I know this is one post too many, but after about 21 hours trying to complete Disc World, I can say I have beat the game!
Mission accomplished.
And what is the celebration at the end of the game? What happened to Honesty?
Congratulations! You have mastered Disc World. Does Honesty want to play again?
Yeah, so that was a little disappointing. Not only did I not get to see the game or anywhere I was going, I don't even get a semi-respectable ending to completing the game. I'm glad I actually stuck it out and finished though, because I always would have wondered what would have happened. Now, disappointed and all, I know.
I also learned the Disc World is, now that I've experienced everything--dying, surviving, finishing the game--this is most definitely a social community with its own identity. I doubt there are too many other sites that go into so much detail in their text descriptions, allow players to talk to other players, develop its own lingo, etc. This one does it all.
I honestly never would have played this game had it not been for the assignment, but I'm glad I did and I'm glad I got assigned to a social MOO. It's kind of nice to take a step back. Everything is getting to intense technologically, it's nice to play a game that isn't graphic, fast-paced or loud. Instead, it was a relaxing and enjoyable experience. Will I ever play it again? Who knows...if so, I'm definitely picking up a new name for my character. I think I've gotten rid of my newbie status. I'm the king of Disc World.
But isn't that the way that most gaming experiences end? In disappointment. I've been playing video games for most of my life, from NES to XBOX 360, only recently have the endings of games *attempted* at reconciling the vast number of hours you pour into them. Gaming really is about the experience I feel. Just thinking back before the existence of achievements, you had to invent your own benchmarks of accomplishment to share with your friends. "Not only did I beat the game, but I also collected every _____, or amassed _____ fortunes, or beat it in under ____ hours.
ReplyDeleteThere was never a certificate you could print off, there was never a special visit from the game developer to shake your hand, there never was really anything except the conclusion of the game and story, followed by, "do you want to play again?" But that's how the real world works too. You don't get certificates, or trophies, or pats on the back for everything you do, and frequently there isn't even a happy ending, or ending at all, life just goes on. It's about the journey.