MMORPGs are fantastically large and complex beasts, and it is not hard for a player to feel overwhelmed and lost within them when trying to figure out what to do. It never fails to irk me when I’ve heard sandbox veterans blithely respond to players asking for specific guidance by saying, “Do whatever you want to do!” Freewheeling anarchy isn’t always the solution.
With so many options and so much to potentially accomplish, there are many ways to approach MMOs. You could take it a day at a time, logging in to see what there is to see and allow your adventures to be guided by chance (and perhaps developers’ herding). Stay in an MMO long enough and routine comes a-calling, with the same litany of activities keeping you busy every night.
Personally, I like keeping my eyes on a prize — or several goals, actually. Having “projects” and working toward specific goals keeps my interest strong and vibrant, and usually the only question that I have when I finish one is which one to pick next. I’m probably not alone in drafting up spreadsheets to track everything that I want to do on a character.
How is your MMO play guided? Are you a master of your own domain or prefer to let Lady Luck roll the dice and find something for you to do?
Every morning, the Massively Overpowered writers team up with mascot Mo to ask MMORPG players pointed questions about the massively multiplayer online roleplaying genre. Grab a mug of your preferred beverage and take a stab at answering the question posed in today’s Daily Grind!
