Great link Gramul! I finally got around to watching that video and it makes some really good points. I think in part it kind of goes back to what I was saying about fun being intimately intertwined with the reward mechanics (leveling up). If the journey is fun and engaging, the rewards will help to multiply the entertainment value.Quote:
Originally Posted by Gramul
A good point that the video makes is that Operant Conditioning is pretty commonplace in RPGs, but honestly, that's what has been one of the main draws of Final Fantasy since the first one on the NES.
What I want to emphasize, is that the only really, truly "required" element of the RPG operant conditioning would be the ranking up and leveling up of one's classes. That is the main form of progression and should be the focus. Of course, the if the battle grind gets boring that is a flaw with the entertainment value of the battle itself and not necessarily the aspect of Operant Conditioning. To give an example, Diablo II's grind was usually entertaining, and it took a lot of time before most players got sick of it.
Ideally, with the new battle system being unveiled, the actual participation in battle and subsequent cooperation and strategies that are involved will be engaging enough and entertaining enough to make it all worthwhile.
I sure hope that is the case.
Additionally, what I also want to emphasize, is that the other activities I mentioned - those secondary activities, are not strictly required. They are optional. A player can do as much, or as little, as he or she wants to without it being a huge benefit or detriment to his or her overall battle effectiveness.
It is for entertainment purposes only, and let's face it - most people who play RPGs do have that collector's mania in them to at least some extent.
Leveling up one's fame, leveling up one's chocobo, completing a monster bestiary, collecting cards to use to challenge other players - all these things are elements that can help to multiply the entertainment value of all the other elements in the game that they influence.
They can be designed to be great fun. But again, if you don't want to do it, you don't have to.