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Are MMORPGs Too Complex?

Posted by simoniker on from the the-gumby-conundrum dept.

Thanks to Skotos for their column discussing whether MMORPGs are sometimes too complex for the average gamers. The writer suggests: "Often, I just want to sit down and do something simple and fun. Yet, the structure of most MMOGs doesn't accommodate this", and goes on to illustrate this, arguing "It seems like many MMOGs lately are tending more toward 'have fun doing your tax forms online while paying for it.'" The piece also discusses boredom: "How many MMOGs have the ability to mine/farm/fish/collect wood? How many are there in which this is NOT just a repetitive clicking of the mouse based on the computer response?", and putatively suggests a solution of "play[ing] Tetris to mine faster", coincidentally implemented by the recently launched Yohoho! Puzzle Pirates.

2 of 65 comments (clear)

  1. Re:fishing! by siobHan · · Score: 2, Funny

    Hey, I hear they are beta-testing a real-world version of this "fishing" thing. I wonder if it will be as effective at passing time and relaxing people.

    K

  2. Re:Never will be mainstream by ivan256 · · Score: 2, Funny

    Puzzle Pirates frankly has more hope because it plays on the favorite things of the casual gamer. Chatting and simple puzzle games. Popcap + AIM. Most "hardcore" gamers would prefer to be kneecapped than be caught playing something like that though, so I doubt the gaming press will see it for what it is.

    Puzzle Pirates is doomed amongst hardcore gamers for a few reasons, including the java issue and the lack of 3D, but the biggest is that the female population exceeds 50%.