I am more curious about how much I am spending to play games online now per hour...I mean if I add togather subs, cost of internet, possible microtransactions and really any directly gaming relevant costs...does what I spend per month equal or surpass what I would have spent per hour back then averaged out?

I think it may be entirely possible. especially considering that my money today does not seem go as far as it used to then. And, is not as easy to earn as it used to be.

We might be thinking that $2.00 USD an hour to play an online game is a bit ridiculous by todays standards...but is it really? It may even be that the cost of playing on average has gone up. And, that the only thing that may have changed, could be when we pay and how much at once.

Originally posted by Loktofeit

Originally posted by Helleri

The existence of the MMORPG could not occured before it the marketing term. Because, the marketing term was coined to define it.

What was DoTA before MOBAs?

A non-existant derivative of an rts that released long after MMORPG had previously been defined (the key word there being non-existant, and the parralell your trying to draw mute).

Originally posted by waynejr2

Originally posted by Loktofeit

Originally posted by Helleri   But, one thing can be clear in this. We could not have applied terms like sandbox or themepark to MMORPG prior to their recognized existance.
 

Games existed before MMOs, Helleri. In the mid-90's sandbox gameplay was quite often discussed as sims and god games evolved.

 Regardless of what someone calls the first mmorpg the existance of an mmorpg could occur before the marketing term.  In any case, mmorpgs were going to come about at some point, too many people dreaming of this type of game since the 70s.   Graphical muds in the 80s were are step, 3d games such a doom were a step, etc.  MMORPG built upon a ton of technology that came before it.  It's kind of silly to give too much credit for creating the first one.  Some credit but not a ton of it.

The existence of the MMORPG could not occured before it the marketing term. Because, the marketing term was coined to define it. If your trying to say that MMORPG existed before we all had the ability to know about them (like in the arpanet and various intrnets) you'd be wrong. Because, what existed then were not massive.

And yes, MMORPG's were an eventuallity that were based on a lot of ground work that came before them. But those ground work games were not MMORPG themselves.

It is not 'silly' to give too much credit, because 'too much credit' was not given. Fair and applicaible amount of credit was.\

Apparently it is too much to ask that on the forums for a site that is supposed to be about MMORPG, in the specific board for such discussion, that the scope of a thread be narrowed to actually pertain to MMORPG. And, to additionally avoid getting too analytical about a single phrase.

Games did exist before MMORPG's.... they have existed since humans have...Mancala is likely over 5000 years old and is still played today.

And that is not releveant. This is MMORPG.com, where (with some failings, but on this board of the forums hopefully not to often), we discuss MMORPG. And so, for this topic of when the term sandbox came into use to even belong here, it would make the most sense for it to be in relation to MMORPG.

If you don't narrow the scope of things the topic becomes so broad that it's impossible to really discuss it even and get any where meaningful with it.

Definately interesting. With MMORPG being defined as an artform by the Smithsonian (and following in suit many other institutes of art and history accepting this even with some places being specifically dedicated to it) chronilogical placement of the arival of termonology, important events, earmarks and such is important.

It's nice to think that perhaps 50-100 years from now when this form of entertainment may be so advanced and accessiable that it is looked on as historically important, or as some kind of movement that fundumentally changed the way we train our brains and learn altogether...things like this will be much appreciated.

I think the relevant thing here (if we are attempting to look into this) is to estasblish when the term Sandbox was first associated with MMORPG. Richard Garriot coined the term 'MMORPG' for Ultima Online in September of 1997. I have a short blog post on this: http://www.mmorpg.com/blogs/Helleri/112012/24229_The-first-MMORPG

I do believe it is arguable as to weather UO or Tibia was the first MMORPG. But, one thing can be clear in this. We could not have applied terms like sandbox or themepark to MMORPG prior to their recognized existance. So, while the OP's exerpt and link suggests the term began to evolve for electronic media as early as the 80's it becomes relevant to us much later then that in 1997.

I would think the first time it was used would have been to distinguish an obvious sandboxer like UO from something that came after. In order to say  "Yes, UO and 'this game' are both MMORPG but 'this game' is different in that it is a themepark as apposed to UO's sandbox nature and thusly offers players a different experience".

