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richardhutnik on 03 September 2013
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Slimebeast said:
richardhutnik said:
Slimebeast said:
Because we're a social species with a spectrum of social needs such as co-operation, competition, attention, acknowledgement and pride, and because a real human is far superior to an artificial AI.

I understand the social element, but how do you get this when you play people who do things they wouldn't do with you in person?  Jumping in with a bunch of strangers you don't know, and playing, is social to some extent, but when they view you merely as smarter bots, then how is it?  It is like hanging out on Facebook all the time, or Twitter, reading posts and thinking all that is having friends.

And what I see the likes of Microsoft doing, is wrapping up the online experience with "better matchmaking" with strangers.  There isn't anything given to actually matchmaking with people who are fun to play with, just their skill is similar.  That to me isn't social, it is turning people into bots.

It sure comes with frustrations too, just like the ones you describe in the OP. Sometimes to the point that you throw the disc out and swear you'll never voluntarily allow yourself to be tormented again.

Yes, it works kinda like an illusion. In a MMO you pretend that other people around actually care about you as a person, or in an RTS or FPS that people actually care if you win or not. Illusions of co-operation, acknowledgment and pride. And sometimes you find out that you are taking things too seriously, that things aren't what they seemed to be.

It's a double-edged sword.

Single-player is much more predictable and safe.

Maybe a better way to phrase all this, and explain is that I am NOT opposed to, and I do like, multiplayer.  What I have issue with is how they are doing it now, and failure to seemingly screen quality of people, to make sure you have a good time.  People today will usually bring their friends in.  You do have clans, for example, that help you have a team of people you know.  What I see with Microsoft, is that they didn't even do clan support.  It is jump in and find random people, and hope the experience is good.  This has led to all the jokes around about it, and complaints.  I see with Microsoft, they aren't even doing anythig to address it, that I know of at all.  It is better matchmaking BASED ON SKILL.  And the idea is to totally engineer things to withstand the worst of human behavior, and design games so that you don't have to really interact with people, but you do as a competitor.  You don't even have to talk with them.

I have run tournaments in the past online.  I did them asymetrically, using Game Room and Pinball FX2.  What I failed to see is any semblance of having people find others of similar interest.  CADERS is built on these efforts, and I am now over 180 members.  Most people use Facebook to talk pretty much.  NONE of this community building comes out of people playing anything at all.  I just don't see it.  It is like I have to bring my personal network with me, and hope that it gets people together, and people can be available.  I found Microsoft doesn't even understand the concept of user communities either at all.  They just see things as disconnected pockets of small groups, and not communities.  

Beyond this, all I see is people being treated as AIs, and being disembodied voices, and that is supposed to be fun.  I guess if you want to do pwnage.  But, what if you just want to have a good time?  Where is that?  Where is the playing to be social without playing for a win?  Where is the facilitating finding new people who would be fun?  I don't see it.