April 2002
- Black Snow Revisited holding99@mindspring.com
- Black Snow Revisited Tammie Gorzelsky
- Black Snow Revisited Caliban Tiresias Darklock
- Black Snow Revisited holding99@mindspring.com
- Black Snow Revisited John Buehler
- Black Snow Revisited holding99@mindspring.com
- Black Snow Revisited John Buehler
- Black Snow Revisited holding99@mindspring.com
- Black Snow Revisited Marc Bowden
- Black Snow Revisited Blane Bramble
- Black Snow Revisited Caliban Tiresias Darklock
- Black Snow Revisited Matt Mihaly
- Anyone got anything to say about swamps? shren
- Reality check ...(long) [was Black Snow Revisited] Jeff Cole
- Reality check ...(long) [was Black Snow Revisi ted] Koster, Raph
- Reality check ...(long) [was Black Snow Revisited] John Buehler
- Reality check ...(long) [was Black Snow Revisited] Jeff Cole
- Reality check ...(long) [was Black Snow Revisited] Caliban Tiresias Darklock
- Reality check ...(long) [was Black Snow Revisited] Fred Clift
- Reality check ...(long) [was Black Snow Revisited] Brian Bilek
- Black Snow: The sky is falling? Robert A. Rice Jr.
- Black Snow Revisited Caliban Tiresias Darklock
- Black Snow Revisited amanda@alfar.com
- Black Snow Revisited Matt Mihaly
- Black Snow Revisited Fred Clift
- Everquest blamed for suicide Talies the Wanderer
- Everquest blamed for suicide Jason Hart
- Death of a game addict Michael Tresca
- Death of a game addict Marc Bowden
- Death of a game addict Matt Mihaly
- Death of a game addict Dave Rickey
- Death of a game addict Patricia Pizer
- Death of a game addict Matt Mihaly
- Death of a game addict Larry Dunlap
- Death of a game addict David Kennerly
- Death of a game addict Brandon J. Van Every
- Death of a game addict quzah
- Death of a game addict Marian Griffith
- Death of a game addict Luke Parrish
- Death of a game addict Jon Lambert
- Death of a game addict John Bertoglio
- Death of a game addict Brandon J. Van Every
- Death of a game addict ghovs
- Death of a game addict Hans-Henrik Staerfeldt
- Death of a game addict Richard Woolcock
- Investor Perceptions if BSI wins was( Black Snow Revisited) Derek Licciardi
- Black Snow Revisited Christopher Allen
- the design process Matt Mihaly
- the design process John Buehler
- the design process Koster, Raph
- Contract Law. Was: Blacksnow revisted Brian Bilek
- [DGN] [NEWBIE] Suggestions on (OO) Server Design. Pure Krome
- [DGN] [NEWBIE] Suggestions on (OO) Server Design. Sean Middleditch
- [DGN] [NEWBIE] Suggestions on (OO) Server Design. Kwon Ekstrom
- [DGN] [NEWBIE] Suggestions on (OO) Server Design. Sean Middleditch
- [DGN] [NEWBIE] Suggestions on (OO) Server Design. Kwon Ekstrom
- [DGN] [NEWBIE] Suggestions on (OO) Server Design. Sean Middleditch
- [DGN] [NEWBIE] Suggestions on (OO) Server Design. Kwon Ekstrom
- [DGN] [NEWBIE] Suggestions on (OO) Server Design. Greg Munt
- [DGN] [NEWBIE] Suggestions on (OO) Server Design. Kwon Ekstrom
- OpenCyc, design implications of ontological systems? Bruce Mitchener
- OpenCyc, design implications of ontological systems? Robert Zubek
- OpenCyc, design implications of ontological systems? Miroslav Silovic
- OpenCyc, design implications of ontological systems? Robert Zubek
- OpenCyc, design implications of ontological systems? Bruce Mitchener
- OpenCyc, design implications of ontological systems? Bruce Mitchener
- OpenCyc, design implications of ontological systems? Robert Zubek
- OpenCyc, design implications of ontological systems? Bruce Mitchener
- OpenCyc, design implications of ontological systems? Sean Kelly
- OpenCyc, design implications of ontological systems? Bruce Mitchener
- OpenCyc, design implications of ontological systems ? Robert Zubek
- OpenCyc, design implications of ontological systems? Bruce Mitchener
- OpenCyc, design implications of ontological systems? Joshua Judson Rosen
- OpenCyc, design implications of ontological systems? dmiles@users.sourceforge.net
- Methods to Foster Relationships? Nick Yee
- Methods to Foster Relationships? Jeff Lindsey
- Methods to Foster Relationships? amanda@alfar.com
- Methods to Foster Relationships? Daniel.Harman@barclayscapital.com
- Methods to Foster Relationships? Richard A. Bartle
- Methods to Foster Relationships? Sara Jensen
- Methods to Foster Relationships? Rayzam
- Methods to Foster Relationships? apollyon .
