well... Some do, and some don'tIf i see a guy with a problem and then find better way to take advantage of the problem i'm hardly blameless...
But the original idea was that MMO's are a rat trap taking people away from other PC games... the article was just there to make a point. Someone tell me how you don't find it mind numbingly boring already...
He may be proud, but I'm jealous.My first ignore ever. You should be proud.
Except that people have made nicotine free cigarettes. It's just no one wants them, they don't reduce the "fix" one craves that requires nicotine. People that no longer smoke in general see no point in puffing on something if it's not going to give you some physical reaction (whether a high or a craving).But it's not like they can take out the nicotine without no longer making cigarettes...
Why do we need to justify it for you? What is that going to accomplish? I can give you a bullet list of every reason I play, going down for a page, and it wouldn't matter to you.Someone tell me how you don't find it mind numbingly boring already...
Anyone can smoke something else, my point was that it would be another product... if they start selling pot tomorrow they would be something else. Should have said tobacco companies, that being the proper apelation too.Except that people have made nicotine free cigarettes. It's just no one wants them, they don't reduce the "fix" one craves that requires nicotine. People that no longer smoke in general see no point in puffing on something if it's not going to give you some physical reaction (whether a high or a craving).
So i can laugh at your feeble self justifications of course... >Why do we need to justify it for you? What is that going to accomplish? I can give you a bullet list of every reason I play, going down for a page, and it wouldn't matter to you.
Communities are there for MP games too you know... some of which require little repetitive grinding for loot.Math242 said:it may be a rat trap but the community is a huge factor as to why people keep playing.
Bingo. that is what I was trying to say, but you are much better than meYou guys do realize (and the article does point this out) that Skinnerian timed-rewards structure underlies most games, right? :suspicious:
Even something like Braid is specifically designed in such a way that players achieve a reward result within a specific time period to induce them to continue playing.
Current MMOs are just much more blatant about it. Not saying it's not a problem, but anyone who thinks this hasn't applied to video games from their inception is fooling themselves.
The discussion on this topic in game design is less, "should games have that kind of reward structure?" and much more, "to what level of gameplay is the dominance of that structure acceptable as a design feature?"
And the more they use it the more boring it is...You guys do realize (and the article does point this out) that Skinnerian timed-rewards structure underlies most games, right? :suspicious:
And the more they use it the more boring it is...[/QUOTE]You guys do realize (and the article does point this out) that Skinnerian timed-rewards structure underlies most games, right? :suspicious:
See for me if the gameplay in between is boring the good reward doesn't make it any better, even if i plough through it because i want to see the story... that's the thing, that type of reward system is all about not enjoying the parts in between the rewards, if you did it wouldn't really matter if you got the reward or not, it would just be a nice bonus.Do you like stories? the reward could be the next story plot (popular in Japanese game and thus more stories and less fighting)
again, that is just what YOU feel about a certain game. Dave's comment is a perfect example. I love mining in EVE. I love building stuff. To me, that is a lot of fun. To many people who actually enjoy more in terms of fighting, ratting or exploring would totally consider mining in EVE boring and wouldn't touch it, but there are players who are more than happy to fill up that need and mine ALL DAY, day in and day out for years gathering minerals.More like how repetitive grinding is ruining it regardless of it's success.
See for me if the gameplay in between is boring the good reward doesn't make it any better, even if i plough through it because i want to see the story... that's the thing, that type of reward system is all about not enjoying the parts in between the rewards, if you did it wouldn't really matter if you got the reward or not, it would just be a nice bonus.Do you like stories? the reward could be the next story plot (popular in Japanese game and thus more stories and less fighting)
you don't think it is boring, but other think they are like you think some MMORPG are boring. It all comes down to taste, but in this OP/article. It comes down to self control. There are people around the world that shouldn't have access to games like that cause they have no self control. What we have so far?Why would i think Bejeweled is boring?! It's a puzzle game, you enjoy it for the mental challenge...
As for sales, i think it was JCM that liked to bring up Britney Spears when it comes to that...
That is an arguement of personal quality, not enjoyment. I hate Spears music, but I am a person that prefers Alice In Chains or Disturbed then the latest pop sensation.As for sales, i think it was JCM that liked to bring up Britney Spears when it comes to that...
well.. again.. the forum usually contain a small fraction of people. Unless over 10 million subscriber post on the forum.. heck... a million would be good stats, but usually they are less (I don't have hard numbers) Like any entertainment, you have a choice to subscribe/play or not to play. No one if forcing you to play (well.... they can "force" you to raid like my guild which cause me to quit but that is a different story) it is matter of choice. WoW subsciption continue to grow for some reason. The article proves that the method works and people still play.Chibi, I never said people couldn't find different things enjoyable. If you like it, by all means do it. But that also doesn't change the oddness of playing beyond the fun threshold, which I think a lot of WoW players do, evidenced by the many posts of that nature here and at other forums I frequent, and by the constant mantra "it gets better at the end".
