Out of Pod Experience

An interesting article I read earlier today. I felt that some of the things in it are probably the reason for EVE's success after so many years... and why so many of us are rabid about "keeping is hard" and/or worry about EVE becoming "too soft."

"Why We Should Design Some Things to Be Difficult to Use"


Personally... I am a fan of "doing things the hard way" before experiencing the "easy way." You learn more things about whatever it is you are doing and have perspective... which can help later on when the "easy way" breaks down (which it usually does).

Moreover, I honestly think number 3 on that article is very, very true ("Danger may be Safer")... but with a slight tweak that is related to "hard" versus "easy."
When you first experience things... you "acclimate" (get perspective) based on those experiences. This in turn alters your choices and decision making process so you can take the best possible course of action.
So hypothetically... if you are initially thrown into situations that are very difficult / dangerous and muddle your way through them... you should have an easier time later on as you have adjusted / adapted to that level of difficulty / danger.

But this is where things get fuzzy... because some people are less inclined to "acclimate" / adapt and will simply toss the entire experience in favor of another.

So should things be made safer and/or easier to use?
Or should certain things (like EVE) be kept as it is; difficult to master and a harsh place to acclimate to?

(yes, yes... I am totally baiting with those questions).

It was an interesting read, and I would have to agree given my own experience with crappy first cars to hand-me-down computers to crappy relationships. I learnt a lot because of those experiences with difficulties, and the harder the lesson the easier it is to remember what you've learnt from it.

As far as Eve is concerned, I can safely say I'm playing because of the difficulty and complexity of the game.
I also play for numerous other reasons too: the people, the rich lore, the beautiful scenery, etc but what hooked me was Eve's difficulty and the feeding of my want to learn - I wouldn't still be playing it otherwise.

Exactly my sentiment. I could not stand Waste of Web because it felt like you could mash any old button with the same outcome.

I tend to find something new, break the back of it until I become good at it and then lose interest. I do not gain satisfaction from repeating and refining the same process until it is perfect or as near as possible. Once the intellectual change is gone, then the interest shortly drops.

I think EVE holds a strong niche because of this and dumbing down would strip away their strength.

"Design Some Things to Be Difficult to Use"

any microsoft product TBFH ...FKRS never make anything easy to use !

Ok, sure. Another issue with the article and exclusivity is it's opposed to other things like popularity. Which is what a game probably wants to be. You know, be successful.

I'd like to design a Stairmaster that makes people generate electrical power-- instead of sucking up fossil fuel energy to do the same thing actually walking up a set of stairs would do! A power-generating treadmill would work just as well. Or, for a neutral solution, with no energy consumption and no energy production-- a sidewalk.

Also a leaf blower that turns into a rake if you just blow the freaking leaves into the neighbors' yards!

And a cruise ship that makes you pick up all of the golf balls you drove out into the Caribbean!

And a gym where there is no air conditioning, and you lose weight by doing something useful, such as pulling weeds or picking up beer cans, in 100 degree (Fahrenheit) heat. The way some people do, just to live!

Or, maybe a gym that is an all-weather four-seasons "natural conditioning" ambient environment. In other words, no air conditioning and no heat. Pretty much, just a warehouse. Full of cheap obstacle course stuff, such as tires, fallen telephone poles, nets to climb, old cars you have to climb through, etc. Could make it a little more elaborate by making customers have to change a tire in the dark, or figure out how to stop freezing water from a busted pipe spraying on them. The entrance is at one end, the vending machines with snacks, drinks, Hulu, whatever, are at the other end past all of the obstacles. The door's locked behind you for X hours. Oh yeah, and in the entry area, there are smart phone jammers. Your choice-- sit there or move.

Having driven (and nearly destroyed) my friend's LC on several occasions through some rough, off road conditions, I agree with the article.

There is a kind of relationship you develop with a machine to understand its limitations, the kind of sounds it makes or its heft or how it moves and it is almost kind of hypnotizing that sometimes you might even lose sight of your objective.

I like unrolling my dad's collection of tools and picking the right one to work on something broken around the house or in the garage. The stuff I have at my own place are pretty cheap and substandard and I like the difference in control you can get with a good knife or a wrench.

I have an unhealthy amount of attachment to my Shuns, and at airports and one border crossing so far I have had to be in the weird position to explain why I am carrying a full set. I really like cooking with them..

Ick.

This thing is must be the ultimate tool, as edged tools go: Japan precision bluefin tuna sushi/sashimi katana. That thing is a true Nihontou. You know: forged from river sand iron dust; smelted and folded X (secret) number of times; forged and shaped on anvil; edge side shaped down by stone; honed, polished, and oiled; sent to the expert woodcrafter who makes and fits the handle.

It's a true Nihotou, with the cloudy cutting edge side, in traditional "fog," "ocean waves," etc. patterns.

Who knows how much one of those things cost. Probably about like a buying a Benz. You can see them in knives shops in Japan. But of course, never touch. And you have to a license from the national government to buy one. After all, it's a katana with a longer handle. Made with the same traditions, but with another 300 years or so of tech prowess. They used to be weapons, and now 800-lb. tuna slicers, but still.... could be attractive to certain parties.

Absolute success, in my opinion!