- Methods to Foster Relationships? Marian Griffith
- Methods to Foster Relationships? Peter Tyson
- [TECH] Shortest-Path William Murdick
- [TECH] Shortest-Path Bruce Mitchener
- [TECH] Shortest-Path Ben Greear
- [TECH] Shortest-Path Amos Wetherbee
- [TECH] Shortest-Path Richard A. Bartle
- [TECH] Shortest-Path Robert Zubek
- [TECH] Shortest-Path Miroslav Silovic
- Another Reality Check [was Black Snow Revisited] Dr. Cat
- Another Reality Check [was Black Snow Revisited] amanda@alfar.com
- Another Reality Check [was Black Snow Revisited] Matt Mihaly
- Another Reality Check [was Black Snow Revisited] Matt Mihaly
- Another Reality Check [was Black Snow Revisited] Matt Mihaly
- Another Reality Check [was Black Snow Revisited ] Daniel.Harman@barclayscapital.com
- [DGN] MUD developer's motives Brandon J. Van Every
- [DGN] MUD developer's motives Casbaria
- [DGN] MUD developer's motives Brandon J. Van Every
- [DGN] MUD developer's motives Dave Rickey
- [DGN] MUD developer's motives Koster, Raph
- [DGN] MUD developer's motives Brandon J. Van Every
- [DGN] MUD developer's motives Dave Rickey
- [DGN] MUD developer's motives Shane Gough
- [DGN] MUD developer's motives John Bertoglio
- [DGN] MUD developer's motives Patricia Pizer
- [DGN] MUD developer's motives David Yazel
- Black Snow Revisited Batir
- Black Snow Revisited - Value Of Time Dave Hochstaetter
- Black Snow Revisited - Value Of Time Brandon J. Van Every
- Black Snow Revisited - Value Of Time Dave Hochstaetter
- Fun in Games Paul Schwanz
- Fun in Games Koster, Raph
- Fun in Games Jeff Freeman
- Fun in Games Koster, Raph
- Fun in Games Paul Schwanz
- Fun in Games Brandon J. Van Every
- Fun in Games Jeff Freeman
- Fun in Games John Szeder
- Fun in Games Brandon J. Van Every
- Fun in Games Trickey, Rob
- Fun in Games Brandon J. Van Every
- Fun in Games Trickey, Rob
- Fun in Games Brandon J. Van Every
- Fun in Games Paul Schwanz
- Fun in Games Travis Casey
- Fun in Games Brandon J. Van Every
- Fun in Games Jason Booth
- Fun in Games Oreo Cookie
- Fun in Games John Buehler
- Fun in Games David Kennerly
- Fun in Games Paul Schwanz
- Fun in Games David Kennerly
- Fun in Games Koster, Raph
- Fun in Games szii@sziisoft.com
- Fun in Games Koster, Raph
- Fun in Games szii@sziisoft.com
- Fun in Games Koster, Raph
- Fun in Games shren
- Fun in Games Talies the Wanderer
- Fun in Games Sasha Hart
- Fun in Games Koster, Raph
- Fun in Games John Buehler
- Fun in Games Brandon J. Van Every
- Fun in Games John Buehler
- Fun in Games Daniel.Harman@barclayscapital.com
- Fun in Games Ron Gabbard
- Fun in Games Koster, Raph
- Fun in Games Ron Gabbard
- Fun in Games John Buehler
- Fun in Games Matt Mihaly
- Fun in Games Daniel.Harman@barclayscapital.com
- Fun in Games Brandon J. Van Every
- Fun in Games Sasha Hart
- Fun in Games shren
- Fun in Games Damion Schubert
- Fun in Games Daniel.Harman@barclayscapital.com
- Fun in Games Jasper McChesney
- Fun in Games John Buehler
- Fun in Games Ron Gabbard
- Fun in Games John Buehler
- Fun in Games Adam Dray
- Fun in Games Ron Gabbard
- Fun in Games Damion Schubert
- Fun in Games Daniel.Harman@barclayscapital.com
- Fun in Games Tess Snider
- Fun in Games Koster, Raph
- Fun in Games Ron Gabbard
- Fun in Games John Buehler
- Fun in Games Brandon J. Van Every
- Fun in Games David Kennerly
- Fun in Games Koster, Raph
- Fun in Games David Kennerly
- What do game companies look for? Talies the Wanderer
- Black Snow Revisited Hans-Henrik Staerfeldt
- Black Snow Revisited holding99@mindspring.com
- Black Snow Revisited Hans-Henrik Staerfeldt
- Black Snow Revisited holding99@mindspring.com
- Thank you from MudWorld ucmm@inetsolve.com
