Readers: 8 | Updated: 05-12

The Refractory Period [Tell Us Dammit]

Translate Into:

The other day my co-worker Sander (he used to work at 1up) lamented his complete inability to finish Mass Effect. Likewise, I'm simultaneously interested in finishing Bully and completely uninterested in playing it. We were playing these titles when our Xboxes RRoD'd, Sander's in late January, mine in March. It is now mid-May.

So here's a question I wanted to put to the gaming community here: How important is momentum to finishing or playing a game? I'm wondering if, in the timeline of developing, we've reached a tipping point. The 50-hour gaming experience is upon us. In sports simulations stretching an entire season, it can be even longer. How, if at all, can a developer create and sustain momentum in players to complete something that long? Because these campaigns are only going to get longer, not that it's necessarily a bad thing.

But for now, the question that we here can answer: Is there a period of time where, separated from gaming (a week's vacation, a borked machine, a ton of work or school obligations) you're just unable to get back into it?

I know Bash had a TUD on Friday, but I'm curious here, so Tell Us, Dammit! In the comments after the jump.




From The Blogs

Valleywag

01-29
Friday at Moose's: Glam it, dammit [Valleywag Calendar]
How cool was Wired in the mid-90s?When other companies touted their casual Fridays, Wired retaliated with Glam Rock Friday.With that in mind, Valleywag Friday at Moose's starts today at 4 p.m. and run... 查看全文

Jalopnik

03-11
The AMC Eagle: Before Its Time, Dammit! [Retro]
They all laughed at the AMC Eagle back in the day; why would anyone want to buy a car with four-wheel-drive? And, of course, just about everything AMC did during the Late Malaise Era reeked of the pan... 查看全文

Kotaku

03-14
How'd You Find Kotaku? [Tell Us Dammit]
ALL YOU BASTARDS EVER DO IS TAKE, TAKE, TAKE. Now, it's our turn. We're introducing a new semi-regular feature here on Kotaku called "Tell Us Dammit." How it works: We ask a question, you answer it. S... 查看全文

Kotaku

03-22
What Was The First Game You Beat? [Tell Us Dammit]
It's that time again! Yes, that's right. Time for another round of "Tell Us Dammit." For those who missed the last commenting love-in, Tell us Dammit is our opportunity to learn more about you reader ... 查看全文

Kotaku

03-22
What Was The First Game You Beat? [Tell Us Dammit]
It's that time again! Yes, that's right. Time for another round of "Tell Us Dammit." For those who missed the last commenting love-in, Tell us Dammit is our opportunity to learn more about you reader ... 查看全文

Kotaku

03-30
Do You Finish Every Game You Buy? [Tell Us Dammit]
Ah, yes, Friday. The day of the week where we settle in, relax and just talk. You guessed it, we've got another round of TUD, (aka Tell Us Dammit) coming your way. For those not in the known, Tell us ... 查看全文

A Socialite's Life

04-02
Jennifer Aniston Starts Her Own Production Company, Dammit
Here's Jennifer Aniston filming one of her many projects at the moment.She keeps herself plenty busy these days with the romantic comedies and has just launched a new film production company.The actre... 查看全文

Kotaku

04-06
Which Home Consoles Do You Own? Why, Why? [Tell Us Dammit]
Gather around children! It's that time of the week again, time to confess your sins to the TUD Giraffe. He's already to listen with open ears and arms. For those not in the know, Tell us Dammit is our... 查看全文

Kotaku

04-21
What Game Are You Ashamed You Played? [Tell Us Dammit]
Since McWhertor whiffed on "What Are You Playing," and Bash didn't do a TUD post either, and it's a slow news day, I'm bringing out the Giraffe to ask a question that, by its nature, you wouldn't want... 查看全文

Kotaku

04-21
What Game Are You Ashamed You Played? [Tell Us Dammit]
Since McWhertor whiffed on "What Are You Playing," and Bash didn't do a TUD post either, and it's a slow news day, I'm bringing out the Giraffe to ask a question that, by its nature, you wouldn't want... 查看全文
More Articles