Poster: Raganok at 8/25/2005 5:59:46 PM PDT
Subject: WoW Is Not a Game of Skill |
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I became a little frustrated with this game. Before I say why, let me tell you that I do love this game, and am not quitting at any time in the near future, so don't ask for my stuff. Well, you can ask, but you know the answer!
Anyway, the reason for my minor frustration is that it's obvious that in order to be truly uber you have to have the best gear on. It's all about the gear. Well, what if someone is not 15 yrs old, does not have all that free time, and has a life and a lot of real world responsibility? I'm glad that a lot of nice gear is out there that people want. Heck, it took me forever getting the Warden Staff, but it's mighty cool. But I'm throwing a thought out here. Maybe items should be cool, cool looking with some decent numbers and maybe a minor ability, but not so powerful that it unbalances the game.
Well, what would this do? For starters, if you took two characters of the same level and had them duel, the outcome would be more a question of skill, than who has a better axe and better armor. This is a good thing in my mind. Yes, players of all levels would have to start using skills to beat other people. <gasp>! No longer can they win simply because of good gear.
So, whats the bad news? Well, the bad news in this hypothetical situation is all the level 60s would start crying. No one likes to see that. "But I want to be mr uber warlord with my axe of instant slaying decapitation!!!" Yes, sadly, WoW is a Bigger Better Faster More mentality where we are rewarded and respected not for our great dueling or pvp prowess, but for how many purple/blue/orange items we have equipped. It really does make me happy when I beat one of those types of players.
So there's a thought for today: What if this game was based solely on skills, instead of items?
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Poster: Eyonix at 8/25/2005 6:34:11 PM PDT
Subject: Re: WoW Is Not a Game of Skill |
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Equipment certainly helps, but skill is the deciding factor in the success of both my own actions and the actions of those I may be partied with, in both PvP and PvE. For instance, if we were to summon two groups of 40 to Molten Core, and spawn in uber gear for one group that had never been, and standard gear for another group that had cleared the raid dungeon several times, who do you think would fare better?
I can create similar examples for nearly every aspect of this game, and have done plenty of testing which reveals the advantage of player skill.
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Poster: Eyonix at 8/25/2005 6:44:33 PM PDT
Subject: Re: WoW Is Not a Game of Skill |
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Q u o t e:
Skill is a meaningless word. Even the blue poster said that, without really understanding it.
Experience is doing something over and over, and in limited intellects (normal humans) it's inherently superior to handicaps and slight intellectual advantages.
Skill might be a meaningless word to you, but it does in-fact have real world meaning, not far off from what you yourself described.
"Proficiency, facility, or dexterity that is acquired or developed through training or experience."
And the above most certainly does play a large role in the success of individual actions undertaken by players while adventuring in Azeroth..
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Poster: Eyonix at 8/25/2005 6:53:37 PM PDT
Subject: Re: WoW Is Not a Game of Skill |
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Q u o t e:
I don't know that I agree familiarity equals skill.
Well, we're even because I don't know that I stated familiarity equals skill. Strategy, communication and reaction are all elements to the success of high end raid dungeons, beyond simply being familiar with the place. There are other factors to consider as well.
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Poster: Eyonix at 8/25/2005 7:03:42 PM PDT
Subject: Re: WoW Is Not a Game of Skill |
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Q u o t e:
Although I agree that there is skill involved in certain aspects of this game I do not think your example is a good one. It is much like saying that a person who takes a math test over and over again until he has memorized all the answers has math skill, but if you tell him to show his work in solving the problem he probably wont be able to do it. That is all doing an instance is, memorizing where to stand and what button to mash when certain things happen. With the limitations of AI there really is no skill involved in PvE other than memorization skills. Group PvP on the other hand is much different. Skill and strategy play a much bigger part in organizing the classes you have into a unit that can fight effectively.
I stand by my example. I believe the disagreement comes from what you believe is involved in successfully raiding a 40 man dungeon. Really, it's nothing like a math test. You're coordinating with 39 other players to accomplish goals which require reaction, experience with both a class and game mechanics, and obviously a great deal of communication.
Don't forget not every guild in this game completed Molten Core based upon what was read on a website, many had to learn it for themselves for the first time.
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Poster: Eyonix at 8/25/2005 7:15:27 PM PDT
Subject: Re: WoW Is Not a Game of Skill |
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Q u o t e:
Not to mention you dodged my question about the new trinkets you are introducing.
Nothing was 'dodged', I simply don't feel the need, nor am I obligated to provide explanations to those that would use words such as 'garbage' in describing aspects of our game. Perhaps when you're able to express your views without using insults, you'll receive responses to valid inquiries.
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