- Re:Blacksnow revisited Norman Short
- Re:Blacksnow revisited John Buehler
- Re:Blacksnow revisited Paul Schwanz
- Re:Blacksnow revisited Hans-Henrik Staerfeldt
- Re:Blacksnow revisited Kylotan
- Re:Blacksnow revisited Norman Short
- Re:Blacksnow revisited Matt Mihaly
- Re:Blacksnow revisited Joe Andrieu
- Re:Blacksnow revisited Matt Mihaly
- Re:Blacksnow revisited Damion Schubert
- G4 cable channel Koster, Raph
- G4 cable channel Daniel.Harman@barclayscapital.com
- G4 cable channel Koster, Raph
- G4 cable channel Richard Aihoshi aka Jonric
- G4 cable channel Valerio Santinelli
- G4 cable channel Daniel.Harman@barclayscapital.com
- G4 cable channel John Bertoglio
- G4 cable channel Amanda Walker
- [MLP] NPC Complexity shren
- [MLP] NPC Complexity Eli Stevens
- [MLP] NPC Complexity Koster, Raph
- [MLP] NPC Complexity Peter Tyson
- [MLP] NPC Complexity shren
- [MLP] NPC Complexity Sean Kelly
- [MLP] NPC Complexity shren
- [MLP] NPC Complexity Sean Kelly
- [MLP] NPC Complexity Kwon Ekstrom
- [MLP] NPC Complexity shren
- [MLP] NPC Complexity Sean Kelly
- [MLP] NPC Complexity Kwon Ekstrom
- [MLP] NPC Complexity Daniel.Harman@barclayscapital.com
- [MLP] NPC Complexity Kwon Ekstrom
- META: What do game companies look for? Eli Stevens
- Reality check ...(long) [was Black Snow Revisited] Miroslav Silovic
- Virtual Societies Dave Rickey
- DGN: The Grand List Of Console Role Playing Game Clichés Michael Tresca
- MUDs and societal transformations Brandon J. Van Every
- MUDs and societal transformations shren
- MUDs and societal transformations Marc Bowden
- MUDs and societal transformations Brandon J. Van Every
- MUDs and societal transformations Koster, Raph
- MUDs and societal transformations Brandon J. Van Every
- MUDs and societal transformations Marc Bowden
- Reality check ... Dave Rickey
- Reality check ... Marc Bowden
- Reality check ... Vincent Archer
- Reality check ... Jon Leonard
- Reality check ... John Buehler
- Reality check ... Daniel.Harman@barclayscapital.com
- Reality check ... Dave Rickey
- Dilemmas in a (game) designer's life ? Marc Demesel
- Dilemmas in a (game) designer's life ? Tamzen Cannoy
- Dilemmas in a (game) designer's life ? Brandon J. Van Every
- Dilemmas in a (game) designer's life ? Marc Bowden
- Dilemmas in a (game) designer's life ? Shane Gough
- Dilemmas in a (game) designer's life ? Brandon J. Van Every
- Dilemmas in a (game) designer's life ? John Buehler
- Dilemmas in a (game) designer's life ? Brandon J. Van Every
- Dilemmas in a (game) designer's life ? John Buehler
- Dilemmas in a (game) designer's life ? Sasha Hart
- Dilemmas in a (game) designer's life ? Brandon J. Van Every
- Dilemmas in a (game) designer's life ? Sasha Hart
- Dilemmas in a (game) designer's life ? shren
- [Biz] Games investment Peter Tyson
- Legal enforcement mechanisms (was Re:Blacksnow revisited) Jon Leonard
- OT: 1 free introductory post Dan Scott
- Client platforms for rapid development of experimental worlds Ola Fosheim Grøstad
- Client platforms for rapid development of experimental worlds John Bertoglio
- Client platforms for rapid development of experimental worlds Zach Collins {Siege}
- Client platforms for rapid development of experimental worlds Bruce Mitchener
- Client platforms for rapid development of experimental worlds Bruce Mitchener
- ADMIN: Thread deaths J C Lawrence
- Player matching in MMOGs (was Blacksnow revisited) Brandon J. Van Every
- Happy healthy players (was Blacksnow revisited) Brandon J. Van Every
- Happy healthy players (was Blacksnow revisited) Kylotan
- Happy healthy players (was Blacksnow revisited) Brandon J. Van Every
