http://crookedtimber.org/2005/01/29/an-emerald-the-size-of-a-plovers-egg/ Out of the crooked timber of humanity, no straight thing was ever made Sat, 26 May 2012 14:07:32 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 http://crookedtimber.org/2005/01/29/an-emerald-the-size-of-a-plovers-egg/comment-page-1/#comment-59007 asg Mon, 31 Jan 2005 23:08:34 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/wp/?p=2809#comment-59007 My very first double post! Grrr. My very first double post! Grrr.

]]> http://crookedtimber.org/2005/01/29/an-emerald-the-size-of-a-plovers-egg/comment-page-1/#comment-59006 asg Mon, 31 Jan 2005 23:03:06 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/wp/?p=2809#comment-59006 I tell myself I play WOW for professional reasons (I'm a game designer). However, my wife is totally hooked, and she is generally not a big gamer-type; she enjoyed The Sims, but didn't play it as obsessively as many others have. Same with Zoo Tycoon 2 and Sid Meier's Pirates!, both of which are superbly designed games. (None of those three are MMORPGs*, of course, although The Sims has a separate version that is; curiously, despite the fact that the solo version is the best-selling PC game of all time, the massively multiplayer version is doing average at best.) Anyway, I asked my wife why she plays, and she said it was like golf. But, dear, you hate watching golf, to say nothing of playing it, I said. That wasn't the point, she rejoined; playing WOW made her understand why people like golf. The answer is that, for intelligent people with complicated, amorphous day jobs (such as academics, policy folks, etc.), the appeal of golf is that it's a bunch of little, easily described, clearly achievable tasks. Compared to the sorts of projects many knowledge workers spend their careers doing, the little frissons of accomplishment that accompany the satisfaction of a par on hole 12, or the cashing of a quest in WOW or Everquest, are very relaxing and satisfying. So that's why she plays. Myself, I sometimes find it a little scary, since WOW is so well-designed, with a single artistic and design vision pervading it, that it makes me wonder how anyone could manage such a creation. When looking at the design of cities like Ironforge, or the sheer volume of the content available for players to experience, I feel rather like a beginning architect looking at the Empire State Building, or a novice director watching the LOTR movies. Maybe I could manage a project like that someday, but I haven't the foggiest idea how. I tell myself I play WOW for professional reasons (I’m a game designer). However, my wife is totally hooked, and she is generally not a big gamer-type; she enjoyed The Sims, but didn’t play it as obsessively as many others have. Same with Zoo Tycoon 2 and Sid Meier’s Pirates!, both of which are superbly designed games. (None of those three are MMORPGs*, of course, although The Sims has a separate version that is; curiously, despite the fact that the solo version is the best-selling PC game of all time, the massively multiplayer version is doing average at best.) Anyway, I asked my wife why she plays, and she said it was like golf. But, dear, you hate watching golf, to say nothing of playing it, I said. That wasn’t the point, she rejoined; playing WOW made her understand why people like golf. The answer is that, for intelligent people with complicated, amorphous day jobs (such as academics, policy folks, etc.), the appeal of golf is that it’s a bunch of little, easily described, clearly achievable tasks. Compared to the sorts of projects many knowledge workers spend their careers doing, the little frissons of accomplishment that accompany the satisfaction of a par on hole 12, or the cashing of a quest in WOW or Everquest, are very relaxing and satisfying. So that’s why she plays. Myself, I sometimes find it a little scary, since WOW is so well-designed, with a single artistic and design vision pervading it, that it makes me wonder how anyone could manage such a creation. When looking at the design of cities like Ironforge, or the sheer volume of the content available for players to experience, I feel rather like a beginning architect looking at the Empire State Building, or a novice director watching the LOTR movies. Maybe I could manage a project like that someday, but I haven’t the foggiest idea how.

