Samira Kernher
Praetorian Auxiliary Force
Praetoria Imperialis Excubitoris
546
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Posted - 2014.05.20 14:11:00 -
[1] - Quote
The lore matters significantly to me. It's the major reason I play. EVE has traditionally been the most immersive MMO out there, due to CCP working to ensure that every game mechanic, action, or development has a lore basis. The fact that it's pretty much the only MMO remaining that still has a live events team (limited as it may be) is another reason I enjoy it, and I love being able to watch the universe's NPC groups continue to progress through the IC news articles and events. Without the lore and immersion aspect, I wouldn't be here as I can't say EVE's gameplay is enjoyable enough on its own to keep my attention.
What makes EVE enjoyable to me is that it is a game where even when you aren't directly roleplaying, you can still tailor your in-game actions to your character. What I do in the game acquires meaning when I play with attention to the character I'm playing and the universe I'm in, when I allow that character to drive my in-game actions instead of vice versa. I think my favorite example of this was after the Battle for Caldari Prime, when Morwen ran her Hearth and Home relief effort for Caldari Prime. The fact that I could actually load up a transport with medical supplies, food, water, etc and then fly it to a dropoff point was something I found very enjoyable and not really an activity many purely themepark-oriented MMOs offer. I didn't have to just say 'oh my character would do that', I could actually, through in-game actions, go ahead and physically do it. While mechanically this might not be a very entertaining activity, and it certainly isn't one that earns you any tangible benefit (afterall, you're losing money, not earning it), it becomes fun when given in-character meaning. It's the simulation appeal, really: when playing EVE, I am able to feel like my character is a real person in a living, breathing universe. That's what gives the game meaning and enjoyment for me.
Ultimately, the lore is what has kept me coming back to EVE. Even before I had actually subscribed and gotten involved in the community, I had always pointed to EVE as the only MMO that can actually be called a persistent world. Whether you care about the lore or don't, are an RPer or aren't, every player playing EVE exists as a character within that universe and leaves their mark on it.
I really wish they'd expand WiS, though. They had some great ideas for giving it meaning within EVE. The new industry changes would have been a good opportunity to incorporate WiS I think. Menu screens are boring (though at least the new ones will be a bit prettier). |