Why do I like MMOs? What keeps me playing the ones that I like? I have trouble answering when someone unfamiliar with the MMORPG genre asks me why I play them. Having been doing so on and off for over a decade, it’s still not something I can simply put my finger on.
Everyone looks for something in particular in their MMOs, whether they realize it or not. Some people prefer sprawling landscapes and open-world PvP, some look for games with everything to do and a community to welcome them as their own, and yet others look toward MMOs for their dose of developed storytelling or a robust roleplaying community.
Having jumped head-first into a huge chunk of the free to play market and tried my hand at most of the big name titles, I’m still not sure where I stand. I used to think I valued combat over all else. I’ve been an avid PvPer since my beginnings as a wee nubcake — but after putting several months into TERA and coming out no better (nor entertained) for it, I don’t know whether the sweet, sweet taste of beating the poop out of other people is really the main draw to the genre for me anymore.
Everyone looks for something in particular in their MMOs, whether they realize it or not. Some people prefer sprawling landscapes and open-world PvP, some look for games with everything to do and a community to welcome them as their own, and yet others look toward MMOs for their dose of developed storytelling or a robust roleplaying community.
Having jumped head-first into a huge chunk of the free to play market and tried my hand at most of the big name titles, I’m still not sure where I stand. I used to think I valued combat over all else. I’ve been an avid PvPer since my beginnings as a wee nubcake — but after putting several months into TERA and coming out no better (nor entertained) for it, I don’t know whether the sweet, sweet taste of beating the poop out of other people is really the main draw to the genre for me anymore.
What is your poison?
What game devours your soul, makes you wake up early, stay up late, and gets you pumped up? It’s easy to say which MMOs you enjoy, but it’s not so easy to say why.
The competitive aspect of the genre, I think, may be what drives me. Comparing DPS (or heals), gear, and PvPing are all aspects of the genre I like and thrive on; though I cannot say they are my only reasons for enjoying the games I like and there are times when I hate those facets of the genre.