]]> http://crookedtimber.org/2005/01/29/an-emerald-the-size-of-a-plovers-egg/comment-page-1/#comment-59005 asg Mon, 31 Jan 2005 22:56:41 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/wp/?p=2809#comment-59005 I tell myself I play WOW for professional reasons (I'm a game designer). However, my wife is totally hooked, and she is generally not a big gamer-type; she enjoyed The Sims, but didn't play it as obsessively as many others have. Same with Zoo Tycoon 2 and Sid Meier's Pirates!, both of which are superbly designed games. (None of those three are MMORPGs*, of course, although The Sims has a separate version that is; curiously, despite the fact that the solo version is the best-selling PC game of all time, the massively multiplayer version is doing average at best.) Anyway, I asked my wife why she plays, and she said it was like golf. But, dear, you hate watching golf, to say nothing of playing it, I said. That wasn't the point, she rejoined; playing WOW made her understand why people like golf. The answer is that, for intelligent people with complicated, amorphous day jobs (such as academics, policy folks, etc.), the appeal of golf is that it's a bunch of little, easily described, clearly achievable tasks. Compared to the sorts of projects many knowledge workers spend their careers doing, the little frissons of accomplishment that accompany the satisfaction of a par on hole 12, or the cashing of a quest in WOW or Everquest, are very relaxing and satisfying. So that's why she plays. Myself, I sometimes find it a little scary, since WOW is so well-designed, with a single artistic and design vision pervading it, that it makes me wonder how anyone could manage such a creation. When looking at the design of cities like Ironforge, or the sheer volume of the content available for players to experience, I feel rather like a beginning architect looking at the Empire State Building, or a novice director watching the LOTR movies. Maybe I could manage a project like that someday, but I haven't the foggiest idea how. *: In the industry press the acronym is MMORPG (massively multiplayer online role playing game); "multiplayer" just gets an M and not an MP. But if you've been reading sites devoted to them, your usage may be equally accepted; it just leapt out at me, as someone who follows the industry very closely. I tell myself I play WOW for professional reasons (I’m a game designer). However, my wife is totally hooked, and she is generally not a big gamer-type; she enjoyed The Sims, but didn’t play it as obsessively as many others have. Same with Zoo Tycoon 2 and Sid Meier’s Pirates!, both of which are superbly designed games. (None of those three are MMORPGs*, of course, although The Sims has a separate version that is; curiously, despite the fact that the solo version is the best-selling PC game of all time, the massively multiplayer version is doing average at best.) Anyway, I asked my wife why she plays, and she said it was like golf. But, dear, you hate watching golf, to say nothing of playing it, I said. That wasn’t the point, she rejoined; playing WOW made her understand why people like golf. The answer is that, for intelligent people with complicated, amorphous day jobs (such as academics, policy folks, etc.), the appeal of golf is that it’s a bunch of little, easily described, clearly achievable tasks. Compared to the sorts of projects many knowledge workers spend their careers doing, the little frissons of accomplishment that accompany the satisfaction of a par on hole 12, or the cashing of a quest in WOW or Everquest, are very relaxing and satisfying. So that’s why she plays. Myself, I sometimes find it a little scary, since WOW is so well-designed, with a single artistic and design vision pervading it, that it makes me wonder how anyone could manage such a creation. When looking at the design of cities like Ironforge, or the sheer volume of the content available for players to experience, I feel rather like a beginning architect looking at the Empire State Building, or a novice director watching the LOTR movies. Maybe I could manage a project like that someday, but I haven’t the foggiest idea how. *: In the industry press the acronym is MMORPG (massively multiplayer online role playing game); “multiplayer” just gets an M and not an MP. But if you’ve been reading sites devoted to them, your usage may be equally accepted; it just leapt out at me, as someone who follows the industry very closely.

]]> http://crookedtimber.org/2005/01/29/an-emerald-the-size-of-a-plovers-egg/comment-page-1/#comment-59004 Doug Sun, 30 Jan 2005 11:52:40 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/wp/?p=2809#comment-59004 Patrick and Teresa Nielsen Hayden (in the CT blogroll as Electrolite and Making Light, respectively) are near-definitive sources on SF fandom. Patrick and Teresa Nielsen Hayden (in the CT blogroll as Electrolite and Making Light, respectively) are near-definitive sources on SF fandom.

