(Jumping the Shark?)
So Peril and I can have some interesting discussions and such. While at lunch yesterday, we got onto the topic of my last post… Motivation. Why we play. Well as many times such discussions go, it was a gateway to my next topic… “Jumping the Shark”.
Now, the reference for “Jumping the Shark” comes from Happy Days. The show was going along nicely and then *bam* we have Fonzie, nonplussed, jumping a shark in his leather jacket. The show had gone off the deep end and had become a parody of itself. We have seen this other times in various different shows. Some idea goes too far and pushes people away rather than becomes inclusive.
Well, then it was presented can this be done in a game? MMORPG, MU’s and the likes… and again, we came up with a resounding YES! It was seen in EQ when they made going across the world -too- easy. It no longer lent to the expanse of the grand universe, but became Ever-Gear, because that is where all the new focus went. Now don’t get me wrong, there are still many of my friends who play - but it jumped the shark. Many other examples that we tossed about were Buffy, Angel, and even Star Trek (Yes, all shows, but it is easier to see it plainly). Now I know you just asked… “What does this have to do with here?” Well, remember I said that games can “Jump the Shark”. I’ve seen it, and played in its revival (as Peril affectionately) calls it.
My questioned posed to you is a hypothetical this time. What would cause a MU to “Jump the Shark”? Think in grand as well as smaller scales. What would be such a turn off of a game, that when you signed it, you went: “Ugh… not this again.” *grumble grumble grumble*