You see, CounterStrike and MMORPGs are different devils. MMORPGs are so different from other games, infact, we can hardly call them games. As I mentioned in my original post, to play an MMORPG properly a person has to DEDICATE a LOT more time. He is not ADDICTED to the game, he is simply PLAYING a LOT of the game... because thats how they are designed. On the other hand, a guy who is playing CountStrike 10+ hours is ADDICTED because a CS match lasts 5-15 mins max... in other words, the game has the OPTION to quit.
Once you reach high level in an MMORPG, and start facing epic monsters, PvP, etc... even a single raid can EASILY take 4+hours... so, you are REQUIRED to spend that much time. Its part of the game.
Let me present a scenario, this might be a BIT offtopic.
A 30+ year old guy, living all alone, no job, living off his parents, etc. Plays MMORPGs/video games 10+ hours a day. Sounds life a loser to you? Yes, hes a loser. But... heres a small twist, what if this person is very rich in real life? What if his family has enough money to easily sustain him thruout his life? The way I see it, this person is a lucky bastard who is living his life the way HE WANTS TO, without doing ANY work. We might call this a pathetic way to live... but who are we to say anything? That person is living and enjoying his life, no matter how "pathetic" it may seem to you.
Ofcourse, one might argue... "but there is more to life than just computers/games/MMORPGs"... sure there is, and I cherish that stuff. As long as a person is living life the way he wants it without disturbing anyone else - this person is living a DAMN good life.
I've been playing MMORPGs for a long time, and I am addicted (in the conventional sense).
The basis of this study is flawed, I dont think its fair to make a comparision between Internet addiction and MMORPGs. Why? Because to play an MMORPG properly, you require shitloads of time.
In other words, its not fair to call MMORPG players as "Internet Addicts". They are simply playing the game the way its MEANT to be played. There is no such thing as a casual MMORPG player. If a guy plays an MMORPG 1 hour a day, there is no way in hell he can compete with a guy who plays 6 hours a day, regardless of his reflexes, skill, age, or whatever.
Also another point to note is; the veteran MMORPG players also spend a significant amount of their time away from the game, BUT still uses the Internet to resarch game related material. For exmaple, reading and writing on forums, research item templates for their character, organizing guild events, research skill trees, formulatig specialization points, etc etc. All this is done on the Internet, but still game related.
I can tell you this from personal experiance over the years. *takes a deep breath* MMORPGs arent games. Its lifestyle. A person who plays Counterstrike 10 hours a day is ADDICTED to the game. A person who plays MMORPG 10 hours a day, is simply leading a different lifestyle. As bizarre as it may sound... it is true.
I played CoH for a few months and enjoyed it quite a bit.
In CoH, PvE is designed such that a player (or a group) can engage mobs several times their number. A Scrapper can solo 2-3 mobs at a time, a group with a Controller can "crowd control" atleast 10 enemies at a time, a Blaster can AoE the beejeezus out of large group of mobs, etc.
So far so good. However, I simply CANNOT think of anyway where these same mechanics could be used again for balanced PvP. The only forseeable way you could do this would be to implement a seperate ruleset for PvE and PvP. In other words, each Hero (more specifically, Hero skills) would behave differently in PvP and PvE. Introducing PvP (in the new City of Villians) expansion will be like opening the pandora's box. Can you she some light as to how you will tackle this issue?
I recall reading a very interesting thread on the Java forums. There are very few female programmer's in the industry and there are even fewer women working as sysadmins. Hwre is the thread
From research conducted it was proved that generally speaking, the female mind is "weak" in certain areas of the brain which are used for programming logic and deduction.
In my opinion, not having women in the IT field is kinda a good thing. Helps us with are geek status n all, ya know:D
The Koreans are unbeatable at Starcraft and to an extent Warcraft. Not surprising considering Starcraft is the national sport in Korea.
Matches are shown on public TV, game replays of top players are recorded and sold as DVDs, some players have insured their fingers (the best korean player's fingers are insured for 80k$).
Starcraft is as big in Korea as any other national sport.