]]> http://crookedtimber.org/2005/01/29/an-emerald-the-size-of-a-plovers-egg/comment-page-1/#comment-59003 John Quiggin Sun, 30 Jan 2005 00:14:16 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/wp/?p=2809#comment-59003 Thanks for this excellent suggestion, Bill. As I mentioned on my blog, I thought that it would be a good idea to investigate Everquest directly, but then decided that, if I needed a second addiction after blogging, crack cocaine would probably be a safer and more sensible choice. Thanks for this excellent suggestion, Bill. As I mentioned on my blog, I thought that it would be a good idea to investigate Everquest directly, but then decided that, if I needed a second addiction after blogging, crack cocaine would probably be a safer and more sensible choice.

]]> http://crookedtimber.org/2005/01/29/an-emerald-the-size-of-a-plovers-egg/comment-page-1/#comment-59002 Bill Gardner Sat, 29 Jan 2005 21:48:35 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/wp/?p=2809#comment-59002 John, if you do not read Many to Many (http://www.corante.com/many/), I strongly recommend it. This is a group blog by the elite of the 'social software' writers (including Clay Shirky). What they are about, as I understand it, is "networked social capital" (what a great phrase). By the way, my son wants me to participate in WoW... so if my blogging should happen to die, you 'll know where to look for me... John, if you do not read Many to Many (http://www.corante.com/many/), I strongly recommend it. This is a group blog by the elite of the ‘social software’ writers (including Clay Shirky). What they are about, as I understand it, is “networked social capital” (what a great phrase). By the way, my son wants me to participate in WoW… so if my blogging should happen to die, you ‘ll know where to look for me…

]]> http://crookedtimber.org/2005/01/29/an-emerald-the-size-of-a-plovers-egg/comment-page-1/#comment-59001 Mary Kay Sat, 29 Jan 2005 18:11:07 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/wp/?p=2809#comment-59001 Jonn: I'm happy to talk to you in email or however you prefer about sf fandom. It's a wild and wonderful place and we love it a lot. There have been a couple of academic studies and I can run down the citations for those if you're interested. MKK Jonn: I’m happy to talk to you in email or however you prefer about sf fandom. It’s a wild and wonderful place and we love it a lot. There have been a couple of academic studies and I can run down the citations for those if you’re interested. MKK

]]> http://crookedtimber.org/2005/01/29/an-emerald-the-size-of-a-plovers-egg/comment-page-1/#comment-59000 Keith M Ellis Sat, 29 Jan 2005 15:38:35 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/wp/?p=2809#comment-59000 <i>I asked the developer of Ultima Online and Star Wars galaxies...</i> Raph has written some <a href="http://www.legendmud.org/raph/gaming/comments.html">very interesting and thoughtful things</a> that may be of some interest. Particularly in regard to how gamers play these sorts of games. Knowing the gamers motivations is important in this discussion, no? I'm familiar with him because I followed the development and launch of UO with great interest. These MMOGs are fascinating laboratories for all sorts of things. I asked the developer of Ultima Online and Star Wars galaxies… Raph has written some very interesting and thoughtful things that may be of some interest. Particularly in regard to how gamers play these sorts of games. Knowing the gamers motivations is important in this discussion, no? I’m familiar with him because I followed the development and launch of UO with great interest. These MMOGs are fascinating laboratories for all sorts of things.

]]> http://crookedtimber.org/2005/01/29/an-emerald-the-size-of-a-plovers-egg/comment-page-1/#comment-58999 david Sat, 29 Jan 2005 13:03:31 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/wp/?p=2809#comment-58999 Don't forget the motive of compulsion. Gaming can seem like video poker at times. Don’t forget the motive of compulsion. Gaming can seem like video poker at times.

