The funny part about games like Ultima Online that some of the older folks moan about saying "those were the good old days," is that I've actually tried games like that and I ask in-chat after getting a house and seeing the PvP, and basically grinding skills until I succumb to boredom, "What else is there to do?" The reply, "Go level up skills."
This is the good ol' days that people are missing? Literally standing for hours and spamming buttons to just level one skill? I was totally blown away. I think a lot of people have rose tinted glasses on for older games like UO. The MMORPG genre really has progressed for the better and is continuing to do so in my opinion.
Well, you harvest, craft, pvp, build/decorate your house (block by block now, but use to have more options, and probably still does than any other released mmorpg), run a vendor if you choose, go hunt in a dungeon or area, and old UO had a lot of roleplaying events/guilds. Just didn't have the quest grind, it was a skill grind, that let you decide how you wanted to play. Of course their grind was longer, no leveling up your crafting skill to max in one session, or maxing out skills (instead of levels) in a short time. So sounds a lot like what I do in any other mmo I play, besides the quest treadmill, that imo usually is boring. So instead of artificially working on your character through boring quests, you actually went and played anywhere in the game you thought was fun to do it. I like the freedom personally to go decide where to play, without being penalized for not quest grinding for my time. Sure you don't have to quest grind, but that's like working 2 jobs at half the pay of your current one, not a good choice. If jumping off the quest mill only cost me 10-15% of my progression, I probably could deal with it, but it usually is a much steeper hit to not do the treadmill.
I have often gone back to play UO, but not a big fan of the new skill systems/synergies (bushido etc, and some other aspects).
So you can make something sound stupid, like "literally standing for hours and spamming buttons to just level one skill", which if that's what you do to play a mmorpg, that is your fault, you could of leveled skills by going to dungeons and other areas, or even pvp/dueling. I could say, "I leveled by doing teadious kill 50 rats, plant 10 seeds, deliver mail, pick flowers, and putting out fire with water quests, instead of going out and exploring the world and adventuring, I don't play mmorpgs to be the towns handyman!"
I check this site like once 6 months to see what's happening in the industry, but I don't want to hang around here anymore, I end up deleting every account. This forum remains to me one of the most unhappy forums I know. It's not aggressive attitudes or trolling. Just the unhappiness and unfulfillment. It's the same year after year. There's always new awesome sandbox or themepark coming in year or two, that ends up being crap in the end of the day despite the promises. There's few posters who seem to stick around like glue, I don't understand how or why you guys do it. There doesn't seem to be a corner of this forum that isn't about unhappiness and attempts to fulfill something with something that doesn't exist (yet?). Endless fantasies of ideal games that don't exist or maybe at best existed a decade ago in the desired form.
It's not like I don't feel like a lot of you guys, but I also figured sometimes I have to just give up and give it time. I have kept a 4 year break from MMORPG's and it's been good. I might play again if or when there is an appropriate time and an appropriate game. I don't feel so strongly about it, I'm happy (happier really) without a MMORPG.
I could get a gaming capable PC or PS3 and fire up FFXIV:ARR, it would today probably fulfill my desires for a MMORPG to great extent, I don't expect much. But... I'm rather without all that, there is a lot of other stuff in life to keep busy with.
Originally posted by iridescence And even applied to games, the idea that it's the player's fault the game is not enjoyable is pretty idiotic.
Exactly! It is the game's fault if I do not enjoy it, not mine. The degree of like/dislike I have some control over, though.
- Al
Personally the only modern MMORPG trend that annoys me is the idea that MMOs need to be designed in a way to attract people who don't actually like MMOs. Which to me makes about as much sense as someone trying to figure out a way to get vegetarians to eat at their steakhouse. - FARGIN_WAR
Actually UO was one of the few MMORPGs that I've played where I didn't sense any grind (in my playstyle that is) to reach a certain level. I just explored and did things and my stats increased accordingly. It was exciting to be able to finally tackle that ettin solo, or tame a great hart, or buy a boat and explore further.
Quest hubs and levelled zones feel much more of a grind to me.
