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MMO Burnout After One Month: For ALL Games
donjn
Member UncommonPosts: 816
I am in a vicious path here. Take a look at this brutal list of games over the last 10 years which I have played, quit and re-subbed. When you see "World of Warcraft: 10 times" below, that means I have played it in one month stretches and then quit (for what I thought was for good) 10 times!
These aren't just taking a break. Each time below I thought I was done for good..
- World of Warcraft: 10 times
- Lord of the RIngs Online: 4 times
- Ultima Online: 12 times
- Age of Conan: 3 times
- Diablo II: 6 times
- Guild Wars: 3 times
- Ashen Empires: 7 times
- Vanguard: 2 times
- Warhammer Online: 3 times
- Saga of Ryzom: 2 times
Just two weeks ago I came back to WoW for the 11th time and now I am bored again.
Is this the norm for some of you? Should I just go back to my Xbox 360 now?
I mean, when I lose interest it is VERY sudden each time. All of a sudden, this light in my brain just shuts off and I cant log in at all. I have been playing World of Warcraft since it opened in November of 2004 and I have never been in a raid. I have sold accounts 6 times. I have been playing Ultima Online since it started in 1997 and have only seen a handful of dungeons (maybe 3?).
World of Warcraft
I always retreat to this when nothing fills my interest. I love the lore and the open ended world without zones.
Lord of the Rings Online
Sometimes, this game calls out to me. But alas, even with the great community and open ended world with amazing landscape graphics, sometimes, this game just feels boring when leveling.
Ultima Online
Another old standby, when I resub to this you know I am desperate. I LOVE a good sandbox and this is the Grandfather of all MMOs. But just about every time I get excited and resub, I login and get bored in 5 minutes; not a good sign. But Ultima will always have a place in my heart.
Age of Conan
I actually really like Conan. The graphics are amazing and the game runs great on my computer. This one is hard to explain. This game sweeps me off my feet when I resub. Then I lose interest again weeks later. I have no real reason I can list.
Diablo II
Sometimes we just feel like playing some hack n slash.
Guild Wars
I havent played this in over 2 years. I think it has run its course for me. Zero urges.
Ashen Empires
Some Indy game by greedy developers that now run an item mall that effects the gameplay and your power in the game. They ruined a once great UO clone.
Vanguard
Runs like crap on my computer nomatter what I do. I hate how empty the world is. Yet, there are some interesting ideas. I do feel that I will never play this game again.
Warhammer Online
Another game with a very poor engine. The stuttering issues since launch are still there; and thats why I quit. Since launch I have a new system, new OS, etc, and Warhammer still runs poorly. At least, its something that I notice. I love the PVP system though. To me, Warhammer has the best PVP system around and I like Public Quests. There are a lot of good things in this game.
Saga of Ryzom
Amazing sandbox. Last year, the first two weeks I played this I was blown away. However, the game got boring fast once I reached the mainland.
I dont finish anything, and I never see whats on the other side of the rainbow for any of these games.
Maybe I should just pick one at a time and MAKE A GOAL?
Or maybe just give up MMOs?
Help!
Comments
I like that you put Diablo 2 up there. For what it's worth that game is not meant to have any longevity besides 2 or MAYBE 3 months of fun. It's one of those games you keep going back to however, atleast it is for me. I bought it when it came out and started to play again a few days ago. I must have gone back to it atleast 10 times over the course of 8 years. It's an awesome game when you are in a slump with nothing else to play. It wheels you right in again.
As for the rest of the list. I must have gone back to WoW 3 times. Last time i played was over a year ago. I'm pretty confident i won't go back since i don't miss it at all. Vanguard i played for 2 months then quitting because my rl friends did. I stayed for a few extra weeks but once your group backbone is gone then thats that. I played AoC in Tech Beta and i knew then it was going to tank. The console way of fighting completely turned me off plus i knew that it catered to the more highend computers that most wouldn't be able to play. I haven't played anything else on the list since i knew beforehand they were games that held no interest.
Maybe MMO's isn't for you. It's not for everybody. What i don't understand is you selling your WoW accounts then buying new copies again. It should have become clear the first time that saving your copy while being inactive would have been a smarter choice. I once sold my DaoC account then buying another copy a few years later. I couldn't see myself ever making that mistake again. If i buy a game and decide not to ever play it i still save it. It doesn't matter if i believe i will never touch it again
Point 1: You actually keep track of this stuff?
Point 2: There *is* no end to MMO (except the server shutdown kind), the other side of the rainbow is an expansion back. If you look at an MMO in terms of 'beating it', you'll never be satisfied.