]]> http://crookedtimber.org/2005/01/29/an-emerald-the-size-of-a-plovers-egg/comment-page-1/#comment-58998 John Quiggin Sat, 29 Jan 2005 07:07:00 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/wp/?p=2809#comment-58998 MKK, I'm very interested in SF fandom, particularly because of the interaction between copyright and fan fiction, including slash fiction. Again, it's not a scene I know much about. MKK, I’m very interested in SF fandom, particularly because of the interaction between copyright and fan fiction, including slash fiction. Again, it’s not a scene I know much about.

]]> http://crookedtimber.org/2005/01/29/an-emerald-the-size-of-a-plovers-egg/comment-page-1/#comment-58997 Mary Kay Sat, 29 Jan 2005 06:16:36 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/wp/?p=2809#comment-58997 I'm a member of a fairly well established gift culture: science fiction fandom. For the most part none of us are in it for the money but spend countless hours putting on conventions (to which we sell memberships which wouldn't cover costs if people doing the work were paid, writing fanzines, both on- and offline (which are distributed free of charge or at cost) and assorted and sundry other stuff. Do you know anything about it? My husband and I spend a lot of money every year traveling to conventions to work our tails off. Because, um, well. It's fun. We also accrue status and what our community calls egoboo -- people know who you are and talk about you and recognize you and appreciate your efforts. Sometimes I think we're all nuts. MKK I’m a member of a fairly well established gift culture: science fiction fandom. For the most part none of us are in it for the money but spend countless hours putting on conventions (to which we sell memberships which wouldn’t cover costs if people doing the work were paid, writing fanzines, both on- and offline (which are distributed free of charge or at cost) and assorted and sundry other stuff. Do you know anything about it? My husband and I spend a lot of money every year traveling to conventions to work our tails off. Because, um, well. It’s fun. We also accrue status and what our community calls egoboo—people know who you are and talk about you and recognize you and appreciate your efforts. Sometimes I think we’re all nuts. MKK

]]> http://crookedtimber.org/2005/01/29/an-emerald-the-size-of-a-plovers-egg/comment-page-1/#comment-58996 Travis Nellor Sat, 29 Jan 2005 04:06:33 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/wp/?p=2809#comment-58996 My experience is that companies prefer to create social interaction than creating an interesting game. I asked the developer of Ultima Online and Star Wars galaxies about this and his answer was the game was secondary to the social experience and that the game is an excuse for people to gather and interact. My experience is that companies prefer to create social interaction than creating an interesting game. I asked the developer of Ultima Online and Star Wars galaxies about this and his answer was the game was secondary to the social experience and that the game is an excuse for people to gather and interact.

]]> http://crookedtimber.org/2005/01/29/an-emerald-the-size-of-a-plovers-egg/comment-page-1/#comment-58995 BigMacAttack Sat, 29 Jan 2005 03:11:34 +0000 http://crookedtimber.org/wp/?p=2809#comment-58995 I thought your post on MMPORPGs was great. A lot of interesting ideas. I had some lame comments but alas this site is having problems. I am really interested in why Game Owner's are not capturing those rents. Maybe the market is booming(new) and opportunity cost is lower for capturing those rents instead of improving other areas. But I had some ideas why that might not be so. Game’s expect impartial referees in the status struggle and selling status violates that expectation. A large portion of gamers think that buying status is wrong and thus a black market is born. (But why do they think buying status is wrong?) I really think that these markets might lead to interesting insights. I thought your post on MMPORPGs was great. A lot of interesting ideas. I had some lame comments but alas this site is having problems. I am really interested in why Game Owner’s are not capturing those rents. Maybe the market is booming(new) and opportunity cost is lower for capturing those rents instead of improving other areas. But I had some ideas why that might not be so. Game’s expect impartial referees in the status struggle and selling status violates that expectation. A large portion of gamers think that buying status is wrong and thus a black market is born. (But why do they think buying status is wrong?) I really think that these markets might lead to interesting insights.

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