What would you describe as "Addictive" about PlaneShift?

[zanzibar]

This might be a dangerous topic because "addictive" has negative connotations, but (in my opinion) being "addictive" is the mark of a good computer game!

What aspects and activities in PlaneShift count as outright "addictive"?  My theory is that by identifying the addictive activities, the devs might be able to better focus the philosophy of the gaming experience in the game.

[LigH]

Addictive about PlaneShift? -- The diversity of characters being played.

[Dwayo]

I was hooked to Planeshift for about 2 years and allways comming back when some other game take my attention. I think that is because atmosphere that many games lack of and great comunity. And I like pen and paper RPG-a and this is so similar to them. Game with a soul.

Edit: And yes, this game forces you to think while you play. It's not just click here then click there.

[Mathy Stockington]

http://hydlaa.com/smf/index.php?topic=5296.0

[zanzibar]

http://hydlaa.com/smf/index.php?topic=5296.0

I think that thread is about signs of addiction.  I'm interested in what gets you hooked.

[Socius Rockus]

Planeshift is like a dairy to me, once I forget one day I forget it for months. What makes me come back are the stories of mine and other characters. For some reason it's more fun to make a story happen with a character you prefer.
uhhm... *thinks of explaining it clearly*

What draws me to Planeshift and what makes me come back, even after a long time of "forgetting it", is my urge to read/see/hear/play a story with at least someone I can identify with (my character(s) mostly). To much have I read a book, watched a movie, listend to music or played a game thinking halfway: "lame" "weak".
Now I won't I don't think that ever walking through the plane of Planeshift, but at least I can choose not to mingle myself in it, or try to differ it by influence of my character(s).
Thinking "how interesting"  is addictive

Yes I'm selfish

[Liadan]

http://hydlaa.com/smf/index.php?topic=5296.0

I think that thread is about signs of addiction.  I'm interested in what gets you hooked.

as in you're addicted to coffee, but what got you hooked was the caffeine?

[Siteri Kidachi]

The community and RP. The gameplay elements and quests seem pretty much pointless to me, but everything that goes on in that chat box... THAT's what counts.

[zorbels]

The social aspect of the game (making friends outside of the game and making friends in the game with characters) and the creative freedom (within reason) seems to be what addicted me to the game. I like writing stories and the game allows me to do this. I love picking my brain and trying to come up with new Rp's and idea's for my character.
 
I am sure the development of the game makes me keep coming back. Since I started there have been many client releases. I have watched the game grow from nothing but two towns, an arena, the death realm (a very small one ) and the magic shop. It's exciting when the new items, skins, settings, buildings, etc, are added.

In general this is a very open community, and for the most part is very welcoming. The game and the PlaneShift staff leaves an open door for you to help in creation of the game, all depending what skills you have to offer. It seems to be a great learning tool for those who move on from regular player/tester to more important positions in PlaneShift. This I think also keeps a person "addicted" because there is room for advancement in this game. It helps to give people some experience in video games that they can use in RL when they move on to something with a paycheck. 

That's about all I can think of off the top of my head.

[zanzibar]

http://hydlaa.com/smf/index.php?topic=5296.0

I think that thread is about signs of addiction.  I'm interested in what gets you hooked.

as in you're addicted to coffee, but what got you hooked was the caffeine?

Sure!  What's the caffeine in PlaneShift?

[Caarrie]

Sure!  What's the caffeine in PlaneShift?

I think most people will have to agree that the "caffeine" from planeshift is not the game really but all the people that play it, no matter if you take a break from the physical game, you still keep in contact with the players, if it is via the forum or irc or whatever, we become bonded to each other someway though this game, it is just one way to make us get together. Come on how many people here are still on the forums and have not stepped foot ingame for more then 5 minutes in the last few months? I know there are some of you out there, you like the people more then the game it helps to make us all a big family.

[Gravemind]

This might be a dangerous topic because "addictive" has negative connotations, but (in my opinion) being "addictive" is the mark of a good computer game!

What aspects and activities in PlaneShift count as outright "addictive"?  My theory is that by identifying the addictive activities, the devs might be able to better focus the philosophy of the gaming experience in the game.

Boredom. Who would want to play Far Cry 2 which involves guns and explosions and driving when you can sit at a badly rendered hill while tapping the '1' key over and over again, occasionally mixing it up by actually typing out "/dig platinum" in the chat bar

God I love PS.

[Tuxide]

PlaneShift is the kind of game I can play and do my real-life job simultaneously.  I've never seen a game that is like this before.

[khoridor]

Watching the dwarf character running (and its other animations as well).
The Quests; the need to discover and understand the settings, sustained by the quality of the settings.
The quantity of small interactions you can have with living characters. One day encounters, new faces running around all the time, living their lives (and not there to whack you on sight, which is fun, but in another kind of games).
The variety (races, skills, activities, places, play styles, ..., and growing).

[Edig]

Sure!  What's the caffeine in PlaneShift?

I think most people will have to agree that the "caffeine" from planeshift is not the game really but all the people that play it, no matter if you take a break from the physical game, you still keep in contact with the players, if it is via the forum or irc or whatever, we become bonded to each other someway though this game, it is just one way to make us get together. Come on how many people here are still on the forums and have not stepped foot ingame for more then 5 minutes in the last few months? I know there are some of you out there, you like the people more then the game it helps to make us all a big family.

While that really is true Caarrie, most of the people are truly wonderful, what's really got me "addicted" (if that's what you want to call it) or the reason I truly enjoy playing, is the great amount of diversity in this game.  I actually have to interact with the NPC's to get my quests.  I have to think about what it is I want to do.  I have to learn and figure things out.

This game isn't a matter of right click, place stat, get quest to kill x number of mobs, return to NPC, learn skill, lather, rinse, repeat.

The great rp'ers out there are really the icing to this game. I just wish...  oh...  nvm...  that belongs in the wish list area. [Edig Smiles.]

But Caarrie is right!!!  The people do bring the wholeness or completion to the game.