Borderlands came out this week, and as you can probably tell from the reviews, the RPG element to this FPS is a big reason why people are enjoying the game so much. While playing the game, Adam recognized how much he was enjoying the simple yet masterfully crafted gameplay, leading him to the conclusion that grinding can be very satisfying if done right. Such is the subject of this week's Soapbox. Do you like grinding away with your character in a game for a satisfying final outcome? Or are you more of the type that looks for instant gratification from a video game? Watch this week's Sessler's Soapbox and let us know what you think in the comments section.
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Comments
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cyberpunk_scholar
Hey Adam, major respect for the Richard Dawkins 'Selfish Gene' reference. I remember reading that as a undergrad and it was hype! It fits in perfectly with your point on game design.
CyberSzabo
I played the game for a few hours and beat it getting to level 30ish. Just to have one of my friends get on and join a game of level 50s in their 3rd play through. So he gets to level 40 in minutes wile it takes me hours. They screwed up the exp in this game, the rest is good.
thegreatiandi
The grinding of which you speak is no good when no one can connect online Adam. Do an update..this games BROKEN man....
bohalloran95
ur dating yourself adam
Dragon1130
I hate grinding. I don't mind it if they dont sit there making you kill ther ame freaking enemies over and over again and again.
It just becomes tidious after a while.
However, I do have friends who think it's hardcore to grind for hours on end. I've actually gotten into debates with them and they still dont seem to get it. (Ehh, diferent tastes I understand that but sitting around for hours on end doign the ame damn thing is not Hardcore if you ask me...it's work.
Okay, now to end this on a quote I made up.
If it's boring but rewarding, it's A job. If it's boring and unrewarding, it's work. If it's fun and rewarding...it's a game. Thats how I feel.
finalmattasy
Nice one Mr. Sessler. You hit the nail, "Bonk!" right on the head! It does feel good to grind, but after a certain amount of time it does start to feel like a bit of a.. "grind." Some peoples grind appetites are larger than others I suppose.
Basilisk1991
Grinding is fine, as long as:
A) It's fun
B)It's rewarding
C) It dosen't strike you as a grind
Horde mode in GoW is a perfect example, you can spend hours shooting at those locust with no story or plot involved, and it's fun, it's rarely strikes me as repetitive or as a grind bespite the fact that technically, it is.
EchoEpsilon
I was afraid at first, but then I saw the enemies bleed and I remembered guns.
TheMilkMonster
don't worry adam, i'm a sad scared puppy too.....until i pick up my first epic sniper rifle with mordecai and start eating up some skags for my old friend T.K. Baha. keep up the great soapboxes
Ragrappy127
First off WoW is a lot less grindy than it was when it started. Its still grindy but I think thats just what sepparates RPG's from games with RpG elements. Other than that I have to say if nothing else your right about the fact that grinding can be entertaining because it gives a sense of achievment for doing something simple. I also find my self playing and enjoying grindy games more than the games I hold up as the best examples of the industry.
GamingSaint
I swear every time i see the borderland graphics they remind me of crack down
Ny_JoKeR
Any Lady's wanna Grind with lol, it's ok.
fenrir_tenhoor
Playing JRPGs a lot i get used to grinding just to make it TO the next boss, I've seen it good and I've seen ATROCIOUS (no one point fingers!!). But really grinding is what really makes a 60 hour game a SIXTY HOUR GAME! You take out all of the grinding and cut scenes of almost any RPG and you only get about 7 to 10 hours of main quest time. But i agree with the Sess, sometimes your tired and you don't want to play a thinking game and you just want to do something relatively simple for a while, grinding really is as close to brain dead that you can get and still get something to show of it.
gamerjes
Grinding has its moments. I know I enjoy a bit of repetative, yet rewarding, tasking after a long day. The main problem I have with grinding is the delicate balance between "repetative, yet rewarding" and the extreme end of 20+ hours of unavoidable grinding to attain this or that in the game. I like using FF7 as an example, cause most are at least familiar with the game. Mastering all materia in FF7 is the kind of extreme grinding I can do without. On the other hand, surveying minerals in Mass Effect to reach the next level is the "repetative, yet rewarding" type of grinding.
NortheastMonk
Diablo taught me what grinding was. I think grinding is a tough approach to enjoying a game, but Borderlands did it better then I've seen. Makes me think of how bad or good FFXIII grinding will be.
rayken15
I totally agree. The other day I woke up at 5 in the morning sick as a dog (stupid flu). I was unable to sleep and felt horrible. So I watched 3 hours of the office on netflix while I did a bunch of grinding quests on Aion. It felt strangely good and helped me pull my butt through the rest of the day. (I had a quiz in my electromagnetic physics course... not fun)
RKH83
Great soapbox. I agree that if done correctly, grinding can be fun. I played WoW for almost 2 years but quit playing because even though you create new characters, explore new areas, and even with new expansions you grind the same things over and over. To me that just got old really quick. Like mentioned in the video and by others, Too Human was in no way an excellent or perfect game. However, there was something to the gameplay and the fact that I didn't mind the "grinding" that made it fun and enjoyable. From what I've played of Borderlands it seems the same. Maybe other games with the grind complex will take a page from this and improve themselves for all of us.
SWATMASTER66
Great points. I agree, griding can be fun.
Jastermescheer
Wow Adam, I think you hit hit the nail on the head! In a world that moves so fast, with so much expected from each of us daily, a relaxing session of killing over and over is just what the doctor ordered. I often play WOW or other grinding games, when I still have many great, new games that I want to play, because I find therapeutic!
Spybreak
Nice soapbox, grinding worked out when I played through Dirt 2, the constant advancement of gained xp was a game unto itself. Ohhh, I leveled up and now I'm on lvl so and so! Grinding in Assault Heroes just didn't do it for me and the main thing there was there was no penalty to dying so why am I risking my hide here and oh gee I died, time to drive back and kill whatever killed me. That got old fast but games like Fallout 3 and Dirt 2 make grinding a background mechanic with the other design mechanics distracting you from just grinding, you're having fun! I think grinding also depends on a social group as well, you try to grind by yourself its not so much fun but do it with strangers or friends and its like a party.
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