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General Discussion Forum » The Pub at MMORPG.COM » Does complexity get mixed up with depth?

6 posts found
  User Deleted
 
OP  1/17/13 1:38:29 AM#1

http://penny-arcade.com/patv/episode/depth-vs.-complexity

I was looking at the above link, and it got me wondering:

Do people on this forum tend to get the two mixed up, or assume they are the same?
  maplestone

Elite Member

Joined: 12/10/08
Posts: 2310

1/17/13 3:14:38 AM#2

No, I think people around here have a pretty good concept of the difference.  But I also believe MMOs are fundementally different than more focused games because exploring the complexity of an MMO is an essential part of the game experience
  Phaserlight

Hard Core Member

Joined: 7/18/04
Posts: 400

The simple is the seal of the true. And beauty is the splendor of truth. -S. Chandrasekhar
1/17/13 4:50:20 AM#3

Complexity =/= depth

Something that is deep can also be complex, but something that is complex is not necessarily deep.

Something can be very simple and easy to say, but take a while to understand.  For example: "light is both a particle and a wave".

Something can be complex and take a while to understand, but not be very deep.  For example (in my opinion): the U.S. Tax Code.

A touchstone might be that a deep concept can be explained easily, but even the one who is explaining it may not yet fully understand the concept.

"To be what you are not, experience what you are not." -Saint John of the Cross
Authored 104 missions in Vendetta Online
Twitch uses your brain
What is mission design
  Gdemami

Hard Core Member

Joined: 9/23/08
Posts: 5866

1/17/13 4:54:19 AM#4

Originally posted by Yakkin

Do people on this forum tend to get the two mixed up, or assume they are the same?

Definitely.

Complexity = features
Depth = design, how those features are implemented and how they interact with each other


Imo, vast majority of posters here do not understand what design is, they just make list of features = design.
  Quirhid

Elite Member

Joined: 1/28/05
Posts: 4449

1/17/13 6:48:19 AM#5

Often.

Sometimes they can't tell the difference, other times they think complexity automatically breeds depth.

Never argue with a fool, onlookers may not be able to tell the difference. -Author unknown, attributed to Mark Twain
  QSatu

Hard Core Member

Joined: 10/14/06
Posts: 1719

1/17/13 6:50:17 AM#6
All the time. Prime example is gW2's combat system. So many people think that adding 500 new weapon skills would add to the depth of combat.