Jack of all Trades and Master of None?

ILLISET · May 2021

Regarding MMORPs, would you rather...

Jump from game to game and experience them all? Everyone I see that does this never because very good at any of them. They either p2w or get carried through all of the content. They never truly get into the wickets of their role or class or the quests, fights, strategies, etc and kind of just fo the theme park thing "hey I'm along for the ride, I'm decent at games, tell me what to do."

Or would you rather, stick it out in one game, read every skill, make your own calculations, research research research, progress through the content rather than be carried through it, and try to gain a true understanding of thr game and what it has to offer?

cheyane · May 2021

Latter.

Po_gg · May 2021

First, the whole

ILLISET said:

never because very good at any of them. [..] They never truly get into the wickets of their role or class or the quests, fights, strategies, etc

sounds way too combat-focused (aka "elitist") for me. There are plenty of other ways for being "very good" in the game, and the "git gud, learn your class, etc." ain't among those ways - at least for me, but it's subjective and depends on preferences.

I prefer being "good" in my games through story and lore, exploration, crafting, housing, the community/social aspect, roleplaying, etc.

With that said, is it really an "either - or" scenario? As a hopper myself, my spot is inbetween your two options, but closer to the latter.

In my main games (plural, not just one) I read everything, theorycrafting all the time, going through the content to the tiniest fineprint, etc.

On my secondary games I still try to do at least the content, and beyond that research the mechanics I'm interested in (usually housing or crafting), but only care about the rest (especially the git gud/learn the class part) to the extent it's needed for the content.

Sequriem · May 2021

Bit of both really. There's a "Main game", in the past for me it was gw2 and nowadays it's EVE where I sink most of my time into and try to master something.

But also when I have some time to kill and I don't want to "think too much" I'd play something on the side - not too seriously. Last year I sank good hours just casually leveling and experiencing Classic (first time I played wow) and nowadays I log into ESO to just run around maps and complete random quests and dungeons.

Iselin · May 2021

In MMOs definitely number 2 but only if the game has the depth to get creative with builds. But I'm not obsessive about the best or the meta. I like different builds that I put together myself if they're fun to play.

cameltosis · May 2021

I guess I'd fall into the latter category, I only ever played one MMORPG at a time and usually stuck to just my main character. Alts would be for when I got bored, when I mastered my main, or when the guild needed a specific class.

ILLISET · May 2021

Po_gg said:

First, the whole

ILLISET said:

never because very good at any of them. [..] They never truly get into the wickets of their role or class or the quests, fights, strategies, etc

sounds way too combat-focused (aka "elitist") for me. There are plenty of other ways for being "very good" in the game, and the "git gud, learn your class, etc." ain't among those ways - at least for me, but it's subjective and depends on preferences.
I prefer being "good" in my games through story and lore, exploration, crafting, housing, the community/social aspect, roleplaying, etc.

With that said, is it really an "either - or" scenario? As a hopper myself, my spot is inbetween your two options, but closer to the latter.

In my main games (plural, not just one) I read everything, theorycrafting all the time, going through the content to the tiniest fineprint, etc.

On my secondary games I still try to do at least the content, and beyond that research the mechanics I'm interested in (usually housing or crafting), but only care about the rest (especially the git gud/learn the class part) to the extent it's needed for the content.

Yeah I mean its not as black or white as I illustrated it to be; however, there is a distinctive difference nevertheless.

I've made alot of friends who play how you are describing regarding not being combat focused. My wife being one of them. Extremely good and knowledgeable on certain aspects of her chosen MMORPG yet needs me to kill things for her because she's never learned the combat.

Kyleran · May 2021

I'm play one game and only one at a time, yet, I'd probably fall more in the first category.

I mean sure, I learn my class or role well enough to play decently but I've never been much interested in studying it in depth, I just want to play and enjoy myself.

Realizing my style is a bit of an anthemia to the more driven gamers I tend to mostly solo or group exclusively with friends so no, I've never asked for or had anyone "carry me" through a game.

In fact, I'm probably better than I give myself credit for but in the interest of caution I rarely expose myself to situations where others might view me as a burden.

Sovrath · May 2021

While I would still sample other games I'd really just prefer to play "one" mmorpg. It's just that I've not found one I've wanted to play like that in years.

Theocritus · May 2021

ILLISET said:

Regarding MMORPs, would you rather...

