In this day and age, we all live in a connected world. Cell phones and computers alike allow us to connect and use software online no matter where we are in the world. Video games were among the first to connect people together digitally no matter where they lived and developers have always strived to give their users a unique experience that cannot be had anywhere else. It does not matter if they are MMORPG’s, flash games or even online games such as Mansion sites – casino.com, slotsheaven.com, lesacasino.com, modern video games all try to achieve this goal. Here are three of the most common experiences that, in my opinion, makes gamers really tick in a positive way when playing online video games:
The Grind
MMORPG’s have always had a reputation for having some kind of grind when it comes to leveling up and making progress with your character. One of the most famous examples of this is without a doubt Lineage 2. When the game was released back in 2004 it quickly became famous for it’s intense grind. It could take some players a year or more to reach the maximum levels in the game, and it forced you to team up with other players if you wanted to make some kind of progress at certain stages in the game. In this day and age however the grind in MMORPG’s is usually not that bad. Game developers tend to make sure that their games have a lot of so called end game content instead. Some say that this takes away from the experience of the game, while others may claim that a lot of end game content makes for a better experience instead. No matter what the opinion, the grind is something that probably exists in some way or form in all online games since it gives the player a sense of progression or accomplishment. Wether that is to level up your character in an RPG or gathering materials for a new cool weapon, the grind usually is something that makes gamers tick in one way or another.
The PvP
PvP stands for Player vs Player. It is an experience that most online video games have, whether it is a single player FPS game like Halo with an additional online mode, or a pure online experience like World of Warcraft. In most games, online PvP often has many different modes that either pits everyone in an arena against each other or splits players into two different teams or more. Weather it is about capturing flags or having the highest score at the end of the match, PvP is something that really pumps players up to the max. A good PvP experience can prolong the longevity of a game, while a bad one either kills it or makes no difference at all. For many gamers it is a must however, since it really makes them tick when competing against other.
The Story
For many the story is the most important factor in any game, even online ones. For others it is just a footnote. A well told story can make gamers tick even in an online environment. Star Wars: The Old Republic and Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn are great examples of online games that would not be the same without it’s storytelling. Many gamers even make the story up themselves by roleplaying and connecting with other characters. Creating groups of friends who ever never actually met. It is safe to say that these gamers would not stay long if the story experience felt bad or lacking to them. In other words, a great story in an online environment can really make gamers tick in a good way. In the end a story always tries to give players a reason as to why they are doing what they are doing in the game. This is mostly a good thing, since it can enhance even the PvP components at times.
In the end, all online gaming experiences are unique and different in their own way. Each attracting different types of players to keep on playing. May it be the grind, the ability to PvP your friends and strangers or even the story and chance to roleplay as powerful beings with others. While all these are experiences are different the one thing that’s the same is that online gaming is popular, is changing the landscape of gaming as we know it, and it doesn’t seem to be going anywhere.