Sure, I love all the features here, and I can always find something to do--I've wandered through these past 5ish tests I've been on not really feeling like there's anything that I want to set as my "Glitch career", so I just do whatever I feel like doing, be it exploring or mining or projects. I think being able to do so much in one place is one of the reasons that keeps me playing, but I think the number one reason I keep wanting to be here is I found a friend. ^_^
We kind of met in a weird circumstance... XD I was running around handing out Beer to random people I met, haha. And he happened to be one of the people I tossed some out to, and then we just started talking and really hit it off. :) It's so nice to have someone to talk to, someone to do things with, and just someone to joke around with. It really helps me want to keep coming back.
It's easier said than done, I know, but even if you do what I did and just toss out random items to users, or just TALK to people (I'm sure a lot of people would like a friend too!), I know you'll meet some great people. :) Don't keep to yourself here!! This is the wrong game for that!!
For me, not a lot. I'm playing less and less now - hit 30 this run, but I started at mid-28.
I realize that I don't fit the mold of a lot of players, as I'm definitely not a grinder. I have sooo many other things to do with my life that if a game starts to become like work, it gets dropped very quickly. Glitch, somewhere in the low 20s, became that thing for me. What keeps me playing? Pretty much in order:
I come back to see what's been changed since the last test.
I come back to see if there are any new regions being added.
I come back to take n00bs on tours to the Ancestral Homeland, making use of my Teleportation 4 skill.
I come back to poke at quest, if I'm really bored.
But that's it. I probably played 10% of this last test, compared with 70% when I was under 10th level, and like 50% when I was under 20th. I really wish there was something more once the exploring is over, and it's clear that street projects are busy work with no real reward.
I'm not sure what that thing should be - it needs to be a radical change from the rest of the game, something that requires the skills built up so far.
I really want there to be another level to the game. Seeing if this test has one is what keeps me playing.
Yep, finding buddies is key to enjoying the game. I'm not bored yet with the game game, but I know I will be, at which point the social/meta game will become the primary attraction for me.
Glitch looks like it's setting up to handle that very well, though!
I spent some time trying to get on the Top Traveler leaderboard and that was a fun challenge, but not something I care to keep up every test. I have quite a few badges yet to earn. But when I really hit the wall a couple of tests ago, I found like OPH that I was spending much less time here. That was sad for me because until I hit the wall I was truly loving the play. This last test I opened the chat for one of my favorite groups and it became fun again. Not because of the game, however, it was the antics of my friends that kept me there. :) I have hope that some new challenges will be ahead! Hang in there. :)
Wanting to finish the skill tree keeps me playing.
I feel the lack of activities starting to become a problem, but with how much fun I had during the last test working on the EoT party, I feel like I can find enough stuff to keep my little mind occupied until the reset!
EDIT: I forgot the most important thing that keeps me coming back: great friends, great people, great community :)
I play with my sister, Gill288...We are like two kindergarteners, always having fun and enjoying the game...She makes me play better and strive to go higher and higher.. I am so amazed at Clare and the level she has reached... It is truly amazing. I wish she would share her secrets of success. What a gal ! I am in awe of her gaming skills.
Honestly, not much. I don't know if I will continue to play. I love the art style and all the crafting, but there is no challenge to it.
I got pretty addicted to Glitch after a friend invited me and raved about it. Then, I realized that the only investment required in the game is time. I don't have to be good at anything. I don't really have to make any decisions. If I spend the time to, I can learn all the skills and get a giant house, and that's all it will take.
That's another thing. I love that Glitch is going for the social aspect, but I feel that a dependency on other players for resources is the best way to bring about a society(it's how all real life societies formed). If I can get all the skills and I have time, I do not need other players at all. That seems a tad asocial.
I'll be overseas for the next round of testing, and I won't be able to see what gets added. Maybe when I get back, I'll feel different.
I also play Glitch with my sister, LasaLoraine. It has provided another fun way for us to interact. I've had trouble interesting my hack and slash mmo friends in Glitch. They like the weirdness but it is hard selling them on the cute and lack of killing. I'm enjoying the ability to use notes and mail to make your own quests. I like auctions but more of a live trading house might be more fun. I'm interested to see how glitch will change as more people discover it and the giants continue to dream.
I often wonder about what can be done about 'The Wall'.
I also used to be totally and ridiculously hooked. 8 months later I'm more like Old Pea Head:
I come back to see what's been changed since the last test.
I come back to empty my meat and milk collectors and refill the feeders.
I come back to poke at projects.
I come back to poke at quest, if I'm really bored.
Since I've finished the skill tree I even feel sorry for my rock, hanging around, looking forlorn, with nuthin' to learn...
Weirdly the only activity I really enjoy now is collecting fireflies.
Maybe next test I will clear out all my inventory and acquire 256 jars to fill.
Then make a public art installation with them.
