Assignment 4: Lineage 2- A world of vindictive conflicts and drama
The Lineage Franchise is made in Korea. Consequently, the gaming content is primarily aimed towards the “games-are-sports” market in Korea. Both Lineage I & II are considered as very hardcore MMOG, and that is because the game involves a significant time investment as well as a conflict-heavy originated game world. In specific, to reach the level cap in lineage 2 takes somewhere between 4000 and 6000 hours of game play. This would be considered as the “Hard fun” element of lineage 2, as Nicole Lazzaro described it.
In addition to that leveling cap, Lineage 2 is a massive conflict-based (player vs. player) game. In which the game mechanics motivates players to split into different clans and alliances that are ultimately opposing each other to achieve domination of some degree in the game world. By domination, the world consists of several different castles, along with associated towns that are controlled by these castles. Player formed clans and alliances are, at a given point, a chance to siege (challenge) other clans or NPC controlled castles. Castle owners at the end are not only famous for their proven strength, but also able to gain access to high end content as well as collecting taxes from the associated town merchants. This is a direct reflection of “The People Factor” that Nicole Lazzaro described, as part of the experience in competition, teamwork, and the opportunity for social bonding while playing with the other players.
Speaking of player vs. player content, there is another important hard core element in Lineage 2, which is the risk, involved in these confliction-based player interactions. The game world itself is an open PvP field, except for towns. Thus, any player can attack or attempt to kill another player at almost any given point. Death in Lineage 2 not only penalties your leveling experience, but also includes the chance of dropping any equipment or item on that according character. This element of risk involved in the game gives players including myself the intensive “heartbeating” effect, and is rarely found on the other MMOGs up to date.
Even in a hard core game like Lineage 2, there is still a consistent break down of player types, which are the achievers, explorers, socialisers and killers. Although with the given game mechanic that lineage 2 has to offer, the killers are more easily stood out compare to other player versus player MMOs. Achievers, in this case would certainly try to reach the level cap while gaining the best equipment in the game. Killers are usually derived from achievers when they get bored or seeking for a chance to show their superior power. Explorers and Socialisers in Lineage 2 do a pretty good job staying together, the game engine and development offers a large world with beautiful graphics and a stunning environment. Allowing more casual players to achieve the element of “Easy Fun” –by Nicole Lazzaro
I play on a faster pacing private server along with some friends. Allowing me to skip through the hard fun leveling part of the game and enjoy the end game content and player vs. player part of the game more quickly. The reason why I enjoy playing Lineage 2 is that it offers me the tension, risk, and the “heartbeating” effect along with them. It is almost too frustrating sometimes when I am in a disadvantaged position, however, facing these frustrations became the motivation for me to overcome the challenge and strengthen my mental power.
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-This is a picture of me attacking a group of 7 people, victory, and understanding that most players can't react fast enough to the fast paced and "heartbeating" PvP content.