The game's design choices, particularly concerning job roles, have sparked considerable debate within the community. A central point of contention revolves around the defense of "accessibility" often used to justify perceived shortcomings in job design. However, this argument falters upon closer examination, as the current implementation caters to a limited subset of accessibility concerns, neglecting other crucial aspects of player engagement and cognitive function. One significant issue stems from the extreme focus and zoning required by certain job designs. These designs often necessitate an intense concentration on a central point, leaving players vulnerable to disengagement due to a scarcity of triggers or stimuli. This can be particularly problematic for individuals with attention-related challenges or those prone to dissociation, where the lack of varied stimuli can lead to a loss of focus and awareness of the surrounding game environment. For players who experience dissociation, this intense focus can be akin to staring at a flickering candle, becoming completely absorbed in the flame and losing track of time and surroundings. The limited number of triggers in certain job designs exacerbates this issue, creating a gameplay experience that is not only unengaging but also potentially detrimental to players with specific cognitive sensitivities. Therefore, while accessibility is a laudable goal, it should not come at the expense of diverse and engaging job designs that cater to a wider range of player needs and cognitive styles.
The game's encounter design doesn't mitigate zoning out, and can even exacerbate it. This is because jobs lack complexity, relying on simple, repetitive patterns that require physical rather than mental skill. This absence of mental engagement fails to stimulate the brain, leading to disassociation during gameplay.
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The game's encounter design doesn't mitigate zoning out, and can even exacerbate it. This is because jobs lack complexity, relying on simple, repetitive patterns that require physical rather than mental skill. This absence of mental engagement fails to stimulate the brain, leading to disassociation during gameplay.
Continue reading...