What's so addicting about MMOs?

[xlucifelx]

I was just wondering what your guys thoughts were about MMO's and why they're so damn addictive! For any game! What are the pulling factors that you look forward to when you log into any MMO? And what makes you want to come back for more?

[Avanarius]

It has to have more variety then the Star Wars Christmas Special.

[xlucifelx]

LOL! I loled at that.

[Gredival]

It's moreso problems with the lack of satisfaction and mobility in the real world. MMO's offer tangible achievements complete with instant rewards in a world where the primary factor in getting ahead isn't being born to privilege. This is why all MMO's are designed like a skinner box, starting easy and getting progressively harder once someone is hooked from the early levels where easy to start climbing.

The problem is that for the business model to be profitable, you have to keep players in the box. So generally all MMO's will end up suffering from *some* sort of achievement issue. In old XI's case it used to be that terminal accomplishments were bone-crushingly hard, in new XI and WoW it is a constant release of new content that keeps you in a perpetual state of need that stops you from ever being satisfied.

[Trigun]

Being able to connect with people who have the same sense of humor I do.

[Gulkeeva]

I was just wondering what your guys thoughts were about MMO's and why they're so damn addictive! For any game! What are the pulling factors that you look forward to when you log into any MMO? And what makes you want to come back for more?

for me its one of these several reasons.

1. Escape from everyday boring life of nothing to do
2. The female models for the game is awesome
3. Great way to release frustration (either through killing people or...!)
4. Entertainment, either through chatting with people, or seeing the stupid things people do/talk about while ingame.
5. Did I mention sexy female ingame models?
6. Don't forget the nude mods
7. When your GF dosne't want to do anything irl, always can find someone online!

[richardd]

having gulkeeva pinch my elvaan butt with his red pitchforks

edit:
and having a horrible time, making him learn his blu spells that he raped people with in ballista, back when it was actually something that was interesting.

but i log in for the people. they put up with me and my horrible vent burps and racist jokes. but when it comes to playing, im about as selfless as you can get, and luckily, it got me incredibly far. it was pretty ironic, really. the lootwhores i leveled with ended up having a harder time getting things done in the long run lol

oh, and that rukenshin guy

i did whatever i had in my arsenal to not only catch up to him, but pass him as time went by. but god, he made it difficult, lol. i never did, and have no regrets, but i find it cool that other players can really bring out the best in you and give you a whole new era of expectations and talent you never thought you had in yourself until you went out and did it

[The Stig]

Hm, assuming MMORPG and not just MMO:

Offline Games = pick up, play, shelved. Everything done in there is moot, story can be enjoyed
MMOs = pick up anytime, similar to a project, seeing your char progress, stuff mentioned by gulkeeva, stuff achieved/earned in game can be used to help others, more sense of co-op, drama

The list goes on and on.

Go read Nicky Yee's http://www.nickyee.com/daedalus/ - he's chronicled a massive amount of research about MMOs including this question.

[Correction]

Deja-fucking-vu

[xlucifelx]

Hahaha yeah. I had no idea you could stalk me so far back. :O I feel the <3

[Avanarius]

Hahaha yeah. I had no idea you could stalk me so far back. :O I feel the <3

Is this a troll? Your last thread was from this year.... And you hadn't made any posts since then.

[Kuya]

I'd say it's the ability to engage in a task and see quick and substantial rewards for said action. Incidentally, that sounds like cocaine.

[Niiro]

Not very incidental at all.

[Kuya]

Shut up

[Kurokikaze]

I'd say it's the ability to engage in a task and see quick and substantial rewards for said action. Incidentally, that sounds like cocaine.

lol... oh my. ><;

[Sqwunk]

Hahaha yeah. I had no idea you could stalk me so far back. :O I feel the <3

You only have 8 posts, by clicking on your name and going to View forum posts, brings up a pretty short list.

[Myrrh_Quetz]

I play MMOs because it lets me have pretend online friends to replace the lack of friends I have in Real life. :D

[miokomioko]

I play MMOs because it lets me have pretend online friends to replace the lack of friends I have in Real life. :D

What he said. Online friends are lower maintenance than real ones.

[Fievel]

What he said. Online friends are lower maintenance than real ones.

Soooooooo true

[Hyan]

I'd probably say the subscription fee is very addicting factor. I just can't stop throwing more money at the company especially when i can also get a reskinned pony for slightly more money ponies are awesome dont u agree

also the music and sound effects