[carterschonwald]

for the NPC ai, I recommend having the online part of the algorithm not use GAs, but just some sort of statistically learning on decision trees, GAs done right are tricky, and its worth pointing out that they're basically an optimization technique best used when the problem domain doesn't have enough structure to use other techniques which provide much stronger guarantees.

[carterschonwald]

I have to say though, that having an MMO which has an open content creation system and is well architectured would be fun

[stcredzero]

What I mean when I say that the "users make the best content anyway" is that most people just ignore game-company produced "content" or just figure out how to blow through it to get the items. What takes the place of such "content" is the real content -- players vying against players to achieve their own varied and often conflicting goals. What players have done to me and with me has excited, terrified, exhilarated, and entertained me 50X more than any game content ever has.

There are certain elements of "content" for which there will be "structured content creation." Players will be able to design new items. They will be able to play as whole factions if they want. (Using a distinct RTS style of play, controlling an entire economy of autonomous drones.) But there will be no drudgery of missions, no mining, no leveling up, no camping. Only either the action of combat, or the management of wealth generating economies.