Why is this game so addictive?

Vandal2k6

Vandal2k6

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Sep 2006

Manchester, UK

The Manchester Marauders

W/Rt

Seriously. Why does it drag you back all the time? I've never played a game as much as I do GW. I can't get enough of it (all three games). Even now I'm sat here twitching to go on. WHY!?

Maria The Princess

Maria The Princess

Forge Runner

Join Date: Mar 2006

Aequitas Deis

because its like a whole separate "nicer" world.

you get attached to your character/s, you see it/them as a individual, not as walking pixels.

you always have something to do: complete a mission, money to make, someone to talk to... and it never ends if you dont stop it. there always will be something to do untill you stop it. this is an issue with most online games like GW and WOW, they absorb people

just dont let this game take over your life, make sure you dont spend time playing instead of school/ homework/ goin out with friends

Aegeroth

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Jul 2006

Sydney, AUS.

Sons of Dark Magicians [SoDM]

N/Me

Ive been led to believe that WoW is far more addictive than GW, and so is Crack.

Edit:
Just thank god your not addicted to Crack!

Maria The Princess

Maria The Princess

Forge Runner

Join Date: Mar 2006

Aequitas Deis

<3 my GW addiction

and im not afraid to admit it (2500 hours in past 16 nounths)

Velvet Wing

Velvet Wing

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Aug 2006

In your cupboard *nomming* your cookies

Blade of Souls

P/W

I <3 my addiction too
I still spend more then enough time on schoolwork/job/friends and sports.. I even spend time on other games (yes kids, it is true, other games do excist :P)
I agree with the fact that gw seems like a neverending world of fun There is always stuff do to, even just standing in towns looking at what people spam, offer someone a little help, go out for a stroll in the shiverpeak mountains (don't forget your thermo underwear, it could get chilly).. the possibilities are endless

Cebe

Cebe

The 5th Celestial Boss

Join Date: Jul 2006

Inverness, Scotland

The Cult of Scaro [WHO]

E/

"I'll just do that one last quest...It wont take me long..."

"I'll just do that one last quest...It wont take me long..."

"I'll just do that one last quest...It wont take me long..."

"I'll just do that one last quest...It wont take me long..."




Is THAT the time?

"I'll just do that one last quest...It wont take me long..."

Velvet Wing

Velvet Wing

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Aug 2006

In your cupboard *nomming* your cookies

Blade of Souls

P/W

Quote:
Originally Posted by Celestial Beaver
"I'll just do that one last quest...It wont take me long..."

"I'll just do that one last quest...It wont take me long..."

"I'll just do that one last quest...It wont take me long..."

"I'll just do that one last quest...It wont take me long..."




Is THAT the time?

"I'll just do that one last quest...It wont take me long..."
OMG! That is excactly how I felt last night ^^

The Missing Monk

The Missing Monk

Academy Page

Join Date: Oct 2006

The Netherlands

Souls of Glory [SoG]

Mo/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Celestial Beaver
"I'll just do that one last quest...It wont take me long..."

"I'll just do that one last quest...It wont take me long..."

"I'll just do that one last quest...It wont take me long..."

"I'll just do that one last quest...It wont take me long..."




Is THAT the time?

"I'll just do that one last quest...It wont take me long..."
hahaha, that is so true :P thats what I had last night :/

TheBaron82

TheBaron82

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Jan 2006

Guild Wars is addictive because of its name Guild Wars (GvG).

Tonepalu

Academy Page

Join Date: Apr 2006

I don't know, I was addicted to D2 for over 2 years, still have my accounts open too. It;s the ability to forget what troubles you may be having in real life that makes these games so addictive. Thats what I feel anyway, whenever I'm depressed this game has A way of cheering me up

I also agree that we see our beloved characters as more than just animated pixels, that could be why some of us go out our ways to get the best gear/armor for them lol.

UWsp0rk

Pre-Searing Cadet

Join Date: Nov 2006

Wakefield, West Yorkshire

Tricks Of The [Mind]

Mo/

Im addicted to guildwars too... [1200hours in 14 months] = not as much as you Maria The Princess, but oh well.

I just cant get enough of farming [underworld as 55 or Famine or SS or Solo FOW RANGER!] and PvP. Pve action is always good with guildies tho =)

The Silver Star

The Silver Star

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Jun 2006

UK, Scotland

Il Guild Name Il

W/

Guild Wars is a great game and highly addictive in its own way like any other game. Im sure most of you do as i do you seem to sit there on vent and run around talking in guild chat and on vent for about 4 hours and you dont actually seem to do anything but you dont want to log off


PvE Account 3,200 hours 12 months, PvP Account 1,400 12 months (would be at about 18 months now but i dont own it anymore :P) Thats a shared account btw before i get the z0mg do you have a life bullshit

EPO Bot

EPO Bot

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Aug 2006

Mo/N

Chapter four will simply make things too big. I hope they won't add new professions in that one, because i will have more the nenough things to do with my current seven characters.

