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: Do you play multiple MMOs at once?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/05/the-daily-grind-do-you-play-multiple-mmos-at-once/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/05/the-daily-grind-do-you-play-multiple-mmos-at-once/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/05/the-daily-grind-do-you-play-multiple-mmos-at-once/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,


If MMO rehab centers existed, chances are some of us would no doubt be joining Charlie Sheen on the long road to recovery. Earlier this week I found myself "playing" not one, not even two, but three MMORPGs simultaneously, and the absurdity of that particular moment would have been somewhat sad were it not for the fact that I'm now profiting from it.

When I say "playing," though, I really mean "was logged into," since even the most skilled multi-taskers would have trouble coordinating multiple MMOs without the help of macros or bots. So, while I ran a few faction missions in Age of Conan, I also toured Metropolis kiosks with Booster Gold and indulged in a bit of Atreian AFK-crafting, the better to satiate my desire to progress as much as possible in as many places as possible.

I'm also guilty of keeping a second game open purely for the purposes of chatting whilst playing something more interesting, and while this could be a biting commentary on the repetitive nature of MMOs in general, cross-game UI and mechanical familiarity is appealing. What about you Massively readers? Do you "play" multiple MMOs at once? Why or why not, and if so, which ones?

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: Do you play multiple MMOs at once? originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 05 Feb 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanaionaion-the-tower-of-eternityaocdc-universe-onlinedcuogame-discussiongamer-discussionmmo-discussionmmo-hot-topicsmmo-issuesmmo-topicsmmorpg-discussionmmorpg-hot-topicsmmorpg-topicsmulitiple-monitorsmultiple-mmosmultitaskingtdgthe-daily-grindSat, 05 Feb 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Do you multitask in MMOs?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/02/the-daily-grind-do-you-multitask-in-mmos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/02/the-daily-grind-do-you-multitask-in-mmos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/02/the-daily-grind-do-you-multitask-in-mmos/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

One of the defining maxims of my life is "Two birds with one stone." No, I'm not an avian serial killer (well, not yet...), but I do like to combine activities as much as possible, particularly when one is boring or repetitive. While MMOs definitely have exciting parts, it's hard to deny that there's a good chunk of time where one enters the Grind Zone of repetitive tasks.

Because of this, I am a proponent of multitasking while playing MMOs. I usually listen to a podcast, set up a movie on a portable DVD player next to the monitor, or even let my character auto-attack a bit while I do a bit of correspondence. I am always paying attention to the chat box scroll -- and the laughable debates that folks have in world-wide channels -- and I've been known to bounce a baby or two on my lap while downing a boss.

Are you like me? Do you multitask while playing MMOs? If so, spill the beans -- what else do you do while you play?

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: Do you multitask in MMOs? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 02 Dec 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>grindgrind-zonemoviesmultitaskmultitaskingopinionpodcasttdgthe-daily-grindtwo-birds-with-one-stoneThu, 02 Dec 2010 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Favorite activity to do at the same time as MMOing?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/25/the-daily-grind-favorite-activity-to-do-at-the-same-time-as-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/25/the-daily-grind-favorite-activity-to-do-at-the-same-time-as-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/25/the-daily-grind-favorite-activity-to-do-at-the-same-time-as-mmo/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Let's face it: there are times when playing MMOs that your full, undivided attention isn't really required. Maybe you're in a slow group or raid, or camping some rare spawn, or just online to keep an eye on the market. We're often left with enough mental capacity to start up a second activity. Here are some popular ones:

  • Reading a book
  • Watching television
  • Getting paperwork done
  • Browsing the internet
  • Playing another game
These are just some examples. Maybe you have something a little less common you like to do that you could share with the rest of us. Knitting? Making and flying paper planes around the room? Sorting M&M's by color? Let us know how you keep yourself occupied during the duller passages of gameplay.

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Favorite activity to do at the same time as MMOing? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 25 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activitiesmultitaskingopinionreadingtdgtelevisionthe-daily-grindFri, 25 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Watching while playing]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/23/the-daily-grind-watching-while-playing/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/23/the-daily-grind-watching-while-playing/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/23/the-daily-grind-watching-while-playing/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Let's be honest. As captivating as some of these games are, you can only kill hundreds of boars before the urge to multitask raises its ugly head. And so while many new players probably take in the game on its own merits, listening to the soundtrack and drinking in every clash and yell, I'd guess that the majority of us need something more than the game we've already played for many, many hours.

So today's question: what is it you do while playing? Me, I like catching up on television shows while I play-- while a show like Heroes or Lost demands my full attention, there are plenty of sitcoms and reruns that I like to just let roll in the background while I mine for ore or slaughter orcs. I know lots of other people listen to music while they play, and while I personally have never done it, some bloggers even tell me they blog while playing. I will admit, however, to practicing my ukulele while playing-- sitting in the battleground queue (way back when there were battleground queues) doesn't require me to do much with my hands.

So what do you find yourself doing most to divert your attention while playing?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Watching while playing originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 23 Nov 2007 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backgrounddiscussionlisteningmoviesmultitaskingmusicnoisetelevisionthe-daily-grindFri, 23 Nov 2007 08:00:00 EST