I remember discussing with Nelg, back when we were playing Age of Conan: We came to the conclusion that we would prefer an RPG where players feel like underpowered weenies at first, then hit a threshold where they transform from pathetic to uber.

Occasionally characters need to dip into that process again on a smaller scale, but while leveling it’s almost paramount to progression. Sometimes it should be a difficult climb, because otherwise there’s no weight to your character’s progression.

I’m not sure if our culture still has the same patience for the sort of gameplay I’d prefer.

/sad panda.