Poll: MMO's don't require skill.
- Thread starter Arsen
- Start date
Recommended Videos
Skill (as defined on Dictionary.com):
1. the ability, coming from one's knowledge, practice, aptitude, etc., to do something well: Carpentry was one of his many skills.
2. competent excellence in performance; expertness; dexterity: The dancers performed with skill.
3. a craft, trade, or job requiring manual dexterity or special training in which a person has competence and experience: the skill of cabinetmaking.
I'd say given the second definition, yes, all games take some skill to master timing, judgment, and accuracy; but the question is HOW MUCH? in my book.
For, say, a fighting game, personal skill dictates how well I memorize which button combos do what moves and my judgment dictates how creatively I do them, plus my ability to time them correctly depends on the situation lest I get blocked or I miss entirely. This is one end of the spectrum for me.
As for an MMORPG, I'd say all of those things come into play at some point in time, but from what I've found out, even an idiot who does everything wrong in certain situations can sometimes come out on top since the game has another layer to it: equipment and stats. This is the other end of the spectrum, again, for me.
So, bottom line, I voted "no": it doesn't matter how much skill you have, the guy with the purplez (that's "epic" level equipment for you non-WarCraft players) will win most of the time. Only when EVERYONE is on the same level in terms of capabilities does skill truly come to the forefront (i.e. a Hardcore server in Call of Duty 4).
1. the ability, coming from one's knowledge, practice, aptitude, etc., to do something well: Carpentry was one of his many skills.
2. competent excellence in performance; expertness; dexterity: The dancers performed with skill.
3. a craft, trade, or job requiring manual dexterity or special training in which a person has competence and experience: the skill of cabinetmaking.
I'd say given the second definition, yes, all games take some skill to master timing, judgment, and accuracy; but the question is HOW MUCH? in my book.
For, say, a fighting game, personal skill dictates how well I memorize which button combos do what moves and my judgment dictates how creatively I do them, plus my ability to time them correctly depends on the situation lest I get blocked or I miss entirely. This is one end of the spectrum for me.
As for an MMORPG, I'd say all of those things come into play at some point in time, but from what I've found out, even an idiot who does everything wrong in certain situations can sometimes come out on top since the game has another layer to it: equipment and stats. This is the other end of the spectrum, again, for me.
So, bottom line, I voted "no": it doesn't matter how much skill you have, the guy with the purplez (that's "epic" level equipment for you non-WarCraft players) will win most of the time. Only when EVERYONE is on the same level in terms of capabilities does skill truly come to the forefront (i.e. a Hardcore server in Call of Duty 4).
A computer can do everything the player can do within the game they're playing. What you described in the original post was how a computer can micromanage and set up a character within an MMO when the computer can micromanage and set up stats in every game it's computed with.Silver said:
These "exploits" are how the computer was designed to play against you, enemy AI, and wether that's "fair" or not is up to the computer. You want examples that arn't "exploits"? Fine, the computer can aim, shot, run, punch, and do everything the player can do. The only thing that's keeping the computer from whooping your sorry ass is the difficulty settings you put it on. The computer always knows where you are and what you're doing, wether you're sneaking behind a guard or setting up the charges, but it's forced to be "fair" to a human person who doesn't know all these things.
Example: You're sneaking behind a guard, and you throw a soda can to distract it. The computer knows you're there, but it is programmed to say "what was that noise?" and act stupid. It's the programing AI. You cannot "outsmart" the computer because the computer already knows what you're doing. It's just trying to defeat you within the rules.
You can go on about how a computer can "never adapt with creativness" or whatever, but the only reason why it isn't grating your nipples with a cheese grater is because the programers want to make AI like a human so it's more "fair".
In reference to your original post, MMOs take as much skill as you put into it just like any game, and saying that MMO's take less skill because a computer can do as good or even better job as a human is just ludicrous because a computer can do a better job at any game.
Nothing -requires- skill. It's just easier on the person who's got it. That is: Anyone can write a novel, it takes the person who is skilled to write a good one. Gaming is no different from any other pastime, job or vocation in this regard.inventorvii said:
Yay for Progress Quest.Silver said:
As for the topic, yes MMO's do take skill, but less than for example an FPS because equipment is a much bigger factor than skill (in most MMO's). Saying however that there is no skill involved whatsoever is just stupid. Why does the co-ordinated group win much more often if there's no skill needed? Teamwork is most definitely a skill. And so is a correct timing of using your abilities. It's very simple.
As i've stated before I'm a recovering WoW addict (1 year sobre) and i've been a gamer all my life. However...I SUCK at WoW. I think the skill it takes is understanding how best to build your character and combine the skills to make you a badass. I never really grasped this, I was in it for the shiny things. So yeah...I voted to a certain degree.
Oh so it's not okay now, is it?Jumplion said:
Well excuse me, but the black fur threw me!
[sup]User was mauled for this post. (3.5 Months).[/sup]
Why all the hate and OT?Danny Ocean said:
Anyway, Everything was said here.
I'd like to add though.
Luck - is also - a factor - in skill.
People may not agree, but its an overlooked fact.
While its a factor in skill, there is no luck without it... "The most lucky, are the most skilled".
Sort of.
There are some one indeed has to undergo certain amounts of training to master, but the problem with this topic is that MMO's normally have a certain limit to this, whereas in, say, fighting games, one can keep on punching in the combinations, because you will never be able to be ultimate.
![[Gavo]](https://eg-forums-escapist-data.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/data/avatars/l/33/33764.jpg?1620201950){kind=avatar}
MMO combat comes in thre forms:
1)Take turns kicking opponent until somebody runs
2)Both plawers buff themselves then kick eachother until someone runs.
3)Both players buff themselves, debuff their opponent then kick eachother until someone runs.
The games run on memorising combinations to win but at a far more diluted level than a fighting game.
1)Take turns kicking opponent until somebody runs
2)Both plawers buff themselves then kick eachother until someone runs.
3)Both players buff themselves, debuff their opponent then kick eachother until someone runs.
The games run on memorising combinations to win but at a far more diluted level than a fighting game.
World of Warcraft used to require skill, now it is filled with people who have nothing better to do who just press a couple of buttons and you die.