Since UO hit in late 97'. We are probably looking at between 98'  and 04' (with the launch of WoW I belive the terms were already well established if memory serves correctly).

I think in any case looking for the firsrt time this term was used ever is fruitless as it isn't relevant to how we use the term today... we goto look for when it was first use in reference to MMORPG. Because if we have to go far enough back as when it started being used in electronic arts as a whole, then we have to start where the term may have first arisen period...for any purpose: http://www.play-scapes.com/play-history/a-brief-history-of-the-sandbox/

So you can see from just that article how it gets a bit too ridiculous and in depth if we don't define our line of interest in the terms use to something a bit more recent.

I never played through any of the series. I was on about dig > mist > quake etc. and when I discovered ultima online, tibia, and later the early runescape, was playing those. but rs kept advancing and I phased the others out.

I think it's odd that people talk about games like UO in the past tense when it is still available to play.

Also, Clan of the grey wolf has a great series on retro games callled 16-Bit Gems. And, in episode #30 which is about the history (in summation) of rpg's and their rise to popularity they discuss the UO series (starts at about 6:00 in).

Jagex and their lead title Runescape...Because:

- The developers are the publishers. There is no in-fighting or red tape hold up on things due to this.

- They are a private company. Not being publicly traded or a subsidiary means they have no one to please but their playerbase.

- Comunity devotion. Garunteed content polls, dedicated forum feedback team, weekly behind the scenes, Live streams, up to date mod vlogs/blogs. In game moderator chat channles. Q&A sessions. Active forums.

- They are the most prolificly updated MMORPG (holding not only a guinness book of world records for such. But, proving it further, with the frequency and scale of game updates).

-  Freedom of of playstyle. No gender lock, no classing, free movement between servers, post creation character customisation (down to even name changing). Many different skills for item creation and money making.

- Ease of access. Game playable through dozens of browsers with what matters for playability graphical setting, and even a downloadedable client should one not wish to play through the browser. Built to not limit who can and cannot play.

- Econmoically sound. Cash shop offers only cosmetic items that cannot be resold in-game. Constant smack down of bots and would be gold sellers. Introduction of new items and events to effect economy. Price of membership for added features is low compaired to many other MMORPG's with many ways to pay. With the player getting a lot of bang for their buck.

Those are some of the more major reasons (mentioned in short and not detailed as they could be) as to why Jagex and it's lead title Runescape is my pick for best MMOG Company./MMORPG.

Originally posted by Kyleran

2013? WOD and CU won't be out for much longer, likely 2015 at best.

I dunno, perhaps Archeage for me, not much else of interest really otherwise.

 

Look into divergence on indiegogo...if you like how archage is looking there is a good chance you'll salivate over divergence.

I am currently most active in Runescape. I am in closed beta for Runescape 3 live beta and new interface testing. The full open beta should release towards the end of summer (likely? they have not set a date yet). So I am really looking foward to see the games advancement into a new version.

The last new one I tried was... WURM. it was okay I guess...mechanically any ways. But, I quickly abandoned it after tutorial for a few reasons:

Terrible interface - It's all tree branched out and organized in weird ways, with the fonts so tiny its hard to read anything.\

Nonsensical - While the premis is interesting the exicution is poor. I can under stand sand, swamp, and even grass slowing me down, and scaling an incline that is too steep makes sense. But tar? tar seems to be every where...ummm why? and no jump? granted in most MMO's jumping is useless any ways but, in this one... it would actually be very useful.

Inexcusable graphics - cell shading and low poly is fine in an MMOG, if the style calls for it (like roblox, that thing is actually kinda fun); Or if it's method of deployment requires lower graphical quality. But they seem to have gone with .gif textures and .rwx models. And, they did it terribly at that. Active worlds (1995'-Present). uses things like that and their stuff looks 10 times better and lags less.

The whole of WURM looks and feels half-hazard. I would only recommend it to the same people I would recommend to go to hell. The same goes for arrevan...Does any one remember the website from hell? it was a visual example of everything a website shouldn't be...Arrevan is the MMORPG from hell. 10 minutes and I died 3 times, once I lag walked off the edge of the world (there is no edge of world barrier), the second time i i took to much damage coming down stairs. the third time I feel through the map...just stepped on a place it was not put together at right and went right through... died and respawned outside of it and my character got stuck ina perma walk out into the void. Again i wouldn't reccomend.

