Full Circle: Offline to Online and Back
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This is a long post and don’t know why I’m compelled to share, so if you idgaf it, I totally understand.
TLDR: I started playing this game for pure joy and there were no DD incentives involved. Once I got hooked to DD, all I sought was winning and the tangible rewards that come with it. After taking a step back, I realize that my truest joy came from everything other than DD, the pure innocent fun of just playing (without the rewards).
In 2020, at the height of the pandemic, I took the plunge into modern gaming and began playing MLBTS. Along with it, I dragged two friends in with me. We had such a blast playing each other in custom leagues using standard MLB teams. I was enthralled. A month in, one of them encouraged me to start collecting cards in Diamond Dynasty. I resisted it, stating that Ultimate Team concepts are harmful psychological strategies to engage the consumer through quick dopamine rewards. However, a month in, I caved and became hooked to collecting some of my favorite old school players. The game served me well and got me through that brutal year everyone experienced.
In 2021, I got significantly better and became competitive online. I played relentlessly in every online mode and even went flawless later on in the year. However, with this competitiveness, it became tougher to experience a loss because tied to it was my availability of time. Take a loss? That meant that I have to play more games (and more time spent) to start a new BR run, or to win the 25 required wins in events, or start from lower in RS. In my head, I had to have everything.
2022 rolled in and I still felt exhausted from 2021. I started to grind, but finally questioned myself in the process, I’m most thankful for 2022 - the change in the way they have scheduled content has made me realize that this is not a sustainable hobby for me. It forced me to either let the content have me by the balls (because playing online, you want to have the most optimal team at all times), or move on in another direction. 2022 has reminded me that when I’m influenced by the schedule of a game’s content, that I’m affected very negatively by it.
I’ve come full circle in this game. I’ve gone from offline player to fierce online competitor and now back to where my joy of this game comes from; just chillin and playing for fun when I can. Offline is where it’s at for me now! If you have any thoughts or related experiences, they’re totally welcome.
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Holy smokes dude.
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I get it; it’s the fear of missing out. Not enough time to play everything so you do a bit of everything but accomplish nothing and end up frustrated. If you take a couple of days off, you need to get that timing back before jumping online. I appreciate the “lack” of content too, but still chasing too many rabbits. I should concentrate on RS, that’s what I enjoy most: full games that doesn’t raise my blood pressure if I’m down early.
I took a long break after 21 in September; then this winter I started FF7 Remake for a 3rd try (couldn’t get into it; now I get it, wow!) and did everything on Hard Mode, maxed everything. Had a blast; still nostalgic and may give it another go from scratch. I could take 2-3 days off and not panick and enjoy the company of others instead of wishing for me time to play.
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@ecureuil2011_psn said in Full Circle: Offline to Online and Back:
I get it; it’s the fear of missing out. Not enough time to play everything so you do a bit of everything but accomplish nothing and end up frustrated. If you take a couple of days off, you need to get that timing back before jumping online. I appreciate the “lack” of content too, but still chasing too many rabbits. I should concentrate on RS, that’s what I enjoy most: full games that doesn’t raise my blood pressure if I’m down early.
I took a long break after 21 in September; then this winter I started FF7 Remake for a 3rd try (couldn’t get into it; now I get it, wow!) and did everything on Hard Mode, maxed everything. Had a blast; still nostalgic and may give it another go from scratch. I could take 2-3 days off and not panick and enjoy the company of others instead of wishing for time to play.
Exactly this.
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I got around to reading this, good post. Somtimes I get that way too. I feel like I have to be playing the game or I'm going to fall behind and never catch up. Everytime I feel that way however I'm quickly reminded that sds will eventually give all the rewards away.
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@go4stros25_psn said in Full Circle: Offline to Online and Back:
Holy smokes dude.
Looking at it, it definitely looks like I took some bong rips.
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Well put my friend and I think we all need to remind ourselves these pay-to-play/dynasty modes are PURE DOPAMINE hits. These companies are essentially DOP dealers.
Found it much easier to quit illegal substances than it's been these game modes since the harm it is doing to you isn't noticeable until you take a step back.
Appreciate the reminder that I needed my friend
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@i-pureblood-i_psn said in Full Circle: Offline to Online and Back:
Well put my friend and I think we all need to remind ourselves these pay-to-play/dynasty modes are PURE DOPAMINE hits. These companies are essentially DOP dealers.
Found it much easier to quit illegal substances than it's been these game modes since the harm it is doing to you isn't noticeable until you take a step back.
Appreciate the reminder that I needed my friend
I think it's because when I stay up all night playing Diamonf dynasty I don't wake up in the back of a cop car, or in my front yard lol.
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@go4stros25_psn said in Full Circle: Offline to Online and Back:
@i-pureblood-i_psn said in Full Circle: Offline to Online and Back:
Well put my friend and I think we all need to remind ourselves these pay-to-play/dynasty modes are PURE DOPAMINE hits. These companies are essentially DOP dealers.
