Do MMOs have a bad rap?
by Spencer Callaghan 
Nov 20th 2006 at 4:40PM
With all the mainstream media coverage WoW is garnering, from South Park to the New York Times, it is easy to come to the conclusion that MMOs are rising in popularity and societal acceptance.However, as an interesting article in Terra Nova argues, perhaps the WoW phenomenon is the exception and not the rule.
The article looks at some of the negative aspects of the MMO brand identity and examines why some people, even hardcore gamers, are still turned off by the genre.
From tales of people keeling over from all night gaming sessions to support groups like Everquest Widows , there are many negative connotations related to MMOs that may stagnate their growth.
The nature of MMOs also leads some people to think of them more as a chore than something fun. I mean really, how many people think rep grinding is fun?
So is WoW the beginning of a tide of greater acceptance for the MMO genre or is it simply a one hit wonder that cannot escape the stereotypes of the caffeine-riddled, all-night gamer who rarely sees the sun?
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, News items
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Prauche Nov 20th 2006 5:04PM
I don't know if MMOs get a bad rap. I also really cannot begin to project whether WoW is the beginning or the end of MMOs. Probably neither. Other MMOs were around before WoW, and I'm sure there will be MMOs AFTER WoW. If you like MMOs, you're going to continue to play them.
I CAN say this with regard to the article on Terra Nova: I was one of the folks who definitively fell into the very first category of people who didn't play MMOs. I flat REFUSED to pay a monthly fee for playing a game. The only reason that changed is because my best gaming buddy (3000 miles away) had started playing WoW and I couldn't get him to play NWN. Suddenly one afternoon I get home from work and lo and behold there is a box on my front porch. He had purchased and mailed me a copy of the game to get me to play. Needless to say, 13 months later I roll my eyes over the jacka$$ getting me involved in such a time-consuming, addictive process. No, no, I blame myself for any too-much-gaming I do. My point is that I have other factors that go into decision-making about what game(s) to play. I don't know if I'll ever play another MMO or not. I don't consider games in that light. And most of my gaming buddies I don't think do either. You either read about a game and think it sounds interesting and you try it out or you don't.
But, maybe I'm wrong...
John Nov 20th 2006 6:14PM
I wouldn't comment much about this very well thought out post.
But being a MMOG player for almost three years, I cannot anymore play any offline game - it't boring. Lately I reinstalled my never really played Morrowind. But after looking for the chat window for about a minute (no joke), I knew that I am finally lost for offline games.
With a few exceptions of course, namely "The Settlers" 3 and 4 and Microsofts Flight Simulator, which latter can be played online as well (via VATSIM for example) and is indeed much more realistic and much more fun than flying around alone.
Gog Nov 20th 2006 5:55PM
I can see where you're coming from Prauche. I played WoW despite the fact that it's a MMO, not because. I couldn't stand what I played of EQ or pretty much any other on-line game.
When I do move on, I probably won't look for another MMO, but just any other game that really captures my attention the way WoW does. If anything, I won't be looking for another MMO for a very long time. When WoW gets old, it's probably back to consoles for me.
I guess I answered the question indirectly. For me, this is probably a one time deal, but never say never.
jpc Nov 20th 2006 6:18PM
I too played WoW "played WoW despite the fact that it's a MMO, not because." I also hope that I never fall in love with another MMO again, but like Gog said "never...
The thing I hate about WoW(MMO's): If you want the best loot in the game (who doesn't), you need to devote loads of time* to raiding or pvp grinding.
Note* - time, not skill is the necessary comodity.
I don't have a problem with people getting rewarded for their *time*, but I DO have a problem with people not getting rewarded for their *skill*.
If this is fixed, then WoW will be UNBEATABLE by other game developers. And I may never be able to free myself from its addiction...
How can this be fixed? Make getting the next tier of gear be more like getting the D2 set and less like getting the t3 set.
Reemmo Nov 20th 2006 7:01PM
On off a site is like this information!
Brodie Nov 21st 2006 11:43AM
Yeah, I really can't wait for an MMO that is actually interesting. My favorite thing to do in WoW was to go places I was not supposed to enter, and learn bits of WoW lore. The game did very little to encourage fun, I had to make my own.
It's going to be a few generations (of games, not humans) before they're what they're supposed to be: virtual worlds.
Unregistered Nov 21st 2006 4:07AM
i refused to pay for an online game for the longest time, because i didn't like the commitment in time and money.
diablo 2 was good, and so was mechwarrior 4. you buy the game and they give you online access for free. guild wars would be a good current equivalent
for a while, i stopped playing games and lost touch with my gaming pals.
when i next resumed gaming, i found that my mechwarrior clan IRL had gone WoW. i didn't go their way, cos i was playing maple story with my kid for a while.
i think maple story taught me that you have to pay for online games. nothing is free. shopping for add-ons for your character, paying with real money.
so when i finally decided to go WoW, my original objections were gone. these are my real life pals and if i dont play with them, then who do i play with??? besides, the monthly cost is only fair to the people who maintain the servers. if they dont make tons of money, they wont be doing this for long.
of course, since i am paying the monthly dues, i make sure i play enough to justify the cost. actually, that's pretty lame. i play a lot cos i like WoW a lot.... like WOW!
Heike Nov 21st 2006 4:35PM
I love MMOs - I've been playing online rpgs for 15 years, starting with MUDs. IT was a bit of a struggle to get EQ, because moving to a monthly fee *was* a little difficult. But I had a couple of friends playing and that convinced me.
I've never looked back since then. There have been gaps of time when I wasn't actively subscribing to anything but for the most part, if I'm not actively in one, I'm eagerly waiting for the right match.
It doesn't hurt that I have a group of friends who have moved together from one game to the next (some rl and some vitual) and as long as they're with me it's all good.
Dumbfounded Nov 21st 2006 5:09PM
Personal responsibility is totally gone nowadays.
Everyone wants to scream "Im a victim" when 90% of the time it is there fault.
It's your personal actions that keep you on a game for days without sleep...why is the fault of the game?
Too much of anything isn't good. Too many vitamins, too much trans fats etc etc....but these are things you can control with "Personal Responsibility" applied.
What is next ..people going to blame Cows for making them fat pigs who stuff there face with steaks, ribs, and hamburgers every night?
MMO's bad? No. Being irresponsible and not eating , sleeping or bathing properly is YOUR fault. Not the MMO's.
I swear this topic hits a nerve.
The MMO bad thing is just like saying: It was the guns fault that the criminal shot the kid.
Just STupid....