- [MLP] The use of ecology models (was: NPC Complexity) Sasha Hart
- [MLP] The use of ecology models (was: NPC Complexity) Sean Kelly
- [MLP] The use of ecology models (was: NPC Complexity) shren
- [MLP] The use of ecology models (was: NPC Complexity) Talies the Wanderer
- [MLP] The use of ecology models (was: NPC Complexity) Sean Kelly
- [MLP] The use of ecology models (was: NPC Complexity) Paul Schwanz
- [MLP] The use of ecology models (was: NPC Complexity) Damion Schubert
- [MLP] The use of ecology models (was: NPC Complexit y) Koster, Raph
- [MLP] The use of ecology models (was: NPC Complexity) Sean Kelly
- [MLP] The use of ecology models (was: NPC Complexity) David Kennerly
- [MLP] The use of ecology models (was: NPC Complexit y) Mark Eaton
- [MLP] The use of ecology models (was: NPC Complexit y) Freeman, Jeff
- [MLP] The use of ecology models (was: NPC Complexit y) Damion Schubert
- [MLP] The use of ecology models (was: NPC Complexit y) Daniel.Harman@barclayscapital.com
- [MLP] The use of ecology models (was: NPC Complexity) Matt Mihaly
- [MLP] The use of ecology models (was: NPC Complexity) Sean Kelly
- [MLP] The use of ecology models (was: NPC Complexity) Damion Schubert
- [MLP] The use of ecology models (was: NPC Complexity) Matt Mihaly
- Avatars/character stables (was: Black Snow Revisited) Jon Leonard
- [TECH] [DGN] Hyper-realistic MUD David B. Held
- Progress of MUD32 Matt Owen
- Japanese wireless MUD Peter Tyson
- How much is enough? Justin Coleman
- How much is enough? Brian Hook
- How much is enough? Justin Coleman
- How much is enough? Damion Schubert
- How much is enough? Daniel.Harman@barclayscapital.com
- How much is enough? Brandon J. Van Every
- How much is enough? Damion Schubert
- How much is enough? Ron Gabbard
- How much is enough? Sean Middleditch
- How much is enough? Talies the Wanderer
- How much is enough? Sean Middleditch
- How much is enough? Kwon Ekstrom
- How much is enough? David B. Held
- How much is enough? Ron Gabbard
- How much is enough? Justin Coleman
- How much is enough? Matt Mihaly
- How much is enough? Vincent Archer
- How much is enough? Matt Mihaly
- How much is enough? Hans-Henrik Staerfeldt
- How much is enough? Leverett, William
- How much is enough? Matt Mihaly
- How much is enough? szii@sziisoft.com
- How much is enough? Kwon Ekstrom
- How much is enough? Matt Mihaly
- How much is enough? Damion Schubert
- How much is enough? Sasha Hart
- TECH: Concurrent Process Based Mud (Somewhat Long) Eric Merritt
- TECH: Concurrent Process Based Mud (Somewhat Long) szii@sziisoft.com
- TECH: Concurrent Process Based Mud (Somewhat Long) Bruce Mitchener
- TECH: Concurrent Process Based Mud (Somewhat Long) szii@sziisoft.com
- TECH: Concurrent Process Based Mud (Somewhat Long) Bruce Mitchener
- TECH: Concurrent Process Based Mud (Somewhat Long) Eric Merritt
- Player Accounts on a Non-Commercial MUD Tand'a-ur
- Player Accounts on a Non-Commercial MUD Matt Owen
- Player Accounts on a Non-Commercial MUD Sean Middleditch
- Player Accounts on a Non-Commercial MUD szii@sziisoft.com
- Player Accounts on a Non-Commercial MUD Crosbie Fitch
- Player Accounts on a Non-Commercial MUD Tand'a-ur
- Player Accounts on a Non-Commercial MUD John Bertoglio
- Player Accounts on a Non-Commercial MUD John Buehler
- Player Accounts on a Non-Commercial MUD Tand'a-ur
- Player Accounts on a Non-Commercial MUD John Buehler
- Player Accounts on a Non-Commercial MUD John A. Bertoglio
- Player Accounts on a Non-Commercial MUD Daniel.Harman@barclayscapital.com
- Player Accounts on a Non-Commercial MUD Sanvean
- Player Accounts on a Non-Commercial MUD Crosbie Fitch