My Glitch friends, new Glitch friends that I haven't met yet and my addiction to harvesting and making currants.
Those all keep me constantly wanting more Glitch.
Oh, and my piggies too. I've always had a soft spot for virtual pets, ever since my Neopets days back in '01, so nameable piggies appeal to that part of me.
Personal in game goals also keep me well and truly addicted. Sure there are badges and quests for those that like to be told what to do, but I like to do my own thing also.
I make my own goals all the time in game. Loads of them. I constantly update these personal goals too, so I always have something to aim for.
So much Glitch and so little time.
Maybe one day in the very distant future, I'll loose interest in personal goals and I'll hit a wall too, but hopefully some of my lovely Glitch friends will help me over it, or join me with a pick and we'll smash it down :)
I kept thinking about how to chime in on this one because I'm a bit different. I've been here since early March and have done most of the achievements, all of the skills. And I am not. even. close. to being bored. I am NOT saying I don't see why others aren't because I really can see the points people make about the grind and the surprise elements and stuff in other forums. I can. I just...I guess I just um...huh, simple mind maybe, easily amused. I DO look forward to seeing how they add in more surprise and more content for higher-level players because I'll be so glad for all those who have been wanting it (and I know for sure from dev comments that this stuff is on its way), and then I will love it EVEN MORE :)
But here's what keeps me coming back (again, as someone who hasn't been bored yet and in fact tried, accidentally, to play this game while sleeping):
~the humor!!!
~the fun of trying to challenge myself to accomplish things like achievements and push myself more, as well as pester the devs about the badges that seem to be broken ;)
~the great fun of helping out those who want help, answering questions, sending stuff to friends, sharing resources
~the fun of playing a game where the developers are this engaged with the players and trying to get to know more of the devs better (had a ball chatting with sugarQb this test, thanks again!)
~dairy from butterflies!? GAS plants!? Talking peat bogs!?
~my favorite gameplay aspect: Everyone can play Glitch a different way. I can compete with myself and work on the leaderboards (and trash-talk with Joe Blow ;). I can help out friends in groups or new people in areas where new folks tend to enter the game. I could get in Live Help and help out (going to give this a more dedicated whirl next test). I could become a cook and supply friends and projecters with energy (have at least two friends who are seriously dedicated to this side of the game). I could wander round and harvest and make currants, as Ebil does, and thank the giants for all the resources he and those like him offer. I could meander around just enjoying it all. I could focus deeply on streets projects, alone or in groups. Etc., etc.
~my very favorite aspect: For the people. I have met and made some real friends in here, as well as just great Glitchy acquaintances who make me smile when we chat. I have laughed myself silly and gotten all mushy. My husband also plays, and we have a blast with various other folks (we have a running joke about having an open Glitch relationship, too :). I know people from mid teens to over 70, from North America to Australia to Germany and other parts of Europe and probably countries I have no clue about. I have had frank and serious chats with other parents of kids with disabilities and silly and witty chats with other creative and crazy people. You other Glitches are like sunshines to me during pretty rainy bits of real life~been a hairy few months in RL for me, and how Glitch has lightened that load!
Okay, I'm getting all mushy and verklempt. I'll return to being a more lighthearted loon now! What a great thread, Osteo:)
Well stated RM. The Devs/giants have given us a constantly growing environment and I love to explore it! I can, however, relate to Old Pea Head as I have nearly all the skills and my badge seeking has slowed greatly (I need a progress meter to keep me going on those insanely high achievements!). But the social aspect has continuously pulled me back in. In the beginning RM spent a few minutes talking with me and was very generous in getting me started with some small gifts. This developed into a great friendship, a great introduction to the game, and has encouraged me to give in return as much friendship, help, and wisdom as I can to others. I do look forward to the many things to come for this game, knowing that it takes so much to fix all the bugs we come across as well as continuing to provide new features during Beta testing. Love the community and creative talent!
@1padme, yes, I noticed a distinct tendency for you to be quietly creeping toward us there. You only *thought* you were getting away with it! :D My RM senses were tingling....
I'm having a pretty hard time finding good reasons to play, I just don't see the point. In other MMOs I've gotten happily addicted to accumulating resources and skills and exploring the world, but in Glitch it's different. I appreciate the programming effort and the world is cute, but it's so limited. There's no real incentive for any of it. I'm not sure why I would log on and spend more time amassing more stuff. And at lower levels everything you can do costs you much more energy than you get out of it, it feels like inevitable death if you happen to stay on for a long time but less than a game day (or less than gaining a level).
In-game friendships make me immediately feel strange about gaming at all, and remind me that I'd have more fun logging off and getting more exercise and spending time with people IRL. For that reason, usually computer games are not social pursuits for me, they're something I do only when I'm tired of people and friends and just want something fun to do alone. Therefore a game where you need to play the game socially to really enjoy doing it just doesn't work for me.
I'm not saying Glitch is bad, but I think I'm too far from its target user type.