That should at least give the OP some ones to tottally avoid at all costs.

Originally posted by Volkon

Originally posted by Helleri

Originally posted by JeroKane

Originally posted by Helleri

This is why I green dot my MMOG transactions. they can't take what isn't there. I highly doubt Turbine is being any where near honest about the number of players effected and to what degree.  Why would they? if you have an account with them and have the game client on your computer they are not responsible and infact your legally obligated to defend them...from their EULA (they capped it not me):

 

"6. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY. IN NO EVENT SHALL TURBINE, ITS PARENT, SUBSIDIARIES OR AFFILIATES BE LIABLE FOR ANY LOSS OR DAMAGE OF ANY KIND ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE GAME AND/OR THE GAME CLIENT OR ANY USE THEREOF, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION ANY LOSS OF DATA OR GOODWILL, DISRUPTION OF SERVICE OR CLAIMS OF THIRD PARTIES. IN NO EVENT SHALL TURBINE, ITS PARENT, SUBSIDIARIES OR AFFILIATES BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, EXEMPLARY, PUNITIVE, LIQUIDATED, OR OTHER CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, WHETHER UNDER CONTRACT, TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE), STRICT LIABILITY OR ANY OTHER THEORY OF LIABILITY, ARISING FROM YOUR USE OF THE GAME (INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION THE GAME CLIENT). THE FOREGOING LIMITATIONS SHALL APPLY TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, EVEN IF ANY REMEDY FAILS OF ITS ESSENTIAL PURPOSE. In no event shall Turbine's aggregate liability, whether arising in contract, tort, strict liability or otherwise, exceed the total fees paid by you to Turbine during the six (6) months immediately prior to the time such claim arose. 

7. INDEMNIFICATION. YOU HEREBY AGREE TO DEFEND, INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS TURBINE, ITS PARENT, SUBSIDIARIES AND AFFILIATES, FROM AND AGAINST ANY CLAIM, LIABILITY, INJURY, DAMAGE, LOSS OR EXPENSE (INCLUDING REASONABLE ATTORNEYS’ FEES) INCURRED AS A RESULT OF, ARISING FROM, OR RELATING TO YOUR USE OF THE GAME AND/OR THE GAME CLIENT."

 

They can't be sued, they can't be pressed for hard truth, technically even this topic is a violation of their EULA (if your not completely defending them and claiming them to be free of all blame, and you hold an active account with them and have their products on your machine)...

 

And, this kind of thing is ridiculous. It should be against fair trade laws and regulations to even offer an EULA like that. Plus it's a waste of character space when they could have just said "you are our biotch...in all senses of the word, until such time as we dismiss you with the back of our hand."

 It is protected by law!  An EULA like that will be blown to pieces in court!

All the EULA tries to do, is scare off their customers and hope they don't bring it to court.

A feck up like this, that directly affects people's real lives! Like depleting entire bank accounts and so putting people's families to harm can be brought to court and this EULA will be blown to pieces!

So if Turbine doesn't resolve this quickly enough, reverse the charges and compensate people. Than the people affected will have a very strong case against Turbine in court.

What exactly is protected by what laws? and how precisely can that EULA be 'blown to pieces'? Don't just say things because they sound good.

 

...Contracts are typically upheld in court as long as they are legally binding. If they use clear and comphehensible language, and do not directly violate any laws in their terms, and they are signed (when you click I agree or continue you are giving a digital signiture), then they are legally binding. And, yes you can dismiss rights you would otherwise have in signing a contract that would have you do such.

 

 

It can very easily be argued that the unauthorized withdrawal of a significant about of cash from your account is outside the "use of the game or the game client". 

True...the problem comes in getting to the point where you can make that argument in a venue in which it matters. Especially if they took all your money, lol. small claims cases require time off...well your life. And, there are bursar fee's unless it's under a certain amount (varies place to place), not to mention gas and the stress of the whole ordeal.

