Anyone else think the zones we have are just too large?

In many cases, we often defer to the axiom "bigger is better." And while travel powers make the distance seem minimal (and in some cases, just plain fun), I find that I get bored of a zone well before I've explored it all and completed its quests. Include the fact that we often have to return to a zone at later levels for more of the same, and I rapidly lose interest in both the content available and the development of my character. In particular, the 20-25 levels returning to Canada and the Desert again make me want to start pulling hair, and that's when I usually find myself rolling another alt to replay the tutorial and crisis zones.

I'm not suggesting to shrink what we have now, but for future content I'd probably prefer more smaller zones rather than fewer large ones. Agree or disagree? Discuss.

I think they are fine. I have seen at least one other thread starter that said they are too small as is.

I don't know if I would say they are too large as much as I think they need 2 more zones the size of Canada and the Desert, each with a crisis section, making 4 zones coming in from tutorial to choose from.

I think if you could play through with one character doing Desert and Canada, then play through with another doing the other 2 zones, or any mix of the 4, that would help a lot.

I understand what you are saying though, and I think adding zones would help.

An issue is alts have to play the same areas each time. I have 12 characters going and it would be nice to have some follow different paths.

i have to say i like the larger zone size, although it can be a pain at later levels when you have a massive distance to travel back to sell/craft/hand in quests!

i've done most of my exploring on the character thats become my main, so i've not felt the need to do so much on the others, and i enjoy the exploration :) its part of the fun of a MMO for me

i've also found that my system, which isnt top of the line but is still quite a way above the min specs, does tend to have problems in areas with lots of people (always have done with MMO's) so a large zone with no more than 100 people in it gives me a lag-free experience unless i hit the major hubs, which i expect it in.

a smaller zone would require a smaller instance cap to keep this kind of performance issue to a minimum, and there's already people asking for the caps to be raised in the ones we already have, so it would either be a busy crowded small zone with potential for lag or a smooth playing small zone with not a lot of people in it.

either way you slice that a large part of the crowd is not going to be too happy.

i do find however that the little quest hubs dotted about the place in the desert and canada do seem to have a different "feel" to them, much like westside, city center and downtown all look very visually different. its not as pronounced as in MC mind, and even less so in the desert (which effectively ends once you do stronghold about 25ish) but its there, little changes in the lighting, the background etc, just helps it feel like its somewhere "new"

or maybe i'm bugnuts ^_^ thats been said before :)

I think Cryptic's going for a quality over quantity thing here, but that doesn't translate well to such an alt-friendly game. It's been debated a hundred times already, but I think a greater variety of zones would be hugely beneficial to this game.

It's still a new game, so we have to give it time. I personally do not subscribe to the theory that player-generated content (a la CoH) is a satisfactory substitute.

I think they're fine. I particularly like how they have 'pockets' of different styled environments. Burnside in the desert for example.

My personal preference would be to have lots of different sized zones. Some small, some large, some MASSIVE! Variety is the spice of life :D

Would love a huge outer space map which would repeat like asteroids - so if you went off the west side of the map, you'd re-enter on the east. Hehe.

I find the zone sizes feel realistic, it feel as i think it would if it were real. The city feels like a city and the wilderness feels wild. I dont think the fact you are getting bored has anything to do with the zone sizes.

If it were lots of smaller zones, you would probably feel more refreshed each time but might also get annoyed at keep having to use the port points between each, i have found that each area satisfies aprox 3-6 levels and its time to move on and return later.

Very good point.

I was thinking it was the opposite: the zones need to be larger. With rank 2 flight I can reach any point on the map in less then 2 minutes. I'm constantly butting into the invisible walls when flying around looking for citizens to help, or other pop-up mission. MC in particular needs more sub-areas to delve into, IMO.

I don't think bigger is always better. I don't think smaller is always better; there is enough staring at load screens. I think quality rather than quantity should be the focus; quantity will come with time.

Edit: I think your real issue also is with quality. "I rapidly lose interest in both the content available and the development of my character." I don't see any support for why you find the sprawl of the zone problematic.