YouTube video essay.