- Player Accounts on a Non-Commercial MUD Damion Schubert
- Player Accounts on a Non-Commercial MUD lynx@lynx.purrsia.com
- Player Accounts on a Non-Commercial MUD Damion Schubert
- Player Accounts on a Non-Commercial MUD Brian 'Psychochild' Green
- Player Accounts on a Non-Commercial MUD Damion Schubert
- Re:Re:Blacksnow revisited maddog@maddog.com
- Realistic Ecological Models, Differentiating Areas by Difficulty, and Socialization Ron Gabbard
- Realistic Ecological Models, Differentiating Areas by Difficulty, and Socialization Sean Kelly
- Realistic Ecological Models, Differentiating Areas by Difficulty, and Socialization Damion Schubert
- Realistic Ecological Models, Differentiating Areas by Difficulty, and Socialization shren
- Angry Gamer (was: Blacksnow revisited) Daniel Fischer
- Codename Blue & Facets - Nick Yee's new studies Koster, Raph
- Codename Blue & Facets - Nick Yee's new studies Sasha Hart
- Codename Blue & Facets - Nick Yee's new studies Koster, Raph
- Codename Blue & Facets - Nick Yee's new studies Madrona Tree
- Codename Blue & Facets - Nick Yee's new studies Scott Jennings
- Codename Blue & Facets - Nick Yee's new studies John Buehler
- Codename Blue & Facets - Nick Yee's new studies Dave Rickey
- Codename Blue & Facets - Nick Yee's new studies John Buehler
- Codename Blue & Facets - Nick Yee's new studies Dave Rickey
- Codename Blue & Facets - Nick Yee's new studies John Buehler
- Codename Blue & Facets - Nick Yee's new studies Dave Rickey
- Codename Blue & Facets - Nick Yee's new studies Rayzam
- Codename Blue & Facets - Nick Yee's new studies John Buehler
- Codename Blue & Facets - Nick Yee's new studies Clay
- Codename Blue & Facets - Nick Yee's new studies Damion Schubert
- Codename Blue & Facets - Nick Yee's new studies Freeman, Jeff
- Codename Blue & Facets - Nick Yee's new studies Nick Yee
- Codename Blue & Facets - Nick Yee's new studies John Buehler
- Codename Blue & Facets - Nick Yee's new studies Nicholas Yee
- Codename Blue & Facets - Nick Yee's new studies John Buehler
- Codename Blue & Facets - Nick Yee's new studies Richard A. Bartle
- Codename Blue & Facets - Nick Yee's new studies John Buehler
- Codename Blue & Facets - Nick Yee's new studies Richard A. Bartle
- Codename Blue & Facets - Nick Yee's new studies John Buehler
- Codename Blue & Facets - Nick Yee's new studies Steve {Bloo} Daniels
- Codename Blue & Facets - Nick Yee's new studies Richard A. Bartle
- Codename Blue & Facets - Nick Yee's new studies Steve {Bloo} Daniels
- Codename Blue & Facets - Nick Yee's new studies Richard A. Bartle
- Codename Blue & Facets - Nick Yee's new studies Marian Griffith
- Codename Blue & Facets - Nick Yee's new studies Richard A. Bartle
- Codename Blue & Facets - Nick Yee's new studies Marian Griffith
- Codename Blue & Facets - Nick Yee's new studies shren
- Codename Blue & Facets - Nick Yee's new studies Dave Rickey
- Codename Blue & Facets - Nick Yee's new studies Brad McQuaid
- Codename Blue & Facets - Nick Yee's new studies John Buehler
- Codename Blue & Facets - Nick Yee's new studies Dave Rickey
- Codename Blue & Facets - Nick Yee's new studies Matt Mihaly
- Codename Blue & Facets - Nick Yee's new studies Richard Woolcock
- Codename Blue & Facets - Nick Yee's new studies Madrona Tree
- Codename Blue & Facets - Nick Yee's new studies Richard A. Bartle
- Codename Blue & Facets - Nick Yee's new studies Madrona Tree
- Codename Blue & Facets - Nick Yee's new studies Freeman, Jeff
- Codename Blue & Facets - Nick Yee's new studies Richard A. Bartle
- Codename Blue & Facets - Nick Yee's new studies Matt Mihaly
- Codename Blue & Facets - Nick Yee's new studies Richard A. Bartle
