For the most part, offline isn't as addictive as online. It's much easier to lose track of people in online gaming.
Console gaming is getting online trends now. So there will be people getting rises in addiction possibly.
Offline games have it where yo hit a "save point" and you're done. You can get back to whatever at your leisure, or pause it and leave the power on if you "must."
I know that the new XBOX 360 has an addicting trend that I foresee, and that is in its online "gamerpoints" system. Completing portions of games now earns "online points" where players can achieve a score. Why do I feel this will be bad? Because players are going to be hellbent on getting their score up to beat their friends, or make it into the top ranks, you name it. Not only that, these points are all gained from just about every xbox 360 game out there. So now gamers are going to be majorly encouraged to buy all the 360 games possible to get the biggest "gamerscore" ever while having to beat every 360 game from head to toe with every super secret you name it possible.
While I still have tosay it depends on the player, console games in the beginning just haven't had as many "Addicting points" as PC games.
Another thing, MMORPGs are starting to come about on consoles too.
I think i actually found an addiction that costs more(financially speaking only) than a MMORPG...
Quote:I think i actually found an addiction that costs more(financially speaking only) than a MMORPG...
When you count in opportunity costs i.e. lost income, lost quality time etc, all addictions are roughly the same. Drug addictions are a bit tougher, since the drugs destroy the body at a much more rapid pace, but then, the realization that one is addicted is much quicker too so it has itA's "benefits"
------------------ What you think, you create. What you say, you produce. What you do, you call forth more of.
I never though about the online factor in consoles. I think you are right; there will be more addiction now they are online. I am a Pc gamer. I can not do online gaming. I have tried it three times and the first two times I cancelled my high speed internet access. The last time I just stopped playing online. It was like wake up >go to work >play the game >go to bed, day after day. Too much for me!
I highly doubt that anybody would try to get "all 360" games just to get some sorta gamer score. Give people a bit more credit than that. I doubt anybody would sink $50 into a game they don't enjoy just for something as stupid as that. Especially if they can just go out and rent the game for five bucks and return it a day or two later.
As for MMO's on consoles, the only full-fledge MMORPG out on any console at the moment is Final Fantasy XI, which is pretty casual-gamer friendly, and it even has a reminder each time before you play not to let the game take precedence over your life.
They're also EQOA on the PS2 but it's pretty dead from what I hear.
"I highly doubt that anybody would try to get "all 360" games just to get some sorta gamer score. Give people a bit more credit than that. I doubt anybody would sink $50 into a game they don't enjoy just for something as stupid as that. Especially if they can just go out and rent the game for five bucks and return it a day or two later."
I'm talking about the financial aspects and the drive for the gamerpoints. I think you've misread. It's not about the enjoyment since they will be enjoying it but I think you're also forgetting the fact that the gamerpoints are achieved by completing things like "getting every secret in the entire game" for example. I'm sure they will have those 1-2 achievement points that will be annoying as hell to perform though.
I'm not referring to it as a cynical obsession.
Even if they were to rent the game and return it after getting all the achievement points it'll still cost more in the long run than even a MMORPG player paying $12.95 a month would.
Also, if you've noticed the release of FFXI on the 360 which doesn't have gamerpoints it'll amaze you how many people said "OMG no gamerpoints I don't want this game what's the point of playing?"
The idea of the "point gaining" is most certainly going to influence gamers to buy more games since they feel they are gaining something by playing games. Maybe not every single one, but it's something that people are now factoring in when they buy games for sure.
I still highly doubt people would buy/play a game they don't enjoy, just so they can get a high ranking. I mean what good are all those points, aside from bragging rights? It doesn't unlock any hidden features. It doesn't power up your characters. You can't trade em in for prizes. It's a status symbol and nothing more.
And yeah I know about EQOA, but that game is pretty much a neutered hack-and-slash version of EQ. And yeah, it's pretty dead.
Quote:I do think people can be addicted to consols, a person can be addicted to anything if they over do it, even sun tanning =x
Agreed. Most addicts usually have a predisposition to addiction. And if it doesn't manifest in one way (IE drugs, alcohol, gambling), it will most likely manifest in another, be it gaming or just about anything else imaginable.
"You'd be surprised at the lengths people will go to in order to have a high standing in a game."
Yep, the first online game I played had points and everyone could see your rank and where you stood in that game. And many people get addicted to that. They want to be #1 in rank or in the top 10% etc. Now you're basically debating how many people will buy everygame and find every secret area... Well, certainly not every Xbox owner will do that. But a portion of Xbox users will.
Anyhow, back on topic. Just wanted to mention that I was addicted to console games at first. I wasted countless hours from Super Nintendo until present consoles. Any good RPG or RTS and I would get lost. But really, when the internet is added it becomes much more addictive. You add the social aspect... making friends, playing with friends, clans, clan schedule, becoming popular and powerful in the game community, competing against other humans (usually over rank/popularity etc.) from around the world who are much more cunning and challenging than simple computer AI and it becomes very addictive to many people.
Y'know, being a console gamer myself, I haven't seen half as many people addicted to console games as I have seen PC games.
-Mutt
Creator of Perki Goth/Candi Raver
And MPLH
For the most part, offline isn't as addictive as online. It's much easier to lose track of people in online gaming.
Console gaming is getting online trends now. So there will be people getting rises in addiction possibly.
Offline games have it where yo hit a "save point" and you're done. You can get back to whatever at your leisure, or pause it and leave the power on if you "must."
