Do you stop playing a game because there is nothing left to unlock?

Azureth

Azureth

Supreme [H]ardness
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Feb 29, 2008
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So I am a big fan of BF3. Yet both my roommate and friend do not play nearly as much because as they put it "After reaching colonel there is nothing to unlock" even my roommate who is a big fan of LoL, says one thing he doesn't like about Dota 2 is that all the heroes are unlocked from the start.

So for you once you've unlocked everything, or most of the main things in a game lose interest?
 
Do people even play mp games for the fun of it any more or is everyone there for the grind? If you're talking multiplayer I quickly lose interest in games where I have unlock even the most basic equipment and I get no enjoyment out of "leveling up". I long for the days of a coherent and complete multiplayer experience not plagued by gimmicky unlocks. The focus is now so disconnected from enjoying a competitive match or round and now more about padding your stats while grinding for XP.
 
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I am with your grandma on this one, hence why I still play games such as Quake and StarCraft 2.

What I hate the most is what unlocking has done to the Need for Speed series. I'd pay full price for a modern NFS2:SE clone where all vehicles and tracks are available at the start so I can actually have fun with the ones I like, as opposed to what the dev has decided would be my "progression". To Hell with this bullshit.
 
If a MP game has unlocks and wants my attention it has to get so glowing reviews that I need welding goggles to read them.

Unlocks are the primary reason why I skipped Tribes: Ascend when it was released. Now that they rolled out GOTY update with pay once ($30) and get everything I'm considering buying it.
 
Unfortunately I feel you are right, once the level up aspect is complete a game is no longer fun. This is why I enjoy PvP and leaderboards. If there's active (non-hacked) leaderboards then I always have a reason to play it. I'm huge on competition and rankking.
 
Multiplayer unlocks are the reason I stopped playing games online. I don't have time to sit and grind my way to all the best weapon unlocks and stuff like that. Call of Duty 1 is the game I spent the most time playing online simply because everbody was the same level. Everyone had an equal chance at winning based on skill and not who had the best unlocks.
 
After maxing everything on BF3 since playing day one... It's hard for me to play. I mean, 800+ hours might be a factor too.
 
guitarguy6 said:
Multiplayer unlocks are the reason I stopped playing games online. I don't have time to sit and grind my way to all the best weapon unlocks and stuff like that. Call of Duty 1 is the game I spent the most time playing online simply because everbody was the same level. Everyone had an equal chance at winning based on skill and not who had the best unlocks.
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Yeah, I'm with you. I used to play games like Counter-Strike constantly, but once games started going to unlock progression BS, I gave up for the most part. That was one part I really hated about BF3.
 
Yeah this is why I won't purchase a game like this unless I get it on day one. Because if I start after, I'll find that everyone I'm playing with has unlocked all the badass items and I'm playing in "gimped mode" with the starter items/weapons and have to play catch up forever to get on their level. It's annoying.
 
I play games because they're fun. I don't care about unlocks and they're not a goal I work towards. RPG's aren't exactly the same in that regard because they're about character progression, but FPS unlocks make no difference to me(although I understand why they need to be part of Free to Play games).
 
Spewn said:
I play games because they're fun.
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It becomes an issue when you're getting constantly roflpwned by level 100 guys when you're at level n00b because they had the time to play for 50 hours before you. To me that is not fun. Arguably, that's the game developer's fault for making unlocks unbalanced, but essentially every game where there are unlocks ends up being that way in some fashion. If the unlocks were useless, no one would care to unlock, but alternately if they give you too big of an advantage it makes it frustrating for new players.
 
MavericK96 said:
It becomes an issue when you're getting constantly roflpwned by level 100 guys when you're at level n00b because they had the time to play for 50 hours before you. To me that is not fun.
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I've yet to play a game where this is the case, maybe I've been lucky(or you unlucky). Some people claimed it was in BF3 but I disagree(and had my reasons and gave them a long time ago in the BF3 thread).

Arguably, that's the game developer's fault for making unlocks unbalanced, but essentially every game where there are unlocks ends up being that way in some fashion. If the unlocks were useless, no one would care to unlock, but alternately if they give you too big of an advantage it makes it frustrating for new players.
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It's not a matter of being useless/overpowered, it's a matter of having drawbacks as well as advantages. Have you played Blacklight Retribution? Nearly all of the unlocks in that game allow you to improve your guns to be better in certain situations, but not all situations. There's no "+ damage with no drawbacks" modification you can do, there's always a tradeoff.

Regardless my point was that I don't play the game *for* the unlocks. If the game isn't fun without having enough stuff unlocked then I probably won't play it, depending on how long it takes for the game to get fun. If the game is fun then I won't stop playing just because I've unlocked everything.
 