- [TECH] Preloading path information William Murdick
- [TECH] Preloading path information Kevin Mack
- [TECH] Follow-up to Shortest Path William Murdick
- Fun in Games (Long) Ron Gabbard
- Fun in Games (Long) Brandon J. Van Every
- Games are not speech? Koster, Raph
- Games are not speech? Jeff Cole
- Games are not speech? Sean Kelly
- Games are not speech? Dave Rickey
- Games are not speech? Ron Gabbard
- Games are not speech? Crosbie Fitch
- How much is enough? Communication design Ron Gabbard
- How much is enough? Communication design Miroslav Silovic
- How much is enough? Communication design David B. Held
- How much is enough? Communication design Travis Casey
- How much is enough? Communication design Ben Chambers
- How much is enough? Communication design Daniel.Harman@barclayscapital.com
- How much is enough? Communication design Damion Schubert
- How much is enough? Communication design Daniel.Harman@barclayscapital.com
- How much is enough? Communication design shren
- How much is enough? Communication design John Buehler
- How much is enough? Communication design Damion Schubert
- The quandry of mob combat in MUDs Peter Tyson
- The quandry of mob combat in MUDs Sean Kelly
- The quandry of mob combat in MUDs William Murdick
- The quandry of mob combat in MUDs Ammon Lauritzen
- The quandry of mob combat in MUDs Adam
- The quandry of mob combat in MUDs Peter Tyson
- The quandry of mob combat in MUDs shren
- The quandry of mob combat in MUDs Kwon Ekstrom
- The quandry of mob combat in MUDs Damion Schubert
- The quandry of mob combat in MUDs Sean Kelly
- The quandry of mob combat in MUDs Edward Glowacki
- How much is enough? Communication design Sasha Hart
- [MLP] Why care about levels? (was: The use of ecology models) Sasha Hart
- [MLP] Why care about levels? (was: The use of ecology models) Sean Kelly
- [MLP] Why care about levels? (was: The use of ecolo gy models) Daniel.Harman@barclayscapital.com
- Realistic Ecological Models Sasha Hart
- Realistic Ecological Models David B. Held
- Realistic Ecological Models Mike Shaver
- Realistic Ecological Models Leland Hulbert II
- Realistic Ecological Models Sasha Hart
- Realistic Ecological Models Leland Hulbert II
- Realistic Ecological Models David B. Held
- Size of player-organizations Adam
- [Meta] [MLP] The use of ecology models (was: NPC Co mplexity) Koster, Raph
- The quandary of mob combat in MUDs Peter Tyson
- The quandary of mob combat in MUDs John Buehler
- Developing A Web Generator Kyndig
- Developing A Web Generator Kwon Ekstrom
- Developing A Web Generator John A. Bertoglio
- Developing A Web Generator szii@sziisoft.com
- Developing A Web Generator Derek Snider
- Powergaming (was How much is enough?) Jeff Cole
- Powergaming (was How much is enough?) Kwon Ekstrom
- Powergaming (was How much is enough?) Jeff Cole
- Powergaming (was How much is enough?) Kwon Ekstrom
- Powergaming (was How much is enough?) Zach Collins {Siege}
- Powergaming (was How much is enough?) Kwon Ekstrom
- Powergaming (was How much is enough?) shren
- Fun in Games (the Fun Dogma) Clay
- Fun in Games (the Fun Dogma) David Kennerly
- Fun in Games (the Fun Dogma) Ron Gabbard
From: "David Kennerly" <kallisti@tahoesnow.com>
> Fun is not a quantity to be measured, as you said, it's like
> basically a process of stimulating the mind in ways it hasn't been
> stimulated before. That's not all it is, and not all things that
> stimulate the mind are fun. But it's something that delimits the
> game as a unique art form. The game stimulates finding and
> exploiting some good and interesting, and ultimately successful,
> strategies.