Originally posted by Razeekster The funny part about games like Ultima Online that some of the older folks moan about saying "those were the good old days," is that I've actually tried games like that and I ask in-chat after getting a house and seeing the PvP, and basically grinding skills until I succumb to boredom, "What else is there to do?" The reply, "Go level up skills."This is the good ol' days that people are missing? Literally standing for hours and spamming buttons to just level one skill? I was totally blown away. I think a lot of people have rose tinted glasses on for older games like UO. The MMORPG genre really has progressed for the better and is continuing to do so in my opinion.
For me, what today's MMOs lack is replayability. The old games were so replayable, it kept us playing for years, even decades. Each new character could give a player a new experience. Also, it took longer to "feel finished" with a character back then, so playing for years was not that hard.
$30 (each) got me playing EQ1 and CoH. I played for 3 years in EQ and about 8 years in CoH. I had multiple characters on multiple servers in each game. Each one gave me a new experience.
I spent $60 for GW2. It kept me interested for 6 weeks. No replayability at all. My first character went to nearly all the maps and did just about all the quests.
- Al
Personally the only modern MMORPG trend that annoys me is the idea that MMOs need to be designed in a way to attract people who don't actually like MMOs. Which to me makes about as much sense as someone trying to figure out a way to get vegetarians to eat at their steakhouse. - FARGIN_WAR
Originally posted by ryvendark People will always tell you they know whats best... its only in hind site that they wish they took that advice.
Yeah, but if you havn't enjoyed a MMO for years and havn't stayed in any game released after Wow for more than a week you might consider if being here is a good use of your time....
Which is fine, to a certain degree, but what if MMOs are the only content-rich genre of games out there. SP games, which honestly, I'd much rather be playing, are too short. You can blow through most of them in a couple of weeks. Then what? Wait months for another good one to come out? The ONLY thing most MMOs have going for them is that there's a ton of stuff to do. They are time-wasters. That's all. They give you something to do while waiting for decent games to actually be released.
It's not a good use of my time but it is about the only choice I and many people have if we want to play video games.
SP games, which honestly, I'd much rather be playing, are too short. You can blow through most of them in a couple of weeks. Then what? Wait months for another good one to come out?
First of all, there are SP games that last much longer (D3, Skyrim, Fallout, ....).
Secondly, even if one game last couple of weeks (say 6), you can only play fewer than 9 a year, on average. You are telling me there are less than 9 games you like coming out a year, in *all* genre?
Then what? Read a book? Binge watch a netflix series? There are tons of fun things to do.
SP games, which honestly, I'd much rather be playing, are too short. You can blow through most of them in a couple of weeks. Then what? Wait months for another good one to come out?
First of all, there are SP games that last much longer (D3, Skyrim, Fallout, ....).
Secondly, even if one game last couple of weeks (say 6), you can only play fewer than 9 a year, on average. You are telling me there are less than 9 games you like coming out a year, in *all* genre?
Then what? Read a book? Binge watch a netflix series? There are tons of fun things to do.
Played those. Now what? And I don't want to play D3, I don't play any PvP games under any circumstances. And yes, there just aren't that many *GOOD* games that come out. Lots of games, most of them shit. And I specifically limited it to video games. There's lots of other things to do, but if I want to play a game, there isn't enough out there to do if you just eliminate MMOs.
SP games, which honestly, I'd much rather be playing, are too short. You can blow through most of them in a couple of weeks. Then what? Wait months for another good one to come out?
First of all, there are SP games that last much longer (D3, Skyrim, Fallout, ....).
Secondly, even if one game last couple of weeks (say 6), you can only play fewer than 9 a year, on average. You are telling me there are less than 9 games you like coming out a year, in *all* genre?
Then what? Read a book? Binge watch a netflix series? There are tons of fun things to do.
Played those. Now what? And I don't want to play D3, I don't play any PvP games under any circumstances. And yes, there just aren't that many *GOOD* games that come out. Lots of games, most of them shit. And I specifically limited it to video games. There's lots of other things to do, but if I want to play a game, there isn't enough out there to do if you just eliminate MMOs.
Interesting we both kinda noticed the same thing at the same time.
I just feel there is more to it than just burn out.
I've always said video games effect the brain the same way narcotics does.
They create endorphins which in turn effect serotonin levels.
They are addictive just like a narcotic.
I think what we are feeling and seeing are the results of years of video game addiction coming to a head.