And then you have people like me that find both enjoyable.The "fun" threshold is still a personal level. I found it fun from level 1 to 80 with my pally, but I don't find end game as much fun. I'm one of the few. Some players believe end game is where it at and it is fun for them.
And then you have people like me that find both enjoyable.[/QUOTE]The "fun" threshold is still a personal level. I found it fun from level 1 to 80 with my pally, but I don't find end game as much fun. I'm one of the few. Some players believe end game is where it at and it is fun for them.
That is an arguement of personal quality, not enjoyment. I hate Spears music, but I am a person that prefers Alice In Chains or Disturbed then the latest pop sensation.As for sales, i think it was JCM that liked to bring up Britney Spears when it comes to that...
Exactly, that's the problem with the rat maze, you do it because of the cheese at the end, and frankly that's too much like work for me.Chibi, I never said people couldn't find different things enjoyable. If you like it, by all means do it. But that also doesn't change the oddness of playing beyond the fun threshold, which I think a lot of WoW players do, evidenced by the many posts of that nature here and at other forums I frequent, and by the constant mantra "it gets better at the end".
Oh, so you speak for millions of people now? People do enjoy repetitive tasks, otherwise things like Bejeweled wouldn't exist. You call Bejeweled a "puzzle" game, but the nature of that puzzle game is to shift little colored shapes over and over and over and over again add infinitium with the only real strategy to be anticipating combos. I get the same stimulation out of healing Morrowgar on ICC25 man that I do playing Bejeweled, and yes, I play Bejeweled constantly.Except that they don't enjoy it, they enjoy the timed rewards, which is why it's BS... unless people actually enjoy doing repetitive tasks over and over, then nuking it from orbit is the only option.
And seriously, comparing puzzle games to "kill x number of y over and over" is rather ridiculous. In one i'm challenging my mind while in the other i'm basically working towards a paycheck... sure, playing Bejeweled all day gets boring eventually, but so does everything at some point.
That is called changing tastes.As for enjoying Britney Spears, i know a lot of people who listened to a local style of music in highschool that once they actually didn't need to fit in anymore as they belonged now they all started realising how much that music sucked... or so they claimed... so excise me if i'm doubtful about people actually enjoying the music instead of just following their herd instinct.
Not everyone does it for the cheese. Some of us do it for the maze. The cheese is just the cherry on top.Exactly, that's the problem with the rat maze, you do it because of the cheese at the end, and frankly that's too much like work for me.
And a shooter is all about clicking and using the directional buttons, and any sport is all about moving your limbs around... if you over generalize like that everything is about doing certain actions over and over.Oh, so you speak for millions of people now? People do enjoy repetitive tasks, otherwise things like Bejeweled wouldn't exist. You call Bejeweled a "puzzle" game, but the nature of that puzzle game is to shift little colored shapes over and over and over and over again add infinitium with the only real strategy to be anticipating combos. I get the same stimulation out of healing Morrowgar on ICC25 man that I do playing Bejeweled, and yes, I play Bejeweled constantly.
Are you actually implying that there are humans that wouldn't eventually get bored with doing the same thing over and over unless it was part of an addiction?! Even MMO's offer some variation in what activities you are engaged in for that very reason.Everything CAN get boring after awhile, but it does not always mean it will. There is not absolutism in this Liam, but your personal opinion on what "should" become boring.
You obviously never heard of "manele"... Britney Spears is nothing compared to them...That is called changing tastes.
I used to listen to Metallica and Blink 182. I now only semi-enjoy Metallica music and turn Blink 182 off when I hear it. Does this mean I didn't enjoy the music in high school? Not at all, I just realized later that I didn't like the music once I started hearing things from Disturbed, Motorhead, etc... Right now I listen every day to The Fame from Lady GaGa, and I enjoy it, but I know sooner or later as I age my taste is going to shift, right now I am really digging a band called Phoenix.
Does this mean somehow I didn't enjoy Blink 182 back then? No, I did, but after awhile when the interest faded, I moved on. I can't bring myself to play the original Mortal Kombat in this day and age, because I am not interested in fighting games like I was, but that does not mean I actually "hated" it when I played it as a kid, and just now realize I hated it.
