Gaming Signal: MMOs, Parenting And Time

MMOs, Parenting And Time

Mark over on Channel Massive has decided that you can be a great parent or a great gamer but you can't be both.

Let's ignore the definition of 'great', which in this case is basically anyone who can engage in end game, high level raid content. That isn't a mark of greatness, necessarily, more a mark of someone with a lot time available to them. Which brings us to the parenting. As parent, we all know our gaming time is very limited. I haven't even played much of anything except for an hour over the last weekend. But, I disagree that you can't be a 'great' gamer and a great parent. You can. Look at Scott. It's just a question of time management, and making the most of the gaming time you do have.

Unfortunately, good time management skills and the discipline to use them aren't skills that everyone has. That's when you get people who forgo their families to do nothing but game. Those people don't prove the axiom being put forth. It is possible, but not by everyone.

But what I find more interesting is the following comment by Mark in the comment section of his post:

What's really interesting is the conjecture that this is indicative of bad game design or at least a problem int he way MMOs work today. I totally agree and can't believe I missed this HUGE point in writing the post. What the hell is wrong with people making games that have these kinds of time requirements for players to achieve the high end (defined by the game) of success?

Mark is talking about this post on CuppyCake, basically saying that the huge time needed to get the high end content is a design flaw in MMOs. Well, no. It's designed that way for one reason: Money. The more time it takes you to reach a goal, the more monthly payments you'll make and thus the more money the developers get. That's why things get harder and take longer as you level. I can't believe no one mentioned this. It's a business decision which influenced the game design. You may not like it, but unless someone shows a different model can work, you'll have the time sinks in every MMO.