The brain is working just the same way it does in a drug addict, you constantly need a bigger and bigger fix to get that serotonin release, and the problem is video games have nowhere to go.
Video games can't really increase the fix, so our brains and bodies are freaking out just like they do in a drug addict that can not get the fix they need.
That was pretty deep Psilic but interesting.
Ya, he is right in a way. It's like being an alcoholic, you start out with one or two to get that happy feeling, then you become more immune and have to drink more for the same feeling. Games can be the same way I suppose.
There actually is hard science to support what I am saying.
I am having a hard time finding it online, but I read a lot, and read a study years ago based on pinball and slot machines on brain chemistry.
The companies that fabricate the machines actually employ scientists and test tones, light sequences, light patterns, on and on to try and achieve optimal serotonin levels to produce addictive behaviour.
Casinos have been using the science for years and years.
Recently studies have been done on gamers and they have found out we have addict brains.
The funny part about games like Ultima Online that some of the older folks moan about saying "those were the good old days," is that I've actually tried games like that and I ask in-chat after getting a house and seeing the PvP, and basically grinding skills until I succumb to boredom, "What else is there to do?" The reply, "Go level up skills."
This is the good ol' days that people are missing? Literally standing for hours and spamming buttons to just level one skill? I was totally blown away. I think a lot of people have rose tinted glasses on for older games like UO. The MMORPG genre really has progressed for the better and is continuing to do so in my opinion.
Well, you harvest, craft, pvp, build/decorate your house (block by block now, but use to have more options, and probably still does than any other released mmorpg), run a vendor if you choose, go hunt in a dungeon or area, and old UO had a lot of roleplaying events/guilds. Just didn't have the quest grind, it was a skill grind, that let you decide how you wanted to play. Of course their grind was longer, no leveling up your crafting skill to max in one session, or maxing out skills (instead of levels) in a short time. So sounds a lot like what I do in any other mmo I play, besides the quest treadmill, that imo usually is boring. So instead of artificially working on your character through boring quests, you actually went and played anywhere in the game you thought was fun to do it. I like the freedom personally to go decide where to play, without being penalized for not quest grinding for my time. Sure you don't have to quest grind, but that's like working 2 jobs at half the pay of your current one, not a good choice. If jumping off the quest mill only cost me 10-15% of my progression, I probably could deal with it, but it usually is a much steeper hit to not do the treadmill.
I have often gone back to play UO, but not a big fan of the new skill systems/synergies (bushido etc, and some other aspects).
So you can make something sound stupid, like "literally standing for hours and spamming buttons to just level one skill", which if that's what you do to play a mmorpg, that is your fault, you could of leveled skills by going to dungeons and other areas, or even pvp/dueling. I could say, "I leveled by doing teadious kill 50 rats, plant 10 seeds, deliver mail, pick flowers, and putting out fire with water quests, instead of going out and exploring the world and adventuring, I don't play mmorpgs to be the towns handyman!"
Some of the skills if you tried to level up by doing anything but spamming them, they would take you years to level up so I find your examples kind of irrelevant. Some skills there is no "natural" way like through PvP. Also, not everyone enjoys PvP so that takes out an option right there.
Housing in UO is flawed in my opinion since no new land is added so when I tried it out I could only have a small tiny house that really didn't provide me much space to do anything with, since most spaces have been overtaken by others. Do players that are no longer subscribed get to keep their housing space still or something? I just couldn't see why with such a low population decent spaces for houses were lacking, unless that was the case (which is a very bad system).
The funny part about games like Ultima Online that some of the older folks moan about saying "those were the good old days," is that I've actually tried games like that and I ask in-chat after getting a house and seeing the PvP, and basically grinding skills until I succumb to boredom, "What else is there to do?" The reply, "Go level up skills."
This is the good ol' days that people are missing? Literally standing for hours and spamming buttons to just level one skill? I was totally blown away. I think a lot of people have rose tinted glasses on for older games like UO. The MMORPG genre really has progressed for the better and is continuing to do so in my opinion.
