Why People Like to Play MMOs

An MMO, for those that don't know, is a Massive Multiplayer Online game.  Your game logs itself onto a server with hundreds of other players, into a world that you all are apart of at the same time.  You can interact with other players, team up, fight, anything!  Most gaming companies have started leaning heavily on the MMO because of its ability to be huge without taking up your entire hardrive, the player interactions, and the ability to update and change portions whenever they want (like for holidays!).

One thing that is universally known among gamers is that MMOs consume your life...You are a character and through missions or quests you level up.  That means you hone your skills, you obtain new abilities, you open up new portions of the map, you gain new vehicles or steeds, you become... awesomer.

In this constant progress with no clear cut endings or episodes, it is easy for a player to become immersed in the gaming world.  To the point of thinking of it when not playing.  Some people even pay money for online content... in essence buying digital objects that don't really exist.  I personally almost lost a friend to World of Warcraft.  He would be in the room with us, but he wasn't actually with us.

So in all that, why would people like MMOs?  They sound kind of like you're wasting your time away.  Well, here's my take.

The reason people like these games is because that character that they are playing has a purpose.  They are the person called on when help is needed.  When someone needs a specific item crafted, or a dragon slayed, or an overbearing tyrant taken out, they are called.  They are needed.  AND they have the abilities to achieve them!  People like MMOs because in that world... they have meaning.  Bills, deadlines, insurance, loans, car problems, they don't exist! 

For me, I have been playing Star Trek Online.  Right now I am the captain of a starship, in charge of dozens of people, and managing their duties and missions.  I have built up a reputation in the Starfleet for being someone they can rely on because of all my past successes and thwarting of evil.  I have a loyal band of  bridge officers that go with me everywhere and who I carefully cultivate.  I've developed a fairly extensive skill in engineering and diplomacy.  In that world, my character is special.  He's important, he's needed and has a purpose.

Geeky, huh?  But at the same time, you can see that in a world where most people are ignored, where finding meaning in all the bustle is like trying to find a star on a cloudy night, a game where you are noticed, appreciated, and able is very enticing.

And that's why people like playing MMOs.