Game Classes, Should there be many? Options

[markchapman10]

In many games there is a job system, or multiple class's for the player to choose from. I would like some opinions on this.

also I can only have one party member in my party.

In my game at the moment, I have a few characters, they have there OWN class, and if the player wants to be a certain class they have to find the character in the game and play there SHORT story(more of a side quest).

[Show/Hide] something else

I may change it to where the player may choose at the beginning of the game what character he wants and he can then do his characters story(side quest).

I was thinking that maybe it would be better if I have one character and you choose a class at the beginning of the game and later when you get to a city you can talk to the combat trainer to change class's if you would like.

I'm in a state where I need to get this sorted before I move on, but I wanted some other opinions about this before I proceed so that I can get a feel about the players opinion on class's in games.

[amerk]

Every game does it differently, some great, some not so much. Every class should offer something unique, but also have a disadvantage, as well. In a game that's story driven, the developer can control this and balance however way they wish. In a game where the player decides, they get more of the control.

I've always liked games that let you swap out job classes and then apply AP to learn new skills of those jobs. An extra bonus if there is a method to permanently learn those skills for when you swap jobs again.

I'm also fond of no classes, and just letting players customize their characters throughout the whole game (stats, spells, equipment, and all) based on AP, gold, EXP, etc. purchased or earned.

I also like class upgrades that allow you to morph into new classes, or even gain a secondary class.

Creating side stories based upon a class selected may be a tough chore to do, especially when cut scenes are involved, because you want to ensure the right variables or switches are used at the right time. If it can be pulled off, great! If not, then try something you know you can handle.

An example could be, the hero's class is chosen at the beginning of the game, but then you play all the side characters for the first part (aka Dragon Quest IV). Then, when the hero's chapter comes up, the story may begin differently, in a variety of possible towns with a variety of possible stories, depending on the class chosen. While the main story elements would stay the same, there would be minor differences that fit into his/her background for whatever class was chosen. This would create a need for replayability, so people can see all the different possible stories.