MMORPG's and why you like them

[xlucifelx]

Hey,

I was just wondering what you all thought about other MMORPGs (And FF) and why you like them so much. What content do the designers give you that has you all coming back for more?

[Weltall]

In FFXI, it was getting the best gear and keeping other linkshells from having any of it why my group played and enjoyed it.

In general, community and the ability to "show off" your achievements in front of others is why they are so much more addictive than single player games now.

[Karbuncle]

I like it because to me, Its fun, Its an ever updating/Expanding game that keeps evolving with the years.

its a gift that keeps giving. I enjoy a lot about MMOs for that reason. The Community (lol, for the most part...), and the ever expanding content.

[Kaelan?]

Being able to specialize in something and doing whatever that is exceptionally well. Being able to compare with other people and do whatever that may be better than they're doing it by figuring out how the game works. The more obvious and/or simple this is, the less enjoyable it is to figure it out.

Same thing that brings me to single player RPGs that have a lot of room for min/maxing (i.e. FFT, Monster Hunter, White Knight Chronicles, Demon's Souls, etc.), but with the added advantage of having other real people to compare with/play better than. Periodically getting updates that expand the game and push the ceiling on how good you can be at something.

Good friends/community also helps make it more enjoyable.

[Correction]

My first MMO was IRC.

Then I realized I could do it while killing monsters.

That's why I like MMOs, until all my friends quit.

It's an addictive variation on chatrooms, that's why I like them. Hell I used to play D&D over IRC waaaaaaay back when.

[Rulke]

They are great for playing with friends.

[Lucavi]

I like them because they get away from the classic and super-stale "you vs. the world" mentality. I like being strong against something reasonable, but needing to band together to take on something bigger than me. I grew up playing too many old RPGs and shooters where you were the only one. I'm sick of it as an adult. MMOs provide a great way to get that teamwork while actually working towards accomplishing something great.

[Saga]

My first MMO was IRC.

Then I realized I could do it while killing monsters.

That's why I like MMOs, until all my friends quit.

It's an addictive variation on chatrooms, that's why I like them. Hell I used to play D&D over IRC waaaaaaay back when.

Ever play MUDs? Or is that what you mean by IRC? I played that shit compulsively with friends, I was constantly looking for a new one to checkout, those games were fucking awesome back then.

[Dryr]

It's subtle competition (direct for pvpers). It's a time killer that requires less concentration than most games (wow more so than ffxi) and can be turned off at any time without getting to a save point(outside of raids/large group activities). Relatively cheap compared to the amount of time they kill. The fact that they have real value the same way that someone who quilts could at least get their money for mats back by selling their "work" to someone else.

seems like every year some grad/student is doing a term paper on the subject and lots of forum sites get this question.

[Correction]

Ever play MUDs? Or is that what you mean by IRC? I played that shit compulsively with friends, I was constantly looking for a new one to checkout, those games were fucking awesome back then.

IRC-strictly. You can run a bot that handles dice rolls and there are other neat tools that print out combat status on demand. Even without the tools a properly moderated IRC channel is a pretty decent substitute for a table surface. Haven't played in an IRC campaign since Advanced 2nd edition but I can only assume it's gotten easier to do with the new turn/combat structures in 3.5/4

I couldn't take to MUDs because they were 100% up to the temperment of the OPs who ran them, and enough encounters with badly run (low availability, cheaters, lack of maintenance) MUDs turned me off them forever.

[Foxer]

The ability to remain in the most profound state of ignorance regarding RL. Nothing does that like an MMO.

[Maguspk]

Leveling up, competition, showing off and the social aspect.

It doesn't necessarily have to be an MMO to achieve this; I like games like D2, and hopefully D3 soon, equally as much. I'm sure there are others too.

[Correction]

It doesn't necessarily have to be an MMO to achieve this.

This is especially true the more social mainstream gaming becomes. 'party play' is no longer a concept bound only to MMOs, weakening their grip on people who enjoy the dynamic and opening up a non-grindy, less repetitive way to enjoy the concept.

[Arvin]

e-pussy.

[Kipling]

A lot of what does it for me is the vast environments and interesting lore.

Back in the days of old XI, I lived for missions and storyline. (Cop and Zilart were epic back in 2004.)

Edit: San d'Oria missions were the best. I finished rank 10 multiple times throughout my seven years of play, from all three countries, on different characters. And nothing got me like the San d'Oria story line. Especially at the end with King Ranperre.

[Maguspk]

A lot of what does it for me is the vast environments and interesting lore.

Back in the days of old XI, I lived for missions and storyline. (Cop and Zilart were epic back in 2004.)

Semi-related true story: Running my RL friend to Jeuno for the first time through Meriphataud Mountains and told him the spine was from a Dragon we'd (my linkshell) killed a few days earlier. He believed me and it drove him to exp for a long time before he figured out I lied.

[Suit and Tie]

Semi-related true story: Running my RL friend to Jeuno for the first time through Meriphataud Mountains and told him the spine was from a Dragon we'd (my linkshell) killed a few days earlier. He believed me and it drove him to exp for a long time before he figured out I lied.

Killed it with a fleet of airships if I do recall.

[The Stig]

In FFXI it was easier to show off, i.e. when I get 4/5 (except hat. Damn you hat!!!) BLM relic/AF2 years back. Looked sleek in that black costume. And when my cousin got Ares Body. Everyone checked/stood there to look in awe for a while.

In WoW it seems no one will really give a shit much.

Regardless, I joined WoW after getting pulled in by 2-3 RL friends, and it wasn't too bad. At the moment I've gone off console games unless it's a major series I'm interested in (FF, Zone of the Enders, F-Zero, etc) otherwise I won't play (buy) any other game.

I like to be able to progress and "show" that I progressed. Trophes on PSN doesn't do it for me. I like to use this "progressed" stuff to let others feel it's helping them in whatever I am doing.

And racing against RL friends seems fun =p -- I give them gold in exchange for free dinners. (am I RMT? =( )

[Elvis]

In FFXI, it was getting the best gear and keeping other linkshells from having any of it why my group played and enjoyed it.

In general, community and the ability to "show off" your achievements in front of others is why they are so much more addictive than single player games now.

This.

Biggest waste of life ever, in retrospect. I miss those years.

[Aero]

FFXI is my 1st and only MMO.

I started playing just for something to do. While I was noobing up in Sandy I met a few people(When Sandy wasnt a ghost town), and they seemed OP(Level 30 HOLY SHIT!!!). It got me playing more so I could be like they were. Eventually, when characters started to plateau, it turned into a social thing more than anything. When new content came out it was about accomplishing something more than the gear for me. First Kirin kill we got dick all, but I remember my LS killing kirin for the first time than our first wlegs or osode. Our first DL kill, not our first Ring. Even though new content keep coming out it was all about the social interactment for me. I couldnt have cared less if I somehow became the best geared player in the game if I did it all solo.

The social activity is also why I stopped playing. Friends/LS quit; I had dick all to do and no motivation to join another LS, so I just stopped playing. New content didnt excite me because all the friends Ive made on the game had long gone and quit.