The devs of Elder Scrolls Online recently tweeted something that really leaped out at me for the way it was phrased. “Begin your ESO saga today – you belong here.”
I am fully aware that this is basically just a social media ad. I get it. And yet the way whoever wrote it phrased that sense of belonging stood out because that is not usually something MMOs care about!
Oh, they do want you to play. They care about retention. But usually, the marketing is more about telling you about the thrills, the challenges, the excitement and victories. The friendships, those are secondary. And belonging? Well, I wish more MMOs cared about this. It seems… smart. Belonging is stickiness.
I can think of a lot of MMOs that told me in no uncertain terms I didn’t belong in them, but not the other way around. Which MMO is best at making you feel as if you truly belong in it – as if it actually wants you there and wants you to feel personally welcomed?