Why I Play: ArcheAge
Addicted may be too strong a word when talking about my relationship to ArcheAge... but not by much! Have I logged in every day since the early access? Do I look forward to logging in? Have I said, "I'll go to bed right after I plant a couple more things" only to find more hours have slipped by before I finally do sleep? Do I get excited about the next trade run? Have I set alarms to wake up to try and nab a prime piece of land? Have I had dreams about ArcheAge when I sleep?
The answer to all of these is yes.
ArcheAge may not have everything I have ever wanted in a game (entertainment classes should be a requirement), but it checks more than a few of my boxes. I haven't had this much fun throwing myself into a game in a very long time. I look forward to each play session, and I tend to spend hours in game each day enjoying whatever I happen to be doing, be it sailing, trade runs, sneaking into enemy territory, or even just staring at my plants waiting for them to grow.
It's not all about the PvP
One thing that continues to mystify me is why people still insist that the game has forced PvP and therefore dismiss it out of hand. It isn't forced! You have to actively choose it. True, you can't go do whatever you want whenever you want and not subject yourself to the danger of PvP at times. Surprise: Actions have consequence. Your choices might be limited at particular times if you wish to avoid it, but there are still a multitude of choices. You can effectively play ArcheAge without ever running into any PvP. The only time that won't be the case is if you insist on living life on the high seas, which happen to be constant PvP zones. That said, I haven't encountered much PvP the majority of the time I am out exploring in my boat. (Of course, pulling into an enemy port is another matter entirely.)
There are times I want the thrill of danger that comes from venturing into hostile territories, and there are times I don't. I just take a look at what options are available that fit my mood for the moment. Do I want to quest with a threat of danger? I can head to a zone that is in danger or at war. If I don't want to bother with anyone messing with me, I stay in a zone at peace. Do I just want to rake in come cash? I do trade runs. How about getting cash with the added thrill of risk? That's a trade run over the seas. Does my guild need anything? I tend my farm and grow stuff. I've also spent time roleplaying, scouting for property (yes, I have managed to snag a few for guildies), playing the auction house and nabbing last-minute deals, fishing, playing music, seeking sunken treasure, exploring the landscape, decorating, gliding, participating on a jury, crafting, helping others, and hunting for thunderstruck trees out in the wilds on unprotected farms. (For the record, I totally will get crime points to harvest one of those if I ever find one.)
Simply put, PvP is not all there is to the game -- there is so much more. If that threat is the only thing holding you back from checking it out, go ahead and take the plunge. While it is totally understandable that any game wouldn't be for everyone, you might just be surprised by how much you enjoy ArcheAge.
The thrill of the game
A fun little fact is that not all of the thrill-seeking activities in-game are related to the threat of violence from other players. Have you ever engaged in high-adrenaline farming? Just try planting a huge crop of something important on unprotected land and feel your heart race as you watch it grow, all the while praying no one comes by and uproots or takes it. Harani can also participate in speed trade runs to Ynystere or Rookborn, aiming to get in as many runs as possible in the shortest amount of time before the price drops too much. Another thing my guild does is the dailies challenge: We race to see who completes each daily objective first and spice it up by having the loser open the next portal. These are just a couple examples of things we do to liven up different activities.
Slow and steady
As much as the game has plenty of opportunity for thrilling adventure, it's also built on long-term goals. Planting tree after tree may not be a heart pounding experience (unless, of course, you are doing the high-adrenaline farming), but it gets you closer to your goals step by step. I happen to love the fact that I have a number of goals that are taking me a long time and plenty of work to accomplish. What is there left to strive for if everything is handed to you easily? And I am doubly appreciative that there's a variety of goals beyond the eternal dungeon grind for gear that passes as long-term goals elsewhere.
Personally, I am slowly stockpiling materials and gilda in order to get the merchant ship. I aim to collect all the pieces for the Black Pearl ship. And I am also seeking property in a certain area to facilitate trades and give guildies larger plots. Is there immediate reward for these actions? No.
ArcheAge is not a game for the instant-gratification crowd, and I like that. I like earning up to things. I can do it at my own pace. I can go slow and safe and steady or try to amp it up by farming outside of protected land and doing dangerous runs in PvP enabled areas.
Worth the wait
Of course, like any game ArcheAge, is not for everyone. It's not perfect, and there are bot and hack issues that irritate me. But I finally have a long-term game to immerse myself in. If you want to give it a go, please dive right in. And if you happen to be on Tahyang server and join the Harani faction, feel free to hang out with the Massively Minions. We have elephant cookies.
There's an MMO born every day, and every game is someone's favorite. Why I Play is a column in which the Massively staff members kick back and reminisce about all their favorite MMOs. Whether it's the new hotness or an old fan favorite loaded with nostalgia, each title we cover here tugs at our heartstrings and keeps us coming back for more.
