I love role-playing games. I hate MMOs. Or at least, I think I do.
Let me explain:
I’ve been playing RPGs ever since the 16-bit days and to this day, I gravitate toward titles with an actual story; a plot that continues to advance, characters that develop (at least in some fashion), and a memorable setting. There’s a reason Final Fantasy is my favorite franchise of all time, despite the fact that it has since tailed off into depressing, barely recognizable mediocrity.
However, while many MMOs are indeed “role-playing games,” I’ve never been remotely fascinated by them. At the same time, I admit I’ve never really given them a chance. There are reasons for that, though.
The bias, if there is one, started early
I still remember back in college when a friend of mine really got hooked on EverQuest. Yes, the original and yes, I’m that old. Let’s just move along, shall we? The point is that every time I came over to his house, he’d be playing. Then I’d have to almost physically pry him away from his computer so we could go get pizza or shoot pool or something. He was not addicted in the clinical sense of the term; he didn’t miss school or work and he often hung out with friends (even if it occasionally took some convincing).
However, I didn’t get it. I watched him play plenty, and I just didn’t understand the fascination. One big, apparently very bland world, with no story to speak of and no goal besides this: Level up. That’s it. Gaining another level for my friend was a very big deal and clearly, it was his primary goal in the game. It just looked unbelievably boring and repetitive.
I distinctly remember saying once: “Okay, I’m going home to play Final Fantasy VII…you know, a real game.”
As time went on, well…time became an issue
Based on that experience, along with future similar experiences with other friends and acquaintances, it became clear to me that MMOs require a lot of time. Not only was it a style of gaming I didn’t really understand but obviously, if I wanted to get anywhere, I’d have to dedicate a ridiculous amount of time to it. The only chance I had to do that was in college, really (when everyone has way too much time on their hands, let’s face it); after that, I had to go to work. And when that happens – rather, when life happens – time becomes a much more valuable commodity.
Now, maybe I’m wrong. Maybe MMOs don’t require the time I think they do. If they don’t, I’d like someone to explain.
Paying on top of paying? …WTF
A monthly subscription? I remember thinking my friend had to be out of his mind, as well as anybody else who fell for that crap. You paid full-price for the game and you keep paying on a monthly basis? Just…wow. I have never paid for a monthly membership for one game and I just can’t imagine doing that in the future.
Then again, it begs the question: If so many people are willing to do this – and clearly, many are – there must be something about this experience that I’m missing. They can’t all be addicted or anything like that. I have found, however, that those who play MMOs tend to exclusively play MMOs. Is it because of the time issue? Or is it because the experience is just so different and distinct that no other type of game satisfies them?
These are the things I’d like to figure out. Not necessarily because I intend to start playing MMOs, but just because I’m the type of person who likes to understand things at their core. As I don’t have the time or inclination to discover the answers to this particular question first-hand, I must rely on secondary information. But hey, if that info is accurate, there’s no problem. 🙂
Published: Mar 5, 2014 05:37 pm