Edited by FalchionÂÂ
Most of my friends know that now in my time as a Gamer, I’m quite big on the MMORPG genre. At this moment my current MMORPG of choice is the twin games of City of Heroes/City of Villians, which should come as no surprise given my background as a comic-book fan. Part of that choice also includes the facts that of all the current MMORPG’s out on the market at the moment, COH/COV is one of the easiest to pick up, most innovative and yet still be able to play in short bursts and still feel some sense of accomplishment.
The problem with MMORPG with most mainstream gamers, is the amount of time and money that needs to be put into the game as there is a subscription fee, which then drives one to spend as much time as possible in game to gets one’s money’s worth. I have friends who earn more than I do (actually all my friends earn more than I do) but as a result they don’t have the time they feel is worth investing in a MMORPG.
But recently, I bought and subscribed to a second COV account, just for my brother Nigel. And after 3 months, I haven’t regreted the decision yet.
While I did have a signification influence on Nigel’s circle of interests as he was growning up (his interest in in-line skating and in-line hockey is directly because of me for example) we have significantly different lifestyles. Nigel is all-outdoor sports person, while I’m content to sit and read. But the one major area that I noticed that we still both share, is games. Most specifically playing them online with others.
While we have attempted this type of gaming in mind before (Battlefield 2 for example), I have long wondered if something a little more in-depth and relying of closer teamwork would lead to a more enriching experience and thus had long waited for something that is good and that Nigel has shown much interest in.
There is something to be said for gaming in the same room. And the exciting pitched battles in COH/COV only adds to that effect. We call out warnings, give orders, cheer over close victories and howl with laughter at the comical results of the game’s ragdoll physics. Then after the game in done, we find ourselves dicussing tactics, plans, our characters and their future progression and the cool stuff that we have seen in the course of our adventures.
It’s fun, it gives us something to talk about, it’s bonding and that, for me to be able to reach across the 9 years gap between us, the lifestyle choices and to make the most of this time that we have before he gets caught up with new school, girlfriends and army and myself with work, future wife and family; that is worth the money.
