While I’m basically the opposite of an achievement Hunter in mmo’s and that kind of directed, checklist ticking game play, I still get entirely consumed with levelling up in mmo’s. It’s one of those activities that I often completely focus on to the detriment of everything else, and even get annoyed when aspects of the game get in my way if the process.. Like Final Fantasy 14 and the story before the expansion.
I’m not sure why I am so compelled by this experience alone. I am far more of a wanderer in mmo’s, preferring to float around the world and whatever gathers my Interest. The gearing process’s like endless raids and such don’t appeal to me, I enjoy the challenge the first few times of competition but then interest fades.
Certain end game progression aspects don’t really appeal to me either, like the veteran grind in ESO, attunement stuff in Wildstar, and other. It is seemingly like levelling in part but never gets my devotion in the same way.
Levelling up is just different, although in a more simplistic single minded way. It isn’t even the reward and satisfaction of the ding that appeals to me, or the increase in power. To me there is something about simple, repetitive activities and a single-minded focus that is kind of enjoyable. Getting consumed in that process tends to just help the world melt away form around you until there isn’t everything else and there is something weirdly comforting about that.
Black Desert Online is probably the best I’ve had for this feeling, which probably goes a long way into explaining my sudden interest after the beta. The levelling and grinding has absolutely no filler really. You don’t have to worry about the quests if you don’t want to, or crafting, worker, and even the Black spirit stuff can be mostly ignored. It’s just repetitive combat grind that is incredible repetitive. Little thought is required once you get that combat pattern down, and pressing those buttons in time, reacting to certain cues helps you get into that flow of combat, the flow of the moment. All for some measly experience.
Eventually I will branch out, probably once I’ve hit 50 although, weirdly, I’m actually happy there is that endless grind for levels because that’s just what I do. There is definitely some kind of psychological hook they are doing that appeals to me so completely. That compels and addicts me, I am the rat pushing the lever over and over, as long as it is predictable … And I’m kinda ok with that.