Found it much easier to quit illegal substances than it's been these game modes since the harm it is doing to you isn't noticeable until you take a step back.
Appreciate the reminder that I needed my friend
I think it's because when I stay up all night playing Diamonf dynasty I don't wake up in the back of a cop car, or in my front yard lol.
You re not trying hard enough.
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@write-to-shawn_psn said in Full Circle: Offline to Online and Back:
This is a long post and don’t know why I’m compelled to share, so if you idgaf it, I totally understand.
TLDR: I started playing this game for pure joy and there were no DD incentives involved. Once I got hooked to DD, all I sought was winning and the tangible rewards that come with it. After taking a step back, I realize that my truest joy came from everything other than DD, the pure innocent fun of just playing (without the rewards).
In 2020, at the height of the pandemic, I took the plunge into modern gaming and began playing MLBTS. Along with it, I dragged two friends in with me. We had such a blast playing each other in custom leagues using standard MLB teams. I was enthralled. A month in, one of them encouraged me to start collecting cards in Diamond Dynasty. I resisted it, stating that Ultimate Team concepts are harmful psychological strategies to engage the consumer through quick dopamine rewards. However, a month in, I caved and became hooked to collecting some of my favorite old school players. The game served me well and got me through that brutal year everyone experienced.
In 2021, I got significantly better and became competitive online. I played relentlessly in every online mode and even went flawless later on in the year. However, with this competitiveness, it became tougher to experience a loss because tied to it was my availability of time. Take a loss? That meant that I have to play more games (and more time spent) to start a new BR run, or to win the 25 required wins in events, or start from lower in RS. In my head, I had to have everything.
2022 rolled in and I still felt exhausted from 2021. I’m most thankful for MLBTS 2022 though. The change in the way they have scheduled content has made me realize that this is not a sustainable hobby for me. It forced me to either let the content have me by the balls (because playing online, you want to have the most optimal team at all times), or move on in another way. 2022 has reminded me that when I’m influenced by the schedule of a game’s content, that I’m affected very negatively by it.
I’ve come full circle in this game. I’ve gone from offline player to fierce online competitor and now back to where my joy of this game comes from, just chilling and playing for fun when I can. Offline is where it’s at for me now! If you have any thoughts or related experiences, they’re totally welcome.
Man, even your TLDR synopsis was too long for me…..
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@tmichae10_psn said in Full Circle: Offline to Online and Back:
@write-to-shawn_psn said in Full Circle: Offline to Online and Back:
This is a long post and don’t know why I’m compelled to share, so if you idgaf it, I totally understand.
TLDR: I started playing this game for pure joy and there were no DD incentives involved. Once I got hooked to DD, all I sought was winning and the tangible rewards that come with it. After taking a step back, I realize that my truest joy came from everything other than DD, the pure innocent fun of just playing (without the rewards).
In 2020, at the height of the pandemic, I took the plunge into modern gaming and began playing MLBTS. Along with it, I dragged two friends in with me. We had such a blast playing each other in custom leagues using standard MLB teams. I was enthralled. A month in, one of them encouraged me to start collecting cards in Diamond Dynasty. I resisted it, stating that Ultimate Team concepts are harmful psychological strategies to engage the consumer through quick dopamine rewards. However, a month in, I caved and became hooked to collecting some of my favorite old school players. The game served me well and got me through that brutal year everyone experienced.
In 2021, I got significantly better and became competitive online. I played relentlessly in every online mode and even went flawless later on in the year. However, with this competitiveness, it became tougher to experience a loss because tied to it was my availability of time. Take a loss? That meant that I have to play more games (and more time spent) to start a new BR run, or to win the 25 required wins in events, or start from lower in RS. In my head, I had to have everything.
2022 rolled in and I still felt exhausted from 2021. I’m most thankful for MLBTS 2022 though. The change in the way they have scheduled content has made me realize that this is not a sustainable hobby for me. It forced me to either let the content have me by the balls (because playing online, you want to have the most optimal team at all times), or move on in another way. 2022 has reminded me that when I’m influenced by the schedule of a game’s content, that I’m affected very negatively by it.
I’ve come full circle in this game. I’ve gone from offline player to fierce online competitor and now back to where my joy of this game comes from, just chilling and playing for fun when I can. Offline is where it’s at for me now! If you have any thoughts or related experiences, they’re totally welcome.
Man, even your TLDR synopsis was too long for me…..
TLDR: Offline good.
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Amen!!!! We have discussed this in length, and as you know, I went for playin f this game for fun since inception to diving in like you during the pandemic with DD and the same addiction. I had every card the last two years and was a slave to flipping and getting better.
