Hyrkanian Insight: Having Fun

When was the last time you actually did laugh out loud while gaming? And when was the last time you got angry? We all play to have fun, but in many occasions the game becomes something more, providing many good moments but also frustration and even stress. Are we really aware when a game becomes an obligation? It usually is a slow process of which we won’t be aware until it has affected us so much that we need to take a break from the game, or even makes us quit for good, sometimes not to come back again despite having friends there.

Let’s have a look at a different approach to the gaming world of MMOs, and to the world of FunComs Age of Conan in particular.

I would ask you if you tend to do “silly” stuff in game. Like seeking the highest cliff or mountain and see if you can survive the fall; or go boom some explosive barrels in an attempt to get knocked back off a slope; or even attack the guards close to a resurrecting pad to see who gets decapitated first, or “fatalitied” more often. Sometimes these sort of things, that doesn’t help to game progression and won’t give us experience or a cool reward like an item or piece of equipment, are the most rewarding fun-wise. Because we can’t forget that the social content is a very important part of any MMO. Age of Conan is not an exception, of course. I am sure most of you, readers and gamers, are now smiling at this or that memory of that moment when… We all have those memories; or should because that is a good thing.

Despite the people having the belief that RP is mostly drama, in fact it is a source for many great and funny moments and good memories if handled correctly: that is never forgetting that our fun can NOT be at someone else’s expense, meaning the loss of other player experience of the game.

I’ll give you a few examples of what I consider funny situations, most of which I have experienced myself either in AOC or other games:

• Gather a few friends and form a line of auto follow (each one following the next, not everyone following the same) then the first person on the row starts following a random player passing by. As soon as they notice they’re being followed they’ll react in different ways and probably will “play” back trying to lose you or drawing figures with the line, etc. This might be easier in RP hubs like cities or encampments, where other players are more likely to go walking instead of running. But if you and your friends agree on running, can try it out on open areas or even use the horses and follow riders through the wilds.
• Agree on a certain emote that you and your friends will perform at the same time or progressively at one or various watchers. For this having voice communication helps a lot.
• Make a group and go to a PvP area where you can do different unusual things, like dancing or walk around holding RP items (a shovel or whatever the game has to offer) wearing RP outfits or even barehanded. Yes, yes, I know the risk of getting “ganked” is high, but I can assure you that most of the “enemies” will react surprisingly and even join you in dancing or walking or emoting madly.

There are many other activities that will provide lots of laughs and funny moments, and I’m aware these examples can or cannot be considered strictly RP; there are some (or many) different things to take into account and I will not go into that today, because it can be an extensive theme on its own.

But that’s not all, even when doing “more serious business” like raiding, instancing with friends on high end content or even with the so called PUGs (pick up groups) there is room for laughs and fun. The key is to relax and try to experience everything in the most positive way possible. I have found myself stressed because I was playing with other gamers less experienced who didn’t know things I consider basic. It is then when we should stop and reconsider and relax, because we also were “noobs” at some point. (I am still a noob ^^) Well, there are exceptions as with everything and one can find people with which having fun is very difficult; not everyone has the same views on things or enjoy things the same way. My advice here would be to just go do something else instead.

A trick to achieve this could be using some fun rules (while raiding) for when someone makes a major mistake and provokes a wipe or delays the progress of the whole group. Having that gamer sing over voice chat is a good example of this. I promise you everyone will be laughing at the idea of others singing and will want that person to sing while, on the other hand, they’ll try to avoid making mistakes themselves. All in all, the general mood of the raid will be more relaxed, or should be. Maybe some of you will be thinking that this will suppose a delay on its own of the raid and its progress, well there are ways to sort it out; have that person sing while sorting loot on the next boss, or if is a short instance after you have finished it, and anyway I’m sure you’re all creative enough to come up with your own ideas and solutions to sort minor details <wink>

In the end, what I’m trying to transmit is that a positive mind and attitude towards adversities and problems, helps you enjoy more the game, any game; and at the end of the day you will feel happier because that is what we all want, right? To be happy and feel contented enjoying your spare time.

We would be most happy if you share with us some of those experiences, memories or ideas to make the game more fun and enjoyable. Meanwhile, see you all next week with more Hyrkanian Insight.

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