Just a passing remark, i found this on the internet and it sparked a memory of an experience i had a couple of days ago when i went to the housing zone.
"Loss Of Shared Time In Phantasy Star Online
Robertson said that she had played the multiplayer PSO for some years, then had left it and moved on to other games. On hearing that the virtual world was to be shut down for good, she re-visited the world. Over time, her character had accrued power so was in no danger when re-entering the world, but the sight of desolation, empty spaces, the lack of camaraderie were palpable. Added to this was the knowledge that someone would flick a switch and the world not be there at all, just adding to the sorrow.
Roberson noted that this was an unusual feeling, as there was the mixture of a loss of real experience with the sense of losing something that in a sense was never really there at all - a quite unique video game experience."
full article
http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=10561
basically as i visited the housing zone, what was once a heaving mass of houses has become a series of empty plots with the occasional house dotted about. It bought a sense of emptyness to what was once a thriving area. which was a little depressing (i didnt cry i promise)
"Loss Of Shared Time In Phantasy Star Online
Robertson said that she had played the multiplayer PSO for some years, then had left it and moved on to other games. On hearing that the virtual world was to be shut down for good, she re-visited the world. Over time, her character had accrued power so was in no danger when re-entering the world, but the sight of desolation, empty spaces, the lack of camaraderie were palpable. Added to this was the knowledge that someone would flick a switch and the world not be there at all, just adding to the sorrow.
Roberson noted that this was an unusual feeling, as there was the mixture of a loss of real experience with the sense of losing something that in a sense was never really there at all - a quite unique video game experience."
full article
http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=10561
basically as i visited the housing zone, what was once a heaving mass of houses has become a series of empty plots with the occasional house dotted about. It bought a sense of emptyness to what was once a thriving area. which was a little depressing (i didnt cry i promise)