Quest, my favourite subject.
Personally i feel quests have so much potential but they are usually underused in games. I would like to see lots of quests, whether they are silly or serious makes no difference to me.
Personally i am a huge fan of chain quests, quests that have 6 or 7 links, even quests that span across 5, 10, 20 levels. I reallly think class/race quests are a must. I enjoyed the artifact quests in final fantasy, getting gear and items specifically related to the lore and background of your class or race is something i love doing,and will dofrom start to finish just because of what it is. The only thing i would change are these quests being restricted to max level,i would prefere them spread out across your career with different rewards and such.
Faction quests are somthing that can be great as well, as long as they arent as lame as they were in warcraft, majority of it killing X mob until you hit that faction rank, then you move on. I am sure, every faction has a goal, there should be quests that actually relate to furthering their goals, choosing a faction should mean something.For example, if red army hates blue army, you should be able to do a series of tasks for either army, move up in the ranks with said army, but drop standing with the other factions involved.
I would love to see timed quests, anything ranging from delivery quests with twists, chances of ambush and whatnot, from quests that require you to defeat a certain person under a time limit. Another thing that would be awesome are quests that have varying endings, endings that are triggered by chance and not predictable, say all quest have a chance of having their outcome completlychange.
For example, You are asked to deliver a package from one person to another, but the quest has multiple outcomes -
first = you run from point a to b with no problems,deiliver quest, recieve reward.
second = you run frompoint a to b,but you are attacked by an ambush, you defeat ambush, arrive at person B, tell him what happen he gives you a little extra on topof expected rewardfor your trouble.
third = you run from point a tob,but you are attacked and actually defeated by ambush, (a possiblitiy which leads to its own varing outcomes) you return to person B and he scolds you, and asks you to pay for what you lost, or, you return to person B, he is shocked and then redirect you to retrive package by either going back to the spot you were ambushed for counter attacking the group that attacked you by going after them in their hideouts.
These outcomes would all be by chance, and of course related to the type of quest your doing, so each quest would have a chance of having something unexpected happen, and would keep quests fresh and fun to do. Of course, the more challenging the event the more your reward increases. Something as small as a roadblock and a minor detour wouldnt warrent a greater reward but,say you arrive at person B but he isnt there, you find out from a local he has been kidnapped and your quest turns from delivery to rescue, your reward would change because the difficulty just changed.
I am just brainstorming,my thoughts may be a little unfocused,but quests with varying outcomes is what i am getting at,something i have never seen done in an mmo,but i think would be awesomeif it could be pulled off.
