Post by Morreion on Oct 16, 2009 7:56:55 GMT -5
Keen and Graev: We MMO Players are Natural Sprinters...
I was playing Aion today when I started to think how I felt at that exact moment about what I was doing in-game. I felt rushed. It’s not because I’m still only level 22 (about to hit 23) or because I want to get to the PvP or end-game content. It’s nothing about me personally — it’s how the game is designed. In fact, it’s how most mmos are designed now. Players are encouraged to think about moving forward. Don’t tell how it has to do with today’s mentality or any of that nonsense because a great deal of us are the same people today that we were 7-12 years ago but we still are feeling this way when we play.
I would like to see content extended again. Content should be leveled out so that it is no longer a vertical climb but a gradual incline of progression. We need more thought put into how players can slow down without feeling like the game is not supporting them in their decision. It would be goofy to expect people to stand around in Dalaran and just socialize because the rest of the game passes them by and punishes them (indirectly) for doing so. Interesting enough, socializing and building relationships were actually constructive use of your time years ago. Knowing people was just as important to me as my level or my sword back in the old days. I felt like I really accomplished something in a day if I made a friend. If I had a great group and we all added each other to the friends list then it was a diamond in the rough. I would benefit tremendously from socializing. That does not matter nearly as much today.
Developers: Slow the game down. Less vertical and more gradual/horizontal gameplay. Don’t pressure the players to always be moving forward at a pace that the game sets. Elongate the content. Don’t funnel so obviously and definitely do not indirectly punish players for not keeping up with themselves.
Players: Don’t resist the idea because you immediately associate slowing down with ‘going slow’ and ‘being bored’. Don’t think that I’m simply talking about a sandbox game. Be willing to give it a chance and think about how much fun it could be, and what you could do, if you didn’t have to worry all the time about what you’re doing with your time.
Developers: Slow the game down. Less vertical and more gradual/horizontal gameplay. Don’t pressure the players to always be moving forward at a pace that the game sets. Elongate the content. Don’t funnel so obviously and definitely do not indirectly punish players for not keeping up with themselves.
Players: Don’t resist the idea because you immediately associate slowing down with ‘going slow’ and ‘being bored’. Don’t think that I’m simply talking about a sandbox game. Be willing to give it a chance and think about how much fun it could be, and what you could do, if you didn’t have to worry all the time about what you’re doing with your time.
