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> Not actually "playing" the game - like, that was something to do for fun, but so much of it was hanging out with people. I think probably far too much about

> Not actually "playing" the game - like, that was something to do for fun, but so much of it was hanging out with people. I think probably far too much about how social media (or, in a broader sense, the mass adoption of the internet) has affected online games like this, and I was really happy to see your point here since this is a thought I've had a lot, but few people seem to understand what I mean when I try to bring it up! I vividly remember a time where people used to just talk in online games a lot more, whereas now most online games feel sorta dead (if they even have a chat option) -- and I suspect that's due to the fact that people are either A) playing with people they already know from real life and don't see any reason to communicate with anyone else, or B) only communicating with the community on platforms like Reddit, in an asynchronous, "flex"-based way. Imo, that shift is the major reason online games have essentially died out except in the form of competitive multiplayer with ephemeral lobbies. And I've noticed that when I try to explain how things were to people who weren't online before the shift happened, they can't even picture what it was like, or why it was fun. It's so odd to me that that entire way of interaction has just... disappeared.

memefrog 3y ago
There has been a similar - but different - effect on games that were traditionally server-based like FPS games. Games where once you would join the same little deathmatch server, which had its own community and culture? Now you discuss the game on reddit (ew) and play MatchMaking against everyone else on your continent. You will never see those players again, ever, unless you're on a tiny server like the Australian one.
Dalewyn 3y ago
>I vividly remember a time where people used to just talk in online games a lot more I play(ed) Ragnarok Online, and some of my fondest memories are logging into one of my characters, going into a PVP map, and then just sit around and talk shit with friends I made there. We would just sit and talk there, in the PVP map, and when someone who didn't get the memo stopped by to fight we'd collectively kick his ass out and then go back to talking. Some of them would get the memo and come back, then just sit down and join in and bam: New friend made. Those were some good times.
spicymapotofu 3y ago
The more things change, the more they stay the same. In 07 I made close friendships on the rs servers, enough that my friends would ask where I was if I took a few days. We reconnected years later, and if I was less asocial we could've met irl. I've been playing 07scape again and while I found a fun clan chat, I've been invited to several others by people I'm chatting with in public, due to just being prosocial and maybe well-adjusted. My point is, maybe people have a higher barrier to entry for 'online friendship', now, as adults, but at least in this same game, people still reach our and form bonds despite there being little in-game support for that socialization. Many still recognize that it's the funny yellow text that touches the heart, and not the count of exp in stats.
Beldin 3y ago
I hadn't considered it like that, but that was pretty much how I experienced MUDding. I got into it and wanted to level up, do quests, and explore. Before hitting level 20 (out of 100, basically barely out of newbie status), I stopped caring about progress - but spent even more time there. I tried going back once, but without spending time to build connections with other players, it wasn't fun. Didn't quite realise that till I read your comment though.

memefrog 3y ago

There has been a similar - but different - effect on games that were traditionally server-based like FPS games. Games where once you would join the same little deathmatch server, which had its own community and culture? Now you discuss the game on reddit (ew) and play MatchMaking against everyone else on your continent. You will never see those players again, ever, unless you're on a tiny server like the Australian one.

Dalewyn 3y ago

>I vividly remember a time where people used to just talk in online games a lot more I play(ed) Ragnarok Online, and some of my fondest memories are logging into one of my characters, going into a PVP map, and then just sit around and talk shit with friends I made there. We would just sit and talk there, in the PVP map, and when someone who didn't get the memo stopped by to fight we'd collectively kick his ass out and then go back to talking. Some of them would get the memo and come back, then just sit down and join in and bam: New friend made. Those were some good times.

spicymapotofu 3y ago

The more things change, the more they stay the same. In 07 I made close friendships on the rs servers, enough that my friends would ask where I was if I took a few days. We reconnected years later, and if I was less asocial we could've met irl. I've been playing 07scape again and while I found a fun clan chat, I've been invited to several others by people I'm chatting with in public, due to just being prosocial and maybe well-adjusted. My point is, maybe people have a higher barrier to entry for 'online friendship', now, as adults, but at least in this same game, people still reach our and form bonds despite there being little in-game support for that socialization. Many still recognize that it's the funny yellow text that touches the heart, and not the count of exp in stats.

Beldin 3y ago

I hadn't considered it like that, but that was pretty much how I experienced MUDding. I got into it and wanted to level up, do quests, and explore. Before hitting level 20 (out of 100, basically barely out of newbie status), I stopped caring about progress - but spent even more time there. I tried going back once, but without spending time to build connections with other players, it wasn't fun. Didn't quite realise that till I read your comment though.