This week has been somewhat frustrating for me, Age of Conan related, so most of the things that come to mind are a bit more than negative, which makes me feel a bit sad too. Well, at least started being frustrating but after some persistence it (the week) ended being rewarding. One can’t help but think that the sensation of disappointment prevails over the good things that have happened, and that it’s easier to let the gloom take over than watching further ahead and stick to the good things; though there’s always at least two ways of presenting things, and every person will choose the one that fits their mood better. Usually the way between both is the closest to reality. Of course, what for me is horrible, someone else will find it outstanding, and vice versa.
Come with me after the jump and discover how things not always are what they seem…
Example: most of my friends have been away from game due to RL issues, I felt lonely most of the time and at moments even let down. The other side: I have been away some days too, because I was with family and friends, going out to the pub and having a drink and a chat, so probably just missed them and they missed me, being online at different hours, and probably they may have felt let down by me. In the end, whenever we met we have fun and it’s rewarding. So the problem is that I want it all, I want to enjoy my own real life (remember there is a life out there) and I also want to enjoy my online friends when I log in. What I want to explain with this is that people tend to give more importance to, let’s call them negative things.
This also happens with game content. Take Rise of the Godslayer as example. Let’s overlook the fact that, personally, I don’t like the token system to buy items and equipment. And let’s overlook as well that the faction system is not too group-encouraging. Why? Because players, being different classes most surely will choose different factions as well, thus having to perform different tasks in different areas, so either they split and each one does whatever they need, or they see themselves forced to go back and forth, sometimes getting what they need and other times simply spending their time helping the other group members. When the group is composed of friends, one could say that it encourages cooperation and selflessness, but let’s face it, an MMO player wants to optimize their gaming time. Not everyone has unlimited spare time to get their goals AND help others with theirs. But on the other hand, you have quite a few quests that direct you to instances, which require a group to complete, so if you don’t have a group of friends playing regularly on the same frame time that you, doing those done will prove quite difficult.
And here is the trick to it all… why do we see this as a flaw? As something that is badly designed when, in fact, it’s exactly the opposite? Yes, some or most of you will disagree here, but look at it this way: You have solo content available for when you can’t find a group or your friends aren’t online, and you have challenging instances that will give you and your friends something to work for as well!
Anyway that was not what made me write this. As I mentioned last week, I just started playing the expansion a few days ago, I’ve got some friends that have already been there and who offered themselves to help me through. I had started exploring the first level 80 area, Northern Grasslands, doing a few quests for my chosen faction (Brittle Blade, of course, being an assassin) and familiarizing myself with the areas. Isn’t this what every other player does when they get their hands on new content? But my friends suggested going somewhere else: Kara Korum and I got carried away by their enthusiasm. Fine, I am not alone, doesn’t sound too bad, even though the mobs are level 83 and 84. . I know “sins” are squishy (weak and easy to kill if taking direct damage) but the amount of times I died in over an hour, maybe two are just insane. Each fight depleted my health and stamina, and my heart raced and pumped inside my chest constantly, while seeing the health of the char go under 1000 points of health and even under 500.
And here comes what made me come up with this week’s article. My first reaction was to get angry with the game and the developers (again) and their way of designing things… but if one thinks about things from the other point of view and reconsiders their point of view, realizing that developers do encounter many problems trying to satisfy as many different players as possible. So the term “Learn to Play” came to mind. I know it’s harsh but it’s also appropriate. Yes, because I was trying to jump ahead and go straight to one of the toughest areas of the expansion, having to fight foes level 83 and 84; but not only that, also lacking the equipment that other areas have to offer, making it easier to survive further ahead and, on top of that, wanting to slice through mobs like through warm butter. Who hasn’t been carried away by moments like this?
The easiest answer possible is to rant and complain that it’s too difficult, but truth is, the expansion offers a variety of content for many different players: the ones that haven’t equipped themselves with the best possible gear from before Rise of the Godslayer, but also for players that really need something stronger to be challenged with. It is our nature to try and get the best with the less effort possible, without realizing that this will leave us without challenges or goals to work for, and maybe even lose interest in the game, because it has nothing else to offer. So yes: Learn to Play, as in be aware that certain steps have to be taken before you can move on to the next stage, mostly to prevent getting frustrated and disappointed. Well, that, or persist (like I did, stubborn like I am) and keep trying and trying until I finally succeeded and came back with a triumphant grin dancing in my lips… and a few tombstones spread over certain area, he he.
All in all, I still want that set from Brittle Blade, even though is less sexy than the one my character is wearing now, and that is why I keep praying and despairing for a social tab, to be able to display whatever clothing or gear fits the situation better, but that’s a story for another week. For now, I leave you all enjoy your favorite (or not) game. More next week here on Hyrkanian Insight. If you disagree or have any suggestion please, feel free to leave a comment, you will be most welcome.
Awsome article once again. And I did exact the same thing, headed into Paikang and Kara Korum and kept dying. But I also thinks these encounters really made me understand my class better and improved my playing as it was just no easy to just dps them down. CC, even kiting, maxing my miasmas etc.