How do you feel about Space Station 13 these days?

[BONERMASTER]

When you first stumbled your way in here, it felt like discovering a new world: everything was a novelty, the options seemed limitless, and with so many job roles to explore, you always wanted to come back for more. I think that experience is pretty universal.

Now, however, pretty much all of you here are now grizzled veterans. You've seen it all, you know the routine, perhaps you even took to coding and furthering the game yourself. Either way, that initial, almost magical novelty, dissipated quite a while ago, it has for me at least.

So I am wondering, how you all feel about this game now. What do you do these days? Why do you keep coming back to it? And do you still have fun with it?


With curious regards
-BONERMASTER

[toemas]

most rounds are pretty boring/terrible and feel like a waste of time but every now and then something really great will happen that makes it worth it
im still enjoying the game but not as much as i did before, feels like people were more creative/fun to play with like two years ago but maybe im just looking back thru rose-colored glasses

[Kendrickorium]

the magic came back when people started using those black smoke grenades

the terror was real

[Itseasytosee2me]

It used to be like crack cocaine, but now its more like ketamine

[Capsandi]

I'm one of those strange cases in which I don't get bored of just fooling around with game mechanics by myself (Deranged Campbell enjoyer). That being said,
It seems the ideal of infinite player retention through the prioritization of 'infinitely versatile' RP experiences over inferred conflicts (kill objectives) and even emergent ones (scarcity of supplies) has failed. RP can't happen without players who want to RP, and just because rounds are less chaotic and more vacuous doesn't mean players will fill that space with RP.
It seems to be common belief that gameplay can never inform RP, when in fact its crucial to making stories with rational characters. Fighting to the death after escalating an argument about some trivial bs like the clown's shoes will always be dry compared to the conversations occurring in one of the last breathable rooms of a newly derelict SS13.

[sinfulbliss]

Even after all the magic disappears there is still magic you find every so often or a unique RP moment that makes things funny and fun

Majority of the time though it’s sort of fun just playing a game because you’re super familiar with it. You know what sorta things to do as any given job and you have a good read of the station from so many rounds so it’s fun to just let it play out and do the stuff you’d normally do

Plus the game always needs the older players to pass the info and traditions on to the new players

[Shadowflame909]

I felt like a mad scientist discovering new ways to become a super hero and prevent the even cooler bad guys from hurting me

Now I feel like i've done it all, and what was cool no matter how many times you've done it (rng polymorph) has been made into a rarity.

Short story is im burnt out and waiting for genetics to get new cool useful mutations.

[NecromancerAnne]

I'm having fun, but I miss all my friends. They're long gone. Other servers or just not playing anymore. It's pretty sad, honestly.

[Misdoubtful]

When you first stumbled your way in here, it felt like discovering a new world: everything was a novelty, the options seemed limitless, and with so many job roles to explore, you always wanted to come back for more. I think that experience is pretty universal.

Now, however, pretty much all of you here are now grizzled veterans. You've seen it all, you know the routine, perhaps you even took to coding and furthering the game yourself. Either way, that initial, almost magical novelty, dissipated quite a while ago, it has for me at least.

So I am wondering, how you all feel about this game now. What do you do these days? Why do you keep coming back to it? And do you still have fun with it?


With curious regards
-BONERMASTER

This is why I'm constantly hopping between servers. Sticking to just one is a death sentence of boredom and burn out waiting to happen, and robbing yourself of possible enjoyment.

[Valorium]

I'm still endlessly trying to get better at it, but I don't spend enough time playing to get good enough to play in a "competitive" fashion. I've found that RP, lore writing and administration have helped fill the voids that I haven't been able to fill with, well, actual gameplay skill. My work in those regards has been very fulfilling, and that those with the temperament and talent(?) necessary to do so should pursue it if they want to reduce their burnout or increase their satisfaction. That's just my two cents, though.

[Justice12354]

I've found that going around servers helps me get some of that good, old magic. I played Goon again just to give it a try once more, and it felt refreshing to return there after so long; though I miss some gimmicks and round events that I'll probably not see again.

Playing on servers with wildly different gameplay mechanics makes you feel clueless and like a wandering spaceman, which is kind of the magic of ss13, so that's cool.

As for burnout, I figured that alternating between playing and administrating helps a LOT, as well as running around servers (even if inside tg). Having played for so many hours, sometimes it's hard to come up with a cool, new idea for a round and it sucks when you find yourself bored, without knowing what to do; and that's when RP comes in. Roleplaying brings unforeseen paths created by the collective imagination of everyone that decides to think "Yeah... If I were this person, I'd prob say/do this" and it creates so many wonderful stories that last for so long. Some people think Terry is just NRP, but there are so many players that create awesome stories from scratch. Sometimes walking up to someone with a rubber duck and saying "Quack" as you squeeze it is enough to create a fun, niche story.

To answer BONERMASTER's question, I honestly don't come by THAT often. There are days when I'd rather play other stuff with my friends, and that's alright. When I do join tg, though, I do it because I'm looking forward to creating/seeing a new story (or because my game activity has been shitty lately). If I am playing, I will either play as an MD for the gaming; or as a more gimmick job, such as Psychologist or Curator. I like to RP with random people around me, even if it's silly, stupid, goofy shit. It doesn't matter, it's just a videogame; no one's gonna sue me for not roleplaying hard or well enough, it's for fun!

[BlevRuz]

dont have the time to play as much recently so its mostly speedrunning idiotic circuit designs before shenanigans take over. it's fun when i do have the time for it!

[Super Aggro Crag]

It's full of trash.

[Itseasytosee2me]

Age has degraded old and important elements, but none are without repair.