The Problem with Glory

Okay, you know that shame is bad, but there are other emotions multiplayer gaming can tap that are quite positive ”the opposite emotion of shame: glory. And shame can feed glory; the greater the shame, the greater the feeling of glory. What did Conan say when asked what's good in life?

But there are plenty of opportunities for glory, or at least opportunities to reward players and make them feel good about themselves , that don't require that other players be humiliated. What then is the problem with glory? Ask yourself this question: What is the problem with money? Stressing glory ”even when it comes without shaming others ”emphasizes achievement in the game developer's system over development of your belonging to the community of the game world. Although we may think we're after recognized achievement in a multiplayer game ”and, the more competitive people would argue, in most life activities ”the sustaining motive, the reason we keep coming back after we know what we're doing, is due to our development in the social fabric of the game's community. This distinction can be confusing, and I will try to clear it up some. I'll start with the most recognized forms of today's true online games , how they handle issues of achievement versus development, and by extension how gracefully they manage matters of glory and shame.