Burned me out and became not fun, all while SDS laughed at me while not improving the product for fools like me.
No way I get every card this year, have gone 7 days in this game cycle without playing or caring which I never though would happen .
Hope we can finally get a league where we play each other ( even regular non DD league) and people don’t worry about missing out on grinding and falling behind with “their team”.
Thanks for posting , reaffirms where I am at too.
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I really feel the same, I did not play RS last season and I do not feel like I want to do it this time either. I’m happy playing the mystery map in HOF/Legend and conpleting offline missions.
I’ll probably play to WS tho because I liked Vinny Castilla last year, I also want Kersh too, so I’ll save stubs for one of them
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I am going back to franchise this year.
It’s just you vs the cpu playing baseball.
Simple.
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@write-to-shawn_psn said in Full Circle: Offline to Online and Back:
This is a long post and don’t know why I’m compelled to share, so if you idgaf it, I totally understand.
TLDR: I started playing this game for pure joy and there were no DD incentives involved. Once I got hooked to DD, all I sought was winning and the tangible rewards that come with it. After taking a step back, I realize that my truest joy came from everything other than DD, the pure innocent fun of just playing (without the rewards).
In 2020, at the height of the pandemic, I took the plunge into modern gaming and began playing MLBTS. Along with it, I dragged two friends in with me. We had such a blast playing each other in custom leagues using standard MLB teams. I was enthralled. A month in, one of them encouraged me to start collecting cards in Diamond Dynasty. I resisted it, stating that Ultimate Team concepts are harmful psychological strategies to engage the consumer through quick dopamine rewards. However, a month in, I caved and became hooked to collecting some of my favorite old school players. The game served me well and got me through that brutal year everyone experienced.
In 2021, I got significantly better and became competitive online. I played relentlessly in every online mode and even went flawless later on in the year. However, with this competitiveness, it became tougher to experience a loss because tied to it was my availability of time. Take a loss? That meant that I have to play more games (and more time spent) to start a new BR run, or to win the 25 required wins in events, or start from lower in RS. In my head, I had to have everything.
2022 rolled in and I still felt exhausted from 2021. I’m most thankful for MLBTS 2022 though. The change in the way they have scheduled content has made me realize that this is not a sustainable hobby for me. It forced me to either let the content have me by the balls (because playing online, you want to have the most optimal team at all times), or move on in another way. 2022 has reminded me that when I’m influenced by the schedule of a game’s content, that I’m affected very negatively by it.
I’ve come full circle in this game. I’ve gone from offline player to fierce online competitor and now back to where my joy of this game comes from, just chilling and playing for fun when I can. Offline is where it’s at for me now! If you have any thoughts or related experiences, they’re totally welcome.
I’ve had the same exact experience on the same timeline lol. This years content is lame, but I didn’t have the energy to grind moments etc like last year
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@oreorockstar_mlbts said in Full Circle: Offline to Online and Back:
Amen!!!! We have discussed this in length, and as you know, I went for playin f this game for fun since inception to diving in like you during the pandemic with DD and the same addiction. I had every card the last two years and was a slave to flipping and getting better.
Burned me out and became not fun, all while SDS laughed at me while not improving the product for fools like me.
No way I get every card this year, have gone 7 days in this game cycle without playing or caring which I never though would happen .
Hope we can finally get a league where we play each other ( even regular non DD league) and people don’t worry about missing out on grinding and falling behind with “their team”.
Thanks for posting , reaffirms where I am at too.
Can we make sure we do that this year?
It can be like a 90 overall cap for the teams so that you don’t feel like you have to have all the OP cards to compete.
Let’s make it happen at some point. -
@go4stros25_psn said in Full Circle: Offline to Online and Back:
I got around to reading this, good post. Somtimes I get that way too. I feel like I have to be playing the game or I'm going to fall behind and never catch up. Everytime I feel that way however I'm quickly reminded that sds will eventually give all the rewards away.
I'm just going with the flow this year. I will not be impatient and buy cards with stubs like I did in my first year in the show in 21. I plan on saving my stubs until I reach the limit and then I will buy what I want and just use what I earn and get in packs until then. Like you said, SDS will eventually start handing cards out like candy and I will be there taking full advantage of it.
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@write-to-shawn_psn said in Full Circle: Offline to Online and Back:
This is a long post and don’t know why I’m compelled to share, so if you idgaf it, I totally understand.
TLDR: I started playing this game for pure joy and there were no DD incentives involved. Once I got hooked to DD, all I sought was winning and the tangible rewards that come with it. After taking a step back, I realize that my truest joy came from everything other than DD, the pure innocent fun of just playing (without the rewards).