Jump from game to game and experience them all? Everyone I see that does this never because very good at any of them. They either p2w or get carried through all of the content. They never truly get into the wickets of their role or class or the quests, fights, strategies, etc and kind of just fo the theme park thing "hey I'm along for the ride, I'm decent at games, tell me what to do."

Or would you rather, stick it out in one game, read every skill, make your own calculations, research research research, progress through the content rather than be carried through it, and try to gain a true understanding of thr game and what it has to offer?

Well I have done both.....EQ1 was my long time game...i played it hardcore for 5 years and raided 3-4 times a week.....I researched the game and knew where many of the best bosses could be found...THis lasted from 2000-2005

Since then I have played many.....I dont really like investing all my time in just one game anymore...i might play one in spurts but not for much longer than a couple of months....This is why I want low cost of entry....When you play many games it really needs to be cost effecient. I also don't buy expansions or DLC as I just dont want to play that long to get to that point...No game has really grabbed me in the last 16 years.

Ungood · May 2021

ILLISET said:

Regarding MMORPs, would you rather...

Jump from game to game and experience them all?

Or would you

Rather, stick it out in one game.

Ok.. Ideally, when it comes to an MMO, I like to find a world I can get lost in, to spend years in, and enjoy the game. I have always viewed MMO's as long haul games, that someone could and would want to, play for years on end.

Equally so, I am not looking for a Second Job, I am looking for an escape from my primary job, so doing tons of research, and all that jazz, is not something that thrills me.

I recall something I said to someone that was fussing that DDO content was too easy. I asked how long they have been playing, and, they had several thousand hours into the game, and I responded with "Well at some point, you just become a master of the game, kudos and congrats, you graduated, would you like me to send you a diploma from the school of DDO?"

Ok. yah... I was the asshole.. but I got my point across.

I admit, I do not know the all of DDO after 14 years, because I don't like casters, so I never took the time to get good at them, or learn them, I often play Melee, it's what I get into, so, OI focus on that, and bein good at it, so much so, that when I show up at raids, with my Cleric/Sorc/Monk, holding a great sword, no one questions that I am about to lay a beat down. I have even had people say "I was about to turn your your build down, till I saw it was you.. dwarf axes?"

Cryomatrix · May 2021

I have an addictive personality, hence, i can only do the latter.

iixviiiix · May 2021

To master something , you need to waste alots money . And i don't think it worth to "master" a service that may close down anytime .

Wizardry · May 2021

How many games don't have a linear progression route that is pretty much hand holding?

Yes i do tend to stick it out in one game but that is a result of not many good games worth playing so i am more or less stuck until.....

I played Atlas for at least 2 years but the devs kept screwing aroundf with settings until they ruined it for me.
Now i play Valheim and been playing for about idk 4-5 months and i tend to move slowly.I can't stand th whole BEAT the game crap it turns me off.So how i play Valheim is i try and roam AL Lthe lands,discover new areas all over the maps without worrying about "i must beat this boss"becuase there is only like 5 bosses so if i played that way it would not be enjoyable for me.

I bet MOST people do not stay and enjoy a game world,they play these games to BEAT the game then move on.IMO they completely miss the point of role play gaming and enjoyment.
If i could think of an analogy it would be like going to watch a movie to see the end scene instead of enjoying the whole movie and all it has to offer.It would be like someone using the fast forward to keep skipping over scenes then watch the last 5 minutes.

AAAMEOW · May 2021

I only play one game at a time. I get addicted and put all my time into it.

I think it is better to play multiple games though. And just play each one casually.

Kyleran · May 2021

AAAMEOW said:

I only play one game at a time. I get addicted and put all my time into it.

I think it is better to play multiple games though. And just play each one casually.

Similar issue, I'm really addicted to progression in a game so the reason I'm unable to split time with more than one is a strong FOMO on an opportunity to further advance my goals.

Same reason I rarely play multiple characters in a game, at least not until after I've progressed the previous one to my targeted goals and can set it aside.

I often chide folks here for playing "rotations" of games for several reasons, but envy is probably playing no small part in my subconscious.

Sandmanjw · May 2021

Always have and always will play for fun.

That for me means that some games where appropriate I will get into the weeds a bit, and be more in depth. And for other games I will just bounce from class to class as the mood strikes me and not try to get too in depth.

I never have, and never will, worry about how others view me, or the "skill" at which they think I play my games. I play for me....