Fact is, people will talk about sueing someone all day when their ticked off... few actually do compaired to the many that run their mouth about it. Mostly because what they would sue over is technically small claims. You can seek attorney advice to see if it is even actionable and the approach you might take. But, in small claims court, there are no lawyers. And, even if you get the judgment through a no show or poor defense of the opposition. It still falls upon you to collect on the judgment (easier said then done). that is assuming you have the legal know how to yourself persue efficiently and not just have it tossed out because you don't know what your talking about in court and came unprepaired.

The person who wishes to sue basically has to do most of the leg work on it (that's the stress I mentioned as a factor above). It is more often then not...simply not worth it effort and money wise for potential rewards. At the same time it is definately worth it to try to work with the company to see your money back. remaining calm and reasonable (more so then they are usually) is the best way to see recompense in most instances. After all they don't want to loose business and reputation...that hurts their bottom line.

Now a screw up that is this big...any particular instance may be small enough but together thats likely falling under a large claim (as a class action lawsuit)...it might very well attract the attention of some sharks out there. if there is enough blood in the water nom nom happy firms will rip that company a new one, lol.

Originally posted by itgrowls
LOTRO had a system that increased or decreased the spawns due to the number of people in a zone and increased the speed at which something spawns, at first it was bugged and would cause things to just popup entirely too quickly.

And that kind of thing happens...mainly because a company is either using one same proprietary engine for most of their games that they built when they started and upgrade once in a while. or because they are using a crank out MMOG engine like ogre....few actually build their own engine to the needs of their game from the ground up. it's quicker and easier to use one already in existance through fair use or license. And in-so-much developers are ristricted with what they can do by the game engine they are using. Every single one has it's advantages and limitations. So, it isn't just about what they should do but what they reasonably can do. Some things are simply too radical based soley in that the game engine won't support it correctly.

Originally posted by JeroKane

Originally posted by Helleri

This is why I green dot my MMOG transactions. they can't take what isn't there. I highly doubt Turbine is being any where near honest about the number of players effected and to what degree.  Why would they? if you have an account with them and have the game client on your computer they are not responsible and infact your legally obligated to defend them...from their EULA (they capped it not me):

 

"6. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY. IN NO EVENT SHALL TURBINE, ITS PARENT, SUBSIDIARIES OR AFFILIATES BE LIABLE FOR ANY LOSS OR DAMAGE OF ANY KIND ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE GAME AND/OR THE GAME CLIENT OR ANY USE THEREOF, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION ANY LOSS OF DATA OR GOODWILL, DISRUPTION OF SERVICE OR CLAIMS OF THIRD PARTIES. IN NO EVENT SHALL TURBINE, ITS PARENT, SUBSIDIARIES OR AFFILIATES BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, EXEMPLARY, PUNITIVE, LIQUIDATED, OR OTHER CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, WHETHER UNDER CONTRACT, TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE), STRICT LIABILITY OR ANY OTHER THEORY OF LIABILITY, ARISING FROM YOUR USE OF THE GAME (INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION THE GAME CLIENT). THE FOREGOING LIMITATIONS SHALL APPLY TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, EVEN IF ANY REMEDY FAILS OF ITS ESSENTIAL PURPOSE. In no event shall Turbine's aggregate liability, whether arising in contract, tort, strict liability or otherwise, exceed the total fees paid by you to Turbine during the six (6) months immediately prior to the time such claim arose. 

7. INDEMNIFICATION. YOU HEREBY AGREE TO DEFEND, INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS TURBINE, ITS PARENT, SUBSIDIARIES AND AFFILIATES, FROM AND AGAINST ANY CLAIM, LIABILITY, INJURY, DAMAGE, LOSS OR EXPENSE (INCLUDING REASONABLE ATTORNEYS’ FEES) INCURRED AS A RESULT OF, ARISING FROM, OR RELATING TO YOUR USE OF THE GAME AND/OR THE GAME CLIENT."

 

They can't be sued, they can't be pressed for hard truth, technically even this topic is a violation of their EULA (if your not completely defending them and claiming them to be free of all blame, and you hold an active account with them and have their products on your machine)...

 

And, this kind of thing is ridiculous. It should be against fair trade laws and regulations to even offer an EULA like that. Plus it's a waste of character space when they could have just said "you are our biotch...in all senses of the word, until such time as we dismiss you with the back of our hand."