Point 3: What you're doing is perfectly fine, I bet a lot of people do it. To an extent, I think companies expect it- you never see an MMO with a term commitment. I have maybe 6 P2P MMOs that I'm in, and I'm never actually playing more than 2 or 3 at a time. One will get boring, I'll cancel it and re-start another. No big.
Evil will always win, because Good is dumb.
What do you want from MMORPG? what kind? You mainly into PVP or PVE? You like doing quest? You like doing killing only? You like to do solo things without party to get nice items?
Asheron's Call has all of them and you didnt even played it, I suggest you free trial it first though. I'm formerly Asheron's call player and have played it for 7 years. All other game I have played not even 1 year or more. So what I'm saying is you should try out the game and see from there. Like you said you wanted make a goal, Asheron's call laid it out to you because once u entered the game, your free to go to do whatever you want. Because you dont have to do "quest" in order to gain experince to go to next area or so. The world so HUGE and nonstop exploring, it takes lifetime to explore everywhere!
EDIT: I remember I played Final Fantasy XI for 1 year and 1/2 thats 2nd best MMORPG game for me.
Kain_Dale
Have you tried the biggest and best mmo of them all ?
It has stunning graphics, biggest world, day/night winter/summer cycle
And its easy to get into, just step outside your door, and there it is... its called RL.
If you want PVP, you can join the foreign legion.
If you want PVE, join any hunters guild.
It has crafting, gathering, mounts, foods and drinks, tons of skills, you can even fly an airplane if you skill up to it.
And best of all, its a sandbox mmo..
Im playing it right now and have a blast, ( training my computer skill as we speak )
Hope to see you in RL soon.
I dont know what to recommend but your current playstyle is obviously not working for you
maybe try PC RPG games? Elder Scrolls, Witcher, Mass Effect, FallOut 3, etc
I also had fun with Kings Bounty, reminiscent of Heroes of Might and Magic
EQ2 fan sites
Don't say that anymore... games are for everyone, the op is bored by MMOS because MMOS are BORING and REPETITIVE no more no less.
Tried many mmos, was bored after 1 week maybe 2 not because mmos arent' for me, i like playing wuith other people, i like pvp, dungeon and craft but because they are REPETITIVE
- kill 12 boars (lotro, tcos)
- kill 12 dwarves ( vanguard)
- kill 12 orcs (lotro)
- kill 10 trolls (war)
etc etc etc
for xp and stuff
These games are now, repetitive. They're are not persistent worlds anymore, they are all paste copies of world of warcraft: war is a perfect copy, same BG, same design, same community. You play war you play Wow, you play wow you played war. That's why a lot of people tries to play DFO, because they think this game could save the genre, because everyone is looking for a REAL MMORPG, I mean a persistent world, a sandbox game, where you can "be" free.
people were killing rats in mmos years before WOW
EQ2 fan sites
Don't care killing stupid rats like a stupid gamer if i can do something else.
Last time played a RPG online was for SwG few years ago. Played a BH for fun but also an entertainer, had a house, story teller is really a nice and interesting feature... In vanguard i play diplomacy, and i want to craft a boat and discover the world of telon.
These games are far from beeing perfects (OMG SOE...
) but the gameplay is not completely stupid and idiot.
All MMORPG's websites are full of players like the OP.
* World of Warcraft: repetitive the worst i think
* Lord of the RIngs Online: polished nice graphics and cty but wowish
* Ultima Online: sorry the op couldn't have fun with this one
* Age of Conan: unfinished and bugged
* Diablo II: omg diablo, this is not a mmorpg but an hack and slash
* Guild Wars: corpg not mmorpg
* Ashen Empires: don't know never played
* Vanguard: buggy, nice game but EMPTY so you can't play : boring alone
* Warhammer Online: wowish, repetitive, boring
* Saga of Ryzom: awfull design and UI,boring and repetitive
Every mmorpg website in the world is full of players looking for an INTERESTING GAME. You can take a look at german, english, french etc websites, everyone is looking for something else, someting interesting. Everyone. Only fanboys protects their game , their "relics" to the death. 95% of players wants now something else. That's why I think DFO is overhyped.
Like the op tried/played/beta tested many mmorpgs: DAOC, Eve, Lotro, EQ2, VG, POTBS, TR, HGL, WAR, Wow, WWIIONLINE, Roma Victor, VCO, LII etc etc etc...
Played /tried them all and many others and I stop them all. Why ?