In 2020, at the height of the pandemic, I took the plunge into modern gaming and began playing MLBTS. Along with it, I dragged two friends in with me. We had such a blast playing each other in custom leagues using standard MLB teams. I was enthralled. A month in, one of them encouraged me to start collecting cards in Diamond Dynasty. I resisted it, stating that Ultimate Team concepts are harmful psychological strategies to engage the consumer through quick dopamine rewards. However, a month in, I caved and became hooked to collecting some of my favorite old school players. The game served me well and got me through that brutal year everyone experienced.
In 2021, I got significantly better and became competitive online. I played relentlessly in every online mode and even went flawless later on in the year. However, with this competitiveness, it became tougher to experience a loss because tied to it was my availability of time. Take a loss? That meant that I have to play more games (and more time spent) to start a new BR run, or to win the 25 required wins in events, or start from lower in RS. In my head, I had to have everything.
2022 rolled in and I still felt exhausted from 2021. I’m most thankful for MLBTS 2022 though. The change in the way they have scheduled content has made me realize that this is not a sustainable hobby for me. It forced me to either let the content have me by the balls (because playing online, you want to have the most optimal team at all times), or move on in another way. 2022 has reminded me that when I’m influenced by the schedule of a game’s content, that I’m affected very negatively by it.
I’ve come full circle in this game. I’ve gone from offline player to fierce online competitor and now back to where my joy of this game comes from, just chilling and playing for fun when I can. Offline is where it’s at for me now! If you have any thoughts or related experiences, they’re totally welcome.
I get what you’re saying. Play what you enjoy. I’m taking a different path this year and just collecting cards as they come and not forcing it. I’m using lesser cards than others in events and you know what, it’s totally fine. Actually, it’s quite enjoyable considering I beat them or hang with them just the same and it’s cool to use cards that not everyone has. I think the causal approach is best for me as it leads to less frustration. Glad you feel the same.
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@write-to-shawn_psn said in Full Circle: Offline to Online and Back:
@tmichae10_psn said in Full Circle: Offline to Online and Back:
@write-to-shawn_psn said in Full Circle: Offline to Online and Back:
This is a long post and don’t know why I’m compelled to share, so if you idgaf it, I totally understand.
TLDR: I started playing this game for pure joy and there were no DD incentives involved. Once I got hooked to DD, all I sought was winning and the tangible rewards that come with it. After taking a step back, I realize that my truest joy came from everything other than DD, the pure innocent fun of just playing (without the rewards).
In 2020, at the height of the pandemic, I took the plunge into modern gaming and began playing MLBTS. Along with it, I dragged two friends in with me. We had such a blast playing each other in custom leagues using standard MLB teams. I was enthralled. A month in, one of them encouraged me to start collecting cards in Diamond Dynasty. I resisted it, stating that Ultimate Team concepts are harmful psychological strategies to engage the consumer through quick dopamine rewards. However, a month in, I caved and became hooked to collecting some of my favorite old school players. The game served me well and got me through that brutal year everyone experienced.
In 2021, I got significantly better and became competitive online. I played relentlessly in every online mode and even went flawless later on in the year. However, with this competitiveness, it became tougher to experience a loss because tied to it was my availability of time. Take a loss? That meant that I have to play more games (and more time spent) to start a new BR run, or to win the 25 required wins in events, or start from lower in RS. In my head, I had to have everything.
2022 rolled in and I still felt exhausted from 2021. I’m most thankful for MLBTS 2022 though. The change in the way they have scheduled content has made me realize that this is not a sustainable hobby for me. It forced me to either let the content have me by the balls (because playing online, you want to have the most optimal team at all times), or move on in another way. 2022 has reminded me that when I’m influenced by the schedule of a game’s content, that I’m affected very negatively by it.
I’ve come full circle in this game. I’ve gone from offline player to fierce online competitor and now back to where my joy of this game comes from, just chilling and playing for fun when I can. Offline is where it’s at for me now! If you have any thoughts or related experiences, they’re totally welcome.
Man, even your TLDR synopsis was too long for me…..
TLDR: Offline good.
Hahahaha, good on ya…..I concur.
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@write-to-shawn_psn said in Full Circle: Offline to Online and Back:
@oreorockstar_mlbts said in Full Circle: Offline to Online and Back:
Amen!!!! We have discussed this in length, and as you know, I went for playin f this game for fun since inception to diving in like you during the pandemic with DD and the same addiction. I had every card the last two years and was a slave to flipping and getting better.
Burned me out and became not fun, all while SDS laughed at me while not improving the product for fools like me.
No way I get every card this year, have gone 7 days in this game cycle without playing or caring which I never though would happen .
Hope we can finally get a league where we play each other ( even regular non DD league) and people don’t worry about missing out on grinding and falling behind with “their team”.
Thanks for posting , reaffirms where I am at too.
Can we make sure we do that this year?
It can be like a 90 overall cap for the teams so that you don’t feel like you have to have all the OP cards to compete.
Let’s make it happen at some point.Absolutely!!!!!
