Why Do You Play MMORPGs?
Posted by Stropp on May 5, 2011The original title of this post was ‘Why Do You Play Games?’ But after a little thought it occurred to me that the reasons for playing normal single or multiplayer computer games may be different than the reasons for playing MMORPGs. So that is the question, why do you play MMORPGs?
This line of thought was prompted by a post by Tobold that was commenting on a post by The Babbling Gamer about Rewards vs Experience and the question to players of what was more important to them; did they play for the experience of the game, or were they more motivated by the rewards that the game gave out for completing challenges.
To me, the second choice, motivation by pixellated rewards is certainly a part of what drives me. If I recall correctly, my Bartle type came out with Explorer and Achiever as the top two archetypes. Rewards and achievements are certainly an aspect of the Achiever psyche. But more to the point, I come out with a much higher Explorer score (again IIRC) which means that once I’ve seen a zone, or experienced a story, I like to move on to something else. That might be a new zone, or a new game.
It kinda explains why I jump between games so much, eh?
Of course, there are the other two Bartle archetypes as well. These are Socializers and Killers.
This means that someone who scores high on the Socializer scale will be more likely to enjoy the MMORPG social experience of interacting with other players. (Contrary to some commentators, this does not make them bad or M&S.)
The Killer of course, truely enjoys the experience of conflict with other players, whether that is through PvP or by griefing others. I hesitate to put griefers in with the Killer archetype since once can be a Killer and be opposed to the griefing/ganking playstyle. Maybe Bartle should add a new archetype, Misanthropes, to his test to describe these guys.
Since the Bartle Test is not the be-all and end-all of gamer behavioral drivers, there are probably a multitude of other reasons that gamers play their MMORPGs.
So now to you.
Tell me why you play in the comments.
I play to experience new things or go through interesting stories with loot and shiny items as a secondary reason to play.
Of course, if you add crafting and housing to that, then it’d be INteresting Stories, followed by Housing/Crafting, followed by loot and shinies.
Hi Victor — thanks for that. If I were to hazard a guess, you’d probably score higher on the explorer side of the Bartle Test. I take it you’re probably looking forward to the story oriented MMOs that are coming out soon. I.e. The Secret World, and SW:TOR?
Actually, and this is kind of a weird coincidence, I am actually looking forward to 5 different MMOs and I wrote about it a few hours ago.
http://iamstillwater.wordpress.com/2011/05/05/five-mmos-i-look-forward-to-playing/
As for the Bartle Test, I’m Explorer (60), Socializer-Achiever (both at 53), then Killer (33).
The problem with the Bartle-Test is a bit like the Myer-Briggs http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myers-Briggs_Type_Indicator – funnily most people I like and know who told me their result are INTJ.
Even more so are EASK or ESAK in the Bartle-Test, so I’m afraid we got used to use it for everything. It’s true, even KILLERS like exploring. But it’s the most finite resource actually, with the highest effort and cost to produce. Achievements – add silly ones like “you logged in/you died” and “kill the 10 knights in all possible orders” are not what Bartle meant with achievement in his test. Getting better gear, making it through a dungeon and the thrill of victory are things also a Killer enjoys.
OK – why do I play MMOs… good question. Self-analysis ftl!
I like exploration – this is why the lush environments of LOTRO won my heart, even if it’s based on the DIKU core I find so fail for MMOs. It allows me to ride unscathed through many areas, and even higher level areas allow travel without having to fight all the time. I think this was one factor of what made Moria unpopular, you had to fight for every meter and could not run through and explore, it was a bloody crawl.
I like to read fantasy literature and history, particularly Middle Ages and it’s no wonder Game of Thrones is one of my favorite books & TV show. I like this kind of world. This is why I usually don’t like dungeons too much. I wish similar action would take place inside the world, not in a dungeon hole.
Socialization is important, living people make the world a living and more interesting world. Conflict in form of player killing is shunned nowadays, but it was also part of the experience above.
I’m concerned to the current trend I experience in STO, LOTRO and probably in SWTOR called “storification”. It’s their story, almost a TV episode like approach. That’s nice, but rather place the story in the world, let me find it and make it my own story. Otherwise I might really just lean back and rather watch TV or read a good book.
Why I play MMO’s?
First of all, immersion: MMO cuts me off the real world worries and toils immediately. Much more effectively for some reason than a single player game like Oblivion.
Secondly, the ‘alone in crowd’ feel. I’m in, I see /trade and I know I’m not alone in there. I can be as social or as lone wolf as I like. Plus I can contact/connect with people who are involved with similar interest in the game.
I’m an old school RPG player, and MMO’s are just about the closest I can come up with a pen and paper game. Sadly it’s a lame imitation of one, but currently it’s the best I can afford within my life. Due to this, I’m an explorer and really carve my own route through the game (pacifist gnome priest, threemanning instances, exploration without fighting). Routines and excessive headbanging on a meaningless boss frustrates me, so I get my kicks out of something else than raiding. Can’t stand PvP, because it’s so meaningless, so that route is closed, too.
As far as I get my dose I’m content. No need to increase the dose, though.
And it’s safer this way. The addiction, I mean.
C out
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