Comments on: We’re Just Grown Men Who Like To Play With Dolls

By: vortal

vortal — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 02:15:06 +0000

“Looking Badass is only half the battle” the other is gameplay, and all that other stuff people want in their games. But think about it 50% of a game (in my opinion) should look really good, that is how they catch people’s attention. Give them nice looking art, then vanity items to try and make them look like whatever or follow that nice looking in game (or not) art.

By: Gordon

Gordon — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 19:52:45 +0000

I’d probably buy vanity items just because I’m shallow enough to think looking good in a virtual world matters. Guess I’m the perfect target audience for these things.

By: Gordon

Gordon — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 19:52:00 +0000

I’m really surprised WoW hasn’t introduce player housing yet – it would really appeal to their market plus keep people hooked for even longer by enticing them to spend time decorating their housing. Oddly enough though I’ve never had any interest in it myself.

By: Gordon

Gordon — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 19:50:58 +0000

Hehe. I think I’d prefer proper specs

By: Gordon

Gordon — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 19:50:28 +0000

Vanity is such a powerful motivator, isn’t it? I shudder to think how much some of these MMOs exploit our base instincts for their own gain!

By: Gordon

Gordon — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 19:49:33 +0000

Hehe, I guess we all just have underlying desires to make ourselves look good

By: Gordon

Gordon — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 19:49:15 +0000

Definitely

By: Bristal

Bristal — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 21:54:42 +0000

Have never played EVE, but I’m fascinated by the controversy over all this.

I have to say, though, that monocle is pretty damn cool. I would probably have to get one for my doll, er, manly Picard-like action figure.

By: Tesh

Tesh — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 17:15:08 +0000

“people just love creating and decorating a space of their own in games”

It’s a great outlet when the core game design is fairly constrained. Player agency is huge, and giving players the chance to customize things is a Smart Idea. Charging them for it taps into the luxury market, making money for the game without breaking core game design balance.

…WoW still needs player housing and appearance tabs.

By: Shadow-war

Shadow-war — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 12:13:01 +0000

Maybe I’m an abberation, but I’ve only ever bought vanity items once in any game. EQ2, where it cost me very little to do so, thanks youth triple points deal over memorial day weekend. I’m probably the worst customer for Riot, as I will never pay for costumes, and I am almost level 30 now, With a decent collection on runes and champions.