Introduction
MMORPGs, or mass multiplayer online roleplaying games, have amassed large player bases over the years. One MMORPG that had my attention in the early 2010’s is Free Realms, published and developed by Sony Online Entertainment. The game is described as “A light hearted MMO designed for a broad range of game players, including children and families” (IGN). Although it had great success in its time, the game servers were shut down on March 31, 2014 due to Sony Online Entertainment redistributing their resources on new upcoming games (Goldfarb). Although the servers have been down for nearly 10 years, fans are still eagerly waiting for a potential relaunch of a new, refurbished version of the game. To get to know the game, we will examine player motivations that the game targets, and the skills required to play the game.
Targeting Player Motivation
MMORPG’s ask players to play their game for longer periods of time compared to other games, since the world is an interactive networked environment. Servers are always online, unlike save-based games that halt their interactivity when you close them. Therefore, it is key that game developers find ways to entice their audiences to spend significant time with their games. Two elements that can be observed to target player motivation are customization, and autonomy.
Free Realms create-a-character page is filled with a wide variety of customizable features, letting players get detailed with the way their avatar presents in-game. Players can choose between Human Female, Pixie Female, Human Male, and Pixie Male (See Figure 1). Then, after choosing their avatar figure, players can go into further detail to choose features such as face type, skin tone, hair style, hair colour, eye colour, facial hair, clothes, and facepaint (See Figure 2). Later on, players can earn in-game currency by completing quests to purchase more items of clothing for their character. Players can also edit the appearance of their characters down the line, but some choices such as face type are permanent (Fandom).
Figure 1: Character generation screen. Source: FreeRealms Wiki
Figure 2: Character customization screen. Source: FreeRealms Wiki
All of these features build a sense of agency and control in the player, which is a trait that is important to satisfy player needs.
Increasing their sense of control and novelty in the virtual world can motivate them to come back and do the same activity (Turkay). As well, this is specifically important to MMORPGs, since avatars are how players present to one-another. They are also the vessel that users explore the world with.
Autonomy is another trait that motivates players in MMORPG settings. There is no ‘correct’ way to play Free Realms; it is an open world where players can choose different play-styles to engage with. The game features various ‘jobs’ which players can use to cater their game experience. Some of these include adventurer, brawler, blacksmith, chef, demolition derby driver, medic, and pet trainer (Fandom). Jobs like adventurers and brawlers encounter more combat-based minigames, and derby drivers play driving simulator minigames. Each of these jobs feature different minigames that provide rewards when played, and increase job levels. The system is flexible, and players can level up multiple jobs at once. This system directly ties into the themes of autonomy, since players can constantly change their gameplay experience to their own desires. This experience of control may increase the feelings of the game being more dynamic, and therefore motivates more play (Turkay).
Skills to Play
As stated before, there is no ‘correct’ way to play Free Realms, because there are so many avenues that players can explore within the game. Therefore, the game asks for different skills in order to play the game well. Though different playstyles of the game ask for varying skillsets- such as patience for fishers, or quick reflexes for combat, skills in collaboration and teamwork are critical. Free Realms is a space where gamers can group up and conquer quests together. Some tasks that rise when in group settings include role assignment, task delegation, crisis management, logistical planning, and reward-share amongst group members. These are all tasks that require the skill of leadership, which isn’t what MMORPGs are designed to teach, but a natural real-life skill
that can be acquired and practiced in the environment (Yee). Basic technical skills that help general gameplay are spatial awareness and relative navigational skills for exploring, hand-eye coordination for battle and demolition derby driving, and artistic skill for decorating and designing character homes.
Conclusion
Free Realms was an expansive MMORPG that allowed users to socialize and play in many different playstyles, all in one domain. Sony Online Entertainment utilized the features of customization and user autonomy to motivate players to play the game, and invest their time into their virtual world. The various playstyles that were available to users attracted a wide audience, and each playstyle required varying skillsets for optimized proficiency. However, as an MMORPG, Free Realms most valuable skills could be argued to be social, under the umbrellas of collaboration and teamwork. The game allowed users to practice real-life skills in the digital world. It is unfortunate that the game is no longer supported, but it’s reign shed light on the positive aspects of MMORPGs.
Works Cited
Fandom. “Starting the Game.” FreeRealms Wiki, freerealms.fandom.com/wiki/ Starting_The_Game#Customize!
Goldfarb, Andrew. “Sony Online Entertainment Shutting down Four Mmos.” IGN, IGN, 24 Jan. 2014, www.ign.com/articles/2014/01/24/sony-online-entertainment-shutting- down-four-mmos.
IGN. “Free Realms.” IGN, 29 Apr. 2009, www.ign.com/games/free-realms.
Turkay, Selen, and Sonam Adinolf. “The Effects of Customization on Motivation in an Extended Study with a Massively Multiplayer Online Roleplaying
Game.” Cyberpsychology, vol. 9, no. 3, Sept. 2015, pp. 72–87. EBSCOhost, https://doi.org/10.5817/CP2015-3-2.
Yee, Nick. “The Demographics, Motivations, and Derived Experiences of Users of Massively Multi-User Online Graphical Environments.” PRESENCE: Teleoperators & Virtual Environments, vol. 15, no. 3, June 2006, pp. 309–29. EBSCOhost, https://doi.org/10.1162/pres.15.3.309.
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