Speaking of Swedes, they are known to be good at CS. They have LANs there with 1000+ PCs for CS only.
Well, athletic ability is not only restricted to your legs, arms and body.
A person with fast reflexes, good hand-eye coordination, quick thinking and strong concentration can be considered as "athletic" too.
There is as much sport in Cybergaming as there is in Football or any other conventional sport game.
Maybe Paul can tell you why. The following is from his General FAQ "Why is the text on your site so narrow? It wastes screen space. The aim of web design is not to use all available screen space. It is legibility. Text is most legible with at most 60-70 characters per line. On computer screens, you don't want to go much over 60."
I'll tell you why, no wait. I wont. Maybe Paul can tell you why. The following is from his General FAQ "Why is the text on your site so narrow? It wastes screen space. The aim of web design is not to use all available screen space. It is legibility. Text is most legible with at most 60-70 characters per line. On computer screens, you don't want to go much over 60."
I see your point sir. Actually, I've been visiting Slashdot for over a year, just never bothered to register; until I saw this post.
You are right about the community thing. However, dont you think Slashdot should cater to the general community more than the "ol' folk". Afterall, this is how they've evolved over the years, besides.. it makes more business sense.
Trust me sir, I too am part of community that started out with 5 members and currently has evolved into something else completely. I miss the "old days" too.. when everyone knew everyone. Unfortunately, we have to come to terms with the fact that it doesnt work that way. A website must cater to its general populace. Its the harsh and bitter truth. We must face it:(
Why does a site as huge as Slashdot feel the need to write about people's personal actions?
It doesnt matter if its Linus or Billy.
Some may argue about the relevance of this news story, but jeez... I am sure there are more interesting things happening out there, and if there arent, must we stoop so low? =/
This news story made me feel like I was reading a cheap celebrity tabloid.
come on now! We geeks are greater than that!
-_-;
Slashdot Mirror
heh, I remember I had to tilt my old PC 45 degress or else it wouldnt start up
You see, CounterStrike and MMORPGs are different devils.
MMORPGs are so different from other games, infact, we can hardly call them games.
As I mentioned in my original post, to play an MMORPG properly a person has to DEDICATE a LOT more time. He is not ADDICTED to the game, he is simply PLAYING a LOT of the game... because thats how they are designed.
On the other hand, a guy who is playing CountStrike 10+ hours is ADDICTED because a CS match lasts 5-15 mins max... in other words, the game has the OPTION to quit.
Once you reach high level in an MMORPG, and start facing epic monsters, PvP, etc... even a single raid can EASILY take 4+hours... so, you are REQUIRED to spend that much time. Its part of the game.
I've been reading the replies to this topic.
Let me present a scenario, this might be a BIT offtopic.
A 30+ year old guy, living all alone, no job, living off his parents, etc. Plays MMORPGs/video games 10+ hours a day. Sounds life a loser to you?
Yes, hes a loser.
But... heres a small twist, what if this person is very rich in real life? What if his family has enough money to easily sustain him thruout his life?
The way I see it, this person is a lucky bastard who is living his life the way HE WANTS TO, without doing ANY work.
We might call this a pathetic way to live... but who are we to say anything? That person is living and enjoying his life, no matter how "pathetic" it may seem to you.
Ofcourse, one might argue... "but there is more to life than just computers/games/MMORPGs"... sure there is, and I cherish that stuff.
As long as a person is living life the way he wants it without disturbing anyone else - this person is living a DAMN good life.
I've been playing MMORPGs for a long time, and I am addicted (in the conventional sense).
The basis of this study is flawed, I dont think its fair to make a comparision between Internet addiction and MMORPGs. Why? Because to play an MMORPG properly, you require shitloads of time.
In other words, its not fair to call MMORPG players as "Internet Addicts". They are simply playing the game the way its MEANT to be played.
There is no such thing as a casual MMORPG player. If a guy plays an MMORPG 1 hour a day, there is no way in hell he can compete with a guy who plays 6 hours a day, regardless of his reflexes, skill, age, or whatever.