Everyone loves to use the "herd" mentality as some wacky excuse to why they liked something that, now that they are older, they feel "embarrassed" having enjoyed. I don't buy that. You didn't put Britney Spears on your walkman, or go to her concert all alone, because you totally thought she sucked but wanted people to like you. If you did you seriously have problems that extend beyond gaming, music, or anything else.
You do realise that the whole point of the Skinner Box stuff is that you start "enjoying" the activity by association, right?!Not everyone does it for the cheese. Some of us do it for the maze. The cheese is just the cherry on top.
In the end though, I don't plan to change your mind. You can "rage" about how people playing a game are not actually enjoying them, but in the end I will still play and enjoy myself, as will my friends. On the day I don't enjoy the game, I will quit. You and your opinion are not really going to change that any better then I can convince you to see logic and reasoning.
So good luck with that.
Read the part about the chests in the cracked article... you actually telling me that clicking on chests over and over is enjoyable?! There are better ways to appeal to one's competitive impulses IMO.Not everyone does it for the cheese. Some of us do it for the maze. The cheese is just the cherry on top.
Hehe... I love mining too. I never sold any of my minerals either and don't mine mining for good mint (blah.. I tried) there are times I just mine hours upon hours just clicking and eating up another asteroid. I find NPC pirate annoying to interrupt my mining operation in high secI've said it before. I love mining in EvE. Most people find it boring. I find boring fun. (Get it? Boring? As in to bore for things? I crack myself up!)
Exactly, so what makes moving little boxes around more stimulating them healing 25 people in a raid? Nothing. That is your issue.And a shooter is all about clicking and using the directional buttons, and any sport is all about moving your limbs around... if you over generalize like that everything is about doing certain actions over and over.
What does it offer extra? A high score? I think your issue here is that you are making a flawed parallel. You blame me of "generalizing" games when you obviously are "generalizing" the MMO as nothing but a mind-numbing experience. You don't stand there and hit a button and the something dies, though that is possible in certain situations. When you raid, you have to be on your game with everything from rotations, to movement, to cooldown and GCD management. When you PVP you have to think on your toes, utilize utility abilities to not get caught offguard by the enemy. Even ignoring that, and going out into the world, you can manage your gold supply and work on the AH, buying out undercutters to make profit on materials, etc... All of which I enjoy by doing them, regardless if the shiny purple drops. I have openly passed on loot simply because I found others may get more use out of upgrades then me, because the loot is irrelevant.Sure, Bejeweled is not that much more complex, but it offers something extra from the "kill X of Y's by hitting them with a sword in the exact same way so you eventually get a reward" thing MMO's have going if only in the fact that it requires your brain to make associations that require a level of sentience.
I know it's a puzzle game, but I don't really find it much of a "puzzle". It's moving blocks, anticipating combos, and trying to get multipliers. It has a similar design to what I do healing in WoW, anticipation, reflex, and preparation. I love both games, but I am one that sees the parallels rather then discrediting based on genres.And i'm not the one calling it a puzzle game, it's what Bejeweled is, look it up.
I was not speaking of it on those terms. It is obvious people get bored sooner or later with something. That is a given. However, you are of the opinion we "should" be bored now, when that is not the case. You are applying personal standards that have no basis on us. We will get bored when we get bored, you have no ability to decide when we do. Try again.Are you actually implying that there are humans that wouldn't eventually get bored with doing the same thing over and over unless it was part of an addiction?! Even MMO's offer some variation in what activities you are engaged in for that very reason.
If you do it enough with no variation in between everything eventually get's boring for everyone because we're not robots.
Sure, people have different thresholds, but that's different. So i think you should change "should" there with "when"...
So they were so not into the music that they actually "defended" it when you said it sucked? Sorry, but that should tell you they WERE into it. When they started liking other music, the taste changed and now they look back and are embarrassed to talk about the fact they liked it. Why? Because you and possible others are perpetuating the idea that they should be embarrassed for it, since to you, the music "sucked" so much you had to eye-roll them for it.But the guys i'm talking about where never that into it, they listened to the music because their friends did, and just dismissed people that said it sucked by saying exactly that, that they listened to it because others did and it's not that bad. That's actually why i remember when they stopped, because i eye-rolled big time when it happened because they dismissed me when i argued it sucked without offering any counterpoints about why it didn't.