Well, you harvest, craft, pvp, build/decorate your house (block by block now, but use to have more options, and probably still does than any other released mmorpg), run a vendor if you choose, go hunt in a dungeon or area, and old UO had a lot of roleplaying events/guilds. Just didn't have the quest grind, it was a skill grind, that let you decide how you wanted to play. Of course their grind was longer, no leveling up your crafting skill to max in one session, or maxing out skills (instead of levels) in a short time. So sounds a lot like what I do in any other mmo I play, besides the quest treadmill, that imo usually is boring. So instead of artificially working on your character through boring quests, you actually went and played anywhere in the game you thought was fun to do it. I like the freedom personally to go decide where to play, without being penalized for not quest grinding for my time. Sure you don't have to quest grind, but that's like working 2 jobs at half the pay of your current one, not a good choice. If jumping off the quest mill only cost me 10-15% of my progression, I probably could deal with it, but it usually is a much steeper hit to not do the treadmill.
I have often gone back to play UO, but not a big fan of the new skill systems/synergies (bushido etc, and some other aspects).
So you can make something sound stupid, like "literally standing for hours and spamming buttons to just level one skill", which if that's what you do to play a mmorpg, that is your fault, you could of leveled skills by going to dungeons and other areas, or even pvp/dueling. I could say, "I leveled by doing teadious kill 50 rats, plant 10 seeds, deliver mail, pick flowers, and putting out fire with water quests, instead of going out and exploring the world and adventuring, I don't play mmorpgs to be the towns handyman!"
Some of the skills if you tried to level up by doing anything but spamming them, they would take you years to level up so I find your examples kind of irrelevant. Some skills there is no "natural" way like through PvP. Also, not everyone enjoys PvP so that takes out an option right there.
Housing in UO is flawed in my opinion since no new land is added so when I tried it out I could only have a small tiny house that really didn't provide me much space to do anything with, since most spaces have been overtaken by others. Do players that are no longer subscribed get to keep their housing space still or something? I just couldn't see why with such a low population decent spaces for houses were lacking, unless that was the case (which is a very bad system).
No, people do not get to keep housing, there are a lot of people that actually go around and check for houses that are about to collapse, which you can often place keeps and towers at those spots. All the stuff inside the house also falls to the ground, so it is a free for all to scoop it up. The wife just remembered, it was called IDOC hunting, which is In Danger Of Collapsing, you get like a 12-24 window or some such, so it is somewhat random when it will happen. You can grab loot and a nice spot to place a big house/keep/tower usually. Also, the only skill I know that they made too much of a pain, was maybe fishing to GM, but everything else is not a big deal imo. Which also brings up the treasure hunting that you get the message in a bottle and treasure maps off of mobs. If you are standing in one spot, hitting one button, you have only yourself to blame.
Interesting we both kinda noticed the same thing at the same time.
I just feel there is more to it than just burn out.
I've always said video games effect the brain the same way narcotics does.
They create endorphins which in turn effect serotonin levels.
They are addictive just like a narcotic.
I think what we are feeling and seeing are the results of years of video game addiction coming to a head.
The brain is working just the same way it does in a drug addict, you constantly need a bigger and bigger fix to get that serotonin release, and the problem is video games have nowhere to go.
Video games can't really increase the fix, so our brains and bodies are freaking out just like they do in a drug addict that can not get the fix they need.
truth
"Beliefs don't change facts. Facts, if you're reasonable, should change your beliefs."
"The Society that separates its scholars from its warriors will have its thinking done by cowards and its fighting by fools."
Currently: Games Audio Engineer, you didn't hear what I heard, you heard what I wanted you to hear.
Originally posted by Razeekster The funny part about games like Ultima Online that some of the older folks moan about saying "those were the good old days," is that I've actually tried games like that and I ask in-chat after getting a house and seeing the PvP, and basically grinding skills until I succumb to boredom, "What else is there to do?" The reply, "Go level up skills."
This is the good ol' days that people are missing? Literally standing for hours and spamming buttons to just level one skill? I was totally blown away. I think a lot of people have rose tinted glasses on for older games like UO. The MMORPG genre really has progressed for the better and is continuing to do so in my opinion.
For me, what today's MMOs lack is replayability. The old games were so replayable, it kept us playing for years, even decades. Each new character could give a player a new experience. Also, it took longer to "feel finished" with a character back then, so playing for years was not that hard.
$30 (each) got me playing EQ1 and CoH. I played for 3 years in EQ and about 8 years in CoH. I had multiple characters on multiple servers in each game. Each one gave me a new experience.