Also another point to note is; the veteran MMORPG players also spend a significant amount of their time away from the game, BUT still uses the Internet to resarch game related material. For exmaple, reading and writing on forums, research item templates for their character, organizing guild events, research skill trees, formulatig specialization points, etc etc. All this is done on the Internet, but still game related.
I can tell you this from personal experiance over the years. *takes a deep breath* MMORPGs arent games. Its lifestyle. A person who plays Counterstrike 10 hours a day is ADDICTED to the game. A person who plays MMORPG 10 hours a day, is simply leading a different lifestyle. As bizarre as it may sound... it is true.
After reading his blog, there is indication that he may have contracted Tularemia.
It is a disease contracted while skinning dead animals, yea, sounds bizzarre... but, you never know.
Is there a way I can email Pat about this?
I played CoH for a few months and enjoyed it quite a bit.
In CoH, PvE is designed such that a player (or a group) can engage mobs several times their number. A Scrapper can solo 2-3 mobs at a time, a group with a Controller can "crowd control" atleast 10 enemies at a time, a Blaster can AoE the beejeezus out of large group of mobs, etc.
So far so good. However, I simply CANNOT think of anyway where these same mechanics could be used again for balanced PvP. The only forseeable way you could do this would be to implement a seperate ruleset for PvE and PvP. In other words, each Hero (more specifically, Hero skills) would behave differently in PvP and PvE. Introducing PvP (in the new City of Villians) expansion will be like opening the pandora's box. Can you she some light as to how you will tackle this issue?
I recall reading a very interesting thread on the Java forums. There are very few female programmer's in the industry and there are even fewer women working as sysadmins. :D
Hwre is the thread
From research conducted it was proved that generally speaking, the female mind is "weak" in certain areas of the brain which are used for programming logic and deduction. In my opinion, not having women in the IT field is kinda a good thing. Helps us with are geek status n all, ya know
The Koreans are unbeatable at Starcraft and to an extent Warcraft. Not surprising considering Starcraft is the national sport in Korea. Matches are shown on public TV, game replays of top players are recorded and sold as DVDs, some players have insured their fingers (the best korean player's fingers are insured for 80k$). Starcraft is as big in Korea as any other national sport.
Speaking of Swedes, they are known to be good at CS. They have LANs there with 1000+ PCs for CS only.
Well, athletic ability is not only restricted to your legs, arms and body. A person with fast reflexes, good hand-eye coordination, quick thinking and strong concentration can be considered as "athletic" too. There is as much sport in Cybergaming as there is in Football or any other conventional sport game.
Those suckahs would have as much fun playing polo on a pogo stick instead of a 4000$ Segway. I think Segways should be used on golf courses instead.
Maybe Paul can tell you why. The following is from his General FAQ
"Why is the text on your site so narrow? It wastes screen space.
The aim of web design is not to use all available screen space. It is legibility. Text is most legible with at most 60-70 characters per line. On computer screens, you don't want to go much over 60."
I'll tell you why, no wait. I wont. Maybe Paul can tell you why. The following is from his General FAQ
"Why is the text on your site so narrow? It wastes screen space.
The aim of web design is not to use all available screen space. It is legibility. Text is most legible with at most 60-70 characters per line. On computer screens, you don't want to go much over 60."
nt
I see your point sir. Actually, I've been visiting Slashdot for over a year, just never bothered to register; until I saw this post. You are right about the community thing. However, dont you think Slashdot should cater to the general community more than the "ol' folk". Afterall, this is how they've evolved over the years, besides.. it makes more business sense. Trust me sir, I too am part of community that started out with 5 members and currently has evolved into something else completely. I miss the "old days" too.. when everyone knew everyone. Unfortunately, we have to come to terms with the fact that it doesnt work that way. A website must cater to its general populace. Its the harsh and bitter truth. We must face it :(
Why does a site as huge as Slashdot feel the need to write about people's personal actions? It doesnt matter if its Linus or Billy. Some may argue about the relevance of this news story, but jeez... I am sure there are more interesting things happening out there, and if there arent, must we stoop so low? =/ This news story made me feel like I was reading a cheap celebrity tabloid. come on now! We geeks are greater than that! -_-;