Because of : not enough content past mid level, boring and repetitive content, not enough players, many bugs, no addon in sight, poor customer service, not because i need to change of game all day. I need like the OP ONE good game, something interesting and fun, with plenty of players to play with, a lot of content, pvp and pve, something really interesting. Always looking for it.
Without SOE and the NGE, SWG could be my game: RP, PVE, PVP, housing, cities, craft, story teller, you can play in huge worlds and play in space, mix of park theme and sandbox game, works fine on many computers, nice cty etc.
You are not alone. As each year goes by by attention span for each game shortens. Alreadt this year I have replayed,
AoC
LOTRO
WoW
I have signed up for trials to games I have accounts for but no sub, just to stop myself wasting money on them;
EvE online
WAR
I bought a game I never had ANY intention of playing;
Darkfall
I resubbed / free return deal to a few games before Christmas;
WW2 online
EQ2
And have been playing Galaxy Online for a few minutes each day. All this ontop of playing GTA4, Halo 3, COD4, Fallout 3 and GoW1+2 on the xbox i bought in December.
This whole thing is driving me nuts. A good friend of mine in RL has played nothing---nothing but WoW since I managed to peel him away from PS 2 years ago. HOW does he do it?
Taken from the comic "The Noob". Pretty much sums it up
Thanks guys. I received absolutely zero flames so I am impressed.
My post was based on estimates. I dont know if they are all 100% correct. Here is how I feel about these games:
World of Warcraft
I always retreat to this when nothing fills my interest. I love the lore and the open ended world without zones.
Lord of the Rings Online
Sometimes, this game calls out to me. But alas, even with the great community and open ended world with amazing landscape graphics, sometimes, this game just feels boring when leveling.
Ultima Online
Another old standby, when I resub to this you know I am desperate. I LOVE a good sandbox and this is the Grandfather of all MMOs. But just about every time I get excited and resub, I login and get bored in 5 minutes; not a good sign. But Ultima will always have a place in my heart.
Age of Conan
I actually really like Conan. The graphics are amazing and the game runs great on my computer. This one is hard to explain. This game sweeps me off my feet when I resub. Then I lose interest again weeks later. I have no real reason I can list.
Diablo II
Sometimes we just feel like playing some hack n slash.
Guild Wars
I havent played this in over 2 years. I think it has run its course for me. Zero urges.
Ashen Empires
Some Indy game by greedy developers that now run an item mall that effects the gameplay and your power in the game. They ruined a once great UO clone.
Vanguard
Runs like crap on my computer nomatter what I do. I hate how empty the world is. Yet, there are some interesting ideas. I do feel that I will never play this game again.
Warhammer Online
Another game with a very poor engine. The stuttering issues since launch are still there; and thats why I quit. Since launch I have a new system, new OS, etc, and Warhammer still runs poorly. At least, its something that I notice. I love the PVP system though. To me, Warhammer has the best PVP system around and I like Public Quests. There are a lot of good things in this game.
Saga of Ryzom
Amazing sandbox. Last year, the first two weeks I played this I was blown away. However, the game got boring fast once I reached the mainland.
I wonder if there is a tipping point? Maybe a second wind? Maybe I have too many choices?
What if, even if I get bored, keep logging in? What if I keep logging and and discover something new that keeps me going and then I get over the hump and start enjoying myself again?
What if I just say "screw it" and at least get to level 80 first in WoW. I mean, I paid for the content, why not AT MINIMUM level all the way to 80 in WOTLK?
I'm in similar situation except that have never come back more than 3 times to any game. Maybe the only game that I can go back is UO. That situation is because the lack of valuable modern sandbox MMO up to now. Now DFO give the great old feeling of virtual world. Really hope that feeling will stay at least till MO come out.
Where themepark games try to hide that they are copying WOW, games like Mortal Online and Darkfall make no attempt to hide their inspiration
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LordOfDarkDesire
I don't like RL, entering up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, b, a, start doesn't do anything for me. . .
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|X| \*........*/ |X|
|X|_________|X|
You wouldn't understand
Well honestly it sounds to me like games you can beat or games that you can challenge your friends on are the games for you. The 360 is good for that, but there are alot more on the PC. Try out some games like COD, DODS, CSS, Battlefield 2...etc. FPS games on the PC are great and I think they will give you the enjoyment you need, and if you quit who cares, just play the next one.
