During this turning period of a new year we sail out a Upclose New Year Interview series with MMOG fanatic players,exchange in-game experience,set review on MMOGs,creat out new ideas.Meanwhile,we wish you a happy new year. So, today here we come up an interview with Jon,a cool Philippine game boy.
MMOSite: When did you start to play MMOG?
Jon: I remember playing the first MMOG 2 years ago. Friends of mine introduce me to MU Online International which triggered my interest to play these types of games.
MMOSite: How many MMOG have you played before? What are they? Which one is your favorite and why?
Jon: I remember playing 12 MMOGs. These are: MU online, Gunbound, Tantra, Ragnarok, Khan, Rose, Pangya, Flyff, Pristontale, Gunz. GuildWars and Gates to Heaven.
Well of course I don?t play them all the time. Some of them I already quitted playing. But my favorite is Tantra Online although I am only playing it for 5 months it really showed how a game can be compared to reality [Graphically artistic and animations are excellent]. However when it comes to stress reliever games, my favorite is Gunbound and Pangya [Cool and Simple].
MMOSite: For a successful MMOG, what kinds of elements it should contain?
Jon: For me the first thing I?m looking at before playing the game is its website [How it is presented to people]. Then inside the game, I would highly appreciate its presentation in 3D. Then of course the simplicity of the game with some mind dazzling quests while playing the game not just for the sake of playing. Promotions would be a good spice to retain gamers.
MMOSite: What do you think about virtual item trading in MMOGs?
Jon: It‘s an entrepreneurial activity that opens people to business awareness. You see this in most MMOGs. It?s like biding something you own in real life. However, I consider it a part or a concept of the game itself. So basically, we play and we help others play. In other words, we cooperate with each other.
MMOSite: What kind of MMOG activity do you prefer? (For instance: Screenshot Contest)
Jon: Screenshot Contest would most likely be done using the Forums of the game. In game events would be a good idea too like in the case of Gunbound beat the GMs event, In Game Q&As and Bring me event. Item Give away event is a good activity too. Forum Q&A?s is a fun games too as it would bring together the knowledge of a certain person.
MMOSite: How many hours per week do you spend playing MMOGs? Are you going to increase or reduce your playtime? And why?
Jon: Well, frankly speaking I play MMOGs everyday but no particular time and span of time. I play for the love of the game. So basically, I have no exact figures but I can provide an average playing time. Maybe 24-48 hours a week will do to play MMOGs.
MMOSite: In China, many gamers play online games in order to sell equipments for money, and what about that in your country? What do you think about this situation?
Jon: In our country, I believe so. I haven?t tried it yet but I know there are players doing this things. For me it?s worth it, it?s worth playing the game and gain from it. However if it comes to legality I think MMOG owner will not allow this kind of activity as it degrades the value of playing the game itself.
MMOSite: Some of the MMOGs are already free to play, like Guild Wars. However, some other MMOGs including WOW still require monthly fee. What are your views on this situation?
Jon: Guildwars are F2P but you need to buy the account before you can take advantage of the F2P service of the game. This is somehow a good deal for most players but the disadvantage of this is that I as a player can always play this anytime I wanted to without any hassle or problem. Of course F2P depends on the interface of the game, as Guildwars is internationally played. So monthly fee will be feasible on this type of game, not all players have credit cards. Gunbound, Gunz and Pangya are F2P however cards are used to buy items and equipments including avatars. Tantra uses monthly fee for it includes bonus items on it. Its better for promotional websites and games.
MMOSite: Since MMORPG is a virtual world, how do you balance the virtual world and real life?
Jon: It‘s the concept of living virtually when I?m playing the game then shifting to reality when I?m done playing. It?s like taking the game as an inspiration only.
MMOSite: At the turning of the year, do you have any words for other gamers?
Jon: Well one word. PEACE!!
Always, thanks to Jon for taking time with us.
