To the emptiness in our modern lives, no videogame is, no form of entertainment will ever compete to fulfill the void we have allowed to be formed deep in our souls (if some still have them)
What do we expect from videogames, and in particular MMORPG´s?
When some speak about lack of end game, or lack of motivation, and even the loss of engaging activities in order for them to continue playing, It seems to me like some have unrealistic expectations about the game, entertainment or life in general, some look for a way to abstract themselves from lives that have not turned out to be the way we have been led to believe, or to find viable alternatives to the eternal boredom our modern world provokes.
Some are so desperate or in such a hurry that no quantity of content will ever suffice to them, eating up stuff to do in ways that not even the devs could ever foresee, as some have wisely said, its the journey not the destination what has the most meaning!
This is not a matter of trying to justify anyone, but to constantly whine about lack of motivation to play or needing more and more and more content or they´ll stop playing this game, sounds even like desperation.
No videogame, not even this rough jewel called GW2 will ever provide what some are looking for, because not this or any other videogame can ever provide our elusive final goal as rational sensible beings : sense and meaning to our lives.
So I tell you, the bored and desperate, the ones that feel let down or simply fed up with the current state of the game, Guild Wars 2 will never ever make you happy, because the things you are looking for, cannot be found in here, but somewhere else, where you are afraid to look.
Now some feel lost and overwhelmed by this game because it has such a freeform approach up to a certain point about experiencing the content, it gives the freedom to do whatever one wishes, pvp, exploration, grind, some feel put off by the experience because some are more accustomed and trained by other entries in this genre to be led almost by the hand as if on rails to certain lines of content, for example the lineal structure of leveling in other MMOs, or the way most console games feel like one is on a ride cart strapped on without any clear choice about the presentation of said content.
Its ok to express our opinions, many points of view are valid and any and all criticism can only provide valuable feedback to make our in game experience more rewarding, all of us that play this game want to be engaged in alternative entertaining experiences, most of us want to blow off some steam accumulated from our daily lives, some just enjoy the experiences and are attracted to the feeling of freedom this gives, but what I feel its not ok is holding this or any form of entertainment as responsible for their mental well being, or as a foundation for their lives.
Guild wars 2 has great things going for it, and the potential of being even better, but will it ever hold all the answers or fill everyone’s needs I doubt it.
So to all of my desperate friends, take a break, move on, and come back later , maybe, its not the game that has changed but your expectations about it, and you can have some fun and this can fill that need for distraction, even for a little while, until boredom again kicks in, or something else comes out.
I am enjoying this game greatly, I’m taking it slow and easy, gear grind is not my end goal, I could not care much about “end game”, as is the experience itself what I look for in this game, I have set long term goals, like 100% map completion, leveling several alts, doing all dungeons, mastering all crafts, but I’m in no hurry, and I’m having a blast!
So lets keep it cordial, lets keep it civil, and lets try to express our frustrations better by enriching our experiences, this is about having fun, not flinging poo at the wall, its ok to move on, its even better to stay and have fun, if we stop having fun, its time to move on.
Guild Wars 2 I am really enjoying what you bring to my table, this is a love letter to you.
cheers!