Now if you have a love for RPG's and you want to play an MMO that is excelent, but you don't care about graphics so much try Asherons Call as someone stated above. The game is still the best in my opinion and content is added monthly fo the last year. The skill system and attribute system combined with the experiance system is unmatched by any mmo out. The best part is you decide what to do, the quests are Epic, the rewards are great and even just running around killing things is fun, the Lugian Citadel was always a blast. No zones, no areas that you have to go play in, it is totally up to you what you do in that game. The next game I would suggest is EVE, again a Very good game, sandbox style and a different type of game.
Hope to see you in one of these soon.
I am currently toying with the idea of returning to EVE. I had 3 accounts and renewed 2 of them before Christmas, or was it jan? Only to lose interest quickly.
Maybe the problem for me in EvE is lack of Corp, the last few I joined either folded in on themselves after merges or were just too small. I never really got the chance to break into 0.0 space and enjoy the "best" part of the game.
Darkfall is good, but I have not played for 3 days due to queuing times and been busy. Already my desire to login is diminishing, not because the game is bad it's me.
I'm still subbed to WoW, but haven't logged in for 2 weeks ~ haven't even hit 80 yet since WOTLK, but have a 78 DK & 73 Druid ontop of a list full of alts. I restarted WoW EU last year after I got tired of time zone hassle on WoW USA.
I agree that MMOs probably are not your style. To be involved with an MMO for any period of time, involvement with other players is a necessity. A lot of players forget this, and get pissed when they run out of content.
I like GW for its instanced gameplay. I like the fact that you can choose to go solo on a quest, or take a few friends/guildies with you. I also like not having to wait 5 minutes for an area to repopulate just to kill that last boar/troll/goblin for your quest.
Of course, I also spend just 2-3 hours, tops, at a time in-game. Most people who burn out spend too much time grinding through a game, then wonder why they ran out of content. There is only one place that has unlimited content, and it's called real life. Besides, if you spend 2-3 months playing a console rpg, you will probably save money compared to the $50 plus $15 a month playing an MMO.
new levels are not going to change your mind
I play a game until its not fun for me anymore, then move on
EQ2 fan sites
OP,
Sounds to me that the grind gets to ya. I think you're done with MMO's. You've experienced one to many grinds and it's time to take a break.
Maybe MMO's aren't for you. Maybe FPS's or action adventure games are more you're style. RPG's and MMO's have some pretty neat ideas, but grinding gets really boring.
MMORPG's w/ Max level characters: DAoC, SWG, & WoW
Currently Playing: WAR
Preferred Playstyle: Roleplay/adventurous, in a sandbox game.
I know exactly how you feel. I think the happens to most people. People only really get properly addicted to their first couple of MMOs and after that it's just a desperate stab at some nostalgia it would seem.
Playing: Xsyon.
Played:
Tried: Ultima Online, Everquest 2, Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures, Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning, Flyff, Perfect World, Silkroad Online, EVE Online, Ryzom.
You forfeit the right to post things like this simply be BEING a poster in a forum dedicated to MMOs.
Science flies people to the moon. Religion flies people into buildings.
Everyone is different but I find it imperative to find what I want out of the game and set realistic, acheivable goal. For others this is a bad thing and they don't like to be driven and enjoy the game as they get through it.
Sounds similar to me the last month. I think there's too much choice so it's too easy to think the grass is greener. I think the more you put into an mmo the more you get out of it. It may sound retarded but I think you need to push through the bordem barrier. I know people will call this stupid as it's a game but I find that when you get into a game then it was more than worth it on the other side and the enjoyment to be had outweights the struggle.
Sounds like if you've resubbed to WoW so many times after selling accounts you are no doubt repeating alot of content, not sure if this is the case in other games but this is enough for me to want to stop straight away.
I think you should decide what you want out of an mmo, really look into the games. Games like LoTRO and WoW while similar are polar opposites imho where the enjoyment is to be had. Seems like everyone loves the leveling in and journey in LoTRO but in WoW the enjoyment is very much to be had at the level cap. It's a matter of balanacing with what you want and what a game offers, we all have to cut our cloth as very rarely will anyone find the ideal.
lol what does RL stand for? Real Life? :P
Maybe you just don't have an addictive personality.
That is the reason people play games for long periods, it is not because they really enjoy them, they are addicted.
And why try to seek a long term game anyway, if you only enjoy games in month sperts and keep coming back to them then play them for a month and quit, that is pretty much what I do, even for games I really like, doing anything for a long period of time will make me bored no matter how good the game is, so I take frequent breaks and play a game for about one week out of a month.
I guess it is up to you to determine if that is money well spent, but it works for me.
Don't you worry little buddy. You're dealing with a man of honor. However, honor requires a higher percentage of profit
Hmm, bit of a sweeping statement.