I spent $60 for GW2. It kept me interested for 6 weeks. No replayability at all. My first character went to nearly all the maps and did just about all the quests.
Have to agree, my big addiction was EQ2 from launch until it was watered down in around 07/08, SWG my other. It was a happy time i had both and it was hard to juggle both games, nowadays you could easily manage a dozen.
It's not only the replayability it was almost essential to have to get into a good guild to fully experience the game and advance your toons in any meaningful way, in this process you make really good ingame friends which adds an entire new level to the mmo game, which you just don't get with today's super solo casual games. Here i'm playing firefall and loving it, because its fresh, lots o grinding and i'm thinking the smaller niche community really is a benifit, starting to know other players, with new games and content locust, well... again you don't get that player level of mmo.
My faith is my shield! - Turalyon 2022
Your legend ends here and now! - (Battles Won Long Ago)
Interesting we both kinda noticed the same thing at the same time.
I just feel there is more to it than just burn out.
I've always said video games effect the brain the same way narcotics does.
They create endorphins which in turn effect serotonin levels.
They are addictive just like a narcotic.
I think what we are feeling and seeing are the results of years of video game addiction coming to a head.
The brain is working just the same way it does in a drug addict, you constantly need a bigger and bigger fix to get that serotonin release, and the problem is video games have nowhere to go.
Video games can't really increase the fix, so our brains and bodies are freaking out just like they do in a drug addict that can not get the fix they need.
truth
Bullshit !
A lot of people take breaks from games. And when I mean a lot, I mean like most of them. Sure , there are those type of ...gamers who .. this is what they do all the time ( almost ). But there are also people who work all the time ( almost ), watching movies, cooking , driving ( trucks drivers especially and yes, there are many who likes to do this 6 days a week ) painting , etc.
So no, you can't compare games with drugs. Not even with cigarettes when one needs cigarettes daily , to smoke! ( I am talking about real smokers ) .
Also, I don't believe the brain is affected by playing video games, the way .. narcotics does. Bullshit again.
Where do you get your theories from? Or what have you been smoking?
SP games, which honestly, I'd much rather be playing, are too short. You can blow through most of them in a couple of weeks. Then what? Wait months for another good one to come out?
First of all, there are SP games that last much longer (D3, Skyrim, Fallout, ....).
Secondly, even if one game last couple of weeks (say 6), you can only play fewer than 9 a year, on average. You are telling me there are less than 9 games you like coming out a year, in *all* genre?
Then what? Read a book? Binge watch a netflix series? There are tons of fun things to do.
Played those. Now what? And I don't want to play D3, I don't play any PvP games under any circumstances. And yes, there just aren't that many *GOOD* games that come out. Lots of games, most of them shit. And I specifically limited it to video games. There's lots of other things to do, but if I want to play a game, there isn't enough out there to do if you just eliminate MMOs.
D3 is a PVP only game? I suggest you look again.
Okay, PvP and/or group games. It's really difficult to play solo, which is the only way I play. So no, not interested in D3.
Comments
Well, you harvest, craft, pvp, build/decorate your house (block by block now, but use to have more options, and probably still does than any other released mmorpg), run a vendor if you choose, go hunt in a dungeon or area, and old UO had a lot of roleplaying events/guilds. Just didn't have the quest grind, it was a skill grind, that let you decide how you wanted to play. Of course their grind was longer, no leveling up your crafting skill to max in one session, or maxing out skills (instead of levels) in a short time. So sounds a lot like what I do in any other mmo I play, besides the quest treadmill, that imo usually is boring. So instead of artificially working on your character through boring quests, you actually went and played anywhere in the game you thought was fun to do it. I like the freedom personally to go decide where to play, without being penalized for not quest grinding for my time. Sure you don't have to quest grind, but that's like working 2 jobs at half the pay of your current one, not a good choice. If jumping off the quest mill only cost me 10-15% of my progression, I probably could deal with it, but it usually is a much steeper hit to not do the treadmill.
I have often gone back to play UO, but not a big fan of the new skill systems/synergies (bushido etc, and some other aspects).
