[MUD-Dev] On socialization and convenience

[rayzam]

----- Original Message -----
From: "Marian Griffith" <gryphon at iaehv.nl>
To: "Mud Dev Mailing list" <mud-dev at kanga.nu>
Sent: Saturday, June 16, 2001 2:25 PM
Subject: RE: [MUD-Dev] On socialization and convenience

<SNIP>

> Downtime is psychologically necessary for players. If the
> experience

<SNIP>

> If there is a law in this I would say it is:

> The need for downtime in a game is proportional to the stress
> normal gameplay induces.


It seems that this is a bit of a catch-22, or perhaps the point Raph
was making. That is, gameplay induces stress, but a good stress that
players want to experience. Then a player needs downtime. I agree
with both of these.

But where is this downtime taken?  If the community is friendly and
encourages socialization, or there is a location within the game
that encourages socialization, it can be done in-game. If not [and
sometimes regardless], it can be done out of game. Just log off and
relax. In this case, the stress causes people to log off. Case in
point for this is FPS.  Play a few hours of UT, then chat with your
buddies elsewhere.


Here's a real life example [I still believe we should use real life
schemas to jump-start in-game behaviors]: I go mountain biking. Fun
activity, induces stress, I crave it. I'm done with my runs for the
day.  Where do I relax? If it's a place frequented by others who
enjoy mountain biking, there's often a hangout [pub!] to relax
in. Now if the group there is friendly [as is often the case], then
it's a great place to relax.

What if I do it elsewhere, where there are hikers, bird enthusiasts,
people riding horses, but little-to-no bikers? Or early on a Sunday,
and don't run into anyone else. Well, socialization in that case is
in a different venue. Go home, go out to eat. The point is go
elsewhere, i.e. log off.


Thus, I'm circling back to Raph's point. Downtime should be
planned. It probably aids in increasing socialization and a
community. Furthermore, if 'downtime' is still dealing with events
in-game, such as the blacksmith & line, then it fulfills the need to
relax within the game too.

rayzam


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