Poll: RPGs: Who reads all that text anyways?

[JohnnyDelRay]

So since RPGs are my 2nd favourite genre, I've gone through a few of them. And some more than others I've noticed have a huge amount of backstory, and extra things to read, be it about the races, planets, weapons, legends, bestiary, mixing potions and other occult practices, or all that kind of deal. Some that spring to mind are:

- Neverwinter Nights
- Star Wars: KotOR
- Mass Effect
- The Witcher
- Oblivion

Those are just a few but you get the picture. Of course, there are those that are scant on this kind of thing as well, but I don't believe they make the experience any less enjoyable. I also don't think I would be missing it tooo much if there wasn't that much in games, but I agree it can make the experience richer. So the only question that crosses my mind is, "who actually reads all this stuff?"

For me, it's only skimming over what catches my fancy, perhaps 25-50% of it, depending on how much there is in the game, but not much more than it takes to play the game. However, it is quite satisfying when you discover something and it gives you an edge, like a new recipe, tactic, weakness of the enemy etc. How about you guys and girls?

 

[accountdeletethis]

Of the ones you mentioned, I'd say Oblivion comes to mind when I think of "going over the top". But I wouldn't say the rest of the games on the list have overwhelming backstories. I'd say they fit right in and give you a wider perspective while avoiding pointless details at the same time.

 

[Flying-Emu]

I've read the entire Mass Effect Codex.

All of it.

 

[SnootyEnglishman]

I'm currently reading the codex entries in Dragon Age..and gosh i am intrigued.

 

[The Man With the Soap]

I have the mod for Oblivion that allows you to read entire H.P. Lovecraft novels and short stories in-game.

 

[jamradar]

Most of them. If I happen to get it then of course I will read it. But I am not going to go out of my way to try and read every last thing.

 

[kampori]

It depends for me, really. For Mass Effect, where ALL of the information is easily accessible and extremely well formatted, laid out and voiced (Codex), then it is an absolute pleasure just to listen and read to all of the logs and find out about everything.

As far as other RPGs go, I try my hardest to find out as much as I can, but as soon as I'm going -out of my way- to find out useless, but interesting, info, then I know it's time to stop that and start playing the game. I really prefer the Mass Effect way. With that, I read 100%, for the rest I'd be happy with 75%

 

[Akihiko]

It largely depends on how much I like the game in all honesty. I mean i wouldn't have bothered in Mass Effect 1 or 2, but in Dragon Age Origins I read quite a lot of the entries I came across.

 

[kouriichi]

I read about 80% my first time through the game, and about 60% the second time ((mostly because i choose differnt paths, so i wanna hear what the NPCs say.))

And it really depends on the game. Some hook me more then others, so i'll get more into them and read more.

 

[Ryuo]

I actively seek out all extra reading.
I've read all of what Mass Effect had to offer. (Codex)
Also was slightly proud (it wasn't THAT big a deal to my friends, but it did have a sense of accomplishment) of reading EVERY book in Oblivion, as well as collecting and sorting all of them. Time was involved...lots of it.

 

[mornal]

Depends on the play through. 75% category for the first run, and I'll let the characters actually speak. Subsequent, mainly just what I need to know, and I'll usually just turn on subtitles and read those instead of waiting for the people to spit it out (this of course changes if I'm doing a different path with new dialogue).

 

[JeanLuc761]

I've read the entire Mass Effect Codex.

All of it.

As have I.

Twice.

As for me, I generally read 95% or more of the dialogue. I get sucked into most of the games I play, so making sure I catch every bit of dialogue or information is important.

 

[Altorin]

I try to read everything

I have read Mass Effect's Codex SEVERAL times.

 

[joshuaayt]

Most. I play as if I were actually within the world, and, sometimes, pausing during a blazing gunfight to read "The history of Coffee" in my local Pequod's isn't realistic. I won't compromise as far as exposition goes, though- what's the point of playing the game if none of your actions have any context?

 

[Giest4life]

A very, very flawed poll. It does not take into account the context of the game.

OT: I only read the text if it's interesting. You know, something which I perceive as having a modicum of quality.

 

[ShadowsofHope]

Depends on the game, really. Most of them, however? At least 80% of the content, if it catches my interest. Notables include Dragon Age, Mass Effect, Jade Empire.. yeah.

 

[JohnnyDelRay]

I try to read everything

I have read Mass Effect's Codex SEVERAL times.

I've read the entire Mass Effect Codex.

All of it.

As have I.

Twice.

As for me, I generally read 95% or more of the dialogue. I get sucked into most of the games I play, so making sure I catch every bit of dialogue or information is important.

Okay,
1) what built material do FTL drives use to reduce their mass?

2) What planet are the Hanar from?

haha if you can answer those off the top of your head, you deserve a pickup truck of internet cookies...those are only a couple things i remember from it..