So you can make something sound stupid, like "literally standing for hours and spamming buttons to just level one skill", which if that's what you do to play a mmorpg, that is your fault, you could of leveled skills by going to dungeons and other areas, or even pvp/dueling. I could say, "I leveled by doing teadious kill 50 rats, plant 10 seeds, deliver mail, pick flowers, and putting out fire with water quests, instead of going out and exploring the world and adventuring, I don't play mmorpgs to be the towns handyman!"
I check this site like once 6 months to see what's happening in the industry, but I don't want to hang around here anymore, I end up deleting every account. This forum remains to me one of the most unhappy forums I know. It's not aggressive attitudes or trolling. Just the unhappiness and unfulfillment. It's the same year after year. There's always new awesome sandbox or themepark coming in year or two, that ends up being crap in the end of the day despite the promises. There's few posters who seem to stick around like glue, I don't understand how or why you guys do it. There doesn't seem to be a corner of this forum that isn't about unhappiness and attempts to fulfill something with something that doesn't exist (yet?). Endless fantasies of ideal games that don't exist or maybe at best existed a decade ago in the desired form.
It's not like I don't feel like a lot of you guys, but I also figured sometimes I have to just give up and give it time. I have kept a 4 year break from MMORPG's and it's been good. I might play again if or when there is an appropriate time and an appropriate game. I don't feel so strongly about it, I'm happy (happier really) without a MMORPG.
I could get a gaming capable PC or PS3 and fire up FFXIV:ARR, it would today probably fulfill my desires for a MMORPG to great extent, I don't expect much. But... I'm rather without all that, there is a lot of other stuff in life to keep busy with.
- Al
Personally the only modern MMORPG trend that annoys me is the idea that MMOs need to be designed in a way to attract people who don't actually like MMOs. Which to me makes about as much sense as someone trying to figure out a way to get vegetarians to eat at their steakhouse.- FARGIN_WAR
Actually UO was one of the few MMORPGs that I've played where I didn't sense any grind (in my playstyle that is) to reach a certain level. I just explored and did things and my stats increased accordingly. It was exciting to be able to finally tackle that ettin solo, or tame a great hart, or buy a boat and explore further.
Quest hubs and levelled zones feel much more of a grind to me.
$30 (each) got me playing EQ1 and CoH. I played for 3 years in EQ and about 8 years in CoH. I had multiple characters on multiple servers in each game. Each one gave me a new experience.
I spent $60 for GW2. It kept me interested for 6 weeks. No replayability at all. My first character went to nearly all the maps and did just about all the quests.
- Al
Personally the only modern MMORPG trend that annoys me is the idea that MMOs need to be designed in a way to attract people who don't actually like MMOs. Which to me makes about as much sense as someone trying to figure out a way to get vegetarians to eat at their steakhouse.- FARGIN_WAR
Which is fine, to a certain degree, but what if MMOs are the only content-rich genre of games out there. SP games, which honestly, I'd much rather be playing, are too short. You can blow through most of them in a couple of weeks. Then what? Wait months for another good one to come out? The ONLY thing most MMOs have going for them is that there's a ton of stuff to do. They are time-wasters. That's all. They give you something to do while waiting for decent games to actually be released.
It's not a good use of my time but it is about the only choice I and many people have if we want to play video games.
Played: UO, EQ, WoW, DDO, SWG, AO, CoH, EvE, TR, AoC, GW, GA, Aion, Allods, lots more
Relatively Recently (Re)Played: HL2 (all), Halo (PC, all), Batman:AA; AC, ME, BS, DA, FO3, DS, Doom (all), LFD1&2, KOTOR, Portal 1&2, Blink, Elder Scrolls (all), lots more
Now Playing: None
Hope: None
First of all, there are SP games that last much longer (D3, Skyrim, Fallout, ....).
Secondly, even if one game last couple of weeks (say 6), you can only play fewer than 9 a year, on average. You are telling me there are less than 9 games you like coming out a year, in *all* genre?
Then what? Read a book? Binge watch a netflix series? There are tons of fun things to do.
lol, Netflix = Chickflix
You can only look at Jensen Ackles ass for so long and even that gets boring.
*evil grins*
Played those. Now what? And I don't want to play D3, I don't play any PvP games under any circumstances. And yes, there just aren't that many *GOOD* games that come out. Lots of games, most of them shit. And I specifically limited it to video games. There's lots of other things to do, but if I want to play a game, there isn't enough out there to do if you just eliminate MMOs.