I know that the new XBOX 360 has an addicting trend that I foresee, and that is in its online "gamerpoints" system. Completing portions of games now earns "online points" where players can achieve a score. Why do I feel this will be bad? Because players are going to be hellbent on getting their score up to beat their friends, or make it into the top ranks, you name it. Not only that, these points are all gained from just about every xbox 360 game out there. So now gamers are going to be majorly encouraged to buy all the 360 games possible to get the biggest "gamerscore" ever while having to beat every 360 game from head to toe with every super secret you name it possible.
While I still have tosay it depends on the player, console games in the beginning just haven't had as many "Addicting points" as PC games.
Another thing, MMORPGs are starting to come about on consoles too.
I think i actually found an addiction that costs more(financially speaking only) than a MMORPG...
Quote:I think i actually found an addiction that costs more(financially speaking only) than a MMORPG...
When you count in opportunity costs i.e. lost income, lost quality time etc, all addictions are roughly the same. Drug addictions are a bit tougher, since the drugs destroy the body at a much more rapid pace, but then, the realization that one is addicted is much quicker too so it has itA's "benefits"
------------------
What you think, you create. What you say, you produce. What you do, you call forth more of.
Dude that was interesting!
I never though about the online factor in consoles. I think you are right; there will be more addiction now they are online. I am a Pc gamer. I can not do online gaming. I have tried it three times and the first two times I cancelled my high speed internet access. The last time I just stopped playing online. It was like wake up >go to work >play the game >go to bed, day after day.
Too much for me!
Peace,
K Dog
Edited by: K Dog at: 5/18/06 16:14
What we do in life echoes in eternity. Gladiator
Anberlin-Breathe- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqGoM91rySM
I highly doubt that anybody would try to get "all 360" games just to get some sorta gamer score. Give people a bit more credit than that. I doubt anybody would sink $50 into a game they don't enjoy just for something as stupid as that. Especially if they can just go out and rent the game for five bucks and return it a day or two later.
As for MMO's on consoles, the only full-fledge MMORPG out on any console at the moment is Final Fantasy XI, which is pretty casual-gamer friendly, and it even has a reminder each time before you play not to let the game take precedence over your life.
-Mutt
Creator of Perki Goth/Candi Raver
And MPLH
Edited by: MiteKitsune at: 5/18/06 21:07
They're also EQOA on the PS2 but it's pretty dead from what I hear.
"I highly doubt that anybody would try to get "all 360" games just to get some sorta gamer score. Give people a bit more credit than that. I doubt anybody would sink $50 into a game they don't enjoy just for something as stupid as that. Especially if they can just go out and rent the game for five bucks and return it a day or two later."
I'm talking about the financial aspects and the drive for the gamerpoints. I think you've misread. It's not about the enjoyment since they will be enjoying it but I think you're also forgetting the fact that the gamerpoints are achieved by completing things like "getting every secret in the entire game" for example. I'm sure they will have those 1-2 achievement points that will be annoying as hell to perform though.
I'm not referring to it as a cynical obsession.
Even if they were to rent the game and return it after getting all the achievement points it'll still cost more in the long run than even a MMORPG player paying $12.95 a month would.
Also, if you've noticed the release of FFXI on the 360 which doesn't have gamerpoints it'll amaze you how many people said "OMG no gamerpoints I don't want this game what's the point of playing?"
The idea of the "point gaining" is most certainly going to influence gamers to buy more games since they feel they are gaining something by playing games. Maybe not every single one, but it's something that people are now factoring in when they buy games for sure.
I still highly doubt people would buy/play a game they don't enjoy, just so they can get a high ranking. I mean what good are all those points, aside from bragging rights? It doesn't unlock any hidden features. It doesn't power up your characters. You can't trade em in for prizes. It's a status symbol and nothing more.
And yeah I know about EQOA, but that game is pretty much a neutered hack-and-slash version of EQ. And yeah, it's pretty dead.
-Mutt
Creator of Perki Goth/Candi Raver
And MPLH
Edited by: MiteKitsune at: 5/26/06 18:52
Before EQ and WoW I played consol games obessively.. Not nearly as bad as with the MMO's but bad nonetheless.
My games were EA NHL, EA MADDEN and Resident Evil =/
I do think people can be addicted to consols, a person can be addicted to anything if they over do it, even sun tanning =x
Quote:I do think people can be addicted to consols, a person can be addicted to anything if they over do it, even sun tanning =x
Agreed. Most addicts usually have a predisposition to addiction. And if it doesn't manifest in one way (IE drugs, alcohol, gambling), it will most likely manifest in another, be it gaming or just about anything else imaginable.
-Mutt
Creator of Perki Goth/Candi Raver
And MPLH
You'd be surprised at the lengths people will go to in order to have a high standing in a game.
"You'd be surprised at the lengths people will go to in order to have a high standing in a game."
Yep, the first online game I played had points and everyone could see your rank and where you stood in that game. And many people get addicted to that. They want to be #1 in rank or in the top 10% etc. Now you're basically debating how many people will buy everygame and find every secret area... Well, certainly not every Xbox owner will do that. But a portion of Xbox users will.
Anyhow, back on topic. Just wanted to mention that I was addicted to console games at first. I wasted countless hours from Super Nintendo until present consoles. Any good RPG or RTS and I would get lost. But really, when the internet is added it becomes much more addictive. You add the social aspect... making friends, playing with friends, clans, clan schedule, becoming popular and powerful in the game community, competing against other humans (usually over rank/popularity etc.) from around the world who are much more cunning and challenging than simple computer AI and it becomes very addictive to many people.
www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2006/06/19