Just thinking about when I started to play BatMUD when I logged on for
the first time.. I think the begining of my experience was mixed with
lots of questions about how to do stuff/how things worked- and a strong
role playing element

later on as I got to know the system and commands, role playing in the
game took the major focus. when I walked into a room I would look at
everything, try and talk to everymob, move things and use items I was
carrying to do stuff in the room too. But like most of us, we grow up
maybe, care less about discovery and more about time, how much exp can
you make in what amount of time... the rate, keep the rate up, the rate
is fun- the more exp we have the more fun we'll have right? wrong.

Basicly turning into a exp robot, caring only about reincs that would
make me more powerful, and trying to maximize the rate has left the
game rather dry for me.

But I think alot can be said for those who still manage to hang onto
that original newbie curiosity, and enjoy the game for the impact, not
the numbers

The most profound realization was when a player I introduced to the game
lead me explore in the church basement.. hidden rooms in the basement I
had never seen before because just like everyone else: church basement =
quick cash in my eyes. boy, did I miss out. I think we should stop trying
to be "the best possible expenditure of our exp" and "rock the most" but
care more about what we are, and who we are. Role play more, and
number crunch less.

- blackstar -