Due to some bungled transit plans this week, the time I had to prepare the game updates to the page have been delayed. Fret not though, as I have a bit for you to think on while I make up some new tables for the re-release of Die-Roll-Dungeon.
I'm going to post the normal tiles for the game (not shown above), but perhaps I should also run segment on constructing them in 3D... hmm...
So, as the title would indicate, this week's ponderance is the subject of addiction. This isn't a PSA; I'm not going to soapbox. I just discovered another thing that has an addictive property in one of the game I'm playing and I wanted you all to think perhaps on how this would affect your game play and game building.
Quick sneak into this week's game updates, I was playing some more Star Wars: The Old Republic. Now up until last week, I had never really looked at the Galactic Market feature(s) in the game. If I had something I didn't want to use, I just sold it to a vendor and was rid of it; or if I needed some crafting materials for my crew skills, I sent my crew off to get them. Fairly basic play, I thought. Maybe there's some grind to the crew skills on occasion, but generally I forget about them after a while and keep moving through the story.
Enter the Galactic Market, an auction house to buy and sell anything that isn't bound to your character. Now I'm selling things I don't need, as well as the materials I've collected and built with my crew skills. All of a sudden, my character has half a million credits and crew skills are a lucrative part of game play. (Not in real life, just in game.)
So now I find myself wanting to log in and just set some skills going every so often. If I keep this up it may have to be fitted into my daily schedule: wake, brush teeth, grind crew skills, make breakfast...
I'm not saying that this idea is a bad thing. It feels no different from checking email or social media. Maybe similar to a round of solitaire just to pass a few minutes. My concern is that it becomes one of those things like the social media games where I keep checking back every couple minutes to set it in motion again.
It's something to think about from both aspects. In playing the game, it's important to allocate time properly if you want to include that type of play. As a gamesmith, it gives thought as to what type of game am I creating. Do I want to have that addictive element to try and keep people playing? Obviously I don't want to purposefully waste people's time, but if it's something they would enjoy in a game, why wouldn't I include it? And if I'm trying to keep people aware of how much time they are spending, would I perhaps set an optional limit?
This week was supposed to be the weekly D&D game, and that game did occur. I even got to watch it happen on Roll20. However, due to my travel arrangements, I was unable to participate. I'm told we all survived, though, rescued the town again, and even got ourselves up to third level.
So when next I report I'll give a little bio on my character and how I'm leveling up to third.
Here's me outside of an airport bookshop with a printing press in the background...
So that's some food for thought on some elements that can be put into a game. I imagine most game companies want us playing their games for as long as we want to be playing them. But do remember to take some time away from the game every now an then. If for no other reason than to remember why we do it.
Keep creating and have an excellent week.