The perils of MMO tourism

[Morreion]

The perils of MMO tourism

We've all found ourselves buying new games, playing them only until the trial is up, and then never picking them up again. Sometimes we don't even give them the full month. And some developers seem to be adopting this mentality as well -- there are rumors here and there about the future of Champions Online after its first month, and both publishers and players are treating it as if the first month is everything. (Their recent free trial seems to tie into this -- you could argue that where MMOs once got new players by word of mouth, they seem to be in love with constant trial offers to entice players now.) And that's just the tip of the problem, really -- the post goes into further detail about the cycle of hype, release, and abandonment. As it says, gone are the days when we should stick with the game that we had and wait for it to improve -- and that might ultimately be far more harmful than whatever holes in the game lead us to leave so quickly.

No doubt about it, the more MMOs there are the less tolerance I have for 'waiting around' to see if it gets better. Funny how back in the day I'd stick with a game much longer.

[Jaema]

"MMO Tourism" -- I'm glad there's a name for my syndrome anyway !

[Regolyth]

One of the posters got it right. It's about game "retention." Games now-a-days are too easy. Being so easy, people get bored quicker. With less substance to keep people playing (lack of a good story, IP, unique/original concepts), people leave quicker and quicker.

It also has to do with today's gamers. Back during the times of UO, EQ and even DAoC, gamers were more hardcore. They played games cause they were gamers. With today's crowd, the people brought into MMOs by WoW, you have people playing for to pass time, not because they really enjoy it. Or something to that effect.

[Oatik]

Speaking of trials, I read WAR now has an unlimited time trial for tier one. I think people are canceling now to go free play and twink up at level 11.

[Regolyth]

Yes they do. I haven't seen any twinking though.

[ariesel]

You know, I like Aion very much, but their lack of attention to the macro farming is really getting on my nerves. It's not that I'm getting bored with this game, it's that I have less tolerance now for bad customer service, which includes not designating a server as "roleplay".

[Rakul]

I agree! I've seen 7... count'em... SEVEN, personally eye-witnessed bots in under 24 hours. I reported two, and tried to report more, but it appears there are /petition hours of operation. hahaha

[Morreion]

More and more, I see Aion as a flawed game that could have been a big hit if only more common sense had been added. Bots and goldsellers aside, the Abyss PvP for levels 25-50? Uh, so be a punching bag for 20 levels and that's supposed to be fun PvP? DAoC battlegrounds solved this issue 7 or so years ago.

[Regolyth]

^ Agreed