Why I don't play MMORPGs (Saturated Market)

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Why I don't play MMORPGs

Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games (MMORPGs) have always enjoyed great popularity in the online gaming crowd, but it's only recently that they've reached mainstream attention and interest. World of Warcraft actually registers on the social and intellectual radar of your average Mister and Missus Everyperson, which is a big step when you consider that asking your dad what he thinks of Ragnarok is likely to gain you a blank stare and the suggestion that maybe you should pay more attention to girls than your computer.

But to be honest, I can't get into them. And I think it's time I finally put up a flag once and for all about why I'm so against them.

I do a decent bit of thinking on the subject because I have a friend who loves these things and has, on a few occasions, made an effort to bring me into the fold. And there's a slim chance he'll read this, so I'm going to be polite.

I won't fault him for his attempts, because he's known me long enough to know that I'm a bitter, stubborn curmudgeon who resents trying new things, even though I'll be the first to admit I'd probably like them. So the fact that I like RPGs and have far too much spare time on my hands means I'd be a great candidate for these games.

The problem is, the point of an RPG for me is the storyline. The gameplay is repetitive, but it's made up for by an interesting story and a bit of getting lost in character background and customization. And I'll admit most MMORPGs have some of these characteristics; but not in quite the right proportion.

I won't touch too much on character customization; they usually have plenty of it. I usually find there's too much, but this always comes down to personal opinion; and with the amount of time you're intended to play, I think they'd need a lot. The problem with characters though, is that you're not really a character; you have no personality, nothing to drive you onwards, you're just another dude with a sword in a giant world of other dudes/dudettes with swords or other instruments of poking.

It's the gameplay and story where it really falls apart. The gameplay is still RPG-repetitive, but the story seems to be non-existent. You do your quest, which has a plot for itself, but then it's done and it doesn't matter. So it's just hours of clicking with no real reward except for the privilege of paying a monthly fee. And I just don't think "kill ten rats" has the same depth as a world-spanning adventure to defeat some ancient evil. Not to say that these "save the world from a horrible threat" plots don't happen now and then, but the weight and importance of engaging in these sorts of quests when they do arise seems to be diminished a little when you realize that everyone's doing the same thing, it just happens to be your turn. It's like Frodo arriving at Mount Doom, only to find 1500 other short dudes with funny hair throwing rings into the volcano as if it were a wishing well.

I'll also admit that I'm not enamoured with the standard stereotype of online gamers. I've never had patience for being arbitrarily killed by a 12 year old with a high-level character, running around shouting their battlecry of "lol fag". I'll be charitable and admit that these and their kin are only a small part of the online community, but it's really more than plenty for me. It's the same reason I won't eat cake off the floor; sure, it's probably delicious, but that doesn't distract me from the bits of hair and bugs that have now embedded themselves in its rich, moist core.

I think the biggest thing that keeps me from it (and I'm sure identifies me as a n00b) is that I can't (and won't) devote that much time to a video game. Maybe I'm just getting older, but it's getting harder and harder for me to play a game for an extended period of time. With a few exceptions, I usually want to play only in short bursts. Which isn't really an option for these sort of games. Especially if you join some sort of guild or play with friends. Because maybe you're not prepared to play as long as they want, or for that matter, when they want.

MMORPGs seem to require a hefty time commitment, you have to really enjoy what you're doing or be determined to get your money's worth, but I can barely justify my gym membership with that logic. They just don't have the depth or attachment to characters I like in RPGs, or the instant gratification of other similarly plot-redundant games. It's like someone took the characterization, dialogue and plot logic of an action movie and tried to make a political drama out of it.

Until next time,