Why Do We Play CoH?

Or any MMO for that matter.

Cracked put together a nice list and gave examples and explanations on why we get addicted to video games, especially MMOs. If you don't know, Cracked is a comedy site but it also (usually) deals in facts. So in case you're interested in learning what makes you like CoH, here's a list of ways video games are keeping you addicted.

Just try and count how many of them apply to CoH. Purples? Badges? Recipe drops? Task Forces? Our amazing costume system? You bet they're all in there! Read and find out how Jack, Posi, and now the Witch are ensnaring us... forever!

Quote:

Originally Posted by PRAF68_EU Dispari has more than enough credability, and certainly doesn't need to borrow any from you.

Interesting. I have been reading the article and I agree with all the stuff on the list.

I would like to add the "flow" concept from psychoanalysis, wich its one of words used to describe feelings associated with "I'm in control of the situation, I rule my own life" stuff

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flow_(psychology)

I feel that at times, on Cox too

Wow, what a nice little trip back to my Intro to Psych class.

I forgot all about the skinner box!

So if we're being exploited my gaming companies, then we play and find an exploit in the game that's exploiting us, we get in trouble for exploiting an exploiting game of exploitation?
Am I dividing by zero here? lol

pffft.

I can quit any time I want. And I have.
<.<
>.>

I'll be on again later tonight.

I play because while I can wear spandex and run around punching people in RL, I still can't fly - yet.

I play City of Heroes for the impossibly cool clothes. Like this:



Someone going out dressed like that in real life would probably get arrested for indecent exposure, but it's part of the charm for me. I've actually avoided playing a number of games (LotRO and Guild Wars among them) because the player avatars didn't have costumes that are revealing enough. Like this:



It may have something to do with the fact that superhero costumes are, by their very nature, weird and fetishy. Besides, CoH is still one of the few places I can get a decent stockings-with-miniskirt outfit.



But that's not all. Playing on Virtue, there are wacky things happening all the time. There probably aren't a lot of places in the world where you can overhear a conversation like this in public:



It just adds to the charm of the place. Even the annoying people are (usually) annoying in a way that's at least moderately amusing because of how over-the-top they are. Like the whiners who think that marketeering and flipping is 'unethical', or the ones who get their panties in a twist whenever someone points out that their power choices are subpar. Or the tank I had on this STF who was more interested in rapping than tanking.

I wish I was kidding on that last one.

I play CoH because I like the roleplay environment. If someone can find a way to fit that to rats in little boxes, then I'll be a little surprised.

Well I dont know anymore. I hate creys, maltas, carnies, vanguard, artemis, sappers, vanguard, paragon protectors, vanguard and vanguard. Hmm did I say I hate vanguard? Yeah I hate them and maltas and sappers... and vanguard.

I'm cursing loud right now. Maybe I have to go out and punish them later. Punish them more hard than ever. I want to scorch all vanguards with my lightnings... What kind of hero I am?

Well this is so annoying sooo annoying and best MMO of the world.

... o_o

Whaaahhh!!!!

Investment

Coz I would get hurt and/or arrested if I beat up Hellions on the streets and dragged them into the local police station.

Wow, have you got an hour or so?

Seriously, while I'm not sure I have any replies as witty as those above, I suppose there can be a thing or two to be said...

Tolkien can be quoted as having said that all stories "ought to have good endings." So much of the time, real life can seem just the opposite; and without getting into various semi-transcendent truth claims, it ought to be obvious than humanity needs a good ending far more often than we might admit. In other words, we need to know every now and then that, in the words of a certain comic character, "all will be well."

Personally I'm into CoH for the RP as well as the mechanics. For me this provides community, a feeling of empowerment and a kind of purpose that helps crystallize life in general. And most importantly, the stories we tell in that community can all have good endings.

So here's to good endings! Cheers, everyone.

It's a creative outlet. Despite the very limited tools, CoH allows me to give a physical form to characters and stories I come up with in just a few minutes of playing about with the costume and powers creator. It's much faster and simpler than the other creative tools at my disposal, such as drawing, and even comes with the benefit of a larger audience who will see my creations and give me feedback. I play for every time I get a "cool backstory" or "nice costume" comment in a team.

I play CoH/CoV because having superpowers is cool. Also if we did half the stuff that we do in the game, for example "arresting said hellions" we would be looking at a pretty hefty jail time.

Why do I play CoX?

1. Because I have friends here, and I enjoy playing with them.

2. Because going to see 1 movie at the theatre, during matinee, cost more than an entire months worth of playing CoX.

3. Everything I can do in the game; character creation, costumes, an endless combination of powersets, badges, crafting, base building, etc... is all gravy.

Because I like to arrest people. With a fusillade of steel arrows. In Their Face.