ZOMG on Gaia

[tsaiko]

I have to say, I was really skeptical when Gaia announced that they were going to be a large, interactive game for Gaians. I'd seen such promises before. In fact, I remember them talking about it back in 2003 when I first joined Gaia. However, they managed to do it. Then I was worried



I don't like interacting with people on-line with some notable exceptions. Why? Because people are stupid. I have to deal with enough stupidity at work, at school, and in my normal life. I do not want to deal with in my free, spare time. Even some of those notable exceptions can get on my last nerve, but at least with my friend's list I always have the option of ignoring what they're saying until my mood improves. Not so much in a game where the whole point is social interaction and especially where the social interaction involves blowing each other up.

Luckily, this is not the case with the Zomg game. If there's a PvP part of the game, I haven't found it yet. Instead it's like a giant RPG for the computer. I get to attack lawn gnomes, blow up bits of fluff, do quests or play mini-games and most everything so far has been as I choose. I'm not forced to do anything. I can play as little or as much as I want and there is no penalty. It's kind of awesome.

Even better, I can choose to interact with people as I please. If I want to join up with a "crew" I can do so with miome or one of the people whose company I actually enjoy. Or not. I can also go around fighting on my own.

Even better, the chat interface right now is so damn clunky that you have to make an effort to speak in the game. I find this to be wonderful. No random people trying to hit on me, beg stuff from me, trying to one-up me or asking to join up with me. And you know what? Not being able to talk doesn't take anything away from the gaming experience. I have had people randomly heal me, set defensive spells on me, and help me when I am running from a pack of rabid lawn gnomes without words. I love it and I do the same for others when I choose to.

Forced social interaction is why I played Second Life for a week and stopped. After all, that's practically the whole point of the game. It's why I eventually gave up on Puzzle Pirates. No, I don't want to join a crew. I just want a small, small ship of my own and to play mini games. It's one of the (many) reasons I left Neopets, because they kept on about the "fighting arena" like that was the end all of gaming experience. It's why I won't pick up World of Warcraft or most other on-line games. I don't like assholes and I refuse to have them forced on me in the name of "fun."

However, if any of the people on my friend's list catch me in Zomg and want to join me in destroying bootsnakes or yard flamingos? You are welcome to invite me to join your crew and explore Gaia with you. I'm not the best at fighting, but at least I can keep healing you while you blow stuff up. XD

Comments

[tsaiko.livejournal.com]

I have to admit, before they started having games on it, it was a waste of time for me. I don't even remember why I signed up. I didn't visit it for almost four years. When I came back there was actual stuff to do. Before it was just a "dress up an avatar and chat on forums" place. Bleck. Mostly I just play games on it.

[gamoid.livejournal.com]

I joined once and used it obsessively for about two weeks. I signed in again five months later to find out that Aki had guessed my password and stripped me of all my gold and belongings. It was awesome.

[tsaiko.livejournal.com]

Ah the memories... o_O

[kayay.livejournal.com]

Play Guild Wars. You can solo effectively; in fact I nearly finished one campaign solo just because I could, but you can also find a handful of people you like for those harder quests or mucking about. You don't PvP unless you want to by going into Guild Vs. Guild battles, Alliance Battles, or arena fights. Also, there is no monthly fee, just the box cost of the game, which is fairly low right now as long as you don't order it form PlayNC's site; they overcharge, the buggers.

I have a trial code. I have multiple trial codes actually if any of your friends reading this is curious and you'd like to try it out together.

[tsaiko.livejournal.com]

Huh. I might have to try that as some point. Though right now, Zomg is the best price ever: free.

[jaysons-lady.livejournal.com]

I will second Guild Wars. My husband and a few of his friends from work like to run around together on there, but he does a fair bit of stuff by himself too. It looks pretty cool, but I haven't got the patience for any RPG at the moment. I still have to finish playing Xenogears.

I used to be on Gaia. I have totally forgotten what my username and password were. All there was to do when I was on was the fishing game. Nice that they finally added some more stuff.

[itlandm.livejournal.com]

I feel your pain. In City of Heroes, my global ignore list recently ran over, so the oldest ignores are being pushed off. -_- That's too bad because I love that feature. On the bright side, they have a "global hide" command that takes you off all lists until further notice. As long as you play in instanced missions, not even your best friends will know you are online. All games should have that feature.

I really wished ZOMG! didn't release until after NaNoWriMo though.

[animeartistjo.livejournal.com]

I have been stuck in the sewers since I cannot find all the things to turn. These gnomes you speak of? I have not yet had the chance to see. I just suck at this game sooo much. XD

But doesn't it lag sometimes?

[tsaiko.livejournal.com]

If you look in the tiny map in the upper left corner, there should be flags marking the things you need to turn. If the map isn't there, there's a way to make it reappear. You hit the PDA button at the bottom of the screen and then hit the compass.

[tygati.livejournal.com]

Oh, you'll have to tell me when you're on! ^__^ I have a grand time blowing stuff up. Though I am sad that you can no longer trick or treat. That was fun. ^^

[avalon13.livejournal.com]

YOU MEAN YOU DON'T LIKE ME? DDD:

Also, I'd kind of pay to see Gaia PvP. They might have official tournaments at some point.