It’s probably not a surprise to anyone reading this that I really like stories in MMOs. They’re important to me. And if you’ve read my work for a while, you’ve probably gotten the impression that I am least familiar with and interested in the story of Star Trek Online. But the core element there is “interested in.” I don’t think the story is actually presented in a great format and it doesn’t always connect with me very well. I don’t blame people who say that the story in the game is functionally irrelevant to their enjoyment.
But that’s fine with me because while story is a focus when I play an MMORPG, it’s hardly the only focus. If the moment-to-moment gameplay of a title is strong enough, I have no problem letting story issues wash into the background – and make no mistake, I consider STO to absolutely have solid and fun moment-to-moment gameplay. That drives me forward a little harder in that particular game.
It’s not universal, of course. Some games I feel drive me more with story than gameplay, and others motivate me primarily for other reasons. But this isn’t just about me; what about you? What are your main areas of focus when you play an MMORPG? What sort of systems and experiences do you seek out, and what ones couldn’t matter less to you?
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!