Played: UO, EQ, WoW, DDO, SWG, AO, CoH, EvE, TR, AoC, GW, GA, Aion, Allods, lots more
Relatively Recently (Re)Played: HL2 (all), Halo (PC, all), Batman:AA; AC, ME, BS, DA, FO3, DS, Doom (all), LFD1&2, KOTOR, Portal 1&2, Blink, Elder Scrolls (all), lots more
Now Playing: None
Hope: None
D3 is a PVP only game? I suggest you look again.
There actually is hard science to support what I am saying.
I am having a hard time finding it online, but I read a lot, and read a study years ago based on pinball and slot machines on brain chemistry.
The companies that fabricate the machines actually employ scientists and test tones, light sequences, light patterns, on and on to try and achieve optimal serotonin levels to produce addictive behaviour.
Casinos have been using the science for years and years.
Recently studies have been done on gamers and they have found out we have addict brains.
http://www.livescience.com/17033-gamer-brain-reward-system.html
Some of the skills if you tried to level up by doing anything but spamming them, they would take you years to level up so I find your examples kind of irrelevant. Some skills there is no "natural" way like through PvP. Also, not everyone enjoys PvP so that takes out an option right there.
Housing in UO is flawed in my opinion since no new land is added so when I tried it out I could only have a small tiny house that really didn't provide me much space to do anything with, since most spaces have been overtaken by others. Do players that are no longer subscribed get to keep their housing space still or something? I just couldn't see why with such a low population decent spaces for houses were lacking, unless that was the case (which is a very bad system).
Smile
No, people do not get to keep housing, there are a lot of people that actually go around and check for houses that are about to collapse, which you can often place keeps and towers at those spots. All the stuff inside the house also falls to the ground, so it is a free for all to scoop it up. The wife just remembered, it was called IDOC hunting, which is In Danger Of Collapsing, you get like a 12-24 window or some such, so it is somewhat random when it will happen. You can grab loot and a nice spot to place a big house/keep/tower usually. Also, the only skill I know that they made too much of a pain, was maybe fishing to GM, but everything else is not a big deal imo. Which also brings up the treasure hunting that you get the message in a bottle and treasure maps off of mobs. If you are standing in one spot, hitting one button, you have only yourself to blame.
truth
"The Society that separates its scholars from its warriors will have its thinking done by cowards and its fighting by fools."
Currently: Games Audio Engineer, you didn't hear what I heard, you heard what I wanted you to hear.
Have to agree, my big addiction was EQ2 from launch until it was watered down in around 07/08, SWG my other. It was a happy time i had both and it was hard to juggle both games, nowadays you could easily manage a dozen.
It's not only the replayability it was almost essential to have to get into a good guild to fully experience the game and advance your toons in any meaningful way, in this process you make really good ingame friends which adds an entire new level to the mmo game, which you just don't get with today's super solo casual games. Here i'm playing firefall and loving it, because its fresh, lots o grinding and i'm thinking the smaller niche community really is a benifit, starting to know other players, with new games and content locust, well... again you don't get that player level of mmo.
Bullshit !
A lot of people take breaks from games. And when I mean a lot, I mean like most of them. Sure , there are those type of ...gamers who .. this is what they do all the time ( almost ). But there are also people who work all the time ( almost ), watching movies, cooking , driving ( trucks drivers especially and yes, there are many who likes to do this 6 days a week ) painting , etc.
So no, you can't compare games with drugs. Not even with cigarettes when one needs cigarettes daily , to smoke! ( I am talking about real smokers ) .
Also, I don't believe the brain is affected by playing video games, the way .. narcotics does. Bullshit again.
Where do you get your theories from? Or what have you been smoking?
Okay, PvP and/or group games. It's really difficult to play solo, which is the only way I play. So no, not interested in D3.
Played: UO, EQ, WoW, DDO, SWG, AO, CoH, EvE, TR, AoC, GW, GA, Aion, Allods, lots more
Relatively Recently (Re)Played: HL2 (all), Halo (PC, all), Batman:AA; AC, ME, BS, DA, FO3, DS, Doom (all), LFD1&2, KOTOR, Portal 1&2, Blink, Elder Scrolls (all), lots more
Now Playing: None
Hope: None