Comments on: Massively multiplayer algebra http://www.raphkoster.com/2007/03/27/massively-multiplayer-algebra/ Raph Koster's personal website: MMOs, gaming, writing, art, music, books Sun, 12 Feb 2012 06:02:55 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Matt Severinhttp://www.raphkoster.com/2007/03/27/massively-multiplayer-algebra/comment-page-1/#comment-120315 Matt Severin Thu, 29 Mar 2007 20:57:45 +0000 http://www.raphkoster.com/2007/03/27/massively-multiplayer-algebra/#comment-120315 Shouldn't this be called a Mathively Multiplayer Game? Shouldn’t this be called a Mathively Multiplayer Game?

]]> By: Dan Enrighthttp://www.raphkoster.com/2007/03/27/massively-multiplayer-algebra/comment-page-1/#comment-120040 Dan Enright Thu, 29 Mar 2007 02:16:09 +0000 http://www.raphkoster.com/2007/03/27/massively-multiplayer-algebra/#comment-120040 If you ask me, the majority of the player-base of "traditional" mmorpgs (the ones that evolved out of muds and single player crpgs) are either hyper-socializers, highly mathematical (the rules lawyers in pnp rpgs), or a combination of the both. Everquest, WoW, etc. aren't games, they're a combination of chat room and various themed simulations where you punch in numbers and watch the results. To succeed you min-max the numbers or make friends with people that do so. They're just disguised with graphics, "immersive worlds", and something that passes for story. Behind the visual distractions and social hooks the game-play is just a bunch of math; equations and variables. This game isn't disguising the fact that their featured game system is just math. That's interesting. If you ask me, the majority of the player-base of “traditional” mmorpgs (the ones that evolved out of muds and single player crpgs) are either hyper-socializers, highly mathematical (the rules lawyers in pnp rpgs), or a combination of the both. Everquest, WoW, etc. aren’t games, they’re a combination of chat room and various themed simulations where you punch in numbers and watch the results. To succeed you min-max the numbers or make friends with people that do so. They’re just disguised with graphics, “immersive worlds”, and something that passes for story. Behind the visual distractions and social hooks the game-play is just a bunch of math; equations and variables.
This game isn’t disguising the fact that their featured game system is just math. That’s interesting.

]]> By: rascunho » Blog Archive » links for 2007-03-28http://www.raphkoster.com/2007/03/27/massively-multiplayer-algebra/comment-page-1/#comment-120008 rascunho » Blog Archive » links for 2007-03-28 Wed, 28 Mar 2007 20:21:56 +0000 http://www.raphkoster.com/2007/03/27/massively-multiplayer-algebra/#comment-120008 [...] Raph’s Website » Massively multiplayer algebra The goal is explicitly to teach math, apparently; you earn power and respect by mastering mathematical concepts in a world that mirrors classical antiquity. (tags: www.raphkoster.com 2007 at_tecp MMOG algebra massive games educação) [...]

[...] Raph’s Website » Massively multiplayer algebra The goal is explicitly to teach math, apparently; you earn power and respect by mastering mathematical concepts in a world that mirrors classical antiquity. (tags: http://www.raphkoster.com 2007 at_tecp MMOG algebra massive games educação) [...]

]]> By: Lacerohttp://www.raphkoster.com/2007/03/27/massively-multiplayer-algebra/comment-page-1/#comment-119998 Lacero Wed, 28 Mar 2007 17:24:21 +0000 http://www.raphkoster.com/2007/03/27/massively-multiplayer-algebra/#comment-119998 Finally something useful to do with my degree. Finally something useful to do with my degree.

]]> By: Allen Sligarhttp://www.raphkoster.com/2007/03/27/massively-multiplayer-algebra/comment-page-1/#comment-119994 Allen Sligar Wed, 28 Mar 2007 16:36:10 +0000 http://www.raphkoster.com/2007/03/27/massively-multiplayer-algebra/#comment-119994 As long as they dont have a mathmatical spell line that involves linear algebra I'm good. Otherwise I'm going to get phwned.... As long as they dont have a mathmatical spell line that involves linear algebra I’m good. Otherwise I’m going to get phwned….

]]> By: brenthttp://www.raphkoster.com/2007/03/27/massively-multiplayer-algebra/comment-page-1/#comment-119993 brent Wed, 28 Mar 2007 16:35:33 +0000 http://www.raphkoster.com/2007/03/27/massively-multiplayer-algebra/#comment-119993 I had a chance to talk at some length with this team at GDC and I must admit, it was not as weird as it sounds. Looks like a very traditional massive game... the engine looked very polished. They have many game play mechanics to work out but they're funded and very passionate about their mission. There is a 10 minute interview with one of the owners of Frozen North in one of my GDC podcasts: Here it is: http://virginworlds.com/pg.php?n=5880 I had a chance to talk at some length with this team at GDC and I must admit, it was not as weird as it sounds. Looks like a very traditional massive game… the engine looked very polished. They have many game play mechanics to work out but they’re funded and very passionate about their mission. There is a 10 minute interview with one of the owners of Frozen North in one of my GDC podcasts: Here it is: http://virginworlds.com/pg.php?n=5880

]]> By: Massively multiplayer algebra « Got Schwartz?http://www.raphkoster.com/2007/03/27/massively-multiplayer-algebra/comment-page-1/#comment-119979 Massively multiplayer algebra « Got Schwartz? Wed, 28 Mar 2007 14:28:34 +0000 http://www.raphkoster.com/2007/03/27/massively-multiplayer-algebra/#comment-119979 [...] by theschwartz on March 28th, 2007 Raph Koster’s blog entry with that title got me onto this cool [...]

[...] by theschwartz on March 28th, 2007 Raph Koster’s blog entry with that title got me onto this cool [...]

]]> By: External Newshttp://www.raphkoster.com/2007/03/27/massively-multiplayer-algebra/comment-page-1/#comment-119931 External News Wed, 28 Mar 2007 10:29:47 +0000 http://www.raphkoster.com/2007/03/27/massively-multiplayer-algebra/#comment-119931 <!--%kramer-ref-pre%-->[...] Massively multiplayer algebra [...]<!--%kramer-ref-post%-->

[...] Massively multiplayer algebra [...]

]]> By: Rich Bryanthttp://www.raphkoster.com/2007/03/27/massively-multiplayer-algebra/comment-page-1/#comment-119898 Rich Bryant Wed, 28 Mar 2007 07:55:04 +0000 http://www.raphkoster.com/2007/03/27/massively-multiplayer-algebra/#comment-119898 I hope there's an Arabic area, because working without zero is going to be evil. And following some of Euclid's logic is going to hurt gamers ;) I hope there’s an Arabic area, because working without zero is going to be evil. And following some of Euclid’s logic is going to hurt gamers ;)

]]> By: Wolfehttp://www.raphkoster.com/2007/03/27/massively-multiplayer-algebra/comment-page-1/#comment-119895 Wolfe Wed, 28 Mar 2007 07:49:16 +0000 http://www.raphkoster.com/2007/03/27/massively-multiplayer-algebra/#comment-119895 Keep your math player in flow and it will work for a long time. The type of education system I was familiar with from school failed at maintaining flow for more than a few minutes per day, altho the rare case where the class actually fitted just me appeared to break the flow for most other kids. A game can be smart enough to keep everyone in flow for a long time, its not easy but still. Keep your math player in flow and it will work for a long time. The type of education system I was familiar with from school failed at maintaining flow for more than a few minutes per day, altho the rare case where the class actually fitted just me appeared to break the flow for most other kids.

A game can be smart enough to keep everyone in flow for a long time, its not easy but still.

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