Going everywhere with every character will become humanly imposible after a couple more chapters. At some pount you will have to choose wich of your toons will be used in wich chapter...

Lag Hell

Lag Hell

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Aug 2005

all mmorpgs r addictive, not just gw....

TSCavalier

TSCavalier

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Nov 2006

Me/R

Quote:
Originally Posted by Maria The Princess
because its like a whole separate "nicer" world.
I wouldn't say it's "nicer". It's actually quite violent and brutal. I suppose it's nicer in that the countryside isn't a blood-soaked open graveyard of decaying monster and human corpses (which is what it would look like if GW was "real").

...

Allow me to throw some pseudo-psychology into the mix:

Guild Wars is addictive because it is structured and controlled.

In the world in which we live, as individuals we have very little control over our environment. Our world is chaotic, unpredictable, and our culture preaches the ideals of individualism and freedom of action... do what you will at your pleasure as long as nobody else gets hurt (hedonism, Wicca).

What is interesting is that our entertainment has become the opposite of what reality promotes. Our entertainment is now tightly structured and controlled and we escape the chaos of life into the order of a game.

Oh, you may have the "freedom" to walk anywhere in the Guild Wars world, but you are strictly bound by the constraints of the game. You could probably count what you can "do" in Guild Wars on two hands.

Guild Wars offers no surprises. Actions, movement, etc. are tightly controlled by the game. In GW, you "live" under what would be in real life rather oppressive constraints.... however, as players we gravitate to this because there is order and structure and we as players have firm control over what happens in our "world".

So, I believe what makes Guild Wars addictive is that it offers an experience unlike that of our real lives. "Nicer" translates to "a structured environment in which we have direct control".

The world of Guild Wars is conceptually rather hellish and violent, but because it is structured and orderly, and we as players have control over that order, it is an appealing escapist quality from our chaotic world in which we have such little control or influence.

Darcy

Darcy

Never Too Old

Join Date: Jul 2006

Rhode Island where there are no GW contests

Order of First

W/R

Anything that immerses you in another world will affect you the same way. I've found myself doing it with a good book. "Just to the end of this chapter", next thing you know it's 2am.

With GW, you look at the clock, 10pm. Well, it shouldn't take more than 30 mins to cap that skill, I'll be in bed by 11. Two hours later, you finally get your cap. And then someone in the group needs help. Goodbye sleep.

Hengis

Hengis

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Apr 2006

London

Better Than Life (BTL)

R/

I used to buy at least one new PC game per month.

In the last 16 months I have bought exactly three games; Guild Wars Prophecy, Guild Wars Factions, and Guild Wars Nightfall.

I have not played quite as many hours as some of the previous posters (I think I am on about 1900 hours).

As for having a real life? Well, I am 43, married, two teenage kids (one of whom also plays Guild Wars). I read a lot, have a pretty good job, and do all the usual stuff.. In fact I am going out tonight to see The Human League playing live, for any of you who are old enough to remember them :-))

As for why Guild Wars is so addictive?

I really have no idea.. it just is!

My current quest is to find an elemental sword, so my game play is sort of:

Just one more chest, just one more chest, just one more chest, just one more chest, LOL

makosi

makosi

Grotto Attendant

Join Date: Mar 2006

"Pre-nerf" is incorrect. It's pre-buff.

Requirement Begins With R [notQ]

Me/

They have clinics in Eastern Asia for game addicts :P

For once, its the western world that is medically/technologically behind.

Velvet Wing

Velvet Wing

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Aug 2006

In your cupboard *nomming* your cookies

Blade of Souls

P/W

In the Netherlands they have a program for addicted gamers too They get treated by the same institution that also helps people with drugs, alcohol addiction and eating disorders.. I find it great that people take addiction so seriously around here
If anyone is interest in their program, follow the provided link I wish you the best of luck ^^
http://www.smithandjones.nl/ned/fram...=/ned/camp.htm
P.S. Just glad that I am not in need of such a program

Rahl

Rahl

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Apr 2005

Austin, Tx

Mmph Its [Good]

Mo/

I played GW a heck of a lot before title were introduced, and when those came around... well, I have this superiority complex or something, and I had to get titles that no one had, or were super difficult to get. (Looks back at the hours and hours of CR'ing.)