 It is protected by law!  An EULA like that will be blown to pieces in court!

All the EULA tries to do, is scare off their customers and hope they don't bring it to court.

A feck up like this, that directly affects people's real lives! Like depleting entire bank accounts and so putting people's families to harm can be brought to court and this EULA will be blown to pieces!

So if Turbine doesn't resolve this quickly enough, reverse the charges and compensate people. Than the people affected will have a very strong case against Turbine in court.

What exactly is protected by what laws? and how precisely can that EULA be 'blown to pieces'? Don't just say things because they sound good.

...Contracts are typically upheld in court as long as they are legally binding. If they use clear and comphehensible language, and do not directly violate any laws in their terms, and they are signed (when you click I agree or continue you are giving a digital signiture), then they are legally binding. And, yes you can dismiss rights you would otherwise have in signing a contract that would have you do such.

  UO tried from launch to do an ecology based monster spawn system. Wherein players would have to responcibly manage what was killed and to what degree as one animal fed on another and the food chain was crucial for all animals to survive...within about a week they had to pull that and drop in a standard time elapse respawn system for monsters. Because the players killed EVERYTHING indiscriminantly. Though, it probably would have helped if they had not assumed players as a collective were smart enough to figure out that the game had an ecology (they didn't actually tell players that is how the game worked at the time)...

That's just an early example of what can happen when you change things up too much, too quickly. It's hard to stray to far from what is known to work... it's a dice roll every time. The one thing that cannot be predicted what-so-ever in an MMOG is how players will respond to content upon release.

Mobs spawning mostly at the same rate and numbers in the same areas. That is stability. It's nice when a game has some sort of compensary thing for higher population in place. That equates to stability with adaptability for if it would otherwise become unstable. But, if you choose to try and get away from that, you have to assume that the one thing which is most likely to throw a monkey wrench in your plan, and least likely to happen...is what will occur and in a worse way then you thought. Some elements of MMOG should just be left alone. Because they mostly work. And, we don't want them broken alltogether right?

This is why I green dot my MMOG transactions. they can't take what isn't there. I highly doubt Turbine is being any where near honest about the number of players effected and to what degree.  Why would they? if you have an account with them and have the game client on your computer they are not responsible and infact your legally obligated to defend them...from their EULA (they capped it not me):

"6. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY. IN NO EVENT SHALL TURBINE, ITS PARENT, SUBSIDIARIES OR AFFILIATES BE LIABLE FOR ANY LOSS OR DAMAGE OF ANY KIND ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE GAME AND/OR THE GAME CLIENT OR ANY USE THEREOF, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION ANY LOSS OF DATA OR GOODWILL, DISRUPTION OF SERVICE OR CLAIMS OF THIRD PARTIES. IN NO EVENT SHALL TURBINE, ITS PARENT, SUBSIDIARIES OR AFFILIATES BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, EXEMPLARY, PUNITIVE, LIQUIDATED, OR OTHER CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, WHETHER UNDER CONTRACT, TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE), STRICT LIABILITY OR ANY OTHER THEORY OF LIABILITY, ARISING FROM YOUR USE OF THE GAME (INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION THE GAME CLIENT). THE FOREGOING LIMITATIONS SHALL APPLY TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, EVEN IF ANY REMEDY FAILS OF ITS ESSENTIAL PURPOSE. In no event shall Turbine's aggregate liability, whether arising in contract, tort, strict liability or otherwise, exceed the total fees paid by you to Turbine during the six (6) months immediately prior to the time such claim arose. 

7. INDEMNIFICATION. YOU HEREBY AGREE TO DEFEND, INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS TURBINE, ITS PARENT, SUBSIDIARIES AND AFFILIATES, FROM AND AGAINST ANY CLAIM, LIABILITY, INJURY, DAMAGE, LOSS OR EXPENSE (INCLUDING REASONABLE ATTORNEYS’ FEES) INCURRED AS A RESULT OF, ARISING FROM, OR RELATING TO YOUR USE OF THE GAME AND/OR THE GAME CLIENT."

They can't be sued, they can't be pressed for hard truth, technically even this topic is a violation of their EULA (if your not completely defending them and claiming them to be free of all blame, and you hold an active account with them and have their products on your machine)...

