I played EQ rather intesively for 3 years (along with dozens of other MMORPGs and games), so I can attest to some of these things, but I think the motivations behind the complaining about class balance or risk vs. reward in games like EQ isn't about "prolonging the play" so much as it is about the obtainability of the prize. The people generally complain in EQ when they lose, but not when they win. It's all about trying to win, gain levels, abilities or loot until a player deems the effort required to get those things unreasonable. Only then does it become a complaint about fairness or balance. So the motivation behind such complains is still very much related to wining.
Another example is how many guilds in EQ are structured. Lower level or less intensive guilds ("family guilds") have a relatively high number of female players, while Uber or more high level guilds tend to be mostly populated by men. Family style guilds tend to value interpersonal relationships and raids that everyone enjoys. Uber guilds tend to be much more goal oriented.
It still seems like I'd value a prize more if I actually fought difficult odds for it and won, rather than whined until the rules were changed to be easy. I dunno. I'm one of those who doesn't understand the rules against player killing, either, so. :)
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Date: 8/12/03 03:58 pm (UTC)Another example is how many guilds in EQ are structured. Lower level or less intensive guilds ("family guilds") have a relatively high number of female players, while Uber or more high level guilds tend to be mostly populated by men. Family style guilds tend to value interpersonal relationships and raids that everyone enjoys. Uber guilds tend to be much more goal oriented.
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Date: 8/12/03 04:09 pm (UTC)