Reading over Directxfire's article this month, a lot of thoughts went through my head about gaming and real life, some deep and some extremely deep. I felt the response I gave was too short and could probably comprise an entire article or paper within itself. So that's where this thread comes in. Before you go any further, I suggest you read the article and gain a good grasp of what Direct is talking about. It's a great article imo, too. Here's the link...
A New EraNow, from what I gathered in Direct's article (and please correct me if I'm wrong, Direct; I don't want to be putting words in your mouth or skew meaning). MMOs as they are now are limited int he way they engage a player. Players find themselves looking at a final goal rather than how to get there. The best comparison is like calling life a journey or destination. Direct might argue that the game should be more focused on the journey rather than the destination or end goal you are trying to achieve. This would lead to an overall different gameplay experience, one that I would argue waste more time and drag gamers away from real life even more than games do now as they are.
The most exaggerated comparison I could think of is the Matrix, where everyone is immersed in a virtual world that isn't real, but has you live life in a seemingly real world rather than the actual one, the only thing being you don't know the difference (or at least your mind wouldn't). The bare bones on this thread is taking a step further what I believe Direct to be talking about. If you make a game so immersion and intricate to the point it will draw you more and more away from real life, is this good or bad (and why is it good or bad)? In my opinion, it shouldn't matter how you play a game as long as you are having fun. Whether or not the game is immersive seems irrelevant to me. A game provides enjoyment and entertainment, but does not actually replace real life and the burdens of it. The more inclusive you make a game, the more likely the gamer is to be drawn away from life and what is really important. In my opinion, this shouldn't be something we should pursue. If you have ever seen
The Matrix or
Gamer, you might understand a little better what I'm talking about.
In the end, it really comes down to a question for me. What is man's purpose in life? To be happy? to toil? to work? to play? to live? to survive? If you are of the mindset that life is about happiness and getting out of it what you can, then you might not have a problem with this whole idea. I myself think there is more to life then gaming or any pleasure in this world and that life should be lived productively and in a way that in the end you will flourish because of it.
On a final note, I am against the view that MMOs should change. If you are all about the end goal in a game and not concerned with how to get there, then I say fine. If you are concerned with the journey of reaching a goal, I say fine as well. However you find enjoyment in a game is up to you. If you want to look for more out of an MMO, then I say Direct has a good argument in that area. If not, I don't think you need to change. This article should just make you think about it, not necessarily change. Stick to your style of play. I'll leave it at that.
Granted, I've gone way beyond the scope of what Direct is talking about in his article and if you just want to stick to the article feel free. You can go as far as you like with the idea. I just found it interesting and thought others might as well. It's a somewhat extreme scenario in retrospect, but a reasonable one if you take the path far enough to see the other side. The poll will just focus on the question Direct raises.
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