Aside from working a seemingly non-stop consulting schedule for the last month and a half (one bus-size poster and six websites baby!), some time has been spent playing games with friends. In particular, a massive-multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) called Lineage II.
These vast virtual worlds host tens of thousands of players at a time (hundreds of thousands in countries like Korea). These digital beings can interact with other players through economics, warfare, diplomacy, or can have a conversation just like you and I might through instant messenger. And there are quests which provide plenty of opportunity to kill an orc or five.
Personally I am mesmerized by the design of these worlds. The good ones, and they are few and far between, are lush with detail from the costumes the characters wear to the flowers that cover the mountain ranges. Suns set and moons rise in a similar cycle to that of Earth. The amount of work that goes into these productions is amazing — taking millions of dollars and years to create.
Yet for all the talent and money dumped into this form of entertainment the game play can be tedious and monotonous — only to be really enjoyed by 14 year olds or people who wish renaissance fairs lasted all year long.
Unlike other types of gaming where it's relatively easy to pop-in for a few minutes and get your fill's worth, the MMORPG is an attempt to provide genuine role-play that can take hours upon hours just to advance a character to the next level, or stage in life.
Needless to say, all of my friends are light years ahead of me in this game despite the fact that I bought it a week or two before most of them. While I'm glad I bought Lineage II and have seen much of the 'world' I don't think I'm long for the MMORPG. Soon my elf ranger will find his way on the Ebay slave trade where he'll find a more suitable master.
This is not to say I shall never go back to this genre.
I cannot wait to jump into the World of Warcraft, a game created by Blizzard Entertainment, the best in the business. Four years in the making, Warcraft promises to be the end all, be all of the massive-multiplayer role-playing game. The company is famously known around the world (uh, the real one — Earth) for their strict attention to plush detail and unparalleled quality — producing entertainment that is seldom matched by other companies. I can't wait to see the designs of what they have been working for so long.
Join the fray by reading through and commenting at the end.
I had a short lived affair with Lineage II as well, but as you say, for the "pick up for a quick game" type player they are next to useless. Whilst I appreciate the design aspects (logistics?) of these type of games they just ain't for me...
Now wasn't it one of these MMORPGs that ended with some poor kid topping himself?
I myself have not picked it up yet due to monthly costs and knowing that addiction is not the best way to get the grades, but my best friends are definitely really into it and cannot talk enough about it (especially on its excellent party-play strategy), and I for one have seen its amazing graphics (Square never seems to fail). They were at first talking about playing Lineage II as well, but they are not regretting at all in choosing this other game. Namely Final Fantasy XI Online! Crazy, I'll say.
Two of my good friends in school managed to throw away almost a year playing Everquest. And I mean REALLY playing Everquest. For hours and hours on end.
Eventually they got tired when they maxed out their characters, but it was somewhat scary for an outsider.
I just signed up for a 30-day free everquest trial, no strings attached. Like you said, the world is amazingly detailed, but "less" than newbie friendly to say the least :)
I'm guessing this is just one of the things WoW will put an end too. Maybe I'll stop my starcraft addiction to go play WoW when it finally comes out.
Haha, this reminds of a thread I read not so long ago:
http://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?s=79d96a102bca04db352e070303e51d3e&threadid=1119866
http://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?s=79d96a102bca04db352e070303e51d3e&threadid=1118444
I guess MMORPG's can be a fun, but you need to be creative. ;)
When Everquest first came out, I told myself then and there I would *never* play an MMORPG for fear of losing at life. :) I know I would become hopelessly addicted so I decided to not even give myself the chance.
Reading the title of this post, I expected sexual references, fart jokes, or at least the occasional grunt. Images of Ringo Starr and giant dinosaur turds filled my mind. The song from the movie, performed by the cast with logs and sticks (along with a multitude of grunts) is now stuck in my head again.
