Ok, I am actually going to make a thread concerning Minecraft here. I am not an enthusiast the same way it seems alot of people are personally. But I play it as a time killer and its has the ability to make me feel productive when killing time. (Unlike GTA and running from the cops for an hour.)
TL;DR: Answer this if you can - So first, I just want to ask a question about multiplayer. If A friend and I start a game online can we save it and pick it up at a later date? Or is our world destroyed when we log off?
That is the main reason I wanted to post this topic. Now, as for the title of the thread, I just have an observation. On the Escapist, there is very strong vocal support for Minecraft and very strong abhorrence for MMOs. I find this strange because Minecraft's gameplay is actually very similar to the gameplay in MMOs. The very gameplay that gets criticized on these forums. The dull combat, grinding (loot - not xp), crafting, exploration, etc.
I do recognize the difference and I am not saying they are one in the same. I am aware of the arguements about the monthly fees. Plus, I have just stated above that I am aware of the sense of accomplishment in creating something such as a customized fortress/map to a level no MMO offers. However, let's put those two things aside for a moment to discuss what the game offers now. Surely, those two things aren't the sole reason it is praised like a monument to gaming when everything else about it falls in line with what is equated to gaming drivel here so often. (MMOs) MMOs are constantly griped about for grind, lackluster combat, tedious uninspired craft models, ...graphics. I am sure you see my point.
Disregarding the 2 things at the top of the previous paragraph (as they are intentional design premises at the basic level**) what does this game bring. I could name a bunch of stuff in addition to these two things as to why I like Roller Coaster Tycoon (RCT) outside of those 2 things about the game. Describing the actual gameplay itself, outside of the design purpose why is it so praised.
**You have to exclude them because then you are essentially saying you like minecraft BECAUSE it isn't a P2P MMO. (Sorry, dunno the code for the reference things, tell me and I will edit this.)
To state my feelings, I am not against MMOs and I am not against Minecraft. I am in the "meh" boat on both of them to be honest. I don't even know why I have stuck with Minecraft over time but I have. I think it has to do with me liking building games like RCT, Sim City, etc. However, I recently showed it to a friend of mine that hates builder games but got drawn in and it was interesting to watch. He, like me, has no idea why it appeals to him either. Now, I ain't saying he was flipping his wig or saying how it was awesome or anything just that it piqued his interest as it did mine. We talked about it a while and I realized that I mostly play shooters, strategies, and MMOs with him as that is pretty much all he plays with the exception of an RPG here and there. We were discussing going online to play this and this instantly struck me as ironic concerning this forum. I felt like I was about to play an MMO with him if we can progress. So I made this topic.
Finally, I will add that I mostly support the game for Notch and am cheering him on as it is not only nice to see an Indie break out so strong but a mere 1 person developer to boot. I garauntee you EA and Activision have even turned their heads in recognition. That alone is worth my 15 bucks. But I also get a cool time waster.
Mostly, I want my first question answered. But I figured that isn't enough to start a thread alone so I figured I would like to either calm people down about how "spectacular" this game is if they are going to spew bile at MMOs in the same breath OR vice versa. (Calm down about how MMOs are "atrocities" to gaming) Or, better yet, have someone give me a new perspective to recognize some hidden potential the game might have.
TL;DR: Answer this if you can - So first, I just want to ask a question about multiplayer. If A friend and I start a game online can we save it and pick it up at a later date? Or is our world destroyed when we log off?
That is the main reason I wanted to post this topic. Now, as for the title of the thread, I just have an observation. On the Escapist, there is very strong vocal support for Minecraft and very strong abhorrence for MMOs. I find this strange because Minecraft's gameplay is actually very similar to the gameplay in MMOs. The very gameplay that gets criticized on these forums. The dull combat, grinding (loot - not xp), crafting, exploration, etc.
I do recognize the difference and I am not saying they are one in the same. I am aware of the arguements about the monthly fees. Plus, I have just stated above that I am aware of the sense of accomplishment in creating something such as a customized fortress/map to a level no MMO offers. However, let's put those two things aside for a moment to discuss what the game offers now. Surely, those two things aren't the sole reason it is praised like a monument to gaming when everything else about it falls in line with what is equated to gaming drivel here so often. (MMOs) MMOs are constantly griped about for grind, lackluster combat, tedious uninspired craft models, ...graphics. I am sure you see my point.
Disregarding the 2 things at the top of the previous paragraph (as they are intentional design premises at the basic level**) what does this game bring. I could name a bunch of stuff in addition to these two things as to why I like Roller Coaster Tycoon (RCT) outside of those 2 things about the game. Describing the actual gameplay itself, outside of the design purpose why is it so praised.
**You have to exclude them because then you are essentially saying you like minecraft BECAUSE it isn't a P2P MMO. (Sorry, dunno the code for the reference things, tell me and I will edit this.)
To state my feelings, I am not against MMOs and I am not against Minecraft. I am in the "meh" boat on both of them to be honest. I don't even know why I have stuck with Minecraft over time but I have. I think it has to do with me liking building games like RCT, Sim City, etc. However, I recently showed it to a friend of mine that hates builder games but got drawn in and it was interesting to watch. He, like me, has no idea why it appeals to him either. Now, I ain't saying he was flipping his wig or saying how it was awesome or anything just that it piqued his interest as it did mine. We talked about it a while and I realized that I mostly play shooters, strategies, and MMOs with him as that is pretty much all he plays with the exception of an RPG here and there. We were discussing going online to play this and this instantly struck me as ironic concerning this forum. I felt like I was about to play an MMO with him if we can progress. So I made this topic.
Finally, I will add that I mostly support the game for Notch and am cheering him on as it is not only nice to see an Indie break out so strong but a mere 1 person developer to boot. I garauntee you EA and Activision have even turned their heads in recognition. That alone is worth my 15 bucks. But I also get a cool time waster.
Mostly, I want my first question answered. But I figured that isn't enough to start a thread alone so I figured I would like to either calm people down about how "spectacular" this game is if they are going to spew bile at MMOs in the same breath OR vice versa. (Calm down about how MMOs are "atrocities" to gaming) Or, better yet, have someone give me a new perspective to recognize some hidden potential the game might have.
