Post by Morreion on Sept 10, 2010 9:08:04 GMT -5
The First 20 (Keen & Graev's Gaming Blog)
I think Keen is correct on this- in every one of those games he mentioned, I felt the same thing after level 20.
Keen talks about possible reasons for this- games being too linear, or the effort is meaningless and the levels come too quickly.
Some comments from the thread:
Maybe part of the reason for the 'after-20 blues' is that levels slow down too much in the exponential leveling system that is standard in the MMO world. I look forward to seeing what GW2 will bring with is linear leveling system, where it takes you the same length of time to gain every level.
Another factor may be that you often stop getting unique abilities when you enter the mid-level game- you just get updated versions of what you have already. This isn't as interesting.
And certainly the new/shiny factor starts wearing off. Maybe this has more to do with the fact that we've seen these games before and there's nothing unique or interesting enough to capture our attention anymore. Maybe the industry is stuck in a rut.
Of course, maybe after we've played several MMOs, it is possible we know all the tricks and that the wonder of the genre is greatly diminished because we're in on what the games are about now.
In recent MMO releases, the first 20 levels are often the best that the game has to offer. This was/is certainly the case with Vanguard, Age of Conan, Warhammer Online, an Aion. Each of these games started off strong then quickly tapered off. Whether it be a case of the game not being finished (VG/AoC), the best and most original content being expended early (WAR) or the true nature of the game being hidden until later (Aion), it’s certainly a reoccurring problem.
I think Keen is correct on this- in every one of those games he mentioned, I felt the same thing after level 20.
Keen talks about possible reasons for this- games being too linear, or the effort is meaningless and the levels come too quickly.
Some comments from the thread:
Overall what Im finding I miss the most now that I think back is the feeling of being offline and wondering what was going on in game. You always had the sense that just because you werent playing, the world and people playing in it were changing, with or without you. I dont get that sense in any games anymore. It doesnt matter if Im online or not. How often do you think, “I wonder whats going on in WoW right now? I hope Im not missing anything good going on.”
For me, the first third of any MMO is the “end game”. That’s where I’ve spent most of my many hours a week for years and where I will probably always be.
I love the simplicity. I love how my character begins with nothing and makes his way in the world, becoming self-sufficient and capable. That, and the exploration that comes with it, IS the game for me. Once my character is at the point where it’s all about incremental upgrades rather than fillin an empty slot or obtaining a completely new ability, then motivation fades.
Fortunately, I find the experience almost infinitely repeatable even within the same game. I must have done levels 1 – 20 in Everquest at least 50 times now and the only part that is less fun than the first time is the loss of new areas to explore while doing it.
I love the simplicity. I love how my character begins with nothing and makes his way in the world, becoming self-sufficient and capable. That, and the exploration that comes with it, IS the game for me. Once my character is at the point where it’s all about incremental upgrades rather than fillin an empty slot or obtaining a completely new ability, then motivation fades.
Fortunately, I find the experience almost infinitely repeatable even within the same game. I must have done levels 1 – 20 in Everquest at least 50 times now and the only part that is less fun than the first time is the loss of new areas to explore while doing it.
I think part of the problem is also the new/shiny factor. Most things that are novel are fun at the beginning, but you soon get bored of it and go back to your old standbys. Its not just in gaming, its anything. Now, sometimes games really do get worse later, you are right, but its compounded by the fact that just as you hit the grindy part, you are also getting sick of whatever the game had as a gimmick in the first place.
Maybe part of the reason for the 'after-20 blues' is that levels slow down too much in the exponential leveling system that is standard in the MMO world. I look forward to seeing what GW2 will bring with is linear leveling system, where it takes you the same length of time to gain every level.
Another factor may be that you often stop getting unique abilities when you enter the mid-level game- you just get updated versions of what you have already. This isn't as interesting.
And certainly the new/shiny factor starts wearing off. Maybe this has more to do with the fact that we've seen these games before and there's nothing unique or interesting enough to capture our attention anymore. Maybe the industry is stuck in a rut.
Of course, maybe after we've played several MMOs, it is possible we know all the tricks and that the wonder of the genre is greatly diminished because we're in on what the games are about now.