I'm gonna go against the grain and say I find a "good" unlock system adds to a game. A game can be fun but I'll get bored sooner if there's no carrot to chase. I made some long ranty posts about how unlocks aren't the enemy this long ago when the discussion came up, if I can be bothered I might dig them up.

Now, "bad", unlock systems I do dislike. I disliked BF3's unlock system. I liked COD4's unlock system. I disliked Space Marine's unlock system, though it was partially balanced by being able to copy the loadout of other players and the fact it didn't take long to get a good enough kit to do well.
 
Spewn said:
I've yet to play a game where this is the case, maybe I've been lucky(or you unlucky). Some people claimed it was in BF3 but I disagree(and had my reasons and gave them a long time ago in the BF3 thread).
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Definitely happens. I know it happens in DC Universe. Happens a lot in fact in the PVP servers. Lots of heroes troll newer players.

I usually just fight when I'm attacked, which kind of puts me in a disadvantage most of the time, since they get first blood and usually with something strong. =/ ( I usually win though, if they're roughly my level, so it's all good)
 
I've stopped playing BL2 because I hit the level cap and I still have a DLC to finish and some other stuff.

I stopped playing BF2142 after I had gotten all the awards, which was a goal from the beginning. I almost got divorced over that game though....
 
I don't really get much enjoyment out of unlocking things, getting achievements, etc. If I can find unique in-game items, that's pretty exciting, but most of the value I get is from the gameplay itself. I like being in different worlds and doing entertaining things in those worlds, and most games provide pretty interesting worlds and entertaining things to do in them.

With regard to BF games, it's been my experience that the unlocks aren't that big a deal. Skill is significantly more important than having access to a weapon with marginally better specs.
 
I kinda quit playing FPS's due to the unlocking and achievement systems. Since I don't have a lot of time to sit and play a game for hours on end to level up and get all the advanced unlocks I'm usually at a real disadvantage. I remember playing BC2 once, sneaking up on a guy and emptying 1.5 mags into him. He turned around and took me out with 1 shot. He had the body armor/weapons and I had the starting equipment. So for the causal gamer, not much fun.
 
wonderfield said:
With regard to BF games, it's been my experience that the unlocks aren't that big a deal. Skill is significantly more important than having access to a weapon with marginally better specs.
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Usually true, but let us not forget the IR scope debacle in BF3...
 
It depends. In the case of BF3 yes, because the base game was too shitty to keep playing without that little incentive. Other games usually not.
 
I remember a time when games were so good and had steep skill learning curves you didn't need to have gimmicky "unlocks", mastering the game was an achievement in itself. And mastering the game was only the beginning because there were leagues built by and for players just as skilled as you to compete against each other. If any of you played League caliber TFC (STA Platinum, TFL 1a) you'd know what I'm talking about.

Kids playing COD these days have no idea...
 
I spent many years playing FPS games that didn't have anything to unlock in the MP mode. It matters little to me how much I can grow my "E-Peen" by unlocking crap that doesn't really alter my ability.

If a game is fun I'll play it over and over and over again. I've played Fallout : New Vegas 6 times from the beginning just because I loved the experience and felt like it. Not because I wanted to unlock something I didn't before.
 
I could care less about achievements and unlocks. Give me a great game like CS:S and a ventrilo, teamspeak, or skype channel full of all my gaming buddies scattered across the country chit-chatting, teasing each other, BSing, and just having a great time anytime over those "e-metals".
 
Three of my favorite games are Skyrim, New Vegas, and San Andreas.. all 3 had that 'formula' I like.. ability to wander, interesting storyline, varied quests, and multiple ways to finish the game, especially in the case of New Vegas. They all also have ways to power up early on and take on the main questline later, something I seem to like.. exploring every little nook, taking in the environment.

Games with good storylines will keep me hooked to the end usually. Games that look pretty will keep me hooked for awhile (Just Cause 2, Far Cry 2, Final Fantasy XII) but I generally won't make it to the end of them.

I have to mention Suikoden 2 here, it kept me hooked and I got all the characters. Other then that I don't want to bore people with my life gaming history here.
 
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I don't like grinding. I just don't find it fun. And yes, FPS's with unlocks do give dedicated players an advantage. They might get stronger guns, or perks which have advantages over new players. E.G. CoD where you can get perks which keep you off the radar, or allow you to see claymores, etc. I understand a new player is going to be at a disadvantage anyway for not knowing the maps, so why punish them even more?

Unlocks should be bonuses imo that don't affect gameplay. That being said, I seldom play a game and completely unlock it.
 
