The State of the Game, December 2009

[ex8404]

Originally Posted by Sven Osymthe

Although many people agree with this, its just an opinion, not a fact. Small, large, good, bad, content is merely an addition to the game.

I still have to point out the flaw in the content argument. If content is "merely an addition to the game", then why have quests or stories at all? I have to offer the example of the TV show again.

Your favorite TV show comes and it is great. Perfect episode. Next week? Same script, word-for-word. The only change is that now, instead of a Chevrolet, our hero drives a Honda. The next week? Same old script but our hero gets a new suit and the wallpaper in the kitchen is nicer. And it goes on and on for a year and a half.

Same old script but the sets look SO much nicer. The producers can't understand why the ratings have tanked and they say things like, "What about all the new content? It is SO much prettier."

Content is scripted, playable and ongoing in that it drives the player from one "scene" to the next. Content is what makes the player move forward and strive to complete the "mission" at hand.

I am out of missions. I like what used to be enough to keep the account open but I don't level grind. I could train a spider-monkey to level grind. Becoming a Pirate Master is not my goal and it is not how we "finish" the game. The Pearl Battle marked the end of the game for me. But there was enough content in the form of weapons quests to keep me playing. And then I started a new pirate. That was OK... But a third pirate? Nope. On test? OK.

But I am done now. All around. Bring on some new content and I'll be swinging my cutlass again...