The skinner box is the idea that in order to get reward, I hit button, and if I don't hit button, I don't get reward, or I get punished, thus training me to hit the button. Your issue is that I don't play for the reward, I play to press the button, because I like pressing the button. We are not rats looking for cheese, we are humans with ideals, perceptions, and sentient thoughts that make our own choices.You do realise that the whole point of the Skinner Box stuff is that you start "enjoying" the activity by association, right?!
This is not about enjoying the game "more" if they took away the grind. That is not the arguement. The arguement is whether I enjoy the game at all. You are implying I shouldn't enjoy the game because it has a grind and emulates the idea of a Skinner Box, I am saying you don't make the choice for me, sometimes pushing the button can be just as nice and the pellets coming out of the hole in the wall. You don't like to believe that, and I am calling out the fact such an outlook is foolish.Ask yourself, would you really enjoy the game less if someone took out the the grinding? It's not like the social aspect of a MMO would go away if you didn't need to farm for 10 hours to get some item that you need to be able to play with your friends in that raid that they want to do?!
The nature of gaming is the artificial timesink. That is nothing new. You can add or take away things to lengthen or speed up the game, but that does not stop the whole thing by nature of being a timesink. I remember when Oblivion was released, many people complained about "instant map travel" because it removed the epic feeling of the world, even though the nature of running around in all those woods was nothing but a time sink. Sometimes people like the journey, not the destination, and other times its the opposite.To make it more clear, the problem comes from the parts that are designed as time sinks to artificially spend more time playing the game, which isn't a problem for MMO's exclusively (Assassins Creed had you walk through the same map over and over again to get to another town without which - and with waypoints instead - the game would probably be a few hours shorter).
I don't care for chests, but I do enjoy going out on my drake and collecting Saronite for an hour to sell on the AH. If I didn't enjoy it (and sometimes I am not in the mood for it) I just do something else.Read the part about the chests in the cracked article... you actually telling me that clicking on chests over and over is enjoyable?! There are better ways to appeal to one's competitive impulses IMO.
But that's not what i'm talking about, of course playing with other people isn't repetitive because other people are not robots...I know it's a puzzle game, but I don't really find it much of a "puzzle". It's moving blocks, anticipating combos, and trying to get multipliers. It has a similar design to what I do healing in WoW, anticipation, reflex, and preparation.
You do realise that those are rewards too, right?! "I got a better price" or "I made something"! Of course the system in place could be fun or boring, i'm guessing with an Action House and plenty of players around you don't have to wait around for 2 hours to sell something like you did in Lineage 2 (at least for the pirated servers, i stopped playing long before my friends started playing on official servers).Even ignoring that, and going out into the world, you can manage your gold supply and work on the AH, buying out undercutters to make profit on materials, etc... All of which I enjoy by doing them, regardless if the shiny purple drops. I have openly passed on loot simply because I found others may get more use out of upgrades then me, because the loot is irrelevant.
See, even you aren't defending farming for hours on your own...Exactly, so what makes moving little boxes around more stimulating them healing 25 people in a raid? Nothing.
Except that i didn't say anything, by 12th grade i was already jaded about it... the eye rolling was all internal...Why? Because you and possible others are perpetuating the idea that they should be embarrassed for it, since to you, the music "sucked" so much you had to eye-roll them for it.
But of course the shiny explosions, scores and other stuff is a carrot too, while the game would be enjoyable even without them if you like using your brain n the way the game requires (same as liking crossword puzzles).Bejewelled (or any puzzle game) is an example of a more complex carrot, and isn't based on time invested.
but that is the thing. What you consider "boring part" some people think that is the highlight of the game. What you consider "the good part" (i.e. raids) to ME is consider WORST part of the game it is all matter of perspective.
Ok man, chillax, i don't think everything you do in a MMO is boring, i just don't like what you have to do to get to the good parts...
And I am saying that what you call the "good parts" are not always going to be the only good parts. Some of us LIKE what we have to do to get to the points you call the good parts, they are just all "good parts". I am fighting for the right for myself and others to enjoy what we do, rather then be implicated as nothing but rats locked in a box. This goes for games, movies, and anything else that is entertainment (as long as it does not involve hurting anything). I don't care what your opinion of MMOs are, but I want you to respect my right to enjoy something you may find unenjoyable.Ok man, chillax, i don't think everything you do in a MMO is boring, i just don't like what you have to do to get to the good parts....
You just said you argued with them about it causing them to defend the music. Now you are saying you never said anything? I am getting mixed signals here.Except that i didn't say anything, by 12th grade i was already jaded about it... the eye rolling was all internal...