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The Daily Grind: What's the longest break you've ever taken from MMOs?
Even the most die-hard among us need a break now and then from killing ten rats. I mean, those rats, they deserve it -- don't get me wrong. They killed our families, stole Christmas, tried to blot out the sun and sold us Amway. But heroic rat-slayers need vacations from MMOs, and sometimes we have to get away for a while to recharge our batteries and check out other entertainment pleasures out there. So what's the longest break you've ever taken from playing MMOs? Was it because you burnt out, crashed hard, and vowed not to go back (at least, not for a very long time)? Were you forced to leave MMOs behind due to a vacation or tour of duty overseas? Did you find a single-player title that sucked you in for a marathon gaming session? We'd love to hear about your breaks -- what took you away from MMOs, and what you learned while you were away. Did it refresh your perspective and attitude?
Behind the Curtain: On burnout
So, I'm afraid that I'm getting a little close to burnout. Oh noes. zomg. qq. whine. complain. Etc, etc. In the past, I have suffered from serious burnout which resulted in me leaving World of Warcraft for six months or so. I'm still not sure how they survived without me. We've all been there, where the rewards for logging on just one more time aren't enough anymore. I say that we've all been there, of course that may not be true; but you're a rare specimen indeed if you've managed to play MMOs for any significant length of time without burning out for at least a little while. I guess burnout doesn't have to be a bad thing. I only just got a Wii. Don't laugh, I know I'm a little behind the curve on that one. Spending less time on MMOs means that I'd have more time free to play through Resident Evil 4 on the Wii, which makes sense, given that I've already gone through it on the Gamecube and PS2. I could also go back and pick up Resident Evil 0, and the remake of the original. And the Gamecube versions of 2 and 3. And Umbrella Chronicles. Wait, they released Code Veronica for the Gamecube as well, didn't they? Okay. I admit that I need help.
Behind the Curtain: Why bother?
What is it that keeps us playing, months and years after our first trip through the character generation screen?The obvious answer is that we're still having fun. Maybe you've been playing World of Warcraft since release or earlier, you've got an alt of every class, epics to make a GM weep with envy, but you still get that little tingle of excitement every time you log on, that keeps you coming back for more.What kind of enjoyment do you get from your MMO? Hopefully you are actually having fun with it. If not, I suggest you seek help, or go play Vanguard. Just kidding, maybe.That being said, how do you quantify 'fun'? Exactly what is it about WoW or EVE Online or any other MMO that keeps you coming back for more? The steep climb to yet another epic flying mount in WoW has pushed me perilously close to burn out over the past few weeks (the impending release of the new 40K rulebook may also be a factor) so I've been thinking, more than usual, about what keeps us going in situations like this.
Burnout Paradise screens careen online
Electronic Arts released a slew of screenshots for Burnout Paradise after the Press Conference earlier today. Shots show off an exotic and muscle car racing through the streets of Paradise City. Joystiq has some impressions up, though the only version showing at E3 is the PS3 version. Either way, the game is looking great, and we'll try to get some time to talk with EA/Criterion about the 360 version and should the versions be identical, get some hands on impressions, blasphemous or not.
Burnout: Paradise trailer releases; require new pants
Wow. Gamertagradio just posted the teaser trailer for the next Burnout game, now titled Burnout: Paradise, accompanied by a press release touching on some information we already knew, as well as that the game is slated for a northern hemispherical "Winter 2007" release. Anyway, the trailer starts off similarly to GTA:IV, showing the ... paradisiacal Paradise City, with the calm hustle and bustle of the streets, inter-cut with the roaring engine of the burners racing along the road. For those of you curious, the music featured is "My Curse" by Killswitch Engage, with "Burning The Lives" by Shadows Fall almost being audible behind the sound of the cars careening between traffic. So, out of care for your well being, we have the teaser available after the break, but plead that you come prepared, lest your week start off on the wrong foot.