/cry!

Its a fun game...

That's my favorite character... Monks ftw.

milias

milias

Grotto Attendant

Join Date: Nov 2005

Defected back to America

Me/E

Quote:
Originally Posted by Vandal2k6
Seriously. Why does it drag you back all the time? I've never played a game as much as I do GW. I can't get enough of it (all three games). Even now I'm sat here twitching to go on. WHY!?
I don't know if this was a serious question or not, but the game is only as addictive as you allow it to be.

Taala

Taala

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Nov 2006

2154 hours over the past 9 months.


Yeah...

pixiLated

pixiLated

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Oct 2006

Resident Gutter Dweller

Shards of the Silver Moon [MooN]

E/

I'm a GW addict and proud of it!

This is my first ever MMO. Hubby introduced me to it back in June/July whilst I was off work with a back injury, basically because he said if we bought anymore books, there'd be no room in the house for him! We both have all 3 chapters so far.

Having just checked I've played 1217 hours and 18 mins over the last 4 months for all of my characters - I had 3, but deleted wammo #1.

And yes I do have a life thanks, I work full time, spend a lot of w/e's travelling the country to see friends - or they come to see us. Go out frequently during the week too. Most of the hours were accumulated whilst off with the bad back - and the fact that I can survive on very little sleep!

I love my girls (female wammo and female ele). I have quite a stressful job, so it's lovely to come home, get the housework done, then sit and take one of them for a stroll to get a little stress relief

I gave my NF buddy key to one of the guys at work - and now he's addicted too - he went out and bought all 3 chapters! lol

Addict? definately Loving it? you betcha Bothered that some people might think I'm a muppet? Pffffffffffffttt that would be a no! lol

Basically it's fun. Oh yeah - and for some reason Morri (my wammo) has turned into a title w****!! Nothing to do with me I might add

Trakata

Trakata

Crimson King

Join Date: Jun 2006

Resplendent Makuun

Song of the Forsaken

You'll burn out eventually. I know I did. I've added over 1000 hours to my account since June, and I'm taking a break because it feels like a boring chore now.

FeuerFrei

FeuerFrei

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Jul 2005

In the middle of WWIII

Airreon Grievers[AG]

R/Mo

yea...was addicted when i got prophecies....then factions....its like i couldnt live a day without loggin in at least once and just doin some stuff lol....now lookin forward to nightfall

Losttoapathy

Losttoapathy

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Apr 2006

Glasgow, UK.

The Cult of Weegie [Cow]

R/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Taala
2154 hours over the past 9 months.


Yeah...
Wow, this really puts the time I play on Guild Wars into perspective. I still missed so much Uni because of it though. >.<

Daemon Dremora

Daemon Dremora

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Jul 2005

Millington, TN

Seele Erntemaschine {Nein}

yeah, this game just has its own little way of making you forget about the problems in the world. any time i'm tired of hearing about stuff going on in the world i just log onto GW and have fun with my friends that i have met over the last year and a half. good job anet

Vandal2k6

Vandal2k6

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Sep 2006

Manchester, UK

The Manchester Marauders

W/Rt

Quote:
Originally Posted by milias
I don't know if this was a serious question or not, but the game is only as addictive as you allow it to be.
Yeah it was serious (in a light tone). I just can't understand why I go on GW so much compared to other games I have. I may dabble at the new games but I always come back to GW no matter what. Even when I get a new game I play GW everyday. I think someone got it right with the ...

"just one more mission ..."

The designers were obviously very clever at structuring the game using the "donkey and the carrot" method to get you to carry on. Having said that, I've been in FoW twice today and got next to no drops but still want to go back again today, just incase I get that Ruby or Shard I must be due.



Glad to see it's not just me though. Was beginning to worry.

Cebe

Cebe

The 5th Celestial Boss

Join Date: Jul 2006

Inverness, Scotland

The Cult of Scaro [WHO]

E/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Hengis Stone
I used to buy at least one new PC game per month.

In the last 16 months I have bought exactly three games; Guild Wars Prophecy, Guild Wars Factions, and Guild Wars Nightfall.
There we go you see! Guild Wars saves you money! They should put that on the box! Well...it saves you money unless you're an FoW-armor-demanding Wammo then you end up spending money on ebay.