This happens in real life too. After I unlocked all the achievements I basically considered off'ing myself by eating 20 pounds of baked beans...

but ya know, at some point you have to take responsibility for your happiness and find some other goals
 
Youn said:
This happens in real life too. After I unlocked all the achievements I basically considered off'ing myself by eating 20 pounds of baked beans...

but ya know, at some point you have to take responsibility for your happiness and find some other goals
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I don't uh...I don't understand. After you complete a game, you try to kill yourself with baked beans?

Am I missing something here?
 
BiH115 said:
Am I missing something here?
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yeah, my first sentence where I mention "real life". I know, it's an unusual concept for some :p

basically I mean, you have goals in life like getting a job, marrying the man of your dreams, buying your dream house, having 2.5 kids, etc... but after that, with no more goals, you can start to get depressed. It often times helps to have a goal, in game and in real life. That's all I was saying...

as for the baked beans comment, it's just a cool way to commit suicide:

tub_fin2.gif
 
Youn said:
yeah, my first sentence where I mention "real life". I know, it's an unusual concept for some :p

basically I mean, you have goals in life like getting a job, marrying the man of your dreams, buying your dream house, having 2.5 kids, etc... but after that, with no more goals, you can start to get depressed. It often times helps to have a goal, in game and in real life. That's all I was saying...

as for the baked beans comment, it's just a cool way to commit suicide:

tub_fin2.gif
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No doubt, baked beans and all that...

I should have guessed you were a female from the other Tomb Raider thread, hah. :eek:

I see what you're saying, a lot of people just don't have the drive to do anything else, whether it stem from financial issues, down to plain laziness.
 
I like games for fun. That said, I mostly play RPG's, where everything is an unlock :eek:
 
in BF3 I didn't care about level or unlocks or being with a blind team etc., I used to play it whenever a friend is playing for the fun. I never checked my k/d but I think it's about 0.2.

but in BC2 I keep making a new profile after I reach about 25 to enjoy the hackusations :D
 
Yes and No.....

For the most part yes, but I also replay games, even those I've already beaten 100% of it.
 
I guess kind-of. Looking at my achievements, I only full-on maxed a couple games and even in those they ended up having additional in-game things that weren't related to achievements.
However if there's a game I only somewhat enjoy, often times when I reach the final unlock within normal reach I'll put it down and move on.
 
Pringals said:
I could care less about achievements and unlocks. Give me a great game like CS:S and a ventrilo, teamspeak, or skype channel full of all my gaming buddies scattered across the country chit-chatting, teasing each other, BSing, and just having a great time anytime over those "e-metals".
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CS:GO no unlocks, no BS. Did not like the unlocking in Chivalry, it's a fun game and all and you aren't really gimped by not having all the weapons.

Unlock is the natural progression from achievements.. I don't care that I have blown up 3 enemies with a single grenade.. i really don't.

TF2 when it came out had all those achievements and extra weapons, as a result, servers for just picking up the achievements poped up. Same thing in Chivalry now, you can find servers that are focused on just helping you unlock all the weapons. They are are just brutal senseless violence.. and can be fun :D (wait.. did i have a point here... forget about it)
 
The only time I stop playing is when my opponents get to good to catch up or vice versa.
 
Megalomaniac said:
Unlock is the natural progression from achievements.. I don't care that I have blown up 3 enemies with a single grenade.. i really don't.
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That's the whole point of unlocks IMO. I don't really care if I blow up 3 enemies in a single grenade, but as soon as someone says "I bet you can't blow up 3 enemies in a single grenade" or "I'll give you this shiny penny if you blow up 3 enemies in a single grenade" then it suddenly becomes a challenge and vastly more interesting to me :p
 
I play whatever game I like best, the only thing that really manipulates my play is if I pay for some boost, then I gotta make sure I get the most out of my money. But its really obvious that a lot of people out there now days play more with grind mechanics. This is why the trend blew up. So once again the mass consumer ruins it for everyone else. I play tribes ascend and I cant believe how many idiots will come to the forums and say you need to make more shit for us to spend out XP on hirez.

I like the way people are given awards for doing something like badges etc..But I just hate when it is tied to what weapons / things you can actually use.
 
Unlocks and achievements are the biggest POS kiddy idea that came to PC gaming. Oh, Quake/UT99 days, how I miss you...
 
I generally don't care about achievements and unlocks but The Binding of Isaac has been the exception and I still play it daily after having platinum god for a while now.
 
I represent the other side of the completionist and stop playing that game when the credits roll most of the time.
 
I have never been motivated by unlocks or achievements....with the possibly exception of TF2....before hats came out.
 
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