Massively http://massively.joystiq.com Massively http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Massively http://massively.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What motivates your faction choice?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/20/the-daily-grind-what-motivates-your-faction-choice/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/20/the-daily-grind-what-motivates-your-faction-choice/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/20/the-daily-grind-what-motivates-your-faction-choice/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Most MMOs have some sort of factional component, even if the mechanics and options aren't directly identified by a "faction" label. Whether it's heroes and villains in DC Universe Online, Alliance and Horde in World of Warcraft, or the Albion, Hibernia, and Midgard trifecta from Dark Age of Camelot, creating a character in an MMO usually requires some sort of alignment choice.

Often this choice boils down to a good or evil stereotype, and while roleplayers and lore enthusiasts may argue that "the Horde isn't evil" (or similar arguments from other games and factions), the fact remains that the Horde's visual palette is filled with imagery and concepts that have signified evil throughout much of human history.

In today's Daily Grind, we'd like to know why you pick particular factions, and if the visual or lore-centric baggage they carry influences your decision. Do you usually roll characters that are good? Evil? Neutral? Why?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: What motivates your faction choice? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 20 Jan 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>daocdark-age-of-camelotdc-universe-onlinedcuoevilfaction-choicefactionsgame-discussiongamer-discussiongoodheroesmmo-discussionmmo-hot-topicsmmo-issuesmmo-topicsmmorpg-discussionmmorpg-hot-topicsmmorpg-topicsneutraltdgthe-daily-grindvillainsWorld-of-WarcraftwowThu, 20 Jan 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Why do people love to play the good guys?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/25/the-daily-grind-why-do-people-love-to-play-the-good-guys/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/25/the-daily-grind-why-do-people-love-to-play-the-good-guys/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/25/the-daily-grind-why-do-people-love-to-play-the-good-guys/#commentsFiled under: ,

When you look at MMOs like World of Warcraft, Warhammer Online, and Aion*, you'll find that the "good guys" are usually the most popular. The primary conflicts in these games are between Alliance vs. Horde, Order vs. Destruction, and Elyos vs. Asmodian and it seems that more people choose to play on the side of good than evil. That "evil" is actually more of a "misunderstood" in two out of the three games I mentioned, yet the perception seems to stick.

Is it because we were all raised on fairy tales that hammered strong values and good morals into our heads? Maybe it's because the general trend in storytelling predominantly focuses on heroes of virtue? There are even stories about anti-heroes. Flawed though they may be, these protagonists still manage to absolve themselves of their sins and save the day most of the time.

I usually choose to play the villain in MMOs because I see them as the underdog. It isn't something I consciously think about but maybe there's part of me that wants to see the bad guy shine for a change. That doesn't mean I root for the latest serial killer on the nightly news, but in a fantasy world I want to escape from my normal role as a model citizen and cause a little mayhem in a place that doesn't hurt anyone.

* Aion Korea, where the game is actually released.

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Why do people love to play the good guys? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 25 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aionevilgoodwarhammer-onlineworld-of-warcraftThu, 25 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Why is Destruction more popular than Order?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/25/why-is-destruction-more-popular-than-order/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/25/why-is-destruction-more-popular-than-order/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/25/why-is-destruction-more-popular-than-order/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

There exists an interesting theory concerning gamer preference of good vs. evil. It is said that in World of Warcraft, as in many other games, the "good" seems to be the most popular choice. Most people want to be the pretty human character, save the princess and become the hero.

Enter Warhammer Online, where the majority of players have flocked to the Destruction side. This isn't simply the 'darker' side, this is the burn-down-your-house evil side. This is the stuff-a-dwarf-in-a-barrel-and-toss-him-off-a-castle-wall evil side. So why do players relate more to this type of bad guy persona? Relmstein has some theories about this over at his blog, which include the fact that Mythic focused much of their hype on the Destruction side. Check out his post for the rest of his five reasons why Destruction is more popular than Order, and let us know what you think.

MassivelyWhy is Destruction more popular than Order? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 25 Sep 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>destructionevilgoodorderpopularityrealmrelmsteinwarwarhammer-onlineThu, 25 Sep 2008 10:00:00 EST