Yes, I am a child of the eighties, raised on cable tv and an uncounted number of viewings of the movie Caveman. (http://imdb.com/title/tt0082146/)
So thanks for the post, Greg. Even if it had nothing to do with this little piece of my childhood (and has a lot more, in reality, to do with my adult life), I enjoyed it nonetheless.
While Blizzard are among the best at single player games, I would say that they are complete hacks when it comes to multiplayer coding, judging by their catastrophical failure of Diablo II code, at least, which has been hacked in ways that boggles the mind.
Did you ever sign up for a beta account? I missed the boat myself and would love to try WoW (maybe I can play in the open beta or buy a beta account on eBay). I play Lineage II as well. In fact, a friend of mine talked me into it. I knew I would either love or hate the game. As it turns out, I like it very much. Unfortunately, my friend failed to inform me of the monthly fees. Oh well, that is the price of entertainment. Even at $14 per month, it is cheaper than going out to a movie.
Greg, you and I should start a WOW guild when it actively comes on. That would be loads of fun, with different members from different sites. =)
About two months ago I kicked my Star Wars Galaxies addiction. The game was a ton of fun and a massive timesink. I too am eagerly awaiting WoW. This time around it will be me saying to Blizzard, "Yes, me Lord."
I did sign up for a beta account but haven't been accepted yet. I keep expecting the Blizzard ferry to take the quarter and leave an invitation email under my pillow.
Hah, great comment Josh:) I'm excited for World of Warcraft as well, it looks to be shaping up to be the best MMORPG yet! And since a handful of my favorite games were all made by Blizzard (Diablo 2, Starcraft, Warcraft III), I have a hard time not having faith in the company itself!
EverQuest is (was) one of the most intriguing games I had ever played. As many people will tell you, it wasn't the game-play or the graphics that kept it interesting, in fact, they are marginal at best. It's the social interaction. You could always find people to hang out with, no matter the hour, no matter the day and with as little effort as turning on your computer and logging in. It was scary how easily it took over for real, face to face social interaction. Mind you, I can get addicted to almost anything... serious character flaw :(
At any rate, from what I have heard from some friends in the WoW beta, it is good, but not great. The graphics are gorgeous. The cities are massive and immersive. However, the quests are pulled from a pool of about 5 different types. Sure there are thousands of them, but they all fit into 1 of 5 virtually identical varieties, give or take a few extra levels in order to complete them.
At any rate, after wasting some thousands of hours over 4 years on EQ and watching my work and my RL social skills deteriorate, WoW will be getting a very affectionate pass from this poor little web guy.
Heard that Lineage II is good, though I opted to get City of Heroes. I enjoy that one...which is probably why I have skipped class more then once this week.
Perhaps I'll pick up Lineage II with my next paycheck...good old 15% discount from my job on games is handy...somewhat.
I did play the Lineage II beta, and I really enjoyed it, but I can't find myself putting out money for the game each month. That will have to wait for WOW. =)
Greg: Do you play Warcraft III? Hit me back with an email. =)
Ooh, ooh, I can't wait for WOW. I'm not really into the whole online gaming stuff, prefering to nerd out by myself, but I love Warcraft and Blizzards stuff so you know I'll be all over WOW.
Keith, we should play Warcraft III sometime.
I used to play EQ. At the time, I was lucky enough to be enjoying a 2 week break from college. I was fully immersed in playing that game sun up till sun down. If I wasn't in game, I was browsing websites for weapon stats, or posting on EQ forums. It was an incredible experience, and the closest thing we have to the Metaverse depicted by Neal Stephenson's Snow Crash. I wouldn’t trade that EQ experience for the world.
However, once those 2 weeks passed, I found it very hard to play any longer. It is not for casual gamers. It takes 10 minutes to login, 20 to get anywhere worth going, and once your there it could take hours to accomplish anything. I wish EQ was out when I was in grade school or high school, where I would have the time needed to play it. I envy anyone who is able to fit an MMORPG into their daily lives - WITHOUT neglecting family or friends or work.
EQ was highly addictive, and I am lucky I was able to quit before it started affecting work, studying, and life.