I have climbed mountains. I have rescued princesses on multiple occasions, in multiple settings. I have saved a galaxy and defended a planet. I have defended nations. I have concurred armies. I have unlocked powers hiding within myself. I have fought my way through countless dungeons. I have done all these things... and yet I still cannot get that stupid golden axe on Animal Crossing!
In every good game there is a goal, or a cornucopia of unique unlockable content that keeps gamers occupied for days. The content that a keeps a gamer busy in a game could be simple. What keeps us playing is nothing more then sights and sounds, pixels and audio, and yet there is something about it that keeps us playing. It feels great to find every hidden little nugget in a game.
I guess it is just the feeling of accomplishment, the feeling of knowing you earned something. It is the same feeling you may get after getting your drivers license. Starting the engine in your new car. Powering up a new computer that you earned money for yourself. Yes, unlocking something new in a game is similar to these experiences.
Not everyone wishes to experience a game in the same way I do though. For some, they do not care how they reach their goal in the game, they just want it, immediately. This is why some prefer to use cheat codes to create shortcuts, or sometimes even unlock content immediately. But I prefer to play the game the way it is meant to be played, without cheating. I prefer to earn things on my own, without any aid.
In Grand Theft Auto, I believe it's number 4, there is an achievement you can get by finding every pigeon in the game, and killing it. And what is the reward for such an amazing feat? Nothing more then the achievement point... and yet I still find myself, wandering around New York City, hunting pigeons... Why? AN ACHIEVEMENT POINT ON XBOX!
Sometimes I both loath and love my addiction to gaming. But my point is, unlockables are fun. They keep us interested and entertained.
But I'd like to hear from my readers what keeps you playing? What's some of your favorite unlockable content in games?
Sunday, October 4, 2009
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