And, this kind of thing is ridiculous. It should be against fair trade laws and regulations to even offer an EULA like that. Plus it's a waste of character space when they could have just said "you are our biotch...in all senses of the word, until such time as we dismiss you with the back of our hand."

The runescape channle on youtube released this video today and I wanted to share it as I am really excited about playing with this feature:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44tPoU18MJM

[Note: only those who have a silver or gold premier membership or registered interest in the RS3 beta testing and were invited can currently access this feature more information here; http://services.runescape.com/m=news/new-interface-system-alpha-now-live  ]

I have to largely agree with Aesperus. There are some things I'd like to add though to some of those main points that I feel have the weight of consideration in this.

[ Note: For clarities sake, I am going to change some colors here and ad in:

D: for comments made by Dauzqul

A: for response comments made by Aasperus

H: For my own repsonse comments. ]

Originally posted by aesperus

Originally posted by Dauzqul

Please help me understand the appeal for such a terrible PvP concept...

D: #1. Everyone looks the same (Everyone of the same class will ultimately be wearing the same PvP gear).

A: This really depends on gear. The few PvP games that aren't gear-grind centric don't really have this problem.

H: A 'same look' can also be out of nescessity. an online game is no more taxing on a macjhines resources then when one is engaged in active pvp. Developers who plan on having a heavy PvP element or PvP as the main point to their game need to minimize the diversity of mesh, textures, particle effects, sounds, and animations, to at least some reasonable degree in, order to help insure smooth play through less lag. The greater the extent of this, usally, the smoother the play is for it.

D: #4. Since there are so few instances, the best and obvious strategies are learned by all within the first month. Thus, gameplay becomes a rinse and repeat process.

A: This, again, depends on the game, and whether or not there is a healthy meta. If there is, then these strategies change fairly frequently. And what might work one month, might not work at all the next.

H: I have found a lot of it is about team work and more specifically communication. The team with clear and resolute leadership, that stays talking with each other about what is happening and what needs to happen typically wins. Even, where they would be by statistics alone far outmatched. To someone who doesn't understand a sport...say like american football, or Baseball...it all looks the same. But, it is not.

D: #5. There is literally zero element of surprise. Everyone is pre-buffed and expecting combat. Everyone knows where the opposition is coming from. Everyone is ready. There is no such thing as an ambush or grand escape. There is no such thing as infiltration.

A: Not necessarily. Stealth mechanics, ambushes, etc. can definitely surprise opponents. This, of course, depends on games having good map design / multiple places for people to hide & flank.

H: While all possible strategies that could be employed by an apposing team may be very familiar the variance here and unpredictability often comes in one player on a team having a very different build/spec then they appeared to. which can change the whole course of play in a match. Deceptivness can be deceptively simple. And, the question is can the apposing team ajdust in time for that one thing they knew could loose them the match if and when it happens.

Originally posted by Phaserlight

Progress - gear, statistics, accomplishments, standing...

Influence - other players, guild-members, enemies...

Skill - muscle memory, situational awareness, strategy, practice...

Wealth - becoming a benefactor, heir, steward...

Discovery - revealing the world, research, exploration...

Design - seeing an original plan come to life...

Fame - recognition, monuments, legacy...

Though some have claimed the OP ommited certain aspects that they felt really should have been mentioned. I see them as easily inferable by what the header terms would denote. especially since there is the use of  "..." at the end of each description for the category  titles (which may be taken to be synonomous with "etc." when occuring at the end of a running sentance).

While there is such a thing as not knowing how to write well. The other side of that coin is there being such a thing as not knowing how to read well. I think any lack of full description for brevities sake would had only been remedied by something so long and descriptive, that the OP would have gotten a TL;DR from the same people who complain about lack of descriptivness.

For my own part, I voted for Discovery. I really don't like a locked door, or closed off area. and especially so when I see others access it. I strongly compelled to look behind the curtain. And, new-to-me discoveries in an MMOG keep me going. I rarely even level cap in a game because I only progress by what is needed to get into an area, and then into the next. my first activity in an MMOG is to try and get to some object or landmark I really shouldn't be able to get to or have no good reason to be on top of, or to break the map barrier, and things along those lines.