In an era of smart phones, could down-time work in an MMO?

Arclan

Not sure why that 50 page camp-thread got locked, but it made me wonder. Back in the day, I enjoyed camping and the downtime in EQ. Mobs to fight; some random mobs or trains to make things interesting. Sufficient time to chat with one another; use the restroom, etc.

But today no one has down time. No one is looking for social opportunities when waiting for the bus or standing in an elevator. We are all looking at our smart phones.

Boneserino

Probably been said before but you can have "downtime" in just about any MMO.   As long as that MMO has decent chat features, and a reasonable community.

 

It all depends on the type of player.  If you are playing to win then "downtime" is "wastedtime".   

 

And if you aren't playing to win then what is stopping you?

Loktofeit

Originally posted by Arclan

But today no one has down time. No one is looking for social opportunities when waiting for the bus or standing in an elevator. We are all looking at our smart phones.

What do you think all those people are doing when they are looking at their smartphones?

Axehilt

Trying to force socialization through downtime was always the wrong design. It's always best to let the gameplay part of your game be entirely gameplay-focused, and provide a centralized social break area.  Players are going to take a break at some point, and socialization often happens at that point, naturally -- without being forced via bad game design.

Cecropia

Originally posted by Loktofeit

Originally posted by Arclan

But today no one has down time. No one is looking for social opportunities when waiting for the bus or standing in an elevator. We are all looking at our smart phones.

What do you think all those people are doing when they are looking at their smartphones?

They become the walking dead and are lucky if they don't get clipped by a car.

cmorris975

Originally posted by Axehilt

Trying to force socialization through downtime was always the wrong design. It's always best to let the gameplay part of your game be entirely gameplay-focused, and provide a centralized social break area.  Players are going to take a break at some point, and socialization often happens at that point, naturally -- without being forced via bad game design.

Unless, of course, you enjoyed the little breaks that allowed for some socializing amidst all the killing and pulling.  Then it wouldn't be bad game design at all.  I really enjoyed the old school dungeon crawls where socializing and fighting was a constant back and forth. 

I can see you point of view though Axe, since you have different priorities.  Can you see mine, I wonder?

 

Sovrath

Originally posted by Arclan

 

But today no one has down time. No one is looking for social opportunities when waiting for the bus or standing in an elevator. We are all looking at our smart phones.

I live in the Boston area and every day I note that I'm one of the few people "NOT" looking at a smart phone or tablet.

I personally like downtime.

CalmOceans

I think so, provided the game is engaging enough. Many MMO are without risk and are deeply lacking on socializing and community, people play the game while watching TV in some MMO.

Axehilt

Originally posted by cmorris975

Unless, of course, you enjoyed the little breaks that allowed for some socializing amidst all the killing and pulling.  Then it wouldn't be bad game design at all.  I really enjoyed the old school dungeon crawls where socializing and fighting was a constant back and forth. 

I can see you point of view though Axe, since you have different priorities.  Can you see mine, I wonder? 

It's extremely rare that a MMORPG forces non-stop gameplay.  Generally they're still built around pulilng, where the players control the pace.

So if your entire group wants to take a break, it will take a break.  Nothing can stop you.

SavageHorizon

Originally posted by Axehilt

Trying to force socialization through downtime was always the wrong design. It's always best to let the gameplay part of your game be entirely gameplay-focused, and provide a centralized social break area.  Players are going to take a break at some point, and socialization often happens at that point, naturally -- without being forced via bad game design.

 

Total rubbish, thank god Pantheon is bringing back the socialising you got from downtime. Anyone who doesn't like won't have to play the game.

Phaserlight

Very much what Lokto wrote. Computing space is converging quickly, to paraphrase John Bergman.

Theutus

I'm looking at my phone right now, zombie.

[Deleted User]

The user and all related content has been deleted.

ET3D

I agree that people these days have less downtime than 10 years ago. On the other hand, people are a lot more on their smartphones. So the obvious solution is to let smartphone users access the MMO downtime. MMO apps which allow socialisation can keep the players in the game and let them interact with others.

SEANMCAD

Originally posted by Arclan

Not sure why that 50 page camp-thread got locked, but it made me wonder. Back in the day, I enjoyed camping and the downtime in EQ. Mobs to fight; some random mobs or trains to make things interesting. Sufficient time to chat with one another; use the restroom, etc.

But today no one has down time. No one is looking for social opportunities when waiting for the bus or standing in an elevator. We are all looking at our smart phones.

ok but what to people mostly use smart phones for?

 

Chatting with other people...a smartphone is a modern day version of talking to people during the downtime in EQ

Arclan

Two of you suggested that if they're looking at their smart phones then they are looking for social opportunities. Perhaps I should have specified "looking for social opportunities with people they don't already know."

Humans are social creatures. Put them in a room together and they will start talking. Unless they can pick up their smart phone and play a game or talk to the people they already know. Satisfying and less risky than trying to make friends.

I'm not complaining; just making an observation that I think directly affects how social an MMO can be nowadays.

Malabooga

Originally posted by Arclan

Two of you suggested that if they're looking at their smart phones then they are looking for social opportunities. Perhaps I should have specified "looking for social opportunities with people they don't already know."

Humans are social creatures. Put them in a room together and they will start talking. Unless they can pick up their smart phone and play a game or talk to the people they already know. Satisfying and less risky than trying to make friends.

I'm not complaining; just making an observation that I think directly affects how social an MMO can be nowadays.

MMOs nowdays are as social as you make them. Just like inth "good ol' times"