Practicum #8

My eighth and final post. I am glad to be done with that game. I just can't see the appeal of MMORPGs and how people can get so addicted to them. It feels like I'm essentially doing the same thing over and over again with no payoff. The only game I really like that doesn't have an actual end would be The Sims, but at least with that game there's always something new to do, and each character does have an end to his or her "life". With MapleStory there isn't much of a reward to continue doing perpetual actions. I couldn't even change my hair color or style without a "hair coupon" that is apparently rewarded randomly or requires purchase with real money.

At the end of the game I got to level 27, and never was able to get to any of the other islands. I did discover how to make it over there, but unfortunately you have to be over a certain level (I think either 30 or 50) to be able to travel there.

There are just so many detailed aspects to this game as well that I don't understand how some people can manage to get so invested and learn every little thing they can about it. I suppose if I actually was interested in the game I might be more inclined to learn more about different attack moves and what certain items do, but it all seems so complicated. I kept seeing other characters use all these ridiculous attacks that would take down three strong monsters at the same time, while I'm standing there hacking away at one for 30 seconds.

I tried to see if I could give away the items I had acquired to other people, but I was informed that if you drop an item another person can't pick it up. I was hoping I could just drop all my stuff and let everyone fight for it, since I wouldn't be needing it anymore. I didn't bother trying to see how long it would take me to get banned, although I kind of wanted to. I was just to the point where I didn't want to deal with the people on this game any longer and really didn't care about their reactions. I felt I'd be more annoyed than amused in the end.