Bioware and "the wall"

[RoninaThorstone]

Many of my guild mates have been hitting "the wall". Be it level 40, or 15. Some aspect about the game presents a barrier that even the veteran MMO players are having difficultly getting by. Even I found that some days I simply could not play anymore. I was very confused since I had leveled 14 85s in warcraft and had played for years.

Today it struck me. The constant choices we have to make in this game can cause something called "ego depletion" or "decision fatigue". They are the same effect but the connotation can be different. Usually ego depletion is the giving into temptation while decision fatigue is self explanatory.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/21/ma...pagewanted=all

http://216.22.10.76/wiki/Ego_Depletion

So what does this mean for bioware? Their classic move is to give the gamer choice and for many of their fans this works out. They pace themselves and treat this like mass effect or dragon age.

I personally think that this might hinder their ability to corner the majority of MMO players who see the leveling process as a means to an ends instead of as the game itself.

Since hitting 50 I've noticed no more slumps in my drive to play (amongst other things. When I would burn out I would just sit on the couch watching the news for the most part). Except for when I play my alts.

Anyone else notice this?

[Larynx]

I have never felt... "decision fatigue" or "ego depletion"...

[lolcatabeta]

All I could think of about OP's post was Friendzones

[Deleted]

Yeah, I've noticed that. I think the word you're looking for is "boredom".

[Vexies]

Personally I have never felt "the Wall" currently I am 46 and loving it. Granted I only play on average about 3 hours a night a bit more on the weekends. I cant help but thinking that maybe its just that people are simply playing to much in one sitting? I dont care how awesome something is, if I played it hours upon hours a day for several days / weeks in a row id feel the need to do something different for a while.

Just play when you want to play its not like your on a time clock and if you dont feel like playing one night? not a big deal is it?

[Agent Mercury]

The only wall I hit was having 8 alts due to the shiny new-ness of the classes and wanting to try them all.

[Deleted]

main reason I'm stopping for any reason is because im bored of playing it after a couple of hours, and I like to pace myself. never really seen the point in rushing to finish something unless theres something I think is really worth it at the end of it (like getting early server first or something in warcraft). I've heard the lvl 50 stuff is lacking so im in no rush to hit 50 and just waiting for more content to be released so I can appricate it more wen its out.

I don't think its ego depletion or whatever, Its just that you actually have to pay attention to what the NPC is saying rather than running around following markers on your mini map like what warcraft has become. I dont think the choices are really the problem. this style of gameplay requires more concentration.

[Domenik]

Sounds like your guild just does not like the game. We have about 15 50's and another 10 or so in the late 40's

The 50 content is not that bad 5 Hard modes plus the raid bosses so far have been fun.

oh and premade pvp = win

Also tomorrow there adding 4 more raid bosses and another 50 hardmode!

[Reiyu]

Many of my guild mates have been hitting "the wall". Be it level 40, or 15. Some aspect about the game presents a barrier that even the veteran MMO players are having difficultly getting by. Even I found that some days I simply could not play anymore. I was very confused since I had leveled 14 85s in warcraft and had played for years.

Today it struck me. The constant choices we have to make in this game can cause something called "ego depletion" or "decision fatigue". They are the same effect but the connotation can be different. Usually ego depletion is the giving into temptation while decision fatigue is self explanatory.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/21/ma...pagewanted=all

http://216.22.10.76/wiki/Ego_Depletion

In ghetto *** terms, you played the mutha ****in game way too much and not let yourself do other activities. When you lack sleep, your brain will start to wear and tear your muscles to a point that you can't think or allow yourself to keep going. You are just probably way too fatigue man. Reduce your hours and be around people to keep yourself from hitting the wall.

Also, the game isn't meant to be "spacebared" through to max level. The idea is to progress yourself, with your character, to the choices you make and see what happens as the plot thickens to either good or bad from your decisions. In the end, kid, you strain too much on rushing to 50 and really miss out what the game really offered to you. Your loss. /thread

[drwelfare]

I felt worn out for about a week but that was on every game I tried playing. Tatooine seemed to drag some though.

[Saladbar]

Maybe. I'm OK if they don't corner the market because they made leveling a more engaging process. If this drives certain players away, I suspect the community will be better for it.

[RoninaThorstone]

I don't think its ego depletion or whatever, Its just that you actually have to pay attention to what the NPC is saying rather than running around following markers on your mini map like what warcraft has become. I dont think the choices are really the problem. this style of gameplay requires more concentration.

Paying attention for an extended period of time is taxing. Making decisions is even more so. This can result in mental fatigue which is more or less what we are talking about. Just in more specific terminology.

[mickybrighteyes]

only wall I've run into is my RL friends inability to pick a single server. I swear they all went and picked servers on the opposite side of the world.... trying convince everyone to start over on one server if they haven't gotten a 40+ or decent guild =[

[RoninaThorstone]

In the end, kid, you strain too much on rushing to 50 and really miss out what the game really offered to you. Your loss. /thread

Actually, if I did "spacebar" through the game I wouldn't have had an issue... You didn't read the articles/post did you?

[Koalachan]

I believe BW stated that their game is targeted at the "casual" player more than trying to pamper to everyone and cornering the market....

As for me, the only "wall" hindering me is Hoth. I leveled my consular to 40, and just hated Hoth, still haven't finished it. Rolled a BH and am at Hoth again, with the only real drive to do it being I get the best companion ever, but it's still Hoth....

[Reiyu]

Actually, if I did "spacebar" through the game I wouldn't have had an issue... You didn't read the articles/post did you?

I didn't simply because I believe you are really over complicating this matter of simply getting burnt out. Which in this case, you are. I'm pointing it out in simplistic terms over the complex articles that are deemed unnecessary to logic eye on your post.

[Mitsumoto]

Yeah I have not felt "The wall"
I'm actually loving all the story lines and classes.

[Realsykes]

Paying attention for an extended period of time is taxing. Making decisions is even more so. This can result in mental fatigue which is more or less what we are talking about. Just in more specific terminology.

Taxing?

....

I was unaware we have stooped to calling reading dialogue a terrible idea.

[RoninaThorstone]

I didn't simply because I believe you are really over complicating this matter of simply getting burnt out. Which in this case, you are. I'm pointing it out in simplistic terms over the complex articles that are deemed unnecessary to logic eye on your post.

You are still missing my point.

The process of making decisions might cause a player to burn out faster.

This might effect swtors ability to appeal to a large audience who wants to play a fair deal but doesn't want to burn out.

[Koalachan]

You are still missing my point.

The process of making decisions might cause a player to burn out faster.

This might effect swtors ability to appeal to a large audience who wants to play a fair deal but doesn't want to burn out.

So, if I'm reading this right, you're complaining that the game makes players think, which will turn them off of the game?