I agree and disagree with you here. Fun has two basic components:
mental stimulation and emotional satisfaction. Everything that
stimulates the mind is 'fun' for someone while not for everyone.
Also, an activity in MUDs can have very low mental stimulation yet
have very high emotional satisfaction and still be 'fun'. (Think of
the people who sit in the 'noob' areas/lobbies and randomly buff
people, give away items, or just answer questions.) Those are the
only two 'coins' the game designer has for creating fun. The
objective then becomes to use those coins to create a combination of
mental stimulation and emotional satisfaction that results in 'fun'
for the most people over the longest period of time.
Secondly, while 'fun' cannot be quantitatively measured in units, it
can be measured qualitatively in terms of relationships. Because of
the Law of Diminishing Marginal Utility, we know that the amount of
enjoyment derived from repetitively performing a particular activity
decreases over time. All else being equal, killing mob_Y the first
time yields X amount of 'fun' and killing mob_Y the second time
yields less than X amount of 'fun'. You can graph this. While the
slope of the line will vary from person to person, the vast majority
of players will have a downward sloping line that will eventually
drop to zero. (Actually, it would never get to zero as the player
would switch to an alternate activity where they would have more
'fun' long before they got to zero.)
The conundrum then is defining the unit of activity as this will
also vary from person to person. For example, a group of 5 people
start killing 'orcs'. For Player 1, the 'activity' may be beating
the AI and killing orcs. For Player 2, the 'activity' may be
earning enough experience points to get to the next level to get new
spells or abilities. For Player 3, the 'activity' may be getting
some piece of armor that the orcs drop. For Player 4, the
'activity' may be earning enough cash to buy a house. For Player 5,
the activity is just hanging out with their friends. (Chances are,
each person would be a combination of the above 5 factors.) It's
the weighting of these activities that will dictate the 'time unit'
the player uses in comparing the activities.
Player 1 that views the activity as developing a strategy to beat
the AI will have a much steeper downward slope to their 'fun' curve
from repetitively killing orcs than Players 2 thru 5 that views
killing the orcs as a means to an end. This is the attraction of
PvP combat as Player 1 gets a relatively new experience each battle.
This is also the brilliance of 'loot & levels' EverQuest. With the
emphasis placed on two activities that are very time intensive, the
intervals for comparison for Players 2 and 3 are stretched out over
days and weeks instead of 5-minute spawns resulting in a lesser
downward slope to the 'fun' curve. Players complaining about the
low marginal utility of camping another mob for loot and levels
after they have played for 9 months is preferable to players
complaining about the low marginal utility of beating redundant AI
after one month... players NOT eventually complaining is a pipe
dream as the Law of Diminishing Marginal Utility dictates that
eventually they will all 'burn out'.
In short, there may not be any set unit for 'fun'. However, using
basic economic and business principles it is possible to graph 'fun'
over time which helps the designer keep that fun level above that
line where the player quits as far into the future as possible.
Cheers,
Ron
- Fun in Games (the Fun Dogma) Ron Gabbard
- Skotos Cellular Automata Simulation System - a Technical Summary (LONG) Christopher Allen