Griff Mon

Griff Mon

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Nov 2005

In the Elfen Forests of Washington State

Damage Radius

N/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Celestial Beaver
There we go you see! Guild Wars saves you money! They should put that on the box! Well...it saves you money unless you're an FoW-armor-demanding Wammo then you end up spending money on ebay.
Exactly. I used to buy a new game every month. I have two brand new games that I have never even opened on my shelf that have been sitting there for a year. I can't seem to be bothered with it. When it is time to play a game, it is time for Guild Wars, period.

Apharot

Academy Page

Join Date: Nov 2006

The Bold Silver Dragons

W/R

Quote:
Originally Posted by Vandal2k6
Seriously. Why does it drag you back all the time? I've never played a game as much as I do GW. I can't get enough of it (all three games). Even now I'm sat here twitching to go on. WHY!?
Because people need to get away. Be it on vacation, or just in a game with others. People need to feel wanted, and need to belong. On the online gaming community, you get all of that. I've ran a mud for 10 years (That's a text based version of Guild Wars for those of you that have never played one ) and the players always call it "home". It's just a place to go, have fun adventuring, or if you dont' want to adventure that day, to just hang out

zelira

Elite Guru

Join Date: Jan 2006

Me/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Celestial Beaver
"I'll just do that one last quest...It wont take me long..."

"I'll just do that one last quest...It wont take me long..."

"I'll just do that one last quest...It wont take me long..."

"I'll just do that one last quest...It wont take me long..."




Is THAT the time?

"I'll just do that one last quest...It wont take me long..."
That happens way to often to me.

3000hrs over 2 accts in 13 months. What is this "sleep" that you speak of?

Arkantos

Arkantos

The Greatest

Join Date: Feb 2006

W/

1500 hours in 11 months and I don't seem to be missing any time with friends, school, or anything.

natuxatu

natuxatu

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Apr 2006

Wisconsin

Rt/Mo

It reminds me of my of this video I saw where a rat was reward with a treat for hitting a button but only once in awhile. So the rat would keep hitting hitting the button.. I think it's called action vs reward or something... there is a real term for it but I wasn't paying enough attention.

Me however... I really can't say.. I'm addicted to it even when I just sit in a town and dance lol.

Cracko

Cracko

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Apr 2006

Quote:
Originally Posted by Aegeroth
Ive been led to believe that WoW is far more addictive than GW, and so is Crack.

Edit:
Just thank god your not addicted to Crack!

Thats not nice of you to say

I tend to believe its the fun that keeps u motivated :P

JDG

Pre-Searing Cadet

Join Date: Nov 2006

Ryders of the Sword

R/W

It is kinda funny, the other day I was telling one of my guildmates...I quote "I am not addicted to this game, but to the friends I made playing the game". The game is fun, has a lot to do however there is a lot to be said on the social structure of the game.

Rusty Deth

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Jul 2005

Woodland Realm

Mo/N

I think the fact its online and played with other people makes it more fun...I alwyas play with at least one other person.

I played Oblivion for about 6 hours and got bored with it. Plus I'm just addicted to teamwork. I love it when a plan comes to together and lmao when it goes fubar.

I think failure is more entertaining then success most of the time.

Warrior Of The Toon

Warrior Of The Toon

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Sep 2006

Returning after a 50 month break. Hi.

None

R/

I have no idea, but that's how the MMO world works - entice them in, give them some satisfaction and they're hooked.

Heck even RuneScape is one of the most addictive games ever once you get into it.

It's like crack, you know you shouldn't be doing it, but you can't stop.

Bhaaltazar

Bhaaltazar

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Jan 2006

Forgotten Myth

N/Me

Someone said its addictive as much as u let it be. I played some other MMOs before and i find em more addictive than GW ( maybe because I was younger ) But to me GW is no more addictive. I havent played it for about 2 weeks, didnt even finish Nightfall...
I was addictive of some sort in Prophecies with my first 2 chars but later on it just gets a bit old with no real endgame content. I played for about 1400 hours in last 14 months, but little over 1000 was spent in Prophecies.

But like this i find more time to do other more important things, so I dont realy complain

Bhaaltazar

Bhaaltazar

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Jan 2006

Forgotten Myth

N/Me

Someone said its addictive as much as u let it be. I played some other MMOs before and i find em more addictive than GW ( maybe because I was younger ) But to me GW is no more addictive. I havent played it for about 2 weeks, didnt even finish Nightfall...
I was addictive of some sort in Prophecies with my first 2 chars but later on it just gets a bit old with no real endgame content. I played for about 1400 hours in last 14 months, but little over 1000 was spent in Prophecies in first 7 months.

But like this i find more time to do other more important things, so I dont realy complain As long as something new in GW comes along I will remain as I am playing solitare