Po_gg · May 2021

Kyleran said:
I often chide folks here for playing "rotations" of games for several reasons, but envy is probably playing no small part in my subconscious.

No need for envy, these are simply just different mindsets, neither of them "right" or "wrong". I'm a hopper and it's working perfectly for me, but the other side is fine as well, and works for other players.

I'm glad though now our side is more present and not just the weird straying off from the mainstream... part of why I've skipped a few years of the "golden years" was the overwhelming majority of

"Why rolled an alt? You're doin' it wrong, it's a waste of time, perfect your main instead"

(likewise the reason of coming back was heavily based on the fact CoH was really good for altoholics)

ILLISET said:
I've made alot of friends who play how you are describing regarding not being combat focused. My wife being one of them. Extremely good and knowledgeable on certain aspects of her chosen MMORPG yet needs me to kill things for her because she's never learned the combat.

Just a slight addition, I'm carrying my own weight... what I meant by not caring about combat is the extra mile, anything beyond the bare minimum.

And I mean the "action" part by that, the sheer idiocy of "practice your rotations every day, or else..."

Strategy, theory-crafting, gear/build composition is fun, the actual combat is mechanical and boring, hence I don't really care about that. (see also: tab-target over action, and turn-based over real-time

)

With an example, I'm fine and "doing my part" well enough up until the very top tier raids maybe (but I never was a big raider any way).

You won't see my name on the top of the DPS (epeen) chart, when I'm healer there might be accidental deaths, and when I tank there's a chance for occasional aggro loss to a trigger-happy DPS - but I don't need a carry, not even in my secondary games.

I just ain't on the top spots, since I don't care about that aspect.

Theocritus · May 2021

I guess it depends on the game you are playing, but in general I find it is much less expensive to bounce around, especially i you are OK with f2p titles. I look at a game like WoW and how much it would have cost to pay a sub for 17 years (not including expansions and cash shop purchases), and I am sure this way has been much less.

Mendel · May 2021

ILLISET said:

Po_gg said:

First, the whole

ILLISET said:

never because very good at any of them. [..] They never truly get into the wickets of their role or class or the quests, fights, strategies, etc

sounds way too combat-focused (aka "elitist") for me. There are plenty of other ways for being "very good" in the game, and the "git gud, learn your class, etc." ain't among those ways - at least for me, but it's subjective and depends on preferences.
I prefer being "good" in my games through story and lore, exploration, crafting, housing, the community/social aspect, roleplaying, etc.

With that said, is it really an "either - or" scenario? As a hopper myself, my spot is inbetween your two options, but closer to the latter.

In my main games (plural, not just one) I read everything, theorycrafting all the time, going through the content to the tiniest fineprint, etc.

On my secondary games I still try to do at least the content, and beyond that research the mechanics I'm interested in (usually housing or crafting), but only care about the rest (especially the git gud/learn the class part) to the extent it's needed for the content.

Yeah I mean its not as black or white as I illustrated it to be; however, there is a distinctive difference nevertheless.

I've made alot of friends who play how you are describing regarding not being combat focused. My wife being one of them. Extremely good and knowledgeable on certain aspects of her chosen MMORPG yet needs me to kill things for her because she's never learned the combat.

The elephant in the room is that MMORPGs only reward activities in either the combat or crafting areas. There are no mechanisms in any game to achieve through other means; every form of advancement is tied back to your character's skill with a weapon. Want to be better at a craft, well, you're going to need to collect a million or so wolf spleens to make those items, and wolves don't give up their spleens willingly, so you'd better have some means to kill wolves. So, you either whack wolves or wait for someone else to whack wolves.

There aren't similar systems for appeasing the gods, or convincing a judge, influencing governmental policy or even impressing an NPC. That constricts the role playing avenues of non-militant occupations or makeups. No one earns XP from being nice to another or feeling sorry for another in a game; the only tool for extracting XP is conflict and XP is the only measure of progress.

So, you either fight or you remain level 1. That's the choice we're given by games.

Scorchien · May 2021

I generally play 3 MMOS at any given time ...

UO has been a constant for 24 years now

Also at this time im in FF14 and Warhammer

At some point a game rotates out and another goes in , keeps things fresh and fun ..

I have fun in all of them am involved in communities in most and do end game in most

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Jack of all Trades and Master of None?

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Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. Pvbs 18:2, NIV

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Jack of all Trades and Master of None?

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Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. Pvbs 18:2, NIV

Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. Pvbs 18:2, NIV