Grind, why does it exists?
It could be philosophical question. But there are ultimatelly two kinds of grind:
Progress slowdown grind: It is there to keep you in one area for set of time to prevent you from progresing faster. Generally, its noticeable only if you dislike that area or if you are looking forward for next one. Origin of this is with games like Ad&D where generally adventures were tiered – after completition of each it was assumed that characters move on on to next power level and thus get ready for next, more challenging adventure. Thus GM usually had adventures ballanced for level one character, seccond for level two etc.. Somehow this style of progression became basis of computer roleplaying games as levels and stats are easily computerized unlike stories. For MMOs this type of progress is slowed down as it gives feeling of bigger world and that it keeps players playing loger. It is simply unfavorable for publisher to game game which you finish in same time like you would finish offline RPG as he would miss your monthly fees.
Endgame grind: This is different beast and is exclusive to MMOs, its task is simple: to keep you playing even after you think you did it all. Bad thing is that this one is usually activelly sought for by players who refuse to acknowledge that they finished game and who got addicted enough to want more of it at cost of playing zombie of game – play only to see some number rising up without experiencing any new content.
So, why does it exist? It’s because publishers want to keep people locked in game as long as it’s possible. That might be not really ethical reason, but it is their business model and players should acknowledge that.
But there is seccond reason, less agreeable: Because players want it themselves. Old joke is about size of ‘electronical’ penis – there are people who find joy in collecting various virtuall assets and using them as base of their self confidence and satisfaction. Enlarging their penis in a way. Some other feel that exclusive hard to get things are difference between noob and pro and use such things to get higher ground in player interaction. If that thing is not only status symbol but gives player actually power, it’s only better.
For theese people it is important that whatever all of comunity desires is inherently easy to obtain but requires a lot of dedication. Grind goals are exactly this – never too hard only requiring a lot of time.
This mindset also differeates them clearly from people who play for fun and who wont do grind as it is anithesis of fun or people who play skillfully who might eventually do it as it gives them needed tools, but will despise it as it requires no skill or inventiveness (unless it is in finding exploit to bypass grind).
But main problem is not attitude of people liking it or that people like it, it is when grind is not pointless for whole playerbase, but when it rewards with tanglible, desirable and something even necesary power.
In that case it must be removed mercilessly, but that conflicts with electronical penic group directly as it is base of their player habts and desires.
